The CFE: Pros and Cons

Whether or not to join the Caisse des Français de l'Étranger is a very personal decision. Alea, the CFE's local representative for Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore, has gathered its pros and cons to help you make the right choice.

What Are the Key Benefits of Joining the CFE?

Cover for pre-existing conditions

One of the main advantages of the Caisse des Français de l'Étranger (CFE) is that it does not discriminate against pre-existing conditions.

This discrimination, which the French community is often unaware of, is standard practice in the international health insurance market. It means that insurers treat policyholders differently depending on their medical history before they took out the policy. Depending on how serious the condition is and whether it may become chronic, the insurer is entitled to increase your premium, refuse to cover any costs related to that condition, or refuse to insure you at all.

The CFE therefore has the advantage of making no distinction and of covering all its members in the same way and at the same price. To see the CFE's prices, click here.

Temporary trips back to France

Another advantage of the CFE is that it reimburses your healthcare costs during stays in France of less than 6 months, as if you had never left France. This can be handy if you decide to see your dentist or your GP in France during your holidays.

Returning to France for good

CFE membership also lets you rejoin French social security directly when you move back to France for good, without any waiting period. Your paperwork will be simpler.

What Are the Main Disadvantages of the CFE?

As explained above, the CFE has many advantages thanks to the unique way it works. It is a useful and worthwhile foundation for expats.

However, this scheme is not enough for Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom at least not for its private sector, which is the second most expensive in the world after the United States. The CFE reimburses in the same way as French social security does in France. Due to the elevated cost of private healthcare in these regions, French expatriates often face substantial out-of-pocket expenses.

That is why the CFE is usually combined with international health insurance. Some French insurers offer products that include CFE membership in their plans. April, Henner and MSH offer this type of top-up. You pay two separate premiums, one to the CFE and one to your insurer, but claims go through a single point of contact: either the insurer or the CFE, depending on the agreement in place.

Out-of-pocket costs are then no longer an issue. The insurer covers them, within the sub-limits that apply.

Did you know? Alea is the advisor for French expats in Hong Kong. As the CFE's exclusive representative for Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore, Alea has unique expertise in every CFE plan and in the plans French insurers such as Allianz, April, Henner, MSH and Assur-Travel offer alongside the CFE. We work with more than 50 international partners, such as AXA, Bupa and Cigna, to find you the best option!