Is a CFE Top-Up a Single Point of Contact?

Joining the Caisse des Français de l'Étranger (CFE) and a CFE top-up is the equivalent of being registered with French social security (Sécurité sociale) while also having a mutuelle (French complementary health insurance). Alea, the CFE's local representative for Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore, explains how and to whom you pay your premium, and how the reimbursement of your healthcare costs works.

Paying the premium

The premiums are paid separately. In practice, you therefore make two payments: one directly to the CFE and another directly to the insurer.

The CFE contribution must be paid quarterly.

Making a claim

The insurers that offer CFE top-ups have agreements with the Caisse des Français de l'Étranger. To make the process simpler, either the top-up insurer or the CFE acts as a single point of contact, depending on the agreement reached.

This means that, depending on the agreement, you send all your documents directly either to the top-up insurer or to the CFE. Each then reimburses its own share to your bank account.

Here is how reimbursement works with three insurers that offer CFE top-ups:

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 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!