Laser Eye Surgery

In an era of shrinking marketing budgets, expensive television ads, and the proliferation of recording technology enabling consumers to skip past the pitch, hooking up with a sultan of swag can be a good strategy.

Fary described the payoff for a Web-based vintage jeans company called White Trash Palace, which was included in the Grammy gift basket.

"A couple of members of the popular Black Eyed Peas group called them after, and they are now creating jeans for the band's tour.

That's not access most normal fashion companies have.

Everyone wants to dress celebrities, but how do you do it?

" he asked.

Fary also described couture designer Escada's pursuit of Teri Hatcher of ABC's "Desperate Housewives." It finally paid off at the Grammys when the star took a fancy to the line's ski jackets in the gifting lounge.

Squeamish Celebs Not all celebrities are comfortable with what can be perceived as excess laid out before people who "have it all." Some already have endorsement deals they must protect.

Others are sincerely concerned about being perceived as greedy, even if the products are openly given as "thank you" gifts.

Fary admitted to getting e-mai...

Sheldon Kenton, head of marketing in Europe for Cigna, warned about the consequences of ignoring the changes.

"The BHP is mandatory, regardless of whether another plan is in place, and in certain circumstances individuals can face a fine.

"The rules relating to individuals who have retired abroad are not clear.

The regulations are in place, but haven't been tested.

As particular scenarios crop up there will be rulings that will define the law." But expats could take advantage of private insurance top-up schemes which cover the policyholder for fees above the capped annual benefits provided for by Dutch insurers, he added.

However, Mr Kenton said it was clear that Dutch citizens who returned to Holland after years abroad - and therefore perhaps outside the welfare net - could not be penalised in terms of their premiums because insurers were not allowed to differentiate.

He added: "The change is an acknowledgement of the state's desire to be out of the loop when it comes to providing healthcare.

The state has basically passed liability on to the private insurance market but has taken on the role of payroll tax collector and risk balancer.

It isn't the first country to move in this direction and won't be the last." The shake-up has similarities with belt-tightening moves elsewhere.

A crack-down in Britain on "health tourism" in April 2004 followed a speech by John Reid, then Health...