MEDPARTNERS INC
10-Q, 1997-11-14
SPECIALTY OUTPATIENT FACILITIES, NEC
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<PAGE>   1


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           ---------------------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

[X]      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997

                                       OR

[ ]      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM              TO             
                               ------------    ------------
                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 0-27276


                                MEDPARTNERS, INC
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

           DELAWARE                                             63-1151076
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                              Identification No.)

                         3000 GALLERIA TOWER, SUITE 1000
                            BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35244
                    (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                                  (205)733-8996
              (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

         Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  X  No
                                              ---    ---

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                 Class                 Outstanding at October 31, 1997
                 -----                 -------------------------------
       COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE                    196,805,009*
             $.001 PER SHARE

*  Includes 9,317,000 shares held in trust to be utilized in employee
   benefit plans.


                                        1

<PAGE>   2


      FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

         FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. Statements in this document that are not
historical facts are hereby identified as "forward looking statements" for
purposes of the safe harbor provided by Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933
(the "Securities Act"). MedPartners, Inc. (the "Company") cautions readers that
such "forward looking statements", including without limitation, those relating
to the Company's future business prospects, revenue, working capital, liquidity,
capital needs, interest costs and income, wherever they occur in this document
or in other statements attributable to the Company, are necessarily estimates
reflecting the best judgment of the Company's senior management and involve a
number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those suggested by the "forward looking statements". Such
"forward looking statements" should therefore, be considered in light of various
important factors, including those set forth below and others set forth from
time to time in the Company's reports and registration statements filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

         These "forward looking statements" are found at various places
throughout this document. Additionally, the discussion herein under Item 1,
"Legal Proceedings," and in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" are susceptible to the risks and
uncertainties discussed below. Moreover, the Company, through its senior
management, may from time to time make "forward looking statements" about
matters described herein or other matters concerning the Company.

         The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update "forward
looking statements".

         FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS. The healthcare industry in
general and the physician practice management business in particular are in a
state of significant flux. This, together with the circumstance that the Company
has a relatively short operating history and is the largest physician practice
management ("PPM") consolidator in the United States, makes the Company
particularly susceptible to various factors that may affect future results such
as the following:

         risks relating to the Company's growth strategy; risks relating to
integration in connection with acquisitions; risks relating to capital
requirements; identification of growth opportunities; dependence on HMO enrollee
growth; risks related to the capitated nature of revenue; control of healthcare
costs; risks relating to certain legal matters; risks relating to exposure to
professional liability; risks relating to government regulation; risks relating
to pharmacy licensing operations; risks relating to healthcare reform and
proposed legislation; and possible volatility of stock price.

         For a more detailed discussion of these factors and their potential
impact on future results, see the applicable discussions herein.


                                       2

<PAGE>   3




                                MEDPARTNERS, INC.

                          QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

                                      INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Page
                                                                                             ----
<S>                                                                                          <C>
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.           Financial Statements

         Consolidated Balance Sheets -
         December 31, 1996 (Audited) and September 30, 1997 (Unaudited) ...................     4

         Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)-
         Three Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 ...................................     5

         Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)-
         Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 ....................................     6

         Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) -
         Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 ....................................     7

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) ...........................     8

Item 2.           Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                  Condition and Results of Operations .....................................    11

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.           Legal Proceedings .......................................................    18

Item 2.           Changes in Securities ...................................................    21

Item 6.           Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K ........................................    21
</TABLE>


                                       3


<PAGE>   4


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                                MEDPARTNERS, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    DECEMBER 31,       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                        1996                1997
                                                                                    ------------       -------------
                                                                                      (AUDITED)          (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                 <C>                <C>       
                                                   ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents .................................................        $  127,397          $  235,725
  Accounts receivable, less allowances for bad debts of $143,449 and
    $174,675.................................................................           660,150             774,153
  Inventories ...............................................................           150,586             138,185
  Income tax receivable .....................................................             2,496                  --
  Deferred tax assets, net ..................................................            52,261              83,698
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets .................................            69,225              57,851
                                                                                     ----------          ----------
         Total current assets ...............................................         1,062,115           1,289,612
Property and equipment, net .................................................           516,769             544,559
Intangible assets, net ......................................................           686,975           1,039,907
Deferred tax asset ..........................................................            18,333                  --
Other assets ................................................................           138,928             185,847
                                                                                     ----------          ----------
         Total assets .......................................................        $2,423,120          $3,059,925
                                                                                     ==========          ==========
                                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable ..........................................................        $  288,023          $  342,011
  Accrued medical claims payable ............................................           114,753             143,686
  Other accrued expenses and liabilities ....................................           404,334             333,824
  Income tax payable ........................................................                --              17,099
  Current portion of long-term debt .........................................            28,596              13,679
                                                                                     ----------          ----------
         Total current liabilities ..........................................           835,706             850,299

Long-term debt, net of current portion ......................................           715,996           1,230,376
Other long-term liabilities .................................................            34,010              44,958
Deferred tax liability ......................................................                --              14,105

Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.001 par value;  400,000 shares authorized;
    issued -- 183,950 in 1996 and 196,342 in 1997 ...........................               184                 196
  Additional paid-in capital ................................................           855,162             921,213
  Notes receivable from stockholders ........................................            (1,665)             (1,452)
  Shares held in trust, 9,317 shares in 1996 and 1997 .......................          (150,200)           (150,200)
  Retained earnings .........................................................           133,927             150,430
                                                                                     ----------          ----------
         Total stockholders' equity .........................................           837,408             920,187
                                                                                     ----------          ----------
         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity .........................        $2,423,120          $3,059,925
                                                                                     ==========          ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


                                       4

<PAGE>   5


                                MEDPARTNERS, INC.

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                        -------------------------------
                                                                           1996                 1997
                                                                        -----------         -----------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
                                                                               PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                                     <C>                 <C>        
Net revenue ....................................................        $ 1,313,019         $ 1,614,062
Operating expenses:
  Clinic expenses ..............................................            683,847             889,165
  Non-clinic goods and services ................................            498,145             548,140
  General and administrative expenses ..........................             42,317              45,423
  Depreciation and amortization ................................             22,537              29,414
  Net interest expense .........................................              5,395              13,969
  Merger expenses ..............................................            263,000                  --
  Other, net ...................................................                328                  --
                                                                        -----------         -----------
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes ...           (202,550)             87,951
Income tax expense (benefit) ...................................            (53,423)             33,509
                                                                        -----------         -----------
Income (loss) from continuing operations .......................           (149,127)             54,442
Loss from discontinued operations ..............................                 --              (5,273)
                                                                        -----------         -----------

Net income (loss) ..............................................        $  (149,127)        $    49,169
                                                                        ===========         ===========

Earnings per common and common equivalent share:
  Income (loss) from continuing operations ....................         $     (0.85)        $      0.29
  Loss from discontinued operations ...........................                  --               (0.03)
                                                                        -----------         -----------
  Net income (loss) ...........................................         $     (0.85)        $      0.26
                                                                        ===========         ===========

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares 
  outstanding ..................................................            174,717             190,382
                                                                        ===========         ===========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


                                       5

<PAGE>   6


                                MEDPARTNERS, INC.

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                        -------------------------------
                                                                            1996               1997
                                                                        -----------         -----------
                                                                           (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
                                                                             PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                                     <C>                 <C>        
Net revenue ....................................................        $ 3,837,426         $ 4,642,595
Operating expenses:
  Clinic expenses ..............................................          1,976,745           2,480,939
  Non-clinic goods and services ................................          1,483,676           1,669,678
  General and administrative expenses ..........................            127,904             130,984
  Depreciation and amortization ................................             66,556              83,871
  Net interest expense .........................................             16,583              36,299
  Merger expenses ..............................................            297,698              59,434
  Other, net ...................................................                272                  --
                                                                        -----------         -----------
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes ...           (132,008)            181,390
Income tax expense (benefit) ...................................            (25,274)             80,503
                                                                        -----------         -----------
Income (loss) from continuing operations .......................           (106,734)            100,887
Discontinued operations:
  Loss from discontinued operations ............................            (71,221)            (80,707)
  Net gains on sales of discontinued operations ................              2,523                  --
                                                                        -----------         -----------
Loss from discontinued operations ..............................            (68,698)            (80,707)
                                                                        -----------         -----------

Net income (loss) ..............................................        $  (175,432)        $    20,180
                                                                        ===========         ===========

Earnings per common and common equivalent share:
  Income (loss) from continuing operations .....................        $     (0.61)        $      0.53
  Loss from discontinued operations ............................              (0.40)              (0.42)
                                                                        -----------         -----------
  Net income (loss) ............................................        $     (1.01)        $      0.11
                                                                        ===========         ===========

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
  outstanding ..................................................            173,088             188,640
                                                                        ===========         ===========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


                                       6



<PAGE>   7


                                MEDPARTNERS, INC.

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                           ---------------------------
                                                                                              1996              1997
                                                                                           ---------         ---------
                                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                        <C>               <C>      
Operating activities:
 Income (loss) from continuing operations .........................................        $(106,734)        $ 100,888
 Adjustments for non-cash items:
   Depreciation and amortization ..................................................           66,556            83,871
   Provision for deferred taxes ...................................................          (33,572)           25,836
   Merger expenses ................................................................          297,698            59,434
   Other ..........................................................................            1,319               612
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions .......         (110,466)         (116,559)
                                                                                           ---------         ---------
         Net cash and cash equivalents provided by continuing operations ..........          114,801           154,082
Investing activities:
  Net cash used to fund acquisitions ..............................................         (119,298)         (327,486)
  Cash paid for merger charges ....................................................         (137,182)         (116,998)
  Purchase of property and equipment ..............................................         (109,014)          (67,077)
  Additions to intangibles, net of acquisitions ...................................          (15,538)          (16,025)
  Net proceeds from marketable securities .........................................           76,604                --
  Other ...........................................................................           14,700             2,813
                                                                                           ---------         ---------
         Net cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities ...............         (289,728)         (524,773)
Financing activities:
  Common stock issued and capital contributions ...................................          240,710            46,894
  Proceeds from debt ..............................................................          724,655           856,699
  Repayment of debt ...............................................................         (693,717)         (357,347)
  Other ...........................................................................           (1,372)              249
                                                                                           ---------         ---------
         Net cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities ...........          270,276           546,495
Cash used in discontinued operations ..............................................         (103,591)          (67,977)
                                                                                           ---------         ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ..............................           (8,242)          107,827
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ..................................           88,386           127,397
Beginning cash and cash equivalents of immaterial pooling of interests entities....            3,295               501
                                                                                           ---------         ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ........................................        $  83,439         $ 235,725
                                                                                           =========         =========
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


                                       7

<PAGE>   8



                                MEDPARTNERS, INC.

              NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

         The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting
and in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not
include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted
accounting principles for complete financial statements.

         In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated
financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
items) necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods
presented. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily
indicative of results for the full year. These financial statements and footnote
disclosures should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 1996 audited
consolidated financials statements and the notes thereto.

         The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.

         RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         On June 26, 1997 the Company combined with InPhyNet Medical Management
Inc. ("InPhyNet") in a business combination that was accounted for as a pooling
of interests. Accordingly, the financial statements for periods prior to the
effective dates of the merger have been restated to include the results of
InPhyNet and additional entities accounted for as immaterial poolings of
interests.

NOTE 2.  INCOME TAXES

         Significant variations exist in the customary relationship between
income tax expense and pretax income. These variations exist primarily because
certain merger expenses are non-deductible for income tax purposes.


NOTE 3.  DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

         Effective February 29, 1996, Caremark International, Inc. ("Caremark")
sold its Nephrology Services business to Total Renal Care, Inc. for $49.0
million in cash, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The after-tax gain
on disposition of this business, net of disposal costs, was $2.5 million. In
March 1996, Caremark agreed to settle all disputes with a number of private
payors. The settlements resulted in an after-tax charge of $43.8 million. These
disputes related to businesses that were covered by Caremark's settlement with
federal and state agencies in June 1995. In addition, Caremark agreed to pay
$24.1 million after-tax to cover the private payors' pre-settlement and
settlement-related expenses. An after-tax charge for the above amounts is
included in discontinued operations for the nine month period ended September
30, 1996. Included in discontinued operations for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 is an after-tax charge of $75.4 million related to the
settlement of a dispute arising from Caremark's sale of its home infusion
therapy business to Coram Healthcare Corporation ("Coram") in April 1995. The
Company returned for cancellation all securities issued by Coram in connection
with the sale and agreed to pay Coram $45 million in cash. Also included in
discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 is an
after-tax charge of $5.3 million related to the settlement of a class action
lawsuit filed in August and September 1994 against Caremark.


                                       8

<PAGE>   9


MEDPARTNERS, INC.

       NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

NOTE 4. MERGERS

         In June 1997, the Company merged with InPhyNet in a transaction that
was accounted for as a pooling of interests. The Company exchanged approximately
19.3 million shares of its common stock for all of the outstanding common stock
of InPhyNet.

         Included in pre-tax loss for the nine months ended September 30, 1997,
are merger costs totaling $59.4 million with approximately $50.0 million related
to the business combination with InPhyNet and $9.4 million to various immaterial
business combinations. The components of this cost are as follows (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>    
Operational restructuring                                       $17,800
Brokerage fees, professional fees, filing fees and other
      transaction costs                                          19,000
Conforming of accounting policies                                11,100
Severance and related benefits                                    3,074
Transition costs                                                  6,500
Debt restructuring                                                  560
Abandonment of facilities                                           900
Noncompatible technology                                            500
                                                                -------
Total                                                           $59,434
                                                                =======
</TABLE>

NOTE 5. ACQUISITIONS

         During the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the Company, through
its wholly-owned subsidiaries, acquired certain operating assets of various
medical practices. Simultaneously with each medical practice acquisition, the
Company entered into a practice management agreement which generally has a 40
year term. The acquisitions have been accounted for by the purchase method of
accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the net
assets based on the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The
estimated fair value of assets acquired is $344.3 million. A total of $327.5
million in cash and approximately 0.8 million shares of stock valued at
approximately $16.8 million were given in exchange for these assets during the
nine months ended September 30, 1997, of which $56.8 million relates to the
acquisition of Aetna U.S. Healthcare's physician practice management business
and $187.1 million to the acquisition of Talbert Medical Management.

NOTE 6. THRESHOLD APPRECIATION PRICE SECURITIES

         During the third quarter of 1997, the Company issued $481.4 million in
Threshold Appreciation Price Securities ("TAPS"), due three years from the date
of issue. The TAPS require that the investor purchase the Company's common
stock in three years at a price of $27.07, which was 22% above the stock price
on the date of issue. The proceeds from the TAPS offering were used to buy U.S.
Treasury Notes, which pay the investor interest 6.25% and are pledged to a
collateral agent to secure the investor's obligation to purchase stock. The
Company is also required to pay the investor an enhanced yield payment of .25%.
Proceeds from the maturation of the Treasury Notes will be used to purchase the
$481.4 million in common stock from the Company in August 2000. The resulting
impact on the Company's financial statements will be increases in cash and
stockholders' equity of $481.4 million in August 2000.

NOTE 7. SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES

         During the third quarter of 1997, the Company issued $420 million of
6-7/8% senior subordinated notes, due in September 2000. Interest on these notes
is payable March 1 and September 1 of each year.


                                       9

<PAGE>   10

MEDPARTNERS, INC.

       NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

NOTE 8.  INTEREST RATE SWAP

         During the third quarter of 1997, the Company entered into an interest
rate swap agreement, the effect of which is to modify the interest rate
characteristics of a portion of its debt from fixed to floating rate. At
September 30, 1997, the Company had one contract with a notional principal
amount of $200 million that expires in 2006. Under the terms of the contract,
the Company and the financial institution agree to pay, on a semi-annual basis,
the differential between interest calculated using a fixed interest rate and
interest calculated using a weighted average of various LIBOR rates, as
stipulated in the contract. Amounts paid or received under the contract are
recorded as adjustments to interest expense.

NOTE 9.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

         On October 1, 1997, the Company announced that it entered into an
agreement to acquire America Service Group, Inc. (ASG) in a stock transaction
valued at approximately $59 million. ASG is a provider of correctional medical
services operating in 14 states providing capitated services to approximately
50,000 inmates. The transaction will be accounted for as a pooling of interests
and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 1997.

         On October 16, 1997, the Company announced that it entered into a
letter of intent to acquire MacGregor Medical Association (MMA), a physician
practice management company with 237 primary and specialty care physicians, 27
clinics and approximately 190,000 prepaid enrollees. The acquisition will be
accounted for as a purchase transaction and is expected to close by the end of
1997.

         On October 29, 1997, the Company announced the signing of a definitive
merger agreement under which the Company will be acquired by PhyCor, Inc.,
forming a nationwide physician management company with revenues in excess of
$8.4 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, holders of MedPartners common
stock will receive a fixed ratio of 1.18 shares of PhyCor common stock for each
share of MedPartners common stock held. The transaction, which is expected to be
accounted for as a pooling of interests, is subject to the approval of
shareholders of both companies, certain state and federal regulatory agencies,
and other conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter
of 1998.

         On November 6, 1997, the Company announced that it entered into an
agreement to purchase the Health Centers Division of Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Massachusetts. The transaction includes 10 health centers representing 125
primary and specialty care physicians. The transaction also includes a 10-year
provider agreement that extends to all current and future MedPartners-affiliated
physicians in Massachusetts. The acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase
transaction and is expected to close by the end of 1997.


                                       10

<PAGE>   11


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

         The purpose of the following discussion is to facilitate the
understanding and assessment of significant changes and trends related to the
results of operations and financial condition of the Company, including changes
arising from recent acquisitions by the Company, the timing and nature of which
have significantly affected the Company's results of operations. This discussion
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the
notes thereto included elsewhere in this document. Unless the context otherwise
requires, as used herein, the term "MedPartners" or the "Company" refers
collectively to MedPartners, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

GENERAL

         MedPartners is the largest physician practice management ("PPM")
company in the United States, based on revenues. The Company develops,
consolidates and manages integrated healthcare delivery systems, consisting of
primary care and specialty physicians, as well as the nation's largest group of
physicians engaged in the delivery of emergency medicine and other
hospital-based services. Through its network of affiliated group and IPA
physicians, the Company provides healthcare services to prepaid managed care
enrollees and fee-for-service patients. As an integral part of its PPM business,
the Company operates one of the largest independent pharmacy benefit management
("PBM") programs in the United States and provides disease management services
and therapies for patients with certain chronic conditions.

         The Company affiliates with physicians who are seeking the resources
necessary to function effectively in healthcare markets that are evolving from
fee-for-service to managed care payor systems. The Company enhances clinic
operations by centralizing administrative functions and introducing management
tools, such as clinical guidelines, utilization review and outcome measurement.
The Company provides affiliated physicians with access to capital and advanced
management information systems. MedPartners' PPM revenue is derived primarily
from the contracts with HMOs that compensate MedPartners and its affiliated
physicians on a prepaid basis. In the prepaid arrangements, MedPartners
typically is paid by the HMO a fixed amount per member ("enrollee") per month
("professional capitation") or a percentage of the premium per member per month
("percent of premium") paid by employer groups and other purchasers of
healthcare coverage to the HMOs. In return, MedPartners is responsible for
substantially all of the medical services required by enrollees. In many
instances, MedPartners and its affiliated physicians accept financial
responsibility for hospital and ancillary healthcare services in return for
payment from HMOs on a capitated or percent of premium basis ("institutional
capitation"). In exchange for these payments (collectively, "global
capitation"), MedPartners, through its affiliated physicians, provides the
majority of covered healthcare services to enrollees and contracts with
hospitals and other healthcare providers for the balance of the covered
services. These relationships provide physicians with the opportunity to operate
under a variety of payor arrangements and increase their patient flow.

         The Company offers medical group practices and independent physicians a
range of affiliation models. These affiliations are carried out by the
acquisition of PPM entities or practice assets, either for cash or through
equity exchange, or by affiliation on a contractual basis. In all instances, the
Company enters into long-term practice management agreements with the affiliated
physicians that provide for the management of their practices by the Company
while at the same time providing for the clinical independence of the
physicians.

         The Company also organizes and manages physicians and other healthcare
professionals engaged in the delivery of emergency, radiology and teleradiology
services, hospital-based primary care and temporary staffing and support
services to hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations and physician groups.
Under contracts with hospitals and other clients, the Company identifies and
recruits physicians and other healthcare professionals for admission to a
client's medical staff, monitors the quality of care and proper utilization of
services and coordinates the ongoing scheduling of staff physicians who provide
clinical coverage in designated areas of care.

         In June 1997, the Company combined with InPhyNet Medical Management
Inc. ("InPhyNet") in a transaction that was accounted for as a pooling of
interests. The financial information referred to in this discussion reflects the
combined operations of this entity and several additional entities accounted for
as additional poolings of interests.


                                       11


<PAGE>   12


         The Company also manages outpatient prescription drug benefit programs
for clients throughout the United States, including corporations, insurance
companies, unions, government employee groups and managed care organizations.
The Company dispenses prescriptions daily through four mail service pharmacies
and manages patients' immediate prescription needs through a network of national
retail pharmacies. The Company is in the process of integrating its PBM program
with the PPM business by providing PBM services to the affiliated physicians,
clinics and HMOs. The Company's disease management services are intended to meet
the healthcare needs of individuals with chronic diseases or conditions. These
services include the design, development and management of comprehensive
programs that comprise drug therapies, physician support and patient education.
The Company currently provides therapies and services for individuals with such
conditions as hemophilia, growth disorders, immune deficiencies, genetic
emphysema, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         Through the Company's network of affiliated group and IPA physicians,
MedPartners provides primary and specialty healthcare services to prepaid
managed care enrollees and fee-for-service patients. The Company also fills in
excess of 50 million prescriptions on an annual basis and provides services and
therapies to patients with certain chronic conditions, primarily hemophilia and
growth disorders. The following table sets forth the earnings summary by service
area for the periods indicated (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED                      NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                   SEPTEMBER 30,                           SEPTEMBER 30,
                                             1996                1997                1996                 1997
                                        --------------     ---------------     ----------------    -----------------
<S>                                     <C>                <C>                 <C>                 <C>        
Physician Services
    Net revenue                            $ 756,387          $ 998,705          $ 2,180,730          $ 2,782,339
    Operating income                          40,616             68,850              112,096              187,227
    Margin                                       5.4%               6.9%                 5.1%                 6.7%

Pharmaceutical Services
    Net revenue                            $ 438,636          $ 477,092          $ 1,303,790          $ 1,478,554
    Operating income                          19,887             22,474               53,401               63,723
    Margin                                       4.5%               4.7%                 4.1%                 4.3%

Specialty Services
    Net revenue                            $ 117,996          $ 138,265          $   352,906          $   381,702
    Operating income                          12,616             16,606               42,242               44,920
    Margin                                      10.7%              12.0%                12.0%                11.8%

Corporate Services
    Operating (loss)                       $  (6,946)         $  (6,011)         $   (25,194)         $   (18,748)
    Percentage of total net revenue             (0.7)%             (0.4)%               (1.0)%               (0.6)%
</TABLE>


                                       12

<PAGE>   13


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS -(CONTINUED)

Physician Practice Management Services

         The Company's PPM revenue has increased primarily due to growth in
prepaid enrollment, existing practice growth and new practice affiliations. The
Company's PPM operations in the western region of the country function in a
predominantly prepaid environment. The Company's PPM operations in the other
regions of the country are in predominantly fee-for-service environments with
limited but increasing managed care penetration. The following table sets forth
the breakdown of net revenue for the PPM services area for the periods indicated
(in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             THREE MONTHS ENDED                 NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                SEPTEMBER 30,                     SEPTEMBER 30,
                          ------------------------        ----------------------------
                            1996            1997             1996              1997
                          --------        --------        ----------        ----------
<S>                       <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>       
Prepaid healthcare ..     $420,622        $532,615        $1,186,861        $1,460,704
Fee-for-service .....      332,918         452,427           982,367         1,298,321
Other ...............        2,847          13,663            11,502            23,314
                          --------        --------        ----------        ----------
Net Revenue .........     $756,387        $998,705        $2,180,730        $2,782,339
                          ========        ========        ==========        ==========
</TABLE>

         The Company's prepaid healthcare revenue reflects the number of HMO
enrollees for whom it receives monthly capitation payments. The Company receives
professional capitation to provide physician services and institutional
capitation to provide hospital care and other non-professional services. The
table below sets forth the changes in enrollment for professional and global
capitation:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         AT SEPTEMBER 30,
                                   --------------------------
                                      1996             1997
                                   ---------        ---------
<S>                                <C>              <C>      
Professional only enrollees          795,874        1,174,221

Global enrollees ..........          772,656          962,645
                                   ---------        ---------
  Total enrollees .........        1,568,530        2,136,866
                                   =========        =========
</TABLE>


         The Company has consolidated the majority of its acquisitions into its
management infrastructure, eliminating substantial overhead expenses and
improving integration of medical, administrative, and operations management.
This integration has been a significant factor in increasing operating margins
in the PPM service area from 5.1% in the first nine months of 1996 to 6.7% in
the first nine months of 1997.

         The Company has developed strong relationships with many of the
national and regional managed care organizations and has demonstrated its
ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care. The Company is
strategically positioned to capitalize on the industry's continued evolution
toward a prepaid environment, specifically by increasing the number of prepaid
enrollees and converting existing enrollees from professional to global
capitation. During the first nine months of 1997, for example, the Company
converted approximately 225,000 lives from professional to global capitation.
These changes are expected to result in material internal growth.

         The Company operates the largest hospital-based group in the country
with over 2,200 physicians providing services at over 365 sites, primarily
hospitals, nationwide. The Company provides emergency medicine, radiology,
anesthesiology, primary care and other hospital-based physician services.
InPhyNet's hospital-based group continues to be integrated into the Company's
hospital-based operations. The Company also provides comprehensive medical
services to inmates in various state and local correctional institutions. As of
September 30, 1997, the Company had contracts with 51 correctional institutions.
The Company provides physicians, nurses and clerical support services for active
duty and retired military personnel and their dependents in emergency
departments, ambulatory care centers and primary care clinics operated by the
Department of Defense. At September 30, 1997, the Company's military medical
services were provided under 16 contracts with the Department of Defense.


                                       13

<PAGE>   14

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -(CONTINUED)

         In addition to the increased revenue and operational efficiencies
realized through acquisition and consolidation, the Company is profiting from
synergies produced by the exchange of ideas among physicians and managers across
geographical boundaries and varied areas of specialization. The PPM service
area, for example, has established medical management committees that meet
monthly to discuss implementation of the best medical management techniques to
assist the Company's affiliated physicians in delivering the highest quality of
care at lower costs in a consistent fashion. The Company is capitalizing on the
knowledge of its western groups, which have significant experience operating in
a prepaid environment, to transfer the best practices to other groups in markets
with increasing managed care penetration. Through interaction between physicians
and managers from various medical groups, significant cost savings continue to
be identified at several of the Company's larger affiliated groups.

         The PPM service area has also created a national medical advisory
committee, which is developing procedures for the identification, packaging and
dissemination of the best clinical practices within the Company's medical
groups. The committee also provides the Company's affiliated physicians a forum
to discuss innovative ways to improve the delivery of healthcare.

         The Company has also initiated integration efforts between the PPM, PBM
and disease management areas. A project is in process to integrate patient care
data from several of the Company's affiliated clinics with the PBM's healthcare
information system. Through this database, which combines medical and claims
data with the prescription information tracked by the PBM area, the Company will
have access to the industry's most complete and detailed collection of
information on successful treatment patterns. Another synergy arising from
integration is the opportunity which the existing PBM infrastructure affords to
affiliated physician groups to further expand services by providing pharmacy
services ranging from fee-for-service retail claims processing to full drug
capitation programs. The Company is also beginning to integrate the disease
management area's expertise in an effort to formulate and implement disease
management programs for the Company.

Pharmacy Benefit Management Services

         Pharmaceutical Services revenue continues to exhibit sustained growth
reflecting increases in both mail and retail related services. Revenue for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 is 13.4% above the same period of 1996.
This growth is due to increased pharmacy transaction volume (8.1%) and drug cost
inflation, product mix and pricing (5.3%). Key factors contributing to this
growth include increased penetration of existing clients and new customer
contracts. The majority of Pharmaceutical Services revenue is earned on a
fee-for-service basis through contracts covering one to three year periods.

         Operating income experienced growth of 19.3% in the first nine months
of 1997 over the same period of 1996. Operating margins increased from 4.1% to
4.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
Leveraging operating expenses combined with improved operating efficiencies have
contributed to the overall growth in operating income.

Specialty Services

         Specialty services concentrates on providing high quality products and
services in the home. Domestically, these services focus on low incidence
chronic diseases. Internationally, the Company operates home care businesses in
Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom; however, in August
1997, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the international home care
business to Fresenius AG of Germany. Revenue growth in the specialty services
area is due primarily to sales of the Company's new multiple sclerosis drug,
Copaxone, and other products. Gross profit margins for specialty services had
been declining slightly as a result of managed care pricing pressures,
restructuring of benefit plans by payors and reduced reimbursement for Medicaid
and other state agency payors. However, operating margins have increased
continuously from the first quarter of 1997 through the third quarter of 1997.
This increase can be attributed to the reduction in operating expenses through
increased efficiencies.


                                       14

<PAGE>   15


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS 
        OF OPERATIONS -(CONTINUED)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996

         For the three months ended September 30, 1997, net revenue was $1,614.1
million, compared to $1,313.0 million for the same period in 1996, an increase
of 22.9%. The increase in net revenue primarily resulted from affiliations with
new physician practices and the increase in pharmaceutical services net revenue,
which accounted for $154.8 million and $38.5 million of the increase in net
revenue, respectively. The majority of the remainder of the increase in PPM net
revenue can be attributed to growth in existing physician practices including
the increase in global capitation revenue. The increase in pharmaceutical
services net revenue is attributable to pharmaceutical price increases, the
addition of new customers, further penetration of existing customers and the
sale of new products, offset by the strategic termination of accounts with
unacceptable levels of profitability.

         Income from continuing operations, excluding merger expenses, grew for
the physician services, pharmaceutical and specialty services areas in the third
quarter of 1997, as compared to the same period of 1996, by 69.5%, 13.0%, and
31.6%, respectively. The increase in the physician services area is the result
of higher net revenue and increases in operating margins resulting from the
spreading of fixed overhead expenses over a larger revenue base and continued
integration of operations. The pharmaceutical and specialty services areas'
increase in operating income was primarily due to reductions in operating
expenses, more efficient use of systems resources, and higher net revenue.

         Net income for the third quarter of 1997 was $49.2 million, as compared
to net loss of $(149.1) million for the same period of 1996. Included in the net
loss for the third quarter of 1996 were merger charges totaling $186.4 million
on an after tax basis primarily related to the Caremark merger. Net income for
the third quarter of 1997 included non-recurring charges from discontinued
operations of $5.3 million. The 1997 charges are discussed in Note 4 of the
accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements. 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996

         For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, net revenue was $4,642.6
million, compared to $3,837.4 million for the same period in 1996, an increase
of 21.0%. The increase in net revenue primarily resulted from affiliations with
new physician practices and the increase in pharmaceutical services net revenue,
which accounted for $263.8 million and $174.8 million of the increase in net
revenue, respectively. Additional increases resulted from the shift of enrollees
from professional only to global capitation; approximately 225,000 enrollees
shifted in the nine months ended September 30, 1997. The majority of the
remainder of the increase in PPM net revenue can be attributed to growth in
existing physician practices.

         Income from continuing operations, excluding merger expenses, for the
physician services, pharmaceutical and specialty services areas grew for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997, as compared to the same period of 1996,
67%, 19.3% and 6.3%, respectively. The increase in the physician services area
is the result of higher net revenue and increases in operating margins resulting
from the spreading of fixed overhead expenses over a larger revenue base and
continued integration of operations. The pharmaceutical and specialty services
areas' increase in operating income was primarily due to reductions in operating
expenses, more efficient use of system resources and higher net revenue.
Operating income and margins declined in the corresponding periods for the
specialty services area as a result of continued pricing pressures for certain
products.

         Included in pre-tax loss for the nine months ended September 30, 1997
and 1996 were merger expenses totaling $59.4 and $297.7 million, respectively.
The major components of the $59.4 million, $50.0 million of which relates to the
business combination with InPhyNet, are listed in Note 5 of the unaudited
consolidated financial statements. The $297.7 million relates primarily to the
business combination with Caremark in 1996. Also included in the pre-tax loss
for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 were other non-recurring
charges from discontinued operations of $80.7 million and $68.7 million,
respectively, which are discussed in Note 4 of the accompanying unaudited
consolidated financial statements.


                                       15

<PAGE>   16


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS - (CONTINUED)

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

         During the first quarter of 1996, Caremark divested its Nephrology
Services business, in addition to settling disputes with private payors, both
discussed in Note 4 of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial
statements. During the second quarter of 1997, the Company settled a dispute
with Coram Health Corporation arising from Caremark's sale of its home infusion
therapy business to Coram, and during the third quarter of 1997 the Company
settled a class action lawsuit also related to Caremark. These issues are
discussed in Note 4 of the accompanying unaudited financial statements. In
accordance with APB 30, which addresses the reporting for disposition of
business segments, the Company's consolidated financial statements present the
operating income of these discontinued operations separately from continuing
operations.

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

         The future operating results and financial condition of the Company are
dependent on the Company's ability to market its services profitably,
successfully increase market share and manage expense growth relative to revenue
growth. The future operating results and financial condition of the Company may
be affected by a number of additional factors, including: the Company's growth
strategy, which involves the ability to raise the capital required to support
growth, competition for expansion opportunities, integration risks and
dependence on HMO enrollee growth; efforts to control healthcare costs; exposure
to professional liability; and pharmacy licensing, healthcare reform and
government regulation. Changes in one or more of these factors could have a
material adverse effect on the future operating results and financial condition
of the Company.

         The Company completed the Caremark acquisition in September 1996. There
are various Caremark legal matters which, if materially adversely determined,
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating results and
financial condition. See Part II, Item 1 of this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q
for further discussion.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         As of September 30, 1997, the Company had working capital of $439.3
million, including cash and cash equivalents of $235.7 million. For the first
nine months of 1997, cash flow from operations was $154.1 million compared to
$114.8 million for the same period of 1996.

         For the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, the Company
invested cash of $327.5 million and $119.3 million, respectively, in
acquisitions of the assets of physician practices, and $67.1 million and $109.0
million, respectively, in property and equipment. During the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996, the Company paid $117.0 and $137.2 million,
respectively, in cash for merger costs. These expenditures were funded by
approximately $46.9 million derived primarily from stock option exercises and
net incremental borrowings of $499.3 million for the nine months ending
September 30, 1997 and net incremental borrowings of $30.9 million and $224.1
million derived from a secondary stock offering for the same period of 1996.
Investments in acquisitions and property and equipment are anticipated to
continue to be substantial uses of funds in future periods.

         The Company entered into a $1 billion Revolving Credit and
Reimbursement Facility, which became effective simultaneously with the closing
of the Caremark acquisition on September 5, 1996, replacing its then existing
credit facility. No principal is due on the facility until its maturity date of
September 2001. As of September 30, 1997, there was $273 million outstanding
under the facility. During the third quarter of 1997, the Company issued $420.0
million of 6 7/8% senior subordinated notes, due in September 2000.

         During the third quarter of 1997, the Company issued $481.4 million in
Threshold Appreciation Price Securities ("TAPS"), due three years from the date
of issue. The TAPS require that the investor purchase the Company's common stock
in three years at a price of $27.07, which was 22% above the stock price on
the date of issue. The proceeds from the TAPS offering were used to buy U.S.
Treasury Notes, which pay the investor interest 6.25% and are pledged to a
collateral agent to secure the investor's obligation to purchase stock. The
Company is also required to pay the investor an enhanced yield payment of .25%.
Proceeds from the maturation of the Treasury Notes will be used to purchase the
$481.4 million in common stock


                                       16

<PAGE>   17

from the Company in August 2000. The resulting impact on the Company's financial
statements will be increases in cash and stockholders' equity of $481.4 million
in August 2000.

         The Company's growth strategy requires substantial capital for the
acquisition of PPM businesses and assets of physician practices, and for their
effective integration, operation, and expansion. Affiliated physician practices
may also require capital for renovation, expansion, and additional medical
equipment and technology. The Company believes that its existing cash resources,
the use of the Company's common stock for selected practice and other
acquisitions, and available borrowings under the $1.0 billion credit facility or
any successor credit facility, will be sufficient to meet the Company's
anticipated acquisition, expansion, and working capital needs for the next
twelve months. The Company expects from time to time to raise additional capital
through the issuance of long-term or short-term indebtedness or the issuance of
additional equity securities in private or public transactions, at such times as
management deems appropriate and the market allows in order to meet the capital
needs of the Company. There can be no assurance that acceptable financing for
future acquisitions or for the integration and expansion of existing networks
can be obtained. Any of such financings could result in increased interest and
amortization expense, decreased income to fund future expansion and dilution of
existing equity positions.


                                       17

<PAGE>   18


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         MedPartners is named as a defendant in various legal actions arising
primarily out of services rendered by physicians and others employed by its
affiliated physician entities and the two hospitals it owns, as well as personal
injury and employment disputes. In addition, certain of its affiliated medical
groups are named as defendants in numerous actions alleging medical negligence
on the part of their physicians. In certain of these actions, MedPartners' and
the medical group's insurance carrier has either declined to provide coverage or
has provided a defense subject to a reservation of rights. Management does not
view any of these actions as likely to result in an uninsured award which would
have a material adverse effect on the operating results and financial condition
of MedPartners.

         In June 1995, Caremark agreed to settle an investigation with the U.S.
Department of Justice ("DOJ"), the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services ("OIG"), the Veterans Administration,
the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program ("FEHBP"), the Civilian Health and
Medical Program of the Uniformed Services ("CHAMPUS") and related state
investigative agencies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (the "OIG
Settlement"). Under the terms of the OIG Settlement, which covered allegations
dating back to 1986, a subsidiary of Caremark pled guilty to two counts of mail
fraud: one each in Minnesota and Ohio. The basis of these guilty pleas was
Caremark's failure to provide certain information to CHAMPUS and FEHBP,
federally funded healthcare benefit programs, concerning financial relationships
between Caremark and a physician in each of Minnesota and Ohio. The OIG
Settlement allows Caremark to continue participating in Medicare, Medicaid and
other government healthcare programs. Under the OIG Settlement, Caremark agreed
to make civil payments of $85.3 million to the federal government in
installments and $44.6 million to the states. The plea agreement imposed $29.0
million in federal criminal fines. In addition, Caremark contributed $2.0
million to a grant program set up under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS
Resources Emergency ("CARE") Act. Caremark took an after-tax charge of $154.8
million in 1995 for these settlement payments, costs to defend ongoing
derivative, security and other lawsuits, and other related costs. This charge
has been reflected in Caremark's discontinued operations and will not materially
affect MedPartners' ability to pursue its long-term business strategy. There can
be no assurance, however, that the ultimate costs related to the OIG Settlement
will not exceed these estimates or that additional costs, claims and damages
will not occur, or if they occur, will not have a material adverse effect on the
operating results and financial condition of MedPartners.

         In its agreement with the OIG and DOJ, Caremark agreed to continue to
maintain certain compliance-related oversight procedures. Should these oversight
procedures reveal credible evidence of legal or regulatory violations, Caremark
is required to report such violations to the OIG and DOJ. Caremark is,
therefore, subject to increased regulatory scrutiny and, in the event it commits
legal or regulatory violations, Caremark may be subject to an increased risk of
sanctions or penalties, including disqualification as a provider of Medicare or
Medicaid services, which would have a material adverse effect on the operating
results and financial condition of MedPartners.

         In March 1996, Caremark agreed to settle all disputes with a number of
private payers. These disputes relate to businesses that were covered by the OIG
Settlement. The settlements resulted in an after-tax charge of approximately
$43.8 million. In addition, Caremark paid $24.1 million after tax to cover the
private payors' pre-settlement and settlement-related expenses. An after-tax
charge for the above amounts was recorded in first quarter 1996 discontinued
operations.

         In connection with the matters described above relating to the OIG
Settlement, Caremark is a party to various nongovernmental claims and may in the
future become subject to additional OIG-related claims. Caremark is a party to,
or the subject of, and may be subjected to in the future, various private suits
and claims being asserted in connection with matters relating to the OIG
Settlement by Caremark's stockholders, patients who received healthcare services
from Caremark and such patients' insurers. Caremark is engaged in discussions
with a group of approximately 23 health insurance companies and HMOs regarding
their claim for reimbursement of certain claims paid to us on behalf of Caremark
based on the OIG settlement. The parties are endeavoring to settle this matter
without litigation. MedPartners cannot determine at this time what costs or
liabilities may be incurred in connection with future disposition of
nongovernmental claims or litigation. Such additional costs or liabilities, if
incurred, could have a material adverse effect on the operating results and
financial condition of MedPartners.


                                       18

<PAGE>   19


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS - (CONTINUED)

         In August and September 1994, stockholders of Caremark, each purporting
to represent a class, filed complaints against Caremark and certain officers and
employees of Caremark in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois, alleging violations of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act and fraud and negligence and various state law claims in connection with
public disclosures by Caremark regarding Caremark's business practices and the
status of the OIG investigation. The complaints sought unspecified damages,
declaratory and equitable relief, and attorneys fees and expenses. In June 1996,
the complaint filed by one group of stockholders alleging violations of the
Exchange Act only, was certified as a class. This action has been settled for
$25 million, most of which will be paid by Caremark's directors and officers'
insurance. MedPartners recorded an after tax charge of $5.3 million in the third
quarter of 1997 in connection with the settlement.

         In late August 1994, certain patients of a physician who prescribed
human growth hormone distributed by Caremark and the sponsor of the health
insurance plan of one of those patients filed complaints against Caremark,
employees of Caremark and others in the United States District Court for the
District of Minnesota. Each complaint purported to be on behalf of a class and
alleged violations of the federal mail and wire fraud statutes, the federal
conspiracy statute and the state consumer fraud statute, as well as conspiracy
to breach a fiduciary duty, negligence and fraud. Each complaint sought
unspecified treble damages, and attorneys fees and expenses. In July 1996, these
plaintiffs also filed a separate lawsuit in the Minnesota State Court in the
County of Hennepin against a subsidiary of Caremark purporting to be on behalf
of a class and alleging all of the claims contained in the complaint filed with
the Minnesota federal court other than the federal claims contained therein. The
state complaint seeks unspecified damages, attorneys' fees and expenses and an
award of punitive damages. In November 1996, in response to a motion by the
plaintiffs, the Court dismissed the United States District Court cases without
prejudice. On March 27, 1996, the Minnesota state court lawsuit was dismissed
with prejudice, which decision was affirmed by the Minnesota Court of Appeals on
November 7, 1997. In July 1995, another patient of this same physician filed a
separate complaint in the District Court of South Dakota against the physician,
Caremark and another corporation alleging violations of the federal laws
prohibiting payment of remuneration to induce referral of Medicare and Medicaid
beneficiaries, and the federal mail fraud and conspiracy statutes. The complaint
also alleges the intentional infliction of emotional distress and seeks trebling
of at least $15.9 million in general damages, attorneys fees and costs, and an
award of punitive damages. In August 1995, the parties to the case filed in
South Dakota agreed to a stay of all proceedings until final judgment has been
entered in a criminal case that was then pending against this physician. All
charges against the physician have now been dismissed. MedPartners intends to
defend these cases vigorously. Although management believes, based on
information currently available, that the ultimate resolution of this matter is
not likely to have a material adverse effect on the operating results and
financial condition of MedPartners, there can be no assurance that the ultimate
resolution of this matter, if adversely determined, would not have a material
adverse effect on the operating results and financial condition of MedPartners.

         In May 1996, three home infusion companies, purporting to represent a
class consisting of all of Caremark's competitors in the alternate site infusion
therapy industry, filed a complaint against Caremark, a subsidiary of Caremark,
and two other corporations in the United States District Court for the District
of Hawaii alleging violations of the federal conspiracy laws, the antitrust laws
of California's unfair business practices statute. The complaint seeks
unspecified treble damages and attorneys' fees and expenses. MedPartners intends
to defend this case vigorously. Although management believes, based on
information currently available, that the ultimate resolution of this matter is
not likely to have a material adverse effect on the operating results and
financial condition of MedPartners, there can be no assurance that the ultimate
resolution of the matter, if adversely determined would not have a material
adverse effect on the operating results and financial condition of MedPartners.

         Beginning in September 1994, Caremark was named as a defendant in a
series of lawsuits added to a pending group of actions (including a class
action) brought in 1993 under the antitrust laws by local and chain retail
pharmacies against brand name pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and
prescription benefit managers other than Caremark. The lawsuits, filed in
federal district courts in at least 38 states (including the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Illinois), allege that at least 24
pharmaceutical manufacturers provided unlawful price and service discounts to
certain favored buyers and conspired among themselves to deny similar discounts
to the complaining retail pharmacies (approximately 3,900 in number). The
complaints charge that certain defendant prescription benefit managers,
including Caremark, were favored buyers who knowingly induced or received
discriminatory prices from the manufacturers in violation of the Robinson-Patman
Act. Each complaint seeks unspecified treble damages, declaratory and equitable
relief


                                       19

<PAGE>   20


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS - (CONTINUED)

and attorneys fees and expenses. All of these actions have been transferred by
the Judicial Panel for Multi-district Litigation to the United States District
Court for the Northern District of Illinois for coordinated pretrial procedures.
Caremark was not named in the class action. In April 1995, the Court entered a
stay of pretrial proceedings as to certain Robinson-Patman Act claims in this
litigation, including the Robinson-Patman Act claims brought against Caremark,
pending the conclusion of a first trial of certain of such claims brought by a
limited number of plaintiffs against five defendants not including Caremark. On
July 1, 1996, the district court directed entry of a partial final order in the
class action approving an amended settlement with certain of pharmaceutical
manufactures. The amended settlement provides for a cash payment by the
defendants in that action of approximately $351.0 million to class members in
settlement of conspiracy claims as well as a commitment from the settling
manufacturers to abide by certain injunctive provisions. All class action claims
against non-settling manufacturers as well as all opt out and other claims
generally, including all Robinson-Patman Act claims against Caremark, remain
unaffected by the settlement. The district court also certified to the court of
appeals for interlocutory review certain orders relating to non-settled
conspiracy claims against the pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers.
These interlocutory orders do not relate to any of the claims brought against
Caremark. MedPartners intends to defend these cases vigorously. Although
management believes, based on information currently available, that the ultimate
resolution of this matter is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the
operating results and financial condition of MedPartners, there can be no
assurance that the ultimate resolution of this matter, if adversely determined,
would not have a material adverse effect on the operating results and financial
condition of MedPartners.

         In December 1994, Caremark was notified by the FTC that it was
conducting a civil investigation of the PBM industry concerning whether
acquisitions, alliances, agreements or activities between prescription benefit
managers and pharmaceutical manufacturers, including Caremark's alliance
agreements with certain drug manufacturers, violate Sections 3 or 7 of the
Clayton Act or Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The specific
nature, scope, timing and outcome of the investigation are not currently
determinable. Under the statutes, if violations are found, the FTC could seek
remedies in the form of injunctive relief to set aside or modify Caremark's
alliance agreements and an order to cease and desist from certain marketing
practices and from entering into or continuing with certain types of agreements.
Although management believes, based on information currently available, that the
ultimate resolution of this matter is not likely to have a material adverse
effect on the operating results and financial condition of MedPartners, there
can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of this matter, if adversely
determined, would not have a material adverse effect on the operating results
and financial condition of MedPartners.


                                       20

<PAGE>   21


ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES

         The following table indicates all unregistered sales of the Company's
Common Stock during the quarter ended September 30, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRANSACTION                           PURPOSE                    DATE                      MARKET VALUE
- --------------------   --------------------------------------    ------------------    ---------------------
<S>                    <C>                                       <C>                   <C>        
Suburban Heights       Acquisition                               July 28, 1997             $10,000,000
</TABLE>


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

(a)      Exhibits

         The exhibits required by Regulation S-K are set forth in the following
         list.

Item 
No.
- ----

(4)-1             Form of Purchase Contract Agreement by and between the
                  Company and First National Bank of Chicago filed as Exhibit 
                  (4)-4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 
                  (Registration No. 333-30921), is hereby incorporated herein
                  by reference.
(4)-2             Form of Pledge Agreement by and between the Company and PNC
                  Bank, Kentucky, Inc., filed as Exhibit (4)-5 to the Company's
                  Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 
                  333-30921), is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
(4)-3             Form of Trust Indenture between the Company and PNC Bank,
                  Kentucky, Inc. as Trustee for the Company's 6 7/8% Senior 
                  Subordinated Notes due 2000 filed as Exhibit (4)-4 to the 
                  Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
                  333-30923), is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
(10.1)   -        Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement among MedPartners, Inc.,
                  Nationsbank National Association, and The First National Bank
                  of Chicago 
(10.2)   -        Plan and Agreement of Merger By and Between PhyCor, Inc. and
                  MedPartners, Inc.
(11)     -        Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings (Unaudited)
(27)     -        Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only)


(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

         Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 27, 1997 reporting the 
         updating of certain information about the Company as a result of
         acquisitions during 1997.



No other Items of Part II are applicable to the Company for the period covered
by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


                                       21

<PAGE>   22


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


MedPartners, Inc.


By:  /s/ Harold O. Knight, Jr.
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Harold O. Knight, Jr. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: November 14      , 1997
      -----------------

By:  /s/ Larry R. House
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Larry R. House        Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 14      , 1997
      -----------------

                                       22


<PAGE>   1
                                                                EXHIBIT 10.1

                      AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

     THIS AMENDMENT AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 22nd day of
July, 1997, by and among MEDPARTNERS, INC., a Delaware corporation as Borrower,
NATIONSBANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (successor by merger of NationsBank, National
Association (South)), as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, THE FIRST
NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as Documentation Agent for the Lenders, and the
Lenders, as each of such capitalized terms is defined under the Credit
Agreement described below;

                                  WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto have entered into a Credit Agreement dated as
of September 5, 1996, as amended (the "Credit Agreement") pursuant to which the
Lenders have agreed to make Loans to the Borrower in the principal amount of up
to $1,000,000,000 and to provide certain related credit facilities; and

     WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that certain provisions of the Credit
Agreement be amended; and

     WHEREAS, the Agents and the Lenders, subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, are willing to make such amendments, as provided herein;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders do hereby agree
as follows:

     1.   Definitions.  The term "Credit Agreement" as used herein and in the
other Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and all other
references to the Credit Agreement shall mean and refer to the Credit Agreement
referred to above, as hereby amended and modified.  Unless the context otherwise
requires, all capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the
definition provided therefor in the Credit Agreement.

     2.   Certain Amendments to Credit Agreement.  Subject to the conditions
hereof, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

          (a)  the following new definitions are added to Section 1.1:

               "'Eligible Subordinated Debt' means Subordinated Debt of the
          Borrower for which a like amount of United States Treasury Securities
          are held by a collateral agent as security for the obligation of TAPS
          Investors to purchase common stock of the Borrower."

               "'Subordinated Debt' means any unsecured Indebtedness of the 
          Borrower (other than inter-company Indebtedness) which is
          subordinated in right of payment in all aspects to the Obligations
          in a manner acceptable to the Required Lenders."



                                      1
<PAGE>   2
     "'TAPS' means Threshold Appreciation Price Securities issued by the
Borrower to a TPS Investor, the proceeds of which are used to acquire United
States Treasury Securities which are pledged to secure the obligation of a TAPS
Investor to purchase common stock of the Borrower at a future date."

     "'TAPS Investor' means the purchaser of a TAPS which purchaser shall have
simultaneously with purchasing a TAPS entered into a contract to purchase
common stock of Borrower at a future date."

     "'TAPS Payment' means subordinated yield enhancement payments which are
made by the Borrower to the TAPS Investor pursuant to a purchase contract
providing for the future purchase of common stock of the Borrower by a TAPS
Investor."

     (b)  The definition of "Consolidated EBITDA" in Section 1.1. is hereby
amended (i) by deleting the word "and" at the end of clause (C), (ii) by adding
a comma and the word "and" immediately before the word "plus" at the end of
clause (D), and a new clause (E) reading as follows:

          "(E) adding back up to (x) a $45,000,000 settlement payment made to
          Coram in settlement of the Coram Litigation and (y) all legal fees and
          other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Coram
          Litigation"

     (c)  The definition of "Consolidated Indebtedness" in Section 1.1 is
hereby amended in its entirety so that as amended it shall read as follows:

          "'Consolidated Indebtedness' means all Indebtedness, excluding
    Eligible Subordinated Debt, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all
    determined on a consolidated basis."

     (d)  The definition of "Consolidated Interest Expense" in Section 1.1 is
hereby amended (i) by deleting the word "and" at the end of clause (iii), (ii)
by adding the word "and" at the end of clause (iv) immediately preceding the
word "all" and a new clause (v) reading as follows:

          "(v) all interest paid with respect to Eligible Subordinated Debt and
     all TAPS Payments,"

     (e)  Clause (e) of Section 8.4 is hereby amended in its entirety so that as
amended it shall read as follows:

          "(e) unsecured intercompany indebtedness for loans and advances made
     by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any Subsidiary;"    



                                      2
<PAGE>   3
      (f)   Clause (c) of Section 8.5 is amended in its entirety so that as
amended it shall read as follows:

            "(c) sale of assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries so long as
      such assets have an aggregate book value not exceeding (x) three percent
      (3%) of Consolidated Total Assets in any single instance or (Y) five
      percent (5%) of Consolidated Total Assets in the aggregate from the
      Closing Date through the Revolving Credit Termination Date;"

      (g)   Clause (e) of Section 8.6 is hereby amended in its entirety so that
as amended it shall read as follows:

            "(e) investment in Subsidiaries other than pursuant to an
      Acquisition permitted under Section 8.2 so long as (i) such Subsidiary is
      engaged in substantially the same line of business as Borrower, (ii) no
      Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing either
      immediately prior to or immediately after giving effect to the creation of
      such Subsidiary, (iii) if the amount of cash or assets invested in such
      Subsidiary have a fair market value in excess of $75,000,000 the Borrower
      shall have furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a
      Compliance Certificate prepared on a historical pro forma basis giving
      effect to the creation of such Subsidiary which certificate shall
      demonstrate that no Default or Event of Default would exist and (iv) if
      the amount of cash or assets invested in such Subsidiary have a fair
      market value in excess of $150,000,000 the Required Lenders shall have
      consented to the creation of such Subsidiary;"

      (h)   Clause (g) of Section 8.6 is hereby amended in its entirety so that
as amended it shall read as follows:

            "(g) additional investments in Persons not constituting Subsidiaries
      engaged in the delivery of health care services, which investments shall
      at no time exceed in the aggregate two percent (2%) of Consolidated Total
      Assets;"

      (i)   Schedule 6.4 to the Agreement is hereby amended by adding thereto
the Supplement to Schedule 6.4 attached to this Amendment Agreement.

3.    Representations and Warranties.  The Borrower hereby represents and
warrants it:

      (a)   The representations and warranties made by or with respect to the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries in Article VI of the Credit Agreement are true
and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof;

      (b)   There has been no material change in the business, properties,
prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,



                                      3
<PAGE>   4
      since the Closing Date, other than changes in the ordinary course of
      business, none of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
      Adverse Effect;

            (c)   The business and properties of the Borrower and its
      Subsidiaries are not, and since the Closing Date have not been, adversely
      affected in any substantial way as the result of any fire, explosion,
      earthquake, accident, strike, lockout, combination of workers, flood,
      embargo, riot, activities of armed forces, war or acts of God or the
      public enemy, or cancellation or loss of any major contracts; and

            (d)   Immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to
      this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or be
      continuing.

      4.    Conditions.  This Amendment Agreement shall become effective upon
satisfaction of all the following conditions:

      (i)   the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Agent,
      the following:

            (a)   counterparts (in number requested by the Administrative Agent)
      of this Amendment Agreement duly executed by the Borrower;

            (b)   an opinion of counsel for the Borrower in form and content
      acceptable to the Administrative Agent and its special counsel, and
      including without limitation opinions as to the authorization, execution,
      delivery and binding effect of this Amendment Agreement;

            (c)   payment in full of (i) all fees payable to the Administrative
      Agent and the Lenders, and (ii) the fees and expenses of the
      Administrative Agent and its special counsel accrued to the date hereof;
      and

            (d)   such other instruments and documents as the Administrative
      Agent may reasonably request;

      (ii)  the Administrative Agent shall receive the written consent to this
      Amendment Agreement of the Agents and the Required Lenders; and

      (iii) all instruments and documents incident to the consummation of the
      transactions contemplated hereby shall be satisfactory in form and
      substance to the Administrative Agent and its special counsel; the
      Administrative Agent shall have received copies of all additional
      agreements, instruments and documents which it may reasonably request in
      connection therewith, including evidence of the authority of the Borrower
      to enter into the transactions contemplated by this Amendment Agreement,
      such documents, when appropriate, to be certified by appropriate corporate
      or governmental authorities; and all proceedings of the Borrower relating
      to the matters provided for herein shall be satisfactory to the
      Administrative Agent and its special counsel.



                                      4
<PAGE>   5
     5.   Entire Agreement.  This Amendment Agreement sets forth the entire
understanding and agreement of the parties hereto in relation to the subject
matter hereof, and supersedes any prior negotiations and agreements among the
parties relative to such subject matter.  No promise, conditions, representation
or warrant, express or implied, not herein set forth shall bind any party
hereto, and no one of them has relied on any such promise, condition,
representation or warranty. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that, except
as in this Amendment Agreement otherwise expressly stated, no representations,
warranties or commitments, express or implied, in connection herewith have been
made by any other party to the other.  None of the terms or conditions of this
Amendment Agreement may be changed, modified, waived or canceled orally or
otherwise, except in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

     6.    Full Force and Effect of Agreement.  Except as hereby specifically
amended, modified or supplemented, the Credit Agreement and all of the other
Loan Documents are hereby confirmed and ratified in all respects and shall
remain in full force and effect according to their respective terms.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment
Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the
day and year first above written.



                                        MEDPARTNERS, INC.

WITNESS:


/s/                                     By:/s/ Peter J. Clemens, IV
- -----------------------                    ------------------------------- 
                                        Name:  Peter J. Clemens, IV
                                              ----------------------------
/s/                                     TITLE: VP Finance-Treasurer
- -----------------------                       ----------------------------

                                        

                                      5
<PAGE>   6
                                        NATIONSBANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as 
                                        Administrative Agent for the Lenders



                                        By:/s/ Scott S. Ward
                                           -------------------------------
                                        Name:  Scott S. Ward
                                               ---------------------------
                                        Title: Sr. Vice President
                                               ---------------------------



                                        THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as
                                        Documentation Agent for the Lenders



                                        By:/s/ Jay G. Sepanski
                                           -------------------------------
                                        Name:  Jay G. Sepanski
                                              ----------------------------
                                        Title: Asst Vice President
                                              ----------------------------    


                         

                                      6
<PAGE>   7
                                        THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO



                                        By:/s/ Scott S/ Ward
                                           -------------------------------
                                        Name:  Scott S. Ward
                                              ----------------------------
                                        Title: Sr. Vice President
                                              ----------------------------






                                      7
<PAGE>   8
                                        THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO



                                        By:/s/ Jay G. Sepanski
                                               ---------------------------
                                        Name:  Jay G. Sepanski
                                              ----------------------------
                                        Title: Asst. Vice President
                                              ----------------------------

                                      8
<PAGE>   9
                                 CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH, Managing Agent



                                 By: /s/ F. Tavangar
                                     -------------------------------------
                                 Name:   Farboud Tavangar
                                     -------------------------------------
                                 Title:  First Vice President
                                     -------------------------------------


                                      9
<PAGE>   10
                                    MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK,
                                    Managing Agent



                                    By:/s/ Penelope J. B. Cox
                                       ----------------------
                                    Name:  Penelope J. B. Cox
                                         --------------------
                                    Title: Vice President
                                          -------------------









                                     10
<PAGE>   11
                                        BANK OF AMERICA NT & SA, Co-Agent



                                        By: /s/ Edward S. Han
                                            -----------------------------------
                                        Name:   Edward S. Han
                                            -----------------------------------
                                        Title:  Vice President
                                            ----------------------------------- 

















                                     11
<PAGE>   12
                                        Scotiabanc Inc., Co-Agent
               

                                        
                                        By: /s/Dana Maloney
                                            -----------------------------------
                                        Name:  Dana Maloney
                                            -----------------------------------
                                        Title: Relationship Manager
                                            -----------------------------------















                                     12
<PAGE>   13
                                 THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED, Co-Agent
                              



                                 By: /s/Koichi Hasegawa
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                 Name:  Koichi Hasegawa
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                 Title: Senior Vice President and 
                                        Deputy General Manager
                                     ------------------------------------------

















                                     13
<PAGE>   14
                                        MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE





                                        By:   
                                              ----------------------------------
                                        Name: 
                                              ----------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------




















                                     14
<PAGE>   15
                                        AMSOUTH BANK OF ALABAMA




                                        By: /s/Allison J. Sanders
                                            -----------------------------------
                                        Name:  Allison J. Sanders
                                            -----------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                            -----------------------------------



















                                     15
<PAGE>   16
                                       BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
          


                                       By:/s/ Patricia Hogan
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Patricia Hogan
                                          --------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                          --------------------------------------










                                             



                                     16
<PAGE>   17

                        THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LIMITED
                        ATLANTA AGENCY

                        By: /s/ Tatsuji Noguchi
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:   Tatsuji Noguchi
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:  Joint General Manager
                              ------------------------------------------------



                                     17
<PAGE>   18

                        DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
                        AND/OR CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH


                        By:   /s/ Andreas Dimagi       /s/ Iain Stewart
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:     Andreas Dimagi           Iain Stewart
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:    Vice President           Vice President
                              ------------------------------------------------




                                     18
<PAGE>   19
                        THE FUJI BANK, LTD. - ATLANTA AGENCY


                        By:    /s/ Toshihiro Mitsui
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:      Toshihiro Mitsui
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:     Senior Vice President and Senior Manager
                              ------------------------------------------------




                                     19
<PAGE>   20
                        THE LONG-TERM CREDIT BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED


                        By:    /s/ Satoru Otsubo
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:      Satoru Otsubo
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:     Joint General Manager
                              ------------------------------------------------




                                     20
<PAGE>   21
                        MELLON BANK, N.A.


                        By:    /s/ Marsha Wicker
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:      Marsha Wicker
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:     VP
                              ------------------------------------------------





                                     21
<PAGE>   22
                        PNC BANK, KENTUCKY, INC.


                        By:    /s/ Benjamin A. Willingham
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:      Benjamin A. Willingham
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:     Vice President
                              ------------------------------------------------



                                     22
<PAGE>   23
                        THE SANWA BANK, LIMITED ATLANTA AGENCY


                        By: 
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:
                              ------------------------------------------------





                                     23
<PAGE>   24
                        THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED, ATLANTA AGENCY


                        By:    /s/ Masayuki Fukushima
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:      MASAYUKI FUKUSHIMA
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:     JOINT GENERAL MANAGER
                              ------------------------------------------------




                                     24
<PAGE>   25
                        WACHOVIA BANK OF GEORGIA


                        By:     /s/ John C. Canty
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:       John C. Canty
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:      Banking Officer
                              ------------------------------------------------




                                     25
<PAGE>   26
                        THE MITSUI TRUST AND BANKING COMPANY, LIMITED


                        By:    /s/ Margaret Holloway
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:      MARGARET HOLLOWAY
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:     VICE PRESIDENT & MANAGER
                              ------------------------------------------------





                                     26
<PAGE>   27
                        THE YASUDA TRUST AND BANKING COMPANY,
                        LIMITED, NEW YORK BRANCH




                        By:    /s/ Morikazu Kimura
                           -----------------------------------------
                        Name:      Morikazu Kimura
                             ---------------------------------------
                        Title:     Chief Representative
                              --------------------------------------



                                     27
<PAGE>   28
                        ABN AMRO BANK N.V.


                        By:     /s/ Larry Kelley
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:       Larry Kelley
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:      Group Vice President
                              ------------------------------------------------



                        By:     /s/ Steven Hipsman
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:       Steven Hipsman
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:      Vice President
                              ------------------------------------------------




                                     28
<PAGE>   29
                        THE SUMITOMO TRUST AND BANKING CO., LTD.
                        NEW YORK BRANCH


                        By:     /s/ Suraj P. Bhatta
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:       SURAJ P. BHATTA
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:      SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                    MANAGER, CORPORATE FINANCE DEPT.
                              ------------------------------------------------




                                     29
<PAGE>   30
                        THE MITSUBISHI TRUST AND BANKING CORPORATION


                        By:     /s/ Hachiro Hosoda
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:       Hachiro Hosoda
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:      Deputy General Manager
                              ------------------------------------------------




                                     30
<PAGE>   31
                        BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI TRUST COMPANY


                        By:    /s/ Douglas J. Weir
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:      Douglas J. Weir
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:     Vice President
                              ------------------------------------------------



                                     31
<PAGE>   32
                        UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.


                        By:     /s/ Cary Moore
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:       Cary Moore
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:      Vice President
                              ------------------------------------------------




                                     32
<PAGE>   33
                        THE SAKURA BANK, LIMITED


                        By:     /s/ Masayuki Kobayashi
                           ---------------------------------------------------
                        Name:       Masayuki Kobayashi
                             -------------------------------------------------
                        Title:      General Manager
                              ------------------------------------------------




                                     33
<PAGE>   34
                                  SCHEDULE 6.4
                               MEDPARTNERS, INC.
                                  INVESTMENTS


EQUITY INVESTMENTS:

Apache Medical Systems, Inc.
Form of entity:         Delaware corporation
Ownership:              18% Preferred Stock by Caremark Inc.

Arcon Healthcare Inc.
Form of entity:         Tennessee corporation
Ownership:              166,667 shares Series B Convertible Preferred Stock by
                        MedPartners, Inc.

Oncology Affiliates, Inc.
Form of entity:         Delaware corporation
Authorized stock:       10,000,000 shares Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares
                        Preferred Stock, $.001 par value
Ownership:              187,463 shares Series A Preferred Stock by MedPartners,
                        Inc.

Preferred Oncology Networks of America, Inc.
Form of entity:         Georgia Corporation
Ownership:              21,666 shares Class A Common Stock [less than 5% Common
                        Stock by Caremark Inc. (actual ownership percentage to
                        be determined by IPO transaction, to provide shares
                        representing $6,050,000)]

Spectrascan Imaging Services, Inc.
Form of entity:         Connecticut corporation
Ownership:              22% Common Stock, 9.2% Preferred-A Stock, 47%
                        Preferred-B Stock, 40% Preferred-C Stock and 
                        21.4% Warrants by Caremark Inc.

Technology Assessment Group
Form of entity:         California general partnership
Ownership:              24% general partnership interest by Caremark
                        International Inc.


                                     34
<PAGE>   35
                                 SUPPLEMENT TO
                                  SCHEDULE 6.4
                               MEDPARTNERS, INC.
                                  INVESTMENTS

NOTES RECEIVABLE:

Atlanta Medical

Coram Healthcare Corporation (Convertible, Non-convertible, and PIK Notes)

Family Physicians

Health Source

High Desert Primary Care

Preferred Oncology Networks
of America

Sierra Meadows

Space Coast Orthopaedic

Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD



                                     35

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                          PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF MERGER
 
                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 1997
 
                                 BY AND BETWEEN
 
                                  PHYCOR, INC.
 
                                      AND
 
                               MEDPARTNERS, INC.
 
                                       A-1
<PAGE>   2
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                          PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF MERGER
                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 1997
                                 BY AND BETWEEN
                                  PHYCOR, INC.
                                      AND
                               MEDPARTNERS, INC.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  PAGE
                                                                                  ----
<C>            <C>  <S>                                                           <C>
 Section 1.         The Merger..................................................    A-5
         1.1        The Merger..................................................    A-5
         1.2        The Closing.................................................    A-5
         1.3        Effective Time..............................................    A-5
         1.4        Effect of the Merger........................................    A-6
 Section 2.         Effect of the Merger on the Capital Stock of the Constituent
                    Corporations;
                    Exchange of Certificates....................................    A-6
         2.1        Effect on Capital Stock.....................................    A-6
         2.2        Exchange of Certificates....................................    A-7
         2.3        Restated Charter of PhyCor..................................    A-8
         2.4        Amended Bylaws of PhyCor....................................    A-9
         2.5        Directors and Officers......................................    A-9
 Section 3.         Representations and Warranties of MedPartners...............    A-9
         3.1        Organization, Existence and Good Standing...................    A-9
         3.2        MedPartners Capitalization..................................    A-9
         3.3        Subsidiaries and Affiliated Entities........................    A-9
         3.4        Organization, Existence, Good Standing and Foreign
                    Qualifications of Significant MedPartners Subsidiaries......   A-10
         3.5        Power and Authority.........................................   A-10
         3.6        MedPartners Public Information..............................   A-11
         3.7        Legal Proceedings...........................................   A-11
         3.8        Certain Contract Matters....................................   A-11
         3.9        Subsequent Events...........................................   A-12
        3.10        Tax Matters.................................................   A-12
        3.11        Employee Benefit Plans; Employment Matters..................   A-13
        3.12        Compliance with Laws in General.............................   A-14
        3.13        Regulatory Approvals........................................   A-14
        3.14        Commissions and Fees........................................   A-14
        3.15        Stockholder Vote Required...................................   A-14
        3.16        Pooling Matters.............................................   A-15
        3.17        Opinion of Financial Advisor................................   A-15
        3.18        Rights Plan.................................................   A-15
 Section 4.         Representations and Warranties of PhyCor....................   A-15
         4.1        Organization and Existence..................................   A-15
         4.2        PhyCor Capitalization.......................................   A-15
         4.3        Subsidiaries and Affiliated Entities........................   A-16
         4.4        Organization, Existence and Foreign Qualifications of
                    Significant PhyCor
                    Subsidiaries................................................   A-16
         4.5        Power and Authority.........................................   A-16
         4.6        PhyCor's Public Information.................................   A-17
         4.7        Legal Proceedings...........................................   A-17
</TABLE>
 
                                       A-2
<PAGE>   3
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  PAGE
                                                                                  ----
<C>            <C>  <S>                                                           <C>
         4.8        Certain Contract Matters....................................   A-17
         4.9        Subsequent Events...........................................   A-18
        4.10        Tax Matters.................................................   A-18
        4.11        Employee Benefit Plans; Employment Matters..................   A-19
        4.12        Compliance with Laws in General.............................   A-20
        4.13        Regulatory Approvals........................................   A-20
        4.14        Commissions and Fees........................................   A-20
        4.15        Stockholder Vote Required...................................   A-20
        4.16        Pooling Matters.............................................   A-20
        4.17        Opinion of Financial Advisor................................   A-20
 Section 5.         Access to Information and Documents.........................   A-21
         5.1        Access to Information.......................................   A-21
         5.2        Return of Records...........................................   A-21
 Section 6.         Covenants...................................................   A-21
         6.1        Preservation of Business....................................   A-21
         6.2        Material Transactions.......................................   A-21
         6.3        Meetings of Stockholders....................................   A-23
         6.4        Registration Statement......................................   A-24
         6.5        Exemption from State Takeover Laws..........................   A-25
         6.6        HSR Act Compliance..........................................   A-25
         6.7        Public Disclosures..........................................   A-25
         6.8        Corporate Governance Matters................................   A-25
         6.9        Notice of Subsequent Events.................................   A-25
        6.10        No Solicitations............................................   A-25
        6.11        Accounting Methods..........................................   A-26
        6.12        Pooling and Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment...............   A-26
        6.13        Affiliate and Pooling Agreements............................   A-26
        6.14        Other Actions...............................................   A-26
        6.15        Cooperation.................................................   A-27
        6.16        MedPartners Stock Options...................................   A-27
        6.17        Publication of Combined Results.............................   A-27
        6.18        Tax Opinions................................................   A-28
        6.19        Change in Control...........................................   A-28
        6.20        Insurance and Indemnification...............................   A-28
        6.21        TAPS........................................................   A-28
        6.22        Employee Matters............................................   A-28
 Section 7.         Termination, Amendment and Waiver...........................   A-29
         7.1        Termination.................................................   A-29
         7.2        Effect of Termination.......................................   A-30
         7.3        Amendment...................................................   A-30
         7.4        Extension; Waiver...........................................   A-30
         7.5        Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver...   A-30
         7.6        Expenses; Break-up Fees.....................................   A-30
 Section 8.         Conditions to Closing.......................................   A-31
         8.1        Mutual Conditions...........................................   A-31
         8.2        Conditions to Obligations of PhyCor.........................   A-32
         8.3        Conditions to Obligations of MedPartners....................   A-32
</TABLE>
 
                                       A-3
<PAGE>   4
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  PAGE
                                                                                  ----
<C>            <C>  <S>                                                           <C>
 Section 9.         Miscellaneous...............................................   A-33
         9.1        Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties...............   A-33
         9.2        Notices.....................................................   A-33
         9.3        Further Assurances..........................................   A-34
         9.4        Governing Law...............................................   A-34
         9.5        "Including".................................................   A-34
         9.6        "Material adverse change" or "material adverse effect"......   A-34
         9.7        "Significant"...............................................   A-34
         9.8        Captions....................................................   A-34
         9.9        Integration of Exhibits.....................................   A-34
        9.10        Entire Agreement............................................   A-34
        9.11        Counterparts................................................   A-34
        9.12        No Rule of Construction.....................................   A-34
        9.13        Specific Performance........................................   A-35
        9.14        Severability................................................   A-35
        9.15        Assignment; Binding Effect..................................   A-35
</TABLE>
 
                                       A-4
<PAGE>   5
 
                          PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF MERGER
 
     PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF MERGER ("Plan of Merger"), made and entered into as
of the 29th day of October, 1997, by and between PhyCor, Inc., a Tennessee
corporation ("PhyCor"), and MedPartners, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("MedPartners"), (PhyCor and MedPartners being sometimes collectively referred
to herein as the "Constituent Corporations").
 
                              W I T N E S S E T H:
 
     WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of PhyCor and MedPartners have
approved the merger of MedPartners with and into PhyCor (the "Merger") upon the
terms and conditions set forth in this Plan of Merger, whereby each share of
Common Stock of MedPartners (the "MedPartners Common Stock"), not owned directly
or indirectly by MedPartners, will be converted into the right to receive the
Merger Consideration (as herein defined) (the MedPartners Common Stock may be
sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "MedPartners Shares");
 
     WHEREAS, each of PhyCor and MedPartners desires to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the Merger;
 
     WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger
shall qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and this Plan of Merger
is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of reorganization; and
 
     WHEREAS, for accounting purposes, it is intended that the Merger shall be
accounted for as a "pooling of interests" under generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP").
 
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and the mutual covenants
and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
 
                                   SECTION 1.
 
                                  THE MERGER.
 
     1.1 The Merger.  Upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Plan of
Merger, and in accordance with the Tennessee Business Corporation Act (the
"TBCA") and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"),
MedPartners shall be merged into PhyCor at the Effective Time (as defined in
Section 1.3). Following the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of
MedPartners shall cease and PhyCor shall continue as the surviving corporation
as a business corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Tennessee
and shall succeed to and assume all the rights and obligations of MedPartners in
accordance with the TBCA and the DGCL.
 
     1.2 The Closing.  Subject to the conditions of this Plan of Merger, the
closing of the Merger (the "Closing") will take place at 10:00 a.m., local time,
on a date to be specified by the parties (the "Closing Date"), which shall be no
later than the second business day after satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions set forth in Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3, at the offices of Waller
Lansden Dortch & Davis, A Professional Limited Liability Company, Nashville,
Tennessee, unless another date or place is agreed to in writing by the parties
hereto.
 
     1.3 Effective Time.  Subject to the provisions of this Plan of Merger,
PhyCor and MedPartners shall file Articles of Merger or a Certificate of Merger
in accordance with the relevant provisions of the TBCA and the DGCL and shall
make all other filings or recordings required under the TBCA or the DGCL as soon
as practicable on or after the Closing Date. The Merger shall become effective
at such time as the Articles of Merger and the Certificate of Merger are duly
filed with each of the Tennessee Secretary of State and the Delaware Secretary
of State or at such other time as PhyCor and MedPartners shall agree should be
specified in the Articles of Merger and the Certificate of Merger (the
"Effective Time").
 
                                       A-5
<PAGE>   6
 
     1.4 Effect of the Merger.  The Merger shall have the effects set forth in
Section 106 of the TBCA and Section 259 of the DGCL.
 
                                   SECTION 2.
 
   EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS;
                           EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.
 
     2.1 Effect on Capital Stock.  As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of any holder of shares of MedPartners
Common Stock or any shares of capital stock of PhyCor:
 
          (a) PhyCor Common Stock.  Each share of Common Stock, no par value per
     share, of PhyCor (the "PhyCor Common Stock") issued and outstanding
     immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall continue to be
     issued and outstanding following, and shall be unaffected by, the Merger.
 
          (b) Cancellation of Treasury Stock.  Each share of MedPartners Common
     Stock that is owned by MedPartners shall automatically be canceled and
     retired and shall cease to exist, and none of the PhyCor Common Stock, cash
     or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.
 
          (c) Conversion of MedPartners Shares.  At the Effective Time, each
     MedPartners Share (other than the MedPartners Shares to be canceled in
     accordance with Section 2.1(b)) issued and outstanding immediately prior to
     the Effective Time, including the corresponding right (the "MedPartners
     Right") with respect to each share of MedPartners Common Stock, to purchase
     one-one-hundredth of a share of Series C Junior Participating Preferred
     Stock, par value $.001 per share (the "MedPartners Series C Preferred
     Stock"), of MedPartners pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders' Rights
     Agreement, dated as of March 1, 1995, as heretofore amended between
     MedPartners and Chemical Bank, a national banking association, as it may be
     amended from time to time (the "MedPartners Rights Agreement"), shall be
     converted into the right to receive 1.18 shares of PhyCor Common Stock (the
     "Exchange Ratio"), including the corresponding right (the "PhyCor Right")
     with respect to each share of PhyCor Common Stock, to purchase
     one-one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock (the "PhyCor
     Series A Preferred Stock"), of PhyCor pursuant to the terms of the Rights
     Agreement dated as of February 18, 1994, between PhyCor and First Union
     National Bank of North Carolina, as it may be amended from time to time
     (the "PhyCor Rights Agreement"). All such shares of PhyCor Common Stock
     shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and,
     together with the PhyCor Rights, are hereinafter sometimes referred to as
     the "PhyCor Shares". Upon such conversion, all such MedPartners Shares
     shall be canceled and cease to exist, and each holder thereof shall cease
     to have any rights with respect thereto other than the right to receive the
     shares of PhyCor Common Stock issued in exchange therefor and cash in lieu
     of fractional PhyCor Shares (together, the "Merger Consideration") in
     accordance with the terms provided herein. All references in this Plan of
     Merger to the MedPartners Common Stock shall be deemed to include the
     MedPartners Rights, and all references in this Plan of Merger to the PhyCor
     Common Stock shall be deemed to include the PhyCor Rights.
 
          (d) Stock Options.  At the Effective Time, all rights with respect to
     MedPartners Common Stock pursuant to any MedPartners stock options which
     are outstanding at the Effective Time, whether or not then vested or
     exercisable, shall be converted into and become rights with respect to
     PhyCor Common Stock, and PhyCor shall assume each MedPartners stock option
     in accordance with the terms of any stock option plan under which it was
     issued and any stock option agreement by which it is evidenced or, at the
     election of PhyCor, provide options under PhyCor's stock option plans in
     substitution thereof and in a manner that will result in a transaction to
     which Section 424 of the Code applies. Each MedPartners stock option so
     assumed or substituted therefor shall be exercisable for that number of
     shares of the PhyCor Common Stock equal to the number of the MedPartners
     Shares subject thereto multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, and shall have an
     exercise price per share equal to the MedPartners exercise price divided by
     the Exchange Ratio. It is intended that the foregoing provisions shall be
     undertaken in a manner that will not constitute a "modification" as defined
     in Section 424(h) of the Code, as to any stock option which is an
     "incentive stock option".
 
                                       A-6
<PAGE>   7
 
     (e) Anti-Dilution Provisions.  If after the date hereof and prior to the
Effective Time PhyCor shall have declared a stock split (including a reverse
split) of PhyCor Common Stock or a dividend payable in PhyCor Common Stock, or
any other distribution of securities or dividend (in cash or otherwise) to
holders of PhyCor Common Stock with respect to their PhyCor Common Stock
(including without limitation such a distribution or dividend made in connection
with a recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, reorganization
or similar transaction), then the Merger Consideration shall be appropriately
adjusted to reflect such stock split, dividend or other distribution of
securities.
 
     2.2 Exchange of Certificates.  (a) Exchange Agent.  Prior to the Effective
Time, PhyCor shall enter into an agreement with First Union National Bank of
North Carolina (the "Exchange Agent"), which provides that PhyCor shall deposit
with the Exchange Agent as of the Effective Time, for the benefit of the holders
of the MedPartners Shares, for exchange in accordance with this Section 2.2,
through the Exchange Agent, (i) certificates representing the shares of PhyCor
Common Stock issuable pursuant to Section 2.1, and (ii) cash in an amount equal
to the aggregate amount required to be paid in lieu of fractional interests of
PhyCor Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.2(e) (such shares of PhyCor Common
Stock, together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto with a
record date after the Effective Time, and together with the cash referred to in
clause (ii) of this Section 2.2(a), being hereinafter referred to as the
"Exchange Fund") in exchange for outstanding MedPartners Shares.
 
     (b) Exchange Procedure.  As soon as practicable after the Effective Time,
the Exchange Agent shall mail to each holder of record of a certificate or
certificates which, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented
outstanding MedPartners Shares (the "Certificates") whose shares were converted
into the right to receive the Merger Consideration provided for in Section 2.1,
(i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon
delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and
have such other provisions as PhyCor may reasonably specify), and (ii)
instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange
for certificates representing shares of PhyCor Common Stock. Upon surrender of a
Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent or to such other agent or
agents as may be appointed by PhyCor, together with such letter of transmittal,
duly executed, and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the
Exchange Agent, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in
exchange therefor a certificate representing that number of whole shares of
PhyCor Common Stock and cash which such holder has the right to receive pursuant
to the provisions of Sections 2.1 and 2.2, and the Certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be canceled. If any cash or any certificate representing shares
of PhyCor Common Stock is to be paid to or issued in a name other than that in
which the Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, a
certificate representing the proper number of shares of PhyCor Common Stock may
be issued to a person other than the person in whose name the Certificate so
surrendered is registered, if such Certificate shall be properly endorsed or
otherwise be in proper form for transfer and the person requesting such payment
shall pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other taxes required by reason
of the issuance of shares of PhyCor Common Stock to a person other than the
registered holder of such Certificate or establish to the satisfaction of the
Exchange Agent that such tax has been paid or is not applicable. Until
surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.2, each Certificate shall be
deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to
receive upon such surrender the certificate representing shares of PhyCor Common
Stock and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of PhyCor Common Stock as
contemplated by this Section 2.2. No interest will be paid or will accrue on any
cash payable in lieu of any fractional shares of PhyCor Common Stock. To the
extent permitted by law, former stockholders of record of MedPartners shall be
entitled to vote after the Effective Time at any meeting of PhyCor's
stockholders the number of whole shares of PhyCor Common Stock into which their
respective MedPartners Shares are converted, regardless of whether such holders
have exchanged their Certificates for certificates representing PhyCor Common
Stock in accordance with this Section 2.2.
 
     (c) Distribution With Respect to Unexchanged Shares.  No dividends or other
distributions with respect to PhyCor Common Stock with a record date after the
Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with
respect to the shares of PhyCor Common Stock represented thereby and no cash
payment in lieu of fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder pursuant
to Section 2.2(e) until the
 
                                       A-7
<PAGE>   8
 
surrender of such Certificate in accordance with this Section 2.2. Subject to
the effect of applicable laws, following surrender of any such Certificate,
there shall be paid to the holder of the Certificate or Certificates then
representing shares of PhyCor Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without
interest, (i) at the time of such surrender, the amount of any cash payable in
lieu of a fractional share of PhyCor Common Stock to which such holder is
entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(e) and the amount of dividends or other
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with
respect to such whole shares of PhyCor Common Stock, and (ii) at the appropriate
payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date
after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender and with a payment date
subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of PhyCor
Common Stock. If any holder of converted MedPartners Shares shall be unable to
surrender such holder's Certificates because such Certificates shall have been
lost or destroyed, such holder may deliver in lieu thereof an affidavit and
indemnity bond in form and substance and with surety reasonably satisfactory to
PhyCor.
 
     (d) No Further Ownership Rights of MedPartners Shares.  All shares of
PhyCor Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates in
accordance with the terms of this Section 2 (including any cash paid pursuant to
Section 2.2(c) or 2.2(e)), shall be deemed to have been issued (and paid) in
full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the MedPartners Shares theretofore
represented by such Certificates. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are
presented to PhyCor or the Exchange Agent for any reason, they shall be canceled
and exchanged as provided in this Section 2, except as otherwise provided by
law.
 
     (e) No Fractional Shares.  No certificates or scrip representing fractional
shares of PhyCor Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of
Certificates, and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner
thereof to vote or to any rights of a stockholder of PhyCor. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Plan of Merger, each holder of MedPartners Shares
exchanged pursuant to the Merger who would otherwise have been entitled to
receive a fraction of a share of PhyCor Common Stock (after taking into account
all Certificates delivered by such holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, cash
(without interest) in an amount equal to such fractional part of a share of
PhyCor Common Stock multiplied by the per share closing price on the Nasdaq
National Market ("Nasdaq") (or such other exchange on which the shares of PhyCor
Common Stock are then listed) of PhyCor Common Stock on the date of the
Effective Time (or, if shares of PhyCor Common Stock do not trade on Nasdaq (or
such other exchange) on such date, the most recent date of trading of PhyCor
Common Stock on Nasdaq (or such other exchange, as the case may be) preceding
the Effective Time).
 
     (f) Termination of Exchange Fund.  Any portion of the Exchange Fund, which
remains undistributed to the holders of the Certificates for six months after
the Effective Time shall be delivered to PhyCor, upon demand, and any holders of
the Certificates who have not theretofore complied with this Section 2 shall
thereafter look only to PhyCor for payment of PhyCor Common Stock, any cash in
lieu of fractional shares of PhyCor Common Stock and any dividends or
distributions with respect to PhyCor Common Stock.
 
     (g) No Liability.  None of PhyCor, MedPartners or the Exchange Agent shall
be liable to any person in respect of any shares of PhyCor Common Stock (or
dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or cash from the Exchange Fund
delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar law. If any Certificates shall not have been surrendered
prior to the end of the applicable period after the Effective Time under escheat
laws (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which any shares of PhyCor
Common Stock, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of PhyCor Common Stock or
any dividends or distributions with respect to PhyCor Common Stock in respect of
such Certificates would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any
governmental entity), any such shares, cash, dividends or distributions in
respect of such Certificates shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
become the property of PhyCor, free and clear of all claims or interest of any
person previously entitled thereto.
 
     (h) Investment of Exchange Fund.  The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash
included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by PhyCor, on a daily basis. Any
interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to
PhyCor.
 
     2.3 Restated Charter of PhyCor.  The Restated Charter of PhyCor in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time, or as amended by the filing of the
Articles of Merger with the Tennessee Secretary of State,
 
                                       A-8
<PAGE>   9
 
shall continue to be in effect from and after the Effective Time and until
thereafter altered, amended or repealed in accordance with the TBCA, PhyCor's
Amended Bylaws and said Restated Charter.
 
     2.4 Amended Bylaws of PhyCor.  The Amended Bylaws of PhyCor in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be in effect from and
after the Effective Time and until thereafter altered, amended or repealed in
accordance with the TBCA, PhyCor's Restated Charter and said Amended Bylaws.
 
     2.5 Directors and Officers.  The directors and officers of PhyCor, at the
Effective Time, shall be the directors and officers of PhyCor consistent with
Section 6.8 of this Plan of Merger, each to hold office in accordance with
PhyCor's Restated Charter and Amended Bylaws and other corporate proceedings and
documentation.
 
                                   SECTION 3.
 
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MEDPARTNERS.
 
     MedPartners hereby represents and warrants to PhyCor as follows:
 
     3.1 Organization, Existence and Good Standing.  MedPartners is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware. MedPartners has all necessary corporate power to own
its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted.
MedPartners is not, and has not been within the two years immediately preceding
the date of this Plan of Merger, a subsidiary or division of another
corporation, nor has MedPartners within such time owned, directly or indirectly,
any PhyCor Shares.
 
     3.2 MedPartners Capitalization.  MedPartners' authorized capital consists
of (i) 9,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of which
no shares are issued and outstanding, and no shares are held in treasury, (ii)
500,000 shares of Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.001
per share, of which no shares are issued and outstanding and no shares are held
in treasury and (iii) 400,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.001 per
share, of which 196,083,051 shares were issued and outstanding at September 30,
1997, and no shares are held in treasury. No shares of MedPartners Common Stock
have been issued since such date other than shares issued upon the exercise of
options or other contractual obligations outstanding on such date or in
connection with the acquisition of businesses. All of the issued and outstanding
shares of MedPartners Common Stock have been duly and validly issued and are
fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth in Exhibit 3.2 to the
Disclosure Schedule delivered to PhyCor by MedPartners at the time of the
execution and delivery of this Plan of Merger (the "MedPartners Disclosure
Schedule"), there are no options, warrants, or similar rights granted by
MedPartners or any affiliate thereof or other agreements to which MedPartners or
any such affiliate is a party providing for the issuance or sale by it of any
additional securities. There is no liability for dividends declared or
accumulated but unpaid with respect to any shares of MedPartners Common Stock.
MedPartners has not made any distributions to any holder of MedPartners Common
Stock or participated in or effected any issuance, exchange or retirement of
MedPartners Common Stock, or otherwise changed the equity interests of holders
of MedPartners Common Stock, in contemplation of effecting the Merger within the
two years immediately preceding the date of this Plan of Merger. Any shares of
MedPartners Common Stock that MedPartners has re-acquired during the two years
immediately preceding the date of this Plan of Merger have been so re-acquired
only for purposes other than "business combinations," as such term is defined in
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16, as amended ("Business
Combinations").
 
     3.3 Subsidiaries and Affiliated Entities.  (a) Attached as Exhibit 3.3 to
the MedPartners Disclosure Schedule is a list of all subsidiaries of MedPartners
(individually, a "MedPartners Subsidiary", and collectively, the "MedPartners
Subsidiaries") and their states of incorporation and all professional
corporations or professional associations (the "MedPartners Professional
Corporations") of which MedPartners has control and with which it is affiliated
and their states of incorporation. As used herein, a MedPartners Professional
Corporation shall not include a professional corporation with which MedPartners
has a service or management agreement and which is owned by individual
physician-shareholders, the majority of whom do not have any financial or other
relationship individually with MedPartners. Except as set forth in Exhibit 3.3
to
 
                                       A-9
<PAGE>   10
 
the MedPartners Disclosure Schedule, MedPartners does not control, directly or
indirectly, any other corporation, association, partnership or business
organization. The outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests
of each MedPartners Subsidiary have been duly authorized and are validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable. All shares of capital stock or other equity
interests of each MedPartners Subsidiary owned by MedPartners or any of its
subsidiaries are owned by MedPartners, either directly or indirectly, free and
clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.
 
     (b) Also disclosed in Exhibit 3.3 to the MedPartners Disclosure Schedule is
a list of all general or limited partnerships in which a general partner is
MedPartners, a MedPartners Subsidiary or another partnership controlled by
MedPartners (individually, a "MedPartners Partnership" and collectively, the
"MedPartners Partnerships"), and all limited liability companies in which
MedPartners or a MedPartners Subsidiary is a member or manager (individually, a
"MedPartners LLC"; the MedPartners Professional Corporations and the MedPartners
LLCs being collectively called the "Other MedPartners Entities"), and their
states of organization. All interests of each Other MedPartners Entity owned by
MedPartners or any of its subsidiaries are owned by MedPartners, either directly
or indirectly, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.
 
     (c) Except as set forth in Exhibit 3.3 to the MedPartners Disclosure
Schedule, neither MedPartners nor any MedPartners Subsidiary, MedPartners
Partnership or Other MedPartners Entity controls, directly or indirectly, any
other joint venture or partnership.
 
     (d) Although the financial results of the medical groups affiliated with
MedPartners physician practice management business are consolidated for
accounting purposes on the MedPartners Balance Sheet, the terms "MedPartners
Subsidiary" and "Other MedPartners Entity" do not include any affiliated medical
groups.
 
     3.4 Organization, Existence, Good Standing and Foreign Qualifications of
Significant MedPartners Subsidiaries.  (a) Each Significant MedPartners
Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its respective state of incorporation. Each
Significant MedPartners Subsidiary has all necessary corporate power to own its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted.
 
     (b) Each Significant MedPartners Subsidiary is qualified to do business as
a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the
nature or character of the property owned, leased or operated by it or the
nature of the business transacted by it makes such qualification necessary,
except where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on
MedPartners.
 
     3.5 Power and Authority.  MedPartners has the corporate power to execute,
deliver and perform this Plan of Merger and all agreements and other documents
executed and delivered, or to be executed and delivered, by it pursuant to this
Plan of Merger, and, subject to obtaining the MedPartners Stockholder Approval
(as hereinafter defined), has taken all corporate action required to authorize
the execution, delivery and performance of this Plan of Merger and such related
documents. The execution and delivery of this Plan of Merger has been approved
by the Board of Directors of MedPartners. This Plan of Merger has been duly
executed and delivered by MedPartners and is a valid and binding obligation of
MedPartners enforceable against MedPartners in accordance with its terms.
 
     Except for the filings set forth on Exhibit 3.5 to the MedPartners
Disclosure Schedule and the filings, permits, authorizations, consents and
approvals as may be required under, and other applicable requirements of, the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), the TBCA and the DGCL,
neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Plan of Merger by
MedPartners nor the consummation by MedPartners of the transactions contemplated
hereby nor compliance by MedPartners with any of the provisions hereof will (i)
conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation or the Bylaws of MedPartners or of any of its subsidiaries, (ii)
require any filing with, or permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any
court, tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or
other regulatory authority or agency (a "Governmental Entity"), (iii) assuming
receipt of the consents required by Section 3.8(b) hereof, result in a violation
or
 
                                      A-10
<PAGE>   11
 
breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a
default (or give rise to any right of termination, amendment, cancellation or
acceleration) under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note,
bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, license, contract, agreement or other
instrument or obligation to which MedPartners or any of its subsidiaries is a
party or by which any of them or any of their properties or assets may be bound
or (iv) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation
applicable to MedPartners, any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or
assets, excluding from the foregoing clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) such
violations, breaches or defaults which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on MedPartners.
 
     3.6 MedPartners Public Information.  MedPartners has heretofore made
available to PhyCor a true and complete copy of each report, schedule,
registration statement and definitive proxy statement filed by it or its
predecessors, MedPartners and MedPartners/Mullikin, Inc., with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") (as any such documents have since the time of
their original filing been amended, the "MedPartners Documents") since January
1, 1995, which are all the documents (other than preliminary material) that it
was required to file with the SEC since such date. As of their respective dates,
the MedPartners Documents did not contain any untrue statements of material
facts or omit to state material facts required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. As of their respective dates, the MedPartners
Documents complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations
promulgated under such statutes. The financial statements contained in the
MedPartners Documents, together with the notes thereto, have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP consistently followed throughout the periods indicated
(except as may be indicated in the notes thereto, or, in the case of the
unaudited financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q), reflect all
liabilities of MedPartners and its consolidated subsidiaries, fixed or
contingent, required to be stated therein, and present fairly the financial
condition of MedPartners and its consolidated subsidiaries at such dates and the
consolidated results of operations and cash flows of MedPartners and its
consolidated subsidiaries for the periods then ended. The consolidated balance
sheet of MedPartners at June 30, 1997, included in the Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1997 of MedPartners is herein
sometimes referred to as the "MedPartners Balance Sheet".
 
     3.7 Legal Proceedings.  Except as disclosed in Exhibit 3.7 to the
MedPartners Disclosure Schedule, or in the MedPartners Documents, there is no
pending or, to the best knowledge of MedPartners, threatened litigation,
governmental investigation, condemnation or other proceeding against or relating
to or affecting MedPartners or any of its subsidiaries or the transactions
contemplated by this Plan of Merger, which would be reasonably likely, in the
aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on MedPartners and, to the
knowledge of MedPartners, no basis for any such action exists.
 
     3.8 Certain Contract Matters.  (a) All material contacts, leases,
agreements and arrangements to which MedPartners or any of the MedPartners
Subsidiaries, MedPartners Partnerships or Other MedPartners Entities is a party
are legally valid and binding in accordance with their terms and in full force
and effect. MedPartners and each MedPartners Subsidiary, MedPartners Partnership
or Other MedPartners Entity that is a party to such contracts, leases,
agreements and arrangements has complied in all material respects with the
provisions of such contracts, leases, agreements and arrangements; to the
knowledge of MedPartners, no other party is in default thereunder; and no event
has occurred which, but for the passage of time or the giving of notice or both,
would constitute a default thereunder, except, in each case, where the
invalidity of the lease, contract, agreement or arrangement or the default or
breach thereunder or thereof would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material adverse effect on MedPartners.
 
     (b) Except as set forth on Exhibit 3.8 to the MedPartners Disclosure
Schedule, no contract or agreement to which MedPartners or any MedPartners
Subsidiary, MedPartners Partnership or Other MedPartners Entity is a party will,
by its terms, terminate as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby or
require any consent from any obligor thereto in order to remain in full force
and effect immediately after the Effective Time, except for contracts or
agreements which, if terminated, would not have a material adverse effect on
MedPartners.
 
                                      A-11
<PAGE>   12
 
     (c) Except as set forth on Exhibit 3.8 to the MedPartners Disclosure
Schedule, none of MedPartners or any MedPartners Subsidiary, MedPartners
Partnership or Other MedPartners Entity has granted any right of first refusal
or similar right in favor of any third party with respect to any material
portion of its properties or assets or entered into any non-competition
agreement or similar agreement restricting its ability to engage in any business
in any location.
 
     3.9 Subsequent Events.  Except as set forth in Exhibit 3.9 to the
MedPartners Disclosure Schedule or as contemplated by this Plan of Merger,
neither MedPartners nor any MedPartners Subsidiary, MedPartners Partnership or
Other MedPartners Entity has, since the date of the MedPartners Balance Sheet:
 
          (a) Operated other than in the ordinary course of business, consistent
     with past practice.
 
          (b) Taken any of the actions contemplated by Section 6.2(x).
 
          (c) Incurred or experienced any material adverse change.
 
          (d) Discharged, satisfied or incurred any material lien or
     encumbrance, or paid or satisfied any material obligation or liability
     (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) which would have a material
     adverse effect on MedPartners, other than liabilities shown or reflected on
     the MedPartners Balance Sheet.
 
          (e) Increased or established any reserve for taxes or any other
     liability on its books or otherwise provided therefor which would have a
     material adverse effect on MedPartners, except as may have been required
     with respect to income or operations of MedPartners since the date of the
     MedPartners Balance Sheet.
 
          (f) Mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any lien, charge or other
     encumbrance any of the assets, tangible or intangible, which assets are
     material to the consolidated business or financial condition of
     MedPartners.
 
          (g) Sold or transferred any of the assets material to the consolidated
     business of MedPartners, canceled any material debts or claims or waived
     any material rights, except in the ordinary course of business.
 
          (h) Granted any general or uniform increase in the rates of pay of
     employees or any material increase in salary payable or to become payable
     by MedPartners to any officer, director, key employee or group of
     employees, consultant or agent (other than normal increases consistent with
     past practices), or by means of any bonus or pension plan, contract or
     other commitment, increased in a material respect the compensation of any
     officer, director, key employee or group of employees, consultant or agent.
 
          (i) Except for this Plan of Merger and any other agreement executed
     and delivered pursuant to this Plan of Merger, entered into any material
     transaction other than in the ordinary course of business or permitted
     under other Sections of this Plan of Merger.
 
          (j) Issued or sold, or agreed to issue or sell, any stock, bonds or
     other securities or any options or rights to purchase any of its securities
     (other than stock issued upon the exercise of outstanding options under
     MedPartners stock option plans, stock options granted under such plans and
     shares of MedPartners Common Stock or other securities issued pursuant to
     contractual obligations or in connection with the acquisition of
     businesses).
 
     3.10 Tax Matters.  (a) Except (i) as set forth in Exhibit 3.10 to the
MedPartners Disclosure Schedule or (ii) where the failure of the following
representations to be true would not, either individually or in the aggregate,
have a material adverse effect:
 
          (A) MedPartners and its subsidiaries have timely filed all Tax returns
     required to be filed by them. MedPartners and its subsidiaries have paid
     all Taxes (whether or not shown on any Tax return) due or claimed to be due
     from them by federal, foreign, state or local taxing authorities.
 
          (B) The reserves for Taxes contained in the financial statements and
     carried on the books of MedPartners or its subsidiaries (other than any
     reserve for deferred taxes established to reflect timing
 
                                      A-12
<PAGE>   13
 
     differences between book and tax income) are adequate to cover all Tax
     liabilities of or that reasonably could be imposed upon MedPartners or any
     of its subsidiaries (including tax sharing, allocation and indemnity
     agreements, under Treasury Reg. Section 1.1502-6 (and any comparable state
     or local tax provisions), or otherwise) as of the date of this Agreement.
 
          (C) MedPartners' tax basis in its assets exceeds MedPartners'
     liabilities.
 
     (b) Neither MedPartners nor any of its subsidiaries has taken any action or
has any knowledge of any fact or circumstance that is reasonably likely to
prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code.
 
     (c) For purposes of this Agreement, "Tax" means any federal, state, local
or foreign income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise,
severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental
(including taxes under Section 59A of the Code), customs duties, capital stock,
franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment,
disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer,
registration, value added, alternative or additional minimum, estimated or other
tax of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty or addition thereto,
whether disputed or not.
 
     3.11 Employee Benefit Plans; Employment Matters.  (a) Except as set forth
in Exhibit 3.11(a) to the MedPartners Disclosure Schedule, to the knowledge of
MedPartners, MedPartners has neither established nor maintained nor is obligated
to make contributions to or under or otherwise participate in (i) any bonus or
other type of incentive compensation plan, program or arrangement (whether or
not set forth in a written document), (ii) any pension, profit-sharing,
retirement or other plan, program or arrangement, or (iii) any other employee
benefit plan, fund or program, including, but not limited to, those described in
Section 3(3) of ERISA (individually, a "MedPartners Plan" and collectively, the
"MedPartners Plans"), except for such plans that are not material.
 
     (b) Except as set forth in Exhibit 3.11(b) to the MedPartners Disclosure
Schedule or as is expressly contemplated by this Plan of Merger, MedPartners is
not a party to any oral or written (i) union, guild or collective bargaining
agreement which agreement covers employees in the United States (nor is it aware
of any union organizing activity currently being conducted in respect to any of
its employees), (ii) agreement with any executive officer or other key employee
the benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which are materially
altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction of the nature contemplated by this
Plan of Merger and which provides for the payment of in excess of $25,000.00, or
(iii) agreement or plan, including any stock option plan, stock appreciation
rights plan, restricted stock plan or stock purchase plan, any of the benefits
of which will be increased, or the vesting of which will be accelerated, by the
occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated by this Plan of Merger or the
value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Plan of Merger.
 
     (c) Prior to the Effective Time, MedPartners will deliver or make available
to PhyCor true, accurate and complete copies of the documents comprising each
MedPartners Plan, each pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA)
maintained by or for the benefit of employees of any entity which is affiliated
with MedPartners through a management agreement, and any related trust
agreements, annuity contracts or any other funding instruments ("Funding
Arrangements") and the most recent Form 5500 annual report.
 
     (d) Except as set forth in Exhibit 3.11(d) of the MedPartners Disclosure
Schedule or as would not have a material adverse effect on MedPartners:
 
          (i) Each MedPartners Plan intended to be qualified under Section
     401(a) of the Code has a current favorable determination letter and no
     event has occurred which, to the knowledge of MedPartners, could cause any
     MedPartners Plan to become disqualified for purposes of Section 401(a) of
     the Code. Each MedPartners Plan has been operated in compliance with
     applicable law, including ERISA and the Code as applicable, and in
     accordance with its terms. There are no pending claims, lawsuits or actions
     relating to any MedPartners Plan (other than ordinary course claims for
     benefits) and, to the best knowledge of MedPartners, none are threatened
     that would result in a material adverse effect.
 
                                      A-13
<PAGE>   14
 
          (ii) No act or failure to act by MedPartners, any of MedPartners'
     officers, directors or employees, or, to the knowledge of MedPartners, any
     other "party in interest" (as defined in ERISA), has resulted in a
     "prohibited transaction" (as defined in ERISA) with respect to the
     MedPartners Plans that is not subject to a statutory or regulatory
     exception. No "reportable event" (as defined in ERISA, but excluding any
     event for which notice is waived under the ERISA regulations) has occurred
     with respect to any of the MedPartners Plans which is subject to Title IV
     of ERISA. MedPartners has not previously made, is not currently making, and
     is not obligated in any way to make, any contributions to any
     multi-employer plan within the meaning of the Multi-Employer Pension Plan
     Amendments Act of 1980. Neither MedPartners nor any other employer who has
     participated or is participating in any MedPartners Plan (a "Sponsor") has
     incurred any liability to the Department of Labor (the "DOL"), the Pension
     Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the "PBGC") or the Internal Revenue Service
     in connection with any MedPartners Plans, and no condition exists that
     presents a risk to MedPartners or any Sponsor of incurring any liability to
     the DOL, the PBGC or Internal Revenue Service.
 
          (iii) Full payment has been made of all amounts which are required
     under the terms of each MedPartners Plan or Funding Arrangement to have
     been paid as of the due date for such payments that have occurred on or
     before the Effective Time, and no accumulated funding deficiency (as
     defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code) has been
     incurred with respect to such MedPartners Plan, whether or not waived.
 
     3.12 Compliance with Laws in General.  Except as set forth in Exhibit 3.12
to the MedPartners Disclosure Schedule, none of MedPartners or any MedPartners
Subsidiary, MedPartners Partnership or Other MedPartners Entity has received any
notices of, nor to the best of its knowledge, have there been any, material
violations of any federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances
relating to its business and operations, including, without limitation, the
Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the
Medicare or applicable Medicaid statutes and regulations, including billing and
coding (and also including the physician self-referral prohibitions of 42 U.S.C.
1395nn et seq. and the anti-fraud and abuse provisions of 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b),
and any environmental laws, and no notice of any pending inspection or violation
of any such law, regulation or ordinance has been received by MedPartners or any
MedPartners Subsidiary, MedPartners Partnership or Other MedPartners Entity,
except in any such case as would not have a material adverse effect on
MedPartners.
 
     3.13 Regulatory Approvals.  Except as disclosed in Exhibit 3.13 to the
MedPartners Disclosure Schedule, MedPartners and each MedPartners Subsidiary,
MedPartners Partnership and Other MedPartners Entity, as applicable, holds all
licenses and other regulatory approvals required or necessary to be applied for
or obtained in connection with its business as currently conducted or as
proposed to be conducted, except where the failure to obtain such license or
regulatory approval would not have a material adverse effect on MedPartners. All
such licenses and other regulatory approvals relating to the business,
operations and facilities of MedPartners and each MedPartners Subsidiary,
MedPartners Partnership and Other MedPartners Entity are in full force and
effect, except where any failure of such license or regulatory approval to be in
full force and effect would not have a material adverse effect on MedPartners.
Any and all past litigation concerning such licenses and regulatory approvals,
and all claims and causes of action raised therein, has been finally
adjudicated. No such license or regulatory approval has been revoked,
conditioned (except as may be customary) or restricted, and no action
(equitable, legal or administrative), arbitration or other process is pending,
or to the best knowledge of MedPartners, threatened, which in any way challenges
the validity of, or seeks to revoke, condition or restrict, any such license or
regulatory approval, except as would not have a material adverse effect on
MedPartners.
 
     3.14 Commissions and Fees.  Except for Smith Barney Inc., there are no
claims for brokerage commissions, investment bankers' fees or finder's fees in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Plan of Merger resulting
from any action taken by MedPartners or any of its officers, directors or
agents.
 
     3.15 Stockholder Vote Required.  The affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of MedPartners Common Stock entitled to vote
thereon is the only vote of the holders of any class or
 
                                      A-14
<PAGE>   15
 
series of MedPartners capital stock necessary for MedPartners to approve this
Plan of Merger, the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby (the
"MedPartners Stockholder Approval").
 
     3.16 Pooling Matters.  To the best knowledge of MedPartners, neither
MedPartners nor any of its affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action
that (without giving effect to any actions taken or agreed to be taken by PhyCor
or any of its affiliates) would prevent PhyCor from accounting for the business
combination to be effected by the Merger as a pooling of interests for financial
reporting purposes.
 
     3.17 Opinion of Financial Advisor.  The Board of Directors of MedPartners
has received the opinion of Smith Barney Inc. to the effect that, as of the date
of this Plan of Merger, the Exchange Ratio is fair to holders of MedPartners
Common Stock from a financial point of view.
 
     3.18 Rights Plan.  The MedPartners Rights Agreement has been amended, to
the extent necessary, to (i) render the Rights inapplicable to the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) provide that (x) neither PhyCor
nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is or will be an Acquiring Person (as
defined in the Rights Agreement), (y) neither a Stock Acquisition Date nor a
Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) shall occur by reason of
the execution or delivery of this Plan of Merger or the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated hereby and (z) the Rights shall expire immediately
prior to the Effective Time.
 
                                   SECTION 4.
 
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PHYCOR.
 
     PhyCor hereby represents and warrants to MedPartners as follows:
 
     4.1 Organization and Existence.  PhyCor is a corporation duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the State of Tennessee. PhyCor has all
necessary corporate power to own its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as presently conducted. PhyCor does not own, and has not within the two
years immediately preceding the date of this Plan of Merger owned, directly or
indirectly, any shares of MedPartners Common Stock.
 
     4.2 PhyCor Capitalization.  (a) PhyCor's authorized capital consists of (i)
250,000,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value per share, of which 64,495,674
shares are issued and outstanding as of October 27, 1997, and no shares are held
in treasury and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, no par value per
share, of which no shares are issued and outstanding and no shares are held in
treasury. No shares of PhyCor Common Stock have been issued since such date
other than shares issued upon the exercise of options or other contractual
obligations outstanding on such date or in connection with the acquisition of
businesses. All of the issued and outstanding shares of PhyCor Common Stock have
been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set
forth in Exhibit 4.2 to the Disclosure Schedule delivered to MedPartners by
PhyCor at the time of the execution and delivery of this Plan of Merger (the
"PhyCor Disclosure Schedule"), there are no options, warrants, or similar rights
granted by PhyCor or any affiliate thereof or other agreements to which PhyCor
or any such affiliate is a party providing for the issuance or sale by it of any
additional securities. There is no liability for dividends declared or
accumulated but unpaid with respect to any of the shares of PhyCor Common Stock.
PhyCor has not made any distributions to any holder of PhyCor Common Stock or
participated in or effected any issuance, exchange or retirement of shares of
PhyCor Common Stock, or otherwise changed the equity interests of holders of
shares of PhyCor Common Stock in contemplation of effecting the Merger within
the two years immediately preceding the date of this Plan of Merger. Any PhyCor
Shares that PhyCor has re-acquired during the two years immediately preceding
the date of this Plan of Merger have been so reacquired only for purposes other
than Business Combinations.
 
     (b) On the Closing Date, PhyCor will have a sufficient number of authorized
but unissued shares of its Common Stock available for issuance to the holders of
MedPartners Shares in accordance with the provisions of this Plan of Merger. The
PhyCor Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Plan of Merger will, when so
delivered, be (i) duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (ii)
registered in a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC.
 
                                      A-15
<PAGE>   16
 
     4.3 Subsidiaries and Affiliated Entities.  (a) Attached as Exhibit 4.3 to
the PhyCor Disclosure Schedule is a list of all subsidiaries of PhyCor
(individually, a "PhyCor Subsidiary", and collectively, the "PhyCor
Subsidiaries") and their states of incorporation. There are no professional
corporations with which PhyCor has a service or management agreement and which
are owned by individual physician-shareholders, the majority of whom have a
financial or other relationship individually with PhyCor. Except as set forth in
Exhibit 4.3 to the PhyCor Disclosure Schedule, PhyCor does not control, directly
or indirectly, any other corporation, association, partnership or business
organization. The outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests
of each PhyCor Subsidiary have been duly authorized and are validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable. All shares of capital stock or other equity
interests of each PhyCor Subsidiary owned by PhyCor or any of its subsidiaries
are owned by PhyCor, either directly or indirectly, free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances, equities or claims.
 
     (b) Also disclosed in Exhibit 4.3 to the PhyCor Disclosure Schedule is a
list of all general or limited partnerships in which a general partner is
PhyCor, a PhyCor Subsidiary or another partnership controlled by PhyCor
(individually a "PhyCor Partnership" and collectively, the "PhyCor
Partnerships"), and all limited liability companies in which PhyCor or a PhyCor
Subsidiary is a member or manager (individually, a "PhyCor LLC"; the PhyCor
Partnerships and the PhyCor LLCs being collectively called the "Other PhyCor
Entities"), and their states of organization. All interests of each Other PhyCor
Entity owned by PhyCor or any of its subsidiaries are owned by PhyCor, either
directly or indirectly, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or
claims.
 
     (c) Except as set forth in Exhibit 4.3, neither PhyCor nor any PhyCor
Subsidiary or Other PhyCor Entity controls, directly or indirectly, any other
joint venture or partnership.
 
     (d) The terms "PhyCor Subsidiary" and "Other PhyCor Entity" do not include
any affiliated medical groups.
 
     4.4 Organization, Existence and Foreign Qualifications of Significant
PhyCor Subsidiaries.  (a) Each Significant PhyCor Subsidiary is a corporation
duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its respective state of
incorporation. Each Significant PhyCor Subsidiary has all necessary corporate
power to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently
conducted.
 
     (b) Each Significant PhyCor Subsidiary is qualified to do business as a
foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the
nature or character of the property owned, leased or operated by it or the
nature of the business transacted by it makes such qualification necessary,
except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect
on PhyCor.
 
     4.5 Power and Authority.  PhyCor has the corporate power to execute,
deliver and perform this Plan of Merger and all agreements and other documents
executed and delivered or to be executed and delivered by it pursuant to this
Plan of Merger, and, subject to obtaining the PhyCor Stockholder Approval (as
hereinafter defined) has taken all corporate action required to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance of this Plan of Merger and such related
documents. The execution and delivery of this Plan of Merger has been approved
by the Board of Directors of PhyCor. This Plan of Merger has been duly executed
and delivered by PhyCor and is a valid and binding obligation of PhyCor
enforceable against PhyCor in accordance with its terms.
 
     Except for the filings set forth on Exhibit 4.5 to the PhyCor Disclosure
Schedule and the filings, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals as may
be required under, and other applicable requirements of, the Exchange Act, the
Securities Act, the HSR Act, the TBCA and the DGCL, neither the execution,
delivery or performance of this Plan of Merger by PhyCor nor the consummation by
PhyCor of the transactions contemplated hereby nor compliance by PhyCor with any
of the provisions hereof will (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any
provision of the Restated Charter or the Amended Bylaws of PhyCor or of any of
its subsidiaries, (ii) require any filing with, or permit, authorization,
consent or approval of a Governmental Entity, (iii) result in a violation or
breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a
default (or give rise to any right of termination, amendment, cancellation or
acceleration) under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note,
bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, license, contract,
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>   17
 
agreement or other instrument or obligation to which PhyCor or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their properties or
assets may be bound or (iv) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree,
statute, rule or regulation applicable to PhyCor, any of its subsidiaries or any
of their properties or assets, excluding from the foregoing clauses (ii), (iii)
and (iv) such violations, breaches or defaults which would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on PhyCor.
 
     4.6 PhyCor's Public Information.  PhyCor has heretofore made available to
MedPartners a true and complete copy of each report, schedule, registration
statement and definitive proxy statement filed by it with the SEC (as any such
documents have since the time of their original filing been amended, the "PhyCor
Documents") since January 1, 1995, which are all the documents (other than
preliminary material) that it was required to file with the SEC since such date.
As of their respective dates, the PhyCor Documents did not contain any untrue
statements of material facts or omit to state material facts required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their respective
dates, the PhyCor Documents complied in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act, and the Exchange Act, and the
rules and regulations promulgated under such statutes. The financial statements
contained in the PhyCor Documents, together with the notes thereto, have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently followed throughout the periods
indicated (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto, or, in the case of
the unaudited financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q), reflect all
liabilities of PhyCor and its consolidated subsidiaries, fixed or contingent,
required to be stated therein, and present fairly the financial condition of
PhyCor and its consolidated subsidiaries at such dates and the consolidated
results of operations and cash flows of PhyCor and its consolidated subsidiaries
for the periods then ended. The consolidated balance sheet of PhyCor at June 30,
1997, included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
June 30, 1997 of PhyCor is herein sometimes referred to as the "PhyCor Balance
Sheet".
 
     4.7 Legal Proceedings.  Except as disclosed in Exhibit 4.7 to the PhyCor
Disclosure Schedule, or in the PhyCor Documents, there is no pending or, to the
best knowledge of PhyCor, threatened litigation, governmental investigation,
condemnation or other proceeding against or relating to or affecting PhyCor or
any of its subsidiaries or the transactions contemplated by this Plan of Merger,
which would be reasonably likely, in the aggregate, to have a material adverse
effect on PhyCor and, to the knowledge of PhyCor, no basis for any such action
exists.
 
     4.8 Certain Contract Matters.  (a) All material contracts, leases,
agreements and arrangements to which PhyCor or any of the PhyCor Subsidiaries or
Other PhyCor Entities is a party are legally valid and binding in accordance
with their terms and in full force and effect. PhyCor and each PhyCor Subsidiary
or Other PhyCor Entity that is a party to such contracts, leases, agreements and
arrangements has complied in all material respects with the provisions of such
contracts, leases, agreements and arrangements; to the knowledge of PhyCor, no
other party is in default thereunder; and no event has occurred which, but for
the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute a default
thereunder, except, in each case, where the invalidity of the lease, contract,
agreement or arrangement or the default or breach thereunder or thereof would
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on PhyCor.
 
     (b) Except as set forth on Exhibit 4.8 to the PhyCor Disclosure Schedule,
no contract or agreement to which PhyCor or any PhyCor Subsidiary, PhyCor
Partnership or Other PhyCor Entity is a party will, by its terms, terminate as a
result of the transactions contemplated hereby or require any consent from any
obligor thereto in order to remain in full force and effect immediately after
the Effective Time, except for contracts or agreements which, if terminated,
would not have a material adverse effect on PhyCor.
 
     (c) Except as set forth on Exhibit 4.8 to the PhyCor Disclosure Schedule,
none of PhyCor or any PhyCor Subsidiary or Other PhyCor Entity has granted any
right of first refusal or similar right in favor of any third party with respect
to any material portion of its properties or assets or entered into any
non-competition agreement or similar agreement restricting its ability to engage
in any business in any location.
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>   18
 
     4.9 Subsequent Events.  Except as set forth in Exhibit 4.9 to the PhyCor
Disclosure Schedule or as contemplated by this Plan of Merger, neither PhyCor
nor any PhyCor Subsidiary has, since the date of the PhyCor Balance Sheet:
 
          (a) Operated other than in the ordinary course of business, consistent
     with past practice.
 
          (b) Taken any of the actions contemplated by Section 6.2(y).
 
          (c) Incurred or experienced any material adverse change.
 
          (d) Discharged or satisfied any material lien or encumbrance, or paid
     or satisfied any material obligation or liability (absolute, accrued,
     contingent or otherwise), which discharge, payment or satisfaction would
     have a material adverse effect on PhyCor, other than (i) liabilities shown
     or reflected on the PhyCor Balance Sheet or (ii) liabilities incurred since
     the date of the PhyCor Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business.
 
          (e) Increased or established any reserve for taxes or any other
     liability on its books or otherwise provided therefor which would have a
     material adverse effect on PhyCor, except as may have been required with
     respect to income or operations of PhyCor since the date of the PhyCor
     Balance Sheet.
 
          (f) Mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any lien, charge or other
     encumbrance any of the assets, tangible or intangible, which assets are
     material to the business or financial condition of PhyCor.
 
          (g) Sold or transferred any of the assets material to the consolidated
     business of PhyCor, canceled any material debts or claims or waived any
     material rights, except in the ordinary course of business.
 
          (h) Granted any general or uniform increase in the rates of pay of
     employees or any material increase in salary payable or to become payable
     by PhyCor to any officer, director, key employee, group of employees,
     consultant or agent (other than normal increases consistent with past
     practices), or by means of any bonus or pension plan, contract or other
     commitment, increased in a material respect the compensation of any
     officer, director, key employee, group of employees, consultant or agent.
 
          (i) Except for this Plan of Merger and any other agreement executed
     and delivered pursuant to this Plan of Merger, entered into any material
     transaction other than in the ordinary course of business or permitted
     under other Sections of this Plan of Merger.
 
          (j) Issued any stock, bonds or other securities or any options or
     rights to purchase any of its securities (other than stock issued upon the
     exercise of outstanding options under PhyCor stock option plans, stock
     options granted under such plans and shares of PhyCor Common Stock or other
     securities issued pursuant to contractual obligations or in connection with
     the acquisition of businesses).
 
     4.10 Tax Matters.  (a) Except (i) as set forth in Exhibit 4.10 to the
PhyCor Disclosure Schedule or (ii) where the failure of the following
representations to be true would not, either individually or in the aggregate,
have a material adverse effect:
 
          (A) PhyCor and its subsidiaries have timely filed all Tax returns
     required to be filed by them. PhyCor and its subsidiaries have paid all
     Taxes (whether or not shown on any Tax return) due or claimed to be due
     from them by federal, foreign, state or local taxing authorities.
 
          (B) The reserves for Taxes contained in the financial statements and
     carried on the books of PhyCor or its subsidiaries (other than any reserve
     for deferred taxes established to reflect timing differences between book
     and tax income) are adequate to cover all Tax liabilities of or that
     reasonably could be imposed upon PhyCor or any of its subsidiaries
     (including tax sharing, allocation and indemnity agreements, under Treasury
     Reg. Section 1.1502-6 (and any comparable state or local tax provisions) or
     otherwise) as of the date of this Agreement.
 
          (C) Neither PhyCor nor any of its subsidiaries has distributed the
     stock of any corporation in a transaction satisfying the requirements of
     Section 355 of the Code since April 16, 1997.
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>   19
 
     (b) Neither PhyCor nor any of its subsidiaries has taken any action or has
any knowledge of any fact or circumstance that is reasonably likely to prevent
the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code.
 
     4.11 Employee Benefit Plans; Employment Matters.  (a) Except as set forth
in Exhibit 4.11(a) to the PhyCor Disclosure Schedule, to the knowledge of
PhyCor, PhyCor has neither established nor maintained nor is obligated to make
contributions to or under or otherwise participate in (i) any bonus or other
type of incentive compensation plan, program or arrangement (whether or not set
forth in a written document), (ii) any pension, profit-sharing, retirement or
other plan, program or arrangement, or (iii) any other employee benefit plan,
fund or program, including, but not limited to, those described in Section 3(3)
of ERISA (individually, a "PhyCor Plan" and collectively, the "PhyCor Plans"),
except for such plans that are not material.
 
     (b) Except as set forth in Exhibit 4.11(b) to the PhyCor Disclosure
Schedule or as is expressly contemplated by this Plan of Merger, PhyCor is not a
party to any oral or written (i) union, guild or collective bargaining agreement
which agreement covers employees in the United States (nor is it aware of any
union organizing activity currently being conducted in respect to any of its
employees), (ii) agreement with any executive officer or other key employee the
benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered,
upon the occurrence of a transaction of the nature contemplated by this Plan of
Merger and which provides for the payment of in excess of $25,000.00, or (iii)
agreement or plan, including any stock option plan, stock appreciation rights
plan, restricted stock plan or stock purchase plan, any of the benefits of which
will be increased, or the vesting of which will be accelerated, by the
occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated by this Plan of Merger or the
value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Plan of Merger.
 
     (c) Prior to the Effective Time, PhyCor will deliver or make available to
MedPartners true, accurate and complete copies of the documents comprising each
PhyCor Plan, each pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) maintained
by or for the benefit of employees of any entity which is affiliated with PhyCor
through a management agreement, and any related trust agreements, annuity
contracts or any other funding instruments ("Funding Arrangements") and the most
recent Form 5500 annual report.
 
     (d) Except as set forth in Exhibit 4.11(d) of the PhyCor Disclosure
Schedule or as would not have a material adverse effect on PhyCor:
 
          (i) Each PhyCor Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of
     the Code has a current favorable determination letter and no event has
     occurred which, to the knowledge of PhyCor, could cause any PhyCor Plan to
     become disqualified for purposes of Section 401(a) of the Code. Each PhyCor
     Plan has been operated in compliance with applicable law, including ERISA
     and the Code as applicable, and in accordance with its terms. There are no
     pending claims, lawsuits or actions relating to any PhyCor Plan (other than
     ordinary course claims for benefits) and, to the best knowledge of PhyCor,
     none are threatened that would result in a material adverse effect.
 
          (ii) No act or failure to act by PhyCor, any of PhyCor's officers,
     directors or employees, or, to the knowledge of PhyCor, any other "party in
     interest" (as defined in ERISA), has resulted in a "prohibited transaction"
     (as defined in ERISA) with respect to the PhyCor Plans that is not subject
     to a statutory or regulatory exception. No "reportable event" (as defined
     in ERISA, but excluding any event for which notice is waived under the
     ERISA regulations) has occurred with respect to any of the PhyCor Plans
     which is subject to Title IV of ERISA. PhyCor has not previously made, is
     not currently making, and is not obligated in any way to make, any
     contributions to any multi-employer plan within the meaning of the
     Multi-Employer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980. Neither PhyCor nor any
     other employer who has participated or is participating in any PhyCor Plan
     (a "Sponsor") has incurred any liability to the DOL, the PBGC or the
     Internal Revenue Service in connection with any PhyCor Plans, and no
     condition exists that presents a risk to PhyCor or any Sponsor of incurring
     any liability to the DOL, the PBGC or Internal Revenue Service.
 
                                      A-19
<PAGE>   20
 
          (iii) Full payment has been made of all amounts which are required
     under the terms of each PhyCor Plan or Funding Arrangement to have been
     paid as of the due date for such payments that have occurred on or before
     the Effective Time, and no accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in
     Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code) has been incurred with
     respect to such PhyCor Plan, whether or not waived.
 
     4.12 Compliance with Laws in General.  Except as set forth in Exhibit 4.12
to the PhyCor Disclosure Schedule, PhyCor and each PhyCor Subsidiary and Other
PhyCor Entity has not received any notices of, nor to the best of its knowledge,
have there been any, material violations of any federal, state and local laws,
regulations and ordinances relating to its business and operations, including,
without limitation, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, the Medicare or applicable Medicaid statutes and regulations,
including billing and coding (and also including the physician self-referral
prohibitions of 42 U.S.C. 1395nn et seq. and the anti-fraud and abuse provisions
of 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b), and any environmental laws, and no notice of any pending
inspection or violation of any such law, regulation or ordinance has been
received by PhyCor, except in any such case as would not have a material adverse
effect on PhyCor.
 
     4.13 Regulatory Approvals.  Except as disclosed in Exhibit 4.13 to the
PhyCor Disclosure Schedule, PhyCor holds all licenses and other regulatory
approvals required or necessary to be applied for or obtained in connection with
its business as currently conducted, except where the failure to obtain such
license or regulatory approval would not have a material adverse effect on
PhyCor. All such licenses and other regulatory approvals relating to the
business, operations and facilities of PhyCor are in full force and effect,
except where any failure of such license or regulatory approval to be in full
force and effect would not have a material adverse effect on PhyCor. Any and all
past litigation concerning such licenses and regulatory approvals, and all
claims and causes of action raised therein, has been finally adjudicated. No
such license or regulatory approval has been revoked, conditioned (except as may
be customary) or restricted, and no action (equitable, legal or administrative),
arbitration or other process is pending, or to the best knowledge of PhyCor,
threatened, which in any way challenges the validity of, or seeks to revoke,
condition or restrict any such license or regulatory approval, except as would
not have a material adverse effect on PhyCor.
 
     4.14 Commissions and Fees.  Except for BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, there
are no claims for brokerage commissions, investment bankers' fees or finder's
fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Plan of Merger
resulting from any action taken by PhyCor or any of its officers, directors or
agents.
 
     4.15 Stockholder Vote Required.  The affirmative vote of (a) the holders of
a majority of the shares of PhyCor Common Stock present, in person or by proxy
at the PhyCor special meeting to amend PhyCor's Restated Charter to increase the
authorized PhyCor Shares to 750,000,000 and (b) the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of PhyCor Common Stock entitled to vote thereon are the only
votes of the holders of any class or series of PhyCor capital stock necessary
for PhyCor to approve this Plan of Merger, the Merger and the transactions
contemplated thereby (the "PhyCor Stockholder Approval").
 
     4.16 Pooling Matters.  To the best knowledge of PhyCor, neither PhyCor nor
any of its affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action that (without
giving effect to any actions taken or agreed to be taken by MedPartners or any
of its affiliates) would prevent PhyCor from accounting for the business
combination to be effected by the Merger as a pooling of interests for financial
reporting purposes.
 
     4.17 Opinion of Financial Advisor.  The Board of Directors of PhyCor has
received the opinion of BT Alex. Brown Incorporated to the effect that, as of
its date and subject to the conditions thereof, the Exchange Ratio is fair from
a financial point of view to the holders of PhyCor Common Stock.
 
                                      A-20
<PAGE>   21
 
                                   SECTION 5.
 
                      ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS.
 
     5.1 Access to Information.  Between the date hereof and the Closing Date,
each of PhyCor and MedPartners will give to the other party and its counsel,
accountants and other representatives full access to all the personnel,
properties, documents, contracts, personnel files and other records of such
party and shall furnish the other party with copies of such documents and with
such information with respect to the affairs of such party as the other party
may from time to time reasonably request. Each party will disclose and make
available to the other party and its representatives all books, contracts,
accounts, personnel records, letters of intent, papers, records, communications
with regulatory authorities and other documents relating to the business and
operations of such party.
 
     5.2 Return of Records.  If the transactions contemplated hereby are not
consummated and this Plan of Merger terminates, each party agrees to promptly
return all documents, contracts, records or properties of the other party and
all copies thereof furnished pursuant to this Section 5 or otherwise. All
information disclosed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to
any party or any affiliate or representative of any party by any party or any
affiliate or representative of any party shall be deemed to be such party's
"Confidential Information" under the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement,
dated October 17, 1997, between MedPartners and PhyCor (the "Confidentiality
Agreement").
 
                                   SECTION 6.
 
                                   COVENANTS.
 
     6.1 Preservation of Business.  From the date of this Plan of Merger, each
of PhyCor and MedPartners will use its reasonable best efforts to preserve its
business organization intact, to keep available to PhyCor the services of their
present employees, and to preserve for PhyCor the goodwill of the suppliers,
customers and others having business relations with them and their respective
subsidiaries.
 
     6.2 Material Transactions.  (x) Except as disclosed in Exhibit 6.2(x) to
the MedPartners Disclosure Schedule or as contemplated by this Plan of Merger,
prior to the Effective Time, neither MedPartners nor any MedPartners Subsidiary,
MedPartners Partnership or Other MedPartners Entity will (other than as required
pursuant to the terms of this Plan of Merger and the related documents), without
first obtaining the written consent of PhyCor:
 
          (a) amend its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or similar
     organizational documents;
 
          (b) (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution
     with respect to its capital stock, (ii) redeem, purchase or otherwise
     acquire directly or indirectly any of its capital stock; (iii) issue, sell,
     pledge, dispose of or encumber any securities (or any rights to acquire
     such securities), other than shares issued upon the exercise of options
     outstanding on the date hereof in accordance with the option plans as in
     effect on the date hereof and securities issued pursuant to existing
     contractual obligations or in connection with the acquisition of
     businesses; or (iv) split, combine or reclassify its outstanding capital
     stock;
 
          (c) acquire or agree to acquire, any material assets or business
     either by purchase, merger or otherwise, the acquisition of which would
     require the filing by MedPartners of a Current Report on Form 8-K under the
     Exchange Act;
 
          (d) transfer, lease, license, sell, mortgage, pledge, dispose of, or
     encumber any material assets other than in the ordinary and usual course of
     business and consistent with past practice;
 
          (e) except in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
     practice, (i) grant any increase in the compensation payable or to become
     payable to any of its executive officers or key employees, (ii)(A) adopt
     any new, or (B) amend or otherwise increase, or accelerate the payment or
     vesting of the amounts payable or to become payable under any existing,
     bonus, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, severance, profit
     sharing, stock option, stock purchase, insurance, pension, retirement or
 
                                      A-21
<PAGE>   22
 
     other employee benefit plan agreement or arrangement, (iii) enter into any
     employment or severance agreement with or, except in accordance with the
     existing written agreements, grant any severance or termination pay to any
     officer, director, key employee or group of employees or (iv) increase the
     compensation or benefits of any officer, director, key employee or group of
     employees;
 
          (f) modify, amend or terminate any of its material contracts or waive,
     release or assign any material rights or claims, except in the ordinary
     course of business and consistent with past practice;
 
          (g) (i) incur or assume any long-term debt, or except in the ordinary
     course of business, incur or assume any short-term indebtedness in amounts
     not consistent with past practice; (ii) incur or modify any material
     indebtedness or other liability; (iii) assume, guarantee, endorse or
     otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or
     otherwise) for the obligations of any other person, except in the ordinary
     course of business and consistent with past practice; (iv) make any loans,
     advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person
     (other than to wholly owned subsidiaries of MedPartners or customary loans
     or advances to employees in accordance with past practice); or (v) enter
     into any material commitment or transaction;
 
          (h) except as would not have a material adverse effect, make any tax
     election or settle or compromise any tax liability, or make any change in
     any method of accounting for taxes or accounting policy with respect to
     taxes;
 
          (i) change any of the accounting methods or policies used by it unless
     required by GAAP;
 
          (j) pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations
     (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other
     than the payment, discharge or satisfaction of any such claims, liabilities
     or obligations, in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
     practice, of claims, liabilities or obligations reflected or reserved
     against in, or contemplated by, the consolidated financial statements (or
     the notes thereto) of MedPartners and its consolidated entities;
 
          (k) take, or agree to commit to take, any action that would make any
     representation or warranty of MedPartners contained herein inaccurate in
     any material respect at, or as of any time prior to, the Effective Time;
 
          (l) enter into an agreement, contract, commitment or arrangement to do
     any of the foregoing, or to authorize, recommend, propose or announce an
     intention to do any of the foregoing; or
 
          (m) take any action of a character described in Section 3.9(a) to
     3.9(j) inclusive.
 
          (y) Except as disclosed in Exhibit 6.2(y) to the PhyCor Disclosure
     Schedule or as contemplated by this Plan of Merger, prior to the Effective
     Time, neither PhyCor nor any PhyCor Subsidiary nor Other PhyCor Entity will
     (other than as required pursuant to the terms of this Plan of Merger and
     the related documents), without first obtaining the written consent of
     MedPartners:
 
             (a) amend its Restated Charter or Amended Bylaws or similar
        organizational documents;
 
             (b) (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other
        distribution with respect to its capital stock, (ii) redeem, purchase or
        otherwise acquire directly or indirectly any of its capital stock; (iii)
        issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber any securities (or any
        rights to acquire such securities), other than shares issued upon the
        exercise of options outstanding on the date hereof in accordance with
        the option plans as in effect on the date hereof and securities issued
        pursuant to existing contractual obligations or in connection with the
        acquisition of businesses; or (iv) split, combine or reclassify its
        outstanding capital stock;
 
             (c) acquire or agree to acquire, any material assets either by
        purchase, merger or otherwise;
 
             (d) transfer, lease, license, sell, mortgage, pledge, dispose of,
        or encumber any material assets other than in the ordinary and usual
        course of business and consistent with past practice;
 
             (e) except in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
        practice (i) grant any increase in the compensation payable or to become
        payable to any of its executive officers or key
 
                                      A-22
<PAGE>   23
 
        employees, (ii)(A) adopt any new, or (B) amend or otherwise increase, or
        accelerate the payment or vesting of the amounts payable or to become
        payable under any existing, bonus, incentive compensation, deferred
        compensation, severance, profit sharing, stock option, stock purchase,
        insurance, pension, retirement or other employee benefit plan agreement
        or arrangement, (iii) enter into any employment or severance agreement
        with or, except in accordance with the existing written agreements,
        grant any severance or termination pay to any officer, director, key
        employee or group of employees, or (iv) increase the compensation or
        benefits of any officer, director, key employee or group of employees;
 
             (f) modify, amend or terminate any of its material contracts or
        waive, release or assign any material rights or claims, except in the
        ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
 
             (g) (i) incur or assume any long-term debt, or except in the
        ordinary course of business, incur or assume any short-term indebtedness
        in amounts not consistent with past practice; (ii) incur or modify any
        material indebtedness or other liability; (iii) assume, guarantee,
        endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly,
        contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any other person,
        except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
        practice; (iv) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
        investments in, any other person (other than to wholly owned
        subsidiaries of PhyCor or customary loans or advances to employees in
        accordance with past practice); or (v) enter into any material
        commitment or transaction;
 
             (h) except as would not have a material adverse effect, make any
        tax election or settle or compromise any tax liability, or make any
        change in any method of account for taxes or accounting policy with
        respect to taxes;
 
             (i) change any of the accounting methods or policies used by it
        unless required by GAAP;
 
             (j) pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or
        obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or
        otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction of any
        such claims, liabilities or obligations, in the ordinary course of
        business and consistent with past practice, of claims, liabilities or
        obligations reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated by, the
        consolidated financial statements (or the notes thereto) of PhyCor and
        its consolidated subsidiaries;
 
             (k) take, or agree to commit to take, any action that would make
        any representation or warranty of PhyCor contained herein inaccurate in
        any material respect at, or as of any time prior to, the Effective Time;
 
             (l) enter into an agreement, contract, commitment or arrangement to
        do any of the foregoing, or to authorize, recommend, propose or announce
        an intention to do any of the foregoing; or
 
             (m) take any action of a character described in Sections 4.9(a) to
        4.9(j), inclusive.
 
     6.3 Meetings of Stockholders.  Each of PhyCor and MedPartners will take all
steps necessary in accordance with its respective Charter or Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws to call, give notice of, convene and hold meetings of
its respective stockholders (the "Stockholder Meetings") as soon as practicable
after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 6.4
hereof), for the purpose of obtaining the PhyCor Stockholder Approval and the
MedPartners Stockholder Approval and for such other purposes as may be necessary
(including any increase in the number of authorized shares of PhyCor Common
Stock required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby).
Unless this Plan of Merger shall have been validly terminated as provided
herein, the Boards of Directors of PhyCor and MedPartners (subject to their
fiduciary duties under applicable law) will (a)(i) recommend to their
stockholders the approval and adoption of the matters to be voted on, to the
extent that such approval is required by applicable law in order to consummate
the Merger, and (ii) use their respective reasonable best efforts to obtain the
necessary approvals of their respective stockholders of the transactions
contemplated hereby and (b) the Boards of Directors will not recommend to their
respective stockholders any Alternative Proposal (as defined herein) other than
the Merger.
 
                                      A-23
<PAGE>   24
 
     6.4 Registration Statement.  (a) PhyCor shall prepare and file with the SEC
and any other applicable regulatory bodies, as soon as reasonably practicable, a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 with respect to the shares of the PhyCor
Common Stock to be issued in the Merger (the "Registration Statement"), and will
otherwise proceed promptly to satisfy the requirements of the Securities Act,
including Rule 145 thereunder. Such Registration Statement shall contain a joint
proxy statement of PhyCor and MedPartners containing the information required by
the Exchange Act (the "Proxy Statement"). PhyCor shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective and to
maintain such effectiveness until all of the shares of the PhyCor Common Stock
covered thereby have been distributed. PhyCor shall promptly amend or supplement
the Registration Statement to the extent necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading in any material respect or to correct any
statements which have become materially false or misleading. PhyCor shall
provide MedPartners with copies of all filings made pursuant to this Section 6.4
and shall consult with MedPartners on responses to any comments made by the
Staff of the SEC with respect thereto.
 
     (b) The information supplied by MedPartners for inclusion or incorporation
by reference in the Registration Statement shall not, at the time the
Registration Statement is declared effective, at the time the Proxy Statement is
first mailed to holders of MedPartners Common Stock and holders of PhyCor Common
Stock, at the time of the Stockholder Meetings and at the Effective Time,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, not misleading. The information supplied by MedPartners for inclusion
or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement shall not, at the date the
Proxy Statement (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is first mailed
to holders of MedPartners Common Stock and holders of PhyCor Common Stock, at
the time of the Stockholder Meetings and at the Effective Time, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. If at
any time prior to the Effective Time any event or circumstance relating to
MedPartners, or its officers or directors, should be discovered by MedPartners
which should be set forth in an amendment to the Registration Statement or a
supplement to the Proxy Statement, MedPartners shall promptly inform PhyCor. All
documents, if any, that MedPartners is responsible for filing with the SEC in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or that will be
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement complied or will comply
at the time of their respective filings as to form and substance in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
 
     (c) The information supplied by PhyCor for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in the Registration Statement shall not, at the time the Registration
Statement is declared effective, at the time the Proxy Statement is first mailed
to holders of PhyCor Common Stock and holders of MedPartners Common Stock, at
the time of the Stockholder Meetings and at the Effective Time, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not
misleading. The information supplied by PhyCor for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in the Proxy Statement shall not, at the date the Proxy Statement (or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is first mailed to holders of
PhyCor Common Stock and holders of MedPartners Common Stock, at the time of the
Stockholder Meetings or at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. If at any time prior to
the Effective Time any event or circumstance relating to PhyCor, or its officers
or directors, should be discovered by PhyCor which should be set forth in an
amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the Proxy Statement,
PhyCor should promptly inform MedPartners and shall promptly file such amendment
to the Registration Statement. All documents that PhyCor is responsible for
filing with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or
that will be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement complied or
will comply at the time of their respective filings as to form and substance in
all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder and the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
 
                                      A-24
<PAGE>   25
 
     (d) Prior to the Closing Date, PhyCor shall use its reasonable best efforts
to cause the shares of PhyCor Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger
to be registered or qualified under all applicable securities or Blue Sky laws
of each of the states and territories of the United States, and to take any
other actions which may be necessary to enable the PhyCor Common Stock to be
issued pursuant to the Merger to be distributed in each such jurisdiction.
 
     (e) Prior to the Closing Date, PhyCor shall file a Listing Application with
Nasdaq (or such other exchange on which the shares of PhyCor Common Stock are
then listed) relating to the shares of PhyCor Common Stock to be issued in
connection with the Merger, and shall cause such shares of PhyCor Common Stock
to be listed on Nasdaq (or such other exchange on which the shares of PhyCor
Common Stock are then listed), upon official notice of issuance, prior to the
Closing Date.
 
     (f) MedPartners shall furnish all information to PhyCor with respect to the
MedPartners Subsidiaries as PhyCor may reasonably request for inclusion in the
Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement and shall otherwise cooperate with
PhyCor in the preparation and filing of such documents.
 
     6.5 Exemption from State Takeover Laws.  The parties hereto shall take all
reasonable steps necessary and within their respective powers to exempt the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby from the requirements of
any state takeover statute or other similar state law which would prevent or
impede the consummation of such transactions.
 
     6.6 HSR Act Compliance.  PhyCor and MedPartners shall promptly make their
respective filings, and shall thereafter use their reasonable best efforts to
promptly make any required submissions, under the HSR Act with respect to the
Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby. PhyCor and MedPartners will use
their respective reasonable best efforts to obtain all other permits,
authorizations, consents and approvals from third parties and governmental
authorities necessary to consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
 
     6.7 Public Disclosures.  PhyCor and MedPartners will consult with each
other before issuing any press release or otherwise making any public statement
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Plan of Merger, and shall
not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such
consultation except as may be required by applicable law or the requirements of
Nasdaq. The parties shall issue a joint press release, mutually acceptable to
PhyCor and MedPartners, promptly upon execution and delivery of this Plan of
Merger.
 
     6.8 Corporate Governance Matters.  Immediately prior to the Effective Time,
PhyCor shall take all necessary action to cause the Board of Directors of PhyCor
to elect two new members who shall be designated by MedPartners. The two members
of the Board designated by MedPartners shall be elected to serve until the
stockholders' meetings at which directors are to be elected in the years 1999
and 2000, respectively. The Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee,
which will constitute the only committees of the Board at the Effective Time,
shall contain at least one member that is a MedPartners designated director.
 
     6.9 Notice of Subsequent Events.  Each party hereto shall notify the other
party of any changes, additions or events of which it has knowledge which would
cause any material change in or material addition to any Exhibit to its
Disclosure Schedule delivered by the notifying party under this Plan of Merger,
promptly after the occurrence of the same.
 
     6.10 No Solicitations.  (a) Neither MedPartners nor any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates shall (and MedPartners shall cause its officers, directors,
employees, representatives and agents, including, but not limited to, investment
bankers, attorneys and accountants, not to), directly or indirectly, encourage
(including by releasing any party from any confidentiality or standstill
agreement), solicit, participate in or initiate discussions or negotiations
with, or provide any information to, any corporation, partnership, person or
other entity or group (other than PhyCor, any of its affiliates or
representatives) concerning any Alternative Proposal (as defined below).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, MedPartners may furnish information concerning
its business, properties or assets to a person or group pursuant to appropriate
and customary confidentiality agreements, and may participate in discussions and
negotiations with such person or group concerning an Alternative Proposal (x) if
such person or group has on an unsolicited basis submitted a bona fide written
 
                                      A-25
<PAGE>   26
 
proposal to the Board of Directors of MedPartners relating to any such
transaction which the Board determines represents a superior transaction to the
transactions contemplated hereby and (y) if the Board of Directors of
MedPartners determines, in good faith, after receipt of advice from independent
legal counsel to MedPartners, that such action is required for the Board of
Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties to its stockholders under
applicable law. MedPartners will immediately communicate to PhyCor (and will
keep PhyCor informed on an ongoing basis of) the terms of any proposal,
discussion, negotiation or inquiry (and will disclose any written materials
received by MedPartners in connection with such proposal, discussion
negotiation, or inquiry) and the identity of the party making such proposal or
inquiry which it may receive in respect of any such transaction. As used herein,
"Alternative Proposal" shall mean any bona fide proposal involving a merger,
tender offer, exchange offer or sale of a majority of the assets (on a
consolidated basis) or outstanding capital stock of, or substantially all of the
assets or outstanding capital stock of any line of business or business unit
constituting 25% or more of MedPartners' or PhyCor's revenue for 1996 or the
nine months ended September 30, 1997, or similar transactions involving or
relating to, MedPartners or PhyCor, as the case may be; provided, however, that
Alternative Proposal shall not include any proposal that has, prior to
termination of the Plan of Merger, been withdrawn, rejected or has expired by
its terms.
 
     (b) Neither PhyCor nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall (and
PhyCor shall cause its officers, directors, employees, representatives and
agents, including, but not limited to, investment bankers, attorneys and
accountants, not to), directly or indirectly, encourage (including by releasing
any party from any confidentiality or standstill agreement), solicit,
participate in or initiate discussions or negotiations with, or provide any
information to, any corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group
(other than MedPartners, any of its affiliates or representatives) concerning
any Alternative Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, PhyCor may furnish
information concerning its business, properties or assets to a person or group
pursuant to appropriate and customary confidentiality agreements, and may
participate in discussions and negotiations with such person or group concerning
an Alternative Proposal (x) if such person or group has on an unsolicited basis
submitted a bona fide written proposal to the Board of Directors of PhyCor
relating to any such transaction which the Board determines represents a
superior transaction to the transactions contemplated hereby and (y) if the
Board of Directors of PhyCor determines, in good faith, after receipt of advice
from independent legal counsel to PhyCor, that such action is required for the
Board of Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties under applicable law.
PhyCor will immediately communicate to MedPartners (and will keep MedPartners
informed on an ongoing basis of) the terms of any proposal, discussion,
negotiation or inquiry (and will disclose any written materials received by
PhyCor in connection with such proposal, discussion negotiation, or inquiry) and
the identity of the party making such proposal or inquiry which it may receive
in respect of any such transaction.
 
     6.11 Accounting Methods.  Neither PhyCor nor MedPartners shall change, in
any material respect, its methods of accounting in effect at its most recent
fiscal year end, except as required by changes in GAAP, if applicable, as
concurred by such parties' independent accountants.
 
     6.12 Pooling and Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment.  Neither PhyCor nor
MedPartners nor any their respective subsidiaries shall take or cause to be
taken any action, whether on or before the Effective Time, which would
disqualify the Merger as a "pooling of interests" for accounting purposes or as
a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
 
     6.13 Affiliate and Pooling Agreements.  PhyCor and MedPartners will each
use their respective reasonable, good faith efforts to cause each of their
respective directors and executive officers and each of their respective
"affiliates" (within the meaning of Rule 145 under the Securities Act) to
execute and deliver to PhyCor as soon as practicable an agreement in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit 6.13 relating to the disposition of shares of PhyCor
Common Stock and shares of MedPartners Common Stock held by such person and the
shares of PhyCor Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Plan of Merger.
 
     6.14 Other Actions.  Neither MedPartners nor PhyCor shall knowingly or
intentionally take any action, or omit to take any action, if such action or
omission would, or reasonably might be expected to, result in any of its
representations and warranties set forth herein being or becoming untrue in any
material respect, or in any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in this
Plan of Merger not being satisfied, or (unless such action
 
                                      A-26
<PAGE>   27
 
is required by applicable law) which would materially adversely affect the
ability of MedPartners or PhyCor to obtain any consents or approvals required
for the consummation of the Merger without imposition of a condition or
restriction which would have a material adverse effect on PhyCor or which would
otherwise materially impair the ability of MedPartners or PhyCor to consummate
the Merger in accordance with the terms of this Plan of Merger or materially
delay such consummation.
 
     6.15 Cooperation.  (a) PhyCor and MedPartners shall together, or pursuant
to an allocation of responsibility agreed to between them, (i) cooperate with
one another in determining whether any filings required to be made or consents
required to be obtained in any jurisdiction prior to the Effective Time in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
cooperate in making any such filings promptly and in seeking to obtain timely
any such consents, (ii) use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause to
be lifted any injunction prohibiting the Merger, or any part thereof, or the
other transactions contemplated hereby, and (iii) furnish to one another and to
one another's counsel all such information as may be required to effect the
foregoing actions.
 
     (b) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, and unless this
Plan of Merger shall have been validly terminated as provided herein, each of
PhyCor and MedPartners shall use all reasonable efforts (i) to take, or cause to
be taken, all actions necessary to comply promptly with all legal requirements
which may be imposed on such party (or any subsidiaries or affiliates of such
party) with respect to the Plan of Merger and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and (ii) to obtain (and to cooperate with the other party to
obtain) any consent, authorization, order or approval of, or any exemption by,
any governmental entity and/or any other public or private third party which is
required to be obtained or made by such party or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates in connection with this Plan of Merger and the transactions
contemplated hereby and (iii) to cause the conditions to the obligations of the
parties hereto to be satisfied, and the Merger to be consummated, as promptly as
practicable. Each of PhyCor and MedPartners will promptly cooperate with and
furnish information to the other in connection with any such burden suffered by,
or requirement imposed upon, either of them or any of their subsidiaries or
affiliates in connection with the foregoing.
 
     6.16 MedPartners Stock Options.  (a) As soon as reasonably practicable
after the Effective Time, PhyCor shall deliver to the holders of MedPartners
stock options appropriate notices setting forth such holders' rights pursuant to
any stock option plans under which such MedPartners stock options were issued or
substituted under a PhyCor stock option plan, as described in Section 2.1(d),
and any stock option agreements evidencing such options. Subject to Section
2.1(d), PhyCor shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure, to the extent
required by, and subject to the provisions of, such plans or agreements, that
MedPartners stock options which qualified as incentive stock options prior to
the Effective Time shall continue to qualify as incentive stock options after
the Effective Time.
 
     (b) PhyCor shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for
issuance a sufficient number of shares of PhyCor Common Stock for delivery upon
exercise of MedPartners stock options assumed by PhyCor in accordance with
Section 2.1(d). As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, PhyCor shall
file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 with respect to shares of
PhyCor Common Stock subject to such assumed MedPartners stock options and shall
use its best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement
or registration statements covering such options (and maintain the current
status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as such
MedPartners stock options remain outstanding. PhyCor shall administer the plans
assumed pursuant to Section 2.1(d) hereof in a manner that complies with Rule
16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act to the extent the applicable plan
complied with such rule prior to the Merger.
 
     (c) Except to the extent otherwise agreed to by the parties, all
restrictions or limitations on transfer and vesting with respect to MedPartners
stock options awarded under any plan, program, or arrangement of MedPartners or
any of its subsidiaries, to the extent that such restrictions or limitations
shall not have already lapsed as of the Effective Time, shall remain in full
force and effect with respect to such options after giving effect to the Merger
and the assumption by PhyCor as set forth above.
 
     6.17 Publication of Combined Results.  PhyCor agrees that PhyCor shall
cause publication of the combined results of operations of PhyCor and
MedPartners in its first Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be
 
                                      A-27
<PAGE>   28
 
filed after the Closing Date which contains a full calendar month of such
combined results. For purposes of this Section 6.17, the term "publication"
shall have the meaning provided in SEC Accounting Series Release No. 135.
 
     6.18 Tax Opinions.  Each of PhyCor and MedPartners agrees that it shall
provide certificates containing reasonably requested representations to counsel
in connection with rendering the opinions contemplated by Sections 8.2(c) and
8.3(c).
 
     6.19 Change in Control.  PhyCor acknowledges and agrees that the
consummation of the Merger shall constitute a "Change in Control" or "Change of
Control" of MedPartners for all purposes within the meaning of all MedPartners
Plans and compensation plans or compensation agreements, severance agreements
and employment agreements of MedPartners.
 
     6.20 Insurance and Indemnification.  (a) For six years after the Effective
Time, PhyCor shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the current and former
officers and directors of MedPartners and its subsidiaries (each an "Indemnified
Party") against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, fees and expenses
(including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and judgments, fines,
losses, claims, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement) arising out of
actions or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time to the full
extent permitted under Delaware law and the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws
and any indemnity or other agreements of MedPartners, as in effect at the date
hereof, including provisions relating to advancement of expenses incurred in the
defense of any action or suit. PhyCor agrees that all rights to indemnification
or exculpation in MedPartners' Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or other
agreements shall survive for a period of at least six years from the Effective
Time.
 
     (b) PhyCor shall cause to be maintained MedPartners' existing officers' and
directors' liability insurance covering those persons who are currently covered
by such insurance policy for a period of not less than six years after the
Effective Date, provided, that PhyCor may substitute therefor policies of
substantially similar coverage and amounts containing terms no less favorable to
such directors or officers, provided, however, that in no event shall PhyCor be
required to pay annual premiums for insurance in excess of 200% of the aggregate
annual premiums currently paid by MedPartners and provided, further, that if
such coverage is not available for such amount, PhyCor shall be obligated to
obtain a policy with the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding
such amount.
 
     6.21 TAPS.  MedPartners and PhyCor shall cooperate and take any actions
reasonably required in connection with MedPartners' Threshold Appreciation Price
Securities in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by this Plan of Merger, including, in the case of PhyCor, executing any required
supplemental purchase agreement or other documents.
 
     6.22 Employee Matters.  (a) As of the Effective Time, employees of
MedPartners and its subsidiaries (the "MedPartners Employees") will be provided
with employee benefit and incentive compensation plans and programs that are
comparable in the aggregate to those such plans and programs provided to
employees of PhyCor and its subsidiaries as of the Effective Time.
 
     (b) At or prior to December 31, 1997, MedPartners shall make bonus payments
in respect of calendar year 1997 to certain MedPartners Employees, as set forth
in Exhibit 6.2(x) to the MedPartners Disclosure Schedule.
 
     (c) Prior to the Effective Time, MedPartners shall adopt a special
Employees severance pay program that will provide payments and benefits to
certain MedPartners Employees who are involuntarily terminated without cause
from employment within a reasonable period following the Effective Time. Such
severance pay program shall relate to such MedPartners Employees and include
such terms and conditions as shall be determined by MedPartners subject to prior
written consent of PhyCor, provided that the severance benefit to any individual
MedPartners Employee shall be no less than 30 days of aggregate salary and pro
rata annual target bonus, plus benefits continuation; provided, however, that
such payment shall be reduced to the extent that it would result in liability to
the recipient under Section 4999 of the Code. The severance program shall
provide that no benefits are payable to employees who voluntarily quit or who
are terminated for cause, shall
 
                                      A-28
<PAGE>   29
 
include such terms that are required under ERISA for similar benefit plans, and
shall name PhyCor or its delegate as the plan administrator.
 
                                   SECTION 7.
 
                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.
 
     7.1 Termination.  This Plan of Merger may be terminated at any time prior
to the Effective Time, whether before or after approval of matters presented in
connection with the Merger by the holders of PhyCor Common Stock or MedPartners
Common Stock:
 
          (a) by mutual written consent of PhyCor and MedPartners;
 
          (b) by either PhyCor or MedPartners:
 
             (i) if upon a vote at a duly held meeting of stockholders or any
        adjournment thereof, any required approval of the holders of PhyCor
        Common Stock or the holders of MedPartners Common Stock shall not have
        been obtained;
 
             (ii) if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before
        July 31, 1998, unless the failure to consummate the Merger is the result
        of a willful and material breach of this Plan of Merger by the party
        seeking to terminate this Plan of Merger; provided, however, that (A)
        the passage of such period shall be tolled for any part thereof (but not
        exceeding 120 days in the aggregate) during which any party shall be
        subject to a nonfinal order, decree, ruling or action restraining,
        enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or delaying the consummation of the
        Merger or the calling or holding of a meeting of stockholders and (B) if
        an Alternative Proposal shall have been received by a party prior to
        termination of this Plan of Merger, the Plan of Merger shall not
        terminate pursuant to this Section 7.1(b)(ii) earlier than 30 days
        following receipt of such Alternative Proposal;
 
             (iii) if any court of competent jurisdiction or other governmental
        entity shall have issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other
        action permanently enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the
        Merger and such order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become
        final and nonappealable; or
 
             (iv) in the event of a material breach by the other party of any
        representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained in this
        Plan of Merger or the occurrence of a material adverse change or effect
        with respect to the other party which (A) would give rise to the failure
        of a condition set forth in Section 8.2(a) or (b) or Section 8.3(a) or
        (b), as applicable, and (B) cannot be or has not been cured within 30
        days after the giving of written notice to the breaching party of such
        breach (a "Material Breach") (provided that the terminating party is not
        then in Material Breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
        other agreement contained in this Plan of Merger);
 
          (c) by PhyCor before the approval of the holders of PhyCor Common
     Stock is obtained, by action of the Board of Directors of PhyCor, in the
     exercise of its good faith judgment as to its fiduciary duties to its
     stockholders under applicable law, as advised by outside counsel to PhyCor,
     if the Board of Directors of PhyCor determines that such termination is
     required by reason of an Alternative Proposal being made; provided,
     however, that PhyCor shall have (i) complied with Section 6.10 hereof, (ii)
     notified MedPartners promptly of its intention to recommend such
     Alternative Proposal to PhyCor's stockholders, but in no event shall the
     notice referred to in this clause be given less than five days prior to the
     earlier of the public announcement of such recommendation or PhyCor's
     termination of this Plan of Merger and (iii) paid the fee contemplated by
     Section 7.6;
 
          (d) by MedPartners before the approval of the holder of the
     MedPartners Shares is obtained, by action of the Board of Directors of
     MedPartners, in the exercise of its good faith judgment as to its fiduciary
     duties to its stockholders under applicable law, as advised by outside
     counsel to MedPartners, if
 
                                      A-29
<PAGE>   30
 
     the Board of Directors of MedPartners determines that such termination is
     required by reason of an Alternative Proposal being made; provided,
     however, that MedPartners shall have (i) complied with Section 6.10 hereof,
     (ii) notified PhyCor promptly of its intention to recommend such
     Alternative Proposal to MedPartners' stockholders, but in no event shall
     the notice referred to in this clause be given less than five days prior to
     the earlier of the public announcement of such recommendation or
     MedPartners' termination of this Plan of Merger and (iii) paid the fee
     contemplated by Section 7.6;
 
          (e) by PhyCor if the Board of Directors of MedPartners shall have
     withdrawn or modified in a manner materially adverse to PhyCor its approval
     or recommendation of this Plan of Merger or the Merger, shall have
     recommended an Alternative Proposal (or shall have resolved to do any of
     the foregoing) or shall have failed to reaffirm its recommendation within
     five business days of PhyCor's request that it do so; or
 
          (f) by MedPartners if the Board of Directors of PhyCor shall have
     withdrawn or modified in a manner materially adverse to MedPartners its
     approval or recommendation of this Plan of Merger or the Merger, shall have
     recommended an Alternative Proposal (or shall have resolved to do any of
     the foregoing) or shall have failed to reaffirm its recommendation within
     five business days of MedPartners' request that it do so.
 
     7.2 Effect of Termination.  In the event of termination of this Plan of
Merger as provided in Section 7.1, this Plan of Merger shall forthwith become
void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of any
party, other than the provisions of Sections 5.2, 7.2 and 7.6, and except to the
extent that such termination results from the willful and material breach by a
party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements
set forth in this Plan of Merger.
 
     7.3 Amendment.  This Plan of Merger may be amended by the parties at any
time before or after any required approval of matters presented in connection
with the Merger by the holders of MedPartners Shares or holders of shares of
PhyCor Common Stock; provided, however, that after such approval there shall be
made no amendment that pursuant to Section 251(d) of the DGCL requires further
approval by such stockholders without such further approval. This Plan of Merger
may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each
of the parties.
 
     7.4 Extension; Waiver.  At any time prior to the Effective Time, the
parties may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of the other parties, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties contained in this Plan of Merger or in any
document delivered pursuant to this Plan of Merger or (c) subject to the proviso
of Section 7.3, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions
contained in this Plan of Merger. Any agreement on the part of a party to any
such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this Plan of
Merger to assert any of its rights under this Plan of Merger or otherwise shall
not constitute a waiver of such rights.
 
     7.5 Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver.  A
termination of this Plan of Merger pursuant to Section 7.1, an amendment of this
Plan of Merger pursuant to Section 7.3 or an extension or waiver pursuant to
Section 7.4 shall, in order to be effective, require in the case of PhyCor or
MedPartners, action by its Board of Directors or the duly authorized designee of
the Board of Directors.
 
     7.6 Expenses; Break-up Fees.  (a) All costs and expenses incurred in
connection with this Plan of Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be paid by the party incurring such expense, except that expenses (other
than legal, accounting and investment banking costs, which shall be paid by the
party incurring such expenses) incurred in connection with preparing, filing,
printing and mailing the Proxy Statements and the Registration Statement shall
be shared equally by PhyCor and MedPartners.
 
     (b) In the event that this Plan of Merger is terminated (i) pursuant to
Section 7.1(c) or 7.1(f) or (ii)(A) any person shall have made an Alternative
Proposal with respect to PhyCor and (B) this Plan of Merger is terminated
pursuant to Section 7.1(b)(i) due to a failure to obtain the approval of the
holders of PhyCor Common Stock, 7.1(b)(ii) or 7.1(b)(iv) (due to a material
breach by PhyCor), then PhyCor shall, as specified in Section 7.1(c) or
otherwise on the day of such termination, pay to MedPartners a fee of $100
 
                                      A-30
<PAGE>   31
 
million in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated by MedPartners; provided that in the case of a termination pursuant
to Section 7.1(b)(ii), such termination shall not have resulted from the failure
to be satisfied of any condition set forth in Section 8.1 (except to the extent
such a condition relates to, or is within the control of, PhyCor) or Section 8.2
hereof.
 
     (c) In the event that this Plan of Merger is terminated (i) pursuant to
Section 7.1(d) or 7.1(e) or (ii)(A) any person shall have made an Alternative
Proposal with respect to MedPartners and (B) this Plan of Merger is terminated
pursuant to Section 7.1(b)(i) due to a failure to obtain the approval of the
holders of MedPartners Common Stock, 7.1(b)(ii) or 7.1(b)(iv) (due to material
breach by MedPartners), then MedPartners shall, as specified in Section 7.1(d)
or otherwise on the day of such termination, pay to PhyCor a fee of $200 million
in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated
by PhyCor; provided that in the case of a termination pursuant to Section
7.1(b)(ii), such termination shall not have resulted from the failure to be
satisfied of any condition set forth in Section 8.1 (except to the extent such a
condition relates to, or is within the control of, MedPartners) or Section 8.3
hereof.
 
     (d) Each of PhyCor and MedPartners acknowledges that the provisions for the
payment of break-up fees and the allocation of expenses contained in this
Section 7.6 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Plan
of Merger and that without these provisions PhyCor and MedPartners would not
have entered into this Plan of Merger. Accordingly, if a break-up fee shall
become due and payable by either party and such party shall fail to pay such
amount when due pursuant to this Section, and, in order to obtain such payment,
suit is commenced by the other party which results in a judgment against the
defaulting party therefor, the defaulting party shall pay the other party's
reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) in
connection with such suit, together with interest computed on any amounts
determined to be due pursuant to this Section (computed from the date upon which
such amounts were due and payable pursuant to this Section) and such costs
(computed from the dates incurred) at the prime rate of interest announced from
time to time by NationsBank, National Association (South). The obligations of
all parties under this Section 7.6 shall survive any termination of this Plan of
Merger.
 
                                   SECTION 8.
 
                             CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.
 
     8.1 Mutual Conditions.  The respective obligations of each party to effect
the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing
Date, of the following conditions (any of which, to the extent permitted by law,
may be waived in writing by PhyCor or MedPartners):
 
          (a) Neither PhyCor nor MedPartners nor any of their respective
     subsidiaries shall be subject to any order, decree or injunction by a court
     of competent jurisdiction which (i) prevents or materially delays the
     consummation of the Merger or (ii) imposes any material limitation on the
     ability of PhyCor to operate the business of MedPartners that would
     constitute a material adverse effect on MedPartners.
 
          (b) No statute, rule or regulation shall have been enacted by the
     government (or any governmental agency) of the United States or any state
     that makes the consummation of the Merger and any other transaction
     contemplated hereby illegal.
 
          (c) Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the
     consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act shall have expired or been
     terminated.
 
          (d) The holders of shares of PhyCor Common Stock shall have duly given
     the PhyCor Stockholder Approval.
 
          (e) The holders of shares of MedPartners Common Stock shall have duly
     given the MedPartners Stockholder Approval.
 
          (f) The shares of PhyCor Common Stock to be issued in connection with
     the Merger shall have been listed on Nasdaq (or such other exchange on
     which the shares of PhyCor Common Stock are then listed), upon official
     notice of issuance, and shall have been issued in transactions qualified or
     exempt
 
                                      A-31
<PAGE>   32
 
     from registration under applicable securities or Blue Sky laws of such
     states and territories of the United States as may be required.
 
          (g) PhyCor and MedPartners shall each have received a letter, dated
     the Closing Date, from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, as to their concurrence with
     PhyCor and MedPartners to the effect that if the Merger is consummated in
     accordance with the terms and provisions of this Plan of Merger, it shall
     be accounted for as a "pooling of interests" under GAAP.
 
          (h) PhyCor and MedPartners shall have received all consents, waivers,
     approvals and authorizations of third parties with respect to all material
     contracts, leases, service agreements and management agreements to which
     such entities are parties, which consents, waivers, approvals and
     authorizations are required of such third parties by such documents, in
     form and substance acceptable to PhyCor or MedPartners, as the case may be,
     except where the failure to obtain such consent, approval or authorization
     would not have a material effect on the business of PhyCor or MedPartners.
 
          (i) All consents, authorizations, orders and approvals of (or filings
     or registrations with) any governmental commission, board or other
     regulatory body required in connection with the execution, delivery and
     performance of this Plan of Merger shall have been obtained or made, except
     for filings in connection with the Merger and any other documents required
     to be filed after the Effective Time.
 
          (j) The Registration Statement shall have been declared effective and
     no stop order with respect to the Registration Statement shall be in
     effect.
 
     8.2 Conditions to Obligations of PhyCor.  The obligations of PhyCor to
consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby shall be
subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing Date, of the following
conditions (any of which may be waived by PhyCor):
 
          (a) Each of the agreements of MedPartners to be performed at or prior
     to the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof shall have been duly
     performed in all material respects and MedPartners shall have performed, in
     all material respects, all of the acts required to be performed by it at or
     prior to the Closing Date by the terms hereof.
 
          (b) The representations and warranties of MedPartners shall be true
     and correct as of the date of this Plan of Merger and as of the Closing
     Date, except where the failure to be true and correct would not, in the
     aggregate, have a material adverse effect on MedPartners.
 
          (c) PhyCor shall have received an opinion of Waller Lansden Dortch &
     Davis, A Professional Limited Liability Company, counsel to PhyCor, dated
     the Closing Date, addressed to PhyCor and in form and substance
     satisfactory to PhyCor, which opinion may be based on appropriate
     representations of PhyCor and MedPartners which are in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to such counsel, to the effect that the Merger will
     be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
     Code.
 
          (d) PhyCor shall have received an opinion of Dewey Ballantine LLP,
     counsel to MedPartners, dated the Closing Date, addressed to PhyCor and in
     form and substance satisfactory to PhyCor, with respect to the matters set
     forth on Annex A hereto.
 
          (e) PhyCor shall have been furnished with a certificate, executed by a
     duly authorized officer of MedPartners, dated the Closing Date, certifying
     in such detail as PhyCor may reasonably request as to the fulfillment of
     the foregoing conditions.
 
     8.3 Conditions to Obligations of MedPartners.  The obligations of
MedPartners to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing Date, of
the following conditions (any of which may be waived by MedPartners):
 
          (a) Each of the agreements of PhyCor to be performed at or prior to
     the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof shall have been duly
     performed in all material respects, and PhyCor shall have performed, in all
     material respects, all of the acts required to be performed by them at or
     prior to the Closing Date by the terms hereof.
 
                                      A-32
<PAGE>   33
 
          (b) The representations and warranties of PhyCor shall be true and
     correct as of the date of the Plan of Merger and as of the Closing Date,
     except where the failure to be true and correct would not, in the
     aggregate, have a material adverse effect on PhyCor.
 
          (c) MedPartners shall have received an opinion from Dewey Ballantine
     LLP, dated the Closing Date, addressed to MedPartners and in form and
     substance satisfactory to MedPartners, which opinion may be based on
     appropriate representations of PhyCor and MedPartners which are in form and
     substance reasonably satisfactory to such counsel, to the effect that the
     Merger will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
     368(a) of the Code.
 
          (d) MedPartners shall have received an opinion of Waller Lansden
     Dortch & Davis, A Professional Limited Liability Company, dated the Closing
     Date, addressed to MedPartners and in form and substance satisfactory to
     MedPartners, with respect to the matters set forth on Annex B hereto.
 
          (e) MedPartners shall have been furnished with a certificate, executed
     by duly authorized officers of PhyCor, dated the Closing Date, certifying
     in such detail as MedPartners may reasonably request as to the fulfillment
     of the foregoing conditions.
 
                                   SECTION 9.
 
                                 MISCELLANEOUS.
 
     9.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties.  None of the
representations and warranties in this Plan of Merger or in any instrument
delivered pursuant to this Plan of Merger shall survive the Effective Time.
 
     9.2 Notices.  Any communications required or desired to be given hereunder
shall be deemed to have been properly given if sent by hand delivery or by
facsimile and overnight courier to the parties hereto at the following
addresses, or at such other address as either party may advise the other in
writing from time to time:
 
     If to PhyCor:
 
        PhyCor, Inc.
        30 Burton Hills Boulevard, Suite 400
        Nashville, Tennessee 37215
        Facsimile: (615) 665-9088
        Attention: Mr. Joseph C. Hutts
 
     with a copy to:
 
        Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis,
        A Professional Limited Liability Company
        511 Union Street, Suite 2100
        Nashville, Tennessee 37219
        Facsimile: (615) 244-6804
        Attention: J. Chase Cole, Esq.
 
     If to MedPartners:
 
        MedPartners, Inc.
        3000 Galleria Tower, Suite 1000
        Birmingham, Alabama 35244
        Facsimile: (205) 733-9780
        Attention: J. Brooke Johnston, Jr., Esq.
 
                                      A-33
<PAGE>   34
 
     with a copy to:
 
        Dewey Ballantine LLP
        1301 Avenue of the Americas
        New York, New York 10019
        Facsimile: (212) 259-6333
        Attention: Frederick W. Kanner and Morton A. Pierce
 
All such communications shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of
hand delivery or on the next business day following the deposit of such
communications with the overnight courier.
 
     9.3 Further Assurances.  Each party hereby agrees to perform any further
acts and to execute and deliver any documents which may be reasonably necessary
to carry out the provisions of this Plan of Merger.
 
     9.4 Governing Law.  This Plan of Merger shall be interpreted, construed and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, applied without
giving effect to any conflicts-of-law principles.
 
     9.5 "Including".  The word "including", when following any general
statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term
or matter to the specific terms or matters as provided immediately following the
word "including" or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting
language (such as "without limitation", "but not limited to", or words of
similar import) is used with reference to the word "including" or the similar
items or matters, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or
matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of the
general statement, term or matter.
 
     9.6 "Material adverse change" or "material adverse effect".  "Material
adverse change" or "material adverse effect" means, when used in connection with
MedPartners or PhyCor, any change, effect, event or occurrence that has, or is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse
impact on the business, financial position or results of operations of such
party and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, however, that "material
adverse change" and "material adverse effect" shall be deemed to exclude the
impact of changes generally affecting the industries in which both MedPartners
and PhyCor operate (including accounting, tax and regulatory changes).
 
     9.7 "Significant".  The word "significant", when used in connection with
MedPartners Subsidiaries or PhyCor Subsidiaries, shall mean significant
subsidiaries within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.
 
     9.8 Captions.  The captions or headings in this Plan of Merger are made for
convenience and general reference only and shall not be construed to describe,
define or limit the scope or intent of the provisions of this Plan of Merger.
 
     9.9 Integration of Exhibits.  All Exhibits attached to this Plan of Merger
are integral parts of this Plan of Merger as if fully set forth herein, and all
statements appearing therein shall be deemed disclosed for all purposes and not
only in connection with the specific representation in which they are explicitly
referenced.
 
     9.10 Entire Agreement.  This instrument, including all Exhibits attached
hereto and the Confidentiality Agreement, (a) contains the entire agreement of
the parties and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous agreements
between the parties, written or oral, with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby and (b) except as provided in Sections 6.19, 6.20 and 6.22
is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any
rights or remedies hereunder. Such agreement may not be changed or terminated
orally, but may only be changed by an agreement in writing signed by the party
or parties against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification,
extension, discharge or termination is sought.
 
     9.11 Counterparts.  This Plan of Merger may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an
original, and such counterparts shall, together, constitute and be one and the
same instrument.
 
     9.12 No Rule of Construction.  The parties acknowledge that this Plan of
Merger was initially prepared by MedPartners, and that all parties have read and
negotiated the language used in this Plan of Merger. The parties agree that,
because all parties participated in negotiating and drafting this Plan of
Merger, no rule of
 
                                      A-34
<PAGE>   35
 
construction shall apply to this Plan of Merger which construes ambiguous
language in favor of or against any party by reason of that party's role in
drafting this Plan of Merger.
 
     9.13 Specific Performance.  The parties agree that irreparable injury would
occur by a breach of this Plan of Merger and that money damages would not be
sufficient remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, each party shall be entitled
to equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, as a
remedy for any such breach (which shall be in addition to all other remedies
available at law and equity to such party).
 
     9.14 Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this
Plan of Merger is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority
to be invalid, void, unenforceable or against its regulatory policy, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Plan of
Merger shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected,
impaired or invalidated.
 
     9.15 Assignment; Binding Effect.  Neither this Plan of Merger nor any of
the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the
parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior
written consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Plan of Merger will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PhyCor, Inc. and MedPartners, Inc. have caused this
Plan and Agreement of Merger to be executed by their respective duly authorized
officers, all as of the day and year first above written.
 
                                          PhyCor, Inc.
 
                                          By         /S/ JOSEPH C. HUTTS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                      Joseph C. Hutts
                                              Chairman of the Board, President
                                                and Chief Executive Officer
 
                                          MedPartners, Inc.
 
                                          By          /S/ LARRY R. HOUSE
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                       Larry R. House
                                                 Chairman of the Board and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer
 
                                      A-35

<PAGE>   1


EXHIBIT 11 - (UNAUDITED)

                                MEDPARTNERS, INC.
                   COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED                   NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                               SEPTEMBER 30,                       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                          1996              1997               1996             1997
                                                       ---------          --------          ---------         --------
<S>                                                    <C>                <C>               <C>               <C>     
Earnings:
   Income from continuing operations ..........        $(149,127)         $ 54,442          $(106,734)        $100,887
Discontinued operations:
  Loss from discontinued operations ...........               --            (5,273)           (71,221)         (80,707)
  Net gains on sales of discontinued
   operations .................................               --                --              2,523               --
                                                       ---------          --------          ---------         --------
   Loss from discontinued operations ..........               --            (5,273)           (68,698)         (80,707)
                                                       ---------          --------          ---------         --------
   Net income (loss) ..........................        $(149,127)         $ 49,169          $(175,432)        $ 20,180
                                                       =========          ========          =========         ========

PRIMARY
  Weighted average common shares outstanding ..          171,260           186,202            168,910          184,753
  Net common shares issuable on exercise of
      certain stock options (1) ...............            3,457             4,180              4,178            3,887
                                                       ---------          --------          ---------         --------
  Average common and common equivalent
      shares outstanding ......................          174,717           190,382            173,088          188,640
                                                       =========          ========          =========         ========

  Per share amounts:
   Income from continuing operations ..........        $   (0.85)         $   0.29          $   (0.61)        $   0.53
   Loss from discontinued operations ..........               --             (0.03)             (0.40)           (0.42)
                                                       ---------          --------          ---------         --------
   Net income (loss) ..........................        $   (0.85)         $   0.26          $   (1.01)        $   0.11
                                                       =========          ========          =========         ========

FULLY DILUTED
  Weighted average common shares outstanding ..          171,260           186,202            168,910          184,753
  Net common shares issuable on exercise of
    certain stock options (1) .................            4,190             4,180              4,178            3,926
                                                       ---------          --------          ---------         --------
  Average common and common equivalent
    shares outstanding ........................          175,450           190,382            173,088          188,679
                                                       =========          ========          =========         ========

Per share amounts:
   Income from continuing operations ..........        $   (0.85)         $   0.29          $   (0.61)        $   0.53
   Loss from discontinued operations ..........               --             (0.03)             (0.40)           (0.42)
                                                       ---------          --------          ---------         --------
   Net income (loss) ..........................        $   (0.85)         $   0.26          $   (1.01)        $   0.11
                                                       =========          ========          =========         ========
</TABLE>


(1)      Net common shares issuable on exercise of certain stock options is
         calculated based on the treasury stock method using the average market
         price for the primary calculation and the ending market price, if
         higher than average, for the fully diluted calculation.



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY>  U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         235,725
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  774,153
<ALLOWANCES>                                   174,675
<INVENTORY>                                    138,185
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,289,612
<PP&E>                                         544,559
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               3,059,925
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          850,299
<BONDS>                                      1,230,376
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           196
<OTHER-SE>                                     919,991
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 3,059,925
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,614,062
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,512,142
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              13,969
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 87,951
<INCOME-TAX>                                    33,509
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             54,442
<DISCONTINUED>                                  (5,273)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    49,169
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.26
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.26
        

</TABLE>


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