UNITED PAYORS & UNITED PROVIDERS INC
PRE 14A, 1999-04-29
SERVICES, NEC
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<PAGE> 1


                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                              (Amendment No. ____)

Filed by the Registrant [ ] 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] 
Check the appropriate box: 
[X]  Preliminary  Proxy Statement 
[ ]  Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)
     (2)) 
[ ]  Definitive  Proxy Statement 
[ ]  Definitive  Additional  Materials 
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12

                     United Payors & United Providers, Inc.
         --------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

                                       N/A
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
      (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X]   No fee required
[ ]   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

      1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
         .......................................................................
      2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
         .......................................................................
      3) Per  unit  price  or  other  underlying  value  of transaction computed
         pursuant to  Exchange  Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
         filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
         .......................................................................
      4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
         .......................................................................
      5) Total fee paid: None

         .......................................................................



<PAGE> 2


[  ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[  ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as  provided  by  Exchange  Act
      Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
      paid  previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration  statement
      number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

      1)    Amount Previously Paid:
            ............................................
      2)    Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
            ............................................
      3)    Filing Party:
            ............................................
      4)    Date Filed:
            ............................................


<PAGE> 3



                                PRELIMINARY COPY


                     UNITED PAYORS & UNITED PROVIDERS, INC.
                             2275 RESEARCH BOULEVARD
                            ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                  JUNE 15, 1999

      The Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  of United Payors & United  Providers,
Inc. (the  "Company")  will be held June 15, 1999 at the  Ritz-Carlton  Pentagon
City,  1250 S. Hayes Street,  Arlington,  Virginia  22202 at 1:30 p.m.,  Eastern
Daylight Time, for the following purposes:

      1.    To elect  three  directors  for a  three-year  term  expiring at the
            annual meeting of  stockholders  in 2002 and until their  successors
            are elected and  qualified;  

      2.    To elect two directors to serve the remaining  term of a  three-year
            term  expiring  at the annual  meeting of  stockholders  in 2001 and
            until their successors are elected and qualified;

      3.    To amend the Company's Certificate of Incorporation by (i) repealing
            Article FIFTH,  Section C, which prohibits  stockholders from taking
            action by written  consent;  (ii) repealing  Article  EIGHTH,  which
            imposes   restrictions  on  certain  transactions  with  "interested
            stockholders",  (iii) repealing Article NINTH,  which authorizes the
            Board of  Directors  to  consider  the  impact of  certain  business
            transactions on  constituencies  other than  stockholders;  and (iv)
            amending  Article  SIXTH,  Section D,  Article  SEVENTH  and Article
            TWELFTH to lower the stockholder  vote required to remove  directors
            for cause and to amend the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws;

      4.    To  ratify  the  selection  of  PricewaterhouseCoopers,  LLP  as the
            Company's independent certified public accountants for 1999; and

      5.    To  transact  such other  business as may  properly  come before the
            meeting or any adjournments thereof.

      Only  stockholders  of record at the close of  business  on April 30, 1999
will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

      Stockholders  are  cordially  invited to attend the  Annual  Meeting  (the
"Meeting") in person.  Whether or not you expect to attend,  WE URGE YOU TO READ
THE ACCOMPANYING  PROXY STATEMENT AND THEN COMPLETE,  SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THE
ENCLOSED  PROXY  CARD  IN  THE  ACCOMPANYING  POSTAGE-PREPAID  ENVELOPE.  It  is
important  that your  shares be  represented  at the  Meeting  by your  executed
proxies should you be unable to attend the Meeting in person. Your promptness in
responding  will assist us to prepare for the Meeting and to avoid the cost of a
follow-up  mailing.  If you  receive  more than one proxy card  because  you own
shares registered in different names or at different addresses,  then each proxy
card should be completed and returned.  A list of stockholders  entitled to vote
at the Meeting will be available at the Company,  2275 Research  Boulevard,  6th
Floor, Rockville,  Maryland 20850, for a period of ten days prior to the Meeting
and will also be available at the Meeting itself.

                                          Sincerely,

                                          /s/ Joseph M. Mott

                                          Joseph M. Mott
                                          SECRETARY
______________, 1999



<PAGE> 4


                                PRELIMINARY COPY


                     UNITED PAYORS & UNITED PROVIDERS, INC.
                             2275 RESEARCH BOULEVARD
                            ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850

                                 PROXY STATEMENT

             ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD JUNE 15, 1999


                               GENERAL INFORMATION

   This Proxy  Statement is furnished to  stockholders of United Payors & United
Providers,  Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
solicitation  by the Board of Directors of the Company of proxies for use at its
Annual Meeting of Stockholders  (the "Meeting").  The Meeting is scheduled to be
held on June 15, 1999 at 1:30 p.m.,  Eastern  Daylight Time, at the Ritz-Carlton
Pentagon  City,  1250 S.  Hayes  Street,  Arlington,  Virginia  22202 and at any
adjournments thereof. It is anticipated that the mailing to stockholders of this
Proxy  Statement  and the enclosed  form of proxy will  commence on or about May
_____, 1999. The 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders,  including the consolidated
financial  statements for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1998,  accompanies
this Proxy Statement.

   At the Meeting,  stockholders will be asked to vote upon: (1) the election of
three directors to serve for three-year  terms expiring at the annual meeting of
stockholders in 2002 and until their  successors  are elected and qualified; (2)
the election of two  directors to serve for the  remaining  term of a three-year
term  expiring  at the annual  meeting of  stockholders  in 2001 and until their
successors  are  elected  and  qualified;  (3) the  amendment  of the  Company's
Certificate  of  Incorporation  to  eliminate  or reduce  various  anti-takeover
provisions;  (4)  ratification of the selection of independent  certified public
accountants  for 1999;  and (5) such other  business as may properly come before
the Meeting and at any adjournments thereof.

                    VOTING SECURITIES AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP

   The close of  business  on April 30,  1999 has been fixed as the record  date
(the "Record Date") for the  determination  of stockholders  entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the Meeting.  As of the close of business on that date,
the Company had  outstanding  and  entitled  to  vote_________  shares of common
stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock").

   A majority of the  outstanding  shares of Common Stock must be represented in
person  or by proxy at the  Meeting  in order  to  constitute  a quorum  for the
transaction  of  business.  The  record  holder of each  share of  Common  Stock
entitled to vote at the Meeting will have one vote for each share so held.

   Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast.  Stockholders may not
cumulate their votes for the election of directors. The three nominees receiving
the  highest  number of votes for the term  expiring  at the  annual  meeting of
stockholders  in the year 2002 will be elected.  The two nominees  receiving the
highest number of votes for the remaining term expiring at the annual meeting of
stockholders in 2001 will be elected. In tabulating the votes, votes withheld in
connection  with the election of one or more nominees and broker  non-votes will
be disregarded and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.


                                      1

<PAGE> 5



   The affirmative vote of holders of at least 80% of the shares of Common Stock
outstanding  as of the Record  Date will be  required  to approve  the  proposed
amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation. Accordingly, failure to
return a properly  executed proxy card or to vote in person,  or abstaining from
voting,  will have the same effect as a vote  AGAINST  approval of the  proposed
amendment  of  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation.   Shares  underlying  broker
non-votes  will not be counted as having been voted at the Meeting and will have
the same effect as a vote  AGAINST  approval of the  proposed  amendment  of the
Certificate of Incorporation.

   The  affirmative  vote of the  holders of a majority  of the shares of Common
Stock  represented  at the Meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on
the matter will be required to ratify the selection of the Company's independent
certified public accountants.  In determining whether this proposal has received
the requisite number of affirmative votes,  broker non-votes will be disregarded
and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

VOTING OF PROXIES

   IF THE  ACCOMPANYING  PROXY IS PROPERLY  EXECUTED  AND  RETURNED,  THE SHARES
REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED AT THE MEETING AS SPECIFIED IN THE PROXY.
IF NO  INSTRUCTIONS  ARE  SPECIFIED,  THE  SHARES  REPRESENTED  BY ANY  PROPERLY
EXECUTED  PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE  ELECTION OF THE  NOMINEES  LISTED BELOW
UNDER PROPOSALS 1 AND 2. "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS;"  "FOR" THE PROPOSED  AMENDMENT
OF THE  CERTIFICATE  OF  INCORPORATION  SET FORTH UNDER PROPOSAL 3. "APPROVAL OF
AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION;" "FOR" THE RATIFICATION
OF THE  PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLC AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS  FOR THE FISCAL YEAR  ENDING  DECEMBER  31,  1999 UNDER  PROPOSAL 4.
"RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTS"; AND AT
THE  DISCRETION  OF THE  PROXIES ON ANY OTHER  MATTERS  THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.

REVOCATION OF PROXIES

   Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by a stockholder
at any time before it is exercised by written notice  delivered to the Secretary
of the Company,  by timely  submission  of a properly  executed  proxy bearing a
later date or by voting in person at the Meeting.

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

   The Company will bear the cost of this  solicitation,  including amounts paid
to banks,  brokers, and other record owners to reimburse them for their expenses
in forwarding  solicitation  material regarding the Meeting to beneficial owners
of Common  Stock.  The  solicitation  will be by mail,  with the material  being
forwarded to the stockholders of record and certain other  beneficial  owners of
Common  Stock by the  Company's  officers  and other  regular  employees  (at no
additional  compensation  to those officers and  employees).  In addition to the
solicitation  of proxies by mail,  D.F. King & Co.,  Inc., a proxy  solicitation
firm, will assist the Company in soliciting  proxies for the Meeting and will be
paid a fee not to exceed  $6,500,  plus  out-of-pocket  expenses.  Officers  and
employees of the Company may also solicit proxies from  stockholders by personal
contact,  by  telephone,  or by other  means  if  necessary  in order to  assure
sufficient representation at the Meeting.

   American  Stock  Transfer & Trust  Company  has been  retained to receive and
tabulate proxies.


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<PAGE> 6



SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

   The following table sets forth certain  information  regarding the beneficial
ownership  of Common  Stock of the  Company  as of April 30,  1999,  by (a) each
person  known by the Company to be the  beneficial  owner of more than 5% of the
outstanding  shares of Common Stock (b) each executive officer identified in the
Summary  Compensation  Table below,  (c) each director and nominee for director,
and (d) all  executive  officers and  directors as a group.  Except as otherwise
noted, the named  stockholders had sole voting and investment power with respect
to such  securities.  Unless indicated  otherwise,  the address of each of these
persons is c/o United Payors & United Providers,  Inc., 2275 Research Boulevard,
Rockville, Maryland 20850.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        Shares Beneficially Owned 
             Name of Beneficial Owner                                  Number            Percentage
             ------------------------                                  ------            ----------
     <S>                                                               <C>                  <C>  
     Thomas L. Blair(1).............................................   7,183,150            38.2%
     Principal Mutual Holding Company ("Principal Mutual") (2)(3)...     850,000             4.5
     Independent Divestment Trust (the "Trust").....................   4,500,000 (4)        23.9
     Capital Z Financial Services Fund II, L.P. ("Capital Z") (5)...   4,000,000            21.3


     OTHER DIRECTORS AND NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
     Edward S. Civera(6) ...........................................     530,994             2.7%
     Spiro A. Karadimas(7)..........................................     500,943             2.7
     S. Joseph Bruno(8).............................................     440,339             2.3
     Bette B. Anderson..............................................      13,500                (9)
     William E. Brock...............................................      14,250                (9)
     Frederick H. Graefe............................................      34,120                (9)
     All executive officers and directors as a group(10)............  11,468,595            59.4
</TABLE>
 ---------------
(1)  Represents  2,424,500  shares  owned by Mr.  Blair  jointly  with his wife,
     200,000  shares owned solely by his wife,  58,650 shares owned by companies
     Mr. Blair may be deemed to control and 4,500,000  shares that Mr. Blair has
     agreed to purchase from Independent Divestment Trust. Mr. Blair has granted
     an option to  purchase  2,250,000  shares of Common  Stock.  See "-- Recent
     Changes in Ownership by Principal Stockholders."
(2)  These  shares are held  through  Principal  Health  Care,  Inc. an indirect
     wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Principal  Mutual.  The address of Principal
     Mutual and  Principal  Health Care is 711 High  Street,  Des  Moines,  Iowa
     50392.  Two current  Directors  of the Company  are  executive  officers of
     Principal  Mutual.  Mr. Drury is Chairman of the Board and Chief  Executive
     Officer  and Mr.  Graf is  Senior  Vice  President.  These  persons  do not
     individually  own  any  shares  of  Company  stock  but  may be  considered
     beneficial  owners with respect to the shares owned by Principal  Mutual by
     virtue of their positions with Principal Mutual.  The respective  addresses
     of these  persons  are  care of  Principal  Mutual  at  Principal  Mutual's
     address.
(3)  In connection  with  the  proposed  acquisition by the Company of Baltimore
     American  Savings  Bank  (the  "Bank")  and  its  parent  holding  company,
     Principal Mutual is divesting its control of the Company within the meaning
     of the Savings and Loan Holding Company Act. Such  divestiture has involved
     Principal  Mutual's sale of 4,500,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company
     to the  Trust  and  1,250,000  shares in a public  offering.  In  addition,
     Messrs.  Michael H.  Gersie and  Kenneth J. Linde,  who were  nominated  as
     directors  of the  Company by  Principal  Mutual,  resigned  from the Board
     effective  April 30, 1999,  and Messrs.  Drury and Graf intend to resign as
     Directors of the Company  prior to its  acquisition  of Baltimore  American
     Savings Bank.
(4)  The  Trust is  obligated  to sell  these  shares  to Mr.  Blair and he is a
     beneficial  owner of these  shares.  The Trust is  required  to vote  these
     shares in the same  proportion  as other  stockholders  vote their  shares,
     except for a vote on the  amendment  of the  Certificate  of  Incorporation
     presented  to  stockholders  at this  Meeting.  See  "--Recent  Changes  in
     Ownership by Principal Stockholders."
(5)  Includes 2,250,000 shares which Capital Z has the right to acquire upon the
     exercise of an option  granted to it by Mr. Blair.  Also,  includes  shares
     beneficially  owned by an affiliate of Capital Z. Steven M.  Gluckstern and
     Paul H. Warren are  affiliates of Capital Z and have been  appointed to the
     Board and  nominated  to fill the  remaining  term of the term as  director
     which expires at the annual meeting of  stockholders in 2001 at the request
     of Capital Z. These  persons may be deemed to  



                                        3

<PAGE> 7



     beneficially  own the shares reported as  beneficially  owned by Capital Z.
     The  address of Capital Z and  Messrs.  Gluckstern  and Warren is One Chase
     Manhattan Plaza, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10005.
(6)  Includes   options  to  purchase   515,625   shares  which  are   presently
     exercisable. Of the 530,994 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Civera, 10,000
     shares  are held in trust  under the  Uniform  Gift to  Minors  Act for Mr.
     Civera's children.
(7)  Of this number,  105,000 shares are held in trust under the Uniform Gift to
     Minors Act for Mr.  Karadimas'  children and 120,000 are in Mr.  Karadimas'
     wife's name.
(8)  Of this number, 230,000 shares are held in trust under the Uniform Gift  to
     Minors Act for Mr.  Bruno's  children and 25,750 shares are in Mr.  Bruno's
     wife's name.
(9)  Represents  less than 1.0% of the  Company's  Common  Stock.  
(10) Includes shares owned by Principal Mutual and Capital Z.

RECENT CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

     In  1999,  certain  principal   stockholders  of  the  Company  engaged  in
transactions that have resulted in significant changes in their ownership of the
Company's Common Stock. As a result, Principal Mutual has reduced its beneficial
ownership of Common Stock from 6,600,000 shares to 850,000 shares. Mr. Blair has
increased his beneficial ownership from 3,383,150 shares to 7,183,150 shares and
Capital Z has purchased  1,750,000  shares of Common Stock from  management  and
employees  of UP&UP and an  option  to  purchase  from Mr.  Blair an  additional
2,250,000 shares of Common Stock. These transactions are described below.

     SALE OF SHARES BY PRINCIPAL MUTUAL

     In light of the proposed  acquisition by the Company of Baltimore  American
Savings Bank, a federal savings bank (the "Bank"), Principal Mutual is divesting
its control (for  purposes of the Savings and Loan  Holding  Company Act) of the
Company.  In  February  1999,  Principal  Mutual  sold  4,500,000  shares of the
Company's  Common  Stock (the  "Principal  Shares"),  representing  25.6% of the
then-outstanding  shares  of  Common  Stock  and  68.2%  of  Principal  Mutual's
holdings,  to the Trust,  a Delaware  business  trust  formed for that  purpose.
Principal  Mutual  received  from  the  Trust  $13,225,000  in  cash  and  trust
certificates entitling it to the additional proceeds to be received by the Trust
from the sale of the Principal Shares as described below. In addition,  in April
1999, Principal Mutual sold 1,250,000 shares in a public offering.

     As a result  of these  divestitures,  Principal  Mutual  beneficially  owns
850,000 shares of Common Stock, or approximately 4.5% of the outstanding shares.
In addition,  two  directors  of the Company who were  nominated as directors by
Principal  Mutual have  resigned.  The remaining two directors of UP&UP who were
nominated by Principal Mutual would resign prior to acquisition of the Bank. See
"Proposals 1 and 2. Election of Directors."

     AGREEMENT OF MR. BLAIR TO PURCHASE SHARES FROM THE TRUST

     At the same time that  Principal  Mutual sold its shares to the Trust,  Mr.
Blair agreed to purchase the Principal Shares from the Trust. Mr. Blair paid the
Trust  $13,225,000  towards the  purchase and  committed  to pay the  additional
amount owed on or before February 25, 2003 (the "Settlement Date"). The purchase
price  per  share is a  maximum  of  $27.60  per  share  (less  $2.94  per share
representing the allocable per share portion of the $13,225,000  already paid by
Mr.  Blair).  Mr. Blair may purchase the shares in whole or in part prior to the
Settlement  Date and must purchase all of the shares by the Settlement  Date. In
the event of a default by Mr. Blair on the  Settlement  Date with respect to the
purchase  of any of the  Principal  Shares,  the Trust is required to sell those
shares.

     As a result of his agreement with the Trust,  Mr. Blair is considered under
the rules of the Securities and Exchange  Commission ("SEC") to beneficially own
the  Principal  Shares.  Such  ownership,  together  with 


                                        4

<PAGE> 8


Mr. Blair's existing ownership of Common Stock means that Mr. Blair beneficially
owns 7,183,150  shares, or approximately  38.2% of outstanding  shares of Common
Stock as of April 30,  1999.  However,  2,250,000 of these shares are subject to
the option granted by Mr. Blair to Capital Z, which is discussed below.

     Prior to Mr. Blair's  purchase of the Principal  Shares from the Trust, the
Trust would be the legal owner of those shares.  However,  the Trust is required
to vote the Principal  Shares on any matter in the same  proportion as the votes
on such  matter  by the other  Company  stockholders;  except  that the Trust is
required to vote for the amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
presented to  stockholders  for their approval at the Meeting.  See "Proposal 3.
Approval of Amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation."

     CAPITAL Z'S PURCHASE OF SHARES FROM MANAGEMENT

     Also in February 1999, Capital Z purchased from Mr. Blair and certain other
management and employee holders of Common Stock an aggregate of 1,750,000 shares
of Common Stock for $35 million.  Mr. Blair sold 700,000 of those shares.  Also,
Mr.  Blair  granted  options to  Capital Z to  purchase  from him an  additional
2,250,000  shares of Common  Stock for $27.60 per share,  including  a $6.00 per
share  non-refundable  deposit.  Mr. Blair used most of the  proceeds  from this
transaction,   after  giving   effect  to  his  federal  and  state  income  tax
obligations,  to make the $13,225,000 payment to the Trust. As a result, Capital
Z owns 9.3% of the Company's  Common Stock  outstanding.  Capital Z beneficially
owns  21.3% of the  Common  Stock when the  option is  considered.  Mr.  Blair's
beneficial ownership would be reduced to 26.2% if the option is exercised.

     For the  purposes  of the  SEC's  rules  (and  the  foregoing  table),  the
2,250,000 shares subject to an option from Mr. Blair to Capital Z are considered
to be beneficially owned by both of those persons.

     RELATED ARRANGEMENTS

     In connection with the Capital Z transaction described above, Mr. Blair and
the Company agreed to certain related arrangements, which are described below.

     NOMINATION  OF  DIRECTORS.  The Company  agreed to nominate to its Board of
Directors  two  individuals  designated  by Capital Z. Those  persons  have been
appointed to the Board and are  presented for election by  stockholders  at this
Meeting,  as discussed under "Proposals 1 and 2. Election of Directors." Certain
increases in the number of directors  could require an increase in the number of
directors to be  designated  by Capital Z. Capital Z's rights to board  nominees
are subject to its maintaining specified levels of Common Stock ownership.

     REGISTRATION RIGHTS. In addition,  the Company granted certain registration
rights which permit Capital Z to have the Company file  registration  statements
with the SEC to cover sales of the  1,750,000  shares  acquired by Capital Z and
the  2,250,000  shares that Capital Z would  acquire upon exercise of the option
grated to Capital Z by Mr. Blair. These registration  rights are not exercisable
until at least August 1999.  Capital Z may assign these  rights.  The Company is
entitled to buy the shares covered by these registration  rights before they are
sold by Capital Z.

     AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.  The Company agreed to submit to
stockholders   at  this  Meeting  a  proposal  to  amend  its   Certificate   of
Incorporation to eliminate or reduce requirements  imposed 


                                        5

<PAGE> 9


by certain  provisions which may be considered to have an anti-takeover  effect.
This  amendment is discussed  under  "Proposal 3.  "Approval of Amendment to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation."

     Thomas L. Blair has  agreed to vote his shares in favor of that  amendment,
and the Trust is directed to vote its shares in favor of that amendment.

     OTHER MATTERS.  In addition,  Mr. Blair granted Capital Z certain rights to
buy  shares of Common  Stock if Mr.  Blair  proposes  to sell  those  shares and
certain  rights to participate in a sale by Mr. Blair of shares of Common Stock.
The Company has also agreed not to repurchase  shares of its stock to the extent
that such  repurchases  would  subject  Capital Z to a possible  presumption  of
control  under the Home  Owners Loan Act,  as  amended,  based on the  1,750,000
shares Capital Z currently owns and shares that it acquires upon exercise of the
option  granted  by Mr.  Blair,  so long as the  Company  is a savings  and loan
holding company.


                       MATTERS SUBJECT TO STOCKHOLDER VOTE

                    PROPOSALS 1 AND 2. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     Pursuant to the Company's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and Bylaws,  the
Board of Directors of the Company is divided into three  classes as nearly equal
in number as  possible.  The persons  designated  by the Board of  Directors  as
nominees  for  election  as  directors  with terms  expiring  at the 2002 annual
stockholders  meeting  are  Thomas L.  Blair,  Thomas J. Graf and  Frederick  H.
Graefe.

     In  addition,   as  discussed   under  "Voting   Securities   and  Security
Ownership--Recent  Changes in Ownership by  Principal  Stockholders,"  Principal
Mutual has  significantly  reduced its  ownership in the  Company.  As a result,
Messrs.  Michael H.  Gersie and  Kenneth  J.  Linde  resigned  from the Board of
Directors  effective  April 30, 1999.  Both of these  persons were  nominated as
directors at the request of Principal Mutual.  Messrs. Drury and Graf also would
resign from the Board of Directors  prior to the  Company's  acquisition  of the
Bank.

     Further,   also  as  discussed   under  "Voting   Securities  and  Security
Ownership--Recent  Changes in  Ownership  by  Principal  Stockholders,"  Messrs.
Steven M.  Gluckstern  and Paul H. Warren have been  appointed  to the Board and
nominated  for election by  stockholders  at this meetings to fill the remaining
terms of Messrs.  Gersie  and Linde,  which  expire at the  annual  meetings  of
stockholders  in 2001.  Both Messrs.  Gluckstern and Warren are affiliated  with
Capital Z.

     UNLESS A CONTRARY  DIRECTION  IS  INDICATED,  IT IS INTENDED  THAT  PROXIES
RECEIVED WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTION AS DIRECTORS FOR THE THREE NOMINEES TO
SERVE FOR THREE-YEAR  TERMS EXPIRING AT THE 2002 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS,
AND UNTIL THEIR  SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED AND QUALIFIED,  AND FOR THE TWO NOMINEES
TO SERVE THE REMAINING  TERMS EXPIRING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF  STOCKHOLDERS IN
2001, AND UNTIL THEIR  SUCCESSORS  ARE ELECTED AND  QUALIFIED.  In the event any
nominee for  director  declines or is unable to serve,  the proxies may be voted
for a  substitute  nominee  selected  by the  Board of  Directors.  The Board of
Directors  expects  that  each  nominee  named in the  following  table  will be
available for election.

     All the nominees for director, and the directors who will continue to serve
after the 1999 Annual Meeting, are listed below with their principal occupations
for the last five years.


                                      6

<PAGE> 10



     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  RECOMMENDS  THAT THE  COMPANY'S  STOCKHOLDERS  VOTE
"FOR" THE ELECTION OF ALL THE NOMINEES NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

     The  following  table sets forth  certain  information  with respect to the
executive officers and directors of the Company as of April 30, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Director
               Name                             Age                        Position                  Since
               ----                             ---                        --------                  -----
     <S>                                        <C>                                                 <C>
     NOMINEES FOR THE TERM EXPIRING IN 2002:
         Thomas L. Blair......................  54      Chairman of the Board and
                                                        Co-Chief Executive Officer................  1996
         Thomas J. Graf.......................  50      Director..................................  1996
         Frederick H. Graefe..................  55      Director..................................  1996
     NOMINEES FOR THE TERM EXPIRING IN 2001:
         Steven M. Gluckstern.................  47      Director..................................  1999
         Paul H. Warren.......................  43      Director..................................  1999
     CONTINUING DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 2000:
         William E. Brock.....................  68      Director..................................  1996
         David J. Drury ......................  54      Director..................................  1996
         Edward S. Civera.....................  48      Co-Chief Executive Officer and President..  1997
     CONTINUING DIRECTOR WHOSE TERM EXPIRES IN 2001:
         Bette B. Anderson....................  70      Director..................................  1996

     OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS:
         S. Joseph Bruno......................  50      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
         Nancy I. Connaway....................  50      President of ProAmerica Managed Care, Inc.
         Barbara M. Freeman...................  50      President of National Health Services, Inc.
         Spiro A. Karadimas...................  40      Vice President of Operations
         Joseph M. Mott.......................  45      Secretary and General Counsel
</TABLE>
- ----------

      BETTE B.  ANDERSON  has  served  as Vice  Chairman  of Kelly,  Anderson  &
Patrick,  management  consultants,  since 1995. She served as its President from
1989 through  1995.  Ms.  Anderson has served on the Board of Directors  for ITT
Corporation,  ITT  Educational  Services,  ITT Hartford  Insurance  and American
Banknote  Corp.  She  is  Chairman  of the  United  States  Treasury  Historical
Association and the Advisory  Council of the Girl Scouts of the United States of
America. Previously, Ms. Anderson served as Under Secretary of the United States
Department of the Treasury and prior to that,  she was Senior Vice  President in
charge of credit  administration  for the Citizens and Southern National Bank of
Savannah, Georgia.

      THOMAS L.  BLAIR is the  founder  of the  Company  and  served as its sole
director  and  controlling  holder  of its  outstanding  voting  stock  from its
formation in 1995 until its public  offering in 1996.  He was the founder of AHP
in 1989 and served as its  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer from 1989 to
1992.  From  1992 to 1995,  Mr.  Blair  was  President  of  Initial  Managers  &
Investors,  Inc.  ("IM&I"),  which business was contributed to UP&UP.  From 1977
until 1988, Mr. Blair was a principal of Jurgovan & Blair,  Inc. which developed
and managed health maintenance organizations.

     WILLIAM E. BROCK has served as Senior Counsel and Trustee of the Center for
Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. since 1994. From 1988 to
1994, Mr. Brock served as Chairman 


                                      7

<PAGE> 11


of the Brock  Group,  a  consulting  firm.  From 1988 to 1991,  he served as the
Chairman of the National  Endowment for Democracy.  From 1985 to 1987, he served
as the United  States  Secretary of Labor and from 1981 to 1985, he was a United
States  Trade  Representative.  Mr.  Brock has also  served for eight years as a
member of the  United  States  House of  Representatives  and for six years as a
member  of the  United  States  Senate.  Mr.  Brock is a  director  of  Sinclair
Broadcasting Corp. and On Assignment, Inc.

      EDWARD S. CIVERA  joined the Company on April 1, 1997 as its President and
Chief  Operating  Officer and became Co-Chief  Executive  Officer in March 1999.
Prior   to   joining   the   Company,    Mr.   Civera   was   a   partner   with
PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP,  then Coopers & Lybrand  L.L.P.,  where he had been
employed for 25 years.

      DAVID J.  DRURY  joined  an  affiliate  of  Principal  Mutual  in 1966 and
currently serves as its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Since
1970,  Mr. Drury has served as an officer of Principal  Mutual or its affiliates
in various  other  capacities.  Mr. Drury also is a director of Coventry  Health
Care, Inc.

      STEVEN M.  GLUCKSTERN is a co-founder  and Chairman of the Boards of Cap Z
Management,  Inc. and Capital Z Partners,  Ltd ("Cap Z Ltd.").  Cap Z Ltd is the
sole  general  partner of Capital  Z. Prior to co-  founding  Cap Z Ltd in  July
1998.  Mr.  Gluckstern was a member of the Corporate  Executive  Board of Zurich
Group  ("Zurich") and served as Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of Zurich
Re, the global  reinsurance  network of  Zurich.  Mr.  Gluckstern  also held the
position of Chief  Executive  Officer of Zurich  Centre  Investments,  Inc.  the
private equity arm of Zurich, as well as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Zurich  Centre Group,  the holding  company for Zurich's  "strategic  financial"
business.  Mr.  Gluckstern is the co-owner of the New York Islanders Hockey Club
and a member of the National Hockey League Board of Governors.

      FREDERICK  H.  GRAEFE  has  been a  partner  with  the law firm of Baker &
Hostetler in Washington,  D.C. since 1988,  specializing in national health care
policy with an  emphasis  on  comprehensive  health  care  reform.  He serves as
Washington  counsel to several health care trade  associations and coalitions of
hospitals and  physicians,  manufacturers,  malpractice  liability  insurers and
health insurance companies.

      THOMAS J. GRAF joined an affiliate of Principal  Mutual in 1972 and, since
1994, has served as Senior Vice President of Principal  Mutual.  Since 1976, Mr.
Graf has served as an officer of affiliates of Principal  Mutual.  Mr. Graf also
is a director of Coventry Health Care, Inc.

      PAUL H. WARREN is a  co-founder  Cap Z, Ltd.  Prior to  co-founding  Cap Z
Ltd., Mr. Warren was a Partner in Insurance  Partners,  L.P. ("IPI"),  a limited
partnership  organized  in 1994 to make  investments  in property  and  casualty
insurers,  life and  health  insurers,  healthcare  services  firms and  related
insurance businesses. In connection with IPI, he serves as a director of Tarquin
plc,  Corporate Health Dimension,  Provincia Salud,  Provincia ART and Annuity &
Life Re. Prior to the  formation of IPI, Mr.  Warren was a Managing  Director of
International  Insurance  Advisors,  Inc. and a Vice  President in the insurance
group at J.P. Morgan & Co. Before that, Mr. Warren was an Assistant Secretary in
the Hong Kong Government.

      S. JOSEPH BRUNO has been Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the
Company since September 1995 and its Corporate  Secretary from September 1995 to
March  1997.  Prior to  joining  the  Company,  Mr.  Bruno  was a  partner  with
PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP, then Coopers & Lybrand  L.L.P.,  from 1989 to 1995.
From 1986 to 1989, Mr. Bruno was the Senior Vice  President and Chief  Financial
Officer 

                                      8

<PAGE> 12


of  Jurgovan & Blair,  Inc.  From 1971 to 1986,  Mr.  Bruno  worked at KPMG Peat
Marwick L.L.P., where he served in various capacities, including partner in both
the Washington D.C. and Rome, Italy offices.

      NANCY I.  CONNAWAY has been  President of ProAmerica  Managed  Care,  Inc.
since 1992.  Prior to that, Ms. Connaway was employed by the John Hancock Mutual
Life  Insurance  Company,   directing  its  preferred  provider   organization's
activities in a 12 state region as Southern Regional Director, Hancock Preferred
Health  Plans.  From 1981 until 1986,  she served as Vice  President and General
Counsel for the Nursefinders Corporation. Ms. Connaway is a registered nurse and
a member of the Texas State Bar Association.

      BARBARA  M.  FREEMAN,  M.D.,  joined  NHS in  1993 as its  Executive  Vice
President  and Chief  Medical  Officer and has been the  President  of NHS since
April 1998.  From 1986 to 1993,  Dr.  Freeman  was the  Medical  Director of the
Healthcare Review Corporation, currently a subsidiary of NHS. From 1984 to 1986,
Dr. Freeman was the Medical  Director for the Kentucky Peer Review  Organization
("PRO"),  the federal  contracted PRO for the State of Kentucky.  She has been a
practicing physician specializing in family practice since 1975.

      SPIRO A.  KARADIMAS  joined the Company in March 1995.  He has 18 years of
information systems and operations management experience in local government and
the private sector.  Prior to joining the Company,  Mr.  Karadimas  designed and
developed all in-house and client support  information systems and processes for
AHP, from 1992 to 1994. From 1991 to 1992, Mr.  Karadimas  served as Director of
Systems Development for Columbia Services Group, an Arlington, Virginia company.

      JOSEPH M. MOTT joined the Company in January 1997 as the Company's General
Counsel. He was appointed the Company's Corporate Secretary in March 1997. Prior
to joining the  Company,  Mr. Mott was a principal  with the law firm of Miles &
Stockbridge, P.C. in Rockville, Maryland, which he joined in 1988.

MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

      The Board of Directors  generally  meets on a quarterly basis and may have
additional  meetings as needed.  During 1998,  the Board of Directors held seven
meetings.  The only director who attended fewer than 75% in the aggregate of the
total number of meetings of the Board was William E. Brock, who missed two Board
meetings.

      The committees of the Board of Directors consist of an Audit Committee and
a Compensation Committee.

     AUDIT COMMITTEE.  The Audit Committee  recommends to the Board of Directors
the annual appointment of independent certified public accountants with whom the
committee  reviews the audit fees,  scope, and timing of the audit, the adequacy
of internal controls,  and any other services  rendered.  The Audit Committee is
comprised  of Messrs.  Graefe and Mr. Brock and held one meeting  during  fiscal
year 1998.

      COMPENSATION COMMITTEE.  The Compensation Committee reviews and recommends
the compensation and bonuses of the executives of the Company.  The Compensation
Committee  also  administers  the Company's (i) 1996 Stock Option Plan, and (ii)
the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Compensation Committee is comprised
of Ms. Anderson and Messrs.  Graefe and Graf, and held one meeting during fiscal
year 1998.


                                        9

<PAGE> 13


      NOMINATING  COMMITTEE.  The Company does not  currently  have a Nominating
Committee.  The  Company's  Board  of  Directors  or  any  nominating  committee
appointed by the Board of Directors will consider all  suggestions  for nominees
to the Board of Directors that are timely received in proper written form. To be
in proper written form, a stockholder's notice shall set forth in writing (i) as
to each person whom the  stockholder  proposes  to  nominate  for  election as a
director,  all  information  relating  to such  person  that is  required  to be
included  in a proxy  statement  filed  pursuant  to the proxy rules of the SEC,
including such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as
a nominee and to serving as a director if elected and (ii) as to the stockholder
giving the  notice (x) the name and  address,  as they  appear on the  Company's
books, of such stockholder and (y) the class and number of shares of the Company
that are beneficially owned by such stockholder.


DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION

      Directors  who are not  affiliated  with the Company each receive a fee of
$2,500 for each Board of Directors  meeting and $500 for each Committee  meeting
attended, plus travel and incidental expenses incurred in attending meetings and
carrying out their duties as directors.  The  directors  from  Principal  Mutual
receive  no fees  and are  reimbursed  only  for  their  travel  and  incidental
expenses.

      In January 1998,  each of the  non-affiliated  directors  received a stock
option grant of 4,500 shares of Common  Stock.  One-third of these stock options
vested  immediately,  one-third  vested in January 1999, and the other one-third
will vest in January  2000.  The  options  have a  ten-year  life and permit the
holder to purchase shares at their fair market value on the date of grant.

      On January 1, 1999,  each  non-affiliated  director  also received a stock
option  grant of 1,500 shares of Common Stock which vested at the date of grant,
is exercisable  for a ten-year  period and permits the holder to purchase shares
at the fair market value on the date of grant.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

      Pursuant  to Section  16(a) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange  Act")  and the  rules  issued  thereunder,  the  Company's  executive
officers  and  directors  are required to file with the SEC reports of ownership
and  changes  in  ownership  of Common  Stock.  Based on copies of such  reports
furnished to the Company,  or written  representation that no other reports were
required,  the Company believes that, during 1998, all of its executive officers
and directors complied with the requirements of Section 16(a).

               PROPOSAL 3. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY'S
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

      The  Board of  Directors  unanimously  approved,  declared  advisable  and
recommends that stockholders  approve an amendment of the Company's  Certificate
of Incorporation to:

      i.     repeal Article FIFTH, Section C, which prohibits stockholders  from
             taking action by written consent;

      ii.   repeal Article NINTH which imposes restrictions on transactions with
            "interested stockholders";


                                      10

<PAGE> 14


      iii   repeal Article  EIGHTH,  which  authorizes the Board of Directors to
            consider   the   impact  of   certain   business   combinations   on
            constituencies other than stockholders; and

      iv.   amend Article SIXTH,  Section D, Article SEVENTH and Article TWELFTH
            to lower the stockholder vote required to remove directors for cause
            and amend the  Company's  Bylaws and  Certificate  of  Incorporation
            (collectively, the "Certificate Amendment").

Each of  these  amendments  is being  proposed  as a  result  of a  stockholders
agreement  the Company  entered into with Capital Z Financial  Services Fund II,
L.P.,  Capital Z Financial  Services  Private  Fund II, L.P. and Thomas L. Blair
(the  "Stockholders  Agreement").  The  Certificate  Amendment is subject to the
approval of the Company's stockholders. The Board of Directors believes that the
Certificate  Amendment  is  in  the  best  interests  of  the  Company  and  its
stockholders and recommends a vote FOR the Certificate Amendment.

      THIS DISCUSSION  REGARDING THE  CERTIFICATE  AMENDMENT IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY  BY  REFERENCE  TO EXHIBITS A AND B TO THE PROXY  STATEMENT,  WHICH SET
FORTH THE PROPOSED  CERTIFICATE  AMENDMENT AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION THAT WOULD BE DELETED OR AMENDED BY THE CERTIFICATE  AMENDMENT,
RESPECTIVELY.

EFFECT OF CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT

GENERAL

      The  Certificate  Amendment  is  intended  to  facilitate  the  ability of
stockholders  to participate  in the corporate  governance of the Company and to
enter into transactions with the Company by making it easier for stockholders to
take action without a meeting,  eliminating certain  restrictions on the ability
of  stockholders  who own,  directly or indirectly,  more than 10% of the voting
stock of the  Company  to enter  into  certain  transactions  with the  Company,
preventing  the Board of  Directors  from  considering  the  effects  of certain
business transactions on non-stockholder constituencies and lowering from 80% to
66 2/3% the voting  threshold  required for stockholders to remove directors for
cause and amend the Certificate of  Incorporation  and bylaws.  The Company does
not have and is not aware of any plans,  arrangements  or proposals  relating to
the  acquisition of control of the Company by any person,  except for the rights
to acquire stock in the Company  disclosed in this Proxy Statement.  See "Voting
Securities and Security Ownership of Management and Principal  Stockholders" and
- - "Recent  Changes in  Ownership  by  Principal  Stockholders".  The form of the
Certificate  of Amendment to be filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware if
the stockholders approve the Certificate Amendment is attached hereto as Exhibit
A.  Pursuant to the  Stockholders  Agreement,  if the  stockholders  approve the
Certificate  Amendment,  the Board of  Directors  will adopt  amendments  to the
Bylaws that  correspond to the  Certificate  Amendment in order to eliminate any
conflicts between the Bylaws and the Certificate of  Incorporation,  as amended.
The following  summary of the effects of the Certificate  Amendment is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the  Delaware  General  Corporation  Law and the
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.

REPEAL OF PROHIBITION ON STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

      Article FIFTH, Section C of the Certificate of Incorporation provides:


                                      11

<PAGE> 15


      "Any action  required or permitted to be taken by the  stockholders of the
Corporation  must be  effected  at a duly  called  annual or special  meeting of
stockholders  of the  Corporation  and may not be  effected  by any  consent  in
writing by such stockholders."

      The  Certificate  Amendment,  if approved by  stockholders,  would  repeal
Article FIFTH,  Section C of the Certificate of  Incorporation  in its entirety.
Under  the  Delaware   General   Corporation  law,  unless  the  certificate  of
incorporation specifically provides otherwise, any action that is required to be
taken or that may be taken at an annual or special meeting of  stockholders  may
be taken  without a  meeting,  without  prior  notice and  without a vote,  if a
consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action do taken, are signed by
the holders of outstanding  stock  representing not less than the minimum number
of votes that would be  necessary  to authorize or take such action at a meeting
at which all  shares  entitled  to vote  thereon  were  present  and  voted.  If
stockholders  take  corporate  action  without a meeting by less than  unanimous
written consent,  prompt notice of such action must be given to stockholders who
did not  consent in writing  and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting,
would have been entitled to notice of such meeting.

REPEAL OF RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSACTIONS WITH "INTERESTED STOCKHOLDERS"

     Article EIGHTH of the  Certificate of  Incorporation  provides that certain
types  of  "business   combinations"   between  the  Company,   or  any  of  its
subsidiaries, and an "interested stockholder," or affiliate of such stockholder,
require the affirmative vote of at least eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding
shares of stock of the Company  entitled to vote in the  election of  directors,
voting  together  as a single  class  ("80%  Vote  Requirement").  The  types of
business   combinations   covered  by  Article   EIGHTH   include   mergers  and
consolidations,  certain sales, leases, exchanges, mortgages, pledges, transfers
and other  dispositions of the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
certain  issuances  by the Company or any  subsidiary  of any  securities  to an
interested  stockholder or its affiliate,  the liquidation or dissolution of the
Company and certain reclassifications of securities.  Generally, the Certificate
of Incorporation defines "interested  stockholder" to mean any person other that
the  Company  or an  affiliate  or  subsidiary  thereof  who or which (i) is the
beneficial  owner,  directly or  indirectly,  of more than ten percent  (10%) of
outstanding  shares of stock of the Company  entitled to vote in the election of
directors;  (ii) is an  affiliate  of the  Company  and at any time  within  the
two-year period prior to the date in question was the beneficial owner, directly
or indirectly,  of more than ten percent (10%) of outstanding shares of stock of
the Company  entitled  to vote in the  election  of  directors;  or (iii) is the
assignee of or  successor  to any shares  that at any time  within the  two-year
period  immediately prior to the date in question were beneficially  owned by an
interested stockholder.

      Article  EIGHTH  further  provides  that the 80% Vote  Requirement  is not
required  for business  combinations  otherwise  covered by Article  EIGHTH if a
majority of  disinterested  directors (as defined in Article EIGHTH) approve the
business  combination  or each of the  conditions  set forth in  Section  B.2 of
Article  EIGHTH are  satisfied.  The  conditions set forth in Section B.2 relate
generally  to  the  amount  and  form  of   consideration   to  be  received  by
stockholders,  whether  certain  actions  regarding  dividends  have been  taken
without  the  approval  of a majority of  disinterested  directors,  whether the
interested  stockholder has received the benefit of any financial  assistance or
tax  advantages  directly or  indirectly  from the  Company and the  delivery to
stockholders  of a  proxy  or  information  statement  disclosing  the  business
combination.

      The  Certificate  Amendment,  if approved by  stockholders,  would  repeal
Article  EIGHTH in its entirety.  Pursuant to Section F of Article  EIGHTH,  the
affirmative  vote of at least  80% of the  Common  Stock  outstanding  as of the
Record Date is required to repeal Article EIGHTH.


                                      12

<PAGE> 16



      If the stockholders  approve the Certificate  Amendment,  the requirements
for effecting the types of business  combinations covered by Article EIGHTH will
be governed by the remaining  provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and
the  Delaware  General  Corporation  Law.  Section 203 of the  Delaware  General
Corporation   Law  prohibits  a  corporation   from  engaging  in  any  business
combination with an interested  stockholder (defined as a 15% stockholder) for a
period  of three  years  after the date that  stockholder  became an  interested
stockholder  unless  (i)  before  that  date,  the  board  of  directors  of the
corporation  approved the business  combination or the transaction  transforming
the stockholder into an interested  stockholder,  (ii) upon  consummation of the
transaction   which   resulted  in  the   stockholder   becoming  an  interested
stockholder, that stockholder owned at least 85% of the outstanding voting stock
(excluding  shares  owned by  directors,  officers  and certain  employee  stock
ownership  plans)  or  (iii)  on  or  after  the  date  the  stockholder  became
"interested,"  the  business   combination  gained  the  approval  of  both  the
corporation's  directors  and  two-thirds of the  outstanding  voting shares not
owned by the  interested  stockholder  voted  at a  meeting  and not by  written
consent.  A Delaware  corporation may negate this provision through an amendment
to the  certificate  of  incorporation  or by-laws  adopted by a majority of the
outstanding  voting  shares.  The Board of Directors  of the Company  waived the
applicability  of  Section  203 of the  Delaware  General  Corporation  Law with
respect to  acquisition  of Company  Common  Stock by Capital Z discussed  under
"Voting Securities and Security Ownership".

REPEAL OF PROVISION REGARDING NON-STOCKHOLDER CONSTITUENCIES

      Article NINTH of the Certificate of Incorporation provides:

      "The Board of Directors of the  Corporation,  when evaluating any offer of
another  Person (as defined in Article  EIGHTH  hereof) to: (A) make a tender or
exchange offer for any equity security of the Corporation;  merge or consolidate
the Corporation with another corporation or entity; or (C) purchase or otherwise
acquire  all  or  substantially   all  of  the  properties  and  assets  of  the
Corporation, may, in connection with the exercise of its judgment in determining
what is in the best interest of the Corporation and its  stockholders,  give due
consideration to all relevant factors, including, without limitation, the social
and economic effect of acceptance of such offer on the Corporation's present and
future  customers and employees  and those of its  Subsidiaries;  (as defined in
Article EIGHTH hereof);  and on the communities in which the Corporation and its
Subsidiaries operate or are located."

      If  approved by  stockholders,  the  Certificate  Amendment  would  repeal
Article  NINTH.  The Company does not believe  that the repeal of Article  NINTH
will have any significant  impact on the fiduciary  obligations of the directors
under Delaware law to the Company and its  stockholders  in evaluating the types
of transactions covered by Article NINTH.

REDUCTION IN VOTE REQUIRED TO REMOVE DIRECTORS  FOR  CAUSE AND AMEND CERTIFICATE
AND BYLAWS

      Article SIXTH, Section D of the Certificate of Incorporation provides that
any director,  or the entire Board of  Directors,  may be removed from office at
any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative  vote of the holders of
at least 80% of the outstanding  shares of capital stock of the Company entitled
to be voted for the election of  directors,  voting  together as a single class.
Likewise,  Article  SEVENTH  grants  stockholders  the power to adopt,  amend or
repeal any provisions of the Company's  Bylaws with the affirmative  vote of the
holders  of at least  80% of the  outstanding  shares  of  capital  stock of the
Company entitled to be voted for the election of directors, voting together as a
single class. Finally, Article TWELFTH 


                                      13

<PAGE> 17


provides  that  the  affirmative  vote of the  holders  of at  least  80% of the
outstanding  shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to be voted for the
election of directors,  voting  together as a single class, is required to amend
or repeal  Article  TWELFTH,  Sections C or D of Article  FIFTH,  Article SIXTH,
Article SEVENTH, Article EIGHTH of Article TENTH.

      The  Certificate  Amendment,  if  approved  by  stockholders,  would amend
Article  SIXTH,  Section D,  Article  SEVENTH and Article  TWELFTH to change the
required  vote in each  case  from at least  80% of the  outstanding  shares  of
capital stock of the Company  entitled to be voted for the election of directors
to at least 66 2/3% of such shares.  The Certificate  Amendment would not affect
any of the provisions of Article SIXTH,  Section D, Article  SEVENTH and Article
TWELFTH  other  the  percentage  of the  stockholder  vote  required  to  remove
directors for cause and to amend the Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation.


PURPOSE OF CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT

      The Board of Directors adopted the Certificate Amendment and is presenting
it to  stockholders  pursuant  to a  condition  set  forth  in the  Stockholders
Agreement.  The  Certificate  Amendment  is  intended  to  make  it  easier  for
stockholders  to participate  in the corporate  governance of the Company and to
enhance the rights of  stockholders  by allowing  stockholders to take action by
written consent,  eliminating the provision permitting the Board of Directors to
consider the impact of certain  transactions  on groups other than  transactions
with the Company. Accordingly, the Board of Directors believes that the adoption
of the  Certificate  Amendment  and  submission  thereof for the approval of the
stockholders, is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.

VOTE REQUIRED

      Pursuant  to  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  the  approval  of  the
Certificate  Amendment  requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
80% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date. Approval of
the Certificate  Amendment  constitutes approval of each of the proposed changes
to the Certificate of Incorporation described herein.

      UNLESS MARKED TO THE CONTRARY,  THE SHARES PRESENTED BY THE ENCLOSED PROXY
WILL BE VOTED FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT.

               THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE
                            THE CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT




                                      14

<PAGE> 18



            PROPOSAL 4. RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT
                          CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

      The Board of Directors, in accordance with the recommendation of the Audit
Committee  of the  Company's  Board  of  Directors,  has  selected,  subject  to
ratification  by  the  stockholders,   PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP,  independent
certified public accountants,  to audit the consolidated financial statements of
the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  for the  year  ending  December  31,  1999.
PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP has audited the Company's financial statements since
1995.

      The  Company  expects  representatives  of  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP to
attend the Meeting,  to be available to respond to  appropriate  questions  from
stockholders, and to have the opportunity to make a statement if so desired.

      THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE
SELECTION  OF   PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS   LLP  AS  INDEPENDENT  CERTIFIED  PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999.

      OTHER MATTERS

      The Board of  Directors  knows of no other  matters  that are likely to be
brought  before the meeting.  If any other  matters  should be properly  brought
before the meeting,  it is the  intention  of the persons  named in the enclosed
proxy to vote,  or  otherwise  act, in  accordance  with their  judgment on such
matters.



                                      15

<PAGE> 19



                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

      The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for each
of the last three fiscal  years ended  December 31, 1998 awarded to or earned by
the Chief Executive  Officer and each of the other four most highly  compensated
executive officers of the Company.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Other                  Securities
                                                             Annual    Restricted   Underlying              All Other
       Name and                                              Compen-     Stock       Options/      LTIP      Compen-
  Principal Position          Year    Salary       Bonus     sation     Award(s)      SARs        Payouts     sation
  ------------------          ----    ------       -----     ------     --------      ----        -------     ------

<S>                           <C>    <C>         <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>    <C>   
Thomas L. Blair.............  1998   $350,000    $196,000(1)   --         --           --           --     $ 81,286(2)
  Chairman of the Board       1997     93,469     149,767(1)   --         --           --           --       86,790(2)
  and Chief Executive         1996    115,998(1)  106,457(1)   --         --           --           --       46,546(2)
  Officer(3)

Edward S. Civera ...........  1998    350,000     196,000(4)   --         --                        --      231,180(5)
  President and Chief         1997    253,294     100,000(4)   --         --        1,125,000       --      224,930(5)
  Operating Officer(3)

S. Joseph Bruno.............  1998    280,000      49,000(6)   --         --           --           --       28,290(7)
    Vice President and        1997    255,794      25,000(6)   --         --           --           --       35,610(7)
    Chief Financial Officer   1996    240,000         --       --         --           --           --       58,619(7)

Spiro A. Karadimas..........  1998    240,000      49,000(8)   --         --           --           --       28,250(9)
    Vice President of         1997    210,794      25,000(8)   --         --           --           --       29,868(9)
    Operations                1996    150,000         --       --         --           --           --       45,911(9)

Barbara Freeman
  President of National       1998    215,500         --       --         --           22,500       --       14,600(10)
  Health Services, Inc.       1997    211,823     15,000       --         --           --           --        5,250(10)
                              1996     51,375         --       --         --           --           --           --
</TABLE>

- ----------

(1)   For 1996, Mr. Blair received a total of $115,998 as compensation;  $49,998
      from the  Company;  and $66,000  from IM&I,  an entity  owned by Mr. Blair
      which was  contributed  to and then merged with the Company.  In addition,
      the bonuses for 1996 and 1997  reflect Mr.  Blair's  receipt in April 1997
      and March 1998, respectively,  of 1% of the Company's after-tax profit for
      the respective year pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement. The
      bonus for 1998  reflects  the  amount  accrued  for 1998 and paid in March
      1999.
(2)   For 1996,  consists  of payments  from IM&I to Thomas L. Blair,  the Chief
      Executive  Officer,  President and sole  stockholder  of IM&I prior to his
      contribution  of IM&I to the  Company,  and  includes  premiums  for  life
      insurance  of $24,297  and  automobile  allowance  of  $22,249.  For 1997,
      consists of payments  from the Company of premiums  for life  insurance of
      $45,973,  matching 401(k) contribution of $4,817 and automobile  allowance
      of $36,000.  For 1998,  consists of payments  from the Company of premiums
      for life insurance of $39,786,  matching 401(k) contribution of $5,500 and
      $36,000 of automobile allowance.
(3)   In March 1999, Edward S. Civera was  elected  by the board to serve as Co-
      Chief Executive Officer along with Thomas L. Blair.
(4)   Reflect Mr. Civera's  receipt  in March 1998 of the 1997 bonus and receipt
      in March 1999 of the 1998 bonus pursuant to his employment agreement.
(5)   Includes for 1997 and 1998,  respectively,  $200,000 and $200,000,  net of
      income   tax,    representing   a   funded    retirement    benefit   (see
      "Management-Employment   Agreements"),  premiums  for  life  insurance  of
      $1,680, and $1,680, matching 401(k) contributions of $5,250 and $5,500 and
      automobile allowance of $18,000 and $24,000.



                                       16

<PAGE> 20



(6)   Reflects Mr. Bruno's  receipt in March 1998 of the 1997 bonus  and receipt
      in March 1999 of the 1998 bonus. 
(7)   In 1996,  includes payment from the Company of premiums for life insurance
      of  $12,710,   automobile   allowance  of  $9,523,  and  $36,386  deferred
      compensation  from 1995. In 1997 and 1998  respectively,  includes payment
      from the  Company of  premiums  for life  insurance  of $10,360 and $2,790
      respectively,   matching  401(k)   contributions  of  $5,250  and  $5,500,
      respectively, and automobile allowances of $20,000 for both years.
(8)   Reflects  Mr. Karadimas'  receipt  in  March  1998  of  the 1997 bonus and
      receipt in March 1999 of the 1998 bonus. 
(9)   For 1997 and 1998 includes  payment  from the Company of premiums for life
      insurance   of  $4,618   and   $2,750,   respectively,   matching   401(k)
      contributions of $5,250 and $5,500, respectively and automobile allowances
      of $20,000 and $20,000,  respectively.  For 1996,  includes payment by the
      Company of premiums for life insurance of $7,666 and automobile allowances
      of $11,643 and payment by IM&I of $26,602.
(10)  Consists  of  matching 401(k) contributions  of $5,250 and $5,500 for 1997
      and 1998, respectively and automobile allowance for 1998 of $9,100.

STOCK OPTION PLAN

      All  executive  officers,  with the  exception  of Thomas L. Blair,  Chief
Executive  Officer,  may  participate  in the Company's  1996 Stock Option Plan.
During the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1998,  stock  options were awarded to
certain named executive officers.

                       OPTIONS GRANTED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

      The following table sets forth certain  information  with respect to stock
options granted to named executive officers during 1998 under the Company's 1996
Stock Option Plan:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           % of
                          Number        Total Options                                                  Potential
                      of Securities      Granted to      Grant-                               Realizable Value at Assumed
                       Underlying          Employees     Date                                 Annual Rates of Stock Price
                         Options         in Fiscal       Market   Exercise    Expiration     Appreciation for Option Term (1)
                                                                                             --------------------------------
    Name                 Granted            Year         Price     Price         Date              5%               10%
    ----                 -------        -----------     -------  ---------    -----------      ---------         --------
<S>                       <C>               <C>          <C>      <C>          <C>              <C>              <C> 
Barbara M. Freeman.....   22,500            13.4%        $12.94   $14.67       Jan. 2003        $371,700         $468,700

</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) These potential realizable values are based on assumed rates of appreciation
    required by applicable regulations of the SEC.


                                       17

<PAGE> 21




                 AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES DURING FISCAL 1998
                     AND OPTION VALUES ON DECEMBER 31, 1998

      The  following  table  sets  forth  information  concerning  stock  option
exercises and stock option values for the named  executive  officers at December
31, 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            Number of
                           of Shares       Value                                           Value
                          Acquired Upon  Realized    Number of Unexercised         of Unexercised In-The-
                             Exercise      Upon        Options 12/31/98           Money Options 12/31/98(1)
                                                    --------------------------   --------------------------
                            of Option    Exercise   Exercisable  Unexercisable   Exercisable  Unexercisable
                            ---------    --------   -----------  -------------   -----------  -------------
   <S>                         <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>
   Edward S. Civera.....       --           --        843,750(2)   281,250       $16,171,875    $6,890,625
   Barbara Freemen......       --           --             --       22,500                --       311,175

</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  In accordance  with  the SEC's rules,  values are calculated by subtracting
     the  exercise  price from the fair market  value of the  underlying  Common
     Stock.  For  purposes  of this  table,  fair  market  value is deemed to be
     $28.50,  the closing  price of the stock  reported  by the Nasdaq  National
     Market as of December 31, 1998.
(2)  In February 1999, Mr. Civera exercised options to purchase an  aggregate of
     375,000 shares of common stock.

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

      The following are transactions  involving Thomas L. Blair, the Chairman of
the Board and Co-Chief  Executive Officer of the Company and/or Principal Mutual
and the Company:

      The Company utilizes,  for corporate business purposes, the services of an
aircraft  owned by a  corporation  that is owned by Thomas L. Blair.  The amount
paid  by  the  Company  to  this   corporation  in  1998,  1997,  and  1996  was
approximately $445,000, $263,000, and $153,000, respectively.

      During 1996,  an affiliate of Principal  Mutual that is a payor for health
care services contracted with the Company for access to a network of health care
providers developed by the Company (the "Provider Network").  Principal Mutual's
affiliate  has also been a payor  client of an  affiliate  of the Company  since
1992.  Approximately,  $7,376,000,  $2,342,000  and $80,000 of Provider  Network
revenue for 1988,  1997 and 1996,  respectively,  was derived  from its contract
with  the  Principal   Mutual   affiliate.   At  December  31,  1998  and  1997,
approximately  $904,000  and  $341,000,  respectively,  was due from a Principal
Mutual affiliate and was included in accounts receivable.

      During  1997,  the Company  purchased  medical and life  insurance  from a
Principal Mutual  affiliate.  The Company did not purchase health insurance from
that Principal  Mutual  affiliate  during 1998. A Principal Mutual affiliate has
also  administered  the  Company's  401(k)  plan  since  1997.  Amounts  paid to
Principal  Mutual  affiliates in 1998 and 1997 for these insurance  products and
services approximated $159,000 and $386,000, respectively.

      The Company performs certain administrative services for HealthExtras,  an
entity formed by Principal Mutual and Thomas L. Blair, that markets catastrophic
and supplemental  health  insurance.  During 1998,  HealthExtras  reimbursed the
Company  approximately  $839,000 for  staffing  and other costs  incurred by the
Company in the  performance of services on behalf of  HealthExtras.  The Company
has also entered into a royalty agreement with HealthExtras effective January 1,
1999. The royalty  agreement  provides the 


                                       18

<PAGE> 22



Company  with a per  member/per  month  royalty fee in exchange  for the Company
granting  HealthExtras'  members access to its Provider Network at no fee over a
four-year period. The royalty fee initially starts at $1.00 per member/per month
in year one and  increases  to $1.50  per  member/per  month in year  four.  The
royalty  fee is based  upon  the  tenure  of each  member  participating  in the
HealthExtras program. It is likely that HealthExtras' future product development
will  integrate the use of the Provider  Network.  The Company has  guaranteed a
credit facility of HealthExtras in the amount of $3.0 million.

      See  "Voting  Securities  and  Security  Ownership  -- Recent  Changes  in
Ownership by Principal  Stockholders" for a discussion of proposed  arrangements
relating to the  divestiture by Principal  Mutual of a controlling  relationship
with  respect to the Company and related  possible  transactions,  which,  among
other things,  could involve  transactions  between the Company and Mr. Blair or
Principal Mutual, including its affiliates.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

      Under rules established by the SEC, United Payors & United Providers, Inc.
(the "Company") is required to provide certain data and information in regard to
the compensation and benefits  provided to the Company's Chief Executive Officer
("CEO") and other executive  officers.  The disclosure  requirements for the CEO
and the  other  executive  officers  include  the  use of  tables  and a  report
explaining the rationale and considerations that led to fundamental compensation
decisions affecting those individuals.  In fulfillment of this requirement,  the
Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") has prepared
the following report for inclusion in this proxy statement.

GENERAL

      Under the  supervision  of the  Committee,  the Company has  developed and
implemented  compensation policies, plans and programs which seek to enhance the
profitability  of the  Company  and  thus  stockholder  value  by  aligning  the
financial  interests  of the  Company's  executive  officers  with  those of the
stockholders.

      The  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of  Directors of the Company is
directly  responsible for establishing the compensation  levels and benefits for
the CEO of the  Company.  With  respect  to the other  officers,  the CEO of the
Company  recommends  compensation  levels and other incentives to the Committee.
The  Committee  ultimately  has the  final  decision.  For 1998,  the  Committee
consisted  of Bette  B.  Anderson  and  Frederick  H.  Graefe,  who are  outside
directors, and Thomas J. Graf, who is Senior Vice President of Principal Mutual.

COMPENSATION POLICIES

      In furtherance of the Company's goals, and to attract and retain corporate
officers and other key employees with outstanding abilities and to motivate them
to perform to the full extent of their abilities, compensation for the executive
officers, as well as other management employees consist primarily of three major
components:  base salary, bonus awards, and long-term incentive  compensation in
the form of discretionary  stock options.  In addition,  executive  officers may
receive other compensation in the form of various fringe benefits.


                                       19

<PAGE> 23


BASE SALARIES

      In  determining  salary  levels,   the  Committee   considers  the  entire
compensation  package  plans of the  executive  officers,  including  the equity
compensation  provided  under the  Company's  stock  plans.  Salary  levels  are
intended to be consistent with industry  standards and each executive's level of
responsibility.  Although the  Committee's  decisions are  discretionary  and no
specific  formula is used for decision  making,  salary  increases  are aimed at
reflecting  the overall  performance  of the Company and the  performance of the
individual executive officer.

BONUS AWARDS

      In  determining   bonus  awards,   the  Committee   considers  the  entire
compensation  package  of  the  executive  officers.  As  discussed  under  BASE
SALARIES, bonus awards are intended to be consistent with other companies in the
industry and each  executive  officer's  level of  responsibility.  Although the
Committee's  policy is subjective  and no specific  formula is used for decision
making, the bonus awards are aimed to reflect the overall financial  performance
of the Company  including the  achievement  of the revenues and net income goals
and the performance of the individual  executive officer.  The only bonus awards
made for the year ended  December 31, 1998 were to Mr. Thomas L. Blair,  the CEO
(refer to  COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF  EXECUTIVE  OFFICER  below);  Mr. Edward S.
Civera,  the Chief Executive  Officer and President;  Mr. S. Joseph Bruno,  Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer;  and Mr. Spiro Karadimas,  Vice President
of Operations.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

      In 1997, the stockholders  approved the United Payors & United  Providers,
Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Stock  Option  Plan"),  under which  executive
officers  and other  employees  may  receive  grants of Stock  Options and Stock
Awards.   The  Compensation   Committee  believes  that  stock  ownership  is  a
significant  incentive in building stockholder wealth and aligning the interests
of employees and  stockholders.  Mr. Blair,  the Chief Executive  Officer of the
Company,  has excluded himself from  participation in the Company's plan. During
1998, the Committee granted stock options to Mrs. Freeman and to Mr. Mott.

COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

      Thomas L. Blair,  for 1996,  received a total of $115,998 as base  salary;
$49,998 from the Company;  and $66,000 from Initial  Managers & Investors,  Inc.
("IM&I"),  an entity owned by Mr. Blair which was contributed to and then merged
with the  Company.  During  1997 and 1998 Mr.  Blair  received a base  salary of
$93,469 and $350,000.  In addition,  in accordance  with Mr. Blair's  employment
contract,  he also  receives  1% of the  Company's  after-tax  profit,  which is
reflected  as a bonus in the  compensation  table  (see  EXECUTIVE  COMPENSATION
section),  and which  amounted  to $106,457  for 1996,  $149,767  for 1997,  and
$196,000 for 1998, and other compensation in the form of fringe benefits.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

      The Company has entered into  employment  agreements with Thomas L. Blair,
Chairman  of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer,  Edward S.  Civera,  Chief
Executive  Officer and  President,  S. Joseph  Bruno,  Vice  President and Chief
Financial  Officer,  and Spiro A. Karadimas,  Vice President of Operations.  The
employment agreements,  for Messrs. Blair, Bruno and Karadimas are substantially
similar and provide for two-year terms  (initially  effective July, 1996, and as
amended, from January, 1999), covenants not to 


                                       20

<PAGE> 24


compete, and severance  arrangements.  Mr. Blair's base salary,  pursuant to his
employment  agreement,  is $350,000  per year plus one percent of the  Company's
annual after-tax profits. The base salaries currently are $240,000 and $280,000,
respectively,  for Messrs.  Karadimas and Bruno. Base salary may be increased by
the Company's Board of Directors, in the case of Mr. Blair, and by the Company's
President,  in the case of Messrs.  Karadimas  and Bruno.  In  addition  to base
salary, the employment agreements provide for, among other things, participation
by the executives in employee benefit plans, other fringe benefits applicable to
executive  personnel  and  reimbursement  of  reasonable  expenses  incurred  in
promoting  the business of the Company.  As of January  1998,  Mr. Bruno and Mr.
Karadimas began  participating in a bonus arrangement  entitling each of them to
one-quarter of one percent of the Company's net income. In addition, in 1998 the
Board  approved and the Company paid an aggregate of $700,000 for  variable- and
fixed-rate  annuity policies for Mr. Blair. Mr. Blair has reimbursed the Company
$250,000 of that amount and  currently  is the owner of one-third of the policy.
The remainder of the policy vests to Mr. Blair over the next two years,  subject
to his  reimbursement  to the Company for the remainder of the cost. Until it is
reimbursed in full, the Company has a  proportionate  ownership  interest in the
policy.

      Mr.  Civera's  agreement,  initially  effective  January,  1997,  and,  as
amended,  from January,  1999,  provides for, among other things, an annual base
salary  of  $350,000,  a  bonus  arrangement  of one  percent  of the  Company's
after-tax profit,  options to purchase  1,125,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock  (750,000  shares  exercisable at or above the market price at the date of
grant and 375,000 shares exercisable at $4.00 below the market price at the date
of grant) that vest over an eight-year  period (with an  acceleration  provision
based on performance) and a net of income tax retirement benefit  (approximately
$1.0  million) in the form of vested  trust  arrangements  that is earned over a
five-year period.  In December 1997, the Company  accelerated the vesting of the
750,000 stock  options which had an exercise  price equal to or above the market
price at the  date of  grant.  Mr.  Civera's  agreement  also  contains  benefit
provisions related to a change in control of the Company.  On February 25, 1999,
Mr. Civera  exercised  options to purchase  375,000  shares of Common Stock at a
weighted average  exercise price of $6.50.  These shares were sold by Mr. Civera
to Capital Z. Mr. Blair agreed, in Mr. Civera's employment contract, to vote the
shares of Common Stock he controls  for the election of Mr.  Civera to the Board
of Directors.

      Each of the employment agreements contains benefit provisions related to a
change  in  control  of the  Company's  ownership.  In the  event of a change in
control,  Mr.  Civera  will be  entitled  to:  (i) his  annual  base  salary and
incentive  bonus for the remaining  term of his employment  agreement;  (ii) the
remainder of his advance benefit payment;  and (iii) immediately  accelerate the
vesting  of all of his  unvested  stock  options.  In the  event of a change  in
control,  Messrs.  Blair,  Bruno and Karadimas  will each receive his respective
base  salary  and  incentive  bonus  payment  for a period of time  which is the
greater of the remaining unexpired term of his respective  employment  agreement
or for one year.

      For purposes of each of the employment  agreements,  a "change in control"
has occurred if: (i) a person  becomes the  beneficial  owner of at least 20% of
the Company's outstanding securities; (ii) in any 24 month period, a majority of
the Board is replaced,  unless the election of each new director was approved by
a vote  of 2/3 of the  directors  in  office  who  were  also  directors  at the
beginning  of the period;  or (iii) the  stockholders  of the Company  approve a
definitive  merger  agreement,  sale of  asset  agreement,  or an  agreement  to
liquidate or dissolve the Company.

      Notwithstanding  the  definition  of "a change in control," (a) the recent
transfer of 4,500,000 shares of Common Stock into the Trust by Principal Mutual,
and (b) the recent  acquisition by Capital Z of 1,750,000 shares of Common Stock
and the option to purchase 2,250,000 shares of Common Stock does not


                                       21

<PAGE> 25


constitute a "change in control of the Company" for purposes of these employment
agreements since the holder of each agreement has waived his rights to a "change
in control" under those  circumstances.  The waiver was accomplished through the
amendment of each employment contract in January, 1999.


                                                COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF
                                                THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                                /s/ Bette B. Anderson

April 22, 1999                                  Bette B. Anderson, Chairperson
                                                Thomas J. Graf
                                                Frederick H. Graefe



                                       22

<PAGE> 26



STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

   The following graph compares the cumulative total  stockholder  return on the
Company's  Common  Stock  with the  cumulative  total  return  of the  index for
companies  whose equity  securities are traded on the Nasdaq National Market and
the index for the Nasdaq Health  Services  Stocks,  commencing July 2, 1996 (the
date of the  Company's  initial  public  offering)  and as of December 31, 1996,
January 1, 1997,  June 30, 1997,  July 1, 1997,  December  31, 1997,  January 1,
1998,  June 30, 1998,  July 1, 1998 and December 31, 1998. The graph was derived
from  data for only a  limited  period  of time  and,  as a  result,  may not be
indicative of possible future performance of the Company's Common Stock.



                              [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Summary
                                                     -------

                                              7/2/96  12/31/96  6/30/97  12/31/97  6/30/98  12/31/98
                                              ------  --------  -------  --------  -------  --------
      <S>                                     <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>   
      United Payors & United Providers, Inc.  100.00   125.01   120.46    175.00   308.54    388.65
      Nasdaq National Market                  100.00   108.63   121.57    133.27   160.45    187.34
      Nasdaq Health Service Stock             100.00    88.08    91.79     89.76    89.47     76.97
</TABLE>

      Notes:
      ------
        A. The lines represent six-month index levels.
        B. If the six-month  interval,  based on the fiscal  year-end,  is not a
           trading day, the preceding trading day is used.
        C. The index level for all series was set to $100.00 on July 2, 1996.




                                       23


<PAGE> 27



                           DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF
                  SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR THE
                 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS IN THE YEAR 2000


      In order for  shareholder  proposals to be  considered  by the Company for
inclusion in the proxy  material for the Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  to be
held in 2000,  they must be received by the Company at its  principal  executive
offices by December 31, 1999.

      The Bylaws of the Company provide an advance notice  procedure for certain
business to be brought before an annual  meeting.  In order for a stockholder to
properly bring business before an annual meeting,  the stockholder  must deliver
written  notice to the  Secretary  of the  Company  at the  principal  executive
offices of the Company not less than 90 days  before the time  originally  fixed
for such meeting; provided,  however, that in the event that less than 100 days'
notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
stockholders,  notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received not later
than the close of  business  on the tenth day  following  the day on which  such
notice of the date of the annual  meeting was mailed or such  public  disclosure
was made. In order for the notice of a stockholder proposal for consideration at
the Company's  2000 Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  to be timely,  the Company
would have to receive such notice no later than April 16, 2000 assuming the 2000
Annual  Meeting is held on June 15, 2000 and that the Company  provides at least
100 days' notice or public  disclosure  of the date of the  meeting.  The notice
must include the stockholder's name and address,  as it appears on the Company's
record of stockholders, a brief description of the proposed business, the reason
for  conducting  such  business at the annual  meeting,  the class and number of
shares  of the  Company's  Common  Stock  that  are  beneficially  owned by such
stockholder  and any  material  interest  of such  stockholder  in the  proposed
business. In the case of nominations to the Board, certain information regarding
the nominee must be provided. See "Election of Directors-Meetings and Committees
of the Board of Directors-Nominating Committee." Nothing in this paragraph shall
be deemed to require  the  Company to include in its proxy  statement  and proxy
relating to an annual meeting any  stockholder  proposal which does not meet all
of the requirements  for inclusion  established by the SEC in effect at the time
such proposal is received.



                                     By Order of the Board of Directors

                                     /s/ Joseph M. Mott

                                     JOSEPH M. MOTT
                                     SECRETARY

_________, 1999


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HOPES THAT  SHAREHOLDERS  WILL ATTEND THE MEETING WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING,  ALL  SHAREHOLDERS  ARE URGED TO PROMPTLY
COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE.
SHAREHOLDERS  WHO ATTEND THE MEETING MAY VOTE THEIR STOCK PERSONALLY EVEN THOUGH
THEY HAVE SENT IN THEIR PROXIES.


                                       24

<PAGE> 28


                                                                     EXHIBIT A

                                  AMENDMENT OF
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                     UNITED PAYORS & UNITED PROVIDERS, INC.

                       (Pursuant to 8 Del C. Section 242)

United Payors & United  Providers,  Inc., a  corporation  organized and existing
under and by virtue of the Delaware General  Corporation Law (the "Corporation")
does hereby certify that:

FIRST, a Certificate of Incorporation  was initially filed by the Corporation on
April 15, 1996 with the Office of the Secretary of the State of Delaware.

SECOND,  that the Board of Directors of the Corporation,  in accordance with the
provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General  Corporation Law, duly adopted
resolutions  setting forth an amendment (the  "Amendment") of the Certificate of
Incorporation,  declared said  amendment to be advisable and called a meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation for consideration  thereof. The Amendment of the
Corporation's  Certificate of Incorporation  proposed by these resolutions is as
follows:

1. Amend Article FIFTH by repealing Section C of such Article.

2. Amend Article SIXTH, Section D to provide as follows:

      "D.  Subject  to  the  rights  of holder of any series of Preferred  Stock
   then  outstanding,  any Director,  or the entire Board of  Directors,  may be
   removed  from  office  at any  time,  but  only  for  cause  and  only by the
   affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds  percent
   (66  2/3%) of the  voting  power  of all of the  then-outstanding  shares  of
   capital stock of the  Corporation  entitled to vote generally in the election
   of Directors, voting together as a single class."

3. Amend Article SEVENTH to provide as follows:

         "SEVENTH: The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend
          -------
      or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal
      of the Bylaws of the  Corporation by the Board of Directors  shall require
      the approval of a majority of the Whole Board. The stockholders shall also
      have  power to adopt,  amend or  repeal  the  Bylaws  of the  Corporation;
      provided,  however,  that,  in  addition to any vote of the holders of any
      class or series of stock of this  Corporation  required  by law or by this
      Certificate of  Incorporation,  the affirmative  vote of the holders of at
      least  sixty-six and  two-thirds  percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of
      all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation
      entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors,  voting  together
      as a single class,  shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend
      or repeal any provisions of the Bylaws of the Corporation."

4. Repeal Article EIGHTH.

5. Repeal Article NINTH.

6. Amend Article TWELFTH to provide as follows:



<PAGE> 29



         "TWELFTH:  The  Corporation  reserves  the right to amend or repeal any
          -------
      provision  contained in this  Certificate of  Incorporation  in the manner
      prescribed  by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights  conferred
      upon  stockholders  are  granted  subject to this  reservation;  provided,
      however, that,  notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of
      Incorporation  or any  provision  of law which  might  otherwise  permit a
      lesser vote or no vote,  but in addition to any vote of the holders of any
      class or  series of the stock of this  Corporation  required  by law or by
      this Certificate of Incorporation,  the affirmative vote of the holders of
      at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of
      all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation
      entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors,  voting  together
      as a single  class,  shall be  required  to amend or repeal  this  Article
      TWELFTH, Section C or D of Article FIFTH,  Article SIXTH, Article SEVENTH,
      Article EIGHTH or Article TENTH."


THIRD,  that  thereafter on June 15, 1999, an Annual Meeting of  Stockholders of
the  Corporation  was duly called and held,  upon notice and in accordance  with
Section  222 of the  Delaware  General  Corporation  Law,  at which  meeting the
necessary number of shares as required by the Delaware  General  Corporation Law
were voted in favor of the Amendment.

FOURTH,  the  Amendment was duly adopted in  accordance  with the  provisions of
Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by
its  President  and Co- Chief  Executive  Officer and attested by its  Corporate
Secretary on this __ day of June, 1999.



                                      /s/ United Payors & United Providers, Inc.



                                      2

<PAGE> 30



                                                                     EXHIBIT B

             EXISTING PROVISIONS OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
                     UNITED PAYORS & UNITED PROVIDERS, INC.
                 DELETED OR REVISED BY THE CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT


1.   The Certificate Amendment would repeal Section C of Article Fifth.  Article
FIFTH of the  Certificate of  Incorporation  currently  reads in its entirety as
follows:

            "FIFTH: The following  provisions are inserted for the management of
             -----
the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation,  and for further
definition,  limitation and regulation of the powers of the  Corporation  and of
its Directors and stockholders:

            A. The business and affairs of the  Corporation  shall be managed by
      or under the  direction  of the Board of  Directors.  In  addition  to the
      powers and authority  expressly  conferred upon them by statute or by this
      Certificate  of  Incorporation  or  the  Bylaws  of the  Corporation,  the
      Directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such
      acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.

            B. The Directors of the  Corporation  need not be elected by written
      ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

            C. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the  stockholders
      of the  Corporation  must be effected  at a duly called  annual or special
      meeting of  stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any
      consent in writing by such stockholders.

            D. Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called
      only by the Board of  Directors  pursuant  to a  resolution  adopted  by a
      majority of the Whole Board or as  otherwise  provided in the Bylaws.  The
      term "Whole Board" shall mean the total number of authorized directorships
      (whether  or not  there  exist  any  vacancies  in  previously  authorized
      directorships  at the time any such  resolution  is presented to the Board
      for adoption)."

2.   The  Certificate  Amendment would amend Section D of Article SIXTH to  read
as set forth in the  Certificate  Amendment.  Section D of Article  SIXTH of the
Certificate of Incorporation currently reads as follows:

            "D. Subject to the rights of holder of any series of Preferred Stock
      then outstanding,  any Director, or the entire Board of Directors,  may be
      removed  from  office  at any  time,  but only for  cause  and only by the
      affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80 percent of the voting power
      of all of the then-outstanding  shares of capital stock of the Corporation
      entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors,  voting  together
      as a single class."

3.   The Certificate Amendment would amend Article SEVENTH to read as set  forth
in  the   Certificate   Amendment.   Article   SEVENTH  of  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation currently reads as follows:



                                        1

<PAGE> 31



            "SEVENTH:  The Board of Directors  is expressly  empowered to adopt,
             -------
      amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.  Any adoption, amendment or
      repeal of the Bylaws of the  Corporation  by the Board of Directors  shall
      require the  approval of a majority of the Whole Board.  The  stockholders
      shall  also  have  power to  adopt,  amend or  repeal  the  Bylaws  of the
      Corporation;  provided,  however,  that,  in  addition  to any vote of the
      holders of any class or series of stock of this  Corporation  required  by
      law or by this Certificate of  Incorporation,  the affirmative vote of the
      holders  of at  least  80  percent  of  the  voting  power  of  all of the
      then-outstanding  shares of the capital stock of the Corporation  entitled
      to vote  generally  in the  election of  Directors,  voting  together as a
      single class,  shall be required for the  stockholders to adopt,  amend or
      repeal any provisions of the Bylaws of the Corporation."

4.    The Certificate Amendment would repeal Article EIGHTH.  Article EIGHTH  of
the Certificate of Incorporation currently reads as follows:

      "EIGHTH:
       ------

            A. In  addition  to any  affirmative  vote  required  by law or this
      Certificate of Incorporation,  and except as otherwise  expressly provided
      in this Article EIGHTH:

                  1.    any merger or  consolidation  of the  Corporation or any
                        Subsidiary  (as  hereinafter   defined)  with:  (a)  any
                        Interested  Stockholder (as hereinafter defined); or (b)
                        any  other   corporation   (whether  or  not  itself  an
                        Interested  Stockholder)  which is, or after such merger
                        or consolidation  would be, an Affiliate (as hereinafter
                        defined) of an Interested Stockholder; or

                  2.    any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or
                        other  disposition  (in one  transaction  or a series of
                        transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder,  or
                        any  Affiliate  of any  Interested  Stockholder,  of any
                        assets of the  Corporation or any  Subsidiary  having an
                        aggregate  Fair Market  Value (as  hereinafter  defined)
                        equaling or exceeding 25% or more of the combined assets
                        of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries; or

                  3.    the  issuance  or  transfer  by  the  Corporation or any
                        Subsidiary   (in  one   transaction   or  a  series   of
                        transactions)  of any  securities of the  Corporation or
                        any  Subsidiary  to any  Interested  Stockholder  or any
                        Affiliate of any Interested  Stockholder in exchange for
                        cash,  securities  or other  property (or a  combination
                        thereof)  having  an  aggregate  Fair  Market  Value (as
                        hereinafter  defined)  equaling or exceeding  25% of the
                        combined  Fair Market  Value of the  outstanding  common
                        stock of the  Corporation and its  Subsidiaries,  except
                        for any  issuance  or  transfer  pursuant to an employee
                        benefit  plan  of  the  Corporation  or  any  Subsidiary
                        thereof; or

                  4.    the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation
                        or  dissolution  of the  Corporation  proposed  by or on
                        behalf of an Interested  Stockholder or any Affiliate of
                        any Interested Stockholder; or

                                      2

<PAGE> 32



                  5.    any reclassification of securities(including any reverse
                        stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or
                        any merger or  consolidation of the Corporation with any
                        of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction (whether or
                        not with or into or otherwise  involving  an  Interested
                        Stockholder)   which  has  the   effect,   directly   or
                        indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the
                        outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible
                        securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is
                        directly   or   indirectly   owned  by  any   Interested
                        Stockholder   or  any   Affiliate   of  any   Interested
                        Stockholder;

      shall require the  affirmative  vote of the holders of at least 80% of the
      voting power of the  then-outstanding  shares of stock of the  Corporation
      entitled to vote in the election of Directors (the "Voting Stock"), voting
      together  as a single  class.  Such  affirmative  vote  shall be  required
      notwithstanding  the fact that no vote may be  required,  or that a lesser
      percentage  may be  specified,  by law or by any other  provisions of this
      Certificate of  Incorporation  or any Preferred  Stock  Designation in any
      agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.

            The term "Business Combination" as used in this Article EIGHTH shall
      mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of paragraphs
      1 through 5 of Section A of this Article EIGHTH.

            B. The  provisions of Section A of this Article  EIGHTH shall not be
      applicable  to any  particular  Business  Combination,  and such  Business
      Combination shall require only the affirmative vote of the majority of the
      outstanding  shares of capital  stock  entitled to vote,  or such vote (if
      any), as is required by law or by this Certificate of  Incorporation,  if,
      in the case of any Business  Combination that does not involve any cash or
      other  consideration being received by the stockholders of the Corporation
      solely in their capacity as stockholders of the Corporation, the condition
      specified in the following paragraph 1 is met or, in the case of any other
      Business  Combination,  all of the  conditions  specified in either of the
      following paragraphs 1 or 2 are met:

            1.    The  Business  Combination  shall  have  been  approved  by  a
                  majority  of  the  Disinterested   Directors  (as  hereinafter
                  defined).

            2.    All of the following conditions shall have been met:

                  a.    The  aggregate  amount  of the cash and the Fair  Market
                        Value as of the date of the consummation of the Business
                        Combination  of  consideration  other  than  cash  to be
                        received  per share by the  holders  of Common  Stock in
                        such Business Combination shall at least be equal to the
                        higher of the following:

                        (i)   (if applicable)  the  Highest  Per Share Price (as
                              hereinafter  defined),   including  any  brokerage
                              commissions,   transfer   taxes   and   soliciting
                              dealers' fees, paid by the Interested  Stockholder
                              or any of its  Affiliates for any shares of Common
                              Stock  acquired  by it: (I)  within  the  two-year
                              period  immediately  prior  to  the  first  public
                              announcement  of  the  proposal  of  the  Business
                              Combination (the "Announcement  Date"); or (II) in
                              the  transaction  in which it became an Interested
                              Stockholder, whichever is higher; or



                                        3

<PAGE> 33



                        (ii)  the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on
                              the Announcement  Date or on the date on which the
                              Interested   Stockholder   became  an   Interested
                              Stockholder  (such  latter  date is referred to in
                              this Article EIGHTH as the "Determination  Date"),
                              whichever is higher.

                  b.    The  aggregate  amount  of  the cash and the Fair Market
                        Value as of the date of the consummation of the Business
                        Combination  of  consideration  other  than  cash  to be
                        received  per share by holders of shares of any class of
                        outstanding  Voting  Stock other than Common Stock shall
                        be at least  equal to the highest of the  following  (it
                        being   intended   that   the   requirements   of   this
                        subparagraph  (b)  shall  be  required  to be  met  with
                        respect to every such class of outstanding Voting Stock,
                        whether or not the Interested Stockholder has previously
                        acquired  any  shares  of a  particular  class of Voting
                        Stock):

                        (i)   (if  applicable)  the  Highest Per Share Price (as
                              hereinafter  defined),   including  any  brokerage
                              commissions,   transfer   taxes   and   soliciting
                              dealers' fees, paid by the Interested  Stockholder
                              for any  shares  of such  class  of  Voting  Stock
                              acquired  by it: (I) within  the  two-year  period
                              immediately  prior to the  Announcement  Date;  or
                              (II) in the  transaction  in  which it  became  an
                              Interested Stockholder, whichever is higher; or

                        (ii)  (if  applicable) the highest  preferential  amount
                              per share to which the  holders  of shares of such
                              class of Voting Stock are entitled in the event of
                              any   voluntary   or   involuntary    liquidation,
                              dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; or

                        (iii) the Fair  Market  Value per share of such class of
                              Voting  Stock on the  Announcement  Date or on the
                              Determination Date, whichever is higher.

                  c.    The  consideration  to  be  received  by  holders  of  a
                        particular class of outstanding  Voting Stock (including
                        Common  Stock)  shall be in cash or in the same  form as
                        the  Interested  Stockholder  has  previously  paid  for
                        shares of such class of Voting Stock.  If the Interested
                        Stockholder  has paid for  shares of any class of Voting
                        Stock with varying forms of  consideration,  the form of
                        consideration  to be  received  per share by  holders of
                        shares  of such  class of Voting  Stock  shall be either
                        cash or the form used to acquire the  largest  number of
                        shares of such class of Voting Stock previously acquired
                        by the Interested  Stockholder.  The price determined in
                        accordance with  subparagraph B.2 of this Article EIGHTH
                        shall be subject to appropriate  adjustment in the event
                        of any  stock  dividend,  stock  split,  combination  of
                        shares or similar event.


                                        4

<PAGE> 34


                  d.    After   such  Interested  Stockholder   has   become  an
                        Interested  Stockholder and prior to the consummation of
                        such Business  Combination:  (i) except as approved by a
                        majority of the Disinterested  Directors (as hereinafter
                        defined),  there  shall  have been no failure to declare
                        and pay at the regular date therefor any full  quarterly
                        dividends (whether or not cumulative) on any outstanding
                        stock  having  preference  over the  Common  Stock as to
                        dividends  or  liquidation;  (ii) there shall have been:
                        (I) no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on
                        the Common  Stock  (except as  necessary  to reflect any
                        subdivision of the Common Stock),  except as approved by
                        a majority of the Disinterested  Directors;  and (II) an
                        increase in such annual rate of  dividends  as necessary
                        to reflect any  reclassification  (including any reverse
                        stock split),  recapitalization,  reorganization  or any
                        similar transaction which has the effect of reducing the
                        number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock, unless
                        the failure to so increase  such annual rate is approved
                        by a majority of the Disinterested  Directors, and (iii)
                        neither  such  Interested  Stockholder  or  any  of  its
                        Affiliates shall have become the beneficial owner of any
                        additional  shares of Voting Stock except as part of the
                        transaction which results in such Interested Stockholder
                        becoming an Interested Stockholder.

                  e.    After  such   Interested   Stockholder   has  become  an
                        Interested  Stockholder,   such  Interested  Stockholder
                        shall  not  have  received  the  benefit,   directly  or
                        indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder), of
                        any  loans,  advances,   guarantees,  pledges  or  other
                        financial  assistance  or any tax  credits  or other tax
                        advantages  provided,  directly  or  indirectly,  by the
                        Corporation, whether in anticipation of or in connection
                        with such Business Combination or otherwise.

                  f.    A proxy or information statement describing the proposed
                        Business Combination and complying with the requirements
                        of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and
                        the rules and regulations  thereunder (or any subsequent
                        provisions   replacing   such  Act,  and  the  rules  or
                        regulations  thereunder) shall be mailed to stockholders
                        of  the  Corporation  at  least  30  days  prior  to the
                        consummation  of such Business  Combination  (whether or
                        not such proxy or  information  statement is required to
                        be   mailed   pursuant   to  such   Act  or   subsequent
                        provisions).

            C. For the purposes of this Article EIGHTH:

                  1.    A "Person" shall include an individual,  a firm, a group
                        acting in concert,  a  corporation,  a  partnership,  an
                        association,  a joint  venture,  a pool,  a joint  stock
                        company,  a trust,  an  unincorporated  organization  or
                        similar  company,  a syndicate or any other group formed
                        for the purpose of  acquiring,  holding or  disposing of
                        securities or any other entity.

                  2.    "Interested  Stockholder"  shall mean any person  (other
                        than  the   Corporation   or  any  Holding   Company  or
                        Subsidiary thereof) who or which:



                                        5

<PAGE> 35


                        a.   is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
                             more   than  10%  of  the   voting   power  of  the
                             outstanding Voting Stock; or

                        b.    is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time
                              within the two-year  period  immediately  prior to
                              the date in  question  was the  beneficial  owner,
                              directly  or  indirectly,  of 10% or  more  of the
                              voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock;
                              or

                        c.    is an assignee of or has  otherwise  succeeded  to
                              any shares of Voting  Stock which were at any time
                              within the two-year  period  immediately  prior to
                              the  date in  question  beneficially  owned by any
                              Interested  Stockholder,  if  such  assignment  or
                              succession  shall have occurred in the course of a
                              transaction   or   series  of   transactions   not
                              involving a public  offering within the meaning of
                              the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                  3.    "Beneficial  ownership" shall be determined  pursuant to
                        Rule 13d-3 of the General  Rules and  Regulations  under
                        the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (or any
                        successor rule or statutory provision), or, if said Rule
                        13d-3 shall be rescinded and there shall be no successor
                        rule or provision  thereto,  pursuant to said Rule 13d-3
                        as in effect  on the date of filing of this  Certificate
                        of  Incorporation;  provided,  however,  that  a  person
                        shall,  in any  event,  also be deemed  the  "beneficial
                        owner" of any Common Stock:

                    a.  which such person or any of its affiliates  beneficially
                        owns, directly or indirectly; or

                    b.  which such person or any of its affiliates has:  (i) the
                        right to  acquire  (whether  such  right is  exercisable
                        immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant
                        to any  agreement,  arrangement  or  understanding  (but
                        shall not be deemed  to be the  beneficial  owner of any
                        voting   shares   solely  by  reason  of  an  agreement,
                        contract,  or other arrangement with this Corporation to
                        effect any transaction  which is described in any one or
                        more of  clauses  1 through  5 of  Section A of  Article
                        EIGHTH of this  Certificate of  Incorporation  ("Article
                        EIGHTH")),  or upon the exercise of  conversion  rights,
                        exchange rights,  warrants, or options or otherwise,  or
                        (ii) sole or  shared  voting or  investment  power  with
                        respect thereto pursuant to any agreement,  arrangement,
                        understanding,  relationship or otherwise (but shall not
                        be  deemed  to be the  beneficial  owner  of any  voting
                        shares solely by reason of a revocable proxy granted for
                        a  particular  meeting of  stockholders,  pursuant  to a
                        public  solicitation  of proxies for such meeting,  with
                        respect to shares of which  neither  such person nor any
                        such  Affiliate  is  otherwise   deemed  the  beneficial
                        owner); or

                    c.  which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
                        any other person with which such first mentioned  person
                        or any of its Affiliates acts as a partnership,  limited
                        partnership,  syndicate  or other group  pursuant to any


                                        6

<PAGE> 36


                        agreement,  arrangement or understanding for the purpose
                        of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares
                        of  capital  stock  of this  Corporation;  and  provided
                        further,  however,  that:  (1) no Director or Officer of
                        this  Corporation (or any Affiliate of any such Director
                        or  Officer)  shall,  solely  by reason of any or all of
                        such Directors or Officers acting in their capacities as
                        such,   be  deemed,   for  any   purposes   hereof,   to
                        beneficially own any Common Stock  beneficially owned by
                        any other such  Director  or Officer  (or any  Affiliate
                        thereof);  and (2) neither any employee stock  ownership
                        or similar plan of this Corporation or any subsidiary of
                        this  Corporation,  nor any trustee with respect thereto
                        or any  Affiliate of such  trustee  (solely by reason of
                        such capacity of such trustee), shall be deemed, for any
                        purposes  hereof,  to beneficially  own any Common Stock
                        held under any such plan. For purposes only of computing
                        the  percentage of beneficial  ownership of Common Stock
                        of a person,  the outstanding Common Stock shall include
                        shares deemed owned by such person  through  application
                        of this  subsection  but  shall  not  include  any other
                        Common  Stock which may be issuable by this  Corporation
                        pursuant  to  any   agreement,   or  upon   exercise  of
                        conversion  rights,  warrants or options,  or otherwise.
                        For all other  purposes,  the  outstanding  Common Stock
                        shall  include  only Common Stock then  outstanding  and
                        shall not include any Common Stock which may be issuable
                        by this Corporation  pursuant to any agreement,  or upon
                        the exercise of conversion rights,  warrants or options,
                        or otherwise.

               4.   "Affiliate"  and  "Associate"   shall  have  the  respective
                    meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General
                    Rules and Regulations  under the Securities  Exchange Act of
                    1934, as in effect on the date of filing of this Certificate
                    of Incorporation.

               5.   "Subsidiary"  means any  corporation  of which a majority of
                    any  class  of  equity   security  is  owned,   directly  or
                    indirectly, by the Corporation;  provided, however, that for
                    the purposes of the definition of Interested Stockholder set
                    forth  in   Paragraph   2  of  this   Section  C,  the  term
                    "Subsidiary"  shall  mean  only a  corporation  of  which  a
                    majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly
                    or indirectly, by the Corporation.

               6.   "Disinterested  Director"  means  any member of the Board of
                        Directors  who  is  unaffiliated   with  the  Interested
                        Stockholder  and was a member of the Board of  Directors
                        prior to the time that the Interested Stockholder became
                        an  Interested  Stockholder,  and  any  Director  who is
                        thereafter  chosen to fill any  vacancy  of the Board of
                        Directors or who is elected and who, in either event, is
                        unaffiliated  with  the  Interested  Stockholder  and in
                        connection with his or her initial  assumption of office
                        is recommended for appointment or election by a majority
                        of   Disinterested   Directors  then  on  the  Board  of
                        Directors.

               7.   "Fair Market Value" means:



                                        7

<PAGE> 37


                    a.  in the case of stock, the highest closing sales price of
                        the stock during the 30-day period immediately preceding
                        the date in  question  of a share  of such  stock on the
                        National  Association  of Securities  Dealers  Automated
                        Quotation  System or any system then in use, or, if such
                        stock is  admitted  to  trading  on a  principal  United
                        States   securities   exchange   registered   under  the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Fair Market
                        Value shall be the highest  sale price  reported  during
                        the 30-day period preceding the date in question, or, if
                        no such quotations are available,  the Fair Market Value
                        on the  date in  question  of a share  of such  stock as
                        determined  by the Board of Directors in good faith,  in
                        each   case  with   respect   to  any  class  of  stock,
                        appropriately  adjusted for any dividend or distribution
                        in  shares  of  such   stock  or  any  stock   split  or
                        reclassification  of  outstanding  shares of such  stock
                        into a greater  number  of  shares of such  stock or any
                        combination or reclassification of outstanding shares of
                        such  stock  into a  smaller  number  of  shares of such
                        stock; and

                    b.  in the case of  property  other than cash or stock,  the
                        Fair  Market  Value  of  such  property  on the  date in
                        question as determined by the Board of Directors in good
                        faith.

               8.   Reference  to "Highest  Per Share  Price" shall in each case
                    with  respect to any class of stock  reflect an  appropriate
                    adjustment  for any  dividend or  distribution  in shares of
                    such  stock  or  any  stock  split  or  reclassification  of
                    outstanding  shares of such stock  into a greater  number of
                    shares of such stock or any combination or  reclassification
                    of outstanding shares of such stock into a smaller number of
                    shares of such stock.

               9.   In the  event  of any  Business  Combination  in  which  the
                    Corporation  survives,  the phrase "consideration other than
                    cash to be received" as used in Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of
                    Paragraph  2 of  Section  B of  this  Article  EIGHTH  shall
                    include the shares of Common  Stock and/or the shares of any
                    other  class of  outstanding  Voting  Stock  retained by the
                    holders of such shares.

           D. A majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Corporation shall
      have the power and duty to  determine  for the  purposes  of this  Article
      EIGHTH,  on the  basis  of  information  known  to them  after  reasonable
      inquiry: (a) whether a person is an Interested Stockholder; (b) the number
      of shares of Voting Stock  beneficially owned by any person; (c) whether a
      person is an Affiliate or Associate of another; and (d) whether the assets
      which  are  the  subject  of  any  Business   Combination   have,  or  the
      consideration to be received for the issuance or transfer of securities by
      the  Corporation  or any  Subsidiary  in any Business  Combination  has an
      aggregate Fair Market Value equaling or exceeding 25% of the combined Fair
      Market Value of the Common Stock of the Corporation and its  Subsidiaries.
      A majority of the Disinterested  Directors shall have the further power to
      interpret all of the terms and provisions of this Article EIGHTH.

           E. Nothing  contained  in this  Article  EIGHTH shall be construed to
      relieve any Interested  Stockholder from any fiduciary  obligation imposed
      by law.



                                        8

<PAGE> 38


           F.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provisions  of this  Certificate  of
      Incorporation  or any  provision  of law which  might  otherwise  permit a
      lesser vote or no vote,  but in addition  to any  affirmative  vote of the
      holders of any particular  class or series of the Voting Stock required by
      law, this Certificate of Incorporation or any Preferred Stock Designation,
      the  affirmative  vote of the holders of at least 80 percent of the voting
      power of all of the  then-outstanding  shares of the Voting Stock,  voting
      together as a single  class,  shall be required to alter,  amend or repeal
      this Article EIGHTH."


5.    The  Certificate  Amendment  would  repeal  Article NINTH in its entirety.
Article NINTH of the Certificate of Incorporation currently reads as follows:

           "NINTH:  The Board of Directors of the  Corporation,  when evaluating
            -----
      any offer of another  Person (as defined in Article EIGHTH hereof) to: (A)
      make  a  tender  or  exchange  offer  for  any  equity   security  of  the
      Corporation;  (B)  merge  or  consolidate  the  Corporation  with  another
      corporation  or  entity;  or (C)  purchase  or  otherwise  acquire  all or
      substantially all of the properties and assets of the Corporation, may, in
      connection with the exercise of its judgment in determining what is in the
      best  interest  of  the  Corporation  and  its   stockholders,   give  due
      consideration to all relevant factors, including,  without limitation, the
      social  and  economic   effect  of   acceptance   of  such  offer  on  the
      Corporation's  present and future customers and employees and those of its
      Subsidiaries;   (as  defined  in  Article  EIGHTH  hereof),   and  on  the
      communities in which the Corporation and its  Subsidiaries  operate or are
      located."

6.    The Certificate Amendment would amend Article TWELFTH to read as set forth
in  the   Certificate   Amendment.   Article   TWELFTH  of  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation currently reads as follows:

           "TWELFTH:  The Corporation  reserves the right to amend or repeal any
            -------
      provision  contained in this  Certificate of  Incorporation  in the manner
      prescribed  by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights  conferred
      upon  stockholders  are  granted  subject to this  reservation;  provided,
      however, that,  notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of
      Incorporation  or any  provision  of law which  might  otherwise  permit a
      lesser vote or no vote,  but in addition to any vote of the holders of any
      class or  series of the stock of this  Corporation  required  by law or by
      this Certificate of Incorporation,  the affirmative vote of the holders of
      at least 80  percent of the  voting  power of all of the  then-outstanding
      shares of the capital stock of the Corporation  entitled to vote generally
      in the election of Directors,  voting together as a single class, shall be
      required  to amend or repeal  this  Article  TWELFTH,  Sections  C or D of
      Article FIFTH, Article SIXTH,  Article SEVENTH,  Article EIGHTH or Article
      TENTH."


                                      9

<PAGE> 39


                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                     UNITED PAYORS & UNITED PROVIDERS, INC.
                                  JUNE 15, 1999

A     [X]  Please mark your votes as in this example.

       THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES LISTED
                   AND "FOR" EACH OF THE PROPOSALS PRESENTED.

1.    The election as directors of all three nominees listed below(except as
      indicated to the contrary on the line provided below) to the term expiring
      at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in the year 2002, and until their
      successors are elected and qualified.

                  FOR                     VOTE WITHHELD
                  [  ]                          [  ]

      Nominees:               Thomas L. Blair
                              Thomas J. Graf
                              Frederick H. Graefe

INSTRUCTIONS:  To withhold authority to vote for any individual  nominee,  write
that nominee's name on the line provided below.

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

2.  The election as directors of both nominees listed below (except as indicated
to the contrary on the line provided below) to the remaining term of the term
expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in the year 2001, and until their
successors are elected and qualified.

                  FOR                     VOTE WITHHELD
                  [  ]                          [  ]

Nominees:                   Steven M. Gluckstern
                            Paul H. Warren

INSTRUCTIONS:  To withhold authority to vote for any individual  nominee,  write
that nominee's name on the line provided below.

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

3.    The amendment of the Company's certification of incorporation to (i)
      repeal Article FIFTH, Section C; (ii) repeal Article EIGHTH; (iii) repeal
      Article NINTH; and (iv) amend Article SIXTH, Section D, Article SEVENTH
      and Article TWELFTH to lower the stockholder vote required to remove
      directors for cause and amend the certificate of incorporation and bylaws
      to 66 2/3%.

            FOR             AGAINST             ABSTAIN
            [  ]              [  ]                [  ]

4.    This ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
      independent certified public accountants for United Payors & United
      Providers, Inc. for 1999.

            FOR             AGAINST             ABSTAIN
            [  ]              [  ]                [  ]


<PAGE> 40



This proxy is revocable and will be voted as directed, but if no instructions
are specified, this proxy will be voted "FOR" each of the nominees listed and
"FOR" each of the proposals listed. If any other business is presented at the
Annual Meeting, including whether or not to adjourn the meeting, this proxy will
be voted by the proxies in their best judgment. At the present time, the Board
of Directors knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual Meeting.

The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company prior to the execution of
this proxy of a Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and of a Proxy
Statement dated __________, 1999 and of the Annual Report to Stockholders.

PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
                                                            Dated:  _____, 1999

- -------------------------      -------------------------
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER       SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER

NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name appears on this card. When signing as
      attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your
      full title. If shares are held jointly, each holder may sign but only one
      signature is required.



 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

                     UNITED PAYORS & UNITED PROVIDERS, INC.

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                                  JUNE 15, 1999

                                  1:30 P.M. EDT

      The undersigned hereby appoints Thomas L. Blair, Edward S. Civera, S.
Joseph Bruno and Joseph M. Mott or any one or more of them acting in the absence
of the others, each with full power of substitution, to act as proxy for the
undersigned, and to vote all shares of Common Stock of United Payors & United
Providers, Inc. (the "Company") which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on June 15, 1999, at 1:30 p.m.,
Eastern Daylight Time, at the Ritz- Carlton Pentagon City, 1250 S. Hayes Street,
Arlington, Virginia 22202, and at any and all adjournments thereof, with all of
the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present at such meeting,
as follows:


                  (Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)



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