TRIGON HEALTHCARE INC
S-1/A, 1997-01-10
HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS
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    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 10, 1997
    
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-09773
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 3
    
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-1

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                            TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.

               (Exact name of issuer as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                                 <C>
             VIRGINIA                              6324                             54-1773225
 (State or other jurisdiction of       (Primary Standard Industrial              (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)       Classification Code Number)             Identification No.)
</TABLE>

                            J. CHRISTOPHER WILTSHIRE
                                   SECRETARY
                            TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.
                             2015 STAPLES MILL ROAD
                            RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23230
                                 (804) 354-7000
      (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of agent for service of process and registrant's principal executive
                                    offices)

                            ------------------------
    COPIES OF ALL COMMUNICATIONS, INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS SENT TO AGENT FOR
                          SERVICE, SHOULD BE SENT TO:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
                R. GORDON SMITH, ESQ.                                   MICHAEL W. BLAIR, ESQ.
       MCGUIRE, WOODS, BATTLE & BOOTHE, L.L.P.                         JAMES C. SCOVILLE, ESQ.
                   ONE JAMES CENTER                                      DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON
                 901 EAST CARY STREET                                      875 THIRD AVENUE
               RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219                                NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
                    (804) 775-1000                                          (212) 909-6000
</TABLE>

                            ------------------------
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
   As soon as practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective.
     If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [ ]
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]

     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

     (a) Exhibits. The following is a list of exhibits to this Registration
Statement.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                                              DESCRIPTION
- -------         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>      <C>
  1.1           --       Form of Purchase Agreement (U.S. Version).
  1.2           --       Form of Purchase Agreement (International Version).
  2.1           --       Amended and Restated Plan of Demutualization.*
  3.1           --       Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.*
  3.2           --       Bylaws of the Registrant.*
  4.1           --       Form of Stock Certificate (other Instruments Defining the Rights of Security-Holders included in Exhibits
                         3.1 and 3.2).*
  5             --       Opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P.*
 10.1           --       Form of License Agreements by and between the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and the Company.*
 10.2           --       Limited Fixed Return Plan for Certain Officers and Directors of the Company.*
 10.3           --       Long-Term Incentive Plan for Certain Officers and Directors of the Company.*
 10.4           --       Non-Contributory Retirement Program for Certain Employees of the Company.*
 10.5           --       Supplemental Executive Retirement Program for Certain Employees of the Company.*
 10.6           --       Salary Deferral Plan for Norwood H. Davis, Jr.*
 10.7           --       Employment Agreement dated as of March 13, 1996 by and between the Company and Norwood H. Davis, Jr.*
 10.8           --       Employment Agreement dated as of August 4, 1995 by and between the Company and Phyllis L. Cothran.*
 10.9           --       Employee Thrift Plan of the Company.*
 10.10          --       401(k) Restoration Plan of the Company.*
 10.11          --       1996 Annual Management Incentive Plan of the Company.*
 21             --       Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 23.1           --       Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.*
 23.2           --       Consent of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P. (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5).
 24             --       Power of Attorney.*
</TABLE>
    

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

   
* Previously filed.
    

     All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required
under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been
omitted.

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

     (1) for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the
         information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
         Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
         form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)
         or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of
         this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
     (2) for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
         each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
         be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
         offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
         be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the Underwriters
at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriters to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.


<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the County of Henrico, Commonwealth
of Virginia, on January 10, 1997.
    

                                         TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.

                                         By: /S/ THOMAS G. SNEAD, JR.
                                         ------------------------------------
                                                   THOMAS G. SNEAD, JR.

                                         Title: TREASURER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL
                                                OFFICER

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                             TITLE                              DATE
                     -----------                                            -----                        -----------

<S>                                                     <C>                                              <C>
                                       *                Chairman of the Board and                        January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------    Chief Executive Officer
                NORWOOD H. DAVIS, JR.

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
              LENOX D. BAKER, JR., M.D.

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                   JAMES K. CANDLER

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                 JOHN COLE, JR., M.D.

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
              JOHN L. COLLEY, JR., PH.D.

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                  ROBERT M. FREEMAN

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                  WILLIAM R. HARVEY
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                             TITLE                              DATE
                     -----------                                          --------                             ----
<S>                                                     <C>                                              <C>
                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                  ELIZABETH G. HELM

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                    GARY A. JOBSON

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                 FRANK C. MARTIN, JR.

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                DONALD B. NOLAN, M.D.

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                  WILLIAM N. POWELL

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                  J. CARSON QUARLES

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                   R. GORDON SMITH

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
                    JACKIE M. WARD

                                       *                Director                                         January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------
             STIRLING L. WILLIAMSON, JR.

                     /S/ THOMAS G. SNEAD, JR.           Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer            January 10, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
                 THOMAS G. SNEAD, JR.
</TABLE>
    

*By:          /S/ THOMAS G. SNEAD, JR.
   -----------------------------------------
            THOMAS G. SNEAD, JR.
              ATTORNEY-IN-FACT


                                                Draft -- January 9, 1997
==============================================================================









                             TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.
                            (a Virginia corporation)


                         ________ Shares of Common Stock





                             U.S. PURCHASE AGREEMENT










Dated:  __________, 1997


 ==============================================================================







<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                Table of Contents
<S> <C>
U.S. PURCHASE AGREEMENT...........................................................................................1

      SECTION 1.    Representations and Warranties................................................................4
                    (a)   Representations and Warranties by the Company...........................................4
                          (i)  Compliance with Registration Requirements..........................................4
                          (ii)  Independent Accountants...........................................................5
                          (iii)  Financial Statements.............................................................5
                          (iv)  Statutory Financial Statements....................................................6
                          (v)  No Material Adverse Change in Business.............................................6
                          (vi)  Good Standing of the Company, Virginia BCBS and TMSI..............................6
                          (vii)  Good Standing of Subsidiaries....................................................7
                          (viii)  Capitalization..................................................................7
                          (ix)  Demutualization and Merger........................................................7
                          (x)  Authorization of Agreement.........................................................8
                          (xi)  Authorization and Description of Securities.......................................8
                          (xii)  Authorization of Capital Stock of TMSI and Trigon Insurance. ....................8
                          (xiii)  Authorization and Description of Member Shares..................................8
                          (xiv)  Exemption from 1933 Act..........................................................9
                          (xv)  Absence of Defaults and Conflicts.................................................9
                          (xvi)  Absence of Labor Dispute........................................................10
                          (xvii)  Absence of Proceedings.........................................................10
                          (xviii)  Accuracy of Exhibits..........................................................10
                          (xix)  Possession of Intellectual Property.............................................10
                          (xx)  Absence of Further Requirements..................................................11
                          (xxi)  BCBSA License...................................................................11
                          (xxii)  Possession of Licenses and Permits.............................................11
                          (xxiii)  Insurance Licenses............................................................12
                          (xxiv)  Title to Property..............................................................13
                          (xxv)  Maintenance of Insurance........................................................13
                          (xxvi)  Due Adoption of the Plan.......................................................13
                          (xxvii)  Compliance with Tax Laws......................................................14
                          (xxviii)  Investment Company Act.......................................................14
                          (xxix)  Environmental Laws.............................................................14
                          (xxx)  Registration Rights.............................................................15
                    (b)   Officer's Certificates.................................................................15

      SECTION 2.    Sale and Delivery to U.S. Underwriters; Closing..............................................15
                    (a)   Initial U.S. Securities................................................................15
                    (b)   U.S. Option Securities.................................................................15
                    (c)   Payment................................................................................16
                    (d)   Denominations; Registration............................................................16







<PAGE>




      SECTION 3.    Covenants of the Company and Virginia BCBS...................................................17
                    (a)   Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests.........................17
                    (b)   Filing of Amendments...................................................................17
                    (c)   Delivery of Registration Statements....................................................17
                    (d)   Delivery of Prospectuses...............................................................18
                    (e)   Continued Compliance with Securities Laws..............................................18
                    (f)   Blue Sky Qualifications................................................................18
                    (g)   Rule 158...............................................................................19
                    (h)   Use of Proceeds........................................................................19
                    (i)   Listing................................................................................19
                    (j)   Restriction on Sale of Securities......................................................19
                    (k)   Reporting Requirements.................................................................20
                    (l)   Compliance with Rule 463...............................................................20
                    (m)   Consummation of the Plan...............................................................20

      SECTION 4.    Payment of Expenses..........................................................................20
                    (a)  Expenses................................................................................20
                    (b)  Termination of Agreement................................................................20

      SECTION 5.    Conditions of U.S. Underwriters' Obligations.................................................21
                    (a)   Effectiveness of Registration Statement................................................21
                    (b)   Opinion of Counsel for Company and Virginia BCBS.......................................21
                    (c)   Opinion of Counsel for U.S. Underwriters...............................................21
                    (d)   Officers' Certificates.................................................................22
                    (e)   Accountant's Comfort Letter............................................................22
                    (f)   Bring-down Comfort Letter..............................................................22
                    (g)   Approval of Listing....................................................................22
                    (h)   No Objection...........................................................................22
                    (i)   License Agreement......................................................................22
                    (j)   Opinion of Special Tax Counsel for Virginia BCBS.......................................22
                    (k)   Effectiveness of the Plan..............................................................23
                    (l)   Purchase of Initial International Securities...........................................23
                    (m)   Conditions to Purchase of U.S. Option Securities.......................................23
                    (n)   Additional Documents...................................................................24
                    (o)   Termination of Agreement...............................................................24

      SECTION 6.    Indemnification..............................................................................24
                    (a)   Indemnification of U.S. Underwriters...................................................24
                    (b)   Indemnification of Company, Virginia BCBS, Directors and Officers......................25
                    (c)   Actions against Parties; Notification..................................................26
                    (d)   Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse.....................................26








<PAGE>



      SECTION 7.    Contribution.................................................................................27

      SECTION 8.    Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery...............................28

      SECTION 9.    Termination of Agreement.....................................................................28
                    (a)   Termination; General...................................................................28
                    (b)   Liabilities............................................................................29

      SECTION 10.  Default by One or More of the U.S. Underwriters...............................................29

      SECTION 11.  Notices.......................................................................................30

      SECTION 12.  Parties.......................................................................................30

      SECTION 13.  GOVERNING LAW AND TIME........................................................................30

      SECTION 14.  Effect of Headings............................................................................30


      SCHEDULES
                    Schedule A - List of Underwriters.......................................................Sch A-1
                    Schedule B - Pricing Information........................................................Sch B-1

      EXHIBITS
                    Exhibit A-   Form of Opinion of Company's Counsel.......................................... A-1



</TABLE>





<PAGE>



                                                        Draft -- January 9, 1997


                             TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.

                            (a Virginia corporation)

                     ________ Shares of Class A Common Stock

                           (Par Value $.01 Per Share)

                             U.S. PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                                               __________, 1997

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
             Incorporated
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Wheat, First Securities, Inc.
  as U.S. Representatives of the several U.S. Underwriters
c/o  Merrill Lynch & Co.
     Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                  Incorporated
North Tower
World Financial Center
New York, New York  10281-1209

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Trigon Healthcare, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue shares of its Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(shares of which class of stock of the Company are hereinafter referred to as
"Common Stock"), in connection with the conversion (the "Demutualization") of
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia (doing business as Trigon Blue Cross Blue
Shield), a mutual insurance company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Virginia ("Virginia BCBS"), into a Virginia stock corporation pursuant to
Virginia BCBS's Amended and Restated Plan of Demutualization dated October 31,
1996 (the "Plan"), as approved by the members of the Virginia BCBS on September
6, 1996 and approved after a public hearing by the Virginia State Corporation
Commission on November 5, 1996. Upon consummation of the Plan, Virginia BCBS
will convert into a stock insurance corporation, Trigon Merger Sub, Inc., a
Virginia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("TMSI"), will
merge with







<PAGE>



and into Virginia BCBS, in a merger in which Virginia BCBS will be the surviving
company (the "Merger") and Virginia BCBS will become a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Company and will be renamed Trigon Insurance Company ("Trigon
Insurance"). Pursuant to the Plan, the Company proposes to (i) issue to Eligible
Members (as defined in the Plan) shares of Common Stock (such shares allocated
to Eligible Members, exclusive of shares allocated to Eligible Members in
respect of which cash is paid in lieu of such shares, being referred to herein
as "Member Shares") in exchange for their Membership Interest (as defined in the
Plan) and (ii) subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and
sell to Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
("Merrill Lynch") and each of the other U.S. Underwriters named in Schedule A
hereto (collectively, the "U.S. Underwriters", which term shall also include any
underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom
Merrill Lynch, Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.,
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Wheat, First Securities, Inc. are acting
as representatives (in such capacity, the "U.S. Representatives"), with respect
to the issue and sale by the Company and the purchase by the U.S. Underwriters,
acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of shares of Common
Stock of the Company set forth in said Schedule A, and with respect to the grant
by the Company to the U.S. Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of
the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of
________ additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any. The
aforesaid ________ shares of Common Stock (the "Initial U.S. Securities") to be
purchased by the U.S. Underwriters and all or any part of the ________ shares of
Common Stock subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the "U.S.
Option Securities") are hereinafter called, collectively, the "U.S. Securities".
On the Effective Date (as defined in the Plan), the Membership Interests of all
Members (as defined in the Plan) will be canceled and, as soon as reasonably
practicable thereafter, the Member Shares and cash will be issued to Eligible
Members. In addition, as required by the Plan, the Company will make a payment
in cash or a combination of cash and shares of its Class C redeemable voting
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Class C Stock"), to the Treasurer of
the Commonwealth of Virginia, in addition to any shares of Common Stock that the
Commonwealth may be entitled to receive as an Eligible Member, in an amount
equal to the amount required to be paid by Virginia Code ss.38.2-1005.1B.4 (the
"Commonwealth Payment").

         It is understood that the Company and Virginia BCBS are concurrently
entering into an agreement dated the date hereof (the "International Purchase
Agreement") providing for the offering by the Company of an aggregate of
________ shares of Common Stock (the "Initial International Securities") through
arrangements with certain underwriters outside the United States and Canada (the
"International Managers") for which Merrill Lynch International, Alex. Brown &
Sons Incorporated, Dean Witter International Ltd., Morgan Stanley & Co.
International Limited and Wheat, First Securities, Inc. are acting as lead
managers (the "Lead Managers") and the grant by the Company to the International
Managers, acting severally and not jointly, of an option to purchase all or any
part of the International Managers' pro rata portion of up to ________
additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over allotments, if any (the
"International Option Securities" and, together with the U.S. Option Securities,
the "Option Securities"). The Initial International Securities and the
International Option Securities are hereinafter called the







<PAGE>



"International Securities".  It is understood that the Company is not obligated
to sell and the U.S. Underwriters are not obligated to purchase, any Initial
U.S. Securities unless all of the Initial International Securities are
contemporaneously purchased by the International Managers.

         The U.S. Underwriters and the International Managers are hereinafter
collectively called the "Underwriters", the Initial U.S. Securities and the
Initial International Securities are hereinafter collectively called the
"Initial Securities", and the U.S. Securities and the International Securities
are hereinafter collectively called the "Securities".

         The Underwriters will concurrently enter into an Intersyndicate
Agreement of even date herewith (the "Intersyndicate Agreement") providing for
the coordination of certain transactions among the Underwriters under the
direction of Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated (in such capacity, the "Global Coordinator").

         The Company understands that the U.S. Underwriters propose to make a
public offering of the U.S. Securities as soon as the U.S. Representatives deem
advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

         The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-09773) covering the
registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933 Act"), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses.
Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will either
(i) prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A
("Rule 430A") of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act
(the "1933 Act Regulations") and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 ("Rule 424(b)") of
the 1933 Act Regulations or (ii) if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule
434 ("Rule 434") of the 1933 Act Regulations, prepare and file a term sheet (a
"Term Sheet") in accordance with the provisions of Rule 434 and Rule 424(b). Two
forms of prospectus are to be used in connection with the offering and sale of
the Securities: one relating to the U.S. Securities (the "Form of U.S.
Prospectus") and one relating to the International Securities (the "Form of
International Prospectus"). The Form of International Prospectus is identical to
the Form of U.S. Prospectus, except for the front cover and back cover pages and
the information under the caption "Underwriting" and the inclusion in the Form
of International Prospectus of a section under the caption "Certain United
States Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders." The information included in any
such prospectus or in any such Term Sheet, as the case may be, that was omitted
from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is
deemed to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective
(a) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is referred to as "Rule 430A
Information" or (b) pursuant to paragraph (d) of Rule 434 is referred to as
"Rule 434 Information." Each Form of U.S. Prospectus and Form of International
Prospectus used before such registration statement became effective, and any
prospectus that omitted, as applicable, the Rule 430A Information or the Rule
434 Information, that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a "preliminary
prospectus." Such registration statement, including the exhibits thereto and







<PAGE>



schedules thereto at the time it became effective and including the Rule 430A
Information and the Rule 434 Information, as applicable, is herein called the
"Registration Statement." Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule
462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein referred to as the "Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement," and after such filing the term "Registration Statement"
shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The final Form of U.S.
Prospectus and the final Form of International Prospectus in the forms first
furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the
Securities are herein called the "U.S. Prospectus" and the "International
Prospectus," respectively, and collectively, the "Prospectuses." If Rule 434 is
relied on, the terms "U.S. Prospectus" and "International Prospectus" shall
refer to the preliminary U.S. Prospectus dated _____, 1997 and preliminary
International Prospectus dated ____, 1997, respectively, each together with the
applicable Term Sheet and all references in this Agreement to the date of such
Prospectuses shall mean the date of the applicable Term Sheet. For purposes of
this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus, the U.S. Prospectus, the International Prospectus or any Term Sheet
or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to
include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data
Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system ("EDGAR").

         SECTION 1.        Representations and Warranties.

         (a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. Each of the Company
and Virginia BCBS, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to each U.S.
Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Closing Time referred to in Section
2(c) hereof, and as of each Date of Delivery (if any) referred to in Section
2(b), hereof and agrees with each U.S. Underwriter, as follows:

                  (i) Compliance with Registration Requirements. Each of the
         Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has
         become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no
         proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to
         the knowledge of the Company or Virginia BCBS, are contemplated by the
         Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for
         additional information has been complied with.

                  At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule
         462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto
         became effective and at the Closing Time (and, if any U.S. Option
         Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), the Registration
         Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments
         and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material
         respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
         Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a
         material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
         Neither of the Prospectuses nor any amendments or supplements thereto,
         at the time the Prospectuses or







<PAGE>



         any amendments or supplements thereto were issued and at the Closing
         Time (and, if any U.S. Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of
         Delivery), included or will include an untrue statement of a material
         fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in
         order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
         under which they were made, not misleading. If Rule 434 is used, the
         Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 434 and the
         Prospectuses shall not be "materially different", as such term is used
         in Rule 434, from the prospectuses included in the Registration
         Statement at the time it became effective. The representations and
         warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or
         omissions from the Registration Statement or the U.S. Prospectus made
         in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the
         Company in writing by any U.S. Underwriter through the U.S.
         Representatives or any International Manager through the Lead Managers
         expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the U.S. Prospectus.

                  Each preliminary prospectus and the prospectuses filed as part
         of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any
         amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act,
         complied when so filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act
         Regulations and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectuses
         delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering
         was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed
         with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted
         by Regulation S-T.

                  (ii) Independent Accountants. The accountants who certified
         the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the
         Registration Statement are independent public accountants as required
         by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                  (iii) Financial Statements. The financial statements included
         in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, together with the
         related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of
         Virginia BCBS and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated
         and the results of operations and cash flows of Virginia BCBS and its
         consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial
         statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
         accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis throughout
         the periods involved. The supporting schedules included in the
         Registration Statement present fairly in accordance with GAAP the
         information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data
         and the summary financial information included in the Prospectuses
         present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on
         a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements
         included in the Registration Statement. The pro forma financial
         statements and the related notes thereto included in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectuses present fairly the information shown
         therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission's rules
         and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have
         been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the
         assumptions used in the preparation







<PAGE>



         thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate
         to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to
         therein.

                  (iv) Statutory Financial Statements. The statutory financial
         statements of Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries, from which certain
         ratios and other statistical data contained in the Registration
         Statement have been derived, have for each relevant period been
         prepared in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or
         permitted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and
         the insurance department of the Common wealth of Virginia, and such
         accounting practices have been applied on a consistent basis throughout
         the periods involved, except as disclosed therein.

                  (v) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the
         respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectuses, except as otherwise stated therein, (A)
         there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial
         or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business
         prospects of Trigon considered as one enterprise, whether or not
         arising in the ordinary course of business, (B) there have been no
         transactions entered into by Trigon, other than those in the ordinary
         course of business, which are material with respect to Trigon
         considered as one enterprise, and (C) there has been no dividend or
         distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any
         class of its capital stock. For purposes of this Agreement, "Trigon"
         shall mean Virginia BCBS as a mutual insurance company and its
         subsidiaries, including the Company, at all times prior to the
         effectiveness of the Plan and the Company and its subsidiaries,
         including Trigon Insurance as a stock corporation, at all times on and
         after the effectiveness of the Plan.

                  (vi) Good Standing of the Company, Virginia BCBS and TMSI. The
         Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
         corporation in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
         Virginia; Virginia BCBS has been duly organized and, since its
         conversion to a mutual insurance company in 1991 until immediately
         prior to the effectiveness of the Plan, has and will continue to be
         validly existing as a mutual insurance company in good standing under
         the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia; upon the effectiveness of the
         Plan, Trigon Insurance will be validly existing as a stock corporation
         in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia; each
         of the Company and Virginia BCBS has corporate power and authority to
         own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as
         described in the Prospectuses and to enter into and perform its
         obligations under this Agreement; and each of the Company and Virginia
         BCBS is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business
         and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such
         qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or
         leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the
         failure so to qualify or to be in good standing could not reasonably be
         expected to result in a material adverse effect on the condition,
         financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or
         business prospects of Trigon considered as one enterprise (a "Material
         Adverse Effect"). TMSI has been duly incorporated and, until
         immediately prior to the







<PAGE>



         effectiveness of the Plan, will continue to be duly incorporated and
         validly existing as a stock corporation in good standing under the laws
         of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

                  (vii) Good Standing of Subsidiaries. Each of the subsidiaries
         listed on Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement, which are the only
         subsidiaries of Virginia BCBS, has been duly incorporated and is
         validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of
         the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and
         authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
         business as described in the Prospectuses and is duly qualified as a
         foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in
         each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by
         reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
         business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good
         standing could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration
         Statement, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such
         subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid
         and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through
         subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage,
         pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity; and none of the outstanding
         shares of capital stock of any such subsidiary was issued in violation
         of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such
         subsidiary. Prior to the effectiveness of the Plan, the Company will
         have no subsidiaries other than TMSI and, upon the effectiveness of the
         Plan, will have no subsidiaries other than Trigon Insurance and
         subsidiaries of Trigon Insurance.

                  (viii) Capitalization. Prior to the effectiveness of the Plan,
         upon the filing with the State Corporation Commission of the
         Commonwealth of Virginia ("the State Corporation Commission") of the
         Articles of Incorporation of the Company in the form filed as an
         Exhibit to the Registration Statement, the Company will have an
         authorized capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus.

                  (ix) Demutualization and Merger. Upon the effectiveness of the
         Plan and pursuant to the Merger: (a) TMSI will be merged with and into
         Virginia BCBS, the separate existence of TMSI will cease, and Virginia
         BCBS will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; (b) Trigon
         Insurance will become a stock corporation incorporated under and
         governed by the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, ss.13.1-601 et seq.;
         (c) each issued and outstanding share of common stock of TMSI owned by
         the Company immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Plan shall,
         as a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
         Company, be canceled and converted into one share of stock of Trigon
         Insurance; (d) all Membership Interests of all Members in Virginia BCBS
         shall be canceled, and in consideration for their Membership Interests,
         including their interests in the surplus of Virginia BCBS, Eligible
         Members shall be entitled to receive Common Stock from the Company
         and/or cash from Trigon Insurance pursuant to and in accordance with
         the Plan; and (e) all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock in
         the Company owned by Virginia BCBS shall be canceled. The Company shall
         make the Commonwealth Payment in accordance with the Plan.







<PAGE>



                  (x) Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement and the
         International Purchase Agreement have been duly authorized, executed
         and delivered by the Company and Virginia BCBS.

                  (xi) Authorization and Description of Securities. The
         Securities to be purchased by the U.S. Underwriters and the
         International Managers from the Company have been duly authorized for
         issuance and sale to the U.S. Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement
         and the International Managers pursuant to the International Purchase
         Agreement, respectively, and, when issued and delivered by the Company
         pursuant to this Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement,
         respectively, against payment of the consideration set forth herein and
         the International Purchase Agreement, respectively, will be validly
         issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the Common Stock conforms to all
         statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectuses and such
         description conforms to the rights set forth in the instruments
         defining the same; no holder of the Securities will be personally
         liable for any debts, obligations, liabilities or losses of the Company
         by reason of being such a holder; and the issuance of the Securities is
         not subject to the preemptive or other similar rights of any
         securityholder of the Company.

                  (xii) Authorization of Capital Stock of TMSI and Trigon
         Insurance. As of the date hereof and at all times subsequent hereto up
         to the effectiveness of the Plan, all of the issued and outstanding
         shares of capital stock of TMSI shall have been duly authorized and
         validly issued and shall be fully paid and non-assessable and shall be
         owned by the Company, free and clear of any security interest,
         mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity. Upon
         effectiveness of the Plan, all of the outstanding shares of capital
         stock of Trigon Insurance will have been duly authorized and, when
         issued and delivered to the Company pursuant to the Plan, will be
         validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will be owned by the
         Company, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge,
         lien, encumbrance claim or equity.

                  (xiii) Authorization and Description of Member Shares. The
         Member Shares have been duly authorized, and when issued and delivered
         to Eligible Members in exchange for their Membership Interests pursuant
         to the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; no
         holder thereof will be personally liable for any debts, obligations,
         liabilities or losses of the Company by reason of being such a holder;
         such Member Shares are not subject to the preemptive or other similar
         rights of any securityholder of the Company and all corporate action
         required to be taken for the authorization and issuance of the Member
         Shares has been validly and sufficiently taken.

                  (xiv) Exemption from 1933 Act. The issuance and delivery of
         the Member Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for their Membership
         Interests pursuant to the Plan is exempt from the registration
         requirements of the 1933 Act.








<PAGE>



                  (xv) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company,
         Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter
         or by-laws or in default in the performance or observance of any
         obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract,
         indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note,
         lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company, Virginia
         BCBS or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of
         them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the
         Company, Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary is subject (collectively,
         "Agreements and Instruments"), except for such defaults that could not
         reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the
         execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the
         International Purchase Agreement and the Plan and the consummation of
         the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, the Inter national
         Purchase Agreement, the Plan and the Registration Statement (including
         the issuance of the Member Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for
         their Membership Interests pursuant to the Plan, the issuance of cash
         and Class C Stock to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia in
         satisfaction of the Commonwealth payment pursuant to the Plan, and the
         issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from
         the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectuses under the
         caption "Use of Proceeds") and compliance by the Company and Virginia
         BCBS with their obligations under this Agreement, the International
         Purchase Agreement and the Plan have been duly authorized by all
         necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or
         without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with
         or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined
         below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
         charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company,
         Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary pursuant to, the Agreements and
         Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens,
         charges or encumbrances that could not reasonably be expected to result
         in a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any
         violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company,
         Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary or any applicable law, statute, rule,
         regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government,
         government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having
         jurisdiction over the Company, Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary or any
         of their assets, properties or operations (other than foreign or state
         securities, insurance securities or blue sky laws in connection with
         the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities under this Agreement
         and the International Purchase Agreement), except for such violations
         resulting from the failure to make or obtain or comply with such
         filings, authorizations, approvals, consents, licenses, orders,
         registrations, qualifications or decrees in connection with the Plan
         that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
         or have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company or
         Virginia BCBS to perform their respective obligations under the Plan or
         to consummate the transactions contemplated therein. As used herein, a
         "Repayment Event" means any event or condition which gives the holder
         of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person
         acting on such holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase,
         redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the
         Company, Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary.







<PAGE>



                  (xvi) Absence of Labor Dispute. No labor dispute with the
         employees of the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries
         exists or, to the knowledge of the Company or Virginia BCBS, is
         imminent, and the Company and Virginia BCBS are not aware of any
         existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its
         or any subsidiary's principal suppliers, customers or contractors,
         which, in either case, may reasonably be expected to result in a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xvii) Absence of Proceedings. Except for matters disclosed in
         the Registration Statement, there is no action, suit, proceeding,
         inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental
         agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge
         of the Company or Virginia BCBS, threatened, against or affecting the
         Company, Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries, which is required to
         be disclosed in the Registration Statement, or which might reasonably
         be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might
         reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the
         properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated in this Agreement, the International Purchase Agreement
         and the Plan or the performance by the Company or Virginia BCBS of its
         obligations hereunder or thereunder; and the aggregate of all pending
         legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company, Virginia BCBS
         or any subsidiary is a party or of which any of their respective
         property or assets is the subject which are not described in the
         Registration Statement, including ordinary routine litigation
         incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result
         in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xviii) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no contracts or
         documents which are required to be described in the Registration
         Statement or the Prospectuses or to be filed as exhibits thereto which
         have not been so described and filed as required.

                  (xix) Possession of Intellectual Property. The Company,
         Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on
         reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses,
         inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other
         unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information,
         systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other
         intellectual property (collectively, "Intellectual Property") necessary
         to carry on the business now operated by them, and neither the Company,
         Virginia BCBS nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice or is
         otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights
         of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or
         circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or
         inadequate to protect the interest of the Company, Virginia BCBS or any
         of its subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the
         subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity
         or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
         expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.








<PAGE>



                  (xx) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or
         authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration,
         qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or
         agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Company or
         Virginia BCBS of their respective obligations hereunder or under the
         Plan, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the
         Securities under this Agreement and the International Purchase
         Agreement, in connection with the issuance of the Member Shares to
         Eligible Members in exchange for their Membership Interests and of cash
         and Class C Stock to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia in
         satisfaction of the Common wealth Payment pursuant to the Plan, or the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the
         International Purchase Agreement and the Plan, except (a) such as have
         been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the
         1933 Act Regulations and foreign or state securities, insurance
         securities or blue sky laws in connection with the offering, issuance
         or sale of the Securities under this Agreement and the International
         Purchase Agreement and (b) such filings, authorizations, approvals,
         consents, licenses, orders, registrations, qualifications or decrees in
         connection with the Plan that, if not made or obtained or complied
         with, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect or have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company
         or Virginia BCBS to perform their respective obligations under the Plan
         or to consummate the transactions contemplated therein.

                  (xxi) BCBSA License. Virginia BCBS is in full compliance with
         the requirements of the Blue Cross License Agreement, dated as of
         November 16, 1995, between Virginia BCBS and the Blue Cross and Blue
         Shield Association (the "BCBSA"), and the Virginia Blue Shield License
         Agreement, dated as of November 16, 1995, between Virginia BCBS and the
         BCBSA, except in each case where noncompliance could not reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Upon execution thereof by
         the Company on or prior to the Effective Date, the License Agreement
         attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement (the "New
         License Agreement") shall become effective and enforceable against the
         Company and, to the best of the Company's and Virginia BCBS' knowledge,
         the BCBSA in accordance with its terms. Each of Virginia BCBS's
         subsidiaries that is required by the BCBSA as of the date hereof, or
         that will be required by the BCBSA as of the Closing Time, to be a
         party to a Blue Cross Affiliate License Agreement is in full compliance
         with the requirements of such agreement, except in each case where
         noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (xxii) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Company,
         Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries each possess such permits, licenses,
         approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively,
         "Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal, state,
         local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the
         business now operated by them, except where the failure to possess such
         Government Licenses could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; the Company, Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries each
         are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such







<PAGE>



         Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply could not
         reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full
         force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental
         Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full
         force and effect could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; and neither the Company, Virginia BCBS nor any of its
         subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the
         revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which,
         singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision,
         ruling or finding, might reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (xxiii) Insurance Licenses. The Company has made all required
         filings under insurance holding statutes applicable to it, and is duly
         licensed or authorized as an insurance holding company in each
         jurisdiction in which it is or will immediately after the effectiveness
         of the Plan be required to be so licensed or authorized, except where
         the failure to have made such filings or to be so licensed or
         authorized in any such jurisdiction could not reasonably be expected to
         have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of Virginia BCBS and its
         subsidiaries which is engaged in the insurance business (the "Insurance
         Subsidiaries") is duly licensed or authorized to conduct its insurance
         business under the insurance laws of each jurisdiction in which it
         conducts such business so as to require such licensing or
         authorization, except where the failure to be so licensed or authorized
         could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; all
         such licenses or authorizations are in full force and effect and
         neither the Company, Virginia BCBS nor any Insurance Subsidiary has
         received any notice of any event, inquiry, investigation or proceeding
         that would reasonably be expected to result in the suspension,
         revocation or limitation of any such licenses or authorizations or
         otherwise impose any limitation on the conduct of the business of the
         Company, Virginia BCBS or any Insurance Subsidiary, except any such
         suspension, revocation or limitation which could not reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and to the Company's,
         Virginia BCBS's and the Insurance Subsidiaries' knowledge, there is no
         sustainable basis under current law, regulation or judicial
         interpretation for any such suspension, revocation or limitation; each
         of Virginia BCBS and the Insurance Subsidiaries is in compliance with,
         and conducts its businesses in conformity with, all applicable
         insurance laws and regulations, except where the failure to comply or
         conform could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect; and Virginia BCBS has disclosed in writing to the U.S.
         Representatives all pending significant examinations, and all
         significant examinations which have been completed and filed since the
         fiscal year ending December 31, 1990, by any governmental authority
         having jurisdiction to regulate the insurance operations of Virginia
         BCBS or any Insurance Subsidiary. Each of the subsidiaries of Virginia
         BCBS operating as a health maintenance organization (the "HMO
         Subsidiaries") is duly licensed as a health maintenance organization
         under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it conducts such business
         so as to require such licensing, except where the failure to be so
         licensed could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect. Each of ____________, ____________ and _______________ is duly
         qualified as a health maintenance







<PAGE>



         organization under The Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973, as
         amended, and the rules and regulations of the Department of Health and
         Human Services thereunder.

                  (xxiv) Title to Property. The Company, Virginia BCBS and its
         subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property owned
         by the Company, Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries and good title to
         all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all
         mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or
         encumbrances of any kind except such as (a) are described in the
         Prospectuses or (b) do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially
         affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use
         made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company, Virginia
         BCBS or any of its subsidiaries; and all of the leases and subleases
         material to the business of Trigon and its subsidiaries, considered as
         one enterprise, and under which the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of
         its subsidiaries holds properties described in the Prospectuses, are in
         full force and effect, and neither the Company, Virginia BCBS nor any
         subsidiary has any notice of any claim of any sort that has been
         asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company, Virginia BCBS
         or any subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above,
         or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company, Virginia BCBS or
         such subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased
         premises under any such lease or sublease, and which if adversely
         decided could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xxv) Maintenance of Insurance. The Company, Virginia BCBS and
         each of its subsidiaries maintain insurance policies with respect to
         such insurable properties, potential liabilities and occurrences that
         merit or require catastrophic insurance in amounts deemed adequate in
         the reasonable opinion of the management for the Company and Virginia
         BCBS or maintain a system or systems of self-insurance or assumption of
         risk which accords with the practices of similar businesses; all such
         insurance policies are in full force and effect.

                  (xxvi) Due Adoption of the Plan. The Plan was duly adopted on
         September 6, 1996 by a vote (the "Policyholder Vote") of more than
         two-thirds of the votes validly cast by Voting Members (as defined in
         the Plan) (which adoption complied with the applicable requirements of
         Virginia Code ss.38.2-1005.1) and such adoption has not been rescinded
         or otherwise withdrawn; on November 5, 1996 the State Corporation
         Commission issued a final order approving the Plan in accordance with
         the requirements of Virginia Code ss.38.2-1005.1 (the "Commission
         Order"); the time period within which an appeal to the Commission Order
         must be noted for an appeal to be validly made has expired and, to the
         Company's and Virginia BCBS's knowledge, no appeals were so noted;
         prior to the Effective Date, Virginia BCBS will have filed with the
         State Corporation Commission in accordance with Virginia law the
         Articles of Merger (as defined in the Plan) together with a copy of the
         Plan so approved; no other approvals are required to be obtained under
         Virginia law for the effectiveness of the Plan; on the Effective Date,
         the Plan will become effective in accordance with its terms pursuant to
         Virginia Code ss.38.2-1005.1 and the







<PAGE>



         Demutualization will be completed in accordance with the Plan and the
         laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia applicable to the reorganization
         of mutual insurance companies into stock corporations effected through
         a merger and any rules and regulations of the State Corporation
         Commission in respect thereof, in each case as administered or
         interpreted by the State Corporation Commission in respect thereof; and
         prior to or contemporaneously with the Closing Time each of the actions
         required to occur and conditions required to be satisfied on or prior
         to the effectiveness of the Plan pursuant to the Commission's Order or
         the Plan will have occurred or been satisfied.

                  (xxvii) Compliance with Tax Laws. All material income, payroll
         and sales tax returns required to have been filed prior to the date
         hereof or the Closing Time by the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of its
         subsidiaries, in any jurisdiction, shall have been so filed, and all
         material taxes, including related withholding taxes, penalties and
         interest, assessments and other charges due or claimed to be due from
         such entities have been paid, other than those being contested in good
         faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided or those
         currently payable without penalty or interest.

                  (xxviii) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and upon
         the issuance of the Member Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for
         their Membership Interests pursuant to the Plan and the issuance and
         sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of
         the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectuses will not
         be, nor is Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries, an "investment
         company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company" as such
         terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
         (the "1940 Act").

                  (xxix) Environmental Laws. Except as described in the
         Registration Statement and except as could not reasonably be expected,
         singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A)
         neither the Company, Virginia BCBS nor any of its subsidiaries is in
         violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule,
         regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any
         judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any
         judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating
         to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including,
         without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land
         surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without
         limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened
         release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic
         substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products
         (collectively, "Hazardous Materials") or to the manufacture,
         processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport
         or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, "Environmental
         Laws"), (B) the Company, Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries have all
         permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable
         Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements,
         (C) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or
         judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens,
         notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings
         relating to any







<PAGE>



         Environmental Law against the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of its
         subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or circumstances that might
         reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or
         remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or
         governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company, Virginia
         BCBS or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any
         Environmental Laws.

                  (xxx) Registration Rights. There are no persons with
         registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities
         registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise
         registered by the Company under the 1933 Act.

         (b)      Officer's Certificates.  Any certificate signed by any officer
of the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries delivered to the Global
Coordinator, the U.S. Representatives or to counsel for the U.S. Underwriters
shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, Virginia BCBS to
each U.S. Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

         SECTION 2.        Sale and Delivery to U.S. Underwriters; Closing.

         (a) Initial U.S. Securities. On the basis of the representations and
warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set
forth, the Company agrees to sell to each U.S. Underwriter, severally and not
jointly, and each U.S. Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to
purchase from the Company, at the price per share set forth in Schedule B, the
number of Initial U.S. Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of
such U.S. Underwriter, plus any additional number of Initial U.S. Securities
which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the
provisions of Section 10 hereof.

         (b) U.S. Option Securities. In addition, on the basis of the
representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the U.S.
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to an additional
________ shares of Common Stock at the price per share set forth in Schedule B,
less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the
Company and payable on the Initial U.S. Securities but not payable on the U.S.
Option Securities. The option hereby granted will expire 30 days after the date
hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the
purpose of covering over-allotments which may be made in connection with the
offering and distribution of the Initial U.S. Securities upon notice by the
Global Coordinator to the Company setting forth the number of U.S. Option
Securities as to which the several U.S. Underwriters are then exercising the
option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such U.S. Option
Securities. Any such time and date of delivery for the U.S. Option Securities (a
"Date of Delivery") shall be determined by the Global Coordinator, but shall not
be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in
any event prior to the Closing Time, as hereinafter defined. If the option is
exercised as to all or any portion of the U.S. Option Securities, each of the
U.S. Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will







<PAGE>



purchase that proportion of the total number of U.S. Option Securities then
being purchased which the number of Initial U.S. Securities set forth in
Schedule A opposite the name of such U.S. Underwriter bears to the total number
of Initial U.S. Securities, subject in each case to such adjustments as the
Global Coordinator in its discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or
purchases of fractional shares.

         (c) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of
certificates for, the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of
Debevoise & Plimpton, 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, or at such
other place as shall be agreed upon by the Global Coordinator and the Company,
at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after
4:30 P.M. (Eastern time) on any given day) business day after the date hereof
(unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such
other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed
upon by the Global Coordinator and the Company (such time and date of payment
and delivery being herein called "Closing Time").

         In addition, in the event that any or all of the U.S. Option Securities
are purchased by the U.S. Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and
delivery of certificates for, such U.S. Option Securities shall be made at the
above-mentioned offices, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the
Global Coordinator and the Company, on each Date of Delivery as specified in the
notice from the Global Coordinator to the Company.

         Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to a bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to
the U.S. Representatives for the respective accounts of the U.S. Underwriters of
certificates for the U.S. Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood
that each U.S. Underwriter has authorized the U.S. Representatives, for its
account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase
price for, the Initial U.S. Securities and the U.S. Option Securities, if any,
which it has agreed to purchase. Merrill Lynch, individually and not as
representative of the U.S. Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to)
make payment of the purchase price for the Initial U.S. Securities or the U.S.
Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any U.S. Underwriter whose funds
have not been received by the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as
the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such U.S. Underwriter from
its obligations hereunder.

         (d) Denominations; Registration. Certificates for the Initial U.S.
Securities and the U.S. Option Securities, if any, shall be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the U.S. Representatives may
request in writing at least one full business day before the Closing Time or the
relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be. The certificates for the Initial
U.S. Securities and the U.S. Option Securities, if any, will be made available
for examination and packaging by the U.S. Representatives in The City of New
York not later than 10:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the business day prior to the
Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be.








<PAGE>



         SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company and Virginia BCBS. The Company, and
Virginia BCBS with respect to subsection (m) below, covenants with each U.S.
Underwriter as follows:

                  (a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission
         Requests. The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the
         requirements of Rule 430A or Rule 434, as applicable, and will notify
         the Global Coordinator immediately, and confirm the notice in writing,
         (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement,
         shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectuses or any
         amended Prospectuses shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any
         comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission
         for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or
         supplement to the Prospectuses or for additional information, and (iv)
         of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing
         or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the
         suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale
         in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any
         proceedings for any of such purposes. The Company will promptly effect
         the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 424(b) and will take such steps
         as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of
         prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for
         filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will
         promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make every reasonable
         effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order
         is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible
         moment.

                  (b) Filing of Amendments. The Company will give the Global
         Coordinator notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to
         the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)),
         any Term Sheet or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the
         prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became
         effective or to the Prospectuses, will furnish the Global Coordinator
         with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to
         such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or
         use any such document to which the Global Coordinator or counsel for
         the U.S. Underwriters shall object.

                  (c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Company has
         furnished or will deliver to the U.S. Representatives and counsel for
         the U.S. Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the
         Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment
         thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by
         reference therein) and signed copies of all consents and certificates
         of experts, and will also deliver to the U.S. Representatives, without
         charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally
         filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the
         U.S. Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each
         amendment thereto furnished to the U.S. Underwriters will be identical
         to the electronically transmitted copies







<PAGE>



         thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the
         extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

                  (d) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Company has delivered to
         each U.S. Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each
         preliminary prospectus as such U.S. Underwriter reasonably requested,
         and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes
         permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each U.S.
         Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the U.S. Prospectus
         is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the Securities
         Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), such number of copies of the
         U.S. Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such U.S. Underwriter
         may reasonably request. The U.S. Prospectus and any amendments or
         supplements thereto furnished to the U.S. Underwriters will be
         identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with
         the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by
         Regulation S-T.

                  (e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Company
         will comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations so as to
         permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as
         contemplated in this Agreement, the International Purchase Agreement
         and in the Prospectuses. If at any time when a prospectus is required
         by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the
         Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result
         of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the U.S.
         Underwriters or for the Company, to amend the Registration Statement or
         amend or supplement any Prospectus in order that the Prospectuses will
         not include any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a
         material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not
         misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is
         delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion
         of such counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement
         or amend or supplement any Prospectus in order to comply with the
         requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company
         will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section
         3(b), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such
         statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the
         Prospectuses comply with such requirements, and the Company will
         furnish to the U.S. Underwriters such number of copies of such
         amendment or supplement as the U.S. Underwriters may reasonably
         request.

                  (f) Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company will use its best
         efforts, in cooperation with the U.S. Underwriters, to qualify the
         Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws
         of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the
         Global Coordinator may designate and to maintain such qualifications in
         effect for a period of not less than one year from the later of the
         effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not
         be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to
         qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any
         jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to
         taxation in respect of doing business in







<PAGE>



         any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. In each
         jurisdiction in which the Securities have been so qualified, the
         Company will file such statements and reports as may be required by the
         laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification in effect for
         a period of not less than one year from the effective date of the
         Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.

                  (g) Rule 158. The Company will timely file such reports
         pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally
         available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings
         statement for the purposes of, and to provide the benefits contemplated
         by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

                  (h)      Use of Proceeds.  The Company will use the net
         proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner
         specified in the Prospectuses under "Use of Proceeds".

                  (i) Listing. The Company will use its best efforts to effect
         the listing of the Common Stock (including the Member Shares and the
         Securities) on the New York Stock Exchange.

                  (j) Restriction on Sale of Securities. During a period of 180
         days from the date of the Prospectuses, the Company will not, without
         the prior written consent of the Global Coordinator, (i) directly or
         indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or
         contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant
         any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or
         dispose of any share of Common Stock or any securities convertible into
         or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or file any
         registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the
         foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any
         transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or
         indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock,
         whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii)
         above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other
         securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not
         apply to (A) the Securities to be sold hereunder or under the
         International Purchase Agreement, (B) the Member Shares to Eligible
         Members in connection with the consummation of the Demutualization
         pursuant to the Plan, (C) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to
         Articles VI, VII or VIII of the Articles of Incorporation of the
         Company, (D) options for shares of Common Stock granted to employees,
         officers and directors of the Company or its subsidiaries pursuant to a
         stock option plan adopted by the Company and (E) shares of Common Stock
         issued in a private placement as consideration for any acquisition by
         the Company, provided, that, with respect to clause (E) above, the U.S.
         Underwriters shall have first obtained from any recipient of shares of
         Common Stock an agreement in writing to be bound to the same
         restrictions set forth in this Section 3(j).








<PAGE>



                  (k) Reporting Requirements. The Company, during the period
         when the Prospectuses are required to be delivered under the 1933 Act
         or the 1934 Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the
         Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by
         the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
         thereunder.

                  (l) Compliance with Rule 463. The Company will file with the
         Commission such reports on Form SR as may be required pursuant to Rule
         463 of the 1933 Act Regulations.

                  (m) Consummation of the Plan. Prior to or contemporaneously
         with the Closing Time, the Company and Virginia BCBS will take all
         actions necessary in order to consummate the Plan and the transactions
         contemplated thereby to have occurred at or prior to such date.

         SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses. (a) Expenses. The Company will pay all
expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement,
including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement
(including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each
amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the
Underwriters of this Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters and such other
documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale,
issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and
delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the Underwriters, including
any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the
sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters and the
transfer of the Securities between the U.S. Underwriters and the International
Managers, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel, accountants
and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities
laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing
fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters
in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky
Survey and any supplement thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the
Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Term Sheets and of
the Prospectuses and any amendments or supplements thereto, (vii) the
preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky
Survey and any supplement thereto, (viii) the fees and expenses of any transfer
agent or registrar for the Securities, (ix) the filing fees incident to, and the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection
with, the review by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the
"NASD") of the terms of the sale of the Securities and (x) the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock
Exchange.

         (b)  Termination of Agreement.  If this Agreement is terminated by the
U.S. Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section
9(a)(i) hereof, the Company







<PAGE>



shall reimburse the U.S. Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses,
including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the U.S.
Underwriters.

         SECTION 5. Conditions of U.S. Underwriters' Obligations. The
obligations of the several U.S. Underwriters hereunder are subject to the
accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and Virginia BCBS
contained in Section 1 hereof or in certificates of any officer of the Company
or Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary of the Company or Virginia BCBS delivered
pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and
Virginia BCBS of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and
to the following further conditions:

                  (a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration
         Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become
         effective and at Closing Time no stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued
         under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by
         the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for
         additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable
         satisfaction of counsel to the U.S. Underwriters. A prospectus
         containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the
         Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) (or a post-effective
         amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared
         effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A) or, if the
         Company has elected to rely upon Rule 434, a Term Sheet shall have been
         filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b).

                  (b) Opinion of Counsel for Company and Virginia BCBS. At
         Closing Time, the U.S. Representatives shall have received the
         favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of McGuire, Woods, Battle
         & Boothe, L.L.P., counsel for the Company and Virginia BCBS, in form
         and substance satisfactory to counsel for the U.S. Underwriters,
         together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of
         the other U.S. Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit A hereto
         and to such further effect as counsel to the U.S.
         Underwriters may reasonably request.

                  (c) Opinion of Counsel for U.S. Underwriters. At Closing Time,
         the U.S. Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion,
         dated as of Closing Time, of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel for the U.S.
         Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter
         for each of the other U.S. Underwriters with respect to the matters set
         forth in clauses (vii), (viii), (ix), (xi) (solely as to the
         information in the Prospectus under "Description of Capital
         Stock--Description of Common Stock") and the penultimate paragraph of
         Exhibit A hereto. In giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to
         all matters governed by Virginia law, upon the opinions of McGuire,
         Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P., counsel for the Company and Virginia
         BCBS. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion
         involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem
         proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company, Virginia BCBS and
         its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.







<PAGE>



                  (d) Officers' Certificates. At Closing Time, there shall not
         have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of
         which information is given in the Prospectuses, any material adverse
         change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
         business affairs or business prospects of Trigon considered as one
         enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business,
         and the U.S. Representatives shall have received certificates of the
         President or a Vice President of each of the Company and Virginia BCBS
         and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of each of the
         Company and Virginia BCBS, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that
         (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the
         representations and warranties in Section 1(a) hereof are true and
         correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and
         as of Closing Time, (iii) the Company and Virginia BCBS have complied
         with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be
         performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time, and (iv) no stop
         order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has
         been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or
         are pending or are contemplated by the Commission.

                  (e) Accountant's Comfort Letter. At the time of the execution
         of this Agreement, the U.S. Representatives shall have received from
         KPMG Peat Marwick LLP a letter dated such date, in form and substance
         satisfactory to the U.S. Representatives, together with signed or
         reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other U.S.
         Underwriters containing statements and information of the type
         ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters
         with respect to the financial statements and certain financial
         information contained in the Registration Statement and the
         Prospectuses.

                  (f) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At Closing Time, the
         Representative(s) shall have received from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP a
         letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the
         statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of
         this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a
         date not more than three business days prior to Closing Time.

                  (g) Approval of Listing. At Closing Time, the Securities and
         the Member Shares shall have been approved for listing on the New York
         Stock Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance.

                  (h)      No Objection.  The NASD shall not have raised any
         objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the
         underwriting terms and arrangements.

                  (i)      License Agreement.  At Closing Time, the New License
         Agreement shall have been entered into by and between the BCBSA and the
         Company.

                  (j)      Opinion of Special Tax Counsel for Virginia BCBS.
         Virginia BCBS shall have received an opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle
         & Boothe, L.L.P., special tax







<PAGE>



         counsel for Virginia BCBS, in form and substance satisfactory to
         counsel for the U.S. Underwriters, to the effect that the summary of
         federal income tax consequences provided to Eligible Members in the
         Member Information Statement dated August 2, 1996 remains accurate
         under the applicable federal income tax law and other authorities in
         effect on the Effective Date, except for any developments between the
         mailing date thereof and the Effective Date that are specifically
         identified in such opinion, provided that (i) in the opinion of such
         counsel, the principal federal income tax consequences to Eligible
         Members and to Virginia BCBS of such developments were anticipated and
         accurately described in all material respects in such Member
         Information Statement, (ii) Virginia BCBS has determined that the
         principal federal income tax consequences of such developments are not
         materially adverse to the interests of the Eligible Members or Virginia
         BCBS, or (iii) such developments are not described in (i) or (ii) but
         have been described in a subsequent communication approved by the
         Virginia Bureau of Insurance and distributed to the Eligible Members
         and, in the opinion of counsel, any further Member vote that is
         required has been obtained.

                  (k) Effectiveness of the Plan. All actions and transactions
         required by the Plan to be taken or to have occurred at or prior to the
         effectiveness of the Plan (other than the offering of Securities as
         herein contemplated) shall have been taken or shall have occurred; and
         the Commission shall have issued the certificate of merger with respect
         to the Merger and the Plan shall have thereupon become effective.

                  (l)      Purchase of Initial International Securities.
         Contemporaneously with the purchase by the U.S. Underwriters of the
         Initial U.S. Securities under this Agreement, the International
         Managers shall have purchased the Initial International Securities
         under the International Purchase Agreement.

                  (m) Conditions to Purchase of U.S. Option Securities. In the
         event that the U.S. Underwriters exercise their option provided in
         Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the U.S. Option
         Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company and
         Virginia BCBS contained herein and the statements in any certificates
         furnished by the Company, Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary of the
         Company hereunder shall be true and correct as of each Date of Delivery
         and, at the relevant Date of Delivery, the U.S. Representatives shall
         have received:

                  (i) Officers' Certificates. Certificates, dated such Date of
                  Delivery, of the President or a Vice President of each of the
                  Company and Virginia BCBS and of the chief financial or chief
                  accounting officer of each of the Company and Virginia BCBS
                  confirming that the certificates delivered at the Closing Time
                  pursuant to Section 5(d) hereof remain true and correct as of
                  such Date of Delivery.

                  (ii)  Opinion of Counsel for Company and Virginia BCBS.  The
                  favorable opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P.,
                  counsel for the Company and







<PAGE>



                  Virginia BCBS, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel
                  for the U.S. Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery,
                  relating to the U.S. Option Securities to be purchased on such
                  Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the
                  opinion required by Section 5(b) hereof.

                  (iii)  Opinion of Counsel for U.S. Underwriters.  The
                  favorable opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel for the
                  U.S. Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to
                  the U.S. Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of
                  Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion
                  required by Section 5(c) hereof.

                  (iv) Bring-down Comfort Letter. A letter from KPMG Peat
                  Marwick LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the U.S.
                  Representatives and dated such Date of Delivery, substantially
                  in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the
                  U.S. Representatives pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof, except
                  that the "specified date" in the letter furnished pursuant to
                  this paragraph shall be a date not more than five days prior
                  to such Date of Delivery.

         (n) Additional Documents. At Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery,
counsel for the U.S. Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents
and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon
the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to
evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the
fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings
taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities
as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the U.S.
Representatives and counsel for the U.S.
Underwriters.

         (o) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified in this
Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this
Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of U.S. Option
Securities on a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, the
obligations of the several U.S. Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option
Securities, may be terminated by the U.S. Representatives by notice to the
Company at any time at or prior to Closing Time or such Date of Delivery, as the
case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any
other party except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7 and
8 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

         SECTION 6.                 Indemnification.

         (a)      Indemnification of U.S. Underwriters.  Each of the Company and
Virginia BCBS agrees, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each
U.S. Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any U.S. Underwriter
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act
as follows:








<PAGE>



                  (i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
         expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or
         alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
         Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule
         430A Information and the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or the
         omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to
         be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
         misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
         statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus or
         the Prospectuses (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the
         omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in
         order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
         under which they were made, not misleading;

                  (ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
         expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount
         paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or
         proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened,
         or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or
         omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided
         that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected
         with the written consent of the Company or Virginia BCBS; and

                  (iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred
         (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Merrill
         Lynch), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
         against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
         governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
         whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any
         such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such
         expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any
U.S. Underwriter through the U.S. Representatives or any International Manager
through the Lead Managers expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or
any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434
Information, if applicable, or any preliminary prospectus or the U.S. Prospectus
(or any amendment or supplement thereto).

         (b) Indemnification of Company, Virginia BCBS, Directors and Officers.
Each U.S. Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, Virginia BCBS, their respective directors, each of the Company's
officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who
controls the Company or Virginia BCBS within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability,
claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a)
of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or
omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A







<PAGE>



Information and the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or any preliminary U.S.
prospectus or the U.S. Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by such U.S. Underwriter through the U.S. Representatives expressly for
use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary
prospectus or the U.S. Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

         (c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall
give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of
any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought
hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such
indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not
materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it
from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity
agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above,
counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Merrill Lynch, and, in
the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to the
indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may
participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided,
however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the
consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In
no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more
than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own
counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or
separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of
the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or
compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which
indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section
7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties
thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an
unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out
of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include
a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by
or on behalf of any indemnified party.

         (d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time
an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel in accordance with this
Section 6, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any
settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after
receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such
indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at
least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) prior to the
date of such settlement neither of the following shall have occurred: (A) such
indemnifying party shall have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance
with such request or (B) if such indemnifying party reasonably believes that the
indemnified party is not entitled under this Section 6 to any or all of the
requested amount, such indemnifying party shall have reimbursed such indemnified
party of such lesser portion, if any, of the requested amount and







<PAGE>



provided to such indemnified party a statement substantiating the reasonableness
of the amount, if any, so reimbursed.

         SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section
6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or
expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses
incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and
Virginia BCBS on the one hand and the U.S. Underwriters on the other hand from
the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the
allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred
to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and Virginia
BCBS on the one hand and of the U.S. Underwriters on the other hand in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations.

         The relative benefits received by the Company and Virginia BCBS on the
one hand and the U.S. Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the
offering of the U.S. Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be
in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering
of the U.S. Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses)
received by the Company and Virginia BCBS and the total underwriting discount
received by the U.S. Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the
U.S. Prospectus, or, if Rule 434 is used, the corresponding location on the Term
Sheet, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the U.S.
Securities as set forth on such cover.

         The relative fault of the Company and Virginia BCBS on the one hand and
the U.S. Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates
to information supplied by the Company or Virginia BCBS on the one hand or by
the U.S. Underwriters on the other hand and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.

         The Company, Virginia BCBS and the U.S. Underwriters agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the U.S. Underwriters were treated as
one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section
7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses
incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall
be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.








<PAGE>



         Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no U.S. Underwriter
shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
total price at which the U.S. Securities underwritten by it and distributed to
the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which
such U.S. Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

         No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

         For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls a
U.S. Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20
of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such U.S.
Underwriter, and each director of the Company or Virginia BCBS, each officer of
the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who
controls the Company or Virginia BCBS within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as the Company and Virginia BCBS. The U.S. Underwriters' respective
obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion
to the number of Initial U.S. Securities set forth opposite their respective
names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

         SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive
Delivery. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this
Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of
its subsidiaries submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full
force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any
U.S. Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Company or
Virginia BCBS, and shall survive delivery of the Securities to the U.S.
Underwriters.

         SECTION 9.                 Termination of Agreement.

         (a) Termination; General. The U.S. Representatives may terminate this
Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to Closing Time (i)
if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the
respective dates as of which information is given in the U.S. Prospectus, any
material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the
earnings, business affairs or business prospects of Trigon, considered as one
enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii)
if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in
the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of
hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or
development involving a prospective change in national or international
political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is
such as to make it, in the judgment of the U.S. Representatives, impracticable
to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities,
or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or
materially limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, or if
trading generally on the American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange
or in the Nasdaq National







<PAGE>



Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices
for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by
any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any other governmental
authority, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal
or New York authorities.

         (b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this
Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other
party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections
1, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and
effect.

         SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the U.S. Underwriters. If one or
more of the U.S. Underwriters shall fail at Closing Time or a Date of Delivery
to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this
Agreement (the "Defaulted Securities"), the U.S. Representatives shall have the
right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the
non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all,
but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be
agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the U.S.
Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour
period, then:

                  (a) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10%
         of the number of U.S. Securities to be purchased on such date, each of
         the non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and
         not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions
         that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the
         underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting U.S. Underwriters, or

                  (b) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the
         number of U.S. Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement
         or, with respect to any Date of Delivery which occurs after the Closing
         Time, the obligation of the U.S. Underwriters to purchase and of the
         Company to sell the Option Securities to be purchased and sold on such
         Date of Delivery shall terminate without liability on the part of any
         non-defaulting U.S. Underwriter.

         No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting
U.S. Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

         In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination
of this Agreement or, in the case of a Date of Delivery which is after the
Closing Time, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the
U.S. Underwriters to purchase and the Company to sell the relevant U.S. Option
Securities, as the case may be, either the U.S. Representatives or the Company
shall have the right to postpone Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery,
as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any
required changes in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any other
documents or arrangements. As used herein,







<PAGE>



the term "U.S. Underwriter" includes any person substituted for a U.S.
Underwriter under this Section 10.

         SECTION 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the U.S.
Underwriters shall be directed to the U.S. Representatives at North Tower, World
Financial Center, New York, New York 10281-1201, attention of Syndicate
Operations (with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to Debevoise &
Plimpton, 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022-6225, attention of James C.
Scoville, Esq.); and notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 2015
Staples Mill Road, Richmond, Virginia 23230, attention of J. Christopher
Wiltshire, Esq. (with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to McGuire,
Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P., One James Center, 901 East Cary Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219, attention of R. Gordon Smith, Esq.).

         SECTION 12. Parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon each of the U.S. Underwriters, the Company and Virginia BCBS and
their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is
intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other
than the U.S. Underwriters, the Company and Virginia BCBS and their respective
successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in
Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any
provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions
hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the U.S.
Underwriters, the Company and Virginia BCBS and their respective successors, and
said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal
representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No
purchaser of Securities from any U.S. Underwriter shall be deemed to be a
successor by reason merely of such purchase.

         SECTION 13.  GOVERNING LAW AND TIME.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK.  SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

         SECTION 14.  Effect of Headings.  The Article and Section headings
herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect
the construction hereof.







<PAGE>



         If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to the Company and Virginia BCBS a counterpart
hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a
binding agreement between the U.S. Underwriters, the Company and Virginia BCBS
in accordance with its terms.

Very truly yours,

TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.


By
    Title:



VIRGINIA BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
(to be renamed Trigon Insurance Company)


By
    Title:


 CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
            INCORPORATED
ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
WHEAT, FIRST SECURITIES, INC.

By: MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
                INCORPORATED


By
                       Authorized Signatory

For themselves and as U.S. Representatives of the
other U.S. Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto.







<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE A


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    Number of
                                                                                                  Initial U.S.
         Name of U.S. Underwriter                                                                  Securities
<S> <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                Incorporated...............................................................
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated............................................................
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc...................................................................
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated..........................................................
Wheat, First Securities, Inc...............................................................











Total......................................................................................             ________
                                                                                                   =============


</TABLE>






<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE B

                             TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.

                         ________ Shares of Common Stock

                           (Par Value $.01 Per Share)






                  1. The initial public offering price per share for the
         Securities, determined as provided in said Section 2, shall be
         $_______.

                  2. The purchase price per share for the U.S. Securities to be
         paid by the several U.S. Underwriters shall be $_______, being an
         amount equal to the initial public offering price set forth above less
         $_______ per share; provided that the purchase price per share for any
         U.S. Option Securities purchased upon the exercise of the
         over-allotment option described in Section 2(b) shall be reduced by an
         amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by
         the Company and payable on the Initial U.S. Securities but not payable
         on the U.S. Option Securities.









<PAGE>



                                                                    Exhibit A



                      FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
                           TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
                                  SECTION 5(b)


                  (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
         existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
         Commonwealth of Virginia. Until immediately prior to the effectiveness
         of the Plan, Virginia BCBS was, since its conversion to a mutual
         insurance company in 1991, validly existing as a mutual insurance
         company in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
         Virginia. Trigon Insurance is validly existing as a stock corporation
         in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Until
         immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Plan, TMSI was duly
         incorporated and validly existing as a stock corporation in good
         standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

                  (ii) Each of the Company and Virginia BCBS (now renamed Trigon
         Insurance) has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate
         its properties and to conduct its business as described in the
         Prospectuses and to enter into and perform its obligations under the
         U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement. Each
         of the Company and Trigon Insurance is duly qualified as a foreign
         corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each
         jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason
         of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business,
         except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing could
         not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (iii) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set
         forth in the Prospectus.

                  (iv) The Securities to be purchased by the U.S. Underwriters
         and the International Managers from the Company have been duly
         authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to the
         U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement,
         respectively, and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to
         the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement,
         respectively, against payment of the consideration set forth in the
         U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement, will
         be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable; the Common Stock
         conforms in all material respects to all statements relating thereto
         contained in the Prospectuses and such description conforms in all
         material respects to the rights set forth in the instruments defining
         the same; and no holder of the Securities is or will be personally
         liable for any debts, obligations, liabilities or losses of the Company
         by reason of being such a holder.







<PAGE>



                  (v) The issuance of the Securities is not subject to the
         preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the
         Company, except as may be provided in Articles VI, VII and VIII of the
         Articles of Incorporation of the Company in the form filed as an
         Exhibit to the Registration Statement.

                  (vi) Each of the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the
         Registration Statement, which to the best of our knowledge are the only
         subsidiaries of Trigon Insurance, has been duly incorporated and is
         validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of
         the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and
         authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
         business as described in the Prospectuses and is duly qualified as a
         foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in
         each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by
         reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
         business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good
         standing could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration
         Statement, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such
         subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid
         and non-assessable and, to the best of our knowledge, is owned by the
         Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any
         security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or
         equity; and, to the best of our knowledge, none of the outstanding
         shares of capital stock of any such subsidiary was issued in violation
         of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such
         subsidiary.

                  (vii) The U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International
         Purchase Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
         the Company and Virginia BCBS.

                  (viii) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement, has been declared effective under the 1933 Act;
         any required filing of the Prospectuses pursuant to Rule 424(b) has
         been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule
         424(b); and, to the best of our knowledge, no stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no
         proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or
         threatened by the Commission.

                  (ix) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement, the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434
         Information, as applicable, the Prospectuses and each amendment or
         supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses as of
         their respective effective or issue dates (other than the financial
         statements and supporting schedules and other financial information
         included therein or omitted therefrom, as to which we express no
         opinion) complied as to form in all material respects with the
         requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                  (x)      The form of certificate used to evidence the Common
         Stock complies in all material respects with all applicable statutory
         requirements, with any applicable







<PAGE>



         requirements of the Articles of Incorporation and by-laws of the
         Company and the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.

                  (xi) To the best of our knowledge, except for matters
         disclosed in the Registration Statement, there is no action, suit,
         proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or
         governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending or
         threatened, against or affecting the Company, Trigon Insurance or any
         of its subsidiaries, which is required to be disclosed in the
         Registration Statement, or which might reasonably be expected to result
         in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to
         materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated in the U.S. Purchase
         Agreement, the International Purchase Agreement and the Plan or the
         performance by the Company or Trigon Insurance of their respective
         obligations thereunder.

                  (xii) The information in the Prospectuses under "The
         Demutualization", "Business - Regulation", "Business - The Blue Cross
         and Blue Shield License", "Legal Proceedings", "Management",
         "Description of Capital Stock" and, in the International Prospectus,
         "Certain United States Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders" and in the
         Registration Statement under Item 14, to the extent that such
         information constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, the
         Company's Articles of Incorporation and bylaws or legal proceedings, or
         legal conclusions, has been reviewed by us and is accurate in all
         material respects.

                  (xiii) To the best of our knowledge, there are no statutes or
         regulations that are required to be described in the Prospectuses that
         are not described as required.

                  (xiv) All descriptions in the Prospectuses of contracts and
         other documents to which the Company, Trigon Insurance or any of its
         subsidiaries are a party are accurate in all material respects; to the
         best of our knowledge, there are no franchises, contracts, indentures,
         mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases or other instruments required
         to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement or to be
         filed as exhibits thereto other than those described or referred to
         therein or filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits thereto.

                  (xv) To the best of our knowledge, (a) neither the Company,
         Trigon Insurance nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its
         charter or by-laws and (b) no default by the Company or any subsidiary
         exists in the due performance or observance of any material obligation,
         agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture,
         mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument
         that is described or referred to in the Registration Statement or the
         Prospectuses or filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the
         Registration Statement, except for such defaults that could not
         reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect and except
         that no opinion is







<PAGE>



         given under this paragraph (xv) with respect to the Blue Cross License
         Agreement and Virginia Blue Shield License Agreement referred to in
         paragraph (xxiv) herein.

                  (xvi) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent,
         license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or
         governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, is necessary or
         required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under
         the U.S. Purchase Agreement or under the Plan, in connection with the
         offering, issuance or sale of the Securities under the U.S. Purchase
         Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement, in connection with
         the issuance of the Member Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for
         their Membership Interests and of cash and Class C Stock to the
         Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia in satisfaction of the Common
         wealth Payment pursuant to the Plan, or the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated by the U.S. Purchase Agreement, the
         International Purchase Agreement and the Plan, except (a) such as have
         been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the
         1933 Act Regulations and foreign or state securities, insurance
         securities or blue sky laws in connection with the offering, issuance
         or sale of the Securities under the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the
         International Purchase Agreement, as to which we express no opinion,
         and (b) such filings, authorizations, approvals, consents, licenses,
         orders, registrations, qualifications or decrees in connection with the
         Plan that, if not made or obtained or complied with, could not
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or have a
         material adverse effect on the ability of the Company or Virginia BCBS
         to perform their respective obligations under the Plan or to consummate
         the transactions contemplated therein.

                  (xvii) The execution, delivery and performance of the U.S.
         Purchase Agreement, the International Purchase Agreement and the Plan
         and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the U.S.
         Purchase Agreement, the International Purchase Agreement, the Plan and
         in the Registration Statement (including the issuance of the Member
         Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for their Membership Interests
         pursuant to the Plan, the issuance of cash and Class C Stock to the
         Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia in satisfaction of the
         Commonwealth Payment pursuant to the Plan, and the issuance and sale of
         the Securities, and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the
         Securities as described in the Prospectuses under the caption "Use Of
         Proceeds") and compliance by the Company and Trigon Insurance with
         their obligations under the U.S. Purchase Agreement, the International
         Purchase Agreement and the Plan do not and will not, whether with or
         without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, conflict with or
         constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined in
         the Purchase Agreements) under or result in the creation or imposition
         of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the
         Company, Trigon Insurance or any subsidiary pursuant to any contract,
         indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note,
         lease or any other agreement or instrument, listed on a schedule
         attached to such opinion (which schedule shall be satisfactory in form
         and substance to counsel for the U.S. Underwriters), to which the
         Company, Trigon Insurance or any subsidiary is a







<PAGE>



         party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of
         the property or assets of the Company, Trigon Insurance or any
         subsidiary is subject (except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults
         or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not have a Material
         Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of the
         provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company, Trigon Insurance
         or any subsidiary, or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation,
         judgment, order, writ or decree, known to us, including, without
         limitation, Virginia Code ss. 38.2-1005.1 and the insurance laws and
         regulations of Virginia, of any government, government instrumentality
         or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company,
         Trigon Insurance or any subsidiary or any of their respective
         properties, assets or operations (other than foreign or state
         securities, insurance securities or blue sky laws in connection with
         the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities under this Agreement
         and the International Purchase Agreement), except for such violations
         resulting from the failure to make or obtain or comply with such
         filings, authorizations, approvals, consents, licenses, orders,
         registrations, qualifications or decrees in connection with the Plan
         that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
         or have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company or
         Virginia BCBS to perform their respective obligations under the Plan or
         to consummate the transactions contemplated therein.

                  (xviii) To the best of our knowledge, there are no persons
         with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities
         registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise
         registered by the Company under the 1933 Act.

                  (xix) The Company is not, nor is Trigon Insurance or any of
         its subsidiaries, an "investment company" or an entity "controlled" by
         an "investment company," as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act.

                  (xx) Pursuant to the Merger: (a) TMSI has merged with and into
         Virginia BCBS, the separate existence of TMSI has ceased, and Virginia
         BCBS has become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; (b) Virginia
         BCBS has become a stock corporation incorporated under and governed by
         the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, ss.13.1-601 et seq. and by the
         Virginia Insurance Code; (c) each issued and outstanding share of
         common stock of TMSI owned by the Company immediately prior to the
         effectiveness of the Plan has, as a result of the Merger and without
         any action on the part of the Company, been canceled and converted into
         one share of stock of Trigon Insurance; (d) all Membership Interests of
         all Members in Virginia BCBS have been canceled, and in consideration
         for their Membership Interests, including their interests in the
         surplus of Virginia BCBS, Eligible Members are entitled to receive
         Common Stock from the Company and/or cash from Trigon Insurance
         pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan; and (e) all issued and
         outstanding shares of capital stock in the Company owned by Virginia
         BCBS have been canceled.








<PAGE>



                  (xxi) Until immediately prior to the effectiveness of the
         Plan, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of TMSI
         were duly authorized and validly issued and were fully paid and
         non-assessable and, to the best of our knowledge, were owned by the
         Company, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge,
         lien, encumbrance, claim or equity. All of the outstanding shares of
         capital stock of Trigon Insurance are duly authorized and validly
         issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and, to the best of our
         knowledge, are owned by the Company, free and clear of any security
         interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance claim or equity.

                  (xxii) The Member Shares have been duly authorized, and when
         issued and delivered to Eligible Members in exchange for their
         Membership Interests pursuant to the Plan, will be validly issued,
         fully paid and non-assessable; no holder thereof will be personally
         liable for any debts, obligations, liabilities or losses of the Company
         by reason of being such a holder; such Member Shares are not subject to
         the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the
         Company (except as may be provided in Articles VI, VII and VIII of the
         Articles of Incorporation of the Company in the form filed as an
         Exhibit to the Registration Statement) and all corporate action
         required to be taken for the authorization and issuance of the Member
         Shares has been validly and sufficiently taken.

                  (xxiii) The issuance and delivery of the Member Shares to
         Eligible Members in exchange for their Membership Interests pursuant to
         the Plan is exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.

                  (xxiv) To the best of our knowledge, the Blue Cross and Blue
         Shield Association (the "BCBSA") has not asserted noncompliance by
         Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries that is required by the BCBSA
         as of the date hereof to be a party to a Blue Cross Affiliate License
         Agreement with the requirements of the Blue Cross License Agreement,
         dated as of November 16, 1995, between Virginia BCBS and the BCBSA, and
         the Virginia Blue Shield License Agreement, dated as of November 16,
         1995, between Virginia BCBS and the BCBSA, except in each case where
         such noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (xxv) To the best of our knowledge, (a) the Company, Trigon
         Insurance and its subsidiaries each possess such permits, licenses,
         approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively,
         "Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal, state,
         local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the
         business now operated by them, except where the failure to possess such
         Government Licenses could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; (b) all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in
         full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental
         Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full
         force and effect could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; and (c) neither the Company, Trigon Insurance nor any
         of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to
         the revocation or modification of any such Governmental







<PAGE>



         Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an
         unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, could reasonably be expected
         to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xxvi) To the best of our knowledge, (a) the Company has made
         all required filings under insurance holding statutes applicable to it,
         and is duly licensed or authorized as an insurance holding company in
         each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so licensed or
         authorized, except where the failure to have made such filings or to be
         so licensed or authorized in any such jurisdiction could not reasonably
         be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) each of Trigon
         Insurance and its subsidiaries which is engaged in the insurance
         business (the "Insurance Subsidiaries") is duly licensed or authorized
         to conduct its insurance business under the insurance laws of each
         jurisdiction in which it conducts such business so as to require such
         licensing or authorization, except where the failure to be so licensed
         or authorized could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; (c) all such licenses or authorizations are in full
         force and effect, except where the invalidity of such licenses and
         authorization or failure to be in full force and effect could not
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (d) neither
         the Company, Trigon Insurance nor any Insurance Subsidiary has received
         any notice of any event, inquiry, investigation or proceeding that
         would reasonably be expected to result in the suspension, revocation or
         limitation of any such licenses or authorizations or otherwise impose
         any limitation on the conduct of the business of the Company, Trigon
         Insurance or any Insurance Subsidiary, except any such suspension,
         revocation or limitation which could not reasonably be expected to have
         a Material Adverse Effect; (e) each of the subsidiaries of Trigon
         Insurance operating as a health maintenance organization (the "HMO
         Subsidiaries") is duly licensed as a health maintenance organization
         insurer under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it conducts such
         business so as to require such licensing, except where the failure to
         be so licensed could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; and (f) each of ______________, ______________ and
         ___________ is duly qualified as a health maintenance organization
         under The Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973, as amended, and
         the rules and regulations of the Department of Health and Human
         Services thereunder.

                  (xxvii) In accordance with Virginia Code ss. 38.2-1005.1, the
         Plan has been duly adopted by the required vote of the Members and all
         necessary approvals under Virginia Code ss. 38.2-1005.1 for the Plan to
         become effective have been obtained, all such approvals are in full
         force and effect and no other approvals are required to be obtained
         under Virginia Code ss. 38.2-1005.1 for the effectiveness of the Plan;
         the time period within which an appeal to the Commission Order must be
         noted in order for an appeal to be validly made has expired and, to our
         knowledge, no appeals were so noted; and upon the issuance by the State
         Corporation Commission of the certificate of merger with respect to the
         Merger (as defined in the Plan), the Plan will have become effective in
         accordance with its terms.








<PAGE>



                  While we have not ourselves checked the accuracy and
         completeness of, or otherwise verified, and are not passing upon and
         assume no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of, the
         statements contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses,
         except to the limited extent stated in paragraph (xii), in the course
         of our review and discussion of the contents of the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectuses with certain officers and employees of
         the Company and Trigon Insurance and their independent accountants, but
         without independent check or verification, nothing has come to our
         attention that would lead us to believe that the Registration Statement
         or any amendment thereto, including the Rule 430A Information and Rule
         434 Information (if applicable), (except for financial statements and
         schedules and other financial data included therein or omitted
         therefrom, as to which we make no statement), at the time such
         Registration Statement or any such amendment became effective,
         contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectuses or any
         amendment or supplement thereto (except for financial statements and
         schedules and other financial data included therein or omitted
         therefrom, as to which we make no statement), at the time the
         Prospectuses were issued, at the time any such amended or supplemented
         prospectus was issued or at the Closing Time, included or includes an
         untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a
         material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
         light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                  In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to
         matters involving the application of the laws of North Carolina,
         Wisconsin and Texas, upon the opinions of special counsel to the
         Company acceptable to the U.S. Representatives (which opinions shall be
         dated and furnished to the U.S. Representatives at the Closing Time,
         shall be satisfactory in form and substance to counsel for the U.S.
         Underwriters and shall expressly state that the U.S. Underwriters may
         rely on such opinions as if they were addressed to them, provided that
         McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P. shall state in their opinion
         that they believe that they and the U.S. Underwriters are justified in
         relying upon such opinions, and (B) as to matters of fact (but not as
         to legal conclusions), to the extent they deem proper, on certificates
         of responsible officers of the Company and Trigon Insurance and public
         officials. Such opinion may state that to the extent that the opinions
         rendered therein (i) relating to the issuance of the Member Shares to
         Eligible Members in exchange for their Membership Interests involve
         foreign or state securities, insurance securities or blue sky laws or
         (ii) involve insurance laws, statutes, rules or regulations other than
         those of Virginia and states oas to which such counsel is relying upon
         opinions of special counsel, such opinions are subject to the
         qualifications and limitations contained in a schedule to such opinion,
         which shall be satisfactory in form and substance to counsel for the
         U.S. Underwriters. Such opinion shall not state that it is to be
         governed or qualified by, or that it is otherwise subject to, any
         treatise, written policy or other document relating to legal opinions,
         including, without limitation, the Legal Opinion Accord of the ABA
         Section of Business Law (1991).







                                                       Draft -- January 9, 1997




 ==============================================================================









                             TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.
                            (a Virginia corporation)


                         ________ Shares of Common Stock





                        INTERNATIONAL PURCHASE AGREEMENT










Dated:  __________, 1997


 ==============================================================================



<PAGE>



                                Table of Contents
<TABLE>
<S>   <C>
 PURCHASE AGREEMENT...............................................................................................1

      SECTION 1.    Representations and Warranties................................................................4
                    (a)   Representations and Warranties by the Company...........................................4
                          (i)  Compliance with Registration Requirements..........................................4
                          (ii)  Independent Accountants...........................................................5
                          (iii)  Financial Statements.............................................................5
                          (iv)  Statutory Financial Statements....................................................6
                          (v)  No Material Adverse Change in Business.............................................6
                          (vi)  Good Standing of the Company, Virginia BCBS and TMSI..............................6
                          (vii)  Good Standing of Subsidiaries....................................................7
                          (viii)  Capitalization..................................................................7
                          (ix)  Demutualization and Merger........................................................7
                          (x)  Authorization of Agreement.........................................................8
                          (xi)  Authorization and Description of Securities.......................................8
                          (xii)  Authorization of Capital Stock of TMSI and Trigon Insurance. ....................8
                          (xiii)  Authorization and Description of Member Shares..................................8
                          (xiv)  Exemption from 1933 Act..........................................................8
                          (xv)  Absence of Defaults and Conflicts.................................................9
                          (xvi)  Absence of Labor Dispute........................................................10
                          (xvii)  Absence of Proceedings.........................................................10
                          (xviii)  Accuracy of Exhibits..........................................................10
                          (xix)  Possession of Intellectual Property.............................................10
                          (xx)  Absence of Further Requirements..................................................11
                          (xxi)  BCBSA License...................................................................11
                          (xxii)  Possession of Licenses and Permits.............................................11
                          (xxiii)  Insurance Licenses............................................................12
                          (xxiv)  Title to Property..............................................................13
                          (xxv)  Maintenance of Insurance........................................................13
                          (xxvi)  Due Adoption of the Plan.......................................................13
                          (xxvii)  Compliance with Tax Laws......................................................14
                          (xxviii)  Investment Company Act.......................................................14
                          (xxix)  Environmental Laws.............................................................14
                          (xxx)  Registration Rights.............................................................15
                    (c)   Officer's Certificates.................................................................15

      SECTION 2.    Sale and Delivery to International Managers; Closing.........................................15
                    (a)   Initial International Securities.......................................................15
                    (b)   International Option Securities........................................................15
                    (c)   Payment................................................................................16
                    (d)   Denominations; Registration............................................................17
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
      SECTION 3.    Covenants of the Company and Virginia BCBS...................................................17
                    (a)   Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests.........................17
                    (b)   Filing of Amendments...................................................................17
                    (c)   Delivery of Registration Statements....................................................18
                    (d)   Delivery of Prospectuses...............................................................18
                    (e)   Continued Compliance with Securities Laws..............................................18
                    (f)   Blue Sky Qualifications................................................................19
                    (g)   Rule 158...............................................................................19
                    (h)   Use of Proceeds........................................................................19
                    (i)   Listing................................................................................19
                    (j)   Restriction on Sale of Securities......................................................19
                    (k)   Reporting Requirements.................................................................20
                    (l)   Compliance with Rule 463...............................................................20
                    (m)   Consummation of the Plan...............................................................20

      SECTION 4.    Payment of Expenses..........................................................................20
                    (a)  Expenses................................................................................20
                    (b)  Termination of Agreement................................................................21

      SECTION 5.    Conditions of International Managers' Obligations............................................21
                    (a)   Effectiveness of Registration Statement................................................21
                    (b)   Opinion of Counsel for Company and Virginia BCBS.......................................21
                    (c)   Opinion of Counsel for International Managers..........................................22
                    (d)   Officers' Certificates.................................................................22
                    (e)   Accountant's Comfort Letter............................................................22
                    (f)   Bring-down Comfort Letter..............................................................22
                    (g)   Approval of Listing....................................................................23
                    (h)   No Objection...........................................................................23
                    (i)   License Agreement......................................................................23
                    (j)   Opinion of Special Tax Counsel for Virginia BCBS.......................................23
                    (k)   Effectiveness of the Plan..............................................................23
                    (l)   Purchase of Initial U.S. Securities....................................................23
                    (m)   Conditions to Purchase of International Option Securities..............................23
                    (n)   Additional Documents...................................................................24
                    (o)   Termination of Agreement...............................................................24

      SECTION 6.    Indemnification..............................................................................25
                    (a)   Indemnification of International Managers..............................................25
                    (b)   Indemnification of Company, Virginia BCBS, Directors and Officers......................26
                    (c)   Actions against Parties; Notification..................................................26
                    (d)   Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse.....................................27
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>

      SECTION 7.    Contribution.................................................................................27

      SECTION 8.    Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery...............................28

      SECTION 9.    Termination of Agreement.....................................................................29
                    (a)   Termination; General...................................................................29
                    (b)   Liabilities............................................................................29

      SECTION 10.  Default by One or More of the International Managers..........................................29

      SECTION 11.  Notices.......................................................................................30

      SECTION 12.  Parties.......................................................................................30

      SECTION 13.  GOVERNING LAW AND TIME........................................................................31

      SECTION 14.  Effect of Headings............................................................................31


      SCHEDULES
                    Schedule A - List of International Managers.............................................Sch A-1
                    Schedule B - Pricing Information........................................................Sch B-1

      EXHIBITS
                    Exhibit A-        Form of Opinion of Company's Counsel......................................A-1

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                      Draft -- January 9, 1997


                             TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.

                            (a Virginia corporation)

                     ________ Shares of Class A Common Stock

                           (Par Value $.01 Per Share)

                        INTERNATIONAL PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                                              __________, 1997

MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL
Merrill Lynch International
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated
Dean Witter International Ltd.
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Wheat, First Securities, Inc.
  as Lead Managers of the several International Managers
c/o  Merrill Lynch International
Ropemaker Place
25 Ropemaker Street
London EC2Y 9LY
England

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Trigon Healthcare, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue shares of its Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(shares of which class of stock of the Company are hereinafter referred to as
"Common Stock"), in connection with the conversion (the "Demutualization") of
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia (doing business as Trigon Blue Cross Blue
Shield), a mutual insurance company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Virginia ("Virginia BCBS"), into a Virginia stock corporation pursuant to
Virginia BCBS's Amended and Restated Plan of Demutualization dated October 31,
1996 (the "Plan"), as approved by the members of the Virginia BCBS on September
6, 1996 and approved after a public hearing by the Virginia State Corporation
Commission on November 5, 1996. Upon consummation of the Plan, Virginia BCBS
will convert into a stock insurance corporation, Trigon Merger Sub, Inc., a
Virginia corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("TMSI"), will
merge with and into Virginia BCBS, in a merger in which Virginia BCBS will be
the surviving company (the "Merger") and Virginia BCBS will become a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Company and will



<PAGE>

be renamed Trigon Insurance Company ("Trigon Insurance"). Pursuant to the Plan,
the Company proposes to (i) issue to Eligible Members (as defined in the Plan)
shares of Common Stock (such shares allocated to Eligible Members, exclusive of
shares allocated to Eligible Members in respect of which cash is paid in lieu of
such shares, being referred to herein as "Member Shares") in exchange for their
Membership Interest (as defined in the Plan) and (ii) subject to the terms and
conditions stated herein, to issue and sell to Merrill Lynch International
("Merrill Lynch") and each of the other international managers named in Schedule
A hereto (collectively, the "International Managers", which term shall also
include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10
hereof), for whom Merrill Lynch, Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated, Dean Witter
International Ltd., Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited and Wheat, First
Securities, Inc. are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the "Lead
Managers"), with respect to the issue and sale by the Company and the purchase
by the International Managers, acting severally and not jointly, of the
respective numbers of shares of Common Stock of the Company set forth in said
Schedule A, and with respect to the grant by the Company to the International
Managers, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section
2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of ________ additional shares of Common
Stock to cover over-allotments, if any. The aforesaid ________ shares of Common
Stock (the "Initial International Securities") to be purchased by the
International Managers and all or any part of the ________ shares of Common
Stock subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the "International
Option Securities") are hereinafter called, collectively, the "International
Securities". On the Effective Date (as defined in the Plan), the Membership
Interests of all Members (as defined in the Plan) will be canceled and, as soon
as reasonably practicable thereafter, the Member Shares and cash will be issued
to Eligible Members. In addition, as required by the Plan, the Company will make
a payment in cash or a combination of cash and shares of its Class C redeemable
voting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Class C Stock"), to the
Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in addition to any shares of Common
Stock that the Commonwealth may be entitled to receive as an Eligible Member, in
an amount equal to the amount required to be paid by Virginia Code
ss.38.2-1005.1B.4 (the "Commonwealth Payment").

         It is understood that the Company and Virginia BCBS are concurrently
entering into an agreement dated the date hereof (the "U.S. Purchase Agreement")
providing for the offering by the Company of an aggregate of ________ shares of
Common Stock (the "Initial U.S. Securities") through arrangements with certain
underwriters in the United States and Canada (the "U.S. Underwriters") for which
Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Alex.
Brown & Sons Incorporated, Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated and Wheat, First Securities, Inc. are acting as representatives
(the "U.S. Representatives") and the grant by the Company to the U.S.
Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of an option to purchase all or
any part of the U.S. Underwriters' pro rata portion of up to ________ additional
shares of Common Stock solely to cover over allotments, if any (the "U.S. Option
Securities" and, together with the International Option Securities, the "Option
Securities"). The Initial U.S. Securities and the U.S. Option Securities are
hereinafter called the "U.S. Securities". It is understood that the Company is
not obligated to sell and the International


<PAGE>

Managers are not obligated to purchase, any Initial International Securities
unless all of the Initial U.S. Securities are contemporaneously purchased by the
U.S. Underwriters.

         The International Managers and the U.S. Underwriters are hereinafter
collectively called the "Underwriters", the Initial International Securities and
the Initial U.S. Securities are hereinafter collectively called the "Initial
Securities", and the International Securities and the U.S.
Securities are hereinafter collectively called the "Securities".

         The Underwriters will concurrently enter into an Intersyndicate
Agreement of even date herewith (the "Intersyndicate Agreement") providing for
the coordination of certain transactions among the Underwriters under the
direction of Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated (in such capacity, the "Global Coordinator").

         The Company understands that the International Managers propose to make
an offering of the International Securities as soon as the Lead Managers deem
advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

         The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-09773) covering the
registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933 Act"), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses.
Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will either
(i) prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A
("Rule 430A") of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act
(the "1933 Act Regulations") and paragraph (b) of Rule 424 ("Rule 424(b)") of
the 1933 Act Regulations or (ii) if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule
434 ("Rule 434") of the 1933 Act Regulations, prepare and file a term sheet (a
"Term Sheet") in accordance with the provisions of Rule 434 and Rule 424(b). Two
forms of prospectus are to be used in connection with the offering and sale of
the Securities: one relating to the International Securities (the "Form of
International Prospectus") and one relating to the U.S. Securities (the "Form of
U.S. Prospectus"). The Form of International Prospectus is identical to the Form
of U.S. Prospectus, except for the front cover and back cover pages and the
information under the caption "Underwriting" and the inclusion in the Form of
International Prospectus of a section under the caption "Certain United States
Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders." The information included in any such
prospectus or in any such Term Sheet, as the case may be, that was omitted from
such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed
to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective (a)
pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is referred to as "Rule 430A Information"
or (b) pursuant to paragraph (d) of Rule 434 is referred to as "Rule 434
Information." Each Form of International Prospectus and Form of U.S. Prospectus
used before such registration statement became effective, and any prospectus
that omitted, as applicable, the Rule 430A Information or the Rule 434
Information, that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a "preliminary prospectus."
Such registration statement, including the exhibits thereto and schedules
thereto at the time it became effective and including the Rule 430A Information
and the


<PAGE>

Rule 434 Information, as applicable, is herein called the "Registration
Statement." Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933
Act Regulations is herein referred to as the "Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement," and after such filing the term "Registration Statement" shall
include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The final Form of International
Prospectus and the final Form of U.S. Prospectus in the forms first furnished to
the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities are
herein called the "International Prospectus" and the "U.S. Prospectus,"
respectively, and collectively, the "Prospectuses." If Rule 434 is relied on,
the terms "International Prospectus" and "U.S. Prospectus" shall refer to the
preliminary International Prospectus dated _____, 1997 and preliminary U.S.
Prospectus dated ____, 1997, respectively, each together with the applicable
Term Sheet and all references in this Agreement to the date of such Prospectuses
shall mean the date of the applicable Term Sheet. For purposes of this
Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus, the International Prospectus, the U.S. Prospectus or any Term Sheet
or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to
include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data
Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system ("EDGAR").

         SECTION 1.        Representations and Warranties.

         (a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. Each of the Company
and Virginia BCBS, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to each
International Manager as of the date hereof, as of the Closing Time referred to
in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Date of Delivery (if any) referred to in
Section 2(b), hereof and agrees with each International Manager, as follows:

                  (i) Compliance with Registration Requirements. Each of the
         Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has
         become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no
         proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to
         the knowledge of the Company or Virginia BCBS, are contemplated by the
         Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for
         additional information has been complied with.

                  At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule
         462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto
         became effective and at the Closing Time (and, if any International
         Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of Delivery), the
         Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any
         amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all
         material respects with the re quirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933
         Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of
         a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
         Neither of the Prospectuses nor any amendments or supplements thereto,
         at the time the Prospectuses or any amendments or supplements thereto
         were issued and at the Closing Time (and, if any


<PAGE>

         International Option Securities are purchased, at the Date of
         Delivery), included or will include an untrue statement of a material
         fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in
         order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
         under which they were made, not misleading. If Rule 434 is used, the
         Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 434 and the
         Prospectuses shall not be "materially different", as such term is used
         in Rule 434, from the prospectuses included in the Registration
         Statement at the time it became effective. The representations and
         warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or
         omissions from the Registration Statement or the International
         Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
         furnished to the Company in writing by any International Manager
         through the Lead Managers or any U.S. Underwriter through the U.S.
         Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the
         International Prospectus.

                  Each preliminary prospectus and the prospectuses filed as part
         of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any
         amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act,
         complied when so filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act
         Regulations and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectuses
         delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering
         was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed
         with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted
         by Regulation S-T.

                  (ii) Independent Accountants. The accountants who certified
         the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the
         Registration Statement are independent public accountants as required
         by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                  (iii) Financial Statements. The financial statements included
         in the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses, together with the
         related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of
         Virginia BCBS and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated
         and the results of operations and cash flows of Virginia BCBS and its
         consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial
         statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
         accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis throughout
         the periods involved. The supporting schedules included in the
         Registration Statement present fairly in accordance with GAAP the
         information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data
         and the summary financial information included in the Prospectuses
         present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on
         a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements
         included in the Registration Statement. The pro forma financial
         statements and the related notes thereto included in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectuses present fairly the information shown
         therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission's rules
         and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have
         been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the
         assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the
         adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the
         transactions and circumstances referred to therein.


<PAGE>

                  (iv) Statutory Financial Statements. The statutory financial
         statements of Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries, from which certain
         ratios and other statistical data contained in the Registration
         Statement have been derived, have for each relevant period been
         prepared in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or
         permitted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and
         the insurance department of the Common wealth of Virginia, and such
         accounting practices have been applied on a consistent basis throughout
         the periods involved, except as disclosed therein.

                  (v) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the
         respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectuses, except as otherwise stated therein, (A)
         there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial
         or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business
         prospects of Trigon considered as one enterprise, whether or not
         arising in the ordinary course of business, (B) there have been no
         transactions entered into by Trigon, other than those in the ordinary
         course of business, which are material with respect to Trigon
         considered as one enterprise, and (C) there has been no dividend or
         distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any
         class of its capital stock. For purposes of this Agreement, "Trigon"
         shall mean Virginia BCBS as a mutual insurance company and its
         subsidiaries, including the Company, at all times prior to the
         effectiveness of the Plan and the Company and its subsidiaries,
         including Trigon Insurance as a stock corporation, at all times on and
         after the effectiveness of the Plan.

                  (vi) Good Standing of the Company, Virginia BCBS and TMSI. The
         Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a
         corporation in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
         Virginia; Virginia BCBS has been duly organized and, since its
         conversion to a mutual insurance company in 1991 until immediately
         prior to the effectiveness of the Plan, has and will continue to be
         validly existing as a mutual insurance company in good standing under
         the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia; upon the effectiveness of the
         Plan, Trigon Insurance will be validly existing as a stock corporation
         in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia; each
         of the Company and Virginia BCBS has corporate power and authority to
         own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as
         described in the Prospectuses and to enter into and perform its
         obligations under this Agreement; and each of the Company and Virginia
         BCBS is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business
         and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such
         qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or
         leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the
         failure so to qualify or to be in good standing could not reasonably be
         expected to result in a material adverse effect on the condition,
         financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or
         business prospects of Trigon considered as one enterprise (a "Material
         Adverse Effect"). TMSI has been duly incorporated and, until
         immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Plan, will continue to be
         duly incorporated and validly existing as a stock corporation in good
         standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.


<PAGE>

                  (vii) Good Standing of Subsidiaries. Each of the subsidiaries
         listed on Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement, which are the only
         subsidiaries of Virginia BCBS, has been duly incorporated and is
         validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of
         the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and
         authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
         business as described in the Prospectuses and is duly qualified as a
         foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in
         each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by
         reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
         business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good
         standing could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration
         Statement, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such
         subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid
         and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through
         subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage,
         pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity; and none of the outstanding
         shares of capital stock of any such subsidiary was issued in violation
         of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such
         subsidiary. Prior to the effectiveness of the Plan, the Company will
         have no subsidiaries other than TMSI and, upon the effectiveness of the
         Plan, will have no subsidiaries other than Trigon Insurance and
         subsidiaries of Trigon Insurance.

                  (viii) Capitalization. Prior to the effectiveness of the Plan,
         upon the filing with the State Corporation Commission of the
         Commonwealth of Virginia ("the State Corporation Commission") of the
         Articles of Incorporation of the Company in the form filed as an
         Exhibit to the Registration Statement, the Company will have an
         authorized capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus.

                  (ix) Demutualization and Merger. Upon the effectiveness of the
         Plan and pursuant to the Merger: (a) TMSI will be merged with and into
         Virginia BCBS, the separate existence of TMSI will cease, and Virginia
         BCBS will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; (b) Trigon
         Insurance will become a stock corporation incorporated under and
         governed by the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, ss.13.1-601 et seq.;
         (c) each issued and outstanding share of common stock of TMSI owned by
         the Company immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Plan shall,
         as a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
         Company, be canceled and converted into one share of stock of Trigon
         Insurance; (d) all Membership Interests of all Members in Virginia BCBS
         shall be canceled, and in consideration for their Membership Interests,
         including their interests in the surplus of Virginia BCBS, Eligible
         Members shall be entitled to receive Common Stock from the Company
         and/or cash from Trigon Insurance pursuant to and in accordance with
         the Plan; and (e) all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock in
         the Company owned by Virginia BCBS shall be canceled. The Company shall
         make the Commonwealth Payment in accordance with the Plan.



<PAGE>

                  (x)  Authorization of Agreement.  This Agreement and the U.S.
         Purchase Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
         the Company and Virginia BCBS.

                  (xi) Authorization and Description of Securities. The
         Securities to be purchased by the International Managers and the U.S.
         Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized for issuance
         and sale to the International Managers pursuant to this Agreement and
         the U.S. Underwriters pursuant to the U.S. Purchase Agreement,
         respectively, and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to
         this Agreement and the U.S. Purchase Agreement, respectively, against
         payment of the consideration set forth herein and the U.S. Purchase
         Agreement, respectively, will be validly issued, fully paid and
         non-assessable; the Common Stock conforms to all statements relating
         thereto contained in the Prospectuses and such description conforms to
         the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same; no holder of
         the Securities will be personally liable for any debts, obligations,
         liabilities or losses of the Company by reason of being such a holder;
         and the issuance of the Securities is not subject to the preemptive or
         other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.

                  (xii) Authorization of Capital Stock of TMSI and Trigon
         Insurance. As of the date hereof and at all times subsequent hereto up
         to the effectiveness of the Plan, all of the issued and outstanding
         shares of capital stock of TMSI shall have been duly authorized and
         validly issued and shall be fully paid and non-assessable and shall be
         owned by the Company, free and clear of any security interest,
         mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity. Upon
         effectiveness of the Plan, all of the outstanding shares of capital
         stock of Trigon Insurance will have been duly authorized and, when
         issued and delivered to the Company pursuant to the Plan, will be
         validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will be owned by the
         Company, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge,
         lien, encumbrance claim or equity.

                  (xiii) Authorization and Description of Member Shares. The
         Member Shares have been duly authorized, and when issued and delivered
         to Eligible Members in exchange for their Membership Interests pursuant
         to the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; no
         holder thereof will be personally liable for any debts, obligations,
         liabilities or losses of the Company by reason of being such a holder;
         such Member Shares are not subject to the preemptive or other similar
         rights of any securityholder of the Company and all corporate action
         required to be taken for the authorization and issuance of the Member
         Shares has been validly and sufficiently taken.

                  (xiv) Exemption from 1933 Act. The issuance and delivery of
         the Member Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for their Membership
         Interests pursuant to the Plan is exempt from the registration
         requirements of the 1933 Act.




<PAGE>

                  (xv) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company,
         Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter
         or by-laws or in default in the performance or observance of any
         obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract,
         indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note,
         lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company, Virginia
         BCBS or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of
         them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the
         Company, Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary is subject (collectively,
         "Agreements and Instruments"), except for such defaults that could not
         reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the
         execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the U.S.
         Purchase Agreement and the Plan and the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated in this Agreement, the U.S. Purchase
         Agreement, the Plan and the Registration Statement (including the
         issuance of the Member Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for their
         Membership Interests pursuant to the Plan, the issuance of cash and
         Class C Stock to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia in
         satisfaction of the Commonwealth payment pursuant to the Plan, and the
         issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from
         the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectuses under the
         caption "Use of Proceeds") and compliance by the Company and Virginia
         BCBS with their obligations under this Agreement, the U.S. Purchase
         Agreement and the Plan have been duly authorized by all necessary
         corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the
         giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or
         constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined
         below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
         charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company,
         Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary pursuant to, the Agreements and
         Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens,
         charges or encumbrances that could not reasonably be expected to result
         in a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any
         violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company,
         Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary or any applicable law, statute, rule,
         regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government,
         government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having
         jurisdiction over the Company, Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary or any
         of their assets, properties or operations (other than foreign or state
         securities, insurance securities or blue sky laws in connection with
         the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities under this Agreement
         and the U.S. Purchase Agreement ), except for such violations resulting
         from the failure to make or obtain or comply with such filings,
         authorizations, approvals, consents, licenses, orders, registrations,
         qualifications or decrees in connection with the Plan that could not
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or have a
         material adverse effect on the ability of the Company or Virginia BCBS
         to perform their respective obligations under the Plan or to consummate
         the transactions contemplated therein. As used herein, a "Repayment
         Event" means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note,
         debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on
         such holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption
         or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company,
         Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary.


<PAGE>

                  (xvi) Absence of Labor Dispute. No labor dispute with the
         employees of the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries
         exists or, to the knowledge of the Company or Virginia BCBS, is
         imminent, and the Company and Virginia BCBS are not aware of any
         existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its
         or any subsidiary's principal suppliers, customers or contractors,
         which, in either case, may reasonably be expected to result in a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xvii) Absence of Proceedings. Except for matters disclosed in
         the Registration Statement, there is no action, suit, proceeding,
         inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental
         agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge
         of the Company or Virginia BCBS, threatened, against or affecting the
         Company, Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries, which is required to
         be disclosed in the Registration Statement, or which might reasonably
         be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might
         reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the
         properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated in this Agreement, the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the
         Plan or the performance by the Company or Virginia BCBS of its
         obligations hereunder or thereunder; and the aggregate of all pending
         legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company, Virginia BCBS
         or any subsidiary is a party or of which any of their respective
         property or assets is the subject which are not described in the
         Registration Statement, including ordinary routine litigation
         incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result
         in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xviii) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no contracts or
         documents which are required to be described in the Registration
         Statement or the Prospectuses or to be filed as exhibits thereto which
         have not been so described and filed as required.

                  (xix) Possession of Intellectual Property. The Company,
         Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on
         reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses,
         inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other
         unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information,
         systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other
         intellectual property (collectively, "Intellectual Property") necessary
         to carry on the business now operated by them, and neither the Company,
         Virginia BCBS nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice or is
         otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights
         of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or
         circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or
         inadequate to protect the interest of the Company, Virginia BCBS or any
         of its subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the
         subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity
         or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
         expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.



<PAGE>

                  (xx) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or
         authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration,
         qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or
         agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Company or
         Virginia BCBS of their respective obligations hereunder or under the
         Plan, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the
         Securities under this Agreement and the U.S. Purchase Agreement, in
         connection with the issuance of the Member Shares to Eligible Members
         in exchange for their Membership Interests and of cash and Class C
         Stock to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia in satisfaction
         of the Commonwealth Payment pursuant to the Plan, or the consummation
         of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the U.S. Purchase
         Agreement and the Plan, except (a) such as have been already obtained
         or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations
         and foreign or state securities, insurance securities or blue sky laws
         in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities
         under this Agreement and the U.S. Purchase Agreement and (b) such
         filings, authorizations, approvals, consents, licenses, orders,
         registrations, qualifications or decrees in connection with the Plan
         that, if not made or obtained or complied with, could not reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or have a material adverse
         effect on the ability of the Company or Virginia BCBS to perform their
         respective obligations under the Plan or to consummate the transactions
         contemplated therein.

                  (xxi) BCBSA License. Virginia BCBS is in full compliance with
         the requirements of the Blue Cross License Agreement, dated as of
         November 16, 1995, between Virginia BCBS and the Blue Cross and Blue
         Shield Association (the "BCBSA"), and the Virginia Blue Shield License
         Agreement, dated as of November 16, 1995, between Virginia BCBS and the
         BCBSA, except in each case where noncompliance could not reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Upon execution thereof by
         the Company on or prior to the Effective Date, the License Agreement
         attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement (the "New
         License Agreement") shall become effective and enforceable against the
         Company and, to the best of the Company's and Virginia BCBS' knowledge,
         the BCBSA in accordance with its terms. Each of Virginia BCBS's
         subsidiaries that is required by the BCBSA as of the date hereof, or
         that will be required by the BCBSA as of the Closing Time, to be a
         party to a Blue Cross Affiliate License Agreement is in full compliance
         with the requirements of such agreement, except in each case where
         noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (xxii) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Company,
         Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries each possess such permits, licenses,
         approvals, consents and other author izations (collectively,
         "Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal, state,
         local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the
         business now operated by them, except where the failure to possess such
         Government Licenses could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; the Company, Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries each
         are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such


<PAGE>

         Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply could not
         reasonably be expected, singly or in the aggregate, to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full
         force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental
         Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full
         force and effect could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; and neither the Company, Virginia BCBS nor any of its
         subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the
         revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which,
         singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision,
         ruling or finding, might reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (xxiii) Insurance Licenses. The Company has made all required
         filings under insurance holding statutes applicable to it, and is duly
         licensed or authorized as an insurance holding company in each
         jurisdiction in which it is or will immediately after the effectiveness
         of the Plan be required to be so licensed or authorized, except where
         the failure to have made such filings or to be so licensed or
         authorized in any such jurisdiction could not reasonably be expected to
         have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of Virginia BCBS and its
         subsidiaries which is engaged in the insurance business (the "Insurance
         Subsidiaries") is duly licensed or authorized to conduct its insurance
         business under the insurance laws of each jurisdiction in which it
         conducts such business so as to require such licensing or
         authorization, except where the failure to be so licensed or authorized
         could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; all
         such licenses or authorizations are in full force and effect and
         neither the Company, Virginia BCBS nor any Insurance Subsidiary has
         received any notice of any event, inquiry, investigation or proceeding
         that would reasonably be expected to result in the suspension,
         revocation or limitation of any such licenses or authorizations or
         otherwise impose any limitation on the conduct of the business of the
         Company, Virginia BCBS or any Insurance Subsidiary, except any such
         suspension, revocation or limitation which could not reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and to the Company's,
         Virginia BCBS's and the Insurance Subsidiaries' knowledge, there is no
         sustainable basis under current law, regulation or judicial
         interpretation for any such suspension, revocation or limitation; each
         of Virginia BCBS and the Insurance Subsidiaries is in compliance with,
         and conducts its businesses in conformity with, all applicable
         insurance laws and regulations, except where the failure to comply or
         conform could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect; and Virginia BCBS has disclosed in writing to the Lead Managers
         all pending significant examinations, and all significant examinations
         which have been completed and filed since the fiscal year ending
         December 31, 1990, by any governmental authority having jurisdiction to
         regulate the insurance operations of Virginia BCBS or any Insurance
         Subsidiary. Each of the subsidiaries of Virginia BCBS operating as a
         health maintenance organization (the "HMO Subsidiaries") is duly
         licensed as a health maintenance organization under the laws of each
         jurisdiction in which it conducts such business so as to require such
         licensing, except where the failure to be so licensed could not
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of
         ____________, ____________ and _______________ is duly qualified as a
         health maintenance


<PAGE>

         organization under The Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973, as
         amended, and the rules and regulations of the Department of Health and
         Human Services thereunder.

                  (xxiv) Title to Property. The Company, Virginia BCBS and its
         subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property owned
         by the Company, Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries and good title to
         all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all
         mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or
         en cumbrances of any kind except such as (a) are described in the
         Prospectuses or (b) do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially
         affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use
         made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company, Virginia
         BCBS or any of its subsidiaries; and all of the leases and subleases
         material to the business of Trigon and its subsidiaries, considered as
         one enterprise, and under which the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of
         its subsidiaries holds properties described in the Prospectuses, are in
         full force and effect, and neither the Company, Virginia BCBS nor any
         subsidiary has any notice of any claim of any sort that has been
         asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company, Virginia BCBS
         or any subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above,
         or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company, Virginia BCBS or
         such subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased
         premises under any such lease or sublease, and which if adversely
         decided could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xxv) Maintenance of Insurance. The Company, Virginia BCBS and
         each of its subsidiaries maintain insurance policies with respect to
         such insurable properties, potential liabilities and occurrences that
         merit or require catastrophic insurance in amounts deemed adequate in
         the reasonable opinion of the management for the Company and Virginia
         BCBS or maintain a system or systems of self-insurance or assumption of
         risk which accords with the practices of similar businesses; all such
         insurance policies are in full force and effect.

                  (xxvi) Due Adoption of the Plan. The Plan was duly adopted on
         September 6, 1996 by a vote (the "Policyholder Vote") of more than
         two-thirds of the votes validly cast by Voting Members (as defined in
         the Plan) (which adoption complied with the applicable requirements of
         Virginia Code ss.38.2-1005.1) and such adoption has not been rescinded
         or otherwise withdrawn; on November 5, 1996 the State Corporation
         Commission issued a final order approving the Plan in accordance with
         the requirements of Virginia Code ss.38.2-1005.1 (the "Commission
         Order"); the time period within which an appeal to the Commission Order
         must be noted for an appeal to be validly made has expired and, to the
         Company's and Virginia BCBS's knowledge, no appeals were so noted;
         prior to the Effective Date, Virginia BCBS will have filed with the
         State Corporation Commission in accordance with Virginia law the
         Articles of Merger (as defined in the Plan) together with a copy of the
         Plan so approved; no other approvals are required to be obtained under
         Virginia law for the effectiveness of the Plan; on the Effective Date,
         the Plan will become effective in accordance with its terms pursuant to
         Virginia Code ss.38.2-1005.1 and the


<PAGE>

         Demutualization will be completed in accordance with the Plan and the
         laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia applicable to the reorganization
         of mutual insurance companies into stock corporations effected through
         a merger and any rules and regulations of the State Corporation
         Commission in respect thereof, in each case as administered or
         interpreted by the State Corporation Commission in respect thereof; and
         prior to or contemporaneously with the Closing Time each of the actions
         required to occur and conditions required to be satisfied on or prior
         to the effectiveness of the Plan pursuant to the Commission's Order or
         the Plan will have occurred or been satisfied.

                  (xxvii) Compliance with Tax Laws. All material income, payroll
         and sales tax returns required to have been filed prior to the date
         hereof or the Closing Time by the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of its
         subsidiaries, in any jurisdiction, shall have been so filed, and all
         material taxes, including related withholding taxes, penalties and
         interest, assessments and other charges due or claimed to be due from
         such entities have been paid, other than those being contested in good
         faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided or those
         currently payable without penalty or interest.

                  (xxviii) Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and upon
         the issuance of the Member Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for
         their Membership Interests pursuant to the Plan and the issuance and
         sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of
         the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectuses will not
         be, nor is Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries, an "investment
         company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company" as such
         terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
         (the "1940 Act").

                  (xxix) Environmental Laws. Except as described in the
         Registration Statement and except as could not reasonably be expected,
         singly or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A)
         neither the Company, Virginia BCBS nor any of its subsidiaries is in
         violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule,
         regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any
         judicial or ad ministrative interpretation thereof, including any
         judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating
         to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including,
         without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land
         surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without
         limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened
         release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic
         substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products
         (collectively, "Hazardous Materials") or to the manufacture,
         processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport
         or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, "En vironmental
         Laws"), (B) the Company, Virginia BCBS and its subsidiaries have all
         permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable
         Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements,
         (C) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or
         judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens,
         notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings
         relating to any


<PAGE>

         Environmental Law against the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of its
         subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or circumstances that might
         reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or
         remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or
         governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company, Virginia
         BCBS or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any
         Environmental Laws.

                  (xxx) Registration Rights. There are no persons with
         registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities
         registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise
         registered by the Company under the 1933 Act.

         (b) Agreements of the International Mangers. Each International
Manager, severally and not jointly, agrees with each of the Company that such
International Manager will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly,
International Securities, nor distribute or publish the International Prospectus
or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the
International Securities, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in
compliance in all material respects with any applicable rules and regulations of
any such county or jurisdiction. Each International Manager will comply with all
applicable laws and regulations, and make or obtain all necessary filings,
consents or approvals, in each jurisdiction in which such International Manager
offers, sells or delivers International Securities.

         (c) Officer's Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of
the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries delivered to the Global
Coordinator, the Lead Managers or to counsel for the International Managers
shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, Virginia BCBS to
each International Manager as to the matters covered thereby.

         SECTION 2.        Sale and Delivery to International Managers; Closing.

         (a) Initial International Securities. On the basis of the
representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each International
Manager, severally and not jointly, and each International Manager, severally
and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company, at the price per share set
forth in Schedule B, the number of Initial International Securities set forth in
Schedule A opposite the name of such International Manager, plus any additional
number of Initial International Securities which such International Manager may
become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

         (b) International Option Securities. In addition, on the basis of the
representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the
International Managers, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to an
additional ________ shares of Common Stock at the price per share set forth in
Schedule B, less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions
declared by the Company and payable on the Initial International Securities but
not payable on the International Option



<PAGE>

Securities. The option hereby granted will expire 30 days after the date hereof
and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose
of covering over-allotments which may be made in connection with the offering
and distribution of the Initial International Securities upon notice by the
Global Coordinator to the Company setting forth the number of International
Option Securities as to which the several International Managers are then
exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such
International Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery for the
International Option Securities (a "Date of Delivery") shall be determined by
the Global Coordinator, but shall not be later than seven full business days
after the exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to the Closing Time,
as hereinafter defined. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of
the International Option Securities, each of the International Managers, acting
severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of
International Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial
International Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such
International Manager bears to the total number of Initial International
Securities, subject in each case to such adjustments as the Global Coordinator
in its discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional
shares.

         (c) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of
certificates for, the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of
Debevoise & Plimpton, 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, or at such
other place as shall be agreed upon by the Global Coordinator and the Company,
at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after
4:30 P.M. (Eastern time) on any given day) business day after the date hereof
(unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such
other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed
upon by the Global Coordinator and the Company (such time and date of payment
and delivery being herein called "Closing Time").

         In addition, in the event that any or all of the International Option
Securities are purchased by the International Managers, payment of the purchase
price for, and delivery of certificates for, such International Option
Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned offices, or at such other place
as shall be agreed upon by the Global Coordinator and the Company, on each Date
of Delivery as specified in the notice from the Global Coordinator to the
Company.

         Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to a bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to
the Lead Managers for the respective accounts of the International Managers of
certificates for the International Securities to be purchased by them. It is
understood that each International Manager has authorized the Lead Managers, for
its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the
purchase price for, the Initial International Securities and the International
Option Securities, if any, which it has agreed to purchase. Merrill Lynch,
individually and not as representative of the International Managers, may (but
shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial
International Securities or the International Option Securities, if any, to be
purchased by any International Manager whose funds have not been received by the
Closing Time


<PAGE>

or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, but such payment shall not
relieve such International Manager from its obligations hereunder.

         (d) Denominations; Registration. Certificates for the Initial
International Securities and the International Option Securities, if any, shall
be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Lead Managers may
request in writing at least one full business day before the Closing Time or the
relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be. The certificates for the Initial
International Securities and the International Option Securities, if any, will
be made available for examination and packaging by the Lead Managers in The City
of New York not later than 10:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the business day prior
to the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be.

         SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company and Virginia BCBS. The Company, and
Virginia BCBS with respect to subsection (m) below, covenants with each
International Manager as follows:

                  (a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission
         Requests. The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the
         requirements of Rule 430A or Rule 434, as applicable, and will notify
         the Global Coordinator immediately, and confirm the notice in writing,
         (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement,
         shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectuses or any
         amended Pro spectuses shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any
         comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission
         for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or
         supplement to the Prospectuses or for additional information, and (iv)
         of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing
         or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the
         suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale
         in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any
         proceedings for any of such purposes. The Company will promptly effect
         the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 424(b) and will take such steps
         as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of
         prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for
         filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will
         promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make every reasonable
         effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order
         is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible
         moment.

                  (b) Filing of Amendments. The Company will give the Global
         Coordinator notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to
         the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)),
         any Term Sheet or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the
         prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became
         effective or to the Prospectuses, will furnish the Global Coordinator
         with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to
         such proposed filing or use,


<PAGE>

         as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which
         the Global Coordinator or counsel for the International Managers shall
         object.

                  (c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Company has
         furnished or will deliver to the Lead Managers and counsel for the
         International Managers, without charge, signed copies of the
         Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment
         thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by
         reference therein) and signed copies of all consents and certificates
         of experts, and will also deliver to the Lead Managers, without charge,
         a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and
         of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the
         International Managers. The copies of the Registration Statement and
         each amendment thereto furnished to the International Managers will be
         identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with
         the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by
         Regulation S-T.

                  (d) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Company has delivered to
         each International Manager, without charge, as many copies of each
         preliminary prospectus as such International Manager reasonably
         requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies
         for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to
         each International Manager, without charge, during the period when the
         International Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act
         or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), such number of
         copies of the International Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as
         such International Manager may reasonably request. The International
         Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the
         International Managers will be identical to the electronically
         transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR,
         except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

                  (e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Company
         will comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations so as to
         permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as
         contemplated in this Agreement, the U.S. Purchase Agreement and in the
         Prospectuses. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the 1933
         Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, any
         event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is
         necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the International Managers or
         for the Company, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or
         supplement any Prospectus in order that the Prospectuses will not
         include any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a
         material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not
         misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is
         delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion
         of such counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement
         or amend or supplement any Prospectus in order to comply with the
         requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company
         will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section
         3(b), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such


<PAGE>

         statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the
         Prospectuses comply with such requirements, and the Company will
         furnish to the International Managers such number of copies of such
         amendment or supplement as the International Managers may reasonably
         request.

                  (f) Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company will use its best
         efforts, in cooperation with the International Managers, to qualify the
         Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws
         of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the
         Global Coordinator may designate and to maintain such qualifications in
         effect for a period of not less than one year from the later of the
         effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not
         be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to
         qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any
         jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to
         taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it
         is not otherwise so subject. In each jurisdiction in which the
         Securities have been so qualified, the Company will file such
         statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such
         jurisdiction to continue such qualification in effect for a period of
         not less than one year from the effective date of the Registration
         Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.

                  (g) Rule 158. The Company will timely file such reports
         pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally
         available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings
         statement for the purposes of, and to provide the benefits contemplated
         by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

                  (h) Use of Proceeds.  The Company will use the net proceeds
         received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified
         in the Prospectuses under "Use of Proceeds".

                  (i) Listing. The Company will use its best efforts to effect
         the listing of the Common Stock (including the Member Shares and the
         Securities) on the New York Stock Exchange.

                  (j) Restriction on Sale of Securities. During a period of 180
         days from the date of the Prospectuses, the Company will not, without
         the prior written consent of the Global Coordinator, (i) directly or
         indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or
         contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant
         any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or
         dispose of any share of Common Stock or any securities convertible into
         or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or file any
         registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the
         foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any
         transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or
         indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock,


<PAGE>

         whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii)
         above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other
         securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not
         apply to (A) the Securities to be sold hereunder or under the U.S.
         Purchase Agreement, (B) the Member Shares to Eligible Members in
         connection with the consummation of the Demutualization pursuant to the
         Plan, (C) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Articles VI, VII or
         VIII of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, (D) options for
         shares of Common Stock granted to employees, officers and directors of
         the Company or its subsidiaries pursuant to a stock option plan adopted
         by the Company and (E) shares of Common Stock issued in a private
         placement as consideration for any acquisition by the Company,
         provided, that, with respect to clause (E) above, the International
         Managers shall have first obtained from any recipient of shares of
         Common Stock an agreement in writing to be bound to the same
         restrictions set forth in this Section 3(j).

                  (k) Reporting Requirements. The Company, during the period
         when the Prospectuses are required to be delivered under the 1933 Act
         or the 1934 Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the
         Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by
         the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
         thereunder.

                  (l) Compliance with Rule 463. The Company will file with the
         Commission such reports on Form SR as may be required pursuant to Rule
         463 of the 1933 Act Regulations.

                  (m) Consummation of the Plan. Prior to or contemporaneously
         with the Closing Time, the Company and Virginia BCBS will take all
         actions necessary in order to consummate the Plan and the transactions
         contemplated thereby to have occurred at or prior to such date.

         SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses. (a) Expenses. The Company will pay all
expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement,
including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement
(including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each
amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the
Underwriters of this Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters and such other
documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale,
issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and
delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the Underwriters, including
any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the
sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters and the
transfer of the Securities between the U.S. Underwriters and the International
Managers, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel, accountants
and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities
laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing
fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters
in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky
Survey and any


<PAGE>

supplement thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies
of each preliminary prospectus, any Term Sheets and of the Prospectuses and any
amendments or supplements thereto, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery
to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto,
(viii) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent or registrar for the
Securities, (ix) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review by
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") of the terms
of the sale of the Securities and (x) the fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange.

         (b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the
Lead Managers in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i)
hereof, the Company shall reimburse the International Managers for all of their
out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel for the International Managers.

         SECTION 5. Conditions of International Managers' Obligations. The
obligations of the several International Managers hereunder are subject to the
accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and Virginia BCBS
contained in Section 1 hereof or in certificates of any officer of the Company
or Virginia BCBS or any subsidiary of the Company or Virginia BCBS delivered
pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and
Virginia BCBS of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and
to the following further conditions:

                  (a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration
         Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become
         effective and at Closing Time no stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued
         under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by
         the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for
         additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable
         satisfaction of counsel to the International Managers. A prospectus
         containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the
         Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) (or a post-effective
         amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared
         effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A) or, if the
         Company has elected to rely upon Rule 434, a Term Sheet shall have been
         filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b).

                  (b) Opinion of Counsel for Company and Virginia BCBS. At
         Closing Time, the Lead Managers shall have received the favorable
         opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe,
         L.L.P., counsel for the Company and Virginia BCBS, in form and
         substance satisfactory to counsel for the International Managers,
         together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of
         the other International Managers to the effect set forth in Exhibit A
         hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the International
         Managers may reasonably request.


<PAGE>



                  (c) Opinion of Counsel for International Managers. At Closing
         Time, the Lead Managers shall have received the favorable opinion,
         dated as of Closing Time, of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel for the
         International Managers, together with signed or reproduced copies of
         such letter for each of the other International Managers with respect
         to the matters set forth in clauses (vii), (viii), (ix), (xi) (solely
         as to the information in the Prospectus under "Description of Capital
         Stock--Description of Common Stock") and the penultimate paragraph of
         Exhibit A hereto. In giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to
         all matters governed by Virginia law, upon the opinions of McGuire,
         Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P., counsel for the Company and Virginia
         BCBS. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion
         involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem
         proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company, Virginia BCBS and
         its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

                  (d) Officers' Certificates. At Closing Time, there shall not
         have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of
         which information is given in the Prospectuses, any material adverse
         change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings,
         business affairs or business prospects of Trigon considered as one
         enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business,
         and the Lead Managers shall have received certificates of the President
         or a Vice President of each of the Company and Virginia BCBS and of the
         chief financial or chief accounting officer of each of the Company and
         Virginia BCBS, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there
         has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and
         warranties in Section 1(a) hereof are true and correct with the same
         force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time,
         (iii) the Company and Virginia BCBS have complied with all agreements
         and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied
         at or prior to Closing Time, and (iv) no stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no
         proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or are
         contemplated by the Commission.

                  (e) Accountant's Comfort Letter. At the time of the execution
         of this Agreement, the Lead Managers shall have received from KPMG Peat
         Marwick LLP a letter dated such date, in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Lead Managers, together with signed or reproduced
         copies of such letter for each of the other International Managers
         containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included
         in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the
         financial statements and certain financial information contained in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectuses.

                  (f) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At Closing Time, the Lead
         Managers shall have received from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP a letter, dated
         as of Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements
         made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this
         Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not
         more than three business days prior to Closing Time.



<PAGE>



                  (g) Approval of Listing. At Closing Time, the Securities and
         the Member Shares shall have been approved for listing on the New York
         Stock Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance.

                  (h) No Objection.  The NASD shall not have raised any
         objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the
         underwriting terms and arrangements.

                  (i) License Agreement.  At Closing Time, the New License
         Agreement shall have been entered into by and between the BCBSA and the
         Company.

                  (j) Opinion of Special Tax Counsel for Virginia BCBS. Virginia
         BCBS shall have received an opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe,
         L.L.P., special tax counsel for Virginia BCBS, in form and substance
         satisfactory to counsel for the International Managers, to the effect
         that the summary of federal income tax consequences provided to
         Eligible Members in the Member Information Statement dated August 2,
         1996 remains accurate under the applicable federal income tax law and
         other authorities in effect on the Effective Date, except for any
         developments between the mailing date thereof and the Effective Date
         that are specifically identified in such opinion, provided that (i) in
         the opinion of such counsel, the principal federal income tax
         consequences to Eligible Members and to Virginia BCBS of such
         developments were anticipated and accurately described in all material
         respects in such Member Information Statement, (ii) Virginia BCBS has
         determined that the principal federal income tax consequences of such
         developments are not materially adverse to the interests of the
         Eligible Members or Virginia BCBS, or (iii) such developments are not
         described in (i) or (ii) but have been described in a subsequent
         communication approved by the Virginia Bureau of Insurance and
         distributed to the Eligible Members and, in the opinion of counsel, any
         further Member vote that is required has been obtained.

                  (k) Effectiveness of the Plan. All actions and transactions
         required by the Plan to be taken or to have occurred at or prior to the
         effectiveness of the Plan (other than the offering of Securities as
         herein contemplated) shall have been taken or shall have occurred; and
         the Commission shall have issued the certificate of merger with respect
         to the Merger and the Plan shall have thereupon become effective.

                  (l) Purchase of Initial U.S. Securities. Contemporaneously
         with the purchase by the International Managers of the Initial
         International Securities under this Agreement, the U.S. Underwriters
         shall have purchased the Initial U.S. Securities under the U.S.
         Purchase Agreement.

                  (m) Conditions to Purchase of International Option Securities.
         In the event that the International Managers exercise their option
         provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the
         International Option Securities, the representations and




<PAGE>



         warranties of the Company and Virginia BCBS contained herein and the
         statements in any certificates furnished by the Company, Virginia BCBS
         or any subsidiary of the Company hereunder shall be true and correct as
         of each Date of Delivery and, at the relevant Date of Delivery, the
         Lead Managers shall have received:

                  (i) Officers' Certificates. Certificates, dated such Date of
                  Delivery, of the President or a Vice President of each of the
                  Company and Virginia BCBS and of the chief financial or chief
                  accounting officer of each of the Company and Virginia BCBS
                  confirming that the certificates delivered at the Closing Time
                  pursuant to Section 5(d) hereof remain true and correct as of
                  such Date of Delivery.

                  (ii) Opinion of Counsel for Company and Virginia BCBS. The
                  favorable opinion of McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P.,
                  counsel for the Company and Virginia BCBS, in form and
                  substance satisfactory to counsel for the International
                  Managers, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the
                  International Option Securities to be purchased on such Date
                  of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion
                  required by Section 5(b) hereof.

                  (iii) Opinion of Counsel for International Managers. The
                  favorable opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel for the
                  International Managers, dated such Date of Delivery, relating
                  to the International Option Securities to be purchased on such
                  Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the
                  opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.

                  (iv) Bring-down Comfort Letter. A letter from KPMG Peat
                  Marwick LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lead
                  Managers and dated such Date of Delivery, substantially in the
                  same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Lead
                  Managers pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof, except that the
                  "specified date" in the letter furnished pursuant to this
                  paragraph shall be a date not more than five days prior to
                  such Date of Delivery.

         (n) Additional Documents. At Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery,
counsel for the International Managers shall have been furnished with such
documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to
pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in
order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or
the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings
taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities
as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Lead
Managers and counsel for the International Managers.

         (o) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified in this
Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this
Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of International
Option Securities on a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing


<PAGE>


Time, the obligations of the several International Managers to purchase the
relevant Option Securities, may be terminated by the Lead Managers by notice to
the Company at any time at or prior to Closing Time or such Date of Delivery, as
the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to
any other party except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7
and 8 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

         SECTION 6.  Indemnification.

         (a) Indemnification of International Managers. Each of the Company and
Virginia BCBS agrees, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each
International Manager and each person, if any, who controls any International
Manager within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the
1934 Act as follows:

                  (i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
         expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or
         alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
         Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule
         430A Information and the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or the
         omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to
         be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
         misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
         statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus or
         the Prospectuses (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the
         omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in
         order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
         under which they were made, not misleading;

                  (ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
         expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount
         paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or
         proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened,
         or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or
         omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided
         that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected
         with the written consent of the Company or Virginia BCBS; and

                  (iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred
         (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Merrill
         Lynch), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
         against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
         governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
         whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any
         such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such
         expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any
International Manager through the Lead Managers or any U.S.


<PAGE>


Underwriter through the U.S. Representatives expressly for use in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A
Information and the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or any preliminary
prospectus or the International Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto).

         (b) Indemnification of Company, Virginia BCBS, Directors and Officers.
Each International Manager severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, Virginia BCBS, their respective directors, each of the Company's
officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who
controls the Company or Virginia BCBS within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability,
claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a)
of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or
omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and
the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or any preliminary International
prospectus or the International Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished
to the Company by such International Manager through the Lead Managers expressly
for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such
preliminary prospectus or the International Prospectus (or any amendment or
supplement thereto).

         (c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall
give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of
any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought
hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such
indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not
materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it
from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity
agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above,
counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Merrill Lynch, and, in
the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to the
indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may
participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided,
however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the
consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In
no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more
than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own
counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or
separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of
the same general allegations or cir cumstances. No indemnifying party shall,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or
compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which
indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section
7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties
thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an
unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out
of such litigation,


<PAGE>


investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to
or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any
indemnified party.

         (d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time
an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel in accordance with this
Section 6, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any
settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its
written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after
receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such
indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at
least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) prior to the
date of such settlement neither of the following shall have occurred: (A) such
indemnifying party shall have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance
with such request or (B) if such indemnifying party reasonably believes that the
indemnified party is not entitled under this Section 6 to any or all of the
requested amount, such indemnifying party shall have reimbursed such indemnified
party of such lesser portion, if any, of the requested amount and provided to
such indemnified party a statement substantiating the reasonableness of the
amount, if any, so reimbursed.

         SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section
6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or
expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses
incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and
Virginia BCBS on the one hand and the International Managers on the other hand
from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the
allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred
to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and Virginia
BCBS on the one hand and of the International Managers on the other hand in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations.

         The relative benefits received by the Company and Virginia BCBS on the
one hand and the International Managers on the other hand in connection with the
offering of the International Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be
deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from
the offering of the International Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before
deducting expenses) received by the Company and Virginia BCBS and the total
underwriting discount received by the International Managers, in each case as
set forth on the cover of the International Prospectus, or, if Rule 434 is used,
the corresponding location on the Term Sheet, bear to the aggregate initial
public offering price of the International Securities as set forth on such
cover.


<PAGE>



         The relative fault of the Company and Virginia BCBS on the one hand and
the International Managers on the other hand shall be determined by reference
to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates
to information supplied by the Company or Virginia BCBS on the one hand or by
the International Managers on the other hand and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.

         The Company, Virginia BCBS and the International Managers agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the International Managers were
treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation
which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in
this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section
7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

         Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no International
Manager shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total price at which the International Securities underwritten by it
and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of
any damages which such International Manager has otherwise been required to pay
by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission.

         No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

         For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an
International Manager within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such
International Manager, and each director of the Company or Virginia BCBS, each
officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person,
if any, who controls the Company or Virginia BCBS within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to
contribution as the Company and Virginia BCBS. The International Managers'
respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in
proportion to the number of Initial International Securities set forth opposite
their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

         SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive
Delivery. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this
Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company, Virginia BCBS or any of
its subsidiaries submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full
force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf


<PAGE>



of any International Manager or controlling person, or by or on behalf of the
Company or Virginia BCBS, and shall survive delivery of the Securities to the
International Managers.

         SECTION 9.  Termination of Agreement.

         (a) Termination; General. The Lead Managers may terminate this
Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to Closing Time (i)
if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the
respective dates as of which information is given in the International
Prospectus, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or
otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of Trigon,
considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the
financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets,
any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or
any change or development involving a prospective change in national or
international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the
effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Lead Managers,
impracticable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of
the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been
suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the New York Stock
Exchange, or if trading generally on the American Stock Exchange or the New York
Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq National Market has been suspended or materially
limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum
ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system
or by order of the Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. or any other governmental authority, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has
been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.

         (b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this
Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other
party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections
1, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and
effect.

         SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the International Managers. If
one or more of the International Managers shall fail at Closing Time or a Date
of Delivery to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to
purchase under this Agreement (the "Defaulted Securities"), the Lead Managers
shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one
or more of the non-defaulting International Managers, or any other underwriters,
to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such
amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however,
the Lead Managers shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour
period, then:

                  (a) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10%
         of the number of International Securities to be purchased on such date,
         each of the non-defaulting International Managers shall be obligated,
         severally and not jointly, to purchase the full



<PAGE>



         amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting
         obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all
         non-defaulting International Managers, or

                  (b) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the
         number of International Securities to be purchased on such date, this
         Agreement or, with respect to any Date of Delivery which occurs after
         the Closing Time, the obligation of the International Managers to
         purchase and of the Company to sell the Option Securities to be
         purchased and sold on such Date of Delivery shall terminate without
         liability on the part of any non-defaulting International Manager.

         No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting
International Manager from liability in respect of its default.

         In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination
of this Agreement or, in the case of a Date of Delivery which is after the
Closing Time, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the
International Managers to purchase and the Company to sell the relevant
International Option Securities, as the case may be, either the Lead Managers or
the Company shall have the right to postpone Closing Time or the relevant Date
of Delivery, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order
to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in
any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term "International
Manager" includes any person substituted for an International Manager under this
Section 10.

         SECTION 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the
International Managers shall be directed to the Lead Managers at North Tower,
World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281-1201, attention of Syndicate
Operations (with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to Debevoise &
Plimpton, 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022-6225, attention of James C.
Scoville, Esq.); and notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 2015
Staples Mill Road, Richmond, Virginia 23230, attention of J. Christopher
Wiltshire, Esq. (with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to McGuire,
Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P., One James Center, 901 East Cary Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219, attention of R. Gordon Smith, Esq.).

         SECTION 12. Parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon each of the International Managers, the Company and Virginia
BCBS and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this
Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or
corporation, other than the International Managers, the Company and Virginia
BCBS and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers
and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal
representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in
respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and
all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and
exclusive benefit of the International Managers, the Company and Virginia BCBS
and their


<PAGE>



respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors
and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other
person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any International
Manager shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

         SECTION 13.  GOVERNING LAW AND TIME.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. SPECIFIED
TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

         SECTION 14.  Effect of Headings.  The Article and Section headings
herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect
the construction hereof.


<PAGE>



         If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to the Company and Virginia BCBS a counterpart
hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a
binding agreement between the International Managers, the Company and Virginia
BCBS in accordance with its terms.

Very truly yours,

TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.


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



VIRGINIA BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
(to be renamed Trigon Insurance Company)


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


CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
  as of the date first above written:

MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL
ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
DEAN WITTER INTERNATIONAL LTD.
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
WHEAT, FIRST SECURITIES, INC.

By: MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL


By
   ----------------------------------------------
                 Authorized Signatory

For themselves and as Lead Managers of the other International Managers named in
Schedule A hereto.



<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE A



                                                               Number of
                                                                Initial
                                                             International
         Name of International Manager                        Securities

Merrill Lynch International..................................
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated..............................
Dean Witter International Ltd................................
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited...................
Wheat, First Securities, Inc.................................












Total........................................................       ________
                                                               =============




<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE B

                             TRIGON HEALTHCARE, INC.

                         ________ Shares of Common Stock

                           (Par Value $.01 Per Share)






                  1. The initial public offering price per share for the
         Securities, determined as provided in said Section 2, shall be
         $_______.

                  2. The purchase price per share for the International
         Securities to be paid by the several International Managers shall be
         $_______, being an amount equal to the initial public offering price
         set forth above less $_______ per share; provided that the purchase
         price per share for any International Option Securities purchased upon
         the exercise of the over-allotment option described in Section 2(b)
         shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or
         distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial
         International Securities but not payable on the International Option
         Securities.



<PAGE>


                                                                      Exhibit A



                      FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
                           TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
                                  SECTION 5(b)


                  (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
         existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
         Commonwealth of Virginia. Until immediately prior to the effectiveness
         of the Plan, Virginia BCBS was, since its conversion to a mutual
         insurance company in 1991, validly existing as a mutual insurance
         company in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
         Virginia. Trigon Insurance is validly existing as a stock corporation
         in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Until
         immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Plan, TMSI was duly
         incorporated and validly existing as a stock corporation in good
         standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

                  (ii) Each of the Company and Virginia BCBS (now renamed Trigon
         Insurance) has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate
         its properties and to conduct its business as described in the
         Prospectuses and to enter into and perform its obligations under the
         U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement. Each
         of the Company and Trigon Insurance is duly qualified as a foreign
         corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each
         jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason
         of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business,
         except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing could
         not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (iii) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set
         forth in the Prospectus.

                  (iv) The Securities to be purchased by the U.S. Underwriters
         and the International Managers from the Company have been duly
         authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to the
         U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement,
         respectively, and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to
         the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement,
         respectively, against payment of the consideration set forth in the
         U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement, will
         be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable; the Common Stock
         conforms in all material respects to all statements relating thereto
         contained in the Prospectuses and such description conforms in all
         material respects to the rights set forth in the instruments defining
         the same; and no holder of the Securities is or will be personally
         liable for any debts, obligations, liabilities or losses of the Company
         by reason of being such a holder.



<PAGE>



                  (v) The issuance of the Securities is not subject to the
         preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the
         Company, except as may be provided in Articles VI, VII and VIII of the
         Articles of Incorporation of the Company in the form filed as an
         Exhibit to the Registration Statement.

                  (vi) Each of the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the
         Registration Statement, which to the best of our knowledge are the only
         subsidiaries of Trigon Insurance, has been duly incorporated and is
         validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of
         the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate power and
         authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its
         business as described in the Prospectuses and is duly qualified as a
         foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in
         each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by
         reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
         business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good
         standing could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
         Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration
         Statement, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such
         subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid
         and non-assessable and, to the best of our knowledge, is owned by the
         Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any
         security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or
         equity; and, to the best of our knowledge, none of the outstanding
         shares of capital stock of any such subsidiary was issued in violation
         of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such
         subsidiary.

                  (vii) The U.S. Purchase Agreement and the International
         Purchase Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
         the Company and Virginia BCBS.

                  (viii) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement, has been declared effective under the 1933 Act;
         any required filing of the Prospectuses pursuant to Rule 424(b) has
         been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule
         424(b); and, to the best of our knowledge, no stop order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no
         proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or
         threatened by the Commission.

                  (ix) The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b)
         Registration Statement, the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434
         Information, as applicable, the Prospectuses and each amendment or
         supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectuses as of
         their respective effective or issue dates (other than the financial
         statements and supporting schedules and other financial information
         included therein or omitted therefrom, as to which we express no
         opinion) complied as to form in all material respects with the
         requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                  (x) The form of certificate used to evidence the Common Stock
         complies in all material respects with all applicable statutory
         requirements, with any applicable



<PAGE>



         requirements of the Articles of Incorporation and by-laws of the
         Company and the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.

                  (xi) To the best of our knowledge, except for matters
         disclosed in the Registration Statement, there is no action, suit,
         proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or
         governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending or
         threatened, against or affecting the Company, Trigon Insurance or any
         of its subsidiaries, which is required to be disclosed in the
         Registration Statement, or which might reasonably be expected to result
         in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to
         materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated in the U.S. Purchase
         Agreement, the International Purchase Agreement and the Plan or the
         performance by the Company or Trigon Insurance of their respective
         obligations thereunder.

                  (xii) The information in the Prospectuses under "The
         Demutualization", "Business - Regulation", "Business - The Blue Cross
         and Blue Shield License", "Legal Proceedings", "Management",
         "Description of Capital Stock" and, in the International Prospectus,
         "Certain United States Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders" and in the
         Registration Statement under Item 14, to the extent that such
         information constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, the
         Company's Articles of Incorporation and bylaws or legal proceedings, or
         legal conclusions, has been reviewed by us and is accurate in all
         material respects.

                  (xiii) To the best of our knowledge, there are no statutes or
         regulations that are required to be described in the Prospectuses that
         are not described as required.

                  (xiv) All descriptions in the Prospectuses of contracts and
         other documents to which the Company, Trigon Insurance or any of its
         subsidiaries are a party are accurate in all material respects; to the
         best of our knowledge, there are no franchises, contracts, indentures,
         mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases or other instruments required
         to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement or to be
         filed as exhibits thereto other than those described or referred to
         therein or filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits thereto.

                  (xv) To the best of our knowledge, (a) neither the Company,
         Trigon Insurance nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its
         charter or by-laws and (b) no default by the Company or any subsidiary
         exists in the due performance or observance of any material obligation,
         agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture,
         mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument
         that is described or referred to in the Registration Statement or the
         Prospectuses or filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the
         Registration Statement, except for such defaults that could not
         reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect and except
         that no opinion is


<PAGE>



         given under this paragraph (xv) with respect to the Blue Cross License
         Agreement and Virginia Blue Shield License Agreement referred to in
         paragraph (xxiv) herein.

                  (xvi) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent,
         license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or
         governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, is necessary or
         required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under
         the U.S. Purchase Agreement or under the Plan, in connection with the
         offering, issuance or sale of the Securities under the U.S. Purchase
         Agreement and the International Purchase Agreement, in connection with
         the issuance of the Member Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for
         their Membership Interests and of cash and Class C Stock to the
         Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia in satisfaction of the Common
         wealth Payment pursuant to the Plan, or the consummation of the
         transactions con templated by the U.S. Purchase Agreement, the
         International Purchase Agreement and the Plan, except (a) such as have
         been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the
         1933 Act Regulations and foreign or state securities, insurance
         securities or blue sky laws in connection with the offering, issuance
         or sale of the Securities under the U.S. Purchase Agreement and the
         International Purchase Agreement, as to which we express no opinion,
         and (b) such filings, authorizations, approvals, consents, licenses,
         orders, registrations, qualifications or decrees in connection with the
         Plan that, if not made or obtained or complied with, could not
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or have a
         material adverse effect on the ability of the Company or Virginia BCBS
         to perform their respective obligations under the Plan or to consummate
         the transactions contemplated therein.

                  (xvii) The execution, delivery and performance of the U.S.
         Purchase Agreement, the International Purchase Agreement and the Plan
         and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the U.S.
         Purchase Agreement, the International Purchase Agreement, the Plan and
         in the Registration Statement (including the issuance of the Member
         Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for their Membership Interests
         pursuant to the Plan, the issuance of cash and Class C Stock to the
         Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia in satisfaction of the
         Commonwealth Payment pursuant to the Plan, and the issuance and sale of
         the Securities, and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the
         Securities as described in the Prospectuses under the caption "Use Of
         Proceeds") and compliance by the Company and Trigon Insurance with
         their obligations under the U.S. Purchase Agreement, the International
         Purchase Agreement and the Plan do not and will not, whether with or
         without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, conflict with or
         constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined in
         the Purchase Agreements) under or result in the creation or imposition
         of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the
         Company, Trigon Insurance or any subsidiary pursuant to any contract,
         indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note,
         lease or any other agreement or instrument, listed on a schedule
         attached to such opinion (which schedule shall be satisfactory in form
         and substance to counsel for the U.S. Underwriters), to which the
         Company, Trigon Insurance or any subsidiary is a



<PAGE>



         party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of
         the property or assets of the Company, Trigon Insurance or any
         subsidiary is subject (except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults
         or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not have a Material
         Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of the
         provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company, Trigon Insurance
         or any subsidiary, or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation,
         judgment, order, writ or decree, known to us, including, without
         limitation, Virginia Code ss. 38.2-1005.1 and the insurance laws and
         regulations of Virginia, of any government, government instrumentality
         or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company,
         Trigon Insurance or any subsidiary or any of their respective
         properties, assets or operations (other than foreign or state
         securities, insurance securities or blue sky laws in connection with
         the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities under this Agreement
         and the International Purchase Agreement), except for such violations
         resulting from the failure to make or obtain or comply with such
         filings, authorizations, approvals, consents, licenses, orders,
         registrations, qualifications or decrees in connection with the Plan
         that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
         or have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company or
         Virginia BCBS to perform their respective obligations under the Plan or
         to consummate the transactions contemplated therein.

                  (xviii) To the best of our knowledge, there are no persons
         with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities
         registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise
         registered by the Company under the 1933 Act.

                  (xix) The Company is not, nor is Trigon Insurance or any of
         its subsidiaries, an "investment company" or an entity "controlled" by
         an "investment company," as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act.

                  (xx) Pursuant to the Merger: (a) TMSI has merged with and into
         Virginia BCBS, the separate existence of TMSI has ceased, and Virginia
         BCBS has become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; (b) Virginia
         BCBS has become a stock corporation incorporated under and governed by
         the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, ss.13.1-601 et seq. and by the
         Virginia Insurance Code; (c) each issued and outstanding share of
         common stock of TMSI owned by the Company immediately prior to the
         effectiveness of the Plan has, as a result of the Merger and without
         any action on the part of the Company, been canceled and converted into
         one share of stock of Trigon Insurance; (d) all Membership Interests of
         all Members in Virginia BCBS have been canceled, and in consideration
         for their Membership Interests, including their interests in the
         surplus of Virginia BCBS, Eligible Members are entitled to receive
         Common Stock from the Company and/or cash from Trigon Insurance
         pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan; and (e) all issued and
         outstanding shares of capital stock in the Company owned by Virginia
         BCBS have been canceled.


<PAGE>



                  (xxi) Until immediately prior to the effectiveness of the
         Plan, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of TMSI
         were duly authorized and validly issued and were fully paid and
         non-assessable and, to the best of our knowledge, were owned by the
         Company, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge,
         lien, encumbrance, claim or equity. All of the outstanding shares of
         capital stock of Trigon Insurance are duly authorized and validly
         issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and, to the best of our
         knowledge, are owned by the Company, free and clear of any security
         interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance claim or equity.

                  (xxii) The Member Shares have been duly authorized, and when
         issued and delivered to Eligible Members in exchange for their
         Membership Interests pursuant to the Plan, will be validly issued,
         fully paid and non-assessable; no holder thereof will be personally
         liable for any debts, obligations, liabilities or losses of the Company
         by reason of being such a holder; such Member Shares are not subject to
         the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the
         Company (except as may be provided in Articles VI, VII and VIII of the
         Articles of Incorporation of the Company in the form filed as an
         Exhibit to the Registration Statement) and all corporate action
         required to be taken for the authorization and issuance of the Member
         Shares has been validly and sufficiently taken.

                  (xxiii) The issuance and delivery of the Member Shares to
         Eligible Members in exchange for their Membership Interests pursuant to
         the Plan is exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act.

                  (xxiv) To the best of our knowledge, the Blue Cross and Blue
         Shield Association (the "BCBSA") has not asserted noncompliance by
         Virginia BCBS or any of its subsidiaries that is required by the BCBSA
         as of the date hereof to be a party to a Blue Cross Affiliate License
         Agreement with the requirements of the Blue Cross License Agreement,
         dated as of November 16, 1995, between Virginia BCBS and the BCBSA, and
         the Virginia Blue Shield License Agreement, dated as of November 16,
         1995, between Virginia BCBS and the BCBSA, except in each case where
         such noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (xxv) To the best of our knowledge, (a) the Company, Trigon
         Insurance and its subsidiaries each possess such permits, licenses,
         approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively,
         "Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal, state,
         local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the
         business now operated by them, except where the failure to possess such
         Government Licenses could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; (b) all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in
         full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental
         Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full
         force and effect could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; and (c) neither the Company, Trigon Insurance nor any
         of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to
         the revocation or modification of any such Governmental


<PAGE>



         Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an
         unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, could reasonably be expected
         to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xxvi) To the best of our knowledge, (a) the Company has made
         all required filings under insurance holding statutes applicable to it,
         and is duly licensed or authorized as an insurance holding company in
         each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so licensed or
         authorized, except where the failure to have made such filings or to be
         so licensed or authorized in any such jurisdiction could not reasonably
         be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) each of Trigon
         Insurance and its subsidiaries which is engaged in the insurance
         business (the "Insurance Subsidiaries") is duly licensed or authorized
         to conduct its insurance business under the insurance laws of each
         jurisdiction in which it conducts such business so as to require such
         licensing or authorization, except where the failure to be so licensed
         or authorized could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; (c) all such licenses or authorizations are in full
         force and effect, except where the invalidity of such licenses and
         authorization or failure to be in full force and effect could not
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (d) neither
         the Company, Trigon Insurance nor any Insurance Subsidiary has received
         any notice of any event, inquiry, investigation or proceeding that
         would reasonably be expected to result in the suspension, revocation or
         limitation of any such licenses or authorizations or otherwise impose
         any limitation on the conduct of the business of the Company, Trigon
         Insurance or any Insurance Subsidiary, except any such suspension,
         revocation or limitation which could not reasonably be expected to have
         a Material Adverse Effect; (e) each of the subsidiaries of Trigon
         Insurance operating as a health maintenance organization (the "HMO
         Subsidiaries") is duly licensed as a health maintenance organization
         insurer under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it conducts such
         business so as to require such licensing, except where the failure to
         be so licensed could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; and (f) each of ______________, ______________ and
         ___________ is duly qualified as a health maintenance organization
         under The Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973, as amended, and
         the rules and regulations of the Department of Health and Human
         Services thereunder.

                  (xxvii) In accordance with Virginia Code ss. 38.2-1005.1, the
         Plan has been duly adopted by the required vote of the Members and all
         necessary approvals under Virginia Code ss. 38.2-1005.1 for the Plan to
         become effective have been obtained, all such approvals are in full
         force and effect and no other approvals are required to be obtained
         under Virginia Code ss. 38.2-1005.1 for the effectiveness of the Plan;
         the time period within which an appeal to the Commission Order must be
         noted in order for an appeal to be validly made has expired and, to our
         knowledge, no appeals were so noted; and upon the issuance by the State
         Corporation Commission of the certificate of merger with respect to the
         Merger (as defined in the Plan), the Plan will have become effective in
         accordance with its terms.



<PAGE>



                  While we have not ourselves checked the accuracy and
         completeness of, or otherwise verified, and are not passing upon and
         assume no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of, the
         statements contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectuses,
         except to the limited extent stated in paragraph (xii), in the course
         of our review and discussion of the contents of the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectuses with certain officers and employees of
         the Company and Trigon Insurance and their independent accountants, but
         without independent check or verification, nothing has come to our
         attention that would lead us to believe that the Registration Statement
         or any amendment thereto, including the Rule 430A Information and Rule
         434 Information (if applicable), (except for financial statements and
         schedules and other financial data included therein or omitted
         therefrom, as to which we make no statement), at the time such
         Registration Statement or any such amendment became effective,
         contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectuses or any
         amendment or supplement thereto (except for financial statements and
         schedules and other financial data included therein or omitted
         therefrom, as to which we make no statement), at the time the
         Prospectuses were issued, at the time any such amended or supplemented
         prospectus was issued or at the Closing Time, included or includes an
         untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a
         material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
         light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

                  In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to
         matters involving the application of the laws of North Carolina,
         Wisconsin and Texas, upon the opinions of special counsel to the
         Company acceptable to the Lead Managers (which opinions shall be dated
         and furnished to the Lead Managers at the Closing Time, shall be
         satisfactory in form and substance to counsel for the International
         Managers and shall expressly state that the International Managers may
         rely on such opinions as if they were addressed to them, provided that
         McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, L.L.P. shall state in their opinion
         that they believe that they and the International Managers are
         justified in relying upon such opinions, and (B) as to matters of fact
         (but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent they deem proper, on
         certificates of responsible officers of the Company and Trigon
         Insurance and public officials. Such opinion may state that to the
         extent that the opinions rendered therein (i) relating to the issuance
         of the Member Shares to Eligible Members in exchange for their
         Membership Interests involve foreign or state securities, insurance
         securities or blue sky laws or (ii) involve insurance laws, statutes,
         rules or regulations other than those of Virginia and states oas to
         which such counsel is relying upon opinions of special counsel, such
         opinions are subject to the qualifications and limitations contained in
         a schedule to such opinion, which shall be satisfactory in form and
         substance to counsel for the International Managers. Such opinion shall
         not state that it is to be governed or qualified by, or that it is
         otherwise subject to, any treatise, written policy or other document
         relating to legal opinions, including, without limitation, the Legal
         Opinion Accord of the ABA Section of Business Law (1991).









                         Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Before the Demutualization

Trigon Merger Subsidiary, Inc.




After the Demutualization (1)

Company                                                         Jurisdiction

Trigon Insurance Company (formerly known as
 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Virginia) d/b/a Trigon
 Blue Cross Blue Shield.......................................Virginia
   Consolidated Healthcare, Inc...............................Virginia
   Trigon Health Ventures, Inc................................Virginia
   Consolidated Investment Corporation........................Virginia
   Health Management Corporation..............................Virginia
     Healthy Homecomings, Inc.................................Missouri
       Healthy Homecomings Incorporated of Missouri...........Missouri
       Healthy Homecomings Incorporated of St. Louis..........Missouri
   Monticello Service Agency, Inc.............................Virginia
     Capitation Risk Management...............................Virginia
   Consolidated Holdings Corporation..........................Delaware
   Monticello Life Insurance Company..........................Wisconsin
 Primary Care First, L.L.C (2)................................Virginia
 Peninsula Health Care, Inc (3)...............................Virginia
 Healthcare Support Corporation...............................Virginia
   Trigon Administrators, Inc.................................Virginia
   Physicians Health Plan, Inc................................Virginia
   HMO Virginia, Inc..........................................Virginia
   Trigon Services, Inc.......................................Virginia
   HealthKeepers, Inc.........................................Virginia
 Priority, Inc (4)............................................Virginia
   Priority Health Care, Inc..................................Virginia
   Health First, Inc..........................................Virginia
   Priority Insurance Agency, Inc.............................Virginia
 Mid-South Insurance Company..................................North Carolina

- -------------
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Registrant
    or the indicated parent company.

(2) 50% owned.

(3) 51% owned.

(4) 80% owned.





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