PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS INC /DE/
10-K, 1999-02-26
HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS
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                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                   FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[X]   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
      ACT OF 1934
 
                        FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
 
                                         OR
 
[ ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
            FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ____________ TO ____________ .
 
                        COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-21949
                            ------------------------
 
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
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                  DELAWARE                                      95-4591529
        (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION               (IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
      OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
</TABLE>
 
              3120 LAKE CENTER DRIVE, SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92704
          (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES, INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
 
      (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE) (714) 825-5200
 
        SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE
 
          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
                     CLASS A COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01
                     CLASS B COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01
                            ------------------------
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [X]  No [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  [ ]
 
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the
Registrant on January 29, 1999 was approximately $2,645,900,000.
 
The number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
outstanding at January 29, 1999 was approximately 14,800,000 and 30,800,000
respectively.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
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<S>                                            <C>
                  DOCUMENT                                  WHERE INCORPORATED
 
PORTIONS OF THE REGISTRANT'S DEFINITIVE PROXY                    PART III
    STATEMENT TO BE FILED BY APRIL 30, 1999
</TABLE>
 
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                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                      INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
 
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<S>        <C>                                                             <C>
                                    PART I
Item 1.    Business....................................................      1
Item 2.    Properties..................................................      9
Item 3.    Legal Proceedings...........................................      9
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.........      9
                                    PART II
Item 5.    Market for the Company's Common Equity and Related
           Stockholders Matters........................................     10
Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.....................................     11
Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
           and Results of Operations...................................     13
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
           Risk........................................................     26
Item 8.    Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data....     27
Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
           and Financial Disclosure....................................     27
                                   PART III
Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant..........     27
Item 11.   Executive Compensation......................................     27
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
           Management..................................................     27
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..............     27
                                    PART IV
Item 14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form
           8-K.........................................................     28
</TABLE>
 
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                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW
 
PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. is one of the nation's leading managed health
care services companies, serving approximately 3.5 million members in nine
states and Guam as of December 31, 1998. We operate health maintenance
organizations ("HMOs") and offer HMO related products and services.
 
HMOS AND HMO RELATED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. PacifiCare offers HMO and
HMO-related products and services primarily to the Medicare and commercial
markets. An HMO is a health care organization that combines aspects of a health
care insurer with those of a health care provider by arranging for health care
services for its members through a defined provider network at a reduced
deductible or a nominal copayment. Our Medicare programs and commercial plans
are designed to deliver quality health care and customer service to members at
cost-effective prices.
 
- - SECURE HORIZONS(R). For Medicare beneficiaries, PacifiCare offers health care
  services through its Secure Horizons(R) programs. Secure Horizons programs are
  the largest Medicare+Choice programs in the United States (as measured by
  membership). Secure Horizons membership has grown from approximately 0.3
  million members at December 31, 1993 to approximately 1.0 million members at
  December 31, 1998.
 
- - COMMERCIAL. For the commercial employer market, PacifiCare offers a range of
  products and benefit plan designs that vary in the amount of member
  copayments. These options allow employers flexibility in selecting
  cost-effective benefit packages for their employees. PacifiCare's commercial
  membership has grown from approximately 0.8 million members at December 31,
  1993 to 2.5 million members at December 31, 1998. We also offer a variety of
  specialty HMO managed care and HMO related products and services that
  employers can purchase as a supplement to our basic commercial plans or as
  stand-alone products. These products include behavioral health services, life
  and health insurance, dental and vision services and pharmacy benefit
  management. We generally provide these specialty services through subcontracts
  or referral relationships with other health care providers.
 
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
 
PacifiCare's membership at December 31, 1998 was as follows:
 
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                                                  SECURE                             PERCENT
                                                 HORIZONS   COMMERCIAL     TOTAL     OF TOTAL
                                                 --------   ----------   ---------   --------
<S>                                              <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
Arizona........................................   86,500      107,100      193,600      5.5%
California.....................................  599,800    1,595,000    2,194,800     62.2
Colorado.......................................   58,500      296,600      355,100     10.1
Guam...........................................       --       39,800       39,800      1.1
Nevada.........................................   22,900       38,900       61,800      1.7
Ohio...........................................   16,600       44,000       60,600      1.7
Oklahoma.......................................   26,900       96,300      123,200      3.5
Oregon.........................................   39,300      114,700      154,000      4.4
Texas..........................................   61,900      127,100      189,000      5.4
Washington.....................................   60,400       94,600      155,000      4.4
                                                 -------    ---------    ---------    -----
Total membership...............................  972,800    2,554,100    3,526,900    100.0%
                                                 =======    =========    =========    =====
</TABLE>
 
SECURE HORIZONS PROGRAMS
 
GENERAL. We have offered Secure Horizons programs to Medicare beneficiaries
since 1985 through participation in the Medicare risk program with the Health
Care Financing Administration or HCFA. Beginning January 1, 1999, we participate
in the new Medicare+Choice program which replaced the Medicare risk program. To
participate in the Medicare+Choice program, HCFA requires that HMOs be either
federally qualified or meet similar requirements as a competitive medical plan
to be eligible for Medicare+Choice contracts. All of our HMO operations meet
these requirements. Our Medicare+Choice
 
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contracts entitle us to annual fixed per-member premiums. Under current law, our
premiums are based upon the average cost of providing traditional
fee-for-service Medicare benefits to the Medicare population in each county,
subject to annual limits on the growth of our premiums. Our premium growth is
also limited by an overall cap on the growth of all payments under all
Medicare+Choice contracts. Future premiums from HCFA will be impacted by new
payment methods being developed by HCFA. See Government Regulation -- "HCFA."
 
Our per-member premium revenue for the Secure Horizons programs usually is, and
will continue to be, more than three times higher than for our commercial plans
primarily because of the higher medical and administrative costs of serving a
Medicare member. As a result of the premium differences, the Secure Horizons
programs accounted for approximately 59 percent of our consolidated premium
revenue for the year ended December 31, 1998, and an even larger percentage of
our operating profit, even though it represented only 28 percent of our total
membership. The Secure Horizons programs are subject to certain risks relative
to our commercial plans, such as higher comparative medical costs, higher levels
of utilization, government and regulatory reporting requirements, the
possibility of reduced or insufficient government reimbursement in the future
and higher marketing and advertising costs associated with selling to
individuals rather than to employer groups. These risks may adversely affect our
operating margins on these programs and our overall profitability. In addition,
each Secure Horizons member enrolls individually in our program, and may
disenroll by providing 30 days notice. We believe that our Secure Horizons
programs have one of the lowest disenrollment rates among Medicare+Choice plans.
 
HCFA may unilaterally revise our Medicare+Choice contracts based on updated
demographic information relating to the Medicare population and the cost of
providing health care in a particular geographic area. PacifiCare's
Medicare+Choice contracts are automatically renewed every 12 months unless we or
HCFA elect to terminate them. HCFA may also terminate our Medicare+Choice
contracts if we fail to continue to meet compliance and eligibility standards.
Termination of our Medicare+Choice contracts would have an effect on our
financial position, results of operations, cash flows or business prospects. We
have had these contracts in some states for at least 13 years. We have no reason
to believe that these terminations will occur.
 
COMMERCIAL PROGRAMS
 
GENERAL. PacifiCare's commercial plans offer a comprehensive range of products
to employer groups, including HMO, Preferred Provider Organization ("PPO") and
Point of Service ("POS") plans. A PPO is a selected group of providers, such as
medical groups, that offers discounted fee-for-service health care. POS plans
combine the features of an HMO with the features of a traditional indemnity
insurance product, allowing members to choose from a network of providers at a
lower cost or from other physicians at a higher deductible or copayment. Our
HMOs also have commercial contracts with the United States Office of Personnel
Management ("OPM") to provide managed health care services to approximately
204,000 members under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program ("FEHBP") for
federal employees, annuitants and their dependents.
 
COMMERCIAL RETIREE PRODUCTS. In response to the needs of employers to provide
cost-effective health care coverage to their retired employees who may or may
not be currently entitled to Medicare, we offer the Secure Horizons retiree
product. This product draws on our Medicare expertise by offering provider
networks that are similar to those offered to our Secure Horizons enrollees. We
set our premiums generally based on the same revenue requirements needed to
provide services to Secure Horizons members. The retiree product gives us access
to individuals who, once familiar with our services and delivery system, may
enroll in Secure Horizons programs when they become eligible for Medicare
benefits.
 
HMO RELATED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. In addition to our HMO operations, PacifiCare
provides a range of specialty managed care products which supplement our HMO
products and are primarily sold in our commercial programs. These include:
 
- - Behavioral Health Services. PacifiCare Behavioral Health of California, Inc.
  is a California licensed specialized health care service plan that provides
  behavioral health care services, including chemical dependency benefit
  programs, primarily to our California and other HMO commercial members.
  Outside of California, PacifiCare Behavioral Health, Inc. contracts with our
  HMOs, other insurers and employers to manage their respective mental health
  and chemical dependency benefit programs.
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- - Life and Health Insurance. PacifiCare's life and health insurance
  subsidiaries, PacifiCare Life and Health Insurance Company and PacifiCare Life
  Assurance Company, offer managed health care insurance products to employer
  groups. We integrate these products with our existing HMO products to form
  multi-option health benefits programs, including our PPO and POS plans.
  Together, our insurance subsidiaries are licensed to operate in 38 states,
  including each of the states where our HMOs operate, the District of Columbia,
  and Guam.
 
- - Dental and Vision Services. PacifiCare Dental and Vision is a California
  licensed, specialized health care service plan that provides prepaid dental
  and optometry benefits directly to individuals and employer groups and
  indirectly to our California Secure Horizons and commercial HMO members.
 
- - Pharmacy Benefit Management. PacifiCare Pharmacy Centers, Inc., dba
  Prescription Solutions(R), is one of the industry's largest pharmacy benefit
  management companies. Prescription Solutions offers pharmacy benefit
  management services to HMOs and employer groups that are self-insured for
  prescription drugs. Clients of Prescription Solutions have access to a
  pharmacy provider network that features independent and chain pharmacies and a
  variety of cost and quality management capabilities. Prescription Solutions
  also provides its clients with an array of fully integrated services,
  including mail order distribution, an extensive network of retail pharmacies,
  claims processing and sophisticated drug utilization reporting.
 
- - Medicare+Choice Management. Formed to promote our expertise in the Medicare
  risk area, Secure Horizons USA, Inc., ("SHUSA") licenses the Secure Horizons
  name and provides management services to HMOs and health care delivery systems
  that seek participation in the Medicare+Choice program. SHUSA's management
  services include, marketing, provider contracting and administrative services.
  The fee charged by SHUSA is generally based on a percentage of a licensee's
  revenue. SHUSA has agreements in New Mexico with Presbyterian Healthcare
  Services, Inc., in New England with Tufts Associated Health Maintenance
  Organization, Inc., and in Hawaii with Queens Health Plans. We anticipate that
  Queens Health Plan will offer a product similar to Secure Horizons beginning
  in the summer of 1999, if HCFA approval is received. We anticipate that with
  the repeal of the 50/50 Rule (the requirement that 50 percent of a
  Medicare+Choice health plan's enrollment be drawn from commercial contracts)
  and the drive to enroll Medicare beneficiaries in HMOs, SHUSA may expand into
  new markets by entering into licensing arrangements in a variety of geographic
  areas.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
Our current business strategy continues to focus on growing and improving our
operating performance. During 1999 we will seek to increase operating income by:
 
- - Increasing commercial membership at improved commercial premium prices;
 
- - Managing health care costs through capitated arrangements with strong provider
  organizations that align the interests of our providers with ours and our
  members; and
 
- - Improving our administrative and marketing efficiencies to reduce the
  percentage of revenue spent on marketing, general and administrative expenses.
 
Our ability to increase operating income is subject to various risks and
uncertainties described throughout this document and other documents filed by
PacifiCare with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
We will also focus on improving quality and service in 1999. See Nature of
Operations -- "Quality Improvement." Our goals include:
 
- - Increasing Medicare and commercial member satisfaction;
 
- - Improving the quality and service on our basic HMO products;
 
- - Receiving National Committee for Quality Assurance ("NCQA") accreditation in
  Texas, where 1999 is our initial year of application;
 
- - Maintaining NCQA accreditation in all other states; and
 
- - Participating in the Coalition for Affordable Quality Healthcare to inform and
  educate the public about managed care.
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We are also having continuing discussions with HCFA regarding the
Medicare+Choice changes. See Government Regulation -- "HCFA."
 
We continue to evaluate opportunities in new and existing geographic markets
that may be available through acquisitions and the development of new products.
We also continuously assess our geographic markets and product lines to
determine if any do not fit within our profitability objectives and current
business strategy. We believe that our ability to offer a comprehensive range of
products and services, combined with long-term relationships with our health
care providers, will enable us to respond effectively to the changing needs of
the health care marketplace.
 
COMPETITION
 
The health care industry is highly competitive, both nationally and in
PacifiCare's various markets. Consolidation in the health care industry has
resulted in fewer but larger competitors, including insurance carriers, other
HMOs, employer self-funded programs and PPOs, some of which have substantially
larger enrollments or greater financial resources than PacifiCare. Also, because
of this consolidation, we have become one of the largest HMOs in the country.
 
Other competitors include hospitals, health care facilities and other health
care providers. These competitors have combined to form their own networks to
contract directly with employer groups, and other prospective customers for the
delivery of health care services. We face competition in all our markets from
national HMOs, insurance carriers, local HMOs, PPOs and other local health care
providers. In this increasingly competitive environment, we believe that we
should continue to provide a comprehensive range of products and services, along
with a strong provider network, to remain competitive. Other factors which give
us some competitive advantages in this environment are:
 
- - Strong underwriting and pricing practices and staff;
 
- - Significant market position in certain geographic areas;
 
- - Financial strength;
 
- - Experience; and
 
- - A generally favorable marketplace reputation with providers, members and
  employers.
 
RISK MANAGEMENT
 
We use underwriting criteria as an integral part of our commercial risk
management efforts. Underwriting is the process by which a health plan assesses
the risk of enrolling employer groups (or individuals) and establishes
appropriate or necessary premium rates. The setting of premium rates directly
affects a health plan's profitability and marketing success. See "Health Care
Costs." We cannot employ underwriting techniques for the Secure Horizons
programs because of regulations that require us to accept nearly all Medicare
beneficiaries. We shift part of our risk of catastrophic losses by maintaining
reinsurance coverage for certain hospital costs incurred in the treatment of
catastrophic illnesses. We require contracting physicians, physician groups and
hospitals to maintain individual malpractice insurance coverage. We also
maintain general liability, property and medical malpractice insurance coverage
in amounts that we believe to be adequate.
 
HEALTH CARE COSTS AND PROVIDER RELATIONSHIPS
 
GENERAL. Our profitability and the success of our business strategy depends on
our ability to attract and retain a network of qualified health care providers
in each geographic area we serve. We contract with various providers, including
primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals, and other ancillary service
providers. Our contracts typically have one year terms. However, we have entered
into multiple-year contracts with certain physician groups to ensure the quality
and stability of our provider network.
 
CAPITATION ARRANGEMENTS. PacifiCare typically contracts with providers on a
capitated basis (a fixed fee per member per month, regardless of the services
provided each member). Capitation payments to providers are often based on a
percentage of the premium we receive; this is especially true for our Secure
Horizons
 
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contracts. The percentage of premium arrangement causes provider compensation to
fluctuate directly with the amount of premiums we receive. The primary care
physician group influences medical utilization and controls costs through
referrals, hospitalization and other services. With capitation contracts, there
are two possible administration arrangements for network contracting,
utilization management and claims processing:
 
- - DELEGATED ADMINISTRATION. In the majority of our networks, providers perform
  some or all of the administrative functions associated with operating in a
  capitated environment. In those situations, we provide support for their
  administrative functions to help them achieve greater levels of efficiency and
  autonomy while promoting the wellness of our members. We believe one of our
  core competencies is our ability to manage delegated provider relationships.
 
- - DIRECT ADMINISTRATION. Other providers do not have the capability to manage
  the administrative functions associated with operating in a capitation
  environment. With such providers, we perform the administrative functions on
  their behalf. In addition, we work with those providers to assist them in
  developing the capability to assume a greater share of the administrative
  functions. We continue to develop our own expertise in this area to ensure
  that we can continue to build strong provider networks for our members in
  existing and new markets where providers may not be capable of performing
  these functions.
 
FEE-FOR-SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS. In some of our markets, some health care providers
are not contracted under capitated arrangements. Non-capitated arrangements may
increase health care costs when utilization is not appropriately managed. To the
extent possible we have renegotiated, or are in the process of renegotiating,
these contracts to move the providers to a capitated payment plan. Our ability
to renegotiate provider contracts in certain markets is limited due to a lack of
provider competition.
 
INCENTIVE ARRANGEMENTS. Our HMOs share the risk of certain health care costs,
primarily in capitation arrangements. We provide additional incentives to the
physicians or groups for appropriate utilization of hospital inpatient,
outpatient surgery and emergency room services. We may also pay incentives to
providers based on their performance in controlling health care costs while
providing quality health care.
 
UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT. We operate a utilization review system through which we
review routine hospital admissions and lengths of stay. Our utilization review
committees are composed of several physicians at each physician group. The
committees approve non-emergency hospitalizations in advance of admission.
Together with our medical services utilization staff, the committees carefully
monitor the member's continued stay after admission. Through our medical
services departments, we are actively involved in the utilization review of
chronic and complex cases. These departments also actively monitor catastrophic
cases in the field to ensure that members receive appropriate medical care and
suggest treatment options that may be more appropriate and cost-effective than a
long-term hospital stay.
 
NETWORK STABILITY. We work closely with our provider partners to ensure the
strength and quality of our network. We track provider stability and solvency on
an ongoing basis to avoid network disruptions for our members and to minimize
our financial risk. Provider assessments focus on solvency indicators, including
liquidity and cash management. Operational information is reviewed periodically
to assess the strength of the provider's financial management. When our
delegated providers require assistance, we provide clinical management tools,
clinical and operational best practices and performance benchmarks.
 
PacifiCare has multiple year contracts with MedPartners Inc. ("MedPartners").
MedPartners provides services to over 0.1 million members or 10 percent of our
total Medicare membership, and approximately 0.3 million members or 12 percent
of our total commercial membership. In November 1998, MedPartners announced its
intention to sell its physician groups and discontinue its physician practice
management business. We are implementing programs to retain our physician
networks in anticipation of these sales. The loss of physician networks could
have a material effect on our revenues, profitability and business prospects.
 
PROVIDER INSOLVENCY. When a delegated provider significantly slows or stops
paying claims, we may take on the administrative functions described above. We
may also shift membership to other providers, a step that is taken when a
provider has or is expected to declare bankruptcy. Our 1998 results include
significant provider insolvency costs, primarily related to FPA Medical
Management Inc., ("FPA") who declared bankruptcy in July 1998. See Management's
Discussion and Analysis. Provider insolvency reserves include write-offs of
providers' uncollectable receivables and the estimated cost of unpaid health
care claims covered by our capitation payment.
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In addition to the insolvency costs, shifting membership to other providers
increases our administrative costs and may increase future health care costs.
 
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
 
GENERAL. We believe that providing our members with reasonable access to quality
health care services is an essential ingredient for sustained success. To assure
this, we focus on provider peer review procedures, member quality initiatives
and national industry measures.
 
PROVIDER PEER REVIEW PROCEDURES. We have established a peer review procedure at
each HMO, governed by a quality improvement committee. The medical director for
each HMO chairs that HMO's committee. Each committee consists of health plan
clinical professionals and physician representatives from the contracted
physician groups of that HMO. When we identify a new physician or physician
group as a potential provider, the quality improvement committee of the HMO
evaluates that provider. The quality assessment includes evaluating the quality
of the providers' medical facilities, medical records, laboratory and x-ray
licenses and its capacity to handle membership demands. We also engage in
ongoing quality reviews of our existing providers to ensure that members are
receiving quality medical care.
 
MEMBER QUALITY INITIATIVES. To improve the quality of service and clinical
outcomes for our members, we have developed a comprehensive quality improvement
program including:
 
- - Offering health improvement programs, including several chronic care
  management initiatives, preventive health programs, smoking cessation, and
  senior health risk assessments;
 
- - Standardizing and streamlining our specialty provider referral process;
 
- - Improving our complaint management program to better coordinate problem
  resolution; and
 
- - Monitoring member satisfaction through surveys and internal operational report
  cards compared to our current established benchmarks.
 
In markets where these initiatives have been fully implemented, we have seen
significant improvements in member health outcomes and member satisfaction.
 
NATIONAL INDUSTRY MEASURES. Our HMOs provide quality and service information
under the Health Plan Employer Data Set ("HEDIS") program. Our membership and
provider quality initiatives described above are designed to improve our scores.
The NCQA is an independent, non-profit organization that reviews and accredits
HMOs. NCQA performs site reviews of standards established for quality
improvement, utilization management, physician credentialing process, a
commitment to members' rights and preventative health services. HMOs that comply
with NCQA's review requirements and quality standards receive NCQA
accreditation. At December 31, 1998, our HMOs in Arizona, California, Colorado,
Nevada, Oklahoma and Oregon (covering approximately 87 percent of our
membership) have received full three year NCQA accreditation. In 1999, we will
complete the NCQA site review in Texas.
 
MARKETING
 
Primary marketing responsibility for each of our HMOs and HMO related products
and services resides with a marketing director and direct sales force.
 
SECURE HORIZONS MARKETING. We market our Secure Horizons programs to Medicare
beneficiaries primarily through direct mail, telemarketing, television, radio
and cooperative advertising with participating medical groups. Most Secure
Horizons members enroll directly in a plan, generally without the involvement of
insurance brokers, except when enrolling as part of an employer group retiree
offering. We anticipate further growth opportunities in the Medicare+Choice
program based on our current marketing strategies, and the growing senior
population in the United States. See "Nature of Operations -- Secure Horizons
Programs" and "Commercial Programs and Medicare+Choice Management."
 
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<PAGE>   9
 
COMMERCIAL MARKETING. Commercial marketing is a two-step process where we first
market to employer groups, and then provide information directly to employees
once the employer has selected our HMO. We solicit new employer groups of
various sizes through direct, personal selling efforts and through contacts with
insurance brokers and consultants. Insurance brokers and consultants represent
many employer groups under contract with PacifiCare. These brokers and
consultants work directly with employers to recommend or design employee
benefits packages. We pay insurance brokers commissions over the life of the
contract, while employers generally pay consultants directly. A significant
portion of our commercial membership growth comes from existing employer groups.
With each open enrollment, we identify our specific approach with certain
employer groups to increase our penetration. We use various techniques to
attract commercial members, including work site presentations, direct mail,
medical group tours and local advertising. We also use television, radio,
billboard, and print media to market our programs.
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 
GENERAL. PacifiCare uses computer-based management information systems for
various purposes, including marketing and sales tracking, underwriting, billing,
claims processing, utilization management, medical cost and utilization
trending, financial and management accounting, reporting, planning, and
analysis. These systems also support member, group and provider service
functions, including on-line access to membership verification, claims and
referral status, and information regarding hospital admissions and lengths of
stay. In addition, these systems support extensive analyses of cost and outcome
data.
 
We continually enhance and upgrade our computer information systems to preserve
our investment in existing systems, embrace new technologies, improve the cost
effectiveness and quality of our services, and introduce new products. Ongoing
system enhancements include upgrading mainframe computers, enhancing existing
software, implementing purchased software, and migrating to more suitable
software database environments. Simplification, integration, and expansion of
the systems servicing our business is an important component of controlling
health care and administrative expenses and improving member and provider
satisfaction. We have recovery plans in place to mitigate the effect of
information systems outages, if necessary. To the extent that these systems fail
to operate, however our financial results may be adversely affected. We have
also developed a program to address Year 2000 issues. See "Management Discussion
and Analysis -- Forward Looking Information under the Private Securities
Litigation Act of 1995."
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
GENERAL. PacifiCare's HMOs are subject to extensive federal and state regulation
which govern the scope of benefits provided to its members, financial solvency
requirements, quality assurance and utilization review procedures, member
grievance procedures, provider contracts, marketing and advertising. Certain
federal and/or state regulatory agencies also require our HMOs to maintain
restricted cash reserves represented by interest-bearing investments that are
held by trustees or state regulatory agencies. These requirements, which limit
the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us, may limit our ability
to pay dividends. From time to time, we advance funds, to our subsidiaries to
assist them in satisfying federal or state financial requirements. Our
behavioral health, dental and insurance subsidiaries are also subject to
extensive federal and state regulation.
 
HCFA. PacifiCare's Secure Horizons programs are subject to regulations by HCFA
and certain state agencies. These agencies govern the benefits provided,
premiums paid, quality assurance procedures, marketing and advertising. See
"Nature of Operations-Secure Horizons Programs." As part of its drive to
encourage Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in private health care plans, the
1997 Balanced Budget Act replaced the Medicare risk contract program with the
Medicare+Choice program. On June 26, 1998, HCFA published interim final
regulations to implement the Medicare+Choice program. The regulations establish
new or expanded requirements for organizations participating in the
Medicare+Choice program. They also establish new or expanded standards for
quality assurance, beneficiary protection, coordinated open enrollment, program
payments, information disclosure and provider participation. While the new
regulations became effective on July 27, 1998, most provisions did not affect us
until we moved to the Medicare+Choice program on January 1, 1999. Compliance
with and implementation of the new Medicare+Choice program regulations will
increase our Medicare administration costs. We continue to evaluate the
operational and financial impact of the new Medicare+Choice program.
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
The Balanced Budget Act also revised the formula used by HCFA to calculate
payments to Medicare health plans. It established minimum payment levels,
limiting annual increases and the overall rate of payment growth. Further, the
Balanced Budget Act required HCFA to develop a risk adjusted payment methodology
by March 1, 1999 and to implement the payment process for periods beginning
January 1, 2000. On January 15, 1999, HCFA released the Year 2000 premium
payment rate changes and the risk adjusted payment program. The proposed
methodology relies on retrospective hospital inpatient data to establish risk
premiums for individual Medicare enrollees. The new proposed risk adjusted
program is scheduled to be implemented over a five-year period according to the
following schedule: 10 percent in 2000, 30 percent in 2001, 55 percent in 2002,
80 percent in 2003, and 100 percent in 2004. Phase-in of the risk adjusted
payments will mitigate the near term financial impact on us. However, the
proposed method may have a longer-term adverse impact on us since the proposal
would provide larger premiums to health plans with higher inpatient utilization.
Managed care organizations, such as PacifiCare, have achieved lower inpatient
utilization and have developed programs to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations
through the use of other, less costly sites for providing healthcare. If this
approach is implemented as proposed, we may receive lower premiums because of
our lower inpatient utilization.
 
We have provided comments to the proposed methodology and are engaged in various
efforts with HCFA and others to modify the proposed process. We believe the
payment formula should not create incentives for increased inpatient utilization
and should not penalize health plans that have developed programs to reduce
unnecessary hospitalizations. However, there can be no assurance that we will be
successful in our efforts to obtain changes to the proposed methodology. The
loss of Medicare contracts or terminations or modification of the HCFA
risk-based Medicare program could have a material effect on our revenue,
profitability and business prospects.
 
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974 ("ERISA"). ERISA regulates
insured and self-insured health coverage plans offered by employers, FEHBP, and
federal and state fraud and abuse laws and laws relating to health care
management and delivery. ERISA controls how PacifiCare may do business with
employers covered by ERISA, particularly employers that maintain self-funded
plans. The Department of Labor is engaged in an ongoing ERISA enforcement
program which may result in additional constraints on how ERISA-governed benefit
plans conduct their activities. There have been recent legislative attempts to
limit ERISA's preemptive effect on state laws. If such limitations are enacted,
they might increase our exposure under state law claims that relate to employee
health benefits offered by PacifiCare, and may permit greater state regulation
of other aspects of those business operations.
 
OPM. PacifiCare's HMOs have commercial contracts with OPM to provide managed
care health services to federal employees, annuitants and their dependents under
the FEHBP. In the normal course of business, OPM audits health plans with which
it contracts, among other things, to verify that the premiums calculated and
charged to OPM are established in compliance with the best price community
rating guidelines established by OPM. OPM typically audits plans once every five
or six years and each audit covers the prior five or six year period. OPM
recently completed audits of the majority of our health plans through 1996.
OPM's initial on-site audits are usually followed by post-audit briefings where
OPM indicates preliminary results. However, final resolution and settlement of
the audits have historically taken a minimum of three to five years. In
connection with the sale of our health plans in New Mexico, Illinois and Utah,
we have agreed to indemnify the buyers for potential OPM liabilities that relate
to the years when FHP owned these plans. PacifiCare intends to negotiate with
OPM on all unresolved matters to attain a mutually satisfactory result.
 
In addition to claims made by the OPM auditors as part of the normal audit
process, OPM may also refer their results to the United States Department of
Justice ("DOJ") for potential legal action under the False Claims Act. The DOJ
has the authority to file a claim under the False Claims Act if it believes that
the health plan knowingly overcharged the government or otherwise submitted
false documentation or certifications. In actions under the False Claims Act,
the DOJ may impose trebled damages and a civil penalty of not less than $5,000
nor more than $10,000 for each separate alleged false claim. In November 1997,
we were notified that the 1990-1995 OPM audit of our Oklahoma HMO had been
referred to the DOJ. In January 1999, we preliminarily agreed to settle the
1990-1995 Oklahoma OPM audits for $9 million, an amount which had previously
been reserved.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
TRADEMARKS
 
PacifiCare owns the federally registered service marks PacifiCare(R) and
SecureHorizons(R). These service marks are material to our business.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
At December 31, 1998, PacifiCare had approximately 8,700 full and part-time
employees. None of our employees are presently covered by a collective
bargaining agreement. We consider relations with our employees to be good and
have never experienced any work stoppage.
 
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
 
As of December 31, 1998, PacifiCare leased approximately 220,000 aggregate
square feet of space for its principal corporate headquarters and executive
offices in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, California. In connection with our
operations, as of December 31, 1998, we leased approximately 2.2 million
aggregate square feet for office space, subsidiary operations, customer service
centers and space for computer facilities. Such space corresponds to areas in
which our HMOs or specialty managed care products and services operate, or where
we have satellite administrative offices. Our leases expire at various dates
from 1999 through 2009.
 
We own 32 buildings encompassing approximately 914,000 aggregate square feet of
space. Six of the buildings, representing approximately 348,000 aggregate square
feet of space, are primarily used for administrative operations and are located
in California and Guam. The remaining 26 buildings are medical office buildings
leased under a master lease agreement. All 26 medical buildings are being
marketed for sale. We also own nine parcels of vacant land for a total of 46
acres, all of which are being marketed for sale.
 
Our facilities are in good working condition, are well maintained and are
adequate for our present and currently anticipated needs. We believe that we can
rent additional space at competitive rates when current leases expire, or if we
need additional space.
 
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
As previously reported, a securities class action lawsuit, Madruga et al. v.
PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc., et al. (No. SAVC-97-974 LHM, Central District
of California) was brought on behalf of all purchasers of PacifiCare stock
between February 14, 1997 and November 24, 1997. The complaint accuses
PacifiCare and certain of its officers and directors of making false and
misleading statements about the cost savings and synergies resulting from the
FHP acquisition. Plaintiffs also claim we made fraudulent earnings forecasts for
1997 and 1998 and misstated financial results for the first, second and third
quarters of 1997. The complaint alleges violations of certain sections of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On May 11, 1998, we filed a motion to dismiss
the entire complaint under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
No discovery has been taken and all discovery has been stayed pending the
resolution of our motion to dismiss. We believe that we have good defenses to
these claims and are contesting the claims vigorously.
 
We are involved in legal actions in the normal course of business, some of which
seek monetary damages, including claims for punitive damages which are not
covered by insurance. Based on current information and review, including
consultation with our lawyers, we believe any ultimate liability which may arise
from these actions (including all purported class actions) would not materially
affect our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows or
business prospects. However, our evaluation of the likely impact of these
actions could change in the future and an unfavorable outcome, depending upon
the amount and timing, could have a material effect on the results of operations
or cash flows of a future quarter.
 
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the three months
ended December 31, 1998.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
PacifiCare's Class A and B common stock are listed on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbols PHSYA and PHSYB, respectively. The following tables indicate
the high and low reported sale prices per share as furnished by Nasdaq.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            CLASS A        CLASS B
                                                            COMMON          COMMON
                                                             STOCK          STOCK
                                                          -----------    ------------
                                                          HIGH    LOW    HIGH    LOW
                                                          ----    ---    ----    ----
<S>                                                       <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
  First Quarter.........................................  74      46 3/4 75 5/8  49
  Second Quarter........................................  85 7/8  68 3/8 89 3/8  69 7/16
  Third Quarter.........................................  88 7/8  53 3/4 93 1/4  55 5/8
  Fourth Quarter........................................  78 7/8  53 3/4 84 3/4  58 1/4
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
  First Quarter.........................................  85 5/8  68 3/4 89 1/2  72 7/8
  Second Quarter........................................  83      55 1/2 87 3/4  58 3/4
  Third Quarter.........................................  71      60 1/4 74 3/4  62
  Fourth Quarter........................................  71 1/4  48 1/8 72 1/2  50 7/8
</TABLE>
 
PacifiCare has never paid cash dividends on its common stock. We expect that we
will not declare dividends on our common stock in the future, retaining all
earnings for business development. Any possible future dividends will depend on
our earnings, financial condition, and regulatory requirements. If we decide to
declare common stock dividends in the future, such dividends may only be made in
shares of PacifiCare's common stock, according to the terms of our credit
facility. See Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
As of December 31, 1998 there were 286 shareholders of record of our Class A
common stock and 335 shareholders of record of our Class B common stock. As of
December 31, 1998 there were approximately 21,000 beneficial holders of our
Class A and B common stock.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
In February 1997, PacifiCare's board of directors approved a change in our
fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31. This resulted in a transition
period for October 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996. The following selected
financial and operating data are derived from our audited consolidated financial
statements, or from our unaudited internal financial data. For clarity of
presentation and comparability, the following selected financial and operating
data includes the unaudited period for the twelve months ended December 31,
1996. The selected financial and operating data should be read in conjunction
with "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations," and also with "Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements
and Supplementary Data."
 
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     (TRANSITION
                                                                      (UNAUDITED)      PERIOD)
                                                                         TWELVE         THREE
                                         YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED    MONTHS ENDED   MONTHS ENDED
                                        DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                          1998(1)        1997(2)        1996(3)          1996
                                        ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Operating revenue.....................   $9,521,482     $8,982,680     $4,807,856     $1,234,875
                                         ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Expenses:
  Health care services................    8,002,260      7,658,879      4,017,383      1,039,345
  Other operating expenses............    1,166,011      1,125,299        605,546        154,996
  Impairment, disposition,
    restructuring and other charges...       15,644        154,507         75,840             --
  Office of Personnel Management
    (credits) charges.................       (4,624)            --         25,000             --
                                         ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Operating income......................      342,191         43,995         84,087         40,534
Net investment income and interest
  expense.............................       43,383         16,129         44,696         12,302
                                         ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Income before income taxes and
  cumulative effect of a change in
  accounting principle................      385,574         60,124        128,783         52,836
Provision for income taxes............      183,147         81,825         53,052         21,079
                                         ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect
  of a change in accounting
  principle...........................      202,427        (21,701)        75,731         31,757
Cumulative effect on prior years of a
  change in accounting principle......           --             --             --             --
                                         ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Net income (loss).....................   $  202,427     $  (21,701)    $   75,731     $   31,757
                                         ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========
Preferred dividends...................       (5,259)        (8,792)            --             --
                                         ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Net income (loss) available to common
  shareholders........................   $  197,168     $  (30,493)    $   75,731     $   31,757
                                         ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========
Basic earnings (loss) per share(5)....   $     4.50     $    (0.75)    $     2.43     $     1.01
                                         ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========
Diluted earnings (loss) per
  share(5)............................   $     4.40     $    (0.75)    $     2.39     $     1.00
                                         ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========
OPERATING STATISTICS
Medical care ratio (health care
  services as a percent of premium
  revenue)
  Consolidated........................         85.0%          85.7%          84.5%          85.1%
  Government..........................         86.5%          85.6%          85.6%          85.5%
  Commercial..........................         82.8%          85.8%          82.8%          84.4%
Marketing, general and administrative
  expenses as a percent of operating
  revenue.............................         11.4%          11.7%          12.4%          12.4%
Operating income......................          3.6%           0.5%           1.7%           3.3%
Effective tax rate(6).................         47.5%         136.1%          41.2%          39.9%
Return on average shareholders'
  equity..............................          9.4%          (1.5)%          9.3%           3.9%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                         YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                        SEPTEMBER 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                           1996(3)          1995           1994(4)
                                        -------------   -------------   -------------
                                            (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                     <C>             <C>             <C>
Operating revenue.....................   $4,637,305      $3,731,022      $2,893,252
                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
Expenses:
  Health care services................    3,872,747       3,077,135       2,374,258
  Other operating expenses............      585,081         505,644         398,064
  Impairment, disposition,
    restructuring and other charges...       75,840              --              --
  Office of Personnel Management
    (credits) charges.................       25,000              --              --
                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
Operating income......................       78,637         148,243         120,930
Net investment income and interest
  expense.............................       44,143          33,857          24,538
                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
Income before income taxes and
  cumulative effect of a change in
  accounting principle................      122,780         182,100         145,468
Provision for income taxes............       50,827          74,005          60,875
                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect
  of a change in accounting
  principle...........................       71,953         108,095          84,593
Cumulative effect on prior years of a
  change in accounting principle......           --              --           5,658
                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
Net income (loss).....................   $   71,953      $  108,095      $   90,251
                                         ==========      ==========      ==========
Preferred dividends...................           --              --              --
                                         ----------      ----------      ----------
Net income (loss) available to common
  shareholders........................   $   71,953      $  108,095      $   90,251
                                         ==========      ==========      ==========
Basic earnings (loss) per share(5)....   $     2.31      $     3.69      $     3.30
                                         ==========      ==========      ==========
Diluted earnings (loss) per
  share(5)............................   $     2.27      $     3.62      $     3.22
                                         ==========      ==========      ==========
OPERATING STATISTICS
Medical care ratio (health care
  services as a percent of premium
  revenue)
  Consolidated........................         84.4%           83.6%           83.1%
  Government..........................         85.4%           84.3%           85.2%
  Commercial..........................         83.1%           82.5%           80.5%
Marketing, general and administrative
  expenses as a percent of operating
  revenue.............................         12.4%           13.4%           13.6%
Operating income......................          1.7%            4.0%            4.2%
Effective tax rate(6).................         41.4%           40.6%           41.8%
Return on average shareholders'
  equity..............................          9.3%           18.9%           24.6%
</TABLE>
 
See footnotes following "Balance Sheet Data."
 
Continued on next page.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT CHANGE STATISTICS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED       YEAR ENDED       YEAR ENDED
                                                  DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    SEPTEMBER 30,    SEPTEMBER 30,    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                      1998          1997(7)          1996(3)           1995            1994(4)
                                                  ------------    ------------    -------------    -------------    -------------
<S>                                               <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>
Operating revenue...............................        6.0%           86.8%           24.3%           29.0%            30.3%
Net income (loss)...............................    1,032.8%         (128.7)%         (33.4)%          19.8%            44.0%
Earnings (loss) per share.......................      686.7%         (131.4)%         (37.3)%          12.4%            43.1%
Total assets....................................       (6.7)%         217.8%           (6.2)%          25.3%            59.4%
Total shareholders' equity......................        8.5%          139.8%           12.5%           77.1%            29.5%
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                           1998           1997           1996           1996            1995            1994
                                       ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                    <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>
MEMBERSHIP DATA
Government (Medicare & Medicaid).....      972,800      1,001,100        593,600        596,200         541,000         409,100
Commercial...........................    2,554,100      2,790,000      1,451,500      1,434,500       1,216,100         949,100
                                        ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------      ----------      ----------
Total membership.....................    3,526,900      3,791,100      2,045,100      2,030,700       1,757,100       1,358,200
                                        ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========      ==========      ==========
Percent change in membership.........        (7.0%)          85.4%           0.7%          15.6%           29.4%           23.8%
                                        ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========      ==========      ==========
BALANCE SHEET DATA
(IN THOUSANDS)
Cash and equivalents and marketable
  securities.........................   $1,600,189     $1,545,382     $  962,482     $  700,093      $  811,525      $  710,608
Total assets.........................   $4,630,944     $4,963,046     $1,561,472     $1,299,462      $1,385,372      $1,105,548
Medical claims and benefits
  payable............................   $  645,300     $  721,500     $  282,500     $  268,000      $  288,400      $  302,900
Long-term debt, due after one year...   $  650,006     $1,011,234     $    1,370     $    5,183      $   11,949      $  101,137
Shareholders' equity.................   $2,238,096     $2,062,187     $  860,102     $  823,224      $  732,024      $  413,358
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The 1998 results include $11 million of net pretax charges ($6 million, or
    $0.12 diluted loss per share, net of tax) for the disposal of unprofitable
    subsidiaries and potential OPM claims. See Notes 4 and 9 of the Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating income as a percentage of
    operating revenue before pretax credits and charges was 3.7 percent. Return
    on average shareholders' equity before pretax credits and charges was 9.4
    percent.
 
(2) The 1997 results include the results of operations for the FHP International
    Corporation ("FHP") acquisition from February 14, 1997. The 1997 results
    also include $155 million of pretax charges ($129 million or $3.18 diluted
    loss per share, net of tax) for the impairment of long-lived assets,
    restructuring and certain other charges. See Notes 4 and 9 of the Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating income as a percentage of
    operating revenue before pretax charges was 2.2 percent. Return on average
    shareholders' equity before pretax charges was 6.9 percent.
 
(3) The 1996 results include $101 million of pretax charges ($62 million or
    $1.96 diluted loss per share, net of tax for the fiscal year ended September
    30 and $1.97 diluted loss per share for the twelve months ended December 31)
    for the impairment of long-lived assets, potential government claims,
    dispositions and certain restructuring charges. See Note 9 of the Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating income as a percentage of
    operating revenue before pretax charges for 1996 was 3.8 percent for the
    fiscal year ended September 30 and 3.9 percent for the twelve months ended
    December 31. Return on average shareholders' equity before pretax charges
    for the fiscal year ended September 30 was 17.2 percent and 17.0 percent for
    the twelve months ended December 31.
 
(4) The fiscal 1994 results reflect the cumulative effect on prior fiscal years
    of a change in accounting principle. Diluted earnings per share before
    cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle for fiscal 1994 was
    $3.02 per share. The cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
    for fiscal 1994 was $0.20 per share. The fiscal 1994 change in net income
    was 34.9 percent and the change in earnings per share was 34.2 percent
    before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
 
(5) Earnings per share were restated to conform with the provisions of Statement
    of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share." See Note 2
    of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(6) Effective income tax rate includes the effect of non-deductible pretax
    charges.
 
(7) Changes as compared to the unaudited period for the twelve months ended
    December 31, 1996.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW. PacifiCare sells HMO and HMO-related products primarily to members in
two groups: the Secure Horizons program for Medicare beneficiaries and the
commercial programs for members of employer groups and individuals. Our
specialty managed care HMOs and HMO related products and services supplement our
commercial programs. These include behavioral health services, life and health
insurance, dental and vision services and pharmacy benefit management.
 
Events significant to our business that occurred during 1998 included:
 
- - In November 1997, we announced our intention to sell our Utah HMO and workers'
  compensation subsidiaries. We sold our Utah HMO subsidiary on September 30,
  1998, and our workers' compensation subsidiary on October 31, 1998.
 
- - In July 1998, FPA, one of our contracted health care providers, declared
  bankruptcy. As a result, we terminated all of our FPA contracts. Significant
  provider insolvency reserves were recognized in 1998.
 
- - In December 1998, we recognized net pretax credits related to preliminary
  favorable settlements of OPM claims.
 
- - During 1998, we borrowed $30 million to repurchase shares of our common stock
  and repaid $390 million of the outstanding balance on our credit facility.
 
- - In January 1998, our board of directors approved a plan to repurchase shares
  of our outstanding common stock. During 1998, we repurchased 784,000 shares
  for an aggregate amount of $45 million.
 
- - In June 1998, substantially all of our 10.5 million shares of Series A
  preferred stock were converted to 3.9 million shares of Class B common stock.
 
- - In 1998, with the sale of our Utah HMO, we exited the Medicaid line of
  business.
 
The information below includes both the Medicare and Medicaid line of business
as part of the government program for the 1998 and prior periods presented.
 
1998 COMPARED WITH 1997
 
MEMBERSHIP. Total membership decreased seven percent to approximately 3.5
million members at December 31, 1998, from approximately 3.8 million members at
December 31, 1997. The disposition of Utah accounted for 68 percent of the
membership decline. California contributed 23 percent of the decline as we
continue to emphasize renewing commercial contracts with sufficient price
increases to improve gross margin. This decline was consistent with our shift in
strategic focus from rapid growth to improved margin performance. The remaining
nine percent was attributable to our exit of certain rural counties, where
government and commercial premiums were neither sufficient to support the cost
of health care nor our profitability requirements. Government membership
declined three percent year over year. 1998 commercial membership decreased nine
percent from 1997.
 
PREMIUM REVENUE. During 1998, premium revenue increased five percent from the
prior year, primarily due to six additional weeks of results in 1998 from the
FHP acquisition. Discontinued indemnity and workers' compensation products that
were not meeting profitability expectations partially offset this increase.
 
Government premiums increased seven percent or $380 million over the prior year
as a result of:
 
- - Increases of $301 million from the inclusion of six additional weeks of
  results in 1998 from the FHP acquisition;
 
- - Increases of $208 million from premium rate increases that averaged
  approximately four percent; offset by
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
- - Decreases of $129 million from net membership losses caused by our exit of
  certain rural geographic areas and Medicaid lines of business primarily in
  California, Utah and Texas.
 
Commercial premiums increased three percent or $95 million over the prior year.
The net increase was due to:
 
- - Increases of $231 million from the inclusion of six additional weeks of
  results in 1998 from the FHP acquisition;
 
- - Increases of $130 million from premium rate increases that averaged
  approximately five percent; offset by
 
- - Decreases of $224 million from net membership losses caused by our disposition
  of Utah and by our premium rate increases primarily in California, Oklahoma
  and Ohio; and
 
- - Decreases of $42 million, primarily from discontinued indemnity and workers'
  compensation products.
 
OTHER INCOME. Other income increased 134 percent in 1998 from the prior year due
primarily to higher revenues from Prescription Solutions and SHUSA.
 
CONSOLIDATED MEDICAL CARE RATIO AND PROVIDER INSOLVENCY RESERVES. The 1998
consolidated medical care ratio (health care services as a percentage of premium
revenue) declined by 0.7 percent compared to 1997. The improved commercial
product performance was partially offset by increased provider insolvency
reserves. Excluding these reserves, the consolidated medical care ratio was 84
percent. Provider insolvency reserves were immaterial in 1997 and totaled $95
million in 1998 as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               QUARTER                  GOVERNMENT    COMMERCIAL    TOTAL
               -------                  ----------    ----------    -----
                                                  (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
First.................................     $ 3           $ 3         $ 6
Second................................      25            10          35
Third.................................      14             6          20
Fourth................................      20            14          34
                                           ---           ---         ---
          Total.......................     $62           $33         $95
                                           ===           ===         ===
</TABLE>
 
Provider insolvency reserves include the write-offs of the providers'
uncollectable receivables and estimated cost of unpaid health care claims
covered by our capitation payment. Depending on state law, we may be held liable
for unpaid health care claims, which were the responsibility of the capitated
provider.
 
The majority of the insolvency reserves relate to specific provider
bankruptcies. However, the estimate also includes reserves for potentially
insolvent providers, where conditions indicate claims are not being paid or have
slowed considerably.
 
FPA declared bankruptcy in July 1998. FPA served approximately 200,000
PacifiCare members in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas. Reserves for the
FPA bankruptcy totaled $57 million, with $41 million attributable to our Nevada
HMO. Nevada law specifically requires that we pay all health care services
claims for our members including those previously covered by capitation
payments. The second quarter FPA insolvency reserves were partially offset by
unrelated favorable provider settlements. We periodically make changes in
estimates as prior year contract issues are resolved. Increases to FPA reserves
were made in the third and fourth quarters as additional claims information was
presented for payment. The remaining FPA reserves of $16 million primarily
relate to non-contracted claims and receivable write-offs in the remaining HMOs.
Unpaid FPA reserves at December 31, 1998 were approximately $20 million.
 
Reserves for other providers totaled $38 million. Approximately $17 million of
the reserves recognized in the third and fourth quarters related to another
provider that has ceased paying claims in Nevada and Arizona. This provider has
not declared bankruptcy. The membership was transitioned to other providers
between December 1998 and January 1999. The remaining $21 million is the
estimated liability for smaller bankrupt providers and potentially insolvent
providers, primarily in California. Other provider insolvency reserves unpaid at
December 31, 1998 were approximately $38 million.
 
GOVERNMENT MEDICAL CARE RATIO. The government medical care ratio for the year
ended December 31, 1998 increased 0.9 percent compared to the prior year because
we recognized $62 million of provider insolvency
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
reserves. Government insolvency reserves for FPA were $40 million, with the
majority of these charges recognized in the second and third quarters. Other
provider insolvency reserves of $22 million were recorded, primarily in the
fourth quarter. Higher costs incurred for FPA membership shifted into new
provider relationships were offset by the disposition of Utah. Excluding
government provider insolvency reserves, the government medical care ratio was
85.4 percent.
 
COMMERCIAL MEDICAL CARE RATIO. The commercial medical care ratio includes the
specialty HMOs and indemnity insurance results. The commercial medical care
ratio for the year ended December 31, 1998 decreased due to the following:
 
- - Improved provider contracts;
 
- - A favorable pricing environment;
 
- - Improved performance from the specialty HMOs;
 
- - Sale of our Utah HMO and workers' compensation subsidiaries; offset by
 
- - Provider insolvency reserves of $33 million.
 
Commercial insolvency reserves for FPA totaled $17 million, primarily recognized
in the second and third quarters. Other provider insolvency reserves of $16
million were recognized in the fourth quarter and related to Arizona,
California, Nevada, Texas and Washington. Excluding commercial provider
insolvency reserves, the commercial medical care ratio was 82.0 percent.
 
MARKETING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. As a percentage of operating
revenue, marketing, general and administrative expenses decreased slightly
compared to the prior year because we realized the benefits of restructuring and
a full year of synergies as a result of the FHP acquisition.
 
PRETAX CHARGES. The following is a summary of our net pretax charges:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             QUARTER          PRETAX        NET OF TAX    DILUTED (LOSS)/
                                           RECOGNIZED    (CHARGE)/CREDIT      AMOUNT     EARNINGS PER SHARE
                                           -----------   ----------------   ----------   ------------------
                                                     (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                        <C>           <C>                <C>          <C>
1998
Sale of Utah HMO and workers'
  compensation subsidiaries..............  Third             $ (15.6)        $  (8.2)          $(0.18)
OPM charges..............................  Third                (3.8)           (2.0)           (0.04)
                                                             -------         -------           ------
                                           Total Third         (19.4)          (10.2)           (0.22)
OPM credits..............................  Fourth                8.4             4.4             0.10
                                                             -------         -------           ------
                                                             $ (11.0)        $  (5.8)          $(0.12)
                                                             =======         =======           ======
1997
Impairment of long-lived assets:
  Utah HMO...............................  Fourth            $ (62.4)        $ (55.7)          $(1.37)
  Washington health plan.................  Fourth              (40.5)          (36.1)           (0.89)
  Discontinued workers' compensation
     products............................  Fourth              (21.1)          (18.9)           (0.47)
                                                             -------         -------           ------
          Total impairment of long-lived
            assets.......................                     (124.0)         (110.7)           (2.73)
Loss contracts...........................  Fourth              (15.4)           (9.2)           (0.23)
Restructuring............................  Fourth              (15.1)           (9.0)           (0.22)
                                                             -------         -------           ------
                                                             $(154.5)        $(128.9)          $(3.18)
                                                             =======         =======           ======
</TABLE>
 
See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
We recognized $11 million of net pretax charges in 1998, primarily for
dispositions of unprofitable operations. Favorable OPM settlements in the fourth
quarter offset increased reserves recognized in the third quarter. In 1997,
Utah, Washington and the workers' compensation subsidiary charges related to the
impairment of goodwill. Restructuring reserves recognized in 1997 were spent in
1998.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME. Net investment income increased approximately 29 percent
in 1998 compared to the prior year, due primarily to gains on sales of
marketable securities experienced throughout 1998 and more efficient investment
through account consolidation.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense decreased approximately six percent in 1998
compared to the prior year, due to continued repayment of our credit facility
and declining interest rates. The decrease was partially offset by interest on
the FHP acquisition borrowings that were outstanding for six weeks longer in
1998.
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. The effective income tax rate was 47.5 percent in
1998, compared with 136.1 percent in 1997. The rate declined significantly for
two reasons:
 
- - The 1997 effective rate was disproportionately high because most of the pretax
  charges recorded in the fourth quarter of 1997 were not deductible for tax
  purposes. The 1997 effective income tax rate without the effect of the pretax
  charges was approximately 50 percent.
 
- - Nondeductible goodwill amortization was a smaller percentage of taxable
  income.
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE. For the year ended December 31, 1998, income
excluding the pretax charges described above was $208 million or $4.52 diluted
earnings per share. For the year ended December 31, 1997, income excluding the
pretax charges was $107 million or $2.43 diluted earnings per share. The
increase in income was due to:
 
- - Increased other income;
 
- - Improved commercial medical care ratio;
 
- - Efficiency in marketing, general and administrative expenses;
 
- - Increased investment income; and
 
- - Decreased interest expense.
 
1997 COMPARED WITH 1996
 
OVERVIEW. In 1997, we began reporting on calendar year end. We previously
reported a fiscal year ending September 30. This resulted in an audited
transition period from October 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996. For clarity of
presentation and comparability, the discussion of results of operations compares
the year ended December 31, 1997 to the unaudited twelve months ended December
31, 1996, which is referred to as the prior year.
 
On February 14, 1997, we finalized the FHP acquisition for a total purchase
price, including transaction costs, of $2.2 billion. The FHP acquisition was
accounted for as a purchase. Our consolidated results of operations include the
results of FHP from the date of the FHP acquisition. See Note 4 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
MEMBERSHIP. Total membership increased 85 percent to approximately 3.8 million
members at December 31, 1997, from approximately 2.0 million members at December
31, 1996. The FHP acquisition increased membership by approximately 0.4 million
government members and 1.5 million commercial members.
 
PREMIUM REVENUE. During 1997, total premium revenue increased 88 percent from
the prior year, a direct result of the FHP acquisition. Six percent of the
increase in premiums resulted from enrollment gains (net of the FHP acquisition)
in both government and commercial programs. The remainder of the premium
increase was mainly attributable to the government programs, along with our
specialty managed care products and services.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
Government premiums in 1997 increased 85 percent compared to the prior year.
Approximately 81 percent of the total increase was due to the FHP acquisition.
The balance of the net increase was due to the following:
 
- - HCFA premium rate increases effective January 1, 1997 averaging over six
  percent;
 
- - Increased government per member premium rates due to our exit of Medicaid
  lines of business in certain markets that had lower average per member
  premiums;
 
- - Lower member paid supplemental premiums in several of our markets; and
 
- - Enrollment gains in the government programs, net of acquisition membership.
 
Commercial premiums increased 97 percent compared to the prior year.
Approximately 92 percent of the total increase related to the FHP acquisition.
The remainder of the net increase was due to the following:
 
- - Enrollment gains in the commercial programs, net of acquisition membership,
  accounted for seven percent, while premium rates remained relatively flat;
  offset by
 
- - Decreased membership growth, excluding the FHP acquisition, due to the sale of
  our Florida operations and a shift in focus from one of rapid growth to
  improved profit margins through the use of a more disciplined product pricing
  strategy.
 
CONSOLIDATED MEDICAL CARE RATIO. The consolidated medical care ratio increased
1.2 percent from the prior year as a result of higher FHP commercial costs. The
government medical care ratio for the year ended December 31, 1997 remained flat
compared to the prior year. This consistency was largely due to FHP, which had
lower cost provider contracts and generally higher reimbursement for Medicare
membership. Additionally, the wind down of the Medicaid business contributed to
slight decreases in the government medical care ratio. These decreases were
partially offset by enhanced prescription drug benefits provided to enrollees
combined with lower member paid supplemental premiums. The increase in the
commercial medical care ratio included higher cost FHP provider contracts,
increased non-capitated physician costs and increased out of area emergency room
costs compared to the prior year. The commercial medical care ratio includes the
specialty managed care health care costs.
 
MARKETING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. As a percentage of operating
revenue, marketing, general and administrative expenses decreased slightly
compared to the prior year. These cost savings were caused by lower than
expected staffing, and greater than expected efficiencies resulting from the
integration of the FHP administrative functions and information systems.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
PRETAX CHARGES. The following is a summary of our pretax charges:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            QUARTER          PRETAX        NET OF TAX    DILUTED (LOSS)/
                                           RECOGNIZED    (CHARGE)/CREDIT     AMOUNT     EARNINGS PER SHARE
                                          ------------   ---------------   ----------   ------------------
                                                    (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                       <C>            <C>               <C>          <C>
1997
Impairment of long-lived assets:
  Utah HMO..............................  Fourth             $ (62.4)       $ (55.7)          $(1.37)
  Washington health plan................  Fourth               (40.5)         (36.1)           (0.89)
  Discontinued workers' compensation
     products...........................  Fourth               (21.1)         (18.9)           (0.47)
                                                             -------        -------           ------
          Total impairment of long-lived
            assets......................                      (124.0)        (110.7)           (2.73)
Loss contracts..........................  Fourth               (15.4)          (9.2)           (0.23)
Restructuring...........................  Fourth               (15.1)          (9.0)           (0.22)
                                                             -------        -------           ------
                                                             $(154.5)       $(128.9)          $(3.18)
                                                             =======        =======           ======
1996
OPM charges.............................  Second             $ (25.0)       $ (14.9)          $(0.47)
Florida disposition.....................  Second                (9.3)          (8.3)           (0.26)
Restructuring...........................  Second                (7.8)          (4.7)           (0.15)
                                                             -------        -------           ------
                                          Total Second         (42.1)         (27.9)           (0.88)
Impairment of long-lived
  assets - Florida......................  Third                (58.7)         (34.1)           (1.08)
                                                             -------        -------           ------
                                                             $(100.8)       $ (62.0)          $(1.96)
                                                             =======        =======           ======
</TABLE>
 
See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
We recognized $155 million of pretax charges in 1997, $124 million related to
the write-off of goodwill for our Utah and Washington HMOs and our workers'
compensation subsidiary. In 1996, we recognized Florida goodwill impairment of
$59 million plus $42 million of OPM, restructuring and Florida disposition
losses. Restructuring reserves recognized in 1996 were spent in 1996 and 1997.
 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME. Net investment income increased approximately $34 million
for the year ended December 31, 1997 compared to the prior year. The increase
was due primarily to additional investments over the prior year because of the
FHP acquisition.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense increased approximately $63 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997 compared to the prior year. The increase was due to
increased borrowings on our credit facility to finance the FHP acquisition.
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. The majority of the pretax charges were not
deductible for income tax purposes. Therefore, we did not record an income tax
benefit for most of these charges. The magnitude of these charges, combined with
the inability to record a related income tax benefit, resulted in a
disproportionately high effective income tax rate. The effective income tax
rate, without the effect of the pretax charges, was approximately 50 percent, an
increase over the prior year. This increase reflected the additional goodwill
amortization expense attributed to the FHP acquisition.
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE. For the year ended December 31, 1997, income
excluding the pretax charges described above was $107 million or $2.43 diluted
earnings per share. For the year ended December 31, 1996, income excluding
pretax charges was $138 million or $4.36 diluted earnings per share. The
decrease over the prior year was due to increases in the following:
 
- - Commercial medical care ratio;
 
- - Amortization expense;
 
- - Interest expense related to the FHP acquisition; and
 
- - Increased shares used to calculate earnings per share.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
The convertible preferred stock and potentially dilutive securities (including
stock options) used to calculate diluted loss per share in the fourth quarter
and for 1997 were anti-dilutive. Anti-dilution results when diluted earnings per
share is a greater value than basic earnings per share. The net loss per share
reported in 1997 was due mainly to the pretax charges recognized in the fourth
quarter and the high effective tax rate. Because the actual diluted loss per
share was less than the basic loss per share, the calculation of the diluted
loss per share reported was equal to the basic loss per share.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
OPERATING CASH FLOWS IN 1998. PacifiCare's consolidated cash, equivalents and
marketable securities increased to $1.6 billion at December 31, 1998 from $1.5
billion at December 31, 1997. The combined increase in cash, equivalents and
marketable securities was directly related to current-year earnings that were
invested. This increase was partially offset by long-term debt principal
payments.
 
Cash flows from operations increased by $43 million to $456 million in 1998 from
$413 million in 1997 as follows:
 
- - Increases of $224 million in net income; offset by
 
- - Decreases of $138 million in impairment, disposition, restructuring and other
  charges; and
 
- - Net decreases of $43 million, primarily related to changes in deferred income
  taxes.
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES IN 1998. Net cash used in investing activities was $19
million in 1998. Purchases of property, plant and equipment of $42 million were
offset by $41 million of proceeds from the sale of property, plant and
equipment. In 1998, we sold several medical clinics and related personal
property acquired in the FHP acquisition. Disposition proceeds were
approximately $17 million and were offset by increased investments in all
marketable securities totaling $35 million.
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES IN 1997. Net cash used by investing activities in 1997 was
$1.0 billion for the acquisition of FHP. The proceeds from the subsidiary
dispositions and property, plant and equipment in 1997 were $80 million. This
was offset by $69 million of property, plant and equipment purchases and $24
million of marketable securities purchases, including restricted.
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES IN 1998. Financing activities used $393 million of cash in
1998, primarily because we paid $391 million on our credit facility and other
notes during the year. We also borrowed $30 million under the credit facility to
repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock. As of December 31, 1998, we
had repurchased 784,000 shares of our Class A and Class B common stock for $45
million. Cash received for the issuance of common and treasury stock was $19
million and was partially offset by $6 million of preferred stock dividends and
cash paid on redemption of preferred stock.
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES IN 1997. In 1997, our financing activities provided $912
million of cash. Of the $912 million of cash, $885 million was the net effect of
borrowing $1.1 billion under our credit facility to finance the FHP acquisition,
offset by $235 million of credit facility payments in 1997. Proceeds from the
issuance of common stock provided $43 million of cash in 1997 while preferred
stock dividend payments used $9 million of cash. Finally, in the first quarter
of 1997, we made capital contributions totaling $67 million to Talbert Medical
Management Corporation, a former subsidiary of FHP. In the second quarter of
1997, we received $60 million from the sale of the Talbert stock.
 
OTHER BALANCE SHEET CHANGE EXPLANATIONS
 
RECEIVABLES, NET. Receivables, net decreased by $30 million from 1997 as
follows:
 
- - $31 million increase in provider and pharmacy rebate receivables; offset by
 
- - $33 million decrease in premiums and reinsurance receivables;
 
- - $19 million decrease for subsidiary dispositions and discontinued indemnity
  products; and
 
- - $9 million decrease in other receivables, including the timing of net
  investment income receivable.
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
Provider receivables increased by $19 million. In 1998, we reduced the claims
payable backlog from 33 days at the beginning of the year to 30 days at the end
of the year. Accelerated claims payments often result in provider receivables
that are collected through capitation withhold adjustments and other incentive
settlements. Pharmacy rebate receivables increased by $12 million as 1998
prescription drug utilization increased. Premium receivables decreased $26
million. Improved collection efforts in California and Oregon contributed $17
million of the decrease. Outstanding reinsurance receivables declined by $7
million in 1998.
 
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET. Goodwill and intangible assets decreased by
$145 million from 1997 as follows:
 
- - $76 million of goodwill and intangible amortization expense; and
 
- - $69 million for FHP acquisition exit costs in excess of original estimates.
  See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
MEDICAL CLAIMS AND BENEFITS PAYABLE. Medical claims and benefits payable
decreased by $76 million from 1997 as follows:
 
- - $55 million increase in provider insolvency reserves;
 
- - $11 million increase in provider capitation liabilities; offset by
 
- - $92 million decrease in claims payable, both our risk and claims administered
  on behalf of providers; and
 
- - $50 million decrease for dispositions, including Utah's loss contract
  reserves, and discontinued indemnity products.
 
Claims payable decreased as our claims inventory fell by 47 percent from the
December 1997 level.
 
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. We experienced a $73 million decline in accounts payable at
December 31, 1998 compared to the prior year. This decrease was planned and is
related to accounts payable systems changes effective January 1, 1999. We made
an effort to decrease accounts payable inventory to ease the number of items
that would be converted in the reorganization of the accounts payable system.
 
INCOME TAXES. Income taxes changed from a receivable in the prior year to a
payable in 1998. The change was attributable to the income tax provision on the
1998 income, partially offset by the estimated income tax payments made during
the year.
 
OTHER LIABILITIES. Other liabilities decreased by $47 million from 1997. The
decrease was primarily attributable to the disposition of our workers'
compensation subsidiary.
 
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION ACT OF 1995
 
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor"
for forward looking statements. The Act was designed to encourage companies to
provide prospective information about themselves without fear of litigation. The
prospective information must be identified as forward looking and must be
accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the
statements. The statements about our plans, strategies, intentions, expectations
and prospects contained throughout the document are based on current
expectations. These statements are forward looking and actual results may differ
materially from those predicted as of the date of this report in the forward
looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. In addition, past
financial performance is not necessarily a reliable indicator of future
performance and investors should not use historical performance to anticipate
results or future period trends. Stockholders are also directed to the other
risks discussed in other documents filed by PacifiCare with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
 
MEMBERSHIP. We expect government membership to increase three to four percent by
December 31, 1999 compared to 1998. For 1999, we plan to expand our membership
retention programs and target group retiree members in our existing markets. We
expect membership increases from enhanced drug benefits and new enrollment as
competitors exit markets in which Secure Horizons will remain. We also
anticipate offering our
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
Secure Horizon programs in new geographic markets. These increases will be
partially offset by the exit of rural markets.
 
We expect commercial membership for the year ended December 31, 1999 to increase
four to five percent compared to 1998. The majority of the growth will be in
California where we plan to:
 
- - Strengthen our sales fundamentals;
 
- - Streamline and enhance our product mix;
 
- - Improve underwriting practices;
 
- - Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our distribution channels; and
 
- - Maximize membership renewal growth opportunities.
 
MEMBERSHIP RISK FACTORS. An unforeseen loss of profitable membership could have
an effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Factors that could contribute to the loss of membership include:
 
- - Failure to obtain new customers or retain existing customers;
 
- - The effect of premium increases;
 
- - Reductions in work force by existing customers;
 
- - Negative publicity and news coverage;
 
- - Inability of marketing and sales plans to attract new customers; or
 
- - The loss of key executives or key employees.
 
PREMIUMS. Effective January 1, 1999, we received Medicare premium rate increases
of two percent. We expect to continue to improve our gross margin by renewing
commercial employer contracts with price increases. The price increases in our
commercial product line are expected to range from zero to 12 percent depending
upon competition, employer size, benefit design, geographic market and other
factors. We plan to exit markets where our premium revenue does not cover the
cost of providing care. While we expect to increase commercial premiums without
experiencing significant membership losses, we may have to alter our pricing
strategy to avoid such losses. Reduction in Medicare premiums, such as the
proposed risk adjusted payment program, could have an effect on our financial
position as every one percent change in premium represents approximately $56
million dollars of annual revenue. To counteract this impact, we would need to
generate additional revenue or cost savings of approximately $56 per person per
year. We could achieve this by increasing member premiums, office copayments,
hospital deductibles or prescription copayments.
 
OTHER INCOME. In 1999, we expect other income to be lower than 1998 because of
lower SHUSA revenues. In addition, 1999 rental income is expected to be less
than 1998 because several medical clinics were sold in the last half of 1998.
 
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER CONTRACTS. Our profitability depends, in part, on our
ability to control health care costs while providing quality care. Maintaining
capitated arrangements with solvent providers, especially in the Nevada market,
will be important to improve 1999 results of operations. Securing cost-effective
contracts with existing and new physician groups has become more difficult due
to increased competition. Failure to secure cost-effective contracts may result
in a loss in membership or a higher medical care ratio. Additionally, the
negotiation of provider contracts, generally as of January 1, may be impacted by
unfavorable state and federal legislation and regulation discussed below. Our
inability to contract with providers, loss of contracts with providers,
inability of providers to provide adequate care, or insolvency of providers
could materially affect us. Based on current information, we believe that our
contingency plans are adequate to cover the potential impact of contract
terminations.
 
We continue to evaluate the financial stability of our providers, focusing on
providers with significant membership in key geographic areas and providers that
have been identified as a poor risk. We are also seeking to improve our
performance in 1999 by taking steps to minimize our risk associated with
providers. We
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
believe that the December 31, 1998 provider insolvency reserves are adequate to
cover the cost of health care services rendered through 1998 that may not be
paid by insolvent or unstable providers. We believe our contingency plans for
shifting the membership or assisting the provider to obtain and maintain
stability are adequate to cover the risk. We have and may continue to incur
additional costs as a result of entering into new contracts, especially for FPA
and potentially for MedPartners. The effect of these risks and the need for
additional provider reserves could have a material effect on our results of
operations or cash flows. We believe, however, that such reserves would not
materially affect our consolidated financial position.
 
GOVERNMENT MEDICAL CARE RATIO. We expect the government medical care ratio in
1999 to remain flat or slightly increase from 1998. Price increases,
recontracting efforts in Nevada and California, and our exit of rural markets in
four states plus the disposition of Utah are expected to improve the medical
care ratio. However, these improvements will be offset by changes in premium
mix, increases in capitation, decreases in non-capitated contracts and changes
in pharmacy costs. The implementation of the Medicare reform provisions that
limit program spending and allow the entry of new providers and plans that could
increase competitive pressures could also offset any increases. See Legislation
and Regulation below.
 
COMMERCIAL MEDICAL CARE RATIO. In 1999, we expect the commercial medical care
ratio to be consistent with, or improve slightly from 1998. We expect
improvements as we continue to renegotiate provider contracts and implement
capitated contracts and price increases. Moreover, higher premium rates offered
during renewal periods should continue to result in the elimination of some high
medical care ratio business. We also plan to exit markets where price increases
do not cover the cost of health care.
 
MEDICAL CARE RISK FACTORS. The government and commercial medical care ratio
expectations discussed above could be affected by various uncertainties,
including:
 
- - Medical and prescription drug costs that have been rising faster than premium
  increases;
 
- - Increases in utilization and costs of medical services;
 
- - The effect of actions by competitors or groups of providers; or
 
- - Termination of provider contracts, provider insolvency or renegotiation of
  such contracts at less cost-effective rates or terms of payment.
 
MARKETING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. In 1999, marketing, general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of operating revenue are expected to
decline slightly because we expect to realize additional efficiencies from the
FHP acquisition. Additionally, California's final conversion from FHP
information systems to PacifiCare systems was completed in June 1998, so 1999
will be the first full year of integrated operations. The need for additional
advertising, marketing, administrative, or management information systems
expenditures, and the inability of marketing and sales plans to attract new
customers, could impact marketing, general and administrative expenses.
 
1999 DISPOSITIONS. Dispositions could be announced as we continue to evaluate
whether certain subsidiaries or products fit within our core business strategy.
There can be no assurance that the dispositions will not result in additional
pretax charges. We believe, however, that any disposition operating losses would
not materially affect our consolidated financial position. However, the
disposition losses could have a material effect on the results of operations or
cash flows of a future period.
 
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS. As circumstances warrant, we determine whether
the realizable value of long-lived assets such as property and equipment, real
estate and goodwill, are less than the value carried on the consolidated
financial statements. We believe that any impairment of such long-lived assets
would not materially affect our consolidated financial position. However,
impairment charges, if material, could have an effect on our results of
operations or cash flows of a future period.
 
EFFECTIVE TAX RATE. We expect the 1999 effective tax rate to decrease three to
five percent from 1998. Consistent with our integration strategies, we will
complete a legal reorganization of the Company and its subsidiaries. The full
year benefit of certain tax strategies is expected to be realized in 1999. The
tax strategies are expected to reduce the effective tax rate by one to three
percent. The 1998 effective tax rate includes more
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
than one percent related to the dispositions of Utah and the workers'
compensation subsidiary that is not expected to recur. Finally, the impact of
nondeductible goodwill on the effective tax rate is expected to decrease by
approximately one percent because 1999 pretax income is projected to increase
from 1998. There can be no assurance that these tax strategies will be
successful or that pre-tax income will increase as projected, for various
reasons set forth in this document and other documents we have filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, there can be no assurance our
tax rate will decrease in 1999.
 
YEAR 2000. PacifiCare has implemented a Year 2000 compliance program to address
all major computing information systems, including core application systems,
networks, desktop systems, infrastructure, and critical information supply
chains. In addition to all major information systems, we are verifying that all
date fields and calculations used in critical business processes will be Year
2000 compliant. Under the program we are also addressing our external Year 2000
related risks which arise from the year 2000 readiness of third parties with
whom we maintain ongoing relationships.
 
The Year 2000 Compliance Program includes the following five phases which are
listed in logical order, but are being addressed concurrently as appropriate:
 
- - Awareness and Communication. There is an on-going company-wide communication
  and education effort to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the Year
  2000 problem and associated risks.
 
- - Inventory and Assessment. A company-wide inventory has been taken of all
  computer information systems and their components, including infrastructure
  equipment and hardware, software applications and information supply chains.
  Through the inventory, we are assessing the business risks and Year 2000
  compliance status of each system component. For components which are not Year
  2000 compliant, a remediation plan is being developed which includes the Year
  2000 remediation action required and the time and resources needed to
  accomplish it. Priorities are also established based on the relative business
  critical function of each system component.
 
- - Remediation. Based upon the remediation plan developed as part of the
  assessment phase, appropriate action is taken to correct or remediate the Year
  2000 issues associated with the system and its components to render it Year
  2000 compliant. Except for the FHP core system, we expect all affected system
  components to be remediated by March 31, 1999. Contingency plans for critical
  business functions will be completed as part of this phase as well.
 
- - Testing and Certification. Following the completion of the remediation phase,
  each computer information system and its components are tested. Actual test
  results are reviewed and compared to expected test results based on accepted
  industry standards and methodologies. If the actual test results are
  acceptable, the system and/or component are certified as Year 2000 compliant.
  Testing and certification for the PacifiCare core computer system are 90
  percent complete. We expect all other systems (except the FHP core system) to
  be tested and certified as Year 2000 compliant by June 30, 1999. Testing and
  certification of the FHP core computer systems will occur during 1999 and are
  expected to be completed in December 1999.
 
- - Implementation and Close. There will be a final review and confirmation that
  the remediated systems and components have met all Year 2000 compliance
  objectives.
 
When our Year 2000 compliance program was first established in 1996, we focused
on existing systems and did not contemplate acquisitions of other companies.
These core computing programs became Year 2000 compliant in 1998. The total cost
to make our pre-FHP core computing information systems Year 2000 compliant was
approximately $6 million.
 
With the February 1997 FHP acquisition, we originally expected the Arizona,
Colorado, Nevada and Ohio HMOs to shift to our pre-FHP core computing
information systems throughout 1998 and 1999 as providers moved to delegated
capitation arrangements. In the second quarter of 1998, we determined that while
we had successfully moved some of these providers to capitation arrangements,
the provider networks did not have sufficient infrastructure to administer the
claims under a fully delegated capitated arrangement. We concluded that our HMOs
in these states will need to continue to administer claims on behalf of
providers.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
Because the claims-based FHP core systems function more effectively than our
core computing systems for claims administration on behalf of non-delegated
delivery systems, we decided to maintain the FHP systems. As a result, the scope
of our Year 2000 compliance activities was expanded to include the FHP computer
system. We have a detailed project plan for modifying the FHP systems to be Year
2000 compliant in phases during 1999. Based upon an outside consultant's
recommendations and internal analysis, we estimate that the total cost to make
the FHP systems Year 2000 compliant ranges from $5 to $9 million.
 
Our Year 2000 compliance program establishes priorities to achieve resolution of
the most business critical issues first. The program incorporates a regular
reporting process which helps us to monitor and measure our progress toward Year
2000 compliance against defined goals. Through this reporting process we can
focus resources on, any Year 2000 issue, as necessary.
 
We are also contacting our third party vendors, provider and hospital networks,
business partners, contractors, and service providers, including HCFA, to assess
their Year 2000 level of readiness. In some cases, we are seeking reasonable
assurances with respect to Year 2000 compliance. Our priority is to assess the
readiness of our providers with delegated responsibility and other third parties
with which we electronically exchange data or interact. Because we do not
control the products, services, or systems of our providers, vendors or
customers, we cannot ensure their Year 2000 compliance. We anticipate developing
business process contingency plans by June 1999 for external sources that appear
to be at risk.
 
If HCFA or certain other third parties experience significant failures or
erroneous applications, it could have a material effect on our financial
position, results of operations, cash flows, and business prospects. For
example, if HCFA, OPM, or our commercial customers experience system failures,
this could cause a delay in our receipt of payments from these customers,
including a significant HCFA payment due in January 2000. Therefore, we are
developing a cash receipts contingency plan.
 
We also could have difficulties processing Medicare and other claims within
required periods, collecting accurate claims and other data on which we depend,
or enrolling new members. In preparing contingency plans, we are developing risk
reduction strategies. However, some risks may be beyond our control. Further,
our marketing, general and administrative expenses could increase due to Year
2000 compliance expenditures.
 
OPM. OPM generally audits health plans which it contracts with every five or six
years. We currently have several audits with OPM that are in various stages. We
intend to negotiate with OPM and DOJ on all unresolved matters to attain a
mutually satisfactory result. We cannot assure that the negotiations will
conclude satisfactorily, or that there will not be additional liability upon
completion of the audits. However, we believe that any ultimate liability in
excess of amounts already set aside would not materially affect our consolidated
financial position. The liability, if material, could have an effect on results
of operations or cash flows of a future quarter. See Note 10 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES. Additional borrowings on our credit facility
may be necessary if HCFA and OPM are unable to remit funds as a result of Year
2000 compliance issues. We also may continue to repurchase shares of outstanding
stock, resulting in reduced cash or additional borrowings on our credit
facility. Additional borrowings on the credit facility may make us subject to
earlier mandatory reduction of the outstanding balance. Additionally, should the
credit facility be drawn, our ability to repay amounts owed under the credit
facility and other long-term debt will depend on cash receipts from our
subsidiaries' restricted cash reserves. These subsidiary receipts represent fees
for management services rendered by us to the subsidiaries and cash dividends by
the subsidiaries to us. Nearly all of the subsidiaries are subject to HMO
regulations or insurance regulations and may be subject to substantial
supervision by one or more HMO or insurance regulators. Subsidiaries subject to
regulation must meet or exceed various capital standards imposed by HMO or
insurance regulations, which may from time to time impact the amount of funds
the subsidiaries can pay to us. Additionally, from time to time, we advance
funds in the form of a loan or capital contribution to our subsidiaries to
assist them in satisfying federal or state financial requirements. If a federal
or state regulator has concerns about the financial position of a subsidiary, a
regulator may impose additional financial requirements on the subsidiary, which
may require additional funding from us. We believe that
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
cash flows from operations, existing cash equivalents, marketable securities and
other financing sources will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the
credit facility.
 
RISK-BASED CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS. The National Association of Insurance
Commissioners has proposed that states adopt risk-based capital standards that,
if implemented, would require new minimum capitalization limits for health care
coverage provided by HMOs and other risk-bearing health care entities. To date,
Washington is the only state where we have HMO operations that has adopted these
standards. We do not expect this legislation to have a material impact on our
consolidated financial position in the near future if other states where we
operate HMOs adopt these standards. Further, we believe that cash flows from
operations or, if necessary, borrowings under our credit facility, will be
sufficient to fund any additional risk-based capital requirements.
 
LEGISLATION AND REGULATION. Federal and state legislation and regulation
significantly affect us. During 1998 our government programs, the majority of
which are Medicare business, contribute 59 percent of our revenue and an even
greater percentage of our profits. Changes in state and federal legislation or
regulation could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected
results discussed throughout this document. Changes that could effect us
materially include:
 
- - Limitations on premium levels;
 
- - Increases in minimum capital and reserves and other financial viability
  requirements;
 
- - Prohibition or limitation of capitated arrangements or provider financial
  incentives;
 
- - Benefit mandates (including mandatory length of stay and emergency room
  coverage, many of which become effective in 1999);
 
- - Limitations on the ability to manage care and utilization of any willing
  provider and direct access laws; and
 
- - Adoption on the federal and/or state level of a "Patients Bill of Rights."
 
Legislation and regulation could also include adverse actions of governmental
payors, including reduced Medicare premiums; discontinuance of or limitation on
governmentally funded programs; recovery by governmental payors of previously
paid amounts; the inability to increase premiums or prospective or retroactive
reductions to premium rates for federal employees; and adverse regulatory
actions.
 
OTHER. Results may differ materially from those projected, forecast, estimated
and budgeted by us due to adverse results in ongoing audits or in other reviews
conducted by federal or state agencies or health care purchasing cooperatives;
adverse results in significant litigation matters; and changes in interest rates
causing changes in interest expense and net investment income.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   28
 
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
MARKET RISK
 
The principal objective of our asset/liability management activities is to
maximize net investment income, while maintaining levels of interest rate risk
and facilitating our funding needs. Our net investment income and interest
expense are subject to the risk of interest rate fluctuations. To mitigate the
impact of fluctuations in interest rates, we manage the structure of the
maturity of debt, investments and derivatives. We use derivative financial
instruments, primarily interest rate swaps, with maturities that correlate to
balance sheet financial instruments. This results in a modification of existing
interest rates to levels deemed appropriate based on our current economic
outlook.
 
The following table provides information about our financial instruments that
are sensitive to changes in interest rates as of December 31, 1998. For
investment securities and debt obligations, the table presents principal cash
flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates.
Additionally, we have assumed our marketable securities and marketable
securities-restricted, comprised primarily of U.S. government, state, municipal,
and corporate debt securities, are similar enough to aggregate into fixed rate
and variable rate securities for presentation purposes. For interest rate swaps,
the table presents notional amounts by contractual maturity dates. Notional
amounts are used to calculate the contractual cash flows to be exchanged under
the contract.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1999       2000      2001       2002       2003      BEYOND     TOTAL     FAIR VALUE
                                           --------   --------   -------   --------   --------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Assets:
Marketable securities:
  Fixed rate.............................  $ 20,719   $119,218   $12,850   $ 36,762   $ 34,797   $588,723   $813,069    $826,296
  Average interest rate..................      5.26%      5.34%     6.22%      6.02%      5.93%      5.57%      5.56%         --
  Variable rate..........................  $    999         --        --         --         --   $ 49,590   $ 50,589    $ 49,257
  Average interest rate..................      5.03%        --        --         --         --       5.88%      5.86%         --
Marketable securities - restricted:
  Fixed rate.............................  $ 40,519   $ 27,183   $ 3,826   $  3,494   $    214   $  7,424   $ 82,660    $ 83,539
  Average interest rate..................      5.25%      5.36%     6.13%      5.76%      6.35%      5.98%      5.47%         --
Liabilities:
Long term debt, including debt due within
  one year:
  Variable rate..........................  $     87   $      6        --   $550,000   $100,000         --   $650,093    $650,093
  Average interest rate..................     10.00%     11.00%       --       6.00%      7.00%        --         --          --
Derivative financial instruments related
  to debt:
  Interest rate swaps:
  Pay variable/receive fixed.............  $350,000         --        --         --         --         --   $350,000    $350,000
  Average interest rate..................      6.00%        --        --         --         --         --         --          --
</TABLE>
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   29
 
ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
See the Index included at "Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and
Reports on Form 8-K."
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS AND ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
We have not changed our independent auditors, nor have we had disagreements with
such auditors on accounting principles, practices or financial statement
disclosure within the last two years.
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
Information about directors and executive officers is incorporated by reference
from our Proxy Statement under the headings Election of Directors and Executive
Officers and Directors Other Than Nominees for the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. We expect to file this Proxy Statement with the SEC no later than
April 30, 1999.
 
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
Information about executive compensation is incorporated by reference from our
Proxy Statement under the heading Compensation of Executive Officers for the
1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. We expect to file this Proxy Statement with
the SEC no later than April 30, 1999.
 
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
Information about security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management
is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement under the heading Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management for the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. We expect to file this Proxy Statement with the SEC no
later than April 30, 1999.
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
Information about certain relationships and transactions with related parties is
incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement under the heading Certain
Transactions for the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. We expect to file this
Proxy Statement with the SEC no later than April 30, 1999.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   30
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       PAGE
                                                                     REFERENCE
                                                                     ---------
<S>    <C>                                                           <C>
(a)1.  Consolidated Financial Statements:
       Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and
         1997......................................................     F-1
       Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
         December 31, 1998
         and 1997, three months ended December 31, 1996 and the
         fiscal year ended September 30, 1996......................     F-2
       Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the
         years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, three months ended
         December 31, 1996 and the fiscal year ended September 30,
         1996......................................................     F-3
       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
         December 31, 1998 and 1997, three months ended December
         31, 1996 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.....     F-4
       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................     F-6
       Report of Ernst & Young LLP Independent Auditors............    F-24
       Quarterly Information for 1998 and 1997 (unaudited).........    F-25
   2.  Financial Statement Schedule:
       Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts............    F-26
       All other schedules are omitted because they are not
         required or the information is included elsewhere in the
         consolidated financial statements.
   3.  Exhibits: An "Exhibit Index" is filed as part of this Form
         10-K beginning on page E-1 and is incorporated by
         reference.
(b)    Reports on Form 8-K:
       On November 20, 1998, PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. filed
         a Form 8-K/A in connection with its sale of PacifiCare of
         Utah, Inc.
</TABLE>
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   31
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
                                      PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                                      By:         /s/ ALAN R. HOOPS
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                                      Alan R. Hoops
                                         Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                          Executive Officer
 
Date: February 26, 1999
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this Report has been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        NAME                                       TITLE                    DATE
                        ----                                       -----                    ----
<S>                                                    <C>                            <C>
 
                  /s/ ALAN R. HOOPS                      Chairman of the Board and    February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------     Chief Executive Officer
                    Alan R. Hoops                      (Principal Executive Officer)
 
                /s/ ROBERT B. STEARNS                  Executive Vice President and   February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------     Chief Financial Officer
                  Robert B. Stearns                    (Principal Financial Officer)
 
                /s/ MARY C. LANGSDORF                    Senior Vice President and    February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------      Corporate Controller
                  Mary C. Langsdorf                        (Principal Accounting
                                                                 Officer)
 
                /s/ JACK R. ANDERSON                             Director             February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Jack R. Anderson
 
                  /s/ CRAIG T. BEAM                              Director             February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Craig T. Beam
 
                /s/ RICHARD M. BURDGE                            Director             February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Richard M. Burdge
 
                 /s/ BRADLEY C. CALL                             Director             February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Bradley C. Call
 
               /s/ DAVID R. CARPENTER                            Director             February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 David R. Carpenter
 
               /s/ TERRY O. HARTSHORN                   Vice Chairman of the Board    February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Terry O. Hartshorn
 
                  /s/ GARY L. LEARY                              Director             February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Gary L. Leary
</TABLE>
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   32
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        NAME                                       TITLE                    DATE
                        ----                                       -----                    ----
<S>                                                    <C>                            <C>
              /s/ WARREN E. PINCKERT II                          Director             February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Warren E. Pinckert II
 
                  /s/ DAVID A. REED                              Director             February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    David A. Reed
 
                  /s/ LLOYD E. ROSS                              Director             February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Lloyd E. Ross
 
                /s/ JEAN BIXBY SMITH                             Director             February 26, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Jean Bixby Smith
</TABLE>
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   33
 
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  1998           1997
                                                              ------------   ------------
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER
                                                                      SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
                                         ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and equivalents......................................   $  724,636     $  680,674
  Marketable securities.....................................      875,553        864,708
  Income tax receivable.....................................           --         95,088
  Receivables, net..........................................      275,955        305,645
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................       24,979         31,994
  Deferred income taxes.....................................      132,452        112,037
                                                               ----------     ----------
          Total current assets..............................    2,033,575      2,090,146
                                                               ----------     ----------
Property, plant and equipment at cost, net of accumulated
  depreciation and amortization.............................      178,520        235,943
Marketable securities-restricted............................       82,660        145,989
Goodwill and intangible assets, net.........................    2,313,266      2,458,463
Other assets................................................       22,923         32,505
                                                               ----------     ----------
                                                               $4,630,944     $4,963,046
                                                               ==========     ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Medical claims and benefits payable.......................   $  645,300     $  721,500
  Accounts payable..........................................       43,436        116,277
  Accrued liabilities.......................................      352,352        323,495
  Accrued compensation and employee benefits................       68,382         71,055
  Unearned premium revenue..................................      509,859        496,183
  Long-term debt due within one year........................           87            154
                                                               ----------     ----------
          Total current liabilities.........................    1,619,416      1,728,664
                                                               ----------     ----------
Long-term debt due after one year...........................      650,006      1,011,234
Deferred income taxes.......................................      112,056        102,793
Other liabilities...........................................       11,015         57,793
Minority interest...........................................          355            375
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
  Capital stock, $0.01 par value per share:
     Preferred stock, 40,000 shares authorized: issued
      10,517 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
      in 1997...............................................           --            105
     Common stock:
       Class A, 100,000 shares authorized, voting: issued
        14,880 shares in 1998 and 14,794 shares in 1997.....          149            148
       Class B, 100,000 shares authorized, non-voting:
        issued 31,506 shares in 1998 and 27,201 shares in
        1997................................................          315            272
  Additional paid-in capital................................    1,624,619      1,599,229
  Accumulated other comprehensive income....................        7,359          9,993
  Retained earnings.........................................      649,608        452,440
  Treasury shares, at cost: Class A Common, 42 shares and
     Class B Common, 728 shares in 1998.....................      (43,954)            --
                                                               ----------     ----------
          Total shareholders' equity........................    2,238,096      2,062,187
                                                               ----------     ----------
                                                               $4,630,944     $4,963,046
                                                               ==========     ==========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   34
 
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             THREE MONTHS
                                                YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED       ENDED        YEAR ENDED
                                               DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                   1998           1997           1996           1996
                                               ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------
                                                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Revenue:
  Government premiums (Medicare and
     Medicaid)...............................   $5,586,592     $5,206,919     $  722,748     $2,720,698
  Commercial premiums........................    3,823,587      3,728,243        498,832      1,866,830
  Other income...............................      111,303         47,518         13,295         49,777
                                                ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
          Total operating revenue............    9,521,482      8,982,680      1,234,875      4,637,305
Expenses:
Health care services:
  Government services........................    4,834,638      4,458,994        618,265      2,322,375
  Commercial services........................    3,167,622      3,199,885        421,080      1,550,372
                                                ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
          Total health care services.........    8,002,260      7,658,879      1,039,345      3,872,747
Marketing, general and administrative
  expenses...................................    1,089,418      1,055,080        153,135        575,928
Amortization of goodwill and intangible
  assets.....................................       76,593         70,219          1,861          9,153
Impairment, disposition, restructuring and
  other charges..............................       15,644        154,507             --         75,840
Office of Personnel Management (credits)
  charges....................................       (4,624)            --             --         25,000
                                                ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Operating income.............................      342,191         43,995         40,534         78,637
Net investment income........................      104,306         80,665         12,652         46,237
Interest expense.............................      (60,923)       (64,536)          (350)        (2,094)
                                                ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Income before income taxes...................      385,574         60,124         52,836        122,780
Provision for income taxes...................      183,147         81,825         21,079         50,827
                                                ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Net income (loss)............................   $  202,427     $  (21,701)    $   31,757     $   71,953
                                                ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========
Preferred dividends..........................       (5,259)        (8,792)            --             --
                                                ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
Net income (loss) available to common
  shareholders...............................   $  197,168     $  (30,493)    $   31,757     $   71,953
                                                ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========
Basic earnings (loss) per share..............   $     4.50     $    (0.75)    $     1.01     $     2.31
                                                ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========
Diluted earnings (loss) per share............   $     4.40     $    (0.75)    $     1.00     $     2.27
                                                ==========     ==========     ==========     ==========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   35
 
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  ACCUMULATED
                                                CLASS A   CLASS B   ADDITIONAL       OTHER
                                    PREFERRED   COMMON    COMMON     PAID IN     COMPREHENSIVE   RETAINED   TREASURY
                                      STOCK      STOCK     STOCK     CAPITAL        INCOME       EARNINGS    STOCK       TOTAL
                                    ---------   -------   -------   ----------   -------------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                                           (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                 <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>          <C>             <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCES AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1995....    $  --      $123      $186     $  347,548      $ 4,944      $379,223   $     --   $  732,024
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Comprehensive income:
  Net income......................       --        --        --             --           --        71,953         --       71,953
  Other comprehensive loss, net of
    tax:
    Unrealized losses on
      securities, net of
      reclassification
      adjustment..................       --        --        --             --       (3,651)           --         --       (3,651)
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Comprehensive income..............       --        --        --             --       (3,651)       71,953         --       68,302
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Issuance of capital stock under
  employee benefit plans..........       --         1         3         14,510           --            --         --       14,514
Tax benefit associated with
  exercise of stock options.......       --        --        --          8,384           --            --         --        8,384
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
BALANCES AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996....       --       124       189        370,442        1,293       451,176         --      823,224
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Comprehensive income:
  Net income......................       --        --        --             --           --        31,757         --       31,757
  Other comprehensive income, net
    of tax:
    Unrealized gains on
      securities, net of
      reclassification
      adjustment..................       --        --        --             --        2,158            --         --        2,158
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Comprehensive income..............       --        --        --             --        2,158        31,757         --       33,915
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Issuance of capital stock under
  employee benefit plans..........       --        --        --            612           --            --         --          612
Tax benefit associated with
  exercise of stock options.......       --        --        --          2,351           --            --         --        2,351
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996.....       --       124       189        373,405        3,451       482,933         --      860,102
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Comprehensive loss:
  Net loss........................       --        --        --             --           --       (21,701)        --      (21,701)
  Other comprehensive income, net
    of tax:
    Unrealized gains on
      securities, net of
      reclassification
      adjustment..................       --        --        --             --        6,542            --         --        6,542
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Comprehensive loss................       --        --        --             --        6,542       (21,701)        --      (15,159)
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Capital stock activity:
  FHP acquisition.................      105        23        74      1,163,393           --            --         --    1,163,595
  Employee benefit plans..........       --         1         9         44,584           --            --         --       44,594
Tax benefit associated with
  exercise of stock options.......       --        --        --         17,847           --            --         --       17,847
Preferred dividends...............       --        --        --             --           --        (8,792)        --       (8,792)
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1997.....      105       148       272      1,599,229        9,993       452,440         --    2,062,187
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Comprehensive income:
  Net income......................       --        --        --             --           --       202,427         --      202,427
  Other comprehensive loss, net of
    tax:
    Unrealized losses on
      securities, net of
      reclassification
      adjustment..................       --        --        --             --       (2,634)           --         --       (2,634)
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Comprehensive income..............       --        --        --             --       (2,634)      202,427         --      199,793
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
Capital stock activity:
  Conversion of preferred stock to
    common stock..................     (105)       --        39           (344)          --            --         --         (410)
  Employee benefit plans..........       --         1         4         19,438           --            --        704       20,147
  Purchase of treasury stock......       --        --        --             --           --            --    (44,658)     (44,658)
Tax benefit associated with
  exercise of stock options.......       --        --        --          6,296           --            --         --        6,296
Preferred dividends...............       --        --        --             --           --        (5,259)        --       (5,259)
                                      -----      ----      ----     ----------      -------      --------   --------   ----------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1998.....    $  --      $149      $315     $1,624,619      $ 7,359      $649,608   $(43,954)  $2,238,096
                                      =====      ====      ====     ==========      =======      ========   ========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   36
 
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          THREE MONTHS
                                                           YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED        ENDED         YEAR ENDED
                                                          DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              1998            1997            1996            1996
                                                          ------------    ------------    ------------    -------------
                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Operating activities:
  Net income (loss)...................................      $202,427      $   (21,701)      $ 31,757        $  71,953
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
    cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
    Amortization of goodwill and intangible assets....        76,593           70,219          1,861            9,153
    Depreciation and amortization.....................        44,436           46,658          5,244           22,949
    Deferred income taxes.............................       (19,299)          25,579            213          (25,783)
    Impairment, disposition, restructuring and other
      charges.........................................        15,644          154,507             --           75,840
    Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
      and other.......................................        12,547            6,715            191              750
    Office of Personnel Management (credits)
      charges.........................................        (4,624)              --             --           25,000
    Provision for doubtful accounts...................         1,485            5,171            296              999
    Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects
      from acquisitions and dispositions:
      Receivables, net................................        24,516            6,321         13,037          (55,971)
      Prepaid expenses, income tax receivable and
         other current assets.........................       102,696         (112,409)       (13,745)          (5,038)
      Medical claims and benefits payable.............       (47,421)          (2,504)        10,800          (21,261)
      Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and
         accrued compensation and employee benefits...        31,549           (2,340)        (7,139)             573
      Unearned premium revenue........................        15,038          237,273        232,357         (172,156)
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
         Net cash flows provided by (used in)
           operating activities.......................       455,587          413,489        274,872          (72,992)
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
Investing activities:
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment...........       (41,631)         (68,533)        (4,614)         (22,728)
  Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and
    equipment.........................................        41,187            3,154             --               --
  Purchase of marketable securities-restricted........       (17,980)         (15,475)        (2,993)          (9,298)
  Proceeds from dispositions..........................        16,809           76,500             --               --
  Purchase of marketable securities, net..............       (16,546)          (8,795)       (33,964)         (30,623)
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired..................          (750)        (999,892)          (358)          (5,403)
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
         Net cash flows used in investing
           activities.................................       (18,911)      (1,013,041)       (41,929)         (68,052)
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
Financing activities:
  Principal payments on long-term debt................      (391,295)        (235,166)        (8,625)          (8,625)
  Repurchase of common stock..........................       (44,658)              --             --               --
  Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt..........        30,000        1,120,000             --               --
  Proceeds from issuance of common and treasury
    stock.............................................        18,908           43,838            612           13,342
  Preferred dividends paid............................        (5,259)          (8,792)            --               --
  Redemption of preferred stock.......................          (410)              --             --               --
  Capitalization of Talbert...........................            --          (67,000)            --               --
  Proceeds from sale of Talbert stock.................            --           59,598             --               --
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
         Net cash flows provided by (used in)
           financing activities.......................      (392,714)         912,478         (8,013)           4,717
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents.......        43,962          312,926        224,930         (136,327)
Beginning cash and equivalents........................       680,674          367,748        142,818          279,145
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
Ending cash and equivalents...........................      $724,636      $   680,674       $367,748        $ 142,818
                                                            ========      ===========       ========        =========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
                         Table continued on next page.
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   37
 
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          THREE MONTHS
                                                           YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED        ENDED         YEAR ENDED
                                                          DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              1998            1997            1996            1996
                                                          ------------    ------------    ------------    -------------
                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Supplemental cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the year for:
    Income taxes, net of refunds......................      $ 28,696      $   100,202       $    794        $  74,092
    Interest..........................................      $ 55,735      $    55,282       $    241        $   1,230
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and
  financing activities:
  Tax benefit associated with exercise of stock
    options...........................................      $  6,296      $    17,847       $  2,351        $   8,384
  Compensation awarded in Class B common stock........      $  1,239      $       756       $     --        $   1,172
Details of accumulated other comprehensive income:
  Change in marketable securities.....................      $ (4,652)     $    10,577       $  3,495        $  (5,955)
  Less change in deferred income taxes................         2,018           (4,035)        (1,337)           2,304
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
  Change in shareholders' equity......................      $ (2,634)     $     6,542       $  2,158        $  (3,651)
                                                            ========      ===========       ========        =========
Details of businesses acquired in purchase
  transactions:
  Fair value of assets acquired.......................      $    750      $ 3,376,241       $    448        $   9,906
  Less liabilities assumed or created, including notes
    to sellers........................................            --       (1,168,236)           (90)          (3,023)
  Less common and preferred stock consideration.......            --       (1,163,595)            --               --
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
  Cash paid for acquisitions..........................           750        1,044,410            358            6,883
  Cash acquired in acquisitions.......................            --          (44,518)            --           (1,480)
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
         Net cash paid for acquisitions...............      $    750      $   999,892       $    358        $   5,403
                                                            ========      ===========       ========        =========
Purchase accounting accrual adjustment:
  Reduction of purchase accounting accruals...........      $(79,340)     $        --       $     --        $      --
  Deferred income taxes...............................        10,165               --             --               --
                                                            --------      -----------       --------        ---------
Net goodwill adjustment...............................      $(69,175)     $        --       $     --        $      --
                                                            ========      ===========       ========        =========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
                      Table continued from previous page.
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   38
 
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS. PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. owns and operates
federally qualified health maintenance organizations ("HMOs"), that arrange
health care services principally for a predetermined, prepaid periodic fee to
enrolled subscriber groups through independent health care organizations under
contract. We also offer certain specialty products and services to group
purchasers and to other managed care organizations and their beneficiaries,
including behavioral health services, life and health insurance, dental and
vision services, pharmacy benefit management, and Medicare+Choice management
services. UniHealth, a California non-profit public benefit corporation, owned
approximately 40 percent of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock and
one percent of our Class B common stock at December 31, 1998.
 
CONSOLIDATION. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of the parent company and all significant subsidiaries that are more
than 50 percent owned and controlled. All significant intercompany transactions
and balances were eliminated in consolidation.
 
CHANGE OF YEAR END. In 1997 we began reporting on a calendar year end. We
previously reported on a fiscal year ended September 30. Accordingly, the
accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes include results for the
three month transition period ended December 31, 1996, as required by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
SEGMENT INFORMATION. We have adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information." SFAS No. 131 establishes new standards for reporting operating
segments of publicly held companies. Its guiding principle is the "management
approach." This approach requires us to present segment information externally
the same way management uses financial data internally to make operating
decisions and assess performance. Because we sell health care packages, in the
form of bundled HMO and supplemental HMO products, to members of all ages we
have one reportable operating segment. These HMO members generally fall within
two product lines. Revenues from our Medicare customers are reported in the
government product line. Revenues from non-Medicare members, generally employees
or early retirees of businesses, are reported in the commercial product line.
Our single largest customer is the federal government. Sources of federal
government revenues include revenues from Medicare beneficiaries and from
federal employees covered by the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program
("FEHBP"). Federal government revenues were $5.9 billion in 1998, $5.5 billion
in 1997, $ 0.7 billion in the 1996 transition period and $2.8 billion in fiscal
1996.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, we must
use some estimates and assumptions that may affect reported amounts and
disclosures. We use estimates most often when accounting for:
 
- - Allowances for doubtful accounts receivable;
 
- - Medical claims and benefits payable, including provider insolvency reserves;
 
- - Professional and general liability;
 
- - Reserves relating to the United States Office of Personnel Management ("OPM");
  and
 
- - Certain other reserves.
 
We are also subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to
differ from estimated results, such as changes in the health care environment,
competition and legislation.
 
Footnote references for 1998 represent the year ended December 31, 1998, 1997
represents the year ended December 31, 1997, 1996 transition period represents
the three months ended December 31, 1996, and fiscal 1996 represents the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1996.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   39
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION (CONTINUED)
RECLASSIFICATIONS. We reclassified certain prior year amounts in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements to conform to the 1998
presentation.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS. Cash and equivalents include items such as money market
funds and certificates of deposit, with maturity periods of three months or less
when purchased.
 
MARKETABLE SECURITIES. All marketable securities (which include municipal bonds,
corporate notes, commercial paper and U.S. government securities), except
marketable securities-restricted, are designated as available-for-sale.
Accordingly, marketable securities are carried at fair value and unrealized
gains or losses, net of applicable income taxes, are recorded in shareholders'
equity. Because marketable securities are available for use in current
operations, they are classified as current assets without regard to the
securities' contractual maturity dates.
 
We are required by state regulatory agencies to set aside funds for the
protection of our plan members in accordance with the laws of the various states
in which we operate. These funds are classified as marketable
securities-restricted (which includes U.S. government securities and
certificates of deposit held by trustees or state regulatory agencies).
Marketable securities-restricted are designated as held-to-maturity since we
have the intent and ability to hold such securities to maturity.
Held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for
amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, and are
classified as noncurrent assets.
 
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK. Financial instruments that potentially subject us
to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of investments in marketable
securities and commercial premiums receivable. Our short-term investments in
marketable securities are managed by professional investment managers within
guidelines established by our board of directors, that, as a matter of policy,
limit the amounts that may be invested in any one issuer. Concentrations of
credit risk with respect to commercial premiums receivable are limited due to
the large number of employer groups comprising our customer base. We had no
significant concentrations of credit risk at December 31, 1998.
 
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. Our consolidated balance sheets include the
following financial instruments: cash and equivalents, trade accounts and notes
receivable, trade accounts payable and long-term obligations. We consider the
carrying amounts of current assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial
statements to approximate the fair value for these financial instruments because
of the relatively short period of time between origination of the instruments
and their expected realization. The carrying value of all long-term obligations
approximates the fair value of such obligations.
 
MARKET RISK -- INTEREST-RATE SWAPS. We enter into interest-rate swap agreements
to modify the interest characteristics of our outstanding debt. Each
interest-rate swap agreement is designated with all or a portion of the
principal balance and term of a specific debt obligation. These agreements
involve the exchange of amounts based on a fixed interest rate for amounts based
on variable interest rates over the life of the agreement without an exchange of
the notional amount upon which the payments are based. The differential to be
paid or received as interest rates change is accrued and recognized as an
adjustment of interest expense related to the debt (the accrual accounting
method). The related amount payable to, or receivable from counterparties is
included in other liabilities or assets. The fair value of the swap agreements
and changes in the fair value as a result of changes in market interest rates
are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Gains and losses on
terminations of interest-rate swap agreements are deferred as an adjustment to
the carrying amount of the outstanding debt, and amortized as an adjustment to
interest expense related to the debt over the remaining term of the original
contract life of the terminated swap agreement. In the event of the early
extinguishment of a designated debt obligation, any realized or unrealized gain
or loss from
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   40
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
the swap would be recognized in income coincident with the extinguishment gain
or loss. See Note 5, "Long-Term Debt."
 
LONG-LIVED ASSETS.
 
- - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT. We record property, plant and equipment at
  cost. We capitalize replacements and major improvements. We charge repairs and
  maintenance to expense as incurred. We eliminate the costs and related
  accumulated depreciation when we sell property, plant and equipment, and any
  resulting gains or losses are included in net income. We depreciate property,
  plant and equipment, including assets under capital leases, evenly over the
  assets' useful lives ranging from five to 25 years. We amortize leasehold
  improvements evenly over the shorter of the lease term or 10 years.
  Accumulated depreciation totaled $110 million for 1998 and $129 million for
  1997.
 
- - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS. When we acquire a business, we allocate the
  excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired to
  goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. Identifiable intangible assets
  can include employer group contracts, Medicare contracts, provider networks
  and assembled work force. We amortize goodwill and intangible assets evenly
  over periods ranging from four to 40 years. Accumulated amortization totaled
  $160 million for 1998 and $84 million for 1997.
 
- - LONG-LIVED ASSET IMPAIRMENT. We review long-lived assets for impairment when
  events or changes in business conditions indicate that their full carrying
  value may not be recovered. We consider assets to be impaired and write them
  down to fair value if expected associated cash flows are less than the
  carrying amounts. Fair value is the present value of the expected associated
  cash flows. We recorded pretax charges for the impairment of goodwill and
  intangible assets totaling $124 million in 1997 and $59 million in fiscal
  1996. See Note 9, "Impairment, Disposition, Restructuring and Other Charges."
 
SOFTWARE COSTS. As of January 1, 1998, we adopted Statement of Position ("SOP")
No. 98-1. This statement requires that certain internal and external costs
associated with the purchase or development of internal-use software be
capitalized rather than expensed. We amortize these costs evenly over estimated
useful lives ranging from three to five years. Total costs capitalized in 1998
were $10 million. Development costs that did not meet SOP No. 98-1
capitalization requirements in 1998 were $24 million. Prior to 1998, we expensed
direct costs associated with the development of computer software as incurred.
These costs totaled $20 million in 1997, $3 million in the 1996 transition
period and $13 million in fiscal 1996.
 
PREMIUMS AND REVENUE RECOGNITION. We report prepaid health care premiums
received from our HMOs' enrolled groups as revenue in the month that enrollees
are entitled to receive health care. We record premiums received in advance as
unearned premium revenue. Funds received under the federal Medicare program
accounted for approximately 59 percent in 1998, 58 percent in 1997, 59 percent
in the 1996 transition period and 57 percent in fiscal 1996 as a percentage of
total premiums.
 
HEALTH CARE SERVICES. Our HMOs arrange for comprehensive health care services to
their members principally through capitation. Capitation is a fixed monthly
payment made without regard to the frequency, extent or nature of the health
care services actually furnished. We provide benefits to enrolled members
generally through our contractual relationships with physician groups and
hospitals. Our contracted providers may, in turn, contract with specialists or
referral providers for specific services and are responsible for any related
payments to those referral providers. Our HMOs provide incentives to
participating medical groups through the use of risk-sharing agreements and
other programs. Payments are made to medical groups based on their performance
in controlling health care costs while providing quality health care. Expenses
related to these programs, that are based in part on estimates, are recorded in
the period in which the related services are dispensed. The cost of health care
provided is accrued in the period it is dispensed to the enrolled members, based
in part on estimates for hospital services and other health care costs that have
been incurred but not
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   41
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
yet reported. We have also recorded reserves, based in part on estimates, to
indemnify our members against potential referral claims related to insolvent
medical groups. See Note 10 "Commitments and Contingencies." Our HMOs have
stop-loss insurance to cover unusually high costs of care when incurred beyond a
predetermined annual amount per enrollee.
 
PREMIUM DEFICIENCY RESERVES ON LOSS CONTRACTS. We assess the profitability of
our contracts for providing health care services to our members when current
operating results or forecasts indicate probable future losses. We compare
anticipated premiums to health care related costs, including estimated payments
for providers, commissions and cost of collecting premiums and processing
claims. If the anticipated future costs exceed the premiums, a loss contract
accrual is recognized. See Note 9, "Impairment, Disposition, Restructuring and
Other Charges."
 
ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. We use Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25 to account for our stock-based compensation plans. Because we
typically set the exercise price of options granted at our stock's market price
on the grant date, there is no associated compensation expense. We have,
however, granted certain options that vest only if target stock prices are met.
Because these options have variable terms, there may be compensation expense
incurred for the difference between the exercise price and the closing market
price on the vesting dates. See Note 8, "Employee Benefit Plans."
 
TAXES BASED ON PREMIUMS. Certain states in which we do business require the
payment of excise, per capita or premium taxes based on a specified rate for
enrolled members or a percentage of billed premiums. Such taxes may be levied
instead of state income tax. These taxes are recorded in marketing, general and
administrative expenses, and totaled $17 million in 1998, $13 million in 1997,
$2 million in the 1996 transition period and $6 million in fiscal 1996.
 
INCOME TAXES. We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the
expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the
consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting
and tax bases of assets and liabilities. We measure deferred tax assets and
liabilities by applying enacted tax rates and laws to taxable years in which
such differences are expected to reverse. See Note 7, "Income Taxes."
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE. We calculated the denominators for the computation of basic
and diluted earnings per share as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   1996
                                                                                TRANSITION   FISCAL
                                                               1998     1997      PERIOD      1996
                                                              ------   ------   ----------   ------
                                                                     (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>
Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period...........  41,995   31,301     31,292     30,882
Weighted average number of shares issued:
  Conversion of Series A preferred stock....................   2,067       --         --         --
  Treasury stock acquired, net of shares issued.............    (543)      --         --         --
  Stock options exercised...................................     261      724          3        209
  FHP acquisition...........................................      --    8,498         --         --
                                                              ------   ------     ------     ------
Denominator for basic earnings per share....................  43,780   40,523     31,295     31,091
Assumed conversion of Series A preferred stock..............   1,862       --         --         --
Employee stock options and other dilutive potential common
  shares....................................................     363       --        505        580
                                                              ------   ------     ------     ------
Denominator for diluted earnings per share..................  46,005   40,523     31,800     31,671
                                                              ======   ======     ======     ======
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   42
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Since we reported a net loss in 1997, potentially dilutive securities were not
included in the calculation of the 1997 loss per share because they were
anti-dilutive. See Note 6, "Shareholders' Equity" and Note 8, "Employee Benefit
Plans."
 
DERIVATIVES. In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS
No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." This
standard requires companies to record all derivatives on the balance sheet as
either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at their fair value.
The manner in which companies are to record gains or losses resulting from
changes in the values of those derivatives depends on the use of the derivative
and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. This standard is effective for
our consolidated financial statements beginning January 1, 2000, although early
adoption is permitted. Based on our current derivatives held, we believe that
the adoption of this statement will not have a material impact to our
consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
 
The following tables summarize marketable securities as of the dates indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    GROSS        GROSS
                                                      AMORTIZED   UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED
                                                        COST        GAINS        LOSSES     FAIR VALUE
                                                      ---------   ----------   ----------   ----------
                                                                   (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Marketable securities:
  U.S. government and agency........................  $141,072     $ 3,489      $  (173)    $  144,388
  State, municipal and state and local agency.......   330,512       6,809         (508)       336,813
  Corporate debt and other securities...............   392,074       4,530       (2,252)       394,352
                                                      --------     -------      -------     ----------
          Total marketable securities...............   863,658      14,828       (2,933)       875,553
                                                      --------     -------      -------     ----------
Marketable securities-restricted:
  U.S. government and agency........................    48,961         658           (6)        49,613
  Municipal and local agency........................     3,756          53           (2)         3,807
  Corporate debt and other securities...............    29,943         176           --         30,119
                                                      --------     -------      -------     ----------
          Total marketable securities-restricted....    82,660         887           (8)        83,539
                                                      --------     -------      -------     ----------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998........................  $946,318     $15,715      $(2,941)    $  959,092
                                                      ========     =======      =======     ==========
Marketable securities:
  U.S. government and agency........................  $427,728     $ 9,936      $  (399)    $  437,265
  State, municipal and state and local agency.......   244,130       5,773         (731)       249,172
  Corporate debt and other securities...............   176,543       1,941         (213)       178,271
                                                      --------     -------      -------     ----------
          Total marketable securities...............   848,401      17,650       (1,343)       864,708
                                                      --------     -------      -------     ----------
Marketable securities-restricted:
  U.S. government and agency........................   110,555       1,106       (1,021)       110,640
  Municipal and local agency........................     8,898          45          (42)         8,901
  Corporate debt and other securities...............    26,536          39          (39)        26,536
                                                      --------     -------      -------     ----------
          Total marketable securities-restricted....   145,989       1,190       (1,102)       146,077
                                                      --------     -------      -------     ----------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1997........................  $994,390     $18,840      $(2,445)    $1,010,785
                                                      ========     =======      =======     ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   43
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES (CONTINUED)
As of December 31, 1998 the contractual maturities of our marketable securities
were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     MARKETABLE SECURITIES --
                                         MARKETABLE SECURITIES              RESTRICTED
                                      ---------------------------   ---------------------------
                                      AMORTIZED COST   FAIR VALUE   AMORTIZED COST   FAIR VALUE
                                      --------------   ----------   --------------   ----------
                                                       (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                   <C>              <C>          <C>              <C>
Due in one year or less.............     $ 21,718       $ 21,636       $40,519        $40,597
Due after one year through five
  years.............................      203,627        204,588        34,717         35,202
Due after five years through ten
  years.............................      338,766        347,967         5,682          5,979
Due after ten years.................      299,547        301,362         1,742          1,761
                                         --------       --------       -------        -------
                                         $863,658       $875,553       $82,660        $83,539
                                         ========       ========       =======        =======
</TABLE>
 
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities were $1.4 billion in
1998 and $3.4 billion in 1997. Gross realized gains and gross realized losses
are included in net investment income under the specific identification method.
 
4. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
 
1998 DISPOSITIONS. On September 30, 1998, we sold our Utah HMO subsidiary. We
guaranteed the buyer that the Utah HMO would have a minimum net equity of $10
million, based on the values of the Utah HMO's assets and liabilities as of
September 30, 1998. We also extended a $700,000 subordinated loan to the Utah
HMO to increase its statutory net equity. We sold all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Utah HMO to the buyer for no other
consideration. As of September 30, 1998, the Utah HMO served approximately
102,000 commercial and 19,000 government members. On October 31, 1998, we sold
our workers' compensation subsidiary. The sales price totaled $17 million. We
recognized pretax charges of approximately $15 million ($8 million or $0.18
diluted loss per share, net of tax) for these dispositions.
 
1997 ACQUISITION. On February 14, 1997 we acquired FHP International Corporation
("FHP"). Each outstanding share of FHP's common stock was exchanged for $17.50
in cash, 0.056 shares of our Class A common stock and 0.176 shares of our Class
B common stock. Each outstanding share of FHP's preferred stock was exchanged
for $14.113 in cash and one-half of one share of our Series A preferred stock.
We paid approximately $1.0 billion in cash to FHP's common and preferred
shareholders.
 
The terms of the FHP acquisition required FHP to contribute $67 million to
Talbert Medical Management Corporation ("Talbert"), a wholly owned subsidiary of
FHP, increasing Talbert's net worth to approximately $60 million on February 14,
1997. Concurrently, FHP sold its investment in Talbert in exchange for a $60
million non-recourse promissory note and rights to purchase shares of Talbert
common stock. Each former FHP shareholder received Talbert rights. Holders of
Talbert rights were able to purchase one share of Talbert common stock for each
Talbert right, for the subscription price of $21.50 per share. Holders of
Talbert rights were entitled to subscribe for all, or any portion of, the shares
of Talbert common stock underlying their Talbert rights, as well as to subscribe
for any unallocated additional shares. In May 1997, Talbert successfully
completed its rights offering and shares of Talbert common stock were
distributed. Proceeds from the Talbert rights offering were used to repay the
non-recourse promissory note issued to FHP.
 
We accounted for the FHP acquisition as a purchase. Total consideration of
approximately $2.2 billion, including $18 million of transaction costs, was
allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of
their fair values. The fair value of assets acquired was $0.9 billion. The fair
value of liabilities assumed was $1.1 billion. A total of $2.4 billion, net of
related deferred taxes, representing the excess of the purchase price over the
fair values of the net assets acquired, was allocated to goodwill and other
acquired intangible assets and is being amortized over a four to 40 year period.
Identified intangibles of $365 million include commercial employer group
contracts, Medicare contracts, provider networks and assembled work
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   44
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
4. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS (CONTINUED)
force. We recorded fair value increases and decreases in tangible assets and
liabilities acquired. Fair value decreases included a $76 million decrease to
property, plant and equipment. This decrease included real property write downs
based on appraised values and the abandonment of capitalized software and
equipment. Certain liabilities were recognized in purchase accounting for exit
costs and loss contingencies. We reviewed all exit cost liabilities and
determined that certain amounts exceeded the final expected payments at December
31, 1998. Certain of the items accrued, the related payments, and amounts
reversed as a reduction to the FHP purchase price were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               LIABILITIES                                  LIABILITIES
                                              RECOGNIZED AT                 LIABILITIES    OUTSTANDING AT
                                               DATE OF FHP     1998/1997     REVERSED       DECEMBER 31,
                                               ACQUISITION     PAYMENTS       IN 1998           1998
                                              -------------    ---------    -----------    --------------
<S>                                           <C>              <C>          <C>            <C>
Abandonment of FHP systems..................      $ 62           $(44)         $(18)            $--
Losses on disposition.......................        34             (8)          (25)              1
FHP severance benefits......................        33            (29)           (1)              3
FHP OPM claims accrual......................        33             --            --              33
Abandonment of FHP facility leases..........        14             (3)           (7)              4
Other.......................................        11             (3)           (8)             --
                                                  ----           ----          ----             ---
          Total.............................      $187           $(87)         $(59)            $41
                                                  ====           ====          ====             ===
</TABLE>
 
During 1998 we successfully settled audits of previously filed FHP federal tax
returns and reversed approximately $20 million of income tax liabilities. Total
purchase accounting accrual reductions were $79 million. The liabilities
reversed in 1998 had the effect of reducing the amount of tax benefits we
expected to realize in the future. As a result, we reduced our deferred tax
assets by $10 million. In total, the purchase price of FHP decreased by $69
million and is reflected as a reduction of goodwill.
 
At the acquisition, we accrued $62 million of contractual obligations and
commitments to conform all of FHP's multiple information systems to one uniform
system that will be abandoned upon the final conversion to our core computing
information system. These costs were direct, incremental and were not related to
the development of new software systems that would have future economic benefit.
With the 1997 and 1998 dispositions, and other contract negotiations, only $44
million was required.
 
As described below, we held certain FHP subsidiaries for sale in 1997. These
dispositions were completed in 1997 with certain liabilities not being assumed
by the buyers. Certain liabilities, including uninsured contingencies, were
resolved for amounts significantly lower than estimated.
 
Our estimates for FHP employee severance are expected to be fully utilized. The
remaining $3 million will be paid over the next two years.
 
We also accrued $33 million for FHP OPM claims based on FHP's internal review
completed just prior to the acquisition and draft audit findings by the
government. These matters generally take a number of years to resolve. See Note
10, "Commitments and Contingencies."
 
Finally, property management reserves of $14 million for various real property
leases were not fully utilized as the real estate market improved in late 1997
and early 1998. We were able to negotiate better lease terminations than
estimated and also sublet space at higher rates than originally anticipated.
 
1997 DISPOSITIONS. In February 1997, we announced our intention to sell the
Illinois and New Mexico HMO subsidiaries of FHP. We classified these
subsidiaries as net assets held for sale and assigned their carrying values at
net realizable value. The Illinois HMO was sold in October 1997, and the New
Mexico HMO was sold in November 1997. Net losses measured from the date of the
FHP acquisition until their dispositions
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   45
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
4. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS (CONTINUED)
were $15 million, and disposition gains totaled $46 million. These net losses
and disposition gains were treated as part of the FHP purchase price allocation.
 
In February 1997, we sold the outstanding common stock of our Florida
subsidiary, at which time the buyer assumed the daily operations. The sales
price, which approximated net book value, totaled $9 million. The sale was
closed in July 1997 when we received regulatory approval from the state of
Florida.
 
FISCAL 1996 ACQUISITION. In January 1996, we acquired Psychology Systems, Inc.,
a California-based managed care behavioral health and employee assistance
program company. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase, and its
operating results were included in our consolidated financial statements from
the purchase date. We amortize the excess purchase price over a period not to
exceed 40 years.
 
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The pro forma information below presents our
results of operations as if the sales of the Florida and Utah HMOs and the FHP
acquisition occurred on January 1, 1997. This information reflects our actual
operating results before these transactions, plus adjustments for interest
expense, goodwill amortization and income taxes. No adjustment was made to give
effect to synergies realized as a result of the FHP acquisition. Because the
sale of the workers' compensation subsidiary, the sales of the Illinois and New
Mexico HMO subsidiaries, and the fiscal 1996 acquisition were not material to
our results of operations, these transactions were not included in the pro forma
information below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1998           1997
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)
                                                                (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS,
                                                              EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Total operating revenue.....................................  $9,369,487     $9,311,919
Pretax income...............................................  $  415,814     $  160,943
Net income..................................................  $  220,511     $   60,431
                                                              ==========     ==========
Basic earnings per share....................................  $     4.92     $     1.22
                                                              ==========     ==========
Diluted earnings per share..................................  $     4.79     $     1.22
                                                              ==========     ==========
</TABLE>
 
5. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
We have a $1.5 billion credit facility under which we had $550 million in
borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 1998. The terms of this facility
require a mandatory step-down payment schedule if the principal balance exceeds
certain thresholds. Because the current balance is $550 million, no step-down
payments are required until the final maturity date on January 1, 2002. Interest
under the credit facility is variable and is presently based on the London
Interbank Offering Rate ("LIBOR") plus a spread, except for $350 million of the
outstanding balance that is covered by interest-rate swap agreements. The
average fixed interest rate we pay on the existing swap agreements is
approximately six percent. The terms of the credit facility contain various
covenants usual for financing of this type, including a minimum net worth
requirement, a minimum fixed charge requirement, leverage ratios and limits on
the amount of treasury stock we may purchase. At December 31, 1998, we were in
compliance with all such covenants. We also have $100 million in senior notes
outstanding that were assumed in the FHP acquisition. These notes carry an
interest rate of seven percent, are payable semiannually and mature on September
15, 2003.
 
6. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
As of December 31, 1998, we had repurchased 784,000 shares of our Class A and
Class B common stock for $45 million.
 
In May 1998, we announced the redemption of our 10,517,044 shares of Series A
preferred stock. All but 15,604 shares of this stock were converted into
3,929,503 shares of Class B common stock as of the June 23,
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   46
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
6. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
1998 redemption date. The conversion ratio was one share of Series A preferred
stock to 0.37419548 of a share of Class B common stock. The shares not converted
were redeemed in cash for $25.77 per share, including accrued and unpaid
dividends of approximately $0.02 per share, or $0.4 million in the aggregate.
During the year ended December 31, 1998, we paid approximately $5 million in
dividends to our preferred shareholders.
 
In January 1998, our board of directors approved a plan to repurchase shares of
our outstanding common stock. We have and may continue to repurchase our
outstanding common stock using cash flows from operations and additional
borrowings under the credit facility. The terms of the credit facility permit us
to repurchase up to $500 million of our outstanding common stock. Shares
repurchased have been and will be reissued for our employee benefit plans or for
other corporate purposes.
 
7. INCOME TAXES
 
The tax effects of the major items recorded as deferred tax assets and
liabilities were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1998         1997
                                                              ---------    ---------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Current deferred tax assets (liabilities):
  Accrued health care costs.................................  $  56,299    $  59,938
  Accrued expenses..........................................     30,487       37,819
  Accrued compensation......................................     21,659       14,939
  Provider insolvency.......................................     19,366           --
  State franchise taxes.....................................     10,765        3,852
  Unrealized gains on marketable securities.................     (4,532)      (6,550)
  Other assets/liabilities..................................      4,509       14,447
  Pharmacy rebate...........................................     (4,486)     (11,190)
  Prepaid expenses..........................................     (1,615)      (2,381)
  Other.....................................................         --        1,163
                                                              ---------    ---------
                                                              $ 132,452    $ 112,037
                                                              =========    =========
Non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities):
  Identifiable intangibles..................................  $(119,509)   $(132,067)
  Accrued expenses..........................................      9,295       22,922
  Depreciation..............................................     (8,407)      (7,374)
  Accrued health care costs.................................        249        6,314
  Future benefits from goodwill impairment..................         --        3,569
  Other.....................................................      6,316        3,843
                                                              ---------    ---------
                                                              $(112,056)   $(102,793)
                                                              =========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   47
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
7. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996 TRANSITION
                                         1998       1997          PERIOD         FISCAL 1996
                                       --------    -------    ---------------    -----------
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>         <C>        <C>                <C>
Current:
  Federal............................  $171,478    $46,810        $17,337         $ 62,781
  State..............................    30,968      9,436          3,529           13,829
                                       --------    -------        -------         --------
          Total current..............   202,446     56,246         20,866           76,610
                                       --------    -------        -------         --------
Deferred:
  Federal............................   (13,615)    18,754            163          (22,172)
  State..............................    (5,684)     6,825             50           (3,611)
                                       --------    -------        -------         --------
          Total deferred.............   (19,299)    25,579            213          (25,783)
                                       --------    -------        -------         --------
  Provision for income taxes.........  $183,147    $81,825        $21,079         $ 50,827
                                       ========    =======        =======         ========
</TABLE>
 
Reconciliations of the U.S. statutory income tax rate to our effective tax rate
follow:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996 TRANSITION
                                             1998    1997         PERIOD         FISCAL 1996
                                             ----    -----    ---------------    -----------
<S>                                          <C>     <C>      <C>                <C>
Computed expected provision................  35.0%   35.0%        35.0%            35.0%
Amortization of intangibles................   5.1     29.7          0.9              1.5
State taxes, net of federal benefit........   4.3     16.9          4.4              4.4
Disposition of subsidiaries................   1.6       --           --               --
Tax exempt interest........................  (1.4)    (6.3)        (2.0)            (3.6)
Impairment of non-deductible goodwill......    --     54.6           --              1.8
Other, net.................................   2.9      6.2          1.6              2.3
                                             ----    -----         ----             ----
Provision for income taxes.................  47.5%   136.1%       39.9%            41.4%
                                             ====    =====         ====             ====
</TABLE>
 
The majority of the goodwill impairment charges recorded in 1997 was not
deductible for income tax purposes. See Note 9, "Impairment, Disposition,
Restructuring and Other Charges." Therefore, we did not record a benefit for
most of these charges. The magnitude of the 1997 charges, combined with the
inability to record a related income tax benefit, resulted in a
disproportionately high effective income tax rate for 1997. The 1997 effective
income tax rate, without the effect of the impairment charges, was approximately
50 percent. Excluding the impact of non-deductible goodwill impairment and
amortization, the impact of state taxes, net of federal benefit would have been
5.3 percent for 1997.
 
8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
SAVINGS AND PROFIT-SHARING PLANS. Most of our employees may participate in our
savings and profit-sharing plan. Features of the plan in 1998 were as follows:
 
- - Participants may defer up to 12 percent of annual compensation;
 
- - We match one-half of the deferral, up to three percent of annual compensation
  per employee;
 
- - We automatically contribute two percent of annual compensation per employee;
 
- - We may contribute an additional amount to each employee's account, generally
  based on a percentage of pretax income; and
 
- - We may make a cash profit sharing payment.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   48
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
Charges to income for the plan were $20 million in 1998, $7 million in 1997, $3
million in the 1996 transition period and $14 million in fiscal 1996.
 
FHP had an employee stock ownership plan that covered most FHP employees. This
plan consisted of three separate parts:
 
- - An employee stock ownership plan (the "ESOP");
 
- - A 401(k) plan; and
 
- - A payroll-based tax credit employee stock ownership plan.
 
In February 1997, the ESOP and 401(k) components were converted to a
profit-sharing plan named the FHP Savings Plan. Our employees from FHP
participated in the FHP Savings Plan until December 31, 1997, at which time they
became eligible to participate in our plan. We expect the FHP Savings Plan to be
merged into our plan during 1999. The payroll-based tax credit employee stock
ownership plan was terminated in 1997.
 
STOCK OPTION PLANS.
 
1996 Employee Plan. Officers and key employees may be granted:
 
- - Options to purchase shares of common stock;
 
- - Shares of Class B common stock; and
 
- - Stock appreciation rights.
 
We grant stock options at exercise prices that equal or exceed the market price
of our common stock on the dates granted. These options typically vest over four
years in 25 percent increments, are generally subject to continuous employment,
and expire 10 years after the grant date. At December 31, 1998, approximately
1.1 million shares were available for awards under the 1996 Employee Plan.
 
During 1997, we granted options that vest if certain earnings targets are
achieved. These options ultimately vest four years from the grant date. Also
during 1997, the FHP acquisition triggered accelerated vesting provisions of
some stock options. Certain employees agreed to receive additional stock options
in exchange for waiving these accelerated vesting provisions.
 
1996 Director Plan. We grant options to purchase 5,000 shares of our Class B
common stock annually to each eligible non-employee director and grant options
to purchase 10,000 shares of Class B common stock when a new director is elected
or appointed to the Board. These options vest over four years in 25 percent
increments.
 
1997 Premium Plan. We granted options to purchase 2.6 million shares (the
maximum available) of our Class B common stock to certain executive officers
under this plan. The first 50 percent vest within three years of the grant date
if the closing market price of our Class B common stock reaches $92.50, and
expire in 2000 if the $92.50 stock price is not reached. The remaining 50
percent vest within five years of the grant date if the closing market price of
our Class B common stock reaches $114.00, and expire in 2002 if the $114.00
stock price is not reached.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   49
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
Non-qualified stock option activity for all plans was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        CLASS A    WEIGHTED AVERAGE     CLASS B     WEIGHTED AVERAGE
                                         STOCK      EXERCISE PRICE       STOCK       EXERCISE PRICE
                                        -------    ----------------    ---------    ----------------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>                 <C>          <C>
OUTSTANDING AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.....  308,834         $7.49          1,647,121        $ 53.21
Granted at market price...............       --            --            358,300        $ 80.92
Exercised.............................       --            --             (9,722)       $ 62.91
Canceled..............................       --            --           (210,561)       $ 80.25
                                        -------         -----          ---------        -------
OUTSTANDING AT DECEMBER 31, 1996......  308,834         $7.49          1,785,138        $ 55.79
Granted at market price...............       --            --          1,948,100        $ 70.98
Granted in excess of market price.....       --            --          1,187,500        $ 92.50
Granted in excess of market price.....       --            --          1,187,500        $114.00
Exchanged for FHP stock options.......       --            --            933,594        $ 51.83
Exercised.............................  (74,784)        $5.85           (903,029)       $ 46.98
Canceled..............................       --            --           (470,347)       $ 75.04
                                        -------         -----          ---------        -------
OUTSTANDING AT DECEMBER 31, 1997......  234,050         $8.02          5,668,456        $ 75.51
Granted at market price...............       --            --          1,068,810        $ 77.76
Granted in excess of market price.....       --            --            112,500        $ 92.50
Granted in excess of market price.....       --            --            112,500        $114.00
Exercised.............................  (94,200)        $6.54           (360,551)       $ 48.50
Canceled..............................       --            --           (424,707)       $ 84.49
                                        -------         -----          ---------        -------
OUTSTANDING AT DECEMBER 31, 1998......  139,850         $9.02          6,177,008        $ 82.00
                                        =======         =====          =========        =======
</TABLE>
 
Non-qualified options exercisable under all plans were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        CLASS A    WEIGHTED AVERAGE     CLASS B     WEIGHTED AVERAGE
                                         STOCK      EXERCISE PRICE       STOCK       EXERCISE PRICE
                                        -------    ----------------    ---------    ----------------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>                 <C>          <C>
September 30, 1996....................  308,834         $7.49            435,474         $35.57
December 31, 1996.....................  308,834         $7.49            728,316         $45.73
December 31, 1997.....................  234,050         $8.02          1,268,710         $54.62
December 31, 1998.....................  139,850         $9.02          1,392,229         $60.29
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   50
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
The following is a summary of information about options outstanding and options
exercisable at December 31, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            OPTIONS OUTSTANDING                    OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                 -----------------------------------------    -----------------------------
                                                WEIGHTED       WEIGHTED                         WEIGHTED
                                   NUMBER       AVERAGE        AVERAGE          NUMBER          AVERAGE
   RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICES      OUTSTANDING    LIFE(I)     EXERCISE PRICE    EXERCISABLE    EXERCISE PRICE
   ------------------------      -----------    --------    --------------    -----------    --------------
<S>                              <C>            <C>         <C>               <C>            <C>
CLASS A STOCK:
$ 8.38 - $19.75................     139,850        2           $  9.02           139,850         $ 9.02
                                  =========                                    =========
CLASS B STOCK:
$ 8.38 - $19.75................      43,500        2           $ 10.43            43,500         $10.43
$29.75 - $41.30................     241,930        5           $ 38.69           237,723         $38.69
$44.75 - $67.00................   1,377,050        8           $ 64.74           727,698         $63.96
$68.88 - $92.50................   3,307,028        9           $ 81.61           383,308         $72.38
$114.00........................   1,207,500        9           $114.00                --             --
                                  ---------                                    ---------
                                  6,177,008                                    1,392,229
                                  =========                                    =========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(i) Weighted average contractual life remaining in years.
 
PRO FORMA STOCK OPTION DISCLOSURE. We used the Black-Scholes option pricing
model to calculate the fair value of grants in the years presented below. We
applied the following assumptions to determine pro forma compensation expense:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1996 TRANSITION
                                                   1998      1997         PERIOD         FISCAL 1996
                                                  ------    ------    ---------------    -----------
<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>                <C>
Expected dividend yield.........................       0%        0%            0%               0%
Risk-free interest rate.........................       6%        6%            6%               6%
Expected stock price volatility.................      45%       43%           43%              43%
Expected term until exercise (years)............       2         3             3                3
Weighted average fair value of options on grant
  date:
  Granted at market prices......................  $30.92    $25.40        $29.57           $27.69
  Granted in excess of market price.............  $29.76    $26.99            --               --
</TABLE>
 
We do not record compensation expense for stock option grants. The following
table summarizes results as if we had recorded compensation expense for the
1998, 1997, 1996 transition period and fiscal 1996 grants:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1996 TRANSITION
                                                1998        1997          PERIOD         FISCAL 1996
                                              --------    --------    ---------------    -----------
                                                      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>         <C>         <C>                <C>
Net income (loss):
  As reported...............................  $202,427    $(21,701)       $31,757          $71,953
  Pro forma.................................  $168,382    $(48,359)       $30,996          $69,492
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
  As reported...............................  $   4.50    $  (0.75)       $  1.01          $  2.31
  Pro forma.................................  $   3.85    $  (1.19)       $  0.99          $  2.24
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
  As reported...............................  $   4.40    $  (0.75)       $  1.00          $  2.27
  Pro forma.................................  $   3.66    $  (1.19)       $  0.97          $  2.19
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   51
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
These figures reflect only the impact of grants since October 1, 1995, and
reflect only part of the possible compensation expense that we amortize over the
vesting period of the grants (generally up to four years). Therefore, the effect
on net income and earnings per share may differ in future years from the amounts
shown above.
 
9. IMPAIRMENT, DISPOSITION, RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES
 
We recognized pretax charges in 1998, 1997 and 1996 as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      QUARTER           PRETAX         NET OF TAX     DILUTED (LOSS)/
                                     RECOGNIZED     (CHARGE)/CREDIT      AMOUNT      EARNINGS PER SHARE
                                    ------------    ---------------    ----------    ------------------
                                               (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                 <C>             <C>                <C>           <C>
1998
Sale of Utah HMO and workers'
  compensation subsidiaries.......  Third               $ (15.6)        $  (8.2)           $(0.18)
OPM charges.......................  Third                  (3.8)           (2.0)            (0.04)
                                                        -------         -------            ------
                                    Total Third           (19.4)          (10.2)            (0.22)
OPM credits.......................  Fourth                  8.4             4.4              0.10
                                                        -------         -------            ------
                                                        $ (11.0)        $  (5.8)           $(0.12)
                                                        =======         =======            ======
1997
Impairment of long-lived assets:
  Utah HMO........................  Fourth              $ (62.4)        $ (55.7)           $(1.37)
  Washington health plan..........  Fourth                (40.5)          (36.1)            (0.89)
  Discontinued workers'
     compensation products........  Fourth                (21.1)          (18.9)            (0.47)
                                                        -------         -------            ------
          Total impairment of
            long-lived assets.....                       (124.0)         (110.7)            (2.73)
Loss contracts....................  Fourth                (15.4)           (9.2)            (0.23)
Restructuring.....................  Fourth                (15.1)           (9.0)            (0.22)
                                                        -------         -------            ------
                                                        $(154.5)        $(128.9)           $(3.18)
                                                        =======         =======            ======
1996
OPM charges.......................  Second              $ (25.0)        $ (14.9)           $(0.47)
Florida disposition...............  Second                 (9.3)           (8.3)            (0.26)
Restructuring.....................  Second                 (7.8)           (4.7)            (0.15)
                                                        -------         -------            ------
                                    Total Second          (42.1)          (27.9)             (.88)
Impairment of long-lived
  assets-Florida..................  Third                 (58.7)          (34.1)            (1.08)
                                                        -------         -------            ------
                                                        $(100.8)        $ (62.0)           $(1.96)
                                                        =======         =======            ======
</TABLE>
 
1998. Pretax charges of $11 million ($6 million or $0.12 diluted loss per share,
net of tax) were recorded in 1998 as follows:
 
- - Dispositions. We recognized $16 million of disposition charges ($8 million or
  $0.18 diluted loss per share, net of tax) with the sales of our Utah HMO and
  workers' compensation subsidiaries. See Note 4, "Acquisitions and
  Dispositions."
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   52
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
9. IMPAIRMENT, DISPOSITION, RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (CONTINUED)
- - OPM. Partially offsetting the disposition charges were net OPM credits of $5
  million ($3 million or $0.06 diluted income per share, net of tax). See Note
  10, "Commitments and Contingencies."
 
1997. Pretax charges of $155 million ($129 million or $3.18 diluted loss per
share, net of tax) were recorded in 1997 as follows:
 
- - Utah HMO impairment. We recognized a goodwill and other intangible impairment
  charge of $62 million ($56 million or $1.37 diluted loss per share, net of
  tax) in anticipation of our disposition of the subsidiary. Utah's operating
  losses related to lower than expected 1997 premium rate increases, combined
  with a shift of membership from capitated to non-capitated health care
  providers. This shift of membership resulted from a significant health care
  provider contract that switched from capitation to fee-for-service. We entered
  into the contract to ensure an adequate infrastructure to service the Utah
  membership. At that same time, the Utah information systems migrated to the
  standard FHP system in anticipation of the conversion of the FHP system into
  our common system. As a result, increased utilization under the new
  fee-for-service contract was not visible until the fourth quarter of 1997 when
  conversion reconciliations discovered significant unpaid claims, as well as
  claims paid inaccurately. Because the 1997 losses and the cash flow analysis
  did not support the recoverability of goodwill, we recorded an impairment
  charge. We disposed of our Utah operations in September 1998 with the
  additional disposition losses noted above. See Note 4, "Acquisitions and
  Dispositions."
 
- - Washington health plan impairment. In 1997 we determined that the Washington
  health plan goodwill and intangibles were no longer recoverable, and recorded
  an impairment charge of $41 million ($36 Million or $0.89 diluted loss per
  share, net of tax). Since its acquisition, the Washington market has incurred
  operating losses. 1998 results were break-even.
 
- - Workers' compensation subsidiary impairment. We recognized $21 million ($19
  million or $0.47 diluted loss per share, net of tax) of goodwill impairment
  charges, primarily for discontinued workers' compensation products. We
  determined that California legislation did not allow workers' compensation
  products to be priced at rates that could produce our required return on
  investment. See Note 4, "Acquisitions and Dispositions."
 
- - Loss contracts. We recorded approximately $15 million ($9 million, or $0.23
  diluted loss per share, net of tax) for contracts on which the anticipated
  future health care costs exceeded the premiums, the majority related to our
  Utah HMO and workers' compensation subsidiary. These losses were realized
  throughout 1998. Any remaining accrued losses at the disposition of Utah and
  our workers' compensation subsidiary offset disposition losses.
 
- - Restructuring. We recognized restructuring charges of $15 million ($9 million
  or $0.22 diluted loss per share, net of tax) in 1997. Work force reduction
  costs of $8 million primarily included employee severance for involuntary
  terminations. Lease terminations and personal property abandonment of $5
  million pretax were associated with the consolidation of administration and
  operations office space. Other related charges totaled $2 million, pretax.
  Cash flows from operations funded all of the restructuring charges. The
  restructuring was substantially complete at December 31, 1998 and actual
  expenditures did not differ materially from amounts accrued.
 
FISCAL 1996. We recognized pretax impairment, disposition, restructuring and OPM
charges for fiscal 1996 totaling $101 million ($62 million or $1.96 diluted loss
per share, net of tax) as follows:
 
- - OPM. During 1996, we recognized a pretax charge of $25 million ($15 million or
  $0.47 diluted loss per share, net of tax) for an increase of reserves in
  anticipation of negotiations relating to potential governmental claims for
  contracts with OPM. See Note 10, "Commitments and Contingencies."
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   53
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
9. IMPAIRMENT, DISPOSITION, RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES (CONTINUED)
- - Florida disposition. Effective June 1, 1996, we sold the assets of our Florida
  subsidiary's staff-model medical clinics, resulting in a pretax loss of $9
  million ($8 million or $0.26 diluted loss per share, net of tax).
 
- - Restructuring. We recognized a restructuring charge of $8 million ($5 million
  or $0.15 diluted loss per share, net of tax). This charge included employee
  severance for an involuntary work force reduction of approximately $4 million,
  write-offs of assets designated for sale totaling approximately $3 million,
  and other related costs of approximately $1 million. The restructuring was
  financed by cash flows from operations. The restructuring was substantially
  complete at December 31, 1998 and actual expenditures did not differ
  materially from amounts accrued.
 
- - Florida impairment. We recognized a $59 million impairment charge ($34 million
  or $1.08 diluted loss per share, net of tax) in 1996 when we decided to sell
  our Florida operations. The sale was completed in early 1997. See Note 4,
  "Acquisitions and Dispositions."
 
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
PROVIDER INSTABILITY AND INSOLVENCY. Our 1998 results include significant
provider insolvency costs, primarily related to FPA Medical Management, Inc.
("FPA") who declared bankruptcy in July 1998. Provider insolvency reserves
totaled $95 million in 1998 and were immaterial in 1997. Provider insolvency
reserves include write-offs of providers' uncollectable receivables and the
estimated cost of unpaid health care claims covered by our capitation payment.
Depending on state law, we may be held liable for unpaid health care claims
which were the responsibility of the capitated provider.
 
The majority of the insolvency reserves relate to specific provider
bankruptcies. However, the estimate also includes reserves for potentially
insolvent providers, where conditions indicate claims are not being paid or have
slowed considerably.
 
FPA served approximately 200,000 PacifiCare members in Arizona, California,
Nevada and Texas. Reserves for the FPA bankruptcy totaled $57 million, with $41
million attributable to our Nevada HMO. Nevada law specifically requires that we
pay all health care services claims, both non-contracted and contracted.
Reserves for the remaining FPA states of $16 million primarily relate to
reserves for non-contracted claims and receivable write-offs. Unpaid FPA
reserves at December 31, 1998 were approximately $20 million.
 
In 1998, reserves for other providers totaled $38 million. Approximately $17
million recognized in the third and fourth quarters were attributable to another
provider that has ceased paying claims in Nevada and Arizona. This provider has
not declared bankruptcy. The membership was transitioned to other providers
between December 1998 and January 1999. The remaining $21 million was the
estimated liability for non-contracted health care services rendered through
December 31, 1998 for smaller bankrupt providers and potentially insolvent
providers, primarily in California. Other provider insolvency reserves unpaid at
December 31, 1998 were approximately $38 million.
 
Based on current information, we believe that any liability in excess of amounts
accrued would not materially affect our consolidated financial position.
However, our evaluation of the likely impact of claims asserted against us could
change in the future and an unfavorable outcome, depending on the amount and
timing, could have a material effect on our results of operations or cash flows
for a future quarter.
 
OPM. Our HMO subsidiaries have commercial contracts with OPM to provide managed
health care services to federal employees, annuitants and their dependents under
the FEHBP. In the normal course of business, OPM audits health plans with which
it contracts mainly to verify that the premiums calculated and charged to OPM
are established in compliance with the best price community rating guidelines
established by OPM. OPM typically audits plans once every five or six years, and
each audit covers the prior five or six
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   54
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
year period. While the government's initial on-site audits are usually followed
by a post-audit briefing in which the government indicates its preliminary
results, final resolution and settlement of the audits have historically taken a
minimum of three to five years. In connection with the sales of our health plans
in New Mexico, Illinois and Utah, we have agreed to indemnify the buyers for
potential OPM liabilities that relate to the years in which we owned these
plans.
 
We intend to negotiate with OPM on all unresolved matters to attain a mutually
satisfactory result. There can be no assurance that these negotiations will be
concluded satisfactorily, that additional audits will not be referred to the
DOJ, or that additional, possibly material, liability will not be incurred. We
believe that any ultimate liability in excess of amounts accrued would not
materially affect our consolidated financial position. However, such liability
could have a material effect on results of operations or cash flows of a future
quarter if resolved unfavorably.
 
In addition to claims made by the OPM auditors as part of the normal audit
process, OPM may also refer their results to the United States Department of
Justice ("DOJ") for potential legal action under the False Claims Act. The DOJ
has the authority to file a claim under the False Claims Act if it believes that
the health plan knowingly overcharged the government or otherwise submitted
false documentation or certifications. In False Claims Act actions, the
government may impose trebled damages and a civil penalty of not less than
$5,000 nor more than $10,000 for each separate alleged false claim. In November
1997, we were notified that the 1990 through 1995 audit of the operations of our
Oklahoma HMO subsidiary had been referred to the DOJ. In the third quarter of
1998 we recorded approximately $4 million ($2 million, or $0.04 diluted loss per
share, net of tax) for potential OPM claims. In January 1999, we preliminarily
agreed to settle the 1990-1995 Oklahoma OPM audits for $9 million. As a result
of this settlement and other changes in estimate, we recognized a pretax OPM
credit of $8 million ($4 million or $0.10 diluted income per share, net of tax).
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. In 1997 we were served with several purported class action
suits alleging violations of federal securities laws by PacifiCare and by
certain of our officers and directors. The complaints related to the period from
the date of the FHP acquisition through our November 1997 announcement that
earnings for the fourth quarter of 1997 would be lower than expected. These
complaints primarily alleged that we previously omitted and/or misrepresented
material facts with respect to our costs, earnings and profits. We have filed a
motion to dismiss the entire complaint. No discovery has been taken, and all
discovery has been stayed pending the resolution of our motion to dismiss. We
believe we have good defenses to the claims in these suits and are contesting
them vigorously.
 
We are also involved in legal actions in the normal course of business, some of
which seek monetary damages, including claims of punitive damages that are not
covered by insurance. Based on current information and review with our lawyers,
management believes any ultimate liability which may arise from these actions
(including the purported class actions), would not materially affect our
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However,
management's evaluation of the likely impact of these actions could change in
the future and an unfavorable outcome, depending upon the amount and timing,
could have a material effect on our results of operations or cash flows for a
future quarter.
 
LEASE COMMITMENTS. We lease office space and equipment under various
non-cancelable operating leases. Rental expense totaled $59 million in 1998, $48
million in 1997, $5 million in the 1996 transition period, and $29 million in
fiscal 1996.
 
Future minimum lease payments will be $49 million in 1999, $37 million in 2000,
$24 million in 2001, $17 million in 2002 and $13 million in 2003. Minimum lease
payments after 2003 will be $23 million.
 
In 1997, we entered into a real estate and equipment master transfer agreement
that allows us to lease, sublease or assign facilities and equipment that we own
or lease. The net book value of such facilities and
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   55
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
equipment at December 31, 1998 was approximately $27 million. The leases are
accounted for as operating leases, and subleases are accounted for as rental
income. The agreement includes extensions of the individual leases to December
31, 2005, and two five-year extension options at prevailing market rates. These
options are exercisable solely at the lessee's discretion, and include a right
of first offer for the lessee to purchase the furniture, fixtures and equipment.
The parties terminated a separate lease agreement for furniture, fixtures and
equipment when the assets were sold in 1998.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. We have employment agreements with our chief executive
officer and certain other executive officers. The agreements entitle these
officers to receive severance benefits, payable if employment is terminated for
various reasons, including termination following a change of ownership or
control of PacifiCare. The maximum severance amount we would owe these
executives according to their employment agreements (excluding amounts that may
be payable under incentive plans and the value of certain other benefits) was
approximately $11 million at December 31, 1998.
 
11. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
The following tables summarize the components of other comprehensive income
(loss) for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           INCOME
                                                                             TAX       NET-OF-
                                                               PRETAX      EXPENSE       TAX
                                                               AMOUNT     (BENEFIT)    AMOUNT
                                                              --------    ---------    -------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>          <C>
1998:
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period..........  $ 12,766     $ 5,538     $ 7,228
Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in
  net income................................................   (17,418)     (7,556)     (9,862)
                                                              --------     -------     -------
Other comprehensive loss....................................  $ (4,652)    $(2,018)    $(2,634)
                                                              ========     =======     =======
1997:
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period..........  $ 12,806     $ 4,885     $ 7,921
Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in
  net income................................................    (2,229)       (850)     (1,379)
                                                              --------     -------     -------
Other comprehensive income..................................  $ 10,577     $ 4,035     $ 6,542
                                                              ========     =======     =======
1996 TRANSITION PERIOD:
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period..........  $  3,891     $ 1,487     $ 2,404
Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in
  net income................................................      (396)       (150)       (246)
                                                              --------     -------     -------
Other comprehensive income..................................  $  3,495     $ 1,337     $ 2,158
                                                              ========     =======     =======
FISCAL 1996
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period..........  $  7,111     $ 2,750     $ 4,361
Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in
  net income................................................   (13,066)     (5,054)     (8,012)
                                                              --------     -------     -------
Other comprehensive loss....................................  $ (5,955)    $(2,304)    $(3,651)
                                                              ========     =======     =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   56
 
                REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc.
 
We audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of PacifiCare Health
Systems, Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years
ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, the three months ended December 31, 1996 and
the year ended September 30, 1996. Our audits also included the financial
statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a)(2). These consolidated
financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997, the three months ended December 31, 1996 and the
year ended September 30, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when
considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a
whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth
therein.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
February 9, 1999
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>   57
 
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
              QUARTERLY INFORMATION FOR 1998 AND 1997 (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              QUARTERS ENDED
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------
                                        MARCH 31      JUNE 30      SEPTEMBER 30(1)    DECEMBER 31(1)
                                       ----------    ----------    ---------------    --------------
                                                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                    <C>           <C>           <C>                <C>
1998
Operating revenue..................    $2,381,950    $2,396,259      $2,400,897         $2,342,376
Operating expenses.................     2,309,450     2,309,987       2,316,522          2,243,332
Net investment income..............        25,304        23,850          29,193             25,959
Interest expense...................       (17,518)      (16,913)        (13,828)           (12,664)
                                       ----------    ----------      ----------         ----------
Income before income taxes.........        80,286        93,209          99,740            112,339
Provision for income taxes.........        38,940        44,338          46,509             53,360
                                       ----------    ----------      ----------         ----------
Net income.........................    $   41,346    $   48,871      $   53,231         $   58,979
                                       ==========    ==========      ==========         ==========
Preferred dividends................        (2,629)       (2,630)             --                 --
                                       ----------    ----------      ----------         ----------
Net income available to common
  shareholders.....................    $   38,717    $   46,241      $   53,231         $   58,979
                                       ==========    ==========      ==========         ==========
Basic earnings per share...........    $     0.93    $     1.10      $     1.17         $     1.29
                                       ==========    ==========      ==========         ==========
Diluted earnings per share.........    $     0.90    $     1.06      $     1.16         $     1.28
                                       ==========    ==========      ==========         ==========
Membership (4).....................         3,689         3,660           3,645              3,527
                                       ==========    ==========      ==========         ==========
1997(2)(3)
Operating revenue..................    $1,843,603    $2,381,100      $2,401,355         $2,356,622
Operating expenses.................     1,772,488     2,338,872       2,343,947          2,483,378
Net investment income..............        17,685        20,368          22,196             20,416
Interest expense...................        (9,719)      (18,695)        (18,069)           (18,053)
                                       ----------    ----------      ----------         ----------
Income (loss) before income
  taxes............................        79,081        43,901          61,535           (124,393)
Provision for income taxes.........        35,587        25,904          30,767            (10,433)
                                       ----------    ----------      ----------         ----------
Net income (loss)..................    $   43,494    $   17,997      $   30,768         $ (113,960)
                                       ==========    ==========      ==========         ==========
Preferred dividends................          (904)       (2,630)         (2,629)            (2,629)
                                       ----------    ----------      ----------         ----------
Net income (loss) available to
  common shareholders..............    $   42,590    $   15,367      $   28,139         $ (116,589)
                                       ==========    ==========      ==========         ==========
Basic earnings (loss) per share....    $     1.17    $     0.37      $     0.67         $    (2.78)
                                       ==========    ==========      ==========         ==========
Diluted earnings (loss) per
  share............................    $     1.12    $     0.37      $     0.67         $    (2.78)
                                       ==========    ==========      ==========         ==========
Membership (4).....................         3,849         3,841           3,834              3,792
                                       ==========    ==========      ==========         ==========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) We recognized pretax charges in the third quarter of 1998 totaling $19
    million ($10 million or $0.22 diluted loss per share, net of tax). These
    charges included approximately $15 million ($8 million or $0.18 diluted loss
    per share, net of tax) for the disposal of the Utah HMO and workers'
    compensation subsidiaries. The charges also included approximately $4
    million ($2 million, or $0.04 diluted loss per share, net of tax) for
    potential OPM claims. The 1998 charges were partially offset by $8 million
    ($4 million or $0.10 diluted earnings per share, net of tax) for favorable
    OPM settlements in the fourth quarter. See Notes 9 and 10 of the Notes to
    Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(2) The 1997 results include the results of operations for the FHP acquisition
    from February 14, 1997. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
    Statements.
 
(3) The December 31, 1997 results include $155 million of pretax charges ($129
    million or $3.18 diluted loss per share, net of tax) for the impairment of
    long-lived assets, restructuring and certain other charges. See Note 9 of
    the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(4) Membership as of quarter end.
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>   58
 
                PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   YEAR ENDED          YEAR ENDED       THREE MONTHS ENDED   FISCAL YEAR ENDED
                                DECEMBER 31, 1998   DECEMBER 31, 1997   DECEMBER 31, 1996    SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                -----------------   -----------------   ------------------   ------------------
<S>                             <C>                 <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Allowance for doubtful
  accounts:
  Beginning balance...........       $13,598             $ 1,048              $  890                $690
  FHP acquisition.............            --               7,036                  --                  --
Additions:
  Charged to costs and
     expenses.................         1,485               5,171                 296                 999
  Charged to other accounts...        (4,850)              3,620                 (92)                (85)
Deductions/write offs.........        (1,704)             (3,277)                (46)               (714)
                                     -------             -------              ------                ----
Ending balance................       $ 8,529             $13,598              $1,048                $890
                                     =======             =======              ======                ====
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>   59
 
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION
- -------                           -----------
<C>       <S>
 3.01     Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
          Registrant [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to the
          Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
          1997].
 3.02     Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate
          of Incorporation of the Registrant [incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 3.02 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for
          the year ended December 31, 1997].
 3.03     Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended.
 4.01     Form of Specimen Certificate for Registrant's Class A Common
          Stock [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the
          Registrant's Form 8-K, dated February 21, 1997].
 4.02     Form of Specimen Certificate for Registrant's Class B Common
          Stock [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.02 to the
          Registrant's Form 8-K, dated February 21, 1997].
 4.03     First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 14, 1997,
          by and among the Registrant, FHP International Corporation
          and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. [incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for
          the quarter ended March 31, 1997].
10.01     Employment Agreement, dated December 1, 1994, between the
          Registrant and Alan R. Hoops [incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter
          ended December 31, 1994].(1)
10.02     Employment Agreement, dated December 12, 1994, between the
          Registrant and Jeffrey M. Folick [incorporated by reference
          to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the
          quarter ended December 31, 1994].(1)
10.03     Employment Agreement, dated June 15, 1998, between the
          Registrant and Robert B. Stearns [incorporated by reference
          to Exhibit 10.01 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the
          quarter ended September 30, 1998].(1)
10.04     Employment Agreement, dated October 6, 1997, between the
          Registrant and Bradford A. Bowlus.(1)
10.05     Employment Agreement, dated June 10, 1996, between the
          Registrant and Linda M. Lyons, MD, as amended January 1,
          1998 and February 9, 1998.(1)
10.06     Form of Contract With Eligible Medicare+Choice Organization
          for the period January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999
          between PacifiCare of California and the Health Care
          Financing Administration.
10.07     1996 Stock Option Plan for Officers and Key Employees of the
          Registrant [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.05 to
          Registrant's Form 8-B, dated January 23, 1997].(1)
10.08     1996 Non-Officer Directors Stock Option Plan of the
          Registrant [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.06 to
          Registrant's Form 8-B, dated January 23, 1997].(1)
10.09     1996 Management Incentive Compensation Plan of the
          Registrant [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.07 to
          Registrant's Form 8-B, dated January 23, 1997].(1)
10.10     1996 Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan of the Registrant
          [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.08 to Registrant's
          form 8-B, dated January 23, 1997].(1)
10.11     Amended 1997 Premium Priced Stock Option Plan of the
          Registrant [incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to
          Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement, dated April 28,
          1998].(1)
10.12     First Amendment to Amended 1997 Premium Priced Stock Option
          Plan, dated as of August 27, 1998.(1)
10.13     PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. Statutory Restoration Plan
          [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the
          Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
          1997].(1)
</TABLE>
 
                                       E-1
<PAGE>   60
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                            DESCRIPTION
- -------                           -----------
<C>       <S>
10.14     PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. Non-Qualified Deferred
          Compensation Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.16 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
          December 31, 1997].(1)
10.15     PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. Stock Unit Deferred
          Compensation Plan [incorporated by reference to Exhibit
          10.17 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
          December 31, 1997].(1)
10.16     Credit Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1996, among
          Registrant, the several financial institution from time to
          time party to the Credit Agreement, The Bank of New York,
          The Bank of Nova Scotia, Banque Nationale de Paris, Dai-Ichi
          Kangyo Bank, Ltd., The Industrial Bank of Japan Limited,
          RaboBank Nederland, Sanwa Bank of California, The Sumitomo
          Bank, Limited and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as co-agents, The
          Chase Manhattan Bank and CitiCorp USA, Inc. as managing
          agents, and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
          Association, as agent for the Banks [incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 10.01 to the Registrant's Registration
          Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-16271)].
10.17     First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15,
          1997, among the Registrant, the Banks party to the Credit
          Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1996, and Bank of America
          National Trust and Savings Association, as Agent
          [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the
          Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
          1997].
10.18     Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December
          31, 1997 among the Registrant, the Banks party to the Credit
          Agreement, dated as of October 31, 1996, and Bank of America
          National Trust and Savings Association, as Agent
          [incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the
          Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
          1997].
21        List of Subsidiaries.
23        Consent of Ernst & Young LLP Independent Auditors.
27        Financial Data Schedules (filed electronically).
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed
    as an exhibit to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 14(c) of Form 10-K.
 
                                       E-2

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.03

                                     BYLAWS

                                       OF

                               N-T HOLDINGS, INC.
                            (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)


<PAGE>   2


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                         <C>
ARTICLE I - OFFICES..........................................................................1
        Section 1. Registered Office.........................................................1
        Section 2. Other Offices.............................................................1

ARTICLE II - CORPORATE SEAL..................................................................1
        Section 3. Corporate Seal............................................................1

ARTICLE III - STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS.........................................................1
        Section 4. Place of Meetings.........................................................1
        Section 5. Annual Meeting............................................................2
        Section 6. Special Meetings..........................................................2
        Section 7. Notice of Meetings........................................................2
        Section 8. Quorum....................................................................3
        Section 9. Adjournment and Notice of Adjourned Meetings..............................3
        Section 10. Voting Rights............................................................3
        Section 11. Beneficial Owners of Stock...............................................4
        Section 12. List of Stockholders.....................................................4
        Section 13. Action without Meeting...................................................4
        Section 14. Organization.............................................................5

ARTICLE IV - DIRECTORS.......................................................................6
        Section 15. Number and Term of Office................................................6
        Section 16. Powers...................................................................6
        Section 17. Vacancies................................................................6
        Section 18. Resignation..............................................................6
        Section 19. Removal..................................................................6
        Section 20. Meetings.................................................................7
               (a)  Annual Meetings..........................................................7
               (b)  Regular Meetings.........................................................7
               (c)  Special Meetings.........................................................7
               (d)  Telephone Meetings.......................................................7
               (e)  Notice of Meetings.......................................................7
               (f)  Waiver of Notice.........................................................7
        Section 21. Quorum and Voting........................................................7
        Section 22. Action without Meeting...................................................8
        Section 23. Fees and Compensation....................................................8
        Section 24. Committees...............................................................8
               (a)  Executive Committee......................................................8
               (b)  Other Committees.........................................................9
               (c)  Term.....................................................................9
               (d)  Meetings.................................................................9
        Section 25. Organization.............................................................9
</TABLE>

                                        i
<PAGE>   3



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                        <C>
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS........................................................................10
        Section 26. Officers Designated.....................................................10
        Section 27. Tenure and Duties of Officers...........................................10
               (a) General..................................................................10
               (b) Duties of Chairman of the Board of Directors.............................10
               (c) Duties of President......................................................10
               (d) Duties of Vice Presidents................................................11
               (e) Duties of Secretary......................................................11
               (f)  Duties of Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer..........................11
        Section 28.  Delegation of Authority................................................11
        Section 29. Resignations............................................................11
        Section 30. Removal.................................................................12

ARTICLE VI - EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND
VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION...............................................12
        Section 31. Execution of Corporate Instruments......................................12
        Section 32. Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation...........................12

ARTICLE VII- SHARES OF STOCK................................................................13
       Section 33. Form and Execution of Certificates.......................................13
       Section 34. Lost Certificates........................................................13
       Section 35. Transfers................................................................13
       Section 36. Fixing Record Dates......................................................14
       Section 37. Registered Stockholders..................................................15

ARTICLE VIII - OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION..........................................15
       Section 38. Execution of Other Securities............................................15

ARTICLE IX - DIVIDENDS......................................................................15
       Section 39. Declaration of Dividends.................................................15
       Section 40. Dividend Reserve.........................................................16

ARTICLE X - FISCAL YEAR.....................................................................16
       Section 41. Fiscal Year..............................................................16

ARTICLE XI - INDEMNIFICATION................................................................16
        Section 42. Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents......16
               (a)  Directors and Executive Officers .......................................16
               (b)  Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents..............................16
               (c)  Good Faith..............................................................16
               (d)  Expenses................................................................17

</TABLE>

                                       ii

<PAGE>   4

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                        <C>
               (e)  Enforcement.............................................................17
               (f)  Non-Exclusivity of Rights...............................................18
               (g)  Survival of Rights......................................................18
               (h)  Insurance...............................................................18
               (i)  Amendments..............................................................18
               (j)  Saving Clause...........................................................18
               (k)  Certain Definitions.....................................................18

ARTICLE XII - NOTICES.......................................................................19
        Section 43.  Notices................................................................19
               (a)  Notice to Stockholders..................................................19
               (b)  Notice to Directors.....................................................20
               (c)  Address Unknown.........................................................20
               (d)  Affidavit of Mailing....................................................20
               (e)  Time Notices Deemed Given...............................................20
               (f)  Methods of Notice.......................................................20
               (g)  Failure to Receive Notice...............................................20
               (h)  Notice to Person with Whom Communication Is Unlawful....................20
               (i)  Notice to Person with Undeliverable Address.............................21

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS...................................................................21
        Section 44.  Amendments.............................................................21

ARTICLE XIV - LOANS TO OFFICERS.............................................................21
        Section 45.  Loans to Officers......................................................21

</TABLE>


                                      iii
<PAGE>   5




                                     BYLAWS

                                       OF

                               N-T HOLDINGS, INC.
                            (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

                                    ARTICLE I

                                    OFFICES

        SECTION 1. REGISTERED OFFICE. The registered office of the corporation
in the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New
Castle. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8 Section 131)

        SECTION 2. OTHER OFFICES. The corporation shall also have and maintain
an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the
Board of Directors, and may also have offices at such other places, both within
and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to
time determine or the business of the corporation may require. (Del. Code Ann.,
tit. 8, Section 122(8))


                                   ARTICLE II

                                 CORPORATE SEAL

        SECTION 3. CORPORATE SEAL. The corporate seal shall consist of a die
bearing the name or the corporation and the inscription, "Corporate
Seal-Delaware." Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be
impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 122(3))


                                   ARTICLE III

                             STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS

        SECTION 4. PLACE OF MEETINGS. Meetings of the stockholders of the
corporation shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of
Delaware, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, or,
if not so designated, then at the office of the 


                                       1
<PAGE>   6

corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Section 2 hereof. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Section 211(a))

        SECTION 5. ANNUAL MEETING.

               (a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation,
for the purpose of election of Directors and for such other business as may
lawfully come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be
designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Section 211(b))

        SECTION 6. SPECIAL MEETINGS.

               (a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may
be called, for any purpose or purposes, by (i) the Chairman of the Board, (ii)
the President, (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by
a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there
exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such
resolution is presented to the Board for adoption)or (iv) by the holders of
shares entitled to cast not less than ten percent (10%) of the votes at the
meeting, and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as they
or he shall fix; provided, however, that following registration of any of the
classes of equity securities of the corporation pursuant to the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, special meetings of the
stockholders may only be called by the Board of Directors pursuant to a
resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized Directors.

               (b) If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other
than the Board of Directors, the request shall be in writing, specifying the
time of such meeting and the general nature of the business proposed to be
transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or by
telegraphic or other facsimile transmission to the Chairman of the Board, the
President, any Vice President, or the Secretary of the corporation. No business
may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in such
notice. The officer receiving the request shall cause notice to be promptly
given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 7 of these Bylaws, that a meeting will be held not less than thirty-five
(35) nor more than sixty (60) days after the receipt of the request. If the
notice is not given within twenty (20) days after the receipt of the request,
the person or persons requesting the meeting may give the notice. Nothing
contained in this paragraph (b) shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or
affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board
of Directors may be held.

       SECTION 7. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Except as otherwise provided by law or the
Certificate of Incorporation, written notice of each meeting of stockholders
shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the
date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, such
notice to specify the place, date and hour and purpose or purposes of the
meeting. Notice of the time, place and purpose of any meeting of stockholders
may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof,
either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by
his attendance thereat in person or by proxy, except when 


                                       2
<PAGE>   7



the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such
meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as
if due notice thereof had been given. (Del. Code AM., tit. 8, Sections
222, 229)

        SECTION 8. QUORUM. At all meetings of stockholders, except where
otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by
these Bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy duly authorized, of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any shares, the voting of
which at said meeting has been enjoined, or which for any reason cannot be
lawfully voted at such meeting, shall not be counted to determine a quorum at
such meeting. In the absence of a quorum any meeting of stockholders may be
adjourned, from time to time, either by the chairman of the meeting or by vote
of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other
business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at a duly
called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to
transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough
stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law,
the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws all action taken by the holders
of a majority of the voting power represented at any meeting at which a quorum
is present shall be valid and binding upon the corporation; provided, however,
that Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares
present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on
the election of Directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes is
required, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes, present
in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take
action with respect to that vote on that matter and the affirmative vote of the
majority (plurality, in the case of the election of Directors) of shares of such
class or classes present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall
be the act of such class. ('Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 216)

        SECTION 9. ADJOURNMENT AND NOTICE OF ADJOURNED MEETINGS. Any meeting of
stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time
either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares
represented thereat. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place,
notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof
are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned
meeting the corporation may transact any business which might have been
transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty
(30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the
adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each
stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Section 222(c))

        SECTION 10. VOTING RIGHTS.

               (a) For the purpose of determining those stockholders entitled to
vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law,
only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock records of the corporation
on the record date, as provided in Section 12 or these Bylaws, shall be entitled
to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Except as may be 


                                       3
<PAGE>   8


otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, each
stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held
by such stockholder. Every person entitled to vote or execute consents shall
have the right to do so either in person or by an agent or agents authorized by
a written proxy executed by such person or his duly authorized agent, which
proxy shall be filed with the Secretary at or before the meeting at which it is
to be used. An agent so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be
voted after three (3) years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides
for a longer period. All elections of Directors shall be by written ballot,
unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. (Del. Code Ann.,
tit. 8, Sections 211(e), 212(b))

SECTION 11. BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF STOCK.

               (a) If shares or other securities having voting power stand of
record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of
a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or
otherwise, or if two (2) or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship
respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given written notice to the
contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them
or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect
to voting shall have the following effect: (a) if only one (1) votes, his act
binds all; (b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the majority so voting
binds all; (c) if more than one (1) votes, but the vote is evenly split on any
particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question
proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for relief as
provided in the General Corporation Law of Delaware, Section 217(b). If the
instrument filed with the Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in
unequal interests, a majority or even-split for the purpose of this subsection
(c) shall be a majority or even-split in interest. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, ~
217(b))

               (b) Persons holding stock in a fiduciary capacity shall be
entitled to vote the shares so held. Persons whose stock is pledged shall be
entitled to vote, unless in the transfer by the pledgor on the books of the
corporation he has expressly empowered the pledgee to vote thereon, in which
case only the pledgee, or his proxy! may represent such stock and vote thereon.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 217(a))

       SECTION 12. LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS. The Secretary shall prepare and make,
at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of
the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical
order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares
registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the
examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during
ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the
meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held,
which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not
specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall be
produced and kept at the time and place of meeting during the whole time
thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Section 219(a))

SECTION 13. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING.

                                       4
<PAGE>   9

               (a) Any action required by statute to be taken at any annual or
special meeting of the stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any
annual or special meeting of the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting,
without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing,
setting forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding
stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary
to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to
vote thereon were present and voted.

               (b) Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of
each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be
effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty
(60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation in the
manner herein required, written consents signed by a sufficient number of
stockholders to take action are delivered to the corporation by delivery to its
registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or
an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which
proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a
corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 22S)

               (c) Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a
meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those
stockholders who have not consented in writing. If the action which is consented
to is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under any section
of the General corporation Law of Delaware if such action had been voted on by
stockholders at a meeting thereof, then the certificate filed under such section
shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such section concerning any
vote of stockholders, that written notice and written consent have been given as
provided in Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

        SECTION 14. ORGANIZATION.

               (a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board
of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the
President, or, if the President is absent the most senior Vice President
present, or in the absence of any such officer, a chairman of the meeting chosen
by a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in
person or by proxy, shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his absence, an
Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary
of the meeting.

               (b) The Board of Directors of the corporation shall be entitled
to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as
it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and
regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall
have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures
and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary,
appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including,
without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting,
rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of
those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of
record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies, 



                                       5
<PAGE>   10

and such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to
the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on
the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the
opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters which are to be voted
on by ballot. Unless, and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or
the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to
be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    DIRECTORS

        SECTION 15. NUMBER AND TERM OF OFFICE. The authorized number of
directors of the corporation shall be three (3), or as may be amended from time
to time by approval of the Board of Directors. Directors need not be
stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Sections 141(b), 211(b), (c))

        SECTION 16. POWERS. The powers of the corporation shall be exercised,
its business conducted and its property controlled by the Board of Directors,
except as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of
Incorporation. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(a))

        SECTION 17. VACANCIES. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of
Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of Directors may be filled by a majority of
the Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole
remaining Director, and each Director so elected shall hold office for the
unexpired portion of the term of the Director whose place shall be vacant and
until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. A vacancy in the
Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Section 17 in the case of
the death, removal or resignation of any Director, or if the stockholders fail
at any meeting of stockholders at which Directors are to be elected (including
any meeting referred to in Section 19 below) to elect the number of Directors
then constituting the whole Board of Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section
223(a), (b))

        SECTION 18. RESIGNATION. Any Director may resign at any time by
delivering his written resignation to the Secretary, such resignation to specify
whether it will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary
or at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. If no such specification is made,
it shall be deemed effective at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. When one
or more Directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a
future date, a majority of the Directors then in office, including those who
have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote
thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become
effective, and each Director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired
portion of the term of the Director whose place shall be vacated and until his
successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Sections 141(b), 223(d))

        SECTION 19. REMOVAL. At a special meeting of stockholders called for the
purpose in the manner hereinabove provided, subject to any limitations imposed
by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors, or any
individual Director, may be removed from office. 


                                       6
<PAGE>   11

with or without cause, and a new Director or Directors elected by a vote of
stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at an
election of Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(k))

        SECTION 20. MEETINGS.

               (a) ANNUAL MEETINGS. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held immediately after the annual meeting of stockholders and at the
place where such meeting is held. No notice of an annual meeting of the Board of
Directors shall be necessary and such meeting shall be held for the purpose of
electing officers and transacting such other business as may lawfully come
before it.

               (b) REGULAR MEETINGS. Except as hereinafter otherwise provided,
regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in the office of the
corporation required to be maintained pursuant to Section 2 hereof. Unless
otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of
the Board of Directors may also be held at any place within or without the State
of Delaware which has been determined by the Board of Directors. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Section 141 (g))

               (c) SPECIAL MEETINGS. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be
held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever
called by the President or a majority of the Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Section 141(g))

               (d) TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Any member of the Board of Directors, or
of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference
telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting
by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(i))

               (e) NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Written notice of the time and place of
all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given at least one (1)
day before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in
writing at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any
Director by attendance thereat, except when the Director attends the meeting for
the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened. (Del. Code Ann. tit. 8, Section 229)

               (f) WAIVER OF NOTICE. The transaction of all business at any
meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or
noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly
held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before
or after the meeting, each of the Directors not present shall sign a written
waiver of notice, or a consent to holding such meeting, or an approval of the
minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the
corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. (Del. Code AM.,
tit. 8, Section 229)

                                       7
<PAGE>   12

        SECTION 21. QUORUM AND VOTING.

               (a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater
number and except with respect to indemnification questions arising under
Section 42 hereof, for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of
Directors fixed from time to time in accordance with Section 15 hereof, but not
less than one (1), a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a
majority of the exact number of Directors fixed from time to time in accordance
with Section 15 of these Bylaws, but not less than one (1); provided, however,
at any meeting whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the
Directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the
next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by
announcement at the meeting. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(b))

               (b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum
is present all questions and business shall be determined by a vote of a
majority of the Directors present, unless a different vote be required by law,
the Certificate of Incorporation or these BYLAWS. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Section 141(b))

        SECTION 22. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof
may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or
committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and such writing or
writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or
committee. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(f))

        SECTION 23. FEES AND COMPENSATION. Directors shall be entitled to such
compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors,
including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum
and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special
meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board
of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any
Director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer,
agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(h))

        SECTION 24. COMMITTEES.

               (a) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Board of Directors may by resolution
passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, appoint an Executive
Committee to consist of one ( 1) or more members of the Board of Directors. The
Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and specifically granted by
the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise when the Board of Directors
is not in session all powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the
business and affairs of the corporation, including, without limitation, the
power and authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock,
except such committee shall not have the power or authority to amend the
Certificate of Incorporation, to adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation,
to recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the corporation's property and assets, to recommend to the
stockholders of the 


                                       8
<PAGE>   13

corporation a dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution or
to amend these Bylaws. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(c))

               (b) OTHER COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors may, by resolution
passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, from time to time appoint
such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees
appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) or more members of
the Board of Directors, and shall have such powers and perform such duties as
may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but
in no event shall such committee have the powers denied to the Executive
Committee in these Bylaws. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(c))

               (c) TERM. The members of all committees of the Board of Directors
shall serve a term coexistent with that of the Board of Directors which shall
have appointed such committee. The Board of Directors, subject to the provisions
of subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 24, may at any time increase or
decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a
committee. The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of
his death or voluntary resignation from the committee or from the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors may at any time for any reason remove any
individual committee member and the Board of Directors may fill any committee
vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the number of
members of the committee. The Board of Directors may designate one or more
Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or
disqualified member at any meeting of the committee, and, in addition, in the
absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members
thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not
he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the
Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or
disqualified member. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8 Section 141(c))

               (d) MEETINGS. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise
provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee
appointed pursuant to this Section 24 shall be held at such times and places as
are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when
notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further
notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of
any such committee may be held at any place which has been determined from time
to time by such committee, and may be called by any Director who is a member of
such committee, upon written notice to the members of such committee of the time
and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of
written notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of
special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any
committee may be waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting and
will be waived by any Director by attendance thereat, except when the Director
attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting
is not lawfully called or convened. A majority of the authorized number of
members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the act of such committee. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Sections 141(c), 229)

                                       9
<PAGE>   14

       SECTION 25. ORGANIZATION. At every meeting of the Directors, the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is
absent, the President, or if the President is absent, the most senior Vice
President, or, in the absence of any such officer, a chairman of the meeting
chosen by a majority of the Directors present, shall preside over the meeting.
The Secretary, or in his absence, an Assistant Secretary directed to do so by
the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                    OFFICERS

       SECTION 26. OFFICERS DESIGNATED. The officers of the corporation shall be
the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, one or more Vice
Presidents, the Secretary and the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer, all of
whom shall be elected at the annual organizational meeting of the Board of
Directors. The order of the seniority of the Vice Presidents shall be in the
order of their nomination, unless otherwise determined by the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Assistant
Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers and agents with such
powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. The Board of Directors may assign
such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall deem
appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the corporation at
any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and
other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in
the manner designated by the Board of Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Sections 122(5), 142(a), (b))

        SECTION 27. TENURE AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS.

               (a) GENERAL. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of
the Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected
and qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the
Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the
office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled
by the Board of Directors. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 141(b), (e))

               (b) DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Chairman of
the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors
shall perform other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors
shall designate from time to time. If there is no President, then the Chairman
of the Board of Directors shall also serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in paragraph (c) of
this Section 27. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 142(a))

               (c) DUTIES OF PRESIDENT. The President shall preside at all
meetings of the stockholders and at all meetings of the Board of Directors,
unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present.
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall,
subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general 


                                       10
<PAGE>   15

supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the
corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to his
office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as
the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. (Del. Code Ann., tit.
8, Section 142(a))

               (d) DUTIES OF VICE PRESIDENTS. The Vice Presidents, in the order
of their seniority, may assume and perform the duties of the President in the
absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is
vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to
their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers
as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 142(a))

               (e) DUTIES OF SECRETARY. The Secretary shall attend all meetings
of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors, and shall record all acts and
proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall
give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders,
and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof
requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties given him in
these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also
perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors
shall designate from time to time. The President may direct any Assistant
Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or
disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other
duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall
designate from time to time. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 142(a))

               (f) DUTIES OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OR TREASURER. The Chief
Financial Officer or Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of
account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner, and shall render
statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often
as required by the Board of Directors or the President. The Chief Financial
Officer or Treasurer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have
the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Chief Financial
Officer or Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his office
and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board
of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time. The President
may direct any Assistant Treasurer to assume and perform the duties of the Chief
Financial Officer or Treasurer in the absence or disability of the Chief
Financial Officer or Treasurer, and each Assistant Treasurer shall perform other
duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall
designate from time to time. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 142(a))

        SECTION 28. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY. The Board of Directors may from
time to time delegate the powers or dudes of any officer to any other officer or
agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

        SECTION 29. RESIGNATIONS. Any officer may resign at any time by giving
written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or to the
Secretary. Any such resignation shall be 


                                       11
<PAGE>   16

effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given,
unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall
become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice,
the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of
the corporation under any contract with the resigning officer. (Del. Code Ann.,
tit. 8, Section 142(b))

        SECTION 30. REMOVAL. Any officer may be removed from office at any time,
either with or without cause, by the vote or written consent of a majority of
the Directors in office at the time, or by any committee or superior officers
upon whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of
Directors.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                     EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND
                  VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION

        SECTION 31. EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS. The Board of Directors
may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer
or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation
any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation
the corporate name without limitation, or to enter into contracts on behalf of
the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and
such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 103(a), 142(a), 158)

        Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Board of Directors or
otherwise required by law. promissory notes, deeds of trust, mortgages and other
evidences of indebtedness of the corporation, and other corporate instruments or
documents requiring the corporate seal, and certificates of shares of stock
owned by the corporation, shall be executed, signed or endorsed by the Chairman
of the Board of Directors, or the President or any Vice President, and by the
Secretary or Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary or
Assistant Treasurer. All other instruments and documents requiring the corporate
signature, but not requiring the corporate seal, may be executed as aforesaid or
in such other manner as may be directed by the Board of Directors. (Del. Code
Ann., tit. 8, Sections 103(a), 142(a), 158)

        All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries on funds to
the credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be
signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to
do.

        Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the
agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power
or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge
its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount. (Del. Code
AM., tit. 8, Sections 103(a), 142(a), 158)



                                       12
<PAGE>   17

        SECTION 32. VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION. All stock and
other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for
itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies
with respect thereto shall be executed, by thc person authorized so to do by
resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization,
by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, or any Vice President.
(Del. Code AM., tit. 8, Section 123)


                                   ARTICLE VII

                                 SHARES OF STOCK

        SECTION 33. FORM AND EXECUTION OF CERTIFICATES. Certificates for the
shares of stock of the corporation shall be in such form as is consistent with
the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock in
the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name
of the corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the President
or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him
in the corporation. Where such certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent
other than the corporation or its employee, or by a registrar other than the
corporation or its employee, any other signature on the certificate may be a
facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or
whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased
to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he were such officer,
transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. Each certificate shall state
upon the face or back thereof, in full or in summary, all of the designations,
preferences, limitations, restrictions on transfer and relative rights of the
shares authorized to be issued. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 158)

        SECTION 34. LOST CERTIFICATES. A new certificate or certificates shall
be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the
corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of
an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be
lost, stolen, or destroyed. The corporation may require, as a condition
precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of
such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal
representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require or to
give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as
indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with
respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 167)

        SECTION 35. TRANSFERS.

               (a) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation
shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by
attorney duly authorized, and upon the surrender of a properly endorsed
certificate or certificates for a like number of shares. (Del. Code Ann., tit.
8, Section 201, tit. 6, Section 8 401(1))

                                       13
<PAGE>   18

               (b) The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform
any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of
stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the
corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner
not prohibited by the General Corporation Law of Delaware. (Del. Code Ann., tit.
8, Section 160 (a))

        SECTION 36.  FIXING RECORD DATES.

               (a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any
adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date,
which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing
the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date
shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of
such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record
date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the
day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business
on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination
of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however.
that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

               (b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board
of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not
precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by
the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days
after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by
the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of
Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to
corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board
of Directors is required by law, shall be the first date on which a signed
written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is
delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State
of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the
Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of
stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a Corporation's registered office
shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.
If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by
the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for determining
stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of
Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

               (c) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment
of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of
any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other
lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which
record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the
record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60)
days prior to such action. If no


                                       14
<PAGE>   19

record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such
purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of
Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Section 213)

        SECTION 37. REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS. The corporation shall be entitled
to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the
owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not
be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share
or shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express
or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 213(a), 219)


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                       OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

       SECTION 38. EXECUTION OF OTHER SECURITIES. All bonds, debentures and
other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates
(covered in Section 33), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, the President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be
authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon
or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such
bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual
signature of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond debenture
or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons
signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other
corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such
persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond debenture or other
corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by
the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person
as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the
facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or
attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile
signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon. shall have ceased
to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so
signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other
corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and
delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature
shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the
corporation.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                    DIVIDENDS

        SECTION 39. DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS. Dividends upon the capital stock
of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to law
at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be 


                                       15
<PAGE>   20

paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8,
Sections 170, 173)

        SECTION 40. DIVIDEND RESERVE. Before payment of any dividend, there may
be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such
sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute
discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for
equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the
corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think
conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may
modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created. (Del.
Code AM., tit. 8, Section 171)


                                    ARTICLE X

                                   FISCAL YEAR

        SECTION 41. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be
fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 42. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS.

               (a) DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The corporation shall
indemnify its Directors and executive officers to the fullest extent not
prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law; provided, however, that the
corporation may limit the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts
with its Directors and executive officers; and, provided, further, that the
corporation shall not be required to indemnify any Director or executive officer
in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person or
any proceeding by such person against the corporation or its Directors,
officers, employees or other agents unless (i) such indemnification is expressly
required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of
Directors of the corporation or (iii) such indemnification is provided by the
corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the
corporation under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

               (b) OTHER OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS. THE CORPORATION
SHALL have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as
set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law.

               (c) GOOD FAITH.

                                       16
<PAGE>   21

                        (1) For purposes of any determination under this Bylaw,
a Director or executive officer shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and
in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to
have had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful, if his
action is based on information, opinions, reports and statements, including
financial statements and other financial data, in each case prepared or
presented by:

                        (i) one or more officers or employees of the corporation
whom the Director or executive officer believed to be reliable and competent in
the matters presented;

                        (ii) counsel, independent accountants or other persons
as to matters which the Director or executive officer believed to be within such
person's professional competence; and

                        (iii) with respect to a Director, a committee of the
Board upon which such Director does not serve, as to matters within such
Committee's designated authority, which committee the Director believes to merit
confidence; so long as, in each case, the Director or executive officer acts
without knowledge that would cause such reliance to be unwarranted.

                      (2) The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall
not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith
and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that
he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

                      (3) The provisions of this paragraph (c) shall not be
deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a
person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth by
the Delaware General Corporation Law.

               (d) EXPENSES. The corporation shall advance, prior to the final
disposition of any proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses
incurred by any Director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay said
amounts if it should be determined ultimately that such person is not entitled
to be indemnified under this Bylaw or otherwise.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to
paragraph (e) of this Bylaw, no advance shall be made by the corporation if a
determination is reasonably and promptly made (1) by the Board of Directors by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of Directors who were not parties to the
proceeding, or (2) if such quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, a
quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a
written opinion, that the facts known to the decision making party at the time
such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person
acted in bad faith or in a manna that such person did not believe to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

                                       17
<PAGE>   22

               (e) ENFORCEMENT. Without the necessity of entering into an
express contract all rights to indemnification and advances to Directors and
executive officers under this Bylaw shall be deemed to be contractual rights and
be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the
corporation and the Director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification
or advances granted by this Bylaw to a Director or executive officer shall be
enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of
competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is
denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within
ninety (90) days of request therefor. The claimant in such enforcement action,
if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense
of prosecuting his claim. The corporation shall be entitled to raise as a
defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of
conduct that make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law for
the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. Neither the
failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal
counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the
commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in
the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set
forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by
the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or
its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of
conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant
has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

               (f) NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The rights conferred on any person
by this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may
have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
Directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to
action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically
authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its Directors,
officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the
fullest extent not prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

               (g) SURNYA1 OF RIGHTS. The rights conferred on any person by this
Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director, officer,
employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors
and administrators of such a person.

               (h) INSURANCE. To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of
Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted
to be indemnified pursuant to this Bylaw

               (i) AMENDMENTS. Any repeal or modification of this Bylaw shall
only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect
at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is
the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.

               (j) SAVING CLAUSE. If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be
invalid on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
corporation shall nevertheless indemnify 


                                       18
<PAGE>   23

each Director and executive officer to the full extent not prohibited by any
applicable portion of this Bylaw that shall not have been invalidated, or by any
other applicable law.

               (k) CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the
following definitions shall apply:

                      (1) The term "PROCEEDING"  shall be broadly construed and 
shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution,
defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in,
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative.

                      (2) The term "EXPENSES" shall be broadly construed and
shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys' fees, witness fees,
fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses
of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

                      (3) The term the "CORPORATION" shall include, in addition
to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any
constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if
its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to
indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person
who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation
as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under
the provisions of this Bylaw with respect to the resulting or surviving
corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its
separate existence had continued.

                      (4) References to a "DIRECTOR," "OFFICER," "EMPLOYEE," OR
"AGENT" of the corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where
such person is serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise.

                      (5) References to "OTHER ENTERPRISES" shall include
employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes
assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plain; and references
to "SERVING AT THE REQUEST OF THE CORPORATION" shall include any service as a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on,
or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect
to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person
who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the
interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall
be deemed to have acted in a manner "NOT OPPOSED TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE
CORPORATION" as referred to in this Bylaw.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                                       19
<PAGE>   24

                                     NOTICES
        SECTION 43. NOTICES.

               (a) NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS. Whenever, under any provisions of
these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any stockholder, it shall be
given in writing, timely and duly deposited in the United States mail, postage
prepaid, and addressed to his last known post office address as shown by the
stock record of the corporation or its transfer agent.
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 222)

               (b) NOTICE TO DIRECTORS. Any notice required to be given to any
Director may be given by the method stated in subsection (a), or by facsimile,
telex or telegram, except that such notice other than one which is delivered
personally shall be sent to such address as such Director shall have filed in
writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known
post office address of such Director.

               (c) ADDRESS UNKNOWN. If no address of a stockholder or Director
be known, notice may be sent to the office of the corporation required to be
maintained pursuant to Section 2 hereof.

               (d) AFFIDAVIT OF MAILING. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a
duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent
appointed with respect to the class of stock affected, specifying the name and
address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or
Director or Directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and
the time and method of giving the same, shall be conclusive evidence of the
statements therein contained. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 222)

               (e) TIME NOTICES DEEMED GIVEN. All notices given by mail, as
above provided, shall be deemed to have been given as at the time of mailing and
all notices given by facsimile, telex or telegram shall be deemed to have been
given as of the sending time recorded at time of transmission.

               (f) METHODS OF NOTICE. It shall not be necessary that the same
method of giving notice be employed in respect of all Directors, but one
permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other
permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.

               (g) FAILURE TO RECEIVE NOTICE. The period or limitation of time
within which any stockholder may exercise any option or right, or enjoy any
privilege or benefit, or be required to act, or within which any Director may
exercise any power or right, or enjoy any privilege, pursuant to any notice sent
him in the manner above provided, shall not be affected or extended in any
manner by the failure of such stockholder or such Director to receive such
notice.

                                       20
<PAGE>   25

               (h) NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL.
Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with
whom communication is unlawful, the giving' of such notice to such person shall
not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental
authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person.
Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such
person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect
as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the
corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any
provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the certificate shall state,
if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all
persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication
is unlawful.

               (i) NOTICE TO PERSON WITH UNDELIVERABLE ADDRESS. Whenever notice
is required to be given, under any provision of law or the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any stockholder to whom (i)
notice of two consecutive annual meetings, and all notices of meetings or of the
taking of action by written consent without a meeting to such person during the
period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (ii) all, and at least
two, payments (if sent by first class mail) of dividends or interest on
securities during a twelve month period, have been mailed addressed to such
person at his address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been
returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be
required. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to
such person shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly
given. If any such person shall deliver to the corporation a written notice
setting forth his then current address, the requirement that notice be given to
such person shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the
corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any
provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the certificate need not
state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be
given pursuant to this paragraph. (Del. Code Ann, tit. 8, Section 230)


                                  ARTICLE XIII

                                   AMENDMENTS

       SECTION 44. AMENDMENTS. Except as otherwise set forth in paragraph (i) of
Section 42 of these Bylaws, these Bylaws may be amended or repealed and new
Bylaws adopted by the stockholders entitled to vote. The Board of Directors
shall also have the power, if such power is conferred upon the Board of
Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws
(including, without limitation, the amendment of any Bylaw setting forth the
number of Directors who shall constitute the whole Board of Directors).
(Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Sections 109(a), 122(6))


                                   ARTICLE XIV

                                       21
<PAGE>   26

                                LOANS TO OFFICERS

       SECTION 45. LOANS TO OFFICERS. The corporation may lend money to, or
guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee
of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who
is a Director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment
of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be
expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may
be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as
the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of
shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in this Section 46 shall be deemed
to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation
at common law or under any statute. (Del. Code Ann., tit. 8, Section 143)

                                       22


<PAGE>   27
                          FIRST AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS OF
                            PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS


        This First Amendment (the "First Amendment"), effective as of February
27, 1997, to the Bylaws (the "Bylaws") of PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company") has been adopted by the board of directors
of the Company (the "Board"), at a duly held meeting with reference to the
following facts:

        WHEREAS, Article II, Section 2 of the Company"s Bylaws currently
provides that the annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held each year on
the first Wednesday in March, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday,
then on the next secular day following, at 10:00 a.m. or at such other date and
time as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board
of Directors, when they shall elect by a plurality vote of the Board of
Directors, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before
the meeting. At each annual meeting Directors shall be elected and any other
proper business transacted;

        WHEREAS, the Board deems it to be advisable and in the best interest of
the Company to amend Article II Section 2 of the Bylaws to change the date of
the annual meeting of shareholders from the first Wednesday in March to the
first Wednesday in June beginning in 1998;

        WHEREAS, Section 109(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits
the board of directors of a corporation to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of
such corporation if the certificate of incorporation confers such power on the
board of directors;

        WHEREAS, Article VIII of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, and Article VII, Section 1, of the Bylaws permits
the Board to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws;

        RESOLVED, that the Board deems it advisable and in the best interests of
the Company that Article II, Section 2 of the Bylaws be amended and restated to
read in its entirety as follows (the "Amendment"):

        Section 2. Beginning in 1998, the annual meeting of the stockholders
        shall be held each year on the first Wednesday in June, if not a legal
        holiday, and if a legal holiday, then on the next secular day following,
        at 10:00 a.m. or at such other date and time as may be determined from
        time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, when they
        shall elect by a plurality vote of the Board of Directors, and transact
        such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. At
        each annual meeting Directors shall be elected and any other proper
        business transacted

        RESOLVED, that the Bylaws shall not be further amended and that the
Bylaws, as hereby amended, shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
enforced in accordance with their terms, as amended.


                                       1

<PAGE>   28
                         SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS
                       OF PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.

        This SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS OF PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
(this "Second Amendment") is effective November 1, 1998 (the "Effective Date"),
with reference to the following facts:

                                    RECITALS:

        WHEREAS, the Corporation has adopted the bylaws, adopted on or about the
2nd day of August, 1996, as the official bylaws of the Corporation, as amended
by that certain First Amendment to Bylaws effective as of February 27, 1997 (the
"First Amendment") (as so amended the "Bylaws");

        WHEREAS, the Corporation's Board of Directors (the "Board") deems it
advisable and in Corporation's best interests to amend the Bylaws.

               NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bylaws are hereby amended
as follows:

               1. Article IV, Section 1 of the Bylaws is hereby deleted in its
        entirety and the following paragraph is substituted therefore:

               "Section 1. OFFICERS. The officers of this Corporation shall be
               chosen by the Board of Directors and shall include: a Chief
               Executive Officer (who shall be either the Chairman of the Board
               or President, as provided in these By-Laws), a President, a Chief
               Operating Officer, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Corporation
               may also have at the discretion of the Board of Directors such
               other officers as are desired, including: a Chairman of the
               Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, one or more Vice Presidents,
               one or more Assistant Secretaries or Assistant Treasurers, and
               such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the
               provisions of Section 3 hereof. In the event there are two or
               more Vice Presidents, then one or more may be designated as
               Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, or other similar
               or dissimilar title. At the time of the election of officers, the
               Directors may by resolution determine the order of their rank.
               Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the
               Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws otherwise provide."

               2. Article IV, Section 6 of the Bylaws is hereby deleted in its
        entirety and the following paragraph is substituted therefor:

               "Section 6. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. If there is a Chairman of
               the Board and the Board of Directors designates the Chairman of
               the 


<PAGE>   29


                Board as the Chief Executive Officer, then the Chairman of the
                Board shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.
                Otherwise, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of
                the Corporation. Subject to the direction and control of the
                Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall supervise
                and control the management of the Corporation and shall have
                such duties and authority as are normally incident to the office
                of chief executive officer of a corporation and such duties and
                authority as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of
                Directors or as are provided for elsewhere in these By-Laws."

               3. Article IV of the Bylaws is amended by adding new Sections
        6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 as follows:

               "Section 6.1. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board,
               if such an officer be elected, shall, if present, preside at all
               meetings of the Board of Directors and exercise and perform such
               other duties and authority as may be from time to time assigned
               to the Chairman of the Board by the Board of Directors or
               prescribed by these By-Laws. If there is a Chairman of the Board
               and such Chairman of the Board is also designated by the Board of
               Directors to be the Chief Executive Officer, then the Chairman of
               the Board shall also have all of the duties and authority of the
               Chief Executive Officer described in Section 6 of this Article
               IV.

               "Section 6.2. VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Vice Chairman of
               the Board, if such an officer be elected, shall be a director and
               shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors in the
               absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board. The Vice
               Chairman shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed
               from time to time by the Chairman of the Board or the Board of
               Directors.

               "Section 6.3. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. If there is a Chairman of
               the Board who is also the Chief Executive Officer, then the
               President shall be the Chief Operating Officer. If the President
               is the Chief Executive Officer, then the President shall also
               serve as the Chief Operating Officer unless the Board of
               Directors designates some other officer of the Corporation as the
               Chief Operating Officer. Subject to the direction and control of
               the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, the Chief
               Operating Officer shall supervise and control the operations of
               the Corporation, shall have the duties and authority as are
               normally incident to the office of chief operating officer of a
               corporation and such other duties as may be prescribed from time
               to time by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors,
               and, in the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer,
               shall have the authority and perform the duties of the Chief
               Executive Officer."
<PAGE>   30

               4. Article IV, Section 7 of the Bylaws is hereby deleted in its
        entirety and the following paragraph is substituted therefor:

               "Section 7. PRESIDENT. Unless there is a Chairman of the Board
               who is also designated the Chief Executive Officer, the President
               shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall
               have all of the duties and authority of the Chief Executive
               Officer described in Section 6 of this Article IV. If the
               President is not the Chief Executive Officer, or the President is
               the Chief Executive Officer and no other officer has been
               designated by the Board of Directors as the Chief Operating
               Officer, then the President shall be the Chief Operating Officer
               and shall have all of the duties and authority of the Chief
               Operating Officer described in Section 6.3 of this Article IV.
               The President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders
               and, in the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board
               and the Vice Chairman of the Board, if there be such officers,
               shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The
               President shall be an ex-officio member of all Committees and
               shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors and such
               supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of
               Directors to the Chairman of the Board or the Vice Chairman of
               the Board, if there be such officers, shall have general
               supervision, direction and control of the business and officers
               of the Corporation, shall have such duties and authority as are
               normally incident to the office of president of a corporation and
               such duties and authority as may be prescribed from time to time
               by the Board of Directors or as are provided for elsewhere in
               these By-Laws."

               5. Except as amended by this Second Amendment, the Corporation's
        Restated Bylaws shall not be further amended, modified, or revised and
        the Restated Bylaws, as hereby amended, shall continue in full force and
        effect and shall be enforced in accordance with their terms.

               6. The official bylaws of the Corporation shall consist of the
        bylaws adopted on August 2, 1996, the First Amendment adopted on
        February 27, 1997 and this Second Amendment adopted on November 1, 1998.
        Any reference to the term "bylaws" shall mean and refer to the bylaws as
        amended by the First Amendment and Second Amendment.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.04

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


        This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as
the 6th day of October 1997, by and between PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with its principal place of business
located at 3120 Lake Center Drive, Santa Ana, California 92704 and Brad Bowlus
("Executive"), residing at 630 Ramona Drive, Corona Del Mar, California 92626.

                                    RECITALS


        WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive in the capacity of Vice
President and Plan President of PacifiCare of California during the period
beginning October 6, 1997 and ending January 1, 1998 (the "Interim Term").

        WHEREAS, immediately following the Interim Term, the Company desires to
continue to employ Executive in the capacity of President and Chief Executive
Officer of PacifiCare of California and Regional Vice President of the West.

        WHEREAS, the Company and Executive are entering into this Agreement to
establish the terms and conditions of the desired employment relationship.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the following covenants, conditions
and promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

1.      EMPLOYMENT

        1.1 Executive's General Duties. The Company hereby employs Executive and
Executive hereby agrees to serve the Company in the capacity of Vice President
and Plan President of PacifiCare of California during the Initial Term; and
immediately after the Initial Term the Company shall employ and Executive agrees
to serve the Company in the capacity of President and Chief Executive Officer of
PacifiCare of California and Regional Vice President of the West having such
usual and customary duties and authority as an officer of similar capacity in a
corporation of comparable size, holdings, and business as that of the Company.

        Executive shall do and perform all services, acts, or things necessary
or advisable to manage and conduct the business of the Company and shall preside
over such other areas of corporate activity as specified from time to time by
the Board of directors of the Company. During the term of this Agreement,
Executive shall perform such additional or different duties, and accept the
election or appointment to such other offices or positions as are mutually
agreed upon by Executive and the Company.


                                      -1-

<PAGE>   2

        1.2 Devotion of Executive. During the term of this Agreement, Executive
shall devote his entire productive time, ability, and attention to the business
of the Company. Executive shall use his best efforts, skills, and abilities to
promote the general welfare and interests of the Company and to preserve,
maintain, and foster the Company's business and business relationships with all
persons and entities associated therewith, including, without limitation,
employer groups, medical service providers, shareholders, affiliates, officers,
employees, and banks and other financial institutions. The Company shall give
Executive a reasonable opportunity to perform his duties and shall neither
expect Executive to devote more time, nor assign more duties or functions to
Executive, than are customary and reasonable for an executive in Executive's
position.

2.      TERM AND TERMINATION

        2.1 Term. The term of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall
commence on October 6, 1997, and shall continue unless terminated as provided in
Section 2.2.

        2.2 Termination. This Agreement shall be terminated upon the occurrence
of any one of the following events:

               a. The death of the Executive.

               b. Executive becomes incapacitated or disabled, which incapacity
        or disability prevents Executive from fully performing his duties to the
        Company for a period in excess of 90 days and, after such 90-day period,
        the Company and a physician, duly licensed and qualified in the
        specialty of Executive's incapacity, decide in their reasonable
        judgments, that such incapacity will be permanent or of such continued
        duration as to prevent Executive from resuming the rendition of services
        to the Company for at least an additional six-month period. For purposes
        of this Agreement, Executive shall be deemed permanently disabled, and
        this Agreement terminated upon the date Executive receives written
        notice from the Company that such determination has been made.

               c. Executive habitually neglects his duties to the Company or
        engages in gross misconduct during the term of this Agreement. For the
        purposes of this Agreement, "gross misconduct" shall mean Executive's
        misappropriation of funds; securities fraud; insider trading;
        unauthorized possession of corporate property; the sale, distribution,
        possession or use of a controlled substance; or conviction of any
        criminal offense (whether or not such criminal offense is committed in
        connection with Executive's duties hereunder or in the course of his
        employment with the Company). In such event, Executive's termination
        shall be effective immediately upon receipt of written notice from the
        Company.

               d. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement, with or
        without cause, upon ninety (90) days prior written notice to the other
        party. Except for the circumstances described in Section 2.2(c) above,
        Executive's termination shall be effective ninety (90) days after
        receipt of such written notice. Any termination of this Agreement in


                                       -2-

<PAGE>   3

        accordance with this Section 2.2(d) shall not limit, restrict, or
        reduce, in any manner, Executive's rights to the compensations and
        benefits available under Sections 3.1(b) and 4 below.

        2.3 Effect of Termination. No termination of this Agreement shall affect
or impair any rights or obligations of the parties respecting certain
compensation accruing prior thereto or continuing thereafter in accordance with
the terms set forth in Section 3.2 and Section 4.


3.      COMPENSATION

        3.1    Compensation During the Term of this Agreement

               a. As long as Executive satisfactorily performs all of his
        obligations hereunder, the Company shall pay Executive an annual base
        salary, as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
        Directors, payable in equal installments on the Company's regular
        payroll dates, which as of the date hereof is $350,000. On an annual
        basis, the Company's compensation committee shall review Executive's
        salary, but shall be under no obligation to increase Executive's salary.

               Executive authorizes the Company to take such deductions and
        withholdings from his salary as are required by law, directed by
        Executive, or as reasonably directed by the Company for its employees,
        which deductions shall include, without limitation, withholding for
        federal and state income taxes and social security.

               b. Executive shall be entitled to participate in the 1996 Stock
        Option Plan for Officers and Key Employees of PacifiCare Health Systems,
        Inc. (the "1996 Stock Option Plan"), as such plan from time to time may
        be amended, modified or replaced, in accordance with the terms and
        conditions set forth herein and therein. Pursuant thereto, on October 1,
        1997, (the "Grant Date"), the Company granted to Executive non-qualified
        options to purchase 15,000 shares of the Company's Class B Common Stock,
        par value $0.01 per share (the "Options"). On the first anniversary of
        the Grant Date, 25 percent of the Options shall become vested, and an
        additional 25 percent of the Options shall become vested on each
        succeeding anniversary of the Grant Date until the fourth anniversary of
        the Grant Date when all the Options shall become vested. The Options
        shall be subject to the 1996 Stock Option Plan and are evidenced by a
        stock option agreement between Executive and the Company.

               c. Executive shall be entitled to fully participate in all of the
        employee benefit plans and programs available to other high-level
        executives of the Company, including, without limitation, health,
        dental, and life insurance benefits for Executive and Executive's
        dependents, pension and profit sharing programs, and vacation and sick
        leave benefits. However, the terms of this Agreement shall not restrict
        the Company's right to change, amend, modify, or terminate any existing
        benefit plan or program, or to change any 

                                      -3-


<PAGE>   4

        insurance company or modify any insurance policy adopted incident to
        such existing benefit plan and program.

               d. The Company shall provide Executive with a $750 per month
        automobile allowance. The Company shall furnish Executive's automobile
        with a cellular car telephone. Executive shall provide and maintain
        automobile insurance for Executive's car including collision,
        comprehensive liability, personal and property damage, and uninsured and
        underinsured motorist coverage in amounts customarily obtained to cover
        such contingencies in California. Executive shall provide proof of such
        coverage to the Company upon the Company's request.

               e. The Company shall pay for or reimburse Executive for all other
        reasonable travel, entertainment, and other business expenses incurred
        or paid for by Executive in connection with the performance of his
        services under this Agreement. The Company shall not be obligated to
        make any such reimbursement unless Executive presents corresponding
        expense statements or vouchers and such other supporting information as
        the Company may from time to time reasonably request. The Company
        reserves the right to place subsequent limitations or restrictions on
        business expenses to be incurred or reimbursed.

               f. Executive shall be entitled to participate fully in the
        Company's Management Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended (the
        "MICP"), as may be amended, modified, or replaced, in accordance with
        the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein.

               g. During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall insure
        Executive under its general liability insurance for all conduct
        committed in good faith while acting in the capacity of Vice President
        and Plan President of PacifiCare of California during the Initial Term;
        and immediately after the Initial Term for all conduct committed in good
        faith while acting in the capacity of Regional Vice President of the
        West and President and Chief Executive Officer of PacifiCare of
        California or in any other capacity to which Executive may be appointed
        or elected.

               h. In the event Executive is involuntarily terminated, without
        cause, except in the case of death or incapacity or disability, the
        Company shall provide outplacement services to Executive to assist
        Executive in securing a position comparable to the one from which he was
        terminated. The Company shall be obligated to provide those outplacement
        services as customarily provided by companies of similar size and
        holdings as those of the Company to executives with comparable
        responsibility and longevity as Executive and for reasonable cost as
        approved by the Company. The Company's provision of such outplacement
        services shall not limit, restrict, or reduce, in any manner, any and
        all other compensation to which Executive is entitled hereunder.

               i. As part of the compensation for services rendered under this
        Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the PacifiCare
        Health Systems, Inc. Savings 

                                      -4-


<PAGE>   5

        and Profit-Sharing Plan, and the trust agreement implemented pursuant
        thereto, adopted as of June 1, 1985, as from time to time may be amended
        modified, or replaced, in accordance with the terms and conditions set
        forth therein.

               j. Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided under the
        Company's Statutory Restoration Plan, as such plan from time to time may
        be amended, modified or replaced, in accordance with the terms set forth
        herein and therein.

        3.2  Compensation Following Termination

               a. In the event that this Agreement is terminated by reason of
        Executive's death, Executive's estate or legal representative shall be
        entitled to receive the following:

                       1. Payment of benefits under the life insurance policy
               purchased by the Company on Executive's behalf, if any;

                       2. Payments of benefits under the Long-Term Performance
               Incentive Plan ("LTPIP"), if performance cycles remain
               outstanding, and the MICP set forth in Section 3.1(f), which
               will be deemed to have accrued as of the date of Executive's
               death; and

                       3. Executive's legal representative shall be permitted
               to exercise any vested and unexercised options under the 1996
               Stock Option Plan set forth in Section 3.1(b) and shall be
               permitted to exercise any other vested and unexercised options
               granted under any other stock option plans of the Company
               ("Prior Stock Option Plans") in accordance with their terms for
               a period of one year following Executive's death. The 1996 Stock
               Option Plan and the Prior Stock Option Plans shall together be
               referred to herein as the "Stock Option Plans."

               b. In the event that Executive is terminated because of an
        incapacity or disability, the Company shall provide Executive with the
        following:

                       1. Payment of benefits under the disability insurance
               policy maintained by the Company on Executive's behalf, if any;

                       2. Payment of benefits under the LTPIP, if performance
               cycles remain outstanding, and the MICP set forth in Section
               3.1(f), which will be deemed to have accrued as of the effective
               date of such termination;

                       3. The right to exercise any vested and unexercised
               options under the Stock Option Plans in accordance with the
               terms stated therein; and

                       4. Payment of the automobile allowance as provided under
               Section 3.1(d) for a period of 24 months following the effective
               date of such termination.


                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6

               c. In the event this Agreement is terminated because of
        Executive's habitual neglect or gross misconduct pursuant to Section
        2.2(c) or because of Executive's voluntary termination, the Company
        shall be relieved from any and all further or future obligations to
        compensate Executive; provided, however, that Executive shall be able to
        exercise any vested and unexercised awards under the Stock Option Plans
        in accordance with the terms set forth therein.

               d. In the event that the Company terminates Executive, for any
        reason other than Executive's incapacity or disability or misconduct as
        described in Sections 2.2(b) and 2.2(c), respectively, Executive shall
        be entitled to the following severance compensation, on the condition
        that Executive executes a severance agreement including a general
        release of the Company, including its owners, partners, stockholders,
        directors, officers, employees, independent contractors, agents,
        attorneys, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns,
        parents, subsidiaries, affiliated entities and related entities:

                        1. Executive's then current annual salary under Section
                3.1(a) for a period of 24 months following the effective date of
                such termination;

                        2. Payment of benefits under the LTPIP, if performance
                cycles remain outstanding, and the MICP set forth in Section
                3.1(f), which will be deemed to have accrued as of the effective
                date of such termination;

                        3. The right to exercise any vested and unexercised
                options under the Stock Option Plans in accordance with their
                terms within one year of the effective date of such termination;

                        4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Executive
                engages in employment with a competitor of the Company during
                the 24 month period in which Executive's salary continues
                pursuant to Section 3.2(d)(1), the severance compensation
                available to Executive under this Section 3.2(d) shall be
                reduced by the amount of any and all gross earnings Executive
                earns while engaged in employment with any such competitor or
                competitors. For the purposes of this Section 3.2(d)(4), a
                "competitor of the Company" shall include, without limitation, a
                health maintenance organization, competitive medical plan, or
                preferred provider organization, or health or life insurance
                company which owns a managed care plan or program. Executive
                agrees to provide immediate notice to Company upon receipt of
                any gross earnings received by Executive from a competitor of
                Company;

                        5. Payment of the automobile allowance as provided in
                Section 3.1(d) for a period of 24 months following the effective
                date of such termination; and

                        6. The Company shall provide to Executive the
                outplacement services described in Section 3.1(h).


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

               e. Notwithstanding anything which may be expressed in, or
        inferred from the provisions of this Section 3.2 or Section 4.1, this
        Agreement should not be construed to limit, restrict, or deny Executive
        any benefits to which he otherwise may be entitled under the LTPIP, the
        MICP, the Stock Option Plans, the Company's pension plan or otherwise
        which arise from circumstances not addressed in this Agreement.

4.      TERMINATION AS A RESULT OF A CHANGE OF CONTROL OR
        FOR GOOD CAUSE

        4.1 Executive's Rights. In the event that, during the term of this
Agreement, the Company undergoes a "change of ownership or control," as that
term is defined in Section 4.3, and if within 24 months after the consummation
of such change either (1) Executive is involuntarily terminated, except as
provided in Section 4.2, or (2) Executive voluntarily terminates his employment
for "good cause" as defined in Section 4.4, then Executive shall be entitled to
the following compensation:

                a. Executive's then current annual salary under Section 3.1(a)
        for a period of 24 months following the effective date of such
        termination;

               b. Payment of health insurance premiums under the Consolidated
        Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, for Executive and
        Executive's dependents for a period of 24 months following the effective
        date of such termination;

               c. Annual payment of benefits under the LTPIP for each
        performance period of the LTPIP which is still outstanding for a period
        of 24 months following the effective date of such termination;

               d. Annual payment of benefits under the MICP set forth in Section
        3.1(f), for a period of 24 months following the effective date of such
        termination;

               e. The right to exercise any and all granted and unexercised
        stock options, under the Stock Option Plans in accordance with their
        terms (whether or not such options are actually vested), as if all such
        unexercised stock options were fully vested, within one year of the
        effective date of such termination;

               f. Payment of the automobile allowance as provided under Section
        3.1(d) for a period of 24 months following the effective date of such
        termination; and

               g. The Company shall provide to Executive the outplacement
        services described in Section 3.1(h).

        4.2 Limitation of Benefits. In the event that Executive is terminated
within 12 months after a change of ownership or control of the Company, and such
termination results from either Executive's incapacity or disability or habitual
neglect or gross misconduct, then, notwithstanding 

                                      -7-

<PAGE>   8

anything in this Section 4 to the contrary, Executive shall receive only that
compensation, if any, to which he is entitled to under Sections 3.2(b) and
3.2(c), respectively.

        In no event shall the aggregate amount of all compensation which
Executive may receive pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4, including
without limitation, any salary, bonuses, stock options, employee benefits and
all other cash and in-kind compensation, exceed an amount (the "Maximum
Compensation Amount") which would give rise to an "excess parachute payment" as
determined by Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
any regulations promulgated thereunder. In the event that this Section 4 would
entitle Executive to sums in excess of the Maximum Compensation Amount, the
Company shall use its sound discretion, in good faith, to furnish Executive with
a post-termination compensation package which is substantially equal to the
Maximum Compensation Amount.

        4.3 Change of Control. As used in this Section 4, the term "change of
ownership or control" means and refers to:

               a. any merger, consolidation, or sale of the Company such that
        any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3)
        or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
        "Exchange Act")) acquires beneficial ownership, within the meaning of
        Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, of 20 percent or more of the voting
        common stock of the Company and the ownership interest of the voting
        common stock owned by UniHealth America is less than or equal to the
        ownership interest of the voting common stock of such individual, entity
        or group;

               b. any transaction in which the Company sells substantially all
        of its material assets;

               c. a dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or

               d. the Company becomes a non-publicly held company.

        4.4 Good Cause. As used in this Section 4, "good cause" for Executive to
terminate his employment shall be deemed to exist if Executive voluntarily
terminates his employment for any of the following reasons:

               a. Without Executive's express prior written consent, Executive:

                      (i) is assigned duties materially inconsistent with
               Executive's position, duties, responsibilities, or status with
               the Company which substantially varies from that which existed
               immediately prior to such change of ownership or control;

                      (ii) experiences a change in his reporting level, titles,
               or business location (to a point more than 50 miles outside of
               Orange County, California) which substantially varies from that
               which existed immediately prior to the change of ownership or
               control; or


                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9

                      (iii) with respect to any position held immediately prior
               to the change of ownership or control, is removed or fails to
               obtain reelection, which removal or failure to reelect is not
               directly related to Executive's incapacity or disability,
               habitual neglect, gross misconduct or death;

               b. Without Executive's express prior written consent, Executive's
        salary is reduced below that which existed immediately prior to the
        change of ownership or control and such change is not otherwise applied
        to others in the Company with at least Executive's position or title;

               c. Without Executive's express prior written consent, any
        employee benefit, business expense reimbursement or allotment, incentive
        bonus program, or any other manner or form of compensation available to
        Executive immediately prior to the change of ownership or control is
        reduced or eliminated and such change is not otherwise applied to others
        in the Company with at least Executive's position or title;

               d. The Company fails to obtain from any successor, before the
        succession takes place, a written commitment obligating the successor to
        perform this Agreement in accordance with all of its terms and
        conditions; or

               e. The Company or any successor thereto purports to terminate
        Executive without first giving Executive prior written notice thereof
        that specifies: (i) the exact provision of Section 2.2 relied upon; and
        (ii) the facts and circumstances, in reasonable detail, serving as the
        basis for Executive's termination.


5.      NOTICES

        All notices or other communications required or permitted to be made
hereunder shall be given in writing and sent by either personal delivery,
overnight delivery, or United States registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, all of which shall be properly addressed with postal or
delivery charges prepaid, to the parties at their respective addresses set forth
below, or to such other addresses as either party may designate to the other in
accordance with this Section 5:

        If to the Company:          PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc.
                                    3120 Lake Center Drive
                                    Santa Ana, California 92704
                                    Attn: President and
                                          Chief Executive Officer


                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10

        If to Executive:            Brad Bowlus
                                    630 Ramona Drive
                                    Corona Del Mar, California 92626

All notices sent by personal delivery shall be deemed given when actually
received. All notices sent by overnight delivery shall be deemed given on the
next business day. All other notices sent via United States mail shall be deemed
given no later than two business days after mailing. Any notice given by any
method not expressly authorized herein, shall nevertheless be effective if
actually received and shall be deemed given upon actual receipt.

6.      GENERAL PROVISIONS

        6.1 Assignability. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and
shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and
legal representatives of Executive and shall inure to the benefit of, and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. Executive shall not
assign, delegate, subdelegate, transfer, pledge, encumber, hypothecate, or
otherwise dispose of this Agreement, or any rights, obligations, or duties
hereunder, and any such attempted delegation or disposition shall be null and
void and without any force or effect; provided however, that nothing contained
herein shall prevent Executive from designating beneficiaries for insurance,
death, or retirement benefits.

        6.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is a fully integrated document and
contains any and all promises, covenants, and agreements between the parties
hereto with respect to Executive's employment. This Agreement supersedes any and
all other, prior or contemporaneous, discussions, negotiations, representations,
warranties, covenants, conditions, and agreements, whether written or oral,
between the parties hereto. Except as expressed herein, the parties have not
exchanged any other representations, warranties, inducements, promises, or
agreements respecting Executive's employment with the Company.

        6.3 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable, in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or
unenforceability shall not affect or impair the remainder of this Agreement
which shall remain in full force and effect and enforced accordingly, unless a
party demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that the invalidated
provision was an essential economic term of this Agreement.

        6.4 Amendment. This Agreement shall not be changed, amended, or
modified, nor shall any performance or condition hereunder be waived, in whole
or in part, except by written instrument signed by the party against whom
enforcement or waiver is sought. The waiver of any breach of any term or
condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute the waiver of any
other or subsequent breach of the same or any other term or condition of this
Agreement.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
        6.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, enforced under,
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first written above.



The Company:                                PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.,
                                            a Delaware corporation

                                            /s/ Alan R. Hoops
                                            --------------------------------
                                            By:    Alan R. Hoops
                                            Title: President and
                                                   Chief Executive Officer





Executive:                                  /s/ Brad Bowlus
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            Brad Bowlus



                                      -11-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                                

                                                                EXHIBIT 10.05  
         
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


        This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of the 10th day of June 1996, by and between PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with its principal place of business
located at 5995 Plaza Drive, Cypress, California 90630 and Linda Lyons, M.D.,
F.A.C.P. ("Executive"), residing at 14886 De La Valle Place, Del Mar, California
92014.


                                    RECITALS

        WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive in the capacity of
Senior Vice President, Health Services.

        WHEREAS, the Company and Executive are entering into this Agreement to
establish the terms and conditions of the desired employment relationship.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the following covenants, conditions
and promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:


1.      EMPLOYMENT

        1.1 Executive's General Duties. The Company hereby employs Executive and
Executive hereby agrees to serve the Company in the capacity of Senior Vice
President, Health Services of the Company having such usual and customary duties
and authority as an officer of similar capacity in a corporation of comparable
size, holdings, and business as that of the Company.

        Executive shall do and perform all services, acts, or things necessary
or advisable to manage and conduct the business of the Company and shall preside
over such other areas of corporate activity as specified from time to time by
the Board of Directors of the Company. During the term of this Agreement,
Executive shall perform such additional or different duties, and accept the
election or appointment to such other offices or positions, as are mutually
agreed upon by Executive and the Company.

        1.2 Devotion of Executive. During the term of this Agreement, Executive
shall devote her entire productive time, ability, and attention to the business
of the Company. Executive shall use her best efforts, skills, and abilities to
promote the general welfare and interests of the Company and to preserve,
maintain, and foster the Company's business and business relationships with all
persons and entities associated therewith, including, without limitation,
employer groups, medical service providers, shareholders, affiliates, officers,
employees, and banks and other financial institutions. The Company shall give
Executive a reasonable opportunity to perform her duties and shall neither
expect Executive to devote more time, nor assign more duties or functions to
Executive, than are customary and reasonable for an executive in Executive's
position.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>   2




2.      TERM AND TERMINATION

        2.1 Term. The term of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall
commence on June 10, 1996 and shall continue unless terminated as provided in
Section 2.2.

        2.2 Termination. This Agreement shall be terminated upon the occurrence
of any one of the following events:

               a. The death of the Executive.

               b. Executive becomes incapacitated or disabled, which incapacity
        or disability prevents Executive from fully performing her duties to the
        Company for a period in excess of 90 days and, after such 90-day period,
        the Company and a physician, duly licensed and qualified in the
        specialty of Executive's incapacity, decide in their reasonable
        judgments, that such incapacity will be permanent or of such continued
        duration as to prevent Executive from resuming the rendition of services
        to the Company for at least an additional six-month period. For purposes
        of this Agreement, Executive shall be deemed permanently disabled, and
        this Agreement terminated upon the date Executive receives written
        notice from the Company that such determination has been made.

               c. Executive habitually neglects her duties to the Company or
        engages in gross misconduct during the term of this Agreement. For the
        purposes of this Agreement, "gross misconduct" shall mean Executive's
        conviction of any criminal offense, misappropriation of funds,
        securities fraud, insider trading, unauthorized possession of corporate
        property or the sale, distribution, possession or use of a controlled
        substance (whether or not such felony or criminal offense is committed
        in connection with Executive's duties hereunder or in the course of her
        employment with the Company). In such event, Executive's termination
        shall be effective immediately upon receipt of written notice from the
        Company.

               d. Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement, with or
        without cause, upon 30 days prior written notice to the other party.
        Executive's termination shall be effective 60 days after receipt of such
        notice.

        2.3 Effect of Termination. No termination of this Agreement shall affect
or impair any rights or obligations of the parties respecting certain
compensation accruing prior thereto or continuing thereafter in accordance with
the terms set forth in Section 3.2 and Section 4.


3.      COMPENSATION

        3.1    Compensation During the Term of this Agreement

               a. As long as Executive satisfactorily performs all of her
        obligations hereunder, the Company shall pay Executive an annual base
        salary, as determined by the compensation committee of the board of
        directors, payable in equal installments on the Company's regular
        payroll dates, which as of the date hereof is $260,000. On an annual
        basis beginning in January, 1997, the Company's compensation committee
        shall review Executive's salary, but shall be under no obligation to
        increase Executive's salary. In addition, Executive will receive an
        advance to her annual base salary in the amount of $50,000 (the
        "Advance"). The Advance will be payable in three installments: $20,000
        payable on July 10, 1996; $10,000 on December 10, 1996; and $20,000 on
        June 10, 1997. If Executive voluntarily leaves the 

                                      -2-


<PAGE>   3

        Company or Executive is terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section
        2.2(c) hereof prior to June 10, 1997, Executive shall be required to
        repay the Advance in full or such portion of the Advance which has been
        paid to Executive.

               Executive authorizes the Company to take such deductions and
        withholdings from her salary as are required by law, directed by
        Executive, or as reasonably directed by the Company for its employees,
        which deductions shall include, without limitation, withholding for
        federal and state income taxes and social security.

               b. On June 10, 1996 (the "Grant Date"), the Company will grant to
        Executive non-qualified options to purchase 20,000 shares of the
        Company's Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
        "Options"). On the first anniversary of the Grant Date, 25 percent of
        the Options shall become vested and an additional 25 percent of the
        Options shall become vested on each succeeding anniversary of the Grant
        Date until the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date when all the Options
        shall become vested. The Options shall be subject to the 1989 Stock
        Option Plan (as defined herein) and are evidenced by a stock option
        agreement between Executive and the Company.

               c. The Company will provide Executive up to $2,000 per month to
        reimburse you for hotel, lodging, meals, flights and other expenses
        related to Executive's transition with the Company (the "Transition
        Expenses"). Transition Expenses will be reimbursed by the Company
        through June 10, 1998. The Company shall not be obligated to make any
        such reimbursement unless Executive presents corresponding expense
        statements and such other supporting information as the Company may from
        time to time reasonably request.

               d. During the first two years of employment with the Company,
        Executive will be eligible for relocation services as set forth in the
        letter of employment, dated May 10, 1996 (the "Relocation Services"). In
        addition, Executive shall also receive a relocation allowance of $13,000
        (the "Relocation Allowance"). If Executive voluntarily leaves the
        Company or Executive is terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section
        2.2(c) hereof prior to two years from the commencement of such
        relocation services (the "Relocation Services Commencement Date"),
        Executive shall reimburse the Company for the full gross amount of all
        relocation services provided to Executive, including the Relocation
        Allowance.

               e. Executive shall be reimbursed for non-recurring closing costs,
        up to two percent of the purchase price of a home for fees related to
        mortgage placement and normal non-recurring closing costs.

               f. Executive shall be entitled to fully participate in all of the
        employee benefit plans and programs available to other high-level
        executives of the Company, including, without limitation, health,
        dental, and life insurance benefits for Executive and Executive's
        dependents, pension and profit sharing programs, and vacation and sick
        leave benefits. The terms of this Agreement, however, shall not restrict
        the Company's right to change, amend, modify, or terminate any existing
        benefit plan or program, or to change any insurance company or modify
        any insurance policy adopted incident to such existing benefit plan and
        program.

               g. The Company shall provide Executive with a $600 per month
        automobile allowance. The Company shall furnish Executive's automobile
        with a cellular car telephone. Executive shall provide and maintain
        automobile insurance for Executive's car including collision,
        comprehensive liability, personal and property damage, and uninsured and
        underinsured motorist coverage in amounts customarily obtained to cover
        such contingencies 

                                      -3-


<PAGE>   4

        in California. Executive shall provide proof of such coverage to the
        Company upon the Company's request.

               h. The Company shall pay for or reimburse Executive for all other
        reasonable travel, entertainment, and other business expenses incurred
        or paid for by Executive in connection with the performance of her
        services under this Agreement. The Company shall not be obligated to
        make any such reimbursement unless Executive presents corresponding
        expense statements or vouchers and such other supporting information as
        the Company may from time to time reasonably request. The Company
        reserves the right to place subsequent limitations or restrictions on
        business expenses to be incurred or reimbursed.

               i. Executive shall be entitled to participate fully in the
        Company's Amended Long-Term Performance Incentive Plan, as amended (the
        "LTPIP"), as from time to time may be amended, modified or replaced, in
        accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein.
        Beginning with the 1996 through 1998 performance cycle and for each
        successive performance cycle, the target bonus award which Executive may
        be eligible to receive under the LTPIP, if the performance objectives
        for the performance cycle are achieved, shall be 25 percent of the
        average of Executive's annual base salary for the three years of the
        performance cycle up to a maximum bonus award of 50 percent of the
        average of Executive's annual base salary for the three years of the
        performance cycle. If the percentage of salary for the target and
        maximum award under the LTPIP is changed, such change shall be reflected
        on Schedule I attached hereto.

               j. Executive shall be entitled to participate fully in the
        Company's Amended Management Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended
        (the "MICP"), as may be amended, modified, or replaced, in accordance
        with the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein. Beginning
        with the Company's 1996 fiscal year and during the term of this
        Agreement, the target bonus award which Executive may be eligible to
        receive under the MICP, if the performance objectives for the fiscal
        year are achieved, shall be 30 percent of Executive's annual base salary
        applicable at the end of the fiscal year preceding the payment of the
        award up to a maximum bonus award of 60 percent of Executive's annual
        base salary applicable at the end of the fiscal year preceding the
        payment of the award. If the percentage of salary for the target and
        maximum award under the MICP is changed, such change shall be reflected
        on Schedule I attached hereto.

               k. Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Second
        Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan for Officers and Key
        Employees of PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc., as amended (the "1989
        Stock Option Plan"), as such plan from time to time may be amended,
        modified or replaced, in accordance with the terms and conditions set
        forth herein and therein.

               l. During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall insure
        Executive under its general liability insurance for all conduct
        committed in good faith while acting in the capacity as Senior Vice
        President, Health Services or in any other capacity to which Executive
        may be appointed or elected.

               m. In the event Executive is involuntarily terminated, without
        cause, except in the case of death or incapacity or disability, the
        Company shall provide outplacement services to Executive to assist
        Executive in securing a position comparable to the one from which she
        was terminated. The Company shall be obligated to provide those
        outplacement services as customarily provided by companies of similar
        size and holdings as those of the Company to executives with comparable
        responsibility and longevity as Executive and for reasonable cost as
        approved by the Company. The Company's provision of such 


                                      -4-


<PAGE>   5

        outplacement services shall not limit, restrict, or reduce, in any
        manner, any and all other compensation to which Executive is entitled
        hereunder.

               n. As part of the compensation for services rendered under this
        Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the PacifiCare
        Health Systems, Inc. Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan, and the trust
        agreement implemented pursuant thereto, adopted as of June 1, 1985, as
        from time to time may be amended modified, or replaced, in accordance
        with the terms and conditions set forth therein.

               o. Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided under the
        Company's Statutory Restoration Plan, as such plan from time to time may
        be amended, modified or replaced, in accordance with the terms set forth
        herein and therein.

        3.2  Compensation Following Termination

               a. In the event that this Agreement is terminated by reason of
        Executive's death, Executive's estate or legal representative shall be
        entitled to receive the following:

                      1. Payment of benefits under the life insurance policy  
               purchased by the Company on Executive's behalf, if any;

                      2. Payments of benefits under the LTPIP and the MICP set
               forth in Sections 3.1(i) and 3.1(j), respectively, which will be
               deemed to have accrued as of the date of Executive's death;

                      3. Executive's legal representative shall be permitted to
               exercise any vested and unexercised options under the 1989 Stock
               Option Plan set forth in Section 3.1(j); and

                      4. If Executive's death occurs prior to June 10, 1997,
               Executive's estate or legal representative will not be required
               to repay the Advance.

                      5. If Executive's death occurs within two years of the
               Relocation Services Commencement Date, Executive's estate or
               legal representative will not be required to repay any amounts
               paid by the Company for Relocation Services for Executive or the
               Relocation Allowance.

               b. In the event that Executive is terminated because of an
        incapacity or disability, the Company shall provide Executive with the
        following:

                       1. Payment of benefits under the disability insurance
               policy maintained by the Company on Executive's behalf, if any;

                       2. Payment of benefits under the LTPIP and the MICP set
               forth in Sections 3.1(i) and 3.1(j), respectively, which will be
               deemed to have accrued as of the effective date of such
               termination;

                       3. The right to exercise any vested and unexercised
               options under the 1989 Stock Option Plan in accordance with the
               terms stated therein;

                       4. Payment of the automobile allowance as provided under
               Section 3.1(g) for a period of 12 months following the effective
               date of such termination; and

                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6

                      5. If Executive is disabled or incapacitated prior to June
               10, 1997, Executive will not be required to repay the Advance.

                      6. If Executive is disabled or incapacitated within two
               years of the Relocation Services Commencement Date, Executive
               will not be required to repay any amounts paid by the Company for
               Relocation Services for Executive or the Relocation Amount.

               c. In the event this Agreement is terminated because of
        Executive's habitual neglect or gross misconduct pursuant to Section
        2.2(c) or because of Executive's voluntary termination, the Company
        shall be relieved from any and all further or future obligations to
        compensate Executive; provided, however, that Executive shall be able to
        exercise any vested and unexercised awards under the 1989 Stock Option
        Plan in accordance with the terms set forth therein. In addition, if
        this Agreement is terminated pursuant to the provisions contained in
        this Section 3.2(c) prior to June 10, 1997, Executive will be required
        to repay the Advance or any portion which has been paid in full.
        Further, if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to the provisions
        contained in this Section 3.2(c) within two years of the Relocation
        Services Commencement Date, Executive will be required to repay any
        amounts paid by the Company for Relocation Services for Executive and
        the Relocation Amount.

               d. In the event that the Company terminates Executive, for any
        reason other than Executive's incapacity or disability or misconduct as
        described in Sections 2.2(b) and 2.2(c), respectively, Executive shall
        be entitled to the following severance compensation:

                      1. Executive's then current annual salary under Section
                3.1(a) for a period of 12 months following the effective date of
                such termination;

                      2. Payment of benefits under the LTPIP and the MICP set
               forth in Sections 3.1(i) and 3.1(j), respectively, which will be
               deemed to have accrued as of the effective date of such
               termination;

                      3. The right to exercise any vested and unexercised
               options under the 1989 Stock Option Plan in accordance with their
               terms within one year of the effective date of such termination;

                      4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Executive
                engages in employment with a competitor of the Company during
                the 12 month benefit period, the severance compensation
                available to Executive under this Section 3.2(d) shall be
                reduced by the amount of any and all gross earnings Executive
                earns while engaged in employment with any such competitor or
                competitors. For the purposes of this Section 3.2(d)(4), a
                "competitor of the Company" shall include, without limitation,
                an health maintenance organization, competitive medical plan, or
                preferred provider organization, or health or life insurance
                company which owns a managed care plan or program. Executive
                agrees to provide immediate notice to Company upon receipt of
                any gross earnings received by Executive from a competitor of
                Company;

                      5. Payment of the automobile allowance as provided in
                Section 3.1(g) for a period of 12 months following the effective
                date of such termination;


                                      -6-

<PAGE>   7

                      6. The Company shall provide to Executive the outplacement
                services described in Section 3.1(m); and

                      7. If Executive's termination occurs prior to June 10,
                1997, Executive will not be required to repay the Advance.

                      8. If Executive's termination occurs within two years of
                the Relocation Services Commencement Date, Executive will not be
                required to repay any amounts paid by the Company for Relocation
                Services for Executive or the Relocation Amount.

               e. Notwithstanding anything which may be expressed in, or
        inferred from the provisions expressed in, or inferred from the
        provisions of this Section 3.2 or Section 4.1, this Agreement should not
        be construed to limit, restrict, or deny Executive any benefits to which
        she otherwise may be entitled to under the LTPIP, the MICP, the 1989
        Stock Option Plan, the Company's pension plan or otherwise which arise
        from circumstances not addressed in this Agreement.


4.      TERMINATION AS A RESULT OF A CHANGE OF CONTROL OR
        FOR GOOD CAUSE

        4.1 Executive's Rights. In the event that, during the term of this
Agreement, the Company undergoes a "change of ownership or control," as that
term is defined in Section 4.3, Executive shall be entitled to the following
compensation if within 24 months after the consummation of such change Executive
is involuntarily terminated, except as provided in Section 4.2, or Executive
voluntarily terminates her employment for "good cause" as defined in Section
4.4:

               a. Executive's then current annual salary under Section 3.1(a)
        for a period of 12 months following the effective date of such
        termination;

               b. Payment of health insurance premiums under the Consolidated
        Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, for Executive and
        Executive's dependents for a period of 12 months following the effective
        date of such termination;

               c. Annual payment of benefits under the LTPIP set forth in
        Section 3.1(i) for each performance period of the LTPIP for a period of
        12 months following the effective date of such termination;

               d. Annual payment of benefits under the MICP set forth in Section
        3.1(j), for a period of 12 months following the effective date of such
        termination;

               e. The right to exercise any and all granted and unexercised
        stock options, under the 1989 Stock Option Plan in accordance with their
        terms (whether or not such options are actually vested), as if all such
        unexercised stock options are fully vested within one year of the
        effective date of such termination;

               f. Payment of the automobile allowance as provided under Section
        3.1(g) for a period of 12 months following the effective date of such
        termination;

               g. The Company shall provide to Executive the outplacement
        services described in Section 3.1(m); and


                                      -7-

<PAGE>   8

               h. If Executive's termination is a result of a Change of Control
        or Executive voluntarily terminates for "good cause" and such
        termination occurs prior to June 10, 1997, Executive will not be
        required to repay the Advance.

               i. If Executive's termination is a result of a Change of Control
        or Executive voluntarily terminates for "good cause" and such
        termination occurs within two years of the Relocation Services
        Commencement Date, Executive will not be required to repay any amounts
        paid by the Company for Relocation Services for Executive or the
        Relocation Amount.

        4.2 Limitation of Benefits. In the event that Executive is terminated
within 12 months after a change of ownership or control of the Company, and such
termination results from either Executive's incapacity or disability or habitual
neglect or gross misconduct, then, notwithstanding anything in this Section 4 to
the contrary, Executive shall receive only that compensation, if any, to which
she is entitled to under Sections 3.2(b) and 3.2(c), respectively.

        In no event shall the aggregate amount of all compensation which
Executive may receive pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4, including
without limitation, any salary, bonuses, stock options, employee benefits and
all other cash and in-kind compensation exceed an amount (the "Maximum
Compensation Amount") which would give rise to an "excess parachute payment" as
determined by Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
any regulations promulgated thereunder. In the event that this Section 4 would
entitle Executive to sums in excess of the Maximum Compensation Amount, the
Company shall use its sound discretion, in good faith, to furnish Executive with
a post-termination compensation package which is substantially equal to the
Maximum Compensation Amount.

        4.3 Change of Control. As used in this Section 4, the term "change of
ownership or control" means and refers to:

               a. any merger, consolidation, or sale of the Company such that
        any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3)
        or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
        "Exchange Act")) acquires beneficial ownership, within the meaning of
        Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, of 20 percent or more of the voting
        common stock of the Company and the ownership interest of the voting
        common stock owned by UniHealth is less than or equal to the ownership
        interest of the voting common stock of such individual, entity or group;

                b. any transaction in which the Company sells substantially all
        of its material assets;

                c. a dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or

                d. the Company becomes a non-publicly held company.

        4.4 Good Cause. As used in this Section 4, "good cause" for Executive to
terminate her employment shall be deemed to exist if Executive voluntarily
terminates her employment for any of the following reasons:

                a. Without Executive's express prior written consent, Executive:


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

                      (i) is assigned duties materially inconsistent with
               Executive's position, duties, responsibilities, or status with
               the Company which substantially varies from that which existed
               immediately prior to such change of ownership or control;

                      (ii) experiences a change in her reporting level, titles,
               or business location (to a point more than 50 miles outside of
               Orange County, California) which substantially varies from that
               which existed immediately prior to the change of ownership or
               control; or

                      (iii) with respect to any position held immediately prior
               to the change of ownership or control, is removed or fails to
               obtain reelection, which removal or failure to reelect is not
               directly related to Executive's incapacity or disability,
               habitual neglect, gross misconduct or death;

               b. Without Executive's express prior written consent, Executive's
        salary is reduced below that which existed immediately prior to the
        change of ownership or control and such change is not otherwise applied
        to others in the Company with at least Executive's position or title;

               c. Without Executive's express prior written consent, any
        employee benefit, business expense reimbursement or allotment, incentive
        bonus program, or any other manner or form of compensation available to
        Executive immediately prior to the change of ownership or control is
        reduced or eliminated and such change is not otherwise applied to others
        in the Company with at least Executive's position or title;

               d. The Company fails to obtain from any successor, before the
        succession takes place, a written commitment obligating the successor,
        to perform this Agreement in accordance with all of its terms and
        conditions; or

               e. The Company or any successor thereto, purports to terminate
        Executive without first giving Executive prior written notice thereof,
        in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2(d), that specifies: (i)
        the exact provision of Section 2.2 relied upon; and (ii) the facts and
        circumstances, in reasonable detail, serving as the basis for
        Executive's termination.


                                       -9-
<PAGE>   10




5.      NOTICES

        All notices or other communications required or permitted to be made
hereunder shall be given in writing and sent by either personal delivery,
overnight delivery, or United States registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, all of which shall be properly addressed with postal or
delivery charges prepaid, to the parties at their respective addresses set forth
below, or to such other addresses as either party may designate to the other in
accordance with this Section 5:

        If to the Company:          PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc.
                                    5995 Plaza Drive
                                    Cypress, California 90630
                                    Attn: President and
                                          Chief Executive Officer

        If to Executive:            Linda Lyons, M.D., F.A.C.P.
                                    14886 De La Valle Place
                                    Del Mar, California 92014

All notices sent by personal delivery shall be deemed given when actually
received. All notices sent by overnight delivery shall be deemed given on the
next business day. All other notices sent via United States mail shall be deemed
given no later than two business days after mailing.


6.      GENERAL PROVISIONS

        6.1 Assignability. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and
shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and
legal representatives of Executive and shall inure to the benefit of, and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. Executive shall not
assign, delegate, subdelegate, transfer, pledge, encumber, hypothecate, or
otherwise dispose of this Agreement, or any rights, obligations, or duties
hereunder, and any such attempted delegation or disposition shall be null and
void and without any force or effect; provided however, that nothing contained
herein shall prevent Executive from designating beneficiaries for insurance,
death, or retirement benefits.

        6.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is a fully integrated document and
contains any and all promises, covenants, and agreements between the parties
hereto with respect to Executive's employment. This Agreement supersedes any and
all other, prior or contemporaneous, discussions, negotiations, representations,
warranties, covenants, conditions, and agreements, whether written or oral,
between the parties hereto.

        6.3 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable, in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or
unenforceability shall not affect or impair the remainder of this Agreement
which shall remain in full force and effect and enforced accordingly.

        6.4 Amendment. This Agreement shall not be changed, amended, or
modified, nor shall any performance or condition hereunder be waived, in whole
or in part, except by written instrument signed by the party against whom
enforcement or waiver is sought. The waiver of any breach of any term or
condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute the waiver of any
other or subsequent breach of the same or any other term or condition of this
Agreement.


                                      -10-

<PAGE>   11

        6.5 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, enforced under,
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first written above.

The Company:                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.,
                                            a Delaware corporation

                                            /s/ Alan Hoops
                                            --------------------------------
                                            By:     Alan Hoops
                                            Title:  President and
                                                   Chief Executive Officer

Executive:                                  /s/ Linda Lyons
                                            --------------------------------
                                            Linda Lyons, M.D., F.A.C.P.



                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12



                                   SCHEDULE I



LTPIP TARGET and MAXIMUM BONUS AWARD CHANGES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Target                                     Maximum
        ------                                     -------
<S>                                                <C> 
</TABLE>




MICP TARGET and MAXIMUM BONUS AWARD CHANGES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Target                                     Maximum
        ------                                     -------
<S>                                                <C> 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   13



                                 FIRST AMENDMENT
                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


        This First Amendment, dated as of January 1, 1998 (the "Amendment"), to
the Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of June 10, 1996 (the "Agreement"),
between PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Linda
Lyons, M.D., F.A.C.P., an individual ("Executive"), hereby amends the Agreement
as follows:

        1. AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS 3.2(d)(1) AND 4.1(a). Sections 3.2(d)(1) and
4.1(a) are hereby amended such that the period for which Executive is to receive
her annual base salary under such sections is hereby changed from 12 to 24
months.

        2. AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS 3.2(b)(4), 3.2(d)(4), 4.1(c), 4.1(d) AND
4.1(f). Sections 3.2(b)(4), 3.2(d)(4), 4.1(c), 4.1(d) and 4.1(f) are hereby
amended such that the period for which Executive is to receive the benefit
specified in such sections is hereby changed from 12 to 24 months.

        3. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 4.1(b). Section 4.1(b) of the Agreement is
hereby amended such that the payment of health insurance premiums under the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, for
Executive and Executive's dependents shall be made for a period of 18 months
following the effective date of such termination.

        4. LIMITATION OF AMENDMENTS. Except as expressly provided herein, no
terms or provision of any agreement or instrument are modified or changed by
this Amendment and the terms and provisions of the Agreement, as amended by this
Amendment, shall continue in full force and effect.

        5. GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment shall be construed, interpreted and
enforced in accordance with, and governed by California law.

        6. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have
the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

        7. DUPLICATE ORIGINALS; EXECUTION IN COUNTERPART. Two or more duplicate
originals of this Amendment may be signed by the parties, each of which shall be
an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

        8. WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS. Neither this Amendment nor any term hereof
may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, or by any action or
inaction, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which
enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

        9. SECTION HEADINGS. The titles of the sections hereof appear as a
matter of convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Amendment and shall
not affect the construction hereof.
<PAGE>   14

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as
of the date first written above.



                                            PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.,
                                            a Delaware corporation


                                            /s/ Alan R. Hoops
                                            --------------------------------
                                            By:     Alan R. Hoops
                                            Title:  President and
                                                    Chief Executive Officer




                                            /s/ Linda Lyons
                                            --------------------------------
                                            Linda Lyons, M.D., F.A.C.P.
<PAGE>   15
                                SECOND AMENDMENT
                         EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


        This Second Amendment, dated as of February 9, 1998 (the "Second
Amendment") to the Employment Agreement, dated as of June 10, 1996, as amended
by that certain First Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of
January 1, 1998 (collectively, the "Agreement"), between PacifiCare Health
Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Linda Lyons, M.D.,
F.A.C.P., an individual ("Executive") is made with reference to the following
facts:

                                    PREAMBLE

        A. WHEREAS, under the provisions of the original Agreement, the Company
agreed to provide Executive with certain relocation benefits.

        B. WHEREAS, the parties believe that it is in their best interests to
amend the Agreement to provide that in lieu of such relocation benefits, the
Company will provide Executive with a $50,000 relocation benefit ("Relocation
Benefit"), which amount shall be repaid by Executive if she does not continue in
her employment with the Company for a sufficient period of time in order to earn
the Relocation Benefit.

        NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the parties
hereby agree to amend the Agreement as follows:

        1. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3.1(d). Section 3.1(d) of the Agreement is
hereby deleted in its entirety and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

               "d. As of the date hereof, Company shall discontinue providing
        Executive any of the Relocation Services set forth in the May 10, 1996
        letter of employment from the Company to Executive and referred to in
        the Agreement. In lieu of such Relocation Services and the Relocation
        Allowance (as defined in the Agreement), Executive shall receive a
        relocation benefit in the amount of $50,000 (the "Relocation Benefit").
        If Executive voluntarily leaves the Company or Executive is terminated
        pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2(c) prior to January 3, 2001,
        Executive shall be required to repay the gross amount of the Relocation
        Benefit as follows:

                      (i) if Executive leaves the Company prior to January 3,
               1999, Executive shall be required to repay $33,333 of the
               Relocation Benefit;

                      (ii) if Executive leaves the Company prior to January 3,
               2000, Executive shall be required to repay $16,667 of the
               Relocation Benefit; and

                      (iii) if Executive leaves the Company subsequent to
               January 3, 2001, Executive shall be deemed to have earned the
               Relocation Benefit in full and shall not be required to repay the
               Relocation Benefit.

        2. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3.1(e). Section 3.1(e) of the Agreement is
hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

               "(e)   Intentionally omitted."


<PAGE>   16



        4. LIMITATION OF AMENDMENTS. Except as expressly provided herein, no
terms or provision of any agreement or instrument are modified or changed by
this Amendment and the terms and provisions of the Agreement, as amended by this
Amendment, shall continue in full force and effect.

        5. GOVERNING LAW. This Amendment shall be construed, interpreted and
enforced in accordance with, and governed by California law.

        6. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have
the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.

        7. DUPLICATE ORIGINALS; EXECUTION IN COUNTERPART. Two or more duplicate
originals of this Amendment may be signed by the parties, each of which shall be
an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

        8. WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS. Neither this Amendment nor any term hereof
may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, or by any action or
inaction, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which
enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

        9. SECTION HEADINGS. The titles of the sections hereof appear as a
matter of convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Amendment and shall
not affect the construction hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as
of the date first written above.



                                            PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.,
                                            a Delaware corporation


                                            /s/ Alan R. Hoops
                                            --------------------------------
                                            By:    Alan R. Hoops
                                            Title: President and
                                                   Chief Executive Officer



                                            /s/ Linda Lyons
                                            --------------------------------
                                            Linda Lyons, M.D., F.A.C.P.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.06

(Contract Period ______ to ______ )



Contract With Eligible Medicare+Choice Organization Pursuant to sections 1851
through 1859 of the Social Security Act for the operation of a Medicare+Choice
coordinated care plan(s)

CONTRACT (P)


Between

Health Care Financing Administration (hereinafter referred to as HCFA)

and

- -----------------------------------------------
(hereinafter referred to as the M+C Organization)


HCFA and the M+C Organization, an entity which has been determined to be an
eligible Medicare+Choice organization by the Administrator of the Health Care
Financing Administration under 42 CFR 422.501, agree to the following for the
purposes of sections 1851 through 1859 of the Social Security Act (hereinafter
referred to as the Act):


(NOTE: Citations indicated in brackets are placed in the text of this contract
to note the authority for certain contract provisions in the regulations
promulgated pursuant to the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. All references to part
422 are to 42 CFR part 422.)




Article I


Term of Contract

A. Term: The term of this contract shall be from January 1, 1999 through
December 31, 1999. This contract governs the transitional phase of the
implementation of the Medicare+Choice program for coordinated care plans and is
based on the interim final regulations published on June 26, 1998.
<PAGE>   2

[422.504]


Article II


Coordinated Care Plan

The Medicare+Choice Organization agrees to operate the following coordinated
care plans (as defined in 42 CFR Section 422.2) in compliance with the
requirements of this contract, and the Federal statutes, regulations, and rules
applicable to the Medicare+Choice program:


- ------------------------------ ----------------------------
"H" Number/Service Area "H" Number/Service Area


- ------------------------------ -----------------------------
"H" Number/Service Area "H" Number/Service Area


Article III


Functions To Be Performed By Medicare+Choice Organization

A. PROVISION OF BENEFITS

The M+C Organization agrees to provide enrollees in each of its M+C plans the
basic benefits as required under Section 422.101 and, to the extent applicable,
supplemental benefits under Section 422.102. The M+C Organization agrees to
provide access to such benefits as required under subpart C in a manner
consistent with professionally recognized standards of health care and according
to the access standards stated in Section 422.112.

[422.502(a)(3)]
B. ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS

1. The M+C Organization agrees to accept new enrollments, make enrollments
effective, process voluntary disenrollments, and limit involuntary
disenrollments, as provided in subpart B of part 422.
<PAGE>   3

2. The M+C Organization shall comply with the provisions of Section 422.110 and
Section 422.111 concerning prohibitions against discrimination in beneficiary
enrollment. [422.502(a)(1)]


C. BENEFICIARY PROTECTIONS

1. The Medicare+Choice Organization agrees to comply with all requirements in
subpart M of part 422 governing coverage determinations, grievances, and
appeals. [422.502(a)(7)]

2. The Medicare+Choice Organization agrees to comply with the confidentiality
and enrollee record accuracy requirements in Section 422.118.

3. Beneficiary Financial Protection. The M+C Organization agrees to comply with
the following requirements:

(a) Each M+C Organization must adopt and maintain arrangements satisfactory to
HCFA to protect its enrollees from incurring liability for payment of any fees
that are the legal obligation of the M+C organization. To meet this requirement
the M+C Organization must-

(i) Ensure that all contractual or other written arrangements with providers
prohibit the Organization's providers from holding any beneficiary enrollee
liable for payment of any fees that are the legal obligation of the M+C
Organization; and

(ii) Indemnify the beneficiary enrollee for payment of any fees that are the
legal obligation of the M+C Organization for services furnished by providers
that do not contract, or that have not otherwise entered into an agreement with
the M+C Organization, to provide services to the organization's beneficiary
enrollees. [422.502(g)(1)]

(b) The M+C Organization must provide for continuation of enrollee health care
benefits-

(i) For all enrollees, for the duration of the contract period for which HCFA
payments have been made; and

(ii) For enrollees who are in an inpatient setting on the date its contract with
HCFA terminates, or, in the event of an insolvency, through the date of
discharge. [422.502(g)(2)]

(c) In meeting the requirements of this section (C), other than the provider
contract requirements specified in paragraph (C)(3)(a) of this Article, the M+C
Organization may use-
<PAGE>   4

(i) Contractual arrangements;

(ii) Insurance acceptable to HCFA;

(iii) Financial reserves acceptable to HCFA; or

(iv) Any other arrangement acceptable to HCFA. [422.502(g)(3)]


D. PROVIDER PROTECTIONS

1. The M+C Organization agrees to comply with all applicable provider
requirements in subpart E of part 422, including provider certification
requirements, anti-discrimination requirements, provider participation and
consultation requirements, the prohibition on interference with provider advice,
limits on provider indemnification, rules governing payments to providers, and
limits on physician incentive plans. [422.506(a)(6)]

2. Prompt Payment.

(a) The M+C Organization must pay 95 percent of the "clean claims" within 30
days of receipt if they are claims for services that are not furnished under a
written agreement between the organization and the provider.

(i) The M+C Organization must pay interest on clean claims that are not paid
within 30 days in accordance with sections 1816(c)(2)(B) and 1842(c)(2)(B) of
the Act.

(ii) All other claims must be approved or denied within 60 calendar days from
the date of the request. [422.520(a)]

(b) Contracts or other written agreements between the M+C Organization and its
providers must contain a prompt payment provision, the terms of which are
developed and agreed to by both the M+C Organization and the relevant provider.
[422.520(b)]

(c) If HCFA determines, after giving notice and opportunity for hearing, that
the M+C Organization has failed to make payments in accordance with paragraph
(2)(a) of this section, HCFA may provide-

(i) For direct payment of the sums owed to providers, or M+C private
fee-for-service plan enrollees; and

<PAGE>   5



(ii) For appropriate reduction in the amounts that would otherwise be paid to
the M+C Organization, to reflect the amounts of the direct payments and the cost
of making those payments. [422.520(c)]

E. QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

1. The M+C Organization agrees to operate an ongoing quality assessment and
performance improvement program (as stated in 422.154 of subpart D). The quality
assurance program must incorporate and meet the standards and guidelines
outlined in the Quality Improvement System for Managed Care (QISMC) Interim
Standards and Guidelines (HCFA Operational Policy Letter 098.72).

2. Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Projects: The M+C Organization
agrees to:

(a) initiate two quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) projects
annually. These projects must be outcomes-oriented and targeted at achieving
demonstrable, sustained improvement in significant aspects of specified clinical
and non-clinical areas which can be expected to have a favorable effect on
enrollees' health outcomes and satisfaction. For 1999, one of the two projects
must focus on diabetes. The M+C Organization may participate in the
HCFA-sponsored national diabetes project or substitute a diabetes project of
their own design; however, the substituted project must utilize the Diabetes
Quality Improvement Project (DQIP) indicators.

(b) QAPI project focus areas must be representative of the entire spectrum of
clinical and non-clinical care areas associated with a plan.

(i) The clinical areas include:

(aa) prevention and care of acute and chronic conditions

(bb) high-volume services

(cc) high-risk services

(dd) continuity and coordination of care

(ii) The non-clinical areas include: 
(aa) appeals, grievances and other complaints

(bb) access to, and availability of services (such as culturally competent care)

(c) HCFA may require that the M+C Organization conduct a QAPI project in a
particular clinical or non-clinical area when HCFA determines that the M+C
Organization's overall performance would be improved significantly by the M+C

<PAGE>   6

Organization's improvement in that particular area. Such a HCFA-mandated QAPI
project would constitute one of the two required QAPI projects.

(d) For each QAPI project, the M+C Organization must:

(i) use quality indicators that are objective, clearly and unambiguously
defined, and based on current clinical knowledge or health services research;

(ii) assure that those quality indicators are capable of measuring outcomes such
as changes in health and functional status, enrollee satisfaction, or valid
proxies of those outcomes;

(iii) assess performance on selected indicators using systematic on-going
collection and analysis of valid, reliable data;

(iv) perform ongoing measurement of performance;

(aa) The M+C Organization must measure and report to HCFA performance achieved
under the project, utilizing standard measures. The standard measures required
by HCFA during the term of this contract will be uniform data collection and
reporting instruments, to include the Health Employer Data Information Set
(HEDIS), Consumer Assessment of Health Plan Satisfaction (CAHPS) survey, and
Health of Seniors (HOS).

(bb) These measures must address clinical areas, including effectiveness of
care, enrollee perception of care and use of services; and non-clinical areas
including access to and availability of services, appeals and grievances, and
organizational characteristics.
[422.152(c)(1)].

(v) conduct system interventions, including the adoption and/or revision of
practice guidelines;

(vi) improve performance; and

(vii) perform systematic follow-up on the effect of the interventions
[422.152(d)]

3. Utilization Review: If the M+C Organization uses written protocols for
utilization review, those policies and procedures must reflect current standards
of medical practice in processing requests for initial or continued
authorization of services.[422.152(b)(3)]. The M+C Organization must also have
in effect mechanisms to detect both underutilization and overutilization of
services.[422.152(b)(4)] .


4. Information Systems:
<PAGE>   7

(a) The M+C Organization must make available to HCFA information on quality and
outcomes measures that will enable beneficiaries to compare health coverage
options and select among them, as provided in Section 422.64(c)(10).
[422.152(b)(5)].

(b) The M+C Organization must maintain a health information system that:

(i) collects, analyzes and integrates the data necessary to implement its
quality assessment and performance improvement program, and

(ii) assures that the information entered into the system (particularly that
received from providers) is reliable and complete.

(c) The M+C Organization must make all collected data, including information on
quality and outcomes measures, available to HCFA to enable beneficiaries to
compare health coverage options and select among them, as provided in Section
422.64(c)(10). [422.152(b)(5)]

5. External Review: The M+C Organization will have an agreement with an
independent quality review and improvement organization (review organization)
approved by HCFA. [422.154(a)]

(a) The agreement will be consistent with HCFA guidelines and will:

(i) Require that the M+C Organization allocate adequate space for use of the
review organization whenever it is conducting review activities and provide all
pertinent data, including patient care data, at the time the review organization
needs the data to carry out the reviews and make its determinations, and

(ii) Except in the case of complaints about quality, exclude review activities
that HCFA determines would duplicate review activities conducted as part of an
accreditation process or as part of HCFA monitoring. [422.154(b)]

F. COMPLIANCE PLAN

1. The M+C Organization agrees to develop and submit a compliance plan that
includes the elements set forth below, and fully implement all elements of this
plan by December 31, 1999. HCFA will consider the M+C Organization's progress in
implementing this requirement as a factor in its decision, required by May 1,
1999, to renew the M+C Organization's contract for 2000. The compliance plan
required under this article shall consist of the following:

(a) Written policies, procedures, and standards of conduct that articulate the
M+C Organization's commitment to comply with all applicable Federal and State
standards.
<PAGE>   8

(b) The designation of a compliance officer and compliance committee that are
accountable to senior management.

(c) Effective training and education between the compliance officer and
organization employees.

(d) Effective lines of communication between the compliance officer and the
organization's employees.

(e) Enforcement of standards through well-publicized disciplinary guidelines.

(f) Provision for internal monitoring and auditing.

2. The M+C Organization's compliance plan shall operate in such a manner as to
ensure a prompt organizational response to detected offenses and development of
corrective action initiatives. The compliance plan shall also establish an
adhered-to process for reporting to HCFA and/or the Office of the Inspector
General credible information of violations of law by the M+C Organization, plan,
subcontractors or enrollees for a determination as to whether criminal, civil,
or administrative action may be appropriate. With respect to enrollees, this
reporting requirement shall be restricted to credible information on violations
of law with respect to enrollment in the plan, or the provision of, or payment
for, health services. When the potential violation of law concerns potential
false claims or fraud on the United States, the M+C Organization shall report
the information directly to HCFA and/or the OIG and shall not file actions under
the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729, et seq.
[422.501(b)(3)(vi)]

G. YEAR 2000 READINESS

The M+C Organization shall ensure that all necessary actions and system changes
to internal mission-critical systems have been made and tested so that they are
Year 2000 compliant. Year 2000 compliant means information technology that
accurately processes date and time data (including, but not limited to,
calculating, comparing, and sequencing) from, into, and between the nineteenth,
twentieth, and twenty-first centuries, and the years 1999 and 2000 and leap year
calculations. Furthermore, Year 2000 compliant information technology, when used
in combination with other information technology, must accurately process date
and time data if the other information technology properly exchanges date and
time data with it. Mission-critical systems are defined as those systems and
interfaces which materially affect the M+C Organization's accurate and timely
performance of the functions under this contract.
[422.502(j)]


Article IV

<PAGE>   9

HCFA Payment to M+C Organization

A. The M+C Organization agrees to develop its annual adjusted community rate
(ACR) proposal and submit to HCFA all required information on premiums,
benefits, and cost sharing by May 1 of each year, as required under 42 CFR 422,
subpart G. [422.502(a)(10)]

B. Methodology. HCFA agrees to pay the M+C Organization under this contract in
accordance with the payment rules in subpart F of part 422. HCFA agrees to make
monthly payments based on the greatest of the blended capitation rate under
Section 422.252(a), the minimum amount rate under Section 422.252(b), or the
minimum percentage increase rate under Section 422.252(c), as adjusted by such
demographic risk factors as a beneficiary's age, disability status, sex,
institutional status, and such factors as HCFA determines appropriate per
Section 422.250(a) [422.502(a)(9)]

C. Certification of data that determine payment. As a condition for receiving a
monthly payment under paragraph B of this article, subpart F of part 422, the
M+C Organization agrees that its chief executive officer (CEO) or chief
financial officer (CFO) must request payment under the contract on the forms
attached as Attachment A (enrollment certification) and Attachment B (inpatient
encounter data and adjusted community rate (ACR) proposal information
certification) hereto which certify the accuracy, completeness, and truthfulness
of the data identified on these attachments. Attachment A requires certification
based on best knowledge, information, and belief, that each enrollee for whom
the M+C Organization is requesting payment is validly enrolled in an M+C plan
offered by the M+C Organization. The M+C Organization shall submit completed
enrollment certification forms to HCFA on a monthly basis.

In addition, the following certifications shall be made on Attachment B by the
CEO or CFO of an M+C Organization when the M+C Organization submits the
following types of information to HCFA:

(1) Based on best knowledge, information, and belief, the inpatient encounter
data the M+C Organization submits under Section 422.257 are accurate, complete,
and truthful. If such encounter data are generated by a related entity,
contractor, or subcontractor of the M+C Organization, such entity, contractor,
or subcontractor must similarly certify the accuracy, completeness, and
truthfulness of the data.[422.502(l)]

(2) Based on best knowledge, information, and belief, all information and
documentation comprising the ACR proposal are accurate, complete, and truthful.
The M+C Organization must submit its ACR proposal(s) to HCFA by May 1 of each
year. [422.502(m)]

Article V
<PAGE>   10


M+C Organization Relationship with Related Entities, Contractors, and
Subcontractors

A. Notwithstanding any relationship(s) that the M+C Organization may have with
related entities, contractors, or subcontractors, the M+C Organization maintains
full responsibility for adhering to and otherwise fully complying with all terms
and conditions of its contract with HCFA. [422.502(i)(1)]

B. The M+C Organization agrees to require all related entities, contractors, or
subcontractors to agree that-

(1) HHS, the Comptroller General, or their designees have the right to inspect,
evaluate, and audit any pertinent contracts, books, documents, papers, and
records of the related entity(s), contractor(s),or subcontractor(s) involving
transactions related to the this contract; and

(2) HHS's, the Comptroller General's, or their designee's right to inspect,
evaluate, and audit any pertinent information for any particular contract period
will exist through 6 years from the final date of the contract period or from
the date of completion of any audit, whichever is later. [422.502(i)(2)]

C. The M+C Organization agrees that all contracts or written arrangements into
which the M+C Organization enters with providers, related entities, contractors,
or subcontractors on or after January 1, 1999 shall contain each of the contract
elements stated below. For those providers, related entities, contractors, or
subcontractors with which the M+C Organization has a contract or written
agreement prior to January 1, 1999, the M+C Organization agrees to design and
implement a plan for securing on or before December 31, 1999 contracts or
written arrangements with such parties which contain each of the contract
elements stated below. HCFA will consider the M+C Organization's progress in
implementing this requirement as a factor in its decision, required by May 1,
1999, to renew the M+C Organization's contract for 2000. The required contract
elements are as follows:

(1) Enrollee protection provisions that provide-

(a) Consistent with Article III(C), arrangements that prohibit providers from
holding an enrollee liable for payment of any fees that are the legal obligation
of the M+C Organization; and

(b) Consistent with Article III(C), provision for the continuation of benefits.


(2) Accountability provisions that indicate that-
<PAGE>   11

(a) The M+C Organization oversees and is accountable to HCFA for any functions
or responsibilities that are described in these standards; and

(b) The M+C Organization may only delegate activities or functions to a
provider, related entity, contractor, or subcontractor in a manner consistent
with requirements set forth at paragraph D of this article.

(3) A provision requiring that any services or other activity performed by a
related entity, contractor or subcontractor in accordance with a contract or
written agreement between the related entity, contractor, or subcontractor and
the M+C Organization will be consistent and comply with the M+C Organization's
contractual obligations. [422.502(i)(3)]

D. If any of the M+C Organization's activities or responsibilities under this
contract with HCFA are delegated to other parties, the following requirements
apply to any related entity, contractor, subcontractor, or provider:

(1) Written arrangements must specify delegated activities and reporting
responsibilities.

(2) Written arrangements must either provide for revocation of the delegation
activities and reporting requirements or specify other remedies in instances
where HCFA or the M+C Organization determine that such parties have not
performed satisfactorily.

(3) Written arrangements must specify that the performance of the parties is
monitored by the M+C Organization on an ongoing basis.

(4) Written arrangements must specify that either-

(a) The credentials of medical professionals affiliated with the party or
parties will be either reviewed by the M+C Organization; or

(b) The credentialing process will be reviewed and approved by the M+C
Organization and the M+C Organization must audit the credentialing process on an
ongoing basis.

(5) All contracts or written arrangements must specify that the related entity,
contractor, or subcontractor must comply with all applicable Medicare laws,
regulations, and HCFA instructions. [422.502(i)(4)]

E. If the M+C Organization delegates selection of the providers, contractors, or
subcontractors to another organization, the M+C Organization's written
arrangements with that organization must state that the M+C Organization retains
the right to approve, suspend, or terminate any such arrangement.
[422.502(i)(5)]

Article VI
<PAGE>   12


Records Requirements

A. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS

1. The M+C Organization agrees to maintain for 6 years books, records,
documents, and other evidence of accounting procedures and practices that-

(a) Are sufficient to do the following:

(i) Accommodate periodic auditing of the financial records (including data
related to Medicare utilization, costs, and computation of the ACR) of the M+C
Organization.

(ii) Enable HCFA to inspect or otherwise evaluate the quality, appropriateness
and timeliness of services performed under the contract, and the facilities of
the M+C Organization.

(iii) Enable HCFA to audit and inspect any books and records of the M+C
Organization that pertain to the ability of the organization to bear the risk of
potential financial losses, or to services performed or determinations of
amounts payable under the contract.

(iv) Properly reflect all direct and indirect costs claimed to have been
incurred and used in the preparation of the ACR proposal.

(v) Establish component rates of the ACR for determining additional and
supplementary benefits.

(vi) Determine the rates utilized in setting premiums for State insurance agency
purposes and for other government and private purchasers; and

(b) Include at least records of the following:

(i) Ownership and operation of the M+C Organization's financial, medical, and
other record keeping systems.

(ii) Financial statements for the current contract period and six prior periods.

(iii) Federal income tax or informational returns for the current contract
period and six prior periods.

(iv) Asset acquisition, lease, sale, or other action.

(v) Agreements, contracts, and subcontracts.
<PAGE>   13

(vi) Franchise, marketing, and management agreements.

(vii) Schedules of charges for the M+C Organization's fee-for-service patients.

(viii) Matters pertaining to costs of operations.

(ix) Amounts of income received, by source and payment.

(x) Cash flow statements.

(xi) Any financial reports filed with other Federal programs or State
authorities. [422.502(d)] 2. Access to facilities and records. The M+C
Organization agrees to the following:

(a) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Comptroller General,
or their designee may evaluate, through inspection or other means-

(i) The quality, appropriateness, and timeliness of services furnished to
Medicare enrollees under the contract;

(ii) The facilities of the M+C Organization; and

(iii) The enrollment and disenrollment records for the current contract period
and six prior periods.

(b) HHS, the Comptroller General, or their designees may audit, evaluate, or
inspect any books, contracts, medical records, documents, papers, patient care
documentation, and other records of the M+C Organization, related entity,
contractor, subcontractor, or its transferee that pertain to any aspect of
services performed, reconciliation of benefit liabilities, and determination of
amounts payable under the contract, or as the Secretary may deem necessary to
enforce the contract.

(c) The M+C Organization agrees to make available, for the purposes specified in
section (A) of this article, its premises, physical facilities and equipment,
records relating to its Medicare enrollees, and any additional relevant
information that HCFA may require, in a manner that meets HCFA record
maintenance requirements.

(d) HHS, the Comptroller General, or their designee's right to inspect,
evaluate, and audit extends through 6 years from the final date of the contract
period or completion of audit, whichever is later unless-

(i) HCFA determines there is a special need to retain a particular record or
group of records for a longer period and notifies the M+C Organization at least
30 days before the normal disposition date;
<PAGE>   14

(ii) There has been a termination, dispute, or fraud or similar fault by the M+C
Organization, in which case the retention may be extended to 6 years from the
date of any resulting final resolution of the termination, dispute, or fraud or
similar fault; or

(iii) HHS, the Comptroller General, or their designee determine that there is a
reasonable possibility of fraud, in which case they may inspect, evaluate, and
audit the M+C Organization at any time. [422.502(e)]

B. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

1. The M+C Organization shall have an effective procedure to develop, compile,
evaluate, and report to HCFA, to its enrollees, and to the general public, at
the times and in the manner that HCFA requires, and while safeguarding the
confidentiality of the doctor-patient relationship, statistics and other
information as described in the remainder of this section (B). [422.516(a)]

2. The M+C Organization agrees to submit to HCFA certified financial information
that must include the following:

(a) Such information as HCFA may require demonstrating that the organization has
a fiscally sound operation, including:

(i) The cost of its operations;

(ii) A description, submitted to HCFA annually and within 120 days of the end of
the fiscal year, of significant business transactions (as defined in Section
422.500) between the M+C Organization and a party in interest showing that the
costs of the transactions listed in paragraph (1)(d) of this section do not
exceed the costs that would be incurred if these transactions were with someone
who is not a party in interest; or

(iii) If they do exceed, a justification that the higher costs are consistent
with prudent management and fiscal soundness requirements.

(iv) A combined financial statement for the M+C Organization and a party in
interest if either of the following conditions is met:

(aa) Thirty-five percent or more of the costs of operation of the M+C
Organization go to a party in interest.

(bb) Thirty-five percent or more of the revenue of a party in interest is from
the M+C Organization. [422.516(b)]
<PAGE>   15

(v) Requirements for combined financial statements.

(aa) The combined financial statements required by paragraph (1)(c) must display
in separate columns the financial information for the M+C Organization and each
of the parties in interest.

(bb) Inter-entity transactions must be eliminated in the consolidated column.

(cc) The statements must have been examined by an independent auditor in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and must include
appropriate opinions and notes.

(dd) Upon written request from the M+C Organization showing good cause, HCFA may
waive the requirement that the organization's combined financial statement
include the financial information required in this paragraph (1)(d) with respect
to a particular entity.
[422.516(c)]


(vi) A description of any loans or other special financial arrangements the M+C
Organization makes with contractors, subcontractors, and related entities.

(b) Such information as HCFA may require pertaining to the disclosure of
ownership and control of the M+C Organization. [422.502(f)(1)(ii)]

(c) Patterns of utilization of the M+C Organization's services.


3. The M+C Organization agrees to participate in surveys required by HCFA and to
submit to HCFA all information that is necessary for HCFA to administer and
evaluate the program and to simultaneously establish and facilitate a process
for current and prospective beneficiaries to exercise choice in obtaining
Medicare services. This information includes, but is not limited to:

(a) The benefits covered under the M+C plan;
(b) The M+C monthly basic beneficiary premium and M+C monthly supplemental
beneficiary premium, if any, for the plan.

(c) The service area and continuation area, if any, of each plan and the
enrollment capacity of each plan;

(d) Plan quality and performance indicators for the benefits under the plan
including -

(i) Disenrollment rates for Medicare enrollees electing to receive benefits
through the plan for the previous 2 years;
<PAGE>   16

(ii) Information on Medicare enrollee satisfaction;

(iii) The patterns of utilization of plan services;

(iv) The availability, accessibility, and acceptability of the plan's services;

(v) Information on health outcomes and other performance measures required by
HCFA;

(vi) The recent record regarding compliance of the plan with requirements of
this part, as determined by HCFA; and

(vii) Other information determined by HCFA to be necessary to assist
beneficiaries in making an informed choice among M+C plans and traditional
Medicare;

(e) Information about beneficiary appeals and their disposition;

(f) Information regarding all formal actions, reviews, findings, or other
similar actions by States, other regulatory bodies, or any other certifying or
accrediting organization;

(g) Any other information deemed necessary by HCFA for the administration or
evaluation of the Medicare program. [422.502(f)(2)]

4. The M+C Organization agrees to provide to its enrollees and upon request, to
any individual eligible to elect an M+C plan, all informational requirements
under Section 422.64 and, upon an enrollee's, request, the financial disclosure
information required under Section 422.516. [422.502(f)(3)]

5. Reporting and disclosure under ERISA.

(a) For any employees' health benefits plan that includes an M+C Organization in
its offerings, the M+C Organization must furnish, upon request, the information
the plan needs to fulfill its reporting and disclosure obligations (with respect
to the M+C Organization) under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 (ERISA).

(b) The M+C Organization must furnish the information to the employer or the
employer's designee, or to the plan administrator, as the term "administrator"
is defined in ERISA. [422.516(d)]

6. Electronic communication. The M+C Organization must have the capacity to
communicate with HCFA electronically. [422.502(b)]

7. Encounter data. The M+C Organization agrees to comply with the requirements
in Section 422.257 for submitting encounter data to HCFA. [422.502(a)(8)]
<PAGE>   17

Article VII


Renewal of the M+C Contract

A. Renewal of contract: In accordance with Section 422.506, the contract is
renewable annually only if-

(1) HCFA informs the M+C Organization that it authorizes a renewal; and

(2) The M+C Organization has not provided HCFA with a notice of intention not to
renew. [422.504(c)]

B. Nonrenewal of contract:

(1) Nonrenewal by the Organization.

(a) In accordance with Section 422.506, the M+C Organization may elect not to
renew its contract with HCFA as of the end of the term of the contract for any
reason, provided it meets the time frames for doing so set forth in paragraphs
(b) and (c) of this paragraph.

(b) If the M+C Organization does not intend to renew its contract, it must
notify-

(i) HCFA in writing, by May 1 of the year in which the contract would end;

(ii) Each Medicare enrollee, at least 90 days before the date on which the
nonrenewal is effective. This notice must include a written description of all
alternatives available for obtaining Medicare services within the service area
of the M+C plans that the M+C Organization offers, including alternative M+C
plans, original Medicare, and Medigap options and must receive HCFA approval.

(iii) The general public, at least 90 days before the end of the current
calendar year, by publishing a HCFA-approved notice in one or more newspapers of
general circulation in each community located in the M+C Organization's service
area.

(c) HCFA may accept a nonrenewal notice submitted after May 1 if-

(i) The M+C Organization notifies its Medicare enrollees and the public in
accordance with paragraph (1)(b)(ii) and (1)(b)(iii) of this section; and

(ii) Acceptance is not inconsistent with the effective and efficient
administration of the Medicare program.
<PAGE>   18

(d) If the M+C Organization does not renew a contract under this paragraph (1),
HCFA will not enter into a contract with the Organization for 5 years from the
date of contract separation unless there are special circumstances that warrant
special consideration, as determined by HCFA. [422.506(a)]

(2) HCFA decision not to renew.

(a) HCFA may elect not to authorize renewal of a contract for any of the
following reasons:

(i) The M+C Organization has not fully implemented or shown discernable progress
in implementing quality assessment and performance improvement projects as
defined in Section 422.152(d).

(ii) The M+C Organization's level of enrollment, growth in enrollment, or
insufficient number of contracted providers is determined by HCFA to threaten
the viability of the organization under the M+C program and or be an indicator
of beneficiary dissatisfaction with the M+C plan(s) offered by the organization.

(iii) For any of the reasons listed in Section 422.510(a) [Article VII, section
(B)(1)(a) of this contract], which would also permit HCFA to terminate the
contract.

(iv) The M+C Organization has committed any of the acts in Section 422.752(a)
that would support the imposition of intermediate sanctions or civil money
penalties under subpart O of part 422.

(b) Notice. HCFA shall provide notice of its decision whether to authorize
renewal of the contract as follows:

(i) To the M+C Organization by May 1 of the contract year.

(ii) To the M+C Organization's Medicare enrollees by mail at least 90 days
before the end of the current calendar year.

(iii) To the general public at least 90 days before the end of the current
calendar year, by publishing a notice in one or more newspapers of general
circulation in each community or county located in the M+C Organization's
service area.

(c) Notice of appeal rights. HCFA shall give the M+C Organization written notice
of its right to reconsideration of the decision not to renew in accordance with
Section 422.644. [422.506(b)]


Article VIII
<PAGE>   19


Modification or Termination of the Contract

A. Modification or Termination of Contract by Mutual Consent

1. The M+C Organization agrees to include in this contract such other terms and
conditions as HCFA may find necessary and appropriate in order to implement the
requirements of the M+C program.

2. This contract may be modified or terminated at any time by written mutual
consent.

(a) If the contract is terminated by mutual consent, except as provided in
section (A)(3) of this article, the M+C Organization must provide notice to its
Medicare enrollees and the general public as provided in Section 422.512(b)(2)
and (b)(3) [Article VIII, section B(2)(b) of this contract].

(b) If the contract is modified by mutual consent, the M+C Organization must
notify its Medicare enrollees of any changes that HCFA determines are
appropriate for notification within time frames specified by HCFA.

3. If this contract is terminated by mutual consent and replaced the day
following such termination by a new M+C contract, the M+C Organization is not
required to provide the notice specified in section B of this article. [422.508]

B. Termination of the Contract by HCFA or the M+C Organization

1. Termination by HCFA.

(a) HCFA may terminate a contract for any of the following reasons:

(i) The M+C Organization has failed substantially to carry out the terms of its
contract with HCFA.

(ii) The M+C Organization is carrying out its contract with HCFA in a manner
that is inconsistent with the effective and efficient implementation of this
part.

(iii) HCFA determines that the M+C Organization no longer meets the requirements
of this part for being a contracting organization.

(iv) The M+C Organization commits or participates in fraudulent or abusive
activities affecting the Medicare program, including submission of fraudulent
data.

(v) The M+C Organization experiences financial difficulties so severe that its
ability to make necessary health services available is impaired to the point of
posing an imminent 

<PAGE>   20


and serious risk to the health of its enrollees, or otherwise fails to make
services available to the extent that such a risk to health exists.

(vi) The M+C Organization substantially fails to comply with the requirements in
subpart M of this part relating to grievances and appeals.

(vii) The M+C Organization fails to provide HCFA with valid encounter data as
required under Section 422.257.

(viii) The M+C Organization fails to implement an acceptable quality assessment
and performance improvement program as required under subpart D of Section 422.

(ix) The M+C Organization substantially fails to comply with the prompt payment
requirements in Section 422.520.

(x) The M+C Organization substantially fails to comply with the service access
requirements in Section 422.112 or Section 422.114.

(xi) The M+C Organization fails to comply with the requirements of Section
422.208 regarding physician incentive plans.

(b) Notice. If HCFA decides to terminate a contract for reasons other than the
grounds specified in section (B)(1)(a) above, it will give notice of the
termination as follows:

(i) HCFA will notify the M+C Organization in writing 90 days before the intended
date of the termination.

(ii) The M+C Organization will notify its Medicare enrollees of the termination
by mail at least 30 days before the effective date of the termination.

(iii) The M+C Organization will notify the general public of the termination at
least 30 days before the effective date of the termination by publishing a
notice in one or more newspapers of general circulation in each community or
county located in the M+C Organization's service area.

(c) Immediate termination of contract by HCFA.

(i) For terminations based on violations prescribed in paragraph (B)(1)(a)(v) of
this article, HCFA will notify the M+C Organization in writing that its contract
has been terminated effective the date of the termination decision by HCFA. If
termination is effective in the middle of a month, HCFA has the right to recover
the prorated share of the capitation payments made to the M+C Organization
covering the period of the month following the contract termination.
<PAGE>   21

(ii) HCFA will notify the M+C Organization's Medicare enrollees in writing of
HCFA's decision to terminate the M+C Organization's contract. This notice will
occur no later than 30 days after HCFA notifies the plan of its decision to
terminate this contract. HCFA will simultaneously inform the Medicare enrollees
of alternative options for obtaining Medicare services, including alternative
M+C Organizations in a similar geographic area and original Medicare.

(iii) HCFA will notify the general public of the termination no later than 30
days after notifying the M+C Organization of HCFA's decision to terminate this
contract. This notice will be published in one or more newspapers of general
circulation in each community or county located in the M+C Organization's
service area.

(d) Corrective action plan

(i) General. Before terminating a contract for reasons other than the grounds
specified in section (B)(1)(a)(v) of this article, HCFA will provide the M+C
Organization with reasonable opportunity, not to exceed time frames specified at
subpart N of Section 422, to develop and receive HCFA approval of a corrective
action plan to correct the deficiencies that are the basis of the proposed
termination.

(ii) Exception. If a contract is terminated under section (B)(1)(a)(v) of this
article, the M+C Organization will not have the opportunity to submit a
corrective action plan.

(e) Appeal rights. If HCFA decides to terminate this contract, it will send
written notice to the M+C Organization informing it of its termination appeal
rights in accordance with subpart N of Section 422. [422.510]

2. Termination by the M+C Organization

(a) Cause for termination. The M+C Organization may terminate this contract if
HCFA fails to substantially carry out the terms of the contract.

(b) Notice. The M+C Organization must give advance notice as follows:

(i) To HCFA, at least 90 days before the intended date of termination. This
notice must specify the reasons why the M+C Organization is requesting contract
termination.

(ii) To its Medicare enrollees, at least 60 days before the termination
effective date. This notice must include a written description of alternatives
available for obtaining Medicare services within the service area, including
alternative M+C plans, Medigap options, and original Medicare and must receive
HCFA approval.

(iii) To the general public at least 60 days before the termination effective
date by publishing a HCFA-approved notice in one or more newspapers of general
circulation in each community or county located in the M+C Organization's
geographic area.
<PAGE>   22

(c) Effective date of termination. The effective date of the termination will be
determined by HCFA and will be at least 90 days after the date HCFA receives the
M+C Organization's notice of intent to terminate.

(d) HCFA's liability. HCFA's liability for payment to the M+C Organization ends
as of the first day of the month after the last month for which the contract is
in effect.

(e) Effect of termination by the organization. HCFA will not enter into an
agreement with the M+C Organization for a period of five years from the date the
Organization has terminated this contract, unless there are circumstances that
warrant special consideration, as determined by HCFA. [422.512]


Article IX


Requirements of Other Laws and Regulations

A. The M+C Organization agrees to comply with-

(1) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as implemented by regulations at 45
CFR part 84;

(2) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 as implemented by regulations at 45 CFR
part 91;

(3) The Americans With Disabilities Act; and

(4) Other laws applicable to recipients of Federal funds; and

(5) All other applicable laws, regulations, and rules. [422.502(h)(1)]

B. The M+C Organization is receiving Federal payments under this contract, and
related entities, contractors, and subcontractors paid by the M+C Organization
to fulfill its obligations under this contract are subject to certain laws that
are applicable to individuals and entities receiving Federal funds. The M+C
Organization agrees to inform all related entities, contractors and
subcontractors that payments that they receive are, in whole or in part, from
Federal funds. [422.502(h)(2)]

C. In the event that any provision of this contract conflicts with the
provisions of any statute or regulation applicable to an M+C Organization, the
provisions of the statute or regulation shall have full force and effect.
[422.502(j)]

<PAGE>   23

Article X


Severability

The M+C Organization agrees that, upon HCFA's request, this contract will be
amended to exclude any M+C plan or State-licensed entity specified by HCFA, and
a separate contract for any such excluded plan or entity will be deemed to be in
place when such a request is made.[422.502(k)]

In witness whereof, the parties hereby execute this contract.

FOR THE M+C ORGANIZATION


- ---------------------------- --------------------------
Printed Name                        Title


- ---------------------------- ---------------------------
Signature                                   Date


- ---------------------------- ---------------------------
Organization


- ---------------------------
Address



FOR THE HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION




- --------------------------
Gary A. Bailey
Director, Health Plan Purchasing
and Administration Group
Center for Health Plans and Providers

<PAGE>   24

ATTACHMENT A

CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
RELATING TO HCFA PAYMENT


TO A MEDICARE+CHOICE ORGANIZATION

Pursuant to the contract(s) between the Health Care Financing Administration
(HCFA) and (INSERT NAME OF M+C ORGANIZATION), hereafter referred to as the "M+C
Organization," governing the operation of the following Medicare +Choice plans
(INSERT PLAN IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS HERE), the M+C Organization hereby requests
payment under the contract, and in doing so, makes the following certifications
concerning HCFA payments to the M+C Organization. The M+C Organization
acknowledges that the information described below directly affects the
calculation of HCFA payments to the M+C Organization and that misrepresentations
to HCFA about the accuracy of such information may result in Federal civil
action and/or criminal prosecution.

1. The M+C Organization has reported to HCFA for the month of (INDICATE MONTH
AND YEAR) all new enrollments, disenrollments, and changes in enrollees'
institutional status with respect to the above-stated M+C plans. Based on best
knowledge, information, and belief, all information submitted to HCFA in this
report is accurate, complete, and truthful.


2. The M+C Organization has reviewed the HCFA monthly membership report and
reply listing for the month of (INDICATE MONTH AND YEAR) for the above-stated
M+C plans and has reported to HCFA any discrepancies between the report and the
M+C Organization's records. For those portions of the monthly membership report
and the reply listing to which the M+C Organization raises no objection, the M+C
Organization, through the certifying CEO/CFO, will be deemed to have attested,
based on best knowledge, information, and belief, to their accuracy,
completeness, and truthfulness.

- -----------------------------
(INDICATE TITLE [CEO or CFO])

on behalf of


(INDICATE M+C ORGANIZATION)


<PAGE>   25




ATTACHMENT B

CERTIFICATION OF ENCOUNTER AND ADJUSTED COMMUNITY RATE INFORMATION RELATING TO
HCFA PAYMENT

TO A MEDICARE+CHOICE ORGANIZATION

Pursuant to the contract(s) between the Health Care Financing Administration
(HCFA) and (INSERT NAME OF M+C ORGANIZATION), hereafter referred to as the "M+C
Organization," governing the operation of the following Medicare +Choice plans
(INSERT PLAN IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS HERE), the M+C Organization hereby requests
payment under the contract, and in doing so, makes the following certifications
concerning HCFA payments to the M+C Organization. The M+C Organization
acknowledges that the information described below directly affects the
calculation of HCFA payments to the M+C Organization or additional benefit
obligations of the M+C Organization and that misrepresentations to HCFA about
the accuracy of such information may result in Federal civil action and/or
criminal prosecution.

1. The M+C Organization has reported to HCFA for the period of (INDICATE DATES)
all inpatient encounter data with respect to the above-stated M+C plans. Based
on best knowledge, information, and belief, all information submitted to HCFA in
this report is accurate, complete, and truthful.

2. The M+C Organization has submitted to HCFA an adjusted community rate (ACR)
proposal for the period (INDICATE DATES). Based on best knowledge, information,
and belief, all of the information submitted to HCFA in this ACR proposal is
accurate, complete, and truthful.


- -----------------------------
(INDICATE TITLE [CEO or CFO])


on behalf of

(INDICATE M+C ORGANIZATION)



<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.12
                                 FIRST AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                  AMENDED 1997 PREMIUM PRICED STOCK OPTION PLAN


        This First Amendment, dated as of August 27, 1998 (the "Amendment"), to
the Amended 1997 Premium Priced Stock Option Plan ("Plan") hereby amends the
Plan as follows:


        1. Amendment to Section 4.2(b). Section 4.2 (b) is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety to read as follows:

        Section 4.2 - Commencement of Exercisability

               (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2(a), 4.2(c) and 7.2,
        Options shall become exercisable in two installments as follows:

                      (i) The first installment shall consist of 50 percent of
               the shares covered by the Option and shall become exercisable if,
               within three years from October 6, 1997, the Class B Common Stock
               achieves a last reported sales price, as reported by Nasdaq, of
               at least $92.50 during any 12 month period.

                      (ii) The second installment shall consist of the remaining
               50 percent of the shares covered by the Option and shall become
               exercisable if, within five years from October 6, 1997, the Class
               B Common Stock achieves a last reported sales price, as reported
               by Nasdaq, of at least $114.00 during any 12 month period.


        2. Amendment to Sections 4.3(a) and (b). Sections 4.3 (a) and (b) are
hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

        Section 4.3 - Expiration of Options

(a)     Fifty percent of the Options shall expire on October 6, 2000, if the
        $92.50 stock price is not achieved by such date.

(b)     The remaining 50 percent of the Options shall expire on October 6, 2002
        if the $114.00 stock price is not achieved.

        3. Effectiveness of Plan. Except as expressly amended herein, the Plan
shall continue in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed in
all respects on as of the date hereof.

        4. Governing Law. This Amendment and the Plan shall be construed,
interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the United States and to
the extent not preempted by such law by the laws of the State of California.


                                       1


<PAGE>   2

        5. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have
the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

        6. Section Headings. The titles of the sections hereof appear as a
matter of convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Amendment and shall
not affect the construction hereof.



                                       2

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21
 
                        PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                              LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME OF SUBSIDIARY                  STATE OF INCORPORATION/PARTNERSHIP
                ------------------                  ----------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>
CRM Insurance Services, Inc.                        California
FHP International Corporation                       Delaware
FHP Reinsurance Limited                             Bermuda
Health Maintenance Life, Inc.                       Guam
PacifiCare Behavioral Health of California, Inc.    Delaware
PacifiCare Behavioral Health, Inc.                  Delaware
PacifiCare Benefit Administrators, Inc.             Washington
PacifiCare Credentialing, Inc.                      California
PacifiCare Dental and Vision                        California
PacifiCare Dental of Colorado, Inc.                 Colorado
PacifiCare Health Plan Administrators, Inc.         Indiana
PacifiCare Life and Health Insurance Company        Indiana
PacifiCare Life Assurance Company                   Colorado
PacifiCare Life Insurance Company                   Arizona
PacifiCare of Arizona, Inc.                         Arizona
PacifiCare of California                            California
PacifiCare of Colorado, Inc.                        Colorado
PacifiCare of Nevada, Inc.                          Nevada
PacifiCare of Ohio, Inc.                            Ohio
PacifiCare of Oklahoma, Inc.                        Oklahoma
PacifiCare of Oregon, Inc.                          Oregon
PacifiCare of Texas, Inc.                           Texas
PacifiCare of Washington, Inc.                      Washington
PacifiCare Operations, Inc.                         Delaware
PacifiCare Pharmacy Centers, Inc.                   California
PacifiCare Ventures, Inc.                           California
PC-CWD Vista Associates                             California
Secure Horizons USA, Inc.                           California
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 number 333-21713) and related Prospectus pertaining to the 1996 Stock Option
Plan for Officers and Key Employees and the related Prospectus pertaining to the
1996 Non-Officer Directors Stock Option Plan of PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc.
and in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 number 333-48377) and related
Prospectus pertaining to the 1997 Premium Priced Stock Option Plan and the
related Prospectus pertaining to the Amendment and Restatement of the PacifiCare
Health Systems, Inc. Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan of PacifiCare Health
Systems, Inc. of our report dated February 9, 1999 with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of PacifiCare Health Systems,
Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
February 19, 1999

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from PacifiCare
Health Systems, Inc.'s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 1998 and
December 31, 1997 and related consolidated statements of operations for the
years ended December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                         724,636                 680,674
<SECURITIES>                                   875,553                 864,708
<RECEIVABLES>                                  284,484                 319,243
<ALLOWANCES>                                     8,529                  13,598
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             2,033,575               2,090,146
<PP&E>                                         288,987                 365,382
<DEPRECIATION>                                 110,467                 129,439
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,630,944               4,963,046
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,619,416               1,728,664
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
                                0                       0
                                          0                     105
<COMMON>                                           464                     420
<OTHER-SE>                                   2,237,632               2,061,662
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,630,944               4,963,046
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             9,521,482               8,982,680
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                8,002,260               7,658,879
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             1,175,546               1,274,635
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,485                   5,171
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              60,923                  64,536
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                385,574                  60,124
<INCOME-TAX>                                   183,147                  81,825
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            202,427                (21,701)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   202,427                (21,701)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.50                  (0.75)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.40                  (0.75)
        

</TABLE>


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