PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS INC /DE/
8-K, 2000-02-18
HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS
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================================================================================

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): FEBRUARY 10, 2000


                         PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          DELAWARE                     000-21949               95-4591529
- -------------------------------       ------------        ----------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of       (Commission             (IRS Employer
 incorporation or organization)       File Number)        Identification Number)


               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

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


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ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         On February 10, 2000, PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. announced that
its President and Chief Executive Officer, Alan R. Hoops, intends to retire by
March 31, 2001.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

      (c)      Exhibits.

               99.1        Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement,
                           dated December 31, 1999, between the Registrant and
                           Alan R. Hoops.

               99.2        Press release issued February 10, 2000, by the
                           Registrant announcing Alan R. Hoops' intention to
                           retire as President and Chief Executive Officer by
                           March 31, 2001.

                                   SIGNATURES

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

                         PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.
                                  (Registrant)

Date: February 18, 2000            By: /s/       MARY C. LANGSDORF
      -----------------                -----------------------------------------
                                                 Mary C. Langsdorf
                                    Senior Vice President of Finance, Controller
                                        and Interim Chief Financial Officer
                                    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

                                      -2-


<PAGE>   3

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit No.                Description of Exhibits
- -----------                -----------------------

  99.1                     Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement,
                           dated December 31, 1999, between the Registrant and
                           Alan R. Hoops.

  99.2                     Press release issued February 10, 2000, by the
                           Registrant announcing Alan R. Hoops' intention to
                           retire as President and CEO by March 31, 2001.



<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (this
"Agreement") is made and entered into as of the 31st day of December 1999, 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 Alan R. Hoops ("Executive"), residing at
1 Celestial, Irvine, California 92715.

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive in the capacity of
President and Chief Executive Officer.

         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 President
and Chief Executive Officer 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 with the
establishment of an Executive Committee and a separate active chairman.

         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, Executive Committee or Chairman of the Board 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 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
continue unless terminated as provided Section 2.2.

                                        1

<PAGE>   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 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
         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 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 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 90 days after receipt of
         such written notice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
         Agreement, receipt of the written notice provided in this Section
         2.2(d) shall deemed to have occurred two days from the date of the
         notice.

                  e. Upon the earlier of (i) a Change of Control (as defined
         herein) or (ii) March 31, 2001, Executive shall retire from his duties
         as President and CEO. If a Change of Control has not occurred, or until
         a Change of Control does occur, if at all, Executive shall assume a
         consulting role with the Company. As a consultant, Executive will
         perform reasonable consulting and, if appropriate, successor training
         services to a successor President and CEO to the extent of, and in no
         event for more than, a three-year period. These services will be
         provided at mutually agreeable times, places and frequency, but in no
         event more than 75 hours per fiscal quarter.

         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 Sections 4 and 5.

3.       COMPENSATION DURING THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT

         3.1 Base Salary. 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 $920,000. 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

                                       2

<PAGE>   3
reasonably directed by the Company for its employees, which deductions shall
include, without limitation, withholding for federal and state income taxes and
social security.

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

         3.3 Automobile Allowance. The Company shall provide Executive with a
$850.00 per month automobile allowance. The Company shall furnish Executive 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.

         3.4 Reimbursement of Expenses. 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.

         3.5 Annual Incentive Plan. Executive shall be entitled to participate
fully in the Company's 1996 Management Incentive Compensation Plan (the "MICP"),
as amended, and as may be further amended, modified, or replaced, from time to
time, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein.

         3.6. Stock Option Plans. 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 amended, and as may be further
amended modified or replaced, from time to time, in accordance with the terms
and conditions set forth herein and therein.

         3.7 Insurance. 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 President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company or in any other capacity to which Executive may be
appointed or elected.

         3.8 Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan. 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, 1999, as amended and as may be further amended modified, or replaced, from
time to time in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein.

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

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4.       COMPENSATION FOLLOWING TERMINATION

         4.1 Death. 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:

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

                  b. Payments of benefits under the MICP set forth in Section
         3.5 which will deemed to have accrued as of the date of Executive's
         death; and

                  c. Executive's legal representative shall be permitted to
         exercise any vested and unexercised options under the 1996 Stock Option
         Plan and any other existing stock option plans of the Company
         (collectively, the "Stock Option Plans") in accordance with their terms
                  for a period of one year following Executive's death.

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

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

                  b. Payment of benefits under the MICP set forth in Section 3.5
         which will be deemed to have accrued as of the effective date of such
         termination;

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

                  d. Payment of the automobile allowance as provided under
         Section 3.1(c) for a period of 36 months following the effective date
         of such termination.

         4.3 Neglect, Misconduct or Voluntary Termination. 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.

         4.4 Involuntary Termination. In the event that the Company terminates
Executive, for any reason other than Executive's incapacity or disability or
misconduct as described in Sections 4.2 and 4.3, respectively, Executive shall
be entitled to the following severance compensation:

                  a. An amount equal to 36 months of Executive's then current
         annual salary under Section 3.1;

                  b. An amount equal to three times Executive's average MICP
         bonus;

                  c. 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;

                  d. Continuation of Executive's medical, dental and vision
         benefits for a period of 36 months;

                  e. An amount equal to 36 months of Executive' s automobile
         allowance; and

                                      4

<PAGE>   5

                  f. 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 which are 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.

                  g. Executive shall receive, or have paid, the amounts of
         severance compensation provided in clauses (a), (b), (d) and (e) above
         in equal installments over a period of 36 months. Payments will be made
         in biweekly installments on the Company's regular paydays.

                  h. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Executive
         engages in employment, whether as an employee, consultant or contractor
         with a competitor of the Company, the severance compensation available
         to Executive under this Section 4.4 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 4.4, a "competitor of the Company" shall include, without
         limitation, managed care organizations, including a health maintenance
         organization, competitive medical plan, preferred provider
         organization, provider sponsored organization ("PSO"), or health or
         life insurance company which owns a managed care organization, 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.

                  i. If Executive is rehired by Company, payments of severance
         compensation provided for in this Section 4.4 shall cease.

                  j. If Executive dies while receiving the salary continuation
         benefit as provided in this Section 4.4, Executive's estate will
         receive a lump sum payment of the remaining salary continuation
         benefit.

                  k. If Executive becomes a consultant under the terms of
         Section 2.2(e), Executive shall be entitled to the severance
         compensation provided in this Section 4.4.

         4.5 No Limitation of Benefits. Notwithstanding anything which may be
expressed in, or inferred from the provisions expressed in, or inferred from the
provisions of this Section 4, this Agreement should not be construed to limit,
restrict, or deny Executive any benefits to which he otherwise may be entitled
to under the MICP, the Stock Option Plans, the Company's pension plan or
otherwise which arise from circumstances not addressed in this Agreement.

5.       COMPENSATION FOLLOWING TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AS A RESULT OF A
         CHANGE OF CONTROL

         5.1 Termination of Employment

                  a. Executive's Rights. In the event that, during the term of
         this Agreement, the Company undergoes a Change of Control, (as that
         term is defined below), Executive shall retire and be entitled to the
         following compensation:


                                        5
<PAGE>   6

                           1. A lump sum payment consisting of: (i) an amount
                  equal to three times Executive's then annual salary; (ii) an
                  amount equal to three times Executive's average MICP bonus
                  award for the last two years; (iii) a prorated target bonus
                  based on target for the year in which the Change-of-Control
                  occurs; (iv) an amount equal to 36 months of COBRA benefits;
                  and (v) an amount equal to 36 months of Executive's automobile
                  allowance.

                           2. The right to exercise any and all unexercised
                  stock options granted under the Stock Option Plans in
                  accordance with their terms, as if all such unexercised stock
                  options were fully vested, within one year of the effective
                  date of such termination;

                           3. A payment to executive to compensate for any
                  excise penalty or other associated taxes resulting from
                  severance payments exceeding the cap imposed by Internal
                  Revenue Code Section 280(G).

                           4. The Company shall provide to Executive the
                  outplacement services described in Section 4.4(f).

                  b. Premium Priced Options Cash Consideration. Upon a Change of
         Control, for the options (the "Premium Priced Options") granted under
         the Amended 1997 Premium Priced Stock Option Plan, Executive will
         receive if the "Adjusted Change of Control Consideration" (as defined
         below) is equal to, or in excess of the exercise price of any of the
         Premium Priced Options, an amount in cash equal to the excess of the
         Adjusted Change of Control Consideration, over the exercise price of
         each Premium Priced Option, adjusted to reflect any excise taxation
         incurred by Executive resulting from such payment. No additional
         compensation will be paid to Executive if the per share consideration
         for a Change of Control transaction is equal to or greater than
         $115.00. As used in this Section 5.1(b), the term "Adjusted Change of
         Control Consideration" means and refers to the per share consideration
         to be received by each holder of the Company's Common Stock upon
         consummation of a transaction effecting a Change of Control times one
         hundred and ten percent (110%)."

                  c. Change of Control. As used in this Section 5, the term
         "Change of Control" means and refers to:

                           1. 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;

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

                           3. a dissolution or liquidation of the Company;

                           4. the Company becomes a non-publicly held company;
                              or

                           5. any change in the composition of the Company's
                  Board of Directors during an 18-month period such that the
                  individuals who at the beginning of such 18-month period were
                  directors of the Company shall cease for any reason (other
                  than death, disability or retirement) to constitute a majority
                  of the Board of Directors of the Company.



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6.       RELEASE OF CLAIMS

         On the date hereof, Executive hereby releases and discharges the
Company and the Company's parents, shareholders, directors, officers, agents,
employees and representatives and subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company
Group") from any and all claims, that Executive may now have against the Company
or any other member of the Company which have arisen from or are related to
Executive's employment with the Company.

7.       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 7:

         If to the Company:       PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc.
                                  Attn:  Chairman
                                  3120 Lake Center Drive
                                  Santa Ana, California 92704

         If to Executive:         Alan R. Hoops
                                  1 Celestial
                                  Irvine, California 92715.

All notices sent by personal delivery shall be deemed given when actually
received. All notices sent by overnight delivery shall be deemed received on the
next business day. All other notices sent via United States mail shall be deemed
received 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.

8.       GENERAL PROVISIONS

         8.1 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.

         8.2 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,


                                       7
<PAGE>   8

the parties have not exchanged any other representations, warranties,
inducements, promises, or agreements respecting Executive's employment with the
Company.

         8.3 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.

         8.4 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.

         8.5 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/  DAVID A. REED
                                                --------------------------------
                                                By:    David A. Reed
                                                Title: Chairman of the Board

                                                 /s/ ALAN R. HOOPS
Executive:                                      --------------------------------
                                                NAME Alan R. Hoops

                                       8

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2
[PACIFICARE(R) LOGO]
HEALTH SYSTEMS
                                                       3120 LAKE CENTER DRIVE
                                                     SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92704
                                                          TEL (714) 825-5200
NEWS RELEASE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONTACT:              David K. Erickson           Ben Singer
                      Investor Relations          Media Relations
                      714/825-5491                714/825-5120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                 PACIFICARE'S CEO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FOR 2001
         Expresses Optimism on Company's Future and Role in Health Care

SANTA ANA, CALIF., FEBRUARY 10, 2000 - PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:
PHSY) announced today that its President and CEO, Alan R. Hoops, intends to
retire as head of the $10 billion managed care company by March 31, 2001. He
will continue as president and CEO until his retirement and will lead the search
for his successor together with PacifiCare's Board of Directors.

         Hoops, 52, joined PacifiCare as one of its first employees in 1977, was
the architect of the Secure Horizons program and later led the rapid expansion
of PacifiCare in the 1990s. He assumed the role of president and CEO in April
1993 when he replaced his long-time mentor and PacifiCare co-founder Terry
Hartshorn.

                                    - more -


<PAGE>   2

HOOPS ANNOUNCEMENT
2-2-2

         "Our prospects for the future are bright, and I believe PacifiCare is
in a strong position to be able to make a change in leadership at this time.
We've had 20 years of growth since our inception and have emerged as one of the
strongest health care franchises in the West," Hoops said. "Our reorganization
has given us a stronger and more diversified foundation by which to grow our
business in the future - both in our HMO operations and the other new businesses
we expect to bring along this year. PacifiCare has a very clear and compelling
future, and I'm pleased to have led the company to this point."

         Under Hoops' direction, PacifiCare's Secure Horizons became the
nation's largest Medicare+Choice health plan product (HMO), serving more than 1
million Medicare beneficiaries in nine states. The company also became a major
commercial HMO and one of California's largest managed care insurers. More
recently, the company completed the acquisition of the Harris Methodist Health
Plans of Texas, and immediately moved from that state's sixth-largest HMO to its
second largest.

         "In 1994 I told our management team that I thought we could go from
being a $2 billion company to a $10 billion company in five years," he added.
"We've done that and have many opportunities to climb to the next level in this
decade, starting with our expected strong growth this year. I plan on setting
the stage in the next 12 months to ensure my successor inherits a strong
PacifiCare, just as I did."

                                     -more-


<PAGE>   3

HOOPS ANNOUNCEMENT
3-3-3

         Hoops reiterated his admiration for and confidence in the company's
current management team. "The growth of PacifiCare over time is the result of
the strong contributions of all who work here. We have tremendous breadth of
management that continues to profitably seize the opportunities before us," said
Hoops. Commenting on the recent appointment of Brad Bowlus as president and CEO
of PacifiCare's Health Plans division, Hoops continued, "Since Brad joined us in
1994, he has demonstrated the ability to assume increased responsibilities with
every promotion. I'm very confident in his leadership capabilities and expect he
will play an even greater role in PacifiCare's future."

         PacifiCare Health Systems is one of the nation's leading managed health
care services companies. Primary operations include managed care products for
Medicare beneficiaries and employer groups in nine states and Guam, serving
approximately 4 million members. Other specialty products and operations include
behavioral health services, life and health insurance, dental and vision
services, pharmacy benefit management and Medicare+Choice management services.
More information on PacifiCare Health Systems can be obtained at
http://www.pacificare.com.

                                      # # #


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