MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS INC
DEF 14A, 1996-06-28
HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS
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<PAGE>   1
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

           Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                              Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:
[ ]   Preliminary Proxy Statement
[X]   Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]   Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]   Soliciting Material Pursuant to section 240.14a-11(c) or section 
      240.14a-12
[ ]   Confidential, for use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 
      14a-6(e)(2))

                           Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                                      BOWNE
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X]   $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1),14a-6(j)(2) or 
      Investment Company Act Rule 20a-1(c).
[ ]   $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 
      14a-6(i)(3).
[ ]   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

      1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

      __________________________________________________________________________


      2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

      __________________________________________________________________________


      3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
           pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
           filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined.):

      __________________________________________________________________________

<PAGE>   2
      4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

      __________________________________________________________________________


      5)   Total fee paid:

      __________________________________________________________________________

[ ]   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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

      1)   Amount Previously Paid:

      __________________________________________________________________________


      2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

      __________________________________________________________________________


      3)   Filing Party:

      __________________________________________________________________________


      4)   Date Filed:

      __________________________________________________________________________

<PAGE>   3
 
                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
                                ON JULY 26, 1996
 
     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of
Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the Sunset Room in
the Transamerica Center Tower Restaurant, 1150 South Olive Street, Los Angeles,
California, on July 26, 1996, at 8:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) for the following
purposes:
 
     1. To elect three directors to the Board of Directors who will serve until
        the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their
        successors have been duly elected and qualified;
 
     2. To approve the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Outside Directors 1996
        Formula Stock Option Plan;
 
     3. To approve the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Senior Executives 1996 Stock
        Option Plan; and
 
     4. To transact such other business as may be properly brought before the
        meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
     Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 21, 1996 will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at said meeting or any adjournments thereof. A
list of such stockholders shall be open to the examination of any stockholder at
the meeting and for a period of ten days prior to the date of the meeting at the
office of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc., 1149 South Broadway Street, Los Angeles,
California, 90015.
 
     The Board of Directors urges each stockholder to read carefully the
enclosed proxy statement which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                               Alan D. Bloom
                                                 Secretary
 
1149 South Broadway Street
Los Angeles, California 90015
Dated: June 28, 1996
 
                                   IMPORTANT
 
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE 1996 ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE
COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
WHICH REQUIRES NO ADDITIONAL POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. YOUR PROXY
WILL BE REVOCABLE ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE EITHER IN WRITING OR BY VOTING
YOUR SHARES PERSONALLY AT THE 1996 ANNUAL MEETING.
<PAGE>   4
 
                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
                           1149 SOUTH BROADWAY STREET
                         LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90015
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
                                      FOR
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                 JULY 26, 1996
 
     This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by
the Board of Directors (the "Board") and management of Maxicare Health Plans,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), of proxies to be used at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Sunset Room in the Transamerica
Center Tower Restaurant, 1150 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, California, on
July 26, 1996 at 8:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) and at any adjournments thereof. A
form of the proxy is enclosed for use at the meeting. Stockholders are being
asked to vote upon the election of three directors to the Board, the approval of
the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Outside Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option
Plan, the approval of the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Senior Executives 1996
Stock Option Plan, and to transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting.
 
     If no instructions are given on the proxy, all shares represented by valid
proxies received pursuant to this solicitation (and not revoked before they are
voted) will be voted FOR the directors nominated by the Board, FOR the approval
of the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Outside Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option
Plan, FOR the approval of the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Senior Executives 1996
Stock Option Plan, and as recommended by the Board with regard to all other
matters or if no such recommendation is given, in the discretion of the proxy
holder. Proxies marked "withhold" will be counted towards the quorum requirement
but will not be voted FOR the election of the Board's director nominees.
 
     A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by giving written
notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company or by submitting, prior to
the time of the meeting, a properly executed proxy bearing a later date.
Stockholders having executed and returned a proxy, who attend the meeting and
desire to vote in person, are requested to so notify the Secretary of the
Company prior to the time of the meeting.
 
     The mailing address of the Company is 1149 South Broadway Street, Los
Angeles, California, 90015. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement
and form of proxy are being mailed to the stockholders is June 28, 1996.
 
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
 
     There were 17,539,318 shares of common stock of the Company ("Common
Stock") outstanding as of June 21, 1996, the Record Date for the stockholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each stockholder of record at the close
of business on June 21, 1996 is entitled to one vote for each share of Common
Stock then held on each matter to come before the meeting, or any adjournments
thereof.
 
     A majority of the votes eligible to be cast at the Annual Meeting by
holders of Common Stock, or 8,769,660 votes, represented in person or by proxy
at the Annual Meeting is required for a quorum. A plurality of the votes cast at
the Annual Meeting by holders of shares of Common Stock entitled to vote, and
present, in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required for the
election of each nominee as a director. Votes that are withheld from any nominee
will be excluded from the vote and will have no effect. An affirmative vote of a
majority of the Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the
Annual Meeting and entitled to vote is required for the approval of the Maxicare
Health Plans, Inc. Outside Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option Plan and the
approval of the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Senior Executives 1996 Stock Option
Plan. Pursuant to applicable law, abstentions will have the same effect as a
negative vote on the approval of the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Outside
Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option Plan and the approval of the Maxicare Health
Plans, Inc. Senior Executives 1996 Stock Option Plan. Brokers who hold shares in
street name have the authority to vote on certain "routine" matters when they
have not received instructions from
<PAGE>   5
 
beneficial owners. Brokers that do not receive instructions are entitled to vote
on (i) the election of directors, (ii) the approval of the Maxicare Health
Plans, Inc. Outside Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option Plan and (iii) the
approval of the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Senior Executives 1996 Stock Option
Plan. Shares which are held in street name and not voted due to lack of
discretionary authority by the record holder are not deemed to be "entitled to
vote" on these matters and have no effect on the vote on these matters. The
Company's Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.
 
     Of the total shares of Common Stock outstanding as of June 21, 1996,
622,358 shares of Common Stock were held in claims reserves by the Company, as
disbursing agent pursuant to the Company's Joint Plan of Reorganization dated
May 14, 1990, as modified, which was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court by order
dated August 31, 1990 (the "Reorganization Plan"). The Company holds such shares
(the "Unallocated Shares") as disbursing agent for the benefit of creditors
under the Reorganization Plan. Of the 622,358 Unallocated Shares held as of the
Record Date, 552,800 were held for the benefit of creditors of the Company's
operating subsidiaries (Reorganization Plan classes 5A through 5H), 38,262 were
held for bank group creditors (Reorganization Plan class 7), and 31,296 shares
were held for bondholder creditors (Reorganization Plan classes 8A through 8D).
As of the Record Date, no shares were being held for the benefit of Maxicare
Health Plans, Inc. creditors (Reorganization Plan class 9); however, certain of
the shares held for the benefit of Reorganization Plan classes 7 and 8A through
8D will be reallocated to Reorganization Plan class 9 pursuant to a formula set
forth in the Reorganization Plan. The Reorganization Plan provides that until
such time as any share of Common Stock reserved for a holder of an allowed claim
or allowed interest under the Reorganization Plan is allocated, the disbursing
agent shall deliver an irrevocable proxy to vote the Unallocated Shares to the
independent directors of the Board (as such term is defined by the
Reorganization Plan). Currently, the independent directors are Messrs. Brinegar,
Field, Lewis and Manne and Ms. Courtright (the "Independent Directors"). The
Reorganization Plan provides that the Unallocated Shares shall be voted in the
following manner:
 
          (i) 552,800 shares which were held in the claims reserves as of the
     Record Date for the holders of Reorganization Plan classes 5A through 5H
     and Reorganization Plan class 9 allowed claims, shall (a) as to proposals
     made by the Company, be voted in the same manner and to the same degree as
     all of the allocated shares of Common Stock; and (b) as to proposals made
     by any person or entity other than the Company, be voted in accordance with
     the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors; and
 
          (ii) 69,558 shares which were held in the claims reserves as of the
     Record Date for holders of Reorganization Plan class 7 and Reorganization
     Plan classes 8A through 8D allowed claims, shall be voted in the same
     manner and to the same degree as all of the allocated shares of Common
     Stock.
 
     The only business which the Board presently believes will be voted upon at
the Annual Meeting is the election of three directors, the approval of the
Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Outside Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option Plan,
and the approval of the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Senior Executives 1996 Stock
Option Plan. Consequently, all Unallocated Shares will be voted in the same
manner and to the same degree as the allocated shares of Common Stock.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   6
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     The following table sets forth the number and percentage of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock owned beneficially as of June 21, 1996 by each director
or nominee for director as of such date, by the Company's chief executive
officer ("CEO"), by the four other most highly compensated executive officers
other than the CEO, by all directors and executive officers as a group, and by
each person who, to the knowledge of the Company, beneficially owned more than
5% of any class of the Company's voting stock on such date.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
                                                                        BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)
                                                                        -----------------------
                                                                                      PERCENTAGE
                         NAME AND ADDRESS OF                             COMMON       OF COMMON
                           PERSON OR GROUP                              STOCK(2)      STOCK(3)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------     ---------
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>
RCM Capital Management(4)(6)..........................................  1,646,500        9.4%
  Four Embarcadero Center
  San Francisco, California 94111
Heartland Advisors, Inc.(5)...........................................    938,700        5.4%
  790 North Milwaukee Street
  Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
RCM Capital Funds, Inc.(6)............................................    926,000        5.3%
  Four Embarcadero Center
  San Francisco, California 94111
Peter J. Ratican(7)...................................................    492,996        2.8%
  1149 South Broadway Street
  Los Angeles, California 90015
Eugene L. Froelich(7).................................................    492,778        2.8%
  1149 South Broadway Street
  Los Angeles, California 90015
Richard A. Link(8)....................................................     55,022        *
  1149 South Broadway Street
  Los Angeles, California 90015
Aivars L. Jerumanis(9)................................................     31,001        *
  1149 South Broadway Street
  Los Angeles, California 90015
Thomas W. Field, Jr.(10)(11)..........................................     20,000        *
  1149 South Broadway Street
  Los Angeles, California 90015
Claude S. Brinegar(11)(12)............................................     14,000        *
  1149 South Broadway Street
  Los Angeles, California 90015
Alan S. Manne(11)(12).................................................     10,500        *
  1149 South Broadway Street
  Los Angeles, California 90015
Florence F. Courtright(10)(11)........................................     10,000        *
  1149 South Broadway Street
  Los Angeles, California 90015
Alan D. Bloom.........................................................        362        *
  1149 South Broadway Street
  Los Angeles, California 90015
Charles E. Lewis(11)..................................................         16        *
  1149 South Broadway Street
  Los Angeles, California 90015
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (14 persons)(13)......  1,246,159        6.7%
</TABLE>
 
- - ---------------
  *  -- less than one percent
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   7
 
 (1) Except as otherwise set forth herein, all information pertaining to the
     holdings of persons who beneficially own more than 5% of any class of the
     Company's voting stock (other than the Company or its executive officers
     and directors) is based on filings with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission (the "SEC") and information provided by the record holders.
 
 (2) In setting forth "beneficial" ownership, the rules of the SEC require that
     shares underlying currently exercisable options, including options which
     become exercisable within 60 days, held by a described person be treated as
     "beneficially" owned and further require that every person who has or
     shares the power to vote or to dispose of shares of stock be reported as a
     "beneficial" owner of all shares as to which any such sole or shared power
     exists. As a consequence, shares which are not yet outstanding are, if
     obtainable upon exercise of an option which is exercisable or will become
     exercisable within 60 days, nevertheless treated as "beneficially" owned by
     the designated person, and several persons may be deemed to be the
     "beneficial" owners of the same securities if they share the power to vote
     or dispose of them.
 
 (3) Assumes 17,539,318 shares of Common Stock outstanding, and, with respect to
     each listed beneficial owner, the exercise or conversion of any option or
     right held by each such owner exercisable or convertible within 60 days.
 
 (4) RCM Capital Management ("RCM Capital") is an investment adviser registered
     under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. RCM Limited L.P.
     ("RCM Limited") is the General Partner of RCM Capital. RCM Limited has
     beneficial ownership of these shares to the extent RCM Limited may be
     deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities managed by RCM Capital.
     RCM General Corporation ("RCM General") is the General Partner of RCM
     Limited. RCM General has beneficial ownership of these shares to the extent
     RCM General may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities
     managed by RCM Capital. These beneficial owners have sole voting power with
     respect to 1,501,500 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to
     1,639,500 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 7,000 shares.
     The above information presented in regards to the beneficial ownership of
     the Company's Common Stock by RCM Capital, RCM Limited and RCM General is
     based upon a Schedule 13G filed jointly by RCM Capital, RCM Limited and RCM
     General with the SEC on February 6, 1996.
 
 (5) Heartland Advisors, Inc. is an investment adviser registered under Section
     203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. All shares are held in various
     investment advisory accounts of Heartland Advisors, Inc. These beneficial
     owners have sole voting power with respect to 929,200 shares and sole
     dispositive power with respect to 938,700 shares. The above information
     presented in regards to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common
     Stock by Heartland Advisors, Inc. is based upon a Schedule 13G filed by
     Heartland Advisors, Inc. with the SEC on February 16, 1996.
 
 (6) RCM Capital Funds is a diversified open-end management investment company
     registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is comprised of
     three series of stock funds. RCM Capital Funds has retained RCM Capital as
     the investment manager for all three series of stock funds. As investment
     manager, RCM Capital makes all investment decisions for each series of RCM
     Capital Funds, subject to the overall supervision of the Board of Directors
     of RCM Capital Funds. Accordingly, these shares are also included in the
     shares beneficially owned by RCM Capital. These beneficial owners have sole
     dispositive power with respect to 926,000 shares. The above information
     presented in regards to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common
     Stock by RCM Capital Funds and RCM Capital is based upon a Schedule 13G
     filed by RCM Capital Funds with the SEC on February 9, 1996.
 
 (7) Includes 427,778 shares which are subject to options which are currently
     exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.
 
 (8) Includes 55,001 shares which are subject to options which are currently
     exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   8
 
 (9) Includes 25,001 shares which are subject to options which are currently
     exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.
 
(10) All shares are subject to options which are currently exercisable or will
     become exercisable within 60 days.
 
(11) Does not include the Unallocated Shares, held of record by the Company.
     These shares are held by the Company, as disbursing agent for the benefit
     of holders of Reorganization Plan classes 5A through 5H, 7 and 8A through
     8D allowed claims and Reorganization Plan class 12 allowed interests and
     equity claims. The Company disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
     Under certain circumstances, the Independent Directors, currently Messrs.
     Brinegar, Field, Lewis and Manne and Ms. Courtright, have rights to vote
     the Unallocated Shares. The Independent Directors disclaim beneficial
     ownership of these shares. For further information on the voting of these
     shares, see "General Information -- Outstanding Shares and Voting Rights".
 
(12) Includes 10,000 shares which are subject to options which are currently
     exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.
 
(13) Includes 1,104,694 shares which are subject to options which are currently
     exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days.
                            ------------------------
 
     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent
of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and to furnish the Company with
copies of all such forms they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of
such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting
persons, the Company believes that, during the year ended December 31, 1995,
each of its officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders
complied with all such applicable filing requirements.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   9
 
                         ITEM 1.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Under the terms of the Company's bylaws, the Board may consist of up to
nine persons as established by resolution of the Board. The Board has
established the number of directors at seven persons and as of the date hereof,
the Board consists of: Peter J. Ratican, Claude S. Brinegar, Fiorenza (Florence)
F. Courtright, Thomas W. Field, Jr., Eugene L. Froelich, Charles E. Lewis and
Alan S. Manne.
 
     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors are
classified into Class I, Class II or Class III and the initial terms of the
directors are staggered for one, two and three years, respectively. The
Certificate of Incorporation further provides that at the annual meeting
following the expiration of the initial terms of the directors in each class,
the class of directors elected at such meeting would stand for election for a
three year term ending at the third annual meeting thereafter.
 
     At the Annual Meeting, the Board proposes the election of the following
nominees to the Board, each to serve as a Class III director for three years
until the 1999 Annual Meeting, and until his successor is elected and qualified:
 
CLASS III
THOMAS W. FIELD, JR.
Director since: 1992
Age: 62
 
     Mr. Field was appointed Chairman of the Board of ABCO Markets in December
     1991. ABCO Markets is in the grocery business. He has been President of
     Field & Associates, a management consulting firm, since October 1989. Mr.
     Field also holds directorships at Campbell Soup Company, Bromar Inc., ABCO
     Markets Foods and Stater Bros. Market.
 
ALAN S. MANNE
Director since: 1994
Age: 71
 
     Mr. Manne is currently a professor emeritus and from 1961 to 1992 was a
     professor of operations research at Stanford University. He is an author or
     co-author of seven books and received his Ph.D. in economics from Harvard
     University. He is co-organizer of the International Energy Workshop.
 
PETER J. RATICAN
Director since: 1983
Age: 52
 
     Mr. Ratican was appointed Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
     and President of the Company in August 1988. Mr. Ratican is a member of the
     California Knox-Keene Health Care Services Advisory Committee, which
     assists the California Department of Corporations in regulating prepaid
     health plans and he is a certified public accountant.
 
     If the nominees should for any reason become unavailable to serve as a
director or be withdrawn from nomination, and if the Board shall designate a
substitute nominee, the shares represented by valid proxies will be voted in
favor of the substitute nominee. A stockholder may, in the manner set forth on
the enclosed form of proxy, instruct the named proxies not to vote that
stockholder's shares for a particular nominee or nominees, as indicated.
 
     THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTES FOR THE ELECTION OF MR. FIELD, MR. MANNE AND MR.
RATICAN AS DIRECTORS ON THE BOARD. PROXIES GIVEN WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE
VOTED FOR THESE NOMINEES.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   10
 
     The following persons currently serve as members of the Board and each of
these members will continue to serve until the Annual Meeting in the year
indicated or until his successor is duly elected and qualified:
 
CLASS I
CHARLES E. LEWIS
Director since: 1983
Elected to serve until: 1997 Annual Meeting
Age: 67
 
     Dr. Lewis has been a Professor of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing at
     the University of California at Los Angeles, since 1970. As of July 1993,
     he was appointed Director of the Center for Health Promotion and Disease
     Prevention. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine, National Academy
     of Sciences and is a graduate of the Harvard Medical School and of the
     University of Cincinnati School of Public Health where he received a
     Doctorate of Science degree. Dr. Lewis is a Regent of the American College
     of Physicians and a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Joint
     Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.
 
CLAUDE S. BRINEGAR
Director since: 1991
Elected to serve until: 1997 Annual Meeting
Age: 69
 
     Claude S. Brinegar is the retired Vice Chairman of the board of directors
     and Chief Financial Officer of Unocal Corporation. Mr. Brinegar is a member
     of the board of directors of Conrail, Inc. and a visiting scholar at
     Stanford University.
 
CLASS II
FLORENCE F. COURTRIGHT
Director since: 1993
Elected to serve until: 1998 Annual Meeting
Age: 64
 
     Ms. Courtright has been a private investor during the last five years. She
     is a founding Limited Partner of Bainco International Investors, l.p. and a
     Trustee of Loyola Marymount University. Further, Ms. Courtright is a former
     co-owner of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
 
EUGENE L. FROELICH
Director since: 1989
Elected to serve until: 1998 Annual Meeting
Age: 54
 
     Mr. Froelich was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice
     President -- Finance and Administration in March 1989. Mr. Froelich
     graduated from Adelphi University and is a certified public accountant.
 
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
     There were five meetings of the Company's Board during the year ended
December 31, 1995. During that year, each director attended at least 75% of the
meetings of the Board and its committees that each director was entitled to
attend.
 
     The Board has standing Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Option
Committees.
 
     Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee meets periodically with management
and the Company's independent public accountants to make inquiries regarding the
manner in which the responsibilities of each are being discharged. The Audit
Committee reports thereon to the Board. The Audit Committee also recommends, for
the approval of the Board, the annual appointment of the Company's independent
public accountants with whom the Audit Committee reviews the scope of the audit
and non-audit assignments, the accounting principles being applied by the
Company in financial reporting, the scope of internal auditing
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   11
 
procedures, and the adequacy of internal controls. The current members of the
Audit Committee are Messrs. Brinegar, Field, Lewis and Manne. The Audit
Committee met seven times during 1995.
 
     Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee reviews and makes
recommendations with respect to the Company's various compensation programs.
This committee administers the awarding of discretionary bonuses by the Company
and also approves the remuneration of executive and other senior officers of the
Company. The current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Field,
Brinegar and Ratican (ex-officio) and Ms. Courtright. The Compensation Committee
met two times during 1995.
 
     Nominating Committee.  The Nominating Committee recommends to the Board
nominees for election to the Board at the annual meeting and to fill any Board
vacancies that may occur. The current members of the Nominating Committee are
Messrs. Lewis and Manne and Ms. Courtright. The Nominating Committee will
consider nominees recommended by stockholders. Nominations of persons for
election to the Board may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders by any
stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in clauses (1) and (2) below and who is a stockholder of
record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of the Company.
 
          (1) For nominations to be properly brought before an annual meeting by
     a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in
     writing to the Secretary of the Company. To be timely, a stockholder's
     notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive
     offices of the Company not less than seventy (70) days nor more than ninety
     (90) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual
     meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual
     meeting is advanced by more than twenty (20) days or delayed by more than
     seventy (70) days from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to
     be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the ninetieth (90th) day
     prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on
     the later of the seventieth (70th) day prior to such annual meeting or the
     tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date
     of such meeting is first made. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth
     (a) as to each person who the stockholder proposes to nominate for election
     or reelection as a director, all information relating to such person that
     is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of
     directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation
     14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
     Act"), including such person's written consent to being named in the proxy
     statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; and (b) as
     to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on
     whose behalf the nomination is made; (i) the name and address of such
     stockholder, as they appear on the Company's books, and of such beneficial
     owner; and (ii) the class and number of shares of the capital stock of the
     Company which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and
     such beneficial owner.
 
          (2) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of clause 1 to the
     contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the
     Board is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the
     nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board made by
     the Company at least eighty (80) days prior to the first anniversary of the
     preceding year's annual meeting, a stockholder's notice required shall also
     be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new
     positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the
     Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company
     not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the
     day on which such public announcement is first made by the Company.
 
     The Nominating Committee met one time during 1995.
 
     Option Committee.  The Option Committee administers the 1990 Stock Option
Plan and the 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plans") and authorizes the
granting of options thereunder. Members of this committee must be directors who
are not, during the one year prior to service as an administrator of the Option
Plans, granted or awarded options pursuant to the Option Plans. Subject to the
approval of the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Outside Directors 1996 Formula Stock
Option Plan (the "Formula Plan"), the Option Committee may also administer the
Formula Plan upon delegation by the Board (see Item 2. Approval of the Maxicare
Health Plans, Inc. Outside Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option Plan). The
current members of the Option Committee are Messrs. Brinegar and Field. The
Option Committee met one time during 1995.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   12
 
DIRECTORS REMUNERATION
 
     During 1995, certain members of the Board received compensation for their
services as directors. These outside directors who were not employees or
officers of the Company (the "Outside Directors") are Claude S. Brinegar,
Florence F. Courtright, Thomas W. Field, Jr., Charles E. Lewis and Alan S. Manne
and they received cash payments of $30,750, $27,000, $30,750 and $30,750
respectively, during 1995. During 1996, the Outside Directors will receive
compensation for their services in the amount of $27,000 per year, plus $750 per
meeting. In addition, Outside Directors are entitled to be reimbursed for all of
their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their
services as directors of the Company.
 
     Outside Directors of the Company have received options to purchase shares
of Common Stock which are immediately exercisable at an exercise price equal to
the market price at the date of grant. Set forth below is a schedule of the
outstanding options at December 31, 1995 held by each of the Outside Directors,
the date of grant and the exercise price of such options:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NUMBER                             EXERCISE PRICE
                    DIRECTOR                  OF OPTIONS       DATE OF GRANT         PER SHARE
    ----------------------------------------  ----------     -----------------     --------------
    <S>                                       <C>            <C>                   <C>
    Claude S. Brinegar......................    10,000       July 18, 1991             $ 9.25
                                                10,000       December 20, 1993         $ 9.63
    Florence F. Courtright..................    10,000       November 5, 1993          $10.88
    Thomas W. Field.........................    10,000       April 1, 1992             $10.50
                                                10,000       December 20, 1993         $ 9.63
    Alan S. Manne...........................    10,000       January 28, 1994          $12.63
</TABLE>
 
     These options shall expire upon the first to occur of either; (i) five (5)
years from the date of grant; or (ii) thirty (30) days from the date of
termination of the Outside Director's directorship. In October 1995, Dr. Lewis
exercised the 10,000 options granted to him on December 20, 1993.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The Compensation Committee designs, reviews and approves the compensation
program for the Company's top executive employees. The Compensation Committee
for the Company's 1995 fiscal year was comprised of three outside directors and
Peter J. Ratican (ex-officio), the Company's President and Chief Executive
Officer (the "CEO"). The Compensation Committee coordinates with the Option
Committee stock option grants pursuant to the stockholder approved option plans.
The recommendations of the Compensation Committee regarding compensation are
presented to the Board which makes all final approvals.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
 
     Under rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Company is required to provide certain data and information in regard to the
compensation and benefits provided to the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the
Company. The disclosure requirements for these five individuals include the use
of tables and a report explaining the rationale and considerations that led to
fundamental executive officer compensation decisions affecting those
individuals. In fulfillment of this requirement, the Compensation Committee, at
the direction of the Board, has prepared the following report for inclusion in
this Proxy Statement. This report reflects the Company's compensation philosophy
as endorsed by the Board and resulting actions taken by the Company for the 1995
reporting period shown in the various compensation tables supporting this
report. As noted earlier in the Proxy Statement, the Compensation Committee
approves the payment amounts and award levels for executive officers of the
Company and its subsidiaries.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   13
 
                  THE 1995 BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
                           ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY REGARDING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The fundamental philosophy of the Company's compensation program is to
offer compensation opportunities for all employees which are based on the
individual's contribution and personal performance. Consideration is also given
to a person's potential for future responsibility and promotion.
 
     In designing and administering the individual elements of the executive
compensation program, the Compensation Committee strives to balance short and
long-term incentive objectives and employ prudent judgment in establishing
performance criteria, evaluating performance and determining actual incentive
payments. Essentially, the executive compensation program of the Company has
been designed to:
 
     - support a pay for performance policy that differentiates in compensation
       amounts based on corporate, business unit and individual performance;
 
     - motivate key executive officers to achieve strategic business initiatives
       and reward them for their achievement;
 
     - provide compensation opportunities which are comparable to those offered
       by other leading companies in the health care industry, thus allowing the
       Company to compete for and retain talented executives who are critical to
       the Company's long-term success; and
 
     - align the interest of executives with the long-term interest of
       stockholders through award opportunities that can result in bonuses and
       ownership of common stock.
 
RELATIONSHIP OF PERFORMANCE UNDER THE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
 
     The compensation program supports the Company's internal culture and human
resource values which are to foster career opportunities and develop the best
people at all levels and to encourage and reward actions which put the interests
of the Company as a whole ahead of functional specialties and individual
considerations. During 1995, the compensation program for all executives,
including the CEO and the four other most highly compensated executive officers
other than the CEO (the "named executives"), is comprised of two elements:
 
     - Base salary and benefits typically offered to executives by major
       corporations.
 
     - Stock option grants to provide an incentive that focuses the executives'
       attention on managing the Company from the perspective of an owner with
       an equity stake in the business. These stock options are tied to the
       future performance of the Company's stock and will provide value to the
       recipient only when the price of the Company's stock increases above the
       option grant price.
 
     The Compensation Committee believes that to attract and retain quality
executives emphasis should remain in 1995 on base salary rather than on
performance measured compensation for the named executives, other than the CEO
and Eugene L. Froelich the Company's Executive Vice President -- Finance and
Administration and Chief Financial Officer (the "CFO").
 
     In addition to the above mentioned compensation elements, there are three
elements in the Company's executive compensation program for the CEO and the
CFO:
 
     - Annual incentive compensation.
 
     - Long-term compensation.
 
     - Additional incentive compensation linked to maximization of shareholders'
       value.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   14
 
                                 SALARY FACTORS
 
     Every employee of the Company, including the named executives, is assigned
a grade level with a salary range that is designed to reflect competitive
practice for the position they hold. At the end of each fiscal year, the
Compensation Committee reviews and approves an annual salary plan for all
executives for the upcoming year. This salary plan is developed under the
ultimate direction of the CEO who informs the Compensation Committee as to the
amount of proposed remuneration for the Company's executive officers (excluding
the CFO). The salaries approved for 1995 reflect consideration of the CEO's,
Compensation Committee's and the Board's subjective assessment of the
performance of each executive over the past year, planned changes in functional
responsibility and judgments as to the expected future contributions of the
individual executive.
 
     Performance Evaluation.  The Compensation Committee has taken particular
note of the executives' success in effectively directing the Company's
operations under the difficult competitive conditions in the markets served by
the Company. In its review of the executives' performance and compensation, the
Compensation Committee has also taken into account the executives' consistent
commitment to the long-term success of the Company through development of new or
improved products. The Compensation Committee also subjectively assessed past
performance and its expectation as to future contributions in leading the
Company and its businesses.
 
     Competitive Data.  Total cash compensation for executives in 1994, other
than the CEO and CFO, were set to meet or exceed the seventy-fifth percentile
(75%) for the specific position held, from a private health care industry survey
conducted in 1993 included in a formal report provided by an independent
consulting firm. Using the 1993 analysis as a base, 1995 cash compensation was
subjectively increased for executives with a goal not to exceed five percent
(5%) in the aggregate.
 
     The salary compensation for the CEO and CFO for 1995 was in accordance with
the five year employment agreements entered into in 1992 (the "Employment
Agreements") and no changes or increases were made for 1995.
 
     The Compensation Committee considers the total compensation (earned or
potentially available) of each of the executives in establishing each element of
compensation. After completing their subjective assessment of the above salary
factors, the Compensation Committee increased the salaries of the named
executives effective January 1, 1995.
 
                                    BENEFITS
 
     In the past, the Company adopted certain broad-based employee benefit plans
in which the executives are permitted to participate on the same terms as
non-executive employees who meet applicable eligibility criteria, subject to any
legal limitations on the amounts that may be contributed or the benefits that
may be payable under the plans. Benefits under these and other plans are not
tied to Company performance.
 
                                 STOCK OPTIONS
 
     Stock options are granted to employees and directors under the 1990 and
1995 Stock Option Plans by the Option Committee which is comprised of two
outside directors. These grants are made only after approval by the Compensation
Committee. Stock option grants provide the right to purchase shares of Common
Stock at the fair market value (the closing price) on the date of grant. Each
stock option generally becomes exercisable in three annual installments
following the date of grant and has a term from five to ten years. The number of
shares covered by an individual's option represents the Option Committee's
subjective assessment of the individual's relative value to the Company. During
1995 stock options were granted to two of the named executives. In determining
the amount of options to grant, the Option Committee took into account the items
discussed above under "Salary Factors", the desire to tie closely the financial
interests of the named executives to those of the Company's stockholders and the
total amount of options currently held by the named executive. The grants made
in 1995 reflect such considerations.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   15
 
                               ANNUAL INCENTIVES
 
     In addition to the base salary, the CEO and the CFO could earn an annual
performance bonus which is based on the pre-tax earnings of the Company. For
purposes of calculating the annual bonus, the goals on pre-tax earnings are set
forth in the CEO's and the CFO's Employment Agreements. For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1994 the Company's pre-tax earnings were not sufficient to
generate an annual bonus payment under the Employment Agreements. However, the
Compensation Committee in evaluating the overall performance of the Company and
the effect of certain litigation charges against pre-tax earnings for 1994,
granted a discretionary bonus in the amount of $100,000 to both the CEO and CFO
which was paid in February 1995. An annual bonus of $256,862 was paid in
February 1996 to both the CEO and the CFO based upon the audited 1995 pre-tax
earnings pursuant to the Employment Agreements.
 
                   OTHER LONG-TERM AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     In order to further incentivize the CEO and CFO, and strengthen such
executives' ongoing commitment to the Company, on February 27, 1995 the
Compensation Committee awarded 65,000 shares of Restricted Stock to both
executives (individually the "Executive"). The Restricted Stock is subject to
complete forfeiture should the Executive to which it has been awarded be
terminated prior to February 27, 1998. Upon the Executive remaining in the
employ of the Company through February 27, 1998 the Restricted Stock becomes
fully vested. Under certain defined circumstances involving a change of control
of the Company the Restricted Stock will vest in full immediately. These
Restricted Stock awards provide an additional incentive to the CEO and CFO to
remain in the employ of the Company for the full three year vesting period as
well as further aligning their financial interests with those of the Company's
stockholders.
 
     The CEO's and CFO's Employment Agreements provide that in the event of a
change of control of the Company, the Executive may terminate the Employment
Agreement and be entitled to receive a payment based upon the Executive's
average annualized compensation over the five year period through the date of
the change of control. Also set forth in the Employment Agreements is a bonus on
the sale of the Company or substantially all of its assets or a merger into
another company. This bonus is based on the extent to which the sale price
exceeds an initial value set forth in the CEO's and the CFO's Employment
Agreements.
 
     The bonuses paid pursuant to the Company's plan of reorganization are not
under the jurisdiction of the Compensation Committee.
 
                                   CONCLUSION
 
     Based on its evaluation of these factors, the Compensation Committee
believes that the executive employees of the Company are dedicated to achieving
significant improvements in long-term financial performance and that the
compensation policies, plans and programs the Compensation Committee and the
Board designed, implemented and administered have contributed to achieving this
management focus. The policies, plans and programs used in setting 1995
compensation are consistent with those used when 1994 compensation was set.
 
1995 COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:
 
                Claude S. Brinegar
 
                Florence F. Courtright
 
                Thomas W. Field, Jr.
 
                Peter J. Ratican (ex-officio)
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   16
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
     Shown below is information concerning the annual and long-term compensation
for services in all capacities to the Company for the years ended December 31,
1995, 1994 and 1993, of those persons who were, at December 31, 1995; (i) the
chief executive officer; and (ii) the other four most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company (collectively the "Named Officers"):
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  LONG-TERM
                                                                                 COMPENSATION
                                              ANNUAL COMPENSATION            --------------------
                                      ------------------------------------    STOCK    RESTRICTED
                                                 REORGANIZATION              OPTIONS     STOCK
                                                      PLAN                   AWARDS      AWARDS        ALL OTHER
 NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION   YEAR    SALARY       BONUS(1)      BONUS(2)     (#)        (3)       COMPENSATION(4)
- - -----------------------------  -----  ---------  --------------   --------   -------   ----------   ---------------
<S>                            <C>    <C>        <C>              <C>        <C>       <C>          <C>
Peter J. Ratican               1995   $ 425,000     $ 25,278      $356,862             $1,048,125       $ 4,500
  Chairman of the Board        1994   $ 425,000                                                         $ 5,539
  of Directors, Chief
    Executive                  1993   $ 425,000     $ 18,513                                            $ 7,075
  Officer and President
Eugene L. Froelich             1995   $ 325,000     $ 25,278      $356,862             $1,048,125       $ 4,500
  Executive Vice President --  1994   $ 325,000                                                         $ 5,539
  Finance and Administration,  1993   $ 325,000     $ 18,513                                            $ 7,075
  Chief Financial Officer and
  Director
Alan D. Bloom                  1995   $ 208,000                                                         $ 4,500
  Senior Vice President,       1994   $ 203,000                               7,500                     $ 4,697
  Secretary and General
    Counsel                    1993   $ 200,000                               7,500                     $ 6,000
Richard A. Link                1995   $ 205,000                              10,000                     $ 4,500
  Senior Vice President --     1994   $ 197,500                               5,000                     $ 4,580
  Accounting and Chief         1993   $ 195,000                               5,000                     $ 5,850
  Accounting Officer
Aivars L. Jerumanis            1995   $ 190,000                               5,000                     $ 4,500
  Senior Vice President --     1994   $ 187,000                               5,000                     $ 5,250
  Management Information       1993   $ 173,000                               5,000                     $ 4,225
  Systems and Chief
  Information Officer
</TABLE>
 
- - ---------------
(1) These amounts are bonuses payable pursuant to the Reorganization Plan and
    were paid from funds held by the Disbursing Agent in a segregated account
    and were not paid out of the Company's available cash.
 
(2) These amounts include $256,862 paid in February 1996 pursuant to employment
    agreements entered into by the Company with the Named Officers. These
    employment agreements call for the payment of a bonus to the Named Officers
    based upon the Company's annual pre-tax earnings before extraordinary items.
    These amounts also include a $100,000 bonus paid to the Named Officers in
    February 1995 as determined by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
(3) These amounts represent the fair market value of 65,000 shares of Restricted
    Stock awarded to each of the Named Officers on February 27, 1995, based upon
    the closing market price of the Company's Common Stock on that date
    ($16.125). The Restricted Stock is subject to complete forfeiture should the
    Named Officer's employment with the Company be terminated prior to February
    27, 1998. Upon the Named Officer remaining in the employ of the Company
    through February 27, 1998, the Restricted Stock becomes fully vested. Under
    certain defined circumstances involving a change in control of the Company
    the Restricted Stock will vest in full immediately. Based upon the closing
    price of the Company's Common Stock at December 31, 1995 ($26.875), the
    Restricted Stock awarded to each Named Officer had a fair market value of
    $1,746,875 at that date.
 
(4) These amounts include contributions made by the Company on behalf of the
    Named Officer under the Company's 401(k) Savings Incentive Plan.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   17
 
OPTION GRANTS
 
     Shown below is further information on grants of stock options pursuant to
the 1995 Stock Option Plan during the year ended December 31, 1995, to the Named
Officers which are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                          VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                                                                          ANNUAL RATES OF
                        NUMBER OF                                                              STOCK
                        SECURITIES   PERCENTAGE OF                                       PRICE APPRECIATION
                        UNDERLYING   TOTAL OPTIONS                                              FOR
                         OPTIONS      GRANTED TO     EXERCISE OR                           OPTION TERM(3)
                         GRANTED     EMPLOYEES IN     BASE PRICE        EXPIRATION      --------------------
         NAME             (1)(#)      FISCAL 1995    ($/SHARE)(2)          DATE            5%         10%
- - ----------------------  ----------   -------------   ------------   ------------------  ---------  ---------
<S>                     <C>          <C>             <C>            <C>                 <C>        <C>
Richard A. Link.......    10,000          4.6%          $26.50      December 19, 2005   $ 166,657  $ 422,342
Aivars L. Jerumanis...     5,000          2.3%          $26.50      December 19, 2005   $  83,329  $ 211,171
</TABLE>
 
- - ---------------
(1) The options were granted as of December 19, 1995 and vest in one-third
    installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of
    grant. If the grantee's employment is terminated under certain circumstances
    or there is a restructuring of the Company (as set forth in the option
    agreement) these options would become immediately exercisable.
 
(2) The option exercise price is subject to adjustment in the event of a stock
    split or dividend, recapitalization or certain other events.
 
(3) The actual value, if any, the Named Officer may realize will depend on the
    excess of the stock price over the exercise price on the date the option is
    exercised, so that there is no assurance the value realized by the Named
    Officer will be at or near the value estimated. This amount is net of the
    option exercise price.
 
OPTION EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR-END VALUES
 
     Shown below is information with respect to the unexercised options to
purchase the Company's Common Stock granted in fiscal 1995 and prior years under
employment agreements, the 1995 Stock Option Plan and the 1990 Stock Option Plan
to the Named Officers and held by them at December 31, 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED             VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                   OPTIONS HELD AT               IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
                                                DECEMBER 31, 1995(#)              DECEMBER 31, 1995(1)
                                            -----------------------------     -----------------------------
                   NAME                     EXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE     EXERCISABLE     UNEXERCISABLE
- - ------------------------------------------  -----------     -------------     -----------     -------------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>
Peter J. Ratican..........................    427,778                         $ 8,479,866
Eugene L. Froelich........................    427,778                         $ 8,479,866
Alan D. Bloom.............................     17,500            7,500        $   309,038       $ 111,238
Richard A. Link...........................     65,001           14,999        $ 1,210,208       $  77,892
Aivars L. Jerumanis.......................     25,001            9,999        $   457,708       $  76,017
</TABLE>
 
- - ---------------
(1) Based on the closing price on the NASDAQ-NMS on that date ($26.875), net of
    the option exercise price.
 
     Shown below is information with respect to stock options exercised by Named
Officers in 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NUMBER OF                    VALUE OF
                                                             SECURITIES UNDERLYING         UNEXERCISED IN-THE
                               SHARES                         UNEXERCISED OPTIONS           MONEY OPTIONS AT
                             ACQUIRED ON       VALUE        AT DECEMBER 31, 1995(#)       DECEMBER 31, 1995($)
           NAME              EXERCISE(#)    REALIZED($)    EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE    EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
- - ---------------------------  -----------    -----------    -------------------------    -------------------------
<S>                          <C>            <C>            <C>                          <C>
Richard A. Link............     10,000       $  87,500           65,001/14,999              $1,210,208/$77,892
Aivars L. Jerumanis........     10,000       $ 123,438           25,001/ 9,999                $457,708/$76,017
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   18
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     As of January 1, 1992, the Company entered into five-year employment
agreements with Peter J. Ratican and Eugene L. Froelich ("Senior Management")
which agreements were amended by amendments dated February 27, 1995 (the
"Employment Agreements"). As of April 1, 1996, the Company entered into new
five-year employment agreements with Peter J. Ratican and Eugene L. Froelich
(the "Restated Employment Agreements"). These Restated Employment Agreements
provide for annual base compensation of $500,000 for Mr. Ratican and $400,000
for Mr. Froelich, subject to increases and bonuses, as may be determined by the
Board based on annual reviews. The Restated Employment Agreements provide that
upon the termination of either member of Senior Management by the Company
without Cause or reasons other than death or incapacity or the voluntary
termination by either member of Senior Management for certain reasons as set
forth in the Restated Employment Agreements, the terminated member will be
entitled to receive (i) a payment equal to the balance of the terminated
member's annual base salary which would have been paid over the remainder of the
term of the Restated Employment Agreement; (ii) an additional one year's annual
base salary; (iii) payment of any performance bonus amounts which would have
otherwise been payable over the remainder of the term of the Employment
Agreement; (iv) immediate vesting of all stock options; (v) the continuation of
the right to participate in any profit sharing, bonus, stock option, pension,
life, health and accident insurance, or other employee benefits plans including
a car allowance through March 31, 2001. Cause is defined as: (i) the willful or
habitual failure to perform requested duties commensurate with his employment
without good cause; (ii) the willful engaging in misconduct or inaction
materially injurious to the Company; or (iii) the conviction for a felony or of
a crime involving moral turpitude, dishonesty or theft. In the event of a Change
of Control of the Company, either member of Senior Management may elect to
terminate the Restated Employment Agreement within one hundred twenty (120) days
after such Change of Control in which case the electing member will be entitled
to receive a payment equal to 2.99 times that member's average annualized
compensation from all sources from and relating to the Company, which is
includable in that member's gross income (including the value of unexercised
options and termination of forfeiture restrictions on shares of Common Stock
issued to that member pursuant to the terms of the Restricted Stock Agreement)
for the most recent five taxable years ending with and including the calendar
year in which the Change of Control occurs, together with the immediate vesting
of all options to purchase shares of Common Stock not otherwise already vested
pursuant to the terms of such options and all shares of Restricted Stock not
otherwise already vested pursuant to the terms of the applicable Restricted
Stock Agreement. Change of Control is defined as: (i) any transaction or
occurrence which results in the Company ceasing to be publicly owned with at
least 300 stockholders; (ii) any person or group becoming beneficial owner of
more than forty percent (40%) of the combined voting power of the Company's
outstanding securities; (iii) a change in the composition of the Board, as set
forth in the Restated Employment Agreements; (iv) the merger or consolidation of
the Company with or into any other non-affiliated entity whereby the Company's
equity security holders, immediately prior to such transaction, own less than
sixty percent (60%) of the equity; or (v) the sale or transfer of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets. In the event of death or incapacity,
the member, or his estate, shall receive the equivalent of ninety (90) days base
salary and in the case of incapacity, the continuation of health and disability
benefits. The Restated Employment Agreements also provide that in the event
either member of Senior Management does not receive an offer for a new
employment agreement containing terms at least as favorable as those contained
in the existing Restated Employment Agreements before the expiration of such
Restated Employment Agreements, such member will be entitled to receive a
payment equal to one year's base salary under the terminating agreement. Under
these Restated Employment Agreements, each member of Senior Management will be
entitled to receive an annual performance bonus calculated using a formula, as
set forth in the Restated Employment Agreements, which is based on the Company's
annual pre-tax earnings, before extraordinary items, over $10 million. In
addition, upon the sale of the Company, a sale of substantially all of its
assets or a merger where the Company shareholders cease to own a majority of the
outstanding voting capital stock, Senior Management will be entitled to a sale
bonus calculated using a formula which is based on a percentage of the excess
value of the Company over an initial value as set forth in the Restated
Employment Agreements.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   19
 
     In addition, Senior Management remains entitled to receive certain
additional compensation out of funds set aside for distribution under the
Reorganization Plan on the Effective Date or from the proceeds of assets
liquidated on behalf of pre-petition creditors under the Reorganization Plan.
 
     As of January 1, 1995, the Company entered into employment agreements,
effective through December 31, 1997, with Alan D. Bloom, Richard A. Link and
Aivars L. Jerumanis. The contracts provide minimum base salaries of $208,000,
$205,000 and $190,000 for Messrs. Bloom, Link and Jerumanis, respectively,
subject to increases and bonuses, as may be determined from time to time by the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The contracts with Messrs. Bloom, Link
and Jerumanis provide that should their employment be terminated under certain
circumstances, they would receive up to the equivalent of four (4) months base
salary.
 
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN GRAPH
 
     The following graph presents a four and three quarter years comparison of
cumulative total returns for the Common Stock of the Company, the index for the
NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S. Companies) and an index of peer companies (the
"Managed Care Group") selected by the Board of Directors. This Graph only
presents four and three quarter years of information because the Company's
Common Stock was issued on April 2, 1991 and was traded on the over-the-counter
market beginning April 30, 1991. The Managed Care Group through December 31,
1993 consisted of seven other managed care companies: Coventry Corporation, FHP
International, Foundation Health Corporation, PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc.,
Qual-Med, Inc., TakeCare, Inc. and Wellpoint Health Networks (as of February
1993). As a result of corporate mergers involving Qual-Med, Inc. with Health Net
and TakeCare, Inc. with FHP International, the Managed Care Group for 1994 and
1995 consists of: Coventry Corporation, FHP International, Foundation Health
Corporation, PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc., Wellpoint Health Networks and
Health Systems International (the successor company of Qual-Med, Inc.). Total
return assumes the monthly reinvestment of dividends.
 
            COMPARISON AS OF DECEMBER 31 OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   MAXICARE
      MEASUREMENT PERIOD         HEALTH PLANS,                   MANAGED CARE
    (FISCAL YEAR COVERED)            INC.         NASDAQ U.S.        GROUP
<S>                              <C>             <C>             <C>
1990                                $100.00         $100.00         $100.00
1991                                $114.71         $109.45         $ 73.73
1992                                $150.00         $127.38         $117.24
1993                                $114.71         $146.22         $117.76
1994                                $177.94         $142.93         $114.56
1995                                $316.18         $201.97         $130.32
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 

 
                                       16
<PAGE>   20
 
                ITEM 2.  APPROVAL OF MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
                OUTSIDE DIRECTORS 1996 FORMULA STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     On May 14, 1996, the Board adopted the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Outside
Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option Plan (the "Formula Plan"), the effectiveness
of which is contingent upon stockholder approval. A copy of the Formula Plan is
attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
 
     The Board believes the Formula Plan will further the growth and development
of the Corporation by providing an incentive to attract and retain directors to
the Board who are not employees of the Company. Because the Company limits its
cash compensation paid to the Outside Directors, adoption of the Formula Plan
will reward the Outside Directors who contribute materially to the prosperity of
the Company by allowing them to participate in the long-term growth of the
Company by receiving the opportunity to acquire shares of the Company's Common
Stock. The Formula Plan provides a means to increase such Outside Directors'
interests in the Company's welfare, to provide an identity of interest with the
Company's stockholders, to encourage the continuation of the optionees' services
on the Board, and to attract individuals of outstanding ability to serve on the
Board.
 
     The Company has a 1990 Stock Option Plan (the "1990 Plan"), under which a
maximum of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued. Pursuant to the
exercise of options granted under the 1990 Plan 429,534 shares have been issued
and options to purchase 510,966 shares of Common Stock are outstanding. In
addition, the Company has a 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "1995 Plan"), under
which a maximum of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued. Options to
purchase 224,500 shares of Common Stock are outstanding and options to purchase
775,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted in the future. The 1990 Plan and
1995 Plan expire on December 5, 2000 and July 27, 2005, respectively. The Board
believes the limited number of shares of Common Stock available under the 1990
Plan and 1995 Plan for directors, officers and employees restrict the Company in
achieving the goals set forth in the preceding paragraph, and therefore the
Board believes the Formula Plan is necessary to achieve such goals.
 
TYPE OF OPTIONS AND STOCK SUBJECT TO THE FORMULA PLAN
 
     The stock to be offered under the Formula Plan consists of a maximum of
125,000 authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or shares of Common Stock
held in the treasury. Based on the closing price on the NASDAQ-NMS on June 21,
1996 ($19.75), the current market value of the securities eligible for issuance
underlying the options is $2.5 million.
 
     In the event of a stock dividend (but only on Common Stock), stock split,
reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation,
separation or like change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company,
the administrator of the Formula Plan is authorized to make appropriate
adjustment to the number and kind of shares subject to the Plan; although no
adjustment shall be made in the case of a merger, consolidation or other
reorganization if the Company is not the surviving corporation (see "Changes in
Control").
 
     The number of shares issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options under
the Formula Plan will be charged against the maximum number of shares set forth
above. If any stock option granted under the Formula Plan expires, terminates,
or is surrendered or cancelled without having been exercised in full, the shares
of Common Stock allocable to the unexercised portion of the stock option will
again be eligible for issuance upon exercise of other options.
 
     Stock options granted under the Formula Plan (the "Formula Stock Options")
shall be nonqualified stock options that are not eligible for special tax
treatment under Code Section 422.
 
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FORMULA PLAN
 
     Prior to August 15, 1996, the Formula Plan shall be administered by the
Board during such periods of time as all members of the Board are "disinterested
persons" as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). From and after August 15, 1996, the
Formula Plan shall be administered by the Board or a committee appointed by the
Board, as described below.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   21
 
The Board may delegate, and at any time prior to August 15, 1996 the Board
includes any person who is not a "disinterested person" shall delegate, any or
all of its duties as the plan administrator to the Option Committee. The Formula
Plan specifies that the Option Committee must consist of not less than two
individuals, all of whom must be members of the Board and prior to August 15,
1996 "disinterested persons" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange
Act. From and after August 15, 1996, the Option Committee must consist solely of
"non-employee directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
The Board or the Option Committee as delegated by the Board shall act as the
Plan Administrator and have the authority to construe and interpret the terms of
the Formula Plan. The Option Committee currently consists of Messrs. Claude S.
Brinegar and Thomas W. Field, Jr.
 
     The Board may, at any time, amend or terminate the Formula Plan, so long as
such action does not impair any options previously granted thereunder and so
long as stockholder approval is obtained for any amendment materially increasing
the benefits to optionees, materially increasing the number of shares subject to
the Formula Plan or materially modifying the requirements as to eligibility for
participation in the Formula Plan.
 
FORMULA OPTION GRANTS
 
     On the date on which the shareholders of the Company adopt resolutions
approving the Formula Plan (the "Effective Date"), each Outside Director shall
receive a grant of Formula Stock Options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common
Stock. At the close of business on each January 2nd or at the close of business
on the next trading day of the Common Stock if January 2nd is not a trading day,
commencing January 2, 1997 each Outside Director then serving on the Board shall
receive a grant of Formula Stock Options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common
Stock.
 
FORMULA OPTION PRICE
 
     The option price for the shares subject to any Formula Stock Option shall
be the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock of the Company on the
date the Formula Stock Option is granted (the "Formula Option Price"). For
purposes of the Formula Plan, the "Fair Market Value" of any share of Common
Stock at any date shall be determined based on (a) if the Common Stock is listed
on an established stock exchange or exchanges or reported by NASDAQ, the last
reported sale price per share on the last trading day immediately preceding such
date on the principal exchange on which it is traded, or if no sale was made on
such day on such principal exchange, at the closing reported bid price on such
day on such exchange, or (b) if the Common Stock is not then listed on an
exchange, the last reported sale price per share on the last trading day
immediately preceding such date reported by NASDAQ, or if sales are not reported
by NASDAQ or no sale was made on such date, the average of the closing bid and
asked price per share for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as
quoted by NASDAQ on the last trading day immediately preceding such date, or (c)
if the Common Stock is not publicly traded at the time a Formula Stock Option is
granted under the Formula Plan, the fair value of the Common Stock as determined
by the Plan Administrator after taking into consideration all factors which it
deems appropriate, including, without limitation, recent sale and offer prices
of the Common Stock in private transactions negotiated at arm's length.
 
EXERCISE OF FORMULA OPTION
 
     No Formula Stock Option shall be exercisable during the lifetime of an
Outside Director by any person other than the Outside Director. Formula Stock
Options shall vest and become exercisable six months after the date of grant;
provided, however, any unexercised Formula Stock Option granted under the
Formula Plan to Outside Directors shall expire and become unexercisable after
the expiration of the earliest of: (a) ten (10) years after the date the Formula
Stock Option was granted (the "Option Termination Date"); or (b) one (1) year
following the effective date of the termination of directorship with the
Company, for any reason; or (c) notwithstanding the foregoing in the event of
the death of an Outside Director, any unexercised Formula Stock Option granted
under the Formula Plan to such Outside Director may be exercised prior to their
expiration by (and only by) the person or persons to whom the Outside Director's
rights shall pass by will or by the laws of the descent and distribution, if
applicable.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   22
 
     Any exercisable portion of a Formula Stock Option may be exercised only by
payment in full of the Formula Option Price of such Formula Stock Option and
shall be made at the time the Outside Director delivers to the Company the
written notice of election to exercise and will be by: (i) cash or check for an
amount equal to the aggregate Formula Option Price for the number of shares
being purchased, (ii) by paying all or a portion of the Formula Option Price for
the number of shares being purchased by tendering shares of the Common Stock
owned by the Outside Director, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a
Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate Formula Stock
Option or portion is thereby exercised (a "stock-for-stock exercise"), (iii) by
a combination of cash and Common Stock, or (iv) in the discretion of the Plan
Administrator, upon such terms as the Plan Administrator shall approve, a copy
of instructions to a broker directing such broker to sell the Common Stock for
which such Formula Stock Option is exercised, and to remit to the Company the
aggregate exercise price of such Formula Stock Option (a "cashless exercise").
 
ELIGIBILITY
 
     Only Outside Directors then serving on the Board shall be eligible to
receive Formula Stock Options under the Formula Plan.
 
CHANGES IN CONTROL
 
     In the event of a liquidation, a merger, reorganization, or consolidation
of the Company with any other corporation in which the Company is not the
surviving corporation or the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of
another corporation, any unexercised Formula Stock Option rights theretofore
granted under the Formula Plan shall be deemed cancelled unless the surviving
corporation in any such merger, reorganization, or consolidation elects to
assume the Formula Stock Option rights under the Formula Plan or to use
substitute Formula Stock Option rights in place thereof. If provisions shall be
made in writing in connection with such transaction for the continuance of the
Formula Plan and/or the assumption of Formula Stock Options theretofore granted,
or the substitution of such Formula Stock Options for options covering the stock
of the successor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof with appropriate
adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices, the unexercised
Formula Stock Options theretofore granted shall continue in the manner and under
the terms so provided.
 
TERM OF FORMULA PLAN
 
     Unless sooner terminated by the Board in its sole discretion, the Formula
Plan will expire and no Formula Stock Options may be made hereunder on and after
ten (10) years from the Effective Date.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The options granted under the Formula Plan are "nonqualified options".
Under current federal income tax law, the grant of a nonqualified option under
the Formula Plan will have no federal income tax consequences to the Company or
the optionee. Generally, upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option granted
under the Formula Plan, the excess of the fair market value of the stock at the
date of exercise over the Formula Option Price (the "spread") is taxable to the
optionee as ordinary income. All such amounts taxable to an Outside Director are
deductible by the Company as compensation expense, if appropriate taxes are
withheld. The deduction will be allowed for the taxable year of the Company in
which the optionee includes an amount in earned income.
 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
     The sale or transfer of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Formula
Plan is subject to restrictions pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"). In connection therewith, the Company intends to
have an effective Form S-8 Registration Statement on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, covering the sale of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of any options under the Formula Plan, prior to the initial vesting of
any stock options granted under the Formula Plan.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   23
 
     Subject to the foregoing, the shares received on exercise of a nonqualified
stock option under the Formula Plan will not be subject to restrictions on
transfer or risks of forfeiture and, therefore, the optionee will recognize
income on the date of exercise of a nonqualified stock option. However, if the
optionee is subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Section 16(b)
restriction may be considered a substantial risk of forfeiture for tax purposes.
Under current law, outside directors of the Company will be subject to
restrictions under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act during their term of
service and for up to six months after termination of such service. Rule 16b-3
of the Exchange Act ("Rule 16b-3") provides an exemption from the restrictions
of Section 16(b) for the grant of derivative securities, such as stock options,
under qualifying plans. Because the Formula Plan satisfies the requirements for
exemption under Rule 16b-3, the grant of options will not be considered a
purchase and the exercise of the options to acquire the underlying shares of
Common Stock will not be considered a purchase or a sale. Thus, ordinary income
will be recognized and the spread will be measured on the date of exercise.
 
     THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTES FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS,
INC. OUTSIDE DIRECTORS 1996 FORMULA STOCK OPTION PLAN AND THE AUTHORIZATION OF
THE ISSUANCE OF UP TO 125,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UPON THE EXERCISE OF STOCK
OPTIONS THEREUNDER. PROXIES GIVEN WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE VOTED FOR THE
PROPOSAL.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   24
 
                ITEM 3.  APPROVAL OF MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
                    SENIOR EXECUTIVES 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     On May 14, 1996 the Board approved the Amended and Restated Employment and
Indemnification Agreements, dated as of April 1, 1996, made by and between the
Company and Peter J. Ratican and Eugene L. Froelich, respectively (the "Restated
Employment Agreements"). As a part of the compensation under the Restated
Employment Agreements, the Company agreed to grant, subject to stockholder
approval, to Peter J. Ratican and Eugene L. Froelich options to individually
purchase 350,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. Accordingly, on May 14,
1996 the Board adopted the Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Senior Executives 1996
Stock Option Plan (the "Senior Executives Plan"), the effectiveness of which is
contingent upon stockholder approval. A copy of the Senior Executives Plan is
attached as Exhibit B to this Proxy Statement.
 
     The Board believes that the Company's long-term success is dependent upon
the ability of the Company to retain the skills and experience of a Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (the "Senior Executives" and
individually the "Senior Executive") in leading the on-going business,
operations and future prospects of the Company as well as to motivate the Senior
Executives' best efforts on behalf of the Company's interests. It is the view of
the Board that the grant of options under the Senior Executives Plan will be an
important element to achieve such goals.
 
     The Company currently has a 1990 Stock Option Plan and a 1995 Stock Option
Plan for which the Senior Executives are eligible to participate; however,
heretofore they have not received any stock option grants under these plans, nor
are the Senior Executives eligible to participate in the Maxicare Health Plans,
Inc. Outside Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option Plan (see Item 2. Approval of
Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Outside Directors 1996 Formula Plan). Furthermore,
the Senior Executives Plan, if adopted, fulfills the Company's obligation
pursuant to the Restated Employment Agreements to grant to Peter J. Ratican and
Eugene L. Froelich options to individually purchase 350,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock. If the Senior Executives Plan is not approved by the
stockholders, the Company is obligated to provide them with substantially
equivalent value under the terms of the Restated Employment Agreements.
 
TYPE OF OPTIONS AND STOCK SUBJECT TO OPTIONS
 
     The stock to be offered under the Senior Executives Plan consists of a
maximum of 700,000 authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or shares of
Common Stock held in treasury. Based on the closing price on the NASDAQ-NMS on
June 21, 1996 ($19.75), the current market value of the securities eligible for
issuance underlying the options is $13.8 million. The maximum number of shares
with respect to which options may be granted to any Senior Executive in any one
calendar year shall be 70,000 shares. In the event that any outstanding option
under the Senior Executives Plan for any reason expires, or is terminated or
surrendered without being exercised in full or is exercised or surrendered
without the distribution of shares, the shares of Common Stock allocable to the
unexercised portion of the option shall again be available for options under the
Senior Executives Plan as if no option had been granted with respect to such
shares. Stock options granted under the Senior Executives Plan shall be
nonqualified stock options that are not eligible for special tax treatment under
Code Section 422.
 
ADMINISTRATION OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVES PLAN
 
     Prior to August 15, 1996, the Plan Administrator shall be the Board during
such periods of time as all members of the Board are both "disinterested
persons" as defined in Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(i) promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (a "disinterested person") and "outside directors" as
defined in Treas. Regs. 1.162.27(e)(3) ("outside directors"). From and after
August 15, 1996, the Senior Executives Plan shall be administered by the Board
or by a committee appointed by the Board, as described below. The Board may, in
its sole discretion, delegate any or all of its duties as Plan Administrator
and, prior to August 15, 1996 at any time the Board includes any person who is
not a disinterested person and an outside director, the Board shall delegate all
of its duties as Plan Administrator during such period of time, to a committee
(the "Committee") of not fewer than two (2) members of the Board, all of the
members of which Committee shall
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   25
 
be persons who, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, are disinterested
persons and outside directors, to be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of
the Board. From and after August 15, 1996, the Committee must consist solely of
"non-employee directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
The Plan Administrator shall have the authority to construe and interpret the
terms of the Senior Executives Plan.
 
STOCK OPTION GRANTS
 
     Pursuant to Stock Option Agreements, dated as of April 1, 1996, made by and
between the Company and Peter J. Ratican and Eugene L. Froelich, respectively,
(the "Senior Executive 1996 Stock Option Agreements"), each Senior Executive
shall be granted, subject to stockholder approval, options (the "Options") to
purchase up to 350,000 authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock (the
"Option Shares") of the Company which together represents all of the issuable
shares under the Senior Executives Plan. As a pre-condition to the grant of
options, the Senior Executive must be employed by the Company on the grant date
of any such option. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Options granted
pursuant to the Senior Executive 1996 Stock Option Agreements shall be granted
on the following dates: (a) an Option to purchase 70,000 Option Shares on the
date on which resolutions are adopted by the shareholders approving the Senior
Executives Plan, and (b) an Option to purchase 70,000 Option Shares on each
January 1, from and including January 1, 1997 through and including January 1,
2000. The Senior Executive's rights in and to these Options shall vest, and the
Senior Executive may exercise each such Option immediately as of the date of the
grant of each Option. If Mr. Ratican or Mr. Froelich leave the employ of the
Company before all options under the Senior Executives Plan have been granted,
these remaining options will be available for grant to their successor(s). Any
options (other than the Options granted pursuant to the Senior Executive 1996
Stock Option Agreements) granted under the Senior Executives Plan shall be
evidenced by agreements (which need not be identical) in such form and
containing such provisions which are consistent with the Senior Executives Plan
as the Plan Administrator shall from time to time approve. Currently, it is
anticipated that all of the options available under the Senior Executives Plan
will be granted to Messrs. Ratican and Froelich pursuant to the terms of the
Restated Employment Agreements. If Mr. Ratican or Mr. Froelich leave the employ
of the Company before all options under the Senior Executives Plan are granted,
the remaining options will be available for grant to their successor(s).
 
STOCK OPTION PRICE
 
     The option price with respect to the Option Shares for each of the Options
granted pursuant to the Senior Executive 1996 Stock Option Agreements shall be
the closing price of the Common Stock on the last trading date immediately
preceding the grant dates of the Options (the "Option Price"). For purposes of
calculating the Option Price, the closing price shall be (in the following order
of priority), if the Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading (i) on any
national securities exchange (or in case the Common Stock shall be listed on
more than one, the exchange with the greatest trading volume in the Common
Stock), the last sale price, or, in case no reported sale takes place on such
day, the average of the last reported bid and asked prices; (ii) on the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System-National
Market System ("NASDAQ-NMS"), the average of the last reported bid and asked
prices; or (iii) in the daily stock price publication of the National Quotation
Bureau (also known as the "Pink Sheets"), the average of the last reported bid
and asked prices.
 
     The option price with respect to option shares for any option granted other
than pursuant to the Senior Executive 1996 Stock Option Agreements shall be
determined by the Plan Administrator at the time of grant.
 
STOCK OPTION TERM
 
     No option shall be exercisable after the expiration of the earliest of (a)
ten years after the date the option is granted, (b) 180 days after the date the
optionee's employment with the Company and its subsidiaries terminates if such
termination is by reason of incapacity or death, or (c) 30 days after the date
the optionee's employment with the Company and its subsidiaries terminates if
such termination is a termination for Cause or is due to the optionee's
voluntary termination of employment with the Company other than for Good
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   26
 
Reason (as defined in the Senior Executive's employment agreement), provided,
however, that the option agreement for any option may provide for shorter
periods in each of the foregoing instances.
 
EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTION
 
     No option shall be exercisable during the lifetime of an optionee by any
person other than the optionee. Subject to the foregoing, the Plan Administrator
shall have the power to set the times within which each option shall be
exercisable and to accelerate the time or times of exercise. Unless otherwise
provided by the Plan Administrator, each option granted under the Senior
Executives Plan shall become immediately exercisable in full on the date the
option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, no shares of Common
Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an option by an optionee may be sold
or otherwise transferred for a period of six (6) months following the date such
option is granted. To the extent that an optionee has the right to exercise an
option and purchase shares pursuant thereto, the option may be exercised from
time to time as follows:
 
          (a) delivery of a written notice to the Company, prior to the time
              when such option becomes unexercisable, stating the number of
              shares being purchased and complying with all applicable rules
              established by the Plan Administrator;
 
          (b) payment in full of the exercise price of such option by, as
              applicable, (i) cash or check for an amount equal to the aggregate
              option exercise price for the number of shares being purchased,
              (ii) in the discretion of the Plan Administrator, upon such terms
              as the Plan Administrator shall approve, a copy of instructions to
              a broker directing such broker to sell the number of shares of
              Common Stock for which such option is exercised, and to remit to
              the Company the aggregate exercise price under such option for
              such shares (a "cashless exercise"), or (iii) in the discretion of
              the Plan Administrator, upon such terms as the Plan Administrator
              shall approve, the optionee's payment of all or a portion of the
              purchase price for the number of shares being purchased by
              tendering shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by the
              optionee, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a fair
              market value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate
              purchase price of the shares with respect to which such option or
              portion thereof is thereby exercised (a "stock-for-stock
              exercise");
 
          (c) payment of the amount of tax required to be withheld (if any) by
              the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation as a result of
              the exercise of an option. At the discretion of the Plan
              Administrator, upon such terms as the Plan Administrator shall
              approve, the optionee may pay all or a portion of the tax
              withholding by (i) cash or check payable to the Company, (ii)
              cashless exercise, (iii) stock-for-stock exercise, or (iv) a
              combination of two or more of the foregoing payment methods; and
 
          (d) delivery of a written notice to the Company requesting that the
              Company direct the transfer agent to issue to the optionee (or to
              his designee) a certificate for the number of shares of Common
              Stock for which the option was exercised or, in the case of a
              cashless exercise, for any such shares that were not sold in the
              cashless exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may
              extend and maintain, or arrange for the extension and maintenance
              of, credit to any optionee to finance the optionee's purchase of
              shares pursuant to exercise of any option, on such terms as may be
              approved by the Plan Administrator, subject to applicable
              regulations of the Federal Reserve Board and any other laws or
              regulations in effect at the time such credit is extended.
 
ADJUSTMENT UPON RESTRUCTURING OR DISSOLUTION
 
     In the event of any change, after the date of grant but prior to the
exercise of any option granted hereunder, in the number or nature of option
shares by reason of any stock dividend, split-up, stock split, reverse stock
split, merger, recapitalization, combination, exchange of common stock, or
similar transaction (the "Restructuring"), the number and kind of option shares
subject to acquisition hereunder and the option price per option share shall be
appropriately adjusted, effective upon the consummation of the Restructuring,
either by way of an amendment to the options or by way of a grant of new stock
options in substitution of, or in addition to, the options, to provide that: (i)
the number of shares subject to the options shall be adjusted to
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   27
 
reflect such Restructuring so that the percentage of the outstanding equity of
the Company represented by shares subject to the options remains constant both
before and after the Restructuring; and (ii) the per share exercise price of the
options shall be adjusted so that the total exercise price which would be paid
by the Senior Executive, were he to purchase all of the shares available to him
under the options after the adjustment described in the preceding clause (i),
equals the total exercise price he would have paid had he purchased all option
shares available to him before the Restructuring at the option price. In the
event any Restructuring occurs prior to the grant of any option hereunder, (i)
above shall apply; however the option price shall be the option price.
 
     In addition, in the event of any dissolution or liquidation of the Company
(the "Dissolution") or a Restructuring as a result of which the Company is not
the surviving corporation, or a sale of substantially all the property of the
Company to another entity, then either (i) provision shall be made for the
assumption of all options or the substitution for the options of new options
covering the stock of a successor employer corporation (or a parent or
subsidiary thereof) with appropriate adjustments as to number and kind of shares
and prices; or (ii) provision shall be made for the payment of substantially
equivalent economic benefit to the Senior Executive in exchange for such options
which have been granted prior to the consummation of such event or transaction,
upon the consummation of such event or transaction; notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Senior Executive shall have the right, prior to the consummation
of such event or transaction, to exercise all options granted prior to the
consummation thereof. In the event that the contemplated event or transaction is
not consummated, any option that had been exercised solely by reason of such
event or transaction shall again become unexercised and shall revert to its
former status as issued but unexercised as of the termination of the transaction
subject, however, to such other provisions of the Senior Executive 1996 Stock
Option Agreements as may apply. For the purposes hereof, the aforementioned
economic benefit to the Senior Executive shall be calculated by the Plan
Administrator (without regard to the illiquidity of the Common Stock issuable to
the Senior Executive upon exercise of the option) based upon the actual
difference between the option price and the closing price of the Common Stock on
the day prior to the consummation of the aforementioned transaction.
 
     Adjustments upon Restructuring or Dissolution shall be made by the Plan
Administrator, whose determination as to what adjustments shall be made shall be
final and conclusive.
 
TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN
 
     The Board may at any time terminate or amend the Plan; provided that,
without approval of the stockholders of the Company, there shall be, except for
adjustments upon Restructuring or Dissolution, no increase in the total number
of shares covered by the Senior Executives Plan, no change in the class of
persons eligible to receive options granted under the Senior Executives Plan, no
reduction in the exercise price of options granted under the Senior Executives
Plan, and no extension of the latest date upon which options may be exercised;
and provided further that, without the consent of the optionee, no amendment may
adversely affect any then outstanding option or any unexercised portion thereof.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     Under current federal income tax law, the grant of a nonqualified option
under the Senior Executives Plan will have no federal income tax consequences to
the Company or the optionee. Generally, upon exercise of a nonqualified stock
option granted under the Senior Executives Plan, the excess of the fair market
value of the stock at the date of exercise over the option price (the "spread")
is taxable to the optionee as ordinary income. All such amounts taxable to the
Senior Executive are deductible by the Company as compensation expense, if
appropriate taxes are withheld. The deduction will be allowed for the taxable
year of the Company in which the optionee includes an amount in earned income.
 
     THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTES FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS,
INC. SENIOR EXECUTIVES 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN AND THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE
ISSUANCE OF UP TO 700,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UPON THE EXERCISE OF STOCK
OPTIONS THEREUNDER. PROXIES GIVEN WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE VOTED FOR THE
PROPOSAL.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   28
 
                         INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     On August 1, 1994 the Company dismissed Price Waterhouse LLP as its
independent accountants.
 
     The reports of Price Waterhouse LLP on the consolidated financial
statements for the two years ended December 31, 1993 contained no adverse
opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
 
     The Company's Audit Committee participated in and approved the decision to
change independent accountants.
 
     In connection with its audits for the two years ended December 31, 1993 and
through August 1, 1994, there have been no disagreements with Price Waterhouse
LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement(s), if not
resolved to the satisfaction of Price Waterhouse LLP, would have caused them to
make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements(s) in connection with
their reports.
 
     Price Waterhouse LLP furnished the Securities and Exchange Commission with
a letter stating they agree with the above statements.
 
     The Company engaged Ernst & Young LLP as its new independent accountants as
of August 5, 1994. During the two years ended December 31, 1993 and through
August 1, 1994 the Company has not consulted with Ernst & Young LLP regarding
the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either
completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on
the Company's financial statements, and neither a written report was provided to
the Company nor oral advice provided that Ernst & Young LLP concluded was an
important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any
accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or any matter that was either
the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(1)(iv)
and the related instructions to this item) or a reportable event (as described
in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(1)(v)).
 
     Ernst & Young LLP is familiar with the business and operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries and the Company has determined to continue
retaining Ernst & Young LLP as its independent certified accountants for the
current year ending December 31, 1996. Management has not followed the practice
of presenting the selection of auditors to the stockholders for approval. A
representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement, and will be available to
answer questions, if any, from stockholders.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   29
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     Copies of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995, (including financial statements and financial statement
schedules) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available
upon written request from the office of Investor Relations, Maxicare Health
Plans, Inc., 1149 South Broadway Street, Los Angeles, California, 90015.
 
DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 1997 ANNUAL MEETING
 
     Any proposal relating to a proper subject which a stockholder may intend to
be presented for action at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders currently
scheduled to be held on July 25, 1997 must be received by the Company no later
than May 16, 1997, to be considered for inclusion in the proxy material to be
disseminated by the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of Rule
14a-8(a)(3)(i) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Copies of such proposals
should be sent to the Corporate Secretary at the Company's principal executive
offices. To be eligible for inclusion in such proxy materials, such proposals
must conform to the requirements set forth in Regulation 14A under the Exchange
Act.
 
OTHER BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
 
     The Board of Directors is not aware of any matter to be presented at the
Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof which is not listed on
the Notice of Annual Meeting and discussed above. If other matters should
properly come before the meeting, however, the persons named in the accompanying
proxy will vote all proxies in accordance with the recommendation of the Board,
or if no such recommendation is given, in their own discretion.
 
COST OF SOLICITING PROXIES
 
     The Company will bear the cost of proxy solicitation for the election of
the Board's nominees for director, the approval of the Maxicare Health Plans,
Inc. Outside Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option Plan, and the approval of the
Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Senior Executives 1996 Stock Option Plan. In
addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by personal interview,
telephone or telegraph, by officers, directors and other employees of the
Company, who will not receive any additional compensation for such services. The
Company may also elect to engage a proxy solicitation firm to assist in the
soliciting of proxies. The Company does not anticipate that the costs of such
proxy solicitation firm would exceed $10,000, plus its out of pocket fees and
expenses. The Company will also request persons, firms and corporations holding
shares in their names, or in the names of their nominees, which are beneficially
owned by others, to send or cause to be sent proxy materials to, and obtain
proxies from, such beneficial owners and will reimburse such holders for their
reasonable expenses in so doing.
 
                                         By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                               Alan D. Bloom
                                                 Secretary
Los Angeles, California
Dated: June 28, 1996
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   30
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
 
                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
 
                               OUTSIDE DIRECTORS
 
                         1996 FORMULA STOCK OPTION PLAN
<PAGE>   31
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           PAGE
                                                                                           ----
<C>   <S>     <C>                                                                          <C>
  1.  Purpose..........................................................................      1
  2.  Definitions......................................................................      1
      2.1     Board....................................................................      1
      2.2     Change of Control........................................................      1
      2.3     Code.....................................................................      1
      2.4     Company..................................................................      1
      2.5     Common Stock.............................................................      1
      2.6     Continuing Directors.....................................................      1
      2.7     Fair Market Value........................................................      2
      2.8     Formula Plan.............................................................      2
      2.9     Formula Stock Option.....................................................      2
      2.10    Formula Option Price.....................................................      2
      2.11    Effective Date...........................................................      2
      2.12    Outside Director.........................................................      2
      2.13    Plan Administrator.......................................................      2
      2.14    Subsidiary...............................................................      2
  3.  Formula Stock Options Under the Formula Plan.....................................      2
  4.  Administration...................................................................      2
      4.1     Administration by Board..................................................      2
      4.2     Administration by Option Committee.......................................      3
  5.  Eligibility......................................................................      3
  6.  Shares Subject to the Formula Plan...............................................      3
      6.1     Available Shares.........................................................      3
      6.2     Capital Structure Adjustments............................................      3
      6.3     Substitution or Assumptions of Formula Stock Options.....................      3
      6.4     No Obligations of Successor Corporations.................................      4
  7.  Terms and Conditions of Formula Stock Options....................................      4
      7.1     Formula Grants...........................................................      4
      7.2     Formula Option Price.....................................................      4
      7.3     Notice and Payment.......................................................      4
      7.4     Exercise of Formula Stock Option.........................................      4
      7.5     Term of Formula Stock Option.............................................      5
      7.6     No Transfer of Formula Stock Option......................................      5
      7.7     No Fractional Shares.....................................................      5
  8.  Termination or Amendment of the Formula Plan.....................................      5
      8.1     Amendment to Formula Plan................................................      5
      8.2     Effect of Termination of Formula Plan on Outstanding Formula Stock
              Options..................................................................      5
      8.3     Frequency of Amendment to Formula Plan...................................      5
  9.  Indemnification..................................................................      6
 10.  Withholding......................................................................      6
 11.  General Provisions...............................................................      6
      11.1    Formula Stock Options Not Transferable...................................      6
      11.2    Transfer of Common Stock.................................................      6
      11.3    Reservation of Shares of Common Stock....................................      6
      11.4    Restrictions on Issuance of Shares.......................................      6
      11.5    Notices..................................................................      7
</TABLE>
 
                                        i
<PAGE>   32
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           PAGE
                                                                                           ----
<C>   <S>     <C>                                                                          <C>
      11.6    Representations and Warranties...........................................      7
      11.7    No Enlargement of Outside Director Rights................................      7
      11.8    Restrictions on Issuance of Shares.......................................      7
      11.9    Legends on Stock Certificates............................................      7
      11.10   Remedies.................................................................      8
      11.11   Invalid Provisions.......................................................      8
      11.12   Applicable Law...........................................................      8
      11.13   Successors and Assigns...................................................      8
      11.14   Rights as a Stockholder..................................................      8
 12.  Effective Date of Formula Plan...................................................      8
 13.  Term of Formula Plan.............................................................      8
 14.  Stockholder Approval and Term of Formula Plan....................................      8
</TABLE>
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>   33
 
                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
 
                               OUTSIDE DIRECTORS
 
                         1996 FORMULA STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     1. Purpose.  The purpose of this Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Outside
Directors 1996 Formula Stock Option Plan (the "Formula Plan") is to further the
growth and development of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. (the "Company") by
providing an incentive to attract and retain Outside Directors to the Board who
will be in a position to contribute materially to the prosperity of the Company
and to participate in the long-term growth of the Company by receiving the
opportunity to acquire shares of the Company's Common Stock and to provide for
additional compensation based on appreciation in the Company's Common Stock
market value. The Formula Plan provides a means to increase such Outside
Directors' interests in the Company's welfare, to provide an identity of
interest with the Company's stockholders, to encourage the continuation of the
optionees' services on the Board, and to attract individuals of outstanding
ability to serve on the Board.
 
     2. Definitions.  The following definitions are applicable to the Formula
Plan:
 
          2.1 Board.  The Board of Directors of the Company.
 
          2.2 Change of Control.  Means any transaction or occurrence after the
     date hereof as the result of which:
 
             (i) the Company shall cease to be a publicly owned corporation
        having at least 300 stockholders; or
 
             (ii) any person or group of persons (as defined in Rule 13d-5
        promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act")),
        together with its affiliates, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as
        defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Act), directly or
        indirectly, of securities of the Company (including securities
        convertible into or exercisable for securities of the Company)
        ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors which
        together represent, after giving effect to any conversion or exercise,
        in excess of forty percent (40%) of the combined voting power of the
        Company's outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote in
        the election of directors; or
 
             (iii) Continuing Directors (as defined below) shall cease for any
        reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; or
 
             (iv) the Company shall merge or consolidate with any other person
        or entity other than a subsidiary, and, upon the consummation of such
        transaction, holders of the Common Stock immediately prior to such
        transaction own less than sixty percent (60%) of the equity securities
        of the surviving or consolidated entity; or
 
             (v) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are sold
        or transferred to another person or entity in a single transaction or a
        series of related transactions.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not include the
filing by or on behalf of, or entering against, the Company or its subsidiaries
of (a) a petition, decree or order of bankruptcy or reorganization, or (b) a
petition, decree or order for the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
liquidator, supervisor, conservator or other officer or agency having similar
powers over the Company or its subsidiaries, including any such petitions,
orders or decrees filed or entered by federal or state regulatory authorities.
 
          2.3 Code.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
     time.
 
          2.4 Company.  Maxicare Health Plans, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
 
          2.5 Common Stock.  The $.01 par value per share common stock of the
     Company.
 
          2.6 Continuing Directors.  Means any individual who is a member of the
     Board as of the date hereof and any subsequent director nominated by the
     Board for election by the stockholders or appointed
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   34
 
     to the Board, which nomination or appointment is made with the affirmative
     vote of a majority of Continuing Directors then serving on the Board.
 
          2.7 Fair Market Value.  For purposes of the Formula Plan, the "Fair
     Market Value" of any share of Common Stock at any date shall be determined
     based on (a) if the Common Stock is listed on an established stock exchange
     or exchanges or reported by NASDAQ, the last reported sale price per share
     on the last trading day immediately preceding such date on the principal
     exchange on which it is traded, or if no sale was made on such day on such
     principal exchange, at the closing reported bid price on such day on such
     exchange, or (b) if the Common Stock is not then listed on an exchange, the
     last reported sale price per share on the last trading day immediately
     preceding such date reported by NASDAQ, or if sales are not reported by
     NASDAQ or no sale was made on such date, the average of the closing bid and
     asked price per share for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market
     as quoted by NASDAQ on the last trading day immediately preceding such
     date, or (c) if the Common Stock is not publicly traded at the time a
     Formula Stock Option is granted under the Formula Plan, the fair value of
     the Common Stock as determined by the Plan Administrator after taking into
     consideration all factors which it deems appropriate, including, without
     limitation, recent sale and offer prices of the Common Stock in private
     transactions negotiated at arm's length.
 
          2.8 Formula Plan.  The Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. 1996 Outside
     Directors Formula Stock Option Plan, as amended from time to time.
 
          2.9 Formula Stock Option.  Any option to purchase shares of Common
     Stock granted pursuant to Section 7 hereof.
 
          2.10 Formula Option Price.  The exercise or purchase price for any
     Formula Stock Option awarded under the Formula Plan.
 
          2.11 Effective Date.  The Effective Date of the Formula Plan shall be
     the date on which the shareholders of the Company adopt resolutions
     approving the Formula Plan.
 
          2.12 Outside Director.  Any member of the Board who is not a full time
     employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
 
          2.13 Plan Administrator.  The Board or the Option Committee designated
     pursuant to Section 4 below which is authorized to administer, construe and
     interpret the terms of the Formula Plan.
 
          2.14 Subsidiary.  Any corporation or other entity, whether domestic or
     foreign, in which the Company has or obtains, directly or indirectly, a
     proprietary interest of more than 50% by reason of stock ownership or
     otherwise.
 
     3. Formula Stock Options Under the Formula Plan.  Formula Stock Options
granted under the Formula Plan shall be nonqualified stock options that are not
eligible for special tax treatment under Code Section 422.
 
     4. Administration.
 
          4.1 Administration by Board.  Except as provided in Section 4.2 below,
     prior to August 15, 1996, the Formula Plan shall be administered by the
     Board during such periods of time as all members of the Board are
     "disinterested persons" as defined in Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(i) promulgated by
     the Securities and Exchange Commission (a "disinterested person"). On or
     after August 15, 1996, the Plan Administrator shall be the Board or a
     committee appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4.2 of the
     Formula Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Formula Plan, the Plan
     Administrator shall have authority to construe and interpret the Formula
     Plan, to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to
     its administration and to make all of the determinations necessary or
     advisable for administration of the Formula Plan. The interpretation and
     construction by the Plan Administrator of any provision of the Formula
     Plan, or of any agreement issued and executed under the Formula Plan, shall
     be final and binding upon all parties. No member of the Board shall be
     liable for any action or determination undertaken or made in good faith
     with respect to the Formula Plan or any agreement executed pursuant to the
     Formula Plan.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   35
 
          4.2 Administration by Option Committee.  The Board, in its sole
     discretion, may delegate any or all of its duties as Plan Administrator to
     a committee selected by the Board which shall act as the Plan Administrator
     pursuant to the terms hereof (the "Option Committee"). Prior to August 15,
     1996 at any time the Board includes any person who is not a disinterested
     person, the Board shall delegate all of its duties as Plan Administrator to
     the Option Committee. The Option Committee shall consist of not fewer than
     two (2) members of the Board, all of whom prior to August 15, 1996, shall
     be persons who, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, are disinterested
     persons, to be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board, and on
     or after August 15, 1996, shall be "Non-Employee Directors," as such term
     is defined in Rule 240.16b-3(b)(3) promulgated under the Act, as amended,
     17 C.F.R. Section 240.16b-3(b)(3), or any successor rule thereto. From time
     to time, the Board may increase or decrease (to not less than two members)
     the size of the Option Committee, and add additional members to, or remove
     members from, the Option Committee. The Option Committee shall act pursuant
     to a majority vote or the written consent of a majority of its members and
     minutes shall be kept of all of its meetings and copies thereof shall be
     provided to the Board. Subject to the provisions of the Formula Plan and
     the direction of the Board, the Option Committee may establish and follow
     such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it may deem
     advisable. No member of the Option Committee shall be liable for any action
     or determination undertaken or made in good faith with respect to the
     Formula Plan or any agreement executed pursuant to the Formula Plan.
 
     5. Eligibility.  Only Outside Directors then serving on the Board shall be
eligible to receive Formula Stock Options under the Formula Plan.
 
     6. Shares Subject to the Formula Plan.
 
          6.1 Available Shares.  The shares available for issuance upon the
     exercise of Formula Stock Options granted under the Formula Plan shall be
     shares of the Company's authorized but unissued, or reacquired, Common
     Stock. The aggregate number of shares which may be issued upon the exercise
     of Formula Stock Options granted under the Formula Plan shall not exceed
     125,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in
     Section 6.2 below. In the event that the grant of any Formula Stock Option
     under the Formula Plan for any reason expires, is terminated or surrendered
     without being exercised in full or is exercised or surrendered without the
     distribution of shares, the shares of Common Stock allocable to the
     unexercised portion of the Formula Stock Option shall again be available
     for grant and distribution under the Formula Plan as if no Formula Stock
     Option had been granted with respect to such shares.
 
          6.2 Capital Structure Adjustments.  Except as otherwise provided
     herein, appropriate and proportionate capital structure adjustments shall
     be made in the number and class of shares subject to the Formula Plan, to
     the Formula Stock Option rights granted under the Formula Plan, and the
     Formula Option Price, in the event of a stock dividend, stock split,
     reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, merger,
     consolidation, separation, or like change in the corporate or capital
     structure of the Company. To the extent that the foregoing adjustments
     relate to stock or securities of the Company, such adjustments shall be
     made by the Plan Administrator, the determination of which in that respect
     shall be final, binding, and conclusive. In the event of a liquidation, a
     merger, reorganization, or consolidation of the Company with any other
     corporation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or the
     Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of another corporation, any
     unexercised Formula Stock Option rights theretofore granted under the
     Formula Plan shall be deemed cancelled unless the surviving corporation in
     any such merger, reorganization, or consolidation elects to assume the
     Formula Stock Option rights under the Formula Plan or to use substitute
     Formula Stock Option rights in place thereof.
 
          6.3 Substitution or Assumptions of Formula Stock Options.  In addition
     to and not in lieu of those rights granted pursuant to Section 6.2 above,
     if provisions shall be made in writing in connection with such transaction
     for the continuance of the Formula Plan and/or the assumption of Formula
     Stock
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   36
 
     Options theretofore granted, or the substitution of such Formula Stock
     Options for options covering the stock of the successor corporation, or a
     parent or subsidiary thereof with appropriate adjustments as to the number
     and kind of shares and prices, the unexercised Formula Stock Options
     theretofore granted shall continue in the manner and under the terms so
     provided.
 
          6.4 No Obligations of Successor Corporations.  Neither the Company nor
     any successor entity shall have any obligation to provide for the
     continuance, assumption or substitution of this Formula Plan or the Formula
     Stock Options in the event of a merger, reorganization or consolidation
     where the Company is not the surviving entity.
 
     7. Terms and Conditions of Formula Stock Options.  Formula Stock Options
granted under the Formula Plan shall be evidenced by agreements (which need not
be identical) in such form and containing such provisions which are consistent
with the Formula Plan as the Plan Administrator shall from time to time approve.
Such agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms hereof by reference and
shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
 
          7.1 Formula Grants.
 
             (a) On the Effective Date of the Formula Plan, each Outside
        Director shall receive a grant of Formula Stock Options to purchase
        5,000 shares of Common Stock; and
 
             (b) At the close of business on each January 2nd or at the close of
        business on the next trading day of the Common Stock if January 2nd is
        not a trading day, commencing January 2, 1997 each Outside Director then
        serving on the Board shall receive a grant of Formula Stock Options to
        purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
          7.2 Formula Option Price.  The Formula Option Price for the shares
     subject to any Formula Stock Option shall be the Fair Market Value of the
     shares of Common Stock of the Company on the date the Formula Stock Option
     is granted.
 
          7.3 Notice and Payment.  Any exercisable portion of a Formula Stock
     Option may be exercised only by:
 
             (a) delivery of a written notice to the Company, prior to the time
        when such Formula Stock Option becomes unexercisable under Section 7.4
        below, stating the number of shares being purchased and complying with
        all applicable rules established by the Plan Administrator;
 
             (b) payment in full of the Formula Option Price of such Formula
        Stock Option shall be made at the time the Outside Director delivers to
        the Company the written notice of election to exercise and will be by:
        (i) cash or check for an amount equal to the aggregate Formula Option
        Price for the number of shares being purchased, (ii) by paying all or a
        portion of the Formula Option Price for the number of shares being
        purchased by tendering shares of the Common Stock owned by the Outside
        Director, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market
        Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate Formula Option
        Price of the shares with respect to which such Formula Stock Option or
        portion is thereby exercised (a "stock-for-stock exercise"), (iii) by a
        combination of cash and Common Stock, or (iv) in the discretion of the
        Plan Administrator, upon such terms as the Plan Administrator shall
        approve, a copy of instructions to a broker directing such broker to
        sell the Common Stock for which such Formula Stock Option is exercised,
        and to remit to the Company the aggregate exercise price of such Formula
        Stock Options (a "cashless exercise"); and
 
             (c) delivery of a written notice to the Company requesting that the
        Company direct the transfer agent to issue to the Outside Director (or
        to his designee) a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock
        for which the Formula Stock Option was exercised or, in the case of a
        cashless exercise, for any shares of Common Stock that were not sold in
        the cashless exercise.
 
          7.4 Exercise of Formula Stock Option.
 
             (a) Except as provided in Section 11.1 below, no Formula Stock
        Option shall be exercisable during the lifetime of an Outside Director
        by any person other than the Outside Director. To the
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   37
 
        extent that an Outside Director has the right to exercise a Formula
        Stock Option and purchase shares pursuant thereto, the Formula Stock
        Option may be exercised from time to time as provided in Section 7.3
        above.
 
             (b) Subject in all cases to the provisions of Section 6 and 7.5
        hereof, Formula Stock Options shall vest and become exercisable six
        months after the date of grant.
 
          7.5 Term of Formula Stock Option.  Except as set forth in Subsection
     7.5(d) below, in the event the directorship of an Outside Director expires
     or is terminated, any unvested Formula Stock Options shall immediately
     expire and shall not be exercisable and any vested and unexercised Formula
     Stock Option granted hereunder to such Outside Director shall expire and
     become unexercisable after the expiration of the earliest of:
 
             (a) ten (10) years after the date the Formula Stock Option was
        granted (the "Option Termination Date"); or
 
             (b) one (1) year following the effective date of the termination of
        directorship with the Company, for any reason. Any portion of a Formula
        Stock Option that expires hereunder shall remain unexercisable and be of
        no effect whatsoever after such expiration notwithstanding that such
        Outside Director may again become a director of the Company; or
 
             (c) notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.5,
        in the event of the death of an Outside Director, any unexercised
        Formula Stock Option granted hereunder to such Outside Director may be
        exercised prior to their expiration by (and only by) the person or
        persons to whom the Outside Director's rights shall pass by will or by
        the laws of the descent and distribution, if applicable, subject,
        however, to all of the terms and conditions of this Formula Plan and
        this Formula Stock Option Agreement governing the exercise of Formula
        Stock Options granted hereunder; or
 
             (d) in the event a Change of Control occurs while an Outside
        Director is a Director or such Outside Director resigns as a Director as
        part of a Change of Control, then and in such event, any Formula Stock
        Option not previously vested or exercisable shall immediately become
        fully vested and exercisable.
 
          7.6 No Transfer of Formula Stock Option.  No Formula Stock Option
     shall be transferable by an Outside Director otherwise than by will or the
     laws of descent and distribution.
 
          7.7 No Fractional Shares.  In no event shall the Company be required
     to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of a Formula Stock Option.
 
     8. Termination or Amendment of the Formula Plan.  The Board may at any time
terminate or amend the Formula Plan in accordance with the following provisions:
 
          8.1 Amendment to Formula Plan.  Except as provided in Section 8.3
     below, the Board may amend this Formula Plan from time to time in such
     respect as the Board may deem advisable, provided, however, that no such
     amendment shall operate to affect adversely an Outside Director's rights
     under this Formula Plan with respect to any Formula Stock Option granted
     hereunder prior to the adoption of such amendment, except as may be
     necessary, in the judgment of counsel to the Company, to comply with any
     applicable law.
 
          8.2 Effect of Termination of Formula Plan on Outstanding Formula Stock
     Options.  Except as set forth in Section 6.2 above, no termination of the
     Formula Plan prior to the Option Termination Date, shall, without the
     written consent of the Outside Director, alter the terms of Formula Stock
     Options already granted and such Formula Stock Options shall remain in full
     force and effect as if this Formula Plan had not been terminated.
 
          8.3 Frequency of Amendment to Formula Plan.  Notwithstanding anything
     in Section 8.1, above, to the contrary, this Formula Plan shall not be
     amended more than once every six months, other than to
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   38
 
     comport with changes in the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement
     Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder.
 
     9. Indemnification.  In addition to such other rights of indemnification as
they may have as members of the Board or the Option Committee, the Plan
Administrator shall be indemnified by the Company against reasonable expense,
including attorney's fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with
the defense of any action, suit, or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal
therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action
taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Formula Plan or any
grant thereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof
(provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by
the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any action, suit,
or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in
such action, suit, or proceeding that such member is liable for negligence or
misconduct in the performance of his duties, provided that within 60 days after
institution of any such action, suit, or proceeding, the Outside Director shall
offer in writing to the Company the opportunity, at its own expense, to handle
and defend the same.
 
     10. Withholding.  Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or
transfer shares under the Formula Plan, the Company shall have the right to
require the recipient to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy
any federal, state and local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery
of any certificate or certificates for such shares of Common Stock.
 
     11. General Provisions.
 
          11.1 Formula Stock Options Not Transferable.  Formula Stock Options
     granted under this Formula Plan may not be sold, pledged, hypothecated,
     assigned, encumbered, gifted or otherwise transferred or alienated in any
     manner, either voluntarily or involuntarily by operation of law, other than
     by will or the laws of descent or distribution or pursuant to a qualified
     domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee
     Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder. Except as provided
     above, Formula Stock Options may be exercised during the lifetime of an
     optionee only by such optionee.
 
          11.2 Transfer of Common Stock.  Common Stock issued pursuant to the
     exercise of a Formula Stock Option granted under this Formula Plan or any
     interest in such Common Stock, may be sold, assigned, gifted, pledged,
     hypothecated, encumbered or otherwise transferred or alienated in any
     manner by the holder(s) thereof, subject, however, to the provisions of
     this Formula Plan, including any representations or warranties requested
     under Section 12.6 below, of this Formula Plan, and also subject to
     compliance with any applicable federal, state, local or other law,
     regulation or rule governing the sale or transfer of stock or securities,
     and provided, further, that in all cases, the Outside Director may not sell
     or otherwise transfer shares acquired upon the exercise of a Formula Stock
     Option for a period of six (6) months following the date of acquisition
     (within the meaning of Section 16-b(3) of the Exchange Act) of such Formula
     Stock Option without the prior written consent of the Board.
 
          11.3 Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.  The Company, during the
     term of this Formula Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available
     such number of shares of its Common Stock as shall be sufficient to satisfy
     the requirements of the Formula Plan.
 
          11.4 Restrictions on Issuance of Shares.  The Company, during the term
     of this Formula Plan, will use its best efforts to seek to obtain from the
     appropriate regulatory agencies any requisite authorization in order to
     issue and sell such number of shares of its Common Stock as shall be
     sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Formula Plan. The inability
     of the Company to obtain from any such regulatory agency having
     jurisdiction thereof, the authorization deemed by the Company's counsel to
     be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares of its stock
     hereunder or the inability of the Company to confirm to its satisfaction
     that any issuance and sale of any shares of such stock will meet applicable
     legal requirements shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of
     the non-issuance or sale of such stock as to which such authorization or
     confirmation shall have not been obtained.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   39
 
          11.5 Notices.  Any notice to be given to the Company pursuant to the
     provisions of this Formula Plan shall be in writing and addressed to the
     Company in care of its Vice President of Plan Operations at its principal
     office, and any notice to be given to an Outside Director to whom a Formula
     Stock Option is granted hereunder shall be in writing and addressed to him
     or her at the address given beneath his or her signature on his or her
     Formula Stock Option Agreement, or at such other address as such Outside
     Director or his or her transferee (upon the transfer of Common Stock) may
     hereafter designate in writing to the Company. Any such notice shall be
     deemed duly given when delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail
     (return receipt requested), telex, telecopy or overnight courier to the
     other's address. It shall be the obligation of each Outside Director and
     each transferee holding Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of
     a Formula Stock Option to provide the Vice President of Plan Operations of
     the Company, by letter mailed as provided hereinabove, with written notice
     of his or her correct mailing address.
 
          11.6 Representations and Warranties.  As a condition to the exercise
     of any portion of a Formula Stock Option, the Company may require the
     person exercising such Formula Stock Option to make any representation
     and/or warranty to the Company as may, in the judgment of counsel to the
     Company, be required under any applicable law or regulation, including, but
     not limited to, a representation and warranty that the shares are being
     acquired only for investment and without any present intention to sell or
     distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such
     a representation is required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
     or any other applicable law, regulation or rule of any governmental agency.
 
          11.7 No Enlargement of Outside Director Rights.  This Formula Plan is
     purely voluntary on the part of the Company, and while the Company hopes to
     continue it indefinitely, the continuance of the Formula Plan shall not be
     deemed to constitute a contract between the Outside Director, or to be
     consideration for, or a condition of, the ongoing service on the Board by
     such Outside Director. Nothing contained in the Formula Plan shall be
     deemed to give any Outside Director the right to be re-nominated or
     re-elected to the Board.
 
          11.8 Restrictions on Issuance of Shares.  The issuance of Formula
     Stock Options and shares of Common Stock shall be subject to compliance
     with all of the applicable requirements of law with respect to the issuance
     and sale of securities, including, without limitation, any required
     qualification under the California Corporate Securities Law of 1968, as
     amended.
 
          11.9 Legends on Stock Certificates.  Unless there is a currently
     effective appropriate registration statement on file with the Securities
     and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
     with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable under this Formula
     Plan, each certificate representing such Common Stock shall be endorsed on
     its face with the following legend or its equivalent:
 
              "Neither the shares represented by this Certificate, nor
         the Option pursuant to which such shares were issued, have
         been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
         These shares have been acquired for investment (and not with a
         view to distribution or resale) and may not be sold,
         mortgaged, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise trans ferred
         without an effective registration statement for such shares
         under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the
         issuer has been furnished with an opinion of counsel for the
         registered owner of these shares, reasonably satisfactory to
         counsel for the issuer, that such sale, transfers or
         disposition is exempt from the registration or qualification
         provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended."
 
          A copy of this Formula Plan shall be delivered to the Secretary of the
     Company and shall be shown by him to any eligible person making reasonable
     inquiry concerning it. In addition, the Company reserves the right to place
     any legends or other restrictions on each certificate representing Common
     Stock which may be required by any applicable state securities or other
     laws.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   40
 
          11.10 Remedies.  Should any dispute arise concerning the sale or other
     disposition of a Formula Stock Option or shares of Common Stock issued or
     issuable upon the exercise of the Formula Stock Option, or any breach by
     the Company of the terms of the Formula Plan or any Formula Stock Option
     Agreement, an Outside Director's sole and exclusive remedy shall be
     damages.
 
          11.11 Invalid Provisions.  In the event that any provision of this
     Formula Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any
     applicable law, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not be construed
     as rendering any other provisions contained herein invalid or
     unenforceable, and all such other provisions shall be given full force and
     effect to the same extent as though the invalid or unenforceable provision
     was not contained herein.
 
          11.12 Applicable Law.  This Formula Plan shall be governed by and
     construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable
     to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state and
     without regard to the conflict of law principals thereof.
 
          11.13 Successors and Assigns.  This Formula Plan shall be binding on
     and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Outside Directors to whom a
     Formula Stock Option is granted hereunder, and their heirs, executors,
     administrators, legatees, personal representatives, assignees and
     transferees.
 
          11.14 Rights as a Stockholder.  A participant or transferee of a
     Formula Stock Option shall have no right as a stockholder of the Company
     with respect to any shares covered by any grant under this Formula Plan
     until the date of the issuance of a share certificate for such shares. No
     adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether
     cash, securities, or other property) or distributions or other rights for
     which the record date is prior to the date such share certificate is
     issued, except as provided in Section 6.2 above.
 
     12. Effective Date of Formula Plan.  The Formula Plan shall be adopted and
become effective on the Effective Date.
 
     13. Term of Formula Plan.  Unless sooner terminated by the Board in its
sole discretion, the Formula Plan will expire and no Formula Stock Options may
be made hereunder on and after ten (10) years from the Effective Date.
 
     14. Stockholder Approval and Term of Formula Plan.  The effectiveness of
the Formula Plan shall be subject to and conditioned upon the approval by the
stockholders of the Company at the Company's 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the "1996 Annual Meeting") of resolutions adopting the Formula Plan. In the
event stockholder approval of the Formula Plan is not obtained at the 1996
Annual Meeting, the Formula Plan shall be rendered null and void and of no
further force or effect.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Formula Plan to be executed
by its duly authorized officer on this 14th day of May, 1996.
 
                                          Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.
 
                                          By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                            Peter J. Ratican,
                                            Chief Executive Officer
 
Attest:
 
By:
- - ----------------------------------------------------
    Alan D. Bloom, Secretary
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   41
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT B
 
                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
 
                               SENIOR EXECUTIVES
 
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
<PAGE>   42
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           PAGE
                                                                                           ----
<C>   <S>     <C>                                                                          <C>
  1.  Purpose..........................................................................      1
  2.  Nonqualified Stock Options.......................................................      1
  3.  Definitions......................................................................      1
      3.1     Board....................................................................      1
      3.2     Cause....................................................................      1
      3.3     Code.....................................................................      1
      3.4     Common Stock.............................................................      1
      3.5     Company..................................................................      1
      3.6     Effective Date...........................................................      1
      3.7     Employment Agreements....................................................      1
      3.8     Fair Market Value........................................................      1
      3.9     Good Reason..............................................................      1
      3.10    Incapacity...............................................................      1
      3.11    Initial Options..........................................................      2
      3.12    Optionee.................................................................      2
      3.13    Plan.....................................................................      2
      3.14    Plan Administrator.......................................................      2
      3.15    Senior Executives........................................................      2
      3.16    Stock Option or Option...................................................      2
  4.  Administration...................................................................      2
      4.1     Administration by Board..................................................      2
      4.2     Administration by Committee..............................................      2
  5.  Eligibility......................................................................      3
  6.  Shares Subject to Options........................................................      3
  7.  Initial Options..................................................................      3
  8.  Terms and Conditions of Options..................................................      3
      8.1     Number of Shares Subject to Option.......................................      3
      8.2     Option Price.............................................................      3
      8.3     Notice and Payment.......................................................      3
      8.4     Term of Option...........................................................      4
      8.5     Exercise of Option.......................................................      4
      8.6     No Transfer of Option....................................................      4
      8.7     Restriction on Issuance of Shares........................................      4
      8.8     Investment Representation................................................      4
      8.9     Rights as a Shareholder or Employee......................................      4
      8.10    No Fractional Shares.....................................................      5
      8.11    Exercisability in the Event of Death.....................................      5
      8.12    Recapitalization or Reorganization of Company............................      5
      8.13    Modification, Extension, and Renewal of Options..........................      5
      8.14    Other Provisions.........................................................      6
  9.  Termination or Amendment of the Plan.............................................      6
 10.  Indemnification..................................................................      6
 11.  Governing Law....................................................................      6
 12.  Effective Date and Term of Plan..................................................      6
 13.  Stockholder Approval and Term of Plan............................................      6
</TABLE>
 
                                       -i-
<PAGE>   43
 
                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
 
                               SENIOR EXECUTIVES
 
                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     1. Purpose.  The purpose of this Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Senior
Executives 1996 Stock Option Plan ("Plan") is to further the growth and
development of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. ("Company") by providing, through
ownership of stock of the Company, an incentive to certain senior executives who
are in a position to contribute materially to the prosperity of the Company, to
increase such persons' interests in the Company's welfare, to encourage them to
continue their services to the Company or its subsidiaries, and to attract
individuals of outstanding ability to enter the employment of the Company or its
subsidiaries.
 
     2. Nonqualified Stock Options.  The Stock Options that may be granted under
the Plan are "non-qualified stock options", which are not specifically
authorized or qualified for favorable income tax treatment by the Code. No Stock
Options granted under the Plan shall be "incentive stock options" within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
 
     3. Definitions.  The following definitions are applicable to the Plan:
 
          3.1 Board.  The Board of Directors of the Company.
 
          3.2 Cause.  For the purposes of Section 8.4, "Cause" shall have the
     meaning ascribed to such term in the Employment Agreements with respect to
     an involuntary termination.
 
          3.3 Code.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
     time.
 
          3.4 Common Stock.  The $.01 par value per share common stock of the
     Company.
 
          3.5 Company.  Maxicare Health Plans, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
 
          3.6 Effective Date.  The date on which the shareholders of the Company
     adopt resolutions approving the Plan.
 
          3.7 Employment Agreements.  The Amended and Restated Employment and
     Indemnification Agreements dated as of April 1, 1996 between the Company
     and, respectively, Peter J. Ratican and Eugene L. Froelich.
 
          3.8 Fair Market Value.  For purposes of the Plan, the "Fair Market
     Value" per share of Common Stock of the Company at any date shall be (a) if
     the Common Stock is listed on an established stock exchange or exchanges,
     the closing price per share on the last trading day immediately preceding
     such date on the principal exchange on which it is traded or if no reported
     sale takes place on such day, the average of the last reported bid and
     asked prices on such exchange, or (b) if the Common Stock is not then
     listed on an exchange but is listed on the National Association of
     Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System-National Market System
     ("NASDAQ-NMS"), the average of the last reported bid and asked prices on
     the NASDAQ-NMS, or (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed on an
     exchange or the NASDAQ-NMS but is reported in the daily stock price
     publication of the National Quotation Bureau (the "Pink Sheets"), the
     average of the last reported bid and asked prices on the Pink Sheets, or
     (d) if the Common Stock is not then publicly traded, the fair value of the
     Common Stock as determined by the Plan Administrator after taking into
     consideration all factors which it deems appropriate, including, without
     limitation, recent sale and offer prices of the Common Stock in private
     transactions negotiated at arm's length.
 
          3.9 Good Reason.  For the purposes of Section 8.4, "Good Reason" shall
     have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Employment Agreements with
     respect to a voluntary termination.
 
          3.10 Incapacity.  For the purposes of Section 8.4, "Incapacity" shall
     have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Employment Agreements.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   44
 
          3.11 Initial Options.  The options which are granted pursuant to the
     Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1996, between the Company and
     Peter J. Ratican, and the Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 1,
     1996, between the Company and Eugene L. Froelich.
 
          3.12 Optionee.  The recipient of a Stock Option.
 
          3.13 Plan.  The Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. Senior Executives 1996
     Stock Option Plan, as amended from time to time.
 
          3.14 Plan Administrator.  The Board or any committee designated
     pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof to administer, construe and interpret the
     terms of the Plan.
 
          3.15 Senior Executives.  Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
     Officer.
 
          3.16 Stock Option or Option.  Any option to purchase shares of Common
     Stock granted pursuant to Section 7 or 8 hereof.
 
     4. Administration.
 
          4.1 Administration by Board.  Subject to Section 4.2 hereof, prior to
     August 15, 1996, the Plan Administrator shall be the Board of Directors of
     the Company (the "Board") during such periods of time as all members of the
     Board are both "disinterested persons" as defined in Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(i)
     promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (a "disinterested
     person") and "outside directors" as defined in Treas. Regs.
     sec.1.162-27(e)(3) ("outside directors"). On and after August 15, 1996, the
     Plan Administrator shall be the Board or a committee appointed by the Board
     in accordance with Section 4.2 of the Plan. Subject to the provisions of
     the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall have authority to construe and
     interpret the Plan, to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations
     relating to its administration, from time to time to select from among the
     eligible employees (as determined pursuant to Section 5) of the Company and
     its subsidiaries those employees to whom Stock Options will be granted, to
     determine the timing and manner of the grant of the Options, to determine
     the exercise price, the number of shares covered by and all of the terms of
     the Stock Options, to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of
     absence which may be granted to Stock Option holders without constituting
     termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan, and to make all
     of the determinations necessary or advisable for administration of the
     Plan. The interpretation and construction by the Plan Administrator of any
     provision of the Plan, or of any agreement issued and executed under the
     Plan, shall be final and binding upon all parties. No member of the Board
     shall be liable for any action or determination undertaken or made in good
     faith with respect to the Plan or any agreement executed pursuant to the
     Plan.
 
          4.2 Administration by Committee.  The Board may, in its sole
     discretion, delegate any or all of its duties as Plan Administrator and,
     subject to the provisions of Section 4.1 of the Plan, at any time prior to
     August 15, 1996, that the Board includes any person who is not a
     disinterested person and an outside director, the Board shall delegate all
     of its duties as Plan Administrator during such period of time, to a
     committee (the "Committee") of not fewer than two (2) members of the Board,
     all of the members of which Committee shall (a) prior to August 15, 1996,
     be persons who, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, are disinterested
     persons and outside directors, to be appointed by and serve at the pleasure
     of the Board, and (b) on and after August 15, 1996, be "Non-Employee
     Directors," as such term is defined in Rule 240.16b-3(b)(3) promulgated
     under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
     17 C.F.R. 240.16b-3(b)(3), or any successor rule thereto. From time to
     time, the Board may increase or decrease (to not less than two members) the
     size of the Committee, and add additional members to, or remove members
     from, the Committee. The Committee shall act pursuant to a majority vote,
     or the written consent of a majority of its members, and minutes shall be
     kept of all of its meetings and copies thereof shall be provided to the
     Board. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the directions of the
     Board, the Committee may establish and follow such rules and regulations
     for the conduct of its business as it may deem advisable. No member of the
     Committee shall be liable for any action or determination undertaken or
     made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any agreement executed
     pursuant to the Plan.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   45
 
     5. Eligibility.  Senior Executives shall be eligible to receive Options
under the Plan. An Optionee may receive more than one Option under the Plan.
 
     6. Shares Subject to Options.  The stock available for grant of Options
under the Plan shall be shares of the Company's authorized but unissued, or
reacquired, Common Stock. The aggregate number of shares which may be issued
pursuant to exercise of Options granted under the Plan, as amended, shall not
exceed 700,000 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 8.12 hereof), including shares previously issued under the Plan. The
maximum number of shares with respect to which Options may be granted to any
Senior Executive in any one calendar year shall be 70,000 shares. In the event
that any outstanding Option under the Plan for any reason expires, or is
terminated or surrendered without being exercised in full or is exercised or
surrendered without the distribution of shares, the shares of Common Stock
allocable to the unexercised portion of the Option shall again be available for
Options under the Plan as if no Option had been granted with respect to such
shares.
 
     7. Initial Options.  The Initial Options shall be governed by the Stock
Option Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1996, between the Company and Peter J.
Ratican, and the Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1996, between the
Company and Eugene L. Froelich (the "Initial Option Agreements"). Pursuant to
the Initial Option Agreements:
 
          (a) each Optionee that is a party to said agreements shall, provided
     he is employed by the Company on each of the following respective dates
     (each, a "Grant Date"), be granted (i) an Option to purchase 70,000 shares
     of Common Stock on the Effective Date, and (ii) an Option to purchase
     70,000 shares of Common Stock on each January 1 from and including January
     1, 1997 through and including January 1, 2000; and
 
          (b) the purchase price for each share of Common Stock under each
     Initial Option shall be the Fair Market Value of such share, as determined
     on the Grant Date for such Initial Option.
 
     8. Terms and Conditions of Options.  Any Options (other than the Initial
Options) granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by agreements (which need not
be identical) in such form and containing such provisions which are consistent
with the Plan as the Plan Administrator shall from time to time approve. All
agreements granting Options (including the Initial Option Agreements) may
incorporate all or any of the terms hereof by reference and shall comply with
and be subject to the following terms and conditions:
 
          8.1 Number of Shares Subject to Option.  Each Option agreement shall
     specify the number of shares subject to the Option.
 
          8.2 Option Price.  Except as provided in Section 7 hereof, with
     respect to the Initial Options, the purchase price for the shares subject
     to any Option shall be determined by the Plan Administrator at the time of
     grant.
 
          8.3 Notice and Payment.  Any exercisable portion of a Stock Option may
     be exercised only by:
 
             (a) delivery of a written notice to the Company, prior to the time
        when such Stock Option becomes unexercisable under Section 8.4 hereof,
        stating the number of shares being purchased and complying with all
        applicable rules established by the Plan Administrator;
 
             (b) payment in full of the exercise price of such Option by, as
        applicable, (i) cash or check for an amount equal to the aggregate
        Option exercise price for the number of shares being purchased, (ii) in
        the discretion of the Plan Administrator, upon such terms as the Plan
        Administrator shall approve, a copy of instructions to a broker
        directing such broker to sell the number of shares of Common Stock for
        which such Option is exercised, and to remit to the Company the
        aggregate exercise price under such Option for such shares (a "cashless
        exercise"), or (iii) in the discretion of the Plan Administrator, upon
        such terms as the Plan Administrator shall approve, the Optionee's
        payment of all or a portion of the purchase price for the number of
        shares being purchased by tendering shares of the Company's Common Stock
        owned by the Optionee, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a
        Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate
        purchase price of the shares with respect to which such Stock Option or
        portion thereof is thereby exercised (a "stock-for-stock exercise");
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   46
 
             (c) payment of the amount of tax required to be withheld (if any)
        by the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation as a result of
        the exercise of a Stock Option. At the discretion of the Plan
        Administrator, upon such terms as the Plan Administrator shall approve,
        the Optionee may pay all or a portion of the tax withholding by (i) cash
        or check payable to the Company, (ii) cashless exercise, (iii)
        stock-for-stock exercise, or (iv) a combination of two or more of the
        foregoing payment methods; and
 
             (d) delivery of a written notice to the Company requesting that the
        Company direct the transfer agent to issue to the Optionee (or to his
        designee) a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock for
        which the Option was exercised or, in the case of a cashless exercise,
        for any such shares that were not sold in the cashless exercise.
        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may extend and maintain, or
        arrange for the extension and maintenance of, credit to any Optionee to
        finance the Optionee's purchase of shares pursuant to exercise of any
        Stock Option, on such terms as may be approved by the Plan
        Administrator, subject to applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve
        Board and any other laws or regulations in effect at the time such
        credit is extended.
 
          8.4 Term of Option.  No Option shall be exercisable after the
     expiration of the earliest of (a) ten years after the date the Option is
     granted, (b) 180 days after the date the Optionee's employment with the
     Company and its subsidiaries terminates if such termination is by reason of
     Incapacity or death, or (c) 30 days after the date the Optionee's
     employment with the Company and its subsidiaries terminates if such
     termination is a termination for Cause or is due to the Optionee's
     voluntary termination of employment with the Company other than for Good
     Reason; provided, however, that the Option agreement for any Option may
     provide for shorter periods in each of the foregoing instances.
 
          8.5 Exercise of Option.  No Option shall be exercisable during the
     lifetime of an Optionee by any person other than the Optionee. Subject to
     the foregoing, the Plan Administrator shall have the power to set the time
     or times within which each Option shall be exercisable and to accelerate
     the time or times of exercise. Unless otherwise provided by the Plan
     Administrator, each Option granted under the Plan shall become immediately
     exercisable in full on the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the
     foregoing sentence, no shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the
     exercise of an Option by an Optionee may be sold or otherwise transferred
     for a period of six (6) months following the date such Option is granted.
     To the extent that an Optionee has the right to exercise an Option and
     purchase shares pursuant thereto, the Option may be exercised from time to
     time as provided in Section 8.3.
 
          8.6 No Transfer of Option.  No Option shall be transferable by an
     Optionee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
 
          8.7 Restriction on Issuance of Shares.  The issuance of Options and
     shares shall be subject to compliance with all of the applicable
     requirements of law with respect to the issuance and sale of securities,
     including, without limitation, any required qualification under state blue
     sky laws.
 
          8.8 Investment Representation.  Any Optionee may be required, as a
     condition of issuance of shares covered by his or her Option, to represent
     that the shares to be acquired pursuant to exercise of the Option will be
     acquired for investment and without a view to distribution thereof, and to
     give such other representation and/or warranty to the Company as may, in
     the judgment of counsel to the Company, be required under any applicable
     law or regulation; and in such case, the Company may place a legend on the
     certificate evidencing the shares reflecting the fact that they were
     acquired for investment and cannot be sold or transferred unless registered
     under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or unless counsel for the
     Company is satisfied that the circumstances of the proposed transfer do not
     require such registration.
 
          8.9 Rights as a Shareholder or Employee.  An Optionee or transferee of
     an Option shall have no right as a shareholder of the Company with respect
     to any shares covered by any Option until the date of the issuance of a
     share certificate for such shares. No adjustment shall be made for
     dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether cash, securities, or other
     property) or distributions or other rights for which the record date is
     prior to the date such share certificate is issued, except as provided in
     Section 8.12. Nothing
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   47
 
     in the Plan or in any Option agreement shall confer upon any employee any
     right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
     or interfere in any way with any right of the Company or any subsidiary to
     terminate the Optionee's employment at any time.
 
          8.10 No Fractional Shares.  In no event shall the Company be required
     to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of an Option.
 
          8.11 Exercisability in the Event of Death.  In the event of the death
     of the Optionee, any Option or unexercised portion thereof granted to the
     Optionee, to the extent exercisable by him or her on the date of death, may
     be exercised by the Optionee's personal representatives, heirs, or legatees
     subject to the provisions of Section 8.4 hereof.
 
          8.12 Recapitalization or Reorganization of Company.
 
             (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, appropriate and
        proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of
        shares subject to the Plan and to the Option rights granted under the
        Plan, and the exercise price of such Option rights, in the event of a
        stock dividend, split-up, stock split, reverse stock split,
        recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination,
        separation, exchange of common stock, or like change in the corporate or
        capital structure of the Company (a "Restructuring"). Such adjustment
        shall be effective upon the consummation of the Restructuring, and
        shall, either by way of an amendment of the Options or by way of the
        grant of new stock options in substitution of, or in addition to, the
        Options, provide that: (i) the percentage of the outstanding equity of
        the Company represented by Option Shares subject to an Option remains
        constant before and after such Restructuring, and (ii) the total
        exercise price which would be paid by an Optionee, were he to purchase
        all of the Option Shares available to him under the Options after the
        adjustment described in clause (i), equals the total exercise price he
        would have paid had he purchased all Option Shares available to him
        before the Restructuring at the then per share exercise price. In the
        event any Restructuring occurs prior to the grant of any Initial Option
        hereunder, clause (i) of the preceding sentence shall apply, but the
        exercise price of such Initial Option shall be determined without regard
        to clause (ii).
 
             (b) In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or
        a Restructuring in which the Company is not the surviving corporation,
        or the Company sells substantially all of its property to another
        entity, then either (i) provision shall be made for the assumption of
        all Options or the substitution for the Options of new options covering
        the stock of a successor employer corporation (or a parent or subsidiary
        thereof) with appropriate adjustments as to number and kind of shares
        and prices; or (ii) provision shall be made for the payment or other
        grant of a benefit, upon the consummation of such event or transaction,
        having economic value substantially equivalent to that of the Options
        (to be calculated by the Plan Administrator on the basis of the actual
        difference between the Option exercise price and the Fair Market Value
        of the Common Stock determined on the date of the consummation of such
        event or transaction, but without regard to the illiquidity of the
        Common Stock issuable to the Optionee upon the exercise of the Options)
        to each Optionee in exchange for such Options which have been granted
        prior to the consummation of such event or transaction. Notwithstanding
        the previous sentence, each Optionee shall have the right, prior to the
        consummation of such event or transaction, to exercise all Options
        granted prior to such consummation, to the extent not yet exercised. In
        the event that the contemplated event or transaction is not consummated,
        any Option that had been exercised solely by reason of such event or
        transaction shall, to the extent of such exercise, again become
        unexercised and shall revert to its former status as issued but
        unexercised as of the termination of the transaction subject, however,
        to the other provisions of the Plan.
 
          8.13 Modification, Extension, and Renewal of Options.  Subject to the
     terms and conditions and within the limitations of the Plan, the Plan
     Administrator may modify, extend, or renew outstanding Options granted
     under the Plan, and accept the surrender of outstanding Options (to the
     extent not theretofore exercised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
     modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, alter
     or impair any rights of the Optionee under the Option.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   48
 
          8.14 Other Provisions.  Each Option may contain such other terms,
     provisions, and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be
     determined by the Plan Administrator.
 
     9. Termination or Amendment of the Plan.  The Board may at any time
terminate or amend the Plan; provided that, without approval of the shareholders
of the Company, there shall be, except by operation of the provisions of Section
8.12, no increase in the total number of shares covered by the Plan, no change
in the class of persons eligible to receive Options granted under the Plan, no
reduction in the exercise price of Options granted under the Plan, and no
extension of the latest date upon which Options may be exercised; and provided
further that, without the consent of the Optionee, no amendment may adversely
affect any then outstanding Option or any unexercised portion thereof.
 
     10. Indemnification.  To the extent permitted by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, the Bylaws of the Company and any indemnity
agreements between the Company and its directors or employees, the Company shall
indemnify each member of the Board and of the Plan Administrator, and any other
employee of the Company with duties under the Plan, against expenses (including
any amount paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by him in connection with any
claims against him by reason of his conduct in the performance of his duties
under the Plan.
 
     11. Governing Law.  This Plan shall be governed by, and interpreted and
construed under, the laws of the State of California.
 
     12. Effective Date and Term of Plan.  This Plan shall become effective on
the Effective Date. Unless sooner terminated by the Board in its sole
discretion, the Plan will expire one day prior to the tenth anniversary of the
Effective Date.
 
     13. Stockholder Approval and Term of Plan.  The effectiveness of the Plan
shall be subject to and conditioned upon the approval by the stockholders of the
Company at the Company's 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "1996 Annual
Meeting") of resolutions adopting the Plan. In the event stockholder approval of
the Plan is not obtained at the 1996 Annual Meeting, the Plan shall be rendered
null and void and of no further force or effect.
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Plan to be executed by its
duly authorized officer on this 14th day of May, 1996.
 
                                          Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.
 
                                          By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                            Peter J. Ratican,
                                            Chief Executive Officer
 
Attest:
 
By:
- - ----------------------------------------------------
    Alan D. Bloom, Secretary
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   49
 
PROXY      THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS     PROXY
                         OF MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
 
               1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS JULY 26, 1996
 
  The undersigned, does hereby appoint Peter J. Ratican and Eugene L. Froelich,
and each of them, proxies for the undersigned with full power of substitution,
to vote all of the shares which the undersigned is entitled to vote, with all
powers the undersigned would possess if personally present at the 1996 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. (including all
adjournments thereof) to be held in the Sunset Room at the Transamerica Center
Tower Restaurant, 1150 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, California, on July 26,
1996 at 8:00 a.m., Pacific Time, on all matters that may come before the
Meeting.
 
  The undersigned hereby instructs said proxies or their substitutes:
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
 / / To VOTE FOR all nominees listed below.
 
<CAPTION>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
<S>                                                                 <C>
 
 / / To VOTE FOR all nominees listed below.                         / / To WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below.
 
</TABLE>
 
                THOMAS W. FIELD, ALAN S. MANNE AND PETER J. RATICAN
 
  Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write
  that nominee's name in the space provided below:
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
2. APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC. OUTSIDE DIRECTORS
   1996 FORMULA STOCK OPTION PLAN:
 
  / / FOR                     / / AGAINST                     / / ABSTAIN
 
3. APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC. SENIOR EXECUTIVES
   1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN:
 
  / / FOR                     / / AGAINST                     / / ABSTAIN
 
4. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY: In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to
   vote with respect to all other matters which may properly come before the
   Meeting.
                  (Continued and to be SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE>   50
 
  THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
STOCKHOLDER. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE
ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MAXICARE
HEALTH PLANS, INC. OUTSIDE DIRECTORS 1996 FORMULA STOCK OPTION PLAN AND FOR THE
APPROVAL OF THE MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC. SENIOR EXECUTIVES 1996 STOCK OPTION
PLAN.
  The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given, and
ratifies and confirms that all the proxies appointed hereby, or either of them,
or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Notice of
Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, both dated June 28, 1996, and a copy of the
Company's Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
                                              Dated ______________________, 1996
 
                                              __________________________, (L.S.)
 
                                              __________________________, (L.S.)
                                              Signature(s)
 
                                              NOTE: Your signature should appear
                                              the same as your name appears
                                              hereon. In signing as attorney,
                                              executor, administrator, trustee
                                              or guardian, please indicate the
                                              capacity in which signing. When
                                              signing as joint tenants, all
                                              parties in the joint tenancy must
                                              sign. When a proxy is given by a
                                              corporation, it should be signed
                                              by an authorized officer and the
                                              corporate seal affixed. No
                                              additional postage is required if
                                              mailed within the United States.


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