MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS INC
S-2/A, 2000-09-11
HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS
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<PAGE>   1


    FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2000


                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-41510
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------


                                AMENDMENT NO. 3

                                       TO

                                    FORM S-2
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                            ------------------------

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
                         DELAWARE                                                   95-3615709
              (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                                    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
              INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                                  IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>

                           1149 SOUTH BROADWAY STREET
                         LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90015
                                 (213) 765-2000
  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                   REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                                RICHARD A. LINK
                            CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
                            CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
                           1149 SOUTH BROADWAY STREET
                         LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90015
                                 (213) 765-2000
  (NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA
                          CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                                    COPY TO:


                             BARRY L. BURTEN, ESQ.

                     JEFFER, MANGELS, BUTLER & MARMARO LLP
                      2121 AVENUE OF THE STARS, 10TH FLOOR
                         LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90067
                                 (310) 203-8080

                               FAX (310) 203-0567


        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
  As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [X]

    If the registrant elects to deliver its latest annual report to
securityholders, or a complete and legible facsimile thereof, pursuant to Item
11(a)(1) of this Form, check the following box.  [ ]

    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ] ____________

    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ] ____________

    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ] ____________

    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  TITLE OF                        AMOUNT TO BE            PROPOSED MAXIMUM               AMOUNT OF
        SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED               REGISTERED(1)       AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE        REGISTRATION FEE
<S>                                               <C>                <C>                              <C>              <C>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share......       28,088,072(2)             $28,088,072                 $7,415.25(3)
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share......          800,000(4)             $ 1,328,000                 $  300.58(5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



(1) This Registration Statement also includes an indeterminable number of
    additional shares of common stock that may become issuable by reason of the
    fact that fractional shares will be rounded upward in the rights offering.



(2) Consists of 28,088,072 shares to be offered by the registrant pursuant to
    the rights offering at a price of $1.00 per share.



(3) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended.



(4) Consists of 800,000 shares which are being registered on behalf of a selling
    shareholder.



(5) Pursuant to Rule 457(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, the registration fee
    is calculated on the basis of the average of the high and low prices of the
    common stock as reported on the NASDAQ National Market on July 11, 2000, or
    $1.66 per share.


    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2

       THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE
       MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH
       THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS
       NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO
       BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT
       PERMITTED.


                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 11, 2000


PROSPECTUS

                               28,088,072 SHARES


                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK

                                $1.00 PER SHARE
                            ------------------------


     This prospectus covers our offer of 28,088,072 shares at $1.00 per share,
pursuant to a rights offering to our shareholders. Under this rights offering
each shareholder of record as of the close of business on September 14, 2000
will receive a non-transferable basic subscription right to purchase one and
one-half shares of our common stock at $1.00 per share for every share of common
stock owned by the shareholder on that date. Subject to certain limitations,
those shareholders who exercise all of their basic subscription rights shall
then be entitled to exercise over-subscription rights to purchase additional
shares from those shares not purchased by other shareholders in the rights
offering, up to a maximum of 50% of the shares which are available to the
over-subscribing shareholder pursuant to their basic subscription rights.



     Shareholders may exercise the subscription rights for a period of 15 days
beginning on September 15, 2000 and ending at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
September 29, 2000, unless such period is extended by us, in our sole
discretion, for up to an additional 30 days.



     Unless we meet our minimum subscription requirement by the sale of at least
14,000,000 shares through the exercise of basic subscription rights in the
rights offering, we will not sell any shares. Prior to our meeting the minimum
subscription requirement, all proceeds received in this rights offering will be
deposited in an escrow account with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as
the escrow agent. If we do not meet the minimum subscription requirement by the
end of the subscription period, we will return the proceeds we have received to
the subscribing shareholders, without interest.



     Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System under the
trading symbol MAXI. On September   , 2000, the closing price of a share of our
common stock on Nasdaq was $          .



     INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING
ON PAGE 6.


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

     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED THAT
THIS PROSPECTUS IS COMPLETE OR ACCURATE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PER SHARE       TOTAL
                                                              ---------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Offering price..............................................    $1.00      $28,088,072
                                                                -----      -----------
Underwriting discounts and commissions......................    $ -0-      $       -0-
                                                                -----      -----------
Proceeds, before subscription fees to soliciting brokers and
  expenses..................................................    $1.00      $28,088,072
                                                                -----      -----------
</TABLE>



               The date of this prospectus is             , 2000.

<PAGE>   3

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

                                  THE COMPANY


     We are Maxicare Health Plans, Inc., a Delaware corporation, a holding
company which owns various operating subsidiaries, primarily in the field of
managed health care. We own and operate two health maintenance organizations, or
HMOs, in California and Indiana which have a combined enrollment of
approximately 430,000 as of September 1, 2000. We also operate Maxicare Life and
Health Insurance Company and HealthAmerica Corporation. Through these
subsidiaries, we offer an array of employee benefit packages, including group
HMO, Medicaid and Medicare HMO, preferred provider organization, point of
service, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance,
administrative services only programs, wellness programs and other services and
products.


     Through our HMO operations we arrange for the delivery of comprehensive
health care services to our members for a predetermined, prepaid fee. We
generally provide these services by contracting on a prospective basis with
physician groups for a fixed fee per member per month regardless of the extent
and nature of services provided to members, and with hospitals and other
providers under a variety of fee arrangements.

     We believe that an HMO offers certain advantages over traditional indemnity
health insurance. To the member, an HMO offers comprehensive and coordinated
health care programs, including preventive services, with predictable
out-of-pocket expense and generally without requiring claims forms. To the
employer, an HMO offers an opportunity to improve the breadth and quality of
health benefit programs available to employees and their families without a
significant increase in cost or administrative burdens. To health care
providers, such as physician groups and hospitals, an HMO provides a more
predictable revenue source.

     Our executive offices are located at 1149 South Broadway Street, Los
Angeles, California 90015, and our telephone number is (213) 765-2000. Our Web
site address is www.maxicare.com. The information contained on our Web site is
not part of this prospectus.
                                        1
<PAGE>   4


                              THE RIGHTS OFFERING



SECURITIES OFFERED.........  28,088,072 shares of common stock, par value $.01
                             per share, at a subscription price of $1.00 per
                             share, which are being offered to our shareholders
                             in connection with the rights offering.



SHARES OUTSTANDING/
  AUTHORIZED...............  As of the record date of September 14, 2000, we had
                             18,725,381 shares of common stock issued and
                             outstanding. After the rights offering, we will
                             have a minimum of 32,725,381, and a maximum of
                             46,813,453 shares issued and outstanding. We have
                             80,000,000 shares of common stock authorized for
                             issuance.



GRANT OF BASIC SUBSCRIPTION
  RIGHTS...................  All shareholders of record as of September 14, 2000
                             will be granted a non-transferable right to
                             purchase one and one-half shares of our common
                             stock at $1.00 per share for every share of common
                             stock held by them as of this date. We will not
                             issue fractional shares. We will round the rights
                             upward to the nearest whole share. The rights are
                             non-transferable.



GRANT OF OVER-SUBSCRIPTION
  RIGHTS...................  Shareholders who fully exercise their basic
                             subscription rights will be offered
                             over-subscription rights to purchase any shares
                             remaining available for purchase after the exercise
                             by other shareholders of their basic subscription
                             rights. The number of shares that a single
                             shareholder may acquire pursuant to the exercise of
                             over-subscription rights will be limited to 50% of
                             the number of shares available to the shareholder
                             pursuant to basic subscription rights. In the event
                             the number of unsubscribed shares are insufficient
                             to meet the exercise of all of the
                             over-subscription rights, over-subscription shares
                             will be allocated pro-rata, based on the ratio that
                             the number of shares subscribed to by each over-
                             subscribing shareholder bears to the total number
                             of shares which all over-subscribing shareholders
                             seek to purchase. Shareholders must elect to
                             exercise their over-subscription rights during the
                             subscription period, in the manner set forth in the
                             subscription documents provided to them. However,
                             shareholders choosing to exercise their
                             over-subscription rights need not remit payment
                             immediately upon such exercise. While such exercise
                             may not be revoked by the over-subscribing
                             shareholder, payment for the exercised
                             over-subscription rights may be remitted either
                             concurrently with payment for basic subscription
                             rights or within 10 days after the expiration of
                             the subscription period, pursuant to a letter of
                             instructions that will be mailed to
                             over-subscribing shareholders setting forth the
                             necessary pro-ration, if any, to the number of
                             over-subscription shares each over-subscribing
                             shareholder requested. In order to preserve our
                             outstanding net operating loss carryforwards, no
                             shareholder who owns 5% or more of our outstanding
                             shares of common stock or who may acquire 5% or
                             more of our outstanding shares of common stock
                             through their

                                        2
<PAGE>   5


                             exercise of over-subscription rights may do so
                             without the prior approval of our board of
                             directors.



SUBSCRIPTION PERIOD........  The rights offering will remain open for a 15 day
                             period from September 15, 2000 to September 29,
                             2000, unless such period is extended by us, in our
                             sole discretion, for up to an additional 30 days.
                             Shareholders who wish to exercise their
                             subscription rights must return the completed
                             subscription documents along with their payment, as
                             instructed in the subscription documents, to the
                             subscription agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust
                             Company, as escrow agent for Maxicare Health Plans,
                             Inc., no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
                             on September 29, 2000, unless the subscription
                             period is extended by us as described above.



MINIMUM SUBSCRIPTION
  REQUIREMENT..............  Unless we sell at least 14,000,000 shares in this
                             rights offering through subscriptions for the basic
                             subscription rights, we will not sell any shares.
                             Prior to our meeting the minimum subscription
                             requirement, all proceeds received in this rights
                             offering will be deposited in an escrow account
                             with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as
                             escrow agent. If we do not meet the minimum
                             subscription requirement by the end of the
                             subscription period, we will return the proceeds we
                             receive to the subscribing shareholders, without
                             interest.



USE OF PROCEEDS............  We intend to use substantially all the proceeds of
                             this rights offering as follows: the first $11 to
                             $15 million to increase the capitalization in our
                             operating subsidiaries, the next $1 to $6 million
                             to fund infrastructure enhancements, and the
                             remainder for working capital and general corporate
                             purposes (which may include additional investments
                             in our subsidiaries and infrastructure
                             enhancements).

                                        3
<PAGE>   6

                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA


     The following summary consolidated financial data are qualified by
reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial
Statements and the Notes thereto incorporated by reference in this prospectus
from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2000. The
summary consolidated financial data for each of the years ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997 are derived from our audited Consolidated Financial
Statements. The summary consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2000 and 1999
and for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and June 30, 1999 are unaudited, but,
in the opinion of management, included all adjustments (consisting only of
normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of
operations for those periods. The results of operations for the six months ended
June 30, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for
the full fiscal year.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           SIX MONTHS ENDED          FOR THE YEARS ENDED
                                               JUNE 30,                  DECEMBER 31,
                                          -------------------   ------------------------------
                                            2000       1999       1999       1998       1997
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                              (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues
  Premiums..............................  $369,220   $348,743   $704,996   $727,220   $658,080
  Investment income.....................     2,532      1,801      3,777      5,403      7,481
  Other income..........................       354      4,327      4,865      2,530      5,743
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
       Total Revenues...................   372,106    354,871    713,638    735,153    671,304
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Expenses
  Health care expenses..................   339,429    320,870    652,274    684,362    630,869
  Marketing, general and administrative
     expenses...........................    34,658     31,673     63,955     61,068     55,765
  Depreciation and amortization.........       649        447      1,173        756        751
  Loss contracts, divestiture costs,
     litigation, management settlement
     and other charges(1)...............     2,000      8,500      8,500     16,500      9,000
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
       Total Expenses...................   376,736    361,490    725,902    762,686    696,385
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Loss From Operations....................    (4,630)    (6,619)   (12,264)   (27,533)   (25,081)
Income Tax Benefit......................
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net loss................................  $ (4,630)  $ (6,619)  $(12,264)  $(27,533)  $(25,081)
                                          ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
Net loss Per Common Share:
Basic:
  Basic loss per common share...........  $   (.26)  $   (.37)  $   (.68)  $  (1.54)  $  (1.40)
                                          ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
  Weighted average number of common
     shares outstanding.................    17,939     17,925     17,925     17,928     17,897
Diluted:
  Diluted loss per common share.........  $   (.26)  $   (.37)  $   (.68)  $  (1.54)  $  (1.40)
                                          ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
  Weighted average number of common and
     common dilutive potential shares
     outstanding........................    17,939     17,925     17,925     17,928     17,897
</TABLE>


                                        4
<PAGE>   7


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              AT JUNE 30,              AT DECEMBER 31,
                                          -------------------   ------------------------------
                                            2000       1999       1999       1998       1997
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                           (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT FOR MEMBERSHIP DATA)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Total assets..........................  $151,881   $121,752   $133,215   $136,254   $167,422
  Total indebtedness(2).................  $112,449   $ 72,869   $ 90,059   $ 83,298   $ 86,386
  Shareholders' equity..................  $ 39,432   $ 48,883   $ 43,156   $ 52,956   $ 81,036

MEMBERSHIP DATA:
  Number of members.....................   446,000    482,000    466,600    512,000    514,000
</TABLE>



                  NOTES TO SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA



     The summary consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and
"Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations" and "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.



(1) A $2.0 million charge for losses associated with certain of the Company's
    capitated provider arrangements was recorded in the second quarter of 2000.
    A $3.0 million charge for loss contracts related to our Carolinas commercial
    line of business and a $5.5 million charge for management settlement costs
    were recorded in the first quarter of 1999. A $10 million charge for loss
    contracts and divestiture costs and a $6.5 million charge for litigation,
    provider insolvency/impairment, and an increase to the loss contracts and
    divestiture costs reserve were recorded in the second and fourth quarters of
    1998, respectively. A $6 million litigation charge was recorded in the first
    quarter of 1997 as a result of a ruling by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    Board of Claims denying us recovery on our receivable of $5 million due us
    from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare in connection with the
    operation of a Medicaid managed care program from 1986 through 1989 by one
    of our subsidiaries, and related litigation costs. A $3 million management
    restructuring charge was recorded in the fourth quarter of 1997 for
    termination expenses primarily related to the settlement of certain
    obligations pursuant to the former chief financial officer's employment
    agreement.



(2) Includes long-term liabilities of $2.5 million and $2.4 million at June 30,
    2000 and 1999, respectively. Includes long-term liabilities of $3.0 million,
    $.6 million and $.2 million, at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
    respectively.

                                        5
<PAGE>   8

                                  RISK FACTORS

     You should carefully consider the following risks, in addition to the other
information contained in this prospectus, before making any investment decision.
We believe that the risks and uncertainties described below are the most
significant factors that make an investment in our common stock speculative and
risky. As a result of any of the risks we encounter, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Any
of these adverse effects could cause the trading price of our common stock to
decline and you may correspondingly lose all or some portion of your investment
in us.

FUTURE COSTS OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE TO OUR MEMBERS MAY RISE
FASTER THAN THE RELATED PREMIUMS WE RECEIVE.


     Commercial premium rates for managed care plans have generally increased
over the past year and recent months; however, if costs of health care services
rise and we are unable to adequately increase commercial premium rates, our
margins will shrink and have a corresponding adverse impact on operating
results. For the six months ended June 30, 2000, approximately 41% of our
premium revenues were derived from governmental programs, including Medicare and
Medicaid. The government generally fixes these premium rates and we are unable
or limited in our ability to adjust these rates based on anticipated costs.
Recent legislation regarding Medicare reimbursement has substantially limited
premium rate increases as compared to increases granted in prior years. As a
result, the costs of our governmental programs could exceed the related premiums
we receive from these programs. In addition, although we recently announced our
withdrawal, effective as of January 1, 2001, from certain Medicare markets which
we do not consider profitable, this withdrawal will not affect the losses which
we may have on this business during this current year.


HIGHER THAN ESTIMATED HEALTH CARE COSTS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.

     We generally set our rates annually and in advance based on estimates of
future health care costs over the related premium period. However, many factors
may adversely impact our ability to estimate and manage future health care costs
including increased utilization, high dollar claims, inflation, catastrophic
events, epidemics, new mandated benefits, new technologies and health care
practices, inability to secure cost effective provider compensation
arrangements, and the inherent variability of estimated claims reserves. Because
our rates are set in advance, we generally cannot adjust if health care costs
turn out higher than our estimates. Consequently, our results of operations may
be adversely affected. In addition, we are impacted more than certain of our
competitors because our relatively small size exacerbates the effect of greater
than anticipated high dollar claims.

PHARMACEUTICAL COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE AT A RATE IN EXCESS OF OUR ABILITY TO BE
REIMBURSED.

     Prescription drug costs continue to rise at a rate in excess of most other
health care services and at a rate in excess of our ability to be reimbursed
through increased rates. Although we have implemented strategies to seek to
mitigate this cost trend there can be no assurance that we will be able to
effectively manage this problem or successfully recoup the cost increases.

THE RISK OF ADVERSE VARIATIONS IN OUR CLAIMS RESERVES HAS INCREASED.

     Our claims reserves are estimates of incurred health care costs based upon
various assumptions and environmental factors. The accuracy of these estimates
may be affected by variables such as changes in the rate of inflation/medical
costs, the processing of claims, provider contract arrangements, the regulatory
environment and other factors. Given the inherent variability of our estimates,
the actual development of our reserves could be materially different from
amounts provided. During the past year we have assumed the risk for a much
larger percentage of our

                                        6
<PAGE>   9

members as a result of a trend away from capitated arrangements with our medical
providers. Accordingly, the risks we face with respect to material variations in
our claims reserves have increased.

OUR INABILITY TO OBTAIN COST EFFECTIVE CONTRACTS WITH PROVIDERS MAY RESULT IN
HIGHER HEALTH CARE COSTS AND LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP.

     Our marketability and profitability depends, in large part, on our ability
to attract and contract on a cost effective basis with hospitals, medical
groups, physicians and other provider contracting entities. In selected markets,
certain providers, particularly hospitals, physicians/hospital organizations or
multi-specialty physician groups may have significant market positions and/or
compete directly with us. In the past certain providers have refused to contract
with us or utilized their market position to place us at a competitive
disadvantage. To the extent this continues to occur, our ability to market our
managed care products and control our costs could be adversely affected
resulting in higher health care costs and loss of membership.

THE FINANCIAL INSTABILITY OF OUR PROVIDERS MAY EXPOSE US TO LIABILITY FOR UNPAID
CLAIMS, LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP AND INCREASED HEALTH CARE COSTS.


     We contract with providers and other provider contracting entities
primarily through capitation arrangements. We pay the provider a fixed dollar
amount per member per month and the provider accepts the financial risk of the
frequency and cost of member utilization of services. The inability of
contracted provider entities to properly manage costs under capitation
arrangements can result in financial instability and insolvency of those
providers resulting in the termination of their relationship with us, and
subjecting us to possible liability for unpaid claims and loss of membership.
During the past few years several of our significant providers in California and
Indiana either became insolvent or declared bankruptcy. The termination of a
capitated provider arrangement may also result in members selecting other
providers with whom we may not have as favorable contractual arrangements
resulting in increased health care costs.


IT IS DIFFICULT FOR US TO COMPETE IN THE HMO BUSINESS BECAUSE OUR MARKET SHARE
IS RELATIVELY LOW.

     We operate in an environment, especially in California, where many of our
principal competitors enjoy significantly greater market share and greater
capital resources. As a result of competitive pressures, we have been and may
continue to be adversely affected in our ability to retain our customer base,
limited in our premium pricing flexibility and adversely affected in our ability
to maintain or improve operating margins.

OUR GEOGRAPHIC AND LINES OF BUSINESS CONCENTRATIONS SUBJECT US TO INCREASED
BUSINESS RISK.


     Our commercial and governmental business is concentrated in California and
Indiana which accounted for approximately 96% of our premium revenues for the
six months ended June 30, 2000. Changes in regulatory, market or health care
provider conditions in either of these states could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.



     Our Medicaid and Medicare lines of business are subject to our ongoing
ability to secure contracts with the appropriate governmental entities.
Governmental programs are also subject to extensive federal and state
regulation. Our Medicaid and Medicare premium revenues represented approximately
25% and 16%, respectively, of our total premium revenues for the six months
ended June 30, 2000. Our failure to retain one or more of our governmental
contracts could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.


     Our 10 largest commercial employer groups accounted for approximately 34%
of our commercial membership as of June 30, 2000. Our largest commercial
employer group, the state of Indiana,

                                        7
<PAGE>   10

accounted for approximately 10% of our commercial membership and approximately
23% of the Indiana HMO's commercial membership as of June 30, 2000. The loss of
one or more of our largest commercial employer groups could have a material
adverse effect on our business and operations.

WE MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY COMPLICATIONS IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF OUR
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS.

     Our business operations are significantly dependent on the functionality
and effectiveness of our management information systems. In addition, our
current management information systems are based on a highly capitated business
model which we are in the process of shifting towards a shared risk model. We
are presently assessing installation of significant system enhancements and/or
conversions including internet-based systems. Any significant service
disruptions resulting from the implementation of these initiatives and/or
conversions could have a material adverse impact on our business processes,
customer and provider relationships, results of operations and financial
condition. Further, any complications in adjusting our management information
systems to deal with our increasingly non-capitated business model may place
additional burdens on us.

WE ARE SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS AND REGULATION AND PENDING
LEGISLATION.


     The health care industry is subject to extensive laws and regulations,
including, but not limited to, requirements related to licensing, policy
benefits design, member disclosure and enrollment, cash reserves, net worth and
restrictions on dividending. In addition, we are subject to various reviews and
audits regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations. These laws and
regulations are subject to frequent changes and future changes related to
pending legislation or regulation could force us to change the way we do
business resulting in a material adverse impact on our operations. Since
approximately 41% of our premium revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2000
were derived from governmental contracts, we are especially vulnerable to
changes in laws or regulations concerning these programs.


IN THE FUTURE, THE STATES IN WHICH WE DO BUSINESS MAY ADOPT MORE STRINGENT
MINIMUM CAPITALIZATION REQUIREMENTS.


     The managed care industry is subject to various state regulations including
financial requirements related to minimum net worth or capitalization
requirements. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has proposed
that states adopt risk-based capital standards that, if implemented, would
generally require higher minimum capitalization limits for health care coverage
provided by HMOs and other risk bearing entities. To date, neither California
nor Indiana has adopted these standards for HMOs. If these standards are adopted
(or similar standards requiring increased capitalization), we may not be able to
meet these capitalization limits without securing additional capital resources.


COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH LITIGATION AND OTHER ACTIONS MAY RESULT IN LOSSES.

     We are subject to a variety of legal actions related to our business
including claims for failure to pay for, provide or arrange for health care,
provider disputes, breach of contract and other actions the ultimate outcome of
which is not yet certain. Adverse results in one or more of these proceedings
may result in liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our
operations, financial condition and future prospects.


     The HMO industry has been subject to a number of separate class action
lawsuits against certain select national HMOs which may cause or force changes
in business practices of the HMO industry, which could adversely affect the way
we do business.


                                        8
<PAGE>   11

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED RECENT OPERATING LOSSES AND OUR RETURN TO PROFITABILITY
DEPENDS ON THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF OPERATING INITIATIVES AND OTHER
FACTORS.


     We incurred losses during our fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1998
and 1999 and the six months ended June 30, 2000 of $25.1 million, $27.5 million,
$12.3 million and $4.6 million, respectively, and anticipate incurring
additional losses this fiscal year. We are undertaking a variety of operating
initiatives designed to improve our market position, strengthen our medical
management, enhance our administration and control over claims processing and
payment, and improve other critical business processes. We have recently added
senior management talent to our organization to direct these operating
initiatives and have added staff resources to complement these initiatives. We
are also pursuing the implementation of significant information systems
enhancements and/or conversions including internet-based systems. There is no
guarantee, however, that we will be able to successfully implement these
initiatives or if implemented they will result in our return to profitability.



OUR RIGHTS OFFERING OF UP TO 28,088,072 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK MAY JEOPARDIZE
OUR UTILIZATION OF SIGNIFICANT TAX BENEFITS.



     As of December 31, 1999, we had approximately $407.5 million of federal net
operating tax losses that we can use to offset future federal taxable income and
which expire in the years 2003 through 2019. However, our issuance of common
stock in this rights offering may prevent us from fully utilizing these benefits
because it increases the likelihood of a statutory "ownership change" as defined
by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. If an ownership change occurs,
the tax code limits the amount of tax benefits that we can use in a year to an
amount based on the fair market value of our stock multiplied by a long-term tax
exempt rate. This amount is significantly less than $407.5 million. This
limitation may cause some of our tax benefits to expire unutilized. Therefore,
if we were successful in generating future taxable income, we may have to pay
more income taxes or pay these taxes sooner than if our tax benefits were not
limited.



     Although the terms of the rights offering seek to prohibit sales to
shareholders holding 5% or more of our common stock or which would enable any
shareholder to acquire 5% or more of our common stock without our board's
approval, there can be no assurances that these restrictions will be effective.
In light of the potential for these adverse tax consequences our board
recommended, and our shareholders approved at our 2000 annual meeting of
shareholders, an amendment to our charter that restricts transfers of our
capital stock that could trigger the limitations of the tax code. This amendment
will take effect prior to the effectiveness of the rights offering.



OUR INABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THIS RIGHTS OFFERING AND RAISE THE
EXPECTED PROCEEDS WOULD POTENTIALLY LEAVE US WITHOUT ADEQUATE WORKING CAPITAL
WHICH COULD MATERIALLY IMPAIR OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS.



     We are a holding company and currently own two health maintenance
organizations, or HMOs, licensed in California and Indiana, and Maxicare Life
and Health Insurance Company. Our HMOs and Maxicare Life are subject to state
regulations which require compliance with certain statutory deposit, dividend
distribution and net worth requirements. To the extend the operating HMOs and
Maxicare Life must comply with these regulations, they may not have the
financial flexibility to transfer funds to us at the parent company level. As a
result of operating losses and regulatory requirements and restrictions, the
amount of our cash generally available to fund our working capital and
operational requirements, including cash we hold and cash held by our operating
subsidiaries available for transfer to us, has diminished from $46.6 million as
of December 31, 1996, to $1.7 million as of June 30, 2000. This lack of
available cash at the parent company level has created increased liquidity
problems and operational and capital adequacy problems which we hope to


                                        9
<PAGE>   12


alleviate through this rights offering. Our inability to complete this rights
offering and raise the expected proceeds would potentially leave us without
adequate working capital which could materially impair our business and
operations.


                                USE OF PROCEEDS


     The net proceeds that we expect to receive from this rights offering are
estimated to be a minimum of $13.1 million and up to a maximum of $27.2 million
after deducting estimated offering expenses.



     The principal purpose of this rights offering is to alleviate our
potentially serious liquidity and capital adequacy problems, in particular at
the parent company level. We intend to use the net proceeds from this rights
offering as follows: first, to immediately increase and strengthen the
capitalization of the California HMO and Indiana HMO subsidiaries and Maxicare
Life and Health Insurance Company, next, to fund infrastructure enhancements
over the next two years in support of our operating initiatives, which include
expenditures for information system enhancements and/or conversions, marketing
and advertising campaigns, and increased staffing resources, and finally, the
remaining proceeds will be allocated for general corporate and working capital
purposes which may include additional investments in our operating subsidiaries
and infrastructure enhancements.



     The table below reflects the use of net proceeds in the event we receive
the minimum of $13.1 million and the maximum of $27.2 million:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                MINIMUM       MAXIMUM
                                                              -----------   -----------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Capital infusion to operating subsidiaries..................  $11,000,000   $15,000,000
Infrastructure expenditures.................................    1,000,000     6,000,000
General corporate and working capital.......................    1,100,000     6,200,000
                                                              -----------   -----------
                                                              $13,100,000   $27,200,000
                                                              ===========   ===========
</TABLE>


                        DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE


     Our board decided to set a $1.00 per share subscription price after
considering several factors, including the potential increase in the number of
outstanding shares in the event the rights offering is fully subscribed of
approximately 150%. Our shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market. In
determining the per share subscription price, we took into account the recent
trading prices of our shares. We also considered the potential that existing
shareholders may wish to purchase additional shares of common stock from us and
the multiples of book value at which shares of similarly situated companies are
trading. The $1.00 per share subscription price should not be considered an
indication of our actual value or of the value of our common stock. We have
neither sought, nor obtained, any valuation opinion from outside financial
advisors or investment bankers.


                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION


GENERAL



     We are offering 28,088,072 shares of our common stock to our shareholders
of record as of September 14, 2000 at $1.00 per share in this rights offering.
We have not engaged an underwriter in connection with this rights offering. We
intend to distribute on September 15, 2000 the rights subscription certificate,
related subscription documents and copies of this prospectus to our shareholders
on the record date, September 14, 2000, promptly following the satisfaction of
the conditions to the effectiveness of the rights offering: shareholder approval
of an amendment to our


                                       10
<PAGE>   13


certificate of incorporation to increase the number of our authorized shares of
common stock to 80,000,000 and the effectiveness of the registration statement
of which this prospectus forms a part. If the rights offering is fully
subscribed, we expect to raise proceeds of approximately $28.1 million, before
costs of the rights offering.



     Our employees, officers and directors may solicit responses from
shareholders receiving rights to purchase, but these persons will not receive
any commissions or compensation for their services other than their normal
employment or director compensation.



     Mackenzie Partners, Inc. will also solicit responses from shareholders
eligible to purchase shares in the rights offering. For these efforts and for
acting as information agent with respect to the rights offering, Mackenzie
Partners, Inc. will receive a fee of $50,000.



PURPOSE OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING



     Completion of this rights offering will enable us to raise up to
approximately $28.1 million, before the costs of the rights offering. The
primary purpose of this rights offering is to alleviate potentially serious
liquidity and capital adequacy concerns. We are a holding company and currently
own two health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, licensed in California and
Indiana, and Maxicare Life and Health Insurance Company. Our HMOs and Maxicare
Life are subject to state regulations which require compliance with certain
statutory deposit, dividend distribution and net worth requirements. To the
extent the operating HMOs and Maxicare Life must comply with these regulations,
they may not have the financial flexibility to transfer funds to us at the
parent company level. As a result of operating losses and regulatory
requirements and restrictions, the amount of our cash generally available to
fund our working capital and operational requirements, including cash we hold
and cash held by our operating subsidiaries available for transfer to us, has
diminished from $46.6 million as of December 31, 1996, to $1.7 million as of
June 30, 2000. This lack of available cash at the parent company level has
created increased liquidity problems and operational and capital adequacy
concerns which we hope to alleviate through this rights offering. Our inability
to complete this rights offering and raise the expected proceeds would
potentially leave us without adequate working capital which could materially
impair our business and operations.



     In order to further address our need for additional working capital, prior
to or after the completion of this rights offering, we may seek to raise up to
$10,000,000 through the sale of equity securities in one or more private
placement(s) to one or more highly accredited or institutional investors. We may
engage a placement agent to assist us in these sales. We do not anticipate that
the aggregate cash raised through the sale of our equity securities in such
private placement(s), when added to the gross proceeds from the sale of shares
in this rights offering, would exceed $33.1 million, before the costs of such
offerings.



     In June, 2000 we sold 800,000 shares of common stock, at $1.25 per share,
in a private placement to Meespierson Cayman Limited, as trustee of Sofaer
Funds/SCI Global Hedge Fund. Although this financing gave us some additional
liquidity, the proceeds are insufficient to enable us to retain a sufficient
amount of cash and capital resources at the parent company level for working
capital requirements, funding our infrastructure and capital improvement
requirements, in particular the funding of improvements to our information
technology capabilities, and funding of regulatory capital requirements of the
HMOs and Maxicare Life to support ongoing business growth.



DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS OFFERING



  Basic Subscription Rights



     We are granting to our shareholders as of the close of business on
September 14, 2000, non-transferable basic subscription rights to purchase one
and one-half shares of our newly issued


                                       11
<PAGE>   14


common stock, at a price of $1.00 per share, for each share held on September
14, 2000. At a meeting held on July 10, 2000, our board unanimously agreed to
amend the rights offering to change the record date from August 1, 2000 to
September 14, 2000. Our board took this action so that shareholders eligible to
participate in the rights offering would be those shareholders who are of record
closer to the anticipated effective date of the rights offering. We further
amended the rights offering at a board meeting held on August 3, 2000, to
shorten the exercise period from 30 days to 15 days. Our board took this action
so that the proceeds of the rights offering could be reflected in our third
quarter financial statements. The rights offering was also amended by our board
on August 29, 2000 to provide for over-subscription rights and to delete as a
condition of effectiveness the effectiveness of a standby underwriting
commitment. These actions were taken as a result of our decision not to proceed
with a standby underwriter. On September 5, 2000, the rights offering was
further amended to provide a minimum requirement of 14,000,000 shares being sold
upon the exercise of the basic subscription rights in this rights offering. This
action was taken to insure that this offering raises sufficient capital to
address our most pressing liquidity and working capital issues prior to the
consummation of any sales of our stock pursuant thereto.



     If all shareholders fully exercise their subscription rights, including
applicable over-subscription rights, we will issue an aggregate of approximately
28,088,072 shares. We will not issue fractional shares. We will round basic
subscription and over-subscription rights up to the next whole share. The basic
subscription and over-subscription rights are not transferable, except that the
assignment by a record or nominee owner of shares to the beneficial owner will
be permitted to the extent allowable under applicable state securities laws. A
shareholder who does not participate in the rights offering will experience
ownership dilution. A shareholder may purchase all or part of the shares to
which the shareholder is entitled. Our officers and directors, in their capacity
as shareholders, will have the same rights to purchase shares in the rights
offering as other shareholders.



     All of our continuing directors and certain of our executive officers,
including our chief executive officer, Paul R. Dupee, Jr., who collectively own
827,956 shares, or approximately 4.4% of our outstanding common stock, currently
intend to exercise at least their basic subscription rights. To the extent that
the voting power of our directors and executive officers increases as a result
of the rights offering, it will be more difficult for the remaining shareholders
to replace or remove the directors and executive officers.



     Shareholders cannot revoke their rights subscription certificates once
submitted. Our board reserves the right to modify, postpone or to cancel the
rights offering at any time prior to its consummation if it determines that such
modification, postponement or cancellation is in our best interests.



  Over-subscription Rights



     Shareholders who fully exercise their basic subscription rights will be
offered over-subscription rights, subject to availability of shares following
exercise of the basic subscription rights. Pursuant to the grant of
over-subscription rights, shareholders who fully exercise their basic
subscription rights will additionally be entitled to purchase, also at $1.00 per
share, shares remaining available, if any, after exercise of the basic
subscription rights by the other shareholders. The number of shares that a
single shareholder may acquire pursuant to the exercise of the over-subscription
rights will be limited to 50% of the shares available to the shareholder
pursuant to basic subscription rights. In the event that more than the available
number of shares are subscribed to in connection with the exercise of
over-subscription rights, shares will be allocated pro-rata, based on the ratio
that the number of shares subscribed to by each over-subscribing shareholder
bears to the total number of shares which all over-subscribing shareholders seek
to purchase. Shareholders must elect to exercise their over-subscription rights
during the subscription period, in the manner set forth in the subscription


                                       12
<PAGE>   15


documents provided to them. However, shareholders choosing to exercise their
over-subscription rights need not remit payment immediately upon such exercise.
While such exercise may not be revoked by the over-subscribing shareholder,
payment for the exercised over-subscription rights may be remitted either
concurrently with payment for basic subscription rights or within 10 days after
the expiration of the subscription period, pursuant to a letter of instructions
that will be mailed to over-subscribing shareholders setting forth the necessary
pro-ration, if any, to the number of over-subscription shares each
over-subscribing shareholder requested. In order to preserve our outstanding net
operating loss carryforwards, no shareholder who owns 5% or more of our
outstanding shares of common stock or who may acquire 5% or more of our
outstanding shares of common stock through their exercise of over-subscription
rights may do so without the prior approval of our board.



MINIMUM SUBSCRIPTION REQUIREMENT



     The consummation of this rights offering is subject to and conditioned upon
our sale of no less than 14,000,000 shares prior to the expiration of the
subscription period, solely through the exercise of basic subscription rights.
Prior to our meeting the minimum subscription requirement, all proceeds received
in this rights offering will be deposited in an escrow account with American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent. If we do not meet the minimum
subscription requirement by the end of the subscription period, we will return
the proceeds we receive to the subscribing shareholders, without interest. Based
upon preliminary indications which we have received from certain of our larger
shareholders, we believe that the minimum subscription requirement will be
achieved.



DELIVERY OF SHARE CERTIFICATES



     As soon as practicable following the satisfaction of the minimum
subscription requirement, and thereafter as soon as practicable after receipt of
funds by the escrow agent from the exercise of the basic subscription rights,
the subscription agent will mail certificates for shares to shareholders whose
rights subscription certificates have been accepted. Certificates representing
over-subscription shares shall be delivered as soon as practicable after the
expiration of the subscription period, so that we may make such pro-rations as
may be necessary in the event the over-subscription requests exceed the number
of remaining available shares in the rights offering, and upon receipt of funds
from shareholders electing to exercise over-subscription rights.



ESCROW OF FUNDS



     The subscription agent will deposit all subscription funds received in an
interest-bearing escrow account at the Chase Manhattan Bank entitled "American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent for Maxicare Health Plans, Inc."
No proceeds will be disbursed from the escrow account until such time as the
minimum subscription requirement is reached. In the event the minimum
subscription requirement is not obtained by the end of the subscription period,
the full amount of the proceeds, without interest, will be returned to the
subscribing shareholders. Interest earned on the proceeds in the escrow account
will be credited first towards the costs and expenses of the escrow agent with
the balance remaining thereafter, if any, paid to us. If during the subscription
period the minimum subscription requirement is reached, we may in our sole
discretion elect from time to time thereafter to instruct the escrow agent to
deliver funds to us out of the escrow account and issue share certificates to
those shareholders who have submitted their completed subscription certificates
and tendered full payment for the basic subscription rights.



  How to Subscribe For Rights



     You may subscribe to purchase shares by completing and signing the rights
subscription certificate which accompanies this prospectus and mailing or
delivering it to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the subscription
agent, together with the required payment set forth pursuant to


                                       13
<PAGE>   16


the instructions regarding use of the subscription certificate. You should
carefully read and follow such instructions. To be accepted, we must receive
your rights subscription certificate before the expiration of the subscription
period. Shareholders cannot revoke their rights subscription certificates once
submitted to the subscription agent.



     You must pay the full basic subscription price when you return the rights
subscription certificate. In order to exercise your over-subscription rights you
must exercise in full your basic rights and indicate on the subscription
certificate (or a retained photocopy thereof if you choose to defer your
over-subscription election) the amount of the over-subscription rights you wish
to exercise either with the submission of your basic subscription rights or
thereafter at any time prior to the expiration of the subscription period. Your
commitment to subscribe for over-subscription rights is irrevocable. You may
elect to tender the full amount of your over-subscription payment prior to the
expiration of the subscription period with the delivery of your
over-subscription request on the subscription certificate, or the retained
photocopy thereof. After the expiration of the subscription period, we will do
such pro-rations as may be necessary to the over-subscription requests and
return to over-subscribing shareholders who paid their over-subscription payment
prior to the expiration of the subscription period any funds due them as a
result of such pro-ration, without interest.



     As soon as practicable after the expiration of the subscription period we
will calculate any pro-rations of the over-subscription rights required and
distribute to all shareholders eligible for over-subscription rights who elected
to exercise such rights but did not transmit their over-subscription payment an
over-subscription proceeds transmittal letter which will set forth the amount of
over-subscription rights available to them and the procedure for remitting
funds. Over-subscription funds will be remitted directly to American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent for Maxicare Health Plans, Inc., and
will be immediately available to us upon their receipt thereof. You should make
checks payable to: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as escrow agent for
Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. You should mail or deliver checks and completed
rights subscription certificates to the subscription agent at: American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10007.



     Any shareholder who has not submitted a properly completed subscription
certificate along with payment for at least the basic subscription price to the
subscription agent by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 29, 2000,
unless such subscription period is extended by us, in our sole discretion, for
up to an additional 30 days, shall forfeit its rights to subscribe in the rights
offering.



     If you wish to exercise your subscription rights, but you or your broker do
not have sufficient time to deliver the subscription certificate before the time
your rights expire, you may exercise your rights by delivering your payment in
full along with the notice of guaranteed delivery form included as part of your
subscription documents.


  Payment to Soliciting Brokers

     We have agreed to pay soliciting brokers a fee of $.10 for each share
subscribed to in the rights offering up to a maximum of $250 per account.


  Acceptance of Subscriptions



     In addition to any rights subscriptions we do not accept because they are
incomplete or otherwise not properly submitted, we may in our sole discretion
elect to accept or reject all of the subscriptions in this rights offering
before its expiration. We also reserve the right to amend the terms of, postpone
or cancel the rights offering at any time prior to the expiration of the
subscription period.



     We are entitled to resolve all questions concerning the timeliness,
validity, form and eligibility of any exercise of basic or over-subscription
rights. Our determination of these questions will be final


                                       14
<PAGE>   17

and binding. In our sole discretion, we may waive any defect or irregularity, or
permit a defect or irregularity to be corrected within such time as we may
determine, or reject the purported exercise of any right because of any defect
or irregularity.


     Subscription certificates will not be considered received or accepted until
all irregularities have been waived or cured within such time as we determine in
our sole discretion. Neither we nor American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the
subscription agent, has any duty to give notification of any defect or
irregularity in connection with the submission of subscription certificates or
any other required document. Neither we nor American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company will incur any liability for failure to give such notification.



     We reserve the right to reject any exercise of basic or over-subscription
rights if the exercise does not fully comply with the terms of the rights
offering or is not in proper form or if the exercise of rights would be
unlawful.


  Information Agent

     We have designated Mackenzie Partners, Inc., 156 Fifth Avenue, New York,
New York 10010, telephone number 800-322-2885 (toll-free) or (212) 929-5500
(call collect), as the information agent for the rights offering to assist us in
responding to any inquiries of shareholders.


                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS



     We have summarized below material United States income tax consequences of
the rights offering to the holders of our common stock upon the distribution of
the subscription rights (which for the purposes of this tax discussion includes
over-subscription rights) and to the holders of the subscription rights upon
their exercise.


     This summary is based on provisions of the tax code, existing and proposed
U.S. Treasury regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations, all
as of the date of the prospectus and all of which are subject to change,
possibly on a retroactive basis.

     This summary is limited to those who have held the common stock, and will
hold the subscription rights and any shares acquired upon the exercise of
subscription rights as "capital assets" within the meaning of section 1221 of
the tax code. This summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may
be relevant to holders in light of their personal circumstances, or to holders
who are subject to special rules; such as banks and other financial
institutions, broker-dealers, real estate investment trusts, regulated
investment companies, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations and foreign
taxpayers. This summary does not include any description of the tax laws of any
state, local or non-U.S. government that may be applicable to a shareholder.

     WE URGE SHAREHOLDERS TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE
PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THIS
RIGHTS OFFERING, AS WELL AS THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S.
AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN TAX LAWS.

     Distribution of Subscription Rights. Shareholders will not recognize
taxable income for federal income tax purposes upon distribution of the
subscription rights.

     Shareholder Basis and Holding Period of the Subscription Rights. Except as
provided in the following sentence, the basis of the subscription rights
received by a shareholder as a distribution with respect to such shareholder's
common stock will be zero. If, however, either the fair market value of the
subscription rights on their date of issuance is 15% or more of the fair market
value on the date

                                       15
<PAGE>   18

of issuance of the common stock with respect to which they are received or the
shareholder properly elects, in his or her federal income tax return for the
taxable year in which the subscription rights are received, to allocate part of
the basis of this common stock to the subscription rights, then upon exercise of
the subscription rights, the shareholder's basis in this common stock will be
allocated between the common stock and the subscription rights in proportion to
the fair market values of each on the date of issuance.

     The holding period of a shareholder with respect to the subscription rights
received as a distribution on the shareholder's common stock will include the
shareholder's holding period for the common stock with respect to which the
subscription rights were distributed.

     Lapse of the Subscription Rights. Shareholders who allow the subscription
rights received by them in this offering to lapse will not recognize any gain or
loss, and no adjustment will be made to the basis of the common stock, if any,
they own.

     Exercise of the Subscription Rights; Basis and Holding Period of the Common
Stock. Shareholders will not recognize any gain or loss upon the exercise of
subscription rights. The basis of the shares acquired through exercise of the
subscription rights will be equal to the sum of the subscription price and the
shareholder's basis in the subscription rights, if any. The holding period for
the shares acquired through exercise of the subscription rights will begin on
the date the subscription rights are exercised.

     Sale of Shares. The sale of shares will result in the recognition of gain
or loss to the shareholder in an amount equal to the difference between the
amount realized and the shareholder's basis in the shares. Gain or loss upon the
sale of the shares will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period
for the shares is more than one year.

                                       16
<PAGE>   19

                   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED


GENERAL



     This prospectus covers our offer and sale of up to 28,088,072 shares of
common stock, pursuant to the rights offering described herein. In our amended
and restated articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to
80,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 5,000,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which 2,500,000 shares
are designated as Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and 500,000
shares as Series B Preferred Stock. As of September 14, 2000, we had 18,725,381
shares of our common stock outstanding. No shares of preferred stock are
currently outstanding. After completion of the rights offering, we will have a
minimum of 32,725,381 shares, and a maximum of 46,813,453 shares of common stock
outstanding.



     The following description of our common stock is a summary and is qualified
in its entirety by the provisions of our articles of incorporation, bylaws and
applicable law. These documents have been filed as exhibits to the registration
statement, of which this prospectus is a part.



COMMON STOCK



     The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Holders of common stock are
entitled to share in any and all dividends that our board of directors, in its
discretion, declares from funds legally available for that purpose. Historically
we have not declared dividends and do not intend to do so for the foreseeable
future. In the event of our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of common
stock are entitled to participate in and share pro rata in the assets available
for distribution to stockholders. Any distribution would be subsequent to
payment of our liabilities and may be subject to any preferential rights of any
preferred stock or other senior security then outstanding. Except for the
subscription rights with respect to the rights offering and as described below,
the holders of common stock have no cumulative voting, preemptive or other
subscription rights, and there are no conversion rights or redemption or sinking
fund provisions with respect to the common stock. The rights, preferences and
privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely
affected by, the rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock or
senior securities which we may designate in the future. Our common stock is
traded on the Nasdaq National Market System under the trading symbol MAXI.


RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF OUR COMMON STOCK


     At the 2000 annual meeting, our shareholders approved an amendment to our
certificate of incorporation that prohibits transfer of our capital stock,
unless approved by our board, to the extent the transfer would cause the
ownership interest of the transferee or any other person to equal 5% or more of
our fair market value; or increase the ownership interest of the transferee or
any other person where such transferee's or other person's ownership interest
equalled 5% or more of our fair market value before the transfer. This amendment
will take effect prior to the effectiveness of the rights offering but will pose
no barrier to the issuance of common stock in the rights offering. This
amendment may be utilized to prohibit acquisitions of 5% or more of our common
stock, without the approval of our board, by any shareholder through the
exercise of over-subscription rights in the rights offering. The purpose of this
certificate of incorporation amendment is to allow us to minimize the chance of
an "ownership change" as defined by the tax code in order to preserve our
significant accrued tax benefits.


     Although it was not principally intended for this purpose, this amendment
could have an anti-takeover effect by prohibiting shareholders from increasing
their ownership interest to 5% or more and prohibiting any increase in the
ownership interest of shareholders already holding 5% or more of our

                                       17
<PAGE>   20

fair market value. These limitations could enable our board to render more
difficult or discourage a hostile transaction to take control of us. The
presence of these limitations could also discourage unsolicited takeover
attempts, thereby limiting the opportunity for our shareholders to realize a
higher price for their shares than would be generally available in the public
markets. Our board is not aware of any attempt, or contemplated attempt, to
acquire control of us, and this proposal is not being presented with the intent
that it be utilized as a type of anti-takeover device.

     The amendment is also not intended to supercede or terminate our
shareholders rights plan. Our shareholders rights plan does not prohibit
transfer of our common stock; rather it is an anti-takeover device triggered by
certain acquisitions of our common stock. Because the restrictions on transfer
imposed by the charter amendment may be waived at our board's discretion, if we
are faced with a hostile transaction to take control of us, our board may choose
to permit only the shareholder rights plan to operate and not the restrictions
imposed by the amendment.

SHAREHOLDERS RIGHTS PLAN

     In February 1998, our board adopted the shareholders rights plan and
declared a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right for each
outstanding share of common stock to shareholders of record on March 16, 1998.
Each share of common stock issued after that date, including the shares of
common stock being offered in this prospectus, until the designated distribution
date as set forth in the shareholders rights plan and, in certain circumstances,
shares of common stock issued after the distribution date, includes a preferred
share purchase right. Except as set forth below, each preferred share purchase
right, when it becomes exercisable, entitles the registered holder to purchase
from us one five-hundredth of a share of our Series B Preferred Stock, $0.01 par
value, at a price of $45.00 per one five-hundredth of a preferred share, subject
to adjustment.

     The description and terms of the shareholders rights plan are set forth in
a Rights Agreement, dated as of February 24, 1998, as amended on October 9, 1998
and June 6, 2000, with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights agent.

     Initially, the preferred share purchase rights will be attached to all
certificates representing common stock then outstanding, and no separate
certificates representing the preferred share purchase rights will be
distributed. The rights agreement provides that the preferred share purchase
rights will separate from the common stock and become exercisable upon the
distribution date, which is the earliest to occur of:

     - the date of a public announcement that, without the prior consent of a
       majority of the disinterested directors, a person or group of affiliated
       or associated persons has acquired beneficial ownership of 5% or more of
       our outstanding common stock, except pursuant to a permitted offer, or
       owning 5% or more of our outstanding common stock acquires any additional
       common stock; or

     - 10 days or such later date as the board may determine following the
       commencement or announcement of an intention to make a tender or exchange
       offer, the consummation of which would result in a person or as set forth
       above, effectuating a transaction as described in the preceding item.

     Upon exercise, each holder of a preferred share purchase right will
thereafter have the right to receive common stock or one five-hundredth of a
share of preferred shares or, in certain circumstances, other securities of ours
having a value, immediately prior to such triggering event, equal to two times
the exercise price of the preferred share purchase right. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, following the occurrence of one of the events described above, all
preferred share purchase rights that are, or under certain circumstances
specified in the rights agreement were, beneficially owned by an acquiring
person, which is defined as any person or group acquiring beneficial ownership
of 5% of our stock or any of their affiliates or associates, will be null and
void.

                                       18
<PAGE>   21

     Any holder that had held in excess of 5% of the common stock as of June 6,
2000 has been "grandfathered" with respect to its then position. Disinterested
directors are members of the board who are not officers or employees, acquiring
persons or their affiliates, or any person proposed or nominated as a director
by an acquiring person and certain other persons.

     The preferred share purchase rights will also become exercisable if any of
the following occur:

     - We consolidate with, or merge into, an acquiring person or certain of the
       acquiring person's affiliates, or

     - Certain affiliates of an acquiring person or any other entity, if all
       holders of common stock are not treated alike in such transaction,
       consolidate with, or merge into us, other than certain reorganization
       transactions, or

     - We sell or otherwise transfer 50% or more of our assets or earning power
       to certain affiliates of an acquiring person or to any other entity, if
       all holders of common stock are not treated alike in such transaction.


     Upon exercise as provided immediately above, proper provision shall be made
so that each holder of a preferred share purchase right, except preferred share
purchase rights which previously have been voided, shall have the right to
receive, common shares of the acquiring or surviving company or, in the event
there is more than one acquiring company, the acquiring company receiving the
greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred, having a value
equal to two times the exercise price of the preferred share purchase right.


     The purchase price payable, and the number of preferred shares, common
stock or other securities issuable upon exercise of the preferred share purchase
rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution upon
certain events.

     Preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of the preferred share purchase
rights will not be redeemable, except at our election, for common stock. Each
preferred share will be entitled to a dividend per share of 500 times the
dividend declared per share of common stock. In the event of liquidation, the
holders of the preferred shares will be entitled, after the payment of any
liquidation preference on any other series of preferred stock, to $100 per
share, plus the holders of the preferred shares and the holders of the common
stock will share the remaining assets in the ratio of 500 to 1, as adjusted, for
each preferred share and share of common stock so held, respectively. Finally,
in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which common
stock is exchanged, each preferred share will be entitled to receive 500 times
the amount received per share of common stock. These rights are protected by
customary antidilution provisions.

     At any time after a person becomes an acquiring person and prior to the
acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the common stock, the
board, with the approval of a majority of the disinterested directors, may
exchange the preferred share purchase rights, other than the preferred share
purchase rights owned by the acquiring person or certain of its associates,
which shall have become void, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock
per preferred share purchase right, subject to adjustment. The board can
substitute one five-hundredths of a preferred share for some or all of the
common stock per preferred share purchase right.

     At any time prior to the earlier to occur of a person's becoming an
acquiring person or the expiration of the preferred share purchase rights, and
under certain other circumstances, we may redeem the preferred share purchase
rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01 per preferred share
purchase right.

     Additionally, subsequent to the date of public announcement by a person or
group that they are an acquiring person, we may redeem the then outstanding
preferred share purchase rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01
per preferred share purchase right. This redemption must be in

                                       19
<PAGE>   22

connection with a merger or other business combination transaction or series of
transactions involving us in which all holders of common stock are treated alike
but not involving an acquiring person or its affiliates or associates. This
redemption right will not exist for 180 days following the date of public
announcement by the acquiring person under certain circumstances.

     All of the provisions of the rights agreement may be amended by the board,
with the approval of a majority of the disinterested directors, prior to the
distribution date. After the distribution date, the provisions of the rights
agreement may be amended by the board in order to cure any ambiguity, defect or
inconsistency, to make changes which do not adversely affect the interests of
holders of preferred share purchase rights, excluding the interests of any
acquiring person, or, subject to certain limitations, to shorten or lengthen any
time period under the rights agreement.

     Until a preferred share purchase right is exercised, the holder of the
right, as such, will have no rights as a shareholder, including, without
limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of
the preferred share purchase rights will not be taxable to our shareholders,
shareholders may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income
should the preferred share purchase rights become exercisable or upon the
occurrence of certain events thereafter.

ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS

     Because we are incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware, we are
subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law. In general, the statute prohibits a publicly-held Delaware
corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested
stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in
which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business
combination is approved in a prescribed manner. For purposes of Section 203, a
"business combination" includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction
resulting in a financial benefit to an interested stockholder. For purposes of
Section 203, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with
affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior, did own, 15
percent or more of the corporation's voting capital stock.

     The provisions of our shareholders rights plan and Delaware law are
intended to encourage potential acquirers to negotiate with us and to allow the
board the opportunity to consider alternative proposals in the interest of
maximizing shareholder value. These provisions, and the restrictive charter
amendment described above, however, may also have the effect of discouraging
acquisition proposals or delaying or preventing a change in control, which may
have an adverse effect on our stock price.

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR


     The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock, and the subscription
agent in the rights offering, is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.


                                 LEGAL MATTERS


     The legality of the securities in this rights offering has been passed upon
for us by Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP, Los Angeles, California.


                                    EXPERTS

     The consolidated financial statements of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.
appearing in Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1999, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report therein and incorporated
herein by reference. The consolidated financial statements are incorporated
herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       20
<PAGE>   23

                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     We are required to file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. Our filings are available to the
public over the Internet at the SEC's home page located at http://www.sec.gov or
you may read and copy any document at the SEC Public Reference Rooms located at:

        405 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024 Washington, D.C. 20549-1004;

        CitiCorp Center 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661; and

        Seven World Trade Center 13th Floor New York, New York 10048

Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330 for more information about the public
reference rooms and requesting documents.

     The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" in this prospectus the
information we file with them, which means we can refer you to important
information without restating it in this prospectus. The information
incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below:


     Our Form 8-K Report dated September 5, 2000,



     Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2000
and June 30, 2000, and


     Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.


     We are delivering with this prospectus a copy of our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2000. You may request a copy of any other filings
incorporated in this prospectus by reference at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:


       Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.
       1149 South Broadway Street
       Los Angeles, CA 90015
       213-765-2000
       Attn: Joseph White

You may also direct your requests via e-mail to [email protected].

     If you have any questions concerning the rights offering or need additional
copies of this prospectus, the subscription certificate or the subscription
materials or otherwise need assistance, please contact the information agent for
the offering:

       Mackenzie Partners, Inc.
       156 Fifth Avenue
       New York, New York 10010
       800-322-2885 (toll-free) or (212) 929-5500 (call collect)

     Prospective investors may rely only on the information contained in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide prospective investors with
different or additional information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor
is it seeking an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the
offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is
correct only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of the
delivery of this prospectus or any sale of these securities.

                                       21
<PAGE>   24

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

     PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS MAY RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS WITH
DIFFERENT OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL NOR
IS IT SEEKING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE
OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS
CORRECT ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES.

     NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN IN ANY JURISDICTION OUTSIDE THE U.S. TO PERMIT A
PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE COMMON STOCK OR POSSESSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS
PROSPECTUS IN ANY OF THESE JURISDICTIONS. PERSONS WHO COME INTO POSSESSION OF
THIS PROSPECTUS IN JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA ARE REQUIRED TO
INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE THE RESTRICTIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION
RELATED TO THIS OFFERING AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS PROSPECTUS.

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

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Prospectus Summary....................    1
Risk Factors..........................    6
Use of Proceeds.......................   10
Determination of Offering Price.......   10
Plan of Distribution..................   10
Certain Federal Income Tax
  Considerations......................   15
Description of Securities to be
  Registered..........................   17
Legal Matters.........................   20
Experts...............................   20
Where You Can Find More Information...   21
</TABLE>


     UNTIL              , 2000 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
DEALERS THAT BUY, SELL OR TRADE THESE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT
PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS IS
IN ADDITION TO THE DEALERS' OBLIGATION TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS
UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------


                               28,088,072 SHARES


                                    MAXICARE
                               HEALTH PLANS, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK

                                $1.00 PER SHARE
                            ------------------------

                                   PROSPECTUS
                            ------------------------



                                            , 2000

------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   25

        THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.
        WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED
        WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS
        PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT
        SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER
        OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.


                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 11, 2000


PROSPECTUS


                                 800,000 SHARES


                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.


                                  COMMON STOCK


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

     This prospectus covers the reoffer and resale by a selling shareholder of
Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. of 800,000 shares of common stock of Maxicare Health
Plans, Inc.

     The common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq National Market System under the
trading symbol MAXI.

     The common stock may be offered for sale from time to time in the market or
in privately negotiated transactions. Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. will not
receive any proceeds from the sale of these shares of common stock.

     INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING
ON PAGE 4.

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

     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED THAT
THIS PROSPECTUS IS COMPLETE OR ACCURATE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

              The date of this prospectus is              , 2000.
<PAGE>   26

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

                                  THE COMPANY


     We are Maxicare Health Plans, Inc., a Delaware corporation, a holding
company which owns various operating subsidiaries, primarily in the field of
managed health care. We own and operate two health maintenance organizations, or
HMOs, in California and Indiana which have a combined enrollment of
approximately 430,000 as of September 1, 2000. We also operate Maxicare Life and
Health Insurance Company and HealthAmerica Corporation. Through these
subsidiaries, we offer an array of employee benefit packages, including group
HMO, Medicaid and Medicare HMO, preferred provider organization, point of
service, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance,
administrative services only programs, wellness programs and other services and
products.


     Through our HMO operations we arrange for the delivery of comprehensive
health care services to our members for a predetermined, prepaid fee. We
generally provide these services by contracting on a prospective basis with
physician groups for a fixed fee per member per month regardless of the extent
and nature of services provided to members, and with hospitals and other
providers under a variety of fee arrangements.

     We believe that an HMO offers certain advantages over traditional indemnity
health insurance. To the member, an HMO offers comprehensive and coordinated
health care programs, including preventive services, with predictable
out-of-pocket expense and generally without requiring claims forms. To the
employer, an HMO offers an opportunity to improve the breadth and quality of
health benefit programs available to employees and their families without a
significant increase in cost or administrative burdens. To health care
providers, such as physician groups and hospitals, an HMO provides a more
predictable revenue source.

     Our executive offices are located at 1149 South Broadway Street, Los
Angeles, California 90015, and our telephone number is (213) 765-2000. Our Web
site address is www.maxicare.com. The information contained on our Web site is
not part of this prospectus.
                                        1
<PAGE>   27

                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA


     The following summary consolidated financial data are qualified by
reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial
Statements and the Notes thereto incorporated by reference in this prospectus
from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2000. The
summary consolidated financial data for each of the years ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997 are derived from our audited Consolidated Financial
Statements. The summary consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2000 and 1999
and for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and June 30, 1999 are unaudited, but,
in the opinion of management, included all adjustments (consisting only of
normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of
operations for those periods. The results of operations for the six months ended
June 30, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for
the full fiscal year.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           SIX MONTHS ENDED          FOR THE YEARS ENDED
                                               JUNE 30,                  DECEMBER 31,
                                          -------------------   ------------------------------
                                            2000       1999       1999       1998       1997
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                              (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues
  Premiums..............................  $369,220   $348,743   $704,996   $727,220   $658,080
  Investment income.....................     2,532      1,801      3,777      5,403      7,481
  Other income..........................       354      4,327      4,865      2,530      5,743
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
       Total Revenues...................   372,106    354,871    713,638    735,153    671,304
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Expenses
  Health care expenses..................   339,429    320,870    652,274    684,362    630,869
  Marketing, general and administrative
     expenses...........................    34,658     31,673     63,955     61,068     55,765
  Depreciation and amortization.........       649        447      1,173        756        751
  Loss contracts, divestiture costs,
     litigation, management settlement
     and other charges(1)...............     2,000      8,500      8,500     16,500      9,000
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
       Total Expenses...................   376,736    361,490    725,902    762,686    696,385
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Loss From Operations....................    (4,630)    (6,619)   (12,264)   (27,533)   (25,081)
Income Tax Benefit......................
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net Loss................................  $ (4,630)  $ (6,619)  $(12,264)  $(27,533)  $(25,081)
                                          ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
Net Loss Per Common Share:
Basic:
  Basic loss per common share...........  $   (.26)  $   (.37)  $   (.68)  $  (1.54)  $  (1.40)
                                          ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
  Weighted average number of common
     shares outstanding.................    17,939     17,925     17,925     17,928     17,897
Diluted:
  Diluted loss per common share.........  $   (.26)  $   (.37)  $   (.68)  $  (1.54)  $  (1.40)
                                          ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
  Weighted average number of common and
     common dilutive potential shares
     outstanding........................    17,939     17,925     17,925     17,928     17,897
</TABLE>


                                        2
<PAGE>   28


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              AT JUNE 30,              AT DECEMBER 31,
                                          -------------------   ------------------------------
                                            2000       1999       1999       1998       1997
                                          --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                           (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT FOR MEMBERSHIP DATA)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Total assets..........................  $151,881   $121,752   $133,215   $136,254   $167,422
  Total indebtedness(2).................  $112,449   $ 72,869   $ 90,059   $ 83,298   $ 86,386
  Shareholders' equity..................  $ 39,432   $ 48,883   $ 43,156   $ 52,956   $ 81,036

MEMBERSHIP DATA:
  Number of members.....................   446,000    482,000    466,600    512,000    514,000
</TABLE>


                  NOTES TO SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA


     The summary consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2000 and
"Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations" and "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.



(1) A $2.0 million charge for losses associated with certain of the Company's
    capitated provider arrangements was recorded in the second quarter of 2000.
    A $3.0 million charge for loss contracts related to our Carolinas commercial
    line of business and a $5.5 million charge for management settlement costs
    were recorded in the first quarter of 1999. A $10 million charge for loss
    contracts and divestiture costs and a $6.5 million charge for litigation,
    provider insolvency/impairment, and an increase to the loss contracts and
    divestiture costs reserve were recorded in the second and fourth quarters of
    1998, respectively. A $6 million litigation charge was recorded in the first
    quarter of 1997 as a result of a ruling by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    Board of Claims denying us recovery on our receivable of $5 million due us
    from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare in connection with the
    operation of a Medicaid managed care program from 1986 through 1989 by one
    of our subsidiaries, and related litigation costs. A $3 million management
    restructuring charge was recorded in the fourth quarter of 1997 for
    termination expenses primarily related to the settlement of certain
    obligations pursuant to the former chief financial officer's employment
    agreement.



(2) Includes long-term liabilities of $2.5 million and $2.4 million at June 30,
    2000 and 1999, respectively. Includes long-term liabilities of $3.0 million,
    $.6 million and $.2 million, at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
    respectively.

                                        3
<PAGE>   29

                                  RISK FACTORS

     You should carefully consider the following risks, in addition to the other
information contained in this prospectus, before making any investment decision.
We believe that the risks and uncertainties described below are the most
significant factors that make an investment in our common stock speculative and
risky. As a result of any of the risks we encounter, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Any
of these adverse effects could cause the trading price of our common stock to
decline and you may correspondingly lose all or some portion of your investment
in us.

FUTURE COSTS OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE TO OUR MEMBERS MAY RISE
FASTER THAN THE RELATED PREMIUMS WE RECEIVE.


     Commercial premium rates for managed care plans have generally increased
over the past year and recent months; however, if costs of health care services
rise and we are unable to adequately increase commercial premium rates, our
margins will shrink and have a corresponding adverse impact on operating
results. For the six months ended June 30, 2000, approximately 41% of our
premium revenues were derived from governmental programs, including Medicare and
Medicaid. The government generally fixes these premium rates and we are unable
or limited in our ability to adjust these rates based on anticipated costs.
Recent legislation regarding Medicare reimbursement has substantially limited
premium rate increases as compared to increases granted in prior years. As a
result, the costs of our governmental programs could exceed the related premiums
we receive from these programs. In addition, although we recently announced our
withdrawal, effective as of January 1, 2001, from certain Medicare markets which
we do not consider profitable, this withdrawal will not affect the losses which
we may have on this business during this current year.


HIGHER THAN ESTIMATED HEALTH CARE COSTS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.

     We generally set our rates annually and in advance based on estimates of
future health care costs over the related premium period. However, many factors
may adversely impact our ability to estimate and manage future health care costs
including increased utilization, high dollar claims, inflation, catastrophic
events, epidemics, new mandated benefits, new technologies and health care
practices, inability to secure cost effective provider compensation
arrangements, and the inherent variability of estimated claims reserves. Because
our rates are set in advance, we generally cannot adjust if health care costs
turn out higher than our estimates. Consequently, our results of operations may
be adversely affected. In addition, we are impacted more than certain of our
competitors because our relatively small size exacerbates the effect of greater
than anticipated high dollar claims.

PHARMACEUTICAL COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE AT A RATE IN EXCESS OF OUR ABILITY TO BE
REIMBURSED.

     Prescription drug costs continue to rise at a rate in excess of most other
health care services and at a rate in excess of our ability to be reimbursed
through increased rates. Although we have implemented strategies to seek to
mitigate this cost trend there can be no assurance that we will be able to
effectively manage this problem or successfully recoup the cost increases.

THE RISK OF ADVERSE VARIATIONS IN OUR CLAIMS RESERVES HAS INCREASED.

     Our claims reserves are estimates of incurred health care costs based upon
various assumptions and environmental factors. The accuracy of these estimates
may be affected by variables such as changes in the rate of inflation/medical
costs, the processing of claims, provider contract arrangements, the regulatory
environment and other factors. Given the inherent variability of our estimates,
the actual development of our reserves could be materially different from
amounts provided. During the past year we have assumed the risk for a much
larger percentage of our

                                        4
<PAGE>   30

members as a result of a trend away from capitated arrangements with our medical
providers. Accordingly, the risks we face with respect to material variations in
our claims reserves have increased.

OUR INABILITY TO OBTAIN COST EFFECTIVE CONTRACTS WITH PROVIDERS MAY RESULT IN
HIGHER HEALTH CARE COSTS AND LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP.

     Our marketability and profitability depends, in large part, on our ability
to attract and contract on a cost effective basis with hospitals, medical
groups, physicians and other provider contracting entities. In selected markets,
certain providers, particularly hospitals, physicians/hospital organizations or
multi-specialty physician groups may have significant market positions and/or
compete directly with us. In the past certain providers have refused to contract
with us or utilized their market position to place us at a competitive
disadvantage. To the extent this continues to occur our ability to market our
managed care products and control our costs could be adversely affected
resulting in higher health care costs and loss of membership.

THE FINANCIAL INSTABILITY OF OUR PROVIDERS MAY EXPOSE US TO LIABILITY FOR UNPAID
CLAIMS, LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP AND INCREASED HEALTH CARE COSTS.


     We contract with providers and other provider contracting entities
primarily through capitation arrangements. We pay the provider a fixed dollar
amount per member per month and the provider accepts the financial risk of the
frequency and cost of member utilization of services. The inability of
contracted provider entities to properly manage costs under capitation
arrangements can result in financial instability and insolvency of those
providers resulting in the termination of their relationship with us, and
subjecting us to possible liability for unpaid claims and loss of membership.
During the past few years several of our significant providers in California and
Indiana either became insolvent or declared bankruptcy. The termination of a
capitated provider arrangement may also result in members selecting other
providers with whom we may not have as favorable contractual arrangements
resulting in increased health care costs.


IT IS DIFFICULT FOR US TO COMPETE IN THE HMO BUSINESS BECAUSE OUR MARKET SHARE
IS RELATIVELY LOW.

     We operate in an environment, especially in California, where many of our
principal competitors enjoy significantly greater market share and greater
capital resources. As a result of competitive pressures, we have been and may
continue to be adversely affected in our ability to retain our customer base,
limited in our premium pricing flexibility and adversely affected in our ability
to maintain or improve operating margins.

OUR GEOGRAPHIC AND LINES OF BUSINESS CONCENTRATIONS SUBJECT US TO INCREASED
BUSINESS RISK.


     Our commercial and governmental business is concentrated in California and
Indiana which accounted for approximately 96% of our premium revenues for the
six months ended June 30, 2000. Changes in regulatory, market or health care
provider conditions in either of these states could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.



     Our Medicaid and Medicare lines of business are subject to our ongoing
ability to secure contracts with governmental entities who contract with us.
Governmental programs are also subject to extensive federal and state
regulation. Our Medicaid and Medicare premium revenues represented approximately
25% and 16%, respectively, of our total premium revenues for the six months
ended June 30, 2000. Our failure to retain one or more of our governmental
contracts could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.


     Our 10 largest commercial employer groups accounted for approximately 34%
of our commercial membership as of June 30, 2000. Our largest commercial
employer group, the state of Indiana,

                                        5
<PAGE>   31

accounted for approximately 10% of our commercial membership and approximately
23% of the Indiana HMO's commercial membership as of June 30, 2000. The loss of
one or more of our largest commercial employer groups could have a material
adverse effect on our business and operations.

WE MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY COMPLICATIONS IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF OUR
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS.

     Our business operations are significantly dependent on the functionality
and effectiveness of our management information systems. In addition, our
current management information systems are based on a highly capitated business
model which we are in the process of shifting towards a shared risk model. We
are presently assessing installation of significant system enhancements and/or
conversions including internet-based systems. Any significant service
disruptions resulting from the implementation of these initiatives and/or
conversions could result in a material adverse impact on our business processes,
customer and provider relationships, results of operations and financial
condition. Further, any complications in adjusting our management information
systems to deal with our increasingly non-capitated business model may place
additional burdens on us.

WE ARE SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS AND REGULATION AND PENDING
LEGISLATION.


     The health care industry is subject to extensive laws and regulations,
including, but not limited to, requirements related to licensing, policy
benefits design, member disclosure and enrollment, cash reserves, net worth and
restrictions on dividending. In addition, we are subject to various reviews and
audits regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations. These laws and
regulations are subject to frequent changes and future changes related to
pending legislation or regulation could force us to change the way we do
business resulting in a material adverse impact on our operations. Since
approximately 41% of our premium revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2000
were derived from governmental contracts, we are especially vulnerable to
changes in laws or regulations concerning these programs.


IN THE FUTURE, THE STATES IN WHICH WE DO BUSINESS MAY ADOPT MORE STRINGENT
MINIMUM CAPITALIZATION REQUIREMENTS.

     The managed care industry is subject to various state regulations including
financial requirements related to minimum net worth or capitalization
requirements. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has proposed
that states adopt risk-based capital standards that, if implemented, would
generally require higher minimum capitalization limits for health care coverage
provided by HMOs and other risk bearing entities. To date, neither California
nor Indiana has adopted these standards for HMOs; however, if these standards
were adopted (or similar standards requiring increased capitalization), we may
not be able to meet these capitalization limits without securing additional
capital resources.

COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH LITIGATION AND OTHER ACTIONS MAY RESULT IN LOSSES.

     We are subject to a variety of legal actions related to our business
including claims for failure to pay for, provide or arrange for health care,
provider disputes, breach of contract and other actions the ultimate outcome of
which is not yet certain. Adverse results in one or more of these proceedings
may result in liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our
operations, financial condition and future prospects.


     The HMO industry has been subject to a number of separate class action
lawsuits against certain select national HMOs which may cause or force changes
in business practices of the HMO industry, which could adversely affect the way
we do business.


                                        6
<PAGE>   32

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED RECENT OPERATING LOSSES AND OUR RETURN TO PROFITABILITY IS
DEPENDENT UPON THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF OPERATING INITIATIVES AND OTHER
FACTORS.


     We incurred losses during our fiscal years ended December 31, 1997, 1998
and 1999 and the six months ended June 30, 2000 of $25.1 million, $27.5 million,
$12.3 million and $4.6 million, respectively, and anticipate incurring
additional losses this fiscal year. We are undertaking a variety of operating
initiatives designed to improve our market position, strengthen our medical
management, enhance our administration and control over claims processing and
payment, and improve other critical business processes. We have recently added
senior management talent to our organization to direct these operating
initiatives and have added staff resources to complement these initiatives. We
are also pursuing the implementation of significant information systems
enhancements and/or conversions including internet-based systems. There is no
guarantee, however, that we will be able to successful implement these
initiatives or if implemented they will result in our return to profitability.



OUR RIGHTS OFFERING OF UP TO 28,088,072 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK MAY JEOPARDIZE
OUR UTILIZATION OF SIGNIFICANT TAX BENEFITS.



     As of December 31, 1999, we had approximately $407.5 million of federal net
operating tax losses that we can use to offset future federal taxable income and
which expire in the years 2003 through 2019. However, our issuance of common
stock in this rights offering may prevent us from fully utilizing these benefits
because it increases the likelihood of a statutory "ownership change" as defined
by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. If an ownership change occurs,
the tax code limits the amount of tax benefits that we can use in a year to an
amount based on the fair market value of our stock multiplied by a long-term tax
exempt rate. This amount is significantly less than $407.5 million. This
limitation may cause some of our tax benefits to expire unutilized. Therefore,
if we were successful in generating future taxable income, we may have to pay
more income taxes or pay these taxes sooner than if our tax benefits were not
limited.



     Although the terms of the rights offering seek to prohibit sales to
shareholders holding 5% or more of our common stock or which would enable any
shareholder to acquire 5% or more of our common stock without our board's
approval, there can be no assurances that these restrictions will be effective.
In light of the potential for these adverse tax consequences our board
recommended, and our shareholders approved at our 2000 annual meeting of
shareholders, an amendment to our charter that restricts transfers of our
capital stock that could trigger the limitations of the tax code. This amendment
will take effect prior to the effectiveness of the rights offering.



OUR INABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THIS RIGHTS OFFERING AND RAISE THE
EXPECTED PROCEEDS WOULD POTENTIALLY LEAVE US WITHOUT ADEQUATE WORKING CAPITAL
WHICH COULD MATERIALLY IMPAIR OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS.



     We are a holding company and currently own two health maintenance
organizations, or HMOs, licensed in California and Indiana, and Maxicare Life
and Health Insurance Company. Our HMOs and Maxicare Life are subject to state
regulations which require compliance with certain statutory deposit, dividend
distribution and net worth requirements. To the extent the operating HMOs and
Maxicare Life must comply with these regulations, they may not have the
financial flexibility to transfer funds to us at the parent company level. As a
result of operating losses and regulatory requirements and restrictions, the
amount of our cash generally available to fund our working capital and
operational requirements, including cash we hold and cash held by our operating
subsidiaries available for transfer to us, has diminished from $46.6 million as
of December 31, 1996, to $1.7 million as of June 30, 2000. This lack of
available cash at the parent company level has created increased liquidity
problems and operational and capital adequacy problems which we hope to
alleviate through this rights offering. Our inability to complete this rights
offering and raise the


                                        7
<PAGE>   33


expected proceeds would potentially leave us without adequate working capital
which could materially impair our business and operations.


                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the
selling shareholder.

                              SELLING SHAREHOLDER

     This prospectus relates to the possible offer and sale, from time to time,
of shares held by the selling shareholder named below. These shares of common
stock were issued to the selling shareholder in an unregistered private
placement completed in June, 2000. The following table sets forth the name of
the selling shareholder, along with the number of shares of common stock held by
it as of the date of this prospectus and the number of shares offered for sale
in this prospectus. The number of shares offered for sale by the selling
shareholder may be updated in supplements to this prospectus, which will be
filed with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, as may be necessary.

     There exists no material relationship between the selling shareholder and
us or any of our predecessors or affiliates, nor have any material relationships
existed within the past three years.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NUMBER OF SHARES   NUMBER OF SHARES
                           OF COMMON STOCK    OF COMMON STOCK    NUMBER OF SHARES   NUMBER OF SHARES
         SELLING             BENEFICIALLY     COVERED BY THIS    OF COMMON STOCK    OF COMMON STOCK
       SHAREHOLDER              OWNED            PROSPECTUS       AFTER OFFERING     (MAXIMUM SOLD)
       -----------         ----------------   ----------------   ----------------   ----------------
<S>                        <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Meespierson Cayman
  Limited, as trustee of
  Sofaer Funds/SCI Global
  Hedge Fund.............      800,000            800,000            800,000              -0-
</TABLE>

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The selling shareholder may sell the shares covered by this prospectus from
time to time in transactions (including one or more brokerage transactions) or
in one or more privately negotiated transactions. The price of each sale may be
made at the market price prevailing at the time of the sale, a price related to
such prevailing market price, a negotiated price or a fixed price. We will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of these shares.

     These shares may be offered and sold from time to time in any manner
permitted by law. The shares may be sold directly to one or more purchasers. The
shares may also be sold to or through underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents.
These underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents may receive compensation in the
form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling shareholder or
the purchasers of shares for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell
as principal, or both.

     In order to comply with certain state securities laws, if applicable, these
shares will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

     Under applicable rules and regulations under the Securities and Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, any person engaged in a distribution of these shares
may not simultaneously engage in certain activities with respect to these shares
prior to the commencement of such distribution. In addition to, and without
limiting the foregoing, the selling shareholder and any other person
participating in a distribution will be subject to the applicable provisions of
the Exchange Act.

                                        8
<PAGE>   34

                              EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

     The consolidated financial statements of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.
appearing in Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1999, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report therein and incorporated
herein by reference. The consolidated financial statements are incorporated
herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

     No expert or counsel had or is to receive a substantial direct or indirect
interest in us or any of our subsidiaries in connection with the offering. No
expert or counsel was connected to us or our subsidiaries as a promoter,
underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer or employee.

                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     We are required to file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. Our filings are available to the
public over the Internet at the SEC's home page located at http://www.sec.gov or
you may read and copy any document at the SEC Public Reference Rooms located at:

        405 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024 Washington, D.C. 20549-1004;

        CitiCorp Center 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661; and

        Seven World Trade Center 13th Floor New York, New York 10048

Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330 for more information about the public
reference rooms and requesting documents.

     The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" in this prospectus the
information we file with them, which means we can refer you to important
information without restating it in this prospectus. The information
incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and
information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed
below and any future filings, prior to the termination of this offering, made
with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act:


          Our Form 8-K Report dated September 5, 2000;



          Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
     2000 and June 30, 2000;


          Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999;
     and

          "Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered" contained in
     Item 11 of our registration statement on Form 10 filed on January 17, 1991.

     You may request a copy of any or all of the information incorporated in
this prospectus by reference, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the
following address:

       Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.
       1149 South Broadway Street
       Los Angeles, CA 90015
       (213) 765-2000

       Attn: Joseph White


You may also direct your requests via e-mail to [email protected].

                                        9
<PAGE>   35

     Prospective investors may rely only on the information contained in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide prospective investors with
different or additional information. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor
is it seeking an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the
offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is
correct only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of the
delivery of this prospectus or any sale of these securities.

                   INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for indemnification of
our officers and directors, among other things, in instances in which they acted
in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in, and not
opposed, to our best interests and in which, with respect to criminal
proceedings, they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful.
There is no limit regarding their liability for breaches of the duty of loyalty,
acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or
knowing violation of the law, the unlawful purchase or redemption of stock or
payment of unlawful dividends or the receipt of improper personal benefits. We
may also indemnify employees and others at the discretion of our board. This
indemnification must be authorized by our board. The indemnification provisions
of the Delaware General Corporation Law make mandatory the indemnification of a
director or officer to the extent that the director or officer has been
"successful on the merits or otherwise," thus possibly requiring indemnification
of settlements in certain instances. The Delaware law also provides that a
director or officer may be indemnified by us for expenses of a derivative suit
even if this director or officer is not successful on the merits, provided this
director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to our best interests, subject, in the case of an adverse
judgment, to court approval. Article Eighth of our certificate of incorporation
requires that we provide indemnification for our directors and officers to the
fullest extent allowable under Delaware law. This may include indemnification
against liabilities under the Securities Act, and may limit the liability of
directors and officers to us or our shareholders, unless the director or officer
fails to meet the prescribed standard of conduct. We have insurance covering
expenditures that might arise in connection with our lawful indemnification of
our directors and officers for certain liabilities and expenses. Our directors
and officers also have the benefit of insurance against certain other
liabilities and expenses. We have also entered into employment and
indemnification agreements with certain of our officers which provide for
indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law against any liabilities
and expenses.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

                                       10
<PAGE>   36

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

     PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS MAY RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS WITH
DIFFERENT OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL NOR
IS IT SEEKING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE
OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS
CORRECT ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES.

     NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN IN ANY JURISDICTION OUTSIDE THE U.S. TO PERMIT A
PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE COMMON STOCK OR POSSESSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS
PROSPECTUS IN ANY OF THESE JURISDICTIONS. PERSONS WHO COME INTO POSSESSION OF
THIS PROSPECTUS IN JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA ARE REQUIRED TO
INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND TO OBSERVE THE RESTRICTIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION
RELATED TO THIS OFFERING AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
                            ------------------------

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      PAGE
                                      ----
<S>                                   <C>
Prospectus Summary..................    1
Risk Factors........................    4
Use of Proceeds.....................    8
Selling Shareholder.................    8
Plan of Distribution................    8
Experts and Counsel.................    9
Where You Can Find More
  Information.......................    9
Indemnification of Directors and
  Officers..........................   10
</TABLE>

     UNTIL        , 2000 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
DEALERS THAT BUY, SELL OR TRADE THESE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT
PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS IS
IN ADDITION TO THE DEALERS' OBLIGATION TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS
UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------


                                 800,000 SHARES


                                    MAXICARE
                               HEALTH PLANS, INC.


                                  COMMON STOCK

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

                                   PROSPECTUS
                            ------------------------
                                           , 2000

------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   37

                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

     The following table indicates the expenses to be incurred in connection
with the offering described in this Registration Statement, all of which will be
paid by us. All amounts are estimates, other than the Securities and Exchange
Commission registration fee, the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. fee and the Nasdaq listing fee.


<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.........  $  7,415
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. fee........     3,607
Nasdaq listing fee..........................................    17,500
Information agent fee.......................................    50,000
Soliciting brokers' fees for rights offering................   175,000
Accounting fees and expenses................................    50,000
Legal fees and expenses.....................................   220,000
Printing and engraving expenses.............................   100,000
Transfer subscription escrow agent fees and expenses........    75,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses (including counsel fees).........    15,000
Miscellaneous expenses......................................   186,478
                                                              --------
          Total.............................................  $900,000
                                                              ========
</TABLE>


ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Under Article Eighth of the Registrant's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, each person who is a director or officer of the Registrant shall
be indemnified by the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by section 145
of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL").

     Section 145(a) of the DGCL permits a corporation to indemnify any director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation against expenses, judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement or incurred by him or her in connection with any
proceeding arising out of his or her status as director, officer, employee or
agent if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and,
with respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to believe his or
her conduct was unlawful. To the extent that such a person has been successful
in defense of any such action or claim, section 145(c) provides that he or she
shall be indemnified against expenses incurred by him or her in connection
therewith.

     Under section 145(e), a corporation also has the power to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee or agent against
any liability arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability.

     The Registrant maintains an officers and directors' liability policy
insuring its officers and directors against certain liabilities and expenses
incurred by them in their capacities as such, and insuring the Registrant under
certain circumstances to the extent that indemnification payments are made by
the Registrant to such officers and directors.

     The Registrant has entered into employment and indemnification agreements
(the "Indemnification Agreements") with certain of its officers (individually,
an "Indemnitee"). The Indemnification Agreements provide, among other things,
for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all
costs, claims, judgments, fines, settlements, liabilities, and fees or expenses

                                      II-1
<PAGE>   38

(including attorney fees) incurred in connection with any proceedings arising
out of the Indemnitee's actions or in the actions in his capacity as an officer
of the Registrant. In the event the Indemnitee is no longer employed by the
Registrant at the time his attendance is required at a proceeding pursuant to
which he is entitled to be indemnified, then the Indemnitee shall be entitled to
be paid a stipend in the amount of $1,000 per day to reimburse the Indemnitee
for all reasonable travel, hotel and living expenses incurred by him in
connection with such attendance. The Indemnification Agreements provide for the
prompt advancement of all expenses to the Indemnitee and for reimbursement to
Registrant if it is found that such Indemnitee is not entitled to such
indemnification under applicable law.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.

(a) EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION
-------                            -----------
<S>        <C>
4.1        Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and restated, which
           includes, Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
           Healthcare USA Inc. filed with the Office of the Secretary
           of State of Delaware on July 19, 1985, Certificate of Merger
           of MHP Acquisition Corp into Healthcare USA Inc. filed with
           the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on
           September 13, 1986, Certificate of Change of Registered
           Agent and Registered Office filed with the Office of
           Secretary of State of Delaware on August 17, 1987
           Certificate of Merger Merging Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.
           with and into Healthcare USA Inc. (including as Exhibit A
           thereto the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
           Healthcare USA Inc. filed with the Office of the Secretary
           of State of Delaware on May 17, 1991, Certificate of
           Ownership and Merger Merging HealthAmerica Corporation into
           Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. filed with the Office of the
           Secretary of State of Delaware on November 22 1991,
           Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
           Incorporation of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. filed with the
           Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on March 9,
           1992, Certificate of Ownership and Merger Merging HCS
           Computer, Inc. into Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. filed with
           the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on November
           6, 1992, and Certificate of Designation of Series B
           Preferred Stock of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. filed with
           the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on February
           27, 1998, Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of
           Incorporation of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. filed with the
           Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on July 30,
           1998. Incorporated by reference from the Company's Quarterly
           Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September
           30, 1998 in which this exhibit bore exhibit number 3.5*
4.1A       Form of Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of
           Incorporation of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc., to be filed
           with the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware on
           September 14, 2000.
4.2A       Rights Agreement, dated as of February 24, 1998, between
           Maxicare Health Plans, Inc. and American Stock Transfer &
           Trust Company as Rights Agent, which includes, as Exhibit A
           thereto, the Certificate of Designation of Series B
           Preferred Stock of Maxicare Health Plans, Inc., as Exhibit B
           thereto, the Form of Right Certificate, Form of Assignment,
           and Form of Election to Purchase, and as Exhibit C thereto,
           the Summary of Rights Agreement. Incorporated by reference
           from the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 1999 in
           which this exhibit bore exhibit number 4.13.*
</TABLE>


                                      II-2
<PAGE>   39


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION
-------                            -----------
<S>        <C>
4.2B       First Amendment to Rights Agreement of Maxicare Health
           Plans, Inc., entered into and between Maxicare Health Plans,
           Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as of
           October 9, 1999. Incorporated by reference from the
           Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months
           ended September 30, 1998 in which this exhibit bore exhibit
           number 4.13a.*
4.2C       Second Amendment to Rights Agreement of Maxicare Health
           Plans, Inc., entered into and between Maxicare Health Plans,
           Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as of June
           6, 2000.*
4.3        Form of Rights Subscription Certificate.
5.1        Opinion of Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP.
13.1       Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
           ended March 31, 2000.*
13.1a      Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
           ended June 30, 2000.
13.2       Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
           December 31, 1999.*
13.3       Registrant's Form 8-K Report dated September 5, 2000.
23.1       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP Independent Auditors.
23.2       Consent of Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP (included
           in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1       Power of Attorney (included in Part II -- Signatures of this
           Registration Statement).*
99.1       Form of Letter to Shareholders for the Rights Offering.
99.2       Form of Letter to Nominee Holders.
99.3       Form of Letter from Nominee Holders to Beneficial Owners.
99.4       Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
99.5       Form of Instructions as to Use of Subscription Right
           Certificates.
99.6       Form of Letter to Shareholders Regarding Exercised
           Over-subscription Rights.
</TABLE>


-------------------------
 * Previously filed


ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.


     (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;

             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;

             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in the registration statement). Notwithstanding the forgoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
        maximum aggregate offering price set forth in "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;

             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
        or any material change to such information in the registration
        statement;

                                      II-3
<PAGE>   40

          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

     (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     (c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the
prospectus, after the expiration of the rights subscription period, to set forth
the results of the rights offering, the transactions by the Standby Underwriter
during the rights subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to
be purchased by the Standby Underwriter, and the terms of any subsequent
reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the Standby Underwriter is to be
made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the
prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of
such offering.

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

     (e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
     of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
     a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
     registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
     prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
     the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                      II-4
<PAGE>   41

                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-2 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 3 to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, on
this 11th day of September, 2000.


                                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.

                                          By:      /s/ RICHARD A. LINK
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                      Richard A. Link
                                                Chief Operating Officer and
                                                  Chief Financial Officer
                                               (Principal Financial Officer)


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 3 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                  TITLE                   DATE
                      ---------                                  -----                   ----
<S>                                                    <C>                        <C>
               /s/ PAUL R. DUPEE, JR.                   Chief Executive Officer   September 11, 2000
-----------------------------------------------------  and Chairman of the Board
                 Paul R. Dupee, Jr.                     of Directors (Principal
                                                         Executive Officer and
                                                               Director)

                 /s/ RICHARD A. LINK                    Chief Operating Officer   September 11, 2000
-----------------------------------------------------     and Chief Financial
                   Richard A. Link                        Officer (Principal
                                                         Financial Officer and
                                                         Principal Accounting
                                                               Officer)

                        /s/ *                                  Director           September 11, 2000
-----------------------------------------------------
                  George H. Bigelow

                        /s/ *                                  Director           September 11, 2000
-----------------------------------------------------
                 Claude S. Brinegar

                        /s/ *                                  Director           September 11, 2000
-----------------------------------------------------
                  Robert M. Davies

                        /s/ *                                  Director           September 11, 2000
-----------------------------------------------------
                  Charles E. Lewis

                        /s/ *                                  Director           September 11, 2000
-----------------------------------------------------
                Thomas W. Field, Jr.
</TABLE>


                                      II-5
<PAGE>   42


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                  TITLE                   DATE
                      ---------                                  -----                   ----
<S>                                                    <C>                        <C>
                        /s/ *                                  Director           September 11, 2000
-----------------------------------------------------
                  Elwood I. Kleaver

                        /s/ *                                  Director           September 11, 2000
-----------------------------------------------------
                  Simon J. Whitmey
</TABLE>


* By Paul R. Dupee, Attorney in Fact

                                      II-6


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