PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES INC
10-Q, 1997-05-15
HEALTH SERVICES
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<PAGE>
 
        --------------------------------------------------------------

                                 UNITED STATES

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

X          QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
- -          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997.

_          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
           EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
           For the transition period from _______ to _______.

Commission file number 0-21098.

                       Physicians Health Services, Inc.

            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              Delaware                                      06-1116976
    (State or other jurisdiction of                       (IRS Employer
    incorporation or organization)                      Identification No.)

         One Far Mill Crossing                                 06484
          Shelton, Connecticut                               (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code (203) 381-6400

                                120 Hawley Lane
                          Trumbull, Connecticut 06611

           ---------------------------------------------------------
             (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)

           Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  X    No
                                              ---      ---

There were 5,767,196 shares of Class A Common Stock ($0.01 par value) and
3,542,921 shares of Class B Common Stock ($0.01 par value) outstanding as of May
7, 1997.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
               PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                         PAGE NO.
                                                                                                         -------
PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
           --------------------
<S>                                                                                                             <C> 
Item 1.  Financial Statements

           Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at
                     March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996                                                        3

           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three
                     Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996                                                        4

           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
                     for the Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996                                          5

           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
                     Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996                                                  6

           Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements                                                7-8

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
         Financial Condition and Results of Operations                                                        9-10

PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION
           -----------------
Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                                                       11

           Signatures                                                                                           12

           Exhibit Index                                                                                        13

</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
                        Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

 
                PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                  MARCH 31,           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                    1997                  1996
                                                                                                  --------            -------------
                                                                                                 (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                                          <C>                   <C> 
ASSETS:                                                                                     
Current Assets                                                                              
     Cash and Cash Equivalents                                                               $          23,286     $        39,213
     Fixed Maturity Securities available for sale-(amortized cost--1997--$105,770
       and 1996--$88,820)                                                                               92,612              59,115
     Accounts Receivable Less Allowances (1997--$1,634 and 1996--$1,781)                                40,263              49,613
     Other Receivables                                                                                  33,880              19,696
     Advances to Participating Hospitals                                                    
                                                                                                             -                 400
     Prepaid Expenses and Other                                                                          1,332               1,154
                                                                                             -----------------    ---------------- 
         Total Current Assets                                                                          191,373             169,191
Property, Plant, and Equipment                                                              
     Land                                                                                                8,822               8,822
     Building and Improvements                                                                          26,938              26,938
     Furniture and Equipment                                                                            49,309              46,559
                                                                                             -----------------    ---------------- 
                                                                                                        85,069              82,319
     Less Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization                                                     16,762              15,273
                                                                                             -----------------    ---------------- 
         Total Property, Plant, and Equipment                                                           68,307              67,046
                                                                                             -----------------    ---------------- 
Other Assets (including restricted investments)                                                         13,537              13,658
                                                                                             -----------------    ---------------- 
TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                 $         273,217     $       249,895
                                                                                             =================     ===============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:                                                       
                                                                                            
Current Liabilities                                                                         
                                                                                            
     Accrued Health Care Expenses                                                            $          71,508      $       51,757
     Unearned Premiums                                                                                  28,688              27,757
     Amounts Due to IPA's, Physicians and other Providers                                               64,457              59,084
     Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses                                                              10,878              13,849
                                                                                             -----------------    ---------------- 
         Total Current Liabilities                                                                     175,531             152,447
                                                                                            
                                                                                            
Excess of Net Assets Over Cost of Company Acquired                                                       1,132               1,162
                                                                                            
Stockholders' Equity                                                                        
     Class A Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per Share--Authorized                                            58                  56
         13,000,000 Shares, Issued and Outstanding; 1997--5,763,905                         
         shares; 1996--5,566,023 shares                                                     
                                                                                            
     Class B Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per Share;                                                       36                  38
         Non-transferable--Authorized and Issued 1997--3,632,612 shares;                    
         1996--3,829,880 Shares; Voting Rights - 10 per share                               
                                                                                            
     Additional Paid-In Capital                                                                         41,369              41,360
     Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Fixed Maturity Securities
         available for sale
         Net of Tax                                                                                       (108)                279
     Retained Earnings                                                                                  55,200              54,554
                                                                                             -----------------    ---------------- 
                                                                                                        96,555              96,287
     Less Cost of Class B Common Stock (86,400) Shares in Treasury                                           1                   1
                                                                                             -----------------    ---------------- 
Total Stockholders' Equity                                                                              96,554              96,286
                                                                                             -----------------    ---------------- 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                   $         273,217    $        249,895
                                                                                             =================    ================
</TABLE> 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                                                 -3-
<PAGE>
 
               PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                    (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                  (Unaudited)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                         MARCH 31,
                                                                     -------------------------------------------
                                                                              1997                     1996
                                                                     -------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>                      <C> 
REVENUES:                                                            
       Premiums                                                      $       149,253          $         111,820
       Investment and Other Income                                             1,805                      1,666
                                                                     ----------------         ------------------ 
                                                                             151,058                    113,486
COSTS AND EXPENSES:                                                  
       Hospital Services                                                      49,060                     39,655
       Physicians and Related Health Care Services                            62,019                     40,938
       Other Health Care Services                                             16,080                     10,719
       Indemnity Costs                                                             -                      2,633
                                                                     ----------------         ------------------ 
          Total Health Care Costs                                            127,159                     93,945
                                                                     ----------------         ------------------ 
       Selling, General and Administrative Expenses                           22,873                     18,321
                                                                     ----------------         ------------------ 
                                                                             150,032                    112,266
                                                                     ----------------         ------------------ 
                                                                     
Income before Income Taxes                                                     1,026                      1,220
Income Tax Expense                                                               380                        354
                                                                     ----------------         ------------------ 

NET INCOME                                                           $           646          $              866
                                                                     ================         ==================
                                                                     
Net Income Per Common Share                                          $          0.07          $            0.09
                                                                     ================         ==================
                                                                     
Weighted Average Number of Common and Common                         
  Equivalent Shares Outstanding                                                9,376                      9,536
                                                                     ================         ==================
</TABLE> 


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                                                 -4-
<PAGE>
 
               PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
                                  (Unaudited)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                MARCH 31, 
                                                                                  ------------------------------------
                                                                                       1997                  1996
                                                                                  ------------          --------------
<S>                                                                               <C>                    <C> 
CLASS A COMMON STOCK                                                                            
        Balance at Beginning of Period                                             $        56           $          53
        Conversion of Class B Common Stock                                                               
          into Class A Common Stock                                                          2                       1
                                                                                   ============          ==============
        Balance at End of Period                                                   $        58           $          54
                                                                                   ============          ==============
CLASS B COMMON STOCK                                                                                     
        Balance at Beginning of Period                                             $        38           $          41
        Conversion of Class B Common Stock                                                               
          into Class A Common Stock                                                         (2)                     (1)
                                                                                   ============          ==============
        Balance at End of Period                                                   $        36           $          40
                                                                                   ============          ==============
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL                                                                               
        Balance at Beginning of Period                                             $    41,360           $      40,760
        Exercise of Stock Options                                                            9                     378
                                                                                   ============          ==============
        Balance at End of Period                                                   $    41,369           $      41,138
                                                                                   ============          ==============
                                                                                                         
NET UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES,                                                   
        NET OF TAX                                                                                       
        Balance at Beginning of Period                                             $       279           $         510
        Unrealized Depreciation                                                           (387)                   (322)
                                                                                   ============          ==============
        Balance at End of Period                                                   $     (108)            $        188
                                                                                   ============          ==============
RETAINED EARNINGS                                                                                        
        Balance at Beginning of Period                                             $    54,554            $     67,518
        Net Income                                                                         646                     866
                                                                                   ============          ==============
        Balance at End of Period                                                   $    55,200            $     68,384
                                                                                   ============          ==============
TREASURY STOCK                                                                                           
        Balance at Beginning and End of Period                                     $        (1)           $         (1)
                                                                                   ============          ==============
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                               
        Balance at Beginning of Period                                             $    96,286            $    108,881
        Exercise of Stock Options                                                            9                     378
        Net Income                                                                         646                     866
        Unrealized Depreciation of Fixed Maturity Securities                              (387)                   (322)
                                                                                   ============          ==============
        Balance at End of Period                                                   $    96,554            $    109,803
                                                                                   ============          ==============
                                                                                    
</TABLE> 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                                                 -5-
<PAGE>
 
               PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>    
                                                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                 MARCH 31,
                                                                                 --------------------------------------
                                                                                     1997                        1996
                                                                                  ----------                  ---------
<S>                                                                              <C>                          <C> 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                      
Net Income                                                                       $      646                   $     866
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash                           
     Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities:                         
     Depreciation and Amortization                                                    1,489                         827
     Provision for Doubtful Accounts                                                    617                         832
     Amortization of Excess of Net Assets over Cost                       
       of Company Acquired                                                              (30)                        (30)
     Deferred income tax benefit                                                       (268)                       (319)
     Changes in Assets and Liabilities:                                   
                                                                          
                  Accounts Receivable                                                 8,733                      (7,065)
                  Other Receivables                                                 (14,184)                     (3,262)
                  Advances to Participating Hospitals                                   400                       2,767
                  Prepaid Expenses and Other                                           (178)                     (1,064)
                  Accrued Health Care Expenses                                       19,751                       2,552
                  Unearned Premiums                                                     931                       1,765
                  Due to IPA's, Physicians and Other Providers                        5,373                     (14,353)
                  Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses                              (2,452)                     (5,400)
                                                                                 ----------                  ---------- 
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities                                 20,828                     (21,884)
                                                                          
INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                      
     Purchases of Property, Plant, and Equipment                                     (2,750)                     (3,926)
     Proceeds from Disposal of Equipment                                                  -                           6
     (Increase) Decrease in Other Assets                                                121                      (1,225)
     Purchases of Fixed Maturity Securities                                         (95,409)                   (140,990)
     Proceeds from Sales and Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities                 61,274                     163,847
                                                                                 ----------                  ---------- 
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities                                (36,764)                     17,712
                                                                          
FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                      
     Exercise of Stock Options                                                            9                         378
                                                                                 ----------                  ---------- 
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities                                                 9                         378
                                                                                 ----------                  ---------- 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                               (15,927)                     (3,794)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                     39,213                       7,536
                                                                                 ==========                  ========== 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                        $  23,286                   $   3,742
                                                                                 ==========                   ==========

</TABLE> 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
               PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                MARCH 31, 1997
                                  (UNAUDITED)

1.    Basis of Presentation

      The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
      have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
      principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to
      Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not
      include all of the information and footnotes required by generally
      accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the
      opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal
      recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been
      included. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31,
      1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected
      for the year ended December 31, 1997. For further information, refer to
      the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in
      the Physicians Health Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries Annual Report on
      Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.

2.    Stockholders' Equity and Per Share Data

      Pursuant to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, upon conversion
      of Class B shares to Class A shares, such Class B shares are canceled and
      cannot be reissued. Per share data are based upon the weighted average
      number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the
      period. Common stock equivalents are excluded to the extent they have an
      antidilutive effect on per share data.

      In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
      Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share, which is required to be adopted on
      December 31, 1997. At that time, the Company will be required to change
      the method currently used to compute earnings per share and to restate all
      prior periods. Under the new requirements for calculating primary earnings
      per share, the dilutive effect of stock options will be excluded. The
      impact of Statement 128 on the calculation of primary and fully diluted
      earnings per share for the first quarter ended March 31, 1997 and March
      31, 1996 is not expected to be material.

3.    Tax Provision

      The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue
      Service (IRS) for certain prior tax years. Management does not expect any
      proposed adjustments which may result from the IRS' audit to have a
      material adverse impact on the Company's financial position or results of
      operations.

4.    Reclassifications

      Certain reclassifications were made to conform the 1996 amounts to the 
      1997 presentation.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
               PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                MARCH 31, 1997
                                  (UNAUDITED)

5.     Subsequent Events

       On May 8, 1997, the Company and Foundation Health Systems, Inc. ("FHS")
       executed a merger agreement pursuant to which FHS would acquire all of
       the shares of common stock of the Company for $29.25 per share in cash,
       or a total consideration to the Company's stockholders of approximately
       $280 million. FHS announced that it intends to finance the purchase with
       a combination of cash and bank debt. As part of the transaction, the
       Company has entered into a voting trust agreement with the Greater
       Bridgeport Individual Practice Association ("GBIPA"), which owns shares
       constituting approximately 61% of the voting power of the Company. The
       agreement stipulates that such shares will be voted in favor of the
       transaction by GBIPA. The transaction is subject to certain closing
       conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and entering into
       certain agreements with The Guardian. This transaction is expected to
       close by the end of 1997.

       On May 2, 1997, the Company acquired 200 shares of Physicians Health
       Services of New Jersey, Inc. ("PHS NJ") from Mastercare Companies, Inc.
       In exchange for the receipt of the shares of PHS NJ the Company gave up
       1,250,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of MasterCare
       Companies, Inc. and 190 shares of Common Stock of MasterCare of
       Connecticut, Inc. As a result of this transaction, PHS NJ will become a
       wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. This transaction will not have a
       significant impact on the operating results of the Company.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
         AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ---------------------

QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 VERSUS MARCH 31, 1996

Premium revenue increased 33.5% to $149.3 million in the first quarter of 1997
from $111.8 for the comparable 1996 quarter. Enrollment at March 31, 1997 was
441,335, an increase of 37.6% from enrollment of 320,660 at March 31, 1996. As
of March 31, 1997, fully-insured enrollees increased 48.3% to 372,712 members,
up from 251,257 as of March 31, 1996, while self-funded enrollees decreased 1.1%
to 68,623 members as of March 31, 1997, down from 69,403 members at March 31,
1996. The aggregate premium revenue increase lagged the membership growth due
primarily to the growth of membership in the Healthcare Solutions product where
50% of all the premium revenue and related health care costs related to this
business for 1997 are ceded to The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
("The Guardian") pursuant to a reinsurance agreement. In addition, until
October 1, 1996, the Healthcare Solutions activity in Connecticut was under a
profit sharing arrangement. According to the provisions of the profit sharing
agreement, the Company recorded 100% of the premium revenue from Connecticut
Healthcare Solutions activity until October 1, 1996. After that date, the profit
sharing agreement was replaced by the reinsurance agreement that is in effect
for 1997. The effect was to reduce the percentage premium increase as compared
to what such increase would have been if the reinsurance agreement had been in
effect throughout 1996. This effect was offset by an increase in revenue from
Medicare products resulting from a shift in membership from cost to risk
products which carry higher revenue yields and an increase in the pricing of
some of the proprietary products.

Investment and other income increased 8.3% to $1.8 million for the first quarter
of 1997 from $1.7 million for the quarter ending March 31, 1996. The increase
is due to an increase in invested assets which was partially offset by lower
investment yields due to lower interest rates.

Health care expenses as a percentage of premium revenues (medical loss ratio)
increased to 86.2% for the first quarter of 1997 as compared to 85.3% for the
first quarter of 1996. Total health care expenses increased 35.4% to $127.2
million in the first quarter of 1997 from $93.9 million for the comparable 1996
quarter. The increase in the medical loss ratio resulted from a 35.4% increase
in medical costs which was not fully offset by a 34.0% increase in fully insured
revenue.

Hospital services expenses increased 23.7% to $49.1 million from $39.7 million
for the first quarter of 1996. The rise in hospital services expenses was
significantly less than the 48.3% increase in fully insured membership which
contributed to a decline of 6.8% in the per member per month hospital costs from
the first quarter of 1996 to the first quarter of 1997. The decrease in the per
member per month amount is attributable to a decline in inpatient utilization
which occurred as a result of a 10.4% decline in commercial bed days per
thousand members. For the quarter ended March 31, 1997, bed days per thousand
members dropped to 258 days from 288 days for the first quarter of 1996.
Contributing further to the decline in hospital services expenses
was a reduction in hospital rates for both inpatient and outpatient
services which was somewhat mitigated by a new claims assessment in New York
from the implementation of the Hospital Care Reform Act of 1996 ("HCRA"), which
became effective on January 1, 1997. The New York State legislature enacted
HCRA, which requires the Company to make payments to state funding pools to
finance hospital bad debt and charity care, graduate medical education, and
other state programs. The claims assessment under HCRA is equal to
8.18% of qualified New York hospital costs and is expected to continue to
increase the Company's hospital costs in the future. Improved results
experienced in the commercial product lines were partially offset by a 22.5%
increase in the per member per month hospital expenses for government products
which resulted primarily from the introduction of the Medicare Risk product. The
Company expects hospital costs for Medicare products to continue to rise as
membership (and related revenue) in this product increases.

Physician and related health care expenses increased by 51.5% from $40.9 million
for the first quarter of 1996 to $62.0 million for the first quarter of 1997.
The increase in physician expenses was primarily due to the 48.3% increase in
fully insured membership and increases in certain non-capitated services.
Additionally, the introduction of the Medicare Risk product has contributed to
the rise in physician costs.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CON'T)

Other health care expenses increased by $5.4 million in the first quarter of
1997 as compared to the first quarter of 1996. The increase is primarily due to
the increase in fully insured membership and due to inclusion of the covered
lives assessment in New York as a result of HCRA. This assessment is expected to
continue to increase other health care expenses in the future.

Indemnity costs reflect the medical costs associated with the indemnity revenue
assumed in connection with The Guardian reinsurance arrangement in New York
under which the Company shared risk for indemnity business with The Guardian
until June 30, 1996.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 24.8% or $4.6 million in
the first quarter of 1997 from the first quarter of 1996. The increase is due
primarily to increased personnel and facilities expenses needed to support the
enrollment growth and product diversity. The selling, general and administrative
expenses as a percentage of revenue improved to 15.3% for the first quarter of
1997 as compared to 16.4% for the comparable 1996 period.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- -------------------------------

PHS has historically financed its operations primarily through internally
generated funds. The Company's primary capital requirements are for working
capital, principally to fund geographic and product expansion, and to maintain
necessary regulatory capital. The Company's HMO and insurance subsidiaries are
subject to statutory regulations that restrict the payment of dividends.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $15.9 million to $23.3 million at March 31,
1997 from $39.2 million at December 31, 1996. For the quarter ended March 31,
1997, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $20.8 million which
resulted primarily from a $19.8 million increase in hospital incurred but not
reported (IBNR) claims. The increase in IBNR was generated from the increase in
claims activity due to the increase in membership and the timing of the related
claims payments. Additionally, the amounts due to IPA's, physicians and other
providers rose $5.4 million, reflecting an increase in the amounts payable to
non-capitated providers which was partially offset by the 1996 risk retention
payments to providers made in the first quarter. These items were offset in part
by the net increase in other receivables of approximately $14.2 million which
occurred from the Company's arrangements with The Guardian, whereby the cash
balances relating to the arrangements are held and invested by The Guardian,
while trade receivables declined $8.7 million during the quarter. Approximately
$34.1 million of net cash was used to purchase marketable securities during the
quarter with an additional $2.7 million used for capital expenditures.

The Company expects to require additional capital, over the next several years,
principally for computer and technology system enhancements. The Company
believes that in addition to its current capital resources and internally
generated funds, it will be able to obtain financing, if necessary, sufficient
for its continued operations, although it can provide no assurances in this
regard.

"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations" includes certain forward looking statements (including statements 
identified by the use of such words as "expects", "believes" or similar
expressions). Actual results could differ materially from those discussed.
Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in forward looking statements is contained in Item
7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1996 under the caption "Cautionary Statement".

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
                          PART II - Other Information

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION                   
- --------------------------                    

On May 8, 1997, the Company and Foundation Health Systems, Inc. ("FHS") executed
a merger agreement pursuant to which FHS would acquire all of the shares of
stock of the Company for $29.25 per share in cash, or a total consideration to
the Company's stockholders of approximately $280 million. FHS announced that it
intends to finance the purchase with a combination of cash and bank debt. As
part of the transaction, the Company has entered into a voting trust agreement
with the Greater Bridgeport Individual Practice Association ("GBIPA"), which
owns shares constituting approximately 61% of the voting power of the Company.
The agreement stipulates that such shares will be voted in favor of the
transaction by GBIPA. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions,
including receipt of regulatory approvals and entering into certain agreements
with The Guardian. This transaction is expected to close by the end of 1997.


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
- -----------------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<S>         <C>                   <C> 
  (a)       Exhibit Number        Description of Exhibit
                                  
                    2             Agreement And Plan of Merger By And Among
                                  Foundation Health Systems, Inc., PHS Acquisition
                                  
                                  Corp. and Physicians Health Services, Inc.
                                  dated May 8, 1997.
                                  
                    4             Amendment dated as of May 8, 1997 to the Rights
                                  Agreement dated as of February 21, 1995 between
                                  Physicians Health Services, Inc. and American Stock
                                  Transfer and Trust Company.
                                  
                   27             Financial data schedule.
                                  
                   99             News release dated
                                  May 8, 1997
                                  regarding first
                                  quarter results
                                  and merger
                                  agreement.
  
  (b)       Reports on Form 8-K
</TABLE> 

           There were no reports filed on Form 8-K for the three months ended
           March 31, 1997.

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

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

                       PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
                       -------------------------------
                                 (Registrant)

Date:    May 15, 1997                                 /s/  James L. Elrod, Jr.
       ------------------------                       ------------------------
                                                      James L. Elrod, Jr.
                                                      Chief Financial Officer


Date:    May 15, 1997                                 /s/  Robert L. Natt
       ------------------------                       -----------------------
                                                      Robert L. Natt
                                                      President

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                 -------------

EXHIBIT NUMBER                    DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- --------------                    ----------------------
                           
      2                      Agreement And Plan of Merger By And Among
                             Foundation Health Systems, Inc., PHS Acquisition
                             Corp. and Physicians Health Services, Inc.
                             dated May 8, 1997.
                           
      4                      Amendment dated as of May 8, 1997 to the Rights
                             Agreement dated as of February 21, 1995 between
                             Physicians Health Services, Inc. and American Stock
                             Transfer and Trust Company.
                           
     27                      Financial data schedule.
                           
     99                      News release dated
                             May 8, 1997
                             regarding first
                             quarter results
                             and merger
                             agreement.

                                     -13-

<PAGE>

                                                                EXHIBIT 2
 
                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



                                 BY AND AMONG



                       FOUNDATION HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.,



                             PHS ACQUISITION CORP.



                                      and



                       PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC.



                                  May 8, 1997
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                   ARTICLE I
                                  THE MERGER
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PAGE
                                                                                    ---- 
<C>      <S>                                                                        <C>
    1.1  The Merger.................................................................  2
    1.2  Effective Time.............................................................  2
    1.3  Effects of the Merger; Subsequent Actions..................................  2
    1.4  Time and Place of Closing..................................................  3
    1.5  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws....................................  3
    1.6  Directors..................................................................  3
    1.7  Officers...................................................................  4
    1.8  Consideration for the Merger; Conversion or 
           Cancellation of Shares in the Merger.....................................  4
    1.9  Company Stock Plans........................................................  4


                                   ARTICLE II
                     DISSENTING SHARES; EXCHANGE OF SHARES

    2.1  Dissenting Shares..........................................................  5
    2.2  Exchange of Certificates...................................................  5

                                  ARTICLE III
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

    3.1  Corporate Organization and Qualification...................................  8
    3.2  Capitalization.............................................................  8
    3.3  Other Interests............................................................  9
    3.4  Authority Relative to this Agreement; Fairness Opinion.....................  9
    3.5  Governmental Authorization................................................. 10
    3.6  Non-Contravention.......................................................... 11
    3.7  SEC Reports; Financial Statements.......................................... 12
    3.8  Absence of Certain Changes or Events....................................... 13
    3.9  Litigation................................................................. 13
   3.10  Proxy Statement............................................................ 13
   3.11  Taxes...................................................................... 14
   3.12  Compliance with Applicable Law............................................. 15
   3.13  Employee Benefit Plans..................................................... 16
   3.14  Labor Matters.............................................................. 19
   3.15  Environmental Laws and Regulations......................................... 19
   3.16  Computer Systems; Intangible Property...................................... 20
   3.17  DOI Reports................................................................ 20
   3.18  Covered Lives/Subscribers.................................................. 21
   3.19  Contracts.................................................................. 21
   3.20  Brokers and Finders........................................................ 22
   3.21  Company Rights Plan........................................................ 22
   3.22  Certain Real Property...................................................... 22

                                   ARTICLE IV
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT
                                 AND MERGER SUB


    4.1  Corporate Organization and Qualification................................... 22
    4.2  Authority Relative to This Agreement....................................... 23
    4.3  Governmental Authorization................................................. 23
    4.4  Non-Contravention.......................................................... 24
    4.5  SEC Reports; Financial Statements.......................................... 25
    4.6  Information Supplied....................................................... 25
    4.7  Interim Operations of Merger Sub........................................... 26
    4.8  Brokers and Finders........................................................ 26

                                   ARTICLE V
                      ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
 
    5.1  Conduct of Business of the Company......................................... 26
    5.2  Reasonable Best Efforts.................................................... 29
    5.3  Access to Information...................................................... 30
    5.4  Publicity.................................................................. 31
    5.5  Notices of Certain Events.................................................. 31
    5.6  Stockholder Meeting; Proxy Materials; Opinion of Financial Advisor......... 31
    5.7  No Solicitation............................................................ 33
    5.8  Termination of Company Stock Plans......................................... 34
    5.9  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.................................. 35
   5.10  Expenses................................................................... 35
   5.11  Employee Matters........................................................... 36

</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VI
                    CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C>      <S>                                                                        <C>
 
    6.1  Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub......................... 37
    6.2  Conditions to Obligations of the Company................................... 37
    6.3  Conditions to Obligations of Each Party.................................... 38


                                  ARTICLE VII
                            TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT


    7.1  Termination................................................................ 39
    7.2  Certain Actions Prior to Termination....................................... 41
    7.3  Effect of Termination...................................................... 41
    7.4  Termination Fees........................................................... 41


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                           MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL


    8.1  Survival................................................................... 43
    8.2  Counterparts............................................................... 43
    8.3  Governing Laws and Consent to Jurisdiction................................. 43
    8.4  Notices.................................................................... 43
    8.5  Entire Agreement........................................................... 45
    8.6  Parties in Interest........................................................ 45
    8.7  Amendment and Waivers...................................................... 45
    8.8  Certain Definitions........................................................ 45
    8.9  Validity................................................................... 46
   8.10  Captions................................................................... 46
   8.11  Assignment................................................................. 46
   8.12  Disclosure Schedules....................................................... 46
   8.13  Specific Performance....................................................... 47
</TABLE>


   EXHIBIT A      Form of Voting Trust Agreement

                                       ii
<PAGE>
 
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement"), dated as of May 8,
                                              ---------                      
1997, by and among Foundation Health Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation
                                                                          
("Parent"), PHS Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned
- --------                                                                    
subsidiary of Parent ("Merger Sub"), and Physicians Health Services, Inc., a
                       ----------                                           
Delaware corporation (the "Company").
                           -------   


                                    RECITALS

          WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company
have each approved the acquisition of the Company by Parent upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, in furtherance thereof, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, (i) Merger Sub would be merged (the
                                                                           
"Merger") with and into the Company in accordance with the General Corporation
- -------                                                                        
Law of the State of Delaware ("Delaware Law") and (ii) each share of Class A
                               ------------                                 
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, together with the associated Right (as
defined in Section 3.2) (collectively, "Class A Common Stock"), and Class B
                                        --------------------               
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, together with the associated Right
(collectively, "Class B Common Stock"), of the Company issued and outstanding
                --------------------                                         
(the "Shares") immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined in Section
      ------                                                                 
1.2) would, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, be converted into the
right to receive the Merger Consideration (as defined in Section 1.8); and

          WHEREAS, concurrently herewith and as a condition and inducement to
Parent's and Merger Sub's willingness to enter into this Agreement, the Company,
Greater Bridgeport Individual Practice Association, Inc., a stockholder of the
Company, and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as voting trustee, have
entered into a Voting Trust Agreement (the "Voting Trust Agreement"),
                                            ----------------------   
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto; and

          WHEREAS, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Merger.
<PAGE>
 
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, Parent,
Merger Sub and the Company hereby agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I

                                  THE MERGER

          1.1  The Merger.  At the Effective Time and upon the terms and subject
               ----------                                                       
to the conditions hereof and in accordance with the provisions of Dela ware Law,
Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, whereupon the separate
corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as
the surviving corporation in the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation").  The
                                              ---------------------        
Company and Merger Sub are sometimes hereinafter referred to collectively as the
"Constituent Corporations."
 ------------------------  

          1.2  Effective Time.  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the
               --------------                                                   
Merger shall be consummated as promptly as practicable (and in any event within
two business days) after satisfaction or, to the extent permitted hereunder,
waiver of all of the conditions to each party's obligation to consummate the
Merger contained in Article VI, by duly filing an appropriate certificate of
merger (the "Certificate of Merger"), in such form as is required by, and
             ---------------------                                       
executed in accordance with, the relevant provisions of Delaware Law.  The
Merger shall be effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger is duly
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with
Delaware Law or at such later time agreed to by the parties as is specified in
the Certificate of Merger (the "Effective Time").  The date on which the
                                --------------                          
Effective Time shall occur is referred to herein as the "Effective Date."  This
                                                         --------------        
Agreement is intended by the parties to constitute the agreement of merger
contemplated by Section 251 of Delaware Law.

          1.3  Effects of the Merger; Subsequent Actions.  (a) The separate
               -----------------------------------------                   
corporate existence of the Company, as the Surviving Corporation, shall continue
unimpaired by the Merger.  The Surviving Corporation shall succeed to all the
properties and assets of the Constituent Corporations and to all debts, causes
of action and other interests due or belonging to the Constituent Corporations
and shall be subject to, and responsible for, all the debts, liabilities and
duties of the Constituent Corporations with the effect set forth in Section 259
of Delaware Law.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  If, at any time after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall consider or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assign
ments, assurances or any other actions or things are necessary or desirable to
vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving Corporation its
right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, properties or assets
of the Company or Merger Sub acquired or to be acquired by the Surviving
Corporation as a result of or in connection with the Merger, or otherwise to
carry out this Agreement, the officers and directors of the Surviving
Corporation shall be authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on
behalf of the Company or Merger Sub, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments,
assumption agreements and assurances and to take and do, in the name and on
behalf of each of such corporations or otherwise, all such other actions and
things as may be necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm any and all
right, title and interest in, to and under such rights, properties or assets of
the Surviving Corporation or otherwise to carry out this Agreement.

          1.4  Time and Place of Closing.  The closing (the "Closing") of the
               -------------------------                     -------         
Merger shall take place at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, New York, as promptly as practicable (and in
any event within two business days) after satisfaction or, to the extent
permitted hereunder, waiver of all of the conditions to each party's obligation
to consummate the Merger contained in Article VI, or at such other place or time
as Parent and the Company may agree.

          1.5  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.  (a)  The Certificate of
               ---------------------------------------                          
Incorporation of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, shall be amended to change the name of Merger Sub to "Physicians Health
Services, Inc." and, as so amended, the Certificate of Incorporation of Merger
Sub shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or under applicable law.

          (b)  The Bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or under applicable law.

          1.6  Directors.  The directors of Merger Sub at the Effective Time
               ---------                                                    
shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the initial directors of the
Surviving Corporation until their successors have been duly elected or appointed
and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance
with the Surviving Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          1.7  Officers.  The officers of the Company at the Effective Time
               --------                                                    
shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the initial officers of the
Surviving Corporation, and as a result Robert L. Natt will be the Chief
Executive Officer of the Surviving Corporation, until their successors have been
duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death,
resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.

          1.8  Consideration for the Merger; Conversion or Cancellation of
               -----------------------------------------------------------
Shares in the Merger.  At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and
- --------------------                                                     
without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holders
of any Shares or capital stock of Merger Sub:

          (a)  Each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time (other than Shares to be cancelled pursuant to Section 1.8(b) and
Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section 2.1)) shall be cancelled and extin
guished and converted into the right to receive $29.25 in cash, without interest
thereon (the "Merger Consideration").
              --------------------   

          (b)  Each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time and owned by Parent or Merger Sub or any direct or indirect
subsidiary of Parent or Merger Sub, or which is held in the treasury of the
Company or by any of its subsidiaries, shall cease to be outstanding, be
cancelled and retired without payment of any consideration therefor and cease to
exist.

          (c)  Each share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Merger
Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and nonassess able
share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Surviving Corpora tion.

          1.9  Company Stock Plans.  As of the Effective Time, each outstanding
               -------------------                                             
option (including any related stock appreciation right) (an "Employee Option")
                                                             ---------------  
issued, awarded or granted pursuant to the Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan or
the Company's 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "Company Stock Plans") to purchase
                                           -------------------              
Shares shall be cancelled to the Company, subject to obtain ing the consents
discussed below, and each holder of a cancelled Employee Option shall be
entitled to receive from the Company (or, at Parent's option, any subsidiary of
the Company) in consideration for the cancellation of such Employ ee Option an
amount in cash (less applicable withholding Taxes (as defined in

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Section 3.11)) equal to the product of (i) the number of Shares previously
subject to such Employee Option and (ii) the excess, if any, of the Merger
Consideration over the exercise price per Share previously subject to such
Employee Option.  At or prior to the Closing (x) the Company shall deliver to
Parent agreements (in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent) executed by each
director and officer of the Company acknowledging that the payment made pursuant
to this Section 1.9 is being made in full satisfaction of such individual's
rights under the applicable Company Stock Plans and any option awards granted
thereunder, and (y) the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain
executed agreements of the type described in clause (x) from each other holder
of an option to purchase Shares awarded under the Company Stock Plans.


                                   ARTICLE II

                     DISSENTING SHARES; EXCHANGE OF SHARES

          2.1  Dissenting Shares.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
               -----------------                                              
to the contrary, Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and
held by a holder who has not voted to approve and adopt this Agreement or
consented thereto in writing and who has demanded appraisal for such Shares in
accordance with Section 262 of Delaware Law ("Dissenting Shares") shall not be
                                              -----------------               
converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration unless such holder
fails to perfect or withdraws or otherwise loses his right to appraisal.  If,
after the Effective Time, such holder fails to perfect or withdraws or loses his
right to appraisal, such Shares shall no longer be considered Dissenting Shares
for the purposes of this Agreement and shall be treated as if they had been
converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive the Merger
Consideration without interest thereon.  The Company shall give Merger Sub
prompt notice of any demands received by the Company for appraisal of Shares,
and, prior to the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall have the right to participate
in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands.  Prior to the
Effective Time, the Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of
Merger Sub, make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any
such demands.

          2.2  Exchange of Certificates.  (a) Prior to the Effective Time,
               ------------------------                                   
Parent shall designate a bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the
Company to act as paying agent (the "Paying Agent") in effecting the exchange
                                     ------------                            
for the Merger Consideration of certificates (the "Certificates") that, prior to
                                                   ------------                 
the Effective Time, represented Shares.  Upon the surrender of each such
Certificate

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
formerly representing Shares, together with a properly completed letter of
transmittal, the Paying Agent shall pay the holder of such Certificate the
Merger Consideration multiplied by the number of Shares formerly represented by
such Certificate, in exchange therefor, and such Certificate shall forthwith be
cancelled.  Until so surrendered and exchanged, each such Certificate (other
than Certificates representing Dissenting Shares or Shares held by Parent,
Merger Sub or the Company, or any direct or indirect subsidiary thereof) shall
represent solely the right to receive the Merger Consideration.  No interest
shall be paid or accrue on the Merger Consideration.  If the Merger
Consideration (or any portion thereof) is to be delivered to any Person (as
defined in Section 8.8) other than the Person in whose name the Certificate
formerly representing Shares surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it
shall be a condition to such exchange that the Certificate so surrendered shall
be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and that the
Person requesting such exchange shall pay to the Paying Agent any transfer or
other Taxes (as defined in Section 3.11) required by reason of the payment of
the Merger Consideration to a Person other than the registered holder of the
Certificate surrendered, or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Paying
Agent that such Tax has been paid or is not applicable.

          (b)  Prior to the Effective Time, Parent or Merger Sub shall deposit,
or cause to be deposited, in trust with the Paying Agent for the benefit of the
holders of Shares the aggregate Merger Consideration to which holders of Shares
shall be entitled at the Effective Time pursuant to Section 1.8(a); provided
                                                                    --------
that no such deposit shall relieve Parent of its obligation to pay the Merger
Consideration pursuant to Section 1.8(a).

          (c)  The Merger Consideration shall be invested by the Paying Agent,
as directed by Parent, provided such investments shall be limited to direct
obligations of the United States of America, obligations for which the full
faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged to provide for the
payment of principal and interest, commercial paper rated of the highest quality
by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation, or
certificates of deposit issued by a commercial bank having at least
$1,000,000,000 in assets; provided, that no loss on investments made pursuant to
                          --------                                              
this Section 2.2(c) shall relieve Parent of its obligation to pay the Merger
Consideration pursuant to Section 1.8(a).

          (d)  Promptly following the date which is six months after the
Effective time, the Paying Agent shall deliver to Parent all cash and documents
in its possession relating to the transactions described in this Agreement,

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
and the Paying Agent's duties shall terminate.  Thereafter, each holder of a
Certificate formerly representing a Share may surrender such Certificate to the
Surviving Corporation and (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat and
similar laws) receive in exchange therefor the Merger Consideration, without any
interest thereon.

          (e)  Promptly after the Effective Time, the Paying Agent shall mail to
each record holder of Certificates that immediately prior to the Effective Time
represented Shares a form of letter of transmittal and instructions for use in
surrendering such Certificates and receiving the Merger Consideration in
exchange therefor.

          (f) After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock
transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of any Shares. If, after the
Effective Time, Certificates formerly representing Shares are presented to the
Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent, they shall be cancelled and exchanged
for the Merger Consideration, as provided in this Article II, subject to
applicable law in the case of Dissenting Shares.

          (g)  If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed,
upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such
Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving
Corporation, the posting by such Person of a bond in such reasonable amount as
the Surviving Corporation may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be
made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Paying Agent will pay in
exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration
deliverable in respect therefor pursuant to this Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE III

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

          The Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub
that, except as set forth with respect to a specifically identified
representation and warranty on the Disclosure Schedule delivered by the Company
to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement (the "Company Disclosure
                                                         ------------------
Schedule"):
- --------   

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          3.1  Corporate Organization and Qualification.  Each of the Company
               ----------------------------------------                      
and each of its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 8.8) is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation and is qualified and in good
standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the properties
owned, leased or operated, or the business conducted, by it require such
qualification, except where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing
would not have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in Section 8.8) on the
Company.  Each of the Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries has all
requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to own its properties and
to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except where the failure
to have such power and authority would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.  The Company has heretofore made available to Parent complete and
correct copies of its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Amended and Restated Bylaws as in effect on the date hereof.

          3.2  Capitalization.  The authorized capital stock of the Company
               --------------                                              
consists of (i) 13,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of which, as of the
close of business on May 7, 1997, 5,767,196 shares were issued and outstanding,
(ii) 6,369,789 shares of Class B Common Stock of which, as of the close of
business on May 7, 1997, 3,542,921 shares were issued and outstanding and (iii)
500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, none of which is
issued or outstanding.  All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable and are not subject to preemptive rights.  As of May 7, 1997, (i)
1,348,272 shares of Class A Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon
exercise of outstanding Employee Options pursuant to the Company Plans and (ii)
200,000 shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01
per share ("Junior Preferred Stock"), were reserved for issuance in connection
            ----------------------                                            
with the rights (the "Rights") to purchase shares of Junior Preferred Stock
                      ------                                               
issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of February 21, 1995, between
the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as rights agent (as
amended from time to time, the "Rights Agreement").  Except as set forth above
                                ----------------                              
and except for or as a result of the exercise of Employee Options outstanding as
of May 7, 1997, there are outstanding (i) no shares of capital stock or other
voting securities of the Company, (ii) no securities of the Company convertible
into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of the
Company, (iii) no options, subscriptions, warrants, calls or other rights to
acquire from the Company, and no obligation of the Company to issue, deliver or
sell, any capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or
exchangeable

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
for capital stock or voting securities of the Company and (iv) no equity equiva
lents (including any phantom stock or SAR rights, whether cash or other), perfor
mance shares, interests in the ownership or earnings of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or other similar rights issued by the Company (collectively,
                                                                             
"Company Securities").  There are no outstanding obligations of the Company or
 ------------------                                                           
any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Company
Securi ties.  Each of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the
Company's Subsidiaries is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and is directly or indirectly owned by the Company, free and clear
of all security interests, liens, claims, pledges, charges, voting agreements or
other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever (collectively, "Liens").  There are
                                                            -----              
no existing options, subscriptions, warrants, calls or commitments of any
character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other equity
securities of any Subsidiary of the Company.  The execution, delivery and
performance of the Voting Trust Agreement by the parties thereto, and the
transactions contemplated thereby, will not be deemed to be a transfer of
beneficial ownership of the Class B Common Stock subject to the Voting Trust
Agreement and will not cause the shares of Class B Common Stock subject to the
Voting Trust Agreement to be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock
pursuant to the provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or applicable law.

          3.3  Other Interests.  Except for the Company's interests in its
               ---------------                                            
Subsidiaries, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns directly or
indirectly any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in, nor is the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries subject to any obligation or requirement to
provide for or to make any investment (whether equity or debt) in, any
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, business,
trust or other entity.

          3.4  Authority Relative to this Agreement; Fairness Opinion.  The
               ------------------------------------------------------      
Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and the Voting Trust Agreement and (other than, with respect to
the Merger, the approval and adoption of this Agreement by the holders of a
majority of the total outstanding voting power of the Shares, voting as a single
class, as required by Delaware Law (the "Company Stockholder Approval")) to
perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Board of Directors of the
Company, at a meeting duly called and held on May 7, 1997, (i) determined that
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger,
are in the best interests of the stockholders of the Company, (ii) approved this
Agreement

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
and the Voting Trust Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, including the Merger, and (iii) resolved, subject to Section 5.6, to
recommend that the stockholders of the Company approve and adopt this Agree
ment.  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (the "Company Financial Advisor") has
                                               -------------------------      
delivered to the Board of Directors of the Company its written opinion dated May
8, 1997 to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, the consideration to
be received by the holders of Shares pursuant to the Merger Agreement is fair
from a financial point of view to such holders, a copy of which opinion has been
delivered to Parent. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the Voting Trust Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and
validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company and no other
corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this
Agreement and the Voting Trust Agreement or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby (other than, with respect to the Merger, the
Company Stockholder Approval and the filing of the appropriate merger docu ments
as required by Delaware Law).  The Board of Directors of the Company has taken
all action necessary with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and by
the Voting Trust Agreement so as to render inapplicable to such transactions,
including, without limitation, the Merger, the restrictions on business
combinations contained in Section 203 of the Delaware Law.  Each of this
Agreement and the Voting Trust Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by the Company and, assuming it constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of the other parties hereto or thereto, as the case may be,
constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that the enforcement
hereof or thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to
creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

          3.5  Governmental Authorization. The execution, delivery and
               --------------------------                             
performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company
of the transactions contemplated hereby require no action by or in respect of,
or filing with, any court, administrative agency or commission or other
governmental authority or instrumentality, domestic or foreign ("Governmental
                                                                 ------------
Entity") other than:
- ------              

               (a)  the filing of the Certificate of Merger in accordance with
Delaware Law;

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  compliance with any applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-
Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act");
                                                            -------   

          (c)  compliance with any applicable requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder (the "Exchange Act");
                 ------------   

          (d)  compliance with any applicable foreign or state securities
or "blue sky" laws, rules or regulations;

          (e)  compliance with Federal, foreign and state laws, rules and
regulations governing insurance, health maintenance organizations, health care
services plans, third party administrators, hospitals or other managed health
care organizations or antitrust; and

          (f)  such other filings or registrations with, or authorizations,
consents or approvals of, Governmental Entities, the failure of which to be made
or obtained would not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company or the Surviving Corporation or (ii) impair the
ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

          3.6  Non-Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance of
               -----------------                                            
this Agreement by the Company do not, and the consummation by the Company of
the transactions contemplated hereby will not:

          (a)  contravene or conflict with any provision of the respective
charters or bylaws (or similar governing documents) of the Company or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries;

          (b)  assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section 3.5
and assuming the Company Stockholder Approval has been obtained, contravene or
conflict with or constitute a violation of any provision of any law, regulation,
judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon or applicable to the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company or any of their respective properties or
assets;

          (c)  conflict with or result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both
would

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
become a default) under, or result in any third party having any right of
termination, amendment, acceleration  or cancellation of, or loss of a material
benefit under, (i) any agreement, contract or other instrument binding upon the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or, (ii) assuming compliance with the
matters referred to in Section 3.5, any license, franchise, permit or other
similar authorization held by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; or

               (d)  result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any
asset of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company;

except, with respect to clauses (b), (c) and (d) above, for contraventions,
defaults, losses, Liens and other matters referred to in such clauses that would
not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company or the Surviving Corporation, (ii) impair the ability of the Company to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (iii) prevent or
materially delay the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

          3.7  SEC Reports; Financial Statements. Each periodic report,
               ---------------------------------                       
registration statement, definitive proxy statement and other document filed by
the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") since
                                                              ---        
January 1, 1995 (as such documents have since the time of their filing been
amended, the "Company SEC Reports"), as of their respective dates, complied in
              -------------------                                             
all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Securities
                                                                    ----------
Act") or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, applicable to such Company SEC
- ---                                                                          
Reports and none of the Company SEC Reports contained any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except for such
statements, if any, as have been modified by subsequent filings prior to the
date hereof.  The Company SEC Reports  include all the documents (other than
preliminary material) that the Company was required to file with the SEC since
January 1, 1995.  The financial statements of the Company included in the
Company SEC Reports, as of their respective filing dates with the SEC, complied
as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and
with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be
indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of the unaudited statements, as
permitted by Form

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
10-Q of the SEC) and present fairly the consolidated financial position of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then
ended (subject in the case of the unaudited statements, to normal, year-end
audit adjustments).  Since December 31, 1996, neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or obligations, whether absolute,
accrued, fixed, contingent, liquidated, unliquidated or otherwise and whether
due or to become due, except (i) as and to the extent set forth on the audited
balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996
(including the notes thereto) (the "Company Balance Sheet"), (ii) for liability
                                    ---------------------                      
under this Agreement, (iii) as incurred after December 31, 1996 in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practices, (iv) as described in the
Company SEC Reports filed and publicly available prior to the date hereof or (v)
as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company.

          3.8  Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as disclosed in the
               ------------------------------------                             
Company SEC Reports filed and publicly available prior to the date hereof, since
December 31, 1996, the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their
respective business only in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice,
and there has not occurred or arisen any event which would, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

          3.9  Litigation.   There is no action, suit, proceeding, claim or
               ----------                                                  
investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or
affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their assets or
against or involving any of its officers, directors or employees in connection
with the business or affairs of the Company, including, without limitation, any
claims for indemnification arising under any agreement to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party, which would, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.  The Company is not
subject to or in default with respect to any writ, order, judgment, injunction
or decree which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.  The parties agree that this representation and warranty
shall not cover any actions, suits, proceedings, claims, investigations, writs,
orders, judgments, injunctions or decrees, pending or threatened, which seek to
prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or impose material conditions with respect thereto.

          3.10  Proxy Statement.  The proxy or information statement or similar
                ---------------                                                
materials distributed to the Company's stockholders in connection with the

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Merger, including any amendments or supplements thereto (the "Proxy Statement"),
                                                              ---------------
will not, at the time of mailing to stockholders of the Company or at the time
of the special meeting of the Company's stockholders called for the
purpose of considering and taking action upon this Agreement (the "Special
                                                                   -------
Meeting"), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
- -------                                                                        
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading.  The Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects
with the provisions of the Exchange Act.  Notwithstanding the foregoing two
sentences, the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to
information supplied by Parent or Merger Sub specifically for inclusion in the
Proxy State ment.

          3.11  Taxes.
                ----- 

          (a)  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) has filed (or the
Company has had timely filed on their behalf) when due (taking into account
extensions) with the appropriate Federal, state, local, foreign and other
governmental agencies, all material tax returns, estimates, reports and
documents of a similar nature relating to taxes required to be filed by it, and
all such returns, estimates and reports are or will be at the time of filing
true, correct and complete in all material respects and (ii) has either paid
when due and payable or has established adequate reserves (including Taxes (as
defined below) being contested in good faith) or otherwise accrued on the
Company Balance Sheet, all material Federal, state, local or foreign taxes,
levies, imposts, duties, licenses and registration fees and charges of any
nature whatsoever, and unemployment and social security taxes and income tax
withholding, including interest and penalties thereon ("Tax" or "Taxes").  There
                                                        ---      -----          
are no Tax liens upon any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
except liens for current Taxes not yet due, and there are no material Taxes,
interest, penalties, assessments or deficiencies claimed in writing by any
Taxing authority and received by the Company or any such Subsidiary that, in the
aggregate, would result in any Tax liability in excess of the amount of the
reserves or accruals, and the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has or will
establish in accordance with its normal accounting practices and procedures
accruals and reserves that are adequate for the payment of all material Taxes
not yet due and payable and attributable to any period preceding the Closing.
The Company has not filed a consent to the application of Section 341(f)(2) of
the Code.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  No audit, assessment or other examination relating to Taxes by
any Taxing authority is pending with respect to any material Taxes due by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

          (c)  Neither the Company nor any predecessor corporation, nor any of
their respective Subsidiaries, has executed or filed with the Internal Revenue
Service or any other governmental authority or any other Taxing authority any
agreement or other document extending, or having the effect of extending, the
period of assessment or collection of any material Taxes.

          (d)  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or
is bound by (or will prior to the Closing become a party to or bound by) any Tax
indemnity, Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement or other similar arrangement
which includes a party other than the Company and its Subsidiaries.  Neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a member of an affiliated group
other than one of which Company was the common parent, or filed or been included
in a combined, consolidated or unitary Tax return other than one filed by the
Company (or a return for a group consisting solely of its Subsidiaries and
predecessors).

          (e)  The Company has not agreed, nor is it required, to make any
adjustment under section 481(a) of the Code by reason of a change in accounting
method or otherwise.

          (f)  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into
a transaction which is being accounted for as an installment obligation under
section 453 of the Code, nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries entered
into an interest rate swap, currency swap or other similar transaction.

          3.12  Compliance with Applicable Law.  Section 3.12 of the Company
                ------------------------------                              
Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list of all regulatory
undertakings, orders or other commitments of any nature not embodied in
applicable statutes or regulations or specifically disclosed in the Company SEC
Reports filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement entered
into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with any regulatory entity,
including any insurance or HMO regulatory bodies, which undertakings, orders or
other commitments limit or purport to limit the business of the Company or any
of its Significant Subsidiaries as presently conducted or as the same may be
conducted in the future.  The Company and its Subsidiaries hold, and at all
times since January 1, 1995 have held, all permits, licenses, variances,
exemptions,

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
orders and approvals of all Governmental Entities necessary for the lawful
conduct of their respective businesses (the "Company Permits"), except for
                                             ---------------              
failures to hold such permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and
approvals which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company.  The Company and its Subsidiaries are, and at all
times since January 1, 1995 have been, in compliance with the terms of the
Company Permits, except where the failure so to comply would not, individually
or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.  Except as
specifically disclosed in the Company SEC Reports filed and publicly available
prior to the date of this Agreement, the conduct of the respective businesses of
the Company and its Subsidiaries is, and at all times has been, in conformity
with all applicable federal, state and other governmental and regulatory
requirements, except where nonconformity or noncompliance would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
No investigation or review by any Governmental Entity with respect to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, threatened, other than those which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

          3.13  Employee Benefit Plans.
                ---------------------- 

          (a)  Section 3.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a
true and complete list of each deferred compensation and each bonus or other
incentive compensation, stock purchase, stock option and other equity
compensation plan, program, agreement or arrangement; each severance or
termination pay, medical, surgical, hospitalization, life insurance and other
"welfare" plan, fund or program (within the meaning of section 3(1) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"); each
                                                              -----        
"pension" plan, fund or program (within the meaning of section 3(2) of ERISA);
each employment, termination or severance agreement; and each other employee
benefit plan, fund, program, agreement or arrangement, in each case, that is
sponsored, maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to by the
Company or by any trade or business, whether or not incorporated (an "ERISA
                                                                      -----
Affiliate"), that together with the Company would be deemed a "single employer"
- ---------                                                                      
within the meaning of section 4001(b) of ERISA, or to which the Company or an
ERISA Affiliate is party, whether written or oral, for the benefit of any
employee or former employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (the
"Plans").  Neither the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company nor any ERISA
 -----                                                                     
Affiliate has any legal commitment to create any additional employee benefit
plan or modify or change any existing Plan that would affect any employee (an

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
"Employee") or former employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

          (b)  With respect to each Plan, the Company has heretofore delivered
or made available to Buyer true and complete copies of each of the following
documents:

               (i)  a copy of the Plan and any amendments thereto (or if the
     Plan is not a written Plan, a description thereof);

               (ii)  a copy of the two most recent annual reports and actuarial
     reports, if required under ERISA, and the most recent report prepared with
     respect thereto in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
     Standards No. 87;

               (iii)  a copy of the most recent Summary Plan Description
     required under ERISA with respect thereto;

               (iv)  if the Plan is funded through a trust or any third party
     funding vehicle, a copy of the trust or other funding agreement and the
     latest financial statements thereof; and

               (v)  the most recent determination letter received from the
     Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Plan intended to qualify
     under section 401 of the Code.

          (c)  No Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA.  No Title IV Plan is a
"multiemployer pension plan," as defined in section 3(37) of ERISA, nor is any
Title IV Plan a plan described in section 4063(a) of ERISA.

          (d)  All contributions required to be made with respect to any Plan on
or prior to the Closing Date have been or will be timely made on or prior to the
Closing Date.

          (e)  Neither the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company nor, to the
knowledge of the Company, any trustee or administrator thereof, has engaged in a
transaction in connection with which the Company or any Sub sidiary of the
Company or any trustee or administrator thereof could reasonably be expected to
be subject to either a material civil penalty assessed pursuant to

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
section 409 or 502(i) of ERISA or a material tax imposed pursuant to section
4975 or 4976 of the Code.

          (f)  Each Plan has been operated and administered in all material
respects in accordance with its terms and applicable law, including but not
limited to ERISA and the Code.

          (g)  Each Plan intended to be "qualified" within the meaning of
section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter to the
effect that the Plan is so qualified and that its related trust maintained
thereunder is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Code.

          (h)  No Plan provides medical, surgical, hospitalization, death or
similar benefits (whether or not insured) for employees or former employees of
the Company or any Subsidiary for periods extending beyond their retirement or
other termination of service, other than (i) coverage mandated by applicable
law, (ii) death benefits under any "pension plan," or (iii) benefits the full
cost of which is borne by the current or former employee (or his beneficia ry).

          (i)  Except as previously disclosed in writing to Parent, no amounts
payable under the Plans will fail to be deductible for federal income tax
purposes by virtue of section 280G of the Code.

          (j)  Except as set forth in Section 3.13(j) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule or as expressly provided in this Agreement, the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (i) entitle any current or
former employee or officer of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to severance
pay, unemployment compensation or any other payment, or (ii) accelerate the
time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such
employee or officer.

          (k)  There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened or anticipated claims by or on behalf of any Plan, by any employee or
beneficiary covered under any such Plan, or otherwise involving any such Plan
(other than routine claims for benefits).

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
          3.14  Labor Matters.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
                -------------                                                   
is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract
applicable to persons employed by the Company or any such Subsidiary and, to the
knowledge of the Company, there are no activities or proceedings of any labor
union to organize any such employees.

          3.15  Environmental Laws and Regulations.
                ---------------------------------- 

          (a)  No written notice, notification, demand, request for information,
citation, summons, complaint or order has been received by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, no complaint has been served on the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, no penalty has been assessed and, to the knowledge of the Company,
no investigation is pending or has been threatened (each, an "Action") by any
                                                              ------         
Governmental Entity or other party with respect to any (i) alleged violation by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Environ mental Law, (ii) alleged
failure by the Company or any such Subsidiary to have any environmental permit,
certificate, license, approval, registration or authoriza tion required in
connection with the conduct of its business or (iii) Regulated Activity, in each
case where such Action has had or would have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

          (b)  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
Environmental Liabilities that has had, or would have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.  There has been no release
of Hazardous Substances into the environment or violation of any Environmental
Law in either case by the Company or any such Subsidiary which in either case
has had, or would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.

               (c)  For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have
the following meanings:

               "Environmental Laws" shall mean any and all Feder al, state,
                ------------------                                         
     local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules,
     judgments, orders, decrees, codes, injunctions and governmental
     restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions, discharges or
     releases of Hazardous Substances into the environment or otherwise
     relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment,
     storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Substances or the
     clean-up or other remediation thereof.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
          "Environmental Liabilities" shall mean all liabilities which (i) arise
           -------------------------                                            
     under Environmental Laws and (ii) relate to Regu lated Activities occurring
     or conditions existing on or prior to the Effective Time.

          "Hazardous Substances" shall mean any pollutants, contaminants,
           --------------------                                          
     toxic, radioactive, caustic or otherwise hazardous substance or waste,
     including petroleum, its derivatives, by-products and other hydrocarbons
     and medical or infectious waste that is regulated under or by any
     applicable Environmental Law.

          "Regulated Activity" shall mean any generation, treatment,
           ------------------                                       
     storage, recycling, transportation, disposal or release of any Hazardous
     Substances.

          3.16  Computer Systems; Intangible Property.
                ------------------------------------- 

          (a)  Except as set forth on Section 3.16 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the Company's computer systems, including all hardware and software
(collectively, the "Computer Systems"), are presently serving the Company's
                    ----------------                                       
needs adequately.  There are no infringement suits, actions or proceedings
pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, with respect to the Computer
Systems.

          (b)  The Company or one of its Subsidiaries is the owner of, or a
licensee under a valid license for, all items of intangible property which are
material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently
conducted, taken as a whole, including, without limitation, trade names,
unregistered trademarks and service marks, brand names, patents and copyrights.
There are no claims pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, that the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any such intangible
property of any third party which would, individually or in the aggregate, have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. No material infringement of any
proprietary right owned by or licensed by or to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is known to the Company.

          3.17  DOI Reports.  The Company has made available to Parent at the
                -----------                                                  
Company's offices true, correct and complete copies of all material reports
filed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries regarding the activities of the
Company and its Subsidiaries in the States of Connecticut, New Jersey and New

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
York with, and any license applications filed by the Company in such States
with, and all material correspondence regarding such activities and license
applications sent to, or received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
from, applicable insurance and HMO regulatory bodies since January 1, 1995.
Each material report required to be filed by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries with applicable insurance and HMO regulatory bodies since January
1, 1995 (as such documents have since the time of their filing been amended, the
"DOI Reports") has been filed.  As of their respective dates, the DOI Reports
 -----------                                                                 
complied in all material respects with the requirements of the laws, rules and
regulations applica ble to such DOI Reports, and none of the DOI Reports
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except for such statements, if any, as have been modified by
subsequent filings prior to the date hereof.

          3.18  Covered Lives/Subscribers.  As of April 30, 1997, (i) the
                -------------------------                                
Company had a total of 379,026 at-risk members covered under its various managed
health care plans, including 339,742 commercial HMO members, 15,254 Medicare
members, 24,030 Medicaid members, and no commercial PPO members, and (ii) there
were 68,844 persons covered by self-funded and other plans for which the Company
provided ASO services.

          3.19  Contracts.  Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is a party
                ---------                                                      
to, or has any obligation under, any contract or agreement, written or oral,
which contains any covenants currently or prospectively limiting the freedom of
the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates to
engage in any line of business or to compete with any entity.  All contracts and
agreements to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of their respective assets are bound are valid and binding, in full
force and effect and enforceable against the parties thereto in accordance with
their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors' rights
generally and general principles of equity, other than such failures to be so
valid and binding, in full force and effect or enforceable which would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
There is not under any such contract or agreement any existing default, or event
which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default, by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Company's knowledge, any other
party, except to the

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
extent such default would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company.

          3.20  Brokers and Finders.  Except for the fees and expenses payable
                -------------------                                           
to the Company Financial Advisor, which fees and expenses are reflected in its
agreements with the Company, true and complete copies of which have been
furnished to Parent, the Company has not engaged any investment banker, broker,
finder, consultant or intermediary in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement which would be entitled to any investment
banking, brokerage, finder's or similar fee or commission in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

          3.21  Company Rights Plan.  The Rights Agreement has been amended to
                -------------------                                           
(i) render the Rights Agreement inapplicable to the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) ensure that (y) neither
Parent nor any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries is an Acquiring Person (as
defined in the Rights Agreement) pursuant to the Rights Agreement and (z) a
Stock Acquisition Date or Distribution Date (in each case as defined in the
Rights Agreement) does not occur solely by reason of the execution of this
Agreement or the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

          3.22  Certain Real Property.  The Company does not directly own any
                ---------------------                                        
real property located in the State of Connecticut.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT
                                 AND MERGER SUB

          Each of Parent and Merger Sub represent and warrant jointly and
severally to the Company that, except as set forth with respect to a
specifically identified representation and warranty on the Disclosure Schedule
delivered by Parent to the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement (the
"Parent Disclosure Schedule"):
 --------------------------   

          4.1  Corporate Organization and Qualification. Each of Parent and each
               ----------------------------------------                         
of its Significant Subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
incorporation and is qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation in
each jurisdiction where the properties owned, leased or operated, or the
business conducted, by it require such qualification, except where the failure
to so qualify or be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent.  Each of Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has all requisite power and
authority (corporate or otherwise) to own its properties and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted, except where the failure to have such
power and authority would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.  Parent
and Merger Sub have heretofore made available to the Company complete and
correct copies of their respective Certificates of Incorporation and Bylaws as
in effect on the date hereof.

          4.2  Authority Relative to This Agreement.  Each of Parent and Merger
               ------------------------------------                            
Sub has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub and the consummation by Parent and
Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly
authorized by the respective Boards of Directors of Parent and Merger Sub and by
Parent as sole stockholder of Merger Sub, and no other corporate proceedings on
the part of Parent and Merger Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement or
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  This Agreement has been
duly and validly executed and delivered by each of Parent and Merger Sub and,
assuming this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the
Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of each of Parent and
Merger Sub, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms,
except that the enforcement hereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect
relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity
(regard less of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law).

          4.3  Governmental Authorization.  The execution, delivery and
               --------------------------                              
performance of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub and the consummation by
Parent and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby require no action
by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity other than:

               (a)  the filing of the Certificate of Merger in accordance with
Delaware Law;

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
               (b)  compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act;

               (c)  compliance with any applicable requirements of the Exchange
Act;

               (d)  compliance with any applicable foreign or state securities
or "blue sky" laws, rules or regulations;

          (e)  compliance with Federal, foreign and state laws, rules and
regulations governing insurance, health maintenance organizations, health care
services plans, third party administrators, hospitals or other managed health
care organizations or antitrust; and

          (f)  such other filings or registrations with, or authoriza tions,
consents or approvals of, Governmental Entities, the failure of which to be made
or obtained would not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) have a Material
Adverse Effect on Parent or (ii) impair the ability of Parent and Merger Sub to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          4.4  Non-Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance of
               -----------------                                            
this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub do not, and the consummation by Parent
and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby will not:

          (a)  contravene or conflict with any provisions of the respective
charters or bylaws (or similar governing documents) of Parent or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries;

          (b)  assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section 4.3,
contravene or conflict with or constitute a violation of any provision of any
law, regulation, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon or
applicable to Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent or any of their respective
properties or assets;

          (c)  conflict with or result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both
would become a default) under, or result in any third party having any right of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of or loss of a material
benefit under, (i) any agreement, contract or other instrument binding upon
Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent or (ii) assuming compliance with the matters
referred to in

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
Section 4.3, any license, franchise, permit or other similar authorization held
by Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent; or

          (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any material
asset of Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent;

except, with respect to clauses (b), (c) and (d) above, for contraventions, de
faults, losses, Liens and other matters referred to in such clauses that would
not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) have a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent, (ii) impair the ability of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (iii) prevent or materially delay
the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          4.5  SEC Reports; Financial Statements. Each periodic report,
               ----------------------------------                      
registration statement, definitive proxy statement and other document filed by
the Parent with the SEC since January 1, 1995 (as such documents have since the
time of their filing been amended, the "Parent SEC Reports"), as of their 
                                        ------------------                      
respective dates, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, applicable to such
Parent SEC Reports and none of the Parent SEC Reports contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except for such
statements, if any, as have been modified by subsequent filings prior to the
date hereof. The Parent SEC Reports include all the documents (other than
preliminary material) that Parent was required to file with the SEC since
January 1, 1995. The financial statements of Parent included in the Parent SEC
Reports, as of their respective filing dates with the SEC, complied as to form
in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on
a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
the notes thereto or, in the case of the unaudited statements, as permitted by
Form 10-Q of the SEC) and present fairly the consolidated financial position of
Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then
ended (subject in the case of the unaudited statements, to normal, year-end
audit adjustments).

          4.6  Information Supplied.  None of the information supplied or to be
               --------------------                                            
supplied by Parent or Merger Sub specifically for inclusion in the Proxy

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
Statement will, at the time of mailing to stockholders of the Company or at the
time of the Special Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they are made, not misleading.

          4.7  Interim Operations of Merger Sub.  Merger Sub was formed solely
               --------------------------------                               
for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby and has not
engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations other than in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

          4.8  Brokers and Finders.  Except for the fees and expenses payable to
               -------------------                                              
Credit Suisse First Boston, which fees and expenses are reflected in its
agreements with Parent, Parent has not engaged any investment banker, broker,
finder, consultant or intermediary in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement which would be entitled to any investment
banking, brokerage, finder's or similar fee or commission in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.


                                   ARTICLE V

                      ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

          5.1  Conduct of Business of the Company.  Except as set forth in
               ----------------------------------                         
Section 5.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or Section 5.8  hereof, the
Company agrees that during the period from the date of this Agreement to the
Effective Time, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
conduct its operations according to its ordinary and usual course of business
consistent with past practice and, to the extent consistent therewith, use its
reasonable best efforts to preserve intact its current business organizations,
keep available the service of its current officers and employees and preserve
its relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings
with it to the end that goodwill and ongoing businesses shall not be impaired.
Except as set forth in Section 5.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or Section
5.8 hereof, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as
otherwise expressly permitted in this Agreement prior to the Effective Time,
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall:

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
          (a)  except for shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued or
delivered in connection with the exercise of Employee Options outstanding on
the date hereof in accordance with their current terms, issue, deliver, sell,
dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber, or authorize or propose the issuance,
sale, disposition or pledge or other encumbrance of (A) any additional shares of
capital stock of any class (including the Shares), or any securities or rights
convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for any
shares of capital stock, or any rights, warrants, options, calls, commitments or
any other agreements of any character to purchase or acquire any shares of capi
tal stock, or (B) any other securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in
substitution for, Shares outstanding on the date hereof;

          (b)  except pursuant to the Plans as in effect on the date hereof,
redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, or propose to redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;

          (c)  split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any of its capital stock
or declare, set aside for payment or pay any dividend, or make any other actual,
constructive or deemed distribution in respect of any of its capital stock or
otherwise make any payments to stockholders of the Company in their capacity as
such, except for dividends payable to the Company declared by any wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company;

          (d)  adopt or propose to adopt a plan of complete or partial
liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization
or other reorganization of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than
the Merger);

          (e)  adopt or propose to adopt any amendments to its Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws;

          (f)  waive, amend or otherwise alter the Rights Agreement or redeem
the Rights;

          (g)  acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or
by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of or equity in, or by any
other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other
business organization or division thereof or otherwise acquire or agree to

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
acquire any assets, in each case that are material, individually or in the
aggregate, to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

          (h)  sell (including by sale-leaseback), lease or otherwise dispose
of, or agree to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets that are
material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole;

          (i)  make or agree to make any capital expenditure or expenditures
which, individually, is in excess of $100,000 or, in the aggregate, are in
excess of $500,000, except as set forth in Section 5.1(i) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule;

          (j)  enter into any non-competition or other agreement which may
restrict in any way the conduct of the respective businesses of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries;

          (k)  modify its existing provider fee or rate schedules, the result of
which modifications would be, based upon 1996 utilization, an increase in either
(i) the aggregate reimbursements to all physician, hospital and ancillary
providers, taken together, or (ii) reimbursements to any individual physician,
hospital or ancillary provider representing at least $1,000,000 or more in
annual payments for services during 1996;

          (l)  except as required by law, effect material changes to rating
plans or issue new business or renewal quotations to groups of more than 1,000
employees or enter into any amendment or modification of any of its agreements
with providers, other than amendments expressly contemplated hereby, without
reasonable evidence that doing so would be in the economic interests of the
Company and would not adversely affect the Company's rights to medically manage
the provision of healthcare except in immaterial respects;

          (m)  other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such
indebtedness or issue or sell any debt securities or guarantee any debt
securities of others, or make any loans, advances or capital contributions to,
or investments in, any other Person, other than to the Company or any wholly
owned Subsidiary of the Company;

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
          (n)  except as may be required as a result of a change in law or in
generally accepted accounting principles, change any of the accounting
principles or practices used by it;

          (o)  settle or compromise any pending or threatened material suit,
action or claim relating to the transactions contemplated hereby;

          (p)  pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations
(absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than
the payment, discharge or satisfaction in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, or as required by their by terms, of liabili ties
reflected or reserved against in, or contemplated by, the Company Balance Sheet
(or the notes thereto) or incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice or immaterial liabilities not incurred in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice;

          (q)  increase in any manner the compensation or fringe benefits of any
of its directors, officers or other employees receiving an annual salary in
excess of $40,000, or pay any pension or retirement allowance not re quired by
any existing plan or agreement to any such employees, or become a party to,
amend or commit itself to any pension, retirement, profit-sharing or welfare
benefit plan or agreement or employment agreement with or for the benefit of any
employee (other than increases in the compensation of employees who are not
officers or directors of the Company made in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice) or voluntarily accelerate the vesting of any
compensation or benefit;

          (r)  waive, amend or allow to lapse any term or condition of any
confidentiality or "standstill" agreement to which the Company is a party; or

          (s)  take, or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any of the
foregoing actions.

          5.2  Reasonable Best Efforts.  Upon the terms and subject to the
               -----------------------                                    
conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties agrees to use its
reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do,
or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in
doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make
effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Merger, and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including (a) the prompt making of
their

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
respective filings and thereafter the making of any other required submission
under the HSR Act with respect to the Merger, (b) the obtaining of all
additional necessary actions or non-actions, waivers, consents and approvals
from Govern mental Entities and the making of all necessary registrations and
filings (including filings with Governmental Entities) and the taking of all
reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from any
Governmental Entity, (c) the obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or
waivers from third parties, (d) the defending of any lawsuits or other legal
proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including seeking to
have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other
Governmental Entity vacated or reversed, and (e) the execution and delivery of
any additional instruments necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

          5.3  Access to Information.  The Company shall, and shall cause each
               ---------------------                                          
of its Subsidiaries to, afford to Parent, and to Parent's accountants, counsel
and other representatives, reasonable access and permit them to make such
inspections as they may reasonably require during normal business hours during
the period from the date of this Agreement through the Effective Time to all
their respective properties, books, contracts, commitments and records and,
during such period, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, furnish promptly to Parent (i) copy of each report, schedule, registration
statement and other document filed by it during such period pursuant to the
requirements of Federal or state laws other than product and product-related
filings with departments of insurance and (ii) all other information concerning
its business, properties and personnel as Parent may reasonably request.  The
financial and operating data requested pursuant to this Section 5.3 shall
specifically include, but shall not be limited to, all correspondence and
reports reasonably relating to any actual or threatened adverse actions, denials
or revocations of accreditation, sanctions or investigations by the National
Committee on Quality Assurance, the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation,
the Health Care Financing Adminis tration or any other state or federal agency
and any notice of termination from any employee group or program representing
five percent or more of the revenue of any Subsidiary of the Company.  Parent
and each of its Subsidiaries will hold, and will cause its respective
affiliates, associates and representatives to hold, any nonpublic information in
accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of March 3,
1997, between Parent and Company (the "Confidentiality Agreement").
                                       -------------------------   

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
          5.4  Publicity.  The parties will consult with each other and will
               ---------                                                    
mutually agree upon any press releases or public announcements pertaining to
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any
such press releases or make any such public announcements prior to such
consultation and agreement, except as may be required by applicable law or by
obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities
exchange, in which case the party proposing to issue such press release or make
such public an nouncement shall use its reasonable best efforts to consult in
good faith with the other party before issuing any such press releases or making
any such public announcements.

          5.5  Notices of Certain Events.  The Company shall, upon obtain ing
               -------------------------                                     
knowledge of any of the following, promptly notify Parent in writing of:  (i)
any Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company; (ii) any change which
makes it likely that any representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement
regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will not be true in any
material respect at the Closing and which would be likely to cause any condition
to the obligations of any party to effect the Merger not to be satisfied; (iii)
the occur rence or non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence
of which would be likely to cause any condition to the obligations of any party
to effect the Merger not to be satisfied; (iv) the failure of the Company to
comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with
or satisfied by it pursuant to this Agreement which would be likely to cause any
condition to the obligations of any party to effect the Merger not to be
satisfied; (v) any notice or other communication from any Governmental Entity in
connection with the Merger; or (vi) any actions, suits, claims, investigations
or other proceedings (or communications indicating that the same may be
contemplated) commenced or threatened against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries which, if pending on the date of this Agreement, would have
resulted in any of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.9
being untrue or inaccurate or which relate to the consummation of the Merger;
                                                                             
provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 5.5
- --------  -------                                                              
shall not cure any breach of any representation or warranty or otherwise limit
or affect the remedies available to Parent.

          5.6  Stockholder Meeting; Proxy Materials; Opinion of Financial
               ----------------------------------------------------------
Advisor.
- ------- 

          (a)  Unless the Board of Directors of the Company shall take any
action permitted by the third sentence of this Section 5.6(a), the Company
shall cause the Special Meeting to be duly called and held as soon as practica-

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
ble after the date of this Agreement for the purpose of voting on the approval
and adoption of this Agreement (the "Company Stockholder Approval").  Except as
                                     ----------------------------              
provided in the next sentence, the Board of Directors of the Company shall
recommend approval and adoption of this Agreement by the Company's stock
holders.  The Board of Directors of the Company shall be permitted to (i) not
recommend to the Company's stockholders that they vote in favor of the approval
and adoption of this Agreement or (ii) withdraw or modify in a manner adverse to
Parent its recommendation to the Company's stockholders that they vote in favor
of the approval and adoption of this Agreement, but in each of cases (i) and
(ii) only if and to the extent that the Company has complied with Section 5.7, a
Superior Proposal (as defined in Section 5.6(b)) is pending at the time the
Company's Board of Directors determines to take any such action or inaction and
the Company's Board of Directors determines in good faith, based upon the advice
of its outside legal counsel, that such action or inaction is necessary for such
Board of Directors to comply with its fiduciary duties under applicable law;
                                                                            
provided that no such failure to recommend, withdrawal or modification shall be
- --------                                                                       
made unless the Company shall have delivered to Parent a written notice advising
Parent that the Board of Directors of the Company has received a Superior
Proposal and identifying the Person making such Superior Proposal; provided,
                                                                   -------- 
further, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the Board of
- -------                                                                     
Directors of the Company from complying with Rule 14e-2 under the Exchange Act
with regard to an Acquisition Proposal (as defined in Section 5.6(b)).

          (b)  For purposes of this Agreement, "Superior Proposal" means any
                                                -----------------           
bona fide written Acquisition Proposal for all of the outstanding Shares or all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on terms
that the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith (based on
the advice of a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation) are more
favorable and provide greater value to all the Company's stockholders than this
Agreement and the Merger.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Acquisition
                                                            -----------
Proposal" means any offer or proposal for, or any indication of interest in, a
- --------                                                                      
merger or other business combination involving the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary of the Company or the acquisition of any equity interest in, or a
substantial portion of the assets of, the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
of the Company, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (c)  In connection with such Special Meeting, the Company (i) will
promptly prepare and file with the SEC, will use its reasonable best efforts to
have cleared by the SEC as promptly as practicable and will promptly thereafter
mail to its stockholders the Proxy Statement and all other proxy

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
materials for such meeting, (ii) will use its reasonable best efforts, subject
to the immediately preceding sentence, to obtain the Company Stockholder
Approval and (iii) will otherwise comply with all legal requirements applicable
to such meeting.  The Company shall notify Parent promptly of the receipt of
comments from the SEC and of any request by the SEC for amendments or
supplements to the Proxy Statement or for additional information, and shall
supply Parent with copies of all correspondence between the Company or its
representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC or members of its staff, on the
other hand, with respect to the Proxy Statement.  If at any time prior to the
Special Meeting, any event should occur relating to the Company or its officers
or directors which should be described in an amendment of, or a supplement to,
the Proxy Statement, the Company shall promptly inform Parent.  Whenever any
event occurs which should be described in an amendment of, or a supplement to,
the Proxy State ment, the Company shall, upon learning of such event, prepare
promptly, file and clear with the SEC and mail to the Company's stockholders
such amendment or supplement; provided, however, that prior to such mailing, to
                              --------  -------                                
the extent practicable (i) the Company shall consult with Parent with respect
to such amendment or supplement and (ii) the Company shall afford Parent
reasonable opportunity to comment thereon, it being understood that the Company
will not mail any Proxy Statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, to
which Parent reasonably objects.

          (d)  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Company Financial Advisor to provide its opinion to the effect that, as of a
date no earlier than three business days prior to the date that the Proxy
Statement is mailed to stockholders of the Company, the consideration to be
received by the holders of Shares pursuant to the Merger is fair to such holders
from a financial point of view, and shall include such updated opinion in the
Proxy Statement.

          5.7  No Solicitation.
               --------------- 

          (a)  The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, through any
officer, director, employee, investment banker, attorney, representative or
agent of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (i) solicit, initiate, or
encourage any inquiries or proposals that constitute, or could reasonably be
expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (ii) engage in negotiations or
discussions concerning, or provide any non-public information or data to any
Person or entity relating to, any Acquisition Proposal, or (iii) agree to,
approve or recommend any Acquisition Proposal, or otherwise facilitate any
effort or attempt to make or implement

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
an Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that nothing contained in this
                         --------  -------                                
Agreement shall prevent the Company or its Board of Directors from (A)
furnishing nonpublic information or data to, or entering into discussions or
negotiations with, any Person in connection with an unsolicited Acquisition
Proposal, if and only to the extent that the Company's Board of Directors
determines in good faith, based upon the advice of its outside legal counsel,
that such action is necessary for such Board of Directors to comply with its
fiduciary duties under applicable law and prior to furnishing such non-public
information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such Person
or entity, the Company or its Board of Directors receives from such Person or
entity an executed customary confidentiality agreement, provided, that in the
                                                        --------             
event that any term of such confidentiality agreement is more favorable to such
Person or entity than the Confidentiality Agreement is to Parent, (x) the
Company shall promptly (and in no event later than 24 hours after execution
thereof) notify Parent of the more favorable provisions of such confidentiality
agreement and (y) the Confidentiality Agreement shall automatically be deemed
to have been amended to provide Parent with the benefit of the more favorable
term(s); (B) complying with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with
regard to an Acquisition Propos al.  The Company will immediately cease and
cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with
any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing.

          (b)  The Company shall (i) promptly (and in no event later than 24
hours after receipt of any Acquisition Proposal) notify Parent after receipt by
it (or its advisors) of any Acquisition Proposal or any inquiries indicating
that any Person is considering making or wishes to make an Acquisition Proposal,
identifying such Person, (ii) promptly notify Parent after receipt of any
request for nonpublic information relating to it or any of its Subsidiaries or
for access to its or any of its Subsidiaries' properties, books or records by
any Person, identifying such Person and the information requested by such
Person, that may be considering making, or has made, an Acquisition Proposal and
promptly provide Parent with any nonpublic information which is given to such
Person pursuant to this Section 5.7(b), and (iii) keep Parent advised of the
status and principal financial terms of any such Acquisition Proposal,
indication or request.  The Company shall give Parent at least 24 hours' advance
notice of any informa tion to be supplied to any Person making such Acquisition
Proposal.

          5.8  Termination of Company Stock Plans.  Except as may be otherwise
               ----------------------------------                             
agreed to by Parent and the Company, the Company Stock Plans shall terminate as
of the Effective Time.  Prior to the Effective Time, the Board of

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
Directors of the Company (or, if appropriate, any committee thereof) shall adopt
such resolutions or take such other actions as are required to (i) effect the
transactions contemplated by Section 1.9 and (ii) with respect to any stock
option, stock appreciation or other stock benefit plan of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries not addressed by the preceding clause (i), ensure that,
following the Effective Time, no participant therein shall have any right
thereunder to acquire any capital stock of the Surviving Corporation or any
subsidiary thereof.

          5.9  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
               ----------------------------------------- 

          (a)  From and after the Effective Time, Parent agrees to, and to cause
the Surviving Corporation to, indemnify and hold harmless all past and present
officers, directors, employees and agents (the "Indemnified Parties") of the
                                                -------------------         
Company and of its Subsidiaries to the full extent such Persons may be
indemnified by the Company pursuant to the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws (or similar charter
documents of any of its Subsidiaries), in each case as in effect as of the date
hereof, for acts and omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time and
shall advance reasonable litigation expenses incurred by such Persons in
connection with defending any action arising out of such acts or omissions,
provided that such Persons provide the requisite undertaking, as set forth in
the Company's Amended and Restated Bylaws prior to the Effective Time.

          (b)  Parent will provide, or cause the Surviving Corporation to
provide, for a period of not less than six years after the Effective Time, the
Company's current directors and officers with an insurance and indemnification
policy that provides coverage for events occurring at or prior to the Effective
Time (the "D&O Insurance") that is no less favorable than the existing policy
           -------------                                                     
or, if substantially equivalent insurance coverage is unavailable, the best
available coverage; provided, however, that Parent and the Surviving Corporation
                    --------  -------                                           
shall not be required to pay an annual premium for the D&O Insurance in excess
of one and one-half times the last annual premium paid prior to the date hereof,
but in such case shall purchase as much of such coverage as possible for such
amount.

          5.10  Expenses.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.4 and in
                --------                                                     
addition to the amounts that may be owed pursuant to Section 7.4, all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such expenses, except
that the liability, if any, for New York State Real Estate Transfer Tax, New
York City Real Property Transfer Tax and Connecticut Controlling Interest
Transfer

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
Tax, if and to the extent applicable and due with respect to the Merger, will be
borne by the Surviving Corporation.

          5.11 Employee Matters.
               ---------------- 

          (a) Employee Benefits.  Parent shall maintain (or cause its
              -----------------                                      
Subsidiaries to maintain), without interruption, through December 31, 1997,
employee compensation and benefit plans and arrangements that will provide
benefits to those provided to similarly situated employees of Parent and its
Subsidiaries.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent shall provide, or cause it
Subsidiaries to provide, to each Employee severance pay and benefits that are no
less favorable than those provided under the employee benefit plans and current
practices of Parent as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

          (b) Participation in Benefit Plans.  Employees shall be given credit
              ------------------------------                                  
for all service with the Company and its Subsidiaries under all employee benefit
plans and arrangements of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in which they become
participants for purposes of eligibility and vesting to the same extent as if
rendered to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.  Employees shall also be given
credit for any deductible or co-payment amounts paid in respect of the Plan year
in which the Effective Time occurs, to the extent that, following the Effective
Time, they participate in any employee benefit plan of the Parent for which
deductibles or co-payments are required.  Parent shall also cause each of its
employee benefit plans to waive (i) any preexisting condition restriction which
was waived under the terms of any analogous Plan immediately prior to the
Effective Time or (ii) waiting period limitation which would otherwise be
applicable to an Employee on or after the Effective Time to the extent such
Employee had satisfied any similar waiting period limitation under an analogous
Plan prior to the Effective Time.

          (c) Accrued Vacation/Sick/Personal Days.  Parent shall assume the
              -----------------------------------                          
Company's obligations to Employees with respect to accrued but untaken vacation
and sick and personal days, to the extent such obligations are reflected on the
Company's balance sheet.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                    CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
          6.1  Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub.  The
               --------------------------------------------------      
obligations of Parent and Merger Sub hereunder to consummate the Merger are
subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Parent, at or prior to the Effective
Time, of each of the following conditions:

          (a)  Covenants; Accuracy of Representations and Warran ties.  (i) The
               ------------------------------------------------------          
Company shall have performed in all material respects all of its material
obligations and complied in all material respects with all of its material
agreements and covenants to be performed or complied with by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time; (ii) the representations and
warranties of the Company contained in Article III shall be true and accurate at
the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same force and
effect as if they had been made as of the Effective Time (except to the extent a
representation or warranty speaks specifically as of an earlier date and except
as contemplated by this Agreement), except, in each case, for inaccuracies in
any such representations and warranties that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company and the Surviving Corporation; and (iii) the Company shall have
provided Parent with a certificate executed by two executive officers of the
Company, dated as of the Effective Date, to such effect.

          (b)  Certain Waivers.  The Company shall have obtained waivers or
               ---------------                                             
amendments, as the case may be, from each of the parties other than the Company
to the agreements set forth on Schedule 6.1, whereby each such other party
expressly waives any rights to termination under the applicable agreement that
may arise as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and consents to those matters more specifically set forth on
Schedule 6.1.

          6.2  Conditions to Obligations of the Company.  The obligation of the
               ----------------------------------------                        
Company hereunder to consummate the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or
waiver by the Company, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the following
condition:

          (a)  Covenants; Accuracy of Representations and Warran ties.  (i)
               ------------------------------------------------------      
Parent shall have performed in all material respects all of its material
obligations and complied in all material respects with all of its material
agreements and covenants to be performed or complied with by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time; (ii) the representations and
warranties of Parent contained in Article IV shall be true and accurate at the
date of this

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same force and effect as if they
had been made as of the Effective Time (except to the extent a representation or
warranty speaks specifically as of an earlier date and except as contemplated by
this Agreement) except, in each case, for inaccuracies in any such
representations and warranties that would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have or reason ably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent; and
(iii) Parent shall have provided the Company with a certificate executed by two
executive officers of Parent, dated as of the Effective Date, to such effect.

          6.3  Conditions to Obligations of Each Party.  The respective
               ---------------------------------------                 
obligations of the Company, on the one hand, and Parent and Merger Sub, on the
other hand, to consummate the Merger are further subject to the satisfaction or
waiver, at or prior to the Effective Time, of each of the following conditions:

          (a)  Stockholder Approval.  The Company Stockholder Approval
               --------------------                                   
shall have been obtained.

          (b)  Illegality or Legal Constraint.  No statute, rule, regulation,
               ------------------------------                                
executive order, decree, injunction or restraining order shall have been
enacted, promulgated or enforced (and not repealed, superseded or other wise
made inapplicable) by any court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental
Entity which prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or imposes material conditions with respect thereto (collectively,
"Restraints"); provided, however, that the party asserting the failure of this
 ----------    --------  -------                                              
condition shall have used reasonable best efforts to prevent the entry of any
such Restraint and, if applicable to such party, to appeal promptly any such
Restraints that may be entered.

          (c)  Governmental Approvals.  The parties hereto shall have made the
               ----------------------                                         
requisite filings with all Governmental Entities as shall be required pursuant
to applicable laws, rules and regulations, and such Governmental Entities
(including, but not limited to, the Insurance Departments of the States of New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut), to the extent required by applicable law,
shall have approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except
where the failure to obtain any such approval would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent and the Surviving
Corporation, taken as a whole, or upon the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  HSR Act.  The waiting period (and any extension thereof)
               -------                                                 
applicable to the Merger under the HSR Act shall have expired or been
terminated.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                            TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

          7.1  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
               -----------                                                     
to the Effective Time whether before or after the approval by the stockholders
of the Company:

          (a)  by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;

          (b)  by either Parent or the Company (i) if the Effective Date shall
not have occurred on or before December 31, 1997, subject to the two business
day period set forth in Section 1.4 (or February 28, 1998, subject to the two
business day period set forth in Section 1.4, if the only condition remaining
unfulfilled on December 31, 1997 is any required approval by any Governmental
Entity or the expiration of any waiting period), (ii) if any Governmental
Entity, the approval of which is a condition to the obligations of Parent,
Merger Sub and the Company to consummate the Merger, shall have determined not
to grant its approval and all appeals of such determination shall have been
taken and have been unsuccessful or (iii) if any court of competent jurisdiction
shall have issued an order, judgment or decree (other than a temporary
restraining order or temporary injunction) restraining, enjoining or otherwise
prohibiting the Merger and such order, judgment or decree shall have become
final and nonappealable; provided, however, that the right to terminate this
                         --------  -------                                  
Agreement pursuant to clause (i) shall not be available to any party whose
failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the cause of, or
resulted in, the failure of the Effective Date to occur on or before such date;

          (c)  by either Parent or the Company, if, at the Special Meeting
(including any adjournment or postponement thereof) called pursuant to Section
5.6, the Company Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained;

          (d)  by Parent (i) if there has been a breach by the Compa ny of any
representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement, which breach would give
rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.1 or 6.3, which

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
has not been cured within 15 business days following receipt by the Company of
written notice of such breach; (ii) if there has been a breach by the Company of
any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement, which breach would give
rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.1 or 6.3, which has
not been cured within 15 business days following receipt by the Company of
written notice of such breach; or (iii) if the Board of Directors of the Company
shall have failed to recommend or withdrawn or modified or changed in a manner
adverse to Parent its approval or recommendation of this Agreement, or
recommended an Acquisition Proposal or shall have entered into a definitive
agreement providing for the transaction or transactions contemplated by an
Acquisition Proposal (or the Board of the Directors of the Company shall have
resolved to do any of the foregoing); provided, however, that the right to
                                      --------  -------
terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(d)(i) or (ii) shall not be
available to Parent if it, at such time, is in breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement, which breach would
give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.2 or 6.3, which
has not been cured within 15 business days following receipt by Parent of
written notice of such breach;

          (e)  by the Company (i) if there has been a breach by Parent of any
representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement, which breach would give
rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.2 or 6.3, which has
not been cured within 15 business days following receipt by Parent of written
notice of such breach; (ii) if there has been a breach by Parent of any covenant
or agreement set forth in this Agreement, which breach would give rise to the
failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.2 or 6.3, which has not been cured
within 15 business days following receipt by Parent of written notice of such
breach; or (iii) subject to Section 7.2, if the Board of Directors of the
Company shall have failed to recommend or withdrawn or modified or changed in a
manner adverse to Parent its approval or recommendation of this Agreement in
order to permit the Company to execute a definitive agreement providing for the
transac tion or transactions contemplated by a Superior Proposal; provided,
                                                                  -------- 
however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section
- -------                                                                     
7.1(e)(i) or (ii) shall not be available to the Company if it, at such time, is
in breach of any repre sentation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in
this Agreement, which breach would give rise to the failure of a condition set
forth in Section 6.1 or 6.3, which has not been cured within 15 business days
following receipt by the Company of written notice of such breach.

          (f)  by Parent at any time following the date 30 days after notice is
delivered by the Company as required in Section 5.7(b)(i) concerning

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
the receipt of an Acquisition Proposal unless, prior to termination under this
subsection (f), the Company provides written notice to Parent that such
Acquisition Proposal has been rejected or withdrawn or the Company is no longer
engaged in negotiations or discussions with such other Person concerning the
Acquisition Proposal; provided that the 30-day time period shall be reduced with
                      --------
respect to any subsequent Acquisition Proposal made by a Person whose
Acquisition Proposal was previously rejected or withdrawn as provided in this
subsection (f) to a number of days equal to the greater of (i) 30 minus the
number of days lapsed from the receipt of any notice of any prior Acquisition
Proposal from such Person until the rejection or withdrawal of any such prior
Acquisition Proposal(s) and (ii) 10.

          7.2  Certain Actions Prior to Termination.  The Company shall provide
               ------------------------------------                            
to Parent the written notice required by Section 5.7(b) prior to any termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(e)(iii) advising Parent that the Board
of Directors of the Company has received a Superior Proposal.  At any time after
the third business day following such notice, the Company may termi nate this
Agreement as provided in Section 7.1(e)(iii) only if (i) the Board of Directors
of the Company determines that such Superior Proposal remains more favorable and
provides greater value to the Company's stockholders than this Agreement and the
Merger (which determination shall be made in light of any revised proposal made
by Parent prior to the expiration of such three-business day period) and (ii)
the termination fee contemplated by Section 7.4(a) shall have been paid to the
Parent.

          7.3  Effect of Termination.  In the event of termination of this
               ---------------------                                      
Agreement by either Parent or the Company as provided in Section 7.1, this
Agreement shall forthwith become void (except as set forth in the last sentence
of Section 5.3 and in Sections 5.10 and 7.4 and Article VIII) and there shall be
no liability on the part of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company or their
respective officers or directors, except (i) as set forth in this Section 7.3,
the last sentence of Section 5.3 or Sections 5.10 or 7.4 or Article VIII and
(ii) nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for (x) any willful
or intentional breach of any representations or warranties contained in this
Agreement or (y) any breach of any covenant or agreement contained in this
Agreement.

          7.4  Termination Fees.
               ---------------- 

          (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, so long as
the Company is not entitled to terminate this Agreement by reason of

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
Section 7.1(e)(ii), (i) if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section
7.1(d)(iii) or Section 7.1(e)(iii), then the Company shall promptly pay to
Parent a fee of $9 million (the amount of such fee being hereinafter referred to
as the "Termination Fee"), plus an amount equal to all of the costs and expenses
        ---------------                                                         
incurred by Parent and Merger Sub in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby (upon receipt of reasonable documentation in
respect thereto) up to an aggregate of $2.5 million (the "Termination
                                                          -----------
Expenses"); (ii) if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1(c) ,
then the Company shall promptly pay to Parent an amount equal to the Termination
Expenses; (iii) if within 12 months of a termination of this Agreement pursuant
to Section 7.1(c), the Company or any of its Subsidiaries accepts a written
offer for, or otherwise enters into an agreement to consummate or consummates, a
Transaction Proposal (as defined in Section 7.4(b)) with another Person, upon
the signing of a definitive agreement relating to such Transaction Proposal, or,
if no such agreement is signed, then upon consummation of any such Transaction
Proposal, the Company shall pay to Parent an amount equal to the Termination
Fee; or (iv) if within 12 months of the termination of this Agreement pursuant
to Section 7.1(f) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries accepts a written offer
for, or otherwise enters into an agreement to consummate or consummates, a
Transaction Proposal with another Person, upon the signing of a definitive
agreement relating to such a Transaction Proposal, or, if no such agreement is
signed, then upon consumma tion of any such Transaction Proposal, the Company
shall pay to Parent an amount equal to the Termination Fee.

          (b)  As used in this Section 7.4 "Transaction Proposal" shall mean a
                                            --------------------              
proposal or offer (other than by another party hereto) (i) to acquire beneficial
ownership (as defined under Rule 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of
the outstanding capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries holding
substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to
a merger, consolidation or other business combination, sale of shares of capital
stock, tender offer or exchange offer or similar transaction, including, without
limitation, any single or multi-step transaction or series of related
transactions which is structured to permit such third party to acquire
beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the outstanding capital stock of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries holding substantially all of the assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) to purchase all or substantially all of
the business or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (iii) to otherwise
effect a business combi nation involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
holding substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
          (c)  The obligation to pay the Termination Fee or Termination
Expenses pursuant to Section 7.4(a) shall be in addition to the expenses to be
paid by the Company pursuant to Section 5.10.  The Company shall make all such
payments promptly (and in any event within two days of receipt by the Company of
written notice from Parent) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
an account designated by Parent.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                           MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL

          8.1  Survival.  The representations and warranties made herein shall
               --------                                                       
not survive the termination of this Agreement or the Effective Time.  This
Section 8.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties hereto
which by its terms contemplates performance after termination of this Agreement
or the Effective Time.

          8.2  Counterparts.  For the convenience of the parties hereto, this
               ------------                                                  
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each such counterpart
being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts shall
together constitute the same agreement.

          8.3  Governing Laws and Consent to Jurisdiction.  The laws of the
               ------------------------------------------                  
State of Delaware (irrespective of its choice of law principles) shall govern
all issues concerning the validity of this Agreement, the construction of its
terms, and the interpretation and enforcement of the rights and duties of the
parties.  Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and the Federal courts of
the United States of America located in the State of Delaware (and the Delaware
State and Federal courts having jurisdiction over appeals therefrom) in respect
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the other agreements and
documents referred to herein and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and such other documents and agreements.

          8.4  Notices.  Any notice, request, instruction or other document to
               -------                                                        
be given hereunder by any party to the other parties shall be in writing and
delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
or by facsimile transmission (with a confirming copy sent by overnight courier),
as follows:

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
               (a)  If to the Company, to:

                    Robert L. Natt
                    Physicians Health Services, Inc.
                    One Far Mill Crossing
                    P.O. Box 904
                    Shelton, CT 06484
                    (203) 225-8254 (telephone)
                    (203) 225-4001 (telecopier)

                    with a copy to:

                    Robert A. Kindler, Esq.
                    Cravath, Swaine & Moore
                    Worldwide Plaza
                    825 Eighth Avenue
                    38th Floor
                    New York, NY 10019-7475
                    (212) 474-1640 (telephone)
                    (212) 765-1047 (telecopier)

               (b)  If to Parent or Merger Sub, to:

                    Foundation Health Systems, Inc.
                    225 North Main
                    Pueblo, CO 81003
                    Attn: General Counsel
                    (719) 585-8077 (telephone)
                    (719) 585-8175 (telecopier)

                    with a copy to:

                    Charles W. Mulaney, Jr., Esq.
                    Gary P. Cullen, Esq.
                    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois)
                    333 West Wacker Drive
                    Suite 2100
                    Chicago, IL 60606
                    (312) 407-0700 (telephone)
                    (312) 407-0411 (telecopier)

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
or to such other Persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the
party to receive such notice.

          8.5  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Confidentiality
               ----------------                                         
Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede all other prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, among the parties or any of them with
respect to the subject matter hereof.

          8.6  Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and
               -------------------                                           
inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective permitted
successors and assigns.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is
intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any rights, benefits or
remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement;
                                                                       
provided, however, that the provisions of Section 5.9 shall inure to the benefit
- --------  -------                                                               
of and be enforceable by the Indemnified Parties.

          8.7  Amendment and Waivers.  Any term or provision of this Agreement
               ---------------------                                          
may be amended, and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived
(either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively) only by a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby.  The
waiver by a party of any breach hereof or default in the performance hereof
shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any other default or any
succeeding breach or default, unless such waiver so expressly states.  At any
time before or after the Company Stockholder Approval and prior to the Effective
Time, this Agreement may be amended or supplemented by the parties hereto with
respect to any of the terms contained in this Agreement, except that following
the Company Stockholder Approval there shall be no amendment or change to the
provisions hereof with respect to the Merger Consideration without further
approval by the stockholders of the Company, and no other amendment shall be
made which by law requires further approval by such stockholders without such
further approval.

          8.8  Certain Definitions.  As used herein:
               -------------------                  

          (a)  "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any adverse change in or
                -----------------------                                     
effect on the financial condition, business or results of operations of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, as the
case may be, which is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, or Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as the case may be,
other than any change or effect relating to the United States economy in general
or to

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
the health care industry in general and not specifically relating to the Company
and its Subsidiaries or to Parent and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be.

          (b)  "Person" shall mean any individual, partnership, firm,
                ------                                               
corporation, association, joint venture, trust or other entity.

          (c)  "Significant Subsidiary" shall mean, when used with  reference to
                ----------------------                                          
any entity, any subsidiary of such entity that constitutes a "significant
subsidiary" within the meaning of Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the
SEC and any Subsidiary that is subject to regulation by any insurance or HMO
regulatory authority.

          (d)  "Subsidiary" shall mean, when used with reference to any entity,
                ----------                                                     
any corporation a majority of the outstanding voting securities of which are
owned directly or indirectly by such former entity.

          8.9  Validity.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
               --------                                                         
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provisions of this Agreement, each of which shall remain in full force and
effect.

          8.10  Captions.  The Article, Section and paragraph captions herein
                --------                                                     
are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement
and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions
hereof.

          8.11  Assignment.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
                ----------                                                
interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in
part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any of the parties without the prior
written consent of the other parties; provided, however, that Parent may assign
                                      --------  -------                        
its rights hereunder to any of its Subsidiaries, provided that no such
assignment shall relieve Parent of its obligations hereunder.  Any assignment in
violation of the preceding sentence shall be void.

          8.12  Disclosure Schedules.  Matters reflected on the Company
                --------------------                                   
Disclosure Schedule and the Parent Disclosure Schedule are not necessarily
limited to matters required by this Agreement to be reflected therein and the
inclusion of such matters shall not be deemed an admission that such matters
were required to be reflected on the Company Disclosure Schedule or the Parent
Disclosure Schedule, as the case may be. Such additional matters are set forth
for

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
informational purposes only and do not necessarily include other matters of a
similar nature.

          8.13  Specific Performance.  The parties agree that irreparable damage
                --------------------                                            
would occur and that the parties would not have any adequate remedy at law in
the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is
accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any Federal court located in the
State of Delaware or in Delaware state court, this being in addition to any
other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first
above written.

                          PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC.



                          By: /s/ Robert L. Natt
                             __________________________________
                          Name: Robert L. Natt
                          Title:


                          FOUNDATION HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC.



                          By: /s/ Jay M. Gellert
                             __________________________________
                          Name: Jay M. Gellert
                          Title: President and Chief Operating Officer


                          PHS ACQUISITION CORP.



                          By: /s/ B. Curtis Westen
                             __________________________________
                          Name: B. Curtis Westen
                          Title: Senior Vice President, General
                                 Counsel & Secretary

                                       48

<PAGE>

                                                                EXHIBIT 4

 
                                                                  CONFORMED COPY

                    AMENDMENT dated as of May 8, 1997, to the Rights Agreement
               dated as of February 21, 1995, (the "Rights Agreement") between
               PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC. (the "Company") and AMERICAN
               STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Rights Agent (the "Rights
               Agent").

                                    Recitals
                                    --------

          A.  The Company and the Rights Agent are parties to the Rights
Agreement.

          B.  Foundation Health Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("FHS"),
PHS Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of FHS
("Merger Sub") and the Company have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
(the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which Merger Sub would be merged (the
"Merger") with and into the Company.

          C.  Pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement and in accordance
with Section 27 thereof, the following actions are hereby taken:

          Section 1.  Amendment of Section 1(a).  The definition of "Acquiring
                      --------------------------                              
Person" in Section 1(a) is amended by adding the following sentence at the end
thereof:

          "Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, neither FHS nor
     any of its wholly owned subsidiaries shall be deemed to be an Acquiring
     Person solely as a result of the approval, execution or delivery of the
     Merger Agreement or the Voting Trust Agreement or the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the Voting Trust
     Agreement."

          Section 2.  Amendment of Section 1(j).  The definition of
                      --------------------------                   
"Distribution Date" in Section 1(j) is amended by adding the following sentence
at the end thereof:

          "Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, a Distribution
     Date shall not be deemed to have occurred solely as the result of the
     approval, execution or delivery of the Merger Agreement or the Voting Trust
     Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
     Merger Agreement or the Voting Trust Agreement."

          Section 3.  Amendment of Section 1(r).  The definition of "Stock
                      --------------------------                          
Acquisition Date" in Section 1(r) is amended by adding the following sentence at
the end thereof:

          "Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, a Stock
     Acquisition Date shall not be deemed to have occurred solely as the result
     of the approval, execution or delivery of the Merger Agreement or the
     Voting Trust Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
     by the Merger Agreement or the Voting Trust Agreement."

          Section 4.  Amendment of Section 1(l).  Section 1(l) of the Rights
                      --------------------------                            
Agreement is amended and restated to read as follows:

          "(l)(i) "Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
     Section 7 hereof.
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               2


          (l)(ii) "FHS" shall mean Foundation Health Systems, Inc., a Delaware
     Corporation.

          (l)(iii) "GBIPA" shall mean Greater Bridgeport Individual Practice
     Association, Inc.

          (l)(iv) "Merger Agreement" shall mean the Agreement and Plan of Merger
     dated as of May 8, 1997, by and among FHS, Merger Sub and the Company, as
     amended from time to time.

          (l)(v) "Merger Sub" shall mean PHS Acquisition Corp., a Delaware
     corporation and  wholly owned subsidiary of FHS."

          Section 5.  Addition of Section 1(t).  Section 1 is amended by adding
                      -------------------------                                
the following subsection (t) at the end thereof:

          "(t) Voting Trust Agreement" shall mean the Voting Trust Agreement
     dated as of May 8, 1997, between GBIPA, the Company and American Stock
     Transfer & Trust Company (the "Voting Trustee"), as amended from time to
     time."

          Section 6.  Amendment of Section 7(a).  Section 7(a) is amended by:
                      --------------------------                             

          (a) deleting the word "or" immediately before clause (iii) and
     inserting "," in its place; and

          (b) deleting the "." at the end of clause (iii) and inserting in its
     place "or (iv) the effective time of the merger of the Company with and
     into Merger Sub, pursuant to the Merger Agreement."

          Section 7.  Addition of Section 34.  A new Section 34 is added as
                      -----------------------                              
follows:

          "Section 34.  Merger with FHS.  Notwithstanding any provision herein
                        ----------------                                      
     to the contrary, neither FHS nor any of its wholly owned subsidiaries shall
     be considered an Acquiring Person under this Rights Agreement, no
     Distribution Date or Stock Acquisition Date shall occur, and no Rights
     shall be exercisable pursuant to Section 7, Section 11 or any other
     provision hereof, solely as a result of the approval, execution or delivery
     of the Merger Agreement or the Voting Trust Agreement or the consummation
     of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the Voting
     Trust Agreement.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give any
     holder of Rights or any other Person any legal or equitable right, remedy
     or claim under this Agreement in connection with the Merger Agreement or
     the Voting Trust Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the Voting Trust Agreement."

          Section 8.  Full Force and Effect.  This Amendment shall be deemed
                      ----------------------                                
effective as of May 8, 1997 as if executed on such date.  Except as expressly
amended hereby, the Rights Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and
shall be otherwise unaffected hereby.
<PAGE>
 
                                                                               3

          Section 9.  Governing Law; Counterparts; Severability.  This Amendment
                      ------------------------------------------                
shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Delaware
and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely
within such State.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts
and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an
original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the
same instrument.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this
Amendment or applicable to this Amendment is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Amendment
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated.


          EXECUTED as of the date set forth above.


                         PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC.,

                           By
                             /s/ Robert L. Natt
                             -----------------------------------------------
                           Name:    Robert L. Natt
                           Title:   President and Co-Chief Executive Officer


                         AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,

                           By
                             /s/ Herbert J. Lemmer
                             -----------------------------------------------
                           Name:    Herbert J. Lemmer
                           Title:   Vice President

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          23,286
<SECURITIES>                                    92,612
<RECEIVABLES>                                   41,897
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,634
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               191,373
<PP&E>                                          85,069
<DEPRECIATION>                                  16,762
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 273,217
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          175,531
<BONDS>                                              0
                               58
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                      96,496
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   273,217
<SALES>                                        149,253
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               151,058
<CGS>                                          127,159
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  127,159
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                22,873
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,026
<INCOME-TAX>                                       380
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                646
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .07
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                                                                EXHIBIT 99

 
                  [Letterhead of Physican's Health Services]
                                                                    NEWS RELEASE


                FIRST QUARTER RESULTS SHOW IMPROVED FINANCIAL 
               PERFORMANCE FOR PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            CONTACT:  ALICE FERREIRA
                                           DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
                                           (203) 225-8836
                                 E-MAIL: [email protected]


SHELTON, CT., MAY 8, 1997 - Physicians Health Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:
PHSV)(PHS) today released first quarter results that showed strong gains in
total enrollment and premium revenues and a sharp improvement in the Company's
financial performance, with the first quarter reflecting a profit after three
consecutive quarters of losses.

     Premium revenues for the quarter totaled $149,253,000, which represents a
33.5% increase over the $111,820,000 in premium revenues reported for the first
quarter of 1996.  Net income for the quarter was $646,000 or $.07 per share,
compared to net income of $866,000 or $.09 per share reported for the same
quarter of 1996.

     "These results reflect the strong demand for PHS's quality health care
services as well as the success of several business initiatives that were
implemented in 1996 to deal with the increased costs associated with serving a
larger enrollment," said PHS President Robert L. Natt.

Natt said the "corrective steps" taken by the company in 1996 included
renegotiating more favorable contracts with providers, increasing the number of
medical directors on the Company's medical management team, and expanding the
Company's staff of Registered Nurses.  PHS also added a 24-hour nurse advice and
triage service called CareWise to direct members to the most appropriate level
of care.

                                    --MORE--
<PAGE>
 
2-2-2-2 PHS REPORTS STRONG FIRST QUARTER 1997 RESULTS

     In a separate news release, Foundation Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE:FHS)
announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to purchase PHS for
$29.25 per share.  The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions,
including receipt of regulatory approvals and entering into certain agreements
with The Guardian.

     Natt said the acquisition will make PHS part of a national health care plan
with more than 880,000 members in the New York tri-state market.

     "This acquisition will allow us to continue our marketing and enrollment
momentum, build an even stronger presence in the markets we now serve, and
expand into new markets that offer us great potential for the future, " Natt
said.

     FHS expects that Mr. Natt and Paul M. Philpott, currently senior vice
president and chief marketing officer for PHS will continue to run PHS and
direct FHS's operations in the Greater New York area.

     The announcement came as PHS reported that total enrollment at the end of
the first quarter was 441,335, a 37.6% increase over the same quarter in 1996.
A breakdown of PHS products at the end of the quarter showed 196,810 members
were enrolled in PHS's proprietary commercial products; 138,107 members were
enrolled through Healthcare Solutions, PHS's joint venture with The Guardian
Life Insurance Company of America; 24,270 members were enrolled in PHS's
Medicaid programs; and 13,525 members were enrolled in PHS's Medicare programs.

Additionally, 68,623 members were enrolled in PHS's ASO programs.

                                   ---MORE---
<PAGE>
 
3-3-3-3 PHS REPORTS STRONG FIRST QUARTER 1997 RESULTS

     During the first quarter, the Company's overall Medical Loss Ratio was
86.2%, compared with the 85.3% Medical Loss Ratio reported in the same quarter
in 1996.  Hospital bed days for the first quarter of 1997 were 258 per thousand
members compared with 288 per thousand members for the first quarter of 1996.

     Physicians Health Services Inc., is a full-service health plan serving
441,335 members in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.  With over 30,000
providers in its New York tri-state network, PHS is one of only a few health
plans to receive full, three-year accreditation from the National Committee for
Quality Assurance (NCQA).  According to a recent nationwide study published by
U.S. News and World Report, PHS received the highest rating of any health plan
serving the New York metropolitan area market.  PHS was also rated the top
health plan in New York and Connecticut in a 1996 survey of patients, employers,
and providers conducted by the health care consulting firm, Watson Wyatt
Worldwide.  Additional information about PHS is available on the Internet at
http://www.phshmo.com.
                                     # # #

EDITOR'S NOTE: A separate news release on FHS's acquisition of PHS is being
distributed by FHS (NYSE: FHS). For additional information, contact David Olson
at (818) 719-6978 , [email protected].
<PAGE>
 
              PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
                    (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
                                                                         Three Months Ended 
                                                                              March 31,
                                                                 --------------------------------
                                                                      1997                1996
                                                                 --------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>                  <C>
        REVENUES:                                                    
          Premiums                                                    $149,253           $111,820
          Investment and Other Income                                    1,805              1,666
                                                                      --------           --------
                                                                       151,058            113,486
                                                                                        
        COSTS AND EXPENSES:                                                             
          Hospital Services                                             49,060             39,655
          Physicians and Related Health Care Services                   62,019             40,938
          Other Health Care Services                                    16,080             10,719
          Indemnity Costs                                                   --              2,633
                                                                      --------           --------
          Total Health Care Costs                                      127,159             93,945
                                                                      --------           --------

          Selling, General and Administrative Expenses                  22,874             18,322

                                                                      --------           --------
                                                                       150,032            112,266
                                                                      --------           --------

       Income Before Income Taxes                                        1,026              1,220
       Income Tax Expense                                                  380                354
                                                                      --------           --------
       NET INCOME                                                     $    646                866
                                                                      ========           ========

       Net Income Per Common Share                                   $    0.07           $   0.09 
                                                                     =========           ========
       Weighted Average Number of Common
       Shares and Common Stock Equivalents Outstanding                   9,376              9,536
                                                                     =========           ========
       Operating Statistics:

          Enrollment (end of period)                                   441,335            320,660
          Annualized Hospital Days Per Thousand (1)                        258                288
          Medical Loss Ratio (2)                                          86.2%              85.3%
</TABLE> 

(1) For commercial products only. Excludes all government products.             
(2) Health care expenses as a percentage of premium revenues excluding self-
    funded revenues.
<PAGE>
 
               PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              March 31,  December 31,
                                                1997        1996
                                              ---------  ------------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>
ASSETS:
- ------
   Cash & Marketable Securities                $115,898     $ 98,329
   Accounts Receivable                           74,143       69,309
   Other Current Assets                           1,085        1,554
                                               --------     --------
       Current Assets                           191,126      169,192
                                               --------     --------
   Property, Plant & Equipment, Net              68,307       67,046
   Other Assets                                  13,537       13,658
                                               --------     --------
       Noncurrent Assets                         81,844       80,704
                                               --------     --------
TOTAL ASSETS                                   $272,970     $249,896
                                               ========     ======== 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- ------------------------------------

   Accrued Expenses & Payables                 $146,595     $124,690
   Unearned Premiums                             28,688       27,757
                                               --------     --------
        Current Liabilities                     175,283      152,447
   Other Liabilities                              1,132        1,162
                                               --------     --------
   Total Liabilities                            176,415      153,609
   Stockholders' Equity                          96,555       96,287
                                               --------     --------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity     $272,970     $249,896
                                               ========     ========

</TABLE>
<PAGE>

               PHYSICIANS HEALTH SERVICES, INC, AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
                        HEALTH PLAN MEMBERS BY PLAN TYPE
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>      <C>      <C>
                                3/31/97  3/31/96  12/31/96
                                -------  -------  --------
INSURED
 
    COMMERCIAL                  196,810  158,330   184,779
    HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS        138,107   66,378   112,566
    MEDICARE                     13,525    9,893    11,548
    MEDICAID                     24,270   16,656    23,470
                                -------  -------  --------
TOTAL INSURED                   372,712  251,257   332,363
                                -------  -------  --------

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ONLY     68,623   69,403    67,658
                                -------  -------  --------
TOTAL MEMBERS                   441,335  320,660   400,021
                                =======  =======  ========
</TABLE>



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