-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, VI7d7WY7x7nmisF2IeLx1xO2/4pmm7SN74PykVNMBEgmnBEZAqq8N4n6D6uRexkV 9RpnZx10yPyr1P3uXjh9Sw== 0000950124-98-007417.txt : 19981216 0000950124-98-007417.hdr.sgml : 19981216 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950124-98-007417 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-8 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 FILED AS OF DATE: 19981215 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 19981215 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000812910 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411] IRS NUMBER: 363307583 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-8 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-68943 FILM NUMBER: 98769931 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3200 HIGHLAND AVE STREET 2: HEALTH COMPARE CORP CITY: DOWNERS GROVE STATE: IL ZIP: 60515 BUSINESS PHONE: 6302417900 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3200 HIGHLAND AVENUE STREET 2: 3200 HIGHLAND AVENUE CITY: DOWNERS GROVE STATE: IL ZIP: 60515 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: HEALTHCARE COMPARE CORP/DE/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 S-8 1 FORM S-8 1 As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 1998. Registration No. 333-________ ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 __________ FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 _________ FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 36-3307583 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 3200 HIGHLAND AVENUE, DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS 60515 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP. 1998 DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN (Full title of the plan) WILLIAM M. HOLZMAN, ESQ. NEAL, GERBER & EISENBERG 2 NORTH LASALLE STREET CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60602 (Name and address of agent for service) (312) 269-8000 (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE ================================================================================ Proposed Maximum Amount of Title of Securities Aggregate Registration To be Registered Offering Price Fee (1) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stock, par value $.01 per share $ 3,100,000.00 $862.00 ================================================================================ (1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the average of the high and low prices of the Company's Common Stock as reported by NASDAQ National Market System on December 14, 1998. 2 PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The following documents are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference: 1. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, as amended by Form 10-K/A as filed June 5, 1998. 2. The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998. 3. The description of the Company's Common Stock set forth under the caption "Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered" in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A (No. 0-15846) filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any reports or amendments to the foregoing filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of updating such description. 4. All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and before the Company files a post-effective amendment hereto which indicates that all shares of Common Stock being offered pursuant to this Registration Statement have been sold or which deregisters all shares of Common Stock then remaining unsold. ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES Not Applicable. ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL Burton W. Kanter, a director of the Company and a member of the Audit Committee, is of counsel to the law firm of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, which firm performs legal services for the Company on a regular basis. Mr. Kanter holds options to purchase an aggregate of 72,000 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the 1991 Directors' Stock Option Plan, including 10,000 shares at an exercise price of $8.6250 per share, 8,000 shares at an exercise price of $13.3125 per share, 8,000 shares at an exercise price of $7.3750 per share, II-1 3 8,000 shares at an exercise price of $9.6875 per share, 8,000 shares at an exercise price of $6.2500 per share, 10,000 shares at an exercise price of $23.5625 per share, 10,000 shares at an exercise price of $22.6875 per share and 10,000 shares at an exercise price of $29.5625 per share and an option to purchase 400 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $29.5625 per share, which option was granted pursuant to the 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan. Additionally, William M. Holzman, a partner of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, is an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Furthermore, certain partners of and attorneys associated with Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg own shares of Common Stock. ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law empowers the Company to indemnify officers and directors in certain instances. Article Seventh, Section 2 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides as follows: "The directors, as well as the officers, employees and agents of the Company shall be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as the same exists or may hereafter be amended." As a consequence, directors of the Company will be insulated for liability for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including monetary liabilities for negligent or grossly negligent business decisions, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for the payment of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions, or (iv) for transactions in which the director received an improper personal benefit. The exculpation provided with respect to liability by the foregoing is effective for actions taken after April 16, 1987. The By-laws of the Company contain provisions whereby the Company will indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents against liabilities incurred in connection with, and related expenses resulting from, any claim, action or suit brought against such persons as a result of their relationship with the Company's, provided that it is determined that such persons acted in accordance with a stated standard of conduct in connection with the acts or events upon which such claim, action or suit is based. Such determination will be made either by a quorum of disinterested directors, if available, or by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or by the vote of the Company's stockholders. The finding of either criminal or civil liability on the part of such persons in connection with such acts or events is not necessarily determinative of the question of whether such persons have met the required standard of conduct and are, accordingly, entitled to be indemnified. II-2 4 The Company has purchased for the benefit of its officers and directors an insurance policy, whereby the insurance company agrees, among other things, to make payment to the Company in the event any such officer or director becomes legally obligated to make a payment in connection with an alleged wrongful act. Wrongful acts means any breach of duty, neglect, error, misstatement, misleading statement, omission or other act done or wrongfully attempted by an officer or director of the Company. ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED Not Applicable. ITEM 8. EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Description of Document Page No. - -------- ----------------------- -------- 4 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan................................ 5 Opinion of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg........................... 23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.... 23.2 Consent of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg (included in Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement) 24 Powers of Attorney.................. ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS The undersigned hereby undertakes: 1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement. 2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), each post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the II-3 5 offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. 4. That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Act, each filing of the Company's annual report pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 5. To deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each employee to whom the prospectus is sent or given, a copy of the Company's annual report to stockholders for its last fiscal year, unless such employee has otherwise received a copy of such report, in which case the Company shall state in the prospectus that it will promptly furnish, without charge, a copy of such report on the written request of the employee. If the last fiscal year of the Company has ended within 120 days prior to the use of the prospectus, the annual report of the Company for the preceding fiscal year may be so delivered, but within such 120-day period the annual report for the last fiscal year will be furnished to each such employee. 6. To transmit or cause to be transmitted to all employees participating in the plan who do not otherwise receive such material as stockholders of the Company, at the time and in the manner as such material is sent to its stockholders, copies of all reports, proxy statements and other communications distributed to its stockholders generally. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the By-laws of the Company or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel II-4 6 the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. SIGNATURES ---------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Downers Grove, State of Illinois, on the 15th day of December, 1998. FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation By: /s/ Joseph E. Whitters ------------------------------------ Joseph E. Whitters, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer II-5 7 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 15th of December, 1998. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Thomas J. Pritzker* Chairman of the Board and - ---------------------------------- Director Thomas J. Pritzker /s/ James C. Smith President, Chief Executive Officer - ---------------------------------- and Director (Principal Executive James C. Smith Officer) /s/ Ronald H. Galowich* Secretary and Director - ---------------------------------- Ronald H. Galowich /s/ Joseph E. Whitters Vice President, Finance and Chief - ---------------------------------- Financial Officer (Principal Joseph E. Whitters Accounting and Principal Financial Officer) /s/ Daniel S. Brunner* Executive Vice President and - ---------------------------------- Director Daniel S. Brunner /s/ Michael J. Boskin* - ---------------------------------- Director Michael J. Boskin, Ph.D. /s/ - ---------------------------------- Director Robert S. Colman /s/ Harold S. Handelsman* - ---------------------------------- Director Harold S. Handelsman /s/ Burton W. Kanter* - ---------------------------------- Director Burton W. Kanter /s/ Don Logan* - ---------------------------------- Director Don Logan /s/ David E. Simon* - ---------------------------------- Director David E. Simon *By: /s/ Joseph E. Whitters ----------------------------- Joseph E. Whitters, Attorney-in-fact II-6 EX-4 2 1998 DIRECTOR'S STOCK OPTION PLAN 1 EXHIBIT 4 --------- FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP. 1998 DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN 1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Plan is to aid First Health Group Corp. (the "Corporation"), in securing individuals to serve on its Board of Directors, and to provide financial incentives to such directors to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Corporation. 2. ADMINISTRATION. (a) A Stock Option Committee (the "Committee") of two or more persons shall be appointed by the Board of Directors from time to time to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors with full power and authority, subject to such orders or resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan as may from time to time be issued or adopted by the Board of Directors, to interpret the provisions and supervise the administration of this Plan. Each member of the Committee shall be a "Non-Employee Director" as determined under Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (b) In accordance with the provisions of this Plan and subject to Board approval, the Committee shall administer this Plan in accordance with the criteria set forth herein in a manner consistent with Rule 16b-3(d), or any successor rule hereafter promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall have authority to adopt administrative regulations and procedures which are consistent with the terms of this Plan; to adopt and amend option agreements as they deem advisable; to determine, upon Board approval, the terms and provisions of such option agreements (except with respect to the number of shares covered by an option granted to an optionee, the date of grant, the option period and the option price); and, subject to the provisions hereof, to construe and interpret such option agreements; to impose such limitations and restrictions as are deemed necessary or advisable by counsel for the Corporation so that compliance with the Federal securities and tax laws and with the securities laws of the various states may be assured; and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for administering this Plan. The Committee may designate any officers or employees of the Corporation to assist the Committee in the administration of this Plan and to execute documents on its behalf, and the Committee may delegate to them such other ministerial and limited discretionary duties as it sees fit. All determinations and selections made by the Committee shall be by the affirmative vote of a majority of its members, but any determination reduced to writing and signed by a majority of the members shall be fully as effective as if it had been made by a majority vote at a meeting duly called and held. (c) Each option shall be evidenced by a written instrument duly executed by the Corporation and optionee which shall contain such terms and conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as the 2 Committee, with the approval of counsel for the Corporation, shall determine; provided, however, that such terms need not be identical as between any two agreements. (d) All decisions made by the Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of this Plan and all determinations and selections made by the Committee pursuant to such provisions and related orders or resolutions of the Board of Directors shall be final and conclusive. 3. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. The group of persons eligible to receive options shall consist of the Chairman of the Board of the Corporation and members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation who are not also employees or officers of the Corporation. 4. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. The stock subject to the Plan shall be shares of the Corporation's authorized common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), and may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in its sole discretion. Subject to adjustment as provided in paragraph 11 hereof, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered upon exercise of all options granted pursuant hereto shall not exceed 100,000. If an option expires or terminates for any reason during the term of the Plan and prior to the exercise thereof in full, the shares subject to, but not delivered under, such option shall, except as hereinafter provided, be available for options thereafter granted. 5. GRANT OF OPTIONS. (a) The Chairman of the Board and each director who is not also an employee or officer of the Corporation shall, each year on the date of the Board meeting immediately following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation (the "Grant Date"), be granted an option to purchase 4,000 shares of Common Stock. In addition to the foregoing, each year on the Grant Date (i) the Chairman of the Board shall be granted an option to purchase an additional 10,000 shares of Common Stock, (ii) the Chairman of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Committee on Directors Affairs shall each be granted an option to purchase an additional 1,000 shares of Common Stock. (b) The Committee is authorized to grant options to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock determined by the Committee on a discretionary basis to non-employee directors upon their election to the Board. (c) Notice of the grant of options under this Plan shall be given to each optionee to whom an option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant. 6. OPTIONS TO BE GRANTED. Options granted under this Plan are intended to be "nonstatutory options" and are not intended to -2- 3 be "incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). 7. OPTION PRICE; FAIR MARKET VALUE. Options granted hereunder shall have a per share exercise price of 100% of the "fair market value" of a share of Common Stock on (i) the Grant Date in the case of options granted under Section 5(a) or (ii) the date of grant in the case of options granted under Section 5(b). For purposes of this Plan, "fair market value" of a share of Common Stock shall mean: (i) if the Common Stock is traded on a national stock exchange on the Grant Date of such option, fair market value shall be the closing price reported by the applicable composite transactions report on such day, or if the Common Stock is not traded on such date, the mean between the closing bid-and-asked prices thereof on such exchange; (ii) if the Common Stock is traded over-the-counter and is classified as a national market issue on the Grant Date of such option, fair market value shall be the last reported transaction price quoted by the NASDAQ on that day; (iii) if the Common Stock is traded over-the-counter and is not classified as a national market issue on the Grant Date of such option, fair market value shall be the mean between the last representative bid-and-asked prices quoted by the NASDAQ on that day; or (iv) if none of the foregoing provisions is applicable, fair market value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate. In all cases, the determination of fair market value shall be binding and conclusive on all persons. 8. TERM AND EXERCISE OF OPTIONS. (a) Options shall be exercisable in such installments and at such times as may be fixed by the Committee at the time of grant, but no option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant of such option; provided, however, that by a resolution adopted after an option is granted, the Committee may, subject to Board approval, accelerate the time at which such option or any portion thereof may be exercised. Unless otherwise provided in the option agreement, an option granted under this Plan may be exercised in whole or in part; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not be required to issue fractional shares. (b) No option shall be granted hereunder and no option granted hereunder shall be exercisable, unless, at the time of any grant or exercise of an option, such grant or exercise is in full compliance with all Federal and state securities laws. Upon the exercise of an option, the optionee shall be required to make payment in full to the Corporation of the exercise price therefor (and any required tax withholding payment) (i) in cash or cash equivalent payment, and/or (ii) with previously acquired shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash or cash equivalent and shares of Common Stock having an aggregate fair market value equal to the purchase price (and any required tax withholding payment). As a -3- 4 condition to the exercise of an option, the Corporation may require the person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares of Common Stock are being purchased for investment purposes only and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares of Common Stock. Purchase of the shares of Common Stock shall be accompanied by a written request for the shares of Common Stock purchased with such payment and written request to be made to the Secretary of the Corporation. No holder of any option, or such holder's legal representative, legatee, or distributee shall be or be deemed to be a holder of any shares of Common Stock subject to such option unless and until such person has received a certificate or certificates therefor. If, on the date on which any option granted hereunder is exercised, a registration statement relating to the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Plan is not in effect, the certificate evidencing shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of such option shall contain upon its face, or on the reverse thereof, the following legend: "These shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any applicable state law. They may not be offered for sale, sold, transferred, or pledged without (1) registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any applicable state law, or (2) an opinion (satisfactory to the corporation) that registration is not required." (c) The proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of shares of Common Stock subject to an option are to be added to the general funds of the Corporation and used for general business purposes as the Board of Directors shall, in its sole discretion, determine. 9. TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. Options granted under this Plan may not be transferred except (a) by will, (b) pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution, (c) pursuant to a domestic relations order (as defined in the Code) or (d) if permitted by an optionee's option agreement, to members of the immediate family of such optionee or certain trusts for the benefit of such optionee or partnerships in which such optionee's family are the only partners, and are exercisable, during the lifetime of the optionee, only by the optionee. 10. DEATH, DISABILITY, RETIREMENT OR TERMINATION OF DIRECTORSHIP. Any option, the exercise period of which has not theretofore expired, shall terminate at the time of an optionee's death, the optionee's disability or the termination of an optionee's service as a director of the Corporation, and no shares of Common Stock may thereafter be delivered upon the exercise of such option except as set forth below: (a) In the case of any optionee who has served as a director continuously from the date of grant to the date of termination due to disability (as defined in Section 22(e) (3) of the Code), such optionee may, within two years (or such shorter period of time as -4- 5 is specified in the Option Agreement) after the date of such termination but before the expiration of the original exercise period, purchase some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to an option outstanding immediately prior to such termination, to the extent the optionee was then entitled to exercise such option immediately prior thereto; (b) Upon the death of any optionee while serving as a director or of any disabled or retired director within two years of termination of service as a director (or such shorter period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement), the person or persons to whom such optionee's rights under the option are transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution may within two years after the date of death, but before the expiration of the original exercise period, purchase some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to an option outstanding immediately prior to such date of death, to the extent the optionee was then entitled to exercise such option immediately prior thereto; and (c) In the case of any optionee who has been a director continuously from the date of grant to the date of termination of service as a director and whose position as a director is terminated due to retirement, resignation, removal, failure to be nominated by the Board of Directors for re-election or failure to be re-elected by the stockholders of the Corporation, such optionee may, within two years after the date of any such termination not "due to cause" (or such shorter period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement) but before the expiration of the original exercise period, purchase some or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to an option outstanding immediately prior to such retirement, resignation or termination, to the extent the optionee was then entitled to exercise such option immediately prior to retirement, resignation or termination; provided, however, in the case of a termination "due to cause", all outstanding options of the optionee shall be cancelled and terminated as of the date on which such optionee is given notice of termination. For purposes of this Plan, termination "due to cause" shall mean, in the reasonable belief of the Committee, the breach of a duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders or the commission of fraud, embezzlement or theft against the Corporation, employees of the Corporation or a customer or business associate of the Corporation. 11. CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK. In the event that, prior to the delivery by the Corporation of all of the shares of Common Stock which may be delivered hereunder and after the effective date of the Plan, there shall be any change in the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation by reason of any recapitalization, merger, reorganization, consolidation, split-up, stock dividend or stock right distribution, the number and kind of shares deliverable hereunder and the option price, etc. shall be adjusted (but without regard to fractions) in a fair and equitable manner by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination in each case shall be conclusive and binding on the Corporation and the optionee and such optionee's legal representative. -5- 6 12. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. No person participating in this Plan shall have any rights of a stockholder of the Company as to shares of Common Stock subject to an option until such option is exercised and certificates representing such shares of Common Stock are received by such optionee. 13. IMPLIED CONSENT OF PARTICIPANTS. Every optionee, by acceptance of an option under this Plan, shall be deemed to have consented to be bound, on such optionee's own behalf and on behalf of such optionee's heirs, assigns and legal representatives, by all of the terms and conditions of this Plan. 14. THE CORPORATION'S RESPONSIBILITY. All expenses of this Plan, including the cost of maintaining records hereunder, shall be borne by the Corporation. The Corporation shall have no responsibility or liability (other than under applicable securities laws) for any act or thing done or left undone with respect to the price, time, quantity, or other conditions and circumstances of the purchase of shares under the terms of this Plan, so long as the Corporation acts in good faith. 15. AMENDMENT AND DISCONTINUANCE. The Board of Directors may alter, suspend, or discontinue this Plan at any time and from time to time, without obtaining the approval of the Corporation's stockholders, but may not, without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Corporation's outstanding capital stock, make any alteration or amendment thereof which operates to increase the total number of shares of Common Stock for which an option or options may be granted under the Plan. No amendment to or termination of this Plan shall affect outstanding options theretofore granted under this Plan, and such options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been amended or terminated. 16. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Plan shall be effective as of May 19, 1998. 17. TERMINATION. The period during which options may be granted under this Plan expires on May 19, 2008 unless this Plan is terminated by the Board of Directors prior to such date. -6- EX-5 3 OPINION OF NEAL, GERBER & EISENBERG 1 EXHIBIT 5 NEAL, GERBER & EISENBERG 2 NORTH LASALLE STREET SUITE 2200 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60602 (312) 269-8000 December 14, 1998 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: First Health Group Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-8 ---------------------------------- Ladies and Gentleman: We are counsel to First Health Group Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") relating to the issuance pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") of up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock"), of the Company. As such counsel, we have examined the Plan, the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the Amended and Restated By-laws, as amended, the minute books of the Company, and such other documents as we deemed relevant and necessary as the basis for the opinions hereafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as conformed or photostatic copies. Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (i) the issuance by the Company of up to an aggregate of 200,000 shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of options to be granted pursuant to the Plan has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and (ii) when issued and paid for as described in the Plan and the respective option agreements, such shares will be duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock. 2 Securities and Exchange Commission December 14, 1998 Page 2 We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference of our firm under the caption "Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" in item 5 of the Registration Statement. Please be advised that Burton W. Kanter, of counsel to our firm, is a director of the Company. In addition, William M. Holzman, a partner of our firm, is an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and certain other partners of, and attorneys associated with, our firm own shares of Common Stock. Very truly yours, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg EX-23.1 4 CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP 1 EXHIBIT 23.1 [D&T LETTERHEAD] INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT First Health Group Corp.: We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of First Health Group Corp. on Form S-8 relating to the First Health Group Corp. 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan of our reports dated February 23, 1998, appearing in and incorporated by reference in the Annual report on Form 10-K of First Health Group Corp. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 1997. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Chicago, Illinois December 15, 1998 EX-24 5 POWERS OF ATTORNEY 1 EXHIBIT 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ Don Logan ----------------------------- Don Logan 2 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ Daniel S. Brunner ----------------------------- Daniel S. Brunner 3 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ ------------------------------- Robert S. Colman 4 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ Ronald H. Galowich ---------------------------------- Ronald H. Galowich 5 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ Michael J. Boskin ------------------------------------ Michael J. Boskin, Ph.D. 6 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ Burton W. Kanter ---------------------------------- Burton W. Kanter 7 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ Thomas J. Pritzker ---------------------------------- Thomas J. Pritzker 8 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ David E. Simon ----------------------------- David E. Simon 9 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ James C. Smith --------------------------- James C. Smith 10 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ Joseph E. Whitters ---------------------------------- Joseph E. Whitters 11 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and/or officer of FIRST HEALTH GROUP CORP., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), which is about to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share to be issued upon the exercise of options granted and to be granted pursuant to the Company's 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints James C. Smith, Ronald H. Galowich and Joseph E. Whitters and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign such Registration Statement and any or all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, any post-effective amendments), and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the 14th day of December, 1998. /s/ Harold S. Handelsman ------------------------------------ Harold S. Handelsman -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----