M. Release Agreement. “Release Agreement” means a general waiver, release and agreement a Participant must execute as a condition to receiving severance and other benefits hereunder.
N. Severance Payment Factor. “Severance Payment Factor” means, for each Participant, the number of weeks of severance applicable to such Participant based upon the Participant’s job classification as set forth in the Notice of Participation.
O. Termination Date. “Termination Date” means (i) the date on which the Company delivers notice of termination to the Participant or such later date, not to exceed ninety (90) days, specified in the notice of termination, (ii) in the event the term of employment ends by reason of the Participant’s death, the date of death, or (iii) if the Participant terminates his or her employment with the Company, the date on which the Participant delivers notice of termination to the Company.
P. Transition Period. “Transition Period” means the period beginning on the Effective Date and continuing until the disposition of the Company’s Surgery, Outpatient and Diagnostic Divisions.
ARTICLE III
ELIGIBILITY
A. Waiver. As a condition of receiving benefits under the Plan, an Employee who is so requested by the Company must sign the Release Agreement.
B. Participation in Plan. Each Employee who is designated by the Committee and who receives a Notice of Participation shall be a Participant in the Plan. A Participant shall cease to be a Participant in the Plan upon ceasing to be an Employee unless such Participant is entitled to benefits hereunder. A Participant entitled to benefits hereunder shall remain a Participant in the Plan until the full amount of the benefits have been delivered to the Participant.
ARTICLE IV
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
If a Participant’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason during the Transition Period, he or she may be entitled to severance and other benefits as follows:
A. Involuntary Termination. Subject to paragraph C of this Article IV, if the Company terminates a Participant’s employment other than for Cause, then, subject to the Participant’s obligations under the Release Agreement, if any, the Participant shall be entitled to receive the following severance and other benefits:
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(i) Cash Payments. The Participant shall be entitled to severance equal to the product obtained by multiplying the Participant’s weekly salary then in effect times the Participant’s Severance Payment Factor. Such severance shall be paid to the Participant in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices beginning within fifteen (15) calendar days of the Participant’s Termination Date; provided, however, that the Company may make any payments hereunder in a lump sum.
(ii) Health Plan Coverage. The Participant may elect, to the extent eligible, to continue his or her group health insurance benefits pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (COBRA).
(iii) Other Benefits. The Participant shall be entitled to such other benefits, if any, as may be determined by the Plan Administrator.
B. Other Termination. If (i) the Participant voluntarily resigns from the Company, (ii) the Company terminates the Participant’s employment for Cause, or (iii) the Participant’s employment terminates by reason of his or her Retirement, disability or death, then the Participant shall not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits under this Plan and shall be entitled to benefits (if any) only as may then be established under the Company’s then existing benefit plans and policies at the time of such resignation or termination.
C. Comparable Employment. In the event a Participant is offered employment by any successor to the businesses of the Surgery, Outpatient or Diagnostic Divisions of the Company that the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines to be comparable or better to the Participant, employment with the Company and such position is not located more than 50 miles from the Participant’s primary job location with the Company, no benefits shall be payable hereunder.
ARTICLE V
FUNDING POLICY AND METHOD
Benefits and any administrative expenses arising in connection with the Plan shall be paid as needed solely from the general assets of the Company. No contributions are required from any Participant. This Plan shall not be construed to require the Company to fund any of the benefits provided hereunder nor to establish a trust for such purpose. Participants’ rights against the Company with respect to severance and other benefits provided under this Plan shall be those of general unsecured creditors. No Participant has an interest in his or her severance or other benefits under this Plan until the Participant actually receives a payment.
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ARTICLE VI
CLAIMS PROCEDURE
The Plan Administrator shall notify any person or entity that makes a claim against the Plan (the “Claimant”) in writing, within 90 days of Claimant’s written application for benefits, or his or her eligibility or noneligibility for benefits under the Plan. If the Plan Administrator determines that the Claimant is not eligible for benefits or full benefits, the notice shall set forth (1) the specific reasons for such denial, (2) a specific reference to the provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based, (3) any internal protocols the Plan Administrator relied upon in making its determination, (4) the right to review any documents created or received by the Plan Administrator during the review process and documents relevant to the claim whether or not relied upon by the Plan Administrator, (5) a description of any additional information or material necessary for the Claimant to perfect his or her claim and a description of why it is needed, and (6) an explanation of the Plan’s claims review procedure and other appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the Claimant wishes to have the claim reviewed. If the Plan Administrator determines that there are special circumstances requiring additional time to make a decision, the Plan Administrator shall notify the Claimant of the special circumstances requiring additional time to make a decision, the Plan Administrator shall notify the Claimant of the special circumstances and the date by which a decision is expected to be made, and may extend the time for up to an additional 90 days.
If the Claimant is determined by the Plan Administrator not to be eligible for benefits, or if the Claimant shall have the opportunity to have such claim reviewed by the Plan Administrator by filing a petition for review with the Plan Administrator within 60 days after receipt of the notice issued by the Plan Administrator. Said petition shall state the specific reasons that the Claimant believes entitled him or her to benefits or to greater or different benefits. Within 60 days after receipt by the Plan Administrator of the petition, the Plan Administrator shall afford the Claimant (and counsel, if any) an opportunity to present his or her position to the Plan Administrator verbally or in writing, and the Claimant (or counsel) shall have the right to review the pertinent documents. The Plan Administrator shall notify the Claimant of its decision in writing within such period, stating specifically the basis of its decision, written in a manner to be understood by the Claimant and the specific provisions of the Plan on which the decision is based. If, because of the need for a hearing, the 60-day period is not sufficient, the decision may be deferred for up to another 60 days at the election of the Plan Administrator, but notice of this deferral shall be given to the Claimant.
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ARTICLE VII
EMPLOYMENT STATUS; WITHHOLDING
A Employment Status. This Plan does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Participant or the Company any obligation to retain the Participant as an Employee, to change the status of the Participant’s employment, or to change the Company’s policies regarding termination of employment. The Participant’s employment is and shall continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law. If the Participant’s employment with the Company or a successor entity terminates for any reason, the Participant shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than as provided by this Plan, or as may otherwise be available in accordance with the Company’s established employee plans and practices or other agreements with the Company at the time of termination.
B. Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Plan shall be subject to all applicable reporting obligations and any tax or other contributions required to be withheld under Federal, state or local law.
ARTICLE VIII
SUCCESSORS TO COMPANY AND PARTICIPANTS
A. Company’s Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company’s business or assets shall assume the obligations under this Plan and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Plan by executing a written agreement. For all purposes under this Plan, the term “Company” shall include any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this subsection or which becomes bound by the terms of this Plan by operation of law.
B. Participant’s Successors. All rights of the Participant hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Participant’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
ARTICLE IX
DURATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
| A. | Duration. This Plan shall terminate at the end of the Transition Period. |
B. Plan Amendment. The Board shall have the discretionary authority to amend the Plan in any respect by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board; provided, however, that the Board may not amend the Plan in any way that is adverse to a Plan Participant without the Participant’s written consent.
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ARTICLE X
NOTICE
A. General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of the Participant, mailed notices shall be addressed to him or her at the home address which he or she most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Interim General Counsel.
B. Notice of Termination by the Company. Any termination by the Company of the Participant’s employment with the Company during the Transition Period shall be communicated by a notice of termination to the Participant. Such notice shall indicate the specific termination provision or provisions in this Plan relied upon (if any), shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision or provisions so indicated, and shall specify the Termination Date.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
A. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.
B. No Assignment of Benefits. The rights of any person to payments or benefits under this Plan shall not be made subject to option or assignment, either by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law, including (without limitation) bankruptcy, garnishment, attachment or other creditor’s process, and any action in violation of this subsection shall be void.
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ARTICLE XII
ERISA REQUIRED INFORMATION
| A. | Plan Sponsor. The Plan sponsor is: | | |
| | | | |
| | HealthSouth Corporation One HealthSouth Parkway Birmingham, Alabama 35242 | | |
| | | | |
| B. | Designated Agent. Designated agent for service of process: | | |
| | | | |
| | Interim General Counsel HealthSouth Corporation One HealthSouth Parkway Birmingham, Alabama 35242 | | |
| | | | |
| C. | Plan Records. Plan records are kept on a calendar year basis. | | |
| | | | |
| D. | Plan Funding. The Plan is funded from the Company’s general assets. | | |
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