EXHIBIT 4.1
HEALTH BENEFITS AMERICA
1993 STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purposes of this Stock Option Plan are to
attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants of
the Company and its Subsidiaries and to promote the success of the Company's
business. Options granted under the Plan may be incentive stock options (as
defined under Section 422 of the Code) or non-statutory stock options, as
determined by the Administrator at the time of grant of an option and subject
to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
2. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "ADMINISTRATOR" means the Board or any of its Committees appointed
pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d) "COMMITTEE" means the Committee appointed by the Board of Directors in
accordance with paragraph (a) of Section 4 of the Plan.
(e) "COMMON STOCK" means the Common Stock of the Company.
(f) "COMPANY" means Health Benefits America, a Utah corporation.
(g) "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, who is engaged by
the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to render services and is compensated
for such services, and any director of the Company whether compensated for such
services or not, provided that if and in the event the Company registers any
class of any equity security pursuant to the Exchange Act, the term Consultant
shall thereafter not include directors who are not compensated for their
services or are paid only a director's fee by the Company.
(h) "CONTINUOUS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE" means the absence of any
interruption or termination of the employment relationship by the Company or
any Subsidiary. Continuous Status as an Employee shall not be considered
interrupted in the case of: (i) sick leave; (ii) military leave; (iii) any
other leave of absence approved by the Board, provided that such leave
is for a period of not more than ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon
the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute, or unless
provided otherwise pursuant to Company policy adopted from time to time;
or (iv) in the case of transfers between locations of the Company or between
the Company, its Subsidiaries or its successor.
(i) "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including officers and directors, employed
by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. The payment of a
director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient to constitute
"employment" by the Company.
(j) "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(k) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock
determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system including without limitation the
National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") System, its Fair Market Value shall be
the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales
were reported), as quoted on such system or exchange, or the exchange with
the greatest volume of trading in Common Stock, for the last market
trading day prior to the time of determination as reported in THE WALL
STREET JOURNAL or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ System (but not
on the National Market System thereof) or regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market
Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the
Common Stock for the last market trading day prior to the time of
determination or;
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Administrator.
(l) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an Option intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
(m) "NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION" means an Option not intended to qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option.
(n) "OPTION" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(o) "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.
(p) "OPTIONEE" means an Employee or Consultant who receives an Option.
(q) "PARENT" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(r) "PLAN" means this 1993 Stock Option Plan.
(s) "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance
with Section 13 of the Plan.
(t) "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 615 shares of Common Stock. The shares may be authorized,
but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
If an Option should expire or become unexercisable for any reason without
having been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject
thereto shall, unless the Plan shall have been terminated, become available for
future grant under the Plan.
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4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) PROCEDURE.
(i) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
With respect to grants of Options to Employees who are also officers
or directors of the Company, the Plan shall be administered by
(A) the Board if the Board may administer the Plan in compliance
with Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor
thereto ("Rule 16b-3") with respect to a plan intended to qualify
thereunder as a discretionary plan, or (B) a Committee designated by
the Board to administer the Plan, which Committee shall be
constituted in such a manner as to permit the Plan to comply with
Rule 16b-3 with respect to a plan intended to qualify thereunder as
a discretionary plan. Once appointed, such Committee shall continue
to serve in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the
Board. From time to time the Board may increase the size of the
Committee and appoint additional members thereof, remove members
(with or without cause) and appoint new members in substitution
therefor, fill vacancies, however caused, and remove all members of
the Committee and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to
the extent permitted by Rule 16b-3 with respect to a plan intended
to qualify thereunder as a discretionary plan.
(ii) MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES. If permitted by
Rule 16b-3, the Plan may be administered by different bodies with
respect to directors, non-director officers and Employees who are
neither directors nor officers.
(iii) ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO CONSULTANTS AND OTHER
EMPLOYEES. With respect to grants of Options to Employees or
Consultants who are neither directors nor officers of the Company,
the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee
designated by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted in
such a manner as to satisfy the legal requirements relating to the
administration of incentive stock option plans, if any, of Utah
corporate and securities laws and of the Code (the "Applicable
Laws"). Once appointed, such Committee shall continue to serve in
its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board. From
time to time the Board may increase the size of the Committee and
appoint additional members thereof, remove members (with or without
cause) and appoint new members in substitution therefor, fill
vacancies, however caused, and remove all members of the Committee
and thereafter directly administer the Plan, all to the extent
permitted by the Applicable Laws.
(b) POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. Subject to the provisions of the Plan
and in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board to
such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, in
accordance with Section 2(k) of the Plan;
(ii) to select the Consultants and Employees to whom Options may
from time to time be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine whether and to what extent Options are
granted hereunder;
(iv) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each such award granted hereunder;
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(v) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;
(vi) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder;
(vii) to determine whether and under what circumstances an
Option may be settled in cash under subsection 9(f) instead of
Common Stock;
(viii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then
current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock covered by such Option shall have declined since the date the
Option was granted.
(c) EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION. All decisions, determinations
and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of any Options.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted to Employees and
Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. An
Employee or Consultant who has been granted an Option may, if he is otherwise
eligible, be granted an additional Option or Options.
(b) Each Option shall be designated in the written option agreement as
either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the Shares with respect to which Options designated as Incentive Stock
Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any calendar
year (under all plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds
$100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.
(c) For purposes of Section 5(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken
into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value
of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to
such Shares is granted.
(d) THE PLAN SHALL NOT CONFER UPON ANY OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO
CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMPANY, NOR
SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH HIS RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RlGHT TO
TERMINATE HIS EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP AT ANY TIME, WITH OR
WITHOUT CAUSE.
6. TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
shareholders of the Company as described in Section 18 of the Plan. It shall
continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under
Section 14 of the Plan.
7. TERM OF OPTION. The term of each Option shall be the term stated in
the Option Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than
ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be
provided in the Option Agreement. However, in the case of an Option granted to
an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock representing
more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall be five
(5) years from the date of grant thereof or such shorter term as may be
provided in the Option Agreement.
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8. OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.
(a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to
exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Board, but
shall be subject to the following:
(i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
(A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of the grant of such
Incentive Stock Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent
(10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than
110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(B) granted to any Employee, the per Share exercise price shall be
no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of
grant.
(ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option
(A) granted to a person who, at the time of the grant of such
Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary,
the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair
Market Value per Share on the date of the grant.
(B) granted to any person, the per Share exercise price shall be no
less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be
determined by the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock
Option, shall be determined at the time of grant) and may consist
entirely of (1) cash, (2) check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares
which (x) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option
either have been owned by the Optionee for more than six months on the date of
surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to
the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be
exercised, (5) authorization from the Company to retain from the total number
of Shares as to which the Option is exercised that number of Shares having
a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price for the
total number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised, (6) delivery of a
properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as
the Administrator and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an
exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of the sale or loan
proceeds required to pay the exercise price (7) by delivering an irrevocable
subscription agreement for the Shares which irrevocably obligates the Option
holder to take and pay for the Shares not more than twelve months after the
date of delivery of the subscription agreement, (8) any combination of the
foregoing methods of payment, (9) or such other consideration and method of
payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted under Applicable
Laws. In making its determination as to the type of consideration to accept,
the Board shall consider if acceptance of such consideration may be
reasonably expected to benefit the Company.
9. EXERCISE OF OPTION.
(a) PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Any Option granted
hereunder shall be exercisable at such times and under such conditions as
determined by the Board, including performance criteria with respect to the
Company or the Optionee, and as shall be permissible under the terms of the
Plan.
An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
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An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such
exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the
Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the
Company. Full payment may, as authorized by the Board, consist of any
consideration and method of payment allowable under Section 8(b) of the Plan.
Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock
certificate evidencing such Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or
any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned
Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or
cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of the
Option. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the
record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as
provided in Section 12 of the Plan.
Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the
number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the
Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the
Option is exercised.
(b) TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. In the event of termination of an
Optionee's consulting relationship or Continuous Status as an Employee with the
Company (as the case may be), such Optionee may, but only within three
(3) months (or such other period of time as is determined by the Board, with
such determination in the case of an Incentive Stock Option being made at the
time of grant of the Option and not exceeding three (3) months) after the date
of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration date of the term
of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), exercise his Option to
the extent that Optionee was entitled to exercise it at the date of such
termination. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the
Option at the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such
Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option
shall terminate.
(c) DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 9(b) above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's consulting
relationship or Continuous Status as an Employee as a result of his total and
permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee
may, but only within twelve (12) months from the date of such termination (but
in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set
forth in the Option Agreement), exercise the Option to the extent otherwise
entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination. To the extent that
Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or
if Optionee does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the
time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
(d) DEATH OF OPTIONEE. In the event of the death of an Optionee, the
Option may be exercised, at any time within twelve (12) months following the
date of death (but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of
such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), by the Optionee's estate or
by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or
inheritance, but only to the extent the Optionee was entitled to exercise the
Option at the date of death. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to
exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not
exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate.
(e) RULE 16b-3. Options granted to persons subject to Section 16(b) of
the Exchange Act must comply with Rule 16b-3 and shall contain such additional
conditions or restrictions as may be required thereunder to qualify for the
maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to Plan
transactions.
(f) BUYOUT PROVISIONS. The Administrator may at any time offer to buy
out for a payment in cash or Shares an Option previously granted, based on such
terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to
the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.
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10. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. The Option may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.
11. STOCK WITHHOLDING TO SATISFY WITHHOLDING TAX OBLIGATIONS. At the
discretion of the Administrator, Optionees may satisfy withholding obligations
as provided in this paragraph. When an Optionee incurs tax liability in
connection with an Option, which tax liability is subject to tax withholding
under applicable tax laws, and the Optionee is obligated to pay the Company an
amount required to be withheld under applicable tax laws, the Optionee may
satisfy the withholding tax obligation by electing to have the Company withhold
from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option, that number of Shares
having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The
Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date
that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined (the "Tax Date").
All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld for this purpose
shall be made in writing in a form acceptable to the Administrator and shall be
subject to the following restrictions:
(a) the election must be made on or prior to the applicable Tax Date;
(b) once made, the election shall be irrevocable as to the particular
Shares of the Option as to which the election is made;
(c) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of the
Administrator;
(d) if the Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the
election must comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 and shall be
subject to such additional conditions or restrictions as may be required
thereunder to qualify for the maximum exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange
Act with respect to Plan transactions.
In the event the election to have Shares withheld is made by an Optionee
and the Tax Date is deferred under Section 83 of the Code because no election
is filed under Section 83 (b) of the Code, the Optionee shall receive the full
number of Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised but such
Optionee shall be unconditionally obligated to tender back to the Company the
proper number of Shares on the Tax Date.
12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION OR MERGER.
(a) CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet
been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or
expiration of an Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered
by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting
from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been
"effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by
the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and
conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of
shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of
any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with
respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stork subject to an Option.
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(b) DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. In the event of the proposed dissolution
or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify the Optionee at least
fifteen (15) days prior to such proposed action. To the extent it has not been
previously exercised, the Option will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action.
(c) MERGER. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another
corporation, the Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option shall be
substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such
successor corporation.
13. TIME OF GRANTING OPTIONS. The date of grant of an Option shall, for
all purposes, be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination
granting such Option, or such other date as is determined by the Board. Notice
of the determination shall be given to each Employee or Consultant to whom an
Option is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
14. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
(a) AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. The Board may at any time amend, alter,
suspend or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration, suspension or
discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of any Optionee
under any grant theretofore made without his or her consent. In addition, to
the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange
Act or with Section 422 of the Code (or any other applicable law or regulation,
including the requirements of the NASD or an established stock exchange), the
Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a
manner and to such a degree as required.
(b) EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. Any such amendment or
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not
been amended or terminated, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the
Optionee and the Board, which agreement must be in writing and signed by
the Optionee and the Company.
15. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and
the issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares
may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for
the Company with respect to such compliance.
As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may require the
person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time of any such
exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without
any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the
aforementioned relevant provisions of law.
16. RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body
having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be
necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall
relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell
such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
17. AGREEMENTS. Options shall be evidenced by written agreements in such
form as the Board shall approve from time to time.
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18. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be
obtained in the degree and manner required under applicable state and federal
law.
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