KARIN D. MAYHEW AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT 10.1

KARIN D. MAYHEW

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October 4, 2006 (the “Effective Date”) and amended and restated as of December 3, 2008, by and between Health Net, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with its principal place of business located at 21650 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, California 91367, and Karin D. Mayhew (“Executive”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive are party to an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated October 4, 2006 (the “Prior Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement to conform it to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance thereunder.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the following covenants, conditions and promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

1. Duties and Salary.

A. Duties. Executive’s title is Senior Vice President, Organization Effectiveness, but may be changed at the discretion of the Company to a title that reflects a similarly situated senior executive position. Executive shall report directly to Jay Gellert, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, but Executive’s reporting relationship may be changed from time to time at the discretion of the Company. Executive’s duties and responsibilities are to provide executive leadership and management of the corporate organization effectiveness functions, but the Company reserves the right to assign Executive other duties as needed and to change Executive’s duties from time to time on reasonable notice, based on Executive’s skills and the needs of the Company.

B. Salary. Executive will be paid an annual base salary of $412,500, which salary will be paid on a pro-rated bi-weekly basis, less applicable withholdings (“Base Salary”), covering all hours worked. Generally, Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed annually, but the Company reserves the right to change Executive’s compensation from time-to-time. Pursuant to the charter of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”), any adjustment to Executive’s compensation must be made with the approval of the Committee and, in the event that Executive constitutes one of the top two (2) highest paid executive officers of the Company, with the ratification of the Company’s Board of Directors.

C. Disclosure of Personal Compensation Information. As an “executive officer” of the Company (as such term is defined in the rules and regulations of the Securities

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and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)), information regarding Executive’s employment arrangements with the Company, including, among other things, the terms of this Agreement and any stock option agreement, restricted stock agreement, restricted stock unit agreement and/or severance agreement Executive enters into with the Company from time to time (collectively, “Personal Compensation Information”), may be disclosed in filings with the SEC, the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and/or other regulatory organizations upon the occurrence of certain triggering events. Such triggering events include, but are not limited to, the execution of this Agreement and any amendments thereto, changes in Executive’s Base Salary, any annual incentive payment (whether in the form of cash or equity) awarded to Executive (in the past or after the date hereof), and the establishment of performance goals under the Company’s incentive plans. Executive’s execution of this Agreement will serve as Executive’s acknowledgement that Executive’s Personal Compensation Information may be publicly disclosed from time to time in filings with the SEC, NYSE or otherwise as required by applicable law.

2. Adjustments and Changes in Employment Status. Executive understands that the Company reserves the right to make personnel decisions regarding Executive’s employment, including, but not limited to, decisions regarding any promotion, salary adjustment, transfer or disciplinary action, up to and including termination, consistent with the needs of the business of the Company.

3. Protection of Proprietary and Confidential Information. Executive agrees that Executive’s employment creates a relationship of confidence and trust with the Company with respect to Proprietary and Confidential Information (as defined below) of the Company learned by Executive during Executive’s employment.

A. Executive agrees not to directly or indirectly use or disclose any of the Proprietary and Confidential Information of the Company or any of its affiliates at any time except in connection with the services Executive provides to such entities. “Proprietary and Confidential Information” shall mean trade secrets, confidential knowledge, data or any other proprietary or confidential information of the Company or any of its affiliates, or of any customers, members, employees or directors of any of such entities, but shall not include any information that (i) was publicly known and made generally available in the public domain prior to the time of disclosure to Executive by the Company or (ii) becomes publicly known and made generally available after disclosure to Executive by the Company other than as a result of a disclosure by Executive in violation of this Agreement. By way of illustration but not limitation, “Proprietary and Confidential Information” includes: (i) trade secrets, documents, memoranda, reports, files, correspondence, lists and other written and graphic records affecting or relating to any such entity’s business; (ii) confidential marketing information including without limitation marketing strategies, customer and client names and requirements, services, prices, margins and costs; (iii) confidential financial information; (iv) personnel information (including without limitation employee compensation); and (v) other confidential business information.

B. Executive further agrees that at all times during Executive’s employment and thereafter, Executive will keep in confidence and trust all Proprietary and Confidential Information, and that Executive will not use or disclose any Proprietary and Confidential Information or anything related to such information without the written consent of the Company, except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing Executive’s duties to the Company.

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C. All Company property, including, but not limited to, Proprietary and Confidential Information, documents, data, records, apparatus, equipment and other physical property, whether or not pertaining to Proprietary and Confidential Information, provided to Executive by the Company or any of its affiliates or produced by Executive or others in connection with Executive’s providing services to the Company or any of its affiliates shall be and remain the sole property of the Company or its affiliates (as the case may be) and shall be returned promptly to such appropriate entity as and when requested by such entity. Executive shall return and deliver all such property upon termination of Executive’s employment, and Executive may not take any such property or any reproduction of such property upon such termination.

D. Executive recognizes that the Company and its affiliates have received and in the future will receive information from third parties which is private, proprietary or confidential information subject to a duty on such entity’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. Executive agrees that during Executive’s employment, and thereafter, Executive owes such entities and such third parties a duty to hold all such private, proprietary or confidential information received from third parties in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it, except as necessary in carrying out Executive’s work for such entities consistent with such entities’ agreements with such third parties, and not to use it for the benefit of anyone other than for such entities or such third parties consistent with such entities’ agreements with such third parties.

E. Executive’s obligations under this Section 3 shall continue after the termination of Executive’s employment and any breach of this Section 3 shall be a material breach of this Agreement.

4. Physical Exam. Executive will be required, on an annual basis, to undergo a physical examination and to send evidence that Executive has undergone such exam (but in no case the results of such exam) to Debbie Colia, Vice President, OE Consulting Services. The Company shall reimburse Executive for any out-of-pocket expenses relating to the physical examination that are not otherwise covered by Executive’s health insurance plan.

5. Representations and Warranties of Executive.

A. No Violation; No Conflicts. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the entering into of this Agreement and Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, will not violate any agreements with, or trade secrets of, any other person or entity. Executive further represents and warrants that Executive does not have any relationship or commitment to any other person or entity that might be in conflict with Executive’s obligations to the Company under this Agreement, including but not limited to outside employment, sales broker relationships, investments or business activities. Executive understands and agrees that while employed by the Company Executive is expected to refrain from engaging in any outside activities that might be in conflict with the business interests of the Company. In addition, Executive represents and warrants to the Company that Executive has not shared with or disclosed to, and will not share with or disclose to, the Company any proprietary or confidential information of Executive’s previous employers or any other third party.

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B. Legal Proceedings. Executive represents and warrants to the Company that Executive has not been arrested, indicted, convicted or otherwise involved in any criminal or civil action or legal matter that could affect Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties hereunder or that may have a negative impact on the Company, its reputation or its operations. Executive agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to notify the Company’s General Counsel immediately in the event that Executive becomes party to any criminal or civil action or other legal matter in the future that could have an affect on the foregoing representation.

6. Executive Benefits.

A. Employee Benefit Programs. Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Company’s various employee benefit programs and plans in place from time to time as long as Executive remains employed by the Company and Executive meets the applicable participation requirements. These benefit programs and plans include paid time off (“PTO”), holidays, group medical, dental, vision, term life, and short and long term disability insurance and participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan, tuition reimbursement plan, deferred compensation plan, and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). Under the SERP Executive is entitled to vest and accrue a retirement benefit of up to 50% of Executive’s Base Salary plus incentive compensation. This SERP benefit is offset with other retirement benefits provided by the Company to Executive and with 50% of Executive’s Social Security benefits. Executive has received credit for one additional year of service under the SERP upon Executive’s completion of five years of service with the Company. The Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates may modify, terminate or amend any benefit or plan in its discretion, retroactively or prospectively, subject only to applicable law.

B. Required Insurance. Executive is covered by workers’ compensation insurance and state disability insurance, as required by state law.

C. Financial Counseling Allowance. Executive is entitled to be reimbursed up to the amount of $5,000 per year for documented costs incurred for personal financial counseling services provided to Executive, including tax preparation, as long as Executive remains employed by the Company.

D. Incentive Bonus. Executive is eligible to participate in the Health Net, Inc. Executive Incentive Plan (“EIP”) in accordance with the terms of the EIP, which provides Executive with a target opportunity to earn each plan year up to 70% of Executive’s Base Salary as additional compensation according to the terms of the actual EIP documents. The bonus payment will range from 0% to 200% of target depending upon the actual results achieved, and specific, individually tailored measures will be established by the Company that must be achieved by Executive in order for Executive to be eligible to receive bonus payments for a given plan year. It is understood that the Committee and the Company will award bonus amounts, if any, as it deems appropriate consistent with the guidelines of the EIP.

E. Car Allowance. Executive is entitled to a car allowance of $1,000 per month.

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F. Expenses. Subject to and in accordance with the Company’s written policies for business and travel expenses, Executive will receive reimbursement for all business travel and other out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by Executive in the performance of Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement.

7. Equity Grants.

A. Future Equity Grants. Any future equity grants made to Executive will be granted under one of the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plans, and will be subject to the terms of such plan and of the agreement executed in connection with such grant. Any future equity grants to Executive will be made at the discretion of the Committee.

B. Company Stock Ownership Requirement. In accordance with the Executive Officer Stock Ownership Policy adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Executive Stock Ownership Policy”), Executive is required to own shares of Common Stock of the Company having a value of one times (1x) Executive’s Base Salary in effect from time to time pursuant to this Agreement (the “Stock Ownership Requirement”). The number of shares of Common Stock Executive is required to own will be calculated based on the average NYSE closing price per share of the Company’s Common Stock (as adjusted for stock splits and similar changes to the Common Stock) for the most recently completed fiscal year of the Company.

Using Executive’s current salary of $412,500 and a stock price of $39.3033, which is the average closing price per share of the Company’s Common Stock as of December 31, 2005, Executive’s current stock ownership requirement is 10,495 (“Target Amount”). The Target Amount is subject to change from time to time based on (1) changes in the average closing sales price of the Company’s Common Stock on an annual basis and (2) any changes in Executive’s Base Salary made pursuant to and in accordance with Section 1B of this Agreement. Any shares of Company Common Stock that Executive owns, and any restricted stock units or shares of restricted stock of the Company that Executive owns and have vested count toward the Target Amount. Stock options, unvested restricted stock units, unvested shares of restricted stock and shares of Common Stock gifted to others do not count toward the Target Amount. Executive will be notified on an annual basis of any changes in Executive’s Target Amount.

C. Stock Plan Amendments. In accordance with the Agreement dated January 1, 2001 between Executive and the Company, Executive previously consented, pursuant to Section 14 of the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Option Plan (the “1991 Plan”), Section 6.2 of the Company’s 1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the “1997 Plan”) and Section 6.2 of the Company’s 1998 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the “1998 Plan,” and together with the 1991 Plan and the 1997 Plan, the “Plans”), that the Plans, as amended by the amendments to the Accelerated Provisions of the Plans set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, shall govern and apply to all of Executive’s outstanding options under the Plans, regardless of the date such options were granted. To the extent the option agreements for Executive’s outstanding options under the Plans state anything to the contrary, Executive and the Company have agreed that such option agreement(s) are amended to be consistent with the foregoing sentence.

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8. Term of Employment. Executive’s employment with the Company is at the mutual consent of Executive and the Company. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to guarantee Executive’s continuing employment with the Company or employment for any specific length of time. Accordingly, either Executive or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without advance notice and with or without “Cause” (as defined below). Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, in addition to any other payments that may be payable to Executive hereunder, Executive (or Executive’s beneficiaries or estate) will be paid (in each case to the extent not theretofore paid) within thirty (30) days following Executive’s date of termination (or such shorter period that may be required by applicable law): (a) Executive’s annual Base Salary through the date of termination, (b) any compensation previously deferred by Executive (together with any interest and earnings therein), (c) accrued but unused PTO, (d) reimbursable expenses incurred by Executive prior to the termination date and (e) amounts under any other compensatory plan, arrangement or program payment to which Executive may be entitled. This Agreement constitutes a final and fully binding integrated agreement with respect to the at-will nature of the employment relationship.

9. Termination of Employment/Severance Pay.

A. Termination Without Cause Not Following Change in Control. If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without “Cause” (as defined in Section 9(D) below) at any time that is not within two (2) years after a “Change in Control” (as defined below) of Health Net, Inc., Executive will be entitled to receive, within thirty (30) days following the termination of Executive’s employment, provided Executive signs a Separation Agreement, Waiver and Release of Claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated into this Agreement by reference, (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to twenty-four (24) months of Executive’s Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the date of Executive’s termination, and (ii) the continuation of Executive’s medical, dental, vision, disability, life and accident benefits (as maintained for Executive’s benefit immediately prior to the date of Executive’s termination) (the “Benefits”) for Executive and Executive’s dependents for a period of twenty-four (24) months following the effective date of Executive’s termination.

For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” is defined as any of the following which occurs subsequent to the effective date of Executive’s employment:

(i) Any person (as such term is defined under Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), corporation or other entity (other than Health Net, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan sponsored by Health Net, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries) is or becomes the beneficial owner (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of Health Net, Inc. representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of Health Net, Inc. which ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) have the right to vote in the election of directors (calculated as provided in paragraph (d) of such Rule 13d-3 in the case of rights to acquire Health Net, Inc.’s securities) (the “Securities”);

(ii) As a result of a tender offer, merger, sale of assets or other major transaction, the persons who are directors of Health Net, Inc. immediately prior to such transaction cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of Health Net, Inc. (or any successor corporations) immediately after such transaction;

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(iii) Health Net, Inc. is merged or consolidated with any other person, firm, corporation or other entity and, as a result, the shareholders of Health Net, Inc., as determined immediately before such transaction, own less than eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding Securities of the surviving or resulting entity immediately after such transaction:

(iv) A tender offer or exchange offer is made and consummated for the ownership of twenty percent (20%) or more of the outstanding Securities of Health Net, Inc.;

(v) Health Net, Inc. transfers substantially all of its assets to another person, firm, corporation or other entity that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of Health Net, Inc.; or

(vi) Health Net, Inc. enters into a management agreement with another person, firm, corporation or other entity that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of Health Net, Inc. and such management agreement extends hiring and firing authority over Executive to an individual or organization other than Health Net, Inc.

B. Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason Following Change in Control. If at any time within two (2) years after a Change in Control of Health Net, Inc. Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or Executive terminates Executive’s employment for “Good Reason” (as defined below) (by giving the Company at least fourteen (14) days prior written notice of the effective date of termination), then Executive will be entitled to receive, within thirty (30) days following the termination of Executive’s employment, provided Executive signs a Separation Agreement, Waiver and Release of Claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated into this Agreement by reference, (i) a lump sum payment equal to thirty-six (36) months of Executive’s Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the date of Executive’s termination, and (ii) the continuation of Executive’s Benefits for thirty-six (36) months following Executive’s date of termination, provided, that Executive properly elects to continue those benefits under COBRA, and provided, further, that in the event the Company requests, in writing, prior to such voluntary termination by Executive for Good Reason that Executive continue in the employ of the Company for a period of time up to 90 days following such Change in Control, then Executive shall forfeit such severance allowance if Executive voluntarily leaves the employ of the Company prior to the expiration of such period of time.

For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Good Reason” means any of the following which occurs, without Executive’s consent, within two (2) years following the effective date of a Change in Control as defined above:

(i) A substantial reduction in the scope of Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities with the Company, except in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment for Disability (as defined below), normal retirement or Cause or by Executive voluntarily other than for Good Reason;

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(ii) A material reduction by the Company in Executive’s base compensation (i.e., Executive’s Base Salary and/or annual target bonus) as in effect immediately prior to any such reduction;

(iii) A relocation of Executive to a work location more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s work location immediately prior to such proposed relocation; provided that such proposed relocation results in a materially greater commute for Executive based on Executive’s residence immediately prior to such relocation; or

(iv) The failure of the Company to obtain an assumption agreement from any successor contemplated under Section 13 of this Agreement;

provided, however, that Executive must provide notice to the Company of the existence of the condition described above within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of the condition, upon the notice of which the Company has thirty (30) days during which it may remedy the condition, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(n)(2)(ii).

C. Voluntary Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, whether express or implied, Executive may at any time terminate Executive’s employment for any reason by giving the Company fourteen (14) days prior written notice of the effective date of termination. In the event that Executive voluntarily terminates employment with the Company (except for Good Reason within two (2) years after a Change in Control of Health Net, Inc.), then Executive shall not be eligible to receive any payments or continuation of Benefits set forth in this Section 9).

D. Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment for Cause at any time with or without advance notice. In the event of such termination, Executive will not be eligible to receive any of the payments set forth in Section 9(A) or 9(B) above. For purposes of this Agreement, a termination for “Cause” is defined as: (i) an act of dishonesty causing harm to the Company or any of its affiliates, (ii) the knowing unauthorized disclosure of confidential information relating to the business of the Company or any of its affiliates, (iii) habitual drunkenness or narcotic drug addiction, (iv) conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, (v) willful refusal to perform or gross neglect of the duties assigned to Executive, (vi) the willful breach of any law that, directly or indirectly, affects the Company or any of its affiliates, (vii) a material breach by Executive following a Change in Control of those duties and responsibilities of Executive that do not differ in any material respect from Executive’s duties and responsibilities during the 90-day period immediately prior to such Change in Control (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which is demonstrably willful and deliberate on Executive’s part, which is committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is in the best interests of the Company or any of its affiliates and which is not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such breach, or (viii) breach of Executive’s obligations hereunder (or under any Company policy) to protect the proprietary and confidential information of the Company or any of its affiliates.

E. Termination Due to Death or Disability. In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated at any time due to death or “Disability” (as defined below), Executive (or Executive’s beneficiaries or estate) shall be entitled to receive, provided Executive (or

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Executive’s beneficiaries or estate, as applicable) signs a Separation Agreement, Waiver and Release of Claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated into this Agreement by reference, (i) continuation of Executive’s Benefits for a period of 12 months from the date of termination and (ii) a lump sum payment equal to one times (1x) Executive’s Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the date of Executive’s termination, to be paid within thirty (30) days following Executive’s termination of employment. For purposes of this Agreement, a termination for “Disability” shall mean a termination of Executive’s employment due to Executive’s absence from Executive’s duties with the Company on a full-time basis for at least 180 consecutive days as a result of Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

10. Withholding. All payments required to be made by the Company hereunder to Executive or Executive’s estate or beneficiaries shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts relating to taxes as the Company may reasonably determine should be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

11. Potential Tax Consequences for “Parachute” Payments.

A. Tax Gross-Up. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, in the event that (i) any payment or distribution by the Company to or for Executive’s benefit (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with the Company, any person whose actions result in a Change in Control or any person affiliated with the Company or such person) (all such payments and distributions, including the severance payments and benefits provided for in Section 9 hereof (the “Severance Payments”), being hereinafter called (“Total Payments”) would be subject (in whole or part) to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any successor provision enacted under the Code or any interest or penalties (to the extent permitted under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(v)) are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”) and (ii) the amount of such Total Payments subject to such Excise Tax exceeds $50,000, then the Company shall pay to Executive an additional cash payment (the “Tax Gross-Up”) so that after receipt of such Tax Gross-Up, the payment of any additional federal, state and local income taxes on such Tax Gross-Up amount and the payment of any Excise Taxes, Executive shall receive such net amount of Total Payments equal to the amount that Executive would have received if no Excise Tax was due. If the amount of Total Payments subject to the Excise Tax does not exceed $50,000, then the Tax-Gross-Up shall not be paid and the Severance Payments shall be reduced (if necessary, to zero) to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax.

B. Accounting Firm Determination. All determinations required to be made under this Section 11, including whether and when a Tax Gross-Up is required and the amount of such Tax Gross-Up and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by the public accounting firm that, immediately prior to the Change in Control, was the Company’s independent auditor (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from Executive that Executive has received Total Payments, or such earlier

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time as is requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Tax Gross-Up, as determined pursuant to this Section 11, shall be paid by the Company to Executive within five (5) days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Executive, then the Accounting Firm shall furnish to Executive a written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on Executive’s applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of any tax assessment or a negligence or similar penalty. As a result of any uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Tax Gross-Up which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”),or that amount of the Tax Gross-Up will exceed the amount required under Section 11(A) (“Overpayment”). In the event that the Accounting Firm shall determine that an Underpayment or Overpayment has occurred, either Executive or the Company, as applicable, shall promptly reimburse the other for the amount of such Underpayment or Overpayment that has occurred

C. Notifications. Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Tax Gross-Up. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. Executive and the Company shall each reasonably cooperate with the other in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings concerning the existence or amount of liability for Excise Tax with respect to Total Payments.

D. Payment Calculator. At the time that payments are made under this Section 11, the Company shall provide Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which such payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including, without limitation, any opinions or other advice the Company has received from tax counsel, the Accounting Firm or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or advice which are in writing shall be attached to the statement).

12. Restrictive Covenants.

A. Non-Competition. Executive hereby agrees that, during (i) the six (6)-month period following a termination of Executive’s employment with the Company that entitles Executive to receive severance benefits under this Agreement or a written agreement with or policy of the Company or (ii) the twelve (12)-month period following a termination of Executive’s employment with the Company that does not entitle Executive to receive such severance benefits (the period referred to in either clause (i) or (ii), the “Restricted Period”), Executive shall not undertake any employment or activity (including, but not limited to, consulting services) with a Competitor (as defined below) in any geographic area in which the Company or any of its affiliates operate (the “Market Area”), where the loyal and complete fulfillment of the duties of the competitive employment or activity would call upon Executive to reveal, to make judgments on or otherwise use or disclose any confidential business information or trade secrets of the business of the Company or any of its affiliates to which Executive had access during Executive’s employment with the Company. For purposes of this Section, “Competitor” shall refer to any health maintenance organization, health care management company, physician group, insurance company or similar entity that provides managed health care or related services similar to those provided by the Company or any of its affiliates.

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B. Non-Solicitation. In addition, Executive agrees that, during the applicable Restricted Period following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, interfere with, hire, offer to hire or induce any person, who is or was an employee of the Company or any of its affiliates at the time of such solicitation, interference, hiring, offering to hire or inducement, to discontinue his/her relationship with the Company or any of its affiliates or to accept employment by, or enter into a business relationship with, Executive or any other entity or person or (ii) solicit, interfere with or otherwise contact any customer or client of the Company or any of its affiliates.

C. Modification of Restrictions. It is hereby further agreed that if any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the restrictions imposed in this Section 12 are unreasonable (including, but not limited to, the definition of Market Area or Competitor or the time period during which this provision is applicable), the parties hereto hereby agree to any restrictions that such court would find to be reasonable under the circumstances.

D. Injunction Rights. Executive also acknowledges that the services to be rendered by Executive to the Company are of a special and unique character, which gives this Agreement a peculiar value to the Company or any of its affiliates, the loss of which may not be reasonably or adequately compensated for by damages in an action at law, and that a material breach or threatened breach by Executive of any of the provisions contained in this Section 12 will cause the Company or any of its affiliates irreparable injury. Executive therefore agrees that the Company may be entitled, in addition to the remedies set forth above in this Section 12 and any other right or remedy, to a temporary, preliminary and permanent injunction, without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of monetary damages or the posting of any bond or security, enjoining or restraining Executive from any such violation or threatened violations.

13. Successors; Binding Agreement.

A. Survival Following Merger, Consolidation or Asset Transfer. This Agreement shall not be terminated by any merger or consolidation of the Company whereby the Company is or is not the surviving or resulting corporation or as a result of any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. In the event of any such merger, consolidation or transfer of assets, the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the surviving or resulting corporation or the person or entity to which such assets are transferred.

B. Survivor’s Assumption of Agreement. The Company agrees that concurrently with any merger, consolidation or transfer of assets referred to in this Section 13, it will cause any successor or transferee to unconditionally assume, by written instrument delivered to Executive (or Executive’s beneficiary or estate), all of the obligations of the Company hereunder. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption prior to the effectiveness of any such merger, consolidation or transfer of assets shall entitle Executive to compensation and other benefits from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as Executive would be entitled hereunder if Executive’s employment were terminated without Cause. For purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such merger, consolidation or transfer becomes effective shall be deemed the date of termination.

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C. Enforceability. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If Executive shall die while any amounts would be payable to Executive hereunder had Executive continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to such person or persons appointed in writing by Executive to receive such amounts or, if no person is so appointed, to Executive’s estate.

14. Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

A. It is the intention of the Company and Executive that this Agreement not result in unfavorable tax consequences to Executive under Section 409A of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”), and the Agreement shall be interpreted as to so comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company and Executive agree to the provisions set forth in this Section 14 in order to comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if Executive is a “specified employee” (as determined under the Company’s Specified Employee Policy, or, in the absence of such policy, within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code), any amounts (or benefits) otherwise payable to or in respect of Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be delayed until the earliest date permitted by Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code. The Company and Executive agree to cooperate in good faith in an effort to comply with Section 409A of the Code including, if necessary, amending this Agreement based on further guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service from time to time, provided that the Company shall not be required to assume any increased economic burden in connection with such amendment. If any provision of the Agreement would cause such payments and benefits to fail to so comply, such provision shall not be effective and shall be null and void with respect to such payments or benefits, and such provision shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

B. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment unless such termination constitutes a “separation from service” with respect to Executive, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).

C. All incentive bonus payments described in Section 6(D) shall be paid to Executive, to the extent earned, in no event later than the last day of the “applicable 2  ¹/2 month period”, as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4)(i)(A) with respect to such payment’s treatment as a “short-term deferral” for purposes of Section 409A.

D. With respect to the Company’s reimbursement obligations and provision of in-kind benefits under Sections 6(C) and 6(E) hereof, and the provision of Benefits to Executive, (i) in no event shall any such reimbursements or in-kind benefits be made or provided later than the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the fee or expense was incurred or the tax payment was made, as applicable, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during Executive’s taxable year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year of Executive, and (iii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv).

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E. The Tax Gross-Up payment, if any, provided under Section 11 shall be provided in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(v), including that such Tax Gross-Up payment shall be paid by the end of Executive’s taxable year next following Executive’s taxable year in which Executive remits the related taxes to the relevant taxing authority. To the extent required by Section 409A, any Tax Gross-Up payment made with respect to any payment that is non-exempt non-qualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) which is subject to Section 409A shall be payable only upon Executive’s “separation from service” (as defined above) and subject to Section 14(A).

15. Company Policies. Executive’s employment with the Company is subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Company’s Associate Policies located on HR Link, which can be accessed through the Company’s intranet site, as in effect from time to time (the “Associate Policies”), the content of which is incorporated by reference herein. Executive shall be required to read, understand and comply with the Associate Policies.

16. Severability. If any term of this Agreement is held to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected and the parties shall use their best efforts to find an alternative way to achieve the same result.

17. Integrated Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any prior agreements, representations or promises of any kind, whether written, oral, express or implied between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matters herein, including, but not limited to, the Prior Agreement. It constitutes the full, complete and exclusive agreement between Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matters herein. This Agreement cannot be changed unless in writing, signed by Executive and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (or the Committee, if permitted by the Committee’s charter). The Company acknowledges and agrees that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to supercede, amend or otherwise modify the terms of the Indemnification Agreement dated December 17, 2004 between Executive and the Company.

18. Waiver. No waiver of any default hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any subsequent default. Failure by either party to enforce any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, for any length of time or from time to time, shall not be deemed to waive or decrease the rights of such party to insist thereafter upon strict performance by the other party.

19. Notices. All notices and communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) if delivered personally, (b) one (1) business day after being sent by Federal Express or a similar commercial overnight service, or (c) three (3) business days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and addressed to the following addresses, or at such other addresses as the parties may designate by written notice in the manner aforesaid:

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20. Governing Law. The interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the principle of conflicts of laws. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

21. Survival and Enforcement. Sections 3, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 of this Agreement and any rights and remedies arising out of this Agreement shall survive and continue in full force and effect in accordance with the respective terms thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement or Executive’s employment. The parties agree that the Company would be damaged irreparably in the event any provision of Sections 3, 12 and 13 of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its terms or were otherwise breached and that money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any such nonperformance or breach. Therefore, the Company or its successors or assigns shall be entitled in addition to other rights and remedies existing in their favor, to an injunction or injunctions to prevent any breach or threatened breach of any of such provisions and to enforce such provisions specifically (without posting a bond or other security).

22. Acknowledgement. Executive acknowledges that Executive has had the opportunity to discuss the content of this Agreement with and obtain advice from Executive’s attorney, have had sufficient time to and have carefully read and fully understood all of the provisions of this Agreement, and Executive is knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges that Executive is obligated to become familiar with and comply at all times with all written policies of the Company.

[Signature Page to Follow]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date set forth above.

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EXHIBIT A

Amendment to Second Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Option Plan

The Health Net, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1991 Stock Option Plan (the “1991 Plan”) is hereby amended to delete paragraph 8 of the 1991 Plan in its entirety and to replace it with the following new paragraph 8:

“8. ACCELERATION OF OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED SHARES.

Notwithstanding any contrary waiting period or installment period in any Stock Option Agreement or any Restriction Period in any Restricted Shares Agreement or in the Restated 1991 Plan, each outstanding Option granted under the Restated 1991 Plan shall, except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Option Agreement, become exercisable in full for the aggregate number of shares covered thereby, and each Restricted Share, except as otherwise provided in the Restricted Shares Agreement, shall vest unconditionally, in the event (i) the Company shall consummate (a) any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of Common Stock are converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a Merger, or (b) any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company, or (c) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or (ii) any person (as such term is defined in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), corporation or other entity (other than the Company or any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Subsidiary) (A) shall purchase any Common Stock of the Company (or securities convertible into the Company’s Common Stock) for cash, securities or any other consideration pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer, without the prior consent of the Board, and (B) shall become the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20 percent or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors (calculated as provided in paragraph (d) of such Rule 13d-3 in the case of rights to acquire the Company’s securities), or (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the entire Board shall cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period, or (iv) there occurs such other transactions involving a significant issuance of voting stock or change in the composition of the Board that the Board determines to be an accelerating event under this paragraph 8. Any transaction referred to in the foregoing clause (i) is herein called a Consummated Transaction, any purchase pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer or otherwise as described in the foregoing clause (ii) is herein called a Control Purchase, the cessation of individuals constituting a majority of the Board as described in the foregoing clause (iii) is herein called a Board Change and such other transactions as described in the foregoing clause (iv) is herein called an “Other Accelerating Event”. The Stock Option Agreement and Restricted Shares Agreement evidencing Options or Restricted Shares granted under the Restated 1991 Plan may contain such provisions limiting the acceleration of the exercisability of Options and the acceleration of the vesting of Restricted Shares as provided in this paragraph 8 as the Committee deems appropriate to ensure that the penalty provisions of Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor thereto in effect at the time of such acceleration, will not apply to any stock, cash or other property received by the Holder from the Company.”

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The 1991 Plan is hereby further amended to delete all references to “Approved Transaction” in the 1991 Plan and to replace all such references with “Consummated Transaction.”

Amendment to 1997 Stock Option Plan

The Health Net, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Plan”) is hereby amended to delete subsection 6.8(b) of the 1997 Plan in its entirety and to replace it with the following new subsection 6.8(b):

“(b) Definition of Change in Control. A “Change in Control” shall mean:

(i) Consummated Transaction. Consummation of (a) any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of Common Stock are converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a Merger, or (b) any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company, or (c) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

(ii) Control Purchase. The purchase by any person (as such term is defined in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), corporation or other entity (other than the Company or any employee benefit plan sponsored by an Employer) of any Common Stock of the Company (or securities convertible into the Company’s Common Stock) for cash, securities or any other consideration pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer, without the prior consent of the Board and, after such purchase, such person shall be the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20 percent or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors (calculated as provided in Section (d) of such Rule 13d-3 in the case of rights to acquire the Company’s securities);

(iii) Board Change. A change in the composition of the Board during any period of two consecutive years, such that individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the entire Board shall cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period; or

(iv) Other Transactions. The occurrence of such other transactions involving a significant issuance of voting stock or change in the composition of the Board that the Board determines to be a Change in Control for purposes of the Plan.

The Agreement evidencing options or Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may contain provisions limiting the acceleration of the exercisability of options and the acceleration of the vesting of Restricted Stock as provided in this Section as the Committee deems appropriate to

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ensure that the penalty provisions of Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor thereto in effect at the time of such acceleration, will not apply to any stock, cash or other property received by the holder from the Company.”

Amendment to the 1998 Stock Option Plan

The Health Net, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the “1998 Plan”), is hereby further amended to delete subsection 6.8(b) of the 1998 Plan in its entirety and to replace it with the following new subsection 6.8(b):

“(b) Definition of Change in Control. A “Change in Control” shall mean:

(i) Consummated Transaction. Consummation of (a) any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of Common Stock are converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a Merger, or (b) any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company, or (c) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

(ii) Control Purchase. The purchase by any person (as such term is defined in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), corporation or other entity (other than the Company or any employee benefit plan sponsored by an Employer) of any Common Stock of the Company (or securities convertible into the Company’s Common Stock) for cash, securities or any other consideration pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer, without the prior consent of the Board and, after such purchase, such person shall be the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20 percent or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors (calculated as provided in Section (d) of such Rule 13d-3 in the case of rights to acquire the Company’s securities);

(iii) Board Change. A change in the composition of the Board during any period of two consecutive years, such that individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the entire Board shall cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof unless the election, or the nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period; or

(iv) Other Transactions. The occurrence of such other transactions involving a significant issuance of voting stock or change in the composition of the Board that the Board determines to be a Change in Control for purposes of the Plan.

The Agreement evidencing Options or Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may contain such provisions limiting the acceleration of the exercisability of options and the acceleration of the vesting of Restricted Stock as provided in this Section as the Committee deems appropriate to ensure that the penalty provisions of Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor thereto in effect at the time of such acceleration, will not apply to any stock, cash or other property received by the holder from the Company.”

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EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF SEPARATION AGREEMENT, WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS]

This SEPARATION AGREEMENT, WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS (this “Separation Agreement and Release”) is made and entered into as of the dates set forth on the signature pages hereto by and between Health Net, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) and [EXECUTIVE NAME] (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive are parties to an Employment Agreement dated as of [DATE] (the “Employment Agreement”) and are entering into this Separation Agreement and Release as a condition to Executive’s receipt of a severance payment thereunder (capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Employment Agreement).

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

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“A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.”

Executive understands and acknowledges the significance and consequence of this Separation Agreement and Release and of such specific waiver of Section 1542, and expressly agrees that this Agreement shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected claims, demands, obligations and causes of action herein above specified.

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EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES BY SIGNING BELOW that (i) Executive has not relied upon any representations, written or oral, not set forth in this Separation Agreement and Release; (ii) at the time Executive was given this Separation Agreement and Release Executive was informed in writing by the Company that (a) Executive had at least 21 days in which to consider whether Executive would sign the Separation Agreement and Release and (b) Executive should consult with an attorney before signing the Separation Agreement and Release; and (iii) Executive had an opportunity to consult with an attorney and either had such consultations or has freely decided to sign this Separation Agreement and Release without consulting an attorney.

Executive further acknowledges that he may revoke acceptance of this Separation Agreement and Release by delivering a letter of revocation within seven (7) days after the later of the dates set forth below addressed to: Health Net, Inc., Organization Effectiveness Department, 21650 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, California 91367, Attention: General Counsel.

Finally, Executive acknowledges that he understands that this Separation Agreement and Release will not become effective until the eighth (8th) day following his signing this Separation Agreement and Release and that if Executive does not revoke his acceptance of the terms of this Separation Agreement and Release within the seven (7) day period following the date on which Executive signs this Separation Agreement and Release as set forth above, this Separation Agreement and Release will be binding and enforceable.

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Separation Agreement and Release as of the dates set forth below.

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