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Exhibit 10.01

FIRST AMENDMENT TO 364-DAY CREDIT AGREEMENT

        THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO 364-DAY CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "Amendment"),
dated as of March 29, 2002, is entered into among WELLPOINT HEALTH
NETWORKS INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders identified
on the signature pages hereto (the "Lenders"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as
administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative
Agent") and JPMORGAN, a division of Chase Securities Inc., as syndication agent
(in such capacity, the "Syndication Agent"). Terms used but not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement
described below.

W I T N E S S E T H

        WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the
Syndication Agent entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of
March 30, 2001 (the "Existing Credit Agreement"); and

        WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested to extend the Commitment Termination
Date for an additional 364 day period, and certain Lenders party to the Existing
Credit Agreement have agreed to extend their respective Commitments and amend
the Existing Credit Agreement in accordance with such request and as provided
herein.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements hereinafter set
forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

PART 1
DEFINITIONS

        SUBPART 1.1    Certain Definitions.    Unless otherwise defined herein
or the context otherwise requires, the following terms used in this Amendment,
including its preamble and recitals, have the following meanings:

        "Amended Credit Agreement" means the Existing Credit Agreement as
amended hereby.

        "Amendment No. 1 Effective Date" is defined in Subpart 3.1.

        SUBPART 1.2    Other Definitions.    Unless otherwise defined herein or
the context otherwise requires, terms used in this Amendment, including its
preamble and recitals, have the meanings provided in the Existing Credit
Agreement.

PART 2
AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT

        Effective on (and subject to the occurrence of) the Amendment No. 1
Effective Date, the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended in accordance
with this Part 2.

        SUBPART 2.1    Amendments to Section 1.01.    Section 1.01 of the Credit
Agreement is hereby amended in the following respects:

        (a)  The definition of "Commitment Termination Date" is hereby amended
in its entirety to read as follows:

        "Commitment Termination Date" shall mean the date 364 days following
March 29, 2002.

        (b)  The definition of "Maturity Date" is hereby amended in its entirety
to read as follows:

        "Maturity Date" shall mean the date 364 days following the Commitment
Termination Date.

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        SUBPART 2.2    Amendments to Schedule 2.01.    Schedule 2.01 of the
Existing Credit Agreement is hereby replaced with Schedule 2.01 attached hereto.

PART 3
CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

        SUBPART 3.1    Amendment No. 1 Effective Date 1.    This Amendment shall
be and become effective as of the date hereof (the "Amendment No. 1 Effective
Date") when all of the conditions set forth in this Part III shall have been
satisfied, and thereafter this Amendment shall be known, and may be referred to,
as the "Amendment".

        SUBPART 3.2    Execution of Counterparts of Amendment.    The
Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts (or other evidence of
execution, including telephonic message, satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent) of this Amendment, which collectively shall have been duly executed on
behalf of each of the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the
Syndication Agent.

        SUBPART 3.4    Fees and Expenses.    The Borrower has paid all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and
delivery of this Amendment and the other transactions contemplated herein
including, without limitation, the legal fees and expenses of Moore & Van Allen,
counsel to the Administrative Agent.

        SUBPART 3.5    Other Items.    The Administrative Agent shall have
received such other documents, agreements or information which may be reasonably
requested by the Administrative Agent.

PART 4
MISCELLANEOUS

        SUBPART 4.1    Representations and Warranties.    Each of the Borrower
and the Guarantors hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders that, after giving effect to this Amendment, (a) no Default or
Event of Default exists under the Credit Agreement and (b) the representations
and warranties set forth in Section 3 of the Existing Credit Agreement are,
subject to the limitations set forth therein, true and correct in all material
respects as of the date hereof (except for those which expressly relate to an
earlier date).

        SUBPART 4.2    Reaffirmation of obligations.    The Borrower hereby
ratifies the Credit Agreement and acknowledges and reaffirms (a) that it is
bound by all terms of the Credit Agreement applicable to it and (b) that it is
responsible for the observance and full performance of its respective
obligations under the Credit Agreement.

        SUBPART 4.3    Cross-References.    References in this Amendment to any
Part or Subpart are, unless otherwise specified, to such Part or Subpart of this
Amendment.

        SUBPART 4.4    Instrument Pursuant to Existing Credit Agreement.    This
Amendment is executed pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement and shall
(unless otherwise expressly indicated therein) be construed, administered and
applied in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Existing Credit
Agreement.

        SUBPART 4.5    References in Other Credit Documents.    At such time as
this Amendment shall become effective pursuant to the terms of Subpart 3.1, all
references to the "Credit Agreement" shall be deemed to refer to the Credit
Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

        SUBPART 4.6    Counterparts/Telecopy.    This Amendment may be executed
by the parties hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to
be an original and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same
agreement. Delivery of executed counterparts of the Amendment by telecopy shall
be effective as an original and shall constitute a representation that an
original shall be delivered.

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        SUBPART 4.7    Governing Law.    THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A
CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
(INCLUDING SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW,
BUT EXCLUDING ALL OTHER CHOICE OF LAW AND CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES).

        SUBPART 4.8    Successors and Assigns.    This Amendment shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns.

        SUBPART 4.9    General.    Except as amended hereby, the Existing Credit
Agreement and all other Credit Documents shall continue in full force and
effect.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment to
Credit Agreement as of the date first above written.

BORROWER: WELLPOINT HEALTH NETWORKS INC.,
a Delaware corporation                     By: /s/  R. DAVID KRETSCHMER        
   

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    Name: R. David Kretschmer

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    Title: V.P., Treasurer

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ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.                   By: /s/  JOSEPH L.
CORAH            

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    Name: Joseph L. Corah

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    Title: Principal

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SYNDICATION AGENT: JPMORGAN,
a division of Chase Securities, Inc.                   By: /s/  ANDREW
BRODE            

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    Name: Andrew Brode

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    Title: Vice President

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LENDERS: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.                   By: /s/  JOSEPH L. CORAH      
     

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    Name: Joseph L. Corah

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    Title: Principal

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  THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED                   By: /s/  VICENTE L.
TIMIRAOS            

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    Name: Vicente L. Timiraos

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    Title: Joint General Manager

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  BANK ONE, N.A.                   By: /s/  VINCENT K. KELLY            

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    Name: Vincent K. Kelly

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    Title: Managing Director

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  JP MORGAN CHASE BANK                   By: /s/  DAWN LEE LUM            

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    Name: Dawn Lee Lum

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    Title: Vice President

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  CITICORP USA, INC.                   By: /s/  STEPHEN P. ZWICK            

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    Name: Stephen P. Zwick

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    Title: VP

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  MELLON BANK, N.A.                   By: /s/  MARSHA WICKER            

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    Name: Marsha Wicker

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    Title: VP

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  CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH                   By:
/s/  WILLIAM S. LUTKINS            

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    Name: William S. Lutkins

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    Title: Director

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                    By: /s/  ROBERT N. FINNEY            

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    Name: Robert N. Finney

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    Title: Managing Director

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  THE BANK OF NEW YORK                   By: /s/  REBECCA K. LEVINE            

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    Name: Rebecca K. Levine

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    Title: Vice President

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  SUNTRUST BANK                   By: /s/  W. BROOKS HUBBARD            

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    Name: W. Brooks Hubbard

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    Title: Vice President

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  UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH                   By: /s/  WILFRED V. SAINT          
 

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    Name: Wilfred V. Saint

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    Title: Associate Director

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                    By: /s/  JUAN ZUNIGA            

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    Name: Juan Zuniga

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    Title: Associate Director

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  DEUTSCHE BANK AG
New York and/or Cayman Islands Branches                   By: /s/  SCOTTYE D.
LINDSEY            

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    Name: Scottye D. Lindsey

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    Title: Vice President

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                    By: /s/  MARGUERITE SUTTON            

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    Name: Marguerite Sutton

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    Title: Vice President

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  LEHMAN COMMERCIAL PAPER INC.                   By: /s/  FRANCIS J. CHANG      
     

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    Name: Francis J. Chang

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    Title: Vice President

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  WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.                   By: /s/  DANIEL J. NORTON            

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    Name: Daniel J. Norton

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    Title: Director

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  KBC BANK, N.V.                   By: /s/  ROBERT SNAUFFER            

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    Name: Robert Snauffer

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    Title: First Vice President

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                    By: /s/  RAYMOND F. MURRAY            

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    Name: Raymond F. Murray

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    Title: First Vice President

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  FLEET NATIONAL BANK                   By: /s/  GORDON B. COUGHLIN            

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    Name: Gordon B. Coughlin

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    Title: Vice President

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  BNP PARIBAS                   By: /s/  C. BETTLES            

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    Name: C. Bettles

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    Title: Managing Director

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                    By: /s/  JANICE S.H. HO            

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    Name: Janice S. H. Ho

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    Title: Director

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  THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED                   By: /s/  AL GALLUZZO            

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    Name: Al Galluzzo

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    Title: Senior Vice President

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  SOCIETE GENERALE                   By: /s/  RICHARD BERNAL            

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    Name: Richard Bernal

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    Title: Director, Corporate Banking

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  CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH                   By: /s/  BERNARD
WEYMULLER            

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    Name: Bernard Weymuller

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    Title: Senior Vice President

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  BANCA DI ROMA                   By: /s/  LUCA BALESTRA            

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    Name: Luca Balestra (#25050)

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    Title: Senior Vice President and Manager

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                    By: /s/  RICHARD G. DIETZ            

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    Name: Richard G. Dietz (#97271)

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    Title: Vice President

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SCHEDULE 2.01
COMMITMENTS
(364-Day Credit Agreement)

Lender

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  Commitment Amount

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  Commitment Percentage

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  Bank of America, N.A.   $ 20,625,000   8.250000000 % The Chase Manhattan Bank
  $ 20,625,000   8.250000000 % The Industrial Bank of Japan, Limited   $
15,000,000   6.000000000 % Bank One, N.A.   $ 15,000,000   6.000000000 %
Citicorp USA, Inc.   $ 15,000,000   6.000000000 % Mellon Bank, N.A.   $
12,500,000   5.000000000 % Credit Suisse First Boston   $ 12,500,000  
5.000000000 % The Bank of New York   $ 12,500,000   5.000000000 % SunTrust Bank
  $ 12,500,000   5.000000000 % UBS AG, Stamford Branch   $ 12,500,000  
5.000000000 % Deutsche Bank AG   $ 12,500,000   5.000000000 % Lehman Commercial
Paper Inc.   $ 12,500,000   5.000000000 % Wachovia Bank, N.A.   $ 12,500,000  
5.000000000 % KBC Bank, N.V.   $ 12,500,000   5.000000000 % Fleet National Bank
  $ 10,625,000   4.250000000 % BNP Paribas   $ 10,625,000   4.250000000 % The
Sumitomo Bank, Limited   $ 8,750,000   3.500000000 % Societe Generale   $
8,750,000   3.500000000 % Credit Lyonnais New York Branch   $ 6,250,000  
2.500000000 % Banca Di Roma   $ 6,250,000   2.500000000 %    

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  Total:   $ 250,000,000.00   100.000000000 %

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FIRST AMENDMENT TO 364-DAY CREDIT AGREEMENT