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                                                                     Exhibit 4.4


                                  EBENX, INC.

                             1993 STOCK OPTION PLAN


     1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 1993 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, as amended, 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 Network Management Systems, Inc., a Minnesota
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 Company, 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
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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
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.


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          (s) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 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 12 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 3,900,000 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.

     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 state corporate
and securities laws and of the Code (the "Applicable Laws"). Once appointed,
such


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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;

               (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 (including, but not
limited to, the share price and any restriction or limitation, or any vesting
acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions regarding any Option or other
award and/or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on
such factors as the Administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion);

               (vii) to determine the terms and conditions, not consistent with
the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder;

               (viii) to determine whether and under what circumstances an
Option may be settled in cash under subsection 9(f) instead of Common Stock; and

               (ix) 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.


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     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 right 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 19 of the Plan. It shall continue in effect
for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under Section 15 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 Incentive
Stock 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.

     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


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                    (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, the per Share
exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator.

          (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 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) any
combination of the foregoing methods of payment, or (8) 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 and/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.

          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.


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          Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (as
evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly
authorized transfer agent of the Company), 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 after the Option is
exercised. 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, such Optionee may, but only within a period of thirty (30) days (or
such other period of time as is determined by the Board, which, in the case of
an Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed 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


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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.

     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 one or some combination of the
following methods: (i) by cash payment, or (ii) out of Optionee's current
compensation, or (iii) if permitted by the Administrator, in its discretion, by
surrendering to the Company Shares which (a) in the case of Shares previously
acquired from the Company, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six
months on the date of surrender, and (b) have a fair market value on the date of
surrender equal to or less than Optionee's marginal tax rate times the ordinary
income recognized, (iv) 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. For this purpose, 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").

     If the Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act (an
"Insider"), any surrender of previously owned Shares to satisfy tax withholding
obligations arising upon exercise of this Option must comply with the applicable
provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act ("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.

     All election by an Optionee to have Shares withheld to satisfy tax
withholding obligations 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;


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          (c) all elections shall be subject to the consent or disapproval of
the Administrator;

          (d) if the Optionee is an Insider, 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 Stock subject to an Option.

          (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 or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company with
or into another corporation, or the sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company, 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. In the event that such successor corporation does not
agree to assume the Option or to substitute an equivalent option, the Board
shall, in lieu of such assumption or substitution, provide for the Optionee to
have the


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right to exercise the Option as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares
as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. If the Board makes an
Option fully exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a
merger or sale of assets, the Board shall notify the Optionee that the Option
shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of
such notice, and the Option will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered assumed if,
following the merger, the option confers the right to purchase, for each Share
of Optioned Stock subject to the Option immediately prior to the merger, the
consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in
the merger or asset sale by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the
effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of
consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received
in the merger or asset sale was not solely common stock of the successor
corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the
successor corporation and the participant, provide for the consideration to be
received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or
its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by
holders of Common Stock in the merger or asset sale.

     13. Timing 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 and the issuance and delivery of such


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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 to 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.

     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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