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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21

                                PROMISSORY NOTE

$350,000.00                                                 Louisville, Kentucky
                                                                  March 31, 1999

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, PATRICK B. MCGINNIS, of Oldham County residing at 3906
Eagle Way, Prospect, Kentucky 40059 ("Maker"), hereby promises and agrees to pay
to the order of HEALTHCARE RECOVERIES, INC., a Delaware corporation with its
principal office located at 1400 Watterson Tower, Louisville, Kentucky
("Payee"), the principal sum of THREE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
($350,000.00), together with interest computed from the date of this Promissory
Note (the "Note") in accordance with the terms hereof.

     1. Interest Rate; Payment of Principal and Interest.

          1.1 Interest Rate.  [a] During any period in which Payee has an
     outstanding balance under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of
     February 1, 1998 (the "Credit Agreement") among Payee, National City Bank
     of Kentucky as administrative agent, and certain lenders, or under any
     replacement credit facility that Payee may enter into while any portion of
     the principal balance of this Note remains outstanding, the principal
     balance of this Note shall bear interest at a variable annual rate equal to
     the greater of [1] the Federal short-term rate (within the meaning of
     section 1274(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) as of
     the date hereof (4.62%), changing to the Federal short-term rate as of each
     January 1 and July 1 hereafter (the "Federal Short-term Rate"); or [2] the
     interest rate as it may exist from time to time under the Credit Agreement.
     If the interest rate under the Credit Agreement exceeds the then applicable
     Federal Short-term Rate, the interest rate paid under this Note shall be
     adjusted automatically, from time to time, on the same date on which the
     rate changes under the Credit Agreement.

          [b] During any period in which Payee has no outstanding balance under
     the Credit Agreement, the principal balance of this Note shall bear
     interest at a variable annual rate equal to the Federal Short-term Rate.

          1.2 Payment of Principal and Interest.  Upon Payee's demand, Maker
     shall pay the entire outstanding principal balance and all accrued but
     unpaid interest on the principal balance. Maker shall pay the principal and
     interest due on this Note in legal tender of the United States, to Payee at
     Payee's principal address as set forth in this Note, or at such other place
     as Payee designates by notice to Maker.

          1.3 Prepayment.  Maker may prepay this Note in whole or in part
     without penalty or premium at any time and from time to time. If the Maker
     prepays any portion of the principal pursuant to this Section 1.3, the
     amount prepaid shall be applied first to accrued but unpaid interest and
     then to principal balance that remains unpaid.

     2. Remedies; Forbearance.

          2.1 Remedies.  If maker fails to pay the entire principal balance and
     all accrued but unpaid interest when due, and Payee institutes any suit or
     action to enforce this Note, Maker shall pay to Payee, in addition to the
     costs and disbursements otherwise allowed by law, such sums as may be
     adjudged reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and all other expenses in
     collecting or attempting to collect this Note.

          2.2 Forbearance.  Payee may, at its sole discretion, grant an
     extension of time for payment of any amount due under the terms of this
     Note or any other indulgence or forbearance, without affecting the
     liability of Maker under this Note and without waiving any rights Payee may
     have under this Note or under the laws of the United States, the
     Commonwealth of Kentucky or any other state.
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     3. Miscellaneous Provisions.

          3.1 Waiver of Presentment, Protest, and Notice of Dishonor.  Maker
     waives presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, and all other notices
     normally required by law, except where notice is expressly provided for in
     this Note.

          3.2 Remedies Not Exclusive.  No remedy herein conferred upon or
     reserved to Payee is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or
     remedies available to Payee under this Note, at law, in equity or by
     statute, and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative and in addition
     to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law,
     in equity or by statute.

          3.3 No Waivers by Payee.  No delay or omission of Payee in exercising
     any right or power accruing upon any default under this Note shall impair
     any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any default
     under this Note or any acquiescence herein, nor shall any single or partial
     exercise of any such right or power or any abandonment or discontinuance of
     steps to enforce such right or power, preclude any other or further
     exercise hereof or the exercise of any other right or power. Acceptance of
     any payment after the occurrence of a default under this Note shall not be
     deemed to waive or cure such default under this Note; and every power and
     remedy given by this Note to Payee may be exercised from time to time as
     often as may be deemed expedient by Payee. Maker hereby waives any right to
     require Payee at any time to pursue any remedy in Payee's power whatsoever.

          3.4 Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications
     required or permitted to be given or made under this Note shall be in
     writing and shall be deemed to have been given on the date of personal
     delivery or on the third business day following the date of deposit in the
     United States Mail, postage prepaid, by registered or certified mail,
     return receipt requested, or facsimile transmission, or on the first
     business day following the date of delivery to a nationally recognized
     overnight courier service, in each case, addressed to the address set forth
     in this Note, or to such other address as the parties to this Note may
     designate.

     3.5 Time of the Essence.  TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE IN THE PERFORMANCE
OF ALL OBLIGATIONS OF MAKER HEREUNDER.

     3.6 Governing Law.  This Note is executed and delivered in, and shall be
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of, the Commonwealth of
Kentucky.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker has executed this Note on and as of the day and
year first above written.

                                                 /s/ PATRICK B. MCGINNIS
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                                                    Patrick B. MCGinnis

                                                         ("Maker")