<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.4

                           PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY
                          EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

         THIS EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into as of
this 18th day of October, 1999, by and between Province Healthcare Company (the
"Company") and HOWARD T. WALL, III ("Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, Employee is employed as Senior Vice President, General Counsel
& Secretary of the Company; and

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide certain severance payments to
Employee in the event that Employee's employment with the Company is terminated
without cause or in connection with a change in control of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the premises set forth herein and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

                             ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

         Terms used in this Agreement that are defined are indicated by initial
capitalization of the term. References to an "Article" or a "Section" mean an
article or a section of this Agreement. In addition to those terms that are
specifically defined herein, the following terms are defined for purposes
hereof:

         "Administrator" means a committee consisting of the Company's chief
executive officer, the secretary of the Company, the vice president of human
resources, and any other individuals appointed by the chief executive officer.
The Administrator may delegate any of its duties or authorities to any person or
entity. If a Change in Control occurs, as described in this Agreement, the
Administrator shall be the committee of individuals who were committee members
immediately prior to the Change in Control.

         "Benefit" means the benefits described in Article II and Article III.

         "Change in Control" means a transaction or circumstance in which any of
the following have occurred:

         (a) any "person" as such term is used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act, other than the Company or a wholly-owned Subsidiary thereof or
any employee benefit plan of the Company, becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly



<PAGE>   2

or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the
total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding Voting
Securities (as defined below), or

         (b) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board and any new director whose
election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders
was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in
office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose
election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any
reason to constitute a majority thereof, or

         (c) the shareholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation
of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation
which would result in the Voting Securities (i.e., any securities of the entity
which vote generally in the election of its directors) of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the
surviving entity) more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the
Voting Securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation, or

         (d) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of its assets.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

         "Subsidiary" means any subsidiary of the Company or of any of its
subsidiaries.

                ARTICLE II. CHANGE IN CONTROL TERMINATION PAYMENT

SECTION 2.1 BENEFITS ON TERMINATION.

         (a) Amount. Subject to the conditions, limitations and adjustments that
are provided for herein, the Company will provide Benefits to Employee equal to
the sum of the amounts described below if, within the 24 month period following
a Change in Control, Employee's employment with the Company terminates for any
reason:

         (1)      An amount equal to 200% of the Employee's annual base
                  compensation determined by reference to his base salary in
                  effect at the time of Change in Control.

         (2)      An amount equal to 200% of the highest annual bonus that
                  Employee would be eligible to receive during the fiscal year
                  ending during which the Change in Control occurs.



                                       2
<PAGE>   3

         (3)      For a period of 24 months, participation in medical, life,
                  disability and similar benefit plans that are offered to
                  similarly situated employees of the Company immediately prior
                  to the applicable Change in Control for the Eligible Employee
                  and his dependents. Such participation may be pursuant to the
                  continuation coverage rights of Eligible Employees pursuant to
                  Part 6 of Title I of ERISA ("COBRA") or the Company may
                  provide such benefits directly through the purchase of
                  insurance or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
                  period for participation in a self-funded medical plan
                  pursuant to this paragraph 3 shall not exceed the maximum
                  period of continuation coverage provided under COBRA. If
                  benefits are provided pursuant to COBRA continuation rights,
                  the Company shall pay a cash amount to the Eligible Employee
                  at the time of severance that is sufficient to cover all
                  premiums required for such COBRA coverage under the
                  appropriate benefit plans.

         (4)      For a period of 24 months, participation in general and
                  executive fringe benefits offered to similarly situated
                  executive employees immediately prior to the applicable Change
                  in Control.

         (5)      Upon the effective date of any Change in Control, any stock
                  purchase options held by Employee pursuant to any qualified or
                  nonqualified Company option plan shall immediately vest and
                  become exercisable. The provisions of this Section 2.1 shall
                  supersede any contrary provisions of any other agreement by
                  and between the parties hereto, now existing or hereafter
                  created, unless the provisions of this Section 2.1 shall be
                  referred to specifically therein and modified, amended or
                  waived by both parties hereto.

         (b) Adjustments to the Amount of Benefit. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, the amounts due to Employee under Section 2.1(a) shall
be adjusted in accordance with Section 2.2 if any payment provided to Employee
is determined to be subject to the excise tax described in section 4999 of the
Code.

         (c) Time for Payment; Interest. The cash Benefits payable made under
this Section 2.1 shall be paid to Employee in a single lump sum within ten days
following the date of termination. The Company's obligation to pay to Employee
any amounts under this Section 2.1 will bear interest at the lesser of (i) 10%
or (ii) the maximum rate allowed by law until paid by the Company, and all
accrued and unpaid interest will bear interest at the same rate, all of which
interest will be compounded annually.

         2.2 BENEFIT ADJUSTMENTS.

         (a) Gross Up Payment. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or
distribution by or on behalf of the Company to or for the benefit of Employee as
a result of a "change in control," as defined in section 280G of the



                                       3
<PAGE>   4

Code, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any
additional payments required under this Section, (a "Payment") would be subject
to the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of the Code or any interest or
penalties are incurred by Employee 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"), then Employee shall be entitled to receive an
additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment
by Employee of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with
respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any
interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon
the Gross-Up Payment, Employee retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal
to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

         (b) Tax Opinion. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.2(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 2.2, including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by a nationally recognized accounting firm or law firm selected by the Company
(the "Tax Firm"); provided, however, that the Tax Firm shall not determine that
no Excise Tax is payable by Employee unless it delivers to Employee a written
opinion (the "Tax Opinion") that failure to pay the Excise Tax and to report the
Excise Tax and the payments potentially subject thereto on or with Employee's
applicable federal income tax return will not result in the imposition of an
accuracy-related or other penalty on Employee. All fees and expenses of the Tax
Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Within 15 business days of the
receipt of notice from Employee that there has been a Payment, or such earlier
time as is requested by the Company, the Tax Firm shall make all determinations
required under this Section, shall provide to the Company and Employee a written
report setting forth such determinations, together with detailed supporting
calculations, and, if the Tax Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable,
shall deliver the Tax Opinion to Employee. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined
pursuant to this Section, shall be paid by the Company to Employee within
fifteen days of the receipt of the Tax Firm's determination. Subject to the
remainder of this Section 2.2, any determination by the Tax Firm shall be
binding upon the Company and Employee; provided, however, that Employee shall
only be bound to the extent that the determinations of the Tax Firm hereunder,
including the determinations made in the Tax Opinion, are reasonable and
reasonably supported by applicable law. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination
by the Tax Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not
have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent
with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that it is
ultimately determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section
2.2(c) that Employee is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Tax
Firm shall reasonably determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred
and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the
benefit of Employee. In determining the reasonableness of Tax Firm's
determinations hereunder, and the effect thereof, Employee shall be provided a
reasonable opportunity to review such determinations with Tax Firm and
Employee's tax counsel. Tax Firm's determinations hereunder, and the Tax
Opinion, shall not be deemed




                                       4
<PAGE>   5

reasonable until Employee's reasonable objections and comments thereto have been
satisfactorily accommodated by Tax Firm.

         (c) Notice of IRS Claim. Employee shall notify the Company in writing
of any claims by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require
the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be
given as soon as practicable but no later than 30 calendar days after Employee
actually receives notice 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; provided, however, that the failure of Employee to notify the Company of
such claim (or to provide any required information with respect thereto) shall
not affect any rights granted to Employee under this Section 2.2 except to the
extent that the Company is materially prejudiced in the defense of such claim as
a direct result of such failure. Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the
expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which he gives such notice
to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of
taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Employee in
writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such
claim, Employee shall do all of the following:

         (1)      give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
                  Company relating to such claim;

         (2)      take such action in connection with contesting such claim as
                  the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to
                  time, including, without limitation, accepting legal
                  representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
                  selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Employee;

         (3)      cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively
                  to contest such claim;

         (4)      if the Company elects not to assume and control the defense of
                  such claim, permit the Company to participate in any
                  proceedings relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this
Section 2.2, the Company shall have the right, at its sole option, to assume the
defense of and control all proceedings in connection with such contest, in which
case it may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings,
hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and
may either direct Employee to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or
contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Employee agrees to prosecute
such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court
of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company
shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Employee to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to Employee, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis,



                                       5
<PAGE>   6

from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect
thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed
income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of
the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of
Employee with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is
limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's right to
assume the defense of and control the contest shall be limited to issues with
respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Employee
shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue
raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

         (d) Right to Tax Refund. If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2 Employee becomes entitled to
receive any refund with respect to such claim, Employee shall (subject to the
Company's complying with the requirements of Section 2.2(c)) promptly pay to the
Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited
thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by Employee of an
amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2(c), a determination is
made that Employee is not entitled to a refund with respect to such claim and
the Company does not notify Employee in writing of its intent to contest such
denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination,
then such advance shall, to the extent of such denial, be forgiven and shall not
be required to be repaid and the amount of forgiven advance shall offset, to the
extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

               ARTICLE III. PAYMENT UPON TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE

         SECTION 3.1  BENEFITS ON TERMINATION.

         (a) Amount. Subject to the conditions, limitations and adjustments that
are provided for herein, in the absence of a Change in Control, and in the event
Employee's employment is terminated either by the Company without cause or by
the Employee with cause, as described below, Employee shall be entitled to
receive an amount equal to 200% of the Employee's annual base compensation
determined by reference to his base salary in effect at the time of termination.

         (1) By Company Without Cause Termination of employment by the Company
without cause shall occur if the Company provides oral or written notice to
Employee of involuntary termination that is not on account of just cause. For
this purpose, termination for "just cause" will only occur upon written notice
to Employee that employment is involuntarily terminated due to any of the
following:

         (i)      conviction of Employee for a crime involving fraud, dishonesty
                  or theft, or of any felony which, in the reasonable judgment
                  of the Board, materially affects Employee's ability to perform
                  his duties pursuant to this Agreement;

         (ii)     commission by Employee of an act of fraud, embezzlement, or
                  material dishonesty against the Company or its affiliates; or



                                       6
<PAGE>   7

         (iii)    intentional neglect of or material inattention to Employee's
                  duties, which neglect or inattention remains uncorrected for
                  more than 30 days following written notice from the chief
                  executive officer of the Company detailing the Company's
                  concern.

         (2) By Employee With Cause. Termination of employment by Employee with
cause shall occur if Employee terminates employment for any of the following
reasons:

         (i)      A material adverse alteration in Employee's position,
                  responsibilities or status.

         (ii)     A reduction in Employee's base compensation or a substantial
                  reduction in the benefits provided to Employee.

         (iii)    Relocation of Employee by the Company to a location that is
                  more than 35 miles from the Employee's current workplace.

         (iv)     The material breach of the Company of any portion of its
                  employment policies and/or any employment agreement with
                  Employee.

         (b) Adjustments to the Amount of Benefit. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, the amounts due to Employee under Section 3.1(a) shall
be adjusted in accordance with Section 2.2 of this Agreement if any payment
provided to Employee is determined to be subject to the excise tax described in
section 4999 of the Code.

         (c) Time for Payment; Interest. The cash Benefits payable made under
this Section 3.1 shall be paid to Employee in a single lump sum within ten days
following the date of termination. The Company's obligation to pay to Employee
any amounts under this Section 3.1 will bear interest at the lesser of (i) 10%
or (ii) the maximum rate allowed by law until paid by the Company, and all
accrued and unpaid interest will bear interest at the same rate, all of which
interest will be compounded annually.

         SECTION 3.2  COMPETITION.

                  (a) Agreement Not to Compete. Employee agrees that, for a
period of 24 months after the termination of his employment as described in
Section 3.1(a), he will not:

         (i)      directly or indirectly, own, manage, control, participate in,
                  consult with or render services for (i) any business, the
                  operating facilities of which compete with the operating
                  facilities of the Company or its Subsidiaries within the
                  geographical area included in the 50-mile radius around each
                  location where the Company or any Subsidiary owns, leases,
                  manages or otherwise maintains an operating facility, engages
                  in business or, on the date of Employee's termination, plans
                  to own, lease, manage or otherwise maintain a facility or
                  engage in business, or (ii) any business in which the Company
                  or any of its



                                       7
<PAGE>   8

                  Subsidiaries has entered into a letter of intent or is or has
                  been within one year prior to the date of termination of
                  Employee's employment in active negotiations relating to the
                  acquisition of such business by the Company or its
                  Subsidiaries; or

         (ii)     interfere with, disrupt or attempt to disrupt any present or
                  prospective relationship, contractual or otherwise, between
                  the Company and any customer, supplier or employee of the
                  Company.

                  (b) Remedies. Employee agrees and acknowledges that the
violation by Employee of the agreements contained in this Section 3.2 would
cause irreparable injury to the Company and that the remedy at law for any
violation or threatened violation thereof by him would be inadequate and that
the Company shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief or
other equitable relief without the necessity of proving actual damages.

                           ARTICLE IV. ADMINISTRATION

         SECTION 4.1. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to provide
severance benefits and protection to Employee. The Administrator has absolute
discretion to interpret the terms of this Agreement and to make all
determinations required in the administration hereof, including making
determinations about eligibility for and the amounts of Benefits. All decisions
of the Administrator are final, binding and conclusive on all parties.

         SECTION 4.2. Benefits can only be denied or forfeited if Employee does
not satisfy the conditions for receiving payment that are described herein or if
the Company validly amends the Agreement as described in Section 5.4.

         SECTION 4.3. If Employee's claim for Benefits is denied, the
Administrator will furnish written notice of denial to Employee within 90 days
of the date the claim is received, unless special circumstances require an
extension of time for processing the claim. This extension will not exceed 90
days, and Employee must receive written notice stating the grounds for the
extension and the length of the extension within the initial 90-day review
period. If the Administrator does not provide written notice, Employee may deem
the claim denied and seek review according to the appeals procedures set forth
below.

         (a) Notice of Denial. The notice of denial to the Claimant shall state:

         (1)      The specific reasons for the denial.

         (2)      Specific references to pertinent provisions of the Agreement
                  on which the denial was based.

         (3)      A description of any additional material or information needed
                  for Employee to perfect his claim and an explanation of why
                  the material or information is needed.



                                       8
<PAGE>   9

         (4)      A statement that Employee may request a review upon written
                  application to the Administrator, review pertinent documents,
                  and submit issues and comments in writing and that any appeal
                  that Employee wishes to make of the adverse determination must
                  be in writing to the Administrator within 60 days after
                  Employee receives notice of denial of benefits.

         (5)      The name and address of the Administrator to which Employee
                  may forward an appeal. The notice may state that failure to
                  appeal the action to the Administrator in writing within the
                  60-day period will render the determination final, binding and
                  conclusive.

         (b) Appeals Procedure. If Employee appeals to the Administrator,
Employee or his authorized representative may submit in writing whatever issues
and comments he believes to be pertinent. The Administrator shall reexamine all
facts related to the appeal and make a final determination of whether the denial
of benefits is justified under the circumstances. The Administrator shall advise
Employee in writing of:

         (1)      The Administrator's decision on appeal.

         (2)      The specific reasons for the decision.

         (3)      The specific provisions of the Agreement on which the decision
                  is based.

         Notice of the Administrator's decision shall be given within 60 days of
the Claimant's written request for review, unless additional time is required
due to special circumstances. In no event shall the Administrator render a
decision on an appeal later than 120 days after receiving a request for a
review.

                            ARTICLE V. GENERAL TERMS

         SECTION 5.1 NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder
will be in writing or by written telecommunication, and will be deemed to have
been duly given if delivered personally or if sent by overnight courier or by
written telecommunication, to the relevant address set forth below, or to such
other address as the recipient of such notice or communication will have
specified to the other party hereto in accordance with this Section:

         If to the Company to:

         Province Healthcare Company
         105 Westwood Place, Suite 400
         Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
         Attn:    Howard T. Wall, III,
                  Senior Vice President and General Counsel



                                       9
<PAGE>   10

         If to Employee, to:

         Howard T. Wall, III
         rovince Healthcare Company
         105 Westwood Place, Suite 400
         Brentwood, TN  37027

         SECTION 5.2 WITHHOLDING; NO OFFSET. All payments required to be made by
the Company under this Agreement to Employee will be subject to the withholding
of such amounts, if any, relating to federal, state and local taxes as may be
required by law. No payment under this Agreement will be subject to offset or
reduction attributable to any amount Employee may owe to the Company or any
other person, except as required by law.

         SECTION 5.3 ERISA RIGHTS AND INFORMATION. Attached hereto as Appendix A
is a description of certain ERISA rights and other information applicable to
this Agreement.

         SECTION 5.4 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION. This Agreement and its
attachments constitute the complete and entire agreement between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements
between the parties. The parties have executed this Agreement based upon the
express terms and provisions set forth herein and have not relied on any
communications or representations, oral or written, which are not set forth in
this Agreement.

         SECTION 5.5 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may not be modified by an
subsequent agreement unless the modifying agreement: (i) is in writing; (ii)
contains an express provision referencing this Agreement; (iii) is signed and
executed on behalf of the Company by an officer of the Company other than
Employee; and (v) is signed by Employee.

         SECTION 5.6 CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement and the performance hereof
will be construed and governed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Tennessee, without regard to its choice of law principles, except to the extent
that federal law controls or preempts state law.

         SECTION 5.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The obligations, duties and
responsibilities of Employee under this Agreement are personal and shall not be
assignable. In the event of Employee's death or disability, this Agreement shall
be enforceable by Employee's estate, executors or legal representatives. The
obligations, duties and responsibilities of Company hereunder shall be binding
upon any successor of the Company (whether through a transaction described as a
Change in Control or otherwise).

         SECTION 5.8 WAIVER OF PROVISIONS. Any waiver of any terms and
conditions hereof must be in writing and signed by the parties hereto. The
waiver of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not be
construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other terms
and conditions hereof.



                                       10
<PAGE>   11

         SECTION 5.9 SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement and the
amount of Benefits payable hereunder shall be deemed severable, and if any
portion shall be held invalid, illegal or enforceable for any reason, the
remainder of this Agreement and/or Benefit payment shall be effective and
binding upon the parties.

         SECTION 5.10 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in multiple
counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, and all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.




                                       11
<PAGE>   12

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company and Employee have caused this Agreement to
be executed on the day and year indicated below to be effective on the day and
year first written above.


EMPLOYEE:



/s/ Howard T. Wall                                             1/24/00
--------------------------------------------            ------------------------
HOWARD T. WALL, III                                              Date


COMPANY:

PROVINCE HEALTHCARE COMPANY



By: /s/ Martin S. Rash
    ----------------------------------------            ------------------------
                                                                  Date

Its:
     ---------------------------------------



                                       12
<PAGE>   13
                                                                      APPENDIX A


                          ERISA RIGHTS AND INFORMATION

         The parties acknowledge that the following information is provided to
Employee hereunder in connection with Employee's rights as a welfare plan
participant under ERISA. The terms "you" and "yours" refer to Employee.

         As a participant in a welfare plan maintained by the Company, you are
entitled to certain rights and protections under ERISA. ERISA provides that all
plan participants shall be entitled to:

-        Examine, without charge, at the Administrator's office and at other
         specified locations, all plan documents, including insurance contracts,
         and copies of all documents filed by the plan with the U.S. Department
         of Labor, such as detailed annual reports and plan descriptions.

-        Obtain copies of all plan documents and other plan information upon
         written request to the Administrator. The Administrator may make a
         reasonable charge for the copies.

-        Receive a summary of the plan's annual financial report. The
         Administrator is required by law to furnish each participant with a
         copy of this summary annual report.

         In addition to creating rights for plan participants, ERISA imposes
duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the employee
benefit plan. The people who operate your plan, called "fiduciaries" of the
plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other plan
participants and beneficiaries. No one, including the Company or any other
person, may fire you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent
you from obtaining a benefit under this plan or from exercising your rights
under ERISA.

         If a claim for a Benefit is denied in whole or in part, you must
receive a written explanation of the reason for the denial. You have the right
to have the Administrator review and reconsider your claim.

         Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights.
For instance, if you request materials from the plan and do not receive them
within 30 days, you may file suit in a federal court. In such a case, the court
may require the Administrator to provide the materials and pay you up to $100 a
day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent because
of reasons beyond the control of the Administrator.

         If you have a claim for benefits that is denied or ignored, in whole or
in part, you may file suit in a state or federal court. If it should happen that
plan fiduciaries misuse the plan's



                                       13
<PAGE>   14
money or if you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may
seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor or you may file suit in a
federal court. The court will decide who should pay court costs and fees. If you
lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it
finds your claim is frivolous.

         If you have any questions about your plan, you should contact the
Administrator. If you have any questions about this statement or about your
rights under ERISA, you should contact the nearest Area Office of the U.S.
Labor-Management Services Administration, Department of Labor.

                          SUMMARY OF ERISA INFORMATION

Name of Plan: Province Healthcare Company Executive Severance Plan

Name and Address of the Company:

         Province Healthcare Company
         105 Westwood Place, Suite 400
         Brentwood, Tennessee 37027

Who Pays for the Plan: The cost of the plan is paid entirely by the Company.

The Company's Employer Identification No.:  62-1710772

Plan Number:  599

Plan Year:  January 1 to December 31

Plan Administrator, Name, Address and Telephone No.:

                  Administrator of the Province Healthcare Company Executive
                  Severance Plan
                  c/o _____________
                  Province Healthcare Company
                  105 Westwood Place, Suite 400
                  Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
                  (615) 370-1377

Agent for Service of Legal Process on the Plan: Chief Executive Officer or
Administrator.

Benefits are paid out of the general assets of the Company. The Company may, in
its discretion establish a "grantor trust" to fund the payment of Benefits.
Otherwise, this plan does not give you any rights to any particular assets of
the Company. Cash amounts paid under a severance plan are generally considered
taxable income to the recipient.





                                       14