Document:

DIRECTOR
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

          This
Stock Option Agreement (the
“Agreement”) has been made as of [                    ], between HEALTH
MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),
and[                    ](“Optionee”).

          Background.  The Optionee is a non-employee director of
the Company, and this Agreement is made pursuant to the Health Management
Associates, Inc. Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors (the “Plan”).  The purpose of this Agreement is to establish
a written agreement evidencing options granted under the Plan.  In this Agreement “shares” shall mean shares
of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
“Class A Common Stock”), or other securities resulting from an adjustment
under Section 7 of this Agreement.

          Accordingly,
the parties agree as follows:

          Grant
of Options.  The Company hereby
grants to the Optionee [          ]
options (the “Options”) to purchase an aggregate of [                    ](          )  shares under the terms
and conditions hereof.

          1.     Term.  The Options become exercisable and terminate
in accordance with the schedule set forth in Section 4 hereof; provided,
however, that all of the Options shall lapse and terminate on the 90th day
following the date on which the Optionee ceases to be a director of the Company
for any reason other than his death.  In
the case of the Optionee’s death while he is serving as a director of the
Company, the Options shall lapse and terminate six months after the date of the
Optionee’s death.  Notwithstanding any
other provision hereof to the contrary, however, the Options shall expire and
terminate on [                   
].  Upon any termination of the
Options, the Optionee’s rights under this Agreement, including the right to
exercise the Options under Section 4 hereof, shall thereupon terminate.

          2.     Price.  The price of each share purchased upon
exercise of an Option is $[          ],
that being the fair market value per share of the Class A Common Stock on
[                    ], the grant date
of the Options.

          3.     Partial
Exercise.  The Options, to the
extent exercisable under Section 5 hereof, may be exercised in whole or
part provided that any one of the Options may not be exercised for less than
one share in any single transaction.

          4.     Schedule
and Method of Exercise.

	
   
	
  (a)
	
  Each Option
  is exercisable according to the following schedule:

	
   
	
   
	
  (i)
	
  First
  Option: 
  exercisable for [          ]
  shares beginning on [                   
  ] and terminating on [                   
  ];

Page 1 of 4

	
   
	
   
	
  (ii)
	
  Second
  Option: 
  exercisable for an additional [          ] shares beginning on [                    ] and terminating on [                    ];

	
   
	
   
	
   
	
   

	
   
	
   
	
  (iii)
	
  Third Option:  exercisable for an additional [          ] shares beginning on [                    ] and terminating on [                    ].

	
   
	
   
	
   
	
   

	
   
	
   
	
  (iv)
	
  Fourth
  Option: 
  exercisable for an additional [          ] shares beginning on [                    ] and terminating on [                    ].

          5.     An
Option shall be exercised by written notice given by the Optionee to the
Company specifying the number of shares that the Optionee elects to purchase,
accompanied by full payment, in cash, for such shares.  Alternatively, the Optionee may pay for such
shares, in whole or in part, by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock
already owned by the Optionee, which will be accepted in exchange at the fair
market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise.  Upon determining that compliance with this
Agreement has occurred, including compliance with such reasonable requirements
as  the Company may impose pursuant to
Section 8 hereof, the Company shall issue certificates for the shares
purchased.

          6.     No
Rights of Stockholder.   No person,
estate or other entity shall have the rights of a stockholder of the Company
with respect to shares subject to the Options until a certificate or
certificates for such shares has been delivered to the person exercising the
Option.

          7.     Rights
of the Company.  This Agreement does
not affect the Company’s right to take any corporate action whatsoever,
including its right to recapitalize, reorganize or make other changes in its
capital structure or business, merge or consolidate, issue bonds, notes or
stock, including preferred stock, or options therefor, dissolve or liquidate,
or sell or transfer any part of its assets or business.

          8.     Adjustment
Provisions.  In the event that
(a) in connection with a merger or consolidation of the Company or a sale
by the Company of all or a part of its assets, the outstanding shares of
Class A Common Stock are exchanged for a different number or class of
shares of stock or other securities of the Company, or for shares of the stock
or other securities of any other entity; or (b) new, different or
additional shares or other securities of the Company or of another entity are
received by the holders of Class A Common Stock; or (c) any dividend in
the form of stock is paid to the holders of Class A Common Stock, or any stock
split or reverse split pertaining to Class A Common Stock is effected; then
appropriate adjustment shall be made to (I) the number and kind of shares
or other securities that may be issued upon exercise of an Option; and
(ii) the purchase price per share to be paid upon exercise of an
Option.  Under no circumstance shall the
Optionee be entitled to an adjustment under the Options to reflect dilution
resulting from the issuance of additional stock by the Company, except as
expressly provided in the preceding sentence, regardless of whether such stock
is issued for less than the exercise price of the Option.

          9.     Taxes;
Compliance with Laws.  The Company,
if necessary or desirable, may pay or withhold the amount of any tax
attributable to any shares deliverable under this Agreement, and the Company
may defer making delivery until it is indemnified to its satisfaction for that
tax.

Page 2 of 4

                  (a)     The
Optionee represents and warrants to the Company that the Options are being
acquired by him solely for investment and not with a view to, or for sale in
connection with, any distribution thereof, nor with any present intention of
selling, transferring or disposing of the same.  In addition, unless a Registration Statement with respect thereto
shall be effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933
Act”), each issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon exercise of an
Option shall be conditioned upon the Company’s prior receipt of a duly executed
letter of investment intent, in form and content satisfactory to counsel for
the Company, of the Option holder that such shares are being acquired by such
holder solely for investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection
with, any distribution thereof, nor with any present intention of selling,
transferring or disposing of the same. 
Any shares of Class A Common Stock acquired by the holder upon
exercise of the Option may not thereafter be offered for sale, sold or
otherwise transferred unless (i) a Registration Statement with respect
thereto shall be effective under the 1933 Act and the Company shall have been
furnished with proof satisfactory to it that such holder has complied with
applicable state securities laws, or (ii) the Company shall have received
an opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the
Company that the proposed offer for sale, sale or transfer is exempt from the
registration requirements of the 1933 Act and may otherwise be transferred in
compliance with the 1933 Act and in compliance with any other applicable law,
including all applicable state securities laws; and the Company may withhold
transfer, registration and delivery of such securities until one of the
foregoing conditions shall have been met. 
Options are exercisable, and shares can be delivered under this
Agreement, only in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and
securities laws, and the rules of all stock exchanges or trading markets on
which the Class A Common Stock is listed or traded at any time.  Any certificate issued to evidence shares
issued upon exercise of an Option shall bear an appropriate legend reflecting
the foregoing.  An Option may not be
exercised and shares may not be issued under any Option until the Company has
obtained the consent or approval of every regulatory body, federal or state,
having jurisdiction over such matters as the Company deems advisable.

          10.     Non-Transferability.  The Options are not transferable other than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Except as provided in Section 1 hereof pertaining to death of an
Optionee, the Options are exercisable only during the Optionee’s lifetime, and
only by him.

          11.     Tenure.  The Optionee’s right, if any, to continue to
serve the Company as a director or otherwise will not be enlarged or otherwise
affected by this Agreement.

          12.     The
Plan.  This Agreement is subject to
and controlled by the Plan.  Any
necessary inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan shall be resolved
in favor of the Plan.

          13.     Choice
of Law.  This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
(without regard to the choice of law provisions of such laws).

Page 3 of 4

          14.     Notices.  All notices and other communications
required or permitted under this Agreement shall be written, and shall be
either delivered personally or sent by registered or certified first-class
mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or by telex or telecopier,
addressed as follows:  if to the
Company, to the Company’s principal office at 5811 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples,
Florida, 34108-2711, Attention: Senior Vice President and General Counsel; and
if to the Optionee or his successor, to the address last furnished by such
person to the Company.  Each such notice
and communication delivered personally shall be deemed to have been given when
delivered.  Each such notice and other
communication given by mail shall be deemed to have been given when it is
deposited in the United States mail in the manner specified herein, and each
such notice and other communication given by telex or telecopier shall be
deemed to have been given when it is so transmitted and the appropriate answer
back is received.  A party may change
its address for the purpose hereof by giving notice in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 13.

          15.     In
General.  This Agreement is the
final, complete and exclusive expression of the understanding between the
parties and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous agreement or
representation, oral or written between them. 
Modification of this Agreement or waiver of a condition herein must be
written and signed by the party to be bound. 
In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be
illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed from the Agreement
and the entire Agreement shall not fail on account thereof, but shall otherwise
remain in full force and effect.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Optionee and the
Company have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

	
   
	
  HEALTH
  MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.

	
   
	
   

	
   
	
   

	
   
	
  By:

	
   
	
   
	
  

  	
   

	
   
	
   
	
   
	
   

	
   
	
   
	
   
	
   

	
   
	
  
	
  

  	
   

Page 4 of 4STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

under the

Health Management Associates, Inc.

1996 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan

          This Stock Option Agreement is made as of [                    ], by and between Health Management Associates, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [                    ], (the
“Optionee”).

          Background. This
Agreement is made pursuant to, and is governed by, the Health Management
Associates, Inc. 1996 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the ‘“Plan”).  The
purpose of this Agreement is to evidence an option granted under and in
accordance with the Plan.  All of the
terms and conditions of the Plan are incorporated herein by reference as if set
forth herein in full.  As used in this
Agreement, the term “Shares” means the shares of the Company’s Class A Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), or other
securities resulting from an adjustment under Section 9, that underlie the
option hereby granted.

          Accordingly,
the parties agree as follows:

          1.          Grant of Option.  The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee an option to purchase an aggregate of [          ] Shares upon the terms and conditions hereof (the
“Option”).

          2.          Term.  Subject to earlier termination as provided
herein,  the Option will lapse and
terminate on and is not exercisable after [                    ]. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing:

                       (a)          Certain Terminations of Employment:  the Option will lapse and terminate on the
day on which the Optionee ceases to be employed by the Company or a parent or
subsidiary of the Company (an “Affiliate”) for any reason other than his death,
his total and permanent disability, or his retirement on or after age 62;

                       (b)          Death or Disability: 
if the Optionee’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate
terminates on account of his death or his total and permanent disability, the
Option will lapse and terminate on the earlier of (i) the date 36 months after
the date of such termination of employment, or (ii) [                    ]; and

                       (c)          Retirement:  if
the Optionee’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates on  account of his retirement on or after age 62,
the Option will lapse and terminate on [                    ], even if that date is subsequent to the date
of such termination of employment.

          Upon any
termination of the Option, the Optionee’s rights under this Agreement,
including the right to exercise the Option under Section 4, will thereupon
terminate.

Page 1 of 5

          3.          Exercise Price.  The price of each Share purchased upon
exercise of the Option will be $[         
] (that being the last reported sale price per share of the Class A
Common Stock on the date hereof, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange).

          4.          Schedule
and Method of Exercise.

                       (a)          Subject
to the provisions of Section 2, and to the further provisions of this Section
4, the option vests and is exercisable according to the following schedule:

	
   
	
  (i)
	
  First Installment:  exercisable for
  [          ] Shares
  beginning on
  [                    ],
  and ending on
  [                    ];

	
   
	
   
	
   

	
   
	
  (ii)
	
  Second Installment:  exercisable
  for an additional
  [          ] Shares
  beginning on
  [                    ],
  and ending on [                    ];

	
   
	
   
	
   

	
   
	
  (iii)
	
  Third Installment:  exercisable
  for an additional
  [          ] Shares
  beginning on
  [                    ],
  and ending on
  [                    ]
  and

	
   
	
   
	
   

	
   
	
  (iv)
	
  Fourth Installment: exercisable for an
  additional [          ]
  Shares beginning on
  [                    ],
  and ending on [                    ].

                       (b)          An
Option may be exercised by written notice given by the Optionee to the Company
specifying  the number of Shares that
the Optionee elects to purchase, accompanied by full payment for such
Shares.  Upon each exercise, the
exercise price will be payable by one or any combination of the following
methods, as determined by the Option holder and specified in his notice of
exercise: (i) in cash, or (ii) by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock
already owned by the Option holder, which will be accepted in exchange at the
fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise.  Upon determining that the Optionee has
complied with all of the provisions of this Agreement, including such
reasonable requirements as the Company may impose pursuant to Section 11, the
Company will issue certificates for the Shares purchased upon such exercise.

          5.          Partial Exercise.  The Option to the extent
exercisable under Section 4, may be exercised from time to time in whole or
part, provided that the Option may not be exercised for fractional Shares.

          6.          No ISO Treatment.  The Option is not an “incentive stock
option” as described in Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

          7.          No Rights of Stockholder.  No person,
estate or other entity will have the rights of a stockholder of the Company
with respect to any Shares until a certificate for such Shares has been
delivered to the Option holder.

          8.          Rights of the Company.  This
Agreement does not affect the Company’s right to take any corporate action
whatsoever, including its right to recapitalize, reorganize or make other
changes in its capital structure or business, merge or consolidate, issue
bonds, notes or stock, including preferred stock, or options therefor, dissolve
or liquidate, or sell or transfer any part of its assets or business.

Page 2 of 5

          9.          Adjustments.  Upon the occurrence of any of the events
contemplated by Section 10(c) of the Plan appropriate adjustment will be made
to: (a) the number and kind of Shares or other securities that may be issued
upon exercise of the Option, (b) the per Share exercise price to be paid upon
exercise of the Option and (c) such other terms as the Committee under the Plan
deems appropriate pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Plan.  Under no circumstance will the Optionee be
entitled to an adjustment hereunder to reflect dilution resulting from the
issuance of additional stock by the Company, except as expressly provided in
the preceding sentence, regardless of whether such stock is issued for less
than the exercise price of the Option.

          10.        Acceleration Upon Change of Control.  In the event of a “Change in Control” (as
such term is defined in the Plan), the Option will become fully exercisable and
vested as of the date of the Change in Control and as provided by the Plan and
will remain exercisable and vested for the balance of the term thereof, as
provided by Section 2.

          11.        Taxes;
Securities Laws Matters.

                       (a)          Each
exercise of the Option will be conditioned upon the Option holder making
arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the payment to the Company of the
amount of all taxes required by any governmental authority to be withheld and
paid over by the Company to the governmental authority on account of the
exercise.  The payment of such
withholding taxes to the Company may be made by one or any combination of the
following methods, as determined by the Option holder and specified in his
notice of exercise: (i) in cash, (ii) by the Company withholding such taxes
from any other compensation owed to the Option holder by the Company or an
Affiliate, or (iii) by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock already owned
by the Option holder, which will be accepted in exchange at the fair market
value of the Class A Common Stock on the date of exercise.

                       (b)          As
a precondition to the Company’s execution of this Agreement and the grant of
the Option hereunder, the Optionee represents to the Company that the Option is
being, and (unless a Registration Statement with respect thereto is then
effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) any Shares
acquired by the Optionee upon exercise of the Option will be, acquired by the
Optionee solely for investment and not with a view to, or for sale in
connection with any distribution thereof, nor with any present intention of
selling, transferring or disposing of the same.  The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that the Option may not be
offered for sale, sold, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred or
disposed of in any manner inconsistent with this Agreement or the Plan, and
that any Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option may not be offered for sale,
sold or otherwise transferred or disposed of unless (i) a Registration
Statement with respect thereto is then effective under the Act, and the
Optionee has provided proof satisfactory to counsel for the Company that he has
complied with all applicable state securities laws, or (ii) the Company has
received an opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to counsel
for the Company that the proposed offer for sale, sale or transfer of the
Shares is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act and may
otherwise be effected in compliance with any other applicable laws.  The Optionee agrees that unless a
Registration Statement with respect thereto is then effective under the Act, a
legend to this effect may be placed on each certificate, and a stop transfer
order may be placed against his account, relating to the Shares.  In addition, each such certificate will bear
such additional legends and statements, if any, as the Company deems advisable
to assure compliance with the provisions of the Plan as well as all applicable
Federal and state laws and regulations. 
The Optionee acknowledges that the Company is relying upon his
representations contained in this Section 11(b) in connection with the issuance
to him of the Option and, upon due exercise, the Shares.  In consideration of such issuance, the
Optionee hereby indemnities and holds harmless the Company, and the officers,
directors, employees and agents thereof, from and against any and all
liability, losses, damages, expenses and attorneys’ fees which they may
hereafter incur, suffer or be required to pay by reason of the falsity of, or
his failure to comply with any representation or agreement contained in this
Section 11(b).

Page 3 of 5

          12.        Non-Transferability.  The Option is not transferable other than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution. 
Except for exercise after the Optionee’s death as permitted by Section
2(b), the Option is exercisable only during the Optionee’s lifetime, and only
by him.

          13.        Tenure. 
The Optionee’s right, if any, to
continue to serve the Company or any Affiliate as an officer, employee or
otherwise will not be enlarged or otherwise affected by this Agreement.  This Agreement does not restrict the right
of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the Optionee’s employment at any
time.

          14.        Choice of Law.  This Agreement will be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (without
regard to the choice of law provisions of such laws).

          15.        Notices.  All notices and other communications
required or permitted to be given under this Agreement will be written, and
will be either delivered personally or sent by registered or certified
first-class mail postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or by telex or
telecopier, addressed as follows: if to the Company, to the Company’s principal
office at 5811 Pelican Bay Boulevard, Suite
500, Naples, Florida 34108, Attention: Corporate Secretary; and if
to Optionee or his successor, to the address last furnished by such person to
the Company.  Each such notice and other
communication delivered personally will be deemed to have been given when
delivered.  Each such notice and other
communication given by mail will be deemed to have been given when it is
deposited in the United States mail in the manner specified herein, and each
such notice and other communication given by telex or telecopier will be deemed
to have been given when it is so transmitted and the appropriate answer back is
received.  A party may change its
address for the purpose hereof by giving notice in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 15.

          16.        In General. 
This Agreement is subject to and
controlled by the Plan.  Any necessary
inconsistency between this Agreement and the Plan will be resolved in favor of
the Plan.  This Agreement is the final
complete and exclusive expression of the understanding between the parties and
supersedes any prior or contemporaneous agreement or representation, oral or
written between them.  Except as may be
otherwise expressly provided by the Plan, modification of this Agreement or
waiver of a condition hereof must be written and signed by the party to be
bound.  In the event that any provision
of this Agreement is held to be illegal or unenforceable, such provision will
be severed from the Agreement and the entire Agreement will not fail on account
thereof, but will otherwise remain in full force and effect.  As used herein, the masculine pronoun
includes the feminine and the neuter, as appropriate to the context.  Unless the context otherwise requires,
references herein to a “Section” means a Section of this Agreement.  Section headings contained herein are for
convenience only and do not alter any of the parties’ respective rights or
obligations hereunder.

Page 4 of 5

          IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Optionee have
executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

	
   
	
  HEALTH MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.

	
   
	
   

	
   
	
   

	
   
	
  By:

	
   
	
   
	
  

  
	
   
	
   

	
   
	
   

	
   
	
   

	
   
	
  

  
	
   
	
   
	
  Optionee

Page 5 of 5

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