U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

                                   FORM 12b-25

                                                  Commission File Number 0-12024

[Check One]:
[X] Form 10-K    [ ] Form 20-F   [ ] Form 11-K   [ ] Form 10-Q   [ ] Form N-SAR

    For Period Ended: December 31, 2003

          [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
          [ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
          [ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
          [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
          [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR

          For the Transition Period Ended:
                                          ------------------------------------

      Read Attached Instruction Sheet Before Preparing Form. Please Print or
Type.

      Nothing in this form shall be constructed to imply that the Commission has
verified any information contained herein

If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item[s] to which the notification relates:

PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Full Name of Registrant:  Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.

Former Name if Applicable:

Address of Principal Executive Office:
11231 South La Cienega Boulevard,
Los Angeles, California 90045

PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) and (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rules 12b-25(b), the following
should be completed.


            [Check box if appropriate]

       [a] The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
       could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;

[X]    [b] The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on
       Form 10-K, Form 20-F, Form 11-K, Form N-SAR, or portion thereof, will be
       filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed
       due date; or the subject quarterly report of transition report on
       Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth
       calendar day following the prescribed due date; and

       [c] The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
       12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.


PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K,
10-Q, or N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed
within the prescribed time period.

As a result of delays in developing and verifying data necessary to complete the
financial statement disclosure, the Form 10-K cannot be filed on time without
unreasonable effort and expense.

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

       [1] Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
       notification

       Patricia Fitzpatrick             (310)                  665-9865
             [Name]                  [Area Code]           [Telephone Number]

       [2] Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15[d] of
       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment
       Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months [or for such shorter
       period that the registrant was required to file such reports] been
       filed? If answer is no, identify report[s]. [X] Yes [ ] No

       [3] Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of
       operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be
       reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report
       or portion thereof? [ ] Yes [X] No

       If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
       and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a
       reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made.


                          MAXICARE HEALTH PLANS, INC.
                  [Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter]

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

Date: March 30, 2004                     By: /s/ Joseph White
                                             Chief Financial Officer