10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005

OR

oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-16477

COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	52-2073000
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20817

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (301)581-0600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $.01 par value

Common Stock purchase rights

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one). Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting Common Stock held by non - affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2005 (computed by reference to the closing sales price of such stock on the NYSE® stock market on such date) was $7,636,581,238.

As of February 28, 2006, there were 160,320,895 shares of the registrant’s voting Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Parts of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A subsequent to the filing of this Form 10-K Report are incorporated by reference in Items 10 through 14 of Part III hereof.

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COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC.

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I.
	Item 1:        Business	3
	Item 1A:     Risk Factors	17
	Item 1B:     Unresolved Staff Comments	23
	Item 2:        Properties	23
	Item 3:        Legal Proceedings	23
	Item 4:        Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	23
PART II.
	Item 5:       Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	24
	Item 6:       Selected Financial Data	25
	Item 7:       Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	26
	Item 7A:    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	38
	Item 8:       Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	40
	Item 9:       Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	63
	Item 9a:     Controls and Procedures	63
	Item 9b:     Other Information	64
PART III.
	Item 10:     Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant	64
	Item 11:     Executive Compensation	64
	Item 12:     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	64
	Item 13:     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions	64
	Item 14:     Principal Accountant Fees and Services	64
PART IV.
	Item 15:     Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	65
SIGNATURES		66

Ex - 4.1      Specimen Common Stock Certificate

Ex - 10.9    Employment Agreement effective July 1, 2004, between Patrisha L. Davis and Coventry Health Care, Inc.

Ex - 10.10  Employment Agreement effective January 31, 2005, between Harry Creasey and Coventry Health Care, Inc.

Ex - 10.13  Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective January 1, 2006

Ex - 10.14  Summary of Named Executive Officer Compensation

Ex - 10.21  Form of Coventry Health Care, Inc. Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement

Ex - 21       Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Ex - 23       Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

Ex - 31.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Ex - 31.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Ex - 32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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PART I

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties in accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, typically include assumptions, estimates or descriptions of our future plans, strategies and expectations, and are generally identifiable by the use of the words “anticipate,” “will,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” or other similar expressions. Examples of these include discussions regarding our operating and growth strategy, projections of revenue, income or loss and future operations. Unless this Form 10-K indicates otherwise or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “our,” “our Company,” “the Company” or “us” as used in this Form 10-K refer to Coventry Health Care, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005.

These forward-looking statements may be affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1a, “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K. Actual operations and results may differ materially from those expressed in this Form 10-K. Among the factors that may materially affect our business are increases in medical costs, difficulties in increasing premiums due to competitive pressures, unanticipated revenue short falls in recently acquired companies, price restrictions under Medicaid and Medicare, problems in integrating or realizing efficiencies in acquired companies, issues related to product marketing and imposition of regulatory restrictions, costs, or penalties. Other factors that may materially affect the Company’s business include issues related to the inability in obtaining or maintaining favorable contracts with health care providers, credit risks on global capitation arrangements, financing costs and contingencies, the ability to increase membership and premium rates and litigation risk.

Item 1: Business

General

We are a national managed health care company based in Bethesda, Maryland, operating health plans, insurance companies, network rental / managed care services companies, and workers’ compensation services companies. We provide a full range of risk and fee-based managed care products and services, including health maintenance organization (“HMO”), preferred provider organizations (“PPO”), point of service products (“POS”), Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Medicaid, Workers’ Compensation and Network Rental to a broad cross section of individuals, employer and government-funded groups, government agencies, and other insurance carriers and administrators in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Coventry was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 17, 1997 and is the successor to Coventry Corporation, which was incorporated on November 21, 1986. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports, and recent press releases can be found, within one week of being filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and free of charge, on the Internet at www.coventryhealth.com.

Coventry has two operating segments: Health Plans and First Health. Our Health Plans segment serves 17 markets, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southeast United States. Our health plans are operated under the names Altius Health Plans, Carelink Health Plans, Coventry Health Care, Coventry Health and Life, Group Health Plan, HealthAmerica, HealthAssurance, HealthCare USA, OmniCare, PersonalCare, Southern Health and WellPath. Our health plans generally are located in small to mid-sized metropolitan areas.

Our Health Plans segment offers a broad range of managed care products to a broad cross-section of employers including federal, state, and local governments. In addition, in selected markets, we participate in Medicaid and Medicare Advantage programs. Our products include traditional HMO products, PPO and POS. We offer these products on an underwritten or “risk” basis where we receive a monthly premium in exchange for assuming underwriting risks including all medical and administrative costs, as well as on a self-funded basis where we perform administrative services only for a fee and the customer assumes the risk for medical costs. Within these products, we also offer consumer-directed benefit options including health reimbursement accounts (“HRA”) and health savings accounts (“HSA”). The Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products offered through our health plans are risk products.

Our First Health segment serves the group health, workers’ compensation and state public program market and assists a broad range of payor clients through a portfolio of both integrated and stand-alone managed care and administrative products. The components of First Health’s offerings include:

• A broad, national preferred provider organization of directly contracted, quality, cost-effective health care providers

• Clinical programs, including case management, disease management and return to work programs

• Administrative products, including group health claims administration and business process outsourcing for the workers’ compensation business, including bill review, first report of injury and front end claim processing

• Pharmacy benefit management

• Fiscal agent services (generally for state entitlement programs)

• Group health insurance products

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Health Plan Business

Health Plan Products

Commercial Risk

Our health plans offer individuals and employer groups a full range of commercial risk products, including HMO, PPO and POS products. Our health plans design their products to meet the needs and objectives of a wide range of employers and members and to comply with the regulatory requirements in the markets in which they operate. Our health plans had 1.5 million commercial risk members as of December 31, 2005 that accounted for $4.3 billion of revenue in 2005.

Our health plan products vary with respect to products features, the level of benefits provided, the costs to be paid by employers and members, including deductibles and co-payments, and our members’ access to providers without referral or preauthorization requirements.

Health Maintenance Organizations

Our health plan HMO products provide comprehensive health care benefits to members, including ambulatory and inpatient physician services, hospitalization, pharmacy, mental health and ancillary diagnostic and therapeutic services. In general, a fixed monthly membership fee covers all HMO services although some benefit plans require co-payments or deductibles in addition to the basic membership fee. A primary care physician assumes overall responsibility for the care of a member, including preventive and routine medical care and referrals to specialists and consulting physicians. While an HMO member’s choice of providers is limited to those within the health plan’s HMO network, the HMO member is typically entitled to coverage of a broader range of health care services than is covered by typical reimbursement or indemnity policies. Furthermore, many of our health plan HMO products have added features to more easily allow “direct access” to providers.

Preferred Provider Organizations and Point of Service

Our health plan risk-based PPO and POS products also provide comprehensive managed health care benefits to members, but allow members to choose their health care providers at the time medical services are required and allow members to use providers that do not participate in our health plan managed care networks. If a member chooses a non-participating provider, deductibles, co-payments and other out-of-pocket costs to the member generally are higher than if the member chooses a participating provider. Our health plans also offer high deductible plans in conjunction with consumer directed products. Premiums for our health plan PPO and POS products typically are lower than HMO premiums due to the increased out-of-pocket costs borne by the members.

Medicare Advantage

As of December 31, 2005, our health plans operated four Medicare Advantage (“MA”) HMO’s in four states covering 68,000 members and operated four Medicare demonstration PPO’s in six states covering 7,000 members. The Medicare Advantage line of business accounted for $676.3 million of revenue in 2005.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) pays a county-specific fixed premium per member per month (“PMPM”) under our health plan Medicare contracts. In 2005, 50% of the payment is based on demographic factors of the individual member and 50% is based on individually determined health risk adjusters. In 2006, 75% of the payment will be based on risk adjusters, and the payments in 2007 and beyond will be 100% health risk based. The average increase of CMS rates in the health plan service area counties for 2005 was 11.8%. This includes a 6.8% average increase in the ratebook published by CMS and 1.6% for the shift in blending from 30% to 50% risk based; another 3.4% resulted from a change in the mix of members and their associated risk and demographic scores. Our health plans also receive a monthly premium from most of its Medicare members and/or their employer. However, in 2006, each Medicare market in which the health plan segment operates will have at least one plan for which members do not pay a premium.

Medicaid

Certain health plans offer health care coverage to Medicaid recipients in eight states which, as of December 31, 2005, covered 393,000 members and accounted for $754.3 million of revenue in 2005. These health plans enter into a Medicaid Management Care contract with each of these individual states. Under a Medicaid contract, the participating state pays a monthly premium per member based on the age, sex, eligibility category and in some states, county or region of the Medicaid member enrolled. In some states, these premiums are adjusted according to the health risk associated with the individual member. The majority of the Medicaid members are in the Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania markets, representing 83.8% of the total Medicaid membership.         

Management Services

Our health plans offer management services and access to their provider networks to employers that self-insure their employee health benefits. The management services provided typically include network management, claims processing, utilization review and quality assurance. Our health plans receive a fixed fee for its management services and access to their provider networks and they assume no underwriting risk. As of December 31, 2005, the health plans had approximately 592,000 non-risk health plan members.

Health plan management and other administrative services accounted for $119.6 million of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2005.

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Health Plan Markets

The geographic markets in which our health plans operate are described as follows:

• Delaware — commercial products in Delaware and Maryland; Medicaid products in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

• Georgia — commercial products in the greater Atlanta and Savannah metropolitan areas.

• Illinois — commercial products, primarily in the Western, Northern (exclusive of the Chicago Metropolitan area) and Central Illinois areas.

• Iowa — commercial products to members primarily in the Des Moines metro area; Medicaid products in the Waterloo area; and Medicare products in five counties.

• Kansas — commercial products in Kansas and portions of Western Missouri and Oklahoma. Medicare products in the Kansas City and Wichita metropolitan areas.

• Louisiana — commercial products, primarily in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport metropolitan areas.

• Michigan — Medicaid products in Wayne County, Michigan.

• Missouri— commercial and Medicare products to members in the St. Louis metropolitan area, including portions of Southern Illinois; Medicaid products also in the St. Louis metropolitan area and Central and Western Missouri.

• Nebraska — commercial products primarily in the Omaha metropolitan area with additional networks in Lincoln and rural Nebraska.

• North Carolina — commercial and Medicaid products primarily in the Charlotte and Raleigh — Durham metropolitan areas.

• Pennsylvania — commercial products primarily in Harrisburg, Lehigh Valley and the State College metropolitan areas comprising the Central Pennsylvania market; commercial products in the Philadelphia metropolitan area comprising the Eastern Pennsylvania market; commercial products in Pittsburgh, Erie and portions of Eastern Ohio comprising the Western Pennsylvania market; Medicaid products in the Harrisburg metropolitan area; and Medicare products in the Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and State College metropolitan areas.

• Utah — commercial products primarily in the Ogden, Salt Lake City and Provo metropolitan areas. Commercial products also in Wyoming and Idaho.

• Virginia — commercial and Medicaid products primarily in the Richmond, Roanoke and Charlottesville metropolitan areas and the Shenandoah Valley.

• West Virginia — commercial, Medicaid and Medicare products to a service area covering a majority of the state’s population.

Health Plan Membership

The following tables show the total number of health plan members as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands) and the percentage change in membership between these dates.

			December 31,		Percent
			2005	2004	Change
Membership by market:
	Delaware		119	102	16.7%
	Georgia		78	73	6.8%
	Illinois		93	87	6.9%
	Iowa		67	66	1.5%
	Kansas		218	209	4.3%
	Louisiana		64	76	(15.8%)
	Michigan		61	62	(1.6%)
	Missouri		449	495	(9.3%)
	Nebraska		54	50	8.0%
	North Carolina		133	119	11.8%
	Pennsylvania		739	740	(0.1%)
	Utah		208	187	11.2%
	Virginia		181	169	7.1%
	West Virginia		82	74	10.8%
		Total membership	2,546	2,509	1.5%
			December 31,		Percent
			2005	2004	Change
Risk membership:
	Commercial		1,486	1,483	0.2%
	Medicare		75	69	8.7%
	Medicaid		393	397	(1.0%)
		Total risk membership	1,954	1,949	0.3%
Non-risk membership			592	560	5.7%
		Total membership	2,546	2,509	1.5%

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Health Plan Provider Networks

Our health plans maintain provider networks that furnish health care services through contractual arrangements with physicians, hospitals and other health care providers. All of our health plans currently offer an open panel delivery system. In an open panel structure, individual physicians or physician groups contract with the health plans to provide services to members but also maintain independent practices in which they provide services to individuals who are not members of our health plans.

Our health plans have capitation arrangements for certain ancillary health care services, such as mental health care, and a small percentage of our membership is covered by global capitation arrangements. Under the typical arrangement, the provider receives a fixed percentage of premium to cover all the medical costs provided to the globally capitated members. Under some capitated arrangements, physicians may also receive additional compensation from risk sharing and other incentive arrangements. Global capitation arrangements limit our health plans’ exposure to the risk of increasing medical costs, but expose them to risk as to the adequacy of the financial and medical care resources of the provider organization. Our health plans are ultimately responsible for the coverage of their members pursuant to the customer agreements. To the extent that the respective provider organization faces financial difficulties or otherwise is unable to perform its obligations under the capitation arrangements, our health plans will be required to perform such obligations. Consequently, our health plans may have to incur costs in excess of the amounts they would otherwise have to pay under the original global or ancillary capitation arrangements. Medical costs associated with capitation arrangements made up approximately 6.5%, 7.1%, and 9.9% of our total medical costs for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Membership associated with global capitation arrangements was approximately 116,000, 127,000 and 145,000 as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Based on our knowledge and experience, we consider the risk associated with these arrangements to be insignificant.

Most of our health plan contracted primary care and specialist physicians are compensated under a discounted fee-for-service arrangement. The majority of our health plans contract with hospitals to provide for inpatient per diem or per case hospital rates. Outpatient services are contracted on a discounted fee-for-service, a per case basis or in some instances a discount from charges basis. Our health plans pay ancillary providers on a fixed fee schedule or a capitation basis. Prescription drug benefits are provided through a formulary comprised of an extensive list of drugs. Drug prices are negotiated at discounted rates through a network of pharmacies in the markets in which our health plans operate.

Health Plan Medical Management

Our health plans have established systems to monitor the availability, appropriateness and effectiveness of the patient care their network providers provide. Our health plans collect utilization data in each of our health plan markets that is used to analyze over-utilization or under-utilization of services and to assist our health plans in arranging for appropriate care for their members and improving patient outcomes in a cost efficient manner. Our corporate office monitors the medical management policies of our health plans and assists our health plans in implementing disease management programs, quality assurance programs and other medical management tools. In addition, our health plans have internal quality assurance review committees made up of practicing physicians and staff members whose responsibilities include periodic review of medical records, development and implementation of standards of care based on current medical literature and the collection of data relating to results of treatment.

Our health plans have developed a comprehensive disease management program that identifies those members having certain chronic diseases, such as asthma and diabetes. Our health plan case managers proactively work with members and their physicians to facilitate appropriate treatment, help to ensure compliance with recommended therapies and educate members on lifestyle modifications to manage the disease. We believe that our disease management program promotes the delivery of efficient care and helps to improve the quality of health care delivered.

Each of our health plans either employs or contracts with physicians as medical directors who monitor the quality and appropriateness of the medical services provided to our members. The medical directors supervise medical managers who review and approve, for coverage, requests by physicians to perform certain diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, using nationally recognized clinical guidelines developed based on nationwide benchmarks that maximize efficiency in health care delivery and InterQual, a nationally recognized evidence-based set of criteria developed through peer review medical literature. Medical managers also continually review the status of hospitalized patients and compare their medical progress with established clinical criteria, make hospital rounds to review patients’ medical progress and perform quality assurance and utilization functions.

Medical directors also monitor the utilization of diagnostic services and encourage the use of outpatient surgery and testing where appropriate. Data showing each physician’s utilization profile for diagnostic tests, specialty referrals and hospitalization are collected by each health plan and presented to the health plan’s physicians. The medical directors monitor these results in an attempt to ensure the use of cost-effective, medically appropriate services.

Our health plans also focus on the satisfaction of its members. They monitor appointment availability, member-waiting times, provider environments and overall member satisfaction. Our health plans continually conduct membership surveys of existing employer groups concerning the quality of services furnished and suggestions for improvement.

Health Plan Information Technology

We believe that integrated and reliable information technology systems are critical to our health plans’ success. We have implemented advanced information systems to improve the operating efficiency of our health plans, support medical management, underwriting and quality assurance decisions and effectively service our employer customers, members and providers. Each of our health plans operates on a single financial reporting system along with a common, fully integrated application which encompasses all aspects of our commercial, government and non-risk business, including enrollment, provider referrals, premium billing and claims processing. Our centralized data center processes approximately 23.3 million claims annually.

We have dedicated in-house teams providing infrastructure and application support services to our members. Our data warehouse collects information from all of our health plans and uses it in medical management to support our underwriting, product pricing, quality assurance, rates, marketing and contracting functions. We have dedicated in-house teams that convert acquired health plans to our information systems as soon as possible following the closing of the acquisition.

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Approximately 69.1% of all claim transactions are processed via electronic data interface which supports our ability to auto adjudicate 79.7% of all claims.

Health Plan Marketing

Our health plans market commercial HMO, POS and PPO products to individuals and employer group purchasers in their local markets on both a fully insured and self-funded basis. Among small and medium size employers, our health plan commercial products are most commonly offered on an exclusive basis. In the large group segment, our health plan products may be made available to employees as one option among multiple carriers. In all size segments, employers generally pay a large part of their employees’ health care premiums, although we have witnessed a gradual trend toward a growing portion of that cost being assumed by employees. Typically our health plan employer group contracts are renewed annually.

To respond to market demand, our health plans have expanded the number of lower cost product options made available to employee group purchasers. These include FlexChoice products, a family of products whereby the employer bears a substantially greater proportion of healthcare costs through mechanisms such as health reimbursement accounts. In addition, our health plans offer HSAs which are tax-advantaged employee savings accounts for healthcare expenses, in most markets effective January 2005. We continue to invest in an array of consumer-driven health plan alternatives.

Our health plans maintain an active presence in the communities they serve through participation in health fairs, special children’s programs and other community activities, which we believe enhances our visibility and reputation in these communities. Our health plans market their managed care products and services through their own sales staff and a network of several thousand independent brokers and agents. Our local direct sales staff and independent brokers and agents market our health plans, seeking to attract new employer customers and members and retain our existing employer customers and members. We compensate our direct sales staff through a combination of base salary and incentive arrangements. We compensate our independent brokers and agents on a commission basis.

Our health plan direct sales staff and independent brokers and agents typically market their managed care products and services to employers in a two-step process in which presentations are made first to employers to secure contracts to provide health benefits. In most instances, our health plan sales are made on a complete replacement basis. If they are co-existing in an employer account with another carrier, our health plan direct sales staff will then be involved in the solicitation of members from the employee base during periodic open enrollments during which employees are permitted to change health care programs. In some markets, they use workplace presentations, direct mail and radio and television advertisements to market to prospective members.

Our health plan Medicaid products are marketed to Medicaid recipients by state Medicaid authorities. Our health plans market Medicare products through television, radio, newspaper and billboard advertising and direct mail to both individuals and retirees of employer groups that provide benefits to retirees. In addition, our health plans offer the Medicare product through a network of independent brokers and agents. Our health plan Medicaid and Medicare contracts are renewable annually. Medicare enrollees are able to disenroll monthly. However, in 2006, there will be a “lock-in” period starting in May in which specific criteria will have to be met to disenroll.

Our health plans seek to enroll eligible Medicare members in plans covering both medical and pharmacy benefits. In 2006, we will also offer a stand alone prescription drug plan (“PDP”) under the new CMS regulations. This product will be marketed through our existing channels as well as through joint marketing arrangements with Medicare Supplement Health Insurers and third party payors and administrators (“TPAs”) and related broker distribution entities.

Health Plan Significant Customers

Our health plan commercial business is diversified across a large customer base and there are no commercial groups that make up 10% or more of our managed care premiums. We received 11.8%, 10.9% and 10.8% of our managed care premiums for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, from the Federal Medicare program throughout our various health plan markets. We also received 13.2%, 11.7% and 11.8% of our managed care premiums for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, from our state-sponsored Medicaid programs throughout our various health plan markets. In 2005, the State of Missouri accounted for almost half of our health plan Medicaid premiums.

Health Plan Competition

The managed care industry is highly competitive, both nationally and in the individual markets we serve. Generally, in each market, we compete against local health plans and nationally focused health insurers and managed care plans. We compete for employer groups and members primarily on the basis of the price of the benefit plans offered, locations of the health care providers, reputation for quality care and service, financial stability, comprehensiveness of coverage, diversity of product offerings and access to care. We also compete with other managed care organizations and indemnity insurance carriers in obtaining and retaining favorable contracts for health care services and supplies.

Financial Information

Required financial information related to our business segments is set forth in Note N of our consolidated financial statements.

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First Health Business

Our First Health segment is a collection of health benefits services companies that serve the Group Health and Specialty sectors.

Group Health Sector Overview

The Group Health business offers its managed care and administrative products to commercial payors in three customer classifications: National Accounts, Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (“FEHB Program”), and Network Rental.

National Accounts

First Health serves businesses with locations in several states that self-insure the health care benefits of their employees subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). A variety of stand-alone managed care services, as well as a portfolio of integrated health plan products are generally offered to national, multi-site companies with 500 employees or more as well as to mid-size companies in regional and local markets.

Federal Employee Health Benefits Program

First Health has provided services to plans in the FEHB Program for nearly two decades. The FEHB Program is the largest employer-sponsored group health program in the United States. The FEHB Program sector is both a business-to-business and business-to-consumer sector where federal employees have the opportunity to choose a health benefits carrier from a number of offered plans each year. First Health provides a variety of managed care and administrative services, and serves as the plan administrator to the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (“MHBP”), First Health’s largest client. The MHBP offers health care benefits under the FEHB Program to federal employees nationwide. First Health also provides a full range of managed care and administrative services to MHBP and, to a lesser degree, provides various managed care or administrative services to certain other FEHB Plans.

Network Rental

First Health offers its national PPO network and other managed care products to national, regional, and local TPAs and insurance carriers. This business primarily operates on a business-to-business basis, focusing on delivering managed care and administrative solutions that increase client efficiency and improve their product offerings. Network services are supplemented with a variety of product offerings, including clinical management programs. A block of small group insured business underwritten by First Health Life and Health and supported by the First Health network is included in the Group Health sector.

Specialty Sector Overview

The Specialty businesses offer network managed care and administrative services to Workers’ Compensation and Public/Medicaid customers.

Workers’ Compensation

First Health provides administrative services to worker’ compensation TPAs, funds and carriers who underwrite workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ Compensation insurance covers the cost of medical care, lost wages and rehabilitation for workers injured on the job. First Health offers managed care services, including the First Health Network and business process outsourcing, including bill review, imaging and work flow management and first report of injury. In general, workers’ compensation carriers and self-funded entities have experienced significant challenges in recent years due to increases in medical costs. As a result, there is a demand by payors for products that target high cost and/or high volume services as well as access to a broad, discounted network. First Health has one of the largest cost effective national workers’ compensation network creating a value proposition for its customers. In addition, First Health has developed products to help its clients contain costs such as a subset-point-of-entry network (smaller network of providers that are accessed for initial treatment by injured workers), a managed physical therapy program, a Medicare set-aside program, an appointment setting program, and a pain management network. Furthermore, its business process outsourcing provides customers with work flow and medical records value-added solutions.

Medicaid/Public

Our Medicaid/Public entity, First Health Services, provides integrated automation, administration, payment and health care management services to state and local governments (“Public Sector”) related to their pharmacy and health benefits programs. First Health Services offers the following categories of programs:

• Pharmacy benefit management

• Health care management

• Fiscal agent services

First Health Services has been able to utilize its Medicaid fiscal agent expertise, base of experience in the public sector and client relationships with over 26 state governments to provide new products and services as the public sector health programs (primarily Medicaid) move toward more efficient utilization of health care services.

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Group Health Products

The First Health Network

The national PPO network, known as the First Health Network, incorporates both group health and workers’ compensation medical providers. The First Health Network is the core of the Group Health and Workers’ Compensation business, providing the foundation for all other products and services. PPOs are networks of contracted hospitals, physicians and other health care providers that provide health care services at pre-negotiated rates to members and customers of various payors, including employee groups, workers’ compensation payors or other payors. PPO networks offer a means of managing health care costs by reducing the per-unit price of medical services accessed through the network while providing an increased number of patients to PPO providers. The First Health provider network aggregates hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers all across the country, and allows First Health to offer services at pre-negotiated rates to a diverse group of payors, including group health and workers’ compensation insurance carriers, TPAs, HMOs, self-insured employers, union trusts, and government employee plans.

As of December 31, 2005, First Health’s hospital network included approximately 4,500 hospitals in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In most cases, rates are individually negotiated for the full range of hospital services, including hospital inpatient and outpatient services. In addition, First Health has established an outpatient care network (“OCN”) comprising more than 450,000 physicians, clinical laboratories, surgery centers, radiology facilities and other providers in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The First Health Network consists of a full array of providers. By establishing contractual relationships with a complete range of providers, First Health is able to reduce a vast majority of its clients’ health care costs and facilitate referrals within the network for all needed care. Network providers benefit from their participation in the First Health Network through increased patient volume as patients are directed to them through health benefit plans maintained by First Health’s customers and other channeling mechanisms, such as First Health’s clinical and care support services and on-line provider directories.

The First Health Network maximizes client savings through a combination of increased penetration to a broad network and discounted unit costs savings. The majority of the facility contracts feature fixed rate structures that ensure cost effectiveness while incentivizing providers to control utilization. The fixed rate structures include per diems based on the intensity of care and/or Diagnostic Related Group (“DRG”) based pricing for inpatient care. Hospital outpatient charges are typically controlled by fixed fee schedules. For facilities or procedures not covered by fixed pricing arrangements, charge master controls are generally negotiated to control attempts to increase charges by inflating the price list.

Pharmacy Benefits Management

First Health offers a comprehensive pharmacy benefit management program, including:

• A national, proprietary, point-of-sale, pharmacy network, consisting of more than 51,000 chain and independent pharmacies

• Formulary management

• Mail-order service through a third party vendor

• Prospective drug utilization review

• Online prescription claim adjudication

The single source combination of pharmacy benefits management and medical management is critical to managing and assessing the total medical cost. Pharmacy data sources are linked with other data sources to internally identify at-risk members for disease management.

Clinical Programs

First Health provides clinical programs including utilization review, case management, medication compliance and disease management through an internal staff consisting primarily of allied health professionals, registered nurses and physicians. This staff is supplemented by a nationwide network of consulting physicians with a full range of specialties. The in-house physician staff is a resource for the development of programs, as well as clinical policies and guidelines. The staff includes experienced, board-certified physicians in such specialties as internal medicine, psychology, psychiatry and family practice. The staff is crucial to the development and maintenance of evidence-based medical necessity guidelines and network quality assessment efforts.

First Health’s approach to clinical management is patient-centered, which means that it provides the level of support required to manage outcomes at an individual level. Its program focuses on proper management of illnesses and chronic conditions through early identification, intervention and education. Because First Health owns and operates the program, it is able to aggregate data to identify at-risk members at an early stage and to monitor individual claims data to identify high-risk patients. First Health connects these patients with network providers and sets appointments to facilitate compliance. First Health then works with the patients and their providers to identify and implement cost effective treatment alternatives. In all cases, the decision to proceed with these alternatives is made by the patient and the physician.

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Medical Claims Administration and Health Plan Services

First Health provides comprehensive claims administration to group health clients who purchase its managed care services, including the First Health Network. First Health provides clients with an integrated package of health care benefits administration, including:

• Managed care administration

• Medical, dental and vision claims processing

• Prescription drug plan administration

• Flexible spending account administration

• Health care reimbursement account administration

• COBRA administration

• Health savings account and administration

• Subrogation

• Access to member services representatives 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week

First Health’s proprietary claims administration system, the First Claim system, was internally developed, and has the flexibility to support business functions in an efficient, effective manner. Because First Health controls the system, it can offer maximum flexibility for clients who require a variety of benefit plan options or who wish to implement a customized benefit plan. Virtually all of First Health’s clients have benefit plans that are unique to them and their business.

Stop-Loss Insurance

First Health’s stop-loss insurance capabilities enable it to serve as an integrated, single source for the managed care needs of its clients who are self-insured employers. Because its stop-loss rates are based on the savings and value generated through its various services, First Health is able to offer competitive rates and policies. Stop-loss policies are written through our wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries and can be written for specific and/or aggregate stop-loss insurance.

Workers’ Compensation Products

Bill Review

The First Health Bill Review system offers national and multi-regional workers’ compensation clients a single system to integrate and manage their workers’ compensation medical data. This means that clients can implement their workers’ compensation managed care strategies on a national basis, allowing them to capture data from multiple sources, analyze the information and use it to implement advanced managed care strategies.

First Health Bill Review provides its clients with an accurate and consistent application of state fee schedule pricing, including applicable rules, regulations and clinical guidelines. State fee schedules, which represent the maximum reimbursement for medical services provided to the injured worker, differ by state (and change as new state laws and regulations are amended). The system features full integration with the First Health Network and provides a seamless process for determining claim payment rates. As part of the bill adjudication process, First Health subjects bills to a sophisticated, proprietary process to detect duplicate bills and correct billing irregularities and inappropriate billing practices. These billing edits represent bill review savings. First Health maintains and supports virtually all aspects of the system. Therefore, clients gain efficiencies when using its integrated services by decreasing the staff previously required to support bill payment systems. First Health has the capability to program and implement client-specific enhancements, which provides truly customized bill review systems for its clients.

The system supports a number of electronic data interchanges from front-end systems, including claim systems and bill entry systems. The system also supports electronic data interchange (“EDI”) output to populate back-end systems such as payment systems, claims systems, explanation of review production and data warehousing.

In addition, its bill review system has a comprehensive reporting database that produces a standard set of client savings and management reports. Clients who lease the First Health Bill Review system have online access to their data and are able to create numerous reports at their desktop.

First Report of Injury

Early medical management intervention is important to achieving optimal outcomes in workers’ compensation cases. Prompt notification and initiation of medical management helps ensure that injured persons receive appropriate treatment that expedites their recovery and return to work.

The First Health First Report of Injury system is a quick and easy-to-use service that greatly simplifies the reporting process for workplace injuries, as well as non-occupational disability, property and general liability claims. The First Health First Report of Injury service promotes immediate intervention after such occurrences. The system can transmit a first report to a designated representative within hours of notification. In addition to expediting reporting, the system can serve as a gateway to medical management services, including channeling patients to the First Health Network or setting an appointment with a network provider.

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Medicaid/Public Products

Pharmacy Benefit Management

First Health Services’ pharmacy benefit management (“PBM”) program manages pharmacy benefit plans for Medicaid programs, state senior drug programs and state-funded specialty programs. This PBM program is one of the largest of its kind in the country and provides a full range of services, including:

• Pharmacy point-of-sale eligibility verification and claims processing

• Provider network development and management

• Case management programs

• Prospective and retrospective drug utilization reviews

• Prescriber and provider profiling

• Prescriber education, preferred drug list development and manufacturers’ rebate contracting and administration

• Prior authorization of pharmaceutical use

• First IQ, a proprietary database and decision support system for pharmacy utilization monitoring and plan management

PBM services are increasingly required by both public and private third-party payors as prescription drug expenses grow. First Health Services believes its role as an independent provider of PBM services gives it a distinct competitive advantage in the growing number of state government plans where clinical autonomy is often a requirement. The PBM business model is completely transparent so that the benefit of all rebates and network discounts is passed directly and totally to the client. Furthermore, First Health Services is a national leader in this area with substantial experience managing pharmacy plans for Medicaid and state pharmaceutical assistance programs. This clinical and management expertise provides a competitive advantage in the rapidly growing market of managed care organizations serving the Medicaid/Public customers on a non-risk, fee basis.

First Health Services also offers clinical management programs to assist physicians and network pharmacies in the appropriate management of patients using pharmaceuticals. This program provides physicians with reviews of treatment appropriateness and preferred drug guidelines which have been developed by nationally recognized clinicians and medical authorities. First Health Services’ clinical management program focuses on those patients who experience preventable therapeutic problems such as non-compliance, inappropriate therapy and adverse drug reactions. The program includes prior authorization initiatives, prospective and retrospective drug utilization reviews and educational intervention initiatives, known as concurrent drug utilization review and prescriber education.

In exchange for providing its PBM services, First Health Services receives a predetermined, contractual fee that is based upon services rendered or the number of transactions processed plus added fees for additional time and materials and for change orders outside of contract perimeters. First Health Services neither derives any revenue from drug manufacturers or the pharmacy network contracts, nor does it provide any mail order services. First Health Services contracts with pharmaceutical companies on behalf of the individual state programs unless they belong to a collective purchasing group. The rebate discount rate structure can vary by state. All rebates are retained by the individual state programs.

Health Care Management

First Health Services’ Health Care Management program provides external quality of care evaluation, utilization review and long-term care review services to Medicaid programs, state mental health agencies and other public sector health care programs desiring to improve quality of care, contain costs, ensure appropriate care and measure outcomes. The utilization review services cover a variety of medical, surgical and behavioral health programs, including acute and chronic inpatient and outpatient treatment of children, adult and geriatric populations, residential services and other alternative services. Under the long-term care review services, First Health Services provides level-of-care determinations as well as pre-admission screenings and annual resident reviews to determine the need for specialized services for mental illness, mental retardation or related conditions. The Health Care Management program also provides on-site quality reviews and inspection of care for community mental health centers, residential treatment centers and inpatient psychiatric programs. As state Medicaid programs and state departments of mental health spend increasing portions of public funds on treatment for Medicaid and other needy populations, the need for utilization review services increases. Some states are moving toward capitated contracts with private sector firms to help manage care. However, many states are opting to maintain fee-for-service programs but contract for utilization review services to ensure appropriate health care.

Fiscal Agent

First Health Services’ Fiscal Agent program administers state Medicaid health plans and other state-funded health care programs by providing clients with fiscal agent operations and systems maintenance and enhancement.

First Health Services’ customers include state Medicaid agencies, state departments of human services and departments of health serving Medicaid populations and other public assistance health benefit programs. Typically, fiscal agent systems are modified to meet a specific state’s program policy and administration requirements so that services are offered for all claim types. First Health Services has developed and operates a Center of Medicare/Medicaid Services certified information system for each client. These systems are utilized to process and adjudicate eligibility, health care claims and encounters, pay providers under a full range of reimbursement methods and generate reports for use in managing the program.

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First Health Marketing

Group Health Sector

We primarily market our services to national, multi-site direct accounts, including self-insured employers, government employee groups and multi-employer trusts with greater than 500 employees. In addition, we market our services to and through group health insurance carriers and TPAs.

Typically, we enter into a master service agreement with an insurance carrier under which we agree to provide our cost management services to health care plans maintained by the carrier’s customers. Our services are offered not only to new insurance policyholders, but also to existing policyholders at the time group health policies are renewed.

For our National Accounts business, our target market generally consists of payors with 500 employees or more. In addition, we service mid-size, self-insured companies in local and regional markets with an integrated health plan offering, which may include stop-loss insurance coverage. Generally, marketing in this sector is done directly to payors and through relationships with select consultants and brokers.

For our Federal Employee Health Benefits business, we market directly to both health plan sponsors and federal employees to gain additional membership in the MHBP through direct mail and print. We expect to continue direct marketing as a means of increasing membership in the MHBP.

For our Network Rental business, we market on a business-to-business basis directly to TPAs and insurance carriers. In turn, our customers have primary responsibility for offering our services to their underlying clients, relieving us of significant marketing expense. We support these efforts through participation in the proposal process. The clients of our TPA and carrier customers typically are small in size and limited in geography, thus having generally minimal conflict with our National Account sales initiative.

Specialty Sector

For our Workers’ Compensation Services business, we market to insurance carriers and TPAs, who in turn take responsibility for marketing our services to their prospects and clients. We also market directly to state funds, municipalities, self-insured payors and other distribution channels. For our Medicaid/Public business, we market our government PBM, health care management and fiscal agent business lines through an internal sales team to state and local governments across the United States. While most contracts are ultimately awarded via request-for-proposals and a competitive bid process, pre-selling efforts are critical in targeting opportunities that best match our capabilities and service offerings. Through this pre-sell effort, we are also able to identify the particular needs of prospective clients and provide assistance in public and program policy development.

First Health Significant Customers

Our customer, the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan, represented 22.8% of our First Health revenues and 2.8% of Coventry’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005. No other customer represents 10% or more of our First Health revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005.

First Health Competition

Group Health Sector

We compete in a highly fragmented market with national, regional and local firms specializing in utilization review and PPO cost management services and with major insurance carriers and third party administrators that have implemented their own internal cost management services. In addition, other managed care programs, such as HMOs and group health insurers, compete for the enrollment of benefit plan participants. We are subject to intense competition in each market segment in which we compete. We distinguish ourselves on the basis of the quality and cost-effectiveness of our programs, our proprietary computer-based integrated information system, our emphasis on commitment to service with a high degree of physician involvement, our national provider network and its penetration into secondary and tertiary markets and our role as an integrated provider of PBM services.

Specialty Sector

Workers’ compensation competition includes regional and national managed care companies and other service providers with an emphasis on PPO, clinical programs or bill review. We differentiate ourselves based on our national PPO coverage and the ability to provide an integrated product, coupled with technology that reduces administrative cost. The insured market for workers’ compensation programs is somewhat concentrated, with the top ten insurers controlling over 50% of the insured market. Our focus includes the top tier of the workers’ compensation market. Although we currently include several regional offices of six of the top ten workers’ compensation insurers among our clients, we compete with a multitude of PPOs, technology companies that provide bill review services, clinical case management companies and rehabilitation companies for the business of these insurers. While experience differs with various clients, obtaining a workers’ compensation insurer as a new client typically requires extended discussions and a significant investment of time. Given these characteristics of the competitive landscape, client relationships are critical to the success of our workers’ compensation products.

The Medicaid/Public business participates in the Medicaid market in three distinct focus areas-fiscal agent, pharmacy, and healthcare management services. Each of these areas has requirements that affect entry into the market as a new competitor. The primary competition for fiscal agent services has seen four consistent competitors, including First Health. The market for pharmacy services is served by a few major competitors and has approximately 20-25 state customers that have “carved out” their pharmacy programs. The market for healthcare management services has no distinguishable market leader. Many peer review organizations/quality improvement organizations hold contracts in their individual states or a small market.

Financial Information

Required financial information related to our business segments is set forth in Note N of our consolidated financial statements.

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Corporate Governance

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to the members of our Board of Directors and our officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and our employees. In addition, the Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines and committee charters for our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines and current committee charters can be accessed on our website at www.coventryhealth.com or may be requested by writing to the following address: Coventry Health Care, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland, 20817. Any amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are posted and can be accessed on our website.

Government Regulation

As a managed health care company, we are subject to extensive government regulation of our products and services. The laws and regulations affecting our industry generally give state and federal regulatory authorities broad discretion in their exercise of supervisory, regulatory and administrative powers. These laws and regulations are intended primarily for the benefit of the members of the health plans. Managed care laws and regulations vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and changes are frequently considered and implemented.

State Regulation

The states served by our health plans provide the principal legal and regulatory framework for the commercial risk products offered by our insurance companies and HMO subsidiaries. One of our insurance company subsidiaries, Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company (“CH&L”), offers managed care products, primarily PPO and POS products, in conjunction with our HMO subsidiaries in states where HMOs are not permitted to offer these types of health care benefits. CH&L does not currently offer traditional health indemnity insurance.

Our regulated subsidiaries are required by state law to file periodic reports and to meet certain minimum capital and deposit and/or reserve requirements and may be restricted from paying dividends to the parent or making other distributions or payments under certain circumstances. They also are required to provide their members with certain mandated benefits. Our HMO subsidiaries are required to have quality assurance and educational programs for their professionals and enrollees. Certain states’ laws further require that representatives of the HMOs’ members have a voice in policy making. Most states impose requirements regarding the prompt payment of claims and several states permit “any willing provider” to join our network. Compliance with “any willing provider” laws could increase our costs of assembling and administering provider networks.

We also are subject to the insurance holding company regulations in the states in which our regulated subsidiaries operate. These laws and associated regulations generally require registration with the state department of insurance and the filing of reports describing capital structure, ownership, financial condition, certain inter-company transactions and business operations. Most state insurance holding company laws and regulations require prior regulatory approval or, in some states, prior notice, of acquisitions or similar transactions involving regulated companies, and of certain transactions between regulated companies and their parents. In connection with obtaining regulatory approvals of acquisitions, we may be required to agree to maintain capital of regulated subsidiaries at specified levels, to guarantee the solvency of such subsidiaries or to other conditions. Generally, our regulated subsidiaries are limited in their ability to pay dividends to their parent due to the requirements of state regulatory agencies that the subsidiaries maintain certain minimum capital balances.

Our First Health workers’ compensation business is also subject to state governmental regulation. Historically, governmental strategies to contain medical costs in the workers’ compensation field have been limited to legislation on a state-by-state basis. Many states have implemented fee schedules that list maximum reimbursement levels for health care procedures. In certain states that have not authorized the use of a fee schedule, we adjust bills to the usual and customary levels authorized by the payor.

Most states now impose risk-based or other net worth-based capital requirements on our regulated entities. These requirements assess the capital adequacy of the regulated subsidiary based upon the investment asset risks, insurance risks, interest rate risks and other risks associated with the subsidiary’s business. If a subsidiary’s capital level falls below certain required capital levels, it may be required to submit a capital corrective plan to regulatory authorities, and at certain levels may be subjected to regulatory orders, including regulatory control through rehabilitation or liquidation proceedings. See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” for more information.

Federal Regulation

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) imposes requirements relating to a variety of issues that affect the Company’s business, including the privacy and security of medical information, limits on exclusions based on preexisting conditions for certain plans, guaranteed renewability of health care coverage for most employers and individuals and administrative simplification procedures involving the standardization of transactions and the establishment of uniform health care provider, payor and employer identifiers. Various agencies of the federal government have issued regulations to implement certain sections of HIPAA.

For example, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a final rule that establishes the standard data content and format for the electronic submission of claims and other administrative health transactions. We are compliant with the electronic data standards established by the final rule.

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Further, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued a final privacy rule that applies to individually identifiable health information. The primary purposes of the privacy rule are to protect and enhance the rights of consumers by providing them access to their health information and controlling the inappropriate use of that information, and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health care delivery by creating a national framework for health privacy protection that builds on efforts by states, health systems, individual organizations and individuals. We are compliant with the final rule.

On January 5, 2001, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Health and Human Services issued two regulations that provide guidance on the nondiscrimination provisions under HIPAA as they relate to health factors and wellness programs. These nondiscrimination provisions prohibit a group health plan or group health insurance issuer from denying an individual eligibility for benefits or charging an individual a higher premium based on a health factor. These regulations have not had a material adverse effect on our business.

On February 20, 2003, the Department of Health and Human Services issued its final rule for security standards under HIPAA. This rule establishes minimum standards for the security of electronic individually identifiable health information. The compliance date for the security standards rule was April 20, 2005. We have achieved compliance with the final security standards rule by the compliance date.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974

The provision of services to certain employee health benefit plans is subject to ERISA. ERISA regulates certain aspects of the relationships between us and employers who maintain employee benefit plans subject to ERISA. Some of our administrative services and other activities may also be subject to regulation under ERISA. In addition, some states require licensure or registration of companies providing third party claims administration services for benefit plans. We provide a variety of products and services to employee benefit plans that are covered by ERISA.

The U.S. Department of Labor adopted federal regulations that establish claims procedures for employee benefit plans under ERISA (insured and self-insured). The regulations shorten the time allowed for health and disability plans to respond to claims and appeals, establish requirements for plan responses to appeals and expand required disclosures to participants and beneficiaries. These regulations have not had a material adverse effect on our business.

Medicare and Medicaid

Some of our health plans contract with CMS to provide services to Medicare beneficiaries pursuant to the Medicare program. Some of our health plans also contract with states to provide health benefits to Medicaid recipients. As a result, we are subject to extensive federal and state regulations. CMS may audit any health plan operating under a Medicare contract to determine the plan’s compliance with federal regulations and contractual obligations.

CMS and the appropriate state regulatory agency have the right to audit any health plan operating under a Medicaid managed care contract to determine the plan’s compliance with state and federal law. In some instances, states engage peer review organizations to perform quality assurance and utilization review oversight of Medicaid managed care plans. Our health plans are required to abide by the peer review organizations’ standards.

CMS rules require Medicaid managed care plans to have beneficiary protections and protect the rights of participants in the Medicaid program. Specifically, states must assure continuous access to care for beneficiaries with ongoing health care needs who transfer from one health plan to another. States and plans must identify enrollees with special health care needs and assess the quality and appropriateness of their care. These requirements have not had a material adverse effect on our business.

The federal anti-kickback statute imposes criminal and civil penalties for paying or receiving remuneration (which is deemed to include a kickback, bribe or rebate) in connection with any federal health care program, including the Medicare, Medicaid and FEHB Programs. The law and related regulations have been interpreted to prohibit the payment, solicitation, offering or receipt of any form of remuneration in return for the referral of federal health care program patients or any item or service that is reimbursed, in whole or in part, by any federal health care program. Similar anti-kickback provisions have been adopted by many states, which apply regardless of the source of reimbursement.

With respect to the federal anti-kickback statute, there exists a statutory exception and two safe harbors addressing certain risk-sharing arrangements. A safe harbor is a regulation that describes relationships and activities that are deemed not to violate the federal anti-kickback statute. However, failure to satisfy each criterion of an applicable safe harbor does not mean that the arrangement constitutes a violation of the law; rather the arrangement must be analyzed on the basis of its specific facts and circumstances. We believe that our risk agreements satisfy the requirements of these safe harbors. In addition, the Office of the Inspector General has adopted other safe harbor regulations that relate to managed care arrangements. We believe that the incentives offered by our health plans to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and the discounts our plans receive from contracting health care providers satisfy the requirements of these safe harbor regulations. We believe that our arrangements do not violate the federal or similar state anti-kickback laws.

CMS has promulgated regulations that prohibit health plans with Medicare contracts from including any direct or indirect payment to physicians or other providers as an inducement to reduce or limit medically necessary services to a Medicare beneficiary. These regulations impose disclosure and other requirements relating to physician incentive plans such as bonuses or withholds that could result in a physician being at “substantial financial risk” as defined in Medicare regulations. Our ability to maintain compliance with such regulations depends, in part, on our receipt of timely and accurate information from our providers. Although we believe we are in compliance with all such Medicare regulations, we are subject to future audit and review.

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Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

We contract with the Office of Personnel Management (“OPM”) to provide managed health care services under the FEHB Program. These contracts with the OPM and applicable government regulations establish premium rating arrangements for this program. The OPM conducts periodic audits of its contractors to, among other things, verify that the premiums established under its contracts are in compliance with the community rating and other requirements under FEHB Program. The OPM may seek premium refunds or institute other sanctions against health plans that participate in the program if the health plan is found to be non-compliant with the program requirements.

Managed Care Legislative Proposals

Numerous proposals have been introduced in the U.S. Congress and various state legislatures relating to managed health care reform. The provisions of legislation that may be adopted at the state level can not be accurately and completely predicted at this time, and we therefore can not predict the effect of proposed legislation on our operations. On the federal level, it is possible that some form of managed health care reform may be enacted. At this time, it is unclear as to when any legislation might be enacted or the content of any new legislation, and we can not predict the effect on our operations of the proposed legislation or any other legislation that may be adopted.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

On December 8, 2003, President George W. Bush signed into law the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. This Act makes changes to the existing Medicare law, including the creation of a new outpatient drug benefit beginning in 2006 and an immediate drug discount card for the interim period until January 1, 2006. The Act makes managed care organizations eligible to be sponsors of both the drug card and drug benefit plan programs. Our members had access to a CMS endorsed prescription drug discount card throughout 2004 and 2005. We received approval from CMS to sponsor a drug plan for Medicare eligible members in all 50 states in 2006.

As part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, every Medicare recipient is able to select a prescription drug plan through Medicare Part D. Medicare Part D replaced the transitional prescription drug discount program and replaced Medicaid prescription drug coverage for dual-eligible beneficiaries. The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is largely subsidized by the federal government and is additionally supported by risk-sharing with the federal government through risk corridors designed to limit the profits or losses of the drug plans and through reinsurance for catastrophic drug costs. The government subsidy is based on the national weighted average monthly bid by participating plans for this coverage, adjusted for member demographics and risk factor payments. The beneficiary will be responsible for the difference between the government subsidy and his or her plan’s bid, together with the amount of his or her plan’s supplemental premium (before rebate allocations). Additional subsidies are provided for dual-eligible beneficiaries and specified low-income beneficiaries.

The Medicare Part D benefits are available to Medicare Advantage plan enrollees as well as Medicare fee-for-service enrollees. Medicare Advantage plan enrollees who elect to participate may pay a monthly premium for their Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit while fee-for-service beneficiaries will be able to purchase a PDP from a list of CMS-approved PDPs available in their area.

Risk Management

In the normal course of business, we have been named as a defendant in various legal actions such as actions seeking payments for claims denied by the Company, medical malpractice actions, employment related claims and other various claims seeking monetary damages. The claims are in various stages of proceedings and some may ultimately be brought to trial. Incidents occurring through December 31, 2005 may result in the assertion of additional claims. We maintain general liability, professional liability and employment practices liability insurances in amounts that we believe are appropriate, with varying deductibles for which we maintain reserves. The professional liability and employment practices liability insurances are carried through our captive subsidiary.

Employees

At February 28, 2006, we employed approximately 9,830 persons, none of whom are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

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Acquisition Growth

We began operations in 1987 with the acquisition of the American Service Companies entities, including Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company. We have grown substantially through acquisitions. The table below summarizes all of our significant acquisitions through December 31, 2005. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on the most recent acquisitions.

Acquisition	Markets	Type of Business	Year Acquired
American Service Company entities	Multiple Markets	Multiple Products	1987
HealthAmerica Pennsylvania, Inc.	Pennsylvania	HMO	1988
Group Health Plan, Inc.	Missouri	HMO	1990
Southern Health Services, Inc.	Virginia	HMO	1994
HealthCare USA, Inc.	Multiple Markets	Medicaid	1995
Principal Health Care, Inc.	Multiple Markets	HMO	1998
Carelink Health Plans	West Virginia	HMO	1999
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of North Carolina	North Carolina	HMO	1999
PrimeONE, Inc.	West Virginia	HMO	2000
Maxicare Louisiana, Inc.	Louisiana	HMO	2000
WellPath Community Health Plans	North Carolina	HMO	2000
Prudential Health Care Plan, Inc.	Missouri	Medicaid	2000
Blue Ridge Health Alliance, Inc.	Virginia	HMO	2001
Health Partners of the Midwest	Missouri	HMO	2001
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Kansas City, Inc.	Kansas	HMO	2001
NewAlliance Health Plan, Inc.	Pennsylvania	HMO	2002
Mid-America Health Partners, Inc.	Kansas	HMO	2002
PersonalCare Health Management, Inc.	Illinois	HMO	2003
Altius Health Plans, Inc.	Utah	HMO	2003
OmniCare Health Plan	Michigan	Medicaid	2004
First Health Group Corp.	Multiple Markets	Multiple Products	2005

Service Marks and Trademarks

We have the following federally registered service marks:

Advantra	First Health Services Corporation (2 registrations)	OmniCare Plus
Altius Health Plans blue logo	First IQ	OmniMedCare logo
Babylove Program	First SX	Omni Perks
Be Sure	GHP	PersonalCare What You Want in a Health Plan logo
Carelink	GHP logo	POW
CCN	GHP Network Connection	POW-Providers on the Web
CCN with shadow logo	HealthAmerica	POW Providers on the Web logo
CCN logo without shadow	HealthAssurance (2 registrations)	Sensicare
Compare	HealthAssurance Flex, heart logo	Senior Life Management
Coventry (2 registrations)	It’s That Simple	SouthCare
Coventry FlexChoice	Making Health Care as Simple as 1, 2, 3	SouthCare Medical Alliance logo, sun logo
Coventry Healthy Choices Program	Mid America Health logo	Strong Starts
Coventry USA cross logo	Mid America Health Access	The Answer To Your Health Care Needs, torch logo
DirectorEase	Mid America Health Access +	True to Life
First Claim	Mid-America Health Network	WellPath 65
First Health (3 registrations)	OmniCare	With You When It Matters
First Health with heart logo	OmniCare Health Plan

We have the right in perpetuity to use the federally registered name “HealthCare USA” in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Florida.

We have pending applications for federal registration of the following service marks: “CompAmerica,” “CoventryOne,” “HealthAmericaOne,” “Powered by People,” “WellFirst Gold,” “WellFirst+Gold” and “WellPath.”

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Executive Officers of Our Company

The following table sets forth information with respect to our executive officers as of January 1, 2006:

Name	Age	Position
Dale B. Wolf	51	Chief Executive Officer and Director
Thomas P. McDonough	57	President
Harvey C. DeMovick, Jr.	59	Executive Vice President, Customer Service Operations and Chief Information Officer
Shawn M. Guertin	42	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Francis S. Soistman, Jr.	49	Executive Vice President, Health Plan Operations
Bernard J. Mansheim, M.D.	59	Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
Harry “Skip” Creasey	51	Senior Vice President
Thomas C. Zielinski	54	Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Patrisha Davis	50	Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
John J. Ruhlmann	43	Vice President and Corporate Controller

Dale B. Wolf was elected Chief Executive Officer of our Company effective January 2005. Prior to that he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of our Company from April 1998 to December 2004. He is a director and a member of the audit and compensation committees of HealthExtras, Inc., a provider of pharmacy benefit management services and supplemental benefits. Mr. Wolf is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.

Thomas P. McDonough was elected President of our Company effective January 2005. Prior to that he served as Executive Vice President of our Company from April 1998 to December 2004 and Chief Operating Officer from July 1998 to December 2004.

Harvey C. DeMovick, Jr. was elected Executive Vice President of our Company effective January 2005. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President of our Company from April 1998 to December 2004. He has served as our Chief Information Officer since April 2001 and has been in charge of our Customer Service Operations since September 2001. In addition to the foregoing, from April 2001 to September 2001, he was also in charge of our Human Resources, Compliance and Government Programs departments.

Shawn M. Guertin was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of our Company effective January 2005. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President of our Company from February 2003 to December 2004. He has served as President of Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company since February 2002. From April 1998 to February 2003, he was Vice President of Finance of our Company. Prior to that date, he was Vice President of Finance of Coventry Corporation from January 1998. Mr. Guertin is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

Francis S. Soistman, Jr. was elected Executive Vice President, Health Plan Operations, effective January 2005. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President of our Company from April 1998 to December 2004. He was named President and Chief Executive Officer of HealthAmerica Pennsylvania, Inc. and HealthAssurance Pennsylvania, Inc., our Pennsylvania subsidiaries, in May 1998 and July 2001, respectively.

Bernard J. Mansheim, M.D. was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of our Company in April 1998. Dr. Mansheim is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

Thomas C. Zielinski was elected Senior Vice President and General Counsel of our Company in August 2001. Prior to that time, Mr. Zielinski worked for 19 years in various capacities for the law firm of Cozen and O’Connor, P.C., including as a senior member, shareholder and Chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department.

Harry “Skip” Creasey was elected Senior Vice President, National Network Management of our Company in March 2005. From February 2003 to the time he joined our company, Mr. Creasey served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kelson Physician Partners, Inc., a provider of pediatric management services. From August 2001 to February 2003, he was the President of InterPlan Group, a health care network company. From February 2000 to July 2001, he was the Chief Executive Officer of AviaHealth, Inc., a health care internet content provider.

Patrisha L. Davis was elected Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of our Company in March 2005, and has served in that position since November 2000. Ms. Davis has been a Human Resources executive with our Company since April 1998.

John J. Ruhlmann was elected Vice President and Corporate Controller of our Company in November 1999. Prior to that Mr. Ruhlmann was Vice President of Accounting of Integrated Health Services, Inc., a national provider of health services that owned and managed hospitals, nursing homes and clinics.

Item 1A: Risk Factors

The risks described below are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.

Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. Further, the trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

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Our results of operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to accurately estimate and control future health care costs.

Most of the premium revenue we receive is based upon rates set months before we deliver services. As a result, our results of operations largely depend on our ability to accurately estimate and control future health care costs. We base the premiums we charge, at least in part, on our estimate of expected health care costs over the applicable premium period. Factors that may cause health care costs to exceed our estimates include:

• an increase in the cost of health care services and supplies, including pharmaceuticals;

• higher than expected utilization of health care services;

• periodic renegotiations of hospital, physician and other provider contracts;

• the occurrence of epidemics and catastrophic events;

• changes in the demographics of our members and medical trends affecting them;

• general inflation or economic downturns;

• new mandated benefits or other regulatory changes that increase our costs; and

• other unforeseen occurrences.

In addition, medical liabilities in our financial statements include our estimated reserves for incurred but not reported and reported but not paid claims. The estimates for medical liabilities are made on an accrual basis. We believe that our reserves for medical liabilities are adequate, but we can not assure you of this. Any adjustments to our medical liabilities could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our results of operations will be adversely affected if we are unable to increase premiums to offset increases in our health care costs.

Our results of operations depend on our ability to increase premiums to offset increases in our health care costs. Although we attempt to base the premiums we charge on our estimate of future health care costs, we may not be able to control the premiums we charge as a result of competition, government regulations and other factors. Our results of operations could be adversely affected if we are unable to set premium rates at appropriate levels or adjust premium rates in the event our health care costs increase.

A reduction in the number of members in our health plans could adversely affect our results of operations.

A reduction in the number of members in our health plans could adversely affect our results of operations. Factors that could contribute to the loss of membership include:

• competition in premium or plan benefits from other health care benefit companies;

• reductions in the number of employers offering health care coverage;

• reductions in work force by existing customers;

• our increases in premiums or benefit changes;

• our exit from a market or the termination of a health plan; and

• negative publicity and news coverage relating to our company or the managed health care industry generally;

• catastrophic events, including natural disasters and man-made catastrophes, and other unforeseen occurrences.

Our growth strategy is dependent in part upon our ability to acquire additional health plans and successfully integrate those plans into our operations.

Part of our growth strategy is to grow through the acquisition of additional health plans. During the last several years, we have significantly increased our membership through a number of acquisitions. We can not assure you that we will be able to continue to locate suitable acquisition candidates, successfully integrate the plans we acquire and realize anticipated operational improvements and cost savings. The plans we acquire also may not achieve our anticipated levels of profitability. Our future growth rate will be adversely affected if we are not able to successfully complete acquisitions.

Competition in our industry may limit our ability to attract new members or to increase or maintain our premium rates, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

We operate in a highly competitive environment that may affect our ability to attract new members and increase premium rates. We compete with other health plans for members. We believe the principal factors influencing the choice among health care options are:

• price of benefits offered and cost and risk of alternatives such as self-insurance;

• location and choice of health care providers;

• quality of customer service;

• comprehensiveness of coverage offered;

• reputation for quality care;

• financial stability of the plan; and

• diversity of product offerings.

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We face competition from other managed care companies that may have broader geographical coverage, more established reputations in our markets, greater market share, larger contracting scale, lower costs and/or greater financial and other resources. We also may face increased rate competition from certain Blue Cross plan competitors that might be required by state regulation to reduce capital surpluses that may be deemed excessive.

Competition in the multi-site, national account business may limit our ability to grow revenues which could adversely affect our results of operations.

First Health competes in a highly competitive environment against other major national managed care companies in its national account customers to provide administrative, network access, and medical management services to large, multi-site, self-insured employers. Among these competitors are Aetna, United Healthcare and “Blue Card” (a joint venture of major Blue Cross plans), all of which have greater resources, brand identity and provider contracting scale compared to First Health or Coventry.

We depend on the services of non-exclusive independent agents and brokers to market our products to employers, and we can not assure you that they will continue to market our products in the future.

We depend on the services of independent agents and brokers to market our managed care products and services, particularly to small employer group members. We do not have long term contracts with independent agents and brokers, who typically are not dedicated exclusively to us and frequently market the health care products of our competitors. We face intense competition for the services and allegiance of independent agents and brokers, and we can not assure you that agents and brokers will continue to market our products in a fair and consistent manner.

Our failure to obtain cost-effective agreements with a sufficient number of providers may result in higher medical costs and a decrease in our membership.

Our future results largely depend on our ability to enter into cost-effective agreements with hospitals, physicians and other health care providers. The terms of those provider contracts will have a material effect on our medical costs and our ability to control these costs. In addition, our ability to contract successfully with a sufficiently large number of providers in a particular geographic market will impact the relative attractiveness of our managed care products in those markets, and our ability to contract at competitive rates with our PPO referral providers will affect the attractiveness and profitability of the products.

In some of our markets, there are large provider systems that have a major presence. Some of these large provider systems have operated their own health plans in the past or may choose to do so in the future. These provider systems could adversely affect our product offerings and results of operations if they refuse to contract with us, place us at a competitive disadvantage or use their market position to negotiate contracts that are less favorable to us. Provider agreements are subject to periodic renewal and renegotiations. We can not assure you that these large provider systems will continue to contract with us or that they will contract with us on terms that are favorable to us.

We have incurred and may continue to incur significant expenses in connection with implementing our new prescription drug benefits, which may have an adverse effect on our near-term operating results.

We received approval from CMS to provide prescription drug benefits, including stand-alone PDPs. We have begun to incur expenses to upgrade and improve our infrastructure, technology, and systems to manage our new prescription drug benefits. We incurred significant expenses in 2005 as we prepared to provide these prescription drug benefits as of January 1, 2006 and will in the future incur additional expenses. In particular, our expenses incurred in connection with the implementation of our prescription drug benefits related to the following:

• hiring and training of personnel to establish and manage systems, operations, regulatory relationships, and materials;

• systems development and upgrade costs, including hardware, software and development resources;

• marketing and sales;

• enrolling new members;

• developing and distributing member materials such as ID cards and member handbooks; and

• handling sales inquiry and customer service calls.

Negative publicity regarding the managed health care industry generally or our Company in particular could adversely affect our results of operations or business.

Over the last several years, the managed health care industry has been subject to negative publicity. Negative publicity regarding the managed health care industry generally or our company in particular may result in increased regulation and legislative review of industry practices further increase our costs of doing business and adversely affect our results of operations by:

• requiring us to change our products and services;

• increasing the regulatory burdens under which we operate; or

• adversely affecting our ability to market our products or services.

Negative publicity relating to our company or the managed care industry generally also may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain members.

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A failure of our information technology systems could adversely affect our business.

We depend on our information technology systems for timely and accurate information. Failure to maintain effective and efficient information technology systems or disruptions in our information technology systems could cause disruptions in our business operations, loss of existing customers, difficulty in attracting new customers, disputes with customers and providers, regulatory problems, increases in administrative expenses and other adverse consequences.

The anticipated benefits of acquiring First Health may not be realized.

We anticipate our acquisition of First Health will continue to result in various benefits including, among other things, benefits relating to enhanced revenues, a strengthened market position, cross selling opportunities, technology, cost savings and operating efficiencies. Achieving the anticipated benefits of the First Health acquisition is subject to a number of uncertainties, including whether we integrate First Health in an efficient and effective manner, and general competitive factors in the marketplace. Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues and diversion of management’s time and energy and could materially affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

We may face substantial difficulties, costs and delays in integrating First Health. These factors may include:

• potential difficulty in leveraging the value of the separate technologies of the combined company;

• perceived adverse changes in product offerings available to customers and customer services standards, whether or not these changes do, in fact, occur;

• managing customer and provider overlap and potential pricing conflicts;

• costs and delays in implementing common systems and procedures;

• potential charges to earnings resulting from the application of purchase accounting to the transaction;

• difficulty comparing financial reports due to differing management systems;

• diversion of management resources from the business of the combined company;

• the retention of existing customers of each company, including, with respect to First Health, the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (a nationally offered health plan for federal employees);

• reduction or loss of customer orders due to the potential for market confusion, hesitation and delay;

• a significant reduction or loss of customers may result in the possible impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets associated with the acquisition of First Health;

• retaining and integrating management and other key employees of the combined company; and

• coordinating infrastructure operations in an effective and efficient manner.

We may seek to combine certain operations and functions using common information and communication systems, operating procedures, financial controls and human resource practices, including training, professional development and benefit programs. We may be unsuccessful in implementing the integration of these systems and processes. While we believe that the companies share certain similar cultural characteristics and philosophies, the differences in size and scope of operations may affect our management processes.

Any one or all of these factors, many of which are outside of our control, may cause increased operating costs, worse than anticipated financial performance or the loss of customers and employees. Many of these factors are also outside our control.

We conduct business in a heavily regulated industry and changes in laws or regulations or violations of regulations could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our business is heavily regulated by federal, state and local authorities. Legislation or other regulatory reform that increases the regulatory requirements imposed on us or that changes the way we currently do business may in the future adversely affect our business and results of operations. Legislative or regulatory changes that could significantly harm us and our subsidiaries include changes that:

• impose increased liability for adverse consequences of medical decisions;

• limit premium levels;

• increase minimum capital, reserves and other financial viability requirements;

• impose fines or other penalties for the failure to pay claims promptly;

• impose fines or other penalties as a result of market conduct reviews;

• prohibit or limit rental access to health care provider networks;

• prohibit or limit provider financial incentives and provider risk-sharing arrangements;

• require health plans to offer expanded or new benefits;

• limit the ability of health plans to manage care and utilization due to “any willing provider” and direct access laws that restrict or prohibit product features that encourage members to seek services from contracted providers or through referral by a primary care provider;

• limit contractual terms with providers, including audit, payment and termination provisions;

• implement mandatory third party review processes for coverage denials; and

• impose additional health care information privacy or security requirements.

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We also may be subject to governmental investigations or inquiries from time to time. For example in 2004, several companies in the insurance industry have received subpoenas for information from the New York Attorney General and the Connecticut Attorney General with respect to an industry wide investigation into certain insurance brokerage practices, including broker compensation arrangements, bid quoting practices and potential antitrust violations. Insurance regulators in several states, including states in which our subsidiaries are domiciled, have sent letters of inquiry concerning similar matters to the companies subject to their jurisdiction, including our subsidiaries. We have furnished the information requested and have received no further inquiry or comment from the insurance regulatory authorities. The existence of such investigations in our industry could negatively impact the market value of all companies in our industry including our stock price. Any similar governmental investigations of Coventry could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or business or result in significant liabilities to the Company, as well as adverse publicity.

In addition, we are required to obtain and maintain various regulatory approvals to market many of our products. Delays in obtaining or failure to obtain or maintain these approvals could adversely impact our results of operations. Federal, state and local authorities frequently consider changes to laws and regulations that could adversely affect our business. We can not predict the changes that government authorities will approve in the future or assure you that those changes will not have an adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

We face periodic reviews, audits and investigations under our contracts with federal and state government agencies, and these audits could have adverse findings that may negatively affect our business.

We contract with various federal and state governmental agencies to provide managed health care services. Pursuant to these contracts, we are subject to various governmental reviews, audits and investigations to verify our compliance with the contracts and applicable laws and regulations. Any adverse review, audit or investigation could result in:

• refunding of amounts we have been paid pursuant to our government contracts;

• imposition of fines, penalties and other sanctions on us;

• loss of our right to participate in various federal programs;

• damage to our reputation in various markets;

• increased difficulty in selling our products and services; and

• loss of one or more of our licenses to act as an insurer or HMO or to otherwise provide a service.

We are subject to litigation in the ordinary course of our business, including litigation based on new or evolving legal theories, that could adversely affect our results of operations.

Due to the nature of our business, we are subject to a variety of legal actions relating to our business operations including claims relating to:

• our denial of non-covered benefits;

• vicarious liability for medical malpractice claims filed against our providers;

• disputes with our providers alleging RICO and antitrust violations;

• disputes with our providers over reimbursement and termination of provider contracts;

• disputes related to our non-risk business, including actions alleging breach of fiduciary duties, claim administration errors and failure to disclose network rate discounts and other fee and rebate arrangements;

• disputes over our co-payment calculations;

• customer audits of our compliance with our plan obligations; and

• disputes over payments for out-of-network benefits.

In addition, plaintiffs continue to bring new types of legal claims against managed care companies. Recent court decisions and legislative activity increase our exposure to these types of claims. In some cases, plaintiffs may seek class action status and substantial economic, non-economic or punitive damages. The loss of even one of these claims, if it resulted in a significant damage award, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. In the event a plaintiff was to obtain a significant damage award it may make reasonable settlements of claims more difficult to obtain. We can not determine with any certainty what new theories of recovery may evolve or what their impact may be on the managed care industry in general or on us in particular.

We have, and expect to maintain, liability insurance coverage for some of the potential legal liabilities we may incur. Currently, professional liability and employment practices liability insurance is covered through our captive subsidiary. Potential liabilities that we incur may not, however, be covered by insurance, our insurers may dispute coverage or may be unable to meet their obligations or the amount of our insurance coverage may be inadequate. We can not assure you that we will be able to obtain insurance coverage in the future, or that insurance will continue to be available on a cost effective basis, if at all.

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Our stock price and trading volume may be volatile.

From time to time, the price and trading volume of our common stock, as well as the stock of other companies in the health care industry, may experience periods of significant volatility. Company-specific issues and developments generally in the health care industry (including the regulatory environment) and the capital markets may cause this volatility. Our stock price and trading volume may fluctuate in response to a number of events and factors, including:

• variations in our operating results;

• changes in the market’s expectations about our future operating results;

• changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts concerning our company or the health care industry generally;

• operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable;

• news reports relating to trends in our markets;

• changes in the laws and regulations affecting our business;

• acquisitions and financings by us or others in our industry; and

• sales of substantial amounts of our common stock by our directors and executive officers or principal stockholders, or the perception that such sales could occur.

Our indebtedness imposes restrictions on our business and operations.

The indentures for our senior notes and bank credit agreement impose restrictions on our business and operations. These restrictions limit our ability to, among other things:

• incur additional debt;

• pay dividends or make other restricted payments;

• create or permit certain liens on our assets;

• sell assets;

• create or permit restrictions on the ability of certain of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions to us;

• enter into transactions with affiliates;

• enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and

• consolidate or merge with or into other companies or sell all or substantially all of our assets.

Our ability to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness will depend on numerous factors beyond our control.

Our ability to service our indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our ability to generate the cash necessary to service our indebtedness is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. We can not assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our indebtedness or to fund other liquidity needs. In addition, we will be more vulnerable to economic downturns, adverse industry conditions and competitive pressures as a result of our significant indebtedness. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness before maturity. We can not assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness or that we will be able to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms.

A substantial amount of our cash flow is generated by our regulated subsidiaries.

Our regulated subsidiaries conduct a substantial amount of our consolidated operations. Consequently, our cash flow and our ability to pay our debt and fund future acquisitions depends, in part, on the amount of cash that the parent company receives from our regulated subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries’ ability to make any payments to the parent company will depend on their earnings, business and tax considerations, legal and regulatory restrictions and economic conditions. Our regulated subsidiaries are subject to HMO and insurance regulations that require them to meet or exceed various capital standards and may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make cash transfers to the parent company. If our regulated subsidiaries are restricted from paying the parent company dividends or otherwise making cash transfers to the parent company, it could have material adverse effect on the parent company’s cash flow. For additional information regarding our regulated subsidiaries’ statutory capital requirements, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Statutory Capital Requirements.”

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law could delay, discourage or prevent a change in control of our Company that our stockholders may consider favorable.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law may delay, discourage or prevent a merger, acquisition or change in control involving our company that our stockholders may consider favorable. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. Among other things, these provisions:

• provide for a classified board of directors with staggered three-year terms so that no more than one-third of our directors can be replaced at any annual meeting;

• provide that directors may be removed without cause only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of our outstanding shares;

• provide that any amendment or repeal of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation establishing our classified board of directors must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of three-fourths of our outstanding shares; and

• establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at a meeting.

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These provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law may discourage transactions that otherwise could provide for the payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our common stock and also could limit the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

General economic conditions

Changes in economic conditions could adversely affect our business and results of operations. The state of the economy could adversely affect our employer group renewal prospects and our ability to collect or increase premiums. The state of the economy could also adversely affect the states’ budgets, which could result in the states attempting to reduce payments to Medicaid plans in those states in which we offer Medicaid plans, and increase taxes and assessments on our activities. Although we could attempt to mitigate or cover our exposure from such increased costs through, among other things, increases in premiums, there can be no assurance that we will be able to mitigate or cover all of such costs resulting from any budget cuts in states in which we operate. Although we have attempted to diversify our product offerings to address the changing needs of our membership, the effects of economic conditions could cause our existing membership to seek health coverage alternatives that we do not offer or could result in significant membership loss, lower average premium yields or decreased margins on continuing membership.

Item 1B: Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2: Properties

As of December 31, 2005, we leased approximately 60,000 square feet of space for our corporate office in Bethesda, Maryland. We also leased approximately 1,773,000 aggregate square feet for office space, subsidiary operations and customer service centers for the various markets where our health plans and other subsidiaries operate, of which approximately 4% is subleased. Our leases expire at various dates from 2006 through 2018. We also own eight buildings throughout the country with approximately 727,000 square feet, which is used for administrative services related to our health plan and other operations, of which less than one percent is subleased. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our operations.

Item 3: Legal Proceedings

See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Legal Proceedings” which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2005.

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PART II

Item 5: Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Price Range of Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) stock market under the ticker symbol “CVH.” On August 31, 2005, our Board of Directors approved a three-for-two stock split of our common stock. The stock split, in the form of a stock dividend, was effective October 17, 2005 for stockholders of record on October 3, 2005. The stock split is reflected retroactively in our price per share for all periods presented. The following table sets forth the quarterly range of the high and low sales prices of the common stock on the NYSE stock markets during the calendar period indicated. Such quotations represent inter-dealer prices without retail markup, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions:

	2005		2004
	High	Low	High	Low
First Quarter	$ 45.77	$ 34.21	$ 30.06	$ 26.33
Second Quarter	48.39	42.11	33.73	27.19
Third Quarter	58.07	44.33	36.20	30.33
Fourth Quarter	60.31	49.57	36.17	24.66

On February 28, 2006, we had approximately 628 stockholders of record, not including beneficial owners of shares held in nominee name. On February 28, 2006, our closing price was $59.62.

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and expect for the foreseeable future to retain all of our earnings to finance the development of our business. Our ability to pay dividends is limited by certain covenants and restrictions contained in our debt obligations and by insurance regulations applicable to our subsidiaries. Subject to the terms of such insurance regulations and debt covenants, any future decision as to the payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our earnings, financial position, capital requirements and other relevant factors. See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Our Board of Directors has approved a program to repurchase our outstanding common stock. Stock repurchases may be made from time to time at prevailing prices on the open market, by block purchase or in private transactions. We did not repurchase any shares in 2005 under this program, however we purchased 3.0 million shares of our common stock in 2004 under this program. The total remaining common shares we are authorized to repurchase under the program is approximately 2.6 million as of December 31, 2005. In February 2006, our Board of Directors approved an increase to the repurchase authorization in an amount equal to 5% of our outstanding common stock thus increasing our repurchase authorization by 8.1 million shares.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table shows our purchases of our common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2005 (in thousands, except per share information).

	Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)	Average Price Paid per Share	Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans	Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plan or Program (2)
October 1-31, 2005	4	$ 57.76	-	2,634
November 1-30, 2005	-	$         -	-	2,634
December 1-31, 2005	7	$ 59.74	-	2,634
Totals	11	$ 58.95	-	2,634
(1) These shares were purchased in exchange for employee payroll taxes on vesting of restricted stock awards and are not part of the publicly announced stock repurchase program.
(2) These shares are under a stock repurchase program previously announced on December 20, 1999, as amended. As of December 31, 2005, the program authorized 14.1 million shares to be repurchased and does not have an expiration date.

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Item 6: Selected Financial Data

(in thousands, except per share and membership data)

	December 31,
	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001
Operations Statement Data (1)
Operating revenues	$ 6,611,246	$ 5,311,969	$ 4,535,143	$ 3,576,905	$ 3,147,245
Operating earnings	791,818	496,671	366,197	200,670	91,108
Earnings before income taxes	799,425	526,991	393,064	225,741	134,682
Net earnings	501,639	337,117	250,145	145,603	84,407
Basic earnings per share	3.18	2.55	1.89	1.09	0.58
Diluted earnings per share	3.10	2.48	1.83	1.05	0.55
Dividends declared per share	-	-	-	-	-
Balance Sheet Data (1)
Cash and investments	$ 2,062,893	$ 1,727,737	$ 1,405,922	$ 1,119,120	$ 952,491
Total assets	4,895,172	2,340,600	1,981,736	1,643,440	1,451,273
Total medical liabilities	752,774	660,475	597,190	558,599	522,854
Long-term liabilities	309,742	25,854	27,358	21,691	10,649
Debt	770,500	170,500	170,500	175,000	-
Stockholders’ equity	2,554,703	1,212,426	928,998	646,037	689,079
Operating Data (1)
Medical loss ratio	79.4%	80.5%	81.2%	83.3%	86.0%
Operating earnings ratio	12.0%	9.4%	8.1%	5.6%	2.9%
Administrative expense ratio	17.9%	11.5%	12.0%	12.2%	12.0%
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (2)	157,965	132,188	132,170	133,203	146,227
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (2)	161,716	135,884	136,148	137,797	152,718
Health Plan Risk membership, continuing operations	1,954,000	1,949,000	1,899,000	1,640,000	1,522,000
Health Plan Non-risk membership, continuing operations	592,000	560,000	484,000	395,000	319,000
(1) Operations Statement Data include the results of operations of acquisitions since the date of acquisition. Balance Sheet Data reflect acquisitions as of December 31, of the year of acquisition. See the notes to consolidated financial statements for detail on our acquisitions.
(2) All historical common share data have been adjusted for a 3-for-2 stock split in the form of a stock dividend paid on October 17, 2005 to stockholders of record on October 3, 2005.

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Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The organization of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is as follows.

• Executive-Level Overview

• Critical Accounting Policies

• New Accounting Standards

• Acquisitions

• Membership

• Results of Operations

• Liquidity and Capital Resources

• Other Disclosures

• Risk Factors

Executive-Level Overview

General Operations

We are a national managed health care company based in Bethesda, Maryland operating health plans, insurance companies, network rental / managed care services companies, and workers’ compensation services companies. We provide a full range of risk and fee-based managed care products and services, including health maintenance organization (“HMO”), preferred provider organization (“PPO”), point of service (“POS”), Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Medicaid, Workers’ Compensation and Network Rental to a broad cross section of individuals, employer and government-funded groups, government agencies, and other insurance carriers and administrators in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Highlights of 2005 Performance

• Health Plan membership increased 1.5% over the prior year.

• Revenue increased 24.5% over the prior year. Health Plan only revenue increased 9.3% over the prior year.

• Health Plan medical loss ratio of 79.5% improved 100 basis points over the prior year.

• Selling, general and administrative expenses were 17.9% of operating revenues, Health Plan only selling, general and administrative expense was 11.4%, a 10 basis point improvement over the prior year.

• Operating margin of 12.0% improved 260 basis points over the prior year.

• Diluted earnings per share increased 25.0% over the prior year.

• Cash flows from operations were $804.5 million, a 77.2% improvement over the prior year.

• Total cash and investments was $2.1 billion, a 19.4% increase over the prior year.

Operating Revenue and Products

We generate our operating revenues from premiums for a broad range of managed care and management service products. Premiums for our commercial risk products, for which we assume full underwriting risk, can vary. For example, premiums for our PPO and POS products are typically lower than our HMO premiums due to medical underwriting and higher deductibles and co-payments that are typically required of the PPO and POS members. Premium rates for our government programs, Medicare and state-sponsored managed Medicaid, are largely established by governmental regulatory agencies. These government products are offered in selected markets where we believe we can achieve profitable growth based upon favorable reimbursement levels, provider costs and regulatory climates.

Revenue for our management services products (“non-risk”) is generally a fixed administrative fee, provided on a predetermined contractual basis or on a percentage-of-savings basis, for access to our health care provider networks and health care management services, for which we do not assume underwriting risk. The management services we provide typically include health care provider network management, clinical management, pharmacy benefit management (“PBM”), bill review, claims repricing, fiscal agent services (generally for state entitlement programs), claims processing, utilization review and quality assurance.

During the three years ended December 31, 2005, we experienced substantial growth in operating revenues due in part to membership increases from health plan acquisitions and more recently, as a result of the acquisition of First Health Group (“First Health”). We generally seek acquisitions that we believe have a manageable regulatory and business climate and have the ability to add value to our company. Additionally, membership growth was achieved organically through marketing efforts, geographic expansion and increased product offerings. Our ability to introduce products quickly to each market has helped us to expand our customer base. In particular, we have been able to add a large variety of lower cost products, which has proven attractive to customers.

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Operating Expenses

Our medical costs include medical claims paid under contractual relationships with a wide variety of providers and capitation arrangements. Medical costs also include an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.

We maintain provider networks that furnish health care services through contractual arrangements with physicians, hospitals and other health care providers. Prescription drug benefits are provided through a formulary comprised of an extensive list of drugs. Drug prices are negotiated at discounted rates through a national network of pharmacies.

We have capitation arrangements for certain ancillary heath care services, such as mental health care, and a small percentage of our membership is covered by global capitation arrangements. Under the typical arrangement, the provider receives a fixed percentage of premium to cover costs of all medical care or of the specified ancillary services provided to the globally capitated members. Under some capitated arrangements, physicians may also receive additional compensation from risk sharing and other incentive arrangements. Global capitation arrangements limit our exposure to the risk of increasing medical costs, but expose us to risk as to the adequacy of the financial and medical care resources of the provider organization. We are ultimately responsible for the coverage of our members pursuant to the customer agreements. To the extent that the respective provider organization faces financial difficulties or otherwise is unable to perform its obligations under the capitation arrangements, we will be required to perform such obligations. Consequently, we may have to incur costs in doing so in excess of the amounts we would otherwise have to pay under the original global or ancillary capitation through our contracted network arrangements.

We have established systems to monitor the availability, appropriateness and effectiveness of the patient care we provide. We collect utilization data in each of our markets that we use to analyze over-utilization or under-utilization of services and assist our health plans in arranging for appropriate care for their members and improving patient outcomes in a cost efficient manner. Medical directors also monitor the utilization of diagnostic services and encourage the use of outpatient surgery and testing where appropriate. Each health plan collects data showing each physician’s utilization profile for diagnostic tests, specialty referrals and hospitalization and presents such data to the health plan’s physicians. The medical directors monitor these results in an effort to ensure the use of medically, cost-effective appropriate services.

We operate regional service centers that perform claims processing, premium billing and collection, enrollment and customer service functions for our health plans. Our regional service centers enable us to take advantage of economies of scale, implement standardized management practices at each of our plans and capitalize on the benefits of our integrated information technology systems. We centralize the underwriting and product pricing functions for our health plans, which allows us to utilize our underwriting expertise and a disciplined pricing strategy at each of our health plans. First Health operating expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs for personnel involved in the administrative services offered by the Company. To a lesser extent, the operating expenses include facility expenses and information processing costs needed to provide those administrative services.

Cash Flows

We generate cash through operations. As a profitable company in an industry that is not capital equipment intensive, we have not needed to use financing methods to fund operations. While we did incur debt in 2005 (as described in Note H to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K), the entire proceeds were used to finance an acquisition and were not used to fund operations. Our primary use of cash is to pay medical claims. Any excess cash has historically been used for acquisitions and for repurchases of our common stock.

Critical Accounting Policies

We consider the accounting policies described below critical in preparing our consolidated financial statements. Critical accounting policies are ones that require difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of these policies include significant estimates and assumptions made by us using information available at the time the estimates are made. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Managed care premiums are recorded as revenue in the month in which members are entitled to service. Premiums are based on both a per subscriber contract rate and the number of subscribers in our records at the time of billing. Premium billings are generally sent to employers in the month preceding the month of coverage. Premium billings may be subsequently adjusted to reflect changes in membership as a result of retroactive terminations, additions, or other changes. Due to early timing of the premium billing, we are able to identify in the current month the retroactive adjustments for two subsequent months billings. Current period revenues are adjusted to reflect these retroactive adjustments.

Based on information received subsequent to generating premium billings, historical trends, bad debt write-offs and the collectibility of specific accounts, we estimate, on a monthly basis, the amount of bad debt and future membership retroactivity and adjust our revenue and allowances accordingly.

As of December 31, 2005, we maintained allowances for retroactive billing adjustments of approximately $20.6 million compared with approximately $6.7 million at December 31, 2004. We also maintained allowances for doubtful accounts of approximately $3.6 million and $0.9 million as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The calculation for these allowances is based on a percentage of the gross accounts receivable with the allowance percentage increasing for the older receivables. The allowances have increased as a result of the acquisition of First Health.

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We also receive premium payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) on a monthly basis for our Medicare membership. Membership and category eligibility are periodically reconciled with CMS and can result in adjustments to revenue. Premiums collected in advance are recorded as deferred revenue.

We contract with the United States Office of Personnel Management (“OPM”) and with various federal employee organizations to provide health insurance benefits under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. These contracts are subject to government regulatory oversight by the Office of the Inspector General (“OIG”) of OPM who perform periodic audits of these benefit program activities to ensure that contractors meet their contractual obligations with OPM.  For our managed care contracts, the OIG conducts periodic audits to, among other things, verify that premiums established under its contracts are in compliance with community rating requirements under the FEHB Program.  The OPM may seek premium refunds or institute other sanctions against health plans that participate in the program.  For our experience-rated plans, the OIG focuses on the appropriateness of contract charges, the effectiveness of claims processing, financial and cost accounting systems, and the adequacy of internal controls to ensure proper contract charges and benefits payments.  The OIG may seek refunds of costs charged under these contracts or institute other sanctions against health plans.  These audits are generally a number of years in arrears.  We record reserves, on an estimated basis annually, for audit and other contract adjustments based on appropriate guidelines.  Any differences between actual results and estimates are recorded in the year the audits are finalized.

We enter into performance guarantees with employer groups where we pledge that we will meet certain standards. These standards vary widely and could involve customer service, member satisfaction, claims processing, claims accuracy, telephone on-hold time, etc. We also enter into financial guarantees which can take various forms including, among others, achieving an annual aggregate savings threshold, achieving a targeted level of savings per-member per-month or achieving overall network penetration in defined demographic markets. For each guarantee, we estimate and record performance based revenue after considering the relevant contractual terms and the data available for the performance based revenue calculation. Pro-rata performance based revenue is recognized on an interim basis pursuant to the rights and obligations of each party upon termination of the contracts.

Medical Claims Expense and Liabilities

Medical liabilities consist of actual claims reported but not paid and estimates of health care services incurred but not reported. Medical liabilities estimates are developed using actuarial principles and assumptions that consider, among other things, historical claims payment patterns, provider reimbursement changes, historical utilization trends, current levels of authorized inpatient days, other medical cost inflation factors, membership levels, benefit design changes, seasonality, demographic mix change and other relevant factors.

We employ a team of actuaries that have developed, refined and used the same set of reserve models over the past several years. These reserve models do not calculate separate amounts for reported but not paid and incurred but not reported, but rather a single estimate of medical claims liabilities. These reserve models make use of both historical claim payment patterns as well as emerging medical cost trends to project our best estimate of claim liabilities. Within these models, historical data of paid claims is formatted into claim triangles which compare claim incurred dates to the claim payment dates. This information is analyzed to create “completion factors” that represent the average percentage of total incurred claims that have been paid through a given date after being incurred. Completion factors are applied to claims paid through the financial statement date to estimate the ultimate claim expense incurred for the current period. Actuarial estimates of claim liabilities are then determined by subtracting the actual paid claims from the estimate of the ultimate incurred claims.

Actuarial standards of practice generally require the actuarial developed medical claims estimates to cover obligations under an assumption of moderately adverse conditions. Adverse conditions are situations in which the actual claims are expected to be higher than the otherwise estimated value of such claims. In many situations, the claims paid amount experienced will be less than the estimate that satisfies the actuarial standards of practice. Medical claims liabilities are recorded at an amount we estimate to be appropriate. Adjustments of prior years estimates may result in additional medical costs or, as we have experienced during the last several years, a reduction in medical costs in the period an adjustment was made. Our reserve models have historically developed favorably suggesting that the accrued liabilities calculated from the models were more than adequate to cover our ultimate liability for unpaid claims. We believe that this favorable development is a result of good communications between our health plans and our actuarial staff regarding medical utilization, mix of provider rates and other components of medical cost trend.

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The following table presents the components of the change in medical claims liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively (in thousands).

		2005	2004	2003
Medical liabilities, beginning of period		$    660,475	$    597,190	$    558,599
Acquisitions (1)		41,895	-	38,828
Reported Medical Costs
	Current year	4,672,009	4,257,942	3,693,821
	Prior year developments	(121,138)	(72,047)	(86,532)
Total reported medical costs		4,550,871	4,185,895	3,607,289
Claim Payments
	Payments for current year	4,030,685	3,691,092	3,235,902
	Payments for prior year	469,782	431,518	371,624
Total claim payments		4,500,467	4,122,610	3,607,526
Medical liabilities, end of period		$    752,774	$    660,475	$    597,190
Supplemental Information:
	Prior year development (2)	2.9%	2.0%	3.0%
	Current year paid percent (3)	86.3%	86.7%	87.6%
(1) Acquisition balances represent medical liabilities of the acquired company as of the applicable acquisition date.
(2) Prior year reported medical costs in the current year as a percentage of prior year reported medical costs.
(3) Current year claim payments as a percentage of current year reported medical costs.

The negative amounts noted as “prior year” medical costs are favorable adjustments for claim estimates being settled for amounts less than originally anticipated. As noted above, these favorable restatements from original estimates occur due to changes in medical utilization, mix of provider rates and other components of medical cost trends. Medical claim liabilities are generally paid within several months of the member receiving service from the provider. Accordingly, the 2005 prior year medical costs relate almost entirely to claims incurred in calendar year 2004 and the increase in prior year medical cost was driven primarily by lower than anticipated medical cost increases and growth in the medical cost base.

For the more recent incurred months, the percentage of claims paid to claims incurred in those months is generally low. As a result, the completion factor methodology is less reliable for such months. For that reason, incurred claims for recent months are not projected solely from historical completion and payment patterns. Instead, they are projected by estimating the claims expense for those months based upon recent claims expense levels and health care trend levels, or “trend factors.” As these months mature over time, the two estimates (completion factor and trend) are blended with completion factors being used exclusively for older months.

Within the reserve setting methodologies for inpatient and non-inpatient services, we use certain assumptions. For inpatient services, authorized days are used for utilization factors, while cost trend assumptions are incorporated into per diem amounts. The per diem estimates reflect anticipated effects of changes in reimbursement structure and severity mix. For non-inpatient services, a composite trend assumption is applied which reflects anticipated changes in cost per service, provider contracts, utilization, and other factors.

Changes in the completion factors, trend factors and utilization factors can have a significant effect on the claim liability. The following example provides the estimated effect to our December 31, 2005 unpaid claims liability assuming hypothetical changes in the completion, trend, and inpatient day factors. While we believe the selection of factors and ranges provided are reasonable, certain factors and actual results may differ.

Completion Factor			Claims Trend Factor			Inpatient Day Factor
Increase (Decrease) in Completion Factor		(Decrease) Increase in Unpaid Claims Liabilities	(Decrease) Increase in Claims Trend Factor		(Decrease) Increase in Unpaid Claims Liabilities	(Decrease) Increase in Inpatient Day Factor		(Decrease) Increase in Unpaid Claims Liabilities
3.6	%	$   (19,438)	(6.0)	%	$   (59,999)	(5.0)	%	$   (9,297)
2.0	%	$   (10,991)	(3.0)	%	$   (30,000)	(2.5)	%	$   (4,648)
1.0	%	$     (5,558)	(1.0)	%	$   (10,000)	(1.0)	%	$   (1,859)
(1.0)	%	$       5,686	1.0	%	$     10,000	1.0	%	$     1,859
(2.0)	%	$     11,504	3.0	%	$     30,000	2.5	%	$     4,648
(3.6)	%	$     21,101	6.0	%	$     59,999	5.0	%	$     9,297

We also establish reserves, if required, for the probability that anticipated future health care costs and contract maintenance costs under the group of existing contracts will exceed anticipated future premiums and reinsurance recoveries on those contracts.

Accruals are continually monitored and reviewed, and as settlements are made or accruals adjusted, differences are reflected in current operations. Changes in assumptions for medical costs caused by changes in actual experience could cause these estimates to change in the near term. Certain situations require judgment in setting reserves, such as system conversions, processing interruptions, environmental changes or other factors.

We believe that the amount of medical liabilities is adequate to cover our ultimate liability for unpaid claims as of December 31, 2005; however, actual claim payments and other items may differ from established estimates.

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Investments

We account for investments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115 - “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” We invest primarily in fixed income securities and classify all of our investments as available-for-sale. Investments are evaluated on an individual security basis at least quarterly to determine if declines in value are other-than-temporary. In making that determination, we consider all available evidence relating to the realizable value of a security. This evidence includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• adverse financial conditions of a specific issuer, segment, industry, region or other variables;

• the length of the time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost;

• the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer;

• our intent and ability to retain our investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value;

• elimination or reduction in dividend payments, or scheduled interest and principal;

• rating agency downgrade of a debt security; and

• expected cash flows of a debt security.

Temporary declines in value of investments classified as available-for-sale are netted with unrealized gains and reported as a net amount in a separate component of stockholders’ equity. A decline in fair value below amortized cost that is judged to be other–than–temporary is accounted for as a realized loss and the write down is included in earnings. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on a specific identification basis.

The following table shows our investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair value, at December 31, 2005, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands).

	Less than 12 months		12 months or more		Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value	Unrealized Loss	Fair Value	Unrealized Loss	Fair Value	Unrealized Loss
State and municipal bonds	$  173,544	$  (1,847)	$   70,857	$  (1,738)	$  244,401	$   (3,585)
US Treasury & agency securities	54,273	(487)	31,989	(586)	86,262	(1,073)
Mortgage-backed securities	102,427	(1,559)	45,034	(1,273)	147,461	(2,832)
Asset-backed securities	25,915	(412)	20,600	(539)	46,515	(951)
Corporate debt and other securities	151,712	(1,027)	102,616	(3,206)	254,328	(4,233)
	$  507,871	$  (5,332)	$ 271,096	$  (7,342)	$  778,967	$ (12,674)

The securities presented in this table do not meet the criteria for an other-than-temporarily impaired investment. The current unrealized loss is almost exclusively the result of interest rate increases and not unfavorable changes in the credit ratings associated with these securities. These investments are not in high risk industries or sectors and we intend to hold these investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in market value.

Goodwill and Other Long-lived Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets that have indefinite lives are subject to a periodic assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test. For our impairment analysis of the Health Plan segment goodwill, we used three approaches to identify the fair value of our goodwill and other intangible assets: a market approach, a market capitalization approach and an income approach. The market approach estimates a business’s fair value by analyzing the recent sales of similar companies. The market capitalization approach is based on the market value of our total shares outstanding. The income approach is based on the present value of expected future cash flows. The income approach involves estimating the present value of the company’s estimated future cash flows, and discounting these cash flows at a given rate of return. All three approaches were reviewed together for consistency and commonality.

For our impairment analysis of the First Health segment goodwill and indefinite lived intangible asset, we engaged an independent business valuation firm to assist us in our analysis.  For the First Health goodwill impairment analysis, we relied primarily on the income approach and secondarily on the market approach. For the First Health indefinite lived asset, we relied on two separate variations of the income approach. Each approach was reviewed together for consistency and commonality.

Under the income approach, we assumed certain growth rates, capital expenditures, discount rates and terminal growth rates in our calculations. If the assumptions used in our fair-value-based tests differ from actual, the estimates underlying our goodwill impairment tests could be adversely affected. Any impairment charges that may result will be recorded in the period in which the impairment is identified. We have not incurred an impairment charge related to goodwill or indefinite lived intangibles. See Note C to the consolidated financial statements for additional disclosure related to intangible assets.

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Our remaining long-lived assets consist of property and equipment and other finite-lived intangible assets. These assets are depreciated or amortized over their estimated useful life, and are subject to impairment reviews. In accordance with Statement of Position (“SOP”) 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use, the cost of internally developed software is capitalized and included in property and equipment. We capitalize costs incurred during the application development stage for the development of internal-use software. These costs primarily relate to payroll and payroll-related costs for employees along with costs incurred for external consultants who are directly associated with the internal-use software project. We periodically review long-lived assets whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. In assessing recoverability, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine if an impairment loss may exist, and, if so, estimate fair value. We also must estimate and make assumptions regarding the useful life we assign to our long-lived assets. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment losses or change the useful life, including accelerating depreciation for these assets.

New Accounting Standards

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123. However, SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a rule that amends the compliance date for SFAS No. 123(R). The rule allowed the Company to delay the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R) until January 1, 2006. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006 using the modified-prospective method.

Under the modified-prospective method, compensation cost is recognized beginning on the adoption date based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date.

As permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company accounted for share-based payments to employees using APB No. 25’s intrinsic value method through December 31, 2005 and, as such, has recognized no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R)’s fair value method will have an effect on its results of operations, although it will have no material effect on its overall financial position. The effect of adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will depend on the value and levels of share-based payments granted in the future. However, assuming share-based payments are granted in 2006 at values and levels granted in 2005, the Company expects the diluted earnings per share effect of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) to be a $0.13 to $0.14 reduction for the full year of 2006.

SFAS No. 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption. While the Company can not estimate what those amounts will be in the future (as it is dependent upon, among other things, when employees exercise stock options), the amounts of operating cash flows that were recognized in prior periods for such excess tax benefits were $38.0 million, $21.4 million, and $18.5 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Acquisitions

During the three years ended December 31, 2005, we completed several business combinations and membership purchases. These business combinations are all accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the operating results of each acquisition have been included in our consolidated financial statements since their effective date of acquisition. The purchase price for each business combination was allocated to the assets, including the identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the net identifiable assets acquired was allocated to goodwill. The purchase price of our membership purchases is allocated to identifiable intangible assets and is being amortized over a useful life of ten to twenty years.

The following table summarizes all business combinations and membership purchases for the three years ended December 31, 2005. The purchase price of each business combination includes the payment for net worth and estimated transition costs. The purchase price shown for recent acquisitions, in millions, is inclusive of all retroactive balance sheet settlements and transaction cost adjustments.

			Purchase
	Effective Date	Market	Price
Business Combinations
PersonalCare Health Management, Inc. (“PersonalCare”)	February 1, 2003	Illinois	$ 21
Altius Health Plans, Inc. (“Altius”)	September 1, 2003	Utah	$ 46
First Health Group Corp. (“First Health”)	January 28, 2005	Multiple Markets	$ 1,695
Membership Purchases
OmniCare Health Plan (“OmniCare”)	October 1, 2004	Michigan	$ 13

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Effective January 28, 2005, we completed our acquisition of First Health. First Health is a full service national health benefits services company that serves the group health, workers’ compensation and state public program markets. Each outstanding share of First Health common stock was converted into a right to receive $9.375 cash and 0.2687 shares of Coventry common stock. As a result of the merger, we paid $863.1 million in cash and issued approximately 24.7 million shares of our common stock to stockholders of First Health.The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the operating results of First Health have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. The purchase price for First Health was allocated to the assets, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, based on estimated fair values. For additional information regarding the First Health acquisition, please refer to Note B to our consolidated financial statements.

Membership

The following table presents our Health Plan membership as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands) and the percentage change in membership between these dates.

			December 31,		Percent
			2005	2004	Change
Risk membership:
	Commercial		1,486	1,483	0.2%
	Medicare		75	69	8.7%
	Medicaid		393	397	(1.0%)
		Total risk membership	1,954	1,949	0.3%
Non-risk membership			592	560	5.7%
		Total membership	2,546	2,509	1.5%

Commercial insured membership increased over the prior year end due to strong sales and retention, especially in the third and fourth quarters. These membership gains were partially offset by the loss, during the first quarter of 2005, of a large commercial insured account to an administrative services only (“ASO”) bid and a large existing group in the Kansas market that changed from a risk product to a non-risk product effective January 1, 2005. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused significant destruction and flooding in Southern Louisiana, most notably in the greater New Orleans area. As a result of its effects, we lost 11,000 commercial insured members in our Louisiana operations in the fourth quarter of 2005 and expect additional losses of membership in 2006.

Medicare membership increased primarily as a result of the membership obtained in the West Virginia market.

Legislation in Missouri was approved that changed the eligibility requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries throughout the state. We lost 23,000 Medicaid members in our Missouri market through the twelve months ended December 31, 2005. These losses were offset by Medicaid member growth in our Pennsylvania and West Virginia markets.

The increase in non-risk membership was attributable to a large group in the Kansas market changing from a risk product to a non-risk, as described above, as well as from additional organic growth obtained in the North Carolina market. These gains were partially offset by the loss of a large existing ASO account to another third party administrator during the first quarter of 2005.

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Results of Operations

The following table is provided to facilitate a more meaningful discussion regarding the comparison of our operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 (in thousands, except EPS and membership).

					Increase			Increase
			2005	2004	(Decrease)	2004	2003	(Decrease)
Consolidated Business (1)
	Total operating revenues		$ 6,611,246	$ 5,311,969	24.5%	$ 5,311,969	$ 4,535,143	17.1%
	Operating earnings		$    791,818	$    496,671	59.4%	$    496,671	$    366,197	35.6%
	Net earnings		$    501,639	$    337,117	48.8%	$    337,117	$    250,145	34.8%
	Diluted earnings per share		$          3.10	$          2.48	25.0%	$          2.48	$          1.83	35.3%
	Selling, general and administrative		17.9%	11.5%	6.4%	11.5%	12.0%	(0.5%)
		as a percentage of revenue
Health Plan Business
Managed Care Premium Yields (per member per month):
	Commercial		$     246.46	$     226.59	8.8%	$     226.59	$     206.08	10.0%
	Medicare		$     765.58	$     695.96	10.0%	$     695.96	$     629.52	10.6%
	Medicaid		$     157.52	$     145.23	8.5%	$     145.23	$     139.69	4.0%
Medical Costs (per member per month):
	Commercial		$     193.37	$     179.21	7.9%	$     179.21	$     164.59	8.9%
	Medicare		$     614.55	$     579.92	6.0%	$     579.92	$     527.84	9.9%
	Medicaid		$     133.32	$     126.88	5.1%	$     126.88	$     122.25	3.8%
Medical Loss Ratios:
	Commercial		78.5%	79.1%	(0.6%)	79.1%	79.9%	(0.8%)
	Medicare		80.3%	83.3%	(3.0%)	83.3%	83.8%	(0.5%)
	Medicaid		84.6%	87.4%	(2.8%)	87.4%	87.5%	(0.1%)
	Total		79.5%	80.5%	(1.0%)	80.5%	81.2%	(0.7%)
Administrative Statistics:
	Selling, general and administrative		11.4%	11.5%	(0.1%)	11.5%	12.0%	(0.5%)
		as a percentage of revenue
	Days in medical liabilities		55.6	55.8	(0.2)	55.8	56.7	(0.9)
First Health Business (1)
Membership
	National Accounts
		On-going accounts	669,000	n/a
		Run-out (2)	90,000	n/a
	Total National Accounts		759,000	n/a
	Mail Handlers		462,000	n/a
Revenue by product lines
	National Accounts		$    141,283	n/a
	Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan		204,678	n/a
	Network Rental		89,442	n/a
		Group Health Subtotal	435,403	n/a
	Medicaid/Public Sector		183,197	n/a
	Workers’ Compensation		193,714	n/a
		Specialty Business Subtotal	376,911	n/a
	Total First Health Revenues		$    812,314	n/a
Administrative Statistics:
	Selling, general and administrative		64.9%	n/a
		as a percentage of revenue
	(1) Results of Operations includes First Health since January 28, 2005, the date of acquisition.
	(2) Company is still providing services to terminated customers.

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Comparison of 2005 to 2004

Managed care premium revenue increased as a result of rate increases that occurred throughout all markets and as a result of acquisitions. Commercial yields (premium per member per month) increased as a result of rate increases on renewals. Medicare yields increased as a result of the rate increases on January 1, 2005 from the annual Adjusted Community Rating filings. Medicaid yields increased as a result of a rate increase of 6.5% effective January 1, 2005 in Missouri, our largest Medicaid market, and as a result of the OmniCare acquisition which has a higher yield than our historical Medicaid membership. The acquisition of OmniCare effective October 1, 2004 and First Health effective January 28, 2005 accounted for $151.9 million of the increase in managed care premium revenue over the prior year. The First Health acquisition closed January 28, 2005 and, therefore, only results from January 28, 2005 through December 31, 2005 are included in our results of operations.

Management services revenue increased almost entirely due to the acquisition of First Health. The acquisition of First Health accounted for $764.0 million of the increase in management services revenue over the prior year.

Medical costs have increased due to medical trend and acquisitions. However, Health Plan medical expense as a percentage of managed care premium revenue has improved to 79.5% compared to 80.5% in the prior year. This favorable change was attributable to premium rate increases discussed above outpacing medical trend in each of our Health Plan lines of business. The favorable change was also attributable to favorable inpatient utilization during 2005, particularly in the third and fourth quarters, and a flu season in the first quarter of 2005 that was not as severe as it has been in previous years.  Total reported commercial medical trend (per member per month), net of buydowns, was 7.9% in 2005. Days in total medical claims liabilities decreased slightly from the prior year due primarily to faster claim receipts and continually improved processing cycle times.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to normal operating costs of First Health, which accounted for $523.7 million of the increase in selling, general and administrative expense. Additional increases include an increase in salary expense, Medicare Part D implementation costs and a full twelve months of normal operating costs of OmniCare. Salary expenses, excluding acquisitions, have increased due to annual compensation increases and additional amortization expense related to restricted shares of common stock granted in 2004 and 2005. However, Health Plan selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue have improved as a result of continuing revenue growth and success in controlling administrative costs.

Depreciation and amortization increased almost exclusively as a result of the acquisition of First Health. Depreciation expense for First Health, primarily for computer equipment and software, was $36.8 million and amortization of intangibles associated with the acquisition of First Health was $27.7 million.

Interest expense increased as a result of the indebtedness incurred with the acquisition of First Health. Additionally, we refinanced our credit facilities during the second quarter. As a result, we wrote off $5.4 million of deferred financing costs related to the original credit facilities.

Other income increased as a result of a larger investment portfolio and a rise in short term rates during the year.

Our provision for income taxes increased primarily due to an increase in earnings. The effective tax rate increased to 37.3% in 2005 from 36.0% in 2004 primarily as a result of the First Health acquisition and a related change in the relative mix of states with income tax provisions.

Comparison of 2004 to 2003

Managed care premium revenue increased as a result of rate increases that occurred throughout all markets, acquisitions and organic growth. Commercial yields (premium per member per month) increased as a result of rate increases on renewals that occurred throughout all markets. Medicare yields increased as a result of the rate increases from the annual Adjusted Community Rating filings and from the Medicare Modernization Act. The rate increases from the Medicare Modernization Act were required to be used for enhanced member benefits and/or network access and thus did not affect profitability. The acquisition of Altius effective September 1, 2003 and OmniCare effective October 1, 2004 accounted for $208.7 million of the increase in managed care premium revenue over the prior year.

Management services revenue increased due to the increase in non-risk membership influenced by three large groups changing from a risk product to a non-risk product effective January 1, 2004, as well as from additional organic membership obtained in the Missouri market.

Medical costs have increased due to medical trend, acquisitions and organic growth. However, total medical expense as a percentage of managed care premium revenue has improved to 80.5% over the prior year. This favorable change was attributable mostly to our commercial business and is a result of the commercial premium rate increases mentioned above outpacing commercial medical trend. Reported commercial medical trend, net of benefit buy downs, was 8.9% in 2004. Our Medicare business medical loss ratio improved compared to the prior year as a result of the increase in premium yields discussed above. Our overall Medicaid medical loss ratio was essentially flat compared to prior year. Excluding OmniCare, the Medicaid medical loss ratio would have improved to 86.9%. The same store improvement is as a result of rate increases across our markets and as a result of much improved performance in our Medicaid Virginia market. The Virginia market benefited from lower utilization, lower drug costs and favorable provider contract renegotiations.

Selling, general and administrative expense increased primarily due to normal operating costs of recent acquisitions, an increase in broker commissions and an increase in salary expenses. Broker commissions, excluding acquisitions, have increased due to the growth in both organic membership and in premium rates. Salary expenses, excluding acquisitions, have increased due to annual compensation increases, additional amortization expense related to restricted shares of common stock granted in 2003 and 2004, and incremental compensation expense related to our organic membership growth. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue have improved as a result of continuing revenue growth and success in controlling customer service costs.

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Other income increased due to an increase in interest income as a result of higher interest rates and as a result of a larger investment portfolio in 2004. Additionally, 2003 other income included a gain from sale of our single derivative investment which partially offsets the 2004 increase.

Our provision for income taxes increased due to an increase in earnings before taxes. The effective tax rate decreased to 36.0% in 2004 from 36.4% in 2003.

Days in total medical claims liabilities decreased from the prior year due primarily to faster claim receipts and continually improved processing cycle times.

Hurricane Katrina

As described earlier, the effects of Hurricane Katrina affected the operations of our local Louisiana Health Plan.  The Louisiana Department of Insurance imposed an emergency order governing claim payments and premium collection procedures. The Louisiana Department of Insurance emergency order rules prohibited the termination of members from August 26, 2005 to November 30, 2005 and required that members be allowed to access out-of-network providers at the in-network benefit level. Additionally, our New Orleans in-network provider community has changed as a result of the closure of certain facilities within our New Orleans provider network. As a result, medical costs have increased significantly. The reduced membership, allowances for premium receivables and higher medical costs experienced by our Louisiana Health Plan reduced our fourth quarter earnings by approximately $0.04 per diluted share. That order expired at the end of November 2005 and our Louisiana Health Plan is back to more normal operating protocols. Going forward, we expect the Louisiana Health Plan to operate as a profitable, but smaller, business.

Medicare Part D

The Medicare Part D program, which gives beneficiaries access to prescription drug coverage, took effect January 1, 2006. Coventry has been awarded contracts by the CMS to offer various Medicare Part D plans on a nationwide basis, in accordance with guidelines put forth by the agency.

Coventry submitted bids as a national prescription drug plan sponsor in all 34 CMS established regions. The bids are designed to provide solutions for individuals, employer groups and low income populations. Our primary retail distribution strategy for the Medicare Part D program is through distribution alliances with other insurers and retail operations.

During the third quarter of 2005, we received approval to offer Part D Prescription Drug Plans (“PDP”) in all 34 regions. We also qualified in all 13 regions where we sought to participate in the auto assignment of low income beneficiaries. The PDP plans will be marketed under the brand names of Advantra Rx and First Health Premier and include options with first dollar coverage (no deductible). Products will be underwritten by Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, First Health Life and Health Insurance Company and Cambridge Life Insurance Company. We have established partnerships with Medicare Supplement insurance carriers and brokerage channels nationwide to provide Medicare Part D prescription drug products to Medicare beneficiaries. 

We have incurred approximately $12.4 million in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2005 preparing for the implementation of this program.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

The nature of a vast majority of our operations is such that cash receipts from premium revenues are typically received up to two months prior to the expected cash payment for related medical costs. Premium revenues are typically received at the beginning of the month in which they are earned, and the corresponding incurred medical expenses are paid in a future time period, typically 15 to 60 days after the date such medical services are rendered. The lag between premium receipts and claims payments creates positive cash flow and overall cash growth. As a result, we typically hold approximately two months of “float”. In addition, accumulated earnings provide further positive cash flow. In addition to ample current liquidity, our long-term investment portfolio is available for further liquidity needs.

Our investment guidelines emphasize investment grade fixed income instruments in order to provide liquidity to meet future payment obligations and minimize the risk to the principal. The fixed income portfolio includes government and corporate securities with an average quality rating of “AA+” and an average contractual duration of 2.2 years, as of December 31, 2005. Typically, the amount and duration of our short-term assets are more than sufficient to pay for our short-term liabilities, and we do not anticipate that sales of our long-term investment portfolio will be necessary to fund our claims liabilities.

Our total cash and investments, consisting of cash and cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments, but excluding deposits of $49.4 million restricted under state regulations, increased $308.9 million to $2.0 billion at December 31, 2005 from $1.7 billion at December 31, 2004.

The demand for our products and services are subject to many economic fluctuations, risks and uncertainties that could materially affect the way we do business. Please refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-K for more information. Management believes that the combination of our ability to generate cash flows from operations, cash and investments on hand and the excess funds held in certain of our regulated subsidiaries will be sufficient to fund continuing operations, capital expenditures, debt interest costs, debt principal repayments and any other reasonably likely future cash requirements.

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Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Net cash from operating activities is primarily driven by net earnings. For the year ended December 31, 2005, operating cash flow was positively affected by an increase in medical liabilities and an increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities. Medical liabilities have increased due primarily to an increase in medical claims incurred but not reported in certain markets and an increase in capitation payable amounts owed related to our Pennsylvania Medicaid product. Accounts payable and other liabilities increased as a result of an increase in taxes payable, an increase in interest payable and an increase in deferred compensation liabilities. Cash flow from operating activities has improved over the prior year as a result of higher earnings and a larger increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities.

Financing and Investing Activities

Proceeds from the issuance of debt include indebtedness incurred related to the acquisition of First Health, less payments made for debt issuance costs. The issuance of debt includes $500 million of new senior notes, unsecured credit facilities consisting of a $300 million five-year term loan and $65 million from a revolving credit facility drawn at closing on January 28, 2005. Proceeds also include new credit facilities the Company entered into on June 30, 2005 providing for a revolving credit facility in the principal amount of $350 million, of which $117.5 million was drawn at closing, and a term loan in the principal amount of $100 million. Payments for retirement of debt include the repayment of a $200 million long-term credit facility assumed from the acquisition of First Health, repayment of the $365 million original credit facilities and the $117.5 million repayment of the new revolving credit facility.

The senior notes and credit facilities require compliance with specified financial ratios and contain certain covenants and restrictions regarding incurring additional debt, limiting dividends or other restricted payments, and restricting sales of assets above a certain threshold and consolidations or mergers in the context of a change of control. We have complied with all ratios and covenants under the senior notes and credit facilities.

Capital expenditures in 2005 of approximately $71.4 million consist primarily of computer hardware, software and related costs associated with the development and implementation of improved operational and communication systems and Medicare Part D infrastructure.

Our Board of Directors has approved a program to repurchase our outstanding common stock. Stock repurchases may be made from time to time at prevailing prices on the open market, by block purchase or in private transactions. As a part of this program, no shares of common stock were purchased in 2003, 3.0 million shares during the first quarter of 2004 at an aggregate cost of $84.6 million and no shares were purchased in 2005. As of December 31, 2005, the total remaining common shares we are authorized to repurchase under the program is approximately 2.6 million. Excluded from these amounts are shares purchased in exchange for employee payroll taxes on vesting of restricted stock awards as these purchases are not part of the program. In February 2006, our Board of Directors approved an increase to the repurchase authorization in an amount equal to 5% of our outstanding common stock thus increasing our repurchase authorization by 8.1 million shares.

Health Plans

Our regulated HMO and insurance company subsidiaries are required by state regulatory agencies to maintain minimum surplus balances, thereby limiting the dividends the parent may receive from our regulated entities. During 2005, we received $258.6 million in dividends and $1.9 million for note repayments from our regulated subsidiaries.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) has proposed that states adopt risk-based capital (“RBC”) standards that, if adopted, would generally require higher minimum capitalization requirements for HMOs and other risk-bearing health care entities. RBC is a method of measuring the minimum amount of capital appropriate for a managed care organization to support its overall business operations in consideration of its size and risk profile. The managed care organization’s RBC is calculated by applying factors to various assets, premiums and reserve items. The factor is higher for those items with greater underlying risk and lower for less risky items. The adequacy of a managed care organization’s actual capital can then be measured by a comparison to its RBC as determined by the formula. Our health plans are required to submit an RBC report to the NAIC and their domiciled state’s department of insurance with their annual filing.

Regulators will use the RBC results to determine if any regulatory actions are required. Regulatory actions that could take place, if any, range from filing a financial action plan explaining how the plan will increase its statutory net worth to the approved levels, to the health plan being placed under regulatory control.

The majority of states in which we operate health plans have adopted an RBC policy that recommends the health plans maintain statutory reserves at or above the ‘Company Action Level’ which is currently equal to 200% of their RBC. We have adopted an internal policy to maintain all of our regulated subsidiaries’ statutory capital and surplus at or above 250% of their RBC and a level of 300% in aggregate (referred to below as “300% of RBC”). Some states in which our regulated subsidiaries operate require deposits to be maintained with the respective states’ departments of insurance. The table below summarizes our statutory reserve information, as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in millions, except percentage data).

	2005		2004
Regulated capital and surplus	$ 868.5	(a)	$ 727.3
300% of RBC	$ 555.4	(a)	$ 515.4	(a)
Excess capital and surplus above 300% of RBC	$ 313.1	(a)	$ 211.9	(a)
Capital and surplus as percentage of RBC	469%	(a)	423%	(a)
Statutory deposits	$   49.4		$   23.1
(a) unaudited

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The increase in capital and surplus for our regulated subsidiaries is a result of income, the inclusion of regulated subsidiaries acquired with First Health and capital contributions offset by dividends paid to the parent company. The increase in statutory deposits is a result of the inclusion of deposits held by the regulated subsidiaries acquired with First Health.

We believe that all subsidiaries which incur medical claims maintain more than adequate liquidity and capital resources to meet these short-term obligations as a matter of both Company policy and multiple Department of Insurance regulations.

Excluding funds held by entities subject to regulation and excluding our investment in an equipment leasing limited liability company, we had cash and investments of approximately $347.2 million and $383.1 million at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. The decline is a result of cash and investments used related to the First Health acquisition and debt repayment offset by dividends from our regulated subsidiaries. During the year ended December 31, 2005, we made capital contributions to our subsidiaries of $8.1 million.

Other

As of December 31, 2005, we were contractually obligated to make the following payments within the next five years and thereafter (in thousands):

	Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations	Total	Less than 1 Year	1 - 3 Years	3 - 5 Years	More than 5 years
Senior notes	$     670,500	$             -	$             -	$             -	$     670,500
Interest payable on senior notes	313,581	41,686	83,373	83,373	105,149
Credit Facilities	100,000	10,000	20,000	70,000	-
Interest payable on credit facilities	20,958	5,525	9,550	5,883	-
Software purchases	40,000	29,000	5,500	5,500	-
Operating leases	144,132	28,082	49,795	34,500	31,755
Total contractual obligations	1,289,171	114,293	168,218	199,256	807,404
Less sublease income	(8,332)	(1,246)	(2,357)	(2,219)	(2,510)
Net contractual obligations	$ 1,280,839	$ 113,047	$ 165,861	$ 197,037	$   804,894

The Company’s contract with the National Postal Mail Handlers Union requires that the Company fund any Plan expenses in the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan after the Plan’s reserves have been fully utilized. We believe the Plan’s reserves as of December 31, 2005 are sufficient to cover Plan expenses.

Refer to Note I to our consolidated financial statement for disclosure related to our operating leases.

We have typically paid 90% to 95% of medical claims within 6 months of the date incurred and approximately 99% of medical claims within 9 months of the date incurred. Accordingly, we believe medical claims liabilities are short-term in nature and therefore do not meet the listed criteria for classification as contractual obligations and have been excluded from the table above.

Other Disclosure

Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, we have been named as a defendant in various legal actions such as actions seeking payments for claims denied us, medical malpractice actions, employment related claims and other various claims seeking monetary damages. The claims are in various stages of proceedings and some may ultimately be brought to trial. Incidents occurring through December 31, 2005 may result in the assertion of additional claims. We maintain general liability, professional liability and employment practices liability insurances in amounts that we believe are appropriate, with varying deductibles for which we maintain reserves. The professional liability and employment practices liability insurances are carried through our captive subsidiary. Although the results of pending litigation are always uncertain, we do not believe the results of such actions currently threatened or pending, including those described below, will individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

We are a defendant in the provider track of the In Re: Managed Care Litigation filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, Multi-District Litigation (“MDL”), No. 1334, in the action captioned, Charles B. Shane., et al., vs. Humana, Inc., et al. This lawsuit was filed by a group of physicians as a class action against Coventry and nine other companies in the managed care industry. The plaintiffs have alleged violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), conspiracy to violate RICO and aiding and abetting a scheme to violate RICO. In addition to these federal law claims, the complaint includes state law claims for breach of contract, violations of various state prompt payment laws and equitable claims for unjust enrichment and quantum meruit. The trial court has dismissed several of the state law claims and ordered that all physicians who have an arbitration provision in their provider contracts must submit their direct RICO claims and all of their remaining state law claims to arbitration. As a consequence of this ruling, all the plaintiffs who have arbitration provisions voluntarily dismissed all of their claims that are subject to arbitration. The trial court however has ordered that the plaintiffs’ claims of conspiracy to violate RICO and aiding and abetting violations of RICO are not subject to arbitration. The defendants’ appeal to the 11th Circuit challenging the trial court’s arbitration decision was denied.

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The trial court has certified various subclasses of plaintiffs. The defendants filed an appeal of that certification order to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals has overturned the class certification order as to the plaintiffs’ state law claims but affirmed the certification with respect to the plaintiffs’ federal law claims. The U.S. Supreme Court has denied the defendants’ petition to review the 11th Circuit’s class certification decision. As a result of the class certification decision, the only causes of action remaining in the lawsuit are the claims of (1) conspiracy to violate RICO and (2) aiding and abetting violations of RICO. Seven defendants have entered into settlement agreements with the plaintiffs which have received final approval from the trial court. The claims against one defendant have been dismissed. Two defendants remain, including the Company. The trial of this lawsuit is tentatively scheduled to start September 18, 2006. The Shane lawsuit has triggered the filing of copycat class action complaints by other health care providers such as chiropractors, podiatrists, acupuncturists and other licensed health care professionals. Each of these actions has been transferred to the MDL and have been designated as “tag-along” actions. The court has entered an order which stays all proceedings in the tag-along actions until all pre-trial proceedings in the Shane action have been concluded. Although we can not predict the outcome, management believes that the Shane lawsuit and the tag-along actions will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or its results of operations. Management also believes that the claims asserted in these lawsuits are without merit and we intend to defend our position.

Legislation and Regulation

As a managed health care company, we are subject to extensive government regulation of our products and services. The laws and regulations affecting our industry generally give state and federal regulatory authorities broad discretion in their exercise of supervisory, regulatory and administrative powers. These laws and regulations are intended primarily for the benefit of the members of the health plans. Managed care laws and regulations vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and changes are frequently considered and implemented. Likewise, interpretations of these laws and regulations are also subject to change.

Although the provisions of any legislation adopted at the state or federal level can not be accurately predicted at this time, management believes that the ultimate outcome of currently proposed legislation should not have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations in the short-term. Nevertheless, it is possible that future legislation or regulation could have a significant effect on our operations.

Inflation

In recent years, health care cost inflation has exceeded the general inflation rate. To reduce the effect of health care cost inflation on our business operations we have, where possible, increased premium rates and implemented cost control measures in our patient care management and provider contracting. We can not be certain that we will be able to increase future premium rates at a rate that equals or exceeds the health care cost inflation rate or that our other cost control measures will be effective.

2006 Outlook

Our health plans operate in highly competitive markets, but in the aggregate we believe that the pricing environment is generally rational in our existing markets, thus creating the opportunity for reasonable price increases. We will continue to obtain adequate premium increases for our commercial business and expect premium rates to continue to rise at a rate equal to or greater than medical trend in 2006. Management believes that existing markets have potential for premium growth for our commercial and governmental products.

We expect the new Medicare Part D program to contribute $0.08 to our 2006 full year earnings per diluted share. We estimate a loss of $0.08 in the first quarter of 2006, a smaller loss in the second quarter of 2006, and increasing profits in the third and fourth quarters of 2006 to get to the total $0.08 gain for the full year of 2006. This incremental contribution to earnings per share excludes the effect of the expected losses of First Health fee based revenue of $31 million and associated earnings per share reductions of $.06 relating to the termination of dual eligible administration and senior pharmacy discount card business as a result of the implementation of the Medicare Part D program.

Additionally, we will begin to incur expense effective January 1, 2006 related to the adoption of SFAS 123(R). We estimate the effect of the adoption of SFAS 123(R) to reduce earnings by $0.03 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2006 and by $0.13 to $0.14 per diluted share for the year ending December 31, 2006.

Risk Factors

See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7A: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Under an investment policy approved by our Board of Directors, we invest primarily in marketable U.S. government and agency, state, municipal, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities and corporate debt obligations that are investment grade. Prior to the acquisition of First Health, our Investment Policy and Guidelines did not permit equity-type investments or fixed income securities that are below investment grade. As described in the notes to the financials, we acquired investments in an equipment leasing limited liability company through our acquisition of First Health. The Board approved modifications to our investment guidelines by adopting a permitted exception to allow for such investments if, in our best interest, such investments were not disposed within 90 days after acquisition. We determined it would not be in our best interest to liquidate this investment and therefore the investment in the equipment leasing limited liability company was approved as a permitted exception. We have classified all of our investments as available-for-sale. We are exposed to certain market risks including interest rate risk and credit risk.

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We have established policies and procedures to manage our exposure to changes in the fair value of our investments. Our policies include an emphasis on credit quality and the management of our portfolio’s duration and mix of securities. We believe our investment portfolio is diversified and currently expect no material loss to result from the failure to perform by the issuers of the debt securities we hold. The mortgage-backed securities are insured by several associations, including Government National Mortgage Administration, Federal National Mortgage Administration and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

We invest primarily in fixed income securities and classify all our investments as available-for-sale. Investments are evaluated on an individual security basis at least quarterly to determine if declines in value are other-than-temporary. In making that determination, we consider all available evidence relating to the realizable value of a security. This evidence includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• adverse financial conditions of a specific issuer, segment, industry, region or other variables;

• the length of the time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost;

• the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer;

• our intent and ability to retain our investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value;

• elimination or reduction in dividend payments, or scheduled interest and principal;

• rating agency downgrade of a debt security; and

• expected cash flows of a debt security.

Temporary declines in value of investments classified as available-for-sale are netted with unrealized gains and reported as a net amount in a separate component of stockholders’ equity. A decline in fair value below amortized cost that is judged to be other-than-temporary is accounted for as a realized loss and the write down is included in earnings. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on a specific identification basis. See Note E to our consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for more information concerning other-than-temporary impaired investments.

Our investments at December 31, 2005 mature according to their contractual terms, as follows, in thousands (actual maturities may differ because of call or prepayment rights):

		Amortized	Fair
As of December 31, 2005		Cost	Value
Maturities:
	Within 1 year	$    625,864	$     625,481
	1 to 5 years	405,591	401,310
	5 to 10 years	256,240	256,752
	Over 10 years	338,236	336,030
Total		$ 1,625,931	1,619,573
	Equity investment		51,674
Total short-term and long-term securities			$ 1,671,247

Our projections of hypothetical net gains in fair value of our market rate sensitive instruments, should potential changes in market rates occur, are presented below. The projection is based on a model, which incorporates effective duration, convexity and price to forecast hypothetical instantaneous changes in interest rates of positive and negative 100, 200 and 300 basis points. The model only takes into account the fixed income securities in the portfolio and excludes all cash. While we believe that the potential market rate change is reasonably possible, actual results may differ.

Increase (decrease) in fair value of portfolio
given an interest rate (decrease) increase of X basis points
As of December 31, 2005
(in thousands)
(300)	(200)	(100)	100	200	300
$ 97,992	$ 63,425	$ 32,021	$ (32,609)	$ (64,855)	$ (96,347)

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Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Coventry Health Care, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Coventry Health Care, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Coventry Health Care, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Coventry Health Care, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 3, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Baltimore, Maryland

March 3, 2006

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Coventry Health Care, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

	December 31,	December 31,
	2005	2004
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$    391,646	$    417,636
Short-term investments	545,615	349,722
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,583 and $875
as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively	228,028	104,924
Other receivables, net	76,462	47,070
Deferred income taxes	57,666	37,368
Other current assets	26,285	16,307
Total current assets	1,325,702	973,027
Long-term investments	1,125,632	960,379
Property and equipment, net	351,427	32,193
Goodwill	1,612,390	280,615
Other intangible assets, net	419,352	38,491
Other long-term assets	60,669	55,895
Total assets	$ 4,895,172	$ 2,340,600
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Medical liabilities	$    752,774	$    660,475
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	442,785	211,809
Deferred revenue	64,668	59,536
Current portion of long-term debt	10,000	-
Total current liabilities	1,270,227	931,820
Long-term debt	760,500	170,500
Other long-term liabilities	309,742	25,854
Total liabilities	2,340,469	1,128,174
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 200,000 authorized
186,253 issued and 162,717 outstanding in 2005
159,205 issued and 135,318 outstanding in 2004	1,863	1,592
Treasury stock, at cost; 23,536 in 2005; 23,887 in 2004	(299,001)	(291,054)
Additional paid-in capital	1,468,176	608,117
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(3,743)	8,002
Retained earnings	1,387,408	885,769
Total stockholders’ equity	2,554,703	1,212,426
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 4,895,172	$ 2,340,600

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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Coventry Health Care, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2005	2004	2003
Operating revenues:
Managed care premiums	$ 5,728,162	$ 5,198,599	$ 4,442,445
Management services	883,084	113,370	92,698
Total operating revenues	6,611,246	5,311,969	4,535,143
Operating expenses:
Medical costs	4,550,871	4,185,895	3,607,289
Selling, general and administrative	1,182,381	611,801	543,478
Depreciation and amortization	86,176	17,602	18,179
Total operating expenses	5,819,428	4,815,298	4,168,946
Operating earnings	791,818	496,671	366,197
Senior notes interest and amortization expense	58,414	14,301	15,051
Other income, net	66,021	44,621	41,918
Earnings before income taxes	799,425	526,991	393,064
Provision for income taxes	297,786	189,874	142,919
Net earnings	$    501,639	$    337,117	$    250,145
Net earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share	$          3.18	$          2.55	$          1.89
Diluted earnings per share	$          3.10	$          2.48	$          1.83
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	157,965	132,188	132,170
Effect of dilutive options and restricted stock	3,751	3,696	3,978
Diluted	161,716	135,884	136,148

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

42

Coventry Health Care, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

(in thousands)

					Other
			Treasury	Additional	Comprehensive		Total
		Common	Stock, at	Paid-In	Income	Retained	Stockholders’
		Stock	Cost	Capital	Accumulated (loss)	Earnings	Equity
Balance, December 31, 2002		$ 1,541	$ (205,644)	$ 529,466	$ 22,167	$ 298,507	$ 646,037
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings						250,145	250,145
Other comprehensive income:
	Holding loss, net				(5,199)
	Reclassification adjustment				(95)
							(5,294)
	Deferred tax effect				965		965
Comprehensive income							245,816
Issuance of common stock,
	including exercise of options and warrants	31	1,370	17,211			18,612
Tax benefit of stock options exercised				18,533			18,533
Balance, December 31, 2003		1,572	(204,274)	565,210	17,838	548,652	928,998
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings						337,117	337,117
Other comprehensive income:
	Holding loss, net				(15,424)
	Reclassification adjustment				(576)
							(16,000)
	Deferred tax effect				6,164		6,164
Comprehensive income							327,281
Issuance (purchase) of common stock,
	including exercise of options and warrants	20	(86,780)	21,458			(65,302)
Tax benefit of stock options exercised				21,449			21,449
Balance, December 31, 2004		1,592	(291,054)	608,117	8,002	885,769	1,212,426
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings						501,639	501,639
Other comprehensive income:
	Holding loss, net				(17,413)
	Reclassification adjustment				(2,019)
							(19,432)
	Deferred tax effect				7,687		7,687
Comprehensive income							489,894
Issuance of stock related to First       Health acquisition		247		783,943			784,190
Issuance (purchase) of common stock, including
	exercise of options	24	(7,947)	38,093			30,170
Tax benefit of stock options exercised				38,023			38,023
Balance, December 31, 2005		$ 1,863	$ (299,001)	$ 1,468,176	$ (3,743)	$1,387,408	$ 2,554,703

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

43

Coventry Health Care, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

			Years Ended December 31,
			2005	2004	2003
Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net earnings		$ 501,639	$ 337,117	$ 250,145
	Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
	cash provided by operating activities:
		Depreciation and amortization	86,176	17,602	18,179
		Amortization of deferred compensation	21,992	15,488	9,565
		Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	15,094	(2,319)	8,909
		Amortization of deferred financing costs	7,359	438	542
		Amortization of investment premiums, net	3,399	13,566	8,971
		Other	(5,147)	1,028	417
	Changes in assets and liabilities,
	net of effects of the purchase of subsidiaries:
		Accounts receivable	(101)	(15,158)	(14,039)
		Other receivables	18,450	(1,735)	24,427
		Other current assets	6,758	(7,414)	(90)
		Other long-term assets	(13,785)	8	(8,879)
		Medical liabilities	50,531	63,285	(701)
		Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	105,101	46,782	20,072
		Interest payable	13,919	-	(139)
		Deferred revenue	(7,371)	(14,373)	5,638
		Other long-term liabilities	455	(410)	99
Net cash from operating activities			804,469	453,905	323,116
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures, net		(71,393)	(14,972)	(13,372)
	Proceeds from sales of investments		553,711	330,961	391,441
	Proceeds from maturities of investments		447,422	290,039	108,231
	Purchases of investments and other		(1,273,557)	(807,985)	(686,428)
	Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(877,249)	(6,852)	(60,555)
Net cash from investing activities			(1,221,066)	(208,809)	(260,683)
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from issuance of stock		24,162	16,184	15,095
	Payments for repurchase of stock and warrant		(17,041)	(96,842)	(6,049)
	Payments for stock split		(509)	(133)	-
	Proceeds from issuance of debt, net		1,066,495	-	-
	Payments for the retirement of debt, net		(682,500)	-	(4,916)
Net cash from financing activities			390,607	(80,791)	4,130
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			(25,990)	164,305	66,563
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			417,636	253,331	186,768
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			$ 391,646	$ 417,636	$ 253,331
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
	Cash paid for interest		$   36,581	$   13,853	$   14,212
	Income taxes paid, net		$ 221,727	$ 150,311	$ 101,682
	Non-cash item - Tax benefit of stock awards		$   38,023	$   21,449	$   18,533

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

44

COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003

A. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Coventry Health Care, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “Coventry”) is a national managed health care company based in Bethesda, Maryland operating health plans, insurance companies, network rental / managed care services companies, and workers’ compensation services companies. The Company provides a full range of risk and fee-based managed care products and services, including HMO, PPO, POS, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Medicaid, Workers’ Compensation and Network Rental to a broad cross section of individuals, employer and government-funded groups, government agencies, and other insurance carriers and administrators in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Since the Company began operations in 1987 with the acquisition of the American Service Companies entities, including Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company (“CH&L”), the Company has grown substantially through acquisitions. The table below lists all of the Company’s acquisitions. See Note B to consolidated financial statements for additional information on the most recent acquisitions.

Acquisition	Markets	Type of Business	Year Acquired
American Service Company entities	Multiple Markets	Multiple Products	1987
HealthAmerica Pennsylvania, Inc.	Pennsylvania	HMO	1988
Group Health Plan, Inc.	Missouri	HMO	1990
Southern Health Services, Inc.	Virginia	HMO	1994
HealthCare USA, Inc.	Multiple Markets	Medicaid	1995
Principal Health Care, Inc.	Multiple Markets	HMO	1998
Carelink Health Plans	West Virginia	HMO	1999
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of North Carolina	North Carolina	HMO	1999
PrimeONE, Inc.	West Virginia	HMO	2000
Maxicare Louisiana, Inc.	Louisiana	HMO	2000
WellPath Community Health Plans	North Carolina	HMO	2000
Prudential Health Care Plan, Inc.	Missouri	Medicaid	2000
Blue Ridge Health Alliance, Inc.	Virginia	HMO	2001
Health Partners of the Midwest	Missouri	HMO	2001
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Kansas City, Inc.	Kansas	HMO	2001
NewAlliance Health Plan, Inc.	Pennsylvania	HMO	2002
Mid-America Health Partners, Inc.	Kansas	HMO	2002
PersonalCare Health Management, Inc.	Illinois	HMO	2003
Altius Health Plans, Inc.	Utah	HMO	2003
OmniCare Health Plan	Michigan	Medicaid	2004
First Health Group Corp.	Multiple Markets	Multiple Products	2005

Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are 100% owned. All significant inter-company transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those amounts.

Stock Split - On August 31, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a three-for-two stock split of the Company’s common stock. The stock split, in the form of a stock dividend, was distributed October 17, 2005 for stockholders of record on October 3, 2005. The stock split is reflected retroactively in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for all periods presented.

Significant Customers - The Company’s commercial business is diversified across a large customer base and there are no commercial groups that make up 10% or more of Coventry’s managed care premiums. The Company received 11.8%, 10.9% and 10.8% of its managed care premiums for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, from the federal Medicare program throughout its various markets. The Company also received 13.2%, 11.7% and 11.8% of its managed care premiums for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, from its state-sponsored Medicaid programs throughout its various markets. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the State of Missouri accounted for half the Company’s Medicaid premiums. The Company received 22.1% of its management services revenue from a single customer, Mail Handlers Benefit Plan for the year ended December 31, 2005.

45

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents consist principally of money market funds, commercial paper and certificates of deposit. The Company considers all highly liquid securities purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value.

Investments - The Company accounts for investments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115 - “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” and in accordance with FASB Staff Position Number FAS 115-1, “The meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments.” The Company invests primarily in fixed income securities and classifies all of its investments as available-for-sale. Investments are evaluated on an individual security basis at least quarterly to determine if declines in value are other-than-temporary. In making that determination, the Company considers all available evidence relating to the realizable value of a security. This evidence is reviewed at the individual security level and includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• adverse financial conditions of a specific issuer, segment, industry, region or other variables;

• the length of the time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost;

• the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer;

• the Company’s intent and ability to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value;

• elimination or reduction in dividend payments, or scheduled interest and principal;

• rating agency downgrade of a debt security; and

• expected cash flows of a debt security.

Temporary declines in value of investments classified as available-for-sale are netted with unrealized gains and reported as a net amount in a separate component of stockholders’ equity. A decline in fair value below amortized cost that is judged to be other-than-temporary is accounted for as a realized loss and the write down is included in earnings. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined on a specific identification basis.

Investments with original maturities in excess of three months and less than one year are classified as short-term investments and generally consist of corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury notes and commercial paper. Long-term investments have original maturities in excess of one year and primarily consist of fixed income securities.

Other Receivables - Other receivables include interest receivables, pharmacy rebate receivables, Office of Personnel Management (“OPM”) receivables, receivables from providers and suppliers and any other receivables that do not relate to premiums.

Property and Equipment - Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost. In accordance with Statement of Position (“SOP”) 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use, the cost of internally developed software is capitalized and included in property and equipment. We capitalize costs incurred during the application development stage for the development of internal-use software. These costs primarily relate to payroll and payroll-related costs for employees along with costs incurred for external consultants who are directly associated with the internal-use software project. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the related assets or, if shorter, over the terms of the respective leases.

Long-term Assets - Long-term assets primarily include assets associated with the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), senior note issuance costs and reinsurance recoveries. The reinsurance recoveries were obtained with the acquisition of First Health Group Corp. (“First Health”) and are related to certain life insurance receivables from a third party insurer for liabilities that have been ceded to that third party insurer.

Business Combinations, Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangibles - The Company accounts for business combinations, goodwill and other intangibles in accordance with SFAS No. 141 - “Business Combinations,” SFAS No. 142 - “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and SFAS No. 144 - “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Acquired intangible assets are separately recognized upon meeting certain criteria. Such intangible assets include, but are not limited to, trade and service marks, non-compete agreements, customer lists and licenses. An intangible asset that is subject to amortization shall be tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Goodwill and other intangible assets that have indefinite lives are subject to a periodic assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test. The Company considers multiple approaches to identifying the fair value of its goodwill and other intangible assets. Those approaches include the market approach, the market capitalization approach, the income approach and the cost approach. The market approach estimates a business’s fair value by analyzing the recent sales of similar companies. The market capitalization approach is based on market value of the Company’s total shares outstanding. The income approach is based on the present value of expected future cash flows. The cost approach is based on the cost to reconstruct or replace an asset with another of like utility. As impairment charges occur, write-down charges will be recorded in the period in which the impairment took place. See Note C to consolidated financial statements for disclosure related to intangible assets.

Medical Liabilities and Expense - Medical liabilities consist of actual claims reported but not paid and estimates of health care services incurred but not reported. The estimated claims incurred but not reported are based on historical data, current enrollment, health service utilization statistics and other related information. In determining medical liabilities, the Company employs standard actuarial reserve methods that are specific to each market’s membership, product characteristics, geographic territories and provider network. The Company also considers utilization frequency and unit costs of inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy and other medical expenses, as well as claim payment backlogs and the timing of provider reimbursements. The Company also establishes reserves, if required, for the probability that anticipated future health care costs and contract maintenance costs under the group of existing contracts will exceed anticipated future premiums and reinsurance recoveries on those contracts. These accruals are continually monitored and reviewed, and as settlements are made or accruals adjusted, differences are reflected in current operations. Changes in assumptions for medical costs caused by changes in actual experience could cause these estimates to change in the near term.

46

The following table shows the components of the change in medical liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively:

		2005	2004	2003
Medical liabilities, beginning of period		$   660,475	$   597,190	$   558,599
Acquisitions (1)		41,895	-	38,828
Reported Medical Costs
	Current year	4,672,009	4,257,942	3,693,821
	Prior year developments	(121,138)	(72,047)	(86,532)
Total reported medical costs		4,550,871	4,185,895	3,607,289
Claim Payments
	Payments for current year	4,030,685	3,691,092	3,235,902
	Payments for prior year	469,782	431,518	371,624
Total claim payments		4,500,467	4,122,610	3,607,526
Medical liabilities, end of period		$   752,774	$   660,475	$   597,190
Supplemental Information:
	Prior year development (2)	2.9%	2.0%	3.0%
	Current year paid percent (3)	86.3%	86.7%	87.6%
(1) Acquisition balances represent medical liabilities of the acquired company as of the applicable acquisition date.
(2) Prior year reported medical costs in the current year as a percentage of prior year reported medical costs.
(3) Current year claim payments as a percentage of current year reported medical costs.

The negative amounts noted as “prior year” medical costs are favorable adjustments for claim estimates being settled for amounts less than originally anticipated. As noted above, these favorable changes from original estimates occur due to changes in medical utilization, mix of provider rates and other components of medical cost trends.

Other Long-term Liabilities - Other long-term liabilities consist primarily of liabilities associated with the SERP and the deferred tax liabilities associated with intangible assets and a limited partnership investment.

Comprehensive Income – Comprehensive income includes net income and the unrealized net gains and losses on investment securities. Other comprehensive income is net of reclassification adjustments to adjust for items currently included in net income, such as realized gains and losses on investment securities. The deferred tax benefit for unrealized holding losses arising from investment securities during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 was $6.9 million, $6.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The deferred tax benefit for reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income on investment securities during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 was $0.8 million, $0.2 million and $0.02 million, respectively.

Revenue Recognition - Managed care premiums are recorded as revenue in the month in which members are entitled to service. Premiums are based on a per subscriber contract rate and the subscribers in the Company’s records at the time of billing. Premium billings are generally sent to employers in the month proceeding the month of coverage. Premium billings may be subsequently adjusted to reflect changes in membership as a result of retroactive terminations, additions, or other changes. The Company also receives premium payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) on a monthly basis for its Medicare membership. Membership and category eligibility are periodically reconciled with CMS and such reconciliations could result in adjustments to revenue. The Company also receives premium payments on a monthly basis from the state Medicaid programs with which we contract for the Medicaid members for whom we provide health coverage. Membership and category eligibility are periodically reconciled with the state Medicaid programs and such reconciliations could result in adjustments to revenue. Premiums collected in advance are recorded as deferred revenue. Employer contracts are typically on an annual basis, subject to cancellation by the employer group or by the Company upon 30 days notice.

Management services revenue is generally a fixed administrative fee, provided on a predetermined contractual basis or on a percentage-of-savings basis, for access to our health care provider networks and health care management services, for which we do not assume underwriting risk. Percentage of savings revenue is determined using the difference between charges billed by contracted medical providers and the contracted reimbursement rates for the services billed and is recognized based on claims processed. The management services we provide typically include health care provider network management, clinical management, pharmacy benefit management (“PBM”), bill review, claims repricing, fiscal agent services (generally for state entitlement programs), claims processing, utilization review and quality assurance.

The Company enters into performance guarantees with employer groups where it pledges to meet certain standards. These standards vary widely and could involve customer service, member satisfaction, claims processing, claims accuracy, telephone on-hold time, etc. The Company also enters into financial guarantees which can take various forms including, among others, achieving an annual aggregate savings threshold, achieving a targeted level of savings per-member, per-month or achieving overall network penetration in defined demographic markets. For each guarantee, the Company estimates and records performance based revenue after considering the relevant contractual terms and the data available for the performance based revenue calculation. Pro-rata performance based revenue is recognized on an interim basis pursuant to the rights and obligations of each party upon termination of the contracts.

47

Revenue for pharmacy benefit management services in both the Group Health and Medicaid/Public sectors is derived on a pre-negotiated contractual amount per claim. Revenue is recorded when a pharmacy transaction is processed by the Company. The Company does not record any revenue or expense related to the sale of pharmaceuticals. In the Group Health business, revenue associated with pharmacy rebates is recorded based on the contractual rebates received from the formulary less the pre-negotiated rebates paid to clients. No rebate revenue is collected or recorded related to the Company’s Medicaid/Public business.

Based on information received subsequent to premium billings being sent, historical trends, bad debt write-offs and the collectibility of specific accounts, the Company estimates, on a monthly basis, the amount of bad debt and future retroactivity and adjusts its revenue and reserves accordingly.

Premiums for services to federal employee groups are subject to audit and review by the OPM on a periodic basis. Such audits are usually a number of years in arrears. Adjustments are recorded as additional information regarding the audits and reviews becomes available. Any differences between actual results and estimates are recorded in the period the audits are finalized.

Stock–based Compensation – The Company accounts for stock-based compensation to employees under Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) No. 25 — “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and complies with the disclosure requirements for SFAS No. 123 — “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and SFAS No. 148 — “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure.” Had stock-based compensation cost been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net earnings and earnings per share (“EPS”) would have been reduced to the following pro-forma amounts (in thousands, except per share data):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2005	2004	2003
Net earnings, as reported	$ 501,639	$ 337,117	$ 250,145
Add: Stock-based employee
compensation expense included in reported
net earnings, net of tax	13,635	9,603	6,169
Deduct: Total stock-based employee
compensation expense determined
under fair value based method for all
awards, net of tax	(29,033)	(18,383)	(11,170)
Net earnings, pro-forma	$ 486,241	$ 328,337	$ 245,144
EPS, basic - as reported	$       3.18	$       2.55	$       1.89
EPS, basic - pro forma	$       3.08	$       2.48	$       1.85
EPS, diluted - as reported	$       3.10	$       2.48	$       1.84
EPS, diluted - pro forma	$       3.02	$       2.42	$       1.80

The fair value of the stock options included in the pro-forma amounts shown above was estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

	2005	2004	2003
Dividend yield	0%	0%	0%
Expected volatility	32%	41%	42%
Risk-free interest rate	3.8%	3.9%	2.4%
Expected life	4.2 years	5.0 years	5.2 years

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” Generally, the approach in SFAS No. 123(R) is similar to the approach described in SFAS No. 123. However, SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

In April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a rule that amends the compliance date for SFAS No. 123(R). The rule allows the Company to delay the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R) until January 1, 2006. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006 using the modified-prospective method.

Under the modified-prospective method, compensation cost is recognized beginning on the adoption date based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date.

48

As permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company accounted for share-based payments to employees using APB No. 25’s intrinsic value method through December 31, 2005 and, as such, has recognized no compensation cost for employee stock options. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R)’s fair value method will have an effect on its results of operations, although it will have no material effect on its overall financial position. The effect of adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will depend on the value and levels of share-based payments granted in the future. However, assuming share-based payments are granted in 2006 at values and levels granted in 2005, the Company expects the earnings per share effect of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) to be a $0.13 to $0.14 reduction for the full year of 2006.

SFAS No. 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption. While the Company can not estimate what those amounts will be in the future (as it is dependent upon, among other things, when employees exercise stock options), the amounts of operating cash flows that were recognized in prior periods for such excess tax benefits were $38.0 million, $21.4 million, and $18.5 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

See Note G to consolidated financial statements for disclosure related to stock-based compensation.

Contract Acquisition Costs - Costs related to the acquisition of customer contracts, such as commissions paid to outside brokers, are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes - The Company files a consolidated federal tax return for the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109 - “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The deferred tax assets and/or liabilities are determined by multiplying the differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting bases for assets and liabilities by the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such differences are recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. See Note F to consolidated financial statements for disclosures related to income taxes.

Earnings Per Share - Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share assume the exercise of all options and warrants and the vesting of all restricted stock using the treasury stock method. During the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, options to purchase 0.2 million, 1.1 million and 0.4 million shares, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average price of the common shares for the period.

B. ACQUISITIONS

During the three years ended December 31, 2005, the Company completed several business combinations and membership purchases. The Company’s business combinations are all accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the operating results of each acquisition have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since their effective date of acquisition. The purchase price for each business combination was allocated to the assets, including the identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the net identifiable assets acquired was allocated to goodwill. The purchase price of the Company’s membership purchases is allocated to identifiable intangible assets and is being amortized over a useful life of ten to twenty years.

The following table summarizes all business combinations and membership purchases for the three years ended December 31, 2005. The purchase price of each business combination includes the payment for net worth and estimated transition costs. The purchase price, inclusive of all retroactive balance sheet settlements to date and transition cost adjustments, is presented below (in millions):

			Purchase
	Effective Date	Market	Price
Business Combinations
PersonalCare Health Management, Inc. (“PersonalCare”)	February 1, 2003	Illinois	$       21
Altius Health Plans, Inc. (“Altius”)	September 1, 2003	Utah	$       46
First Health Group Corp. (“First Health”)	January 28, 2005	Multiple Markets	$  1,695
Membership Purchases
OmniCare Health Plan (“OmniCare”)	October 1, 2004	Michigan	$       13

49

Effective January 28, 2005, the Company completed the acquisition of First Health. First Health is a full service national health benefits services company that serves the group health, workers’ compensation and state public program markets. The Company believes the combination of Coventry and First Health creates a leading health benefits company with the size, scale and product breadth to be a market leader with significant growth opportunities. The Company paid a premium (i.e., goodwill) over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:

• significantly expands the Company’s geographic presence;

• diversifies the Company’s product offerings and client base; and

• significantly increases the Company’s fee-based, non-regulated cash flows

Each outstanding share of First Health common stock was converted into a right to receive $9.375 cash and 0.2687 shares of Coventry common stock. As a result of the merger, the Company paid $863.1 million in cash and issued approximately 24.7 million shares of its common stock to stockholders of First Health. A value of $784.2 million was assigned to the shares issued based on the average closing price of Coventry common stock for the two days before, the day of and the two days after the acquisition announcement date of October 14, 2004.

The total purchase price, including estimated transition costs, for First Health of $1.7 billion was allocated to the assets, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The estimated transition costs of $46.4 million include estimated costs for involuntary employee termination of $25.6 million, of which $14.5 million has been paid, estimated costs for exiting certain leased building space of $10.0 million, of which $2.1 million has been paid, and other transition cost accruals of which substantially all has been paid. Deferred tax liabilities associated with the acquisition were $177.0 million. The following table lists the assigned value of the intangible assets as of the acquisition date (in millions) and the associated amortization period:

	Estimated	Amortization
	Fair Value	Period (Yrs)
Goodwill	$ 1,331.9
Unamortized tradename	85.8
Customer lists	272.5	10
Provider network	52.5	20
Amortized tradename	1.2	4
Total intangible assets	$ 1,743.9

The Company has allocated the excess purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired of approximately $1.3 billion to goodwill. The acquired goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. The intangible assets acquired, which are subject to amortization, consist of customer lists, tradenames, and a provider network and have a weighted-average useful life of approximately 10.8 years. The following table lists the Company’s estimate of the fair value of the tangible assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date (in millions):

Cash, cash equivalents, investments	$ 170.8
Property, equipment, capitalized software, other assets	493.7
Medical costs payable	(41.8)
Other current liabilities	(148.9)
Long-term debt	(200.0)
Other long-term liabilities	(145.5)
Net tangible assets acquired	$ 128.3

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The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the operating results of First Health have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since January 28, 2005, the date of acquisition. The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated results of operations assumes the First Health acquisition occurred on January 1, 2005 and 2004 (in millions, except per share data):

	Year ended December 31,
	2005	2004
	(Proforma unaudited)
Operating revenues	$  6,674.6	$ 6,192.7
Net earnings	$     507.9	$    428.5
Earnings per share, basic	$       3.18	$      2.73
Earnings per share, diluted	$       3.11	$      2.67

The pro forma amounts represent historical operating results of the Company and First Health and include the pro forma effect of Coventry shares issued in the acquisition, the amortization of finite lived intangible assets arising from the purchase price allocation, interest expense related to financing the acquisition and the associated income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments. The 2004 pro forma amounts assume that debt pay down and debt cost write-offs related to debt refinancing would have occurred at the same period in 2004 as they occurred in 2005. The pro forma amounts exclude material, nonrecurring items including the expense related to the purchase of outstanding options of $27.2 million net of tax. The pro forma amounts are presented for comparison purposes and are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred if the acquisition had been completed at the beginning of the periods presented nor are they necessarily indicative of operating results in future periods.

C. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill and other intangible assets consist of costs in excess of the fair value of the net tangible assets of subsidiaries or operations acquired through December 31, 2005.

Goodwill

The Company has completed its impairment test of goodwill and has determined that there was no impairment of goodwill as of October 1, 2005, the Company’s annual impairment test date. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 were as follows (in thousands):

	Health Plans	First Health	Total
Balance, December 31, 2003	$  281,183	$                 -	$    281,183
Transition cost adjustments	(568)	-	(568)
Impairment loss	-	-	-
Balance, December 31, 2004	280,615	-	280,615
Acquisition of First Health	-	1,331,941	1,331,941
Transition cost adjustments	(166)	-	(166)
Impairment loss	-	-	-
Balance, December 31, 2005	$  280,449	$ 1,331,941	$ 1,612,390

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Other Intangible Assets

The other intangible asset balances are as follows (in thousands):

	Gross		Net
	Carrying	Accumulated	Carrying	Amortization
	Amount	Amortization	Amount	Period
As of December 31, 2005
Amortized other intangible assets:
Customer Lists	$  309,080	$   34,598	$  274,482	10-15 Years
HMO Licenses	12,600	4,649	7,951	15-20 Years
Provider Network	52,500	2,406	50,094	20 Years
Trade Name	1,200	275	925	4 Years
Total amortized other intangible assets	$  375,380	$   41,928	$  333,452
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Trade Names	$    85,900	$            -	$    85,900	---
Total unamortized other intangible assets	$    85,900	$            -	$    85,900
Total other intangible assets	$  461,280	$  41,928	$  419,352
As of December 31, 2004
Amortized other intangible assets:
Customer Lists	$   36,647	$    6,849	$   29,798	10-15 Years
HMO Licenses	12,600	4,007	8,593	15-20 Years
Total amortized other intangible assets	$   49,247	$  10,856	$   38,391
Unamortized other intangible assets:
Trade Names	$        100	$           -	$        100	---
Total unamortized other intangible assets	$        100	$           -	$        100
Total other intangible assets	$   49,347	$ 10,856	$   38,491

Other intangible amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 was $31.1 million, $2.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The increase in other intangible assets and the related amortization is a result of the other intangible assets obtained with the acquisition of First Health. Estimated intangible amortization expense is $32.8 million for the years ending December 31, 2006 through 2008, $32.4 million for the year ending December 31, 2009 and $32.2 million for the year ending December 31, 2010. The weighted-average amortization period is approximately 11 years for other intangible assets.

D. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment is comprised of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,		Depreciation
	2005	2004	Period
Land	$     23,864	$         350	---
Buildings and leasehold improvements	115,691	12,418	5-40 Years
Developed software	131,140	-	1-9 Years
Equipment	217,898	108,944	3-7 Years
Sub-total	488,593	121,712
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(137,166)	(89,519)
Property and equipment, net	$   351,427	$   32,193

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 was $55.1 million, $14.9 million and $15.6 million, respectively. Included in the depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2005 is $13.1 million of expense for developed software. The increase in property and equipment and the related depreciation expense is a result of the property and equipment obtained with the acquisition of First Health.

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E. INVESTMENTS

The Company considers all of its investments as available-for-sale securities and, accordingly, records unrealized gains and losses, except for those determined to be other-than-temporary impairments, as other comprehensive income (loss) in the stockholders’ equity section of its consolidated balance sheets.

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gain or loss and estimated fair value of short-term and long-term investments by security type were as follows at December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):

	Amortized	Unrealized	Unrealized	Fair
	Cost	Gain	Loss	Value
As of December 31, 2005
State and municipal bonds	$    502,166	$   3,811	$   (3,585)	$    502,392
US Treasury & agency securities	125,231	271	(1,073)	124,429
Mortgage-backed securities	183,989	384	(2,832)	181,541
Asset-backed securities	78,203	439	(951)	77,691
Corporate debt and other securities	736,342	1,411	(4,233)	733,520
	$ 1,625,931	$   6,316	$ (12,674)	$ 1,619,573
Equity investment				51,674
				$ 1,671,247
As of December 31, 2004
State and municipal bonds	$   361,969	$   8,095	$    (778)	$   369,286
US Treasury & agency securities	130,715	1,363	(392)	131,686
Mortgage-backed securities	137,511	1,528	(418)	138,621
Asset-backed securities	61,165	974	(314)	61,825
Corporate debt and other securities	605,667	5,307	(2,291)	608,683
	$ 1,297,027	$  17,267	$ (4,193)	$ 1,310,101

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of short-term and long-term investments by contractual maturity were as follows at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 (in thousands):

		Amortized	Fair
As of December 31, 2005		Cost	Value
Maturities:
	Within 1 year	$    625,864	$    625,481
	1 to 5 years	405,591	401,310
	5 to 10 years	256,240	256,752
	Over 10 years	338,236	336,030
Total		$ 1,625,931	$ 1,619,573
	Equity investment		51,674
Total short-term and long-term securities			$ 1,671,247

		Amortized	Fair
As of December 31, 2004		Cost	Value
Maturities:
	Within 1 year	$    409,960	$    409,792
	1 to 5 years	463,727	468,624
	5 to 10 years	234,421	240,220
	Over 10 years	188,919	191,465
Total short-term and long-term securities		$ 1,297,027	$ 1,310,101

Gross investment gains of $3.0 million and gross investment losses of $1.1 million were realized on sales of investments for the year ended December 31, 2005. This compares to gross investment gains of $2.0 million and gross investment losses of $1.3 million on these sales for the year ended December 31, 2004, and gross investment gains of $2.2 million and gross investment losses of $1.5 million on these sales for the year ended December 31, 2003.

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The following table shows the Company’s investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair value, at December 31, 2005, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands).

	Less than 12 months		12 months or more		Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value	Unrealized Losses	Fair Value	Unrealized Losses	Fair Value	Unrealized Losses
State and municipal bonds	$  173,544	$  (1,847)	$   70,857	$  (1,738)	$  244,401	$   (3,585)
US Treasury & agency securities	54,273	(487)	31,989	(586)	86,262	(1,073)
Mortgage-backed securities	102,427	(1,559)	45,034	(1,273)	147,461	(2,832)
Asset-backed securities	25,915	(412)	20,600	(539)	46,515	(951)
Corporate debt and other securities	151,712	(1,027)	102,616	(3,206)	254,328	(4,233)
Total	$  507,871	$  (5,332)	$ 271,096	$  (7,342)	$  778,967	$ (12,674)

The unrealized loss reflected on each category of the Company’s investments is almost exclusively the result of interest rate increases subsequent to the purchase of the investments and not deteriorating credit quality. The Company has the ability and intent to hold those investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity. As a result, the Company does not consider those investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2005, the number of investment positions in an unrealized loss position was approximately 1,200.

Through its acquisition of First Health, the Company acquired eight separate investments (tranches) in a limited liability company that invests in equipment that is leased to third parties. The total investment as of December 31, 2005 was $51.7 million and is accounted for using the equity method. The Company’s proportionate share of the partnership’s income since the date of the acquisition was $4.6 million and is included in other income. The Company has between a 20% and 25% interest in the limited partners share of each individual tranche of the partnership (approximately 10% of the total partnership).

F. INCOME TAXES

At December 31, 2005, the Company had approximately $90 million of federal and $181 million of state tax net operating loss carryforwards. The net operating losses were primarily acquired through various acquisitions. The net operating loss carryforwards can be used to reduce future taxable income until they expire through the year 2025.

The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

		Years Ended December 31,
		2005	2004	2003
Current provision:
	Federal	$ 245,304	$ 175,671	$ 124,821
	State	37,388	16,522	9,189
Deferred provision (benefit):
	Federal	17,815	(3,908)	7,026
	State	(2,721)	1,589	1,883
		$ 297,786	$ 189,874	$ 142,919

The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% as a result of the following:

		Years Ended December 31,
		2005	2004	2003
Statutory federal tax rate		35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effect of:
	State income taxes, net of federal taxes	2.85%	2.48%	2.34%
	Release of state NOL valuation allowance	0.00%	(0.16%)	(0.61%)
	Tax exempt interest income	(0.59%)	(0.76%)	(0.93%)
	Remuneration disallowed	0.17%	0.49%	0.92%
	Other	(0.18%)	(1.02%)	(0.36%)
Income tax provision		37.25%	36.03%	36.36%

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The effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are presented below (in thousands):

			December 31,
			2005	2004
Deferred tax assets:
	Deferred revenue		$       3,901	$       4,426
	Medical liabilities		6,868	7,181
	Accounts receivable		6,286	92
	Deferred compensation		27,086	21,052
	Other accrued liabilities		38,400	20,328
	Other assets		3,662	4,555
	Net operating loss carryforwards		21,751	22,637
		Gross deferred tax assets	107,954	80,271
Deferred tax liabilities:
	Other liabilities		$   (17,771)	$   (5,213)
	Intangibles		(132,797)	(4,310)
	Developed software		(22,192)	-
	Limited partnership investment		(79,361)	-
	Unrealized gain on securities		(2,615)	(5,161)
		Gross deferred tax liabilities	(254,736)	(14,684)
Net deferred tax (liability) asset (1)			$ (146,782)	$    65,587
(1)	Includes $57.7 million and $37.4 million classified as current assets at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and ($204.5) million and $28.2 million classified as noncurrent (liabilities) assets at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

G. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Stock-Based Compensation

As of December 31, 2005, the Company had one stock incentive plan, the Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Incentive Plan”) under which shares of the Company’s common stock were authorized for issuance to key employees, consultants and directors in the form of stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based awards.

The Stock Incentive Plan is authorized to grant either incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and other stock-based awards at the discretion of the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors. Shares available for issuance under the Stock Incentive Plan were 3.5 million and 7.1 million as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Stock Options

Under the Stock Incentive Plan, the terms and conditions of option grants are established on an individual basis with the exercise price of the options being equal to not less than 100% of the fair value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. Options generally become exercisable after one year in 25% increments per year and expire ten years from the date of grant. At December 31, 2005, the Stock Incentive Plan had outstanding options representing 10.5 million shares of common stock.

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Transactions with respect to stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan for the three years ended December 31, 2005 were as follows (shares in thousands):

	2005		2004		2003
		Weighted		Weighted		Weighted
		Average		Average		Average
	Shares	Exercise Price	Shares	Exercise Price	Shares	Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of year	9,835	$  19.41	8,030	$  10.24	8,553	$    5.43
Granted	3,166	$  47.08	4,026	$  32.09	2,814	$  18.91
Exercised	(2,200)	$    9.53	(1,961)	$    7.71	(3,072)	$    4.74
Cancelled	(290)	$  28.72	(260)	$  21.01	(265)	$  10.81
Outstanding at end of year	10,511	$  29.52	9,835	$  19.41	8,030	$  10.24
Exercisable at end of year	3,366	$  15.19	3,423	$    6.47	4,088	$    4.57

Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
		Weighted
	Number	Average	Weighted	Number	Weighted
Range of	Outstanding at	Remaining	Average	Exercisable at	Average
Exercise Prices	12/31/2005	Contractual Life	Exercise Prices	12/31/2005	Exercise Price
$2.22 - $19.30	3,485	5.6	$  11.62	2,407	$    8.72
$19.91 - $31.80	573	8.4	$  26.13	157	$  25.23
$32.46 - $32.46	3,160	8.5	$  32.46	758	$  32.46
$32.60 - $60.16	3,293	9.4	$  46.22	44	$  34.72
$2.22 - $60.16	10,511	7.8	$  29.52	3,366	$  15.19

The weighted-average grant date fair values for options granted in 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $14.96, $13.38 and $7.13, respectively.

Restricted Stock Awards

During 2005, the Company awarded 790,500 shares of restricted stock. The weighted average fair value, at the measurement date, of the restricted stock awards was $47.74. The fair value of the restricted shares is amortized over various vesting periods through 2009. The Company recorded compensation expense related to restricted stock grants, including restricted stock granted in prior periods of approximately $21.9 million, $15.5 million and $9.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The deferred portion of the restricted stock is reported as a reduction to additional paid in capital and was $55.6 million at December 31, 2005.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, implemented in 1994, allows substantially all employees who meet length of service requirements to set aside a portion of their salary for the purchase of the Company’s common stock. At the end of each plan year, the Company issues the stock to participating employees at an issue price equal to 85% of the lower of the stock price at the end of the plan year or the average stock price, as defined in the plan. The Company issued 86,800, 38,900 and 38,600 shares in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company terminated the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

           Employee Retirement Plans

As of December 31, 2005, the Company had three defined contribution retirement plans qualifying under the Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k): the Coventry Health Care, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan (the “Savings Plan”), the First Health Group Corp Retirement Savings Plan (the “First Health Plan”) and the First Health Priority Services, Inc 401(k) Plan (the “Priority Services Plan”). The Mid-America Health Partners Inc. 401(k) and Investment Plan, which terminated on December 1, 2002, distributed all of the remaining assets to participants on December 28, 2005. All employees of Coventry Health Care, Inc. and employees of its subsidiaries (except First Health and First Health Priority Services, who maintained separate plans as described below) can elect to participate in the Savings Plan. T. Rowe Price is the custodial trustee of all Savings Plan assets, participant loans and the Coventry Health Care, Inc. common stock in the Savings Plan.

Under the Savings Plan, participants may defer up to 75% of their eligible compensation, limited by the maximum compensation deferral amount permitted by applicable law. The Company makes matching contributions in the Company’s common stock equal to 100% of the participant’s contribution on the first 3% of the participant’s eligible compensation and equal to 50% of the participant’s contribution on the second 3% of the participant’s eligible compensation. Participants will vest in the Company’s matching contributions in 50% increments annually on their anniversary date over a period of two years of service with the Company. Effective January 1, 2006, the Savings Plan was amended to provide 100% vesting for all employer matching contributions made after January 1, 2006. Effective January 1, 2004, the Savings Plan was amended to permit divestiture, whereby employees with three or more years of service were eligible to sell the employer match portion of the Coventry common stock in their accounts, during certain times of the year, and transfer the proceeds to other Coventry 401(k) funds of their choosing. All costs of the Savings Plan are funded by the Company and participants as they are incurred.

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Several acquisitions have been completed since the adoption of the Savings Plan. Pursuant to specific terms of each acquisition’s respective merger agreement, the surviving entity became an adopting employer of the Savings Plan, and commenced participation in the Savings Plan, following approval by the Company’s Board of Directors, as of the effective dates below:

Merged/Acquired Entity	Effective Date
PersonalCare Health Management, Inc.	February 1, 2003
Altius Health Plans, Inc.	January 1, 2004
OmniCare Health Plan	October 1, 2004
First Health Group Corp.	January 1, 2006

Immediately upon participation in the Savings Plan, all participant account balances included in the assets of the former qualified retirement plan were rolled over into the Savings Plan and employees were permitted to commence participation in the Savings Plan. All employees of Altius were eligible to participate in the Savings Plan effective January 1, 2004. The Altius SaveMore 401(k) Plan (the “Altius Plan”) was frozen effective December 31, 2003 and the Plan assets were merged with and into the Savings Plan on February 2, 2004. No contributions were made to the Altius Plan after December 31, 2003. The Altius Plan assets were held by Reliance Trust Company, the funding agent of the assets held under the terms of the Plan and Trust. All participants in the Altius Plan were 100% vested in employer matching contributions as of September 1, 2003. All costs of the Altius Plan were funded by the Company and participants as they were incurred.

The First Health Plan was frozen effective December 31, 2005, and assets were merged with and into the Savings Plan on January 1, 2006. All First Health employees were eligible for the Savings Plan effective January 1, 2006. No contributions were made to the First Health Plan after December 31, 2005. During the 2005 plan year, employees of First Health Group Corp were eligible to participate in the First Health Plan upon attainment of age 21 and 3 months of service. T. Rowe Price is the custodial trustee of all First Health Plan assets, participant loans and the Coventry Health Care, Inc. common stock in the First Health Plan. Under the First Health Plan, participants were able to defer up to 100% of their eligible compensation, limited by the maximum compensation deferral amount permitted by applicable law. First Health Group Corp made discretionary matching contributions to the First Health Plan in cash equal to 85% of each participant’s contribution not to exceed 6% of eligible compensation. The First Health Plan had multiple three and five year graded vesting schedules that applied for all employer matching contributions made through December 31, 2005. All employer matching contributions made after January 1, 2006 in the Savings Plan are 100% vested. All costs of the First Health Plan were funded by First Health Group Corp as incurred.

The Priority Services Plan was frozen effective December 31, 2005, and assets were merged with and into the Savings Plan on February 1, 2006. No contributions were made to the Priority Services Plan after December 31, 2005. All Priority Services employees were eligible for the Savings Plan effective January 1, 2006. During the 2005 plan year, employees of First Health Priority Services were eligible to participate in the Priority Services Plan upon attainment of age 21 and 1 year of service. Nationwide Financial was custodial trustee of all Priority Services Plan assets until February 1, 2006 when the Priority Services Plan assets merged with and into the Savings Plan assets held at T. Rowe Price. Under the Priority Services Plan, participants were able to defer up to 100% of their eligible compensation, limited by the maximum compensation deferral amount permitted by applicable law. The Priority Services Plan had a six year graded vesting schedule that applied for all employer matching contributions made through December 31, 2005. All employer matching contributions made after January 1, 2006 in the Savings Plan are 100% vested. All costs of the Priority Services Plan were funded by First Health Group Corp as incurred.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

As of December 31, 2005, the Company was the sponsor of a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”), currently known as the Coventry Health Care, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. Under the SERP, participants may defer up to 15% of their base salary and up to 100% of any bonus awarded. Effective January 1, 2006, the SERP was amended to enable participants to defer up to 75% of their base salary. The Company makes matching contributions equal to 100% of the participant’s contribution on the first 3% of the participant’s compensation and 50% of the participant’s contribution on the second 3% of the participant’s compensation. Participants vest in the Company’s matching contributions ratably over two years. All costs of the SERP are funded by the Company as they are incurred.

The cost, principally employer matching contributions, of the Savings Plan and the SERP charged to operations for 2005, 2004 and 2003 was $15.6 million, $7.5 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

Executive Retention Plans

As of December 31, 2005, the Company was the sponsor of two deferred compensation plans that were designed to promote the retention of key senior management and to recognize their strategic importance to the Company.

Under the terms of the plans, upon meeting certain retention targets and certain other performance criteria, participants were entitled to receive a maximum annual fixed dollar allocation. In addition, although not guaranteed, all participants were eligible to receive a credit to a stock equivalent allocation account calculated as a percentage of each participant’s fixed dollar allocation conditioned on Company and individual performance. Amounts in the fixed dollar allocation and stock equivalent allocation accounts are forfeited if the executive resigns or is terminated for cause prior to June 30, 2006. If the performance criterion has been met, all fixed dollar allocation and stock equivalent allocation credits will vest and be paid in cash after June 30, 2006. The fixed dollar and stock equivalent allocations charged to operations were $15.6 million, $11.6 million, and $7.7 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and the liability for these plans was $37.0 million and $20.8 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

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H. DEBT

The Company’s outstanding debt was as follows at December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2005	2004
8.125% Senior notes due 2/15/12	$ 170,500	$ 170,500
5.875% Senior notes due 1/15/12	250,000	-
6.125% Senior notes due 1/15/15	250,000	-
5-year Term loan	100,000	-
Total Debt	$ 770,500	$ 170,500

On February 1, 2002, the Company completed a transaction to sell $175.0 million original 8.125% senior notes due February 15, 2012 in a private placement. These senior notes were then registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The proceeds from the sale of senior notes were used to purchase, from Principal Health Care, Inc., 7.1 million shares of Coventry common stock and a warrant exercisable, at that time, for 3.1 million shares of Coventry common stock. The aggregate purchase price for the shares of common stock and the warrant was $176.1 million. Interest on the notes is payable on February 15 and August 15 each year.

In August 2003, the Company repurchased a portion of its senior notes with a face value of $4.5 million and a weighted average premium of 8.9%. The Company recorded a loss on the repurchase in accordance with SFAS No. 145 which requires gains and losses on extinguishments of debt to be classified as income or loss from continuing operations. The loss of $0.5 million was included as additional senior notes interest expense. The carrying value of the senior notes is equal to the face value and the fair value is based on the quoted market prices. As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the fair value was $180.5 million and $185.2 million, respectively.

On January 28, 2005, the Company completed the private placement of $250 million aggregate principal amount of 5 7/8% senior notes due 2012 and $250 million aggregate principal amount of 6 1/8% senior notes due 2015. These senior notes have since been exchanged and are now registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The senior notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equal in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future senior debt, including its 8 1/8% senior notes due 2012 and its new credit facilities as described below. As of December 31, 2005, the fair value of the 5 7/8% senior notes and the 6 1/8% senior notes was $251.6 million and $255.0 million, respectively.

On January 28, 2005, the Company also entered into senior, unsecured credit facilities consisting of a $300 million five-year term loan and a $150 million five-year revolving credit facility, of which $65 million was drawn at closing. The proceeds from the sale of the senior notes and the credit facilities were used to finance the acquisition of all of First Health’s outstanding common stock, refinance the existing indebtedness of First Health and pay related transaction fees and expenses. During the six months ended June 30, 2005, the Company made non-scheduled payments of $140.0 million and a scheduled repayment of $7.5 million on the credit facilities leaving a balance of $217.5 million.

On June 30, 2005, the Company entered into new credit facilities providing for a five-year revolving credit facility in the principal amount of $350 million, of which $117.5 million was drawn at closing, and a five-year term loan in the principal amount of $100 million. The new term loan facility requires regularly scheduled annual payments of principal in the amount of $10 million per year. Unless terminated earlier, the revolving credit facility will mature five years after closing and is payable in full upon its maturity on the termination date. The Company used the net proceeds of the borrowings under the new credit facilities to pay down and terminate its original term loan and revolving credit facility. On July 29, 2005, the Company paid off the outstanding balance of $117.5 million on its revolving credit facility.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2005, as a result of the refinancing, the Company wrote off $5.4 million of deferred financing costs related to the original credit facilities.

Loans under the new credit facilities bear interest at a margin or spread in excess of either (1) the one-, two-, three-, six-, nine-, or twelve- month rate for Eurodollar deposits (the “Eurodollar Rate”) or (2) the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or the base rate of the Administrative Agent (“Base Rate”), as selected by the Company. The margin or spread depends on the Company’s non-credit-enhanced long-term senior unsecured debt ratings and varies from 0.450% to 1.750% for Eurodollar Rate advances and from 0.000% to 0.500% for Base Rate advances.

The Company’s senior notes and credit facilities require compliance with specified financial ratios and contain certain covenants and restrictions regarding incurring additional debt, limiting dividends or other restricted payments, and restricting transactions with affiliates, disposing of assets and consolidations or mergers. The Company has complied with all ratios and covenants under the senior notes and credit facilities.

As of December 31, 2005, the aggregate maturities of debt based on their contractual terms, are as follows (in thousands):

2006	$    10,000
2007	10,000
2008	10,000
2009	10,000
2010	60,000
Thereafter	670,500
Total	$  770,500

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I. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

As of December 31, 2005, the Company is contractually obligated to make the following minimum lease payments within the next five years and thereafter (in thousands):

	Lease Payments	Sublease Income	Net Lease Payments
2006	$  28,082	$  (1,246)	$  26,836
2007	25,944	(1,164)	24,780
2008	23,851	(1,193)	22,658
2009	20,224	(1,146)	19,078
2010	14,276	(1,073)	13,203
Thereafter	31,755	(2,510)	29,245
Total	$ 144,132	$  (8,332)	$ 135,800

The Company operates in leased facilities with original lease terms of up to thirteen years with options for renewal. Total rent expense was $30.2 million, $19.0 million and $17.4 million, for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, the Company has been named as a defendant in various legal actions such as actions seeking payments for claims denied by the Company, medical malpractice actions, employment related claims and other various claims seeking monetary damages. The claims are in various stages of proceedings and some may ultimately be brought to trial. Incidents occurring through December 31, 2005 may result in the assertion of additional claims. The Company maintains general liability, professional liability and employment practices liability insurances in amounts that it believes are appropriate, with varying deductibles for which it maintains reserves. The professional liability and employment practices liability insurances are carried through its captive subsidiary. Although the results of pending litigation are always uncertain, we do not believe the results of such actions currently threatened or pending, including those described below, will individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

The Company is a defendant in the provider track of the In Re: Managed Care Litigation filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, Multi-District Litigation (“MDL”), No. 1334, in the action captioned, Charles B. Shane., et al., vs. Humana, Inc., et al.. This lawsuit was filed by a group of physicians as a class action against Coventry and nine other companies in the managed care industry. The plaintiffs have alleged violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), conspiracy to violate RICO and aiding and abetting a scheme to violate RICO. In addition to these federal law claims, the complaint includes state law claims for breach of contract, violations of various state prompt payment laws and equitable claims for unjust enrichment and quantum meruit. The trial court has dismissed several of the state law claims and ordered that all physicians who have an arbitration provision in their provider contracts must submit their direct RICO claims and all of their remaining state law claims to arbitration. As a consequence of this ruling, all the plaintiffs who have arbitration provisions voluntarily dismissed all of their claims that are subject to arbitration. The trial court however has ordered that the plaintiffs’ claims of conspiracy to violate RICO and aiding and abetting violations of RICO are not subject to arbitration. The defendants’ appeal to the 11th Circuit challenging the trial court’s arbitration decision was denied.

The trial court has certified various subclasses of plaintiffs. The defendants filed an appeal of that certification order to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals has overturned the class certification order as to the plaintiffs’ state law claims but affirmed the certification with respect to the plaintiffs’ federal law claims. The U.S. Supreme Court has denied the defendants’ petition to review the 11th Circuit’s class certification decision. As a result of the class certification decision, the only causes of action remaining in the lawsuit are the claims of (1) conspiracy to violate RICO and (2) aiding and abetting violations of RICO. Seven defendants have entered into settlement agreements with the plaintiffs which have received final approval from the trial court. The claims against one defendant have been dismissed. Two defendants remain, including the Company. The trial of this lawsuit is tentatively scheduled to start September 18, 2006. The Shane lawsuit has triggered the filing of copycat class action complaints by other health care providers such as chiropractors, podiatrists, acupuncturists and other licensed health care professionals. Each of these actions has been transferred to the MDL and have been designated as “tag-along” actions. The court has entered an order which stays all proceedings in the tag-along actions until all pre-trial proceedings in the Shane action have been concluded. Although the Company can not predict the outcome, management believes that the Shane lawsuit and the tag-along actions will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or its results of operations. Management also believes that the claims asserted in these lawsuits are without merit and the Company intends to defend its position.

Capitation Arrangements

A small percentage of the Company’s membership is covered by global capitation arrangements. Under the typical arrangement, the provider receives a fixed percentage of premium to cover all the medical costs provided to the globally capitated members. Under some capitated arrangements, physicians may also receive additional compensation from risk sharing and other incentive arrangements. Global capitation arrangements limit the Company’s exposure to the risk of increasing medical costs, but expose the Company to risk as to the adequacy of the financial and medical care resources of the provider organization. In addition to global capitation arrangements, the Company has capitation arrangements for ancillary services, such as mental health care. The Company is ultimately responsible for the coverage of its members pursuant to the customer agreements. To the extent that the respective provider organization faces financial difficulties or otherwise is unable to perform its obligations under the capitation arrangements, the Company will be required to perform such obligations. Consequently, the Company may have to incur costs in excess of the amounts it would otherwise have to pay under the original global or ancillary capitation arrangements. Medical costs associated with capitation arrangements made up approximately 6.5%, 7.1%, and 9.9% of the Company’s total medical costs for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Membership associated with global capitation arrangements was approximately 116,000, 127,000 and 145,000 as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

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Other

The Company’s contract with the National Postal Mail Handlers Union requires that the Company fund any Plan expenses in the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan after the Plan’s reserves have been fully utilized. We believe the Plan’s reserves as of December 31, 2005 are sufficient to cover Plan expenses.

J. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, investments in fixed income securities and accounts receivable. The Company invests its excess cash in state and municipal bonds, U.S. Treasury and agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, corporate debt and other securities. Investments in marketable securities are managed within guidelines established by the Board of Directors, which only allow for the purchase of investment-grade fixed income securities and limit the amount that may be invested in any one issuer. The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is equivalent to their carrying value and, although there is some credit risk associated with these instruments, the Company believes this risk to be minimal.

Concentration of credit risk with respect to receivables is limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base and their breakdown among geographical locations. The Company believes the allowance for doubtful accounts adequately provides for estimated losses as of December 31, 2005. The Company has a risk of incurring losses if such allowances are not adequate.

K. STATUTORY INFORMATION

The Company’s HMO and insurance company subsidiaries are required by state regulatory agencies to maintain minimum surplus balances, thereby limiting the dividends the parent may receive from its regulated entities. During 2005, the Company received $258.6 million in dividends and $1.9 million for note repayments from its regulated subsidiaries.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) has proposed that states adopt risk-based capital (“RBC”) standards that, if adopted, would generally require higher minimum capitalization requirements for HMOs and other risk-bearing health care entities. RBC is a method of measuring the minimum amount of capital appropriate for a managed care organization to support its overall business operations in consideration of its size and risk profile. The managed care organization’s RBC is calculated by applying factors to various assets, premiums and reserve items. The factor is higher for those items with greater underlying risk and lower for less risky items. The adequacy of a managed care organization’s actual capital can then be measured by a comparison to its RBC as determined by the formula. The Company’s health plans are required to submit an RBC report to the NAIC and their domiciled state’s department of insurance with their annual filing.

Regulators will use the RBC results to determine if any regulatory actions are required. Regulatory actions that could take place, if any, range from filing a financial action plan explaining how the plan will increase its statutory net worth to the approved levels, to the health plan being placed under regulatory control.

The majority of states in which the Company operates health plans have adopted an RBC policy that recommends the health plans maintain statutory reserves at or above the ‘Company Action Level’ which is currently equal to 200% of their RBC. The Company has adopted an internal policy to maintain all of its regulated subsidiaries’ statutory capital and surplus at or above 250% of their RBC and a level of 300% in aggregate (referred to below as “300% of RBC”). Some states in which the Company’s regulated subsidiaries operate require deposits to be maintained with the respective states’ departments of insurance. The table below summarizes the Company’s statutory reserve information as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 (in millions except percentage data).

	2005		2004
Regulated capital and surplus	$  868.5	(a)	$  727.3
300% of RBC	$  555.4	(a)	$  515.4	(a)
Excess capital and surplus above 300% of RBC	$  313.1	(a)	$  211.9	(a)
Capital and surplus as percentage of RBC	469%	(a)	423%	(a)
Statutory deposits	$    49.4		$    23.1
(a) unaudited

The increase in capital and surplus for the Company’s regulated subsidiaries is a result of income and the inclusion of regulated subsidiaries acquired with First Health offset by dividends paid to the parent company. The increase in statutory deposits is a result of the inclusion of deposits held by the regulated subsidiaries acquired with First Health.

Excluding funds held by entities subject to regulation, the Company had cash and investments of approximately $347.2 million and $383.1 million at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. The decrease in non regulated cash and investments is a result of cash and investments used related to the First Health acquisition and debt repayment offset by dividends received from subsidiaries mentioned above. During the year ended December 31, 2005, Coventry made capital contributions of approximately $8.1 million to the Company’s HMO subsidiaries.

L. OTHER INCOME

Other income for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 includes interest income, net of fees, of approximately $59.8 million, $44.1 million and $40.2 million, respectively.

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M. SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

As of December 31, 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors has approved a program to repurchase its outstanding common stock. Stock repurchases may be made from time to time at prevailing prices on the open market, by block purchase or in private transactions. As a part of this program, no shares of common stock were purchased by the Company in 2003, 3.0 million shares during 2004 at an aggregate cost of $84.6 million and no shares were purchased in 2005. The total remaining common shares the Company is authorized to repurchase under the program is approximately 2.6 million as of December 31, 2005. Excluded from these amounts are shares purchased in exchange for employee payroll taxes on vesting of restricted stock awards as these purchases are not part of the program. In February 2006, our Board of Directors approved an increase to the repurchase authorization in an amount equal to 5% of our outstanding common stock thus increasing our repurchase authorization by 8.1 million shares.

N. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has two reportable segments: Health Plans and First Health. The Company’s reportable segments have changed since the year ended December 31, 2004, as a result of the acquisition of First Health. Each of these segments is managed separately and separate operating results are available that are evaluated by the chief operating decision maker. The Health Plans segment provides commercial, Medicare and Medicaid products to a cross section of employer groups and individuals. Commercial products include HMO, PPO and POS products. HMO products provide comprehensive health care benefits to members primarily through a primary care physician. PPO and POS products permit members to participate in managed care but allow them the flexibility to utilize out-of-network providers in exchange for increased out-of-pocket costs. The Company provides comprehensive health benefits to members participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs and receives premium payments from federal and state governments.

The First Health segment provides services to the Group Health and Specialty sectors. The Group Health business offers its managed care and administrative products to commercial payors in three customer classifications:

•     National Accounts – a variety of stand-alone managed care services and a portfolio of integrated health plan products to self-insured payors

•     Federal Employees Health Benefits Program – a variety of managed care and administrative services available to federal employees and annuitants

•     Network Rental – national PPO network and other managed care products to national, regional and local third party administrators and insurance carriers

The Specialty business offers network managed care and administrative services to two customer classifications:

•     Medicaid/Public Sector – offers products and services more specialized to the needs of state governments as public sector health programs move toward more efficient utilization of health services. Product offerings include pharmacy benefit management, clinical management and fiscal intermediary services

•     Workers’ Compensation Services – managed care administrative services including access to the First Health Network, bill review and clinical management

The table below summarizes the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands). “Other” represents the elimination of fees charged between segments. In the near term, depreciation and amortization is separately identifiable to each segment and is included in the total operating expenses for each segment in the table below. However, we expect our information technology and customer service departments in each segment to consolidate, and thereafter depreciation and amortization related to their operations will become no longer separately identifiable by segment. First Health only includes results since the date of acquisition. Disclosure of total assets by reportable segment has not been disclosed, as they are not reported on a segment basis internally by the Company and are not reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker:

		Year Ended December 31, 2005
		Health	First
		Plans	Health	Other	Total
Operating Revenues:
	Managed care premiums	$  5,686,250	$    41,912	$            -	$  5,728,162
	Management services	119,573	770,402	(6,891)	883,084
Total operating revenues		5,805,823	812,314	(6,891)	6,611,246
Total operating expenses		5,202,702	623,617	(6,891)	5,819,428
Operating earnings		$    603,121	$  188,697	$          -	$    791,818

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The Health Plan operations are aligned in several insured products. The Company believes identifying the gross margin and medical loss ratio (“MLR”) calculation from each of these products is useful in understanding the Company’s results of operations and is summarized in the table below (in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31,
	(in thousands)
	Commercial	Medicare	Medicaid	Total
2005
Revenues	$ 4,255,577	$  676,349	$  754,324	$ 5,686,250
Medical costs	3,338,944	542,928	638,415	4,520,287
Gross margin	$    916,633	$  133,421	$  115,909	$ 1,165,963
MLR	78.5%	80.3%	84.6%	79.5%
2004
Revenues	$ 4,024,219	$   564,779	$   609,601	$ 5,198,599
Medical costs	3,182,732	470,611	532,552	4,185,895
Gross margin	$    841,487	$     94,168	$     77,049	$ 1,012,704
MLR	79.1%	83.3%	87.4%	80.5%
2003
Revenues	$ 3,438,424	$   480,258	$   523,763	$ 4,442,445
Medical costs	2,746,236	402,688	458,365	3,607,289
Gross margin	$    692,188	$     77,570	$     65,398	$    835,156
MLR	79.9%	83.8%	87.5%	81.2%

First Health operations are aligned into two sectors. The Company believes identifying the revenue from each of these sectors is useful in understanding the Company’s results of operations. Revenue from the Company’s First Health sectors since the date of acquisition is as follows (in thousands):

	Period Ended (1)
	December 31, 2005
National Accounts	$ 141,283
Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan	204,678
Network Rental	89,442
Group Health Subtotal	435,403
Medicaid/Public Sector	183,197
Workers’ Compensation	193,714
Specialty Business Subtotal	376,911
Total First Health Revenue	$ 812,314
(1) January 28, 2005 acquisition date

O. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations (in thousands, except per share data) for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. Due to rounding of quarterly results, total amounts for each year may differ immaterially from the annual results.

	Quarters Ended
	March 31,	June 30,	September 30,	December 31,
	2005	2005	2005	2005
Operating revenues	$ 1,565,200	$ 1,652,957	$ 1,674,189	$ 1,718,900
Operating earnings	178,474	207,457	210,023	195,864
Earnings before income taxes	179,523	206,368	212,056	201,479
Net earnings	112,651	129,496	133,065	126,428
Basic earnings per share	0.75	0.81	0.83	0.79
Diluted earnings per share	0.73	0.79	0.81	0.77
	Quarters Ended
	March 31,	June 30,	September 30,	December 31,
	2004	2004	2004	2004
Operating revenues	$ 1,287,967	$ 1,310,006	$ 1,329,816	$ 1,384,180
Operating earnings	110,710	123,387	128,206	134,368
Earnings before income taxes	117,979	130,743	135,443	142,826
Net earnings	74,327	84,002	87,022	91,766
Basic earnings per share	0.56	0.64	0.66	0.69
Diluted earnings per share	0.55	0.62	0.64	0.67

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Item 9: Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9a: Controls and Procedures

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Coventry’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934) is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.

Coventry’s management has performed an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 based on criteria established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), Internal Controls – Integrated Framework, and believes that the COSO framework is a suitable framework for such an evaluation. Management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2005.

Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting excludes the evaluation of the internal controls over financial reporting of First Health Group Corp. (“First Health”), which was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination on January 28, 2005. Total assets, total revenues and total operating earnings of these operations represent approximately 14%, 12% and 23%, respectively, of the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005, has issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have performed an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report of the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ), under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. Based upon our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Excluding First Health, there have been no significant changes in our internal controls over the financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Changes to certain processes, information technology systems and other components of internal control over financial reporting resulting from the acquisition of First Health may occur and will be evaluated by management as such integration activities are implemented.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Coventry Health Care, Inc.

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Coventry Health Care, Inc. (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of First Health Group Corp., which is included in the 2005 consolidated financial statements of Coventry Health Care, Inc. Total assets, total revenues and total operating earnings of these operations represent approximately 14%, 12% and 23% respectively, of the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2005. Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting excludes the evaluation of the internal controls of the First Health Group Corp., which was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination on January 28, 2005. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Coventry Health Care, Inc. also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of First Health Group Corp.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based onthe COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 of Coventry Health Care, Inc., and our report dated March 3, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion.

Ernst & Young LLP

Baltimore, Maryland

March 3, 2006

Item 9b: Other information

Not applicable

PART III

Item 10: Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.

The information set forth under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Audit Committee,” “Financial Expert,” “Nomination of Board Members” and “Code of Ethics” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2006, which we intend to file within 120 days after our fiscal year-end, is incorporated herein by reference. As provided in General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K and Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K, information regarding executive officers of our Company is provided in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Executive Officers of our Company.”

Item 11: Executive Compensation.

The information set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2006, which we intend to file within 120 days after our fiscal year-end, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12: Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The information set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Voting Stock Ownership of Principal Shareholders, Directors and Executive Officers” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our Proxy Statement for our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2006, which we intend to file within 120 days after our fiscal year-end, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13: Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

The information set forth under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2006, which we intend to file within 120 days after our fiscal year-end, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14: Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The information set forth under the caption “Fees Paid to Independent Auditors” and “Audit Committee’s Pre-approval Policies and Procedures” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 18, 2006, which we intend to file within 120 days after our fiscal year-end, is incorporated herein by reference.

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PART IV

Item 15: Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) 1. Financial Statements

	Form 10-K
	Pages
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	40
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2005 and 2004	41
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003	42
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003	43
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003	44
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003	45

2. Financial Statement Schedules

Schedule V - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts S - 1

3. Exhibits Required To Be Filed By Item 601 Of Regulation S-K

Exhibit
No.	Description of Exhibit
2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 13, 2004, by and among Coventry Health Care, Inc., Coventry Merger Sub Inc. and First Health Group Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Coventry's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 14, 2004). (Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of the Securities and Exchange Commission omitted schedules provided upon request.)
3.1	Certificate of Incorporation of Coventry Health Care, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form S-4, Registration Statement No. 333-45821).
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Coventry Health Care, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 10, 2004).
4.1	Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
4.2	Indenture dated as of February 1, 2002 between Coventry Health Care, Inc., as Issuer, and First Union National Bank, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Company's Form S-4, Registration Statement No. 333-83106).
4.3	Form of Note issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of February 1, 2002 between Coventry Health Care, Inc., as Issuer, and First Union National Bank, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Company's Form S-4, Registration Statement No. 333-83106).
4.4	Indenture for the 2012 Notes, dated as of January 28, 2005, between Coventry and Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 2005).
4.5	Form of Note for the 2012 Notes issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of January 28, 2005 between Coventry Health Care, Inc., as Issuer, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 2005).
4.6	Indenture for the 2015 Notes, dated as of January 28, 2005, between Coventry and Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 2005).
4.7	Form of Note for the 2015 Notes issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of January 28, 2005 between Coventry Health Care, Inc., as Issuer, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 2005).
4.8	Registration Rights Agreement for the 2012 Notes, dated as of January 28, 2005, by and among Coventry and Lehman Brothers Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., ABN AMRO Incorporated, Banc of America Securities LLC, Wachovia Securities and Piper Jaffray & Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 2005).
4.9	Registration Rights Agreement for the 2015 Notes, dated as of January 28, 2005, by and among Coventry and Lehman Brothers Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., ABN AMRO Incorporated, Banc of America Securities LLC, Wachovia Securities and Piper Jaffray & Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 2005).
10.1	Transition and Retirement Agreement effective as of January 1, 2005, between Allen F. Wise and Coventry Health Care, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 23, 2004 ).
10.2	Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2005 between Thomas P. McDonough and the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on March 15, 2005).
10.3	Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2005, between Dale B. Wolf and Coventry Health Care, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated November 23, 2004).
10.4	Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2005, between Harvey C. DeMovick and Coventry Health Care, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated November 23, 2004).
10.5	Employment Agreement effective as of August 1, 2004, between Thomas C. Zielinski and Coventry Health Care, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Coventry’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004).
10.6	Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2005, between Shawn M. Guertin and Coventry Health Care, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 2004).
10.7	Employment Agreement effective June 1, 2004, between Bernard J. Mansheim, M.D. and Coventry Health Care, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Coventry’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004).
10.8	Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2005, between Francis S. Soistman and Coventry Health Care, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 2004).
10.9	Employment Agreement effective as of July 1, 2004, between Patrisha L. Davis and Coventry Health Care, Inc.
10.10	Employment Agreement effective as of January 31, 2005, between Harry Creasey and Coventry Health Care, Inc.
10.11	Non-Employee Director Compensation Schedule effective January 1, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 10, 2005).
10.12	Directors' Compensation Schedule effective March 3, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2005).
10.13	Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective January 1, 2006.
10.14	Summary of Named Executive Officer Compensation.
10.15	1993 Stock Option Plan (as amended) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8.4 attached to the Coventry Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995).
10.16	Coventry Corporation 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Coventry Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).
10.17	Coventry Health Care, Inc. Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, amended as of June 5, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to Coventry's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003).
10.18	Coventry Health Care, Inc. 2004 Incentive Plan, effective June 3, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Coventry's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed on March 16, 2005).
10.19	Form of Coventry Health Care, Inc. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Coventry's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed on March 16, 2005).
10.20	Form of Coventry Health Care, Inc. Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Coventry's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed on March 16, 2005).
10.21	Form of Coventry Health Care, Inc. Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
10.22	2004 Executive Management Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Coventry’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003).
10.23	2005 Executive Management Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 23, 2004).
10.24	Special Incentive Plan effective as of January 1, 2005 among Thomas P. McDonough, James E. McGarry and the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Coventry's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 23, 2004).
10.25	2006 Executive Management Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Coventry's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 12, 2006).
10.26	2003 Deferred Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report, on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.
10.27	2004 Mid-Term Executive Retention Program (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Coventry's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed on March 16, 2005).
10.28	Special Incentive Plan effective as of January 1, 2005 among Thomas P. McDonough and James E. McGarry and Coventry Health Care, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 23, 2004).
10.29.1	Coventry Health Care, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement (“SERP”) Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2003, including the First Amendment effective as of January 1, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Coventry’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed March 16, 2005).
10.29.2	Second Amendment to Coventry Health Care, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement (“SERP”) Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2003, including the First Amendment effective as of January 1, 2004, effective May 18, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Coventry's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, filed August 9, 2005).
10.30	Coventry Share Plan, as amended and restated, effective as of September 1, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Coventry's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002).
10.31	Credit Agreement dated June 30, 2005, by and among the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agents, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agents, and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Coventry's Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2005).
14	Code of Business Conduct and Ethics adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 20, 2003, as amended on March 3, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2005).
21	Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
31.1	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 made by Dale B. Wolf, Chief Executive Officer and Director.
31.2	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 made by Shawn M. Guertin, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
32.1	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 made by Dale B. Wolf, Chief Executive Officer and Director and Shawn M. Guertin, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

65

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
		COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC.
		(Registrant)
Date:	March 8, 2006	By:  /s/ Dale B. Wolf
		Dale B. Wolf
		Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date:	March 8, 2006	By:  /s/ Shawn M. Guertin
		Shawn M. Guertin
		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date:	March 8, 2006	By:  /s/ John J. Ruhlmann
		John J. Ruhlmann
		Vice President and Corporate Controller
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
	Signature	Title (Principal Function)	Date
	By:    /s/ Allen F. Wise	Chairman of the Board and Director	March 8, 2006
	Allen F. Wise
	By:    /s/ Dale B. Wolf	Chief Executive Officer and Director	March 8, 2006
	Dale B. Wolf
	By:    /s/ John H. Austin, M.D.	Director	March 9, 2006
	John H. Austin, M.D.
	By:    /s/ Joel Ackerman	Director	March 8, 2006
	Joel Ackerman
	By:    /s/ L. Dale Crandall	Director	March 8, 2006
	L. Dale Crandall
	By:    /s/ Emerson D. Farley, Jr., M.D.	Director	March 8, 2006
	Emerson D. Farley, Jr., M.D.
	By:    /s/ Lawrence N. Kugelman	Director	March 8, 2006
	Lawrence N. Kugelman
	By:    /s/ Daniel N. Mendelson	Director	March 8, 2006
	Daniel N. Mendelson
	By: ___________________________	Director
	Rodman W. Moorhead, III
	By:    /s/ Robert W. Morey	Director	March 8, 2006
	Robert W. Morey
	By:    /s/ Elizabeth E. Tallett	Director	March 8, 2006
	Elizabeth E. Tallett
	By:    /s/ Timothy T. Weglicki	Director	March 8, 2006
	Timothy T. Weglicki

66

S-1

SCHEDULE V

COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(in thousands)

	Balance at	Additions Charged to	Deductions	Balance at
	Beginning of Period	Income Statement (1)	(Charge Offs) (1)	End of Period
Year ended December 31, 2005:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$    875	$ 3,476	$    (768)	$ 3,583
Year ended December 31, 2004:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,373	$ 2,993	$ (3,491)	$    875
Year ended December 31, 2003:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 2,885	$ 1,364	$ (2,876)	$ 1,373
(1) Additions to the allowance for doubtful accounts are included in selling, general and administrative expense. All deductions or charge-offs are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

67

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Reg. S-K: Item 601

Exhibit
No.	Description of Exhibit
4.1	Specimen Common Stock Certificate
10.9	Employment Agreement effective July 1, 2004, between Patrisha L. Davis and Coventry Health Care, Inc.
10.10	Employment Agreement effective January 31, 2005, between Harry Creasey and Coventry Health Care, Inc.
10.13	Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective January 1, 2006
10.14	Summary of Named Executive Officer Compensation
10.21	Form of Coventry Health Care, Inc. Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement
21	Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
31.1	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 made by Dale B. Wolf, Chief Executive Officer and Director.
31.2	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 made by Shawn M. Guertin, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
32.1	Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 made by Dale B. Wolf, Chief Executive Officer and Director and Shawn M. Guertin, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

Note: This index only lists the exhibits included in this Form 10-K. A complete list of exhibits can be found in “Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” of this Form 10-K.

EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

Specimen Common Stock Certificate

EX-10.9

Exhibit 10.9

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of the 1^st day of July, 2004, by and between Patrisha L. Davis (“Executive”) and Coventry Health Care, Inc. ("Employer"), a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at 6705 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20817.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Employer employs the Executive as a Vice President, pursuant to an Employment Agreement dated March 13, 2000, and the parties wish to amend the terms of such employment as set forth herein, and

WHEREAS, Employer desires to continue to employ Executive and to be assured of her continued services in connection with the management of the business conducted by the Employer upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and

WHEREAS, Executive is willing and desires to continue to be employed by the Employer to provide such services.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises hereof and of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.Employment. Employer hereby agrees to continue to employ Executive to serve as its Chief Human Resources Officer. Executive hereby agrees to such employment on and after the date hereof under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

2.Duties. Executive shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of Coventry Health Care, Inc., (the “Supervisor”). Executive’s powers and duties shall be those normally associated with such position or as may be delegated or assigned to Executive by her Supervisor. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall also serve without additional compensation in such other offices of the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates to which she may be elected or appointed.

3.Term. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Executive shall be employed hereunder for a period of one (1) year (the “Term”) commencing on the date hereof and shall continue on a year to year basis thereafter (the “Renewal Term”), until the Executive’s employment terminates as outlined in Sections 8 and 9 herein or until one party provides the other with a minimum of thirty (30) days prior written notice (the “Notice”) of termination.

4.Base Compensation. For all duties rendered by Executive, Employer shall pay Executive a base salary ("Base Salary") of no less than Two Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($210,000), annually. The Base Salary shall be paid to Executive in accordance with Employer’s normal payroll policies.

5.Additional Compensation. During the period of this Agreement and as a result of employment under this Agreement, Executive shall receive or be eligible for the following additional compensation:

Bonus Compensation: Executive shall be eligible for an annual bonus (“Bonus”) with a target bonus equal to 30% of base compensation. The bonus shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of Employer’s Management Incentive Plan “MIP”.

Vacation: During each year of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation.

Other Benefits: Executive will be eligible for participation in employee benefit programs available to employees of Employer, including but not limited to, participation in any profit-sharing, retirement or similar plans established by Employer in which managerial employees of Employer participate, including any such plan intended to comply with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any such plan providing supplemental executive retirement benefits.

6.Expenses. Executive shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive on behalf of Employer and its subsidiaries or affiliates upon presentation of vouchers in accordance with the usual and customary procedure of Employer in relation to such expense items, except that Employer may elect, at its option, to pay such expense items directly rather than reimburse Executive therefor.

7.Extent of Service. Executive shall devote substantially all of her working time, attention and energies to the business of the Employer and shall not, during the term of this Agreement, take, directly or indirectly, an active role in any other business activity without the prior written consent of the Employer; but except as provided in Section 12(b), this Section shall not prevent Executive from serving as a director of other entities not affiliated with Employer, from making real estate or other investments of a passive nature or from participating in the activities of a nonprofit charitable organization where such participation does not require a substantial amount of time and does not adversely affect Executive’s ability to perform her duties under this Agreement.

8.Termination of Employment. Employer may terminate this Agreement with or without cause at any time with notice (as defined in Section 3). However, except in the case of a Termination With Cause (as defined in Section 21), if the Executive suffers a Termination Without Cause (as defined in Section 21) or a Constructive Termination (as defined in Section 21) the following provisions will apply:

(a) Employer shall during the Severance Period (as defined in Section 21), continue to pay Executive an amount equal to the Executive's Base Salary at the time of termination of employment. Such amount will be paid during the Severance Period in installments similar to those being received by Executive at the date of termination of employment, and will commence as soon as practicable following the date of termination of employment.

(b) During the Severance Period Executive and her spouse and family will continue to be covered by all Welfare Plans (as defined in Section 21), maintained by Employer in which she or her spouse or family were participating immediately prior to the date of her termination as if she continued to be an employee of Employer; provided that, if participation in any one or more of such Welfare Plans is not possible under the terms thereof, Employer will provide substantially identical benefits to the extent possible. If, however, Executive obtains employment with another employer during the Severance Period, such coverage shall be provided until the earlier of: (i) the end of the Severance Period or (ii) the date on which the Executive and her spouse and family can be covered under the plans of a new employer without being excluded from full coverage because of any actual pre-existing condition. Executive’s eligibility for and the Employer match to the 401(k) Plan, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and/or any other retirement savings program in which the Employee participates shall end at the date of termination of employment.

(c) During the Severance Period Executive shall not be entitled to accrue any additional vacation, sick or floating holiday time.

(d) During the Severance Period Executive shall not be entitled to reimbursement for fringe benefits such as car allowance, dues and expenses related to club memberships, and expenses for professional services.

Compensation under Section 8(a) and (b) hereof is contingent upon Executive's compliance with Section 12 hereof.

9.Termination by Executive. Executive may terminate her employment hereunder at any time upon thirty (30) days prior written notice (the “Notice”). Upon such termination by Executive, the Employer shall pay the Executive only her Base Salary due through the date on which her employment is terminated at the rate in effect at the time of notice of termination. The Employer shall then have no further obligation to Executive under this Agreement, except for the payout of benefits accrued under any Employee Benefit Plans or other employee benefits.

10. Setoff.

(a) With respect to Section 8, payments or benefits payable to or with respect to Executive or her spouse pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced by the amount of any claim of Employer against Executive or her spouse or any debt or obligation of Executive or her spouse owing to Employer.

(b) With respect to Section 8, payments or benefits payable to or with respect to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced by any amount Executive may earn or receive from employment with another employer or other professional services, except as expressly provided in Section 8(b). Employee shall notify Employer immediately in writing of the date upon which such services or other work commenced and shall provide Employer with such documentation as Employer shall require to determine the amount of any such setoff. Employee’s failure to provide such written notice and documentation as required herein shall immediately release Employer from its obligations under this Agreement and Employer shall have the right to recover all amounts payable beginning at the point of employment with another employer or at the point other professional services are rendered.

11. Death. If Executive dies during the Severance Period:

(a) All amounts payable hereunder to Executive shall, during the remainder of the Severance Period, be paid to her designated beneficiary. On the death of the survivor of Executive and her designated beneficiary, no further benefits will be paid under the Agreement.

(b) The designated beneficiary (or beneficiaries covered by a Trust) of Executive shall, during the remainder of the Severance Period, be covered under all Welfare Plans (as defined in Section 21(d)), made available by Employer to Executive immediately prior to the date of her death to the extent possible.

Any benefits payable under this Section 11 are in addition to any other benefits due to Executive or her beneficiaries (or Trust), from Employer, including, but not limited to, payments under any Incentive Plans.

12. Restrictive Covenants.

(a) Confidential Information. Executive agrees not to disclose, either during the time she is employed by the Employer and for a period of twelve months following termination of employment in accordance with the terms of Section 8 herein, to any person (other than a person to whom disclosure is necessary in connection with the performance of her duties as an employee of Employer or to any person specifically authorized by the President and Chief Executive Officer of Employer) any material confidential information concerning the Employer or any of its Affiliates, including, but not limited to, strategic plans, customer lists, contract terms, financial costs, pricing terms, sales data or business opportunities whether for existing, new or developing businesses.

(b) Non-Competition. During the term of employment provided hereunder and for a period of twelve months following termination of employment in accordance with the terms of Section 8 herein, Executive will not directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected as an officer, employee, partner, director or otherwise with, or any have financial interest in, or aid or assist anyone else in the conduct of, any business which is in competition with any business conducted by the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer in any state in which the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer is conducting business on the date of termination or expiration of this Agreement, provided that ownership of 5% or less of the voting stock of any public corporation shall not constitute a violation hereof. In the event Executive enters into any of the foregoing arrangements in competition with Employer or any Affiliate of Employer, Executive shall forfeit all rights to payments and other benefits under Section 8 above, and not yet paid to Executive under this Agreement, as of the violation of the terms of this Section 12(b). Such forfeiture shall be Employer’s sole remedy against Executive for violation of this Section 12(b).

(c) Non-Solicitation. During the term of employment provided for hereunder and for a period of twelve months following termination of employment in accordance with the terms of Section 8 herein, Executive will not (i) directly or indirectly solicit business which could reasonably be expected to conflict with the interest of Employer or any Affiliate of Employer from any entity, organization or person which has contracted with the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer, which has been doing business with the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer, from which the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer was soliciting business at the time of the termination of employment or from which Executive knew or had reason to know that Employer or any Affiliate of Employer was going to solicit business at the time of termination of employment, or (ii) employ, solicit for employment, or advise or recommend to any other persons that they employ or solicit for employment, any employee of the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer.

(d) Consultation. Executive shall, at the Employer's written request, for a period of twelve months following termination of her employment, in accordance with the terms of Section 8 herein, cooperate with the Employer in concluding any matters in which Executive was involved during the term of her employment and will make herself available for consultation with the Employer on other matters otherwise of interest to the Employer. The Employer agrees that such requests shall be reasonable in number and will consider Executive's time required for other employment and/or employment search. In the event of voluntary termination by Executive, Employer agrees to pay Executive a reasonable fee for any such consultation services requested by Employer; provided, however, Executive agrees to cooperate with Employer and if there is no conflict with Executive’s new employer, in concluding any matters in which Executive was involved during the term of his employment.

(e) Enforcement. Executive and the Employer acknowledge and agree that any of the covenants contained in this Section 12 herein may be specifically enforced through injunctive relief but such right to injunctive relief shall not preclude the Employer from other remedies which may be available to it.

13.Executive Assignment. No interest of Executive or her spouse or any other beneficiary under this Agreement, or any right to receive any payment or distribution hereunder, shall be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, attachment, garnishment, or other alienation or encumbrance of any kind, nor may such interest or right to receive a payment or distribution be taken, voluntarily or involuntarily, for the satisfaction of the obligations or debts of, or other claims against, Executive or her spouse or other beneficiary, including claims for alimony, support, separate maintenance, and claims in bankruptcy proceedings.

14.Benefits Unfunded. All rights of Executive and her spouse or other beneficiaries under this Agreement shall at all times be entirely unfunded and no provision shall at any time be made with respect to segregating any assets of Employer for payment of any amounts due hereunder. Neither Executive nor her spouse or other beneficiaries shall have any interest in or rights against any specific assets of Employer, and Executive and her spouse or other beneficiary shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of Employer.

15.Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and sent by registered or certified mail to her primary residence in the case of Executive, or to its principal office in the case of the Employer and the date of receipt shall be deemed the date which such notice has been provided.

16.Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by the other party.

17.Assignment. The rights and obligations of the Employer under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Employer. The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by her are unique and personal, and Executive may not assign any of her rights or delegate any of her duties or obligations under this Agreement.

18.Entire Agreement. This instrument contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all other prior agreements, employment contracts and understandings, both written and oral, express or implied with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and may not be changed orally but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is sought.

19.Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

20.Headings. The sections, subjects and headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

21.Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 144(a)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(b) “Constructive Termination” shall mean termination by the Executive which follows (i) reassignment of duties, responsibilities, title, or reporting relationships that are not at least the equivalent of her then current position as set forth in Section 1.2, (ii) the intentional or material breach by the Company of this Agreement, or (iii) a reassignment to a geographic location more than fifty (50) miles from the Executive’s work location as of the date of this Agreement. The Executive shall have a period of ninety (90) days after termination of her employment to assert against the Employer that she suffered a Constructive Termination, and after the expiration of such ninety (90) day period, the Executive shall be deemed to have irrevocably waived the right to such assertion.

(c) "Severance Period" shall mean the period beginning on the day after the Executive's employment with Employer ends after a Termination Without Cause or Constructive Termination, as described in Section 8, and ending on the date that follows twelve months thereafter.

(d) “Termination With Cause” shall mean termination by the Employer, acting in good faith, by written notice to the Executive specifying the event relied upon for such termination, due to; (i) the Executive’s indictment or conviction of a felony, (ii) the Executives’ intentional perpetration of a fraud, theft, embezzlement or other acts of dishonesty, (iii) the Executive’s intentional breach of a trust of fiduciary duty which materially affects the Employer or its shareholders.

(e) “Termination Without Cause” shall mean termination by the Employer other than due to the Executive’s death or “Termination With Cause”.

(f) "Welfare Plans" shall mean any medical, dental and vision coverage made available by Employer in which Executive is eligible to participate.

22.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

23.Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is held illegal or invalid, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. In the event that Section 12(b) is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid due to overbreadth, such Section 12(b) shall be constructed as narrowly as necessary to be enforceable.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first written above.

/s/ Patrisha L. Davis                              

Patrisha L. Davis

COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC.

By:	/s/ Allen F. Wise
	Allen F. Wise
	Chief Executive Officer

EX-10.10

Exhibit 10.10

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of the 23^rd day of December, 2004, by and between Harry Creasey (“Executive”) and Coventry Health Care, Inc. ("Employer"), a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at 6705 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20817.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Executive desires to enter into an employment relationship with Employer and Employer desires to employ Executive; and

WHEREAS, Executive and Employer desire to set forth in a written agreement the terms and conditions of such employment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises hereof and of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.Employment. Executive’s employment shall commence on January 31, 2005, (the “Date of Employment”). Employer hereby agrees to employ Executive to serve as Senior Vice President, New Market Development. Executive hereby agrees to such employment on and after the date hereof under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

2.Duties. Executive shall report to the Executive Vice President, Health Plan Operations (the “Supervisor”). Executive’s powers and duties shall be those normally associated with such position or as may be delegated or assigned to Executive by his Supervisor or Employer’s Chief Executive Officer. During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall also serve without additional compensation in such other offices of the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates to which he may be elected or appointed.

3.Term. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Executive shall be employed hereunder for a period of one (1) year (the “Term”) commencing on the date hereof and shall continue on a year to year basis thereafter (the “Renewal Term”), until the Executive’s employment terminates as outlined in Sections 8 and 9 herein or until one party provides the other with a minimum of thirty (30) days prior written notice (the “Notice”) of termination.

4.Base Compensation. For all duties rendered by Executive, Employer shall pay Executive a base salary ("Base Salary") of no less than Two Hundred Seventy-five Thousand Dollars ($275,000), annually. The Base Salary shall be paid to Executive in accordance with Employer’s normal payroll policies.

5.Additional Compensation. During the period of this Agreement and as a result of employment under this Agreement, Executive shall receive or be eligible for the following additional compensation:

Bonus Compensation: Executive shall be eligible for an annual bonus (“Bonus”) with a target bonus equal to 50% of base compensation. The Bonus will be in accordance with the Company’s Performance Based 162(m) Plan.

Employer Stock Options: Executive will be granted a nonqualified stock option to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock of Employer and a Restricted Stock Award of 10,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company. The terms and conditions of the grant and will be under and in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Employer’s 2004 Incentive Plan.

Vacation: During each year of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation.

Other Benefits: Executive will be eligible for participation in employee benefit programs available to employees of Employer, including but not limited to, participation in any profit-sharing, retirement or similar plans established by Employer in which managerial employees of Employer participate, including any such plan intended to comply with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any such plan providing supplemental executive retirement benefits.

Executive will be eligible to participate in the Executive Leadership Estate Planning Program in 2005. This program is reviewed on an annual basis and participation is based on performance and not guaranteed.

Relocation: Executive agrees to relocate to the Bethesda office of Coventry Health Care in the Summer of 2006. Executive will be offered the company Relocation package for executives in effect at the time of the Executive’s relocation. This relocation package will provide the Executive assistance with the sale of his primary residence and the purchase of a new home in the Washington Metropolitan area, as well as, movement of household goods and temporary housing.

6.Expenses. Executive shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive on behalf of Employer and its subsidiaries or affiliates upon presentation of vouchers in accordance with the usual and customary procedure of Employer in relation to such expense items, except that Employer may elect, at its option, to pay such expense items directly rather than reimburse Executive therefor.

7.Extent of Service. Executive shall devote substantially all of his working time, attention and energies to the business of the Employer and shall not, during the term of this Agreement, take, directly or indirectly, an active role in any other business activity without the prior written consent of the Employer; but except as provided in Section 12(b), this Section shall not prevent Executive from serving as a director of other entities not affiliated with Employer, from making real estate or other investments of a passive nature or from participating in the activities of a nonprofit charitable organization where such participation does not require a substantial amount of time and does not adversely affect Executive’s ability to perform his duties under this Agreement.

8.Termination of Employment. Employer may terminate this Agreement with or without cause at any time with notice (as defined in Section 3). However, except in the case of a Termination With Cause (as defined in Section 21), if the Executive suffers a Termination Without Cause (as defined in Section 21) or a Constructive Termination (as defined in Section 21) the following provisions will apply:

(a) Employer shall during the Severance Period (as defined in Section 21), continue to pay Executive an amount equal to the Executive's Base Salary at the time of termination of employment. Such amount will be paid during the Severance Period in installments similar to those being received by Executive at the date of termination of employment, and will commence as soon as practicable following the date of termination of employment.

(b) During the Severance Period Executive and his spouse and family will continue to be covered by all Welfare Plans (as defined in Section 21), maintained by Employer in which he or his spouse or family were participating immediately prior to the date of his termination as if he continued to be an employee of Employer; provided that, if participation in any one or more of such Welfare Plans is not possible under the terms thereof, Employer will provide substantially identical benefits to the extent possible. If, however, Executive obtains employment with another employer during the Severance Period, such coverage shall be provided until the earlier of: (i) the end of the Severance Period or (ii) the date on which the Executive and his spouse and family can be covered under the plans of a new employer without being excluded from full coverage because of any actual pre-existing condition. Executive’s eligibility for and the Employer match to the 401(k) Plan, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and/or any other retirement savings program in which the Employee participates shall end at the date of termination of employment.

(c) During the Severance Period Executive shall not be entitled to accrue any additional vacation, sick or floating holiday time.

(d) During the Severance Period Executive shall not be entitled to reimbursement for fringe benefits such as car allowance, dues and expenses related to club memberships, and expenses for professional services.

Compensation under Section 8(a) and (b) hereof is contingent upon Executive's compliance with Section 12 hereof.

9.Termination by Executive. Executive may terminate his employment hereunder at any time upon thirty (30) days prior written notice (the “Notice”). Upon such termination by Executive, the Employer shall pay the Executive only his Base Salary due through the date on which his employment is terminated at the rate in effect at the time of notice of termination. The Employer shall then have no further obligation to Executive under this Agreement, except for the payout of benefits accrued under any Employee Benefit Plans or other employee benefits.

10. Setoff.

(a) With respect to Section 8, payments or benefits payable to or with respect to Executive or his spouse pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced by the amount of any claim of Employer against Executive or his spouse or any debt or obligation of Executive or his spouse owing to Employer.      

(b) With respect to Section 8, payments or benefits payable to or with respect to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced by any amount Executive may earn or receive from employment with another employer or other professional services, except as expressly provided in Section 8(b). Employee shall notify Employer immediately in writing of the date upon which such services or other work commenced and shall provide Employer with such documentation as Employer shall require to determine the amount of any such setoff. Employee’s failure to provide such written notice and documentation as required herein shall immediately release Employer from its obligations under this Agreement and Employer shall have the right to recover all amounts payable beginning at the point of employment with another employer or at the point other professional services are rendered.

11. Death. If Executive dies during the Severance Period:

(a) All amounts payable hereunder to Executive shall, during the remainder of the Severance Period, be paid to his designated beneficiary. On the death of the survivor of Executive and his designated beneficiary, no further benefits will be paid under the Agreement.

(b) The designated beneficiary (or beneficiaries covered by a Trust) of Executive shall, during the remainder of the Severance Period, be covered under all Welfare Plans (as defined in Section 21(d)), made available by Employer to Executive immediately prior to the date of his death to the extent possible.

Any benefits payable under this Section 11 are in addition to any other benefits due to Executive or his beneficiaries (or Trust), from Employer, including, but not limited to, payments under any Incentive Plans.

12. Restrictive Covenants.

(a) Confidential Information. Executive agrees not to disclose, either during the time he is employed by the Employer and for a period of twelve months following termination of employment in accordance with the terms of Section 8 herein, to any person (other than a person to whom disclosure is necessary in connection with the performance of his duties as an employee of Employer or to any person specifically authorized by the President and Chief Executive Officer of Employer) any material confidential information concerning the Employer or any of its Affiliates, including, but not limited to, strategic plans, customer lists, contract terms, financial costs, pricing terms, sales data or business opportunities whether for existing, new or developing businesses.

(b) Non-Competition. During the term of employment provided hereunder and for a period of twelve months following termination of employment in accordance with the terms of Section 8 herein, Executive will not directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected as an officer, employee, partner, director or otherwise with, or any have financial interest in, or aid or assist anyone else in the conduct of, any business which is in competition with any business conducted by the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer in any state in which the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer is conducting business on the date of termination or expiration of this Agreement, provided that ownership of 5% or less of the voting stock of any public corporation shall not constitute a violation hereof. In the event Executive enters into any of the foregoing arrangements in competition with Employer or any Affiliate of Employer, Executive shall forfeit all rights to payments and other benefits under Section 8 above, and not yet paid to Executive under this Agreement, as of the violation of the terms of this Section 12(b). Such forfeiture shall be Employer’s sole remedy against Executive for violation of this Section 12(b).

(c) Non-Solicitation. During the term of employment provided for hereunder and for a period of twelve months following termination of employment in accordance with the terms of Section 8 herein, Executive will not (i) directly or indirectly solicit business which could reasonably be expected to conflict with the interest of Employer or any Affiliate of Employer from any entity, organization or person which has contracted with the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer, which has been doing business with the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer, from which the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer was soliciting business at the time of the termination of employment or from which Executive knew or had reason to know that Employer or any Affiliate of Employer was going to solicit business at the time of termination of employment, or (ii) employ, solicit for employment, or advise or recommend to any other persons that they employ or solicit for employment, any employee of the Employer or any Affiliate of Employer.

(d) Consultation. Executive shall, at the Employer's written request, for a period of twelve months following termination of his employment, in accordance with the terms of Section 8 herein, cooperate with the Employer in concluding any matters in which Executive was involved during the term of his employment and will make himself available for consultation with the Employer on other matters otherwise of interest to the Employer. The Employer agrees that such requests shall be reasonable in number and will consider Executive's time required for other employment and/or employment search. In the event of voluntary termination by Executive, Employer agrees to pay Executive a reasonable fee for any such consultation services requested by Employer; provided, however, Executive agrees to cooperate with Employer and if there is no conflict with Executive’s new employer, in concluding any matters in which Executive was involved during the term of his employment.

(e) Enforcement. Executive and the Employer acknowledge and agree that any of the covenants contained in this Section 12 herein, with the exception of Section 12(b), may be specifically enforced through injunctive relief but such right to injunctive relief shall not preclude the Employer from other remedies which may be available to it.

13.Executive Assignment. No interest of Executive or his spouse or any other beneficiary under this Agreement, or any right to receive any payment or distribution hereunder, shall be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, attachment, garnishment, or other alienation or encumbrance of any kind, nor may such interest or right to receive a payment or distribution be taken, voluntarily or involuntarily, for the satisfaction of the obligations or debts of, or other claims against, Executive or his spouse or other beneficiary, including claims for alimony, support, separate maintenance, and claims in bankruptcy proceedings.

14.Benefits Unfunded. All rights of Executive and his spouse or other beneficiaries under this Agreement shall at all times be entirely unfunded and no provision shall at any time be made with respect to segregating any assets of Employer for payment of any amounts due hereunder. Neither Executive nor his spouse or other beneficiaries shall have any interest in or rights against any specific assets of Employer, and Executive and his spouse or other beneficiary shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of Employer.

15.Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and sent by registered or certified mail to his primary residence in the case of Executive, or to its principal office in the case of the Employer and the date of receipt shall be deemed the date which such notice has been provided.

16.Waiver of Breach. The waiver by either party of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by the other party.

17.Assignment. The rights and obligations of the Employer under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Employer. The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by his are unique and personal, and Executive may not assign any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under this Agreement.

18.Entire Agreement. This instrument contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all other prior agreements, employment contracts and understandings, both written and oral, express or implied with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and may not be changed orally but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is sought.

19.Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

20.Headings. The sections, subjects and headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

21.Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 144(a)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(b) “Constructive Termination” shall mean termination by the Executive which follows (i) reassignment of duties, responsibilities, title, or reporting relationships that are not at least the equivalent of his then current position as set forth in Section 1.2, (ii) the intentional or material breach by the Company of this Agreement, or (iii) a reassignment to a geographic location more than fifty (50) miles from Bethesda, Maryland. The Executive shall have a period of ninety (90) days after termination of his employment to assert against the Employer that he suffered a Constructive Termination, and after the expiration of such ninety (90) day period, the Executive shall be deemed to have irrevocably waived the right to such assertion.

(c) "Severance Period" shall mean the period beginning on the day after the Executive's employment with Employer ends after a Termination Without Cause or Constructive Termination, as described in Section 8, and ending on the date that follows twelve months thereafter.

(d) “Termination With Cause” shall mean termination by the Employer, acting in good faith, by written notice to the Executive specifying the event relied upon for such termination, due to; (i) the Executive’s indictment or conviction of a felony, (ii) the Executives’ intentional perpetration of a fraud, theft, embezzlement or other acts of dishonesty, (iii) the Executive’s intentional breach of a trust of fiduciary duty which materially affects the Employer or its shareholders.

(e) “Termination Without Cause” shall mean termination by the Employer other than due to the Executive’s death or “Termination With Cause”.

(f) "Welfare Plans" shall mean any medical, vision and dental coverage made available by Employer in which Executive is eligible to participate.

22.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

23.Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement is held illegal or invalid, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. In the event that Section 12(b) is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid due to overbreadth, such Section 12(b) shall be constructed as narrowly as necessary to be enforceable.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first written above.

/s/ E. H. Creasey

Harry Creasey

COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC.

By:	/s/ Francis S. Soistman
	Francis S. Soistman
	Senior Vice President

EX-10.13

Exhibit 10.13

COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC.

Deferred Compensation Plan

for Non-Employee Directors

Effective January 1, 2006

ARTICLE I ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

1.01	Establishment of the Plan.
1.02	Purpose
1.03	Status Under ERISA

ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE III ELIGIBILITY

3.01	Eligibility
3.02	Termination of Eligibility

ARTICLE IV DEFERRAL REQUIREMENTS
4.01	Cash Deferral
4.02	Stock Deferral
4.03	Timing of Deferral Elections
4.04	Form of Deferral Election.

ARTICLE V INVESTMENT CREDITS
5.01	Interest on Cash Deferrals
5.02	Credits and Adjustments of Stock Deferrals

ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS
6.01	Time of Payment
6.02	Forfeiture of Non-Vested Amounts
6.03	Distributions Upon Death
6.04	Unforeseeable Emergency

ARTICLE VII CHANGE IN CONTROL
7.01	Definition of Change in Control.
7.02	Effect of Change in Control

ARTICLE VIII SOURCE OF PAYMENTS OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION

ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
9.01	Administration By Committee
9.02	Authority of the Committee.
9.03	Decisions Binding.

ARTICLE X AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
10.01	Amendment
10.02	Termination of Plan

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS
11.01	Article and Section Headings
11.02		Notice.
11.03		Successors.
11.04		Nontransferability.
11.05		Compliance With Tax Deferral Requirements.
11.06		Conflict Between Plans.
11.07			Governing Law.

ARTICLE I

ESTABLISHMENT AND

PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

1.01Establishment of the Plan.  Coventry Health Care, Inc. (the “Company”) has established this deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) for its non-employee directors, effective January 1, 2006. The Plan shall be known as the “Coventry Health Care, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.”

1.02Purpose.   The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain highly qualified directors by providing a flexible compensation program that permits directors to elect between current and deferred compensation, and to elect compensation whose value is measured by the value of the Company’s common stock, for their service as directors of the Company.

1.03Status Under ERISA. Because the Plan covers only directors who are not employees of the Company, the Plan is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term shall include the feminine, the plural shall include the singular, and the singular shall include the plural.

2.01“Accounts” means the Cash Deferral Account and Stock Deferral Account maintained by the Committee to reflect a Participant’s interest in the Plan.

2.02“Beneficiary” means any person, persons, and/or entity entitled to receive benefits that are payable pursuant to Article VI hereof upon a Participant’s death.

2.03 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.04“Cash Deferral” means an amount credited to the Participant in cash pursuant to Section 4.01.

2.05“Cash Deferral Account” means the Account maintained for a Participant to record the Participant’s Cash Deferrals and any interest credited to the Cash Deferrals.

2.06“Change in Control” means an event identified as a change in control of the Company pursuant to Article VII.

2.07“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. References to a section of the Code shall include regulations or other guidance of general applicability interpreting that section, and shall include any successor section of the Code and its interpretive regulations or published guidance.

2.08“Company” means Coventry Health Care, Inc. or any company that is a successor to Coventry Health Care, Inc. as a result of a merger, consolidation, liquidation, transfer of assets, or other reorganization.

2.09 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

2.10“Compensation” means the Participant’s annual compensation for regularly-scheduled meetings of the Board. “Compensation” does not include committee chair retainers, committee meeting fees, fees for special meetings of the Board, income from the exercise of a stock option or from the vesting of any restricted stock or other property, or other forms of compensation for the Participant’s service as a director.

2.11“Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an officer or employee of the Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of the Company.

2.12“Participant” means a Non-Employee Director who has elected to participate in the Plan as provided in Article IV, or a former Non-Employee Director whose Accounts have not been fully distributed.

2.13“Plan” means this Coventry Health Care, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as set forth in this document and as hereafter amended.

2.14 “Plan Year” means the calendar year.

2.15“Stock Deferral Account” means the Account established for a Participant to record the Stock Units credited to the Participant.

2.16“Stock Deferral” means an amount credited to the Participant in Stock Units pursuant to Section 4.02.

2.17“Stock Unit” means a unit awarded under the Company’s 2004 Incentive Plan with a value equal to the value of one share of the Company’s common stock. A Stock Unit shall not be evidenced by or convertible into any actual share of the Company’s common stock until it is distributed from the Plan.

2.18“Termination” means termination of the Non-Employee Director’s service on the Board, and termination of any other service relationship with the Company, in a manner that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code section 409A.

2.19“Unforeseeable Emergency” means a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant's spouse, or a dependent (as defined in Code section 152(a)) of the Participant; loss of the Participant's property due to casualty; or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant that would constitute an “unforeseeable emergency” within the meaning of Code section 409A.

ARTICLE III

ELIGIBILITY

3.01Eligibility. Each Non-Employee Director is eligible to participate in the Plan. Each Non-Employee Director shall have the opportunity to defer the receipt of Compensation in accordance with the provisions of Article IV.

3.02Termination of Eligibility. A Non-Employee Director shall automatically cease to be eligible to participate in the Plan when he or she ceases to be a member of the Board, or when he or she becomes an officer or employee of the Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of the Company. A former Non-Employee Director who has ceased to be eligible to participate may not defer further compensation under the Plan. A former Non-Employee Director whose Accounts have not been fully distributed in accordance with Article VI shall retain all of the rights of a Participant under the Plan except the right to make further deferrals.

ARTICLE IV

DEFERRAL REQUIREMENTS

4.01Cash Deferral. For each Plan Year in which he or she is a Non-Employee Director, a Participant may elect to defer up to 50% of Participant’s Compensation as a Cash Deferral. The Chairman of the Committee may waive the 50% limit and may permit a Non-Employee Director to defer up to 100% of Participant’s Compensation as a Cash Deferral. A Participant’s Cash Deferrals shall be credited quarterly to a Cash Deferral Account. All Cash Deferrals (and related investment earnings) shall be 100% vested.

4.02Stock Deferral. For each Plan Year in which he or she is a Non-Employee Director, a Participant may elect to defer up to 100% of Participant’s Compensation as a Stock Deferral. The portion of a Participant’s Compensation that Participant elects to defer as a Stock Deferral shall be converted to a number of Stock Units with a value (as determined by the Committee in its discretion) equal to the amount of Compensation the Participant elected to defer. The Stock Units shall be credited to the Participant’s Stock Deferral Account at the beginning of the Plan Year, and shall vest in accordance with the terms of the Participant’s Stock Unit award agreement.

4.03Timing of Deferral Elections. A Participant must make a deferral election before the applicable deadline set forth below.

(a)First Year of Eligibility. If a Participant wishes to make a deferral election with respect to the Plan Year in which Participant first becomes a Non-Employee Director, the Participant must file a valid deferral election form before Participant’s election or appointment as a Non-Employee Director becomes effective. The Participant’s initial deferral election shall apply only to Compensation attributable to service the Participant performs after the date on which the Company receives Participant’s valid deferral election form.

(b)Subsequent Years. If a Participant wishes to make a deferral election with respect to any Plan Year after the Plan Year in which Participant first becomes a Non-Employee Director, the Participant must file a valid deferral election form before the first day of the Plan Year (or any earlier election deadline established by the Committee). The Participant’s deferral election shall apply only to Compensation attributable to services in the Plan Year following the year in which the Company receives Participant’s valid deferral election form.

4.04Form of Deferral Election. All deferral elections must be in writing, in a form prescribed by the Committee, and must specify the amount deferred and the allocation of the deferred amount between Cash Deferrals and Stock Deferrals. Except to the extent that a change in any aspect of a deferral election is expressly permitted under the Plan, all deferral elections shall be irrevocable on and after the deadline for making the deferral election.

ARTICLE V

INVESTMENT CREDITS

5.01Interest on Cash Deferrals. A Participant’s Cash Deferral Account shall be credited at the end of each calendar quarter with interest at an interest rate established by the Committee before (or as soon as reasonably practicable after) the beginning of the Plan Year. The interest rate shall be based on the Company’s borrowing rate. The interest credit shall not apply to any Cash Deferral that is first credited to the Participant’s Account during the same calendar quarter.

5.02Credits and Adjustments of Stock Deferrals. A Participant’s Stock Deferral Account shall be credited with any dividends on the Company’s Common Stock, and shall be adjusted to reflect any stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, or other changes in capitalization, as if the Stock Units credited to the Stock Deferral Account were actual shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Any credits or adjustments shall be converted to additional whole Stock Units and shall be credited to the Participant’s Stock Deferral Account (with any fractional share credited in cash). To the extent that a dividend, stock split, or similar credit or adjustment is made with respect to Stock Units that have not yet vested, the additional amount shall vest only when the underlying Stock Unit vests.

ARTICLE VI

DISTRIBUTIONS

6.01Time of Payment. The value of a Participant’s vested Accounts shall be distributed in a lump sum upon the earliest to occur of the following events:

(a)	Upon the Participant’s Termination; or
(b)	Upon the Participant’s death; or
(c)	Upon a Change in Control.

Distributions from the Participant’s Cash Deferral Account shall be made exclusively in cash. Distributions from a Participant’s Stock Deferral Account shall be made exclusively in shares of the Company’s common stock, except that the value of a fractional share may be distributed in cash.

6.02Forfeiture of Non-Vested Amounts. If a Participant’s Stock Deferral Account includes any non-vested Stock Units at the time of the Participant’s Termination, the non-vested Stock Units (and any related credits or adjustments) shall be forfeited. Non-vested Stock Units shall become fully vested upon the Participant’s death.

6.03Distributions Upon Death. Each Participant shall designate one or more Beneficiaries (including one or more contingent Beneficiaries) to receive the distribution of the Participant’s Accounts in the event of the Participant’s death. The designation of a Beneficiary shall not be effective for any purpose unless and until it has been filed with the Committee on a form provided for that purpose. If the deceased Participant failed to designate a Beneficiary as provided under the Plan, or if all Beneficiaries predecease the Participant, the distribution, if any, to be made under the Plan in respect of such deceased Participant shall be made to the legal representative or representatives of the estate of the deceased Participant. Any distribution made to any person pursuant to the power and discretion conferred upon the Committee by the preceding sentence shall operate as a complete discharge of all obligations under the Plan in respect of such deceased Participant and shall not be subject to review by anyone, but shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons ever interested under the Plan. A Participant may from time to time change any Beneficiary previously designated by him or her without notice to such Beneficiary, under such rules and regulations as the Committee may from time to time promulgate, but the last Beneficiary designation filed with the Committee shall control.

6.04Unforeseeable Emergency. Except as provided below in the case of an Unforeseeable Emergency, a Participant’s Accounts may not be distributed before an event described in Section 6.01, above, occurs.

(a)Distributions. If a Participant incurs a severe financial hardship as a result of an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Participant may request a distribution from his vested Accounts of an amount that does not exceed the sum of (1) the amount necessary to satisfy the emergency and (2) the amount necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution. The amount necessary to satisfy the emergency and to pay the related taxes shall be determined after taking into account the extent to which the financial hardship is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Participant's assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship). A distribution pursuant to this paragraph shall be made in cash if the distribution is from the Participant’s Cash Deferral Account, and shall be made in shares of the Company’s common stock if the distribution is from the Participant’s Stock Deferral Account.

(b)Suspension of Deferrals. To the extent permitted under Code section 409A, a Participant’s deferral election with respect to the Plan Year in which Participant incurs an Unforeseeable Emergency shall be canceled, and Participant shall receive in cash or shares of common stock, as applicable, the amount that otherwise would have been deferred under Sections 4.01 and 4.02 of the Plan for that Plan Year.

ARTICLE VII

CHANGE IN CONTROL

7.01Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, the term “Change in Control” shall mean a change in the ownership of the Company, a change in the effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, each as set forth below. The definition of “Change in Control” in the Plan is intended to conform to the definition of “change in control” under Code section 409A, and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with that intent. Accordingly, for example, the principles set forth in regulations or other guidance interpreting Code section 409A shall be applied in determining stock ownership, whether persons are acting as a group, whether multiple events are considered together, and any other matter relevant to the definition of “Change in Control.”

(a)Change in Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company occurs on the date when any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. If any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the ownership of the Company (or to cause a change in the effective control of the Company). An increase in the percentage of stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which the Company acquires its stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this section. This paragraph (a) applies only when there is a transfer of stock of the Company (or issuance of stock of the Company) and stock in the Company remains outstanding after the transaction.

(b)Change in Effective Control of the Company. A change in the effective control of the Company occurs on the date that either (1) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 35 percent or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; or (2) a majority of members of the Company’s Board of Directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors prior to the date of the appointment or election. If any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to effectively control the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the effective control of the Company (or to cause a change in the ownership of the Company).

(c)Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or greater than 40 percent of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, “gross fair market value” means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. There is no Change in Control under this paragraph when there is a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the Company immediately after the transfer. A transfer of assets by the Company is not treated as a change in the ownership of such assets if the assets are transferred to (1) a shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock; (2) an entity, 50 percent or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company; (3) a person, or more than one person acting as a group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company; or (4) an entity, at least 50 percent of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in clause (3).

7.02Effect of Change in Control. If a Change in Control occurs, the Company shall, within 30 business days after the Change in Control, vest any deferred amounts that previously were unvested, and distribute all such deferred amounts, and the earnings thereon, to each Participant or Beneficiary in a single lump-sum payment. A distribution from the Participant’s Cash Deferral Account shall be made in cash, and a distribution from the Participant’s Stock Deferral Account shall be made in shares of the Company’s common stock.

ARTICLE VIII

SOURCE OF PAYMENTS

OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The Plan is a non-qualified, unfunded, unsecured deferred compensation plan. Therefore, all benefits owing under the Plan shall be paid out of the Company's general corporate funds, which are subject to the claims of creditors. Neither the Participant nor any Beneficiary shall have any right, title, or interest whatever, or any claim, preferred or otherwise, in or to any particular asset of the Company as a result of participation in this Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust or fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Company and a Participant or any other person. Neither a Participant nor a Beneficiary of a Participant shall acquire any interest greater than that of an unsecured creditor in any assets of the Company.

ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

9.01Administration By Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.

9.02 Authority of the Committee.

(a)Powers. Subject to the terms of the Plan and to the requirements of Code section 409A, the Committee shall have full power and discretionary authority (1) to construe and interpret the Plan and any agreement or instrument entered into under the Plan; (2) to establish, amend, and waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; and (3) to make any other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

(b)Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by law, the Committee (1) may delegate any or all of its authority granted under the Plan to one or more executives of the Company, and (2) may designate one or more individuals who are not Participants (but who may be employees of the Company) to carry out ministerial duties related to the administration of the Plan.

9.03Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions of the Committee (or of any person to whom the Committee has delegated its authority) under the Plan, including questions of construction and interpretation, shall be final, conclusive, and binding on the employees of the Company, the Participants, and their beneficiaries and estates. Whenever the Plan authorizes the Committee or any other person to exercise discretion with respect to any matter, such discretion may be exercised in the sole and absolute discretion of the Committee or such person, subject only to the terms of the Plan and applicable requirements of law.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENT AND

TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

10.01Amendment. The Company reserves the right to amend the Plan, by action of the Board, at any time and from time to time, provided that a copy of any such amendment is delivered to all Participants and/or Beneficiaries following the adoption of the amendment. No amendment or modification shall, without the consent of a Participant or Beneficiary, adversely affect such Participant or Beneficiary’s rights with respect to amounts previously credited to his or her Accounts under the Plan at the time of such amendment.

10.02Termination of Plan. The Company does not assume any obligation to continue the Plan. The Company, pursuant to a written resolution of the Board, shall have the right to terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however, that the termination shall not operate to reduce the amount credited to a Participant’s Accounts at the time the termination is approved. To the extent permitted under Code section 409A, each Participant’s Accounts shall be distributed to the Participant in the form of a lump-sum payment as soon as administratively practicable following the termination of the Plan. If the lump-sum payments described in the preceding sentence are not permitted under Code section 409A, each Participant’s account shall be distributed as rapidly as permitted under Code section 409A.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

11.01Article and Section Headings. The titles or headings of the respective Articles and Sections in this Plan are inserted merely for convenience and shall be given no legal effect.

11.02Notice. Any notice required or permitted to be given to the Committee or the Company under the Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand delivered, sent by registered or certified mail, or delivered in any other manner authorized by the Committee, to the Committee (or to a person designated by the Committee to receive such notices). Such notices, if mailed, shall be addressed to the principal executive offices of the Company. Notice to any Participant shall be given in any manner authorized by the Committee and, if mailed, shall be sent to the Participant's last known address as set forth in the records of the Company.

11.03Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect merger or consolidation, the purchase of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or otherwise. The provision of the Plan with respect to each Participant shall be binding on such Participant's heirs, executors, administrators or other successors in interest.

11.04Nontransferability. The Committee shall recognize the right of an alternate payee named in a domestic relations order to receive all or a portion of a Participant’s Cash Deferral Account under the Plan, provided that (1) the domestic relations order would be a “qualified domestic relations order” within the meaning of Section 414(p) of the Code if Section 414(p) were applicable to the Plan (except that the order may require payment to be made to the alternate payee before the Participant’s earliest retirement age), (2) the domestic relations order does not purport to give the alternate payee any right to assets of the Company or its affiliates, and (3) the domestic relations order does not purport to allow the alternate payee to defer payments beyond the date when the benefits assigned to the alternate payee would have been paid to the Participant. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to domestic relations orders, and except as required under applicable federal, state, or local laws concerning the withholding of tax, the rights of any Participant or Beneficiary to amounts deferred under the Plan, and the earnings thereon, are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or any Beneficiary, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In no event shall the Company make any payment under the Plan to any assignee or creditor of a Participant or Beneficiary.

11.05Compliance With Tax Deferral Requirements. The Plan is intended, and shall be construed, to comply with the requirements of Code section 409A. The Company does not warrant that the Plan will comply with Code section 409A with respect to any Participant or with respect to any payment, however. In no event shall the Company or the Committee be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalty incurred by a Participant or Beneficiary as a result of the Plan’s failure to satisfy the requirements of Code section 409A, or as a result of the Plan’s failure to satisfy any other applicable requirements for the deferral of tax.

11.06Conflict Between Plans. The Stock Units credited to a Participant’s Stock Deferral Account are awarded under the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, and are governed by the terms of that plan and by the award agreement evidencing the Stock Units. In the event of any conflict between the 2004 Incentive Plan or the Stock Unit award agreement and this Plan, (1) any provision of this Plan that is necessary to comply with the requirements of Code section 409A shall govern, and (2) in the case of provisions that are not necessary to comply with the requirements of Code section 409A, the 2004 Incentive Plan or the Stock Unit award agreement, as applicable, shall govern.

11.07Governing Law. THIS PLAN SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO THE EXTENT NOT PREEMPTED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAW. The laws of Maryland shall apply without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

EX-10.14

Exhibit 10.14

Coventry Health Care, Inc. (the “Coventry”)

Summary of Named Executive Officer Compensation

Base Salary

The following table sets forth the current base salaries provided to Coventry’s Chief Executive Officer and four most highly compensated executive officers:

Executive Officer	Current Salary
Dale B. Wolf, Chief Executive Officer	$ 850,000
Thomas P. McDonough, President	$ 850,000
Harvey C. DeMovick, Jr.	$ 600,000
Francis S. Soistman, Jr.	$ 525,000
Shawn M. Guertin	$ 475,000

Executive Management Incentive Plan

2005 Criteria and Bonuses

Coventry’s Chief Executive Officer and four most highly compensated officers are also eligible to receive a bonus each year under Coventry’s Executive Management Incentive Plan (the 2005 Executive Management Incentive Plan (the “2005 EMIP”) was previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Coventry’s Form 8-K filed November 23, 2004. For fiscal year 2005, bonuses under the 2005 EMIP were based on the attainment of budgeted EPS (earnings per share). The bonuses paid to Coventry’s Chief Executive Officer and four most highly compensated executive officers for performance in fiscal year 2005 is set forth below:

Executive Officer	Bonus for 2005
Dale B. Wolf, Chief Executive Officer	$    1,700,000
Thomas P. McDonough, President	$  925,000 (1)
Harvey C. DeMovick, Jr.	$       600,000
Francis S. Soistman, Jr.	$       600,000
Shawn M. Guertin	$       450,000

2006 Criteria

Pursuant to Coventry’s 2006 Executive Management Incentive Plan (the “2006 EMIP”), which was previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Coventry’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 12, 2006, the Compensation Committee of Coventry’s Board of Directors approved the bonus criteria for fiscal year 2006 under the 2006 EMIP. For fiscal year 2006, bonuses under the 2006 EMIP will be predicated on budgeted earnings per share targets.

_________________________

 ⁽¹⁾Plus $500,000 deferred under the 2004 Mid-Term Executive Retention Program.

2004 Mid-Term Executive Retention Program

In addition to their base salaries and bonuses, Coventry’s Chief Executive Officer and four most highly compensated executive officers are also eligible to receive an annual cash award and stock equivalent allocation to an account under the 2004 Mid-Term Executive Retention Program, effective July 1, 2004, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.26 to Coventry’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. The amount of the cash award is a percentage of base salary and bonus earned for the prior year and ranged from 0% to 55%, based on performance and job title. The amount of the stock equivalent allocation is determined by dividing 35% of each participant’s cash award by the average closing market price of Coventry’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange at the time of the award and is subject to Coventry’s attainment of performance goals. Each account will fully vest on July 1, 2006 and will be paid out in cash, subject to the attainment of pre-established performance criteria for each performance period. In the event the performance criteria is not met in any period, the award for that period is forfeited. For the twelve month period ended July 1, 2005, the performance criteria was based on the attainment of budgeted EPS. The performance criteria for the program year was met, and the participants were credited the following amounts in accounts under the 2004 Mid-Term Executive Retention Program:

Executive Officer	2005 Allocation	2005 Stock Equivalent Allocation
Dale B. Wolf, Chief Executive Officer	$ 1,155,000	$   404,250
Thomas P. McDonough, President	$    945,000	$   330,750
Harvey C. DeMovick, Jr.	$    440,000	$   154,000
Francis S. Soistman, Jr.	$    380,000	$   133,000
Shawn M. Guertin	$    272,000	$     95,200

Other Benefit Plans and Arrangements

In addition to their base salaries and bonuses, Coventry’s Chief Executive Officer and four most highly compensated executive officers are also eligible to:

• Participate in Coventry’s long-term incentive plan under its 2004 Incentive Plan, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.17 to Coventry’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed on March 16, 2005, which can be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance awards, other stock-based awards or cash; and

• Participate in Coventry’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.31 to Coventry’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, filed on March 16, 2005, and Exhibit 10 to Coventry’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, filed on August 9, 2005.

EX-10.21

Exhibit 10.21

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the _____ day of _____, 20___ by and between COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”) and                                     (“Holder”).

1.Restricted Stock Award. The Company hereby awards Holder _____ shares (the “Restricted Stock,” which shall include any additional shares or other securities received in respect of the Restricted Stock through stock splits or stock dividends pursuant to Section 3 below or under the Company’s 2004 Incentive Plan) of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Common Stock”), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of the 2004 Incentive Plan. If the terms of this Agreement conflict with or are inconsistent with the terms of the 2004 Incentive Plan, the 2004 Incentive Plan shall control.

2.Restrictions, Performance Goals and Conditions: (a)(i) Restrictions.Commencing with the date hereof, the Holder agrees Holder has no right to, and shall not, sell, transfer, pledge or assign, in whole or in part, the Restricted Stock until (x) all performance goals set forth herein have been attained and (y) the required time period with respect to each increment of Restricted Stock shall have lapsed.

(ii)Performance Goals. This award of Restricted Stock is contingent upon the attainment of the following performance goal: For the year ending December 31, 20___, the Company shall have attained earnings equal to $______ per diluted share of Common Stock. In the event the foregoing performance goal shall not be attained, then this award of Restricted Stock and any cash dividends received on the shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited, and this Agreement shall become null and void.

(iii)Lapse of Restrictions. In the event that the performance goal(s) set forth in Subsection 2(a)(ii) above shall have been met, then the restrictions set forth in Section 2(a)(i)(x) above shall lapse and be no longer in force and effect, and the required time period referenced in Section 2(a)(i)(y) above shall lapse in annual cumulative increments of [one-third] [one-fourth] the number of shares of Restricted Stock awarded herein, with the first annual increment beginning on ________, 20___. From and after each annual date, the shares as to which the above restrictions have lapsed shall be owned by Holder free and clear of all restrictions or limitations of this Agreement. As soon as reasonably practicable after each date the restrictions shall lapse, the Company shall deliver the unrestricted shares to Holder, either by issuing a stock certificate for the unrestricted shares or by transferring the unrestricted shares electronically to Holder’s brokerage account.

(b)Except as provided in this Agreement to the contrary, the Holder shall have, with respect to the Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote the shares and the right to receive any cash dividends. Pursuant to Section 3 below, stock or other security dividends or stock splits issued with respect to Restricted Stock shall be treated as additional Restricted Stock that are subject to the same restrictions and other terms and conditions that apply to the Restricted Stock with respect to which such dividends or splits are issued.

(c)Upon termination of Holder’s service as an employee of the Company for any reason during the term of this Agreement, all shares still subject to restriction will be forfeited, unless such termination is the result of Holder’s death or Disability, in which case the Restricted Stock subject to restriction will immediately vest.

(d)In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, Restricted Stock as to which restrictions have not lapsed will vest as of the date the Change in Control, as applicable, is deemed to have occurred.

3.Adjustments. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, extraordinary cash dividend, stock dividend, stock split or other change in corporate structure affecting the Common Stock, such substitution or adjustment shall be made in the maximum number of shares of Restricted Stock as may be determined to be appropriate by the Committee, in its sole discretion, provided that the number of shares subject to any award shall always be a whole number.

4.Restricted Account/Stock Legend. Holder acknowledges that the Company will either issue the Restricted Stock covered by this Agreement in the name of Holder to be held in an uncertificated restricted account or will issue a stock certificate for the Restricted Stock covered by this Agreement registered in the name of Holder, which certificate bear will bear the legend set forth below and any additional legend required by applicable securities law or by the New York Stock Exchange or any exchange on which the Common Stock may be listed:

The shares evidenced by this certificate are subject to the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Agreement dated _______, 20___ between Coventry Health Care, Inc. and the registered holder hereof.

Holder acknowledges that the certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock, whether certificated or uncertificated, shall be held in the custody of the Company in the name of the Holder until the restrictions lapse and that it is a condition to the effectiveness of this Agreement and the award of the Restricted Stock that Holder deliver to the Company the stock power enclosed herewith, endorsed in blank.

5.Non transferability.The Holder’s rights hereunder shall not be transferable otherwise than as provided in the 2004 Incentive Plan, and the terms thereof shall be binding on the executors, administrators, heirs and successors of Holder.

6.Defined Terms. Defined terms used herein and not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the 2004 Incentive Plan.

7.Amendment: Choice of Law. This Agreement may be amended as provided in the Plan. This Agreement shall be governed by Maryland law.

COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC. HOLDER:

By:
	Dale B. Wolf

Chief Executive Officer                                                                                                                 SS#                                   

EX-21

Exhibit 21

Subsidiaries	State of Organization	Name under which Subsidiary does Business (1)
Altius Health Administrators Inc. (TPA)	Utah
Altius Health Plans Inc. (TPA)	Utah	(UT) Altius
American Life and Health Insurance Company	Missouri
Cambridge Life Insurance Company	Missouri
Carelink Health Plans, Inc. (HMO)	West Virginia
CCN Managed Care, Inc.	Delaware
CHC Casualty Risk Retention Group, Inc. (Reinsurance)	Vermont
Claims Administration Corp.	Delaware
Coventry Financial Management Services, Inc.	Delaware
Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company (Indemnity)	Delaware
Coventry Health Care Investment Corporation	Delaware
Coventry Healthcare Management Corporation	Delaware	(OH) CHC Management Corporation (MO) Coventry Healthcare Management Corporation of Missouri
Coventry Health Care of Delaware, Inc. (HMO)	Delaware	(NJ) Coventry Health Care of New Jersey
Coventry Health Care of Georgia, Inc. (HMO)	Georgia
Coventry Health Care of Iowa, Inc. (HMO)	Iowa
Coventry Health Care of Kansas, Inc. (HMO)	Kansas
Coventry Health Care of Louisiana, Inc. (HMO)	Louisiana
Coventry Health Care of Nebraska, Inc. (HMO)	Nebraska
Coventry Health Care of Pennsylvania, Inc. (HMO)	Pennsylvania
Coventry Management Services, Inc. (CSO, IS and employees)	Pennsylvania
Coventry Prescription Management Services, Inc.	Nevada
Coventry Services Corporation	Delaware
Coventry Transplant Network, Inc.	Delaware
FHC, Inc.	Delaware
First Health Group Corp.	Delaware
First Health Insurance Services, Inc.	Illinois
First Health Life & Health Insurance Company	Delaware
First Health Plus Managed Care Services, Inc.	California
First Health Priority Services, Inc.	Delaware
First Health Services Corporation	Virginia
First Health Services of Florida, Inc.	Delaware

First Health Services of Montana, Inc.	Delaware
First Health Services of North Carolina, Inc.	Delaware
First Health Services of Tennessee, Inc.	Tennessee
First Health Strategies, Inc.	Delaware
Group Health Plan, Inc.	Missouri
Health Care Management, Inc.	Delaware
HealthAmerica Pennsylvania, Inc. (HMO)	Pennsylvania
HealthAssurance Financial Services, Inc.	Delaware
HealthAssurance Pennsylvania, Inc. (RANLI PPO) (Formerly Health PASS, Inc.)	Pennsylvania
HealthCare USA of Missouri, LLC (Medicaid HMO)	Missouri
HealthCare Value Management, Inc.	Massachusetts
OmniCare Health Plan, Inc. (Medicaid HMO)	Michigan
PersonalCare Health Management, Inc.	Illinois
PersonalCare Insurance of Illinois, Inc. (HMO)	Illinois
PPO Oklahoma, Inc.	Oklahoma
Southern Health Services, Inc. (HMO)	Virginia	(VA) Coventry Healthcare (VA) Coventry
SouthCare HMO, Inc.	Georgia
SouthCare PPO, Inc.	Missouri
WellPath Preferred Services, Inc. (TPA)	North Carolina
WellPath Select, Inc.	North Carolina
(1) Unless otherwise noted, each Subsidiary only does business under its legal name as set forth under the heading “Subsidiaries.”

EX-23

Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference of our reports dated March 3, 2006, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Coventry Health Care, Inc., Coventry Health Care, Inc. management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Coventry Health Care, Inc, included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2005, in the following Registration Statements:

Form S-4 Registration Statement No. 333-123014;

Form S-4 Registration Statement No. 333-120300;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-117966;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-122671;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-71806;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-57014;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-81356;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-81358;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-82562;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-87114;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-90268;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-95084;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-97246;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-39581;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-36735;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-47239;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-75615;

Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-107064;

Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-75675;

Form S-4 Registration Statement No. 333-45821;

Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 333-74280;

Form S-4 Registration Statement No. 333-83106

Baltimore, Maryland

March 3, 2006

EX-31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Dale B. Wolf, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Coventry Health Care, Inc.;
   
   
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
   
   
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
   
   
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
   
   
   1. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
      
      
   2. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
      
      
   3. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
      
      
   4. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
      
      
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
   
   
   1. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
      
      
   2. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
      
      

By: /s/ Dale B. Wolf

Dale B. Wolf

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Date: March 8, 2006

EX-31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Shawn M. Guertin, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Coventry Health Care, Inc.;
   
   
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
   
   
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
   
   
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
   
   
   1. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
      
      
   2. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
      
      
   3. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
      
      
   4. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
      
      
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
   
   
   1. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
      
      
   2. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

By: /s/ Shawn M. Guertin

Shawn M. Guertin

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Date: March 8, 2006

EX-32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Coventry Health Care, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), each of the undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: March 8, 2006

By: /s/ Dale B. Wolf

Dale B. Wolf

Chief Executive Officer and Director

By: /s/ Shawn M. Guertin

Shawn M. Guertin

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer