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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 NtxxMB193zflcfb8IsOYU2Oi/B6ulANiE6UCCkNTUIicCBjS/UzpVFvbdXZqvWMT
 0pz5rpON4R4OWzqS6HfSug==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001054833-06-000116.txt : 20060823
<SEC-HEADER>0001054833-06-000116.hdr.sgml : 20060823
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060823130651
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001054833-06-000116
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060823
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060823
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060823

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MANSHEIM BERNARD J MD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001232187

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16477
		FILM NUMBER:		061050417

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6705 ROCKLEDGE DR
		STREET 2:		#900
		CITY:			BETHESDA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20817

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COVENTRY HEALTH CARE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001054833
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS [6324]
		IRS NUMBER:				522073000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6705 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 900
		CITY:			BETHESDA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20817
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3015810600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6705 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 900
		CITY:			BETHESDA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20817
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-08-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001054833</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COVENTRY HEALTH CARE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CVH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001232187</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MANSHEIM BERNARD J MD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6705 ROCKLEDGE DR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>#900</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BETHESDA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20817</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP &amp; Chief Med. Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-08-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>53.65</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>163438</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes the following: Table I- Non-Derivative Securities comprised of 16,371 shares held directly, 11,205 shares held indirectly by managed account, 68,362 shares held outright as awards of restricted common stock with restrictions lapsed or lapsing in equal increments over 4 year periods; and Table II- Derivative Securities comprised of stock options representing 67,500 shares of common stock granted at various times and vesting schedules, held directly.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">See Footnote #1 for shares held directly and indirectly.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Bernard J. Mansheim, M.D.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-08-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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