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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QCR4rBzfnwl6+OLo4BQT8MGclge7b4rtSuOB6L40UQ36DGN8q6mjRL63HtEpTiPF
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001232187-03-000001.txt : 20030714
<SEC-HEADER>0001232187-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030714
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030714160137
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001232187-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030711
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030714

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:		03785487

	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>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-11</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>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. VP and Chief Med. Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-11</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>2638</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>51.45</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>134400</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Dr. Mansheim's address is:  6705 Rockledge Dr., Suit #900, Bethesda, MD 20817.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Sale of securities back to Coventry Health Care, Inc. to satisfy tax withholding on vesting of Restricted Stock Grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes the following shares:  Table I Non-Derivative Securities comprised of 7,880 shares held outright, 4,491 shares held indirectly,50,779 shares held outright as restricted common stock; and Table II- Derivative Securities comprised of stock options representing 71,250 shares of common stock granted at various times and vesting schedules.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">See Footnote #3 for shares held directly and indirectly.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Bernard J. Mansheim, M.D.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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