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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-08-067305.txt : 20081224
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-08-067305.hdr.sgml : 20081224
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081224113111
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-08-067305
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081222
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081224
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081224

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALLISON R DIRK
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001253500

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-33267
		FILM NUMBER:		081269520

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2525 WEST END AVE STE 600
		STREET 2:		C/O RENAL CARE GROUP INC
		CITY:			NASHVILLE
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37203

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001129623
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-NURSING & PERSONAL CARE FACILITIES [8050]
		IRS NUMBER:				431723043
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 N HARWOOD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1500
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		214-922-9711

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 N HARWOOD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1500
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001129623</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ODYSSEY HEALTHCARE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ODSY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001253500</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ALLISON R DIRK</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>717 N. HARWOOD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. V.P. &amp; CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3307</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.16</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>95136</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The amount shown is the closing price on Friday, December 19, 2008 per the definition of &quot;Fair Market Value&quot; in the Odyssey HealthCare, Inc. 2001 Equity-Based Compensation Plan for purposes of valuing for federal income tax the vesting of the restricted stock units and the tax withholding obligation related to such vesting, since the vesting occurred on a non-trading day.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The total number of shares beneficially owned consists of 18,386 shares of common stock and 76,750 restricted stock units.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ W. Bradley Bickham, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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