<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-06-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001131324</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENOMIC HEALTH INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GHDX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001263508</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER BROS. ADVISORS LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001551138</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>14159, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001551139</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>667, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001087940</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER FELIX</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001087939</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BAKER JULIAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001580575</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>New York</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001551132</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Baker Bros. Investments II, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001551136</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Baker Bros. Investments, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001363364</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Baker Brothers Life Sciences LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001551137</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Baker/Tisch Investments, LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISION AVENUE, 21ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10065</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>31.53</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-06-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2018-06-16</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2027-06-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnotes</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">10,000 non-qualified stock options (the &quot;Stock Options&quot;) convertible solely into common shares of Genomic Health, Inc. (the &quot;Issuer&quot;) were granted to Felix J. Baker and 10,000 Stock Options were granted to Julian C. Baker pursuant to the Issuer's Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. The Stock Options have a strike price of $31.53 and fully vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant or immediately prior to the Issuer's annual meeting of stockholders, if earlier. Felix J. Baker and Julian C. Baker serve on the Issuer's Board of Directors (the &quot;Board&quot;) as a representative of the Funds (as defined below). Pursuant to the policies of Baker Bros. Advisors LP (the &quot;Adviser&quot;), Felix J. Baker and Julian C. Baker do not have any right to any of the Issuer's securities issued as part of their service on the Board and the Funds (as defined below) are entitled to receive all of the pecuniary interest in the securities issued.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Baker/Tisch Investments, L.P. (&quot;Baker Tisch&quot;), Baker Bros. Investments, L.P. (&quot;Baker Bros. Investments&quot;), Baker Bros. Investments II, L.P. (&quot;Baker Bros. Investments II&quot;), 667, L.P. (&quot;667&quot;), Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. (&quot;Life Sciences&quot;) and 14159, L.P. (&quot;14159&quot;, and together with Baker Tisch, Baker Bros. Investments, Baker Bros. Investments II, 667, and Life Sciences, the &quot;Funds&quot;) each own an indirect proportionate pecuniary interest in the Stock Options. Solely as a result of their ownership interest in the general partners of the general partners of the Funds, Felix J. Baker and Julian C. Baker may be deemed to have an indirect pecuniary interest in the Stock Options (ie. no direct pecuniary interest).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The Adviser serves as the Investment Adviser to the Funds. In connection with the services provided by the Adviser, the Adviser receives an asset-based management fee that does not confer any pecuniary interest in the securities held by the Funds. Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC (the &quot;Adviser GP&quot;) is the Adviser's sole general partner. Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker are principals of the Adviser GP. The Adviser has complete and unlimited discretion and authority with respect to the investment and voting power of the securities held by the Funds.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The general partners of the Funds have relinquished to the Adviser all discretion and authority with respect to the investment and voting power of the securities held by the Funds. Julian C. Baker, Felix J. Baker, the Adviser GP and the Adviser disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities held directly by the Funds except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that any of Julian C. Baker, Felix J. Baker, the Adviser GP or the Adviser is a beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or any other purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Felix J. Baker and Julian C. Baker are directors of Genomic Health Inc. (the &quot;Issuer&quot;). By virtue of their representation on the Board of Directors of the Issuer, for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the reporting persons are deemed directors by deputization of the Issuer.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ By: Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Name: Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. Adviser to 14159, L.P.,pursuant to authority granted by 14159 Capital,L.P., GP to 14159, L.P. Name: Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. Adviser to 667, L.P.,pursuant to authority granted by Baker Biotech Capital, L.P., GP to 667, L.P. Name: Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Felix J. Baker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Julian C. Baker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ By: Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC, Name: Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. Adviser to Baker Bros. Investments II, L.P.,pursuant to authority granted by Baker Bros. Capital, L.P., GP to Baker Bros. Investments II, L.P. Name: Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. Adviser to Baker Bros. Investments, L.P.,pursuant to authority granted by Baker Bros. Capital, L.P., GP to Baker Bros. Investments, L.P. Name:Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. Adviser to Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P.,pursuant to authority granted by Baker Brothers Life Sciences Capital,L.P., GP to Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. Name:Scott L. Lessing, Title: President</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Baker Bros. Advisors LP, Mgmt. Co. and Inv. Adviser to Baker/Tisch Investments, L.P.,pursuant to authority granted by Baker/Tisch Capital, L.P., GP to Baker/Tisch Investments, L.P. Name:Scott L. Lessing, Title: President /s/ Scott L. Lessing</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
