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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As Filed With the Securities and Exchange Commission<BR>
on November 8, 2006
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>52-2073000</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or Other Jurisdiction of <BR>
Incorporation or Organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite&nbsp;900</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>20817</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Bethesda, Maryland</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Coventry Health Care, Inc.<BR>
2004 Incentive Plan</B><BR>
(Full Title of the Plan)

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Dale B. Wolf<BR>
6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite&nbsp;900<BR>
Bethesda, Maryland 20817</B><BR>
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>(301)&nbsp;581 &#151; 0600</B><BR>
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="36%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="21" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed Maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed Maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount Of</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">Title of Securities</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount to Be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Offering Price Per</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Aggregate Offering</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Registration</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">to Be Registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Share (1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Price (1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Fee</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">9,000,000 shares (2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">46.29</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>

<TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">416,610,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">44,577</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="21" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(h)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the offering price
is estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the basis of the
average of the high and low prices of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock as reported on the New
York Stock Exchange on November 6, 2006.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, includes an
indeterminate number of additional shares which may be offered and issued to prevent dilution
resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Registration of Additional Securities</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement is filed pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8 for the
purpose of registering additional shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of Coventry Health Care,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the &#147;Registrant&#148;), for the Registrant&#146;s 2004 Incentive Plan, as
amended.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Incorporation by Reference of Earlier Registration Statements</B>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-117966) previously filed by the
Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;5, 2004 is hereby incorporated by
reference.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="95%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit&nbsp;Number</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Specimen Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1
of the Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K filed on March&nbsp;9, 2006).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Indenture dated as of February&nbsp;1, 2002 between Coventry Health Care, Inc., as
Issuer, and First Union National Bank, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit&nbsp;4.9 to the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;S-4, Registration Statement No.
333-83106).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Note issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of February&nbsp;1, 2002
between Coventry Health Care, Inc., as Issuer, and First Union National Bank,
as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.9 to the Company&#146;s Form
S-4, Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-83106).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Indenture for the 2012 Notes, dated as of January&nbsp;28, 2005, between Coventry
and Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as
Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to Coventry&#146;s Current
Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Note for the 2012 Notes issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of
January&nbsp;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&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.6
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Indenture for the 2015 Notes, dated as of January&nbsp;28, 2005, between Coventry
and Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as
Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 to Coventry&#146;s Current
Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.7
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Note for the 2015 Notes issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of
January&nbsp;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&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.8
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Registration Rights Agreement for the 2012 Notes, dated as of January&nbsp;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 &#038; Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.3
to Coventry&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.9
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Registration Rights Agreement for the 2015 Notes, dated as of January&nbsp;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 &#038; Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.4
to Coventry&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Bass, Berry &#038; Sims PLC.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Bass, Berry &#038; Sims PLC (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bethesda, State of Maryland, on this 2nd day of November,
2006.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="16%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Dale B. Wolf
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">Dale B. Wolf<BR>
Chief Executive Officer and Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes
and appoints Allen F. Wise and Dale B. Wolf, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in
his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this
Registration Statement, and to file the same, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
unto said attorney-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Allen F. Wise

<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Allen F. Wise
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board and Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">November&nbsp;2, 2006</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Dale B. Wolf
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Dale B. Wolf
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Executive Officer and Director<br>(Principal Executive Officer)&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Shawn M. Guertin
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Shawn M. Guertin
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Vice President,<br>Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer<br>(Principal Financial Officer)&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John J. Ruhlmann
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John J. Ruhlmann
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Vice President and Controller<br>(Principal Accounting Officer)&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John H. Austin, Jr., M.D.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John H. Austin, Jr., M.D.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Joel Ackerman
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Joel Ackerman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ L. Dale Crandall
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
L. Dale Crandall
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Emerson D. Farley, Jr., M.D.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Emerson D. Farley, Jr., M.D.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Lawrence N. Kugelman
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Lawrence N. Kugelman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Daniel N. Mendelson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Daniel N. Mendelson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">November&nbsp;2, 2006</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Rodman W. Moorhead, III
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Rodman W. Moorhead, III
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert W. Morey
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert W. Morey
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Elizabeth E. Tallett
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Elizabeth E. Tallett
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Timothy T. Weglicki
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Timothy T. Weglicki
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;2, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="95%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit&nbsp;Number</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Specimen Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1
of the Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K filed on March&nbsp;9, 2006).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Indenture dated as of February&nbsp;1, 2002 between Coventry Health Care, Inc., as
Issuer, and First Union National Bank, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit&nbsp;4.9 to the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;S-4, Registration Statement No.
333-83106).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Note issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of February&nbsp;1, 2002
between Coventry Health Care, Inc., as Issuer, and First Union National Bank,
as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.9 to the Company&#146;s Form
S-4, Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-83106).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Indenture for the 2012 Notes, dated as of January&nbsp;28, 2005, between Coventry
and Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as
Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to Coventry&#146;s Current
Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Note for the 2012 Notes issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of
January&nbsp;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&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.6
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Indenture for the 2015 Notes, dated as of January&nbsp;28, 2005, between Coventry
and Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as
Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.2 to Coventry&#146;s Current
Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.7
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of Note for the 2015 Notes issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of
January&nbsp;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&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.8
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Registration Rights Agreement for the 2012 Notes, dated as of January&nbsp;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 &#038; Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.3
to Coventry&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.9
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Registration Rights Agreement for the 2015 Notes, dated as of January&nbsp;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 &#038; Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.4
to Coventry&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated January&nbsp;28, 2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Bass, Berry &#038; Sims PLC.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Bass, Berry &#038; Sims PLC (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "COVENTRY HEALTH CARE INC", "cik": "0001054833", "assigned-sic": "6324", "irs-number": "522073000", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-138523", "film-number": "061198570"}, "business-address": {"street1": "6705 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE", "street2": "SUITE 900", "city": "BETHESDA", "state": "MD", "zip": "20817", "phone": "3015810600"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "6705 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE", "street2": "SUITE 900", "city": "BETHESDA", "state": "MD", "zip": "20817"}}
sv8
As Filed With the Securities and Exchange Commission
on November 8, 2006
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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 No.)
6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 900
20817
Bethesda, Maryland
(Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Coventry Health Care, Inc.
2004 Incentive Plan
(Full Title of the Plan)
Dale B. Wolf
6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 900
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
(301) 581 — 0600
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Amount Of
Title of Securities
Amount to Be
Offering Price Per
Aggregate Offering
Registration
to Be Registered
Registered
Share (1)
Price (1)
Fee
Common Stock
9,000,000 shares (2)
$
46.29
$
416,610,000
$
44,577
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the offering price
is estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the basis of the
average of the high and low prices of the Registrant's Common Stock as reported on the New
York Stock Exchange on November 6, 2006.
(2)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, includes an
indeterminate number of additional shares which may be offered and issued to prevent dilution
resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
Registration of Additional Securities
This Registration Statement is filed pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8 for the
purpose of registering additional shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of Coventry Health Care,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Registrant"), for the Registrant's 2004 Incentive Plan, as
amended.
Incorporation by Reference of Earlier Registration Statements
The Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-117966) previously filed by the
Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2004 is hereby incorporated by
reference.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit Number
Description
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2006).
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).
5
Opinion of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.
23.1
Consent of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC (included in Exhibit 5).
23.2
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
24
Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement).
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bethesda, State of Maryland, on this 2nd day of November,
2006.
COVENTRY HEALTH CARE, INC.
By:
/s/ Dale B. Wolf
Dale B. Wolf
Chief Executive Officer and Director
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes
and appoints Allen F. Wise and Dale B. Wolf, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in
his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this
Registration Statement, and to file the same, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
unto said attorney-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Allen F. Wise
Allen F. Wise
Chairman of the Board and Director
November 2, 2006
/s/ Dale B. Wolf
Dale B. Wolf
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
November 2, 2006
/s/ Shawn M. Guertin
Shawn M. Guertin
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
November 2, 2006
/s/ John J. Ruhlmann
John J. Ruhlmann
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
November 2, 2006
/s/ John H. Austin, Jr., M.D.
John H. Austin, Jr., M.D.
Director
November 2, 2006
/s/ Joel Ackerman
Joel Ackerman
Director
November 2, 2006
/s/ L. Dale Crandall
L. Dale Crandall
Director
November 2, 2006
/s/ Emerson D. Farley, Jr., M.D.
Emerson D. Farley, Jr., M.D.
Director
November 2, 2006
/s/ Lawrence N. Kugelman
Lawrence N. Kugelman
Director
November 2, 2006
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Daniel N. Mendelson
Daniel N. Mendelson
Director
November 2, 2006
/s/ Rodman W. Moorhead, III
Rodman W. Moorhead, III
Director
November 2, 2006
/s/ Robert W. Morey
Robert W. Morey
Director
November 2, 2006
/s/ Elizabeth E. Tallett
Elizabeth E. Tallett
Director
November 2, 2006
/s/ Timothy T. Weglicki
Timothy T. Weglicki
Director
November 2, 2006
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
Description
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2006).
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).
5
Opinion of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC.
23.1
Consent of Bass, Berry & Sims PLC (included in Exhibit 5).
23.2
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
24
Power of Attorney (included on signature page of this Registration Statement).