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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>0001249013-04-000173.txt : 20041215
<SEC-HEADER>0001249013-04-000173.hdr.sgml : 20041215
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041215191249
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001249013-04-000173
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041213
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041215
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041215

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MILLER SAMUEL V
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001081113

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31700
		FILM NUMBER:		041206075

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9206615418

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		AMERICAN MEDICAL SECURITY GROUP INC
		STREET 2:		3100 AMS BLVD
		CITY:			GREEN BAY
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			54313

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001027974
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS [6324]
		IRS NUMBER:				954591529
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5995 PLAZA DRIVE
		CITY:			CYPRESS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90630-5028
		BUSINESS PHONE:		714-952-1121

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5995 PLAZA DRIVE
		CITY:			CYPRESS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90630-5028

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	N T HOLDINGS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19961204
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001027974</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PACIFICARE HEALTH SYSTEMS INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PHS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001081113</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MILLER SAMUEL V</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5995 PLAZA DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CYPRESS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90630</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>54.57</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-12-13</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-12-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>31000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13400</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Option granted under the PHS 1996 Stock Option Plan for Officers and Key Employees in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3.  The option vests in three equal annual installments commencing on the date two years after the grant date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">(2)	Restricted stock units granted under the Stock Unit Deferred Compensation Plan (the &quot;Stock Unit Plan&quot;), which units represent shares of restricted stock of PHS granted under the 1996 Plan in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3.  The underlying restricted stock granted under the 1996 Plan was subject to mandatory deferral into restricted stock units under the Stock Unit Plan as follows:  (i) 50% of the units become distributable upon the earlier of retirement or termination of the Reporting Person and (ii) 50% of the units become distributable on the date four years after the grant date (or such later date as may be elected by the Reporting Person).  The underlying shares of restricted stock represented by the units vest in three equal annual installments commencing on the date two years after the grant date.  Under the Stock Unit Plan, the units are converted into underlying shares of restricted stock upon distribution.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Samuel V Miller</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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