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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 FTxeP4aoO9WjFfFFQuo6FH7/mhSw9zIXp3xaAQLWQ/vT67LMHrXtP2B7H4Up+mtl
 I2qJD8TcvkZU3+xMlnh1rw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-052555.txt : 20080911
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-052555.hdr.sgml : 20080911
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080911141049
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-052555
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080908
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080911
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080911

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000019411
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-HOSPITALS [8060]
		IRS NUMBER:				581076937
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6950 COLUMBIA GATEWAY
		STREET 2:		STE 400
		CITY:			COLUMBIA
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21046
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4109531000

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CHARTER MEDICAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Rubin Jonathan N
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001444811

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06639
		FILM NUMBER:		081066982

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		860-507-1900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 NOD ROAD
		CITY:			AVON
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06001
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd218338.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-09-08</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000019411</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MAGELLAN HEALTH SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MGLN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001444811</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Rubin Jonathan N</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>55 NOD ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AVON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06001</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Financial Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jonathan N. Rubin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-09-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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