-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 cYeE5YuQKIxCxrgdq/Y9bA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-03-003693.txt : 20031003
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-03-003693.hdr.sgml : 20031003
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031003113308
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-03-003693
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031001
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031003

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENESIS HEALTH VENTURES INC /PA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000874265
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES [8051]
		IRS NUMBER:				061132947
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 EAST STATE STREET
		CITY:			KENNETT SQUARE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19348
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6104446350

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 EAST STATE STREET
		CITY:			KENNETT SQUARE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19348

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GERBINO PHILIP P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001220422

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	033-51670
		FILM NUMBER:		03926792

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GENESIS HEALTH VENTURES
		STREET 2:		101 E. STATE ST.,
		CITY:			KENNETT SQUARE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19348
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6109254001

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GENESIS HEALTH VENTURES
		STREET 2:		200 BRICKSTONE SQUARE
		CITY:			ANDOVER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01810
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-10-01</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000874265</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENESIS HEALTH VENTURES INC /PA</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GHVI</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001220422</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GERBINO PHILIP P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>UNIV. OF SCIENCES IN PHILADELPHIA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>609 S. 43RD ST.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PHILADELPHIA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19104-4495</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<derivativeTable>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common Stock (Right to Buy)</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>24.21</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-10-01</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>2500</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>24.21</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<value>2003-10-01</value>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>2013-10-01</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>2500</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>30000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<remarks></remarks>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Philip P. Gerbino</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-10-03</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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