ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 2, 2003--Centene Corporation (Nasdaq:CNTE) announced today the appointment of Daniel R. Paquin to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Health Plan Business Group, effective immediately. Mr. Paquin will assume profit and loss responsibility for Health Plan operations in all markets, and will manage Centene's future initiatives in integrating newly acquired plans and organizing start-up operations in new markets.

Mr. Paquin has served in increasingly senior positions at several Healthcare Services companies providing services to Medicaid and Medicare members. Mr. Paquin joins Centene from United Healthcare, where he served as Regional President, Midwest/Medicaid. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Operations at AmeriChoice Health Services, before which he was Regional Vice President, Northeast Region at Comprehensive Care Corporation.

Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased to welcome Dan Paquin to our management team. He has extensive experience in developing and managing Medicaid plans in diverse markets including New Jersey, Centene's newest market. We believe that his expertise will contribute to our continued growth in our current markets and to the success of our efforts at increasing operating efficiencies while also ensuring the effective utilization of other strategic business units."

A U.S. Navy veteran, Mr. Paquin holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University, and completed the Senior Executive Advanced Management Program at Duke University.

Centene Corporation provides managed care programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Centene now operates health plans in Wisconsin, Indiana, Texas and New Jersey. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com.

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