ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 22, 2003--Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) announced today that it will present at the 22nd Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference. The conference will be held at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, California.

Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's President and Chief Executive Officer, will present on Monday, January 12, 2004 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time (7:30 p.m. Eastern Time). The presentation will be available as a live audio webcast at www.mapdigital.com/events/jpmorgan/healthcare04, then archived for on-demand listening until January 25, 2004.

About Centene Corporation

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). The company operates health plans in Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana and New Jersey. In addition, the company contracts with other healthcare organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, nurse triage and pharmacy compliance. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com.

CONTACT: Centene Corporation Mr. Michael F. Neidorff, 314-725-4477 or Investor Relations: Lisa M. Wilson, 212-759-3929

SOURCE: Centene Corporation