ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2004--Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) today announced the following personnel promotions, which are effective immediately:

    --  Cary Hobbs, formerly Vice President, Strategy and Business
        Implementation, was named Senior Vice President, Strategy and
        Business Implementation. In addition to coordinating Centene's
        business research and strategy implementation activities, Ms.
        Hobbs is responsible for the oversight and ongoing
        implementation of the company's Corporate Ethics & Compliance
        program, as well as the Corporate Communications, Legal
        Affairs, Customer Service, Member Services and Provider
        Affairs departments. She continues to report to Michael F.
        Neidorff, Centene's President and Chief Executive Officer.

    --  John (Jay) Belew was promoted to Vice President, Claims
        Operations. He has served as Director of Centene's Claims
        Operations since joining the company in 2001. He reports to
        Chuck Mangene, Vice President of Health & Claims Information
        Systems.

    --  H. Robert Sanders, who had been Centene's Director of
        Compensation and Benefits since joining the company in January
        2003, was promoted to Vice President, Compensation and
        Benefits. He reports to Carol Goldman, Senior Vice President
        and Chief Administrative Officer.

Ms. Hobbs and Mr. Sanders will continue to work out of Centene's St. Louis headquarters. Mr. Belew remains based at the company's Farmington, Mo. office.

"The dedication and hard work of each of these individuals have had a tremendous positive impact on the growth of the Centene Corporation," said Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's President and Chief Executive Officer. "These promotions are much deserved, and reflect our continued confidence in their abilities."

Ms. Hobbs has worked in the managed care industry for the past 11 years. Before joining Centene in 1997, she was responsible for the development and implementation of the corporate Community Relations and Communications departments for both Coventry and United HealthCare Corporation Plans. She is a graduate of Valparaiso University and holds a master's degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

Mr. Belew is a 19-year veteran of the managed care industry. Prior to joining Centene, he was Senior Regional Director for Cigna with responsibility for the claims and service operations of the company's Tennessee market. He holds a B.S.B.A. in accounting/data processing from the University of Arkansas.

Mr. Sanders is a Certified Public Accountant with approximately 15 years of human resources experience at Peabody Energy and Mercantile Bank. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Millikin University in Decatur, IL and a master's degree in human resources management from Washington University in St. Louis.

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, New Jersey and Ohio. 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 Michael F. Neidorff, 314-725-4477 or Investor Relations Lisa M. Wilson, 212-759-3929

SOURCE: Centene Corporation