ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2005--Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) announced today that it will present at the Smith Barney Citigroup Small & Mid-Cap Conference, which will be held February 16-17, 2005, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will present on Thursday, February 17, 2005, at 1:45 p.m. Mountain Time. The presentation will be available as a live, audio webcast, then archived for 15 days, at http://www.veracast.com/webcasts/sbcitigroup/smc05/63207216.cfm.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation provides multi-line 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 Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin. 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, St. Louis Investor Relations: Lisa M. Wilson, 212-759-3929

SOURCE: Centene Corporation