ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 2005--Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that it will present at the Merrill Lynch 2005 Health Services Investor Conference, which will be held November 29-30, 2005, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will present on Tuesday, November 29, at 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Investors and other interested parties are invited to listen to the presentation via a live, Internet broadcast at: http://www.wsw.com/webcast/ml48/cnc/ or on the Company's website at: www.centene.com.

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, disease management, nurse triage and treatment compliance. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com.

CONTACT: Centene Corporation Lisa M. Wilson, 212-759-3929

SOURCE: Centene Corporation