ST. LOUIS, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 2006--Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) and Windsor Health Group, Inc. today announced the creation of a Tennessee-based partnership. The purpose of the partnership will be to evaluate a joint response to the State of Tennessee Request for Proposal for Managed Care Organizations for the Middle Grand Region. The joint venture will be owned 80% by Centene Corporation and 20% by Windsor Health Group, Inc., and will be governed by a Board of Directors representing both companies.

Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Centene, stated, "We are pleased to have formed this joint venture for purposes of evaluating and potentially responding to the RFP with a well-respected and experienced partner in the Tennessee market." Through its VHP CommunityCare subsidiary, Windsor has operated successfully in the TennCare program since TennCare's inception in 1994.

"We believe that the benefits of the joint venture include combining the specific Tennessee market knowledge and experience of VHP CommunityCare with the multi-state experience, financial resources and operating scale of Centene," said Philip Hertik, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Windsor Health Group. The response to the Request for Proposal is due June 30, 2006 and offers the two contract award winners the opportunity to manage a portion of the approximately 350,000 eligible members in the Middle Grand Region.

"We look forward to working with Centene as our partner, which allows us to bring a highly credible national Medicaid company together with Windsor's local experience to the Nashville market," concluded Hertik.

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 Georgia, 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, pharmacy benefit management and treatment compliance. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com.

About Windsor Health Group

Windsor Health Group, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, TN, provides managed healthcare services to eligible enrollees in the TennCare and Medicare programs in the state of Tennessee. Through its subsidiaries, Windsor markets VHP CommunityCare, Windsor MedicareExtra, and Windsor HomeCare Network.

CONTACT: Centene Corporation Investor Relations: Lisa M. Wilson, 212-0759-3929 Senior Vice President, or Windsor Health Group Dye Van Mol & Lawrence Public Relations: Heather McDonald, 615-244-1818

SOURCE: Centene Corporation