ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 7, 2006--Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that it has submitted a formal appeal to the Kansas Department of Administration in response to the State's selection of new Medicaid providers. On August 25th, the Kansas Health Policy Authority notified FirstGuard Health Plan Kansas, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene, that its contract would end December 31, 2006.
Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Centene, stated, "We have conducted a thorough review of the State's request for proposal (RFP) process and believe we have substantial grounds for undertaking this appeal. We remain committed to our employees, providers and members given our long-standing involvement and tenure in the State of Kansas."
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, managed vision, nurse triage, pharmacy benefit management and treatment compliance. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com.
About FirstGuard Health Plan Kansas, Inc.
FirstGuard Health Plan Kansas, Inc. has had a contract with the State of Kansas since 1999. Throughout this time the organization has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the health outcomes for members, partnership with providers and operational excellence. Examples include the Community Health Record pilot project, passage and implementation of the hospital assessment with increased provider reimbursement and quality improvement projects specific to asthma, low birthweight babies and childhood obesity.
CONTACT: Centene Corporation Lisa M. Wilson, 212-759-3929 or Robert J. Schenk, 314-725-4477
SOURCE: Centene Corporation