ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 2006--Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that it has received notification from the Kansas Department of Administration indicating its bid protest has been denied regarding the 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 disagree with today's decision by the Kansas Department of Administration, and we remain concerned about the potential impact to our members. We are currently reviewing all available remedies and will continue to pursue our active pending petition in Kansas state court. We look forward to the state court hearing on October 26th to review our request for judicial review and injunctive relief. FirstGuard Health Plan Kansas remains fully 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
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
or
Robert J. Schenk, 314-725-4477
Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications
SOURCE: Centene Corporation