ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2006--Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that it has received notification from the Shawnee County District Court, which dismissed a FirstGuard Health Plan Kansas, Inc. (FirstGuard) petition regarding the selection of new Medicaid providers. On August 25th, the Kansas Health Policy Authority notified FirstGuard, 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, "While we are disappointed by the District Court action, this was only one of two pending petitions. We are continuing to move forward with the second petition."
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 benefits 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
Robert J. Schenk, Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications, 314-725-4477
SOURCE: Centene Corporation