ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced its Texas subsidiary, Superior HealthPlan Network (Superior Network), has received notification from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) that STAR Health, the state's new healthcare program to improve services and better coordinate care for children in foster care, will begin on April 1, 2008. Managed care services to participants in foster care will be provided through a contract with Superior Network, an exclusive provider organization that has been operating in Texas since 2004.
Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Centene Corporation, stated, "We are pleased to receive notification that this important program for Texas foster care children will be underway by spring of next year. Superior Network has been working diligently to prepare for this rollout and is primed to implement healthcare services that will have a positive impact on the unique needs of Texas foster care children statewide."
Eric Slusser, Centene Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, stated, "As previously disclosed, we will provide 2008 financial guidance in December 2007, which will include the effect of Texas Foster Care."
As of June 30, 2007, Superior Network and its sister health plan, Superior HealthPlan, Inc., served a total of 333,900 members under the Texas Medicaid and Texas Children's Health Insurance Plan.
About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Company operates health plans in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. In addition, the Company contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, health management, long-term care, managed vision, nurse triage, pharmacy benefits management and treatment compliance. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com.
About Superior HealthPlan
Superior HealthPlan (Superior) is a health maintenance organization that has been providing services in Texas since 1999. Superior is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise offering both core Medicaid and specialty services. Information regarding Superior is available via the Internet at www.superiorhealthplan.com.
Source: Centene Corporation