ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that Bridgeway Health Solutions of Arizona (Bridgeway), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, has received notification from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) that it has been awarded a contract to provide Acute Care services to Medicaid recipients in the Yavapai Service Area.

Bridgeway has accepted the contract award, which is effective October 1, 2008, with a three-year term and two one-year options to renew. This is the third contract awarded to Centene by the State of Arizona. Bridgeway currently provides long-term care services to members in Maricopa and Yuma/LaPaz Service Areas and will build upon its existing operations in Phoenix, Arizona to serve these new members. Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona currently provides behavioral health services in the counties of Yuma, La Paz, Pinal and Gila.

Jesse N. Hunter, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development for Centene, stated, "We appreciate the opportunity to expand our operations in the State of Arizona. We are pleased about the competitive benefit in being the only new entrant into the Acute Care program and the impact this has on our long-term ability to develop our Arizona businesses."

Recognizing the start date of October 1, 2008, we expect no significant financial impact in 2008.

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), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). The Company operates health plans in Arizona, 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, life and 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.

Source: Centene Corporation