ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1, 2010/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Centene Corporation's (NYSE: CNC) Florida subsidiary, Sunshine State Health Plan (Sunshine State), has completed the purchase of the Medicaid and Long-Term Care Diversion assets of Citrus Health Care, Inc. (Citrus), a managed healthcare services company.

With the acquisition, Sunshine State now provides managed care services for over 190,000 Medicaid members as well as for nearly 2,000 Long-Term Care Diversion members in Florida.  Sunshine State is working closely with Citrus to ensure a seamless transition for members, providers and other stakeholders.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care, long-term care, other state-sponsored programs and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). Centene's CeltiCare subsidiary offers states unique "exchange-based" and other cost-effective coverage solutions for low-income populations. The company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, managed vision, telehealth services, and pharmacy benefits management. More information regarding Centene is available at www.centene.com.

SOURCE Centene Corporation