ST. LOUIS, Nov. 30, 2011  /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today that Nurtur, its subsidiary which provides life, health and wellness programs, has been awarded a contract to provide disease management services for state employees in Louisiana.

More than 180,000 beneficiaries are eligible under the contract, including employees their spouses, dependents and retirees.

"Nurtur is honored to be selected by the state of Louisiana," said Dan Cave, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Our purpose at Nurtur is to improve the health and productivity of our members through innovative programs promoting healthier lifestyles and over all well-being."  The services for this new group, expected to begin in January 2012, will focus on Diabetes, Heart Failure, Asthma and other life threatening issues.

The financial impact of the contract will be included in 2012 guidance provided in December.

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 underinsured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and long-term care, in addition to 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.

About Nurtur

Nurtur Health, Inc. (Nurtur), a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene, is a life, health and wellness company that provides health management and work-life programs and services to multi-market segments including government agencies, benefit plan sponsors, commercial health plans, employers, third party administrators (TPAs) and unions. More information regarding Nurtur is available at www.nurturhealth.com.

SOURCE Centene Corporation