ST. LOUIS, APRIL 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) has been notified by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) that Buckeye Community Health Plan, Centene's Ohio subsidiary, was one of four incumbent health plans that was not awarded a contract to continue serving Medicaid members in Ohio, effective January 2013. Centene intends to file a formal protest within the required seven-day notice period.
Buckeye currently employs 300 local employees and serves 159,900 members in four service regions of the state. Buckeye has been a participant in the Ohio Medicaid Managed Care Program since 2004 for Covered Families and Children (CFC) and since 2007 for Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD).
"We are extremely disappointed in the state's decision and plan to formally protest the outcome," said Jesse Hunter, Executive Vice President of Operations of Centene. "We believe there were fundamental flaws in the procurement process, and we plan to pursue all available remedies."
"We stand behind our performance as a contractor in Ohio since 2004," said Steven White, President and CEO of Buckeye Community Health Plan. "Buckeye is the highest rated Ohio Medicaid health plan in the NCQA rankings for 2011-2012, which is a testament to the quality of service we provide to our members. Our multiple, award-winning programs – such as our Start Smart for Your Baby pregnancy management program and our Connections program, which provides attention to chronically ill members – have resulted in better health outcomes for Ohio's most vulnerable citizens."
This announcement is expected to be immaterial to Centene's 2012 earnings.
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 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.
SOURCE Centene Corporation