ST. LOUIS, June 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) has been notified by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) that Buckeye Community Health Plan (Buckeye), Centene's Ohio subsidiary, has been selected as one of five health plans to be awarded a contract to serve Medicaid members in Ohio, effective January 2013.

Under the new state contract, Buckeye will operate statewide through Ohio's three newly aligned regions (West, Central/Southeast, and Northeast). Coverage for both CFC and ABD recipients has been combined into a single contract for each region.

The ODJFS on April 6, 2012, initially announced five health plans had been selected as part of the state's recent RFA process. Buckeye was not among the plans selected at that time and was one of five plans that filed a formal protest on April 16. After review of applications, the protests, and other correspondences from the applicants and, after a rescoring of the applications, the ODJFS has recommended Buckeye to be awarded a Medicaid contract.

"We have long been committed to carrying out our mission of delivering innovative healthcare solutions that result in healthy outcomes for Ohio's Medicaid recipients, and we are pleased to continue our partnership with the state of Ohio," said Steven White, President and CEO of Buckeye Community Health Plan.

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