- Centene Corporation Reports 2012 Second Quarter Results -

-- DILUTED EPS COMPOSED OF $(0.16) LOSS FROM OPERATIONS AND $(0.52) IMPAIRMENT CHARGE --

ST. LOUIS, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2012. During the second quarter of 2012, the Company recorded a loss of $(0.68) per diluted share composed of a $(0.16) loss from operations and an impairment loss of $(0.52), compared to net earnings per share of $0.54 in the prior year and $0.45 in the preceding quarter. The losses were the result of three primary factors:

In the Texas health plan, the Company experienced a high level of medical costs related to the March 1, 2012, expansion areas.
In the Kentucky health plan, the Company experienced increased medical costs primarily resulting from the retroactive assignment of members and a high level of non-inpatient claims receipts during the quarter.
In the Celtic subsidiary, the Company experienced a high level of medical costs related to individual health policies. This was primarily associated with recently issued policies related to members converted from another insurer throughout the first quarter of 2012. In addition to the operating loss, the Company also recorded an impairment loss of $28.0 million for the write down of goodwill and intangible assets in the Celtic reporting unit.

Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Second quarter results were consistent with the data presented at our June 14, 2012, Investor Day. We are actively engaged to improve the performance in Kentucky, the Texas expansion areas and the Celtic individual health business. The balance of our portfolio is performing within normalized ranges. With a return to profitability in June, we expect a profitable third quarter with additional improvement in the fourth quarter."

Second Quarter Overview

Quarter-end at-risk managed care membership of 2,397,500, an increase of 817,000 members, or 52% year over year.
Premium and service revenues of $2.1 billion, representing 61% growth year over year.
Health Benefits Ratio of 92.9%, compared to 84.8% in 2011.
General and Administrative expense ratio of 8.2%, compared to 11.2% in 2011.
Diluted net loss per share of $(0.68), including an impairment loss of $(0.52) per diluted share, compared to net earnings per share of $0.54 in the prior year.
Operating cash flow of $22.2 million for the second quarter of 2012.

Other Events

In July 2012, the Company began operating under a new contract with the Washington Health Care Authority to serve Medicaid beneficiaries in the state, initially operating as Coordinated Care.
In July 2012, the Company's subsidiary, Home State Health Plan, began operating under a new contract with the Office of Administration for Missouri to serve Medicaid beneficiaries in the Eastern, Central, and Western Managed Care Regions of the state.
In June 2012, the Company was notified by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services that Buckeye Community Health Plan (Buckeye), the Company's Ohio subsidiary, was selected to be awarded a new and expanded 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). The award remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings from other managed care organizations that were not awarded a contract.
In June 2012, the Company's Kansas subsidiary, Sunflower State Health Plan, was awarded a statewide contract to serve members in the state's KanCare program, which includes TANF, ABD non-duals, long-term care and CHIP beneficiaries. Operations are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2013.
In May 2012, the Company announced the Governor and Executive Council of New Hampshire had given approval for the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with the Company's subsidiary, Granite State Health Plan, to serve Medicaid beneficiaries in New Hampshire. Operations are currently expected to commence in the first quarter of 2013.
In May 2012, at the Case In Point Platinum Awards, Centene won in three categories: Managed Care: Disease Management / Population Health, Medicaid Case Management, and Woman/Children's Case Management.

The following table sets forth the Company's membership by state for its managed care organizations:

	June 30,
	2012	2011
Arizona	24,000	22,800
Florida	204,100	190,600
Georgia	313,300	303,100
Illinois	17,800	700
Indiana	205,000	206,700
Kentucky	143,500	—
Louisiana	168,700	—
Massachusetts	41,400	32,900
Mississippi	30,100	30,800
Ohio	166,800	159,900
South Carolina	87,800	82,800
Texas	919,200	470,400
Wisconsin	75,800	79,800
Total at-risk membership	2,397,500	1,580,500
Non-risk membership	—	10,400
Total	2,397,500	1,590,900

The following table sets forth the Company's membership by line of business:

	June 30,
	2012	2011
Medicaid	1,848,500	1,172,400
CHIP & Foster Care	222,600	211,400
ABD & Medicare	269,900	156,300
Hybrid Programs	48,100	35,500
Long-term Care	8,400	4,900
Total at-risk membership	2,397,500	1,580,500
Non-risk membership	—	10,400
Total	2,397,500	1,590,900

The following table identifies the Company's dual eligible membership by line of business. The membership table above includes these members.

	June 30,
	2012	2011
ABD	62,000	33,000
Long-term Care	7,600	4,600
Medicare	3,600	3,000
Total	73,200	40,600

Statement of Operations: Three Months Ended June 30, 2012

For the second quarter of 2012, Premium and Service Revenues increased 61% to $2.1 billion from $1.3 billion in the second quarter of 2011. The increase was primarily driven by the additions between years of the Illinois, Kentucky and Louisiana contracts, Texas and Arizona expansion, pharmacy carve-ins, and membership growth.
Consolidated HBR of 92.9% for the second quarter of 2012 represents an increase from 84.8% in the comparable period in 2011 and 88.2% from the first quarter of 2012. The increase compared to last year primarily reflects (1) increased medical costs in the March 1, 2012 expansion areas in Texas, (2) increased medical costs resulting from retroactive assignment of members and increased non-inpatient claims in Kentucky, and (3) a high level of medical costs in the individual health business, especially for recently issued polices related to members converted in the first quarter of 2012. Excluding the impact of these items, the second quarter 2012 HBR would have been 88.5%.
Consolidated G&A expense ratio for the second quarter of 2012 was 8.2%, compared to 11.2% in the prior year. The year over year decrease in the G&A expense ratio reflects the leveraging of expenses over higher revenues in 2012 and a reduction in performance based compensation expense in 2012 which lowered the G&A expense ratio by 80 basis points. The G&A ratio in 2011 reflects a 50 basis point decrease resulting from the recognition of revenue in the second quarter of 2011 from the Mississippi contract for the period January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011.
Loss from operations was $(46.7) million in the second quarter 2012 compared to earnings of $55.3 million in the second quarter 2011. Net loss attributable to Centene Corporation was $(35.0) million in the second quarter 2012, compared to net earnings of $28.4 million in the second quarter of 2011.
Loss per diluted share was $(0.68) in the second quarter of 2012 compared to earnings of $0.54 in the prior year.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

At June 30, 2012, the Company had cash, investments and restricted deposits of $1,238.8 million, including $40.6 million held by its unregulated entities. Medical claims liabilities totaled $859.0 million, representing 41.4 days in claims payable. Total debt was $408.8 million which includes $55 million drawn on the $350 million revolving credit facility at quarter end (subsequently paid off in July 2012). Debt to capitalization was 25.9% at June 30, 2012, excluding the $76.6 million non-recourse mortgage note. Cash flow from operations for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was $22.2 million, and reflects an increase in premium receivable to $221 million due from the State of Georgia at June 30, 2012.

A reconciliation of the Company's change in days in claims payable from the immediately preceding quarter-end is presented below:

Days in claims payable, March 31, 2012	44.7
Texas pharmacy carve-in	(2.3)
Full quarter of Texas expansion	(2.4)
Timing of claim payments	1.4
Days in claims payable, June 30, 2012	41.4

The decrease in days in claims payable during the second quarter 2012 is primarily due to the following factors: (1) the carve-in of pharmacy in Texas which pays 70% faster than non-pharmacy claims; (2) the addition of the Texas expansion where the date of service to date of receipt is approximately 50% lower than the consolidated average; and (3) timing of payments at the end of the quarter.

Outlook

The table below depicts the Company's annual guidance for 2012 including business expansion costs for the recently announced contract awards in Kansas and New Hampshire.

	Full Year 2012
	Low			High
Premium and Service Revenues (in millions)	$	7,700		$	8,100
Diluted EPS (Excluding Impairment Loss)	$	1.45		$	1.65
Diluted EPS (Including Impairment Loss)	$	0.95		$	1.15
Consolidated Health Benefits Ratio	89.0		%	90.0		%
General & Administrative expense ratio	8.5		%	9.0		%
Diluted Shares Outstanding (in thousands)	53,600			53,800

The above 2012 guidance for diluted EPS includes the $28.0 million, or $26.7 million after tax, impairment loss related to the individual health business which amounts to $(0.52) per diluted share in the second quarter. The diluted EPS calculation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, excludes antidilutive shares; for the full year, it is anticipated that outstanding stock awards will be dilutive and the impact of the shares will be reflected in the diluted EPS calculation, as indicated in the table above.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at 8:30 A.M. (Eastern Time) to review the financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012, and to discuss its business outlook. Michael F. Neidorff and William N. Scheffel will host the conference call. Investors and other interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call by dialing 1-877-270-2148 in the U.S. and Canada; +1-412-902-6510 from abroad; or via a live, audio webcast on the Company's website at www.centene.com, under the Investors section. A webcast replay will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call for the next twelve months or until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at the aforementioned URL. In addition, a digital audio playback will be available until 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, by dialing 1-877-344-7529 in the U.S. and Canada, or +1-412-317-0088 from abroad, and entering access code 10015829.

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/hybrid 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.

The information provided in this press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events and future financial performance of Centene. Subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's estimates to change. The Company disclaims any obligation to update this forward-looking financial information in the future. Readers are cautioned that matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including economic, regulatory, competitive and other factors that may cause Centene's or its industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ from projections or estimates due to a variety of important factors, including Centene's ability to accurately predict and effectively manage health benefits and other operating expenses, competition, membership and revenue projections, timing of regulatory contract approval, changes in healthcare practices, changes in federal or state laws or regulations, changes in expected contract start dates, inflation, provider and state contract changes, new technologies, reduction in provider payments by governmental payors, major epidemics, disasters and numerous other factors affecting the delivery and cost of healthcare, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. The expiration, cancellation or suspension of Centene's Medicaid Managed Care contracts, or the loss of any appeal of or protest to any such expiration, cancellation or suspension, by state governments would also negatively affect Centene.

[Tables Follow]

CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)


	June 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	421,894	$	573,698
Premium and related receivables	400,194		157,450
Short-term investments	152,545		130,499
Other current assets	98,805		78,363
Total current assets	1,073,438		940,010
Long-term investments	630,866		506,140
Restricted deposits	33,496		26,818
Property, software and equipment, net	379,970		349,622
Goodwill	256,288		281,981
Intangible assets, net	22,481		27,430
Other long-term assets	53,011		58,335
Total assets	$	2,449,550	$	2,190,336
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Medical claims liability	$	859,035	$	607,985
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	142,766		216,504
Unearned revenue	29,133		9,890
Current portion of long-term debt	3,302		3,234
Total current liabilities	1,034,236		837,613
Long-term debt	405,462		348,344
Other long-term liabilities	61,865		67,960
Total liabilities	1,501,563		1,253,917
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares; 54,320,036 issued and 51,557,064 outstanding at June 30, 2012, and 53,586,726 issued and 50,864,618 outstanding at December 31, 2011	54		54
Additional paid-in capital	450,506		421,981
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax	5,842		5,761
Retained earnings	553,940		564,961
Treasury stock, at cost (2,762,972 and 2,722,108 shares, respectively)	(58,914)		(57,123)
Total Centene stockholders' equity	951,428		935,634
Noncontrolling interest	(3,441)		785
Total stockholders' equity	947,987		936,419
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,449,550	$	2,190,336

CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except share data) (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Revenues:
Premium	$	2,034,558	$	1,248,588	$	3,669,408	$	2,401,365
Service	27,041		29,428		55,659		55,812
Premium and service revenues	2,061,599		1,278,016		3,725,067		2,457,177
Premium tax	49,147		36,998		97,827		74,194
Total revenues	2,110,746		1,315,014		3,822,894		2,531,371
Expenses:
Medical costs	1,890,405		1,059,120		3,333,081		2,037,687
Cost of services	21,816		20,312		45,153		40,488
General and administrative expenses	168,062		143,045		331,249		284,133
Premium tax expense	49,176		37,234		97,926		74,663
Impairment loss	28,033		—		28,033		—
Total operating expenses	2,157,492		1,259,711		3,835,442		2,436,971
Earnings (loss) from operations	(46,746)		55,303		(12,548)		94,400
Other income (expense):
Investment and other income	4,045		2,933		9,336		6,682
Debt extinguishment costs	—		(8,488)		—		(8,488)
Interest expense	(4,739)		(5,256)		(9,538)		(10,951)
Earnings (loss) from operations, before income tax expense	(47,440)		44,492		(12,750)		81,643
Income tax expense (benefit)	(8,608)		16,429		3,479		30,757
Net earnings (loss)	(38,832)		28,063		(16,229)		50,886
Noncontrolling interest	(3,833)		(311)		(5,208)		(1,233)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Centene Corporation	$	(34,999)	$	28,374	$	(11,021)	$	52,119

Net earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Centene Corporation:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.68)	$	0.57	$	(0.21)	$	1.04
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.68)	$	0.54	$	(0.21)	$	1.00

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	51,515,895		50,167,052		51,320,784		49,959,892
Diluted	51,515,895		52,489,414		51,320,784		52,171,213

CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2012		2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$	(16,229)	$50,886
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	33,266		28,567
Stock compensation expense	11,993		8,839
Debt extinguishment costs	—		8,488
Impairment loss	28,033		—
Deferred income taxes	9,364		(3,529)
Changes in assets and liabilities
Premium and related receivables	(232,745)		(16,146)
Other current assets	(34,105)		(4,001)
Other assets	1,520		(878)
Medical claims liabilities	251,050		24,684
Unearned revenue	19,885		(12,465)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(77,010)		(34,739)
Other operating activities	(4,922)		3,448
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(9,900)		53,154
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(57,442)		(35,128)
Purchases of investments	(406,901)		(103,239)
Sales and maturities of investments	253,719		120,448
Investments in acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—		(3,192)
Net cash used in investing activities	(210,624)		(21,111)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	10,320		12,264
Proceeds from borrowings	75,000		419,183
Payment of long-term debt	(21,601)		(414,695)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	5,810		1,369
Common stock repurchases	(1,791)		(1,029)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	982		244
Debt issue costs	—		(9,095)
Net cash provided by financing activities	68,720		8,241
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(151,804)		40,284
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	573,698		434,166
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	421,894	$	474,450
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	10,312	$	11,822
Income taxes paid	$	32,394	$	40,111

CENTENE CORPORATION SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA

	Q2		Q1		Q4		Q3		Q2
	2012		2012		2011		2011		2011
MEMBERSHIP
Managed Care:
Arizona	24,000		23,100		23,700		22,800		22,800
Florida	204,100		199,500		198,300		188,600		190,600
Georgia	313,300		306,000		298,200		298,000		303,100
Illinois	17,800		17,400		16,300		13,600		700
Indiana	205,000		206,300		206,900		205,300		206,700
Kentucky	143,500		145,700		180,700		—		—
Louisiana	168,700		51,300		—		—		—
Massachusetts	41,400		36,000		35,700		34,700		32,900
Mississippi	30,100		29,500		31,600		30,600		30,800
Ohio	166,800		161,000		159,900		162,200		159,900
South Carolina	87,800		86,700		82,900		86,500		82,800
Texas	919,200		811,000		503,800		494,500		470,400
Wisconsin	75,800		76,000		78,000		78,900		79,800
Total at-risk membership	2,397,500		2,149,500		1,816,000		1,615,700		1,580,500
Non-risk membership	—		—		4,900		10,600		10,400
TOTAL	2,397,500		2,149,500		1,820,900		1,626,300		1,590,900


Medicaid	1,848,500		1,634,800		1,336,800		1,189,900		1,172,400
CHIP & Foster Care	222,600		218,800		213,900		210,600		211,400
ABD & Medicare	269,900		247,400		218,000		171,700		156,300
Hybrid Programs	48,100		41,500		40,500		38,400		35,500
Long-term Care	8,400		7,000		6,800		5,100		4,900
Total at-risk membership	2,397,500		2,149,500		1,816,000		1,615,700		1,580,500
Non-risk membership	—		—		4,900		10,600		10,400
TOTAL	2,397,500		2,149,500		1,820,900		1,626,300		1,590,900

Specialty Services^(a):
Cenpatico Behavioral Health
Arizona	159,900		162,100		168,900		175,500		173,200
Kansas	44,300		46,000		46,200		45,600		45,000
TOTAL	204,200		208,100		215,100		221,100		218,200

^(a)Includes external membership only.

REVENUE PER MEMBER PER MONTH^(b)	$	279	$	269	$	262	$	245	$	241

CLAIMS^(b)
Period-end inventory	1,195,000		735,000		495,500		482,900		415,700
Average inventory	640,600		457,400		367,590		312,400		332,300
Period-end inventory per member	0.50		0.34		0.27		0.30		0.26
^(b) Revenue per member and claims information are presented for the Managed Care at-risk members.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES	6,200		5,700		5,300		5,000		4,800

	Q2			Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2
	2012			2012			2011			2011			2011

DAYS IN CLAIMS PAYABLE ^(c)	41.4			44.7			45.3			43.6			43.4
^(c) Days in Claims Payable is a calculation of Medical Claims Liabilities at the end of the period divided by average claims expense per calendar day for such period.

CASH AND INVESTMENTS (in millions)
Regulated	$	1,198.2		$	1,166.9		$	1,198.9		$	1,079.3		$	1,061.9
Unregulated	$	40.6		$	35.5		$	38.2		$	35.9		$	36.5
TOTAL	$	1,238.8		$	1,202.4		$	1,237.1		$	1,115.2		$	1,098.4

DEBT TO CAPITALIZATION	30.1		%	26.4		%	27.3		%	28.0		%	28.1		%
DEBT TO CAPITALIZATION EXCLUDING NON-RECOURSE DEBT^(d)	25.9		%	21.8		%	22.6		%	23.2		%	23.0		%
Debt to Capitalization is calculated as follows: total debt divided by (total debt + total equity).
(d) The non-recourse debt represents the Company's mortgage note payable ($76.6 million at June 30, 2012.)

Operating Ratios:
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Health Benefits Ratios:
Medicaid and CHIP	92.3	%	81.3	%	90.2	%	82.7	%
ABD and Medicare	92.7		90.7		91.1		89.4
Specialty Services	97.1		88.7		94.0		87.0
Total	92.9		84.8		90.8		84.9

Total General & Administrative Expense Ratio	8.2	%	11.2	%	8.9	%	11.6	%

MEDICAL CLAIMS LIABILITY (In thousands) The changes in medical claims liability are summarized as follows:

Balance, June 30, 2011	$	482,913
Incurred related to:
Current period	5,678,719
Prior period	(58,579)
Total incurred	5,620,140
Paid related to:
Current period	4,826,839
Prior period	417,179
Total paid	5,244,018
Balance, June 30, 2012	$	859,035

Centene's claims reserving process utilizes a consistent actuarial methodology to estimate Centene's ultimate liability. Any reduction in the "Incurred related to: Prior period" amount may be offset as Centene actuarially determines "Incurred related to: Current period." As such, only in the absence of a consistent reserving methodology would favorable development of prior period claims liability estimates reduce medical costs. Centene believes it has consistently applied its claims reserving methodology in each of the periods presented.

The amount of the "Incurred related to: Prior period" above represents favorable development and includes the effects of reserving under moderately adverse conditions, new markets where we use a conservative approach in setting reserves during the initial periods of operations, receipts from other third party payors related to coordination of benefits and lower medical utilization and cost trends for dates of service prior to June 30, 2011.

SOURCE Centene Corporation