ST. LOUIS, April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that its wholly-owned Ohio subsidiary, Buckeye Community Health Plan, earned a Commendable rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). A Commendable rating is awarded to organizations whose service and clinical quality meet or exceed NCQA's rigorous requirements for consumer protection and quality improvement.

"We are proud to receive an accreditation status of Commendable from NCQA," said Buckeye Community Health Plan's President and CEO Steve White. "This Commendable rating reflects Buckeye's strengths, including collaboration and teamwork, commitment to comprehensive member care, strong innovative outreach to members, and the continual and ongoing monitoring of the quality processes, all of which support our goal to deliver high quality healthcare to our members."

"Achieving an accreditation status of Commendable from NCQA is a sign that a health plan is serious about quality," said Margaret E. O'Kane, President of NCQA.

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers.

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