ST. LOUIS, Sept. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that its Wisconsin subsidiary, Managed Health Services, and South Carolina subsidiary, Absolute Total Care, both earned Commendable ratings 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 that these health plans have been recognized by such a prestigious organization as NCQA," said Robert Hitchcock, Centene Executive Vice President, Health Plans. "A Commendable rating reflects the strengths of both Managed Health Services and Absolute Total Care, 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 (LTC), in addition to other state-sponsored/hybrid programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). 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, care management software, correctional systems healthcare, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management, specialty pharmacy and telehealth services.

SOURCE Centene Corporation