ST. LOUIS, Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that the state of Mississippi has awarded its subsidiary, Magnolia Health Plan, a statewide managed care contract to continue serving members enrolled in the Mississippi Coordinated Access Network (MississippiCAN) program, as one of two contractors. Magnolia has been serving members in the MississippiCAN program since 2011.

Under the new contract, Magnolia will continue providing outpatient, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision and dental services, and will also begin providing non-emergency transportation as of July 1, 2014. The MississippiCAN program covers the Supplemental Security Income, Foster Care, Breast and Cervical Cancer, Pregnant Women, Children (birth to one year of age) and TANF populations throughout the state of Mississippi.

"The team at Magnolia is grateful for the opportunity to continue our work with Mississippi's Medicaid population.  We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to make Mississippi a healthier state," said Jason Dees, D.O., FAAFP, Magnolia President and CEO.

"Magnolia has proven to be a successful partner for the state of Mississippi over the past three years," said Robert Hitchcock, Executive Vice President, Health Plans, for Centene. "We are pleased to continue providing high-quality, integrated healthcare services to Mississippi residents."

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, in-home health services, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management, specialty pharmacy and telehealth services.

SOURCE Centene Corporation