ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today that its wholly-owned Indiana subsidiary, Managed Health Services (MHS), has been selected by the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA) to begin contract negotiations to serve its aged, blind and disabled (ABD) Medicaid enrollees who will qualify for the new Hoosier Care Connect Program starting next year. The new contract is expected to commence in April 2015, and will serve a portion of Indiana's Medicaid membership.

"We look forward to continuing our long partnership with the state and our provider network to improve health outcomes and reduce the cost of healthcare delivery in Indiana," said Patrick Rooney, Senior Vice President of Health Plans for Centene Corporation. "With new value-added benefits for the aged, blind and disabled population, we will continue to improve Indiana's health by focusing on wellness, prevention, early detection and ongoing healthcare management."

The new Hoosier Care Connect program will provide coordinated healthcare services to approximately 84,000 aged, blind, and disabled Medicaid enrollees. Under the new contract, MHS will extend its near 20 years of service to the Indiana Medicaid program to enrollees in the Hoosier Care Connect program via a network of 11,500 primary care providers and specialists. MHS has operated as a Managed Care Entity with Indiana Medicaid since the program's inception in 1995 and currently employs more than 200 people across the state.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to government sponsored healthcare programs, focusing on 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.

About MHS

Managed Health Services (MHS) is a managed care entity that has been proudly serving Hoosiers for nearly two decades through the Hoosier Healthwise (HHW) and Healthy Indiana (HIP) Medicaid Programs. MHS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation®, a leading, multi-line healthcare enterprise offering both core Medicaid and specialty services. For more, contact MHS, 1099 N. Meridian St., Suite 400, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Contact MHS at 1-877-647-4848 or visit MHS online at www.mhsindiana.com.

MHS now serves Indiana residents with a qualified health plan issuer in the Indiana health insurance marketplace, Ambetter from MHS. Ambetter offers comprehensive medical care to fit individual health needs with a specific budget. The Ambetter plans offer a variety of programs, educational tools and support. Call 1-877-687-1182 or visit ambetter.mhsindiana.com.

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SOURCE Centene Corporation