ST. LOUIS, Feb. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that Centurion of Florida, LLC ("Centurion"), a joint venture between Centene Corporation and MHM Services, Inc., has reached a formal agreement to provide correctional healthcare services for the Florida Department of Corrections in Regions 1, 2 and 3.

This agreement with Centurion is a result of the State undertaking negotiation of a gap contract due to early termination by its prior vendor. The initial term of Centurion's contract with the Department of Corrections runs through January 2018 when the Department anticipates completion of a formal procurement.  However, the agreement also includes optional renewal periods if the formal procurement is not finalized in the anticipated timeframe.  Centurion will provide comprehensive healthcare services to over 70,000 inmates housed at facilities throughout the three Regions.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to partner with the Florida Department of Corrections and are pleased to be able to work with the Department to improve the quality of services and care levels provided to this population. We also recognize the importance of maintaining sound financial discipline on behalf of the State and its residents," said Steven H. Wheeler, CEO of Centurion.

"We are pleased to expand Centene's relationship with the state of Florida. We view this as another opportunity to enhance the communities we serve by maintaining a focus on the individual," said Jesse N. Hunter, Executive Vice President, Products, for Centene.

Centurion currently operates five additional statewide contracts to provide correctional healthcare services in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Tennessee and Vermont. The Florida operations are expected to start in the second quarter of 2016.

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.

Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://www.centene.com/investors.

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SOURCE Centene Corporation