ST. LOUIS, Feb. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that Nurtur, its health and wellness company serving employers, health plans and government programs, has received a three-year Wellness and Health Promotion Accreditation renewal from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its wellness services.

NCQA Accreditation is a voluntary review process and is granted to organizations with excellent programs that meet or exceed NCQA's rigorous standards. NCQA standards are designed to encourage organizations to continuously enhance the quality of their programs and allow employers and health plans to make informed comparisons.

Wellness & Health Promotion Accreditation comprehensively evaluates key areas of health promotion, including how wellness programs are implemented in the workplace, how services such as health coaching are provided to help eligible individuals develop skills to make healthy choices, and how sensitive health information of eligible individuals is properly safeguarded.

NCQA standards are purposely set high to encourage wellness and health promotion organizations to strive for continuous enhancement of their quality.

"This accomplishment serves as both validation of the exceptional coaching provided by our team of clinical specialists on a daily basis as well as confirmation of Nurtur's ongoing commitment to quality," stated Jeremy J. Corbett, MD, Nurtur's chief health officer.

Wellness & Health Promotion Accreditation surveys include rigorous on-site and off-site evaluations of 12 standards. A team of experts conduct Accreditation Surveys and a national oversight committee of physicians analyzes the team's findings and assigns an accreditation.

"I congratulate Nurtur Health, Inc. for distinguishing itself by earning Wellness & Health Promotion Accreditation. This achievement signals to employers that Nurtur Health, Inc. is organized and ready to improve workforce health," explained Margaret E. O'Kane, president of NCQA. "Savvy employers know that the health and wellbeing of their workforce is a critical asset."

About NCQA
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of healthcare organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's website (www.ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed healthcare choices.

About Nurtur
Nurtur is an innovative, industry leading behavior change company dedicated to helping individuals improve their health and well-being. The company provides a full complement of wellness and health coaching programs that educates, empowers and motivates people at all stages of life to address life issues that get in the way of health and complicate living. Nurtur's total population health management solution includes analytics, targeted communications, wellness, condition management (including back pain, depression, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease) and work-life resources and referrals. Nurtur applies the latest in behavioral change science techniques and technologies to our programs and delivers services to multiple market segments including large employers, unions, health plans, and state and government agencies. Connect with Nurtur at www.nurturhealth.com.

About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise that provides a portfolio of 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 management, care management software, correctional healthcare services, dental benefits management, in-home health services, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management, specialty pharmacy and telehealth services.

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SOURCE Centene Corporation

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