|
Retirement Plan
|
12 Months Ended |
|---|---|
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
|
| Retirement Plan [Abstract] | |
| Retirement Plan |
16. Retirement Plan Centene has a defined contribution plan which covers substantially all employees who are at least twenty-one years of age. Under the plan, eligible employees may contribute a percentage of their base salary, subject to certain limitations. Centene may elect to match a portion of the employee's contribution. Company expense related to matching contributions to the plan was $5,146, $4,044 and $3,499 during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The entire disclosure for compensation costs, including compensated absences accruals, compensated absences liability, deferred compensation arrangements and income statement compensation items. Deferred compensation arrangements may include a description of an arrangement with an individual employee, which is generally an employment contract between the entity and a selected officer or key employee containing a promise by the employer to pay certain amounts at designated future dates, usually including a period after retirement, upon compliance with stipulated requirements. This type of arrangement is distinguished from broader based employee benefit plans as it is usually tailored to the employee. Disclosure also typically includes the amount of related compensation expense recognized during the reporting period, the number of shares (units) issued during the period under such arrangements, and the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the related liability. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|