Centene Corporation Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 09, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Kentucky Spirit performance bond		$ 25
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Commonwealth of Kentucky alleged increased program costs	$ 40
Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services determination letter damages prejudgment interest rate (percent)	8.00%
Commonwealth of Kentucky, expenditures due to departure \| Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Commonwealth of Kentucky alleged increased program costs		28
Commonwealth of Kentucky, expenditures due to departure \| Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Commonwealth of Kentucky alleged increased program costs		40
Commonwealth of Kentucky, CMS expenditures \| Minimum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Commonwealth of Kentucky alleged increased program costs		92
Commonwealth of Kentucky, CMS expenditures \| Maximum
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Commonwealth of Kentucky alleged increased program costs		$ 134