Centene Corporation Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Federal and state net operating losses acquired in business combinations	$ 1,373
Valuation allowance additions in the tax provision	1,671	3,324
Valuation allowance reductions	528	323
Valuation allowance reported as discountinued operations		2,038
Reserve balance	13,552	3,036	5,465
Interest accrued, net of federal benefit	$ 1,157	$ 707	$ 1,072
Maximum [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Federal net operating losses expire period	2023
State net operating losses expire period	2031
Minimum [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Federal net operating losses expire period	2012
State net operating losses expire period	2012

- Definition

This element represents the amount of interest expense accrued as of the date of the statement of financial position for an underpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity.

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