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Noncontolling Interest and Acquisitions Non Controlling Interest (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2013
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Sep. 30, 2013
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Jun. 30, 2013
|
Mar. 31, 2013
|
Dec. 31, 2012
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Sep. 30, 2012
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Jun. 30, 2012
|
Mar. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2013
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2013
Louisiana Healthcare Connections [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Louisiana Healthcare Connections [Member]
|
Oct. 31, 2012
Louisiana Healthcare Connections [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Louisiana Healthcare Connections [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2013
Centurion [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Centurion [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Centurion [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Casenet, LLC [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2013
Casenet, LLC [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Casenet, LLC [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2013
Home State Health Plan [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2012
Home State Health Plan [Member]
|
Dec. 31, 2011
Home State Health Plan [Member]
|
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| Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ownership percentage by parent | 100.00% | 100.00% | 51.00% | 51.00% | 51.00% | 51.00% | 51.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 81.00% | 95.00% | 95.00% | 0.00% | |||||||||||
| Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries | $ 0 | $ 14,429 | $ 0 | $ 10,000 | $ 4,429 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Net [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent | 47,965 | 50,325 | 40,289 | 22,639 | 18,679 | 59,438 | (16,656) | 27,072 | 161,218 | 88,533 | 120,518 | |||||||||||||
| Decrease in equity for purchase of, distribution to and redemption of noncontrolling interest | 0 | (12,193) | (289) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase in equity for distributions from and consolidation of noncontrolling interest | 8,068 | 1,092 | 813 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net transfers from (to) noncontrolling interest | 8,068 | (11,101) | 524 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes from net earnings attributable to Centene Corporation and net transfers from (to) the noncontrolling interest | $ 169,286 | $ 77,432 | $ 121,042 | |||||||||||||||||||||