Centene Corporation Receives Notice ofTexas Contract Award

ST. LOUIS--(Business Wire)--
Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that the Texas Health and Human
Services Commission (HHSC) issued a tentative contract award to Centene`s
subsidiary, Superior HealthPlan Network (Superior Network), for the Children`s
Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Rural Services Area Managed Care Organization
Procurement. The award is contingent upon the successful negotiation and
execution of a contract with HHSC. Superior and a second vendor will begin
serving members under the new contract on September 1, 2010, continuing through
August 31, 2013. The award covers up to 174 primarily rural counties in Texas.

Tom P. Wise, president and CEO for Superior HealthPlan, said, "Superior
Network`s success in the bidding process validates our quality performance as
the current contract holder for the CHIP Rural Service Area membership in Texas.
We are pleased to be able to continue our mission to deliver quality healthcare
through our unique, state-wide provider network for our members as well as the
State of Texas."

This announcement has no impact on Centene`s 2009 financial guidance.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides
programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid,
including the Children`s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged,
Blind, or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care, Long-Term Care and Medicare (Special
Needs Plans). The Company operates local health plans and offers a wide range of
health insurance solutions to individuals and the rising number of uninsured
Americans. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations
to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and health
management, managed vision, telehealth services, pharmacy benefits management
and medication adherence. Information regarding Centene is available via the
Internet at www.centene.com.

Centene Corporation
Edmund E. Kroll, 212-759-0382
Senior Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations
or
Sandy McBride, 314-725-4477
Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Copyright Business Wire 2009