Centene Corporation Subsidiary Notified of Extended Enrollment Period for Georgia Medicaid Contracts; Peach State Health Plan to Serve Three Regions With 780,000 Total Eligibles

Business Wire, Sept 16, 2005

ST. LOUIS -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that it has received notification from the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) of an extended enrollment period in the Atlanta and Central Regions for Georgia Healthy Families, the new managed care initiative for the state's Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids programs. Centene's Georgia subsidiary, Peach State Health Plan (Peach State), signed contracts to offer healthcare benefits and services to the approximately 780,000 Medicaid eligible recipients in the Atlanta, Central and Southwest Regions.

The open enrollment period for eligible recipients in the Atlanta and Central Regions will begin December 1, 2005 with membership operations commencing April 1, 2006. The extension announced by DCH will not affect membership operations for the Southwest Region, currently scheduled to commence December 1, 2006.

Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Centene, stated, "Our subsidiary, Peach State Health Plan, is pleased to partner with the state of Georgia on this new managed care initiative. While Peach State is on track and fully prepared for the original January 1, 2006 membership enrollment date, we understand and support the state's desire to extend the enrollment timeline in order to enable a smooth and effective implementation. We have been focused on Georgia for some time and are prepared with key personnel and a solid infrastructure in place, and have planned for this contingency."

Consistent with the Company's guidance policy, Centene will provide its outlook for the balance of 2005 and full-year 2006 on the third quarter earnings conference call.

About Georgia Healthy Families

Georgia Health Families is a partnership between the Georgia Department of Community Health and Peach State Health Plan to provide quality healthcare services to Georgia's citizens.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation provides multi-line managed care programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The Company operates health plans in Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin. In addition, the Company contracts with other healthcare organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, disease management, nurse triage and treatment compliance. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com and www.pshpgeorgia.com.