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Centene

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FY2010 Annual Report · Centene
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2010 Annual Review

Reaching  
for the  
Summit

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading 

multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and 

related services to the rising number of under-insured and 

uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under 

Medicaid, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program 

(CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), foster  

care, long-term care, other state-sponsored programs and  

Medicare (Special Needs Plans). Centene’s Celtic and CeltiCare 

subsidiaries, along with our health plans, offer states unique 

“exchange-based” and other cost-effective coverage solutions 

for low-income populations. The Company operates local 

health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions.  

It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial  

organizations to provide specialty services including  

behavioral health, life and health management, managed  

vision, telehealth services, and pharmacy benefits manage-

ment. More information regarding Centene is available at  

www.centene.com.

Financial Summary

(in thousands) 

2010 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006

Premium and service revenues 

$4,283,833 

$3,878,283 

$3,274,313 

$2,692,461 

$1,786,598

December 31, 

Earnings from operations 

Net earnings from continuing operations(1) 

Net earnings (loss)(1) 

Total assets 

(1)Attributable to Centene Corporation 

157,069 

138,135 

131,561 

90,947 

94,836 

86,093 

83,671 

84,181 

83,497 

55,245 

41,040 

73,402 

22,228

17,600

(43,629)

1,943,822 

1,702,364 

1,451,152 

1,121,824 

894,980

At-Risk Membership
in thousands

Premium and Service
Revenues
in millions

Earnings from
Operations
in millions

1,600

1,280

960

640

320

0

06  07  08  09  10

$4,500

3,600

2,700

1,800

900

0

06  07  08  09  10

$175

140

105

70

35

0

06  07  08  09  10

1

 
Chairman’s Letter

Michael F. Neidorff
Chairman, President and Chief 
Executive Officer

insurance policies. This allows for seamless access to quality 
healthcare coverage when individuals move in and out of 
Medicaid eligibility as their incomes fluctuate.

In anticipation of this market need, we acquired Celtic 
in 2008 and NovaSys in 2010, which provided us with the 
tools necessary to create “hybrid” or exchange-based plans, 
as well as the invaluable experience in underwriting 
insurance plans that meet the needs of these low-income 
populations. In November our Celtic unit began operating 
a new contract in Texas which offers affordable health 
insurance to small businesses through a “hybrid” program 
called Healthy Texas. 

Centene’s multi-line strategy continues to offer a com-
plete array of products and services that provide quality 
healthcare to beneficiaries while saving our state customers 
money. Our suite of services ranges from full-risk health 
plans for Medicaid, uninsured and under-insured popula-
tions, to specialty services including pharmacy, behavioral, 
vision, life and health management, and foster care. We are 
seeing increased demand for these products and services as 
states continue to grapple with tight budgets. Specifically, 
there is a growing trend for states interested in issuing 
RFPs to move their highest-cost beneficiaries, including 
Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) and LTC, into managed 
care, to maximize cost savings. 

Financial Highlights
During 2010, premium and service revenues, which  
exclude premium taxes, increased 10.5 percent to  
$4.3 billion from $3.9 billion in 2009. Excluding pharma-
cy carve-outs in Indiana and Ohio, revenues would have 
increased by 16 percent – which is in-line with our annual 
revenue growth target of 15 percent. Diluted earnings  

We are pleased that the year 2010 was one of 

growth and successful execution for Centene. 
We delivered solid financial results while 

achieving continued geographic and product diversifica-
tion and made a strong balance sheet even stronger. 
During 2010, we also reached an important milestone for 
the scale of our enterprise as we became a Fortune 500 
company. 

Our success in 2010 was driven by a combination of 
growth in our existing markets, prudent acquisitions, and 
effective execution of our contract portfolio. The latter  
led to multi-year renewals and expansions of both our 
Arizona behavioral and Indiana health plan contracts 
during the year. 

In Florida our membership nearly doubled in 2010 – 

through the continued conversion of non-risk lives to 
at-risk as well as from the acquisition of Citrus Health in 
December 2010. Citrus not only enhanced our geographic 
footprint in Florida, but also added Long-Term Care 
(LTC) to our product offerings in the state. We solidified 
our number two market share in South Carolina with the 
purchase of Carolina Crescent Health Plan in June 2010. 
With the completion of the acquisition in July 2010 of 
Arkansas-based NovaSys, a leading third-party administrator, 
we enhanced the back-office skills of our “hybrid” effort. 
Also in December 2010, we began operating under an 
expanded contract in Arizona to manage behavioral health 
services in an additional four counties.

One of our strategic initiatives is to expand our cover-

age beyond Medicaid to include the entire spectrum of 
under-insured and uninsured individuals. This continues  
to gain traction in the marketplace and also appears to be 
resonating with the investment community. There are 
many states considering “hybrid” or exchange-based 
programs before the final stages of federal healthcare 
reform are implemented in 2014. A “hybrid” plan com-
bines the traits of Medicaid insurance and individual 

2

 
per share from continuing operations for 2010 were $1.80 
compared to $1.94 for the prior year. The 2010 results 
reflect the dilution from the additional shares issued as part 
of the stock offering in the first quarter of 2010. Earnings 
from operations grew 13.7 percent in 2010 despite the 
pharmacy carve-outs in Indiana and Ohio. At year-end,  
we had 1.53 million at-risk members, representing mem-
bership growth of 5.2 percent. 

Cash flows generated by operations were strong in 2010 

at $169 million, representing 1.7 times net earnings. At 
December 31, 2010, we had cash and investments of $1.07 
billion, including $1.04 billion held by regulated entities 
and $31 million held by unregulated entities. Our 2010 
Health Benefits Ratio (HBR) increased 30 basis points 
compared to 2009 primarily due to a higher HBR in our 
Florida health plan that was partially offset by lower than 
expected flu costs. Even as we absorbed start-up costs for 
new markets, we reduced our G&A expense ratio during 
2010 to 12.8 percent or 50 basis points as we continued 
to gain scale and leverage in our business. We expect to 
further reduce the G&A expense ratio in 2011 by an ad-
ditional 30 to 80 basis points despite the offsetting impact 
of start-up costs for new contracts in Texas and Illinois. 

We are prudent balance sheet managers with a focus on 

capital adequacy and liquidity. During 2010, we raised 
$104.5 million in a follow-on equity offering. This allowed 
us to pay-down our revolver, thus reducing our debt-to-
capital ratio. Subsequently, Moody’s upgraded Centene’s 
debt rating, and Standard & Poor’s revised its outlook to 
positive. Our enhanced balance sheet allowed us to  
complete several acquisitions in 2010 – all of which met 
our accretion and returns criteria. These acquisitions offset 
all the dilution from the follow-on offering by deploying 
roughly half of the capital raised. In December we  
refinanced the construction loan related to our corporate 
headquarters expansion project with an $80 million, 

Centene Corporation headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

10-year mortgage note. The mortgage note is non-recourse 
and bears interest at a 5.14 percent rate. Additionally, in 
January 2011, we refinanced our $300 million revolving 
credit agreement with a five-year, $350 million unsecured 
revolver. We estimate our risk-based capital percentage to 
be in excess of 350 percent of the authorized control level 
at December 31, 2010.

We strive to manage our operations and balance sheet 

to provide transparency with a minimum of volatility.  
The consistency of our business is a function of our 
culture, our focus on improving health outcomes, as well 
as our information systems. Centene’s culture is grounded 
in the belief that we are proactive managers. The signifi-
cant information technology investments made over the 
last few years have allowed us to have a more accurate and 
immediate snapshot of medical trends and costs. These 
include predictive modeling and medical management 

3

“ We are seeing increased demand for our products and services as states 

continue to grapple with tight budgets.” – Michael Neidorff

tools as well as our proprietary dashboard. These tools 
provide us with early warning signs, allowing for rapid 
response to make the necessary corrections. We credit 
these tools along with our consistent reserving method-
ologies for the stable medical cost trends reported by 
Centene recently. 

Substantial Opportunities for Future Growth
We believe our success in 2010 has laid the foundation for 
another strong year in 2011 and beyond. Our near-term 
opportunities are the most robust we have seen in terms of 
new RFPs and re-procurements. As states continue to face 
budgetary pressures, they increasingly are moving away 
from the traditional fee-for-service model toward adopt-
ing the cost-effective, high-quality managed care model. 
For example, in January 2011, we began operating 
under our recently renewed, statewide managed care 
contract in Indiana, serving the Medicaid population as 
well as Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) members. HIP is a 
“hybrid” program for under-insured and uninsured adults 
who earn less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty 
Level (FPL) and do not qualify for conventional Medicaid. 
In addition to Indiana, we also have “hybrid” operations 
up and running in Arkansas, Texas and Massachusetts.
We also commenced operations in Mississippi in 

January 2011. This is a new state for us, and our Magnolia 
Health Plan is serving ABD and foster care members.  
In February 2011, we began operating under an additional 
STAR+PLUS contract, serving ABD recipients in Dallas, 
Texas. We expect to commence operations in Illinois –  
another new state for Centene – during the second 
quarter of 2011. Centene was chosen by the state to 
provide managed care services to ABD recipients in six 
counties. This was part of Illinois’ mandate to enroll at 

least half of its 2.8 million Medicaid eligibles into man-
aged care by January 1, 2015.

Two of our existing states – Texas and Arizona – are 

planning re-procurements and possible managed care 
expansions in 2011-2012. We are proud of our track 
records in both and view these RFPs as opportunities to 
expand our presence in these states. There are also a 
number of additional opportunities in both new and other 
existing states. For example, we expect Louisiana to issue 
an RFP in 2011, and Florida is contemplating a statewide 
expansion.

While we are currently focused on 2011 and 2012,  
we plan to be ready for the growth opportunities that 
federal healthcare reform will bring in 2014. It is impor-
tant to note that we are not dependent solely on reform  
to maintain our growth. We foresee a steady stream  
of state-based RFP opportunities well into the future, 
regardless of federal healthcare reform.

We remain focused on sustainable profitability and  

look forward to another year of success in 2011. 

Thank you for your support and interest in our  

company.

Sincerely,

Michael F. Neidorff

4

Expanding Geographic Footprint

7

12

9

5

6

1

2

8

11

10

4

3

Indicates states with health plan membership/
hybrid programs
Indicates states with Centene business operations
Centene Headquarters

1

2

3

4

5

6

Arizona
Bridgeway Health Solutions

Arkansas
NovaSys Health

Florida
Sunshine State Health Plan

Georgia 
Peach State Health Plan

Illinois
IliniCare Health Plan*

Indiana
Managed Health Services

*Expected to commence operations in the second quarter of 2011

7

8

9

10

11

12

Massachusetts
CeltiCare Health Plan

Mississippi
Magnolia Health Plan

Ohio
Buckeye Community Health Plan

South Carolina
Absolute Total Care

Texas
Superior HealthPlan

Wisconsin
Managed Health Services

5

Managed Care Terms

ABD (Aged, 
Blind or Disabled)

Covers low-income individuals with chronic physical disabilities or behavioral impair-
ments. Due to their critical health issues, ABD recipients tend to utilize more services 
and subsequently incur greater expenses. 

CHIP (Children’s 
Health Insurance 
Program)

 Designed to cover uninsured children in families who earn too much to qualify for 
Medicaid, but not enough to afford private health coverage. Some states include the 
parents of these children in their CHIP programs.

Foster Care

Statewide managed care services for children in foster care. Since 2008, Centene has 
provided services for foster care children in Texas, a key feature of which is an innova-
tive, electronic “Health Passport,” which Centene created to display and update a 
child’s medical care, including pharmacy prescriptions, mental and behavioral assess-
ments, lab records and claims data. Our foster care services are integrated with our 
specialty service companies, particularly our behavioral health company, Cenpatico, as 
foster care children tend to have behavioral issues, often the by-product of perpetual 
or chronic homelessness. We also began providing foster care services to children in 
Mississippi in early 2011.

Hybrid 

Hybrid describes an insurance product with 1) a shared financial responsibility be-
tween the government (state or federal) and one or more private entities (individual, 
employer, provider) and 2) health plans that offer standard benefits to uninsured 
individuals with enough incomes to disqualify them for Medicaid. 

Individual Insurance

The capability to offer affordable insurance solutions to people who may not qualify 
for traditional Medicaid coverage and who would otherwise go without any health 
coverage was the impetus behind our acquisition of Celtic Insurance Company in  
July 2008. 

Long-Term Care

Medicaid

Special Needs 
Plans (SNP)

6

Medicaid is the largest source of financing for long-term care, and the majority of its 
recipients come from the ABD population, which is continuing to grow rapidly.  
Most Medicaid-funded, long-term care recipients are receiving services in traditional, 
fee-for-service programs, and not through a Medicaid managed care program. We 
believe we can expand the managed care model, while producing improved health 
outcomes and generating cost savings, to these higher acuity populations.

Health insurance program for low-income parents and children, the elderly and 
individuals with disabilities. Historically, children have represented Medicaid’s largest 
eligibility group. This segment includes TANF, or Temporary Assistance to Needy 
Families.

A Medicare Advantage coordinated care plan designed for individuals with special 
needs. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 
identifies special needs individuals as 1) institutionalized 2) dually eligible and/or  
3) individuals with severe or disabling chronic conditions. 

Our Solutions support Centene’s local health plans.

Government Solutions  

TANF 

CHIP  

ABD (Non Duals) 

ABD (Dually Eligible) 

Long-Term Care  

Foster Care 

Medicare Special Needs Plans 

Hybrid  

Specialty Health Solutions

Pharmacy Benefits (US Script) 

Behavioral Health Management (Cenpatico)  

Life & Health Management (Nurtur) 

Managed Vision (OptiCare) 

Telehealth (NurseWise)  

 IL 

•	

AR   AZ   FL   GA 
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 IN   MA   MS   OH   SC   TX   WI
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•	
•	 •	 •		 •	 •
•		 •
•
•
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•

	•	 •		

•	

•	

•

•		 •	

•		 •		 •	 •		 	
•		 •		 •		 •	 •		 •	
•		 •		 •		 •
•	 •		 •	 •		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •	 •		 •
•		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •
•		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •		 •	 •	 •

In addition to providing specialty benefits to Centene’s managed care plans, our specialty companies provide services to other healthcare  
clients and state agencies nationwide.

Total Revenue Breakdown of Centene’s Specialty Services

1%

99%

2004

 23% 

Specialty Services
Health Plan Operations 

77%

2010

7

 
	
	
	
 
	
	
	
	
 
	
	
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
	
 
	
 
 
 
Centene’s Multi-Line 
Enterprise

Our suite of specialty services has evolved into a platform that complements 

our managed care business and differentiates Centene. This segment has 

grown from 1 percent of our annual revenues in 2004 to 23 percent in 2010.  

It diversifies our revenue stream, provides higher quality health outcomes 

through a more integrated healthcare delivery system, and assists in 

controlling costs. 

Life & Health Management

Solutions for Individuals 
and the Uninsured

Pharmacy Benefits

Specialty
Companies

Telehealth Services(cid:31)& 
Medication Adherence

Long-Term Care

Behavioral Health

Vision Benefits

8

 We’ve grown from a single Medicaid managed 

care health plan in Wisconsin, over 25 years 
ago, to a leading multi-line, healthcare enter-

prise today, with operations in twelve states. 

Adapting to a Challenging Economic  
Environment
The financial crisis that began in 2008 resulted in high 
unemployment and a rise in individuals without access to 
health insurance. Over the past two years the uninsured 
population has increased approximately 10 percent to  
50 million lives in 2010. This has created an environment 
in which states are compelled to accelerate the transition 
of government-sponsored healthcare into managed care, 
especially their high acuity, high cost recipients. States  
are facing enormous budgetary pressures as they deal with 
lower tax receipts and the additional lives that need to  
be covered.

Meeting the Changing Needs of States
As we saw the needs of our state customers changing, we 
enlarged our focus to help them deal with these new chal-
lenges. We began transforming Centene into a managed 
care company with the capabilities to provide products 
and services not only to Medicaid recipients, but to those 
individuals that fall within the entire under-insured and 
uninsured spectrum. 

The acquisition of Celtic in 2008 was a pivotal step 
in our transformation. Celtic played a crucial role in the 
development of our first state “exchange” – where under-
insured and uninsured individuals receive subsidies from 
the state (depending on income level) to purchase health 
insurance. These subsidized populations often move in 
and out of Medicaid eligibility, yet benefit from continued 
coverage as they are able to remain in the same physician/
hospital network, regardless of their income status. 

Centene’s CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts 
became the first publicly-traded company operating in  
the Massachusetts Connector (“exchange”) Program in 

Medicaid 77%
CHIP & Foster Care 14%
ABD, SNP & LTC 7%
Hybrid 2%

Centene’s at-risk membership as of 
December 31, 2010.

2004

2010

2009. This experience, coupled with our recent acquisition 
of NovaSys, allows for our expanded participation in 
“hybrid” or exchange-based plans. We currently have 
“hybrid” operations up and running in four states and  
expect this to increase as other states seek coverage 
solutions for non-Medicaid, low-income populations. 

IT Investment Generating Returns
Centene’s information technology systems are robust  
and agile – inherently designed to respond to our ever-
changing industry. These systems have improved our  
ability to quickly move from information to insight to 
impact, providing a seamless flow of data across our  
organization from its entry source all the way through to 
our enterprise data warehouse. This allows us to elimi-
nate errors caused by duplicate efforts as accurate data is 
entered only once and then used consistently across all of 
Centene’s platforms and systems. 

Our predictive modeling technology enables the  

medical management operations to proactively case- and  
disease-manage specific high-risk members. It recommends 
medical care opportunities using a mix of company-
defined algorithms and evidence-based medical guidelines. 
Interventions are determined by the clinical indicators, the 
ability to improve health outcomes, and the risk profile 
of members. These early warning signals and rapid reac-
tion to adverse trends and issues provide an enhanced level 
of predictable performance important to both our state 
customers and shareholders.

Additionally, we have invested in critical administrative 
systems. Our new advanced medical management system 
was successfully implemented and is proving to be easy 
to use and effective in addressing the differing needs of 
our increasingly diverse products and services. We began 
deployment of a new system to support our Member and 
Provider Services organization, lowering our administra-
tive costs without compromising service levels. We also 
continue to apply greater automation to handling claims 
and other administrative transactions. Taken together, these 
systems position us for growth opportunities and enable us 
to scale our operations and leverage our infrastructure. 

9

Providing Quality  
Care with Care

Quality healthcare delivered with dignity has the power not only to keep 

people healthy but to transform lives, families, and entire communities for 

the better. As a leader in healthcare, we attribute much of our success to 

the fundamentals of our clinical model: member-centric, with a strong focus 

on quality and results-oriented programs. Centene’s initiative to prevent 

childhood obesity exemplifies this goal with an outreach program that 

includes literature and elementary school assemblies.

10

Connections Plus®

Connections Plus® puts free, pre-
programmed cell phones into the 
hands of the high-risk members who 
otherwise would not have safe, reliable 
access to a telephone. Coordinated 
care facilitated through this program 
reduces avoidable adverse events such 
as inappropriate emergency room  

utilization, hospital admissions, and 
premature birth. Utilization data 
shows a 38 percent drop in inpatient 
admissions, a 29 percent decrease in 
average length of hospital stay, and a 
20 percent drop in Emergency Room 
visits. All measures are statistically 
significant. 

Who do they call?

Providers 96.1%
Nurse Line 3.8%
911 Emergency 0.1%

Driving Innovation through Results- 
Oriented Programs
The health of our members is Centene’s foremost priority. 
Our outreach programs take a proactive approach towards 
educating, empowering, and providing our members with 
the most appropriate medical care. Many of these pro-
grams are recognized as best practices in the industry, 
achieving national and international acclaim. 

For example, Centene’s Start Smart for Your Baby® 
(Start Smart), a comprehensive prenatal and post-partum 
program that combines case management, life and health 
management, and care coordination, received considerable 
recognition in 2010. URAC, one of the healthcare 
industry’s leading quality benchmark organizations, 
awarded Start Smart a Platinum Award for Consumer 
Empowerment at the 2010 URAC Quality Summit. Start 
Smart was also one of three winners of the International 
Community Health Promotion Awards (IHPA) in 
December 2010.  The IHPA awards, established by URAC 
and the Global Knowledge Exchange Network (GKEN), 
recognize organizations around the world that have 
implemented innovative health promotion programs.

Start Smart also received a Silver Medal at the 2010 

National Health Information Awards (NHIA) for its 
prenatal education book, “Your Pregnancy Guide.” The 
accompanying audio book was selected as a gold recipient 
at the 2010 Web Health Awards, an extension of NHIA, 
and the Start Smart for Your Baby podcasts received a 
merit award at the same ceremony. 

In addition, Start Smart will be featured in a peer-
reviewed article in the April 2011 issue of Managed Care 
Magazine. In the article, pregnant members with a com-
pleted Notification of Pregnancy (NOP) form who were 
risk stratified in the Start Smart program were compared 
to those pregnant members without a completed NOP 
form. The study showed positive results for those enrolled 
in the Start Smart program, as these women delivered 
significantly fewer low-birth weight babies.

Beyond prenatal and post-partum education, Centene is 
also focused on the nationwide obesity epidemic. We have 
partnered with a renowned children’s author to create two 

books that address pediatric obesity prevention and target 
children ages 5-9 and have hosted several school-wide 
assemblies. After a reading, the author answered questions 
about healthy habits. More readings are scheduled for 
elementary schools throughout 2011. 

Another example of how Centene has made a notable 

impact on the health of our members is through a com-
prehensive prevention and care management program that 
addresses Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). RSV is a 
serious childhood ailment that in certain high-risk groups 
can lead to severe pneumonia or bronchiolitis with 
respiratory failure and even death. As a leading cause of 
hospitalization of babies in the first years of life, RSV 
infection can be a significant cost driver for managed care 
organizations, as well as a risk factor for development of 
chronic conditions such as asthma later in life. Centene has 
developed a continuum of care in order to manage RSV 
prevention and protect high-risk infants in the most 
cost-effective way through:

n Education via Centene’s seasonal FluventionTM cam-
paign and reinforcement of simple and effective strategies 
to minimize infection, such as eliminating second-hand 
smoke from a baby’s environment and mandatory hand 
washing

n Proactive identification and screening of appropriate 
candidates for preventive medication therapy per guide-
lines from the American Academy of Pediatrics

n Instruction on appropriate utilization and dose  
optimization to reduce misuse and waste of preventive 
medication

n Case management to assure compliance with a multiple 
injection therapy

This approach has shown a reduction in the number  

of hospital admissions and has led to a steady decrease  
in the percentage of inappropriate requests for therapy.  
We have seen significant cost savings as a result of our 
efforts – approximately $8 million in 2010 – by applying 
these guidelines across all of Centene’s health plans. 

11

Building a Responsible 
Enterprise

At Centene, corporate social responsibility means more than philanthropy.  

It encompasses how our values and mission are intertwined into our 

everyday business practices. It addresses how we manage our economic, 

social and environmental impacts, as well as our relationships in all key 

spheres of influence: the workplace, the marketplace, the delivery chain,  

the community, the industry, and the public policy realm. 

Community 
Engagement

Products &  
Services

Business  
Practices

12

 Centene demonstrates our dedication to improving 

health outcomes, as well as our strong social values, 
through our support of health-related causes and 

education in the communities we serve. 

Strategic Partnerships and Outreach Initiatives
Centene believes that the best way to understand, lead and 
address the health of our communities is through strate-
gic partnerships and outreach initiatives. As such, we have 
identified a set of priorities that include: 1) cultivating 
relationships with key organizations; 2) pursuing oppor-
tunities that position Centene as a leader on health issues; 
and 3) developing targeted outreach plans to support 
Centene’s markets.

In 2010, our efforts have resulted in several key part-
nerships that have aligned with our corporate mission of 
providing better health outcomes at lower costs.

n National Urban League (NUL). This partnership includes 
developing healthcare webinars, hosting joint health 
forums and events, and engaging in policy issues of mutual 
interest. Through its affiliate chapters in 35 states, the 
Urban League reaches two million people. Also, in 
November 2010, Centene’s Chairman and CEO was 
appointed as a member of the NUL Board of Trustees.

n National Association of Community Health Centers 
(NACHC). This strategic partnership helps Centene 
enhance outreach to key leaders at Federally Qualified 
Health Centers (FQHCs) throughout the country. 
Centene is committed to building a robust network of 
FQHCs for our members. In 2010, Centene hosted the 
NACHC/PCA (Primary Care Associations) meeting 
in St. Louis as well as sponsored the NACHC Annual 
Conference in Dallas.

n National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). In 
December 2010, Centene was awarded the “Corporate 
Achievement and Image Award” by the NBCSL. The  
association represents more than 600 African American 
state legislators from 45 states. Centene was recognized 
for its work with legislators on key issues impacting the 

African American community, its commitment to the 
African American community, and its corporate responsi-
bility initiatives.

Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare
The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare strives 
to support proactive and innovative strategies that improve 
the quality of healthcare for low-income individuals and 
families. This is accomplished through an inspired phil-
anthropic giving plan that seeks to promote efforts and 
activities that identify and address core causes of unequal 
access and treatment in healthcare.

The Foundation’s key areas of focus include indigent 

care and prevention, cultural diversity, partnership and 
collaborative initiatives, and public policy. In 2010, the 
Foundation supported initiatives that included:

n The “Fragile Kids Partners Program” – a new program 
launched to support select partner medical day care and 
respite agencies in rural Georgia communities. These 
facilities provide medical equipment and therapy supplies 
to increase accessibility and availability to special needs 
children who participate in these programs.

n Centene’s Buckeye Community Health Plan partici-
pated in an empirical study coordinated by North  
East Ohio Health Services to evaluate the effect of a 
coordinated, multidiscplinary team of managed care and 
community mental health agency staff on treatment 
compliance, psychosocial improvement, client satisfaction, 
and cost management.

Centene Health Policy Advisory Council

Centene’s Health Policy Advisory Council consists of a 
panel of experts that advises Centene on strategies to 
improve healthcare quality at lower costs. The council works 
to identify healthcare trends, evaluate the future direction of 
healthcare delivery and financing systems, and identify 
specific opportunities for Centene to improve healthcare 
quality and reduce costs.

13

Quarterly Selected Financial Information (unaudited)

(In thousands, except share data and membership data) 

Total revenues 
Amounts attributable to Centene Corporation 

common shareholders:
Earnings from continuing operations, 

net of income tax expense 

Discontinued operations, net of income 

tax (benefit) expense  

Net earnings  

Net earnings per share attributable to 

Centene Corporation:
Basic:  

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Basic earnings per common share 

Diluted:  

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Diluted earnings per common share 

March 31, 
2010 

For the Quarter Ended,
June 30, 
2010 

September 30, 
2010 

December 31,
2010

$1,068,721 

$1,076,772 

$1,121,861 

$1,180,969 

20,082 

22,999 

22,402 

25,464

3,920 
$    24,002 

(226) 

260 
$    22,773  $    22,662 

(65)
$    25,399

$       0.43 
0.08 
$       0.51 

$       0.46 
– 
$       0.46 

$       0.46 
– 
$       0.46 

$       0.52 
–
$       0.52

$       0.41 
0.08 
$       0.49 

$       0.45 
– 
$       0.45 

$       0.44 
– 
$       0.44 

$       0.50
–
$       0.50

Period end at-risk membership 

1,471,300 

1,534,600 

1,473,800 

1,533,500

(In thousands, except share data and membership data) 

Total revenues 
Amounts attributable to Centene Corporation 

common shareholders:
Earnings from continuing operations, 

net of income tax expense 

Discontinued operations, net of income 

tax (benefit) expense  

Net earnings  

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to 

Centene Corporation:
Basic: 

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Basic earnings per common share 

Diluted: 

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Diluted earnings per common share 

Period end at-risk membership 

14

March 31, 
2009 

For the Quarter Ended,
June 30, 
2009 

September 30, 
2009 

December 31,
2009

$   932,435 

$1,039,469 

$1,038,234 

$1,092,726 

18,907 

20,715 

22,728 

23,743 

(449) 
$     18,458 

(485) 
$    20,230  

(1,460) 
$    21,268 

(28) 
$     23,715

$        0.44 
(0.01) 
$        0.43 

$        0.48  
(0.01) 
$        0.47 

$        0.53 
(0.04) 
$        0.49 

$        0.55
–
$        0.55

$        0.43 
(0.01) 
$        0.42 

$        0.47 
(0.01) 
$        0.46 

$        0.51 
(0.03) 
$        0.48 

$        0.53
–
$        0.53

1,249,600 

1,291,400 

1,388,900 

1,458,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selected Financial Data

(In thousands, except share data) 

2010 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006(1)

Year Ended December 31,

Revenues:

Premium 
Service 

Premium and service revenues 

Premium tax 

Total revenues 

Expenses:

Medical costs 
Cost of services 
General and administrative expenses 
Premium tax expense 

Total operating expenses 
Earnings from operations 

Other income (expense): 

Investment and other income 
Interest expense 

Earnings from continuing operations,

before income tax expense 

Income tax expense  

$4,192,172 
91,661 
4,283,833 
164,490 
4,448,323 

3,514,394 
63,919 
547,823 
165,118 
4,291,254 
157,069 

$3,786,525 
91,758 
3,878,283 
224,581 
4,102,864 

3,163,523 
60,789 
514,529 
225,888 
3,964,729 
138,135 

$3,199,360 
74,953 
3,274,313 
90,202 
3,364,515 

2,640,335 
56,920 
444,733 
90,966 
3,232,954 
131,561 

$2,611,953 
80,508 
2,692,461 
76,567 
2,769,028 

2,190,898 
61,348 
384,970 
76,567 
2,713,783 
55,245 

$1,707,439
79,159
1,786,598
35,848
1,822,446

1,436,371
60,287
267,712
35,848
1,800,218
22,228

15,205 
(17,992) 

15,691 
(16,318) 

21,728 
(16,673) 

154,282 
59,900 

137,508 
48,841 

136,616 
52,435 

24,452 
(15,626) 

64,071 
23,031 

15,511
(10,574)

27,165
9,565

Earnings from continuing operations, net of income 

tax expense 

94,382 

88,667 

84,181 

41,040 

17,600

Discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit) of
$4,388, $(1,204), $(281), $(31,563), and $12,412, respectively 
Net earnings (loss) 
Noncontrolling interest 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Centene Corporation 

Amounts attributable to Centene Corporation 

common shareholders: 
Earnings from continuing operations, 

net of income tax expense 

Discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit)  

Net earnings (loss) 

Net earnings (loss) per common share attributable to 
Centene Corporation:   
Basic:

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share 

Diluted:

Continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: 

3,889 
98,271 
3,435 
$    94,836 

(2,422) 
86,245 
2,574 
$    83,671 

(684) 
83,497 
– 
$    83,497 

32,362 
73,402 
– 
$    73,402 

(61,229)
(43,629)
 –
$   (43,629)

$    90,947 
3,889 
$    94,836 

$    86,093  
(2,422)  

$    83,671 

$    84,181 
(684) 
$    83,497 

$    41,040 
32,362 
$    73,402 

$    17,600
(61,229)
$   (43,629)

$       1.87 
0.08 
$       1.95 

$        2.00  
(0.06) 
$        1.94 

$        1.95 
(0.02) 
$        1.93 

$        0.95 
0.74 
$        1.69 

$        0.41
(1.42)
(1.01)

$ 

$       1.80 
0.08 
$       1.88 

$        1.94  
(0.05) 
$        1.89 

$        1.90 
(0.02) 
$        1.88 

$        0.92 
0.72 
$        1.64 

$        0.39
(1.37)
(0.98)

$ 

Basic 
Diluted 

48,754,947 
50,447,888 

43,034,791 
44,316,467 

43,275,187 
44,398,955 

43,539,950 
44,823,082 

43,160,860
44,613,622

(1) 2006 results for discontinued operations include a goodwill impairment charge of $81,098 and other non-cash impairment charges of $7,170 for the  

FirstGuard reporting unit. 

(In thousands) 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents 
Investments and restricted deposits 
Total assets 
Medical claims liability 
Long-term debt 
Total stockholders’ equity  

2010 

2009 

December 31,
2008 

2007 

2006

$   433,914 
639,983 
1,943,882 
456,765 
327,824 
797,055 

$   400,951 
585,183 
1,702,364 
470,932 
307,085 
619,427 

$   370,999 
451,058 
1,451,152 
384,360 
264,637 
501,272 

$   267,305 
369,545 
1,121,824 
323,741 
206,406 
415,047 

$237,514
174,431
894,980
241,073
174,646
326,423

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Performance Graph dollars

150

125

100

75

50

12.31.05

12.31.06

12.31.07

12.31.08

12.31.09

12.31.10

Centene Corporation
Morgan Stanley Health Care Payor Index
New York Stock Exchange Composite Index

Our common stock has been listed for trading on the 
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNC” 
since October 16, 2003. The graph above compares the 
cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock 
for the period from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 
2010, with the cumulative total return of the New York 
Stock Exchange Composite Index, and the Morgan Stan-
ley Health Care Payor Index over the same period. The 
graph assumes an investment of $100 on December 31, 
2005 in our common stock (at the last reported sale price 
on such date), the New York Stock Exchange Composite 
Index and the Morgan Stanley Health Care Payor Index, 
and assumes the reinvestment of any dividends.

Other Information
Included in this 2010 Annual Review are financial and 
operating highlights and summary financial statements. 
For complete financial statements, including notes, please 
refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “2010 
Form 10-K”), which also includes Management’s Discus-
sion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations. This 2010 Annual Review, together with our 
2010 Form 10-K, constitute our annual report to security 
holders for purposes of Rule 14a-3(b) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our 2010 Form 10-K 
may be obtained by accessing the investor section of our 
Company’s Web site at www.centene.com, or by going to 
the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov.

Cautionary Statement On Forward-Looking Statements
All statements, other than statements of current or historical fact, contained in 
this 2010 Annual Review and, in particular, in the Chairman’s Letter, are 
forward-looking statements. We have attempted to identify these statements by 
terminology including “believe,” “feel,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” 
“intend,” “seek,” “target,” “goal,” “move forward,” “may,” “will,” “should,” 
“can,” “continue” and other similar words or expressions in connection with, 
among other things, any discussion of future operating or financial performance. 
These statements include statements about our market opportunity, our growth 
strategy, competition, expense ratios, our operating environment, our preparedness 
for regulatory developments, including health reform, expected activities and  
future acquisitions, research and development, investments and the adequacy 
of our available cash resources. Readers are cautioned that matters subject to 
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties 
that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance 
or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activ-
16

ity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking 
statements. All forward-looking statements included in this annual review are 
based on information available to us on the date of its publication. Actual results 
may differ from projections or estimates due to a variety of important factors,  
including (i) our ability to accurately predict and effectively manage health 
benefits and other operating expenses, (ii) competition, (iii) changes in healthcare 
practices, (iv) changes in federal or state laws or regulations, (v) inflation, (vi) 
provider contract changes, (vii) new technologies, (viii) reduction in provider  
payments by governmental payors, (ix) major epidemics, (x) disasters and  
numerous other factors affecting the delivery and cost of healthcare, (xi) the  
expiration, cancellation or suspension of our Medicaid managed care contracts by 
state governments, (xii) availability of debt and equity financing, on terms that 
are favorable to us and (xiii) general economic and market conditions. We dis-
claim any current intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking 
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Jesse N. Hunter
Executive VP, Corporate Development

David M. Lavely, O.D.
President and CEO, OptiCare Managed Vision

Donald G. Imholz
Executive VP, Chief Information Officer

Leon J. Luttschwager
Interim CEO, US Script

Corporate Information

Board of Directors
Michael F. Neidorff 
Chairman, President and CEO
Centene Corporation

Robert K. Ditmore 
Former President and COO 
UnitedHealthcare Corporation

Frederick H. Eppinger 
President and CEO
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

Richard A. Gephardt
Chief Executive Officer of Gephardt 

and Associates

Former Majority Leader of the U.S. 

House of Representatives

Pamela A. Joseph
Vice Chairman, U.S. Bancorp

John R. Roberts 
Retired Regional Managing Partner 
Arthur Andersen LLP

David L. Steward 
Chairman of the Board
World Wide Technology, Inc.

Tommy G. Thompson 
Former Health and Human Services Secretary 
Former Governor of Wisconsin 

Senior Management
Michael F. Neidorff
Chairman, President, and CEO

Aparna Abburi
Senior VP, Innovation and 
Product Development

Karen A. Bedell
Senior VP, New Business Integration and 
Development

Holly Benson
Senior VP, Health Policy

Peter A. Jakuc
Senior VP, Corporate Development

Edmund E. Kroll, Jr.
Senior VP, Finance and Investor Relations

Brent D. Layton
Senior VP, Business Development

Mary V. Mason, M.D.
Senior VP, Chief Medical Officer

Robert C. Packman, M.D.
Senior VP, Medical Affairs

H. Robert Sanders
Senior VP, Compensation, Benefits and 

Travel Services

William N. Scheffel
Executive VP, Chief Financial Officer 

and Treasurer

Glendon A. Schuster
Senior VP, Chief Technology Officer

Keith H. Williamson
Senior VP, Secretary and General Counsel

Field Officers: Health Plans 
Aaron W. Brace
President and CEO, Absolute Total Care

Patrick M. Healy
President and CEO, Peach State Health Plan

Sherry B. Husa 
President and CEO, MHS Wisconsin

Michael B. Kinne
President and CEO, IlliniCare

Holly A. Munin
CEO, Superior Health Plan - Foster Care

Christopher D. Bowers
Senior VP, Health Plan Business Unit

Chris E. Paterson
President and CEO, Sunshine State Health Plan

Christine M. Brzycki
Senior VP, Medical Management Operations

Patrick J. Rooney
President and CEO, MHS Indiana

David R. Craig
Senior VP, Transportation Services

Patricia J. Darnley
Senior VP, Network Development

Jonathan L. Dinesman
Senior VP, Government Relations

Mark W. Eggert
Executive VP, Health Plan Business Unit

Carol E. Goldman
Executive VP, Chief Administrative Officer

Jason M. Harrold 
Senior VP, Specialty Business Unit

Cary D. Hobbs
Senior VP, Business Management 

and Integration

Pamela A. Shipley
Interim CEO, Magnolia Health Plan

Steven A. White
President and CEO, 
Buckeye Community Health Plan

Tom P. Wise
President and CEO, Superior HealthPlan

Field Officers: Specialty Companies 
Daniel D. Cave 
President and CEO, Nurtur

Samuel A. Donaldson, Ph.D.
President and CEO, 
Cenpatico Behavioral Health

Richard L. Fredrickson
President and CEO, 
Bridgeway Health Solutions

Terry A. Stevens
President and CEO, Cenpatico Behavioral 
Health - Arizona

Kimberly D. Tuck 
President and CEO, NurseWise 

Field Officers: Insurance Group 
John P. Ryan 
President and CEO, NovaSys

Richard D. Lynch
President and CEO, Celtic, CeltiCare 

Health Plan

Form 10-K
The Company has filed an Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the year ended  
December 31, 2010, with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission. Stockholders 
may obtain a copy of this report, without 
charge, by writing:  

Investor Relations
Centene Corporation
7700 Forsyth Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63105
www.centene.com

Common Stock Information
Centene common stock is traded and quoted 
on the New York Stock Exchange under the 
symbol “CNC.” 

2010 

2009 

High 
First Quarter 
$25.03 
Second Quarter  25.95 
Third Quarter  
23.65 
Fourth Quarter  26.43 

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

$22.50 
21.00 
20.48 
22.02 

Low
$17.60
20.51
20.00
21.19

$15.00
17.29
16.89
17.25

Dividend Policy
The Company has not paid any dividends on  
its common stock and expects that its earn-
ings will continue to be retained for use in the 
operation and expansion of its business.

Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will  
be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at  
10:00 a.m. at Centene Corporation, 7700 
Forsyth Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63105 in  
the Auditorium, 314.725.4477.

Transfer Agent 
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services
480 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310-1900
800.345.5232
www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7700 Forsyth Boulevard 
St. Louis, Missouri 63105
P 314.725.4477
F 314.725.2065
www.centene.com