CENTENE CORP

Overview

Centene Corporation is a U.S. managed healthcare company that provides health coverage through Medicaid, Medicare and commercial insurance plans. Its commercial business includes Health Insurance Marketplace plans, while related services include pharmacy, dental, vision and behavioral healthcare. Centene’s stated mission is to “transform the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time.” [1][2]

Founded in 1984 as a local Medicaid plan, Centene has grown into a large national insurer; its Ambetter Marketplace plans operated in 29 states in 2025. The company reported $194.8 billion in 2025 revenue and approximately 61,100 employees at year-end.[3]+3 [1]+5

Products & services

Centene’s health insurance products span Medicaid, Medicare and commercial coverage. Its Medicaid plans serve groups including children, low-income adults, people with disabilities, foster-care members and people who need long-term services and supports, such as residential care or help at home with daily activities. Its Medicare products include Medicare Advantage, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, Medicare Supplement coverage and stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans, marketed in part under the Wellcare brand.[7]+3

Centene sells individual health plans through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace under the Ambetter Health brand, alongside other individual and group commercial coverage. Its related services include specialty pharmacy support through AcariaHealth for people with complex or chronic conditions, behavioral-health services, and dental and vision benefits delivered through contracted provider networks. Its care model can coordinate medical, behavioral and home-based care under an individualized plan.[11]+3

In 2024, Medicaid, Medicare, Commercial and Other products accounted for approximately 62%, 14%, 21% and 3% of Centene’s total external revenue, respectively. The Other category includes services such as pharmacy, dental, vision and behavioral health.[14][1] [7]+8

Geographic presence

Centene’s operations are concentrated in the United States. At year-end 2025, its Medicaid plans served 12.5 million members in 30 states, while its Ambetter Health Marketplace plans served 5.5 million members in 29 states.[15][16] Florida and New York each accounted for approximately 10% or more of Centene’s Medicaid premium revenue in 2025.[15]

Centene’s principal executive offices are in St. Louis, Missouri, where it owns its headquarters buildings and land. It generally leases space in states where its health plans and claims-processing facilities operate and maintains offices in service areas where required by regulators. The majority of its employees use remote or hybrid work arrangements.[17]+2 [15]+4

Business segments

Centene reports four segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Commercial and Other. Medicaid covers state-based programs including Medicaid expansion, children’s health insurance, long-term services and supports, and foster care. Medicare includes Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans and Medicare Supplement. Commercial comprises Health Insurance Marketplace plans, individual and group coverage, and related products. Other includes pharmacy operations, vision and dental services, clinical healthcare, behavioral health and centralized services.[1]

Based on 2025 external revenues, Medicaid contributed approximately 57% of Centene’s total, Commercial 22%, Medicare 19% and Other 3% (rounded). These are revenue shares, not profit contributions.[20] [1]+2

Company history

Centene was founded in Milwaukee in 1984 by Elizabeth “Betty” Brinn as a nonprofit Medicaid plan called Family Hospital Physician Associates. Michael Neidorff became chief executive officer in 1996, and the company went public in December 2001.[3]+2

Centene expanded beyond its original Medicaid business, acquiring individual health insurer Celtic in 2008 and operating state-based Health Insurance Marketplace contracts by 2014. It completed larger acquisitions of Health Net in 2016 and WellCare in 2020. Sarah London succeeded Neidorff as CEO in 2022.[24]+4 [24]+7

Sources

• CENTENE CORP — Full financial report (2025 Y)
  9 citations

  [1][4][6][15][16][17][18][19][21]
• www.centene.com[2]
• www.centene.com[3]
• www.sec.gov[5]
• CENTENE CORP — Full financial report (2024 Y)
  7 citations

  [7][8][9][11][12][13][14]
• investors.centene.com[10]
• www.sec.gov[20]
• www.sec.gov[22]
• investors.centene.com[23]
• CENTENE CORP — Full financial report (2012 Y)[24]
• CENTENE CORP — Full financial report (2014 Y)[25]
• investors.centene.com[26]
• investors.centene.com[27]
• investors.centene.com[28]