Centene Corporation Announces Offering Of Notes

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that it has commenced an offering of approximately $150 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Senior Notes (the "Senior Notes") due 2017 through underwriters led by Barclays and Wells Fargo Securities.  Allen & Company LLC, Fifth Third Securities, Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey and US Bancorp will be the co-managers of the offering.  The Senior Notes are an additional issuance of, will be fully fungible with, rank equally with, and form a single series with Centene's $250 million 5.75% Senior Notes due 2017 issued on May 27, 2011, and will have the same CUSIP number.  The offering is being conducted pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Centene intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, primarily including the funding of statutory capital.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The offering is being made by means of a prospectus and the related preliminary prospectus supplement only.  Copies of the prospectus and the related preliminary prospectus supplement can be obtained from Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, New York, NY 11717 or by telephone at 888-603-5847 or e-mail at [e-mail].



About Centene Corporation



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 State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and long-term care, in addition to other state-sponsored programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). Centene's CeltiCare subsidiary offers 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 management. More information regarding Centene is available at www.centene.com.

The information provided in this press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to the public offering of senior notes, including without limitation, statements regarding the completion of the offering and the use of proceeds . Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.  The Company's reports to the SEC contain additional information relating to additional factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update this forward-looking financial information in the future.

SOURCE Centene Corporation

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