Centene Corporation Partners With MHM Services To Serve Massachusetts State Correctional System

ST. LOUIS, March 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/-- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today that a subsidiary of its correctional healthcare joint venture, Centurion LLC ("Centurion"), has been notified by the Department of Correction in Massachusetts that it has been awarded a contract, contingent upon successful completion of contract negotiations.

Centurion is a joint venture between Centene and MHM Services Inc. ("MHM"), a national leader in providing healthcare services to correctional systems. The Centurion partnership leverages Centene's more than 25 years of experience with state-sponsored managed care programs and MHM's unique expertise in providing healthcare services to inmates over the past three decades. 

"Centene continues to expand its experience in working with state governments to provide better health outcomes at lower costs," said Jason M. Harrold, Executive Vice President, Specialty Companies, for Centene.  "Centurion offers states a unique model for the coordination and delivery of health services to inmates, while working to manage escalating costs for our state partners."

The Massachusetts Partnership for Correctional Health is the Centurion subsidiary that responded to the request for proposal from the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Under this award, Centurion will provide comprehensive healthcare services to individuals incarcerated in Massachusetts state correctional facilities.

"Under the Centurion partnership, MHM Services is pleased to expand its relationship with the Massachusetts Department of Correction to provide comprehensive medical services," said Michael S. Pinkert, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for MHM Services.  "By joining with Centene, we are able to offer a new and unique approach to inmate healthcare that combines Medicaid managed care techniques with the more traditional approaches to treating inmates."

The award is subject to final negotiations with the state and is contemplated to become effective in the summer of 2013.

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.

SOURCE Centene Corporation