CENTENE SUBSIDIARY BUCKEYE HEALTH PLAN AWARDED CONTRACT TO SERVE DUAL ELIGIBILE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID MEMBERS IN OHIO

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives, announced today that its subsidiary, Buckeye Health Plan (Buckeye), has been selected by the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) to continue providing Medicare and Medicaid services for dually eligible individuals through a Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE SNP). FIDE SNPs fully integrate care for dually eligible beneficiaries under a single managed care organization, allowing enrollees to receive all of their medical, behavioral and long-term services and supports through one plan.

MyCare Ohio members will not have any change at this time. Current MyCare Ohio providers will continue to serve MyCare Ohio members as they do today until the transition to the Next Generation MyCare plans in January 2026. At that time, the selected plans will be responsible for supporting Ohioans who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid healthcare coverage in the 29 counties where MyCare Ohio is currently available. Statewide expansion of the program will follow as quickly as possible.

"We are proud to be working with ODM to connect Ohio communities with the personal, specialized care they need and deserve," said Centene Chief Executive Officer, Sarah M. London. "With our FIDE SNP program, we will continue to make sure our members get everything they need – under one plan – so they can focus on their health."

Buckeye is among four health plans selected by ODM to deliver high-quality healthcare to Medicare-Medicaid eligible members through the state's new FIDE SNP product. Buckeye's current MMP program serves more than 9,000 members across 12 counties. With the FIDE SNP product offered through the Next Generation MyCare Ohio Program, Buckeye has the potential to expand its reach statewide when the program expands in 2027. Under the new contract, Buckeye will deploy innovative initiatives to meet members' unique needs, addressing barriers to healthcare and critical social drivers of health, and improving care to promote independence.  

"As your guide to better health, Buckeye is honored to continue to serve dually eligible Ohioans," said Buckeye Health Plan President and CEO, Steve Province. "After serving this dual-eligible population for over a decade, Buckeye understands the importance of providing innovative solutions to meet the needs of Ohioans with complex healthcare challenges and advocating for support to help them thrive. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with members, providers, caregivers and the State of Ohio under the new contract."

For more information about Buckeye's current MyCare Ohio product, visit mmp.buckeyehealthplan.com.

Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc., a Centene Corporation company, was also recently selected by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to provide highly integrated Medicare and Medicaid services for dually eligible Michiganders through a Highly Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan.

About Centene Corporation 

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach – with local brands and local teams – to provide fully integrated, high-quality and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to more than 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace and the TRICARE program. 

Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://investors.centene.com/. 

About Buckeye Health Plan

Buckeye Health Plan offers managed healthcare for Ohioans on Medicaid, Medicare, integrated Medicaid-Medicare (called MyCare Ohio) and the Health Insurance Exchange. Since 2004, Buckeye has been dedicated to improving the health of Ohioans, many with low incomes, by providing coordinated healthcare and other essential support that individuals and families need to grow and thrive. Buckeye Health Plan is a Centene Corporation company. Follow Buckeye on Twitter @Buckeye_Health and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BuckeyeHealthPlan.

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SOURCE CENTENE CORPORATION