IlliniCare Health Awarded NCQA Accreditation

WESTMONT, Ill., July 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- IlliniCare Health, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), has earned NCQA accreditation for both its Medicaid and Exchange HMO plans.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has awarded accreditation to IlliniCare Health for service and clinical quality that meet or exceed NCQA's rigorous requirements for consumer protection and quality improvement.  To receive the seal of approval the health plan is measured on over 60 standards in 40 different areas.  For consumers and employers, the seal is a reliable indicator that an organization is well-managed and delivers high quality care and service (ncqa.org).

"IlliniCare Health is honored to receive this accreditation.  Our commitment is to always provide the best quality of care to improve the health of our communities," said Jeff Joy, Plan President & CEO.  "This accreditation recognizes our flexibility and collaborative approach to comprehensive member care. Most importantly, it affirms our staff's relentless and passionate dedication to providing the highest caliber of care to the members we serve."

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers.

About IlliniCare Health

IlliniCare Health is a Managed Care Organization (MCO) contracted to provide services under Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Integrated Care Program and the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI). IlliniCare is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (CNC), a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise offering both core Medicaid and specialty services. IlliniCare currently serves over 20,000 members as part of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Integrated Care Program (ICP) in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Kankakee and Will Counties. In 2013, IlliniCare Health expanded the Integrated Care Program to serve Boone, McHenry, Winnebago, Rock Island and Mercer Counties. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services recently selected IlliniCare Health as one of the six Managed Care Organizations to participate in the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) in the greater Chicago area. Information regarding IlliniCare Health is available at www.illinicare.com.

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 IlliniCare Health