Centene Corporation reports news on its government-sponsored managed care business, including Medicaid, Medicare, individual exchange coverage and Medicare Part D plans. Company updates commonly cover quarterly results, EPS guidance, membership by line of business and health-plan subsidiary activity across state markets.
Centene news also includes initiatives from the Centene Foundation and operating companies such as Health Net, Superior HealthPlan, Home State Health, Sunshine Health, Buckeye Health Plan, Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of Kentucky. Recurring themes include affordable housing, medically tailored meals, provider accessibility, workforce development, community health, social services and programs that address drivers of health for managed care members.
Centene (CNC) subsidiary PA Health & Wellness earned national recognition among the top 17 Medicaid health plans for a second consecutive year.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) evaluates health plans on clinical quality, member experience and efforts to improve health outcomes. Its ratings help consumers evaluate health plan performance. PA Health & Wellness serves participants in Pennsylvania's Community HealthChoices program, which provides managed long-term services and supports to help eligible individuals maintain independence and remain in their homes and communities whenever possible.
Centene (CNC) will launch its National Performance-Based Gold Card Program in November 2026 for qualifying providers nationwide offering select outpatient services.
The program will initially be available to more than 160,000 qualifying providers. Centene intends to expand it to other service types and additional providers over time, with the aim of simplifying prior authorization while maintaining clinical and quality standards. Development incorporated anonymous provider feedback across 24 states. Operation may vary with state and federal requirements; providers who do not initially qualify will retain standard review and have future opportunities to qualify.
Centene (CNC), through Ambetter Health Solutions, announced a collaboration with Marathon Health to expand primary care access beginning in 2027. Eligible Ambetter members in select counties across Indiana and Missouri will have access to $0 primary care visits and lab services, along with virtual primary care, through CHOICE Arrangements, formerly ICHRA.
Eligible members will receive information about available services and how to access care before the 2027 plan year begins.
Centene (NYSE: CNC) announced its Wellcare Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan offerings for the 2027 coverage year. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. The prescription drug portfolio includes Wellcare Classic and Wellcare Value Script, with coverage nationwide.
Dual-eligible members, who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, represent approximately 40% of Wellcare's Medicare Advantage membership. Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans account for nearly half of its 2027 Medicare Advantage offerings. The portfolio also includes new Brass and Amber dental options. Benefits and allowance amounts vary by plan.
Centene (CNC) subsidiary Health Net is implementing special assistance for members and providers across California following Gov. Newsom’s statewide State of Emergency for multiple weather events and the Robin Lane sewage spill in Lake County.
The support applies to several emergencies from September 2025 storms through the September 2026 El Niño event. Impacted members can obtain emergency prescription supplies, including at out-of-network pharmacies when refill limits are suspended by calling Health Net at 1-800-400-8987. Behavioral health crisis support is available 24/7, and telehealth medical visits are offered at no cost when members cannot reach their primary care provider.
Providers in affected areas may call 1-800-641-7761 for help. Health Net will extend notification grace periods, waive prior authorization while keeping notification requirements, authorize out-of-network services when needed, and support replacement of medical equipment and suspended prescription refill limits for impacted enrollees.
Centene (CNC), through its Health Net Medi-Cal plan, is providing a $3 million grant to Mutual Housing California to support Fairview Terrace, an affordable housing community for income-qualified seniors in Stockton, announced on September 16, 2026.
The project at 2222 S. Airport Way will offer 76 affordable homes for adults aged 55+ in households earning up to $58,380. The grant helps close a construction financing gap, supporting module setting in 2026 and anticipated completion in 2027. Fairview Terrace is part of Health Net’s broader community investments, including more than $284 million committed statewide over five years and $11 million directed to affordable housing initiatives in Sacramento and San Joaquin counties.
Centene (CNC) subsidiary Health Net will invest $2 million in Stanislaus Equity Partners (STEP) to expand access to safe, stable and affordable housing in Stanislaus County, California.
The multi-year grant will provide flexible gap financing for 50 affordable housing projects that are already in the local pipeline but face funding shortfalls, aiming to move shovel-ready developments closer to completion. STEP will deploy the funds via grants, forgivable loans and low-interest loans, prioritizing projects ready to advance and seeking to unlock additional public and private capital. The initiative is positioned as part of Health Net’s broader commitment to address social drivers of health, particularly housing stability for low-income households, seniors and other vulnerable residents in the county.
Centene (NYSE:CNC), through Home State Health and the Centene Foundation, announced a combined $750,000 in grants to nearly two dozen Missouri organizations. The funding backs community-based programs focused on food security, housing stability, workforce development, foster care, healthcare access and rural health needs across the state.
Centene (NYSE: CNC) has appointed Bradley Bolivar as Chief Information Officer, effective August 31, 2026. He joins from Fannie Mae, where he led enterprise technology strategy, including AI, data, cybersecurity and infrastructure. Bolivar succeeds Brian LeClaire, who plans to retire by the end of October 2026.
Health Net, a Centene (NYSE: CNC) company, announced a $900,000 grant to Pear Suite to help California community-based organizations strengthen technology and billing systems so they can provide community health worker and doula services and obtain Medi-Cal reimbursement more easily.
The grant extends a partnership under which Health Net has committed over $1.9 million since 2023 to expand community health worker capacity, improve outreach and connect Medi-Cal members to health and social services using Pear Suite’s platform for assessments, referrals, documentation and preventative activities.