Centene - 10-Q quarterly report FY2010 Q3

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

[ ]	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 001-31826

CENTENE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	42-1406317
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification Number)

7700 Forsyth Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri	63105
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(314) 725-4477

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: T Yes £ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). T Yes £ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer T Accelerated filer £ Non-accelerated filer £ (do n ot check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes £ No T

As of October 15, 2010, the registrant had 51,724,423 shares of common stock outstanding.

CENTENE CORPORATION

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		PAGE

Part I
Financial Information
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (unaudited)	1
	Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)	2
	Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity as of September 30, 2010 (unaudited)	3
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)	4
	Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	11
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	18
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	18
Part II
Other Information
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	19
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	25
Item 6.	Exhibits	26
Signatures		27

Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements, other than statements of current or historical fact, contained in this filing are forward-looking statements. We have attempted to identify these statements by terminology including “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “goal,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “can,” “continue” and other similar words or expressions in connection with, among other things, any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these statements include statements about our market opportunity, our growth strategy, competition, expected activities and future acquisitions, investments and the adequac y of our available cash resources. These statements may be found in the various sections of this filing, including those entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” Readers are cautioned that matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including economic, regulatory, competitive and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

All forward-looking statements included in this filing are based on information available to us on the date of this filing and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements included in this filing, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this filing. Actual results may differ from projections or estimates due to a variety of important factors, including:

·	our ability to accurately predict and effectively manage health benefits and other operating expenses;

·	competition;

·	changes in healthcare practices;

·	changes in federal or state laws or regulations, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act and any regulations enacted thereunder;

·	inflation;

·	provider contract changes;

·	new technologies;

·	reduction in provider payments by governmental payors;

·	major epidemics;

·	disasters and numerous other factors affecting the delivery and cost of healthcare;

·	the expiration, cancellation or suspension of our Medicaid managed care contracts by state governments;

·	availability of debt and equity financing, on terms that are favorable to us; and

·	general economic and market conditions.

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PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements.

CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

	September 30, 2010			December 31, 2009
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, including $5,389 and $8,667, respectively, from consolidated variable interest entities	$	397,519		$	400,951
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations		147			2,801
Total cash and cash equivalents		397,666			403,752
Premium and related receivables, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1,336 and $1,338, respectively, including $3,208 and $11,313, respectively, from consolidated variable interest entities		182,379			103,456
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost $30,667 and $39,230, respectively)		30,857			39,554
Other current assets, including $2,023 and $4,507, respectively, from consolidated variable interest entities		63,408			64,866
Current assets of discontinued operations other than cash		1,678			4,506
Total current assets		675,988			616,134
Long-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost $463,877 and $514,256, respectively)		479,164			525,497
Restricted deposits, at fair value (amortized cost $20,527 and $20,048, respectively)		20,589			20,132
Property, software and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $127,969 and $103,883, respectively, including $138,008 and $89,219, respectively, from consolidated variable interest entities		311,195			230,421
Goodwill		247,757			224,587
Intangible assets, net		24,608			22,479
Other long-term assets, including $2,806 and $30, respectively, from consolidated variable interest entities		28,398			36,829
Long-term assets of discontinued operations		7,478			26,285
Total assets	$	1,795,177		$	1,702,364
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Medical claims liability	$	457,085		$	470,932
Accounts payable and accrued expenses, including $20,926 and $14,020, respectively, from consolidated variable interest entities		145,877			132,001
Unearned revenue		52,936			91,644
Current portion of long-term debt		663			646
Current liabilities of discontinued operations		4,531			20,685
Total current liabilities		661,092			715,908
Long-term debt		263,513			307,085
Other long-term liabilities		66,355			59,561
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations		285			383
Total liabilities		991,245			1,082,937

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares; 51,716,723 issued and 49,265,875 outstanding at September 30, 2010, and 45,593,383 shares issued and 43,179,373 shares outstanding at December 31, 2009		52			46
Additional paid-in capital		400,213			281,806
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized gain on investments, net of tax		9,661			7,348
Retained earnings		428,344			358,907
Treasury stock, at cost (2,450,848 and 2,414,010 shares, respectively)		(47,976	)		(47,262	)
Total Centene Corporation stockholders’ equity		790,294			600,845
Noncontrolling interest		13,638			18,582
Total stockholders’ equity		803,932			619,427
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,795,177		$	1,702,364

The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Revenues:
Premium	$	1,060,559		$	960,009		$	3,085,802		$	2,754,713
Service		20,954			27,300			68,543			72,740
Premium and service revenues		1,081,513			987,309			3,154,345			2,827,453
Premium tax		40,348			50,925			113,009			182,685
Total revenues		1,121,861			1,038,234			3,267,354			3,010,138
Expenses:
Medical costs		893,281			803,062			2,592,324			2,298,108
Cost of services		14,646			15,843			47,505			46,364
General and administrative expenses		132,095			130,024			401,072			381,524
Premium tax		41,591			51,295			114,885			183,785
Total operating expenses		1,081,613			1,000,224			3,155,786			2,909,781
Earnings from operations		40,248			38,010			111,568			100,357
Other income (expense):
Investment and other income		713			3,750			11,912			11,781
Interest expense		(4,858	)		(4,064	)		(12,540	)		(12,210	)
Earnings from continuing operations, before income tax expense		36,103			37,696			110,940			99,928
Income tax expense		13,163			12,426			42,942			35,060
Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax expense		22,940			25,270			67,998			64,868
Discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $26, $(792), $4,376 and $(1,148), respectively		260			(1,460	)		3,954			(2,394	)
Net earnings		23,200			23,810			71,952			62,474
Noncontrolling interest		538			2,542			2,515			2,518
Net earnings attributable to Centene Corporation	$	22,662		$	21,268		$	69,437		$	59,956

Amounts attributable to Centene Corporation common stockholders:
Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax expense	$	22,402		$	22,728		$	65,483		$	62,350
Discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit)		260			(1,460	)		3,954			(2,394	)
Net earnings	$	22,662		$	21,268		$	69,437		$	59,956

Net earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Centene Corporation:
Basic:
Continuing operations	$	0.46		$	0.53		$	1.35		$	1.45
Discontinued operations		—			(0.04	)		0.08			(0.06	)
Earnings per common share	$	0.46		$	0.49		$	1.43		$	1.39
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$	0.44		$	0.51		$	1.30		$	1.41
Discontinued operations		—			(0.03	)		0.08			(0.05	)
Earnings per common share	$	0.44		$	0.48		$	1.38		$	1.36

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		49,238,406			43,001,870			48,552,135			43,023,431
Diluted		50,938,357			44,291,604			50,192,190			44,247,153

The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

	Centene Stockholders’ Equity
	Common Stock									Treasury Stock
	$.001 Par Value Shares	Amt		Additional Paid-in Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		Retained Earnings		$.001 Par Value Shares	Amt		Non controlling Interest		Total
Balance, December 31, 2009	45,593,383	$	46	$	281,806	$	7,348	$	358,907	2,414,010	$	(47,262)	$	18,582	$	619,427
Consolidation of Syncare LLC	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		(72)		(72	)
Comprehensive Earnings:
Net earnings	—		—		—		—		69,437	—		—		2,515		71,952
Change in unrealized investment gain, net of $1,261 tax	—		—		—		2,313		—	—		—		—		2,313
Total comprehensive earnings																74,265
Common stock issued for stock offering	5,750,000		6		104,528		—		—	—		—		—		104,534
Common stock issued for employee benefit plans	373,340		—		3,032		—		—	—		—		—		3,032
Common stock repurchases	—		—		—		—		—	36,838		(714)		—		(714	)
Issuance of stock warrants	—		—		296		—		—	—		—		—		296
Stock compensation expense	—		—		10,224		—		—	—		—		—		10,224
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	—		—		327		—		—	—		—		—		327
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—	—		—		(7,387)		(7,387	)
Balance, September 30, 2010	51,716,723	$	52	$	400,213	$	9,661	$	428,344	2,450,848	$	(47,976)	$	13,638	$	803,932

The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

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CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	71,952		$	62,474
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		38,620			30,800
Stock compensation expense		10,224			11,428
(Gain) loss on sale of investments, net		(6,331	)		261
(Gain) on sale of UHP		(8,201	)		―
Impairment of investment		5,531			―
Deferred income taxes		7,012			4,516
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Premium and related receivables		(68,125	)		(381	)
Other current assets		(2,932	)		(2,595	)
Other assets		(990	)		(593	)
Medical claims liabilities		(29,304	)		31,612
Unearned revenue		(38,708	)		54,725
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(3,174	)		(17,656	)
Other operating activities		(1,267	)		2,386
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(25,693	)		176,977
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(91,960	)		(42,696	)
Purchases of investments		(382,730	)		(647,086	)
Proceeds from asset sales		13,420			―
Sales and maturities of investments		452,128			546,640
Investments in acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(26,847	)		(31,533	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(35,989	)		(174,675	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		2,394			1,717
Proceeds from borrowings		53,812			468,500
Proceeds from stock offering		104,534			―
Payment of long-term debt		(97,467	)		(456,059	)
Distributions (to) from noncontrolling interest		(7,387	)		4,324
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation		424			43
Common stock repurchases		(714	)		(5,539	)
Debt issuance costs		―			(405	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		55,596			12,581
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(6,086	)		14,883
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		403,752			379,099
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	397,666		$	393,982

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	9,501		$	8,556
Income taxes paid	$	44,407		$	43,308

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	$	306		$	5,491
Capital expenditures	$	15,291		$	10,106

The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim financial statements have been prepared under the presumption that users of the interim financial information have either read or have access to the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 filed on Form 10-K on February 22, 2010. The unaudited interim financial statements herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, footnote disclosures, which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the December 31, 2009 audited financial statements, have been omitted from these interim financial statements where appropriate. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessar y for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented.

Certain 2009 amounts in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on net earnings or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, new guidance was issued related to the consolidation of variable interest entities to require an analysis to determine whether a variable interest gives the Company a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. This guidance requires an ongoing reassessment and eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining whether an entity is the primary beneficiary. This guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, and early adoption was prohibited. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

The Company has determined that all other recently issued accounting guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, or do not apply to its operations.

3. Discontinued Operations: University Health Plans, Inc.

In March 2010, the Company completed the sale of certain assets of the New Jersey health plan, University Health Plans, Inc., or UHP, and recorded a pre-tax gain of $8,201. Goodwill and intangible assets associated with the New Jersey operations disposed of as a part of the sale were $3,720. The assets, liabilities and results of operations of UHP were classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented beginning in December 2008 and were previously reported in the Medicaid Managed Care segment. The total revenue associated with UHP included in results from discontinued operations was zero and $37,170 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The total revenue associated with UHP included in results from discontinued operations was $21,993 and $109, 256 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. UHP had statutory capital of approximately $7,000 at September 30, 2010, which will be transferred to unregulated cash upon receiving regulatory approval.

During the three and nine months ending September 30, 2010, the Company incurred additional exit costs related to lease termination costs and employee retention programs and made related payments. In total, the Company has incurred exit costs totaling $5,032. The change in the exit cost liability for UHP is summarized as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2010									Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
	Employee Benefits			Lease Termination			Total			Employee Benefits			Lease Termination			Total
Beginning Balance	$	1,392		$	1,069		$	2,461		$	2,726		$	267		$	2,993
Incurred/(Adjustments)		(347	)		(79	)		(426	)		(274	)		1,056			782
Paid		(497	)		—			(497	)		(1,904	)		(333	)		(2,237	)
Ending Balance	$	548		$	990		$	1,538		$	548		$	990		$	1,538

4. Acquisitions

In June 2010, the Company acquired certain assets of Carolina Crescent Health Plan, South Carolina’s largest non-profit Medicaid managed care organization for $17,993 in total consideration. The Company recorded an initial allocation of value that resulted in goodwill of $14,394 and other identifiable intangible assets of $3,599. The Company allocated the total consideration to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on its initial estimates of fair value using methodologies and assumptions that it believed were reasonable. During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the Company adjusted the allocation of the total consideration to identifiable assets and liabilities which increased goodwill to $16,403 and decreased other identifiable intangible assets to $1,590. The acquisition is recorded in the Medicaid Managed Care segment.

In July 2010, the Company acquired certain assets of NovaSys Health, LLC, a leading third party administrator in Arkansas and paid $4,330 in cash. The Company performed an initial allocation of fair value that resulted in goodwill of $1,444 and other identifiable intangible assets of $3,050 that were recorded in the Specialty Services segment.

5. Variable Interest Entities

Centene Center, LLC

In June 2009, the Company executed an agreement as a 50% joint venture partner in a real estate development entity, Centene Center, LLC, or Centene Center, associated with the construction of a real estate development to include the Company’s corporate headquarters. Centene Center is a variable interest entity, or VIE, and the Company concluded it was the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Centene Center. During the third quarter of 2010, the real estate development was put in service and began generating income and expense recorded as general and administrative expense on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

As part of financing the real estate development, Centene Center executed a $95,000 construction loan due June 1, 2011, which may be extended for two additional one year terms. The Company and its development partner have guaranteed up to $65,000 each associated with this construction loan until substantial completion of the real estate development when the guarantee is reduced to 50% of the outstanding loan balance. As of September 30, 2010, the development was substantially complete and $73,371 was outstanding under this loan. Centene Center has capitalized $1,089 of interest in 2010.

Access Health Solutions, LLC

The Company maintains a 49% ownership interest in Access Health Solutions, LLC, or Access, a Medicaid managed care entity in Florida. The Company also has rights to acquire the remaining assets and ownership interests in Access. As a result of these rights, the Company determined that Access is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company records its investment in Access as a consolidated subsidiary in its financial statements.

Syncare, LLC

During the first quarter of 2010, one of the Company’s employees became the owner of Syncare, LLC, or Syncare, a disease management company providing services to private and public insurers. Additionally, the Company is a guarantor on a $300 loan that was utilized to purchase the business and is a guarantor of Syncare’s $100 business loan. As a result, the Company determined that Syncare, LLC is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company has presented Syncare as a consolidated entity effective February 1, 2010.

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Summary

The carrying amounts of the consolidated assets and liabilities related to the Company’s interests in Centene Center, Access and Syncare, are as follows:

	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,389	$	8,667
Premium and related receivables		3,208		11,313
Other current assets		2,023		4,507
Property, software and equipment, net		138,008		89,219
Other long-term assets		2,806		30

Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	20,926	$	14,020
Long-term debt		73,471		32,559

The assets of each VIE can only be used to settle obligations of each respective VIE. With respect to the long-term debt balances, creditors have recourse to the Company only through the guarantees discussed above.

6. Investments and Restricted Deposits

Short-term and long-term investments and restricted deposits by investment type consist of the following:

	September 30, 2010									December 31, 2009
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value			Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	29,291	$	678	$	(9	)	$	29,960		$	27,080	$	213	$	(5	)	$	27,288
Corporate securities		179,356		4,669		(3	)		184,022			165,720		581		(940	)		165,361
Municipal securities:
General obligation		110,413		4,806		—			115,219			141,039		6,249		(3	)		147,285
Pre-refunded		33,862		1,023		—			34,885			39,928		950		(25	)		40,853
Revenue		104,187		4,009		—			108,196			119,488		4,429		(3	)		123,914
Variable rate demand notes		24,740		—		—			24,740			33,500		—		—			33,500
Asset backed securities		12,786		366		—			13,152			19,934		61		—			19,995
Reserve Primary fund		—		—		—			—			2,444		—		—			2,444
Cost method investments and equity securities		6,119		—		—			6,119			9,751		312		(170	)		9,893
Life insurance contracts		14,317		—		—			14,317			14,650		—		—			14,650
Total	$	515,071	$	15,551	$	(12	)	$	530,610		$	573,534	$	12,795	$	(1,146	)	$	585,183

The Company’s investments are classified as available-for-sale with the exception of life insurance contracts and certain cost method investments. The Company’s investment policies are designed to provide liquidity, preserve capital and maximize total return on invested assets with the focus on high credit quality securities. The Company limits the size of investment in any single issuer. As of September 30, 2010, the Company had no single issue with a par value greater than $5,000. As of September 30, 2010, 40% of the Company’s investments in securities that carry a rating by Moody’s or S&P were rated AAA or higher, 75% were rated AA- or higher, and 99% were rated A- or higher. At September 30, 2010, the Company held certificates of deposit of $13,922, li fe insurance contracts of $14,317 and cost method invesments of $6,119 which did not carry a credit rating.

The fair value of available-for-sale investments with gross unrealized losses by investment type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows:

	September 30, 2010									December 31, 2009
	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More				Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More
	Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	(9	)	$	1,107	$	—	$	—	$	(5	)	$	785	$	—		$	—
Corporate securities		(3	)		4,849		—		—		(901	)		99,418		(39	)		892
Municipal securities:
General obligation		—			—		—		—		(3	)		956		—			—
Pre-refunded		—			—		—		—		(25	)		7,811		—			—
Revenue		—			—		—		—		(3	)		916		—			—
Equity securities		—			—		—		—		(84	)		527		(86	)		629
Total	$	(12	)	$	5,956	$	—	$	—	$	(1,021	)	$	110,413	$	(125	)	$	1,521

As of September 30, 2010, the gross unrealized losses were generated from seven positions out of a total of 340 positions. The decline in fair value of fixed income securities is a result of movement in interest rates subsequent to the purchase of the security.

For each security in an unrealized loss position, the Company assesses whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis for reasons such as liquidity, contractual or regulatory purposes. If the security meets this criterion, the decline in fair value is other-than-temporary and is recorded in earnings.

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The contractual maturities of short-term and long-term investments and restricted deposits as of September 30, 2010 are as follows:

	Investments				Restricted Deposits
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
One year or less	$	30,667	$	30,857	$	19,250	$	19,264
One year through five years		422,305		437,494		1,277		1,325
Five years through ten years		25,892		25,915		—		—
Greater than ten years		15,680		15,755		—		—
Total	$	494,544	$	510,021	$	20,527	$	20,589

The contractual maturities of short-term and long-term investments and restricted deposits as of December 31, 2009 are as follows:

	Investments				Restricted Deposits
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
One year or less	$	39,230	$	39,554	$	17,737	$	17,758
One year through five years		456,041		467,112		2,311		2,374
Five years through ten years		28,597		28,780		—		—
Greater than ten years		29,618		29,605		—		—
Total	$	553,486	$	565,051	$	20,048	$	20,132

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment options. Asset backed securities are included in the one year through five years category, equity securities and life insurance contracts are included in the five years through ten years category, and variable rate demand notes are included in the greater than ten years category. The Company has an option to redeem at amortized cost substantially all of the securities included in the greater than ten years category listed above.

Realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of specific identification or a first-in, first-out methodology, if specific identification is not practicable. The Company’s gross recorded realized gains and losses on investments were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010				2009				2010				2009
Gains		$	2,310			$	297			$	6,027			$	850
Losses			(23	)			(128	)			(268	)			(1,111	)
Impairment of investment			(5,531	)		—					(5,531	)			—

The Company continuously monitors investments for other-than-temporary impairment. Certain investments have experienced a decline in fair value due to changes in credit quality, market interest rates and/or general economic conditions. The Company recognizes an impairment loss for cost and equity method investments when evidence demonstrates that it is other-than-temporarily impaired. Evidence of a loss in value that is other than temporary may include the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or the inability of the investee to sustain a level of earnings that would justify the carrying amount of the investment. During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the Company determined it had an other-than-temporary impairment of a cost method investment in a start-up company that provides software to automate the clinical, administrative, and technical components of care management programs. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $5,531, including $3,531 of convertible promissory notes. The impairment charge is included in investment and other income for the quarter.

Investment and other income in the three months ended September 30, 2010 included a net realized gain of $1,961 related to sales of fixed income investments and also included a gain on a distribution from the Reserve Primary money market fund of $326, representing distributions received in excess of our adjusted basis. During 2008, the Company recorded a loss of $4,457 related to its investment in the Reserve Primary money market fund whose Net Asset Value fell below $1.00 per share.

Investment and other income in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included a net realized gain of $2,472 related to sales of fixed income investments and also included realized gains of $3,287 related to the Reserve Primary money market fund for distributions made during the first and third quarters of 2010.

7. Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the extent to which the fair value estimates are based upon observable or unobservable inputs. Level inputs are as follows:

Level Input:		Input Definition:
Level I		Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.

Level II		Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level I that are observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date.

Level III		Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

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The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at September 30, 2010, for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	397,519	$	―	$	―	$	397,519

Investments available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	21,378	$	703	$	―	$	22,081
Corporate securities		―		171,312		―		171,312
Municipal securities:
General obligation		―		115,219		―		115,219
Pre-refunded		―		34,885		―		34,885
Revenue		―		108,196		―		108,196
Variable rate demand notes		―		24,740		―		24,740
Asset backed securities		―		13,152		―		13,152
Total investments	$	21,378	$	468,207	$	―	$	489,585

Restricted deposits available for sale:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,306	$	―	$	―	$	6,306
Certificates of deposit		6,404		―		―		6,404
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies		7,879		―		―		7,879
Total restricted deposits	$	20,589	$	―	$	―	$	20,589

Total assets at fair value	$	439,486	$	468,207	$	―	$	907,693

The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2009, for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	400,951	$	―	$	―	$	400,951

Investments available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	$	16,635	$	2,764	$	―	$	19,399
Corporate securities		―		152,919		―		152,919
Municipal securities:
General obligation		―		147,285		―		147,285
Pre-refunded		―		40,853		―		40,853
Revenue		―		123,914		―		123,914
Variable rate demand notes		―		33,500		―		33,500
Equity securities		3,585		―		―		3,585
Asset backed securities		―		19,995		―		19,995
Total investments	$	20,220	$	521,230	$	―	$	541,450

Restricted deposits available for sale:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,285	$	―	$	―	$	7,285
Certificates of deposit		4,958		―		―		4,958
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies		7,889		―		―		7,889
Total restricted deposits	$	20,132	$	―	$	―	$	20,132

Total assets at fair value	$	441,303	$	521,230	$	―	$	962,533

The Company periodically transfers U.S. Treasury securities between Level I and Level II fair value measurements dependent upon the level of trading activity for the specific securities at the measurement date. The Company utilizes matrix pricing services to estimate fair value for securities which are not actively traded on the measurement date. The Company designates these securities as Level II fair value measurements. The aggregate carrying amount of the Company’s life insurance contracts and cost-method investments, which approximates fair value, was $20,436 and $23,601 as of September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2009, respectively.

8. Debt

Debt consists of the following:

	September 30, 2010			December 31, 2009
$175,000 senior notes	$	175,000		$	175,000
$300,000 revolving credit agreement		―			84,000
Joint venture construction loan		73,371			32,559
Mortgage note payable		9,600			9,900
Capital leases and other		6,205			6,272
Total debt		264,176			307,731
Less current maturities		(663	)		(646	)
Long-term debt	$	263,513		$	307,085

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company completed the sale of 5.75 million shares of common stock for $19.25 per share. A portion of the proceeds was used to repay the outstanding indebtedness under our $300,000 revolving credit agreement ($84,000 as of December 31, 2009).

9. Income Taxes

Excluding the effects of noncontrolling interests, the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 would be 37.0% compared to 35.3% in 2009, and the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 would be 39.6% compared to 36.0% in 2009. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three month period was primarily related to a decrease in tax exempt interest and an increase in state income taxes. The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine month period was primarily driven by recently enacted legislation in the state of Georgia which replaced the state income tax with a premium tax for Medicaid managed care organizations effective July 1, 2010. As a result of the new legislation, the Company is unable to realize any future tax benefit from deferred tax assets recorded related to Georgia state net operating loss carry forwards. Accordingly, a deferred tax asset of $1,700, or approximately $0.03 per share, was written off during the second quarter.

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10. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common share:

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010		2009			2010		2009
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Centene Corporation common stockholders:
Earnings from continuing operations, net of tax	$	22,402	$	22,728		$	65,483	$	62,350
Discontinued operations, net of tax		260		(1,460	)		3,954		(2,394	)
Net earnings	$	22,662	$	21,268		$	69,437	$	59,956
Shares used in computing per share amounts:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding		49,238,406		43,001,870			48,552,135		43,023,431
Common stock equivalents (as determined by applying the treasury stock method)		1,699,951		1,289,734			1,640,055		1,223,722
Weighted average number of common shares and potential dilutive common shares outstanding		50,938,357		44,291,604			50,192,190		44,247,153

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to Centene Corporation common stockholders:
Basic:
Continuing operations	$	0.46	$	0.53		$	1.35	$	1.45
Discontinued operations		―		(0.04	)		0.08		(0.06	)
Earnings per common share	$	0.46	$	0.49		$	1.43	$	1.39

Diluted:
Continuing operations	$	0.44	$	0.51		$	1.30	$	1.41
Discontinued operations		―		(0.03	)		0.08		(0.05	)
Earnings per common share	$	0.44	$	0.48		$	1.38	$	1.36

The calculation of diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 excludes the impact of 1,931,808 and 1,975,387 shares, respectively, related to anti-dilutive stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. The calculation of diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 excludes the impact of 2,352,841 and 2,546,193 shares, respectively, related to anti-dilutive stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units.

11. Stockholders’ Equity

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company completed the sale of 5.75 million shares of common stock for $19.25 per share. Net proceeds from the sale of the additional shares were $104,534. A portion of the proceeds was used to repay the outstanding indebtedness under our $300,000 revolving credit loan facility ($84,000 as of December 31, 2009). The Company has used the remaining proceeds to fund its acquisition in South Carolina as well as capital expenditures.

On October 26, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors extended the Company’s stock repurchase program. The program authorizes the repurchase of up to 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. No duration has been placed on the repurchase program and the Company reserves the right to discontinue the repurchase program at any time. The Company has not made any repurchases under this plan during 2010.

As a component of the employee stock compensation plan, employees can use shares of stock which have vested to satisfy personal tax withholding obligations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company purchased 36,838 vested shares from employees at an aggregate cost of $714. These shares are included in the Company’s treasury stock.

12. Segment Information

Centene operates in two segments: Medicaid Managed Care and Specialty Services. The Medicaid Managed Care segment consists of Centene’s health plans including all of the functions needed to operate them. The health plans in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin are included in the Medicaid Managed Care segment. The Specialty Services segment consists of Centene’s specialty companies which offer products for behavioral health, health insurance exchanges, individual health insurance, life and health management, long-term care programs, managed vision, telehealth services and pharmacy benefits management. The health plans in Arizona, operated by our long-term care company, and Massachusetts, operated by our individual health insurance provider, are includ ed in the Specialty Services segment.

Segment information for the three months ended September 30, 2010 follows:

	Medicaid Managed Care		Specialty Services		Eliminations			Consolidated Total
Revenue from external customers	$	934,664	$	146,849	$	—		$	1,081,513
Revenue from internal customers		15,512		124,732		(140,244	)		—
Total premium and service revenues	$	950,176	$	271,581	$	(140,244	)	$	1,081,513

Earnings from operations	$	35,702	$	4,546	$	—		$	40,248

Segment information for the three months ended September 30, 2009 follows:

	Medicaid Managed Care		Specialty Services		Eliminations			Consolidated Total
Revenue from external customers	$	868,522	$	118,787	$	—		$	987,309
Revenue from internal customers		17,182		143,725		(160,907	)		—
Total premium and service revenues	$	885,704	$	262,512	$	(160,907	)	$	987,309

Earnings from operations	$	32,245	$	5,765	$	—		$	38,010

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Segment information for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 follows:

	Medicaid Managed Care		Specialty Services		Eliminations			Consolidated Total
Revenue from external customers	$	2,715,106	$	439,239	$	—		$	3,154,345
Revenue from internal customers		45,739		372,681		(418,420	)		—
Total premium and service revenues	$	2,760,845	$	811,920	$	(418,420	)	$	3,154,345

Earnings from operations	$	82,445	$	29,123	$	—		$	111,568

Segment information for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 follows:

	Medicaid Managed Care		Specialty Services		Eliminations			Consolidated Total
Revenue from external customers	$	2,480,214	$	347,239	$	—		$	2,827,453
Revenue from internal customers		49,306		409,897		(459,203	)		—
Total premium and service revenues	$	2,529,520	$	757,136	$	(459,203	)	$	2,827,453

Earnings from operations	$	70,335	$	30,022	$	—		$	100,357

13. Comprehensive Earnings

Differences between net earnings and total comprehensive earnings resulted from changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investments available for sale, as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009		2010		2009
Net earnings	$	23,200		$	23,810	$	71,952	$	62,474

Reclassification adjustment, net of tax		1,516			93		1,552		(48	)
Change in unrealized gains on investments, net of tax		(1,255	)		2,638		761		4,708
Total change		261			2,731		2,313		4,660

Comprehensive earnings		23,461			26,541		74,265		67,134
Comprehensive earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests		538			2,542		2,515		2,518
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Centene Corporation	$	22,923		$	23,999	$	71,750	$	64,616

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ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this filing. The discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve both known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including those set forth under Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Form 10-Q.

OVERVIEW

We are a multi-line healthcare enterprise operating in two segments: Medicaid Managed Care and Specialty Services. Our Medicaid Managed Care segment provides Medicaid and Medicaid-related health plan coverage to individuals through government subsidized programs, including Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, Foster Care, Medicare Special Needs Plans and the Supplemental Security Income Program, also known as the Aged, Blind or Disabled Program, or collectively ABD. Our health plans in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin are included in the Medicaid Managed Care segment. Our Specialty Services segment offers products for behavioral health, health insurance exchanges, individual health insurance, life and health management, long-term care programs, managed vision, telehealth services, and pharmacy benefits management to state programs, healthcare organizations, employer groups and other commercial organizations, as well as to our own subsidiaries. Our health plans in Arizona, operated by our long-term care company, and Massachusetts, operated by our individual health insurance provider, are included in the Specialty Services segment.

Our financial performance for the third quarter of 2010 is summarized as follows:

—	Quarter-end at-risk managed care membership of 1,470,800.

—	Premium and service revenues of $1.082 billion.

—	Health Benefits Ratio of 84.2%.

—	General and Administrative expense ratio of 12.2%.

—	Diluted net earnings per share of $0.44, including a $0.07 charge per diluted share related to an impairment of an investment in a software company and realized gains of $0.03 per diluted share recognized during the third quarter of 2010.

—	Total operating cash flow of $72.6 million.

We completed the sale of certain assets of University Health Plans, Inc., or UHP, our New Jersey health plan, during the first quarter of 2010. The results of operations for UHP are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Unless specifically noted, these discussions are in the context of continuing operations and, therefore, exclude UHP.

The following items contributed to our revenue and membership growth over the last year:

—	In July 2010, we closed on the acquisition of certain assets of NovaSys Health, LLC, a leading third party administrator in Arkansas that complements our existing Celtic business.

—	In June 2010, we completed the acquisition of certain assets of Carolina Crescent Health Plan. We now serve 90,600 at-risk members in South Carolina as of September 30, 2010.

—

In July 2009, we began operating in Massachusetts to manage healthcare services for members under the state’s Commonwealth Care program and in October 2009 under the Commonwealth Care Bridge program. At September 30, 2010, we served 34,400 members operating as CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts.

—

In February 2009, we began converting non-risk managed care membership in Florida from Access Health Solutions LLC, or Access, to our subsidiary, Sunshine State Health Plan on an at-risk basis. Additionally, we also completed an acquisition of certain assets in Florida, adding to our membership. At September 30, 2010, we served 116,300 members on an at-risk basis while Access served 31,700 members on a non-risk basis.

We expect the following items to contribute to our future growth potential:

—	The impact of a full year of our health plan in Massachusetts, continued membership conversion in Florida, the acquisition in South Carolina and the full year impact in 2011 of membership growth experienced during 2010.

—	In November 2009, we were selected to provide managed care services in Mississippi to Medicaid recipients through the Mississippi Coordinated Access Network (MississippiCan) program. We are working with the State and currently expect a first quarter 2011 start date.

—

In March 2010, the Arizona Department of Health Services renewed our existing contract and awarded an expanded contract to manage behavioral healthcare services for an additional four counties including Santa Cruz, Greenlee, Graham and Cochise. The expanded contract is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2010.

—	In April 2010, we began offereing an individual insurance product, under the names of Commonwealth Choice and CeltiCare Direct, for residents of Boston and surrounding cities who do not qualify for other state funded insurance programs.

—	In May 2010, our Texas health plan was awarded a new ABD contract in the Dallas service area subject to execution of a final contract. The new contract is expected to commence during the first quarter of 2011.

—	In June 2010, our Indiana health plan was selected to negotiate a statewide managed care contract effective January 1, 2011. Upon successful execution of the contract, we will continue to serve Hoosier Healthwise members and begin serving Healthy Indiana Plan members.

—	In August 2010, we announced the acquisition in Florida of certain assets in non-reform counties of Citrus Health Care, Inc., a Medicaid and long-term care health plan. We expect the transaction to close at year end.

—	In September 2010, Celtic Insurance Company, Inc. was awarded a contract with the Texas Department of Insurance to provide affordarble health insurance plans for Texas small businesses under the new Healthy Texas initiative. We expect operations to commence during the fourth quarter of 2010.

—	In September 2010, our new subsidiary, IlliniCare Health Plan, was selected as one of two vendors to provide managed care services to older adults and adults with disabilities under the Integrated Care Program in six counties of Illinois. We expect operations to commence in the first half of 2011.

In September 2010, the state of Texas added a second vendor to the rural CHIP product, which we previously managed with an exclusive contract. As a result, our September 30, 2010 membership in this product decreased by approximately 48,000 as compared to the prior year.

In April 2010, we were notified by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services that our Wisconsin subsidiary, Managed Health Services (MHS), was not awarded the Southeast Wisconsin BadgerCare Plus Managed Care contract. The change is effective November 1, 2010; after a two-month transition period (September through October), MHS will no longer serve BadgerCare Plus Standard and Benchmark members in Milwaukee, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha and Kenosha counties. MHS will continue to serve more than 6,000 Wisconsin Core Plan and SSI members in this region and more than 71,000 members in other regions of the state.

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the accompanying Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act, or the Acts, were enacted in the United States. We are currently evaluating the provisions of the Acts and do not expect material effects on our results of operations, liquidity and cash flows in 2010. The Acts contain provisions we expect will have a significant effect on our business in coming years including expanding Medicaid eligibility beginning in 2014 to recipients with incomes below 133% of the federal poverty level, retaining the CHIP program in its current form, and requiring state-based exchanges similar to our experience in Massachusetts in the future. The Acts allow States to receive the same level of rebates from pharmaceutical companies whether or n ot the States participate in managed care. The Acts also impose an excise tax on health insurers beginning in 2014 based upon relative market share.

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MEMBERSHIP

From September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2010, we increased our at-risk managed care membership by 6.1%. The following table sets forth our membership by state for our managed care organizations:

	September 30,				December 31,
	2010		2009		2009
Arizona		19,300		17,400		18,100
Florida		116,300		84,400		102,600
Georgia		300,900		303,400		309,700
Indiana		213,300		200,700		208,100
Massachusetts		34,400		500		27,800
Ohio		161,800		151,200		150,800
South Carolina		90,600		46,100		48,600
Texas		428,100		450,200		455,100
Wisconsin		106,100		132,500		134,800
Total at-risk membership		1,470,800		1,386,400		1,455,600
Non-risk membership		35,900		63,200		63,700
Total		1,506,700		1,449,600		1,519,300

The following table sets forth our membership by line of business:

	September 30,				December 31,
	2010		2009		2009
Medicaid		1,122,800		1,040,500		1,081,400
CHIP & Foster Care		219,100		263,400		263,600
ABD & Medicare		94,500		82,000		82,800
Other State programs		34,400		500		27,800
Total at-risk membership		1,470,800		1,386,400		1,455,600
Non-risk membership		35,900		63,200		63,700
Total		1,506,700		1,449,600		1,519,300

The following table provides supplemental information of other membership categories:

	September 30,				December 31,
	2010		2009		2009
Cenpatico Behavioral Health:
Arizona		121,300		117,300		120,100
Kansas		39,800		41,000		41,400
Bridgeway:
Long-term Care		3,000		2,500		2,600

RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis is based on our consolidated statements of operations, which reflect our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Summarized comparative financial data for the three and nine months ended September 30 is as follows ($ in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009			% Change 2009-2010			2010			2009			% Change 2009-2010
Premium	$	1,060.6		$	960.0			10.5	%	$	3,085.8		$	2,754.7			12.0	%
Service		21.0			27.3			(23.2	)%		68.5			72.7			(5.8	)%
Total premium and service revenues		1,081.6			987.3			9.5	%		3,154.3			2,827.4			11.6	%
Premium tax		40.3			50.9			(20.8	)%		113.0			182.7			(38.1	)%
Total revenues		1,121.9			1,038.2			8.1	%		3,267.3			3,010.1			8.5	%
Medical costs		893.3			803.1			11.2	%		2,592.3			2,298.1			12.8	%
Cost of services		14.6			15.8			(7.6	)%		47.5			46.3			2.5	%
General and administrative expenses		132.1			130.0			1.6	%		401.1			381.5			5.1	%
Premium tax expense		41.6			51.3			(18.9	)%		114.9			183.8			(37.5	)%
Earnings from operations		40.3			38.0			5.9	%		111.5			100.4			11.2	%
Investment and other income, net		(4.2	)		(0.3	)		―	%		(0.6	)		(0.4	)		46.4	%
Earnings from continuing operations, before income tax expense		36.1			37.7			(4.2	)%		110.9			100.0			11.0	%
Income tax expense		13.2			12.4			5.9	%		42.9			35.1			22.5	%
Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax expense		22.9			25.3			(9.2	)%		68.0			64.9			4.8	%
Discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $0.0, $(0.2), $4.4 and $(0.4) respectively		0.3			(1.5	)		(117.8	)%		3.9			(2.4	)		(265.2	)%
Net earnings		23.2			23.8			(2.6	)%		71.9			62.5			15.2	%
Noncontrolling interest		0.5			2.5			(78.8	)%		2.5			2.5			(0.1	)%
Net earnings attributable to Centene Corporation	$	22.7		$	21.3			6.6	%	$	69.4		$	60.0			15.8	%

Amounts attributable to Centene Corporation common stockholders:
Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax expense	$	22.4		$	22.8			(1.4	)%	$	65.5		$	62.4			5.0	%
Discontinued operations, net of income tax expense (benefit)		0.3			(1.5	)		(117.8	)%		3.9			(2.4	)		(265.2	)%
Net earnings	$	22.7		$	21.3			6.6	%	$	69.4		$	60.0			15.8	%

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Centene Corporation:
Continuing operations	$	0.44		$	0.51			(13.7	)%	$	1.30		$	1.41			(7.8	)%
Discontinued operations		―			(0.03	)		(100.0	)%		0.08			(0.05	)		(260.0	)%
Total diluted earnings per common share	$	0.44		$	0.48			(8.3	)%	$	1.38		$	1.36			1.5	%

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

Revenues and Revenue Recognition

Premium and service revenues increased 9.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2010 over the corresponding period in 2009 as a result of membership growth and net premium rate increases in 2010. This increase was moderated by the removal of pharmacy services in two states in 2010. These pharmacy carve outs had the effect of reducing 2010 third quarter revenue by approximately $48.0 million.

Some states enact premium taxes, similar assessments and provider pass-through payments (collectively, premium taxes) that are recorded as a component of revenues as well as operating expenses. In 2009, one of the states in which we operate increased their premium which was required to be passed through to hospitals in the state. For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, this pass-through totaled $22.8 million and $24.3 million, respectively.

Operating Expenses

Medical Costs

Results of operations depend on our ability to manage expenses associated with health benefits and to accurately predict costs incurred. The Health Benefits Ratio, or HBR, represents medical costs as a percentage of premium revenues (excluding premium taxes) and reflects the direct relationship between the premium received and the medical services provided. The table below depicts the HBR for our external membership by member category:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009
Medicaid and CHIP		83.2	%		84.7	%
ABD and Medicare		85.9			81.1
Specialty Services		87.9			80.5
Total		84.2			83.7

The consolidated HBR for the three months ended September 30, 2010 of 84.2% was an increase of 0.5% over the comparable period in 2009 as a result of an increased HBR in our Florida health plan.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses, or G&A, increased by $2.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the corresponding period in 2009. This was primarily due to expenses for additional staff and facilities to support our growth, especially in our new market in Massachusetts, and to support membership growth in Florida.

The consolidated G&A expense ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was 12.2%, and 13.2%, respectively. The decrease in the G&A expense ratio is primarily a result of leveraging our expenses over higher revenues and decreased variable compensation expense during the three months ended September 30, 2010.

Other Income (Expense)

The following table summarizes the components of other income (expense) ($ in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009
Investment income	$	3.9		$	3.6
Net gain on sale of investments		2.0			0.2
Impairment of investment		(5.5	)		―
Gain on Reserve Primary Fund distributions		0.3			―
Interest expense		(4.9	)		(4.1	)
Other income (expense), net	$	(4.2	)	$	(0.3	)

During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, we determined we had an other-than-temporary impairment of a cost method investment in a start-up company that provides software to automate the clinical, administrative, and technical components of care management programs. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $5.5 million, including $3.5 million of convertible promissory notes. Additionally, we are a customer of the software company and anticipate providing additional funding to complete the product in exchange for majority control of the company.

We realized net gains from the sale of securities of $2.0 million and a gain on an additional distribution from the Reserve Primary fund of $0.3 million. The net effect of the impairment and realized security gains recognized during the third quarter of 2010 was $3.2 million, or $0.04 per share after tax.

Interest expense increased during the quarter by $0.8 million primarily reflecting the borrowings on the construction loan associated with the real estate development to include our corporate headquarters. The real estate development was placed in service in the third quarter of 2010 and accordingly we ceased capitalizing interest on the project.

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Income Tax Expense

Excluding the effects of noncontrolling interests, our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 would be 37.0% compared to 35.3% in the corresponding period in 2009. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily related to a decrease in tax exempt interest and an increase in state income taxes.

Discontinued Operations

Pre-tax earnings related to discontinued operations (consisting solely of the New Jersey health plan operations) were $0.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a pre-tax loss of $3.5 million in the comparable period of 2009. The total revenue associated with UHP included in results from discontinued operations was zero and $37.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We anticipate future costs to wind down operations for UHP and remaining claims payments to be minimal. Regulatory capital will be returned after receiving regulatory approval. It is currently estimated that remaining statutory capital to be transferred to unregulated cash of the Company will be approximately $7.0 million.

Segment Results

The following table summarizes our operating results by segment (in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009			% Change 2009-2010
Premium and Service Revenues
Medicaid Managed Care	$	950.1		$	885.7			7.3	%
Specialty Services		271.6			262.5			3.5	%
Eliminations		(140.2	)		(160.9	)		(12.8	)%
Consolidated Total	$	1,081.5		$	987.3			9.5	%

Earnings from Operations
Medicaid Managed Care	$	35.7		$	32.2			10.7	%
Specialty Services		4.5			5.8			(21.1	)%
Consolidated Total	$	40.2		$	38.0			5.9	%

Medicaid Managed Care

Premium and service revenues increased 7.3% in the three months ended September 30, 2010 over the corresponding period in 2009 due to membership growth and net premium rate increases in 2010. Earnings from operations increased 10.7% in the three months ended September 30, 2010 from the corresponding period in 2009 reflecting the overall growth in our membership and leveraging of our general and administrative expense.

Specialty Services

Premium and service revenues increased 3.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the corresponding period in 2009 primarily due to the commencement of our new health plan in Massachusetts, as well as membership growth in our Medicaid segment and the associated specialty services provided to this increased membership. Earnings from operations decreased 21.1% in the three months ended September 30, 2010 from the corresponding period in 2009 reflecting the carve out of pharmacy benefits in two of our states and higher 2010 HBR.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Revenues and Revenue Recognition

Premium and service revenues increased 11.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 over the corresponding period in 2009 as a result of membership growth and net premium rate increases in 2010. This increase was moderated by the removal of pharmacy services in two states in 2010. These pharmacy carve outs had the effect of reducing revenue by approximately $131 million during the first nine months of 2010.

The premium rates specified in our state contracts are generally updated on an annual basis through contract amendments. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we received premium rate adjustments in certain markets which yielded a net 1.8% composite increase across all of our markets. Based upon known rate adjustments and preliminary discussions with our states that finalize rates in the fourth quarter of the year, we estimate our 2010 composite premium rate increase to be between 1.5% and 2.5%.

During the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, rate increases for the period beginning July 1 each year remained subject to CMS approval. As a result, no rate increase was recognized in the third quarter for the period July 1 through September 30 in each year. The 2009 rate increase was approved in the fourth quarter of 2009, and the 2010 increase is expected to be approved in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Some states enact premium taxes, similar assessments and provider pass-through payments (collectively, premium taxes) that are recorded as a component of revenues as well as operating expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, this pass-through totaled $60.6 million and $109.0 million, respectively.

Operating Expenses

Medical Costs

Results of operations depend on our ability to manage expenses associated with health benefits and to accurately predict costs incurred. The HBR represents medical costs as a percentage of premium revenues (excluding premium taxes) and reflects the direct relationship between the premium received and the medical services provided. The table below depicts the HBR for our external membership by member category:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009
Medicaid and CHIP		84.0	%		84.4	%
ABD and Medicare		84.3			81.7
Specialty Services		83.4			79.6
Total		84.0			83.4

The consolidated HBR for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 of 84.0% was an increase of 0.6% over the comparable period in 2009 as a result of an increased HBR in our Florida health plan.

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General and Administrative Expenses

G&A increased by $19.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the corresponding period in 2009. This was primarily due to expenses for additional staff and facilities to support our growth, especially in our new market in Massachusetts and to support membership growth in Florida. Additionally, G&A expenses in the first quarter of 2010 included a $4.6 million increase in contributions to our charitable foundation, $3.0 million of which was funded by the gain on the Reserve Primary fund distribution recorded as Other Income.

The consolidated G&A expense ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was 12.7% and 13.5%, respectively. The decrease in the G&A expense ratio is primarily a result of leveraging our expenses over higher revenues and decreased variable compensation expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Other Income (Expense)

The following table summarizes the components of investment and other income, net ($ in millions):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009
Investment income	$	11.6		$	12.1
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment		2.5			(0.3	)
Impairment of investment		(5.5	)		―
Gain on Reserve Primary Fund distributions		3.3			―
Interest expense		(12.5	)		(12.2	)
Other income (expense), net	$	(0.6	)	$	(0.4	)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we determined we had an other-than-temporary impairment of a cost method investment in a start-up company that provides software to automate the clinical, administrative, and technical components of care management programs. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $5.5 million, including $3.5 million of convertible promissory notes. Additionally, we are a customer of the software company and anticipate providing additional funding to complete the product in exchange for majority control of the company.

We realized net gains from the sale of securities of $2.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Additionally, in January 2010, we received distributions from the Reserve Primary Fund of $5.4 million resulting in a gain of $3.0 million being recorded for the distributions received in excess of our adjusted basis. In July 2010, the Company received additional distributions from the Reserve Primary Fund of $0.3 million resulting in a gain of $0.3 million.

Interest expense increased reflecting the borrowings on the construction loan associated with the real estate development to include our corporate headquarters. The real estate development was placed in service in the third quarter of 2010 and accordingly we ceased capitalizing interest on the project. This increase was partially offset by the reduction in debt outstanding under our revolving credit agreement.

Income Tax Expense

Excluding the effects of noncontrolling interests, our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 would be 39.6% compared to 36.0% in the corresponding period in 2009. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by legislation enacted in May 2010 in the state of Georgia which replaced the state income tax with a premium tax for Medicaid managed care organizations effective July 1, 2010. As a result of the new legislation, we are unable to realize any future tax benefit from deferred tax assets recorded related to Georgia state net operating loss carry forwards. Accordingly, a deferred tax asset of $1.7 million, or approximately $0.03 per share, was written off during the second quarter. Additionally, the increase in the effective tax rate for the nine month period was related to a decrease in tax exempt interest and an increase in state income taxes.

Discontinued Operations

Pre-tax earnings related to discontinued operations (consisting solely of the New Jersey health plan operations) were $8.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a pre-tax loss of $2.4 million in the comparable period of 2009. As a result of the sale of certain assets of the New Jersey operations in March 2010, we recognized a pre-tax gain of $8.2 million, which was $3.9 million after tax, or $0.08 per diluted share. Additionally, we recognized $1.2 million of restructuring costs associated with the exit primarily due to lease termination costs and employee retention programs. The total revenue associated with UHP included in results from discontinued operations was $22.0 million and $109.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We anticipate future costs to wind down operations for UHP and remaining claims payments to be minimal. Regulatory capital will be returned after receiving regulatory approval. It is currently estimated that statutory capital to be transferred to unregulated cash of the Company will be approximately $7.0 million.

Segment Results

The following table summarizes our operating results by segment (in millions):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009			% Change 2009-2010
Premium and Service Revenues
Medicaid Managed Care	$	2,760.8		$	2,529.5			9.1	%
Specialty Services		811.9			757.2			7.2	%
Eliminations		(418.4	)		(459.2	)		(8.9	)%
Consolidated Total	$	3,154.3		$	2,827.5			11.6	%

Earnings from Operations
Medicaid Managed Care	$	82.5		$	70.3			17.2	%
Specialty Services		29.1			30.0			(3.0	)%
Consolidated Total	$	111.6		$	100.3			11.2	%

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Medicaid Managed Care

Premium and service revenues increased 9.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 over the corresponding period in 2009 due to membership growth and net premium rate increases in 2010. Earnings from operations increased 17.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from the corresponding period in 2009 reflecting the overall growth in our membership and leveraging of our general and administrative expenses.

Specialty Services

Premium and service revenues increased 7.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the corresponding period in 2009 primarily due to the commencement of our new health plan in Massachusetts, as well as membership growth in our Medicaid segment and the associated specialty services provided to this increased membership. Earnings from operations decreased 3.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from the corresponding period in 2009 reflecting the effect of pharmacy carve outs in two states and a higher HBR in 2010.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Shown below is a condensed schedule of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, used in the discussion of liquidity and capital resources ($ in millions).

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(25.7	)	$	177.0
Net cash used in investing activities		(36.0	)		(174.7	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		55.6			12.6
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	(6.1	)	$	14.9

Normal operations are funded primarily through operating cash flows and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Operating activities used cash of $25.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to providing cash of $177.0 million in the comparable period in 2009. Cash flows from operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, were negatively impacted by the timing of receipt of monthly premium payments as follows:

·	A $38.7 million decrease in unearned revenue from December 31, 2009. Ohio’s January 2010 capitation payments were received in December 2009. As a result, we have received eight payments from Ohio in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

·	A $68.1 million increase in premium and related receivables from December 31, 2009. We received the Georgia September capitation payment in October. Accordingly, we received only eight payments from Georgia in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

We expect our cash flow provided by operating activities to improve during the fourth quarter; however the states in which we operate may decide to adjust their payment schedules which could positively or negatively impact our reported cash flows from operating activities in any given period.

Investing activities used cash of $36.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $174.7 million in the comparable period in 2009. Cash flows used in investing activities in 2010 primarily consisted of additions to the investment portfolios of our regulated subsidiaries, including transfers from cash and cash equivalents to long-term investments, and capital expenditures.

Our investment policies are designed to provide liquidity, preserve capital and maximize total return on invested assets within our guidelines. Net cash provided by and used in investing activities will fluctuate from year to year due to the timing of investment purchases, sales and maturities. As of September 30, 2010, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of fixed-income securities with an average duration of 2.5 years. These securities generally are actively traded in secondary markets and the reported fair market value is determined based on recent trading activity, recent trading activity in similar securities and other observable inputs. Our investment guidelines are compliant with the regulatory restrictions enacted in each state in which we operate.

The following table summarizes our cash and investment balances ($ in millions):

	September 30, 2010		December 31, 2009

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	428.3	$	440.5
Long-term investments		479.2		525.5
Restricted deposits		20.6		20.1
Total cash, investments and restricted deposits	$	928.1	$	986.1

Unregulated cash and investments	$	32.7	$	36.2
Regulated cash, investments and restricted deposits		895.4		949.9
Consolidated Total	$	928.1	$	986.1

Regulated cash and restricted deposits from discontinued operations1	$	6.2	$	24.9
________________________

1 The regulated cash and restricted deposits will be transferred to our unregulated cash upon regulatory approval.

We spent $92.0 million and $42.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, on capital expenditures. Exclusive of our real estate development discussed below, we anticipate spending an additional $16.0 million on capital expenditures in 2010 primarily associated with system enhancements and market expansions.

During the second quarter of 2009, we executed an agreement as a joint venture partner in an entity to develop property adjoining our corporate office, which is necessary to accommodate our growing business. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we had capital expenditures of $69.2 million and $22.1 million, respectively, for costs associated with the real estate development. The development was placed into service in the third quarter of 2010, and we anticipate spending an additional $32.0 million on capital expenditures related to the construction during the remainder of 2010.

The joint venture maintains up to a $95.0 million construction loan associated with the development. The construction loan is due June 1, 2011, and may be extended at our option for two additional one year terms. As of September 30, 2010, there was $73.4 million outstanding under the construction loan.

Our financing activities provided cash of $55.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $12.6 million in the corresponding period in 2009. During 2010, our financing activities primarily related to proceeds from our stock offering and resulting payoff of our revolving credit facility discussed below, as well as borrowings for the construction of the real estate development discussed above.

During the first quarter of 2010, we completed the sale of 5.75 million shares of common stock for $19.25 per share. Net proceeds from the sale of the shares were approximately $104.5 million. A portion of the net proceeds was used to repay the outstanding indebtedness under our $300 million revolving credit loan facility ($84.0 million as of December 31, 2009). The remaining net proceeds have been used to fund our acquisition in South Carolina as well as capital expenditures.

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At September 30, 2010, we had working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, of $14.9 million, compared to $(99.8) million at December 31, 2009. We manage our short-term and long-term investments with the goal of ensuring that a sufficient portion is held in investments that are highly liquid and can be sold to fund short-term requirements as needed. Our working capital was negative at December 31, 2009 due to our efforts to increase investment returns through purchases of investments that have maturities of greater than one year and, therefore, are classified as long-term.

At September 30, 2010, the debt to capital ratio, defined as total debt divided by the sum of total debt and total equity, was 24.7%, compared to 33.2% at December 31, 2009. We utilize the debt to capital ratio as a measure, among others, of our leverage and financial flexibility. The decrease was due to our previously discussed common stock offering.

We have a $300 million revolving credit agreement. Borrowings under the agreement bear interest based upon LIBOR rates, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. There is a commitment fee on the unused portion of the agreement that ranges from 0.15% to 0.275% depending on the total debt to EBITDA ratio. The agreement contains non-financial and financial covenants, including requirements of minimum fixed charge coverage ratios, maximum debt to EBITDA ratios and minimum net worth. The agreement expires in September 2011. As of September 30, 2010, we had no borrowings outstanding under the agreement and $47.3 million in letters of credit outstanding, leaving availability of $252.7 million. As of September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with all covenants.

In 2007, we issued $175 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.25% Senior Notes due April 1, 2014, or the Notes. The Notes were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, pursuant to a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers. The indenture governing the Notes contains non-financial and financial covenants, including requiring a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. Interest is paid semi-annually in April and October. As of September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with all covenants.

We have a stock repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to 4.0 million shares of common stock from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. No duration has been placed on the repurchase program and we reserve the right to discontinue the repurchase program at any time. We did not make any repurchases under this plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Based on our operating plan, we expect that our available cash, cash equivalents and investments, cash from our operations and cash available under our credit facility and construction loan will be sufficient to finance our general operations, our acquisition of Citrus Health Care, Inc., and capital expenditures for at least 12 months from the date of this filing.

REGULATORY CAPITAL AND DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS

Our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. As managed care organizations, these subsidiaries are subject to state regulations that, among other things, require the maintenance of minimum levels of statutory capital, as defined by each state, and restrict the timing, payment and amount of dividends and other distributions that may be paid to us. Generally, the amount of dividend distributions that may be paid by a regulated subsidiary without prior approval by state regulatory authorities is limited based on the entity’s level of statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus.

Our subsidiaries are required to maintain minimum capital requirements prescribed by various regulatory authorities in each of the states in which we operate. As of September 30, 2010, our subsidiaries, including UHP, had aggregate statutory capital and surplus of approximately $525 million, compared with the required minimum aggregate statutory capital and surplus requirements of approximately $281 million and we estimate our Risk Based Capital, or RBC, percentage to be in excess of 350% of the Authorized Control Level.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has adopted rules which set minimum risk-based capital requirements for insurance companies, managed care organizations and other entities bearing risk for healthcare coverage. As of September 30, 2010, each of our health plans was in compliance with the risk-based capital requirements enacted in those states.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

For this information, refer to Note 2, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included herein.

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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

INVESTMENTS

As of September 30, 2010, we had short-term investments of $30.9 million and long-term investments of $499.8 million, including restricted deposits of $20.6 million. The short-term investments generally consist of highly liquid securities with maturities between three and 12 months. The long-term investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies, corporate securities, municipal securities, asset backed securities, cost method investments, and life insurance contracts and have maturities greater than one year. Restricted deposits consist of investments required by various state statutes to be deposited or pledged to state agencies. Due to the nature of th e states’ requirements, these investments are classified as long-term regardless of the contractual maturity date. Our investments are subject to interest rate risk and will decrease in value if market rates increase. Assuming a hypothetical and immediate 1% increase in market interest rates at September 30, 2010, the fair value of our fixed income investments would decrease by approximately $12.5 million. Declines in interest rates over time will reduce our investment income. For a discussion of the interest rate risk that our investments are subject to, see "Risk Factors–Risks Related to Our Business–Our investment portfolio may suffer losses from changes in market interest rates and changes in market conditions which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations or liquidity.”

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures - We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In connection with the filing of this Form 10-Q, management evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2010. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2010.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting - There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors.

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS AND THE

TRADING PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK

You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, in which case you could lose all or part of your investment. You should also refer to the other information in this filing, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes. The risks and uncertainties described below are those that we currently believe may materially affect our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of or that we currently deem immaterial also may become important factors that affect our Company.

Risks Related to Being a Regulated Entity

Reduction in Medicaid, CHIP and ABD funding could substantially reduce our profitability.

Most of our revenues come from Medicaid, CHIP and ABD premiums. The base premium rate paid by each state differs, depending on a combination of factors such as defined upper payment limits, a member’s health status, age, gender, county or region, benefit mix and member eligibility categories. Future levels of Medicaid, CHIP and ABD funding and premium rates may be affected by continuing government efforts to contain healthcare costs and may further be affected by state and federal budgetary constraints.

States periodically consider reducing or reallocating the amount of money they spend for Medicaid, CHIP, Foster Care and ABD. The current adverse economic conditions have, and are expected to continue to, put pressures on state budgets as tax and other state revenues decrease while the Medicaid eligible population increases, creating more need for funding. We anticipate this will require government agencies with whom we contract to find funding alternatives, which may result in reductions in funding for current programs and program expansions, contraction of covered benefits, limited or no premium rate increases or premium decreases. In recent years, the majority of states have implemented measures to restrict Medicaid, CHIP, Foster Care and ABD costs and eligibility. If any state in which we operate were to decrease premiums paid to us, or pay us less than the amount necessary to keep pace with our cost trends, it could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and operating results.

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the accompanying Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act were enacted. The Acts permit states to expand Medicaid to all individuals under age 65 with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty level beginning April 1, 2010 and requires this expansion by January 1, 2014. Additional federal funds will be provided to states in 2014, but the amount of the federal support decreases each year. We cannot predict when the states will make these expansions. Further, because the states have to pay for a portion of the care, states may reduce our rates in order to afford the additional beneficiaries.

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, which was signed into law on February 17, 2009, provides $87 billion in additional federal Medicaid funding for states’ Medicaid expenditures between October 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010. States meeting certain eligibility requirements will temporarily receive additional money in the form of an increase in the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP). Thus, for a limited period of time, the share of Medicaid costs that are paid for by the federal government will go up, and each state’s share will go down. On August 10, 2010, a six-month extension of the enhanced match funding law was signed, such that the enhanced match, at a reduced level, will continue until June 30, 2011. We cannot predict whether states are, or will remain, eligible to receive the additio nal federal Medicaid funding, or whether the states will have sufficient funds for their Medicaid programs.

Changes to Medicaid, CHIP, Foster Care and ABD programs could reduce the number of persons enrolled in or eligible for these programs, reduce the amount of reimbursement or payment levels, or increase our administrative or healthcare costs under these programs, all of which could have a negative impact on our business. Recent legislation generally requires that eligibility levels be maintained, but this could cause states to reduce reimbursement or reduce benefits in order to afford to maintain eligibility levels. We believe that reductions in Medicaid, CHIP, Foster Care and ABD payments could substantially reduce our profitability. Further, our contracts with the states are subject to cancellation by the state after a short notice period in the event of unavai lability of state funds.

If we are unable to participate in CHIP programs, our growth rate may be limited.

CHIP is a federal initiative designed to provide coverage for low-income children not otherwise covered by Medicaid or other insurance programs. The programs vary significantly from state to state. Participation in CHIP programs is an important part of our growth strategy. If states do not allow us to participate or if we fail to win bids to participate, our growth strategy may be materially and adversely affected.

If CHIP is not reauthorized or states face shortfalls, our business could suffer.

Federal support for CHIP has been authorized through 2019, with funding authorized through 2015. We cannot be certain that funding for CHIP will be reauthorized when current funding expires in 2015. Thus, we cannot predict the impact that reauthorization will have on our business.

States receive matching funds from the federal government to pay for their CHIP programs, which matching funds have a per state annual cap. Because of funding caps, there is a risk that states could experience shortfalls in future years, which could have an impact on our ability to receive amounts owed to us from states in which we have CHIP contracts.

If any of our state contracts are terminated or are not renewed, our business will suffer.

We provide managed care programs and selected services to individuals receiving benefits under federal assistance programs, including Medicaid, CHIP and ABD. We provide those healthcare services under contracts with regulatory entities in the areas in which we operate. Our contracts with various states are generally intended to run for one or two years and may be extended for one or two additional years if the state or its agent elects to do so. Our current contracts are set to expire or renew between December 31, 2010 and August 31, 2013. When our contracts expire, they may be opened for bidding by competing healthcare providers. There is no guarantee that our contracts will be renewed or extended. For example, on April 12, 2010, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services noti fied us that our Wisconsin subsidiary was not awarded the Southeast Wisconsin BadgerCare Plus Managed Care contract. While we will continue to serve other regions of the state, we will transition the affected members to other plans by November 1, 2010. Further, our contracts with the states are subject to cancellation by the state after a short notice period in the event of unavailability of state funds. For example, the Indiana contract under which we operate can be terminated by the State without cause. Our contracts could also be terminated if we fail to perform in accordance with the standards set by state regulatory agencies. If any of our contracts are terminated, not renewed, renewed on less favorable terms, or not renewed on a timely basis, our business will suffer, and our financial position, results of operations or cash flows may be materially affected.

Changes in government regulations designed to protect the financial interests of providers and members rather than our investors could force us to change how we operate and could harm our business.

Our business is extensively regulated by the states in which we operate and by the federal government. The applicable laws and regulations are subject to frequent change and generally are intended to benefit and protect the financial interests of health plan providers and members rather than investors. The enactment of new laws and rules or changes to existing laws and rules or the interpretation of such laws and rules could, among other things:

• force us to restructure our relationships with providers within our network;

• require us to implement additional or different programs and systems;

• mandate minimum medical expense levels as a percentage of premium revenues;

• restrict revenue and enrollment growth;

• require us to develop plans to guard against the financial insolvency of our providers;

• increase our healthcare and administrative costs;

• impose additional capital and reserve requirements; and

• increase or change our liability to members in the event of malpractice by our providers.

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Regulations may decrease the profitability of our health plans.

Certain states have enacted regulations which require us to maintain a minimum health benefits ratio, or establish limits on our profitability. Other states require us to meet certain performance and quality metrics in order to receive our full contractual revenue. In certain circumstances, our plans may be required to pay a rebate to the state in the event profits exceed established levels. These regulatory requirements, changes in these requirements or the adoption of similar requirements by other regulators may limit our ability to increase our overall profits as a percentage of revenues. Most states, including but not limited to Georgia, Indiana, Texas and Wisconsin have implemented prompt-payment laws and many states are enforcing penalty provisions for failure to pay claims in a timely manner. Failure to meet these requirements can result in financial fines and penalties. In addition, states may attempt to reduce their contract premium rates if regulators perceive our health benefits ratio as too low. Any of these regulatory actions could harm our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Certain states also impose marketing restrictions on us which may constrain our membership growth and our ability to increase our revenues.

We face periodic reviews, audits and investigations under our contracts with state government agencies, and these audits could have adverse findings, which may negatively impact our business.

We contract with various state governmental agencies to provide managed healthcare services. Pursuant to these contracts, we are subject to various reviews, audits and investigations to verify our compliance with the contracts and applicable laws and regulations. Any adverse review, audit or investigation could result in:

• cancellation of our contracts;

• refunding of amounts we have been paid pursuant to our contracts;

• imposition of fines, penalties and other sanctions on us;

• loss of our right to participate in various markets;

• increased difficulty in selling our products and services; and

• loss of one or more of our licenses.

Failure to comply with government regulations could subject us to civil and criminal penalties.

Federal and state governments have enacted fraud and abuse laws and other laws to protect patients’ privacy and access to healthcare. In some states, we may be subject to regulation by more than one governmental authority, which may impose overlapping or inconsistent regulations. Violation of these and other laws or regulations governing our operations or the operations of our providers could result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties, the cancellation of our contracts to provide services, the suspension or revocation of our licenses or our exclusion from participating in the Medicaid, CHIP, Foster Care and ABD programs. If we were to become subject to these penalties or exclusions as the result of our actions or omissions or our inability to monitor the compliance of our providers, it would negatively affect our abili ty to operate our business.

HIPAA broadened the scope of fraud and abuse laws applicable to healthcare companies. HIPAA created civil penalties for, among other things, billing for medically unnecessary goods or services. HIPAA established new enforcement mechanisms to combat fraud and abuse, including civil and, in some instances, criminal penalties for failure to comply with specific standards relating to the privacy, security and electronic transmission of most individually identifiable health information. The HITECH Act expanded the scope of these provisions by mandating individual notification in instances of data breach, providing enhanced penalties for HIPAA violations, and granting enforcement authority to states’ Attorneys General in addition to the HHS Office of Civil Rights. It is possible that Congress may enact additional legislation in the futur e to increase penalties and to create a private right of action under HIPAA, which could entitle patients to seek monetary damages for violations of the privacy rules.

We may incur significant costs as a result of compliance with government regulations, and our management will be required to devote time to compliance.

Many aspects of our business are affected by government laws and regulations. The issuance of new regulations, or judicial or regulatory guidance regarding existing regulations, could require changes to many of the procedures we currently use to conduct our business, which may lead to additional costs that we have not yet identified. We do not know whether, or the extent to which, we will be able to recover from the states our costs of complying with these new regulations. The costs of any such future compliance efforts could have a material adverse effect on our business. We have already expended significant time, effort and financial resources to comply with the privacy and security requirements of HIPAA and will have to expend additional time and financial resources to comply with the HIPAA provisions contained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act. We cannot predict whether states will enact stricter laws governing the privacy and security of electronic health information. If any new requirements are enacted at the state or federal level, compliance would likely require additional expenditures and management time.

In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, have imposed various requirements on public companies, including requiring changes in corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel will continue to devote time to these compliance initiatives.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. In particular, we must perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over our financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Our testing, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses. Our compliance with Section 404 causes us to incur substantial expense and management effort. Moreover, if we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404, or if we or our independent registered public accounting firm iden tifies deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, the market price of our stock could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the NYSE, SEC or other regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources.

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Changes in healthcare law and benefits may reduce our profitability.

Changes in applicable laws and regulations are continually being considered, and interpretations of existing laws and rules may also change from time to time. We are unable to predict what regulatory changes may occur or what effect any particular change may have on our business. For example, these changes could reduce the number of persons enrolled or eligible to enroll in Medicaid, reduce the reimbursement or payment levels for medical services or reduce benefits included in Medicaid coverage. For example, some states, including Indiana and Ohio have removed, and others could consider removing, pharmacy coverage from the services covered by managed care entities. We are also unable to predict whether new laws or proposals will favor or hinder the growth of managed healthcare in general.

The recently enacted health care reform law and the implementation of that law could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the accompanying Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act were enacted. This legislation provides comprehensive changes to the U.S. health care system, which will be phased in at various stages over the next eight years. Among other things, by January 1, 2014, states will be required to expand their Medicaid programs to provide eligibility to nearly all people under age 65 with income below 133 percent of the federal poverty line. As a result, millions of low-income adults without children who currently cannot qualify for coverage, as well as many low-income parents and, in some instances, children now covered through CHIP, will be made eligible for Medicaid. States were permitted to begin such expansions on April 1, 2010.

The legislation also imposes an annual insurance industry assessment of $8 billion starting in 2014, with increasing annual amounts thereafter. Such assessment may not be deductible for income tax purposes. If this federal premium tax is imposed as enacted, and if the cost of the federal premium tax is not included in the calculation of our rates, or if we are unable to otherwise adjust our business model to address this new tax, our results of operations, financial position and liquidity may be materially adversely affected.

In addition, there are numerous outstanding steps required to implement the legislation, including the promulgation of a substantial number of new and potentially more onerous federal regulations. Further, various health insurance reform proposals are also emerging at the state level. Because of the unsettled nature of these reforms and numerous steps required to implement them, we cannot predict what additional health insurance requirements will be implemented at the federal or state level, or the effect that any future legislation or regulation will have on our business or our growth opportunities. Although we believe the legislation may provide us with significant opportunities to grow our business, the enacted reforms, as well as future regulations and legislative changes, may in fact have a material adverse affect on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity. If we fail to effectively implement our operational and strategic initiatives with respect to the implementation of health care reform, or do not do so as effectively as our competitors, our business may be materially adversely affected.

If a state fails to renew a required federal waiver for mandated Medicaid enrollment into managed care or such application is denied, our membership in that state will likely decrease.

States may administer Medicaid managed care programs pursuant to demonstration programs or required waivers of federal Medicaid standards. Waivers and demonstration programs are generally approved for two year periods and can be renewed on an ongoing basis if the state applies. We have no control over this renewal process. If a state does not renew such a waiver or demonstration program or the Federal government denies a state’s application for renewal, membership in our health plan in the state could decrease and our business could suffer.

Changes in federal funding mechanisms may reduce our profitability.

Changes in funding for Medicaid may affect our business. For example, on May 29, 2007, CMS issued a final rule that would reduce states’ use of intergovernmental transfers for the states’ share of Medicaid program funding. By restricting the use of intergovernmental transfers, this rule may restrict some states’ funding for Medicaid, which could adversely affect our growth, operations and financial performance. On May 23, 2008, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia vacated the final rule as improperly promulgated. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 indicates Congressional intent is that final regulations should not be promulgated. We cannot predict whether the rule will ever be finalized or otherwise implemented and if it is, what impact it will have on our business.

Legislative changes in the Medicare program may also affect our business. For example, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 revised cost-sharing requirements for some beneficiaries and requires states to reimburse the federal Medicare program for costs of prescription drug coverage provided to beneficiaries who are enrolled simultaneously in both the Medicaid and Medicare programs.

If state regulatory agencies require a statutory capital level higher than the state regulations, we may be required to make additional capital contributions.

Our operations are conducted through our wholly owned subsidiaries, which include health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, and managed care organizations, or MCOs. HMOs and MCOs are subject to state regulations that, among other things, require the maintenance of minimum levels of statutory capital, as defined by each state. Additionally, state regulatory agencies may require, at their discretion, individual HMOs to maintain statutory capital levels higher than the state regulations. If this were to occur to one of our subsidiaries, we may be required to make additional capital contributions to the affected subsidiary. Any additional capital contribution made to one of the affected subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to grow.

If state regulators do not approve payments of dividends and distributions by our subsidiaries to us, we may not have sufficient funds to implement our business strategy.

We principally operate through our health plan subsidiaries. If funds normally available to us become limited in the future, we may need to rely on dividends and distributions from our subsidiaries to fund our operations. These subsidiaries are subject to regulations that limit the amount of dividends and distributions that can be paid to us without prior approval of, or notification to, state regulators. If these regulators were to deny our subsidiaries’ request to pay dividends to us, the funds available to us would be limited, which could harm our ability to implement our business strategy.

Risks Related to Our Business

Ineffectiveness of state-operated systems and subcontractors could adversely affect our business.

Our health plans rely on other state-operated systems or sub-contractors to qualify, solicit, educate and assign eligible members into the health plans. The effectiveness of these state operations and sub-contractors can have a material effect on a health plan’s enrollment in a particular month or over an extended period. When a state implements new programs to determine eligibility, new processes to assign or enroll eligible members into health plans, or chooses new contractors, there is an increased potential for an unanticipated impact on the overall number of members assigned into the health plans.

Failure to accurately predict our medical expenses could negatively affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Our medical expense includes claims reported but not yet paid, or inventory, estimates for claims incurred but not reported, or IBNR, and estimates for the costs necessary to process unpaid claims at the end of each period. Our development of the medical claims liability estimate is a continuous process which we monitor and refine on a monthly basis as claims receipts and payment information becomes available. As more complete information becomes available, we adjust the amount of the estimate, and include the changes in estimates in medical expense in the period in which the changes are identified.

We can not be sure that our medical claims liability estimates are adequate or that adjustments to those estimates will not unfavorably impact our results of operations. For example, in the three months ended June 30, 2006 we adjusted IBNR by $9.7 million for adverse medical costs development from the first quarter of 2006.

Additionally, when we commence operations in a new state or region, we have limited information with which to estimate our medical claims liability. For example, we commenced operations in South Carolina in December 2007, began our Foster Care program in Texas in April 2008, commenced operations in Florida in February 2009 and in Massachusetts in July 2009, and expect to commence operations in Mississippi and Illinois in 2011. For a period of time after the inception of business in these states, we base our estimates on state-provided historical actuarial data and limited actual incurred and received claims. The addition of new categories of individuals who are eligible for Medicaid under new legislation may pose the same difficulty in estimating our medical claims li ability and utilization patterns.

From time to time in the past, our actual results have varied from our estimates, particularly in times of significant changes in the number of our members. The accuracy of our medical claims liability estimate may also affect our ability to take timely corrective actions, further harming our results.

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Receipt of inadequate or significantly delayed premiums would negatively affect our revenues, profitability or cash flows.

Our premium revenues consist of fixed monthly payments per member and supplemental payments for other services such as maternity deliveries. These premiums are fixed by contract, and we are obligated during the contract periods to provide healthcare services as established by the state governments. We use a large portion of our revenues to pay the costs of healthcare services delivered to our members. If premiums do not increase when expenses related to medical services rise, our earnings will be affected negatively. In addition, our actual medical services costs may exceed our estimates, which would cause our health benefits ratio, or our expenses related to medical services as a percentage of premium revenue, to increase and our profits to decline. In addition, it is possible for a state to increase the rates payable to the hospitals w ithout granting a corresponding increase in premiums to us. If this were to occur in one or more of the states in which we operate, our profitability would be harmed. In addition, if there is a significant delay in our receipt of premiums to offset previously incurred health benefits costs, our cash flows or earnings could be negatively impacted.

In some instances, our base premiums are subject to an adjustment, or risk score, based on the acuity of our membership. Generally, the risk score is determined by the State analyzing encounter submissions of processed claims data to determine the acuity of our membership relative to the entire state’s Medicaid membership. The risk score is dependent on several factors including our providers’ completeness and quality of claims submission, our processing of the claim, submission of the processed claims in the form of encounters to the states’ encounter systems and the states’ acceptance and analysis of the encounter data. If the risk scores assigned to our premiums that are risk adjusted are not adequate or do not appropriately reflect the acuity of our membership, our earnings will be affected negatively.< /div>

Failure to effectively manage our medical costs or related administrative costs or uncontrollable epidemic or pandemic costs would reduce our profitability.

Our profitability depends, to a significant degree, on our ability to predict and effectively manage expenses related to health benefits. We have less control over the costs related to medical services than we do over our general and administrative expenses. Because of the narrow margins of our health plan business, relatively small changes in our health benefits ratio can create significant changes in our financial results. Changes in healthcare regulations and practices, the level of use of healthcare services, hospital costs, pharmaceutical costs, major epidemics or pandemics, new medical technologies and other external factors, including general economic conditions such as inflation levels, are beyond our control and could reduce our ability to predict and effectively control the costs of providing health benefits. In 2009, the H1N1 influenza pandemic resulted in heightened costs due to increased physician visits and increased utilization of hospital emergency rooms and pharmaceutical costs. We cannot predict what impact the H1N1 influenza virus or any other epidemic or pandemic will have on our costs in the future. Additionally, we may not be able to manage costs effectively in the future. If our costs related to health benefits increase, our profits could be reduced or we may not remain profitable.

Our investment portfolio may suffer losses from changes in market interest rates and changes in market conditions which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations or liquidity.

As of September 30, 2010, we had $428.3 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and $499.8 million of long-term investments and restricted deposits. We maintain an investment portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments in a variety of securities which may include asset backed securities, bank deposits, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, money market funds, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, instruments of the U.S. Treasury, insurance contracts and equity securities. These investments are subject to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks. Substantially all of these securities are subject to interest rate and credit risk and will decline in value if interest rates increase or one of the issuers’ credit ratings is reduced. As a result, we may experience a reduction in value or loss of liquidity of our investments, which may have a negative adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. For example, in the third quarter of 2008, we recorded a loss on investments of approximately $4.5 million due to a loss in a money market fund.

Our investments in state and municipal securities are not guaranteed by the United States government which could materially and adversely affect our results of operation, liquidity or financial condition.

As of September 30, 2010, we had $283.0 million of investments in state and municipal securities. These securities are not guaranteed by the United States government. State and municipal securities are subject to additional credit risk based upon each local municipality’s tax revenues and financial stability. As a result, we may experience a reduction in value or loss of liquidity of our investments, which may have a negative adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

Difficulties in executing our acquisition strategy could adversely affect our business.

Historically, the acquisition of Medicaid and specialty services businesses, contract rights and related assets of other health plans both in our existing service areas and in new markets has accounted for a significant amount of our growth. Many of the other potential purchasers have greater financial resources than we have. In addition, many of the sellers are interested either in (a) selling, along with their Medicaid assets, other assets in which we do not have an interest or (b) selling their companies, including their liabilities, as opposed to the assets of their ongoing businesses.

We generally are required to obtain regulatory approval from one or more state agencies when making acquisitions. In the case of an acquisition of a business located in a state in which we do not currently operate, we would be required to obtain the necessary licenses to operate in that state. In addition, even if we already operate in a state in which we acquire a new business, we would be required to obtain additional regulatory approval if the acquisition would result in our operating in an area of the state in which we did not operate previously, and we could be required to renegotiate provider contracts of the acquired business. We cannot provide any assurance that we would be able to comply with these regulatory requirements for an acquisition in a timely manner, or at all. In deciding whether to approve a proposed acquisition, sta te regulators may consider a number of factors outside our control, including giving preference to competing offers made by locally owned entities or by not-for-profit entities.

We also may be unable to obtain sufficient additional capital resources for future acquisitions. If we are unable to effectively execute our acquisition strategy, our future growth will suffer and our results of operations could be harmed.

Execution of our growth strategy may increase costs or liabilities, or create disruptions in our business.

We pursue acquisitions of other companies or businesses from time to time. Although we review the records of companies or businesses we plan to acquire, even an in-depth review of records may not reveal existing or potential problems or permit us to become familiar enough with a business to assess fully its capabilities and deficiencies. As a result, we may assume unanticipated liabilities or adverse operating conditions, or an acquisition may not perform as well as expected. We face the risk that the returns on acquisitions will not support the expenditures or indebtedness incurred to acquire such businesses, or the capital expenditures needed to develop such businesses. We also face the risk that we will not be able to integrate acquisitions into our existing operations effectively without substantial expense, delay or other operationa l or financial problems. Integration may be hindered by, among other things, differing procedures, including internal controls, business practices and technology systems. We may need to divert more management resources to integration than we planned, which may adversely affect our ability to pursue other profitable activities.

In addition to the difficulties we may face in identifying and consummating acquisitions, we will also be required to integrate and consolidate any acquired business or assets with our existing operations. This may include the integration of:

• additional personnel who are not familiar with our operations and corporate culture;

• provider networks that may operate on different terms than our existing networks;

• existing members, who may decide to switch to another healthcare plan; and

• disparate administrative, accounting and finance, and information systems.

Additionally, our growth strategy includes start-up operations in new markets or new products in existing markets. We may incur significant expenses prior to commencement of operations and the receipt of revenue. As a result, these start-up operations may decrease our profitability. In the event we pursue any opportunity to diversify our business internationally, we would become subject to additional risks, including, but not limited to, political risk, an unfamiliar regulatory regime, currency exchange risk and exchange controls, cultural and language differences, foreign tax issues, and different labor laws and practices.

Accordingly, we may be unable to identify, consummate and integrate future acquisitions or start-up operations successfully or operate acquired or new businesses profitably.

Acquisitions of unfamiliar new businesses could negatively impact our business.

We are subject to the expenditures and risks associated with entering into any new line of business. Our failure to properly manage these expenditures and risks could have a negative impact on our overall business. For example, effective July 2008, we completed the previously announced acquisition of Celtic Group, Inc., the parent company of Celtic Insurance Company, or Celtic. Celtic is a national individual health insurance provider that provides health insurance to individual customers and their families. While we believe that the addition of Celtic will be complementary to our business, we have not previously operated in the individual health care industry.

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If competing managed care programs are unwilling to purchase specialty services from us, we may not be able to successfully implement our strategy of diversifying our business lines.

We are seeking to diversify our business lines into areas that complement our Medicaid business in order to grow our revenue stream and balance our dependence on Medicaid risk reimbursement. In order to diversify our business, we must succeed in selling the services of our specialty subsidiaries not only to our managed care plans, but to programs operated by third-parties. Some of these third-party programs may compete with us in some markets, and they therefore may be unwilling to purchase specialty services from us. In any event, the offering of these services will require marketing activities that differ significantly from the manner in which we seek to increase revenues from our Medicaid programs. Our inability to market specialty services to other programs may impair our ability to execute our business strategy.

Failure to achieve timely profitability in any business would negatively affect our results of operations.

Start-up costs associated with a new business can be substantial. For example, in order to obtain a certificate of authority in most jurisdictions, we must first establish a provider network, have systems in place and demonstrate our ability to obtain a state contract and process claims. If we were unsuccessful in obtaining the necessary license, winning the bid to provide service or attracting members in numbers sufficient to cover our costs, any new business of ours would fail. We also could be obligated by the state to continue to provide services for some period of time without sufficient revenue to cover our ongoing costs or recover start-up costs. The expenses associated with starting up a new business could have a significant impact on our results of operations if we are unable to achieve profitable operations in a timely fashion.

Adverse credit market conditions may have a material adverse affect on our liquidity or our ability to obtain credit on acceptable terms.

The securities and credit markets have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption over the past several years. The availability of credit, from virtually all types of lenders, has been restricted. Such conditions may persist throughout 2010 and beyond. In the event we need access to additional capital to pay our operating expenses, make payments on our indebtedness, pay capital expenditures, including costs related to our corporate headquarters’ project, or fund acquisitions, our ability to obtain such capital may be limited and the cost of any such capital may be significant, particularly if we are unable to access our existing credit facility.

Our access to additional financing will depend on a variety of factors such as prevailing economic and credit market conditions, the general availability of credit, the overall availability of credit to our industry, our credit ratings and credit capacity, and perceptions of our financial prospects. Similarly, our access to funds may be impaired if regulatory authorities or rating agencies take negative actions against us. If a combination of these factors were to occur, our internal sources of liquidity may prove to be insufficient, and in such case, we may not be able to successfully obtain additional financing on favorable terms or at all. We believe that if credit could be obtained, the terms and costs of such credit could be significantly less favorable to us than what was obtained in our most recent financings.

We derive a majority of our premium revenues from operations in a small number of states, and our financial position, results of operations or cash flows would be materially affected by a decrease in premium revenues or profitability in any one of those states.

Operations in a few states have accounted for most of our premium revenues to date. If we were unable to continue to operate in any of our current states or if our current operations in any portion of one of those states were significantly curtailed, our revenues could decrease materially. Our Medicaid contract with Kansas, which terminated December 31, 2006, together with our Medicaid contract with Missouri, accounted for $317.0 million in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006. Our reliance on operations in a limited number of states could cause our revenue and profitability to change suddenly and unexpectedly depending on legislative or other governmental or regulatory actions and decisions, economic conditions and similar factors in those states. For example, states we currently serve may bid out their Medicaid program through a Request for Proposal, or RFP, process. Our inability to continue to operate in any of the states in which we operate would harm our business.

Competition may limit our ability to increase penetration of the markets that we serve.

We compete for members principally on the basis of size and quality of provider network, benefits provided and quality of service. We compete with numerous types of competitors, including other health plans and traditional state Medicaid programs that reimburse providers as care is provided. In addition, the impact of health care reform and potential growth in our segment may attract new competitors. Subject to limited exceptions by federally approved state applications, the federal government requires that there be choices for Medicaid recipients among managed care programs. Voluntary programs, increases in the number of competitors and mandated competition may limit our ability to increase our market share.

Some of the health plans with which we compete have greater financial and other resources and offer a broader scope of products than we do. In addition, significant merger and acquisition activity has occurred in the managed care industry, as well as in industries that act as suppliers to us, such as the hospital, physician, pharmaceutical, medical device and health information systems businesses. To the extent that competition intensifies in any market that we serve, our ability to retain or increase members and providers, or maintain or increase our revenue growth, pricing flexibility and control over medical cost trends may be adversely affected.

In addition, in order to increase our membership in the markets we currently serve, we believe that we must continue to develop and implement community-specific products, alliances with key providers and localized outreach and educational programs. If we are unable to develop and implement these initiatives, or if our competitors are more successful than we are in doing so, we may not be able to further penetrate our existing markets.

If we are unable to maintain relationships with our provider networks, our profitability may be harmed.

Our profitability depends, in large part, upon our ability to contract favorably with hospitals, physicians and other healthcare providers. Our provider arrangements with our primary care physicians, specialists and hospitals generally may be cancelled by either party without cause upon 90 to 120 days prior written notice. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to continue to renew our existing contracts or enter into new contracts enabling us to service our members profitably.

From time to time providers assert or threaten to assert claims seeking to terminate non-cancelable agreements due to alleged actions or inactions by us. Even if these allegations represent attempts to avoid or renegotiate contractual terms that have become economically disadvantageous to the providers, it is possible that in the future a provider may pursue such a claim successfully. In addition, we are aware that other managed care organizations have been subject to class action suits by physicians with respect to claim payment procedures, and we may be subject to similar claims. Regardless of whether any claims brought against us are successful or have merit, they will still be time-consuming and costly and could distract our management’s attention. As a result, we may incur significant expenses and may be unable to operate our business effectively.

We will be required to establish acceptable provider networks prior to entering new markets. We may be unable to enter into agreements with providers in new markets on a timely basis or under favorable terms. If we are unable to retain our current provider contracts or enter into new provider contracts timely or on favorable terms, our profitability will be harmed.

We may be unable to attract and retain key personnel.

We are highly dependent on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel to operate and expand our business. If we lose one or more members of our senior management team, including our chief executive officer, Michael F. Neidorff, who has been instrumental in developing our business strategy and forging our business relationships, our business and financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be harmed. Our ability to replace any departed members of our senior management or other key employees may be difficult and may take an extended period of time because of the limited number of individuals in the Medicaid managed care and specialty services industry with the breadth of skills and experience required to operate and successfully expand a business such as ours. Competition to hire from this limited pool is intens e, and we may be unable to hire, train, retain or motivate these personnel.

Negative publicity regarding the managed care industry may harm our business and financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The managed care industry has received negative publicity. This publicity has led to increased legislation, regulation, review of industry practices and private litigation in the commercial sector. These factors may adversely affect our ability to market our services, require us to change our services, and increase the regulatory burdens under which we operate. Any of these factors may increase the costs of doing business and adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Claims relating to medical malpractice could cause us to incur significant expenses.

Our providers and employees involved in medical care decisions may be subject to medical malpractice claims. In addition, some states, including Texas, have adopted legislation that permits managed care organizations to be held liable for negligent treatment decisions or benefits coverage determinations. Claims of this nature, if successful, could result in substantial damage awards against us and our providers that could exceed the limits of any applicable insurance coverage. Therefore, successful malpractice or tort claims asserted against us, our providers or our employees could adversely affect our financial condition and profitability. Even if any claims brought against us are unsuccessful or without merit, they would still be time consuming and costly and could distract our management’s attention. As a result, we may incur si gnificant expenses and may be unable to operate our business effectively.

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Loss of providers due to increased insurance costs could adversely affect our business.

Our providers routinely purchase insurance to help protect themselves against medical malpractice claims. In recent years, the costs of maintaining commercially reasonable levels of such insurance have increased dramatically, and these costs are expected to increase to even greater levels in the future. As a result of the level of these costs, providers may decide to leave the practice of medicine or to limit their practice to certain areas, which may not address the needs of Medicaid participants. We rely on retaining a sufficient number of providers in order to maintain a certain level of service. If a significant number of our providers exit our provider networks or the practice of medicine generally, we may be unable to replace them in a timely manner, if at all, and our business could be adversely affected.

Growth in the number of Medicaid-eligible persons could cause our financial position, results of operations or cash flows to suffer if state and federal budgets decrease or do not increase.

Less favorable economic conditions may cause our membership to increase as more people become eligible to receive Medicaid benefits. During such economic downturns, however, state and federal budgets could decrease, causing states to attempt to cut healthcare programs, benefits and rates. Additionally, the number of individuals eligible for Medicaid managed care will likely increase as a result of the recent health care reform legislation. We cannot predict the impact of changes in the United States economic environment or other economic or political events, including acts of terrorism or related military action, on federal or state funding of healthcare programs or on the size of the population eligible for the programs we operate. If federal or state funding decreases or remains unchanged while our membership increases, our results of operations will suffer.

Growth in the number of Medicaid-eligible persons may be countercyclical, which could cause our financial position, results of operations or cash flows to suffer when general economic conditions are improving.

Historically, the number of persons eligible to receive Medicaid benefits has increased more rapidly during periods of rising unemployment, corresponding to less favorable general economic conditions. Conversely, this number may grow more slowly or even decline if economic conditions improve. Therefore, improvements in general economic conditions may cause our membership levels to decrease, thereby causing our financial position, results of operations or cash flows to suffer, which could lead to decreases in our stock price during periods in which stock prices in general are increasing.

If we are unable to integrate and manage our information systems effectively, our operations could be disrupted.

Our operations depend significantly on effective information systems. The information gathered and processed by our information systems assists us in, among other things, monitoring utilization and other cost factors, processing provider claims, and providing data to our regulators. Our providers also depend upon our information systems for membership verifications, claims status and other information.

Our information systems and applications require continual maintenance, upgrading and enhancement to meet our operational needs and regulatory requirements. Moreover, our acquisition activity requires frequent transitions to or from, and the integration of, various information systems. We regularly upgrade and expand our information systems’ capabilities. If we experience difficulties with the transition to or from information systems or are unable to properly maintain or expand our information systems, we could suffer, among other things, from operational disruptions, loss of existing members and difficulty in attracting new members, regulatory problems and increases in administrative expenses. In addition, our ability to integrate and manage our information systems may be impaired as the result of events outside our control, incl uding acts of nature, such as earthquakes or fires, or acts of terrorists.

We rely on the accuracy of eligibility lists provided by state governments. Inaccuracies in those lists would negatively affect our results of operations.

Premium payments to us are based upon eligibility lists produced by state governments. From time to time, states require us to reimburse them for premiums paid to us based on an eligibility list that a state later discovers contains individuals who are not in fact eligible for a government sponsored program or are eligible for a different premium category or a different program. Alternatively, a state could fail to pay us for members for whom we are entitled to payment. Our results of operations would be adversely affected as a result of such reimbursement to the state if we had made related payments to providers and were unable to recoup such payments from the providers.

We may not be able to obtain or maintain adequate insurance.

We maintain liability insurance, subject to limits and deductibles, for claims that could result from providing or failing to provide managed care and related services. These claims could be substantial. We believe that our present insurance coverage and reserves are adequate to cover currently estimated exposures. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage in the future at acceptable costs or that we will not incur significant liabilities in excess of policy limits.

From time to time, we may become involved in costly and time-consuming litigation and other regulatory proceedings, which require significant attention from our management.

We are a defendant from time to time in lawsuits and regulatory actions relating to our business. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation and regulatory proceedings, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings. An unfavorable outcome could have a material adverse impact on our business and financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, regardless of the outcome of any litigation or regulatory proceedings, such proceedings are costly and time consuming and require significant attention from our management. For example, we have in the past, or may be subject to in the future, securities class action lawsuits, IRS examinations or similar regulatory actions. Any such matters could harm our business and financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

An unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential member information could have an adverse effect on our business.

As part of our normal operations, we collect, process and retain confidential member information. We are subject to various federal and state laws and rules regarding the use and disclosure of confidential member information, including HIPAA and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 further expands the coverage of HIPAA by, among other things, extending the privacy and security provisions, requiring new disclosures if a data breach occurs, mandating new regulations around electronic medical records, expanding enforcement mechanisms, allowing the state Attorneys General to bring enforcement actions and increasing penalties for violations. Despite the security measures we have in place to ensure compliance with applicable laws and rules, our facilities and systems, and those of our third party servi ce providers, may be vulnerable to security breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming and/or human errors or other similar events. Any security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential member information, whether by us or a third party, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.

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ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Third Quarter 2010
Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased 2	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs1	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs1
July 1 – July 31, 2010	5,930	$	21.39	—	1,667,724
August 1 – August 31, 2010	232		21.97	—	1,667,724
September 1 – September 30, 2010	650		21.75	—	1,667,724
Total	6,812	$	21.44	—	1,667,724

(1) Our Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program of up to 4,000,000 shares. (2) Shares acquired represent shares relinquished to the Company by certain employees for payment of taxes upon vesting of restricted stock units or exercise of stock options.

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ITEM 6. Exhibits.

Exhibits.

EXHIBIT NUMBER		DESCRIPTION

10.11		Amendment P (Version 1.16) to Contract between the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and Superior HealthPlan, Inc.

12.1		Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

31.1		Certification of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

31.2		Certification of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

32.1		Certification of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.12		XBRL Taxonomy Instance Document.

101.22		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.32		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.42		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.52		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.62		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

1 The Company has requested confidential treatment of the redacted portions of this exhibit pursuant to Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and has separately filed a complete copy of this exhibit with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2 XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized as of October 26, 2010.


	CENTENE CORPORATION

	By:	/s/ MICHAEL F. NEIDORFF
		Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)


	By:	/s/ WILLIAM N. SCHEFFEL
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)


	By:	/s/ JEFFREY A. SCHWANEKE
		Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer)

Centene - 10-Q quarterly report FY2010 Q3

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