8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 8-K 

Current Report 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 5, 2008

CENTENE CORPORATION 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)  001-31826 (Commission file number)  42-1406317 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

7711 Carondelet Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63105

(Address of principal executive office and zip code) 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (314) 725-4477 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION 

    On February 5, 2008, we issued a press release announcing the delayed release of our financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007. The full text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. The information contained in the website cited in the press release is not a part of this report.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS 

    (c) Exhibits

        99.1  Press release of Centene Corporation issued February 5, 2008.

SIGNATURE 

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 hereunto duly authorized. .

Date: February 5, 2008	CENTENE CORPORATION
	By:	/s/ ERIC R. SLUSSER
		Eric R. Slusser
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX 

Exhibit
Number	Description
99.1	Press release of Centene Corporation issued February 5, 2008.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

N E W S  R E L E A S E

Contact:	Edmund E. Kroll
	Senior Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations
	(212) 759-0382
	Eric R. Slusser
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	(314) 725-4477

CENTENE CORPORATION ANNOUNCES DELAY IN 2007 FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (February 5, 2008) -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that the release of fourth quarter and full year 2007 earnings will be delayed pending resolution of the timing of the revenue recognition for the retroactive rate increases from the state of Georgia dating back to July 1, 2007.  Late yesterday evening the Company learned it could not resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the Company’s auditor without obtaining further information.

The Company believes the appropriate accounting treatment is the recognition of the retroactive rate increase in the fourth quarter of 2007.  If this is not deemed appropriate for 2007, an equal amount of revenue and associated earnings will be recognized in the first quarter of 2008.

The full earnings release and conference call will be held upon the resolution of this one outstanding issue.  Predicated on the fourth quarter recognition, we reaffirm Q4 2007 guidance in the previously announced ranges.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation is a leading multi-linehealthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Company operates health plans inGeorgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Texasand Wisconsin. In addition, the Company contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and healthmanagement, long-term care, managed vision, nurse triage, pharmacy benefits management and treatment compliance. Information regarding Centene is available via the Internet at www.centene.com .

The information provided in this press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events and future financial performance of Centene.  Subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's estimates to change.  The Company disclaims any obligation to update this forward-looking financial information in the future.  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 Centene's or its 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.  Actual results may differ from projections or estimates due to a variety of important factors, including Centene's 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, 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 Centene's Medicaid Managed Care contracts by state governments would also negatively affect Centene.