8-K

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): August 9, 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 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On August 9, 2008, Centene Corporation issued a press release locally in the St. Louis, MO metropolitan area announcing the successful surgery on the Company’s Chairman and CEO, Michael F. Neidorff.  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.

The information contained in this Form 8-K and exhibit 99.1 attached hereto shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Nor shall such information or exhibit be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS 

(c) Exhibits

The following exhibit relating to Item 7.01 shall be deemed to be furnished and not filed:

99.1  Press release of Centene Corporation issued August 9, 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: August 11, 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 August 9, 2008.

* The press release is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01, and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

Contacts:               Edmund E. Kroll

Senior Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations

(212) 759-0382

Sandy McBride

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

(314) 725-4477

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CENTENE CORPORATION REPORTS SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

ON CHAIRMAN AND CEO

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI(August 9, 2008) —Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman and CEO, has undergone the successful removal of an abdominal mass and is resting comfortably. Final pathology revealed that this was a benign lesion and the risk of recurrence is judged to be extremely low.

David C. Linehan M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Section of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis states: "I anticipate that Mr. Neidorff will be discharged from the hospital within a few days and I expect a full and complete recovery." Mr. Neidorff remains in contact with the office and continues to conduct business during his recovery.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). The Company operates health plans in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. In addition, the Company contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, life and health management, 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.