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): May 31, 2013

CENTENE CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	001-31826	42-1406317
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

7700 Forsyth Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri	63105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

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

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

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):

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

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

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

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

Item 8.01 Other Events

On May 31, 2013, we issued a press release announcing that our subsidiary, Kentucky Spirit Health Plan (Kentucky Spirit), received a summary judgment ruling from the Franklin County Circuit Court in Kentucky. The Court ruled that Kentucky Spirit does not have the contractual right to terminate its Medicaid managed care contract with the Commonwealth of Kentucky before the end of the initial term. Kentucky Spirit is analyzing the ruling and evaluating its legal alternatives.

The Company's 2013 earnings guidance has not been adjusted to reflect any impact related to the judgment ruling in Kentucky.  The Company expects to update its 2013 earnings guidance to include any impact of the Kentucky judgment ruling as additional information becomes available or in its second quarter earnings release. 

The full text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press release of Centene Corporation issued May 31, 2013.

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.

		CENTENE CORPORATION
Date:	June 6, 2013	By:	/s/ William N. Scheffel
			William N. Scheffel Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release of Centene Corporation issued May 31, 2013.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

N E W S R E L E A S E    

Contact:	Media	Investors
	Deanne Lane	Edmund E. Kroll, Jr.
	(314) 725-4477	(212) 759-0382

Centene's Kentucky Subsidiary Receives Judgment Ruling

ST. LOUIS, May 31, 2013 - Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today that its Kentucky subsidiary, Kentucky Spirit Health Plan (Kentucky Spirit), has received a summary judgment ruling from the Franklin County Circuit Court in Kentucky. The Court ruled that Kentucky Spirit does not have the contractual right to terminate its Medicaid managed care contract with the Commonwealth of Kentucky before the end of the initial term. Kentucky Spirit is analyzing the ruling and evaluating its legal alternatives.

During this process, Kentucky Spirit remains focused on providing our members with access to quality healthcare and minimizing any disruption of services.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and Long-term Care (LTC), in addition to other state-sponsored/hybrid programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). The Company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, care management software, correctional systems healthcare, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management and telehealth services.

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