Centene's Behavioral Health Subsidiary Awarded Expanded Contract In Southern Arizona

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Dec 19, 2014, 09:18 ET

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today that its behavioral health management company, Cenpatico of Arizona, in partnership with University of Arizona Health Plan, has been selected by the Arizona Department of Health Services/Division of Behavioral Health Services (ADHS/DBHS) to be the Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) for the new southern geographic service area. The new contract is effective October 1, 2015, and will be held by the newly-formed partnership called Cenpatico Integrated Care.

The new contract is the result of a decision by the ADHS/DBHS to revise the current geographic service areas into three regions: North, South and the Greater Phoenix area (Maricopa County). The South geographic service area will include Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties. In addition to the expanded geographic service area, Cenpatico will also be providing integrated medical and behavioral services for people with a serious mental illness.

"We are pleased to have been selected to provide behavioral health services to members in the new South region of Arizona," said Jesse N. Hunter, executive vice president and chief business development officer for Centene. "Cenpatico of Arizona has been providing quality, innovative care in eight counties for more than nine years. We look forward to partnering with the University of Arizona to bring this successful integrated care model to more Arizona residents in Southern Arizona."

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and services to government sponsored healthcare programs, focusing on 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, in-home health services, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management, specialty pharmacy and telehealth services.

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SOURCE Centene Corporation