PROFILE 2019 | WORLD’S MOST ADMIRED COMPANIESCONTENT FROM CENTENEFROM ITS MODEST BEGINNINGS IN 1984
as a single nonprofit health-plan provider
in Wisconsin, Centene Corporation has
become both the largest Medicaid man-
aged care organization in the country and
the largest manager of individual health-
care plans under the Affordable Care Act.
The St. Louis–based managed care
enterprise is now ranked No. 61 on the
Fortune 500 list and No. 49 on Fortune’s
list of the 100 Fastest Growing Compa-nies, and it took the No. 1 spot in 10-year
growth in revenues.
What may be most admirable about
Centene, however, is its localized ap-
proach and commitment to care. The
company focuses its services on those
most in need of representation and
care, including the very poor, those in
government-sponsored programs, past
and present members of the armed
forces, and those in correctional facilities.
And while “social determinants of health”
has become something of a catchphrase
in the healthcare industry, Centene has
been focused on the social situations of
its members for more than 20 years.
“Part of our success is that when we go
to a new state to start a health plan, build-
ing relationships within the community
and hiring local leadership and employees
helps us understand the local needs
of our members,” says Marcela Hawn,
senior vice president and chief commu-
nications officer at Centene. “Many of the
individuals and families we serve live at or
near poverty and comprise an under-
served population that faces many barri-
ers just to survive, let alone have access
to quality healthcare.” Access to quality
care for all, in fact, is the very cornerstone
of Centene, as illustrated by its mission:
“Transforming the health of the community,
one person at a time.”
That laser-like focus has resulted in
success for the company and quality
care for the men, women, and children it
serves. “It is humbling to be honored by
Fortune as one of the world’s most ad-
mired companies this year,” says Michael
Neidorff, chairman and CEO. “I view this
recognition as a testament to the dedica-
tion of our 46,000 employees, who come
to work every day with our members in
mind and demonstrate their commitment
to serving our most vulnerable citizens
and their healthcare needs. That is our
ultimate purpose—to serve this vulner-
able population and make sure we’re
doing right by the people for whom we’re
entrusted to care.” QLocalized commitment to the communities it serves
and providing care for the most vulnerable among us is
what sets Centene Corporation apart from the rest.Providing Access
to High-Quality
Healthcare for the
Underserved
Centene Corporation’s
St. Louis headquarters