EXHIBIT 99.1


                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

     In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of Centene Corporation
(the "Company") for the period ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), the
undersigned, Michael F. Neidorff, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

     (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.


                                            /s/ Michael F. Neidorff
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                     Michael F. Neidorff
                                     President and Chief Executive Officer
                                     (principal executive officer)
Dated: February 24, 2003



                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

     In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of Centene Corporation
(the "Company") for the period ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), the
undersigned, Karey L. Witty, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
that:

     (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.


                                                  /s/ Karey L. Witty
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         Karey L. Witty
                                         Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                         Officer and Treasurer
                                         (principal financial and accounting
                                         officer)
Dated: February 24, 2003