EXHIBIT 99.1

(CENTENE LOGO)

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Centene Corporation
Karey L. Witty
Chief Financial Officer
(314) 725-4477

Investor Relations
In-Site Communications
Lisa M. Wilson
President
(212) 759-3929

CENTENE CORPORATION REPORTS FIFTEENTH CONSECUTIVE QUARTER OF
INCREASED PROFITABILITY AND IMPLEMENTS MULTI-LINE STRATEGY

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (April 30, 2003) -- Centene Corporation (Nasdaq: CNTE) today
announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

o Revenues of $177.4 million, an 85% increase over the first
quarter of 2002.

o Earnings from operations of $10.1 million, a 62% increase over
the first quarter of 2002.

o Earnings per diluted share of $0.60.

o Organic membership growth of 38% over first quarter of 2002.

o Operating cash flows of $9.9 million.

o Days in claims payable of 58.1, reflecting reduced claims
inventory per member, continuing efficiencies in claims
processing, a full quarter consolidation of New Jersey and
physician quality bonuses.

o Acquisition of 63.7% ownership interest in Group Practice
Affiliates, an Atlanta-based behavioral healthcare services
company, and assets of ScriptAssist, a medication compliance
company.

o Health benefits ratio of 83.4%, within the Company's target
range of 82.0% to 83.5% and at forecasted levels for New
Jersey.

Michael F. Neidorff, Centene's president and chief executive officer, said,
"This is our first quarter reflecting the implementation of our long-stated
strategy of developing a Medicaid focused, multi-line company. We are pleased to
again deliver results that are consistent and in-line with our internal
expectations and the diversity of our growing business. These results reflect
our first at-risk SSI membership, two new specialty companies, solid margins in
our state health plans, and ongoing tight controls over corporate expenses.

Our results confirm the premise under which we operate, to work with the states
on their budget issues while improving the quality of care and health outcomes
of our recipients and diversifying into fee-for-service business."

Neidorff continued, "Consistent with our strategy to diversify our business into
areas that affect our managed Medicaid population, we entered into a joint
venture with Group Practice Affiliates, a behavioral healthcare company. This
investment provides the opportunity to be proactive in an area that is often
overlooked by healthcare providers. We are pleased with their progress to date
in establishing a presence in Wisconsin, which will support our health plan,
starting in the third quarter, and are developing additional outside
fee-for-service business. Concurrently, we purchased the assets of ScriptAssist,
which promotes adherence to prescription drugs, and integrated them into our
NurseWise subsidiary. We will continue to develop opportunities to increase our
revenue in this area and work toward our longer-term goal of becoming a
multi-line government services provider."

"While the fiscal landscape remains challenging for many states, it is clearer
than ever that the states are working with us as we help them find constructive
solutions to their budget issues. We remain confident that there are significant
opportunities to continue to grow our revenue base, expand membership, and
complete strategic acquisitions," concluded Neidorff.

Membership totaled 419,300 at March 31, 2003, a 68.2% increase from 249,300 at
March 31, 2002. The Company experienced solid growth in its Wisconsin and Texas
markets during the quarter, while membership in its Indiana and New Jersey
markets was stable. The state of Indiana altered its enrollment process to begin
requiring in-person eligibility verification for Medicaid recipients who also
receive food stamp benefits. This change temporarily reduced the Company's
membership in this category. Centene adopted new procedures to preempt this
issue in the future; however, the unusually inclement weather in Indiana during
the first quarter further stalled the implementation measures. New Jersey
membership will continue to be consistent, as planned, through the second
quarter as the Company builds a solid base in this market. This initial
experience is consistent with the Company's past acquisitions in Wisconsin and
Texas.

The following table depicts membership in Centene's managed care organizations
by state at March 31, 2003 and 2002:

<Table>
<Caption>
2003 2002
------------ ------------

Wisconsin 139,100 114,600
Texas 122,700 57,100
Indiana 104,800 77,600
New Jersey 52,700 --
------------ ------------

TOTAL 419,300 249,300
============ ============
</Table>

The following table depicts membership in Centene's managed care organizations
by member category at March 31, 2003 and 2002:

<Table>
<Caption>
2003 2002
------------ ------------

Medicaid 344,700 224,900
SCHIP 66,600 21,900
SSI 8,000(a) 2,500(b)
------------ ------------

TOTAL 419,300 249,300
============ ============
</Table>

(a) 4,200 at-risk; 3,800 ASO

(b) All ASO

The Company is also expanding its disclosure as it relates to claims information
to include both period-end claims inventory as well as average claims inventory.
While the period-end inventory count has declined over sequential quarters
reflecting faster claims payment, the average inventory levels increased with
the integration of both University Health Plans and the Texas Universities
Health Plan SCHIP contracts, which added approximately 76,000 members. By
example, the University Health Plans transaction closed December 1, 2002 and as
such, a complete cycle of physician billings was not reflected due to a lag in
provider claims submission.

STATEMENT OF EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS

o For the first quarter of 2003, revenues increased 85.3% to
$177.4 million from $95.8 million in the first quarter of
2002. Net of acquisitions, revenue growth was $45.6 million,
or 47.7%, over the same prior year period.

o The health benefits ratio, which reflects medical services
costs as a percent of premium revenues, was 83.4%, with the
Medicaid component at 82.4% and compared to 82.5% for the
same period in 2002. Both ratios were within the Company's
targeted range of 82.0% to 83.5%. The Company experienced an
increase in this ratio due to the addition of SSI risk members
from its acquisition of 80% of University Health Plans in
December 2002. The health benefits ratio for SSI is influenced
by a small membership base and is therefore more volatile. As
the SSI population reaches critical mass, the ratio for this
SSI population is expected to normalize in a range of 83.0% to
86.0% percent.

o General and administrative expenses as a percent of revenues
on the Company's Medicaid business consistently decreased to
10.5% from 10.7% in the first quarter of 2002. Including the
effects of the Company's specialty business, which has a
higher level of general and administrative expenses, the
consolidated general and administrative expense ratio remained
constant at 10.9% quarter over quarter.

o Earnings from operations increased 62.0% to $10.1 million from
$6.3 million in 2002. Net earnings improved to $7.2 million,
or $0.60 per diluted share, compared to $4.3 million, or $0.38
per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2002.

BALANCE SHEET HIGHLIGHTS

At March 31, 2003, the Company had cash and investments of $172.4 million, a
portion of which is restricted due to state regulatory requirements. Medical
claims liabilities totaled $94.8 million, representing 58.1 days in claims
payable. A full reconciliation of the Company's change in days in claims payable
from the immediately preceding quarter is highlighted below:

<Table>

Full Quarter of New Jersey Medical Expense (7.3)
Physician Quality Payments (3.3)
Pharmacy Accrual Changes 0.4
Faster Payment Turn-Around (3.1)
Lower Ending Inventory (0.4)
-----
Total (13.7) days
=====
</Table>

OUTLOOK

Karey L. Witty, Centene's chief financial officer, commented, "We anticipate
2003 revenue in the range of $720 million to $730 million and net earnings of
$2.59 to $2.64 per share. This does not include the potential impact of any
additional acquisitions we may undertake during 2003."

CONFERENCE CALL

As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call tomorrow, May
1, 2003, at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to review the financial results for the
first quarter ended March 31, 2003, and to discuss its business outlook. Michael
F. Neidorff and Karey L. Witty will host the conference call. Investors are
invited to participate in the conference call by dialing (800) 273-1254 in the
United States and Canada, and (706) 679-8592 for international participants, or
via a live Internet broadcast at the Company's website, www.centene.com. A
replay of the call will be available from May 1, 2003, shortly after completion
of the call and ending on May 14, 2003, at 11:59 p.m. Investors may dial (800)
642-1687

in the United States and (706) 645-9291 from abroad and enter access number
9309238. Additionally, the webcast will be archived for the same period at
www.centene.com.

ABOUT CENTENE CORPORATION

Centene Corporation provides managed care programs and related services to
individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, including Supplemental Security
Income (SSI), and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The
Company operates health plans in Wisconsin, Texas, Indiana and New Jersey. In
addition, the Company contracts with other healthcare organizations to provide
specialty services including behavioral health, nurse triage and pharmacy
compliance.

The information provided in the second, third and fourth paragraphs following
the bullet listing under "First Quarter Highlights," the second bullet under
"Statement of Earnings Highlights" and the paragraph under "Outlook" above
contain forward-looking statements that relate to future events and future
financial performance of Centene. These forward-looking statements represent the
Company's estimates as of April 30, 2003. Subsequent events and developments may
cause the Company's estimates to change. The Company disclaims any obligation to
update this forward-looking financial information in the future. Readers are
cautioned that matters subject to forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks and uncertainties, including economic, regulatory, competitive and
other factors that may cause Centene's or its industry's actual results, levels
of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any
future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ from
projections or estimates due to a variety of important factors, including
Centene's ability to accurately predict and effectively manage health benefits
and other operating expenses, competition, changes in healthcare practices,
changes in federal or state laws or regulations, inflation, provider contract
changes, new technologies, reduction in provider payments by governmental
payors, major epidemics, disasters and numerous other factors affecting the
delivery and cost of healthcare. The expiration, cancellation or suspension of
Centene's Medicaid managed care contracts by state governments would also
negatively affect Centene.

[Tables Follow]

CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

<Table>
<Caption>
MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
2003 2002
------------ ------------
(UNAUDITED)

ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents ........................................................ $ 59,970 $ 59,656
Premium and related receivables, net of allowances of $215 and $219,
respectively ................................................................... 19,925 16,773
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost $8,724 and $9,687,
respectively) .................................................................. 8,719 9,571
Deferred income taxes ............................................................ 1,853 2,846
Other current assets ............................................................. 5,335 4,243
------------ ------------
Total current assets ........................................................... 95,802 93,089
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS, at fair value (amortized cost $85,580 and $78,025,
respectively) .................................................................... 87,187 79,666
RESTRICTED DEPOSITS, at fair value (amortized cost $16,322 and $15,561,
respectively) .................................................................... 16,533 15,762
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net ......................................................... 6,998 6,295
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net .............................................................. 13,308 10,695
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES ............................................................... 630 472
OTHER ASSETS ........................................................................ 4,289 4,348
------------ ------------
Total assets ................................................................... $ 224,747 $ 210,327
============ ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Medical claims liabilities ....................................................... $ 94,767 $ 91,181
Accounts payable and accrued expenses ............................................ 13,041 10,748
Other current liabilities ........................................................ 370 --
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities ...................................................... 108,178 101,929
OTHER LIABILITIES ................................................................... 6,319 5,334
------------ ------------
Total liabilities .............................................................. 114,497 107,263
MINORITY INTEREST ................................................................... 589 881
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 40,000,000 shares; 10,943,142 and
10,829,099 shares issued and outstanding, respectively ......................... 11 11
Additional paid-in capital ....................................................... 72,640 72,377
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized gain on investments, net of tax ................................... 1,141 1,087
Retained earnings ................................................................... 35,869 28,708
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity ..................................................... 109,661 102,183
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ..................................... $ 224,747 $ 210,327
============ ============
</Table>

CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

<Table>
<Caption>
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
----------------------------
2003 2002
------------ ------------
(UNAUDITED)

REVENUES:
Premiums ............................................ $ 176,212 $ 95,650
Services ............................................ 1,222 103
------------ ------------
Total revenues .................................... 177,434 95,753
------------ ------------
EXPENSES:
Medical costs ....................................... 146,907 78,944
Cost of services(a) ................................. 975 82
General and administrative expenses ................. 19,405 10,465
------------ ------------
Total operating expenses .......................... 167,287 89,491
------------ ------------
Earnings from operations ......................... 10,147 6,262
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Investment and other income, net .................... 974 915
Interest expense .................................... (27) --
------------ ------------
Earnings before income taxes ..................... 11,094 7,177
INCOME TAX EXPENSE .................................... 4,233 2,877
MINORITY INTEREST ..................................... 300 --
------------ ------------
Net earnings ........................................ $ 7,161 $ 4,300
============ ============

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE, BASIC:
Net earnings per common share ....................... $ 0.66 $ 0.43

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE, DILUTED:
Net earnings per common share ....................... $ 0.60 $ 0.38

SHARES USED IN COMPUTING PER SHARE AMOUNTS:
Basic ............................................... 10,898,849 10,091,348
Diluted ............................................. 11,838,177 11,317,634
</Table>

(a) Cost of services includes salaries and wages of physicians, clinicians,
therapists and teachers who provide specialty services.

CENTENE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)

<Table>
<Caption>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
----------------------------
2003 2002
------------ ------------
(UNAUDITED)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings ..................................................................... $ 7,161 $ 4,300
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating
activities --
Depreciation and amortization ................................................ 1,379 476
Stock compensation expense ................................................... 5 4
Minority interest ............................................................ (300) --
Gain on sale of investments .................................................. (293) (205)
Changes in assets and liabilities --
Increase in premium and related receivables .................................... (1,982) (2,640)
Increase in other current assets ............................................... (626) (2,413)
Decrease in deferred income taxes .............................................. 803 288
Decrease in other assets ....................................................... 58 --
Increase in medical claims liabilities ......................................... 3,586 5,363
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses .............................. (187) (2,869)
Increase in unearned revenues .................................................. 19 --
Increase in other liabilities .................................................. 236 --
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities .................................... 9,859 2,304
------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment ............................................... (684) (1,338)
Purchase of investments .......................................................... (42,055) (6,673)
Sales and maturities of investments .............................................. 35,218 11,751
Contract acquisitions ............................................................ (561) --
Investment in subsidiary ......................................................... (1,722) (3,188)
------------ ------------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities .......................... (9,804) 552
------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options .......................................... 259 15
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities .................................... 259 15
------------ ------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents .................................... 314 2,871
------------ ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period ...................................... 59,656 88,867
------------ ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period ............................................ $ 59,970 $ 91,738
============ ============

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid .................................................................... $ 18 $ --
Income taxes paid ................................................................ $ 1,230 $ 4,330
</Table>

CENTENE CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA

<Table>
<Caption>
Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2
2003 2002 2002 2002
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------

MEMBERSHIP
Wisconsin .......................... 139,100 133,000 126,800 123,900
Texas .............................. 122,700(a) 118,000(a) 67,800 61,900
Indiana ............................ 104,800 105,700 101,500 92,800
New Jersey ......................... 52,700 52,900 -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
TOTAL ............................ 419,300 409,600 296,100 278,600
============ ============ ============ ============
(a) Includes 12,000 members managed on an interim basis.

Medicaid ........................... 344,700 336,100 264,100 252,100
SCHIP .............................. 66,600 65,900 29,400 23,900
SSI ................................ 8,000 7,600 2,600 2,600
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
TOTAL ............................ 419,300 409,600 296,100 278,600
============ ============ ============ ============

REVENUE PER MEMBER ..................... $ 142.06 $ 134.08 $ 133.20 $ 132.33

CLAIMS
Period-end Inventory ............... 144,465 150,717 140,432 169,969
Average Inventory .................. 131,382 73,800 51,700 79,000
Period-end Inventory per Member .... 0.34 0.37 0.47 0.61

DAYS IN CLAIMS PAYABLE(b) .............. 58.1 71.8 62.7 65.6

(b) Days in Claims Payable is a calculation of Medical Claims Liabilities at the
end of the period divided by average medical costs per calendar day for
such period.

ANNUALIZED RETURN ON EQUITY(c) ......... 27.0% 27.7% 27.5% 26.0%

(c) Annualized Return on Equity is calculated as follows: (net income for
quarter x 4) divided by ((beginning of period equity + end of period
equity) divided by 2).
</Table>

HEALTH BENEFITS RATIO BY CATEGORY:

<Table>
<Caption>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
------------------------
2003 2002
------ ------

Medicaid (excluding SSI) ...................... 82.4% 82.5%
SSI ........................................... 104.2% --
Total ....................................... 83.4% 82.5%
</Table>

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE RATIO BY BUSINESS SEGMENT:

<Table>
<Caption>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
------------------------
2003 2002
------ ------

Medicaid Managed Care ......................... 10.5% 10.7%
Specialty Services ............................ 18.6% 20.1%
Total ....................................... 10.9% 10.9%

</Table>

MEDICAL CLAIMS LIABILITIES
(IN THOUSANDS)

Four rolling quarters of the changes in medical claims liabilities are
summarized as follows:

<Table>

BALANCE, MARCH 31, 2002 ........ $ 64,928
Acquisitions ................... 16,230(d)
Incurred related to:
Current period ............... 468,829
Prior period ................. (21,398)
----------
Total incurred ............. 447,431
----------
Paid related to:
Current period ............... 393,662
Prior period ................. 40,160
----------
Total paid ................. 433,822
----------
BALANCE, MARCH 31, 2003 ........ $ 94,767
==========

(d) Includes reserves acquired in connection with the acquisition of 80% of the
outstanding capital stock of University Health Plans, Inc.

Our claims reserving process utilizes a consistent actuarial methodology to
estimate our ultimate liability. Any reduction in the "Incurred related to:
Prior period" claims may be offset as we actuarially determine "Incurred
related to: Current period." As such, only in the absence of a consistent
reserving methodology would favorable development of prior period claims
liability estimates reduce medical costs. We believe we have consistently
applied our claims reserving methodology in each of the periods presented.
</Table>