Exhibit 32.2

                            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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Centene
Corporation (the "Company") for the period ended September 30, 2003 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, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
that:

         (1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities 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.

Date: October 27, 2003              /s/ Karey L. Witty
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Karey L. Witty
                                    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                    Officer and Treasurer
                                    (principal financial and accounting officer)