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 June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission of 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.

    A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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

Dated: July 28, 2003