Exhibit 23

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-108467) of Centene Corporation of our reports
dated February 9, 2004 relating to the financial statements and financial
statement schedule, which appear in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
February 24, 2004