UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 8, 2014

CENTENE CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware
 
001-31826
 
42-1406317
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

7700 Forsyth Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri
 
63105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (314) 725-4477
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))








ITEM 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

Update on ACA Health Insurer Fee

With respect to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) annual Health Insurer Fee (HIF), consistent with our previous comments, the Company has received signed agreements from 15 of 17 applicable states as of September 30, 2014, which provide for the reimbursement of the HIF including the related gross-up for the federal and state income tax effect. The Company has recognized the reimbursement as revenue on a straight line basis for the 15 signed agreements representing approximately 64% of the reimbursable fee. The balance of the unrecognized fee primarily relates to our Texas operations for which we expect to receive a signed agreement during the fourth quarter.

We continue to believe, as reflected in our previous 2014 guidance numbers, we will receive signed agreements related to the reimbursement from all of our ongoing states for substantially all of the impact of the HIF on a grossed-up basis.

The information contained in this Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements, other than statements of current or historical fact, contained in this filing are forward-looking statements.  We have attempted to identify these statements by terminology including “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “goal,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “can,” “continue” and other similar words or expressions in connection with, among other things, any discussion of future operating or financial performance.  In particular, these statements include statements about our efforts to obtain full reimbursement of the HIF, including a gross-up payment for the associated tax effects. 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 our or our 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.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

All forward-looking statements included in this filing are based on information available to us on the date of this filing and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements included in this filing, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this filing.  Actual results may differ from projections or estimates due to a variety of important factors, including changes in federal or state laws or regulations, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act and any regulations enacted thereunder.

We disclaim any current intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Due to these important factors and risks, we cannot give assurances with respect to our future premium levels or our ability to control our future medical costs.








SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
CENTENE CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
October 8, 2014
By:
 
/s/ William N. Scheffel
 
 
 
 
William N. Scheffel
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer