Organization And Operations	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Organization And Operations [Abstract]
Organization and Operations	Organization and Operations Centene Corporation, or the Company, is a diversified, multi-line healthcare enterprise operating in two segments: Managed Care and Specialty Services. The Managed Care segment provides Medicaid and Medicaid-related health plan coverage to individuals through government subsidized programs, including Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, Long Term Care (LTC), Foster Care, Medicare Special Needs Plans and the Supplemental Security Income Program, also known as the Aged, Blind or Disabled Program, or collectively ABD. The Specialty Services segment consists of our specialty companies offering auxiliary healthcare services and products to state programs, healthcare organizations, employer groups and other commercial organizations, as well as to our own subsidiaries. The health plan in Massachusetts, operated by our individual health insurance business, is included in the Specialty Services segment.

Organization And Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Organization And Operations [Abstract]

Centene Corporation, or the Company, is a diversified, multi-line healthcare enterprise operating in two segments: Managed Care and Specialty Services. The Managed Care segment provides Medicaid and Medicaid-related health plan coverage to individuals through government subsidized programs, including Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, Long Term Care (LTC), Foster Care, Medicare Special Needs Plans and the Supplemental Security Income Program, also known as the Aged, Blind or Disabled Program, or collectively ABD. The Specialty Services segment consists of our specialty companies offering auxiliary healthcare services and products to state programs, healthcare organizations, employer groups and other commercial organizations, as well as to our own subsidiaries. The health plan in Massachusetts, operated by our individual health insurance business, is included in the Specialty Services segment.