Statutory Capital Requirements And Dividend Restrictions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Statutory Capital [Abstract]
Statutory Capital Requirements and Dividend Restriction	Statutory Capital Requirements and Dividend Restrictions Various state laws require Centene's regulated subsidiaries to maintain minimum capital levels specified by each state and restrict the amount of dividends that may be paid without prior regulatory approval. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, Centene's subsidiaries, including Kentucky Spirit Health Plan, had aggregate statutory capital and surplus of $1,279,700 and $990,300, respectively, compared with the required minimum aggregate statutory capital and surplus of $686,400 and $617,000, respectively.

Tabular disclosure of how the entity's reporting under GAAP as of the balance sheet date differs from the results based on prescribed and permitted accounting practices of the state or country of domicile in which a relevant statutory filing is made, or differences in results based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) prescribed practices, or a combination thereof. Describes the accounting practices used and the related monetary effect on statutory surplus, net income, and risk-based capital. If an insurance enterprise's risk-based capital would have triggered a regulatory event had it not used a permitted practice, that fact is disclosed in the financial statements. Permitted statutory accounting practices include practices not prescribed but allowed by the domiciliary state insurance department regulatory authority.

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