v2.4.1.9
Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Total
Centene Stockholders' Equity - Common Stock [Member]
Centene Stockholders' Equity - Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]
Centene Stockholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Centene Stockholders' Equity - Retained Earnings [Member]
Centene Stockholders' Equity - Treasury Stock [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011 $ 937us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest $ 0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
$ 422us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
$ 6us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
$ 565us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
$ (57)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
$ 1us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011   107,173,452us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
      5,444,216us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Comprehensive Earnings:              
Net earnings (loss) (11)us-gaap_ProfitLoss       2us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
  (13)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Change in unrealized investment gain, net of tax (1)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax     (1)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax            
Comprehensive earnings (loss) (12)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest            
Common stock issued for employee benefit plans 17us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation 0us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
17us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Common stock issued for employee benefit plans (in shares)   3,504,868us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Common stock repurchases (13)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod         (13)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Common stock repurchases (in shares)           575,608us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Stock compensation expense 25us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue   25us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation 11us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation   11us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Purchase of noncontrolling interest (12)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions   (24)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
      12us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Contribution from noncontrolling interest 1us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance           1us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Reclassification to redeemable noncontrolling interest 0cnc_Reclassificationtoredeemablenoncontrollinginterest            
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012 954us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
451us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
5us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
567us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
(70)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
1us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012   110,678,320us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
      6,019,824us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Comprehensive Earnings:              
Net earnings (loss) 166us-gaap_ProfitLoss       165us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
  1us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Change in unrealized investment gain, net of tax (8)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax     (8)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax            
Comprehensive earnings (loss) 158us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest            
Common stock issued for acquisitions 75us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions 0us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
75us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Common stock issued for stock offering 15us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues 0us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
15us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Common stock issued for stock offering (in shares)   685,280us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Common stock issued for employee benefit plans 10us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation 0us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
10us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Common stock issued for employee benefit plans (in shares)   2,549,450us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Common stock repurchases (19)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod         (19)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Common stock repurchases (in shares) 688,128us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired         688,128us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Stock compensation expense 37us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue   37us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation 6us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation   6us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Contribution from noncontrolling interest 7us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance           7us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Reclassification to redeemable noncontrolling interest 0cnc_Reclassificationtoredeemablenoncontrollinginterest            
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013 1,243us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
594us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
(3)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
732us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
(89)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
9us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013 110,638,478us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding 117,346,430us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
      6,707,952us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Comprehensive Earnings:              
Net earnings (loss) 264us-gaap_ProfitLoss       271us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
  (1)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest 270us-gaap_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest            
Change in unrealized investment gain, net of tax 3us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax     3us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (1)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax     (1)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
     
Comprehensive earnings (loss) 266us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest            
Total comprehensive earnings 272cnc_ComprehensiveIncomeincludingportionattributabletononredeemablenoncontrollinginterest            
Common stock issued for acquisitions 190us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions 0us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
170us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
    20us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Common stock issued for acquisitions (in shares)   4,486,434us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
      (1,492,738)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Common stock issued for employee benefit plans 9us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation 0us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
9us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Common stock issued for employee benefit plans (in shares)   2,442,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
         
Common stock repurchases (29)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod         (29)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Common stock repurchases (in shares) 626,234us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired         626,234us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
 
Stock compensation expense 48us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue   48us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Excess tax benefit from stock compensation 19us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation   19us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
       
Contribution from noncontrolling interest             0us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Reclassification to redeemable noncontrolling interest (9)cnc_Reclassificationtoredeemablenoncontrollinginterest            
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014 $ 1,743us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest $ 0us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
$ 840us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
$ (1)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
$ 1,003us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
$ (98)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember
$ (1)us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014 118,433,416us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding 124,274,864us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
      5,841,448us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember