v3.8.0.1
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Statements Of Operations (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2017
Jun. 30, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Expenses:                      
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 $ 4,446 $ 3,676 $ 1,802
Gain on contingent consideration                 1 5 44
Other income (expense):                      
Investment and other income                 190 114 35
Interest expense                 (255) (217) (43)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes                 1,134 1,157 697
Income tax benefit                 326 599 339
Equity in earnings from subsidiaries                 3 5 8
Net earnings                 808 561 357
(Earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests                 20 1 (2)
Net earnings attributable to Centene $ 230 $ 205 $ 254 $ 139 $ 255 $ 148 $ 171 $ (15) $ 828 $ 559 $ 356
Continuing operations (in usd per share) $ 1.33 $ 1.19 $ 1.47 $ 0.81 $ 1.49 $ 0.87 $ 1.00 $ (0.12) $ 4.80 $ 3.50 $ 2.99
Continuing operations (in usd per share) $ 1.30 $ 1.16 $ 1.44 $ 0.79 $ 1.45 $ 0.84 $ 0.98 $ (0.12) $ 4.69 $ 3.41 $ 2.89
Parent Company                      
Expenses:                      
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 $ 7 $ 10 $ 9
Gain on contingent consideration                 (1) (5) (44)
Other income (expense):                      
Investment and other income                 2 2 (5)
Interest expense                 (247) (201) (39)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes                 (251) (204) (9)
Income tax benefit                 (114) (76) (26)
Net earnings (loss) before equity in subsidiaries                 (137) (128) 17
Equity in earnings from subsidiaries                 945 686 341
Net earnings                 808 558 358
(Earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests                 20 1 (2)
Net earnings attributable to Centene                 $ 828 $ 559 $ 356
Continuing operations (in usd per share)                 $ 4.80 $ 3.50 $ 2.99
Continuing operations (in usd per share)                 $ 4.69 $ 3.41 $ 2.89