<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001071739-26-000066.txt : 20260317
<SEC-HEADER>0001071739-26-000066.hdr.sgml : 20260317
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20260317174346
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001071739-26-000066
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20260315
FILED AS OF DATE:		20260317
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20260317

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LONDON SARAH
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001845762
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31826
		FILM NUMBER:		26763758

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7700 FORSYTH BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ST. LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63105

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTENE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001071739
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS [6324]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	02 Finance
		EIN:				041406317
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7700 FORSYTH BLVD.
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63105
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3147254477

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7700 FORSYTH BLVD.
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63105
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>wk-form4_1773783824.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0508</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2026-03-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001071739</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CENTENE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CNC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001845762</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LONDON SARAH</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7700 FORSYTH BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. LOUIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <aff10b5One>0</aff10b5One>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2026-03-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>36061</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>34.45</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1188831</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>81.85</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2031-12-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>13449</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13449</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares withheld for taxes upon vesting of previously-reported grants of restricted stock units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Ownership includes 889,753 shares of previously-granted restricted stock units and performance stock units (reported at target level performance) subject to vesting requirements.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Performance Stock Option granted on December 15, 2021, may become exercisable on or after the third anniversary of the grant date if the closing price of CNC's common stock equals or exceeds $100 per share for 20 consecutive trading days following the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Christopher A. Koster (executed by attorney-in-fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2026-03-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
