<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001071739-26-000125.txt : 20260602
<SEC-HEADER>0001071739-26-000125.hdr.sgml : 20260602
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20260602171305
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001071739-26-000125
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20260529
FILED AS OF DATE:		20260602
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20260602

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Carson Michael A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001934743
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31826
		FILM NUMBER:		261057639

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BRIGHT HEALTH GROUP INC.
		STREET 2:		8000 NORMAN CENTER DRIVE SUITE 1200
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55437

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_1780434782.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0609</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2026-05-29</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001934743</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Carson Michael A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>false</rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7700 FORSYTH BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. LOUIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Group President, Medicare&amp;Spec</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <aff10b5One>0</aff10b5One>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>122882</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>825</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2026-05-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>I</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>604.004</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>59.60</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>604.004</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Ownership includes 113,747 shares of previously-granted restricted stock units and performance stock units (reported at target level performance) subject to vesting requirements.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Each share of phantom stock represents the right to receive the fair market value of one share of Centene common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents a reallocation of units under the Company's nonqualified deferred compensation plan from an investment option tracking the Company's common stock to an alternative investment option. The transaction does not represent an open market sale of securities. The transaction was effected at the closing price of the Company's common stock on the transaction date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The phantom stock has no formal expiration date. The phantom stock will be settled in cash or other non-Company securities upon Mr. Carson's termination with the Company or on such other date Mr. Carson may elect.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Christopher A. Koster (executed by attorney-in-fact)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2026-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
