Centene Corp. announced that its subsidiary, California Health and Wellness Plan, has been notified by the California Department of Health Care Services of its intent to award a contract to serve Medicaid beneficiaries in 18 counties, pending regulatory approval.

According to a release, under the contract, California Health and Wellness Plan will serve members under the state's Medi-Cal Managed Care Rural Expansion program. The expansion program covers members eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Children's Health Insurance Program, as well as other populations

"California is a significant Medicaid managed care market, and we are pleased to be selected to participate in this rural expansion program," said Jesse Hunter, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer for Centene. "Centene's long track record of successfully transitioning fee-for-service Medicaid programs to managed care, coupled with our experience in serving members in rural areas in other states, will help us deliver better health outcomes for California residents in a cost-effective manner for the state."

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