CNC · 10-Q · 2026Q1 · Full report

Medicaid Contract Awards and Protests

CENTENE CORP · 2026-04-28 · Importance 51 · Surprise 42

Centene began several state Medicaid contracts in late 2024–2026 including SilverSummit (Nevada ALTCS expansion into rural/frontier areas), Health Net Community Solutions (Medi‑Cal dental in Los Angeles and Sacramento), Iowa Total Care (Iowa Health Link), Magnolia Health Plan (Mississippi Coordinated Care), and Sunshine Health (expanded Florida SMMC). The company is also involved in a prolonged bid protest in Arizona (ALTCS rebid) and is protesting procurement awards in Georgia and Texas; additionally, Centene was not selected to continue Florida Children's Medical Services with the current contract ending September 2026. Management warns that unsuccessful protests or contract losses could materially impact future operations, cash flows and membership in affected states.

Key facts

• In January 2026 SilverSummit Healthplan, Inc. commenced a contract with Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid managed care services with a five-year term and a two-year extension option (total seven possible years) including expansion into rural and frontier service areas.
• In January 2026 Health Net Community Solutions commenced a 54-month contract with California Department of Health Care Services to provide managed dental health care services in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties.
• In February 2025 Sunshine Health commenced a six-year expanded Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program contract including Managed Medical Assistance, Long-Term Care, Serious Mental Illness, Child Welfare, HIV specialty products and added Behavior Analysis services.
• In January 2026 Meridian Health Plan of Illinois commenced a contract with Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to provide FIDE SNP services with a four-year term and optional extensions of six months to five and a half years.
• In January 2026 Buckeye Health Plan commenced a three-year contract with the Ohio Department of Medicaid to continue providing FIDE SNP services.
• In January 2026 Meridian Health Plan of Michigan commenced a seven-year contract with three optional one-year extensions (total 10 possible years) to provide HIDE SNP services to dually eligible Michiganders.
• In July 2025 Iowa Total Care commenced a four-year contract with an optional two-year extension (total six possible years) to continue providing Medicaid managed care services under the Iowa Health Link program.
• In July 2025 Magnolia Health Plan commenced a four-year Mississippi Division of Medicaid contract with two optional one-year extensions (total six possible years) to serve Mississippi Coordinated Access Network and CHIP.

Impact estimates