CENTENE SUBSIDIARY MERIDIAN HEALTH PLAN OF ILLINOIS AWARDED CONTRACT TO SERVE DUALLY ELIGIBLE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE

Associated Press

17-03-2025

Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives, announced today that its subsidiary, Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian), has been selected by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to continue providing Medicare and Medicaid services for dually eligible Illinoisans through a Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). The D-SNP program will provide services and support statewide for dually eligible members who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as dually eligible Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) members, under a single managed care organization. The new D-SNP contract is expected to begin on Jan. 1, 2026, and operate through Dec. 31, 2029, with the state having the option to renew for intervals of six months to five and a half years for a total contract term of up to 10 years.
'We look forward to working with HFS to address the unique needs of Illinoisans who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid,' said Centene Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sarah M. London. 'This award is a testament to our experience and ongoing commitment to fully integrate care for people with complex healthcare needs and to build stronger connections between medical, behavioral, psychosocial and environmental care for this community.'
Meridian has been serving members in Illinois since 2008 and is among four health plans selected by HFS to deliver access to high-quality managed care services to 77,000 Medicare-Medicaid-eligible Illinoisans through the state's new D-SNP product across the state. Beginning in 2027, 60,000 dually eligible MLTSS individuals will be included in the D-SNP plan. As of February 2025, Meridian serves more than 13,000 Medicaid-Medicare members and more than 11,000 dually eligible MLTSS members through the Illinois HealthChoice Medicaid program. Under the D-SNP contract, Meridian will manage coverage for services to address members' needs on a holistic level to eradicate barriers to healthcare, improve behavioral health and reduce disparities in health outcomes.
'We are proud to continue to connect our dually eligible members to a comprehensive range of services to support their physical, mental and emotional well-being,' said Meridian CEO and Plan President Cristal Gary. 'Our focus on local, culturally sensitive care helps members get the services and support they need, where they are. Meridian is committed to continuously innovating programs and processes to ensure our members achieve the best health outcomes possible.'
Additional Centene Corporation companies Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, Inc. and Buckeye Health Plan in Ohio were recently selected to provide integrated services for dually eligible individuals in their respective states.
About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach – with local brands and local teams – to provide fully integrated, high-quality and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to more than 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, http://investors.centene.com/.
About Meridian Health Plan of Illinois
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. and its family of health plans provide government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs. This includes Meridian's Medicaid and Medicare-Medicaid plans, and YouthCare HealthChoice Illinois. YouthCare is a specialized program designed to address the healthcare needs of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) youth in out-of-home placement and former foster youth. Meridian connects members to care and offers comprehensive services to support lifelong health and wellness. Meridian is a Centene Corporation company. Learn more at ILmeridian.com.
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