10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2010

CENTENE CORP Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2010

Filed April 27, 2010For Securities:CNC

Summary

Centene Corporation reported solid revenue growth in the first quarter of 2010, driven by an increase in premium and service revenues of 12.5% year-over-year, reaching $1.022 billion. This growth was primarily fueled by a significant rise in at-risk managed care membership, which increased by 17.7% compared to the prior year. The company successfully navigated a complex regulatory environment, including the initial impact of the Affordable Care Act, and completed the sale of its New Jersey health plan (UHP), which was classified as discontinued operations. Despite a net cash outflow from operating activities, the company demonstrated strong financial management through a stock offering that strengthened its balance sheet and facilitated debt repayment, positioning it for continued expansion.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$1.07B
Operating Expenses$1.04B
Operating Income$29.61M
Interest Expense$3.81M
Net Income$24.00M
EPS (Basic)$0.13
EPS (Diluted)$0.12
Shares Outstanding (Basic)189.04M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)195.05M

Key Highlights

  • 1Total revenues increased by 14.6% to $1.069 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $932.4 million for the same period in 2009.
  • 2Premium and service revenues grew by 12.5% to $1.022 billion, largely due to a 17.7% increase in at-risk managed care membership year-over-year.
  • 3The company completed the sale of University Health Plans, Inc. (UHP), its New Jersey health plan, recognizing a pre-tax gain of $8.2 million, with operations classified as discontinued.
  • 4Net earnings attributable to Centene Corporation increased by 30.0% to $24.0 million for the quarter, compared to $18.5 million in the prior year.
  • 5Diluted earnings per common share rose to $0.49 from $0.42 in the comparable period of 2009, an increase of 16.7%.
  • 6In March 2010, Centene completed a stock offering, raising approximately $104.6 million in net proceeds, which were used in part to repay outstanding debt.
  • 7The Health Benefits Ratio (HBR) was 84.0% for the first quarter of 2010, a slight increase from 83.5% in the prior year, indicating well-managed medical costs relative to revenues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Centene's revenue growth in the first quarter of 2010 was primarily driven by an increase in premium and service revenues, which rose by 12.5% year-over-year. This growth was directly correlated with a significant increase in at-risk managed care membership, up 17.7% compared to the prior year, across its various state contracts.

The sale of UHP, classified as discontinued operations, resulted in a pre-tax gain of $8.2 million for the first quarter of 2010. While its operations are excluded from continuing operations, the gain positively contributed to the company's overall net earnings for the period.

Centene completed a stock offering in March 2010, raising approximately $104.6 million in net proceeds. A portion of these proceeds was used to repay outstanding debt, specifically under the company's revolving credit facility, strengthening its balance sheet and improving its leverage profile. The remaining funds are earmarked for general corporate purposes.

Centene is actively evaluating the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. While the company does not anticipate material effects on its results of operations, liquidity, or cash flows in 2010, it acknowledges that the Act contains provisions expected to have a significant impact in coming years, such as the expansion of Medicaid eligibility and potential excise taxes on health insurers.