CNC

Expansion into Ohio and Oklahoma for plan year 2027 builds on early success offering employees  CHOICE Arrangements in Indiana in 2026 ST. LOUIS, Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives, announced the expansion of its CHOICE Arrangements benefit program (formerly ICHRA) to employees in Ohio and Oklahoma for plan year 2027.

Centene Corp. maintains a Buy rating as profitability recovers faster than expected, with Q2 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.51 versus a prior-year loss. CNC raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to over $4.80, driven by improved Marketplace and Medicare Part D margins, despite a 40% YoY decline in Marketplace membership. Medicaid remains a headwind, with expected 8–9% membership decline in 2026 and regulatory risks from OB3, but management targets margin improvement and breakeven Medicare Advantage in 2027.

Centene's nationwide Gold Card program aims to streamline prior authorization and cut administrative costs, but adoption and actual savings will determine its financial impact.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PA Health & Wellness, a leading managed care organization in Pennsylvania and a company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), today announced that it has been recognized among the top 17 Medicaid health plans in the United States by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for the second consecutive year.

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced it will launch its National Performance-Based Gold Card Program in November 2026. The program, which will initially be available to more than 160,000 qualifying providers nationwide for select outpatient services, is designed to streamline the prior authorization review process while maintaining appropriate clinical and quality standards.

CNC's diversified business, improving margins and lower valuation give it an edge over MOH, with stronger earnings prospects and greater upside potential.

CNC's improving Medicaid margins, stronger Marketplace profitability and earnings recovery support its valuation, but sustainability remains the key test.

CNC is narrowing its 2027 Medicare Advantage footprint as elevated costs pressure plan economics, with a sharper focus on dual eligibles.

PWR, FORM, SMTC, CNC and ROKU offer strong growth prospects in Q4, driven by AI demand, estimate gains, healthcare momentum and streaming growth.

UnitedHealth is exiting select Medicare Advantage plans for 2027 as rising medical costs pressure profitability, reshaping its membership mix.