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<title>Prepared By R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 8-K</title>
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<b>UNITED STATES </b></font></div>

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<b>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </b></font></div>

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<b>Washington, D.C. 20549 </b></font></div>

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<b>Form 8-K </b></font></div> <div><font Size="1">&nbsp;</font></div>

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<b>Current Report </b></font></div>

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<b>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </b></font></div>

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<b>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&nbsp;&nbsp;07/18/2006 </b></font></div>




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<b>Centene Corporation </b></font></div>

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<b>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</b></font></div>

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<b>Commission File Number:&nbsp;&nbsp;000-33395</b></font></div>

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<div Align="center"><font Face="times New Roman" Size="3" Color="#000000"><b>Delaware</b></font>
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<b>(State or other jurisdiction of</b></font>
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<div Align="center"><font Face="times New Roman" Size="2" Color="#000000"><b>(IRS Employer</b></font>
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<b>incorporation)</b></font>
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<b>Identification No.)</b></font>
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<b>7711 Carondelet Avenue, Suite 800, St. Louis, MO 63105</b></font></div>


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<b>(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)</b></font>
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<b>314-725-4477 </b></font>
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<b>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code)</b></font>
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<b> </b></font>
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<b>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) </b></font>
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<b>Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:<BR><BR>
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<b>[&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)<BR><BR>

[&nbsp;&nbsp;]&nbsp;&nbsp;
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)<BR><BR>


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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))<BR><BR>


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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Information to be included in the report</b>
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<b>Item 2.02.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Results of Operations and Financial Condition</b></font>
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On July 18, 2006, we issued a press release announcing preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006 and updated full year guidance. The full text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. The information contained in the website cited in the press release is not a part of this report. <p>The information in this Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Nor shall such information or exhibit be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.</font>
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<b>Item 9.01.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Statements and Exhibits</b></font>
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(c) Exhibits <p>The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be furnished and not filed: <p> <p>  99.1 Press release of Centene Corporation issued July 18, 2006 as to preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006 and updated full year guidance.</font>
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<b>Signature(s) </b></font>
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized. </font>
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	Centene Corporation</font>
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	Date: July 18, 2006</font>
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	By:</font>
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	/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Michael F. Neidorff</font>
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	Michael F. Neidorff</font>
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	<div><font Face="times New Roman" Size="2" Color="#000000">Chairman and Chief Executive Officer</font>
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<b>Exhibit Index </b></font>
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	<b>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</b></font>
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	<b>Description</b></font>
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	EX-99.1</font>
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	Press release of Centene Corporation issued  July 18, 2006 as to preliminary financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 and updated full year guidance.</font>
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Prepared By R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 8-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  07/18/2006
Centene Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number:  000-33395
Delaware
42-1406317
(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer
incorporation)
Identification No.)
7711 Carondelet Avenue, Suite 800, St. Louis, MO 63105
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
314-725-4477
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[  ]  
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Information to be included in the report
Item 2.02.    Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On July 18, 2006, we issued a press release announcing preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006 and updated full year guidance. The full text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. The information contained in the website cited in the press release is not a part of this report.
The information in this Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Nor shall such information or exhibit be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be furnished and not filed:
99.1 Press release of Centene Corporation issued July 18, 2006 as to preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006 and updated full year guidance.
Signature(s)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.
Centene Corporation
Date: July 18, 2006
By:
/s/    Michael F. Neidorff
Michael F. Neidorff
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
Description
EX-99.1
Press release of Centene Corporation issued  July 18, 2006 as to preliminary financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 and updated full year guidance.