Centene Exits Hawaii Medicaid Program, Sues CMS Over Star Ratings
In a roundup of recent Centene developments, Becker's reports the insurer's 'Ohana Health Plan is exiting Hawaii's QUEST Medicaid managed care program on Dec. 31, and Centene has sued HHS and CMS alleging its 2027 Medicare Advantage star ratings will cost the company $448 million. Other items include a new Louisiana Medicaid plan president hire, an 11.8% headcount reduction since year-end 2025, a national provider credentialing initiative with UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, and launch of a performance-based gold card program. Centene also said its Medicare Advantage business is on track to break even in 2026. A Florida appellate court separately ordered expungement of a grand jury report tied to a $10 million Centene donation to the Hope Florida Foundation.