Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) has announced that its Illinois-based subsidiary, Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, has been awarded a contract by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to continue providing services for the HealthChoice Illinois Medicaid managed care program.

The new contract has a four-year term, is expected to commence on January 1, 2027, and will run through 2030. Meridian was selected as one of six managed care organizations by HFS and will deliver healthcare services to approximately 2.4 million Medicaid-eligible residents statewide. As of May 2026, Meridian has been serving over 596,000 enrollees through the HealthChoice Illinois program.

Centene's Chief Executive Officer, Sarah M. London, stated, "Centene has a long-standing history of serving Medicaid and dual-eligible members in Illinois. This award reflects Meridian's strong local partnerships and our commitment to focusing on the delivery of coordinated, high-quality care."

Under the terms of the new agreement, Meridian will continue to offer managed care services for Medicaid enrollees, covering comprehensive primary care, maternal health, and behavioral health services. In the 2024 HealthChoice Illinois report card, Meridian received the highest possible five-star rating in three key areas: healthcare access, chronic disease management, and women's and children's health.

Having been deeply embedded in Illinois communities for nearly two decades, Meridian will continue to provide integrated and coordinated care for vulnerable populations across all 102 counties in the state, while also advancing programs that address the social drivers of health.