Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced that its Illinois subsidiary, Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc., has been selected by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to continue providing services under the HealthChoice Illinois Medicaid managed care program.

The four-year contract is expected to begin January 1, 2027, and run through 2030. Meridian is one of six managed care organizations chosen by the state to deliver services to approximately 2.4 million Medicaid-eligible Illinois residents. As of May 2026, Meridian serves more than 596,000 Medicaid enrollees through the program.

Under the contract, Meridian will continue providing managed care that includes access to primary, maternal, and behavioral health care services across all 102 counties in Illinois.

"This award reflects Meridian's strong local partnerships and focus on delivering coordinated, high-quality care while connecting people to the support they need beyond the clinical setting," said Centene Chief Executive Officer Sarah M. London.

Meridian Plan President and Chief Executive Officer Cristal Gary said the organization is "honored to be chosen again" to deliver care "through proven performance and building on our strategy to address barriers to care."

Meridian received a 5-star rating in the 2024 HealthChoice Illinois Report Card in three areas: Access to Care, Living with Illness, and Women's/Children's Health.