Centene Corporation provides government-sponsored healthcare insurance plans, primarily Medicaid managed care plans for low-income individuals along with Medicare Advantage and Affordable Care Act marketplace plans. As a managed care company focused heavily on government programs, Centene contracts with state governments to administer Medicaid benefits, earning a per-member payment in exchange for managing healthcare costs and coordinating care for its Medicaid enrollees. This government-focused business model differs from commercial health insurers that primarily serve employer-sponsored health plans, giving Centene particular exposure to state and federal government healthcare policy and funding decisions. The company's profitability depends on managing medical costs effectively relative to the premium payments it receives from government programs, a balance that can be affected by regulatory changes, enrollment shifts and the health needs of its covered population.