Sec Form 4 Filing - BRADT SAMUEL E @ CENTENE CORP - 2005-02-25

FORM 4 Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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1. Name and Address of Reporting Person BRADT SAMUEL E 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol CENTENE CORP [ CNC] 5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) X __ Director _____ 10% Owner _____ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below) (Last) (First) (Middle) 7711 CARONDELET AVENUE, SUITE 800 3. Date of Earliest Transaction (MM/DD/YY) 02/25/2005 (Street) ST. LOUIS, MO63105 4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed (MM/DD/YY) 6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line) __ X __ Form filed by One Reporting Person _____ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person (City) (State) (Zip)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned 1.Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price Common Stock 02/25/2005 M 30,000 A $ 0.34 43,960 D Common Stock 02/25/2005 M 30,000 A $ 0.45 73,960 D Common Stock 02/25/2005 M 22,500 A $ 7.57 96,460 D Common Stock 02/25/2005 M 10,000 A $ 16.65 106,460 D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned ( e.g. , puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities) 1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4, and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (MM/DD/YY) 7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares Common Stock Option (right to buy) $ 0.34 02/25/2005 M 30,000 01/01/2005 01/01/2010 Common Stock 30,000 $ 0.34 0 D Common Stock Option (right to buy) $ 0.45 02/25/2005 M 30,000 04/26/2005( 1 ) 10/20/2010 Common Stock 30,000 $ 0.45 0 D Common Stock Option (right to buy) $ 7.57 02/25/2005 M 22,500 05/04/2004 07/24/2012 Common Stock 22,500 $ 7.57 0 D Common Stock Option (right to buy) $ 16.65 02/25/2005 M 10,000 04/26/2005( 2 ) 05/04/2014 Common Stock 10,000 $ 16.65 0 D

Reporting Owners Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships Director 10% Owner Officer Other BRADT SAMUEL E 7711 CARONDELET AVENUE SUITE 800 ST. LOUIS, MO63105 X Signatures /s/ Samuel E. Bradt 03/01/2005 Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:

( 1 )6,000 of the shares will vest on April 26, 2005. These 6,000 shares are subject to a restriction on transferability and a company repurchase right until April 26, 2005. ( 2 )These shares will vest on April 26, 2005 and are subject to a restriction on transferability and a company repurchase right until April 26, 2005.

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).

** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).

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