January 6, 2011

VIA EDGAR

Mr. Jim B. Rosenberg

Division of Corporation Finance

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

Re: Centene Corporation

Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009

Filed February 22, 2010

File No. 001-31826

Dear Mr. Rosenberg:

We are writing in response to the letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) dated December 29, 2010 (the “Comment Letter”).  As discussed with Staci Shannon, we are requesting an extension to respond to the comments contained in the Comment Letter by January 20, 2011.  If this date is not acceptable, please let us know, otherwise we intend to respond to the comments contained in the Comment Letter by January 20, 2011.

Please contact me at (314) 725-4477 with any questions concerning this letter.

Sincerely,

/s/ Jeffrey A. Schwaneke

Jeffrey A. Schwaneke

Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

cc:	Ms. Staci Shannon, Securities and Exchange Commission
	Mr. Michael F. Neidorff, Centene Corporation