Centene and Springfield, Mo.-based Cox Health reached an agreement to keep Centene's Medicaid beneficiaries in network, the Springfield News-Leader reported Feb. 17.
The two sides reached an agreement one day before the current contract was set to expire on Feb. 16.
Centene administers Home State Health, Missouri's specialty health plan for current and former foster children and individuals.
"We understand the unfortunate impact this situation has had on local families and children who may have sought access elsewhere. We're grateful that an agreement was reached, and that we will continue to provide care to Home State Health members," the health system said in a statement.
CoxHealth operates six hospitals and more than 80 clinics in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas, according to its website.
Home State Health is the insurance provider for 13,502 children in foster care and 2,305 children awaiting adoption in Missouri, according to the News-Leader.