Centene is offering a voluntary separation program to employees, the company confirmed to Becker’s June 15.
“Centene is positioning the company to lead the future of healthcare — working to deliver a simpler and better experience for our members and partners while meeting the realities of today’s healthcare environment,” the company said. “Today we announced a voluntary separation program to support employees who may be considering a transition.”
Bloomberg originally reported the buyouts. Centene did not confirm the number of staff receiving offers to Becker’s nor Bloomberg, but the company employs 61,000 personnel. A Centene spokesperson said most employees are eligible to apply for the program, but this is not a company overhaul.
Centene’s ACA membership took a hit in the first quarter of 2026, dropping by 2 million year over year. The company expects to lose 40% of its marketplace enrollment by the end of the year. Medicaid and Medicare membership were also down compared to the first quarter of 2025. While Centene posted $1.5 billion in net earnings for the quarter, the company had a $6.7 billion loss in 2025, driven by impairments.
Other insurers, such as Cigna, have been shedding their ACA businesses. Cigna cut 2,000 jobs earlier this year, and Aetna is axing 313 positions in its small group business leading up to the summer. Other payers across the country have made similar moves, as well.
Medicaid cuts are also in the pipeline due to HR 1. In October, the Congressional Budget Office estimated federal Medicaid funding could fall by $900 billion by 2034.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Fall Payer Issues Roundtable, taking place November 2–3 in Chicago, payer executives and healthcare leaders will come together to discuss value-based care, regulatory changes, cost management strategies and innovations shaping the future of payer-provider collaboration. Apply for complimentary registration now.