Centene earnings for the third quarter of 2026 showed a diluted loss of $0.14 per share on revenue of $50.6 billion. The health insurer raised its full-year adjusted earnings outlook, even as quarterly adjusted earnings of $0.58 per share fell short of analyst expectations.

Key Takeaways

  • Total revenue slipped 0.3% from a year earlier, while premium and service revenue rose 0.5%.
  • Traditional Medicaid membership fell to 10.5 million from 11.1 million.
  • Centene raised its full-year adjusted diluted earnings guidance to more than $5.20 per share.

Centene earnings show mixed revenue trends

Centene reported the results on October 27 for the quarter ended September 30, 2026. Total revenue fell to $50.647 billion from $50.804 billion in the same quarter of 2025. Premium and service revenue moved in the opposite direction, rising to $45.105 billion from $44.898 billion.

The company’s health benefits ratio remained at 92.7%. Cash flow from operations was negative $3.669 billion for the quarter.

Centene provides government-sponsored healthcare coverage, including Medicaid managed care and Medicare plans, as well as individual insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

Membership declines as guidance rises

Traditional Medicaid membership declined from 11.1 million in the third quarter of 2025 to 10.5 million a year later. The company also faced declining membership in its commercial segment.

Centene raised its full-year adjusted diluted earnings guidance to more than $5.20 per share. That forecast is separate from its completed third-quarter results; the previous guidance figure was not provided.

Chief Executive Sarah M. London said underlying fundamentals in Centene’s core businesses had supported a faster recovery in its earnings trajectory than previously anticipated.

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