Please answer the given financial question based on the context.
Context: goodwill is reviewed annually during the fourth quarter for impairment . in addition , the company performs an impairment analysis of other intangible assets based on the occurrence of other factors . such factors include , but are not limited to , signifi- cant changes in membership , state funding , medical contracts and provider networks and contracts . an impairment loss is rec- ognized if the carrying value of intangible assets exceeds the implied fair value . the company did not recognize any impair- ment losses for the periods presented . medical claims liabilities medical services costs include claims paid , claims reported but not yet paid ( inventory ) , estimates for claims incurred but not yet received ( ibnr ) and estimates for the costs necessary to process unpaid claims . the estimates of medical claims liabilities are developed using standard actuarial methods based upon historical data for payment patterns , cost trends , product mix , seasonality , utiliza- tion of healthcare services and other relevant factors including product changes . these estimates are continually reviewed and adjustments , if necessary , are reflected in the period known . management did not change actuarial methods during the years presented . management believes the amount of medical claims payable is reasonable and adequate to cover the company 2019s liabil- ity for unpaid claims as of december 31 , 2005 ; however , actual claim payments may differ from established estimates . revenue recognition the majority of the company 2019s medicaid managed care premi- um revenue is received monthly based on fixed rates per member as determined by state contracts . some contracts allow for addi- tional premium related to certain supplemental services provided such as maternity deliveries . revenue is recognized as earned over the covered period of services . revenues are recorded based on membership and eligibility data provided by the states , which may be adjusted by the states for updates to this membership and eligibility data . these adjustments are immaterial in relation to total revenue recorded and are reflected in the period known . premiums collected in advance are recorded as unearned revenue . the specialty services segment generates revenue under con- tracts with state and local government entities , our health plans and third-party customers . revenues for services are recognized when the services are provided or as ratably earned over the cov- ered period of services . for performance-based contracts , the company does not recognize revenue subject to refund until data is sufficient to measure performance . such amounts are recorded as unearned revenue . revenues due to the company are recorded as premium and related receivables and recorded net of an allowance for uncol- lectible accounts based on historical trends and management 2019s judgment on the collectibility of these accounts . activity in the allowance for uncollectible accounts for the years ended december 31 is summarized below: .
||2005|2004|2003|
|allowances beginning of year|$ 462|$ 607|$ 219|
|amounts charged to expense|80|407|472|
|write-offs of uncollectible receivables|-199 ( 199 )|-552 ( 552 )|-84 ( 84 )|
|allowances end of year|$ 343|$ 462|$ 607|
significant customers centene receives the majority of its revenues under contracts or subcontracts with state medicaid managed care programs . the contracts , which expire on various dates between june 30 , 2006 and august 31 , 2008 , are expected to be renewed . contracts with the states of indiana , kansas , texas and wisconsin each accounted for 18% ( 18 % ) , 12% ( 12 % ) , 22% ( 22 % ) and 23% ( 23 % ) , respectively , of the company 2019s revenues for the year ended december 31 , 2005 . reinsurance centene has purchased reinsurance from third parties to cover eligible healthcare services . the current reinsurance program covers 90% ( 90 % ) of inpatient healthcare expenses in excess of annual deductibles of $ 300 per member , up to a lifetime maximum of $ 2000 . centene 2019s medicaid managed care subsidiaries are respon- sible for inpatient charges in excess of an average daily per diem . reinsurance recoveries were $ 4014 , $ 3730 , and $ 5345 , in 2005 , 2004 , and 2003 , respectively . reinsurance expenses were approximately $ 4105 , $ 6724 , and $ 6185 in 2005 , 2004 , and 2003 , respectively . reinsurance recoveries , net of expenses , are included in medical costs . other income ( expense ) other income ( expense ) consists principally of investment income and interest expense . investment income is derived from the company 2019s cash , cash equivalents , restricted deposits and investments . interest expense relates to borrowings under our credit facility , mortgage interest , interest on capital leases and credit facility fees . income taxes deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases . deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled . the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of the tax rate change . valuation allowances are provided when it is considered more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized . in determining if a deductible temporary difference or net operating loss can be realized , the company considers future reversals of .
Question: what was the percentage change in the allowance for uncollectible accounts from year end 2003 to 2004?


Answer: The answer is:-0.23888