# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001934743
**File Stem:** 0001071739-26-000120
**Filing Date:** 2026-5
**Character Count:** 11056
**Document Hash:** c3ccc5379776db81f805ef5ee78f6319
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001071739-26-000120.hdr.sgml**: 20260518

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001071739-26-000120

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 3

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 2

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20260512

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260518

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260518

**REPORTING-OWNER**: 

**OWNER DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Carson Michael A
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001934743

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 3
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-31826
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26994962

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** C/O BRIGHT HEALTH GROUP INC.
- **STREET 2:** 8000 NORMAN CENTER DRIVE SUITE 1200
- **CITY:** MINNEAPOLIS
- **STATE:** MN
- **ZIP:** 55437
**ISSUER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** CENTENE CORP
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001071739
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS [6324]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 02 Finance
- **EIN:** 041406317
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 7700 FORSYTH BLVD.
- **CITY:** ST LOUIS
- **STATE:** MO
- **ZIP:** 63105
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 3147254477

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 7700 FORSYTH BLVD.
- **CITY:** ST LOUIS
- **STATE:** MO
- **ZIP:** 63105

## Ex-24

**Exhibit 24.1**

**LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY**

**FOR SECTION 16 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS**

Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby makes, constitutes and appoints each of Christopher A. Koster, Kendra Archer, Matt Venneman and Michael Ludwig signing singly and each acting individually, as the undersigned's true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full power and authority as hereinafter described to:

(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;prepare, execute in the undersigned's name and on the undersigned's behalf, and submit to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a Form ID, including amendments thereto, and any other documents necessary or appropriate to obtain codes and passwords enabling the undersigned to make electronic filings with the SEC of reports required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or any rule or regulation of the SEC;

(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in the undersigned's capacity as an officer and/or director of Centene Corporation (the "Company"), Forms 3, 4 and 5 (including any amendments thereto) in accordance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act;

(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned that may be necessary or desirable to prepare, complete and execute any such Form 3, 4 or 5, prepare, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto, and timely deliver and file such form with the SEC and any stock exchange or similar authority;

(4)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;seek or obtain, as the undersigned's representative and on the undersigned's behalf, information regarding transactions in the Company's securities from any third party, including brokers, employee benefit plan administrators and trustees, and the undersigned hereby authorizes any such person to release any such information to such attorney-in-fact and approves and ratifies any such release of information; and

(5)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;take any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing that, in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact's discretion.

The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact's substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney and the rights and powers herein granted. The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not assuming nor relieving, nor is the Company assuming nor relieving, any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The undersigned acknowledges that neither the Company nor the foregoing attorneys-in-fact assume (i) any liability for the undersigned's responsibility to comply with the requirement of the Exchange Act, (ii) any liability of the undersigned for any failure to comply with such requirements, or (iii) any obligation or liability of the undersigned for profit disgorgement under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

This Power of Attorney also serves to revoke and replace as of the date hereof, any prior Power of Attorney executed by the undersigned with respect to the filing with the SEC of reports with respect to the undersigned's holdings of and transactions in securities issued by the Company required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer required to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 with respect to the undersigned's holdings of and transactions in securities issued by the Company, unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact or, in respect of any attorney-in-fact named herein, until such person ceases to be an employee of the Company or one of its affiliates.

------

**Exhibit 24.1**

In Witness Whereof, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of April 29, 2026.

/s/ Michael A. Carson

Michael A. Carson

Group President, Medicare & Specialty

### UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
**Washington, D.C. 20549**

## FORM 3

### INITIAL STATEMENT OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

[ ] Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **1. Name and Address of Reporting Person**<sup>*</sup><br>Carson Michael A<br><sub>(Last) (First) (Middle)</sub><br>7700 FORSYTH BOULEVARD<br><sub>(Street)</sub><br>ST. LOUIS, MO 63105<br><sub>(City) (State) (Zip)</sub> | **3. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol**<br>CENTENE CORP [ CNC ] | **5. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)**<br>  |
| **2. Date of Event Requiring Statement (Month/Day/Year)**<br>2026-05-12 | **4. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer**<br>(Check all applicable)<br>[ ] Director   [ ] 10% Owner<br>[X] Officer (give title below)   [ ] Other (specify below)<br>_Group President, Medicare&Spec_ | **6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)**<br>[X] Form filed by One Reporting Person<br>[ ] Form filed by More than One Reporting Person |

---

## Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned

---

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Title of Security | 2. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned | 3. Ownership Form | 4. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership |
| Common Stock | 122882<sup>(1)(2)</sup> | D |  |
| Common Stock | 825 | I | By Spouse |

---

## Table II - Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned

---

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Title of Derivative Security | 2. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year) | 2. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year) | 3. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities | 3. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities | 4. Conversion or Exercise Price | 5. Ownership Form | 6. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership |
| 1. Title of Derivative Security | Date Exercisable | Expiration Date | Title | Amount or Number of Shares | 4. Conversion or Exercise Price | 5. Ownership Form | 6. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership |
| Phantom Stock | 2026-05-08 | 2026-05-08<sup>(3)</sup> | Common Stock | 556.069<sup>(4)</sup> | 0<sup>(5)</sup> | D |  |

---

### Footnotes:

(1) Ownership includes 57,619 previously awarded restricted stock units subject to the following vesting requirements: 42,040 units vest in three equal installments on the anniversary of the grant date beginning October 15, 2026; 4,230 units vest on January 15, 2027; 9,738 units vest in two equal installments on the anniversary of the grant date beginning March 15, 2027; 1,611 units vest on March 15, 2027.

(2) Ownership includes 56,128  previously awarded performance stock units which are subject to meeting three-year performance conditions: 8,975 performance stock units were granted on March 15, 2024; 14,608 performance stock units were granted on March 15, 2025; 32,545 performance stock units were granted on January 26, 2026. For performance stock units granted in 2024 and 2025, the actual number of performance stock units that will vest at the end of the three-year performance period, ranges from 0% to 200% of the reported target performance based on the achievement of performance conditions. For performance stock units granted in 2026, the actual number of performance stock units that will vest on March 15, 2029 ranges from 0% to 200% of the reported target performance stock units based on the Company's stock price performance for the final 20 trading days of 2025, compared to the final 60 trading days of 2028.

(3) The phantom stock has no formal expiration date. The phantom stock will be settled in cash or other non-Company securities upon Mr. Carson's termination with the Company or on such other date Mr. Carson may elect.

(4) The phantom stock was acquired by Mr. Carson through regularly scheduled payroll contributions to the Company's deferred compensation plan.

(5) Each share of phantom stock represents the right to receive the fair market value of one share of Centene common stock.

**Signature:** /s/ Christopher A. Koster (executed by attorney-in-fact)  
**Date:** 2026-05-18

### Remarks:

Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.

* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).

** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).

Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.

**Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.**