Document:

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.21b

                             STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT

         This Stock Pledge Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into
as of May 1, 2002, by and between Centene Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Pledgor"), and LaSalle Bank National Association, a national banking
association ("Pledgee").

                                    RECITALS

         A.       Pledgor and Pledgee have entered into that certain Loan
Agreement of even date herewith (the "Loan Agreement") pursuant to which Pledgee
has agreed to make certain loans and advances to Pledgor.

         B.       Pledgor owns 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock
of Centene Management Corporation, Centene Corporation of Texas, Managed Health
Services Insurance Corp., Coordinated Care Corporation Indiana, Inc., MHS
Consulting Corporation, Managed Health Services Illinois, Inc., MHS Behavioral
Health of Texas, Inc., Superior HealthPlan, Inc., and Bankers Reserve Life
Insurance Company of Wisconsin (separately and collectively "Subsidiary"), which
stock as of the date of this Agreement consists of the shares of common stock
listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (including stock certificate number, voting
series and par value per share).

         C.       Pledgor has agreed to secure the Loan Obligations (as defined
in the Loan Agreement) with, among other things, a pledge of all of the issued
and outstanding capital stock of Subsidiary, as hereafter provided
(collectively, the "Shares").

                                    AGREEMENT

         In consideration of the foregoing, the mutual agreements below and
other sufficient consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1.       GENERAL. Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires
otherwise, (i) references to the plural include the singular and vice versa,
(ii) references to any Person include such Person's successors and assigns but,
if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this
Agreement, (iii) references to one gender include all genders, (iv) "including"
is not limiting, (v) "or" has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase
"and/or", (vi) the words "hereof", "herein", "hereby", "hereunder" and similar
terms in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole, including its
Exhibits, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, (vii) the word
"Section" or "section" and "Page" or "page" refer to a section or page,
respectively, of this Agreement unless it expressly refers to something else,
(viii) reference to any agreement, document, or instrument, including this
Agreement, any other Loan Document and any agreement, document or instrument
defined herein, means such agreement, document, or instrument as it may have
been or may be amended, restated, extended, renewed, replaced, or otherwise
modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof
and, if applicable, the terms hereof, and includes all attachments thereto and
instruments incorporated therein, if any, and (ix) general and specific
references to any Law means such Law as amended, modified, codified or
reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time. Section
captions are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation or
construction of this Agreement.

2.       DEFINED TERMS. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have
the meanings given them in the Loan Agreement. Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined herein or in the Loan Agreement have the meanings given them
in the UCC.

3.       PLEDGE AND GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST.
<PAGE>

         3.1.     To secure the full and prompt payment and performance of all
         the Loan Obligations of Pledgor (collectively, the "Secured
         Obligations"), Pledgor hereby grants to Pledgee a Security Interest
         under the UCC in all of the Shares. The Shares are represented by
         certificates which are delivered with this Agreement, together with a
         stock power attached to each such certificate executed in blank by
         Pledgor, to Pledgee. This Agreement is a Security Document under the
         Loan Agreement.

         3.2.     In addition, Pledgor hereby grants to Pledgee a Security
         Interest in the following (which are deemed to be included in the term
         "Shares"): (i) all dividends, cash, securities, instruments and other
         property from time to time paid, payable or otherwise distributed in
         respect of or in exchange for any or all of such Shares, (ii) any and
         all warrants, options, subscriptions or other contractual arrangements
         for the purchase of stock or securities convertible into stock, (iii)
         any and all distributions received by Pledgor with respect to the
         Shares, whether in cash or in kind, by way of dividends or stock
         splits, or pursuant to a merger or consolidation or otherwise, or any
         substitute security issued upon conversion, reorganization or
         otherwise, (iv) any and all other property hereafter delivered to
         Pledgor or Pledgee in substitution for or in addition to any of the
         foregoing (including all securities issued pursuant to any shareholder
         agreement, stock purchase agreement, stock purchase rights or other
         agreement with respect to stock of Subsidiary to which Pledgor may now
         or hereafter be a party), all certificates and instruments representing
         or evidencing such property and all cash, securities, interest,
         dividends, rights, and other property at any time and from time to time
         received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in
         exchange for any or all thereof, (v) any capital stock of any
         Subsidiary hereafter acquired by Pledgor, and (vi) any and all proceeds
         of any of the foregoing. If any of the foregoing is received by
         Pledgor, Pledgor will immediately deliver the same to Pledgee or its
         designated nominee, accompanied, if appropriate, by original stock
         certificates, proper instruments of assignment and/or stock powers
         executed by Pledgor in accordance with Pledgee's instructions, to be
         held subject to the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that,
         if no Default then exists, Pledgor may retain all cash dividends in
         respect of the Shares. If Pledgor fails to make delivery to Pledgor in
         compliance with the preceding sentence, all such property shall be
         deemed received by Pledgor in trust for the benefit of Pledgee and
         shall be segregated from the other property and funds of Pledgor.

4.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Pledgor represents and warrants that:

         4.1.     Pledgor owns the Shares, free of all Security Interests and
         encumbrances, other than in favor of Pledgee, and the Shares are all
         validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable.

         4.2.     Except as expressly permitted in the Loan Agreement, there are
         no outstanding warrants, options, subscriptions or other contractual
         arrangements for the purchase of any other shares of stock or any
         securities convertible into shares of stock of Subsidiary.

         4.3.     The delivery of the Shares to Pledgee pursuant to this
         Agreement and the filing of the financing statement(s) with respect to
         the Shares (which Pledgor hereby authorizes Pledgee to file) in the
         offices shown thereon, create a valid and fully perfected first
         priority Security Interest in the Shares, securing the payment of the
         Secured Obligations.

         4.4.     No consent of any other party (including any stockholder or
         creditor of Pledgor) and no governmental approval is required for the
         exercise by Pledgee of the voting rights or other rights or remedies
         granted in this Agreement with respect to the Shares (except (i) as
         disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule to the Loan Agreement, (ii) as may
         be required in connection with the

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         disposition of the Shares by laws affecting the offering and sale of
         securities generally, and (iii) as may be required by Governmental
         Authorities which regulate state health organizations).

         4.5.     None of the Shares constitutes "margin stock" (within the
         meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal
         Reserve System).

         4.6.     Pledgor is duly authorized to execute and deliver this
         Agreement to Pledgee, and this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid
         and binding obligation of Pledgor, enforceable against Pledgor in
         accordance with its terms.

         4.7.     Pledgor owns 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock
         of each Subsidiary.

5.       DILUTION OF STOCK. Pledgor agrees that it will not cause or permit
Subsidiary to issue any stock or other securities (including any warrants,
options, subscriptions or other contractual arrangements for the purchase of
stock or securities convertible into stock) in addition to or in substitution
for the Shares. Pledgor will deliver hereunder, immediately upon its acquisition
(directly or indirectly) thereof, any and all writings evidencing any additional
Shares together with executed stock powers duly endorsed in blank.

6.       ADDITIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS. Pledgor agrees that it will not (i) sell
or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, any of the Shares,
(ii) create or permit to exist any Security Interest upon or with respect to any
of the Shares, except for the Security Interest created by this Agreement, or
(iii) enter into any other contractual obligations which may restrict or inhibit
Pledgee's right or ability to sell or otherwise dispose of the Shares or any
part thereof after the occurrence of a Default hereunder.

7.       CUSTODY AND PRESERVATION OF THE COLLATERAL. The powers conferred on
Pledgee hereunder are solely to protect Pledgee's interest in the Shares and
shall not impose any duty on it to exercise any such powers. Except for the safe
custody of the Shares in its possession and the accounting for monies actually
received by it hereunder, Pledgee shall have no duty as to the Shares. It is
expressly agreed that Pledgee shall not have responsibility for (i) ascertaining
or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities,
tenders or other matters relative to the Shares, whether or not Pledgee has or
is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or (ii) taking any necessary steps
to preserve rights against any third parties with respect to the Shares. Pledgee
shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and
preservation of any Collateral in its possession (including the Shares) even if
it fails to sell or convert Collateral which is falling in market value, but
Pledgee may do so at its option and all reasonable expenses incurred in
connection therewith shall be for the sole account of the Pledgor. The failure
of Pledgee to preserve or protect any rights with respect to any of the Shares
against other parties will not be deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care
in the custody or preservation of such Shares.

8.       MAINTENANCE OF GOOD STANDING; NO LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION. Until
Pledgee returns the certificates representing the Shares to Pledgor and such
Shares are released from the Security Interest hereof in accordance with Section
13 below, Pledgor shall cause Subsidiary to maintain in good standing its
corporate existence and its right to transact business in those states in which
it is now or hereafter doing business. Pledgor shall not at any time liquidate
or dissolve the Subsidiary, or cause the same to occur, without the prior
written consent of Pledgee, except that Pledgor shall be permitted to merge
Subsidiary into Pledgor or another wholly-owned Subsidiary of Pledgor after
reasonable prior written notice to Pledgee.

9.       DEFAULT. Any one or more of the following constitutes a "Default"
hereunder:

         9.1.     any representation or warranty made by Pledgor herein proves
         to have been untrue or misleading in any material respect when made;

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<PAGE>

         9.2.     a violation by Pledgor of any of the provision or conditions
         of this Agreement;

         10.3.    change in the stock structure of Subsidiary which would cause
         Pledgor, upon liquidation of a Subsidiary, to be entitled to receive
         less than 100% of the net assets of such Subsidiary; or

         10.4.    the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined in the Loan
         Agreement), to the extent not otherwise described above.

10.      REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of a Default, in addition to all other
rights and remedies of Pledgee under the Loan Agreement, at law or in equity:

         10.1.    Pledgee may at any time exercise any and all of its rights and
         pursue any and all of its remedies under the UCC, under any other
         applicable Law, and pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan
         Documents, including selling some or all of the Shares at any public
         sale or, at private sale without advertisement if in Pledgee's
         reasonable judgment such private sale would result in a greater sale
         price than a public sale. In the event Pledgee elects to proceed with
         respect to some or all of the Shares, whenever applicable provisions of
         the UCC require that notice be reasonable, ten (10) calendar days
         notice will be deemed reasonable. Pledgee will not be obligated to make
         any sale of any of the Shares regardless of notice of sale having been
         given. Pledgee may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time
         by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale
         may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it
         was so adjourned. Pledgee may bid and become a purchaser at any such
         sale, if public, and upon any such sale Pledgee may collect, receive,
         and hold and apply, as provided herein, the proceeds thereof to the
         payment of the Secured Obligations, and assign and deliver some or all
         of the Shares and the certificates therefor to the purchaser at any
         such sale. The proceeds from any such sale will be applied in
         accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement.

         10.2.    Pledgee may, at any time in its discretion and without notice
         to Pledgor, transfer any or all of the Shares to, or register any or
         all of the Shares in the name of, Pledgee or any of its nominees.

         10.3.    In the event that Pledgee determines that it is advisable to
         register under or otherwise comply in any way with the Securities Act
         of 1933 or any similar federal or state law, or if such registration or
         compliance is required with respect to any or all of the Shares prior
         to the sale thereof by Pledgee, Pledgor will use its best efforts to
         cause such registration to be effectively made, at no expense to
         Pledgee, and to continue such registration effective for such time as
         may be reasonably necessary in the opinion of Pledgee, and will
         reimburse Pledgee for any reasonable expense incurred by Pledgee
         including reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees and expenses in
         connection therewith; and should Pledgee determine that, prior to any
         public offering of any of the Shares, such securities should be
         registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or registered or
         qualified under any other federal or state law, and that such
         registration and/or qualification is not practical, then Pledgor agrees
         that it will cooperate in a commercially reasonable manner to arrange a
         private sale so as to avoid a public offering, even though the sales
         price established and/or obtained may be substantially less than might
         have been obtained through a public offering. Pledgor further
         acknowledges the impossibility of ascertaining the amount of damages
         which would be suffered by Pledgee by reason of the failure by Pledgor
         to perform any of the covenants contained in this Section and,
         consequently, agrees that, if Pledgor fails to perform any of such
         covenants, Pledgor will pay, as damages and not as a penalty, an amount
         equal to the value of the Shares on the date Pledgee demands compliance
         herewith.

         Pledgor hereby appoints Pledgee as Pledgor's attorney-in-fact effective
         upon the occurrence of a Default, with full authority in the place and
         stead of the Pledgor and in the name of the Pledgor or

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         otherwise, from time to time in Pledgee's discretion to take any action
         and to execute any instrument which Pledgee may deem necessary or
         advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement.

11.      RIGHT TO VOTE SHARES. Until the Secured Obligations have been fully and
irrevocably paid, all of the Commitments have been canceled or terminated, and
Pledgee has no other commitment to extend credit or make advances to or for the
account of Pledgor, Pledgee has the sole right to vote the Shares with regard to
any proposed amendment to the Charter Documents of Subsidiary which would result
in a change in the preferences, qualifications, limitations, restrictions, or
the special or relative rights with respect to the Shares. Otherwise, Pledgor
has the sole right to vote the Shares unless there is a Default hereunder. Upon
the occurrence of a Default, all rights of the Pledgor to exercise the voting
and other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise
pursuant hereto shall cease, and all such rights shall, upon notice by Pledgee
to Pledgor, become vested in Pledgee who thereupon shall have the sole right to
exercise such voting and other consensual rights and the sole right to receive
and hold as Collateral any dividends (and to the extent permissible, apply them
to the Secured Obligations).

12.      PRESERVATION AND PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTERESTS. Pledgor will
promptly, upon the request of Pledgee and at Pledgor's expense, execute,
acknowledge and deliver, or cause the execution, acknowledgment and delivery of,
and thereafter, if applicable, register, file or record in an appropriate
governmental office, any document or instrument supplemental to or confirmatory
of this Agreement, and give such further assurances as may otherwise be
necessary or desirable for the creation, preservation and/or perfection of the
Security Interests described in this Agreement.

13.      RELEASES. In the event all of the Secured Obligations have been fully
and irrevocably paid, all of the Commitments have been canceled or terminated,
and Pledgee has no other commitment to extend credit or make advances to or for
the account of Pledgor, and Pledgee has received a written request from Pledgor
in connection therewith, Pledgee will, at Pledgor's sole cost and expense,
return to Pledgor all certificates representing the Shares that have not been
sold, disposed of, retained, or applied to the Secured Obligations, with the
stock powers executed by Pledgor attached, and such Shares will be deemed
released from any Security Interest hereunder.

14.      SURVIVAL OF PROVISIONS. All representations, warranties, and covenants
of Pledgor contained herein survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, and terminate only upon the full and irrevocable payment of all of
the Secured Obligations, cancellation or termination of all of the Commitments,
and when Pledgee has no other commitment to extend credit or make advances to or
for the account of Pledgor.

15.      MISCELLANEOUS.

         15.1.    NOTICES. All notices, consents, requests and demands to or
         upon the respective parties hereto must be in writing, and will be
         deemed to have been given or made when delivered in person to those
         Persons listed on the signature pages of the Loan Agreement or three
         days after being deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid,
         or, in the case of overnight courier services, when delivered to the
         overnight courier service, or in the case of facsimile machine notice,
         when sent, verification received, in each case addressed as set forth
         on the signature pages hereof, or such other address as either party
         may designate by notice to the other in accordance with the terms of
         this Section. No notice given to or demand made on Pledgor by Pledgee
         in any instance shall entitle Pledgor to notice or demand in any other
         instance.

         15.2.    AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. No amendment to, waiver of, or
         departure from full compliance with any provision of this Agreement, or
         consent to any departure by Pledgor herefrom, will be effective unless
         it is in writing and signed by authorized officers of Pledgor and

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         Pledgee; provided, however, that any such waiver or consent will be
         effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which
         given. No failure by Pledgee to exercise, and no delay by Pledgee in
         exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder will
         operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by
         Pledgee of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any
         other exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, remedy,
         power or privilege.

         15.3.    RIGHTS CUMULATIVE. Each of the rights and remedies of Pledgee
         under this Agreement is in addition to all of its other rights and
         remedies under applicable Law, and nothing in this Agreement may be
         construed as limiting any such rights or remedies.

         15.4.    SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement binds Pledgor and its
         successors and assigns and inures to the benefit of Pledgee, and each
         of its successors, transferees, participants and assignees. Pledgor may
         not delegate or transfer any of its obligations under this Agreement
         without the prior written consent of Pledgee. With respect to Pledgor's
         successors and assigns, such successors and assigns include any
         receiver, trustee or debtor-in-possession of or for Pledgor.

         15.5.    SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement which is
         prohibited, unenforceable or not authorized in any jurisdiction is, as
         to such jurisdiction, ineffective to the extent of such prohibition,
         unenforceability or nonauthorization without invalidating the remaining
         provisions hereof or affecting the validity, enforceability or legality
         of such provision in any other jurisdiction unless the ineffectiveness
         of such provision would result in such a material change as to cause
         completion of the transactions contemplated hereby to be unreasonable.

         15.6.    GOVERNING LAW; NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. This Agreement is to be
         governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the
         internal Laws of the State of Illinois applicable to contracts made and
         to be performed wholly within such state, without regard to choice or
         conflicts of law principles. This Agreement is solely for the benefit
         of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and
         no other Person has any right, benefit, priority or interest under, or
         because of the existence of, this Agreement.

         15.7.    COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed by the parties
         hereto on any number of separate counterparts, and all such
         counterparts taken together constitute one and the same instrument. It
         is not necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or
         account for more than one counterpart signed by the party to be
         charged.

         15.8.    COUNTERPART FACSIMILE EXECUTION. For purposes of this
         Agreement, a document (or signature page thereto) signed and
         transmitted by facsimile machine or telecopier is to be treated as an
         original document. The signature of any Person thereon, for purposes
         hereof, is to be considered as an original signature, and the document
         transmitted is to be considered to have the same binding effect as an
         original signature on an original document. At the request of any party
         hereto, any facsimile or telecopy document is to be re-executed in
         original form by the Persons who executed the facsimile or telecopy
         document. No party hereto may raise the use of a facsimile machine or
         telecopier or the fact that any signature was transmitted through the
         use of a facsimile or telecopier machine as a defense to the
         enforcement of this Agreement or any amendment or other document
         executed in compliance with this Section.

         15.9.    FINAL EXPRESSION; NO COURSE OF DEALING. This Agreement,
         together with the Loan Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any
         other agreement executed in connection herewith or therewith, is
         intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and is
         intended as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms and
         conditions thereof. Acceptance of or

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<PAGE>
         acquiescence in a course of performance or course of dealing rendered
         or taken under or with respect to this Agreement, the Loan Agreement or
         the other Loan Documents will not be relevant to determine the meaning
         of this Agreement, the Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents even
         though the accepting or acquiescing party had knowledge of the nature
         of the performance and opportunity for objection.

         15.10.   NEGOTIATED TRANSACTION. Pledgor and Pledgee each represent to
         the other that in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement each
         has been represented by and has relied upon the advice of counsel of
         its choice. Each of Pledgor and Pledgee affirm that its counsel has had
         a substantial role in the drafting and negotiation of this Agreement;
         therefore, this Agreement will be deemed drafted by each of Pledgor and
         Pledgee, and the rule of construction to the effect that any
         ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafter will not be employed
         in the interpretation of this Agreement.

         15.11.   ATTORNEY'S FEES AND OTHER COSTS. Pledgor will reimburse
         Pledgee for all expenses incurred by Pledgee in seeking to collect or
         enforce the Secured Obligations and any other rights under this
         Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or under any other
         instrument, document or agreement evidencing or executed in connection
         with any of the Secured Obligations, including reasonable attorneys'
         fees and actual attorneys' expenses (whether or not there is
         litigation), court costs and all costs in connection with any
         proceedings under the United States Bankruptcy Code, and any expenses
         incurred on account of damage to any property to which any of the
         Collateral may be affixed.

         15.12.   ASSIGNMENT BY PLEDGEE. To the extent permitted in the Loan
         Agreement, Pledgee may grant a participation interest in or assign or
         transfer to another Person any instrument, document or agreement
         evidencing any of the Secured Obligations and Pledgee's rights under
         this Agreement, and may deliver all the property which is part of the
         Collateral and in its possession to the participant, assignee or
         transferee or to any Person acting as agent for Pledgee.

         15.13.   CHOICE OF FORUM. Subject only to the exception in the next
         sentence, Pledgor and Pledgee hereby agree to the exclusive
         jurisdiction of the federal court of the Northern District of Illinois
         and the state courts of Illinois located in Cook County, and waive any
         objection based on venue or forum non conveniens with respect to any
         action instituted therein, and agree that any dispute concerning the
         relationship between Pledgor and Pledgee or the conduct of either of
         them in connection with this Agreement or otherwise may be heard only
         in the courts described above. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i)
         Pledgee has the right to bring any action or proceeding against Pledgor
         or its property in any courts of any other jurisdiction Pledgee deems
         necessary or appropriate in order to realize on the Shares, the
         Collateral, or other security for the Secured Obligations, and (ii)
         each of the parties hereto acknowledges that any appeals from the
         courts described in the immediately preceding sentence may have to be
         heard by a court located outside those jurisdictions.

         15.14.   SERVICE OF PROCESS. Pledgor hereby waives personal service of
         any and all process upon it and consents that all such service of
         process may be made by registered mail (return receipt requested)
         directed to Pledgor at its address set forth on the signature pages of
         the Loan Agreement, and service so made will be deemed to be completed
         five (5) days after the same has so deposited in the U.S. Mails,
         certified or registered; or at Pledgee's option, by service upon CT
         Corporation, which Pledgor irrevocably appoints as Pledgor's agent for
         the purpose of accepting service of process within the State of
         Illinois. Pledgee will promptly forward by registered mail any process
         so served upon said agent to Pledgor at its address on the signature
         page hereof.

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<PAGE>
         Nothing in this Section affects the right of Pledgee to serve legal
         process in any other manner permitted by Law.

         15.15.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Pledgor and Pledgee hereby waive any
         right to trial by jury of any claim, demand, action or cause of action
         (i) arising under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (ii) in
         any way connected with or related or incidental to the dealings of the
         parties hereto or either of them in respect of this Agreement or any
         other Loan Document, or the transactions related hereto or thereto, in
         each case whether now existing or hereafter arising, and whether
         sounding in contract or tort or otherwise. Pledgor and Pledgee agree
         and consent that any such claim, demand, action or cause of action will
         be decided by court trial without a jury and that either may file an
         original counterpart or a copy of this Agreement with any court as
         written evidence of the consent of the parties hereto to the waiver of
         their right to trial by jury.

         15.16.   REINSTATEMENT. This Agreement and any and all Security
         Interests created or evidenced hereby will continue to be effective or
         be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such payments had not been
         made, if at any time any amount received by Pledgee in respect of the
         Secured Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or
         returned by Pledgee, including upon the insolvency, bankruptcy,
         dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of Pledgor or upon the
         appointment of any intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar
         official for, Pledgor, any substantial part of its assets, or
         otherwise.

                  [remainder of page intentionally left blank]

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<PAGE>
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the
date first above written.

                                    "Pledgor"

                                    CENTENE CORPORATION

                                    By: /s/ KAREY L. WITTY
                                    Print Name: Karey L. Witty
                                    Title: Senior Vice President and
                                           Chief Financial Officer

                                    "Pledgee"

                                    LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                    By: /s/ ANN B. O'SHAUGHNESSY
                                    Print Name: Ann B. O'Shaughnessy
                                    Title: First Vice President

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<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT A

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Description of Shares as of Closing Date
                          ----------------------------------------
Name of Corporation     Total number of        Number of Shares         Certificate   Type of
-------------------     Shares authorized      issued and               Numbers       Stock
                        -----------------      outstanding              -------       -----
                                               -----------
<S>                     <C>                    <C>                     <C>            <C>
Centene Management                9,000                100              2             common
Corporation

Centene Corporation               1,000                 10              1             common
of Texas

Managed Health                1,250,000            750,000              4             common
Services Insurance
Corp.

Coordinated Care                 10,000              1,000              2             common
Corporation Indiana,
Inc.

MHS Consulting                    9,000              1,000              1             common
Corporation

Managed Health                   10,000              1,000              2             common
Services Illinois, Inc.

MHS Behavioral                  100,000              1,000              1             common
Health of Texas

Superior HealthPlan,              5,000              1,000              4             Class B common
Inc.                                100                  0                            Class A common

Bankers Reserve Life          1,000,000          1,000,000              2             common
Insurance Company of
Wisconsin
</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>
                                   STOCK POWER

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Centene Corporation hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto_______________________ (____) shares of the ____________ stock of
Centene Management Corporation, evidenced by Certificate No. _____, standing in
the name of __________________ on the books of ______________ and
_____________________ does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_____________________________ attorney to transfer such stock on the books of
the within named company with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated___________________, ____.

                                             CENTENE CORPORATION

                                             By:_______________________________
                                             Name:_____________________________
                                             Title:____________________________

WITNESS:

________________________________             __________________________________

                                       ii
<PAGE>
                                   STOCK POWER

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Centene Corporation hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto_______________________ (____) shares of the ____________ stock of
Centene Corporation of Texas, evidenced by Certificate No. _____, standing in
the name of __________________ on the books of ______________ and
_____________________ does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_____________________________ attorney to transfer such stock on the books of
the within named company with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated ___________________, ____.

                                          CENTENE CORPORATION

                                          By:__________________________________
                                          Name:________________________________
                                          Title:_______________________________

WITNESS:

__________________________________        _____________________________________

                                      iii
<PAGE>
                                   STOCK POWER

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Centene Corporation hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto_______________________ (____) shares of the ____________ stock of
Managed Health Services Insurance Corp., evidenced by Certificate No. _____,
standing in the name of __________________ on the books of ______________ and
_____________________ does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_____________________________ attorney to transfer such stock on the books of
the within named company with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated___________________, ____.

                                            CENTENE CORPORATION

                                            By:_________________________________
                                            Name:_______________________________
                                            Title:______________________________

WITNESS:

________________________________            ___________________________________

                                       iv
<PAGE>
                                   STOCK POWER

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Centene Corporation hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto_______________________ (____) shares of the ____________ stock of
Coordinated Care Corporation Indiana, Inc., evidenced by Certificate No. _____,
standing in the name of __________________ on the books of ______________ and
_____________________ does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_____________________________ attorney to transfer such stock on the books of
the within named company with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated ___________________, ____.

                                            CENTENE CORPORATION

                                            By:_________________________________
                                            Name:_______________________________
                                            Title:______________________________

WITNESS:

________________________________            ___________________________________

                                       v
<PAGE>
                                   STOCK POWER

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Centene Corporation hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto_______________________ (____) shares of the ____________ stock of
MHS Consulting Corporation, evidenced by Certificate No. _____, standing in the
name of __________________ on the books of ______________ and
_____________________ does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_____________________________ attorney to transfer such stock on the books of
the within named company with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated ___________________, ____.

                                            CENTENE CORPORATION

                                            By:_________________________________
                                            Name:_______________________________
                                            Title:______________________________

WITNESS:

________________________________            ___________________________________

                                       vi
<PAGE>
                                   STOCK POWER

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Centene Corporation hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto_______________________ (____) shares of the ____________ stock of
Managed Health Services Illinois, Inc., evidenced by Certificate No. _____,
standing in the name of __________________ on the books of ______________ and
_____________________ does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_____________________________ attorney to transfer such stock on the books of
the within named company with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated ___________________, ____.

                                            CENTENE CORPORATION

                                            By:_________________________________
                                            Name:_______________________________
                                            Title:______________________________

WITNESS:

________________________________            ___________________________________

                                       vii
<PAGE>
                                   STOCK POWER

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Centene Corporation hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto_______________________ (____) shares of the ____________ stock of
MHS Behavioral Health of Texas, Inc., evidenced by Certificate No. _____,
standing in the name of __________________ on the books of ______________ and
_____________________ does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_____________________________ attorney to transfer such stock on the books of
the within named company with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated ___________________, ____.

                                            CENTENE CORPORATION

                                            By:_________________________________
                                            Name:_______________________________
                                            Title:______________________________

WITNESS:

________________________________            ___________________________________

                                      viii
<PAGE>
                                   STOCK POWER

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Centene Corporation hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto_______________________ (____) shares of the ____________ stock of
Superior HealthPlan, Inc., evidenced by Certificate No. _____, standing in the
name of __________________ on the books of ______________ and
_____________________ does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_____________________________ attorney to transfer such stock on the books of
the within named company with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated ___________________, ____.

                                            CENTENE CORPORATION

                                            By:_________________________________
                                            Name:_______________________________
                                            Title:______________________________

WITNESS:

________________________________            ___________________________________

                                       ix<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                            PRIMA ENERGY CORPORATION
                    NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                   SECTION 1
                                     PURPOSE

         Prima Energy Corporation Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") provides for the grant of Stock Options to non-employee directors
("Non-Employee Directors") of Prima Energy Corporation (the "Company") in order
to encourage and provide incentives for high level performance by the
Non-Employee Directors of the Company.

                                   SECTION 2
                           NON-INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS

         The Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be nonstatutory stock
options which are intended to be options that do not qualify as "incentive stock
options" under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code").

                                   SECTION 3
                                 ADMINISTRATION

         3.1. Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board) or by a committee consisting of one or
more employee members of the Board (the "Committee"). The Committee or the
Board, as the case may be, shall have full authority to administer the Plan,
including authority to interpret and construe any provision of the Plan and any
Stock Option granted thereunder, and adopt such rules and regulations for
administering the Plan as it may deem necessary in order to comply with the
requirements of the Code or in order to conform to any regulation or to any
change in any law or regulation applicable thereto. The Board of Directors may
reserve to itself any of the authority granted to the Committee as set forth
herein, and it may perform and discharge all of the functions and
responsibilities of the Committee at any time that a duly constituted committee
is not appointed and serving. All references in this Plan to the "Committee"
shall be deemed to refer to the Board whenever the Board is discharging the
powers and responsibilities of the Committee.

         3.2. Actions of Committee. All actions taken and all interpretations
and determinations made by the Committee in good faith (including determination
of Fair Market Value) shall be final and binding upon all Option Holders, the
Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Committee shall be
personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good
faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Committee shall, in
addition to their rights as directors, be fully protected by the Company with
respect to any such action, determination or interpretation.

                                   SECTION 4
                                  DEFINITIONS

         4.1. "Common Stock." A share of Common Stock means a share of
authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, $0.015 par value, of the
Company.

         4.2. "Fair Market Value." If the Common Stock is not traded publicly,
the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on any date shall be
determined, in good faith, by the Board or the Committee after such consultation
with outside accounting and other experts as the Board or the Committee may deem
advisable, and the Board or the Committee shall maintain a written record of its
method of determining such value. If the Common Stock is traded publicly, the
Fair Market Value of a

<PAGE>

share of Common Stock on any date shall be the average of the representative
closing bid and the asked prices, as quoted by the National Association of
Securities Dealers through NASDAQ (its automated system for reporting quotes),
for the date in question or, if the Common Stock is listed on the NASDAQ
National Market or is listed on a national stock exchange, the officially quoted
closing price on NASDAQ or such exchange, as the case may be, on the date in
question.

         4.3. "Non-Employee Director." A Non-Employee Director is a member of
the board of directors of the Company who is not also an employee or officer of
the Company.

         4.4. "Option Holder." An Option Holder is a Non-Employee Director to
whom a Stock Option is granted.

         4.5. "Stock Option." A Stock Option is the right granted under the Plan
to a Non-Employee Director to purchase, at such time or times and at such price
or prices ("Option Price") as are determined pursuant to the Plan, the number of
shares of Common Stock determined pursuant to the Plan.

                                   SECTION 5
                                 OPTION GRANTS

         5.1. Number of Shares. Upon the effective date of this Plan as provided
in Section 15 hereof or, if later, upon the initial election or appointment of a
Non-Employee Director to the Company's Board of Directors, each Non-Employee
Director shall be granted a Stock Option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common
Stock (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof) effective as of the
effective date of this Plan or, if later, the date such person is first elected
or appointed to the Board of Directors. In addition, each Non-Employee Director
shall be granted a Stock Option to purchase 2,500 shares of Common Stock
(subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof) effective as of each
anniversary date of the effective date of this Plan or, if later, the date such
person was first elected or appointed to the Board of Directors, as the case may
be.

         5.2. Vesting of Stock Options. Except as provided in Section 7.2 and
Section 11, each Stock Option granted under this Plan shall be vested in
accordance with the following:

                           (a) twenty percent of the number of shares subject to
                  such Stock Option shall be vested on the first anniversary
                  date the Stock Option is granted; and

                           (b) immediately after each of the succeeding
                  anniversary dates of the date such Stock Option is granted, an
                  additional 20% of the total number of shares of Common Stock
                  subject to such Stock Option shall be vested, so that
                  following the fifth anniversary date, and continuing until the
                  expiration or termination of such Stock Option, such Stock
                  Option may be exercised for up to 100% of the total number of
                  shares included in such Stock Option.

         5.3. Price. The purchase price per share of Common Stock for the shares
to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of any Stock Option shall be 100% of
the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date on which the
Non-Employee Director is granted the Stock Option.

         5.4. Stock Option Agreement. Each Stock Option shall be evidenced by a
written agreement ("Option Agreement") containing such terms and provisions as
the Committee may determine, subject to provisions of the Plan.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 6
                   SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

         6.1. Maximum Number. Initially, the maximum number of shares of Common
Stock that may be made subject to Stock Options shall be 100,000 authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock. If any shares of Common Stock subject to Stock
Options are not purchased or otherwise paid for before such Stock Options
expire, such shares again may be made subject to Stock Options.

         6.2. Adjustments for Stock Split; Stock Dividend, Etc. If, at any time
subsequent to the effective date of the Plan as provided in Section 15 hereof,
the number of shares of Common Stock is increased or decreased, or changed into
or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares of stock or other
securities of the Company or of another corporation (whether as a result of a
stock split, stock dividend, combination or exchange of shares, exchange for
other securities, reclassification, reorganization, redesignation, merger,
consolidation, recapitalization or otherwise): (i) there shall automatically be
substituted for each share subject to an unexercised Stock Option (in whole or
in part) granted under the Plan, the number and kind of shares of stock or other
securities into which each outstanding share shall be changed or for which each
such share shall be exchanged; and (ii) the option price per share or unit of
securities shall be increased or decreased proportionately so that the aggregate
purchase price for the securities subject to a Stock Option shall remain the
same as immediately prior to such event. In addition to the foregoing, the
Committee shall be entitled in the event of any such increase, decrease or
exchange of shares to make other adjustments to the securities subject to a
Stock Option, the provisions of the Plan, and to any related Stock Option
agreements (including adjustments which may provide for the elimination of
fractional shares), where necessary to preserve the terms and conditions of any
grants hereunder.

         6.3. Determination by the Committee. Adjustments under this Section 6
shall be made by the Committee, whose determinations with regard thereto shall
be final and binding upon all parties thereto.

                                   SECTION 7
                            EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS

         7.1. Time of Exercise. A Stock Option shall become exercisable
commencing at the time or times that it vests under Section 5.2 or Section 11.
Such times shall be set forth in the Option Agreement evidencing such Stock
Option. A Stock Option shall expire, to the extent not exercised, ten years
after the date on which it was granted.

         7.2. Termination of Director Status Before Exercise. If an Option
Holder's term as a director of the Company shall terminate for any reason other
than the Option Holder's death or disability, any Stock Option then held by the
option Holder, to the extent then exercisable under the terms of this Plan and
the applicable Option Agreement(s), shall remain exercisable after the
termination of his director status for a period of three months (but in no event
beyond ten years from the date of grant of the Stock Option). If the Option
Holder's director status is terminated because the Option Holder dies or becomes
disabled within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, any Stock Option
then held by the Option Holder shall become immediately exercisable in full and
the application Option Agreement(s) shall remain exercisable after the
termination of his directorship for a period of twelve months (but in no event
beyond ten years from the date of grant of the Stock Option). If the Stock
Option is not exercised during the applicable period, it shall be deemed to have
been forfeited and of no further force or effect.

         7.3. Disposition of Forfeited Stock Options. Any shares of Common Stock
subject to Stock Options forfeited by an Option Holder shall not thereafter be
eligible for purchase by the Option Holder but may be made subject to Stock
Options granted to other Option Holders.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                   SECTION 8
                       NO EFFECT UPON SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS

         Nothing in this Plan shall interfere in any way with the right of the
shareholders of the Company to remove the Option Holder from the Board of
Directors pursuant to applicable state laws and the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws.

                                   SECTION 9
                           NO RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER

         Except as expressly provided in this Plan, an Option Holder shall have
no rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to
a Stock Option prior to the exercise of such Stock Option and the transfer of
Common Stock to the Option Holder. Except as provided in Section 6.2, no
adjustment shall be made in the number of shares of Common Stock issued to an
Option Holder, or in any other rights of the Option Holder upon exercise of a
Stock Option by reason of any dividend, distribution or other right granted to
shareholders for which the record date is prior to the date of exercise of the
Option Holder's Stock Option.

                                   SECTION 10
                                  ASSIGNABILITY

         No Stock Option granted under this Plan, nor any other rights acquired
by an Option Holder under this Plan, shall be assignable or transferable by an
Option Holder, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In
the event of the Option Holder's death while serving as a director, the Stock
Option may be exercised to the extent then exercisable under the applicable
Option Agreement by the personal representative of the Option Holder's estate
or, if no personal representative has been appointed, by the successor or
successors in interest determined under the Option Holder's will or under the
applicable laws of descent and distribution.

                                   SECTION 11
                                CHANGE IN CONTROL

         11.1. Options. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined
below), notwithstanding any other provisions hereof or of any agreement to the
contrary, all Stock Options granted under this Plan shall vest and become
immediately exercisable in full and remain exercisable under the terms of the
applicable Option Agreement(s).

         For purposes of this Plan, a Change of Control shall be deemed to have
occurred if: (i) a tender offer shall be made and consummated for the ownership
of 40% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company; or (ii) the
Company shall be merged or consolidated with another corporation and, as a
result of such merger or consolidation, less than 60% of the outstanding voting
securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the
aggregate by the former shareholders of the Company as the same shall have
existed immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; or (iii) the Company
shall sell substantially all of its assets to another corporation which is not a
wholly owned subsidiary; or (iv) a person, within the meaning of Section 3(a)(9)
or of Section 13(d)(3) (as in effect on the date hereof) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), shall acquire, other than by reason
of inheritance, 40% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company
(whether directly, indirectly, beneficially or of record). In making any such
determination, transfers made by a person to an affiliate of such person (as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company), whether by gift, devise or
otherwise, shall not be taken into account For purposes of this Plan, ownership
of voting securities

                                       4
<PAGE>

shall take into account and shall include ownership as determined by applying
the provisions of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) as in effect on the date hereof pursuant
to the Exchange Act.

         Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (iv) of this Section 11,
"person" as used in that subparagraph shall not include any holder who was the
beneficial owner of more than ten percent (10%) of the voting securities of the
Company on the date this Plan is approved by the Board of Directors.

                                   SECTION 12
                                    AMENDMENT

         The Board may from time to time alter, amend, suspend or discontinue
the Plan, including, whether applicable, any modifications or amendment as it
shall deem advisable in order to conform to any regulation or to any change in
any law or regulation applicable thereto; provided, however, that no such action
shall adversely affect the rights and obligations with respect to Stock Options
at any time outstanding under the Plan; and provided further that, if
shareholder approval for such action is required by any laws or regulations or
by the rules and regulations of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., National Market or any other securities exchange on which shares of the
Company's Common Stock may be listed, no such action shall, without such
approval, (i) increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be
made subject to Stock Options (unless necessary to effect the adjustments
required by Section 6.2), (ii) materially increase the benefits accruing to
Option Holders under the Plan, or (iii) modify the requirements as to
eligibility for participation in the Plan.

                                   SECTION 13
                         REGISTRATION OF OPTIONED SHARES

         The Stock Options shall not be exercisable unless the purchase of such
optioned shares is pursuant to an applicable effective registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), or unless, in the
opinion of counsel to the Company, the proposed purchase of such optioned shares
would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Act and from the
registration or qualification requirements of applicable state securities laws.

                                   SECTION 14
                           NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN

         Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the submission of the
Plan to shareholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating
any limitations on the power or authority of the Board to adopt such other or
additional compensation arrangements of whatever nature as the Board may deem
necessary or desirable or precluded or limit the continuation of any other plan,
practice or arrangement for the payment of compensation or fringe benefits to
Non-Employee Directors, which the Company now has lawfully put into effect.

                                   SECTION 15
                                 EFFECTIVE DATE

         This Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on
September 18, 1998 effective at the close of business in Denver, Colorado on
September 18, 1998, subject to approval of the Company's stockholders at the
annual meeting thereof to be held during the calendar year 1999.

                                       5

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