Centene CEO Neidorff To Take Medical Leave

Centene chairman and CEO Michael Neidorff will take a “medical depart of absence” to deal with what he referred to as a “treatable medical situation,” the company said Thursday.

Centene, which stated the board of administrators permitted a request from Neidorff for the medical depart, named James Dallas as Appearing Chairman of the Board. Centene, which sells an array of presidency sponsored medical health insurance together with Obamacare, is already engaged on a everlasting successor to Neidorff.

Centene didn’t specify how lengthy the medical depart would final or what Neidorff’s medical situation was.

Centene beforehand introduced in December Neidorff’s plan to retire later this yr. Neidorff, who’s 79 years previous and has been Centene’s CEO since 1996, additionally took on a brand new position as govt chairman till the tip of 2022, the corporate introduced in December. Given Thursday’s information of a medical depart, the corporate stated a number of executives will work to fill the void left by Neidorff’s absence within the close to time period.

“Efficient instantly, day-to-day administration of the Firm will probably be led on an interim foundation by an expanded Workplace of the Chairman, consisting of Sarah London, Vice Chairman of the Board; Brent Layton, President and Chief Working Officer; Drew Asher, Chief Monetary Officer; and Shannon Bagley, Chief Administrative Officer,” Centene stated Thursday,” Centene stated Thursday.

Below Neidorff, Centene has grown right into a nationwide healthcare large with revenues that eclipsed $126 billion in 2021 as extra Individuals join Medicaid, the medical health insurance for low revenue sufferers it manages through contracts with states and particular person protection beneath the Reasonably priced Care Act recognized as Obamacare hits document ranges. And Centene has expanded into the enterprise of Medicare Benefit, the privatized well being advantages myriad well being insurers supply senior through contract with the federal authorities.

“I’ve full religion and confidence on this management crew and their potential to execute on Centene’s Worth Creation technique,” Neidorff stated in an announcement supplied by the corporate. “As I cope with a treatable medical situation, I need to thank the crew for his or her ongoing work and dedication to steer this distinctive firm.”