When most people think about health coverage, they probably think about deductibles, co-pays, and annual enrollment periods. Nurses might not spring to mind, but when it comes to Centene health plans, they should.

Our nurses serve as care managers and coordinators, often working directly with members to help them manage their illnesses and overcome barriers that might stand in the way of care.

During National Nurses Week (May 6-12) Centene is especially proud to recognize their work. Across the country, nurses are vital to improving the health of Americans, and they represent the single-largest healthcare profession in the U.S.

Many Centene health plan nurses are helping to quarterback members’ care, and that can extend far beyond arranging doctor appointments or identifying strategies for managing chronic illnesses, such as diabetes. This article published by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch features Felicia Kellum, a nurse who works as a Care Manager for Missouri’s Home State Health plan. She discusses her work with expectant moms through Centene’s Start Smart for Your Baby® program – work that is often about a lot more than lining up the right prenatal care. If an expectant parent is having trouble paying bills, for example, needs transportation, or is experiencing an issue preventing her from focusing on her health and the health of her pregnancy, Kellum helps her navigate the available support.

“If I’m hungry, you can’t talk to me about my health; if my electricity is going to be turned off, I’m not thinking about getting to a prenatal appointment,” Kellum explained.

Kellum’s work with expectant parents is just one of a countless number of examples of Centene health plan nurses not only improving health outcomes but the lives of individual members.

Home State’s Julie Peden is a nurse who works with children in Missouri’s foster care system. She discussed helping a pregnant teenager get the care she needed to ensure a healthy birth and to address her own health needs in a recent story published by the Post-Dispatch. It’s Peden’s training as a nurse that informs and enables her work on behalf of the state’s foster care children.

“Everything has added up to this,” Peden said. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t get to use something I’ve learned to help someone. And that is the best reward in life.”

If you're interested in joining Centene's clinical team, visit our Careers section to explore opportunities.