Centene vs Elevance Health: Founders, CEOs and History
Centene was founded in 1984 by Elizabeth "Betty" Brinn and is led by Sarah M. London. Elevance Health was founded in 1944 by Indiana Hospital Leaders (Mutual Hospital Insurance) and is led by Gail K. Boudreaux.
Company facts
Centene
- Founded
- 1984
- Headquarters
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Current CEO
- Sarah M. London
- Employees
- 61,100
Elevance Health
- Founded
- 1944
- Headquarters
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Current CEO
- Gail K. Boudreaux
- Employees
- 97,100
Founders
Centene
Elizabeth "Betty" Brinn
Elizabeth "Betty" Brinn founded Centene's predecessor in 1984 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A former hospital bookkeeper, she launched Family Hospital Physician Associates as a nonprofit Medicaid plan, operating from offices in Family Hospital.
Elevance Health
Indiana Hospital Leaders (Mutual Hospital Insurance)
The company's lineage runs through Blue Cross of Indiana (1944) and Blue Shield of Indiana (1946), which later combined as Anthem.
CEOs and their tenures
Centene
- Michael F. Neidorff1996–2022
Former Chief Executive Officer
Michael F. Neidorff led Centene from 1996 to 2022, turning a small Medicaid plan into a national managed-care company.
Source - Sarah M. London2022–present
Chief Executive Officer
Sarah M. London has been Centene's CEO since March 2022, after joining the company in 2020 and serving as Vice Chairman. She has narrowed Centene's focus to U.S.
Source
Elevance Health
- Joseph Swedish2013–2017
Former President and CEO
His tenure ended after the failed Cigna deal, with the company pivoting to organic growth and services under his successor.
Source - Gail Boudreaux2017–present
President and CEO
Under Boudreaux, revenue grew to $199.1B in FY2025. In July 2026 she bought about $1M of Elevance stock after the company raised its 2026 guidance.
Source - Peter D. Haytaian2022–present
Executive Vice President and President, Carelon
Leads the segment that is Elevance's main growth engine.
Source - Mark Kaye2024–present
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Leads investor communication on the 2026 margin-repair plan.
Source
Timeline: Centene and Elevance Health side by side
1944Elevance Health
Indiana Health-Plan Roots
The organization traces its roots to Indiana health-plan predecessors.
1984Centene
Founded as a Medicaid Plan
Elizabeth "Betty" Brinn founded Family Hospital Physician Associates, a nonprofit Medicaid plan in Milwaukee.
1996Centene
Michael Neidorff Becomes CEO
Michael F. Neidorff took over and led Centene's national expansion for more than 25 years.
2001Centene
NYSE Listing
Centene went public on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CNC.
2001Elevance Health
Anthem IPO
Anthem converts from a mutual insurer and lists on the NYSE.
2004Elevance Health
WellPoint and Anthem Combination
The Anthem and WellPoint combination creates a larger national health benefits company.
2012Elevance Health
Amerigroup Acquisition
WellPoint acquires Medicaid specialist Amerigroup for about $4.9B.
2015Elevance Health
Acquired Simply Healthcare Holdings
Elevance Health acquired Simply Healthcare Holdings in February 2015.
2016Centene
Health Net Acquisition
Centene acquired Health Net, expanding its Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial presence, especially in California.
2017Elevance Health
Gail Boudreaux Becomes CEO
Boudreaux becomes CEO and later leads the company's broader health strategy.
2020Centene
WellCare Acquisition
Centene completed the WellCare acquisition, significantly increasing its Medicare and Medicaid scale.
2022Centene
Sarah London Becomes CEO
Sarah M. London became Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Michael Neidorff.
2022Elevance Health
Elevance Health Rebrand
Anthem changes its name to Elevance Health and expands the Carelon services identity.
2025Centene
2025 Guidance Withdrawn
On July 1, 2025, Centene withdrew its 2025 earnings guidance after independent actuarial data showed weaker Marketplace risk-adjustment results.
2025Centene
$6.7 Billion Goodwill Impairment
Centene recorded a $6.7 billion non-cash goodwill impairment in Q3 2025, producing a FY2025 GAAP net loss on $194.777 billion of revenue.
2025Elevance Health
FY2025 Scale Update
Elevance reports $199.125B revenue, $5.662B net income, and 45.2M medical members.
2026Centene
Return to Profitability
Centene earned about $1.1 billion in Q2 2026 and raised 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to above $4.80.
2026Elevance Health
Margin Repair Year
Q2 2026 operating revenue reaches $49.8B and adjusted EPS guidance is raised to at least $27.00 as membership falls to 44.9M.
Acquisitions
Centene
- Magellan Health2022$2.2B
- WellCare Health Plans2020$17.3B
- Fidelis Care2018$3.8B
- Health Net, Inc.2016$6.8B
Elevance Health
- CareBridge2025$2.7B
- BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy2023Undisclosed
- WellCare Health Plans, Inc.2020Undisclosed
- Amerigroup Corporation2012$4.9B
Questions about Centene vs Elevance Health
Who is the CEO of Centene Corporation and Elevance Health, Inc.?
Centene Corporation is led by Sarah M. London and Elevance Health, Inc. is led by Gail K. Boudreaux. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Centene Corporation founded vs Elevance Health, Inc.?
Elevance Health, Inc. was founded in 1944 — 40 years before Centene Corporation, which was founded in 1984. Elevance Health, Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Centene Corporation.
How many employees does Centene Corporation have compared to Elevance Health, Inc.?
Centene Corporation employs approximately 61,100 people, while Elevance Health, Inc. employs approximately 97,100. Elevance Health, Inc. has the larger workforce at 97,100 employees, compared to Centene Corporation's 61,100. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Centene Corporation and Elevance Health, Inc. headquartered?
Both Centene Corporation and Elevance Health, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Centene Corporation and Elevance Health, Inc.?
Centene Corporation was founded by Elizabeth "Betty" Brinn. Elevance Health, Inc. was founded by Indiana Hospital Leaders (Mutual Hospital Insurance).
Which company has a longer operating history — Centene Corporation or Elevance Health, Inc.?
Elevance Health, Inc. has been operating for approximately 82 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Centene Corporation has been in operation for around 42 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Centene vs Elevance Health overview