Centene vs Molina Healthcare: Founders, CEOs and History
Centene was founded in 1984 by Elizabeth "Betty" Brinn and is led by Sarah M. London. Molina Healthcare was founded in 1980 by C. David Molina and is led by Joseph Zubretsky.
Company facts
Centene
- Founded
- 1984
- Headquarters
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Current CEO
- Sarah M. London
- Employees
- 61,100
Molina Healthcare
- Founded
- 1980
- Headquarters
- Long Beach, California, United States
- Current CEO
- Joseph Zubretsky
- Employees
- 19,000
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.
Molina Healthcare
C. David Molina
Dr. C. David Molina founded Molina Healthcare in 1980 by opening a clinic in Long Beach for patients covered by Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. The clinics became the foundation for a health plan that managed government-funded care.
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
Molina Healthcare
- J. Mario Molina1996–2017
President and Chief Executive Officer
Son of founder C. David Molina; removed by the board in 2017, when Joseph Zubretsky was hired.
Source - Joseph M. Zubretsky2017–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Took over after the 2017 losses and returned Molina to profit in 2018. Revenue grew from about $19B in 2018 to $45.4B in 2025, though 2025 net income fell to $472M amid medical cost pressure.
Source - Mark Keim2018–present
Chief Financial Officer
Oversees financial reporting, capital allocation and guidance.
Source
Timeline: Centene and Molina Healthcare side by side
1980Molina Healthcare
First clinic opens
Dr. C. David Molina opens a Long Beach clinic for low-income patients.
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.
2003Molina Healthcare
NYSE IPO
Molina Healthcare lists on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker MOH.
2016Centene
Health Net Acquisition
Centene acquired Health Net, expanding its Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial presence, especially in California.
2017Molina Healthcare
Leadership change
After a $512M net loss, the board replaces J. Mario and John Molina; Joseph Zubretsky becomes CEO in November.
2020Centene
WellCare Acquisition
Centene completed the WellCare acquisition, significantly increasing its Medicare and Medicaid scale.
2020Molina Healthcare
Magellan Complete Care acquired
Molina closes the roughly $820M (net of tax benefits) purchase of Magellan Complete Care on December 31, 2020, adding about 200,000 members.
2021Molina Healthcare
Affinity Health Plan acquired
Molina buys New York Medicaid plan Affinity Health Plan for about $380M.
2022Centene
Sarah London Becomes CEO
Sarah M. London became Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Michael Neidorff.
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.
2025Molina Healthcare
ConnectiCare acquired
Molina closes its $350M acquisition of ConnectiCare on February 1, 2025, adding about 140,000 members.
2026Centene
Return to Profitability
Centene earned about $1.1 billion in Q2 2026 and raised 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to above $4.80.
2026Molina Healthcare
Medicare Advantage exit announced
Molina says it will exit traditional MAPD plans for 2027 to focus on dual-eligible members.
Acquisitions
Centene
- Magellan Health2022$2.2B
- WellCare Health Plans2020$17.3B
- Fidelis Care2018$3.8B
- Health Net, Inc.2016$6.8B
Molina Healthcare
- ConnectiCare2025$350M
- Bright Health California Medicare business2024Undisclosed
- Affinity Health Plan2021$380M
- Magellan Complete Care2020$820M
Questions about Centene vs Molina Healthcare
Who is the CEO of Centene Corporation and Molina Healthcare, Inc.?
Centene Corporation is led by Sarah M. London and Molina Healthcare, Inc. is led by Joseph Zubretsky. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Centene Corporation founded vs Molina Healthcare, Inc.?
Molina Healthcare, Inc. was founded in 1980 — 4 years before Centene Corporation, which was founded in 1984. Molina Healthcare, 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 Molina Healthcare, Inc.?
Centene Corporation employs approximately 61,100 people, while Molina Healthcare, Inc. employs approximately 19,000. Centene Corporation has the larger workforce at 61,100 employees, compared to Molina Healthcare, Inc.'s 19,000. 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 Molina Healthcare, Inc. headquartered?
Both Centene Corporation and Molina Healthcare, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Centene Corporation and Molina Healthcare, Inc.?
Centene Corporation was founded by Elizabeth "Betty" Brinn. Molina Healthcare, Inc. was founded by C. David Molina.
Which company has a longer operating history — Centene Corporation or Molina Healthcare, Inc.?
Molina Healthcare, Inc. has been operating for approximately 46 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 Molina Healthcare overview