We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
CNC Combines Its North Carolina Units to Expand Statewide Footprint
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
CNC merges Carolina Complete Health and WellCare NC into one provider-led entity serving 980,000 plus members.
Carolina Complete Health will continue supporting four Behavioral Health and I/DD Tailored Plans.
The provider-led model targets better care coordination, access and outcomes via stronger local partnerships.
Centene Corporation (CNC - Free Report) recently announced that its subsidiaries, Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of North Carolina, will merge into a single provider-led managed care organization under the Carolina Complete Health brand. The combined entity will cater to more than 980,000 members across Medicaid, Medicare and Marketplace plans.
Carolina Complete Health will continue supporting all four Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Tailored Plans. These plans serve around 240,000 people in North Carolina with complex mental health conditions, severe substance use disorders or I/DD needs.
A key feature of the recent merger is its provider-led model, which focuses on better care coordination, improved access and stronger health outcomes. Collaboration with local healthcare providers is expected to reduce operational challenges and improve long-term outcomes. For members of Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of North Carolina, the transition is expected to be smooth, with benefits and provider networks remaining unchanged.
The combined organization aims to improve care quality by enhancing value-added services. Key focus areas include food insecurity, maternal health, preventive care and youth development. This move is expected to strengthen partnerships with local providers and communities, leading to better health outcomes across North Carolina. It will help Centene build a stronger statewide presence.
The merger is expected to broaden Centene’s presence among individuals enrolled in government-sponsored programs. An expanding membership base can boost premium revenues, a major driver of a health insurer’s overall income. In 2025, premium and service revenues increased 20.6% from the previous year.
CNC’s Stock Price Performance
Shares of Centene have lost 8.6% in the last six months compared with the industry’s decline of 22.4%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for InnovAge Holding’s 2026 earnings is pegged at 25 cents per share, which has remained stable in the past 30 days. INNV beat earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 87.5%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pinned at $944.5 million, implying 10.6% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GeneDx Holding’s 2026 earnings is pegged at 75 cents per share, which has remained stable over the past 30 days. WGS beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 164.2%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pinned at $545 million, implying 27.5% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals’ 2026 earnings is pinned at $2.87 per share, which has moved north 5 cents over the past 30 days. CPRX beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 35.2%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pegged at $628.7 million, suggesting 6.7% year-over-year growth.
Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)
Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report
predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Shutterstock
CNC Combines Its North Carolina Units to Expand Statewide Footprint
Key Takeaways
Centene Corporation (CNC - Free Report) recently announced that its subsidiaries, Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of North Carolina, will merge into a single provider-led managed care organization under the Carolina Complete Health brand. The combined entity will cater to more than 980,000 members across Medicaid, Medicare and Marketplace plans.
Carolina Complete Health will continue supporting all four Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Tailored Plans. These plans serve around 240,000 people in North Carolina with complex mental health conditions, severe substance use disorders or I/DD needs.
A key feature of the recent merger is its provider-led model, which focuses on better care coordination, improved access and stronger health outcomes. Collaboration with local healthcare providers is expected to reduce operational challenges and improve long-term outcomes. For members of Carolina Complete Health and WellCare of North Carolina, the transition is expected to be smooth, with benefits and provider networks remaining unchanged.
The combined organization aims to improve care quality by enhancing value-added services. Key focus areas include food insecurity, maternal health, preventive care and youth development. This move is expected to strengthen partnerships with local providers and communities, leading to better health outcomes across North Carolina. It will help Centene build a stronger statewide presence.
The merger is expected to broaden Centene’s presence among individuals enrolled in government-sponsored programs. An expanding membership base can boost premium revenues, a major driver of a health insurer’s overall income. In 2025, premium and service revenues increased 20.6% from the previous year.
CNC’s Stock Price Performance
Shares of Centene have lost 8.6% in the last six months compared with the industry’s decline of 22.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CNC Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Centene currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Medical space are InnovAge Holding Corp. (INNV - Free Report) , GeneDx Holdings Corp. (WGS - Free Report) and Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CPRX - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for InnovAge Holding’s 2026 earnings is pegged at 25 cents per share, which has remained stable in the past 30 days. INNV beat earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 87.5%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pinned at $944.5 million, implying 10.6% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GeneDx Holding’s 2026 earnings is pegged at 75 cents per share, which has remained stable over the past 30 days. WGS beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 164.2%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pinned at $545 million, implying 27.5% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals’ 2026 earnings is pinned at $2.87 per share, which has moved north 5 cents over the past 30 days. CPRX beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 35.2%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pegged at $628.7 million, suggesting 6.7% year-over-year growth.