v3.26.3
Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2026
Sep. 30, 2025
Sep. 30, 2026
Sep. 30, 2025
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]        
Earnings (loss) attributable to Centene Corporation $ (71) $ (6,631) $ 2,561 $ (5,573)
Shares used in computing per share amounts:        
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares) 494,143 491,141 493,351 493,644
Common stock equivalents (as determined by applying the treasury stock method) (in shares) 0 0 4,292 0
Weighted average number of common shares and potential dilutive common shares outstanding (in shares) 494,143 491,141 497,643 493,644
Net earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Centene Corporation:        
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share) $ (0.14) $ (13.50) $ 5.19 $ (11.29)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share) $ (0.14) $ (13.50) $ 5.15 $ (11.29)
Anti-dilutive stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in shares) 5,553 6,930 907 5,302