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  <xs:element id="cnc_PremiumTaxExpense" abstract="false" name="PremiumTaxExpense" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebtIncludingCashPortion" abstract="false" name="GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebtIncludingCashPortion" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cnc_AffordableCareActAbstract" abstract="true" name="AffordableCareActAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AffordableCareActDisclosureTextBlock" abstract="false" name="AffordableCareActDisclosureTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_ShortTermAndLongTermInvestmentsAndRestrictedDepositsByInvestmentTypeTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ShortTermAndLongTermInvestmentsAndRestrictedDepositsByInvestmentTypeTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesBasedUponObservableOrUnobservableInputsInputDefinitionsTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesBasedUponObservableOrUnobservableInputsInputDefinitionsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cnc_MagellanHealthMember" abstract="true" name="MagellanHealthMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AccountsReceivablePurchaseAgreementPermittedAmountMaximum" abstract="false" name="AccountsReceivablePurchaseAgreementPermittedAmountMaximum" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_ProceedsFromSaleOfParticipatingInterestInAccountsReceivables" abstract="false" name="ProceedsFromSaleOfParticipatingInterestInAccountsReceivables" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_A2025PlanYearStandAlonePartDRiskSharingProgramsReceivable" abstract="false" name="A2025PlanYearStandAlonePartDRiskSharingProgramsReceivable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AccountsReceivablePurchaseAgreementPermittedAmountRemaining" abstract="false" name="AccountsReceivablePurchaseAgreementPermittedAmountRemaining" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_RestrictedCertificatesOfDepositMember" abstract="true" name="RestrictedCertificatesOfDepositMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_RestrictedCashEquivalentsMember" abstract="true" name="RestrictedCashEquivalentsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_InvestmentsDebtSecuritiesEquityMethodInvestmentsAndOtherAmortizedCost" abstract="false" name="InvestmentsDebtSecuritiesEquityMethodInvestmentsAndOtherAmortizedCost" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_InvestmentsDebtSecuritiesEquitySecuritiesAndOtherFairValue" abstract="false" name="InvestmentsDebtSecuritiesEquitySecuritiesAndOtherFairValue" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_RatedSecuritiesMember" abstract="true" name="RatedSecuritiesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_InvestmentSecuritiesMember" abstract="true" name="InvestmentSecuritiesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_InvestmentsRecordedAtFairValueThatCarryRatingOfAAPlusWeightedAverageDuration" abstract="false" name="InvestmentsRecordedAtFairValueThatCarryRatingOfAAPlusWeightedAverageDuration" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleNumberOfPositions" abstract="false" name="DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleNumberOfPositions" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_LifeInsuranceContractsAndEquityInvestmentsFairValue" abstract="false" name="LifeInsuranceContractsAndEquityInvestmentsFairValue" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_MedicaidSegmentMember" abstract="true" name="MedicaidSegmentMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_MedicareSegmentMember" abstract="true" name="MedicareSegmentMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_CommercialSegmentMember" abstract="true" name="CommercialSegmentMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_PremiumDeficiencyReserveLiability" abstract="false" name="PremiumDeficiencyReserveLiability" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_InsuranceContractNameAxis" abstract="true" name="InsuranceContractNameAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_InsuranceContractNameDomain" abstract="true" name="InsuranceContractNameDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_MedicareAdvantage2025Member" abstract="true" name="MedicareAdvantage2025Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_MedicareAdvantage2026Member" abstract="true" name="MedicareAdvantage2026Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AmountsRecordedAsAnAdjustmentToPremiumRevenuesRelatedToMinimumHBRAndReturnOfPremiumPrograms" abstract="false" name="AmountsRecordedAsAnAdjustmentToPremiumRevenuesRelatedToMinimumHBRAndReturnOfPremiumPrograms" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_PremiumDeficiencyReserveLiabilityIncreaseDecrease" abstract="false" name="PremiumDeficiencyReserveLiabilityIncreaseDecrease" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AffordableCareActRiskAdjustmentReceivable" abstract="false" name="AffordableCareActRiskAdjustmentReceivable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AffordableCareActReinsurancePayable" abstract="false" name="AffordableCareActReinsurancePayable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AffordableCareActMinimumMedicalLossRatio" abstract="false" name="AffordableCareActMinimumMedicalLossRatio" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AffordableCareActCostSharingReductionReceivable" abstract="false" name="AffordableCareActCostSharingReductionReceivable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AffordableCareActCostSharingReductionsPayable" abstract="false" name="AffordableCareActCostSharingReductionsPayable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AffordableCareActRiskAdjustmentNetPayableIncreaseDecrease" abstract="false" name="AffordableCareActRiskAdjustmentNetPayableIncreaseDecrease" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_AffordableCareActRiskAdjustmentPreTaxExpenseBenefit" abstract="false" name="AffordableCareActRiskAdjustmentPreTaxExpenseBenefit" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cnc_A2300Million2.45SeniorNotesDueJuly2028Member" abstract="true" name="A2300Million2.45SeniorNotesDueJuly2028Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_A3500Million4625SeniorNotesDueDecember2029Member" abstract="true" name="A3500Million4625SeniorNotesDueDecember2029Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_A2000Million3.375SeniorNotesDueFebruary2030Member" abstract="true" name="A2000Million3.375SeniorNotesDueFebruary2030Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_A2200Million300SeniorNotesDueOctober2030Member" abstract="true" name="A2200Million300SeniorNotesDueOctober2030Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_A2200Million250SeniorNotesDueMarch2031Member" abstract="true" name="A2200Million250SeniorNotesDueMarch2031Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_A1300Million2625SeniorNotesDueAugust2031Member" abstract="true" name="A1300Million2625SeniorNotesDueAugust2031Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_TermLoanCreditAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="TermLoanCreditAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_SeniorNotesTotal" abstract="false" name="SeniorNotesTotal" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_DebtRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount" abstract="false" name="DebtRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_DebtRepurchaseProgramIncreaseAuthorizedAmount" abstract="false" name="DebtRepurchaseProgramIncreaseAuthorizedAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_DebtRepurchaseProgramRemainingAmountAuthorizedToBeRepurchasedAmount" abstract="false" name="DebtRepurchaseProgramRemainingAmountAuthorizedToBeRepurchasedAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cnc_TotalPremiumAndServiceMember" abstract="true" name="TotalPremiumAndServiceMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
