Claims center (Centene Corp.) opens with 20 employees in Great Falls, plans to expand to 250

Centene Corp. launched its Great Falls claims-processing center in low-key fashion Monday.

There were no balloons, cake or ribbon cutting. Instead, handwritten signs and computers on folding tables offered a strong hint that the company’s digs in downtown Great Falls are only temporary.

By JAMES E. LARCOMBE Tribune Business Editor

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041102/BUSINESS/411020325/1046

The St. Louis-based company, which processes Medicaid claims for a number of states, started training about 20 workers on the second floor of the Strain Building at 401 Central Ave. The launch is the first step in what the company says eventually will be a 250-job center.

The company hopes to establish a more permanent look when it moves into a new building near the Benefis Healthcare east campus next summer.

"Right now, we are just trying to get by with whatever we can," said Jay Belew, Centene’s vice president of claims operations, explaining the makeshift look. "All of our investment is going into that new building."

The Centene operation is in a space last used as a call center by the Cendant Corp., which closed its Great Falls operation early in 2001.

Work on the permanent home, which is expected to include an employee day-care center and a cafe, could begin soon.

"By midmonth, you will see a lot of activity out there," said Jerry Chavez, vice president of marketing for the Great Falls Development Authority.

The GFDA will construct the new building and lease it to Centene. Chavez said the final price of the building would be determined when all the bids are awarded. The opening of several key bids is set for Friday.

"The intent is to get in the ground before the ground freezes," said Marty Brynes, an architect with CTA Architects and Engineers. "Once we get the foundation in, we can work around the winter."

CTA is doing mechanical, electrical and structural design work on the building. Dick Anderson Construction is the construction manager.

Brynes said he expects bids from many local contracting firms on various facets of the Centene building.

Belew said Centene hopes to occupy the new building in July 2005.

The Great Falls operation is one of two claims centers operated by Centene. Another center, employing about 160, is in Farmington, Mo.

"Our work will be funneled up from Farmington to us," Belew said, noting the demand for the company’s services will play a big role in how fast it adds employees in Great Falls.

The initial 20 employees will spend about two months training. The center is to begin handling its first claims in January.

The Centene operation is not a call center. It will process claims submitted electronically by hospitals and physicians.

"I think we got over 400 resumés for 20 or 25 positions," Belew said, noting those not hired initially still are being considered for future openings.

"We’ve talked to some great people," he said. "I don’t want people to get discouraged that we have not touched base with them yet."

Larcombe can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (406) 791-1463 or (800) 438-6600.