This paper reports the development of a coating approach that simultaneously achieves the advantages of conductive (Mn,Co)(3)O-4 spinel coatings and of rare earth (RE) surface treatment on ferritic stainless steels for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect applications. This approach involves the modification of (Mn,Co)(3)O-4 spinel coatings through addition of a RE element to the spinel composition. In particular, Ce-modified spinel coatings (Ce0.05Mn1.475Co1.475O4) behaved similarly to unmodified Mn1.5Co1.5O4 spinel coatings by acting as a Cr-outward and O-inward diffusion barrier, thus improving the surface stability and electrical performance of ferritic stainless steel. In addition, the RE addition appeared to alter the scale growth behavior beneath the coating, so that alloy samples with the Ce-modified spinel coating exhibited a more adherent scale/metal interface compared to samples with the unmodified spinel coating. As a result, it is anticipated that compared to unmodified spinel coatings, the RE-modified coatings may lead to improved structural stability and electrical performance for ferritic stainless steel-based SOFC interconnects.