Molina Healthcare (MOH) 10-Q 30 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'moh	'
Entity Registrant Name	'MOLINA HEALTHCARE INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001179929	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	48,397

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,598,596	$935,895
Investments	842,683	703,052
Receivables	425,683	298,935
Income taxes refundable	7,679	32,742
Deferred income taxes	30,817	26,556
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	82,062	42,484
Total current assets	2,987,520	2,039,664
Property, equipment, and capitalized software, net	328,547	292,083
Deferred contract costs	51,179	45,675
Intangible assets, net	85,035	98,871
Goodwill	236,635	230,738
Restricted investments	93,119	63,093
Derivative asset	222,997	186,351
Other assets	51,108	46,462
Total Assets	4,056,140	3,002,937
Current liabilities:	'	'
Medical claims and benefits payable	1,123,846	669,787
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	609,444	319,965
Deferred revenue	190,856	122,216
Current maturities of long-term debt	11,927	182,008
Total current liabilities	1,936,073	1,293,976
Convertible senior notes	697,210	416,368
Lease financing obligations	160,412	159,394
Lease financing obligations – related party	39,258	27,092
Deferred income taxes	7,719	580
Derivative liability	222,877	186,239
Other long-term liabilities	28,300	26,351
Total liabilities	3,091,849	2,110,000
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 150,000 shares authorized; outstanding: 48,279 shares at September 30, 2014 and 45,871 shares at December 31, 2013	48	46
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	383,300	340,848
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-617	-1,086
Retained earnings	581,560	553,129
Total stockholders’ equity	964,291	892,937
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$4,056,140	$3,002,937

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	48,279,000	45,871,000
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Premium revenue	$2,316,759	$1,584,656	$6,424,238	$4,583,818
Service revenue	52,557	51,100	156,419	150,528
Premium tax revenue	81,240	43,723	203,053	127,606
Health insurer fee revenue	29,427	0	67,785	0
Investment income	2,041	1,740	5,615	4,884
Other revenue	2,327	5,860	8,523	16,476
Total revenue	2,484,351	1,687,079	6,865,633	4,883,312
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Medical care costs	2,097,836	1,383,213	5,753,793	3,965,834
Cost of service revenue	40,067	40,113	117,831	119,188
General and administrative expenses	178,879	176,233	560,205	478,990
Premium tax expenses	81,240	43,723	203,053	127,606
Health insurer fee expenses	22,308	0	66,443	0
Depreciation and amortization	24,242	18,871	67,835	52,449
Total operating expenses	2,444,572	1,662,153	6,769,160	4,744,067
Operating income	39,779	24,926	96,473	139,245
Other expenses, net:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	14,419	13,532	42,234	38,236
Other expense (income), net	863	-24	810	3,347
Total other expenses, net	15,282	13,508	43,044	41,583
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	24,497	11,418	53,429	97,662
Income tax expense	8,427	3,865	24,784	43,791
Income from continuing operations	16,070	7,553	28,645	53,871
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	52	16	-214	8,184
Net income	$16,122	$7,569	$28,431	$62,055
Basic net income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.34	$0.17	$0.62	$1.18
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	($0.01)	$0.18
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.34	$0.17	$0.61	$1.36
Diluted net income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.33	$0.16	$0.60	$1.15
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	($0.01)	$0.18
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.33	$0.16	$0.59	$1.33

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$16,122	$7,569	$28,431	$62,055
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized investment (loss) gain	-1,061	2,087	756	-1,539
Effect of income taxes	-404	793	287	-585
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-657	1,294	469	-954
Comprehensive income	$15,465	$8,863	$28,900	$61,101

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$28,431	$62,055
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	99,464	68,035
Deferred income taxes	-10,705	-38,442
Stock–based compensation	16,115	20,654
Amortization of convertible senior notes and lease financing obligations	20,195	16,128
Other, net	3,875	14,406
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Receivables	-126,748	-144,285
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-51,582	-27,552
Medical claims and benefits payable	454,059	138,176
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	314,391	20,991
Deferred revenue	68,640	-17,410
Income taxes	25,063	-1,012
Net cash provided by operating activities	841,198	111,744
Investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of investments	-616,324	-627,953
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments	473,836	227,800
Purchases of equipment	-71,771	-64,426
Increase in restricted investments	-24,301	-21,124
Net cash paid in business combinations	-7,500	-57,684
Other, net	-15,220	1,971
Net cash used in investing activities	-261,280	-541,416
Financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes, net of deferred financing costs	123,387	537,973
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	0	158,694
Purchase of call option	0	-149,331
Proceeds from issuance of warrants	0	75,074
Treasury stock purchases	0	-50,000
Principal payments on term loan	0	-47,471
Repayment of amounts borrowed under credit facility	0	-40,000
Contingent consideration liabilities settled	-50,349	0
Proceeds from employee stock plans	7,628	5,156
Other, net	2,117	363
Net cash provided by financing activities	82,783	490,458
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	662,701	60,786
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	935,895	795,770
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,598,596	856,556
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'
Income taxes	7,991	72,156
Interest	24,384	28,035
Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
3.75% Notes exchanged for 1.625% Notes	176,551	0
Retirement of treasury stock	0	53,000
Increase in non-cash lease financing obligation – related party	13,841	19,222
Common stock used for stock-based compensation	8,595	6,667
Details of change in fair value of derivatives, net:	'	'
Change in fair value of derivatives, net	8	-3,383
Business Combination, Description [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value of assets acquired	7,500	121,845
Fair value of contingent consideration liabilities incurred	0	-59,947
Payable to seller	0	-3,882
Escrow deposit	0	-332
Net cash paid in business combinations	7,500	57,684
Gain on 1.125% Call Option	'	'
Details of change in fair value of derivatives, net:	'	'
Change in fair value of derivatives, net	36,646	42,332
Loss on 1.125% Notes Conversion Option	'	'
Details of change in fair value of derivatives, net:	'	'
Change in fair value of derivatives, net	-36,638	-42,225
Loss on 1.125% Warrants	'	'
Details of change in fair value of derivatives, net:	'	'
Change in fair value of derivatives, net	0	-3,923
Gain on interest rate swap	'	'
Details of change in fair value of derivatives, net:	'	'
Change in fair value of derivatives, net	$0	$433

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	Organization and Operations
	Molina Healthcare, Inc. provides quality and cost-effective Medicaid-related solutions to meet the health care needs of low-income families and individuals, and to assist state agencies in their administration of the Medicaid program. We report our financial performance based on two reportable segments: the Health Plans segment and the Molina Medicaid Solutions segment.
	Our Health Plans segment consists of health plans in 11 states, and includes our direct delivery business. As of September 30, 2014, these health plans served approximately 2.4 million members eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, and other government-sponsored health care programs for low-income families and individuals. Additionally, we serve a small number of Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace) members, many of whom are eligible for government premium subsidies. The health plans are operated by our respective wholly owned subsidiaries in those states, each of which is licensed as a health maintenance organization (HMO). Our direct delivery business consists primarily of the management of a hospital in southern California under a management services agreement, and the operation of primary care clinics in several states in which we operate.
	Our Molina Medicaid Solutions segment provides business processing and information technology development and administrative services to Medicaid agencies in Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, New Jersey, West Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and drug rebate administration services in Florida.
	On October 15, 2014, the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration announced that it has selected Molina Healthcare of Puerto Rico to operate the Commonwealth’s Medicaid-funded Government Health Plan program in the East and Southwest regions. We expect to begin serving members in the second quarter of 2015.
	In August 2014, we announced that our Florida health plan entered into an agreement with First Coast Advantage, LLC (FCA) to acquire certain assets related to FCA's Medicaid business. As part of the transaction, we will assume FCA's Medicaid contract and certain provider agreements for Region 4 of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Managed Medical Assistance Program in the state of Florida. We have received approval for the transaction from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, and expect to close in late 2014 or early 2015.
	We previously reported that our Medicaid managed care contract with the state of Missouri expired without renewal in 2012, and effective June 2013 the transition obligations associated with that contract terminated. Therefore, beginning in the second quarter of 2013, we classified the operations for our Missouri health plan as discontinued operations for all periods presented in our consolidated financial statements.
	Consolidation and Interim Financial Information
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Molina Healthcare, Inc., its subsidiaries and variable interest entities in which Molina Healthcare, Inc. is considered to be the primary beneficiary. Such variable interest entities are insignificant to our consolidated financial position and results of operations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results as of the date and for the interim periods presented have been included; such adjustments consist of normal recurring adjustments. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The consolidated results of operations for the current interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year ending December 31, 2014.
	The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that users of the interim financial data have either read or have access to our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. Accordingly, certain disclosures that would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the December 31, 2013 audited consolidated financial statements have been omitted. These unaudited consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our December 31, 2013 audited consolidated financial statements.
	Reclassifications
	We have reclassified certain amounts in the 2013 consolidated balance sheet and statement of cash flows to conform to the 2014 presentation.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Significant Accounting Policies
	Revenue Recognition
	Premium Revenue – Health Plans Segment
	Premium revenue is fixed in advance of the periods covered and, except as described below, is not generally subject to significant accounting estimates. Premium revenues are recognized in the month that members are entitled to receive health care services.
	Certain components of premium revenue are subject to accounting estimates and fall into the following categories:
	-1	Contractual provisions that may adjust or limit revenue or profit:
	Health Plan Medical Cost Floors (Minimums), Medical Cost Corridors, and Administrative Cost Ceilings (Maximums): A portion of certain Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace premiums received by our health plans may be returned if certain minimum amounts are not spent on defined medical care costs. In the aggregate, we recorded a liability under the terms of such contract provisions of $272.6 million and $1.4 million at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively, to accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The increase is primarily driven by contractual provisions relating to the Medicaid expansion program, which began to phase in during January 2014. Beginning in 2014, the health plans may receive additional premiums if amounts spent on medical care costs exceed a defined maximum threshold. In the aggregate, we recorded a receivable under the terms of such contract provisions of $3.6 million at September 30, 2014. Separately, in certain states we may be levied with non-monetary sanctions if certain minimum amounts are not spent on defined medical care costs, or if administrative costs exceed certain amounts.
	Health Plan Profit Sharing and Profit Ceiling: Our contracts with certain states contain profit-sharing or profit ceiling provisions under which we refund amounts to the states if our health plans generate profit above a certain specified percentage, in some cases in accordance with a tiered rebate schedule. In some cases, we are limited in the amount of administrative costs that we may deduct in calculating the refund, if any. As a result of profits in excess of the amount we are allowed to fully retain, we recorded a liability of $24.5 million and $2.5 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Medicare Revenue Risk Adjustment: Based on member encounter data that we submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), our Medicare premiums are subject to retroactive adjustment for both member risk scores and member pharmacy cost experience for up to two years after the original year of service. This adjustment takes into account the acuity of each member’s medical needs relative to what was anticipated when premiums were originally set for that member. In the event that a member requires less acute medical care than was anticipated by the original premium amount, CMS may recover premium from us. In the event that a member requires more acute medical care than was anticipated by the original premium amount, CMS may pay us additional retroactive premium. A similar retroactive reconciliation is undertaken by CMS for our Medicare members’ pharmacy utilization. We estimate the amount of Medicare revenue that will ultimately be realized for the periods presented based on our knowledge of our members’ health care utilization patterns and CMS practices. Based on our knowledge of member health care utilization patterns and expenses we have recorded a net receivable of $18.6 million and $20.8 million for anticipated Medicare risk adjustment premiums at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	-2	Quality incentives:
	At our California, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin health plans, revenue ranging from approximately 1% to 4% of health plan premiums is earned if certain performance measures are met.
	The following table quantifies the quality incentive premium revenue recognized for the periods presented, including the amounts earned in the periods presented and in prior periods. Although the reasonably possible effects of a change in estimate related to quality incentive premium revenue as of September 30, 2014 are not known, we have no reason to believe that the adjustments to prior years noted below are not indicative of the potential future changes in our estimates as of September 30, 2014.
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Maximum available quality incentive premium - current period	$	24,477	$	20,939		$	68,941	$	62,050
	Amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period:
	Earned current period	$	12,921	$	17,538		$	30,935	$	52,483
	Earned prior periods	208		(50		)	3,412		7,759
	Total	$	13,129	$	17,488		$	34,347	60,242
	Total premium revenue recognized for state health plans with quality incentive premiums	$	1,818,375	$	771,615		$	5,005,444	$	2,192,249
	-3	California health plan rate settlement agreement:
	In the fourth quarter of 2013, our California health plan entered into a settlement agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). The agreement settled rate disputes initiated by our California health plan dating back to 2003 with respect to its participation in Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program). Under the terms of the agreement, a settlement account (the Account) applicable to the California health plan’s managed care contracts has been established.
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Account was established with an initial balance of zero, and will be settled after December 31, 2017. DHCS will make an interim partial settlement payment to us if it terminates early, without replacement, any of our managed care contracts. The Account will be adjusted annually to reflect a calendar year deficit or surplus, which is determined by comparing the California health plan’s pre-tax margin and a target margin established in the settlement agreement. Upon expiration of the settlement agreement, if the Account is in a deficit position, then DHCS will pay the amount of the deficit to us, subject to an alternative minimum payment amount. If the Account is in a surplus position, then no amount is owed to either party. The maximum amount that DHCS would pay to us under the terms of the settlement agreement is $40.0 million.
	We estimate and recognize the retrospective adjustments to premium revenue based on our experience to date under the California health plan's managed care contracts. As of September 30, 2014, we recorded a deficit, or receivable, of $3.5 million, net of a valuation discount of $0.2 million, reflecting our estimated retrospective premium adjustment to the Account based on the California health plan's actual pretax margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	In addition to the three categories of accounting estimates discussed above, our California health plan recognized a benefit of approximately $15 million in the second quarter of 2014 for certain premium revenue which related to the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Service Revenue and Cost of Service Revenue – Molina Medicaid Solutions Segment
	The payments received by our Molina Medicaid Solutions segment under its state contracts are based on the performance of multiple services. The first of these is the design, development and implementation (DDI) of a Medicaid management information system (MMIS). An additional service, following completion of DDI, is the operation of the MMIS under a business process outsourcing (BPO) arrangement. When providing BPO services (which include claims payment and eligibility processing) we also provide the state with other services including both hosting and support, and maintenance. Because we have determined the services provided under our Molina Medicaid Solutions contracts represent a single unit of accounting, we recognize revenue associated with such contracts on a straight-line basis over the contract term during which BPO, hosting, and support and maintenance services are delivered. There may be certain contractual provisions containing contingencies, however that require us to delay recognition of all or part of our service revenue until such contingencies have been removed.
	Cost of service revenue consists primarily of the costs incurred to provide BPO and technology outsourcing services under our MMIS contracts. General and administrative costs consist primarily of indirect administrative costs and business development costs. In some circumstances we may defer recognition of incremental direct costs (such as direct labor, hardware, and software) associated with a contract if revenue recognition is also deferred. Such deferred contract costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the contract term, consistent with the revenue recognition period.
	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is generally greater than the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily because of state taxes, nondeductible health insurer fee expenses, nondeductible compensation and other general and administrative expenses. The effective tax rate may be subject to fluctuations during the year, particularly as a result of the mathematical impact of the level of pretax earnings, and also as new information is obtained. Such information may affect the assumptions used to estimate the annual effective tax rate, including factors such as the mix of pretax earnings in the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate, valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, the recognition or the reversal of the recognition of tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions, and changes in or the interpretation of tax laws in jurisdictions where we conduct business. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities, along with net operating loss and tax credit carryovers.
	During the third quarter of 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations related to compensation deduction limitations applicable to certain health insurance issuers. Pursuant to these final regulations, we recognized a tax benefit during the third quarter of 2014 of approximately $7 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for periods prior to the third quarter of 2014.
	The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $1.8 million and $8.0 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The unrecognized tax benefits recorded at December 31, 2013 decreased by $6.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as a result of the execution of a state settlement agreement and the expiration of statutes of limitation. This decrease had a nominal impact to the tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $1.6 million and $5.7 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. We expect that during the next 12 months it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefit liabilities may decrease by as much as $0.1 million due to the expiration of statute of limitations.
	Our continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Amounts accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were insignificant.
	Income taxes relating to discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were insignificant. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we recognized tax benefits of $0.3 million and $10.0 million, respectively, related to discontinued operations.
	New Accounting Standards
	Health Insurer Fee. In the first quarter of 2014, we adopted the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) related to accounting for the fees to be paid by health insurers to the federal government under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the Affordable Care Act, or ACA). The ACA imposes an annual fee, or excise tax, on health insurers for each calendar year beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The health insurer fee (HIF) is imposed beginning in 2014, is based on a company's share of the industry's net premiums written during the preceding calendar year, and is payable on September 30 of each year.
	Effective January 1, 2014, we recorded our estimate of the 2014 liability to accounts payable and accrued liabilities. During the third quarter of 2014 we paid our 2014 HIF assessment, which amounted to $88.6 million. This expense is being recognized on a straight-line basis in 2014; and is non-deductible for income tax purposes.
	Because we primarily serve individuals in government-sponsored programs, we must secure additional reimbursement from our state partners for this added cost. We recognize HIF revenue when we have obtained a contractual commitment from a state to reimburse us for the health insurer fee. Such HIF revenue is recognized ratably throughout the year.
	Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The core principal of this ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. This ASU will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2017; early adoption is not permitted. The ASU allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. We are evaluating the transition method that will be elected and the potential effects of the adoption of this ASU on our financial statements.
	Discontinued Operations. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08 - Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposal of Components of an Entity, which raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations by focusing on strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This ASU will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2015, and is applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issue. We are evaluating the potential effects of the adoption of the ASU on our financial statements.
	Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not have, or are not believed by management to have, a material impact on our present or future consolidated financial statements.

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income per Share	'
	Net Income per Share
	The following table sets forth the calculation of the denominators used to compute basic and diluted net income per share:
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
		(In thousands)
	Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	46,494	45,683	45,871	46,762
	Weighted-average number of shares:
	Repurchased	—	—	—	(1,375	)
	Issued, 3.75% Exchange (1)	460	—	155	—
	Issued, stock-based compensation and other	37	16	409	321
	Denominator for basic net income per share	46,991	45,699	46,435	45,708
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock-based compensation	365	453	441	532
	3.75% Notes and 3.75% Exchange (1)	1,288	910	1,212	527
	Denominator for diluted net income per share	48,644	47,062	48,088	46,767
	Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from calculations (2):
	Stock options	—	60	—	49
	1.125% Warrants	13,490	13,490	13,490	11,464
	______________________________
	-1	For more information regarding the 3.75% Exchange and 3.75% Notes, refer to Note 11, "Long-Term Debt."
	-2	Potentially dilutive shares issuable pursuant to certain of our employee stock options, 1.125% Warrants (defined in Note 12, "Derivative Financial Instruments"), and 1.625% Notes (defined in Note 11, "Long-Term Debt") were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combinations	'
	Business Combinations
	Health Plans Segment
	South Carolina. In July 2013, we entered into an agreement with Community Health Solutions of America, Inc. (CHS) to acquire certain assets, including the rights to convert certain of CHS’ Medicaid members covered by South Carolina’s full-risk Medicaid managed care program. The conversion conditions under the agreement were satisfied by January 1, 2014, and on that date such Medicaid members were converted to the managed care program and enrolled with our South Carolina health plan. Because the number of Medicaid members we would ultimately convert was unknown as of the acquisition date in 2013, we recorded a contingent consideration liability for such members to be settled when the final purchase price was known in the second quarter of 2014. The total purchase price for the converted Medicaid membership amounted to $57.2 million, of which $49.7 million was paid in the first half of 2014, and $7.5 million was paid when the agreement was executed in 2013. The total amount paid includes indemnification withhold funds transferred to restricted investments amounting to $5.7 million. Any unused and remaining portion of such indemnification funds will become unrestricted and released to CHS on the one-year anniversary date of the conversion, or January 1, 2015.
	As part of this transaction, we have also recorded a contingent consideration liability for dual-eligible members we expect to enroll in our Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) implementation in South Carolina. The contingent consideration liability is remeasured to fair value at each quarter until the contingency is resolved with fair value adjustments, if any, recorded to operations. As of September 30, 2014, the fair value of the remaining contingent consideration liability for the MMP implementation amounted to $1.5 million.
	The aggregate contingent consideration liability fair value adjustments for the South Carolina transaction have resulted in a gain of $4.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	New Mexico. In August 2013, our New Mexico health plan acquired Lovelace Community Health Plan’s contract for the state of New Mexico's Medicaid program. In addition to Lovelace's Medicaid members, we also added membership previously covered under New Mexico’s State Coverage Insurance (SCI) program with Lovelace. Effective January 1, 2014, these SCI members were either enrolled in New Mexico's Medicaid program, or eligible to enroll in New Mexico’s Marketplace. Because the number of SCI members we would ultimately retain was unknown as of the acquisition date in 2013, we recorded a contingent consideration liability for such members to be settled when the final purchase price was known in the second quarter of 2014. The aggregate contingent consideration liability fair value adjustments for the New Mexico transaction have resulted in a gain of $1.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	Florida. In August 2014, our Florida health plan acquired certain assets relating to the Medicaid business of Healthy Palm Beaches, Inc. The final purchase price for this acquisition was $7.5 million. The Florida health plan's membership increased by approximately 11,000 members as a result of this transaction.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	In March 2014, our named executive officers were granted a total of 356,292 restricted shares with service, market, and performance conditions. In the event the vesting conditions are not achieved, the awards will lapse. As of September 30, 2014, we expect the performance conditions to be met in full.
	Charged to general and administrative expenses, total stock-based compensation expense was as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Restricted stock and performance awards	$	4,774		$	7,634	$	13,596	$	18,593
	Employee stock purchase plan and stock options	885			870		2,519		2,061
		$	5,659		$	8,504	$	16,115	$	20,654
	As of September 30, 2014, there was $28.6 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards, including those with performance conditions, which we expect to recognize over a remaining weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
	Restricted and performance stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is summarized below:
		Shares		Weighted
				Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Unvested balance as of December 31, 2013	1,299,852		$	29.03
	Granted	656,452		36.68
	Vested	(597,301	)	27.7
	Forfeited	(60,742	)	31.2
	Unvested balance as of September 30, 2014	1,298,261		33.4
	The total fair value of restricted and performance awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $24.8 million and $33.3 million, respectively. The total fair value of restricted awards, including those with performance and market conditions, which vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $22.5 million and $19.3 million, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Our consolidated balance sheets include the following financial instruments: cash and cash equivalents, investments, receivables, other assets, trade accounts payable, medical claims and benefits payable, long-term debt, and other liabilities. We consider the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, other current assets and current liabilities (excluding contingent consideration) to approximate their fair values because of the relatively short period of time between the origination of these instruments and their expected realization or payment. For our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis, we prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value according to a three-tier fair value hierarchy as follows:
	Level 1 — Observable Inputs
	Level 1 financial instruments recorded at fair value consist of investments including government-sponsored enterprise securities (GSEs) and U.S. treasury notes that are classified as current investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. These financial instruments are actively traded and therefore the fair value for these securities is based on quoted market prices on one or more securities exchanges.
	Level 2 — Directly or Indirectly Observable Inputs
	Level 2 financial instruments recorded at fair value consist of investments including corporate debt securities, municipal securities, and certificates of deposit that are classified as current investments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Such investments are traded frequently though not necessarily daily. Fair value for these investments is determined using a market approach based on quoted prices for similar securities in active markets or quoted prices for identical securities in inactive markets.
	Level 3 — Unobservable Inputs
	Derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments include the 1.125% Call Option derivative asset and the 1.125% Notes Conversion Option derivative liability. These derivatives are not actively traded and are valued based on an option pricing model that uses observable and unobservable market data for inputs. Significant market data inputs used to determine fair value as of September 30, 2014 included our common stock price, time to maturity of the derivative instruments, the risk-free interest rate, and the implied volatility of our common stock. As described further in Note 12, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” the 1.125% Call Option asset and the 1.125% Notes Conversion Option liability were designed such that changes in their fair values would offset, with minimal impact to the consolidated statements of income. Therefore, the sensitivity of changes in the unobservable inputs to the option pricing model for such instruments is mitigated.
	Contingent consideration liability. Such liability relates to our South Carolina health plan acquisition described in Note 4, "Business Combinations," and is recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. We applied discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of this liability. Significant unobservable inputs primarily related to the probability weighted present value of the purchase price estimate for the projected membership.
	Auction rate securities. Auction rate securities are designated as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value in other assets. To estimate the fair value of these securities we use valuation data from our primary pricing source, a third party who provides a marketplace for illiquid assets with over 10,000 participants. This valuation data is based on a range of prices that represent indicative bids from potential buyers. To validate the reasonableness of the data, we compare these valuations to data from other third-party pricing sources, which also provide a range of prices representing indicative bids from potential buyers. We have concluded that these estimates, given the lack of market available pricing, provide a reasonable basis for determining the fair value of the auction rate securities as of September 30, 2014.
	Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014, were as follows:
		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	553,936		$	—	$	553,936		$	—
	Municipal securities	96,873			—		96,873			—
	GSEs	99,254			99,254		—			—
	U.S. treasury notes	41,031			41,031		—			—
	Certificates of deposit	51,589			—		51,589			—
	Auction rate securities	6,891			—		—			6,891
	1.125% Call Option derivative asset	222,997			—		—			222,997
	Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	1,072,571		$	140,285	$	702,398		$	229,888
	1.125% Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	$	222,877		$	—	$	—		$	222,877
	Contingent consideration liability	1,500			—		—			1,500
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	224,377		$	—	$	—		$	224,377
	Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013, were as follows:
		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	449,772		$	—	$	449,772		$	—
	Municipal securities	113,330			—		113,330			—
	GSEs	68,817			68,817		—			—
	U.S. treasury notes	37,376			37,376		—			—
	Certificates of deposit	33,757			—		33,757			—
	Auction rate securities	10,898			—		—			10,898
	1.125% Call Option derivative asset	186,351			—		—			186,351
	Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	900,301		$	106,193	$	596,859		$	197,249
	1.125 % Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	$	186,239		$	—	$	—		$	186,239
	Contingent consideration liabilities	57,548			—		—			57,548
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	243,787		$	—	$	—		$	243,787
	The following table presents activity relating to our assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
		Change in Level 3 Instruments
		Auction Rate Securities			Derivatives, Net		Contingent Consideration Liabilities
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	10,898		$	112	$	(57,548	)
	Total gains for the period recognized in:
	General and administrative expenses	—			—		5,699
	Other expenses, net	—			8		—
	Other comprehensive income	193			—		—
	Settlements	(4,200		)	—		50,349
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	6,891		$	120	$	(1,500	)
	Fair Value Measurements – Disclosure Only
	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our convertible senior notes, which are classified as Level 2 financial instruments, are indicated in the following table. Fair value for these securities is determined using a market approach based on quoted prices for similar securities in active markets or quoted prices for identical securities in inactive markets.
		30-Sep-14
		Carrying			Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	1.125% Notes	$	430,484		$	649,770	$	—		$	649,770	$	—
	1.625% Notes	266,726			302,908		—			302,908		—
	3.75% Notes	10,449			15,290		—			15,290		—
		$	707,659		$	967,968	$	—		$	967,968	$	—
		31-Dec-13
		Carrying			Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
1.125% Notes	$	416,368		$	572,627	$	—		$	572,627	$	—
3.75% Notes	181,872			219,491		—			219,491		—
	$	598,240		$	792,118	$	—		$	792,118	$	—

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	The following tables summarize our investments as of the dates indicated:
		30-Sep-14
		Amortized		Gross					Estimated
				Unrealized					Fair
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	554,359	$	448	$	871		$	553,936
	Municipal securities	96,899		179		205			96,873
	GSEs	99,436		16		198			99,254
	U.S. treasury notes	41,074		13		56			41,031
	Certificates of deposit	51,601		3		15			51,589
	Subtotal - current investments	843,369		659		1,345			842,683
	Auction rate securities	7,200		—		309			6,891
		$	850,569	$	659	$	1,654		$	849,574
		31-Dec-13
		Amortized		Gross					Estimated
				Unrealized					Fair
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	450,162	$	442	$	832		$	449,772
	Municipal securities	114,126		119		915			113,330
	GSEs	68,898		6		87			68,817
	U.S. treasury notes	37,360		44		28			37,376
	Certificates of deposit	33,756		2		1			33,757
	Subtotal - current investments	704,302		613		1,863			703,052
	Auction rate securities	11,400		—		502			10,898
		$	715,702	$	613	$	2,365		$	713,950
	The contractual maturities of our investments as of September 30, 2014 are summarized below:
		Amortized Cost		Estimated
				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	312,449	$	312,493
	Due one year through five years	530,920		530,190
	Due after ten years	7,200		6,891
		$	850,569	$	849,574
	Gross realized gains and losses from sales of available-for-sale securities are calculated under the specific identification method and are included in investment income. Gross realized investment gains and losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were insignificant.
	We monitor our investments for other-than-temporary impairment. For investments other than our auction rate securities, discussed below, we have determined that unrealized gains and losses at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, are temporary in nature, because the change in market value for these securities has resulted from fluctuating interest rates, rather than a deterioration of the credit worthiness of the issuers. So long as we hold these securities to maturity, we are unlikely to experience gains or losses. In the event that we dispose of these securities before maturity, we expect that realized gains or losses, if any, will be immaterial.
	The following table segregates those available-for-sale investments that have been in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months, and those that have been in a continuous loss position for 12 months or more as of September 30, 2014:
		In a Continuous Loss Position						In a Continuous Loss Position
		for Less than 12 Months						for 12 Months or More
		Estimated		Unrealized		Total		Estimated			Unrealized		Total
		Fair		Losses		Number of		Fair			Losses		Number of
		Value				Securities		Value					Securities
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	231,598	$	639	163		$	43,112		$	232	13
	Municipal securities	39,331		90		34		13,419			115		14
	GSEs	71,602		161		21		5,992			37		6
	U.S. treasury notes	21,545		51		12		4,245			5		2
	Certificates of deposit	11,762		15		49		—			—		—
	Auction rate securities	—		—		—		6,891			309		10
		$	375,838	$	956	279		$	73,659		$	698	45
	The following table segregates those available-for-sale investments that have been in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months, and those that have been in a continuous loss position for 12 months or more as of December 31, 2013:
		In a Continuous Loss Position						In a Continuous Loss Position
		for Less than 12 Months						for 12 Months or More
		Estimated		Unrealized		Total		Estimated			Unrealized		Total
		Fair		Losses		Number of		Fair			Losses		Number of
		Value				Securities		Value					Securities
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	210,057	$	802	91		$	2,540		$	30	3
	Municipal securities	30,715		398		49		31,091			517		39
	GSEs	53,308		87		21		—			—		—
	U.S. treasury notes	12,037		28		11		—			—		—
Certificates of deposit	414		1		2		—			—		—
Auction rate securities	—		—		—		10,898			502		15
	$	306,531	$	1,316	174		$	44,529		$	1,049	57
Auction Rate Securities. Due to events in the credit markets, the auction rate securities held by us experienced failed auctions beginning in the first quarter of 2008, and such auctions have not resumed. Therefore, quoted prices in active markets have not been available since early 2008. Our investments in auction rate securities are collateralized by student loan portfolios guaranteed by the U.S. government, and the range of maturities for such securities is from 16 years to 32 years. Considering the insignificance of these securities when compared with our liquid assets and other sources of liquidity, we have no current intention of selling these securities nor do we expect to be required to sell these securities before a recovery in their cost basis. For this reason, and because the decline in the fair value of the auction rate securities was not due to the credit quality of the issuers, we do not consider the auction rate securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2014. At the time of the first failed auctions during first quarter 2008, we held a total of $82.1 million in auction rate securities at par value; since that time, we have settled $74.9 million of these instruments at par value.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we recorded pretax unrealized gains of $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, to accumulated other comprehensive income for the changes in their fair value. Any future fluctuation in fair value related to these instruments that we deem to be temporary, including any recoveries of previous write-downs, would be recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income. If we determine that any future impairment is other-than-temporary, we will record a charge to earnings as appropriate.

Receivables

Receivables	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Receivables	'
	Receivables
	Receivables consist primarily of amounts due from the various states in which we operate, which may be subject to potential retroactive adjustments. Because all of our receivable amounts are readily determinable and substantially all of our creditors are state governments, our allowance for doubtful accounts is immaterial.
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	California	$	184,368	$	148,654
	Florida	7,599		2,901
	Illinois	3,412		5,773
	Michigan	21,327		15,253
	New Mexico	28,393		17,056
	Ohio	66,839		43,969
	South Carolina	4,229		—
	Texas	14,608		9,736
	Utah	9,274		10,953
	Washington	33,214		13,455
	Wisconsin	12,492		8,087
	Direct delivery and other	8,240		2,463
	Total Health Plans segment	393,995		278,300
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	31,688		20,635
		$	425,683	$	298,935

Restricted_Investments

Restricted Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Restricted Investments	'
	Restricted Investments
	Pursuant to the regulations governing our Health Plans segment subsidiaries, we maintain statutory deposits and deposits required by state authorities in certificates of deposit and U.S. treasury securities. We also maintain restricted investments as protection against the insolvency of certain capitated providers. Additionally, in connection with the Molina Medicaid Solutions contract with the state of Maine, we maintain restricted investments as collateral for a letter of credit. The following table presents the balances of restricted investments:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	California	$	373	$	373
	Florida	23,291		9,242
	Illinois	312		310
	Michigan	1,014		1,014
	New Mexico	31,132		24,622
	Ohio	12,719		9,080
	South Carolina	6,038		310
	Texas	3,500		3,500
	Utah	3,601		3,301
	Washington	151		151
	Other	5,987		886
	Total Health Plans segment	88,118		52,789
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	5,001		10,304
		$	93,119	$	63,093
	The contractual maturities of our held-to-maturity restricted investments as of September 30, 2014 are summarized below:
		Amortized		Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	92,807	$	92,817
	Due one year through five years	312		312
		$	93,119	$	93,129

Medical_Claims_and_Benefits_Pa

Medical Claims and Benefits Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Medical Claims and Benefits Payable	'
	Medical Claims and Benefits Payable
	The following table provides the details of our medical claims and benefits payable (including amounts payable for the provision of long-term services and supports, or LTSS) as of the dates indicated:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Fee-for-service claims incurred but not paid (IBNP)	$	796,433		$	424,173
	Pharmacy payable	62,322			45,037
	Capitation payable	31,535			20,267
	Other	233,556			180,310
		$	1,123,846		$	669,787
	"Other" medical claims and benefits payable include amounts payable to certain providers for which we act as an intermediary on behalf of various state agencies without assuming financial risk. Such receipts and payments do not impact our consolidated statements of income. Such non-risk provider payables amounted to $136.0 million and $151.3 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	The following table presents the components of the change in our medical claims and benefits payable from continuing and discontinued operations combined for the periods indicated. The amounts presented for “Components of medical care costs related to: Prior period” represent the amount by which our original estimate of medical claims and benefits payable at the beginning of the period were more than the actual amount of the liability based on information (principally the payment of claims) developed since that liability was first reported.
		Nine Months Ended			Year Ended
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balances at beginning of period	$	669,787		$	494,530
	Components of medical care costs related to:
	Current period	5,795,404			5,434,443
	Prior period	(41,033		)	(52,779		)
	Total medical care costs	5,754,371			5,381,664
	Change in non-risk provider payables	(15,344		)	111,267
	Payments for medical care costs related to:
	Current period	4,841,429			4,932,195
	Prior period	443,539			385,479
	Total paid	5,284,968			5,317,674
	Balances at end of period	$	1,123,846		$	669,787
	Benefit from prior period as a percentage of:
	Balance at beginning of period	6.1		%	10.7		%
	Premium revenue, trailing twelve months	0.5		%	0.9		%
	Medical care costs, trailing twelve months	0.6		%	1		%
	Assuming that our initial estimate of IBNP is accurate, we believe that amounts ultimately paid out would generally be between 8% and 10% less than the liability recorded at the end of the period as a result of the inclusion in that liability of the allowance for adverse claims development and the accrued cost of settling those claims. Because the amount of our initial liability is merely an estimate (and therefore not perfectly accurate), we will always experience variability in that estimate as new information becomes available with the passage of time. Therefore, there can be no assurance that amounts ultimately paid out will fall within the range of 8% to 10% lower than the liability that was initially recorded. Furthermore, because our initial estimate of IBNP is derived from many factors, some of which are qualitative in nature rather than quantitative, we are seldom able to assign specific values to the reasons for a change in estimate – we only know when the circumstances for any one or more factors are out of the ordinary.
	As indicated above, the amounts ultimately paid out on our liabilities in fiscal years 2014 and 2013 were less than what we had expected when we established our reserves. For example, for the year ended December 31, 2013, the amounts ultimately paid out were less than the amount of the reserves we had established as of December 31, 2012 by 10.7%. While many related factors working in conjunction with one another determine the accuracy of our estimates, we are seldom able to quantify the impact that any single factor has on a change in estimate. In addition, given the variability inherent in the reserving process, we will only be able to identify specific factors if they represent a significant departure from expectations. As a result, we do not expect to be able to fully quantify the impact of individual factors on changes in estimates.
	While prior period development of our estimate as of December 31, 2013 through September 30, 2014 has been favorable by $41.0 million, that amount is substantially less than the favorable prior period development of $52.8 million that we recognized in all of 2013.
	In estimating our claims liability at September 30, 2014, we adjusted our base calculation to take account of the numerous factors that we believe will likely change our final claims liability amount. We believe the most significant among those factors are:
	•	Since January 1, 2014, we have added 314,500 members under Medicaid expansion in six of our health plans. Because these members are transitioning into managed care, and have different demographics than those of our legacy membership, we have little insight into their utilization of medical services. Additionally, as of September 30, 2014, we have relatively little medical claims payment history related to Medicaid expansion membership in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio because such membership was enrolled in these states later in the year. Accordingly, our estimates of the claims liability for this population are subject to a higher degree of uncertainty.
	•	Since January 1, 2014, we have added 118,000 new members at our South Carolina health plan. Because we have only nine months of claims payment history, the reserves are subject to greater uncertainty than that of our legacy Medicaid membership.
	•	At our New Mexico health plan, the state has been adding approximately 10,000 to 15,000 members per month on a retroactive basis since March 2014. Because we have no claims payment history for these members, our estimates of the claims liability for this population are subject to a higher degree of uncertainty. However, for these members, the state will reimburse the health plan for claims with dates of service during the retroactive period on a cost-plus basis, i.e., for claims paid plus an administration fee.
	•	Beginning in the third quarter of 2014, there was a substantial backlog of inpatient claims at our Washington health plan. This backlog was a result of payments held as the state of Washington considered whether to adjust its payment methodology for inpatient claims. We have adjusted the inpatient reserves to reflect the estimated impact of the claims backlog.
	The use of a consistent methodology in estimating our liability for medical claims and benefits payable minimizes the degree to which the under- or overestimation of that liability at the close of one period may affect consolidated results of operations in subsequent periods. In particular, the use of a consistent methodology should result in the replenishment of reserves during any given period in a manner that generally offsets the benefit of favorable prior period development in that period. Facts and circumstances unique to the estimation process at any single date, however, may still lead to a material impact on consolidated results of operations in subsequent periods. Any absence of adverse claims development (as well as the expensing through general and administrative expense of the costs to settle claims held at the start of the period) will lead to the recognition of a benefit from prior period claims development in the period subsequent to the date of the original estimate. In 2013, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the absence of adverse development of the liability for medical claims and benefits payable at the close of the previous period resulted in the recognition of substantial favorable prior period development. In both periods, however, the recognition of a benefit from prior period claims development did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations because the replenishment of reserves in the respective periods generally offset the benefit from the prior period.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-Term Debt
	As of September 30, 2014, maturities of long-term debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
		Total		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	550,000
	1.625% Notes (1)	301,551		—		—		—		—		—		301,551
	3.75% Notes	10,449		10,449		—		—		—		—		—
		$	862,000	$	10,449	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	851,551
	-1	The 1.625% Notes have a contractual maturity date in 2044; however, on specified dates beginning in 2018 as described below, holders of the 1.625% Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the 1.625% Notes.
	1.125% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2020. In February 2013, we issued $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.125% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (the 1.125% Notes), which were outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Interest on the 1.125% Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15, at a rate of 1.125% per annum. The 1.125% Notes will mature on January 15, 2020 unless repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The 1.125% Notes are convertible only into cash, and not into shares of our common stock or any other securities.
	The initial conversion rate for the 1.125% Notes is 24.5277 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 1.125% Notes. This represents an initial conversion price of approximately $40.77 per share of our common stock. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment in some events but will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest.
	The 1.125% Notes contain an embedded cash conversion option (the 1.125% Notes Conversion Option), which was separated from the 1.125% Notes and accounted for separately as a derivative liability, with changes in fair value reported in our consolidated statements of income until the 1.125% Notes Conversion Option transaction settles or expires. The initial fair value liability of the 1.125% Notes Conversion Option simultaneously reduced the carrying value of the 1.125% Notes (effectively an original issuance discount). This discount is amortized to the 1.125% Notes' principal amount through the recognition of non-cash interest expense over the expected life of the debt. This has resulted in our recognition of interest expense on the 1.125% Notes at an effective rate approximating what we would have incurred had nonconvertible debt with otherwise similar terms been issued, or approximately 5.9%. As of September 30, 2014, we expect the 1.125% Notes to be outstanding until their January 15, 2020 maturity date, for a remaining amortization period of 5.3 years. The 1.125% Notes' if-converted value exceeded their principal amount by approximately $48 million as of September 30, 2014, and did not exceed their principal amount as of December 31, 2013.
	3.75% Exchange. In August 2014, we entered into separate, privately negotiated, exchange agreements (the 3.75% Exchange) with certain holders of our outstanding 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 (the 3.75% Notes). In this transaction, we exchanged $176.6 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.75% Notes for $176.6 million aggregate principal amount of 1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2044 (the 1.625% Notes, see further discussion below), approximately 1.7 million shares of our common stock (the Exchange Shares), and payment of accrued interest on the exchanged 3.75% Notes. In connection with the 3.75% Exchange, we did not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the 1.625% Notes or the Exchange Shares.
	1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2044. In addition to the 1.625% Notes issued in connection with the 3.75% Exchange described above, we issued $125.0 million principal amount of 1.625% Notes in September 2014, amounting to $301.6 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under the 1.625% Notes as of September 30, 2014. The proceeds from the issuance of the $125.0 million principal amount of the 1.625% Notes amounted to $123.4 million, including a premium of $0.6 million, and net of deferred issuance costs paid. In connection with the 1.625% Notes, we have recorded total deferred issuance costs of approximately $6 million, which will be amortized over the expected term of the debt (discussed below).
	Interest on the 1.625% Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, at a rate of 1.625% per annum, beginning on February 15, 2015. The 1.625% Notes will mature on August 15, 2044 unless repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. In addition, beginning with the semiannual interest period commencing immediately following the interest payment date on August 15, 2018, contingent interest will accrue on the 1.625% Notes during any semiannual interest period in which certain conditions are satisfied, or under certain events of default. Furthermore, additional interest of 0.25% per year will be payable on the 1.625% Notes for any semiannual interest period for which the principal amount of 1.625% Notes outstanding is less than $100 million.
	The initial conversion rate for the 1.625% Notes is 17.2157 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 1.625% Notes. This represents an initial conversion price of approximately $58.09 per share of our common stock. Upon conversion, we will pay cash and, if applicable, deliver shares of our common stock to the converting holder in an amount per $1,000 principal amount of 1.625% Notes equal to the settlement amount (as defined in the related indenture). We may not redeem the 1.625% Notes prior to August 19, 2018. On or after August 19, 2018, we may redeem for cash all or part of the 1.625% Notes, except for the 1.625% Notes we are required to repurchase in connection with a fundamental change (as defined in the related indenture) or on any specified repurchase date (as defined in the indenture). The redemption price for the 1.625% Notes will equal 100% of the principal amount of the 1.625% Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, holders of the 1.625% Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the 1.625% Notes for cash on August 19, 2018, August 19, 2024, August 19, 2029, August 19, 2034 and August 19, 2039, in each case, at a specified price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 1.625% Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
	Because the 1.625% Notes have cash settlement features, we have allocated the principal amount between a liability component and an equity component. The reduced carrying value on the 1.625% Notes resulted in a debt discount that is amortized back to the 1.625% Notes' principal amount through the recognition of non-cash interest expense over the expected life of the debt. The expected life of the debt is approximately four years, beginning on the issuance date and ending on the first date we may redeem the notes in August 2018. This has resulted in our recognition of interest expense on the 1.625% Notes at an effective rate approximating what we would have incurred had nonconvertible debt with otherwise similar terms been issued, or approximately 5%. The outstanding 1.625% Notes’ if-converted value did not exceed principal amount as of September 30, 2014. At September 30, 2014, the equity component of the 1.625% Notes, including the impact of deferred taxes, was $22.6 million.
	3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014. We had $10.4 million and $187.0 million of the 3.75% Notes outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. As described above, we entered into the 3.75% Exchange transaction in August 2014, under which we exchanged $176.6 million of the outstanding principal amount of the 3.75% Notes for the 1.625% Notes. The remaining $10.4 million principal amount outstanding as of September 30, 2014 was repaid in full in early October 2014. In addition to the repayment of the outstanding principal balance, in early October 2014 we issued approximately 0.1 million shares to settle the 3.75% Notes' conversion feature.
	Because the 3.75% Notes had cash settlement features, we allocated the principal amount between a liability component and an equity component. The reduced carrying value on the 3.75% Notes resulted in a debt discount that was amortized back to the 3.75% Notes' principal amount through the recognition of non-cash interest expense over the expected life of the debt. This resulted in our recognition of interest expense on the 3.75% Notes at an effective rate approximating what we would have incurred had nonconvertible debt with otherwise similar terms been issued, or 7.5%. The outstanding 3.75% Notes’ if-converted value exceeded their principal amount by approximately $4 million and $11 million as of September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	The principal amounts, unamortized discount (net of premium related to the 1.625% Notes), and net carrying amounts of the convertible senior notes were as follows:
		Principal Balance		Unamortized Discount		Net Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
	September 30, 2014:
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	119,516	$	430,484
	1.625% Notes	301,551		34,825		266,726
	3.75% Notes	10,449		—		10,449
		$	862,000	$	154,341	$	707,659
	December 31, 2013:
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	133,632	$	416,368
	3.75% Notes	187,000		5,128		181,872
		$	737,000	$	138,760	$	598,240
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Interest cost recognized for the period relating to the:
	Contractual interest coupon rate	$	3,132	$	3,300	$	9,732	$	9,127
	Amortization of the discount	6,455		6,059		19,183		15,747
	Total interest cost recognized	$	9,587	$	9,359	$	28,915	$	24,874
	Lease Financing Obligations. In 2013 we entered into a sale-leaseback transaction for the sale and contemporaneous leaseback of the Molina Center located in Long Beach, California, and our Ohio health plan office building in Columbus, Ohio. Due to our continuing involvement with these leased properties, the sale did not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting treatment and we remain the "accounting owner" of the properties. These assets continue to be included in our consolidated balance sheets, and also continue to be depreciated and amortized over their remaining useful lives. The lease financing obligation is amortized over the 25-year lease term such that there will be no gain or loss recorded if the lease is not extended at the end of its term. Payments under the lease adjust the lease financing obligation, and the imputed interest is recorded to interest expense in our consolidated statements of income. Such interest expense amounted to $9.3 million and $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	As described and defined in further detail in Note 16, "Related Party Transactions," we entered into a lease for office space in February 2013 consisting of two office buildings then under construction. We have concluded that we are the accounting owner of the properties due to our continuing involvement with the properties. We have recorded $38.9 million to property, equipment and capitalized software, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014, which represents the total cost, including imputed interest, incurred by the Landlord for the construction of the buildings, net of accumulated depreciation. As of September 30, 2014, the aggregate amount recorded to lease financing obligations amounted to $40.7 million. Payments under the lease adjust the lease financing obligation, and the imputed interest is recorded to interest expense in our consolidated statements of income. Such interest expense was $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. In addition to the capitalization of the costs incurred by the Landlord, we impute and record rent expense relating to the ground leases for the property sites. Such rent expense is computed based on the fair value of the land and our incremental borrowing rate, and was $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The following table summarizes the fair values and the presentation of our derivative financial instruments (defined and discussed individually below) in the consolidated balance sheets:
		Balance Sheet Location	30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
			(In thousands)
	Derivative asset:
	1.125% Call Option	Non-current assets: Derivative asset	$	222,997	$	186,351
	Derivative liability:
	1.125% Notes Conversion Option	Non-current liabilities: Derivative liability	$	222,877	$	186,239
	Our derivative financial instruments do not qualify for hedge treatment, therefore the change in fair value of these instruments is recognized immediately in our consolidated statements of income, and reported in other expenses, net. Gains and losses for our derivative financial instruments are presented individually in the consolidated statements of cash flows, supplemental cash flow information.
	1.125% Notes Call Spread Overlay. Concurrent with the issuance of the 1.125% Notes in 2013 as described in Note 11, "Long-Term Debt," we entered into privately negotiated hedge transactions (collectively, the 1.125% Call Option) and warrant transactions (collectively, the 1.125% Warrants), with certain of the initial purchasers of the 1.125% Notes (the Counterparties). We refer to these transactions collectively as the Call Spread Overlay. Under the Call Spread Overlay, the cost of the 1.125% Call Option we purchased to cover the cash outlay upon conversion of the 1.125% Notes was reduced by proceeds from the sale of the 1.125% Warrants. Assuming full performance by the Counterparties (and 1.125% Warrants strike prices in excess of the conversion price of the 1.125% Notes), these transactions are intended to offset cash payments due upon any conversion of the 1.125% Notes.
	1.125% Call Option. The 1.125% Call Option, which is indexed to our common stock, is a derivative asset that requires mark-to-market accounting treatment due to cash settlement features until the 1.125% Call Option settles or expires. For further discussion of the inputs used to determine the fair value of the 1.125% Call Option, refer to Note 6, "Fair Value Measurements."
	1.125% Notes Conversion Option. The embedded cash conversion option within the 1.125% Notes is accounted for separately as a derivative liability, with changes in fair value reported in our consolidated statements of income until the cash conversion option settles or expires. For further discussion of the inputs used to determine the fair value of the 1.125% Notes Conversion Option, refer to Note 6, "Fair Value Measurements."

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders' Equity
	Stockholders' equity increased $71.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared with stockholders' equity at December 31, 2013. The increase was due to net income of $28.4 million, $25.0 million related to 1.625% Notes and 3.75% Exchange, $0.5 million related to other comprehensive income and $17.5 million related to employee stock transactions.
	3.75% Exchange and 3.75% Notes. As described in Note 11, "Long-Term Debt," we issued approximately 1.7 million shares in connection with the exchange of our 3.75% Notes for the 1.625% Notes in the third quarter of 2014. Additionally, we issued 0.1 million shares in connection with the conversion of the 3.75% Notes in the fourth quarter of 2014.
	1.125% Warrants. If the market value per share of our common stock exceeds the strike price of the 1.125% Warrants on any trading day during the 160 trading day measurement period under the 1.125% Warrants, we will be obligated to issue to the Counterparties a number of shares equal in value to the product of the amount by which such market value exceeds such strike price and 1/160th of the aggregate number of shares of our common stock underlying the 1.125% Warrants, subject to a share delivery cap. We will not receive any additional proceeds if the 1.125% Warrants are exercised. Pursuant to the 1.125% Warrants, we issued 13,490,236 warrants with a strike price of $53.8475 per share. The number of warrants and the strike price are subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. The 1.125% Warrants could separately have a dilutive effect to the extent that the market value per share of our common stock (as measured under the terms of the warrant transactions) exceeds the applicable strike price of the 1.125% Warrants.
	Securities Repurchases and Repurchase Program. Effective September 30, 2013, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50.0 million in aggregate of our common stock through December 31, 2014. Stock repurchases under this program may be made through open-market and/or privately negotiated transactions at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements and other market conditions. As of September 30, 2014, the remaining balance available to repurchase our stock under this program was $47.3 million.
	Shelf Registration Statement. In May 2012, we filed an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC covering the issuance of an indeterminate number of our securities, including common stock, warrants, or debt securities. We may publicly offer securities from time to time at prices and terms to be determined at the time of the offering.
	Stock Plans. In connection with our equity incentive plans, we issued approximately 643,000 shares of common stock, net of shares used to settle employees’ income tax obligations, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	We report our financial performance based on two reportable segments: the Health Plans segment and the Molina Medicaid Solutions segment. Our reportable segments are consistent with how we manage the business and view the markets we serve. Our Health Plans segment consists of our state health plans and our direct delivery business. Our state health plans represent operating segments that have been aggregated for reporting purposes because they share similar economic characteristics.
	Our Molina Medicaid Solutions segment provides MMIS design, development, implementation; business process outsourcing solutions; hosting services; and information technology support services to state Medicaid agencies.
	We rely on an internal management reporting process that provides segment information to the operating income level for purposes of making financial decisions and allocating resources. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2, "Significant Accounting Policies." The cost of services shared between the Health Plans and Molina Medicaid Solutions segment is charged to the Health Plans segment.
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Revenue from continuing operations:
	Health Plans segment:
	Premium revenue	$	2,316,759	$	1,584,656	$	6,424,238	$	4,583,818
	Premium tax revenue	81,240		43,723		203,053		127,606
	Health insurer fee revenue	29,427		—		67,785		—
	Investment income	2,041		1,740		5,615		4,884
	Other revenue	2,327		5,860		8,523		16,476
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment:
	Service revenue	52,557		51,100		156,419		150,528
	Total revenue	$	2,484,351	$	1,687,079	$	6,865,633	$	4,883,312
	Income from continuing operations before income tax:
	Health Plans segment	$	29,874	$	16,929	$	65,879	$	118,600
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	9,905		7,997		30,594		20,645
	Total operating income from continuing operations	39,779		24,926		96,473		139,245
	Other expenses, net	15,282		13,508		43,044		41,583
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	$	24,497	$	11,418	$	53,429	$	97,662

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Legal Proceedings. The health care and business process outsourcing industries are subject to numerous laws and regulations of federal, state, and local governments. Compliance with these laws and regulations can be subject to government review and interpretation, as well as regulatory actions unknown and unasserted at this time. Penalties associated with violations of these laws and regulations include significant fines and penalties, exclusion from participating in publicly funded programs, and the repayment of previously billed and collected revenues.
	We are involved in legal actions in the ordinary course of business, some of which seek monetary damages, including claims for punitive damages, which are not covered by insurance. We have accrued liabilities for certain matters for which we deem the loss to be both probable and estimable. Although we believe that our estimates of such losses are reasonable, these estimates could change as a result of further developments of these matters. The outcome of legal actions is inherently uncertain and such pending matters for which accruals have not been established have not progressed sufficiently through discovery and/or development of important factual information and legal issues to enable us to estimate a range of possible loss, if any. While it is not possible to accurately predict or determine the eventual outcomes of these items, an adverse determination in one or more of these pending matters could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	Washington Health Plan. In September 2014, our Washington health plan paid $19.2 million to the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) to settle two outstanding overpayment matters. The matters related to demands for recoupment of claims for psychotropic drugs and claims for health plan members under the Washington Community Options Program Entry System (COPES). Additionally, in September 2014 HCA paid our Washington health plan $8.0 million to settle certain matters brought by the Washington health plan related to auto-assignment provisions in the parties' contract. The net effect of these settlements resulted in a premium revenue reduction of $11.2 million in the third quarter of 2014, and resolved all pending disputes between the parties.
	State of Louisiana. On June 26, 2014, the State of Louisiana filed a Petition for Damages against Molina Medicaid Solutions, Molina Healthcare, Inc., Unisys Corporation, and Paramax Systems Corporation, a subsidiary of Unisys, in the Parish of Baton Rouge, 19th Judicial District. The Petition alleges that between 1989 and 2012, the defendants utilized an incorrect reimbursement formula for the payment of pharmaceutical claims. We believe we have several meritorious defenses to the claims of the state, and any liability for the alleged claims is not currently probable or reasonably estimable.
	USA and State of Florida ex rel. Charles Wilhelm. On July 24, 2014, Molina Healthcare, Inc. and Molina Healthcare of Florida, Inc. were served with a Complaint filed under seal on December 5, 2012 in District Court for the Southern District of Florida by relator, Charles C. Wilhelm, M.D., Case No. 12-24298. The Complaint alleges that, in late 2008 and early 2009, in connection with the acquisition of Florida NetPass by which Molina Healthcare entered into the state of Florida, the defendants failed to adequately staff the plan and provide other services, resulting in a disproportionate number of sicker beneficiaries of Florida NetPass moving back into the Florida fee-for-service Medicaid program. This alleged conduct purportedly resulted in a violation of the federal False Claims Act. Both the United States of America and the State of Florida have declined to intervene. We believe we have several meritorious defenses to the claims of the relator, and any liability for the alleged claims is not currently probable or reasonably estimable.
	United States of America, ex rel., Anita Silingo v. Mobile Medical Examination Services, Inc., et al. On or around October 14, 2014, Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of California Partner Plan, Inc., Mobile Medical Examination Services, Inc. (MedXM), and other health plan defendants were served with a Complaint previously filed under seal in the Central District Court of California by relator, Anita Silingo. The Complaint alleges that MedXM improperly modified medical records and otherwise took inappropriate steps to increase members’ risk adjustment scores, and that the defendants, including Molina Healthcare of California and Molina Healthcare of California Partner Plan, Inc., turned a “blind eye” to these unlawful practices. The Department of Justice has declined to intervene. We believe that we have several meritorious defenses to the claims of the relator, and any liability for the alleged claims is not currently probable or reasonably estimable.
	Provider Claims. Many of our medical contracts are complex in nature and may be subject to differing interpretations regarding amounts due for the provision of various services. Such differing interpretations have led certain medical providers to pursue us for additional compensation. The claims made by providers in such circumstances often involve issues of contract compliance, interpretation, payment methodology, and intent. These claims often extend to services provided by the providers over a number of years.
	Various providers have contacted us seeking additional compensation for claims that we believe to have been settled. These matters, when finally concluded and determined, will not, in our opinion, have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	Regulatory Capital and Dividend Restrictions. Our health plans, which are operated by our respective wholly owned subsidiaries in those states, are subject to state laws and regulations that, among other things, require the maintenance of minimum levels of statutory capital, as defined by each state. Regulators in some states may also attempt to enforce capital requirements upon us that require the retention of net worth in excess of amounts formally required by statute or regulation. Such statues, regulations and informal capital requirements also restrict the timing, payment, and amount of dividends and other distributions that may be paid to us as the sole stockholder. To the extent our subsidiaries must comply with these regulations, they may not have the financial flexibility to transfer funds to us. Based upon current statutes and regulations, the net assets in these subsidiaries (after intercompany eliminations) which may not be transferable to us in the form of loans, advances, or cash dividends was approximately $717 million at September 30, 2014, and $608 million at December 31, 2013. Because of the statutory restrictions that inhibit the ability of our health plans to transfer net assets to us, the amount of retained earnings readily available to pay dividends to our stockholders is generally limited to cash, cash equivalents and investments held by the parent company – Molina Healthcare, Inc. Such cash, cash equivalents and investments amounted to $374.3 million and $365.2 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) adopted rules effective December 31, 1998, which, if implemented by the states, set minimum capitalization requirements for insurance companies, HMOs, and other entities bearing risk for health care coverage. The requirements take the form of risk-based capital (RBC) rules. Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin have adopted these rules, which may vary from state to state. California and Florida have not adopted NAIC risk-based capital requirements for HMOs and have not formally given notice of their intention to do so. Such requirements, if adopted by California and Florida, may increase the minimum capital required for those states.
	As of September 30, 2014, our health plans had aggregate statutory capital and surplus of approximately $798 million compared with the required minimum aggregate statutory capital and surplus of approximately $413 million. All of our health plans were in compliance with the minimum capital requirements at September 30, 2014. We have the ability and commitment to provide additional capital to each of our health plans when necessary to ensure that statutory capital and surplus continue to meet regulatory requirements.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	In February 2013, we entered into a lease with 6th & Pine Development, LLC (the Landlord) for office space located in Long Beach, California. The lease consists of two office buildings, referred to as Building A and Building B.
	The principal members of the Landlord are John C. Molina, our chief financial officer and a director of the Company, and his wife. In addition, in connection with the development of the buildings being leased, John C. Molina has pledged shares of common stock in the Company that he holds as trustee. Dr. J. Mario Molina, our chief executive officer, president, and chairman of the board of directors, holds a partial interest in such shares as trust beneficiary.
	The lease term for Building A commenced in June 2013, and the lease term for Building B commenced in July 2014. The initial lease term for both buildings expires on December 31, 2024, subject to two five-year renewal options. Annual rent for Building A is approximately $3 million, and initial annual rent for Building B is approximately $4 million. Rent increases 3.75% per year during the initial term. Rent during the extension terms will be the greater of then-current rent or fair market rent.
	Refer to Note 17, "Variable Interest Entity," for a discussion of the Joseph M. Molina, M.D. Professional Corporations.

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entity	'
	Variable Interest Entity
	Joseph M. Molina M.D., Professional Corporations. The Joseph M. Molina, M.D. Professional Corporations (JMMPC) were created in 2012 to further advance our direct delivery business. JMMPC's sole shareholder is Dr. J. Mario Molina, our chief executive officer, president, and chairman of the board of directors. Dr. Molina is paid no salary and receives no dividends in connection with his work for, or ownership of, JMMPC. JMMPC provides professional medical services to the general public for routine non-life threatening, outpatient health care needs. Substantially all of the individuals served by JMMPC are members of our health plans. JMMPC does not have agreements to provide professional medical services with any other entities.
	Our wholly owned subsidiary, Molina Medical Management, Inc. (MMM), has entered into services agreements with JMMPC to provide clinic facilities, clinic administrative support staff, patient scheduling services and medical supplies to JMMPC. The services agreements were designed such that JMMPC will operate at break even, ensuring the availability of quality care and access for our health plan members. The services agreements provide that the administrative fees charged to JMMPC by MMM are reviewed annually to assure the achievement of this goal.
	Separately, our California, Florida, New Mexico, Utah and Washington health plans have entered into primary care services agreements with JMMPC. These agreements direct our health plans to perform a monthly reconciliation, to either fund JMMPC's operating deficits, or receive JMMPC's operating surpluses, such that JMMPC will derive no profit or loss. Because the MMM services agreements described above mitigate the likelihood of significant operating deficits or surpluses, such monthly reconciliation amounts are generally insignificant.
	We have determined that JMMPC is a variable interest entity (VIE), and that we are its primary beneficiary. We have reached this conclusion under the power and benefits criterion model according to GAAP. Specifically, we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect JMMPC's economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits that are potentially significant to the VIE, under the agreements described above. Because we are its primary beneficiary, we have consolidated JMMPC. JMMPC's assets may be used to settle only JMMPC's obligations, and JMMPC's creditors have no recourse to the general credit of Molina Healthcare, Inc. As of September 30, 2014, JMMPC had total assets of $12.1 million, and total liabilities of $11.8 million. As of December 31, 2013, JMMPC had total assets of $6.9 million and total liabilities of $6.6 million.
	Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with JMMPC is generally limited to the amounts needed to fund JMMPC's ongoing payroll and employee benefits. We believe that such loss exposure will be immaterial to our consolidated operating results and cash flows for the foreseeable future.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Consolidation and Interim Financial Information	'
	Consolidation and Interim Financial Information
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Molina Healthcare, Inc., its subsidiaries and variable interest entities in which Molina Healthcare, Inc. is considered to be the primary beneficiary. Such variable interest entities are insignificant to our consolidated financial position and results of operations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results as of the date and for the interim periods presented have been included; such adjustments consist of normal recurring adjustments. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The consolidated results of operations for the current interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year ending December 31, 2014.
	The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that users of the interim financial data have either read or have access to our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. Accordingly, certain disclosures that would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the December 31, 2013 audited consolidated financial statements have been omitted. These unaudited consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our December 31, 2013 audited consolidated financial statements.
Premium Revenue – Health Plans Segment	'
	Premium Revenue – Health Plans Segment
	Premium revenue is fixed in advance of the periods covered and, except as described below, is not generally subject to significant accounting estimates. Premium revenues are recognized in the month that members are entitled to receive health care services.
	Certain components of premium revenue are subject to accounting estimates and fall into the following categories:
	-1	Contractual provisions that may adjust or limit revenue or profit:
	Health Plan Medical Cost Floors (Minimums), Medical Cost Corridors, and Administrative Cost Ceilings (Maximums): A portion of certain Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace premiums received by our health plans may be returned if certain minimum amounts are not spent on defined medical care costs. In the aggregate, we recorded a liability under the terms of such contract provisions of $272.6 million and $1.4 million at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively, to accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The increase is primarily driven by contractual provisions relating to the Medicaid expansion program, which began to phase in during January 2014. Beginning in 2014, the health plans may receive additional premiums if amounts spent on medical care costs exceed a defined maximum threshold. In the aggregate, we recorded a receivable under the terms of such contract provisions of $3.6 million at September 30, 2014. Separately, in certain states we may be levied with non-monetary sanctions if certain minimum amounts are not spent on defined medical care costs, or if administrative costs exceed certain amounts.
	Health Plan Profit Sharing and Profit Ceiling: Our contracts with certain states contain profit-sharing or profit ceiling provisions under which we refund amounts to the states if our health plans generate profit above a certain specified percentage, in some cases in accordance with a tiered rebate schedule. In some cases, we are limited in the amount of administrative costs that we may deduct in calculating the refund, if any. As a result of profits in excess of the amount we are allowed to fully retain, we recorded a liability of $24.5 million and $2.5 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Medicare Revenue Risk Adjustment: Based on member encounter data that we submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), our Medicare premiums are subject to retroactive adjustment for both member risk scores and member pharmacy cost experience for up to two years after the original year of service. This adjustment takes into account the acuity of each member’s medical needs relative to what was anticipated when premiums were originally set for that member. In the event that a member requires less acute medical care than was anticipated by the original premium amount, CMS may recover premium from us. In the event that a member requires more acute medical care than was anticipated by the original premium amount, CMS may pay us additional retroactive premium. A similar retroactive reconciliation is undertaken by CMS for our Medicare members’ pharmacy utilization. We estimate the amount of Medicare revenue that will ultimately be realized for the periods presented based on our knowledge of our members’ health care utilization patterns and CMS practices. Based on our knowledge of member health care utilization patterns and expenses we have recorded a net receivable of $18.6 million and $20.8 million for anticipated Medicare risk adjustment premiums at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	-2	Quality incentives:
	At our California, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin health plans, revenue ranging from approximately 1% to 4% of health plan premiums is earned if certain performance measures are met.
	The following table quantifies the quality incentive premium revenue recognized for the periods presented, including the amounts earned in the periods presented and in prior periods. Although the reasonably possible effects of a change in estimate related to quality incentive premium revenue as of September 30, 2014 are not known, we have no reason to believe that the adjustments to prior years noted below are not indicative of the potential future changes in our estimates as of September 30, 2014.
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Maximum available quality incentive premium - current period	$	24,477	$	20,939		$	68,941	$	62,050
	Amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period:
	Earned current period	$	12,921	$	17,538		$	30,935	$	52,483
	Earned prior periods	208		(50		)	3,412		7,759
	Total	$	13,129	$	17,488		$	34,347	60,242
	Total premium revenue recognized for state health plans with quality incentive premiums	$	1,818,375	$	771,615		$	5,005,444	$	2,192,249
Service Revenue and Cost of Service Revenue — Molina Medicaid Solutions Segment	'
	Service Revenue and Cost of Service Revenue – Molina Medicaid Solutions Segment
	The payments received by our Molina Medicaid Solutions segment under its state contracts are based on the performance of multiple services. The first of these is the design, development and implementation (DDI) of a Medicaid management information system (MMIS). An additional service, following completion of DDI, is the operation of the MMIS under a business process outsourcing (BPO) arrangement. When providing BPO services (which include claims payment and eligibility processing) we also provide the state with other services including both hosting and support, and maintenance. Because we have determined the services provided under our Molina Medicaid Solutions contracts represent a single unit of accounting, we recognize revenue associated with such contracts on a straight-line basis over the contract term during which BPO, hosting, and support and maintenance services are delivered. There may be certain contractual provisions containing contingencies, however that require us to delay recognition of all or part of our service revenue until such contingencies have been removed.
	Cost of service revenue consists primarily of the costs incurred to provide BPO and technology outsourcing services under our MMIS contracts. General and administrative costs consist primarily of indirect administrative costs and business development costs. In some circumstances we may defer recognition of incremental direct costs (such as direct labor, hardware, and software) associated with a contract if revenue recognition is also deferred. Such deferred contract costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the contract term, consistent with the revenue recognition period.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is generally greater than the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily because of state taxes, nondeductible health insurer fee expenses, nondeductible compensation and other general and administrative expenses. The effective tax rate may be subject to fluctuations during the year, particularly as a result of the mathematical impact of the level of pretax earnings, and also as new information is obtained. Such information may affect the assumptions used to estimate the annual effective tax rate, including factors such as the mix of pretax earnings in the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate, valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, the recognition or the reversal of the recognition of tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions, and changes in or the interpretation of tax laws in jurisdictions where we conduct business. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities, along with net operating loss and tax credit carryovers.
New Accounting Standards	'
	New Accounting Standards
	Health Insurer Fee. In the first quarter of 2014, we adopted the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) related to accounting for the fees to be paid by health insurers to the federal government under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the Affordable Care Act, or ACA). The ACA imposes an annual fee, or excise tax, on health insurers for each calendar year beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The health insurer fee (HIF) is imposed beginning in 2014, is based on a company's share of the industry's net premiums written during the preceding calendar year, and is payable on September 30 of each year.
	Effective January 1, 2014, we recorded our estimate of the 2014 liability to accounts payable and accrued liabilities. During the third quarter of 2014 we paid our 2014 HIF assessment, which amounted to $88.6 million. This expense is being recognized on a straight-line basis in 2014; and is non-deductible for income tax purposes.
	Because we primarily serve individuals in government-sponsored programs, we must secure additional reimbursement from our state partners for this added cost. We recognize HIF revenue when we have obtained a contractual commitment from a state to reimburse us for the health insurer fee. Such HIF revenue is recognized ratably throughout the year.
	Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The core principal of this ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. This ASU will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2017; early adoption is not permitted. The ASU allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. We are evaluating the transition method that will be elected and the potential effects of the adoption of this ASU on our financial statements.
	Discontinued Operations. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08 - Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposal of Components of an Entity, which raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations by focusing on strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. This ASU will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2015, and is applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issue. We are evaluating the potential effects of the adoption of the ASU on our financial statements.
	Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not have, or are not believed by management to have, a material impact on our present or future consolidated financial statements.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Quality incentive premium revenue recognized	'
	The following table quantifies the quality incentive premium revenue recognized for the periods presented, including the amounts earned in the periods presented and in prior periods. Although the reasonably possible effects of a change in estimate related to quality incentive premium revenue as of September 30, 2014 are not known, we have no reason to believe that the adjustments to prior years noted below are not indicative of the potential future changes in our estimates as of September 30, 2014.
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Maximum available quality incentive premium - current period	$	24,477	$	20,939		$	68,941	$	62,050
	Amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period:
	Earned current period	$	12,921	$	17,538		$	30,935	$	52,483
	Earned prior periods	208		(50		)	3,412		7,759
	Total	$	13,129	$	17,488		$	34,347	60,242
	Total premium revenue recognized for state health plans with quality incentive premiums	$	1,818,375	$	771,615		$	5,005,444	$	2,192,249

Net_Income_Per_Share_Table

Net Income Per Share (Table)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Summary of denominators for the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	'
	The following table sets forth the calculation of the denominators used to compute basic and diluted net income per share:
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,
		2014	2013	2014	2013
		(In thousands)
	Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	46,494	45,683	45,871	46,762
	Weighted-average number of shares:
	Repurchased	—	—	—	(1,375	)
	Issued, 3.75% Exchange (1)	460	—	155	—
	Issued, stock-based compensation and other	37	16	409	321
	Denominator for basic net income per share	46,991	45,699	46,435	45,708
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock-based compensation	365	453	441	532
	3.75% Notes and 3.75% Exchange (1)	1,288	910	1,212	527
	Denominator for diluted net income per share	48,644	47,062	48,088	46,767
	Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from calculations (2):
	Stock options	—	60	—	49
	1.125% Warrants	13,490	13,490	13,490	11,464
	______________________________
	-1	For more information regarding the 3.75% Exchange and 3.75% Notes, refer to Note 11, "Long-Term Debt."
	-2	Potentially dilutive shares issuable pursuant to certain of our employee stock options, 1.125% Warrants (defined in Note 12, "Derivative Financial Instruments"), and 1.625% Notes (defined in Note 11, "Long-Term Debt") were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock based compensation expense	'
	Charged to general and administrative expenses, total stock-based compensation expense was as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Restricted stock and performance awards	$	4,774		$	7,634	$	13,596	$	18,593
	Employee stock purchase plan and stock options	885			870		2,519		2,061
		$	5,659		$	8,504	$	16,115	$	20,654
Restricted share activity	'
	Restricted and performance stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is summarized below:
		Shares		Weighted
				Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Unvested balance as of December 31, 2013	1,299,852		$	29.03
	Granted	656,452		36.68
	Vested	(597,301	)	27.7
	Forfeited	(60,742	)	31.2
	Unvested balance as of September 30, 2014	1,298,261		33.4

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis	'
	Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014, were as follows:
		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	553,936		$	—	$	553,936		$	—
	Municipal securities	96,873			—		96,873			—
	GSEs	99,254			99,254		—			—
	U.S. treasury notes	41,031			41,031		—			—
	Certificates of deposit	51,589			—		51,589			—
	Auction rate securities	6,891			—		—			6,891
	1.125% Call Option derivative asset	222,997			—		—			222,997
	Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	1,072,571		$	140,285	$	702,398		$	229,888
	1.125% Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	$	222,877		$	—	$	—		$	222,877
	Contingent consideration liability	1,500			—		—			1,500
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	224,377		$	—	$	—		$	224,377
	Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013, were as follows:
		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	449,772		$	—	$	449,772		$	—
	Municipal securities	113,330			—		113,330			—
	GSEs	68,817			68,817		—			—
	U.S. treasury notes	37,376			37,376		—			—
	Certificates of deposit	33,757			—		33,757			—
	Auction rate securities	10,898			—		—			10,898
	1.125% Call Option derivative asset	186,351			—		—			186,351
	Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	900,301		$	106,193	$	596,859		$	197,249
	1.125 % Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	$	186,239		$	—	$	—		$	186,239
	Contingent consideration liabilities	57,548			—		—			57,548
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	243,787		$	—	$	—		$	243,787
Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis using unobservable inputs	'
	The following table presents activity relating to our assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
		Change in Level 3 Instruments
		Auction Rate Securities			Derivatives, Net		Contingent Consideration Liabilities
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	10,898		$	112	$	(57,548	)
	Total gains for the period recognized in:
	General and administrative expenses	—			—		5,699
	Other expenses, net	—			8		—
	Other comprehensive income	193			—		—
	Settlements	(4,200		)	—		50,349
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	6,891		$	120	$	(1,500	)
Schedule of fair value, asset and liabilities measured on recurring basis - disclosure only	'
	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our convertible senior notes, which are classified as Level 2 financial instruments, are indicated in the following table. Fair value for these securities is determined using a market approach based on quoted prices for similar securities in active markets or quoted prices for identical securities in inactive markets.
		30-Sep-14
		Carrying			Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	1.125% Notes	$	430,484		$	649,770	$	—		$	649,770	$	—
	1.625% Notes	266,726			302,908		—			302,908		—
	3.75% Notes	10,449			15,290		—			15,290		—
		$	707,659		$	967,968	$	—		$	967,968	$	—
		31-Dec-13
		Carrying			Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	1.125% Notes	$	416,368		$	572,627	$	—		$	572,627	$	—
	3.75% Notes	181,872			219,491		—			219,491		—
		$	598,240		$	792,118	$	—		$	792,118	$	—

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	The following tables summarize our investments as of the dates indicated:
		30-Sep-14
		Amortized		Gross					Estimated
				Unrealized					Fair
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	554,359	$	448	$	871		$	553,936
	Municipal securities	96,899		179		205			96,873
	GSEs	99,436		16		198			99,254
	U.S. treasury notes	41,074		13		56			41,031
	Certificates of deposit	51,601		3		15			51,589
	Subtotal - current investments	843,369		659		1,345			842,683
	Auction rate securities	7,200		—		309			6,891
		$	850,569	$	659	$	1,654		$	849,574
		31-Dec-13
		Amortized		Gross					Estimated
				Unrealized					Fair
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	450,162	$	442	$	832		$	449,772
	Municipal securities	114,126		119		915			113,330
	GSEs	68,898		6		87			68,817
	U.S. treasury notes	37,360		44		28			37,376
	Certificates of deposit	33,756		2		1			33,757
	Subtotal - current investments	704,302		613		1,863			703,052
	Auction rate securities	11,400		—		502			10,898
		$	715,702	$	613	$	2,365		$	713,950
Contractual maturities of investments	'
	The contractual maturities of our investments as of September 30, 2014 are summarized below:
		Amortized Cost		Estimated
				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	312,449	$	312,493
	Due one year through five years	530,920		530,190
	Due after ten years	7,200		6,891
		$	850,569	$	849,574
Schedule of available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position	'
	The following table segregates those available-for-sale investments that have been in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months, and those that have been in a continuous loss position for 12 months or more as of September 30, 2014:
		In a Continuous Loss Position						In a Continuous Loss Position
		for Less than 12 Months						for 12 Months or More
		Estimated		Unrealized		Total		Estimated			Unrealized		Total
		Fair		Losses		Number of		Fair			Losses		Number of
		Value				Securities		Value					Securities
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	231,598	$	639	163		$	43,112		$	232	13
	Municipal securities	39,331		90		34		13,419			115		14
	GSEs	71,602		161		21		5,992			37		6
	U.S. treasury notes	21,545		51		12		4,245			5		2
	Certificates of deposit	11,762		15		49		—			—		—
	Auction rate securities	—		—		—		6,891			309		10
		$	375,838	$	956	279		$	73,659		$	698	45
	The following table segregates those available-for-sale investments that have been in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months, and those that have been in a continuous loss position for 12 months or more as of December 31, 2013:
		In a Continuous Loss Position						In a Continuous Loss Position
		for Less than 12 Months						for 12 Months or More
		Estimated		Unrealized		Total		Estimated			Unrealized		Total
		Fair		Losses		Number of		Fair			Losses		Number of
		Value				Securities		Value					Securities
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	210,057	$	802	91		$	2,540		$	30	3
	Municipal securities	30,715		398		49		31,091			517		39
	GSEs	53,308		87		21		—			—		—
	U.S. treasury notes	12,037		28		11		—			—		—
	Certificates of deposit	414		1		2		—			—		—
	Auction rate securities	—		—		—		10,898			502		15
		$	306,531	$	1,316	174		$	44,529		$	1,049	57

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Summary of Accounts Receivable	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	California	$	184,368	$	148,654
	Florida	7,599		2,901
	Illinois	3,412		5,773
	Michigan	21,327		15,253
	New Mexico	28,393		17,056
	Ohio	66,839		43,969
	South Carolina	4,229		—
	Texas	14,608		9,736
	Utah	9,274		10,953
	Washington	33,214		13,455
	Wisconsin	12,492		8,087
	Direct delivery and other	8,240		2,463
	Total Health Plans segment	393,995		278,300
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	31,688		20,635
		$	425,683	$	298,935

Restricted_Investments_Tables

Restricted Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Summary of restricted investments by health plan	'
	The following table presents the balances of restricted investments:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	California	$	373	$	373
	Florida	23,291		9,242
	Illinois	312		310
	Michigan	1,014		1,014
	New Mexico	31,132		24,622
	Ohio	12,719		9,080
	South Carolina	6,038		310
	Texas	3,500		3,500
	Utah	3,601		3,301
	Washington	151		151
	Other	5,987		886
	Total Health Plans segment	88,118		52,789
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	5,001		10,304
		$	93,119	$	63,093
Contractual maturities of our held-to-maturity restricted investments	'
	The contractual maturities of our held-to-maturity restricted investments as of September 30, 2014 are summarized below:
		Amortized		Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	92,807	$	92,817
	Due one year through five years	312		312
		$	93,119	$	93,129

Medical_Claims_and_Benefits_Pa1

Medical Claims and Benefits Payable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expense	'
	The following table provides the details of our medical claims and benefits payable (including amounts payable for the provision of long-term services and supports, or LTSS) as of the dates indicated:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(In thousands)
	Fee-for-service claims incurred but not paid (IBNP)	$	796,433		$	424,173
	Pharmacy payable	62,322			45,037
	Capitation payable	31,535			20,267
	Other	233,556			180,310
		$	1,123,846		$	669,787
Components of change in medical claims and benefits payable	'
	The following table presents the components of the change in our medical claims and benefits payable from continuing and discontinued operations combined for the periods indicated. The amounts presented for “Components of medical care costs related to: Prior period” represent the amount by which our original estimate of medical claims and benefits payable at the beginning of the period were more than the actual amount of the liability based on information (principally the payment of claims) developed since that liability was first reported.
		Nine Months Ended			Year Ended
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balances at beginning of period	$	669,787		$	494,530
	Components of medical care costs related to:
	Current period	5,795,404			5,434,443
	Prior period	(41,033		)	(52,779		)
	Total medical care costs	5,754,371			5,381,664
	Change in non-risk provider payables	(15,344		)	111,267
	Payments for medical care costs related to:
	Current period	4,841,429			4,932,195
	Prior period	443,539			385,479
	Total paid	5,284,968			5,317,674
	Balances at end of period	$	1,123,846		$	669,787
	Benefit from prior period as a percentage of:
	Balance at beginning of period	6.1		%	10.7		%
	Premium revenue, trailing twelve months	0.5		%	0.9		%
	Medical care costs, trailing twelve months	0.6		%	1		%

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of maturities of long-term debt	'
	As of September 30, 2014, maturities of long-term debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
		Total		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	550,000
	1.625% Notes (1)	301,551		—		—		—		—		—		301,551
	3.75% Notes	10,449		10,449		—		—		—		—		—
		$	862,000	$	10,449	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	851,551
Long term debt	'
	The principal amounts, unamortized discount (net of premium related to the 1.625% Notes), and net carrying amounts of the convertible senior notes were as follows:
		Principal Balance		Unamortized Discount		Net Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
	September 30, 2014:
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	119,516	$	430,484
	1.625% Notes	301,551		34,825		266,726
	3.75% Notes	10,449		—		10,449
		$	862,000	$	154,341	$	707,659
	December 31, 2013:
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	133,632	$	416,368
	3.75% Notes	187,000		5,128		181,872
		$	737,000	$	138,760	$	598,240
Debt instruments interest cost recognized	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Interest cost recognized for the period relating to the:
	Contractual interest coupon rate	$	3,132	$	3,300	$	9,732	$	9,127
	Amortization of the discount	6,455		6,059		19,183		15,747
	Total interest cost recognized	$	9,587	$	9,359	$	28,915	$	24,874

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	'
	The following table summarizes the fair values and the presentation of our derivative financial instruments (defined and discussed individually below) in the consolidated balance sheets:
		Balance Sheet Location	30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
			(In thousands)
	Derivative asset:
	1.125% Call Option	Non-current assets: Derivative asset	$	222,997	$	186,351
	Derivative liability:
	1.125% Notes Conversion Option	Non-current liabilities: Derivative liability	$	222,877	$	186,239

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating segment information	'
	The cost of services shared between the Health Plans and Molina Medicaid Solutions segment is charged to the Health Plans segment.
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Revenue from continuing operations:
	Health Plans segment:
	Premium revenue	$	2,316,759	$	1,584,656	$	6,424,238	$	4,583,818
	Premium tax revenue	81,240		43,723		203,053		127,606
	Health insurer fee revenue	29,427		—		67,785		—
	Investment income	2,041		1,740		5,615		4,884
	Other revenue	2,327		5,860		8,523		16,476
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment:
	Service revenue	52,557		51,100		156,419		150,528
	Total revenue	$	2,484,351	$	1,687,079	$	6,865,633	$	4,883,312
	Income from continuing operations before income tax:
	Health Plans segment	$	29,874	$	16,929	$	65,879	$	118,600
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	9,905		7,997		30,594		20,645
	Total operating income from continuing operations	39,779		24,926		96,473		139,245
	Other expenses, net	15,282		13,508		43,044		41,583
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	$	24,497	$	11,418	$	53,429	$	97,662

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	Segment
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]	'
Number of reportable segments	2
Health Plans	'
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]	'
Number of states in which entity operates	11
Number of members eligible for the health care programs	2,400,000

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

California, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin

California, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin

California

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

California Department of Health Care Services

Minimum

Maximum

New Mexico,Texas, and Washington

New Mexico,Texas, and Washington

California

Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Medical premiums liability based on medical cost thresholds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$272,600,000

$1,400,000

'

'

'

Premiums receivables

3,600,000

3,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Profit sharing liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24,500,000

2,500,000

'

Maximum period for member risk scores and member pharmacy cost experience after original year of service

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Anticipated Medicare risk adjustment premiums

18,600,000

18,600,000

'

20,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of incremental revenue earned maximum

'

'

'

'

1.00%

4.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum alternative minimum payment upon expiration of the settlement agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,000,000

Plan rate settlement deficit, net of valuation discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,500,000

Plan rate settlement deficit, valuation discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

Benefit recognized during period

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit related to deductibility of compensation for prior periods

7,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impact of other tax benefit on earnings per diluted share

$0.15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total unrecognized tax benefits

1,800,000

1,800,000

'

8,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized tax benefits decrease resulting from settlement agreement with a state

'

6,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate

1,600,000

1,600,000

'

5,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Possible decrease in unrecognized tax benefit liabilities during the next 12 months

100,000

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax benefit from discontinued operations

'

300,000

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated excise tax liability

$88,600,000

$88,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies Quality Incentive Premium Revenue Recognized (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total premium revenue recognized for state health plans with quality incentive premiums	$2,316,759	$1,584,656	$6,424,238	$4,583,818
California, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Maximum available quality incentive premium - current period	24,477	20,939	68,941	62,050
Amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period: Earned current period	12,921	17,538	30,935	52,483
Amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period: Earned prior periods	208	-50	3,412	7,759
Total amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period:	13,129	17,488	34,347	60,242
Total premium revenue recognized for state health plans with quality incentive premiums	$1,818,375	$771,615	$5,005,444	$2,192,249

Net_Income_Per_Share_Summary_o

Net Income Per Share Summary of Denominators for Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Employee Stock Option

Employee Stock Option

Employee Stock Option

Employee Stock Option

1.125% Warrants

1.125% Warrants

1.125% Warrants

1.125% Warrants

3.75% Notes

3.75% Notes

3.75% Notes

1.625% Notes

1.125% Call Option

1.125% Call Option

1.125% Call Option

Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period

46,494

45,683

45,871

46,762

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-average number of shares:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchased

0

0

0

-1,375

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issued, 3.75% Exchange

460

[1]

0

[1]

155

[1]

0

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issued, stock-based compensation and other

37

16

409

321

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Denominator for basic net income per share

46,991

45,699

46,435

45,708

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect of dilutive securities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation

365

453

441

532

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.75% Notes and 3.75% Exchange

1,288

[1]

910

[1]

1,212

[1]

527

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Denominator for diluted net income per share

48,644

47,062

48,088

46,767

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from calculations

'

'

'

'

0

[2]

60

[2]

0

[2]

49

[2]

13,490

[2]

13,490

[2]

13,490

[2]

11,464

[2]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.75%

3.75%

3.75%

1.63%

'

'

'

Percentage of contractual interest rate on Call Option

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.13%

1.13%

1.13%

[1]

For more information regarding the 3.75% Exchange and 3.75% Notes, refer to Note 11, "Long-Term Debt."

[2]

Potentially dilutive shares issuable pursuant to certain of our employee stock options, 1.125% Warrants (defined in Note 12, "Derivative Financial Instruments"), and 1.625% Notes (defined in Note 11, "Long-Term Debt") were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.

Business_Combinations_Details

Business Combinations (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Aug. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			South Carolina	South Carolina	South Carolina	South Carolina	Florida	Number of Member Conversion	Number of Member Conversion	Number of Member Conversion
			member	Community Healthy Solutions of America, Inc.	Community Healthy Solutions of America, Inc.	Community Healthy Solutions of America, Inc.	Healthy Palm Beaches, Inc	South Carolina	South Carolina	New Mexico
							member	Community Healthy Solutions of America, Inc.	Community Healthy Solutions of America, Inc.	Lovelace Community Health Plan
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Initial contingent consideration liability recorded	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$57,200,000	'	'
Net cash paid in business combinations	7,500,000	57,684,000	'	7,500,000	49,700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Indemnification withhold funds transfer to restricted investment	'	'	'	'	'	5,700,000	'	'	'	'
Contingent consideration liability	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,500,000	'
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,200,000	1,500,000
The final purchase price of the acquisition	$0	$59,947,000	'	'	'	'	$7,500,000	'	'	'
Number of members added	'	'	118,000	'	'	'	11,000	'	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
			Restricted Stock	March 2014 Grant
				Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Shares awarded	'	'	'	356,292
Unrecognized compensation expense	'	'	$28.60	'
Weighted average period	'2 years	'	'	'
Fair value of restricted and performance stock awards granted	24.8	33.3	'	'
Total fair value of restricted shares vested	$22.50	$19.30	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Expens

Stock-Based Compensation Expenses Charged to General and Administrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	$5,659	$8,504	$16,115	$20,654
Performance Units	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	4,774	7,634	13,596	18,593
Employee stock purchase plan and stock options	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total share-based compensation expense	$885	$870	$2,519	$2,061

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation Restricted Share Activity (Details) (Performance Units, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Performance Units	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance, Shares	1,299,852
Granted, Shares	656,452
Vested, Shares	-597,301
Forfeited, Shares	-60,742
Ending Balance, Shares	1,298,261
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Begining Balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$29.03
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$36.68
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$27.70
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$31.20
Ending Balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$33.40

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Auction rate securities	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Participants in valuation data pool	10,000	'	'
1.125% Call Option	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Call Option	1.13%	1.13%	1.13%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value of Financial Instruments on Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
1.125 % Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	222,877	186,239	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	1,072,571	900,301	'
Total liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis	224,377	243,787	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate debt securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	553,936	449,772	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Municipal securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	96,873	113,330	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | GSEs	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	99,254	68,817	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. treasury notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	41,031	37,376	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Certificates of deposit	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	51,589	33,757	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Auction rate securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	6,891	10,898	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | 1.125% Call Option derivative	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	222,997	186,351	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | 1.125% Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
1.125 % Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	222,877	186,239	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Contingent consideration liabilities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Contingent consideration liabilities	1,500	57,548	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	140,285	106,193	'
Total liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Corporate debt securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Municipal securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | GSEs	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	99,254	68,817	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | U.S. treasury notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	41,031	37,376	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Certificates of deposit	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Auction rate securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | 1.125% Call Option derivative	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | 1.125% Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
1.125 % Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Contingent consideration liabilities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Contingent consideration liabilities	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	702,398	596,859	'
Total liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Corporate debt securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	553,936	449,772	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Municipal securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	96,873	113,330	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | GSEs	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | U.S. treasury notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Certificates of deposit	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	51,589	33,757	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Auction rate securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | 1.125% Call Option derivative	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | 1.125% Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
1.125 % Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Contingent consideration liabilities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Contingent consideration liabilities	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	229,888	197,249	'
Total liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis	224,377	243,787	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Corporate debt securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Municipal securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | GSEs	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | U.S. treasury notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Certificates of deposit	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Auction rate securities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	6,891	10,898	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | 1.125% Call Option derivative	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	222,997	186,351	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | 1.125% Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
1.125 % Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	222,877	186,239	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Contingent consideration liabilities	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Contingent consideration liabilities	1,500	57,548	'
1.125% Call Option	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Call Option	1.13%	1.13%	1.13%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V1

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value of Assets Measured on Recurring Basis Using Unobservable Inputs (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Auction rate securities	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	$10,898
Total gains for the period recognized in other comprehensive income	193
Settlements	-4,200
Ending Balance	6,891
Derivatives, Net	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	112
Total gains for the period recognized in other comprehensive income	0
Settlements	0
Ending Balance	120
Contingent Consideration Liabilities	'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Beginning Balance	-57,548
Total gains for the period recognized in other comprehensive income	0
Settlements	50,349
Ending Balance	-1,500
General and administrative expenses | Auction rate securities	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Total gains for the period recognized in earnings	0
General and administrative expenses | Derivatives, Net	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Total gains for the period recognized in earnings	0
General and administrative expenses | Contingent Consideration Liabilities	'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Total gains for the period recognized in earnings	5,699
Other expenses, net | Auction rate securities	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Total gains for the period recognized in earnings	0
Other expenses, net | Derivatives, Net	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Total gains for the period recognized in earnings	8
Other expenses, net | Contingent Consideration Liabilities	'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'
Total gains for the period recognized in earnings	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements Details of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
1.125% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes	1.13%	1.13%	'
1.625% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes	1.63%	'	'
3.75% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes	3.75%	3.75%	3.75%
Level 1	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	0	0	'
Level 1 | 1.125% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	0	0	'
Level 1 | 1.625% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	0	'	'
Level 1 | 3.75% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	0	0	'
Level 2	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	967,968	792,118	'
Level 2 | 1.125% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	649,770	572,627	'
Level 2 | 1.625% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	302,908	'	'
Level 2 | 3.75% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	15,290	219,491	'
Level 3	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	0	0	'
Level 3 | 1.125% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	0	0	'
Level 3 | 1.625% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	0	'	'
Level 3 | 3.75% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	0	0	'
Carrying Value	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	707,659	598,240	'
Carrying Value | 1.125% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	430,484	416,368	'
Carrying Value | 1.625% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	266,726	'	'
Carrying Value | 3.75% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	10,449	181,872	'
Total Fair Value	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	967,968	792,118	'
Total Fair Value | 1.125% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	649,770	572,627	'
Total Fair Value | 1.625% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	302,908	'	'
Total Fair Value | 3.75% Notes	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of debt	15,290	219,491	'

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

81 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2008

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Auction rate securities

Auction rate securities

Auction rate securities

Auction rate securities

Auction rate securities

Auction rate securities

Auction rate securities

Minimum

Maximum

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity period of securities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'16 years

'32 years

Auction rate securities at par value

$849,574,000

'

$849,574,000

'

$713,950,000

$6,891,000

'

$6,891,000

$10,898,000

$82,100,000

'

'

Auction rate securities at par value, settled

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

74,900,000

'

'

'

'

Pretax unrealized gains

($1,061,000)

$2,087,000

$756,000

($1,539,000)

'

$200,000

$500,000

'

'

'

'

'

Investments_Summary_of_Investm

Investments Summary of Investments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2008
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	$850,569	$715,702	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	659	613	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,654	2,365	'
Estimated Fair Value	849,574	713,950	'
Subtotal - current investments	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	843,369	704,302	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	659	613	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,345	1,863	'
Estimated Fair Value	842,683	703,052	'
Corporate debt securities	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	554,359	450,162	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	448	442	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	871	832	'
Estimated Fair Value	553,936	449,772	'
Municipal securities	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	96,899	114,126	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	179	119	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	205	915	'
Estimated Fair Value	96,873	113,330	'
GSEs	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	99,436	68,898	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	16	6	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	198	87	'
Estimated Fair Value	99,254	68,817	'
U.S. treasury notes	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	41,074	37,360	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	13	44	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	56	28	'
Estimated Fair Value	41,031	37,376	'
Certificates of deposit	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	51,601	33,756	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	3	2	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	15	1	'
Estimated Fair Value	51,589	33,757	'
Auction rate securities	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	7,200	11,400	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	309	502	'
Estimated Fair Value	$6,891	$10,898	$82,100

Investments_Contractual_Maturi

Investments Contractual Maturities of Investments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Due in one year or less, Cost	$312,449	'
Due one year through five years, Cost	530,920	'
Due after ten years, Cost	7,200	'
Amortized Cost	850,569	715,702
Due in one year or less, Estimated Fair Value	312,493	'
Due one year through five years, Estimated Fair Value	530,190	'
Due after ten years, Estimated Fair Value	6,891	'
Total, Estimated Fair Value	$849,574	'

Investments_AvailableforSale_I

Investments Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Security	Security
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	$375,838	$306,531
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	956	1,316
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Total Number of Securities	279	174
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	73,659	44,529
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	698	1,049
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Total Number of Securities	45	57
Corporate debt securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	231,598	210,057
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	639	802
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Total Number of Securities	163	91
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	43,112	2,540
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	232	30
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Total Number of Securities	13	3
Municipal securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	39,331	30,715
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	90	398
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Total Number of Securities	34	49
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	13,419	31,091
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	115	517
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Total Number of Securities	14	39
GSEs	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	71,602	53,308
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	161	87
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Total Number of Securities	21	21
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	5,992	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	37	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Total Number of Securities	6	0
U.S. treasury notes	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	21,545	12,037
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	51	28
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Total Number of Securities	12	11
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	4,245	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	5	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Total Number of Securities	2	0
Certificates of deposit	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	11,762	414
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	15	1
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Total Number of Securities	49	2
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	0	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	0	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Total Number of Securities	0	0
Auction rate securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	0	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	0	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Total Number of Securities	0	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	6,891	10,898
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	$309	$502
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Total Number of Securities	10	15

Receivables_Summary_of_Account

Receivables Summary of Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	$425,683	$298,935
Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	393,995	278,300
Medicaid Solutions Segment	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	31,688	20,635
California | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	184,368	148,654
Florida | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	7,599	2,901
Illinois | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	3,412	5,773
Michigan | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	21,327	15,253
New Mexico | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	28,393	17,056
Ohio | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	66,839	43,969
South Carolina | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	4,229	0
Texas | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	14,608	9,736
Utah | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	9,274	10,953
Washington | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	33,214	13,455
Wisconsin | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	12,492	8,087
Direct delivery and other | Health Plans	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'	'
Total receivables	$8,240	$2,463

Restricted_Investments_Summary

Restricted Investments Summary of Restricted Investments by Health Plan (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	$93,119	$63,093
Health Plans	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	88,118	52,789
Health Plans | California	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	373	373
Health Plans | Florida	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	23,291	9,242
Health Plans | Illinois	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	312	310
Health Plans | Michigan	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	1,014	1,014
Health Plans | New Mexico	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	31,132	24,622
Health Plans | Ohio	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	12,719	9,080
Health Plans | South Carolina	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	6,038	310
Health Plans | Texas	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	3,500	3,500
Health Plans | Utah	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	3,601	3,301
Health Plans | Washington	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	151	151
Health Plans | Direct delivery and other	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	5,987	886
Medicaid Solutions Segment	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted investments by health plan	$5,001	$10,304

Restricted_Investments_Contrac

Restricted Investments Contractual Maturities of Our Held-to-Maturity Restricted Investments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Amortized Cost, Due in one year or less	$92,807
Amortized Cost, Due one year through five years	312
Amortized Cost, Total	93,119
Estimated Fair Value, Due in one year or less	92,817
Estimated Fair Value, Due one year through five years	312
Estimated Fair Value, Total	$93,129

Medical_Claims_and_Benefits_Pa2

Medical Claims and Benefits Payable Medical Claims and Future Benefits (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fee-for-service claims incurred but not paid (IBNP)	$796,433,000	$424,173,000	'
Pharmacy payable	62,322,000	45,037,000	'
Capitation payable	31,535,000	20,267,000	'
Other Claims Payable	233,556,000	180,310,000	'
Medical claims and benefits payable	1,123,846,000	669,787,000	494,530,000
Non-risk provider payables	$136,000,000	$151,300,000	'

Medical_Claims_and_Benefits_Pa3

Medical Claims and Benefits Payable Components of Change in Medical Claims and Benefits Payable (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance Claims [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balances at beginning of period	$669,787	$494,530
Components of medical care costs related to:	'	'
Current period	5,795,404	5,434,443
Prior period	-41,033	-52,779
Total medical care costs	5,754,371	5,381,664
Change in non-risk provider payables	-15,344	111,267
Payments for medical care costs related to:	'	'
Current period	4,841,429	4,932,195
Prior period	443,539	385,479
Total paid	5,284,968	5,317,674
Balances at end of period	$1,123,846	$669,787
Benefit from prior period as a percentage of:	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	6.10%	10.70%
Premium revenue, trailing twelve months	0.50%	0.90%
Medical care costs, trailing twelve months	0.60%	1.00%

Medical_Claims_and_Benefits_Pa4

Medical Claims and Benefits Payable (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			4 Months Ended		4 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
			South Carolina	Medicaid Expansion	Minimum	Minimum	Maximum	Maximum
			member	member		New Mexico		New Mexico
						member		member
Insurance Claims [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of liability for unpaid claims not paid out	'	'	'	'	8.00%	'	10.00%	'
Policy holder benefits prior percentage	6.10%	10.70%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Favorable prior period claims development	$41,033	$52,779	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of members added	'	'	118,000	314,500	'	10,000	'	15,000

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Aug. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Feb. 15, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Feb. 27, 2013

Aug. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Oct. 30, 2014

Oct. 30, 2014

Aug. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

1.625% Notes

1.125% Notes

1.125% Notes

1.125% Notes

3.75% Notes

3.75% Notes

3.75% Notes

June 2013 Transactions

June 2013 Transactions

June 2013 Transactions

February 2013 Transactions

Property Subject to Operating Lease

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

3.75% Convertible Note Exchange

19-Aug-18

19-Aug-24

19-Aug-29

19-Aug-34

19-Aug-39

Construction projects

6th & Pine Development, LLC

3.75% Notes

1.625% Notes

1.625% Notes

1.625% Notes

3.75% Notes

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt

Convertible Debt

property

1.625% Notes

1.625% Notes

1.625% Notes

1.625% Notes

1.625% Notes

Convertible Debt [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument issuance date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Feb-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$550,000,000

'

'

$10,400,000

$187,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Frequency of periodic payment on Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'semiannually

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'semiannually

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.63%

'

1.13%

1.13%

3.75%

3.75%

3.75%

'

'

'

'

'

3.75%

'

1.63%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Jan-20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Aug-44

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial conversation rate on Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.0245277

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.0172157

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion price per share of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$40.77

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$58.09

'

$58.09

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt discount amortization period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior note effective interest rate (in percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.90%

'

7.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes amortization period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years 3 months 15 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible debt, if-converted value in excess of principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,000,000

'

4,000,000

11,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Extinguishment of Debt Disclosures [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of debt extinguished

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

176,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount of debt exchanged

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

125,000,000

176,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares issued from the exchange of Debt instruments (in shares)

1.7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.7

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount of debts

'

862,000,000

'

862,000,000

'

737,000,000

301,551,000

'

550,000,000

550,000,000

10,449,000

187,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

301,551,000

'

301,551,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from debt, net of issuance costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

123,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premium amount on debt instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

'

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred issuance costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,000,000

'

6,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Date of first required payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Feb-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional interest payable for any semiannual interest period with 1.625% Notes outstanding less than $100 million

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum 1.625% Notes outstanding balance threshold for additional interest payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption period start date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19-Aug-18

'

'

'

'

'

19-Aug-18

19-Aug-24

19-Aug-29

19-Aug-34

19-Aug-39

Redemption period end date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19-Aug-18

19-Aug-24

19-Aug-29

19-Aug-34

19-Aug-39

Redemption price of the principal amount (in percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible debt carrying amount of equity component

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,600,000

'

22,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock issued to settle the conversion feature of Convertible Notes (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.1

0.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Book Value [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale leaseback transaction term of lease

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'25 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of office buildings leased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, equipment, and capitalized software, net

'

328,547,000

'

328,547,000

'

292,083,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease financing obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

'

14,419,000

13,532,000

42,234,000

38,236,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,300,000

3,700,000

'

2,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rent expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LongTerm_Debt_Maturities_of_Lo

Long-Term Debt Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Line Items]	'
Total	$862,000
2014	10,449
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
Thereafter	851,551
1.125% Notes	'
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Line Items]	'
Total	550,000
2014	0
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
Thereafter	550,000
1.625% Notes	'
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Line Items]	'
Total	301,551	[1]
2014	0	[1]
2015	0	[1]
2016	0	[1]
2017	0	[1]
2018	0	[1]
Thereafter	301,551	[1]
3.75% Notes	'
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Line Items]	'
Total	10,449
2014	10,449
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
Thereafter	$0
[1]	The 1.625% Notes have a contractual maturity date in 2044; however, on specified dates beginning in 2018 as described below, holders of the 1.625% Notes may require us to repurchase some or all of the 1.625% Notes.

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Long

Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Details of the liability component:	'	'
Principal Balance	$862,000	$737,000
Unamortized Discount	154,341	138,760
Net Carrying Amount	707,659	598,240
1.125% Notes	'	'
Details of the liability component:	'	'
Principal Balance	550,000	550,000
Unamortized Discount	119,516	133,632
Net Carrying Amount	430,484	416,368
1.625% Notes	'	'
Details of the liability component:	'	'
Principal Balance	301,551	'
Unamortized Discount	34,825	'
Net Carrying Amount	266,726	'
3.75% Notes	'	'
Details of the liability component:	'	'
Principal Balance	10,449	187,000
Unamortized Discount	0	5,128
Net Carrying Amount	$10,449	$181,872

LongTerm_Debt_Interest_Cost_Re

Long-Term Debt Interest Cost Recognized (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Interest cost recognized for the period relating to the:	'	'	'	'
Contractual interest coupon rate	$3,132	$3,300	$9,732	$9,127
Amortization of the discount	6,455	6,059	19,183	15,747
Total interest cost recognized	$9,587	$9,359	$28,915	$24,874

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments Fair Value on Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
1.125% Call Option	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Call Option	1.13%	1.13%	1.13%
Non-current asset | 1.125% Call Option	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative assets	222,997	186,351	'
Non-current liabilities | 1.125% Notes Conversion Option derivative liability	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative liabilities	222,877	186,239	'
1.125% Notes	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes	1.13%	1.13%	'

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Aug. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2014
						Subsequent Event
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase in stockholders' equity	'	'	'	$71,400,000	'	'
Net income	'	16,122,000	7,569,000	28,431,000	62,055,000	'
Stockholders' equity increased due to the exchange of debts	'	'	'	25,000,000	'	'
Other comprehensive income	'	'	'	500,000	'	'
Employee stock transactions	'	'	'	17,500,000	'	'
Shares issued from the exchange of Debt instruments (in shares)	1,700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock issued to settle the conversion feature of Convertible Notes (shares)	'	'	'	'	'	100,000
Trading days measurement period	'	'	'	'160 days	'	'
Warrants issued	'	'	'	13,490,236	'	'
Warrant, strike price per share	'	$53.85	'	$53.85	'	'
Authorized repurchase amount	'	'	50,000,000	'	50,000,000	'
Remaining authorized balance available to repurchase stock	'	$47,300,000	'	$47,300,000	'	'
Number of common stock issued	'	'	'	643,000	'	'

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	2

Segment_Information_Schedule_o

Segment Information Schedule of Operating Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Health Plans:	'	'	'	'
Premium revenue	$2,316,759	$1,584,656	$6,424,238	$4,583,818
Premium tax revenue	81,240	43,723	203,053	127,606
Health insurer fee revenue	29,427	0	67,785	0
Investment income	2,041	1,740	5,615	4,884
Other revenue	2,327	5,860	8,523	16,476
Molina Medicaid Solutions:	'	'	'	'
Service revenue	52,557	51,100	156,419	150,528
Total revenue	2,484,351	1,687,079	6,865,633	4,883,312
Income from continuing operations before income tax:	'	'	'	'
Health Plans	39,779	24,926	96,473	139,245
Other expenses, net	15,282	13,508	43,044	41,583
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	24,497	11,418	53,429	97,662
Health Plans	'	'	'	'
Health Plans:	'	'	'	'
Premium revenue	2,316,759	1,584,656	6,424,238	4,583,818
Premium tax revenue	81,240	43,723	203,053	127,606
Health insurer fee revenue	29,427	0	67,785	0
Investment income	2,041	1,740	5,615	4,884
Other revenue	2,327	5,860	8,523	16,476
Income from continuing operations before income tax:	'	'	'	'
Health Plans	29,874	16,929	65,879	118,600
Molina Medicaid Solutions	'	'	'	'
Molina Medicaid Solutions:	'	'	'	'
Service revenue	52,557	51,100	156,419	150,528
Income from continuing operations before income tax:	'	'	'	'
Health Plans	$9,905	$7,997	$30,594	$20,645

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Health Care Authority	Health Care Authority
			Washington	Washington
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount paid to settle two overpayment claims	'	'	$19.20	'
Proceeds from settlement of claims with HCA	'	'	8	'
Reduction in premium revenue as a result of resolving all pending disputes	'	'	'	-11.2
Net assets of subsidiaries subject to restrictions	717	608	'	'
Restricted cash and investments	374.3	365.2	'	'
Aggregate statutory capital and surplus	798	'	'	'
Required minimum statutory capital surplus	$413	'	'	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (6th & Pine Development, LLC, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 27, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Lease expiration date	31-Dec-24
Property Subject to Operating Lease	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Number of office buildings leased	2
Number of extension option	2
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	'5 years
Annual rental increase percentage	3.75%
Property Subject to Operating Lease | Building A	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Lease commencement date	1-Jun-13
Initial annual rental expense	3
Property Subject to Operating Lease | Building B	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Lease commencement date	7-Jul-14
Initial annual rental expense	4

Variable_Interest_Entities_Det

Variable Interest Entities (Details) (Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	'	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Total carrying amount of assets	$12.10	$6.90
Total amount of liabilities	$11.80	$6.60