Molina Healthcare (MOH) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	1-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	moh
Entity Registrant Name	MOLINA HEALTHCARE INC
Entity Central Index Key	1179929
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		50,132

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,870,024	$1,539,063
Investments	1,203,866	1,019,462
Receivables	491,430	596,456
Deferred income taxes	42,631	39,532
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	193,498	50,884
Derivative asset	474,121	0
Total current assets	4,275,570	3,245,397
Property, equipment, and capitalized software, net	344,727	340,778
Deferred contract costs	57,314	53,675
Intangible assets, net	84,702	89,273
Goodwill	272,046	271,964
Restricted investments	101,366	102,479
Derivative asset	0	329,323
Other assets	34,064	44,326
Total Assets	5,169,789	4,477,215
Current liabilities:
Medical claims and benefits payable	1,448,132	1,200,522
Amounts due government agencies	622,158	527,193
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	427,644	241,654
Deferred revenue	169,811	196,076
Income taxes payable	10,836	8,987
Current portion of long-term debt	440,632	341
Derivative liability	473,983	0
Total current liabilities	3,593,196	2,174,773
Convertible senior notes	270,836	704,097
Lease financing obligations	161,013	160,710
Lease financing obligations – related party	40,135	40,241
Deferred income taxes	29,267	24,271
Derivative liability	0	329,194
Other long-term liabilities	33,349	33,487
Total liabilities	4,127,796	3,466,773
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 150,000 shares authorized; outstanding: 49,908 shares at March 31, 2015 and 49,727 shares at December 31, 2014	50	50
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	398,141	396,059
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	297	-1,019
Retained earnings	643,505	615,352
Total stockholders’ equity	1,041,993	1,010,442
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$5,169,789	$4,477,215

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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	49,908,000	49,727,000
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
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Premium revenue	$2,970,652	$1,940,337
Service revenue	51,858	53,630
Premium tax revenue	95,347	51,693
Health insurer fee revenue	47,948	18,696
Investment income	3,015	1,629
Other revenue	2,303	3,258
Total revenue	3,171,123	2,069,243
Operating expenses:
Medical care costs	2,635,784	1,721,658
Cost of service revenue	35,902	40,657
General and administrative expenses	256,090	188,087
Premium tax expenses	95,347	51,693
Health insurer fee expenses	40,778	22,190
Depreciation and amortization	24,992	20,691
Total operating expenses	3,088,893	2,044,976
Operating income	82,230	24,267
Other expenses, net:
Interest expense	14,876	13,822
Other income, net	-10	-44
Total other expenses, net	14,866	13,778
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	67,364	10,489
Income tax expense	39,223	5,655
Income from continuing operations	28,141	4,834
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	12	-336
Net income	$28,153	$4,498
Basic net income (loss) per share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.58	$0.11
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.01)
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.58	$0.10
Diluted net income (loss) per share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.56	$0.10
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.01)
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.56	$0.09

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$28,153	$4,498
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized investment gain	2,116	1,426
Effect of income taxes	800	722
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,316	704
Comprehensive income	$29,469	$5,202

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating activities:
Net income	$28,153	$4,498
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	32,574	32,994
Deferred income taxes	1,097	-670
Share-based compensation	5,675	5,596
Amortization of convertible senior notes and lease financing obligations	7,290	6,674
Other, net	3,564	-1,548
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	105,026	-39,297
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-137,278	-78,023
Medical claims and benefits payable	247,610	149,754
Amounts due government agencies	94,965	43,265
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	189,373	58,952
Deferred revenue	-26,265	24,060
Income taxes	1,849	4,642
Net cash provided by operating activities	553,633	210,897
Investing activities:
Purchases of investments	-438,591	-142,145
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments	255,609	147,370
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	-24,974	-17,788
Increase in restricted investments	-4,612	-14,381
Net cash paid in business combinations	-8,006	0
Other, net	-7,216	-547
Net cash used in investing activities	-227,790	-27,491
Financing activities:
Contingent consideration liabilities settled	0	-38,119
Proceeds from employee stock plans	1,089	1,330
Other, net	4,029	857
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,118	-35,932
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	330,961	147,474
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,539,063	935,895
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,870,024	1,083,369
Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Increase in non-cash lease financing obligation – related party	0	7,775
Common stock used for share-based compensation	-8,774	-8,217
Details of change in fair value of derivatives, net:
Change in fair value of derivatives, net	9	2
Details of business combinations:
Fair value of assets acquired	-82	0
Payable to seller	-7,924	0
Net cash paid in business combinations	-8,006	0
Gain on 1.125% Call Option
Details of change in fair value of derivatives, net:
Change in fair value of derivatives, net	144,798	10,266
Loss on 1.125% Conversion Option
Details of change in fair value of derivatives, net:
Change in fair value of derivatives, net	($144,789)	($10,264)

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	Organization and Operations
	Molina Healthcare, Inc. provides quality health care to those receiving government assistance. We offer cost-effective Medicaid-related solutions to meet the health care needs of low-income families and individuals, and to assist government 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 the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and includes our direct delivery business. As of March 31, 2015, these health plans served nearly 3 million members eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, and other government-sponsored health care programs for low-income families and individuals. Additionally, we serve 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 operation of primary care clinics in several states in which we operate, as well as of the management of a hospital in southern California under a management services agreement.
	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.
	Market Updates - Health Plans Segment
	Florida. In the first quarter of 2015, our Florida health plan enrolled 185,000 Marketplace members, more than doubling its total membership as of December 31, 2014.
	Puerto Rico. On April 1, 2015, our Puerto Rico health plan became operational, enrolling approximately 350,000 members.
	Market Updates - Molina Medicaid Solutions Segment
	New Jersey. On April 9, 2015, the state of New Jersey announced its selection of Molina Medicaid Solutions to design and operate its new Medicaid management information system (MMIS). The new contract is effective May 1, 2015, and has a term of 10 years with three one-year renewal options. Molina Medicaid Solutions was the state's previous MMIS provider, and was awarded the new contract as a result of Molina Medicaid Solutions' submission in response to the state of New Jersey's request for proposals.
	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, 2015.
	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, 2014. Accordingly, certain disclosures that would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the December 31, 2014 audited consolidated financial statements have been omitted. These unaudited consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our December 31, 2014 audited consolidated financial statements.
	Reclassifications
	We have reclassified certain amounts in the 2014 statement of cash flows to conform to the 2015 presentation.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, and premiums collected in advance are deferred.
	Certain components of premium revenue are subject to accounting estimates as follows:
	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 $446.5 million and $392.4 million at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively, to amounts due government agencies. Approximately $430 million of the liability accrued at March 31, 2015 relates to our participation in Medicaid expansion programs.
	In general, such amounts are subject to future changes in estimate based upon our actual cost performance and interpretations of allowable medical costs and revenue. At our Washington health plan (where we had recorded a liability of approximately $260 million related to the Medicaid expansion medical cost floor at March 31, 2015), premium revenue may be retroactively adjusted across the entire state Medicaid expansion program based upon the medical cost performance of the program as a whole. As such, our liability under Washington’s contractual provisions is determined not just by our own medical cost performance, but by that of all health plans participating in the program; and we have limited visibility into the costs of those health plans.
	In certain circumstances, the health plans may receive additional premiums if amounts spent on medical care costs exceed a defined maximum threshold, but we had no receivables recorded at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014 that were related to such provisions. 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 retain, we recorded a liability of $5.6 million and $0.5 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 will recover premium from us. In the event that a member requires more acute medical care than was anticipated by the original premium amount, CMS will 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 $17.3 million and $7.6 million for anticipated Medicare risk adjustment premiums at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Quality Incentives
	At our California, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin health plans, revenue ranging from approximately 1% to 4% of certain health plan premiums is earned if specified performance measures are met.
	The following table quantifies the quality incentive premium revenue recognized for the periods presented, including the amounts earned in the period presented and prior periods. Although the reasonably possible effects of a change in estimate related to quality incentive premium revenue as of March 31, 2015 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 March 31, 2015.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Maximum available quality incentive premium - current period	$	30,315	$	20,164
	Amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period:
	Earned current period	$	9,551	$	5,297
	Earned prior periods	383		(378		)
	Total	$	9,934	$	4,919
	Total premium revenue recognized for state health plans with quality incentive premiums	$	2,353,235	$	1,200,619
	California Health Plan Rate Settlement Agreement
	In 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 March 31, 2015, the California health plan's pre-tax margin exceeded the target margin, resulting in a surplus position. Consequently, a retrospective premium adjustment was not required at March 31, 2015.
	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 expenses under the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurer Fee (HIF), 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 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
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-03 - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which will require debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of such debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This ASU will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2016, and is applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements; early adoption is permitted. 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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
		March 31,
		2015	2014
		(In thousands)
	Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	48,578	45,871
	Weighted-average number of shares:
	Issued, share-based compensation	107	150
	Denominator for basic net income per share	48,685	46,021
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Share-based compensation	468	597
	Convertible senior notes (1)	—	902
	1.125% Warrants (1)	918	—
	Denominator for diluted net income per share	50,071	47,520
	Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from calculations (2):
	Stock options	—	45
	Restricted shares	55	192
	1.125% Warrants	—	13,490
	______________________________
	-1	For more information regarding the convertible senior notes, refer to Note 11, "Debt." For more information regarding the 1.125% Warrants, refer to Note 12, "Derivatives."
	-2	The dilutive effect of all potentially dilutive common shares is calculated using the treasury-stock method. Certain potentially dilutive common shares issuable are not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the 1.125% Warrants were excluded from diluted shares outstanding because the exercise price exceeded the average market price of our common stock.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	Business Combinations
	Health Plans Segment
	Florida. In December 2014, our Florida health plan acquired certain assets relating to the Medicaid business of First Coast Advantage, LLC (FCA). As part of the transaction, we assumed 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. The Florida health plan's membership increased by approximately 62,000 members as a result of this transaction. The final purchase price for this acquisition amounted to $44.6 million, of which $36.6 million was paid in December 2014, and $8.0 million was paid in the first quarter of 2015.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation
	As of March 31, 2015, there are approximately 312,000 unvested restricted shares awarded to our named executive officers with market and performance conditions outstanding. In the event the vesting conditions are not achieved, the awards will lapse. As of March 31, 2015, we expect the performance conditions to be met in full.
	Charged to general and administrative expenses, total share-based compensation expense was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Restricted stock and performance awards	$	4,601		$	4,608
	Employee stock purchase plan and stock options	1,074			988
		$	5,675		$	5,596
	As of March 31, 2015, there was $29.3 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 three months ended March 31, 2015 is summarized below:
		Shares		Weighted
				Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Unvested balance as of December 31, 2014	1,282,072		$	33.55
	Granted	171,835		63.07
	Vested	(371,198	)	32.03
	Forfeited	(26,582	)	37.35
	Unvested balance as of March 31, 2015	1,056,127		38.79
	The total fair value of restricted and performance awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $10.8 million and $22.9 million, respectively. The total fair value of restricted awards, including those with performance and market conditions, which vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $23.4 million and $20.9 million, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, amounts due government agencies, long-term debt, and other liabilities. We consider the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, other current assets and current liabilities 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, certificates of deposit, and asset-backed securities 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% 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 March 31, 2015 included the price of our common stock, 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, “Derivatives,” the 1.125% Call Option asset and the 1.125% 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. The contingent consideration liability represents the remaining liability associated with the Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) component of our South Carolina health plan acquisition in 2013, and is recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. We applied a cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of this liability. The significant unobservable input is 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 March 31, 2015.
	Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2015, were as follows:
		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	809,150		$	—	$	809,150		$	—
	Municipal securities	120,157			—		120,157			—
	GSEs	142,859			142,859		—			—
	U.S. treasury notes	64,327			64,327		—			—
	Certificates of deposit	56,018			—		56,018			—
	Asset-backed securities	11,355			—		11,355			—
	Auction rate securities	2,800			—		—			2,800
	1.125% Call Option derivative asset	474,121			—		—			474,121
	Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	1,680,787		$	207,186	$	996,680		$	476,921
	1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability	$	473,983		$	—	$	—		$	473,983
	Contingent consideration liability	500			—		—			500
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	474,483		$	—	$	—		$	474,483
	Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2014, were as follows:
		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	641,729		$	—	$	641,729		$	—
	Municipal securities	127,045			—		127,045			—
	GSEs	122,269			122,269		—			—
	U.S. treasury notes	59,543			59,543		—			—
	Certificates of deposit	68,876			—		68,876			—
	Auction rate securities	4,847			—		—			4,847
	1.125% Call Option derivative asset	329,323			—		—			329,323
	Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	1,353,632		$	181,812	$	837,650		$	334,170
	1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability	$	329,194		$	—	$	—		$	329,194
	Contingent consideration liability	500			—		—			500
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	329,694		$	—	$	—		$	329,694
	The following table presents activity relating to our assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
		Changes in Level 3 Instruments
		Auction Rate Securities			Derivatives, Net		Contingent Consideration Liability
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	4,847		$	129	$	(500	)
	Total gains for the period recognized in:
	Other expenses, net	—			9		—
	Other comprehensive income	53			—		—
	Settlements	(2,100		)	—		—
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2,800		$	138	$	(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.
		31-Mar-15
		Carrying			Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	1.125% Notes	$	440,248		$	919,919	$	—		$	919,919	$	—
	1.625% Notes	270,836			381,610		—			381,610		—
		$	711,084		$	1,301,529	$	—		$	1,301,529	$	—
		31-Dec-14
		Carrying			Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	1.125% Notes	$	435,330		$	767,377	$	—		$	767,377	$	—
	1.625% Notes	268,767			337,292		—			337,292		—
	$	704,097		$	1,104,669	$	—		$	1,104,669	$	—

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Investments
	The following tables summarize our investments as of the dates indicated:
		31-Mar-15
		Amortized		Gross					Estimated
				Unrealized					Fair
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	809,009	$	783	$	642		$	809,150
	Municipal securities	119,896		291		30			120,157
	GSEs	142,851		98		90			142,859
	U.S. treasury notes	64,061		266		—			64,327
	Certificates of deposit	56,019		1		2			56,018
	Asset-backed securities	11,359		1		5			11,355
	Subtotal - current investments	1,203,195		1,440		769			1,203,866
	Auction rate securities	3,000		—		200			2,800
		$	1,206,195	$	1,440	$	969		$	1,206,666
		31-Dec-14
		Amortized		Gross					Estimated
				Unrealized					Fair
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	642,910	$	201	$	1,382		$	641,729
	Municipal securities	127,185		129		269			127,045
	GSEs	122,317		34		82			122,269
	U.S. treasury notes	59,546		30		33			59,543
	Certificates of deposit	68,893		1		18			68,876
	Subtotal - current investments	1,020,851		395		1,784			1,019,462
	Auction rate securities	5,100		—		253			4,847
		$	1,025,951	$	395	$	2,037		$	1,024,309
	The contractual maturities of our investments as of March 31, 2015 are summarized below:
		Amortized Cost		Estimated
				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	594,621	$	594,574
	Due one year through five years	601,243		601,953
	Due after five years through ten years	7,331		7,339
	Due after ten years	3,000		2,800
		$	1,206,195	$	1,206,666
	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 months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were insignificant.
	For investments other than our auction rate securities, discussed below, we have determined that unrealized gains and losses at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 loss position for 12 months or more as of March 31, 2015:
		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				Positions		Value					Positions
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	307,035	$	455	189		$	75,899		$	187	33
	Municipal securities	23,469		13		31		3,820			17		9
	GSEs	67,378		90		16		—			—		—
	Certificates of deposit	7,037		2		29		—			—		—
	Asset-backed securities	7,456		5		6		—			—		—
	Auction rate securities	—		—		—		2,800			200		4
		$	412,375	$	565	271		$	82,519		$	404	46
	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 loss position for 12 months or more as of December 31, 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				Positions		Value					Positions
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	379,034	$	1,151	265		$	28,668		$	231	10
	Municipal securities	53,626		168		64		11,075			101		13
	GSEs	75,025		69		22		2,986			13		3
U.S. treasury notes	19,199		33		13		—			—		—
Certificates of deposit	12,591		18		52		—			—		—
Auction rate securities	—		—		—		4,847			253		6
	$	539,475	$	1,439	416		$	47,576		$	598	32
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 31 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 March 31, 2015. 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 $79.1 million of these instruments at par value.
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded unrealized gains of $0.05 million and $0.03 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivables	Receivables
	Receivables consist primarily of amounts due from state Medicaid agencies, which may be subject to potential retroactive adjustments. Because all of our receivable amounts are readily determinable and substantially all of our creditors are governmental authorities, our allowance for doubtful accounts is immaterial.
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	California	$	83,772	$	310,938
	Florida	19,833		2,141
	Illinois	85,640		31,594
	Michigan	20,748		19,880
	New Mexico	61,532		49,609
	Ohio	59,167		45,187
	South Carolina	13,386		4,134
	Texas	40,642		29,348
	Utah	10,176		6,389
	Washington	45,474		42,848
	Wisconsin	11,752		8,102
	Direct delivery and other	10,642		11,295
	Total Health Plans segment	462,764		561,465
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	28,666		34,991
		$	491,430	$	596,456

Restricted_Investments

Restricted Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 government authorities in certificates of deposit and U.S. treasury securities. We also maintain restricted investments as protection against the insolvency of certain capitated providers. In connection with a Molina Medicaid Solutions segment state contract, we maintain restricted investments as collateral for a letter of credit. The following table presents the balances of restricted investments:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	California	$	373	$	373
	Florida	28,661		28,649
	Illinois	311		311
	Michigan	1,014		1,014
	New Mexico	39,639		35,135
	Ohio	12,719		12,719
	Puerto Rico	5,095		5,097
	South Carolina	310		6,040
	Texas	3,502		3,500
	Utah	3,600		3,601
	Washington	151		151
	Other	990		888
	Total Health Plans segment	96,365		97,478
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	5,001		5,001
		$	101,366	$	102,479
	The contractual maturities of our held-to-maturity restricted investments as of March 31, 2015 are summarized below:
		Amortized		Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	96,101	$	96,103
	Due one year through five years	5,265		5,271
		$	101,366	$	101,374

Medical_Claims_and_Benefits_Pa

Medical Claims and Benefits Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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.
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Fee-for-service claims incurred but not paid (IBNP)	$	1,089,903		$	870,429
	Pharmacy payable	84,180			71,412
	Capitation payable	47,171			28,150
	Other	226,878			230,531
		$	1,448,132		$	1,200,522
	"Other" medical claims and benefits payable include amounts payable to certain providers for which we act as an intermediary on behalf of various government agencies without assuming financial risk. Such receipts and payments do not impact our consolidated statements of income. Such non-risk provider payables amounted to $105.4 million and $119.3 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 periods” 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.
		Three Months Ended			Year Ended
		31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Medical claims and benefits payable, beginning balance	$	1,200,522		$	669,787
	Components of medical care costs related to:
	Current period	2,771,588			8,122,885
	Prior periods (1)	(135,833		)	(45,979		)
	Total medical care costs	2,635,755			8,076,906
	Change in non-risk provider payables	(13,914		)	(31,973		)
	Payments for medical care costs related to:
	Current period	1,647,981			7,064,427
	Prior periods	726,250			449,771
	Total paid	2,374,231			7,514,198
	Medical claims and benefits payable, ending balance	$	1,448,132		$	1,200,522
	Benefit from prior period as a percentage of:
	Balance at beginning of period	11.3		%	6.9		%
	Premium revenue, trailing twelve months	1.4		%	0.5		%
	Medical care costs, trailing twelve months	1.5		%	0.6		%
	____________________
	-1	The benefit from prior period development of medical claims and benefits payable for the three months ended March 31, 2015 included approximately $25 million relating to programs that contain medical cost floor or corridor provisions. Accordingly, premium revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was reduced by the same amount.
	That portion of our total medical claims and benefits payable liability that is most subject to variability in the estimate is fee-for-service claims incurred but not paid (IBNP). Our IBNP, as included in medical claims and benefits payable, represents our best estimate of the total amount of claims we will ultimately pay with respect to claims that we have incurred as of the balance sheet date. We estimate our IBNP monthly using actuarial methods based on a number of factors.
	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 IBNP liability recorded at the end of the period as a result of the inclusion in that liability of the provision for adverse claims deviation 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.
	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.
	As indicated above, the amounts ultimately paid out on our medical claims and benefits payable liabilities in fiscal years 2015 and 2014 were less than what we had expected when we had established those liabilities. The differences between our original estimates and the amounts ultimately paid out (or now expected to be ultimately paid out) for the most part related to IBNP. 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.
	We believe that the most significant factors that will determine the accuracy of our IBNP estimates at March 31, 2015 are as follows:
	•	At our Florida health plan, Marketplace enrollment increased by 185,000 members in the first quarter of 2015. Because of these new members the reserves are more subject to change than usual.
	•	At our Illinois health plan, enrollment has increased by nearly 81,000 members during the fourth quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2015. Because of these new members the reserves are more subject to change than usual.
	•	At our Ohio health plan, enrollment in the MMP integrated duals program has increased by approximately 9,000 members during the first quarter of 2015. Because of these new members the reserves are more subject to change than usual.
	•	At our Washington health plan, certain delays related to the implementation of revised fee schedules resulted in a significant increase to our claims inventory in the first quarter of 2015. This additional inventory adds to the uncertainty of our unpaid claims estimates.
	We recognized favorable prior period claims development in the amount of $135.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. This amount represents our estimate as of March 31, 2015, of the extent to which our initial estimate of medical claims and benefits payable at December 31, 2014 was more than the amount that will ultimately be paid out in satisfaction of that liability. We believe the overestimation was due primarily to the following factors:
	•	At our Ohio health plan, approximately 17,000 members were enrolled in the new MMP program during 2014. Since we did not have enough historical claims data to use the pattern of paid and incurred claims, we initially estimated the reserves for these new members by applying an estimated medical care ratio (MCR). This resulted in an overstatement in our reserve liability as of December 31, 2014.
	•	Also at our Ohio health plan, reserves for the Medicaid expansion population were partially based on expected costs built into the pricing assumptions because this program was new in 2014. Our costs were ultimately less than those assumed in those pricing assumptions, resulting in an overestimation of our liability as of December 31, 2014.
	•	At our California health plan, the reserves for the Medicaid expansion membership were also partially based on expected claims in the pricing assumptions. Since experience was ultimately better than assumed in the pricing, this caused an overstatement of reserves as of December 31, 2014.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	As of March 31, 2015, maturities of debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
		Total		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	550,000
	1.625% Notes (1)	301,551		—		—		—		—		—		301,551
		$	851,551	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	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, or we may redeem any 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 (the 1.125% Notes) due January 15, 2020, unless earlier repurchased or converted. 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 are senior unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 1.125% Notes; equal in right of payment to any of our unsecured indebtedness that is not subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
	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. Upon conversion, in lieu of receiving shares of our common stock, a holder will receive an amount in cash, per $1,000 principal amount of 1.125% Notes, equal to the settlement amount, determined in the manner set forth in the indenture. We may not redeem the 1.125% Notes prior to the maturity date.
	Holders may convert their 1.125% Notes only under the following circumstances:
	•	during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2013 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;
	•	during the five business day period immediately after any five consecutive trading day period (the measurement period) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of 1.125% Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day;
	•	upon the occurrence of specified corporate events; or
	•	at any time on or after July 15, 2019 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date.
	The 1.125% Notes met the stock price trigger in the quarter ended March 31, 2015, and are convertible to cash through at least June 30, 2015. Because the 1.125% Notes may be converted within 12 months, the $440.2 million carrying amount is reported in current portion of long-term debt as of March 31, 2015.
	The 1.125% Notes contain an embedded cash conversion option (the 1.125% 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% Conversion Option transaction settles or expires. The initial fair value liability of the 1.125% 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 of approximately 6%. As of March 31, 2015, the 1.125% Notes have a remaining amortization period of 4.8 years. The 1.125% Notes' if-converted value exceeded their principal amount by approximately $237 million and $93 million as of March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	1.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2044. In September 2014, we issued $301.6 million aggregate principal amount of 1.625% convertible senior notes (the 1.625% Notes) due August 15, 2044, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. 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. 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 or events occur, or under certain events of default. For example, 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 1.625% Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 1.625% Notes; equal in right of payment to any of our unsecured indebtedness that is not subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
	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).
	Holders may convert their 1.625% Notes only under the following circumstances:
	•	during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2014 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;
	•	during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period (the measurement period) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of 1.625% Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day;
	•	upon the occurrence of specified corporate events;
	•	if we call any 1.625% Notes for redemption, at any time until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the redemption date;
	•	during the period from, and including, May 15, 2018 to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding August 19, 2018; or
	•	at any time on or after February 15, 2044 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their 1.625% Notes, in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount, at the option of the holder regardless of the foregoing circumstances.
	As of March 31, 2015, the 1.625% Notes were not convertible.
	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 or on any specified repurchase date. 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. As of March 31, 2015, the 1.625% Notes have a remaining amortization period of 3.4 years. 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 exceeded their principal amount by approximately $29 million as of March 31, 2015, and did not exceed their principal amount as of December 31, 2014. At March 31, 2015, the equity component of the 1.625% Notes, including the impact of deferred taxes, was $22.9 million.
	The principal amounts, unamortized discount (net of premium related to 1.625% Notes), and net carrying amounts of the convertible senior notes were as follows:
		Principal Balance		Unamortized Discount		Net Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
	March 31, 2015:
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	109,752	$	440,248
	1.625% Notes	301,551		30,715		270,836
		$	851,551	$	140,467	$	711,084
	December 31, 2014:
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	114,670	$	435,330
	1.625% Notes	301,551		32,784		268,767
		$	851,551	$	147,454	$	704,097
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Interest cost recognized for the period relating to the:
	Contractual interest coupon rate	$	2,772	$	3,300
	Amortization of the discount	6,986		6,314
		$	9,758	$	9,614
	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 located 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 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. Rent will increase 3% per year through the initial 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 $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	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. We have concluded that we are the accounting owner of the buildings due to our continuing involvement with the properties. We have recorded $37.7 million to property, equipment and capitalized software, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015, which represents the total cost incurred by the Landlord for the construction of the buildings, net of accumulated depreciation. As of March 31, 2015, the aggregate amount recorded to lease financing obligations, including the current portion, amounted to $40.5 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 $1.0 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 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 insignificant for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014.

Derivatives

Derivatives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives	Derivatives
	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	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
			(In thousands)
	Derivative asset:
	1.125% Call Option	Current assets: Derivative asset	$	474,121	$	—
		Non-current assets: Derivative asset	$	—	$	329,323
	Derivative liability:
	1.125% Conversion Option	Current liabilities: Derivative liability	$	473,983	$	—
		Non-current liabilities: Derivative liability	$	—	$	329,194
	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 expense, net. Gains and losses for our derivative financial instruments are presented individually in the consolidated statements of cash flows, supplemental cash flow information.
	As of March 31, 2015, the 1.125% Call Option and the 1.125% Conversion Option were classified as a current asset and current liability, respectively, because the 1.125% Notes may be converted within 12 months of March 31, 2015, as described in Note 11, "Debt.”
	1.125% Notes Call Spread Overlay. Concurrent with the issuance of the 1.125% Notes in 2013, 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% 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% Conversion Option, refer to Note 6, "Fair Value Measurements."

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity
	Stockholders' equity increased $31.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared with stockholders' equity at December 31, 2014. The increase was due to net income of $28.2 million, $1.3 million related to other comprehensive income and $2.1 million related to employee stock transactions.
	1.125% Warrants. In connection with the 1.125% Notes Call Spread Overlay transaction described in Note 12, "Derivatives," 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. 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. 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. We will not receive any additional proceeds if the 1.125% Warrants are exercised.
	Securities Repurchase Programs. Effective as of February 25, 2015, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million in aggregate of our common stock. 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 market conditions. This repurchase program extends through December 31, 2015.
	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 273,000 shares of common stock, net of shares used to settle employees’ income tax obligations, for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 health plans and our direct delivery business. Our 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, and 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." For presentation purposes, the cost of centralized services is reported within the Health Plans segment.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Revenue, continuing operations:
	Health Plans segment:
	Premium revenue	$	2,970,652	$	1,940,337
	Premium tax revenue	95,347		51,693
	Health insurer fee revenue	47,948		18,696
	Investment income	3,015		1,629
	Other revenue	2,303		3,258
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment:
	Service revenue	51,858		53,630
		$	3,171,123	$	2,069,243
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense:
	Health Plans segment	$	68,440	$	14,019
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	13,790		10,248
	Operating income, continuing operations	82,230		24,267
	Other expenses, net	14,866		13,778
		$	67,364	$	10,489

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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.
	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, versus number 631612. 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 under which Molina Healthcare of Florida, Inc. began conducting business in 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, Case No. SACV13-1348-FMO(SHx). 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., purportedly 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 statutes, 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 $928 million at March 31, 2015, and $859 million at December 31, 2014. 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 $210.6 million and $202.6 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 which may vary from state to state.
	As of March 31, 2015, our health plans had aggregate statutory capital and surplus of approximately $987 million compared with the required minimum aggregate statutory capital and surplus of approximately $581 million. All of our health plans were in compliance with the minimum capital requirements at March 31, 2015. 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions
	We have entered into a lease (the Amended Lease) with 6th & Pine Development, LLC (the Landlord) for two office buildings. 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. 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 Amended Lease provides for an annual rent escalator of 3.4% per year, and will expire on December 31, 2029, unless extended or earlier terminated. For information regarding the lease financing obligation, refer to Note 11, "Debt."
	Refer to Note 17, "Variable Interest Entities," for a discussion of the Joseph M. Molina, M.D. Professional Corporations.

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity	Variable Interest Entities
	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 primary 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 primary care medical services through its employed physicians and other medical professionals. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2014, JMMPC also provided certain specialty referral services to our California health plan members through a contracted provider network. 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 March 31, 2015, JMMPC had total assets of $10.7 million, and total liabilities of $8.8 million. As of December 31, 2014, JMMPC had total assets of $31.1 million, and total liabilities of $30.8 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, employee benefits and medical care costs associated with JMMPC's specialty referral activities. We believe that such loss exposures will be immaterial to our consolidated operating results and cash flows for the foreseeable future.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, 2015.
	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, 2014. Accordingly, certain disclosures that would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the December 31, 2014 audited consolidated financial statements have been omitted. These unaudited consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with our December 31, 2014 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, and premiums collected in advance are deferred.
	Certain components of premium revenue are subject to accounting estimates as follows:
	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 $446.5 million and $392.4 million at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively, to amounts due government agencies. Approximately $430 million of the liability accrued at March 31, 2015 relates to our participation in Medicaid expansion programs.
	In general, such amounts are subject to future changes in estimate based upon our actual cost performance and interpretations of allowable medical costs and revenue. At our Washington health plan (where we had recorded a liability of approximately $260 million related to the Medicaid expansion medical cost floor at March 31, 2015), premium revenue may be retroactively adjusted across the entire state Medicaid expansion program based upon the medical cost performance of the program as a whole. As such, our liability under Washington’s contractual provisions is determined not just by our own medical cost performance, but by that of all health plans participating in the program; and we have limited visibility into the costs of those health plans.
	In certain circumstances, the health plans may receive additional premiums if amounts spent on medical care costs exceed a defined maximum threshold, but we had no receivables recorded at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014 that were related to such provisions. 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 retain, we recorded a liability of $5.6 million and $0.5 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 will recover premium from us. In the event that a member requires more acute medical care than was anticipated by the original premium amount, CMS will 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 $17.3 million and $7.6 million for anticipated Medicare risk adjustment premiums at March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Quality Incentives
	At our California, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin health plans, revenue ranging from approximately 1% to 4% of certain health plan premiums is earned if specified performance measures are met.
	The following table quantifies the quality incentive premium revenue recognized for the periods presented, including the amounts earned in the period presented and prior periods. Although the reasonably possible effects of a change in estimate related to quality incentive premium revenue as of March 31, 2015 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 March 31, 2015.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Maximum available quality incentive premium - current period	$	30,315	$	20,164
	Amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period:
	Earned current period	$	9,551	$	5,297
	Earned prior periods	383		(378		)
	Total	$	9,934	$	4,919
	Total premium revenue recognized for state health plans with quality incentive premiums	$	2,353,235	$	1,200,619
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 expenses under the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurer Fee (HIF), 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 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
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-03 - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which will require debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of such debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This ASU will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2016, and is applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements; early adoption is permitted. 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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 period presented and prior periods. Although the reasonably possible effects of a change in estimate related to quality incentive premium revenue as of March 31, 2015 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 March 31, 2015.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Maximum available quality incentive premium - current period	$	30,315	$	20,164
	Amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period:
	Earned current period	$	9,551	$	5,297
	Earned prior periods	383		(378		)
	Total	$	9,934	$	4,919
	Total premium revenue recognized for state health plans with quality incentive premiums	$	2,353,235	$	1,200,619

Net_Income_per_Share_Table

Net Income per Share (Table)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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
		March 31,
		2015	2014
		(In thousands)
	Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	48,578	45,871
	Weighted-average number of shares:
	Issued, share-based compensation	107	150
	Denominator for basic net income per share	48,685	46,021
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Share-based compensation	468	597
	Convertible senior notes (1)	—	902
	1.125% Warrants (1)	918	—
	Denominator for diluted net income per share	50,071	47,520
	Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from calculations (2):
	Stock options	—	45
	Restricted shares	55	192
	1.125% Warrants	—	13,490
	______________________________
	-1	For more information regarding the convertible senior notes, refer to Note 11, "Debt." For more information regarding the 1.125% Warrants, refer to Note 12, "Derivatives."
	-2	The dilutive effect of all potentially dilutive common shares is calculated using the treasury-stock method. Certain potentially dilutive common shares issuable are not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the 1.125% Warrants were excluded from diluted shares outstanding because the exercise price exceeded the average market price of our common stock.

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock based compensation expense	Charged to general and administrative expenses, total share-based compensation expense was as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Restricted stock and performance awards	$	4,601		$	4,608
	Employee stock purchase plan and stock options	1,074			988
		$	5,675		$	5,596
Restricted share activity	Restricted and performance stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is summarized below:
		Shares		Weighted
				Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Unvested balance as of December 31, 2014	1,282,072		$	33.55
	Granted	171,835		63.07
	Vested	(371,198	)	32.03
	Forfeited	(26,582	)	37.35
	Unvested balance as of March 31, 2015	1,056,127		38.79

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of assets measured on recurring basis	Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2015, were as follows:
		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	809,150		$	—	$	809,150		$	—
	Municipal securities	120,157			—		120,157			—
	GSEs	142,859			142,859		—			—
	U.S. treasury notes	64,327			64,327		—			—
	Certificates of deposit	56,018			—		56,018			—
	Asset-backed securities	11,355			—		11,355			—
	Auction rate securities	2,800			—		—			2,800
	1.125% Call Option derivative asset	474,121			—		—			474,121
	Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	1,680,787		$	207,186	$	996,680		$	476,921
	1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability	$	473,983		$	—	$	—		$	473,983
	Contingent consideration liability	500			—		—			500
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	474,483		$	—	$	—		$	474,483
	Our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2014, were as follows:
		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	641,729		$	—	$	641,729		$	—
	Municipal securities	127,045			—		127,045			—
	GSEs	122,269			122,269		—			—
	U.S. treasury notes	59,543			59,543		—			—
	Certificates of deposit	68,876			—		68,876			—
	Auction rate securities	4,847			—		—			4,847
	1.125% Call Option derivative asset	329,323			—		—			329,323
	Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	1,353,632		$	181,812	$	837,650		$	334,170
	1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability	$	329,194		$	—	$	—		$	329,194
	Contingent consideration liability	500			—		—			500
	Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	329,694		$	—	$	—		$	329,694
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):
		Changes in Level 3 Instruments
		Auction Rate Securities			Derivatives, Net		Contingent Consideration Liability
		(In thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	4,847		$	129	$	(500	)
	Total gains for the period recognized in:
	Other expenses, net	—			9		—
	Other comprehensive income	53			—		—
	Settlements	(2,100		)	—		—
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2,800		$	138	$	(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.
		31-Mar-15
		Carrying			Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	1.125% Notes	$	440,248		$	919,919	$	—		$	919,919	$	—
	1.625% Notes	270,836			381,610		—			381,610		—
		$	711,084		$	1,301,529	$	—		$	1,301,529	$	—
		31-Dec-14
		Carrying			Total		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	1.125% Notes	$	435,330		$	767,377	$	—		$	767,377	$	—
	1.625% Notes	268,767			337,292		—			337,292		—
		$	704,097		$	1,104,669	$	—		$	1,104,669	$	—

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	The following tables summarize our investments as of the dates indicated:
		31-Mar-15
		Amortized		Gross					Estimated
				Unrealized					Fair
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	809,009	$	783	$	642		$	809,150
	Municipal securities	119,896		291		30			120,157
	GSEs	142,851		98		90			142,859
	U.S. treasury notes	64,061		266		—			64,327
	Certificates of deposit	56,019		1		2			56,018
	Asset-backed securities	11,359		1		5			11,355
	Subtotal - current investments	1,203,195		1,440		769			1,203,866
	Auction rate securities	3,000		—		200			2,800
		$	1,206,195	$	1,440	$	969		$	1,206,666
		31-Dec-14
		Amortized		Gross					Estimated
				Unrealized					Fair
		Cost		Gains		Losses			Value
		(In thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	642,910	$	201	$	1,382		$	641,729
	Municipal securities	127,185		129		269			127,045
	GSEs	122,317		34		82			122,269
	U.S. treasury notes	59,546		30		33			59,543
	Certificates of deposit	68,893		1		18			68,876
	Subtotal - current investments	1,020,851		395		1,784			1,019,462
	Auction rate securities	5,100		—		253			4,847
		$	1,025,951	$	395	$	2,037		$	1,024,309
Contractual maturities of investments	The contractual maturities of our investments as of March 31, 2015 are summarized below:
		Amortized Cost		Estimated
				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	594,621	$	594,574
	Due one year through five years	601,243		601,953
	Due after five years through ten years	7,331		7,339
	Due after ten years	3,000		2,800
		$	1,206,195	$	1,206,666
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 loss position for 12 months or more as of March 31, 2015:
		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				Positions		Value					Positions
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	307,035	$	455	189		$	75,899		$	187	33
	Municipal securities	23,469		13		31		3,820			17		9
	GSEs	67,378		90		16		—			—		—
	Certificates of deposit	7,037		2		29		—			—		—
	Asset-backed securities	7,456		5		6		—			—		—
	Auction rate securities	—		—		—		2,800			200		4
		$	412,375	$	565	271		$	82,519		$	404	46
	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 loss position for 12 months or more as of December 31, 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				Positions		Value					Positions
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	379,034	$	1,151	265		$	28,668		$	231	10
	Municipal securities	53,626		168		64		11,075			101		13
	GSEs	75,025		69		22		2,986			13		3
	U.S. treasury notes	19,199		33		13		—			—		—
	Certificates of deposit	12,591		18		52		—			—		—
	Auction rate securities	—		—		—		4,847			253		6
		$	539,475	$	1,439	416		$	47,576		$	598	32

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Summary of Accounts Receivable
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	California	$	83,772	$	310,938
	Florida	19,833		2,141
	Illinois	85,640		31,594
	Michigan	20,748		19,880
	New Mexico	61,532		49,609
	Ohio	59,167		45,187
	South Carolina	13,386		4,134
	Texas	40,642		29,348
	Utah	10,176		6,389
	Washington	45,474		42,848
	Wisconsin	11,752		8,102
	Direct delivery and other	10,642		11,295
	Total Health Plans segment	462,764		561,465
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	28,666		34,991
		$	491,430	$	596,456

Restricted_Investments_Tables

Restricted Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Summary of restricted investments by health plan	The following table presents the balances of restricted investments:
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	California	$	373	$	373
	Florida	28,661		28,649
	Illinois	311		311
	Michigan	1,014		1,014
	New Mexico	39,639		35,135
	Ohio	12,719		12,719
	Puerto Rico	5,095		5,097
	South Carolina	310		6,040
	Texas	3,502		3,500
	Utah	3,600		3,601
	Washington	151		151
	Other	990		888
	Total Health Plans segment	96,365		97,478
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	5,001		5,001
		$	101,366	$	102,479
Contractual maturities of our held-to-maturity restricted investments	The contractual maturities of our held-to-maturity restricted investments as of March 31, 2015 are summarized below:
		Amortized		Estimated
		Cost		Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	96,101	$	96,103
	Due one year through five years	5,265		5,271
		$	101,366	$	101,374

Medical_Claims_and_Benefits_Pa1

Medical Claims and Benefits Payable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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.
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Fee-for-service claims incurred but not paid (IBNP)	$	1,089,903		$	870,429
	Pharmacy payable	84,180			71,412
	Capitation payable	47,171			28,150
	Other	226,878			230,531
		$	1,448,132		$	1,200,522
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 periods” 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.
		Three Months Ended			Year Ended
		31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Medical claims and benefits payable, beginning balance	$	1,200,522		$	669,787
	Components of medical care costs related to:
	Current period	2,771,588			8,122,885
	Prior periods (1)	(135,833		)	(45,979		)
	Total medical care costs	2,635,755			8,076,906
	Change in non-risk provider payables	(13,914		)	(31,973		)
	Payments for medical care costs related to:
	Current period	1,647,981			7,064,427
	Prior periods	726,250			449,771
	Total paid	2,374,231			7,514,198
	Medical claims and benefits payable, ending balance	$	1,448,132		$	1,200,522
	Benefit from prior period as a percentage of:
	Balance at beginning of period	11.3		%	6.9		%
	Premium revenue, trailing twelve months	1.4		%	0.5		%
	Medical care costs, trailing twelve months	1.5		%	0.6		%
	____________________
	-1	The benefit from prior period development of medical claims and benefits payable for the three months ended March 31, 2015 included approximately $25 million relating to programs that contain medical cost floor or corridor provisions. Accordingly, premium revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was reduced by the same amount.

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of maturities of long-term debt	As of March 31, 2015, maturities of debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
		Total		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	550,000
	1.625% Notes (1)	301,551		—		—		—		—		—		301,551
		$	851,551	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	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, or we may redeem any or all of the 1.625% Notes.
Long term debt	The principal amounts, unamortized discount (net of premium related to 1.625% Notes), and net carrying amounts of the convertible senior notes were as follows:
		Principal Balance		Unamortized Discount		Net Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
	March 31, 2015:
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	109,752	$	440,248
	1.625% Notes	301,551		30,715		270,836
		$	851,551	$	140,467	$	711,084
	December 31, 2014:
	1.125% Notes	$	550,000	$	114,670	$	435,330
	1.625% Notes	301,551		32,784		268,767
		$	851,551	$	147,454	$	704,097
Debt instruments interest cost recognized
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Interest cost recognized for the period relating to the:
	Contractual interest coupon rate	$	2,772	$	3,300
	Amortization of the discount	6,986		6,314
		$	9,758	$	9,614

Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
			(In thousands)
	Derivative asset:
	1.125% Call Option	Current assets: Derivative asset	$	474,121	$	—
		Non-current assets: Derivative asset	$	—	$	329,323
	Derivative liability:
	1.125% Conversion Option	Current liabilities: Derivative liability	$	473,983	$	—
		Non-current liabilities: Derivative liability	$	—	$	329,194

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating segment information
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Revenue, continuing operations:
	Health Plans segment:
	Premium revenue	$	2,970,652	$	1,940,337
	Premium tax revenue	95,347		51,693
	Health insurer fee revenue	47,948		18,696
	Investment income	3,015		1,629
	Other revenue	2,303		3,258
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment:
	Service revenue	51,858		53,630
		$	3,171,123	$	2,069,243
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense:
	Health Plans segment	$	68,440	$	14,019
	Molina Medicaid Solutions segment	13,790		10,248
	Operating income, continuing operations	82,230		24,267
	Other expenses, net	14,866		13,778
		$	67,364	$	10,489

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 01, 2015	1-May-15
	Segment	member
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	3,000,000
Subsequent Event | Puerto Rico
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of members added		350,000
Marketplace | Florida
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of members added	185,000
NEW JERSEY | Subsequent Event | Molina Medicaid Solutions
Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Contractual term			10 years
Number of renewal options			3
Period of contract renewal term			1 year

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]
Amounts due government agencies	$622,158,000	$527,193,000
Maximum period for member risk scores and member pharmacy cost experience after original year of service	2 years
Anticipated Medicare risk adjustment premiums	17,300,000	7,600,000
Medical Premium Liability Due to Agency
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]
Medical premiums liability based on medical cost thresholds	446,500,000	392,400,000
Profit sharing liability	5,600,000	500,000
California Department of Health Care Services | California
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]
Maximum alternative minimum payment upon expiration of the settlement agreement	40,000,000
Medicaid Expansion
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]
Amounts due government agencies	430,000,000
Washington | Medicaid Expansion
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]
Amounts due government agencies	$260,000,000

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Quality Incentive Premium Revenue Recognized (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]
Total premium revenue recognized for state health plans with quality incentive premiums	$2,970,652	$1,940,337
California, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]
Maximum available quality incentive premium - current period	30,315	20,164
Amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period: Earned current period	9,551	5,297
Amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period: Earned prior periods	383	-378
Total amount of quality incentive premium revenue recognized in current period:	9,934	4,919
Total premium revenue recognized for state health plans with quality incentive premiums	$2,353,235	$1,200,619
Minimum | California, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]
Percentage Of Additional Incremental Revenue Earned	1.00%
Maximum | California, Illinois, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin
Schedule of Premium Revenue by Health Plan Type [Line Items]
Percentage Of Additional Incremental Revenue Earned	4.00%

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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	48,578		45,871
Weighted-average number of shares:
Issued, share-based compensation	107		150
Denominator for basic net income per share	48,685		46,021
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share-based compensation	468		597
Convertible senior notes	0	[1]	902	[1]
1.125% Warrants	918	[1]	0	[1]
Denominator for diluted net income per share	50,071		47,520
Employee Stock Option
Effect of dilutive securities:
Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from calculations	0	[2]	45	[2]
Restricted shares
Effect of dilutive securities:
Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from calculations	55	[2]	192	[2]
1.125% Warrants
Effect of dilutive securities:
Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from calculations	0	[2]	13,490	[2]
Gain on 1.125% Call Option
Effect of dilutive securities:
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Call Option	1.13%				1.13%
[1]	For more information regarding the convertible senior notes, refer to Note 11, "Debt." For more information regarding the 1.125% Warrants, refer to Note 12, "Derivatives."
[2]	The dilutive effect of all potentially dilutive common shares is calculated using the treasury-stock method. Certain potentially dilutive common shares issuable are not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the 1.125% Warrants were excluded from diluted shares outstanding because the exercise price exceeded the average market price of our common stock.

Business_Combinations_Details

Business Combinations (Details) (Florida, First Coast Advantage, LLC, USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
		member
Florida | First Coast Advantage, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of members added		62,000
Final purchase price of business acquisition	$44.60
Gross payments to acquire businesses	$36.60	$8

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense	$29.30
Weighted average period	2 years 0 months
Restricted and Performance Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of restricted and performance stock awards granted	10.8	22.9
Total fair value of restricted shares vested	$23.40	$20.90
2011 Plan | Executive Officer | Restricted shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of nonvested shares outstanding	312,000

ShareBased_Compensation_Expens

Share-Based Compensation - Expenses Charged to General and Administrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	$5,675	$5,596
Restricted stock and performance awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	4,601	4,608
Employee stock purchase plan and stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense	$1,074	$988

ShareBased_Compensation_Restri

Share-Based Compensation - Restricted Share Activity (Details) (Restricted stock and performance awards, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted stock and performance awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, Shares	1,282,072
Granted, Shares	171,835
Vested, Shares	-371,198
Forfeited, Shares	-26,582
Ending Balance, Shares	1,056,127
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	$33.55
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$63.07
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$32.03
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$37.35
Ending Balance, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$38.79

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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%
1.125% Notes
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes	1.13%	1.13%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Financial Instruments on Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
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	$1,680,787	$1,353,632
Total liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis	474,483	329,694
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	809,150	641,729
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	120,157	127,045
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	142,859	122,269
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	64,327	59,543
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	56,018	68,876
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	11,355
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	2,800	4,847
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | 1.125% Call Option derivative asset
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	474,121	329,323
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | 1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability	473,983	329,194
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Contingent consideration liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability	500	500
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	207,186	181,812
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	142,859	122,269
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	64,327	59,543
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 | Asset-backed 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
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 asset
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% Conversion Option derivative liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Contingent consideration liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability	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	996,680	837,650
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	809,150	641,729
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	120,157	127,045
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	56,018	68,876
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	11,355
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 asset
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% Conversion Option derivative liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Contingent consideration liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability	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	476,921	334,170
Total liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis	474,483	329,694
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 | Asset-backed 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
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	2,800	4,847
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | 1.125% Call Option derivative asset
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	474,121	329,323
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | 1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability	473,983	329,194
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Contingent consideration liability
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability	$500	$500
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%
1.125% Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes	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 $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Auction rate securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$4,847
Total gains for the period recognized in earnings	0
Total gains for the period recognized in other comprehensive income	53
Settlements	-2,100
Ending Balance	2,800
Derivatives, Net
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	129
Total gains for the period recognized in earnings	9
Total gains for the period recognized in other comprehensive income	0
Settlements	0
Ending Balance	138
Contingent Consideration Liability
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	-500
Total gains for the period recognized in earnings	0
Total gains for the period recognized in other comprehensive income	0
Settlements	0
Ending Balance	($500)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements - Details of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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%	1.63%
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	0
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	1,301,529	1,104,669
Level 2 | 1.125% Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	919,919	767,377
Level 2 | 1.625% Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	381,610	337,292
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	0
Carrying Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	711,084	704,097
Carrying Value | 1.125% Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	440,248	435,330
Carrying Value | 1.625% Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	270,836	268,767
Total Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	1,301,529	1,104,669
Total Fair Value | 1.125% Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	919,919	767,377
Total Fair Value | 1.625% Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	381,610	337,292

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		84 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2008
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Auction rate securities at par value	$1,206,666,000		$1,206,666,000	$1,024,309,000	$82,100,000
Pretax unrealized gains	2,116,000	1,426,000
Auction rate securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Auction rate securities at par value	2,800,000		2,800,000	4,847,000
Auction rate securities at par value, settled			79,100,000
Pretax unrealized gains	$50,000	$30,000
Auction rate securities | Minimum
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Maturity period of securities	16 years
Auction rate securities | Maximum
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Maturity period of securities	31 years

Investments_Summary_of_Investm

Investments - Summary of Investments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2008
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$1,206,195	$1,025,951
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,440	395
Gross Unrealized Losses	969	2,037
Estimated Fair Value	1,206,666	1,024,309	82,100
Subtotal - current investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,203,195	1,020,851
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,440	395
Gross Unrealized Losses	769	1,784
Estimated Fair Value	1,203,866	1,019,462
Corporate debt securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	809,009	642,910
Gross Unrealized Gains	783	201
Gross Unrealized Losses	642	1,382
Estimated Fair Value	809,150	641,729
Municipal securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	119,896	127,185
Gross Unrealized Gains	291	129
Gross Unrealized Losses	30	269
Estimated Fair Value	120,157	127,045
GSEs
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	142,851	122,317
Gross Unrealized Gains	98	34
Gross Unrealized Losses	90	82
Estimated Fair Value	142,859	122,269
U.S. treasury notes
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	64,061	59,546
Gross Unrealized Gains	266	30
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	33
Estimated Fair Value	64,327	59,543
Certificates of deposit
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	56,019	68,893
Gross Unrealized Gains	1	1
Gross Unrealized Losses	2	18
Estimated Fair Value	56,018	68,876
Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	11,359
Gross Unrealized Gains	1
Gross Unrealized Losses	5
Estimated Fair Value	11,355
Auction rate securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	3,000	5,100
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	200	253
Estimated Fair Value	$2,800	$4,847

Investments_Contractual_Maturi

Investments - Contractual Maturities of Investments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less, Cost	$594,621
Due one year through five years, Cost	601,243
Due after five years through ten years, Cost	7,331
Due after ten years, Cost	3,000
Amortized Cost	1,206,195	1,025,951
Due in one year or less, Estimated Fair Value	594,574
Due one year through five years, Estimated Fair Value	601,953
Due after five years through ten years, Estimated Fair Value	7,339
Due after ten years, Estimated Fair Value	2,800
Total, Estimated Fair Value	$1,206,666

Investments_AvailableforSale_I

Investments - Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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	$412,375	$539,475
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	565	1,439
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Number of Positions	271	416
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	82,519	47,576
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	404	598
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Number of Positions	46	32
Corporate debt securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	307,035	379,034
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	455	1,151
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Number of Positions	189	265
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	75,899	28,668
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	187	231
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Number of Positions	33	10
Municipal securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	23,469	53,626
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	13	168
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Number of Positions	31	64
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	3,820	11,075
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	17	101
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Number of Positions	9	13
GSEs
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	67,378	75,025
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	90	69
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Number of Positions	16	22
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	0	2,986
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	0	13
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Number of Positions	0	3
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		19,199
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses		33
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Number of Positions		13
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value		0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses		0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Number of Positions		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	7,037	12,591
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	2	18
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Number of Positions	29	52
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, Number of Positions	0	0
Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Estimated Fair Value	7,456
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	5
In a Continuous Loss Position for Less than 12 Months, Number of Positions	6
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Number of Positions	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, Number of Positions	0	0
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Estimated Fair value	2,800	4,847
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Unrealized Losses	$200	$253
In a Continuous Loss Position for 12 Months or More, Number of Positions	4	6

Receivables_Summary_of_Account

Receivables - Summary of Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	$491,430	$596,456
Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	462,764	561,465
Medicaid Solutions Segment
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	28,666	34,991
California | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	83,772	310,938
Florida | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	19,833	2,141
Illinois | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	85,640	31,594
Michigan | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	20,748	19,880
New Mexico | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	61,532	49,609
Ohio | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	59,167	45,187
South Carolina | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	13,386	4,134
Texas | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	40,642	29,348
Utah | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	10,176	6,389
Washington | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	45,474	42,848
Wisconsin | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	11,752	8,102
Direct delivery and other | Health Plans
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Total receivables	$10,642	$11,295

Restricted_Investments_Summary

Restricted Investments - Summary of Restricted Investments by Health Plan (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted investments by health plan	$101,366	$102,479
Health Plans
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted investments by health plan	96,365	97,478
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	28,661	28,649
Health Plans | Illinois
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted investments by health plan	311	311
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	39,639	35,135
Health Plans | Ohio
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted investments by health plan	12,719	12,719
Health Plans | Puerto Rico
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted investments by health plan	5,095	5,097
Health Plans | South Carolina
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted investments by health plan	310	6,040
Health Plans | Texas
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted investments by health plan	3,502	3,500
Health Plans | Utah
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted investments by health plan	3,600	3,601
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	990	888
Medicaid Solutions Segment
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted investments by health plan	$5,001	$5,001

Restricted_Investments_Contrac

Restricted Investments - Contractual Maturities of Our Held-to-Maturity Restricted Investments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized Cost, Due in one year or less	$96,101
Amortized Cost, Due one year through five years	5,265
Amortized Cost, Total	101,366
Estimated Fair Value, Due in one year or less	96,103
Estimated Fair Value, Due one year through five years	5,271
Estimated Fair Value, Total	$101,374

Medical_Claims_and_Benefits_Pa2

Medical Claims and Benefits Payable - Medical Claims and Future Benefits (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fee-for-service claims incurred but not paid (IBNP)	$1,089,903	$870,429
Pharmacy payable	84,180	71,412
Capitation payable	47,171	28,150
Other Claims Payable	226,878	230,531
Medical claims and benefits payable	$1,448,132	$1,200,522	$669,787

Medical_Claims_and_Benefits_Pa3

Medical Claims and Benefits Payable - Components of Change in Medical Claims and Benefits Payable (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance Claims [Roll Forward]
Medical claims and benefits payable, beginning balance	$1,200,522,000		$669,787,000
Components of medical care costs related to:
Current period	2,771,588,000		8,122,885,000
Prior periods	-135,833,000	[1]	-45,979,000	[1]
Total medical care costs	2,635,755,000		8,076,906,000
Change in non-risk provider payables	-13,914,000		-31,973,000
Payments for medical care costs related to:
Current period	1,647,981,000		7,064,427,000
Prior periods	726,250,000		449,771,000
Total paid	2,374,231,000		7,514,198,000
Medical claims and benefits payable, ending balance	1,448,132,000		1,200,522,000
Benefit from prior period as a percentage of:
Balance at beginning of period	11.30%		6.90%
Premium revenue, trailing twelve months	1.40%		0.50%
Medical care costs, trailing twelve months	1.50%		0.60%
Prior period adjustment expense related to programs with medical cost floor or corridor provisions	$25,000,000	[1]
[1]	The benefit from prior period development of medical claims and benefits payable for the three months ended March 31, 2015 included approximately $25 million relating to programs that contain medical cost floor or corridor provisions. Accordingly, premium revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was reduced by the same amount.

Medical_Claims_and_Benefits_Pa4

Medical Claims and Benefits Payable (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015
					member
Insurance Claims [Line Items]
Non-risk provider payables	$105,400,000		$119,300,000		105,400,000
Favorable prior period claims development	$135,833,000	[1]	$45,979,000	[1]
Minimum
Insurance Claims [Line Items]
Percentage of liability for unpaid claims not paid out	8.00%				8.00%
Maximum
Insurance Claims [Line Items]
Percentage of liability for unpaid claims not paid out	10.00%				10.00%
Illinois
Insurance Claims [Line Items]
Number of members added					81,000
Marketplace | Florida
Insurance Claims [Line Items]
Number of members added	185,000
MMP Integrated Dual | Ohio
Insurance Claims [Line Items]
Number of members added	9,000		17,000
[1]	The benefit from prior period development of medical claims and benefits payable for the three months ended March 31, 2015 included approximately $25 million relating to programs that contain medical cost floor or corridor provisions. Accordingly, premium revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was reduced by the same amount.

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Face amount of debts	$851,551,000			$851,551,000
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Book Value [Abstract]
Interest expense	14,876,000	13,822,000
Property, equipment, and capitalized software, net	344,727,000			340,778,000
1.625% Notes
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Face amount of debts	301,551,000			301,551,000
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes	1.63%			1.63%
1.125% Notes
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Face amount of debts	550,000,000			550,000,000
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes	1.13%			1.13%
Initial conversation rate on Notes			0.0245277
Senior note effective interest rate (in percent)	6.00%
Senior notes amortization period	4 years 9 months
Convertible debt, if-converted value in excess of principal	237,000,000			93,000,000
June 2013 Transactions
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Book Value [Abstract]
Sale leaseback transaction term of lease					25 years
Annual rental payments increase, percentage					3.00%
Interest expense	3,100,000	3,100,000
February 2013 Transactions | Construction projects
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Book Value [Abstract]
Interest expense	1,000,000	600,000
Property, equipment, and capitalized software, net	37,700,000
Lease financing obligations	40,500,000
Property Subject to Operating Lease | 6th & Pine Development, LLC
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Book Value [Abstract]
Number of office buildings leased			2
Senior Notes | 1.125% Notes
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Face amount of debts			550,000,000
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes			1.13%
Conversion price per share of common stock			40.77
Current portion of long-term debt to be converted within 12 months	440,200,000
Convertible Debt | 1.625% Notes
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Face amount of debts						301,551,000
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes						1.63%
Initial conversation rate on Notes						0.0172157
Conversion price per share of common stock						$58.09
Senior note effective interest rate (in percent)	5.00%
Convertible debt, if-converted value in excess of principal	29,000,000
Extinguishment of Debt Disclosures [Abstract]
Frequency of periodic payment on Senior Notes						semiannually
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
Senior Notes [Abstract]
Redemption period start date	19-Aug-18
Redemption price of the principal amount (in percent)	100.00%
Term of debt instrument						4 years
Debt discount amortization period	3 years 5 months
Convertible debt carrying amount of equity component	$22,900,000
Redemption period, option one | Senior Notes | 1.625% Notes
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt convertible threshold trading days						20
Debt convertible threshold consecutive trading days						30 days
Debt convertible threshold percentage of stock price trigger						130.00%
Redemption period, option one | Senior Notes | 1.125% Notes
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt convertible threshold trading days			20
Debt convertible threshold consecutive trading days			30 days
Debt convertible threshold percentage of stock price trigger			130.00%
Redemption period, option two | Senior Notes | 1.625% Notes
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt convertible threshold trading days						5
Debt convertible threshold consecutive trading days						5 days
Debt convertible maximum threshold percentage of stock price						98.00%
Redemption period, option two | Senior Notes | 1.125% Notes
Convertible Debt [Abstract]
Debt convertible threshold trading days			5
Debt convertible threshold consecutive trading days			5 days
Debt convertible maximum threshold percentage of stock price			98.00%
August 19, 2018 | Convertible Debt | 1.625% Notes
Senior Notes [Abstract]
Redemption period start date	19-Aug-18
Redemption period end date	19-Aug-18
August 19, 2024 | Convertible Debt | 1.625% Notes
Senior Notes [Abstract]
Redemption period start date	19-Aug-24
Redemption period end date	19-Aug-24
August 19, 2029 | Convertible Debt | 1.625% Notes
Senior Notes [Abstract]
Redemption period start date	19-Aug-29
Redemption period end date	19-Aug-29
August 19, 2034 | Convertible Debt | 1.625% Notes
Senior Notes [Abstract]
Redemption period start date	19-Aug-34
Redemption period end date	19-Aug-34
August 19, 2039 | Convertible Debt | 1.625% Notes
Senior Notes [Abstract]
Redemption period start date	19-Aug-39
Redemption period end date	19-Aug-39

Debt_Maturities_of_LongTerm_De

Debt - Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Total	$851,551
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Thereafter	851,551
1.125% Notes
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Total	550,000
2015	0
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Thereafter	550,000
1.625% Notes
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Total	301,551	[1]
2015	0	[1]
2016	0	[1]
2017	0	[1]
2018	0	[1]
2019	0	[1]
Thereafter	$301,551	[1]
[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, or we may redeem any or all of the 1.625% Notes.

Debt_Schedule_of_LongTerm_Debt

Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Details of the liability component:
Principal Balance	$851,551,000	$851,551,000
Unamortized Discount	140,467,000	147,454,000
Net Carrying Amount	711,084,000	704,097,000
1.125% Notes
Details of the liability component:
Principal Balance	550,000,000	550,000,000
Unamortized Discount	109,752,000	114,670,000
Net Carrying Amount	440,248,000	435,330,000
1.625% Notes
Details of the liability component:
Principal Balance	301,551,000	301,551,000
Unamortized Discount	30,715,000	32,784,000
Net Carrying Amount	$270,836,000	$268,767,000

Debt_Interest_Cost_Recognized_

Debt - Interest Cost Recognized (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest cost recognized for the period relating to the:
Contractual interest coupon rate	$2,772	$3,300
Amortization of the discount	6,986	6,314
Total interest cost recognized	$9,758	$9,614

Derivatives_Fair_Value_on_Cons

Derivatives - Fair Value on Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
1.125% Call Option
Derivative [Line Items]
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Call Option	1.13%	1.13%
Current assets | 1.125% Call Option
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative assets	474,121	0
Non-current asset | 1.125% Call Option
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative assets	0	329,323
Current liabilities | 1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	473,983	0
Non-current liabilities | 1.125% Conversion Option derivative liability
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	0	329,194
1.125% Notes
Derivative [Line Items]
Percentage of contractual interest rate on Notes	1.13%	1.13%

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 25, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Increase in stockholders' equity	$31,600,000
Net income	28,153,000	4,498,000
Other comprehensive income	1,300,000
Income tax benefit related to share-based compensation	2,100,000
Warrants issued	13,490,236
Warrant, strike price per share	$53.85
Trading days measurement period	160 days
Stated percentage of warrants	1.13%
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of common stock issued	273,000
February 2015 Repurchase Program | Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Authorized repurchase amount			$50,000,000

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Health Plans:
Premium revenue	$2,970,652	$1,940,337
Premium tax revenue	95,347	51,693
Health insurer fee revenue	47,948	18,696
Investment income	3,015	1,629
Other revenue	2,303	3,258
Molina Medicaid Solutions:
Service revenue	51,858	53,630
Total revenue	3,171,123	2,069,243
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense:
Operating income, continuing operations	82,230	24,267
Other expenses, net	14,866	13,778
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	67,364	10,489
Health Plans
Health Plans:
Premium revenue	2,970,652	1,940,337
Premium tax revenue	95,347	51,693
Health insurer fee revenue	47,948	18,696
Investment income	3,015	1,629
Other revenue	2,303	3,258
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense:
Operating income, continuing operations	68,440	14,019
Molina Medicaid Solutions
Molina Medicaid Solutions:
Service revenue	51,858	53,630
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense:
Operating income, continuing operations	$13,790	$10,248

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Entity Information [Line Items]
Net assets of subsidiaries subject to restrictions	$928	$859
Aggregate statutory capital and surplus	987
Required minimum statutory capital surplus	581
Parent Company
Entity Information [Line Items]
Restricted cash and investments	$210.60	$202.60

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (Property Subject to Operating Lease, 6th & Pine Development, LLC)	Oct. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
		property
Property Subject to Operating Lease | 6th & Pine Development, LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of office buildings leased		2
Percentage of annual rent increase	3.40%

Variable_Interest_Entities_Det

Variable Interest Entities (Details) (Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total carrying amount of assets	$10.70	$31.10
Total amount of liabilities	$8.80	$30.80