UnitedHealth (UNH) 10-Q 6 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Entitiy Registrant Name	'UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC	'
Entitiy Central Index Key	'0000731766	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	979,860,669

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$7,514	$7,276
Short-term investments	1,869	1,937
Accounts receivable, net	4,202	3,052
Other current receivables, net	3,624	3,998
Assets under management	2,780	2,757
Deferred income taxes	319	430
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,056	930
Total current assets	22,364	20,380
Long-term investments	19,377	19,605
Property, equipment and capitalized software, net	4,065	4,010
Goodwill	32,150	31,604
Other intangible assets, net	3,867	3,844
Other assets	2,799	2,439
Total assets	84,622	81,882
Current liabilities:	'	'
Medical costs payable	12,230	11,575
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	9,160	7,458
Other policy liabilities	5,247	5,279
Commercial paper and current maturities of long-term debt	2,241	1,969
Unearned revenues	1,838	1,600
Total current liabilities	30,716	27,881
Long-term debt, less current maturities	14,524	14,891
Future policy benefits	2,472	2,465
Deferred income taxes	1,831	1,796
Other liabilities	1,262	1,525
Total liabilities	50,805	48,558
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,268	1,175
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value - 10 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value - 3,000 shares authorized; 984 and 988 issued and outstanding	10	10
Retained earnings	33,112	33,047
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-573	-908
Total shareholders' equity	32,549	32,149
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$84,622	$81,882

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	3,000	3,000
Common stock, shares issued	984	988
Common stock, shares outstanding	984	988
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10	10
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'	'
Premiums	$28,115	$27,274
Services	2,404	2,112
Products	998	751
Investment and other income	191	203
Total revenues	31,708	30,340
Operating costs:	'	'
Medical costs	23,208	22,569
Operating costs	5,194	4,614
Cost of products sold	892	682
Depreciation and amortization	360	336
Total operating costs	29,654	28,201
Earnings from operations	2,054	2,139
Interest expense	-160	-178
Earnings before income taxes	1,894	1,961
Provision for income taxes	-795	-721
Net earnings	1,099	1,240
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	-48
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	$1,099	$1,192
Basic net earnings per common share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	$1.12	$1.17
Diluted net earnings per common share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	$1.10	$1.16
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	983	1,016
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents	13	13
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	996	1,029
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of dilutive effect of common stock equivalents	9	16
Cash dividends declared per common share	$0.28	$0.21

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net earnings	$1,099	$1,240
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Gross unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities during the period	166	-48
Income tax effect	-61	16
Total unrealized gains (losses), net of tax	105	-32
Gross reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net earnings	-46	-57
Income tax effect	17	21
Total reclassification adjustment, net of tax	-29	-36
Total foreign currency translation gains	259	18
Other comprehensive income (loss)	335	-50
Comprehensive income	1,434	1,190
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	-48
Comprehensive income attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	$1,434	$1,142

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	Foreign Currency (Losses) Gains
In Millions, unless otherwise specified					Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$31,178	$10	$66	$30,664	$516	($78)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	1,019	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	1,192	'	'	1,192	'	'
Other comprehensive income	-50	'	'	'	-68	18
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects (in shares)	'	4	'	'	'	'
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects	84	0	84	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, and related tax benefits	112	'	112	'	'	'
Common stock repurchases (in shares)	'	-10	'	'	'	'
Common stock repurchases	-543	0	-262	-281	'	'
Cash dividends paid on common shares	-216	'	'	-216	'	'
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	31,757	10	0	31,359	448	-60
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013	'	1,013	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	32,149	10	0	33,047	54	-962
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	988	988	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	1,099	'	'	1,099	'	'
Other comprehensive income	335	'	'	'	76	259
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects (in shares)	'	8	'	'	'	'
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects	-6	0	-6	'	'	'
Share-based compensation, and related tax benefits	159	'	159	'	'	'
Common stock repurchases (in shares)	'	-12	'	'	'	'
Common stock repurchases	-911	0	-153	-758	'	'
Cash dividends paid on common shares	-276	'	'	-276	'	'
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$32,549	$10	$0	$33,112	$130	($703)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	984	984	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Operating activities	'	'
Net earnings	$1,099	$1,240
Noncash items:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	360	336
Deferred income taxes	99	131
Share-based compensation	105	99
Other, net	-65	-41
Net change in other operating items, net of effects from acquisitions and changes in AARP balances:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-990	-463
Other assets	-1,281	-556
Medical costs payable	387	673
Accounts payable and other liabilities	1,665	-237
Other policy liabilities	-203	0
Unearned revenues	232	-129
Cash flows from operating activities	1,408	1,053
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of investments	-2,914	-2,824
Sales of investments	2,235	1,282
Maturities of investments	825	1,195
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash assumed	-345	-279
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	-353	-323
Other, net	-51	45
Cash flows used for investing activities	-603	-904
Financing activities	'	'
Common stock repurchases	-911	-543
Cash dividends paid	-276	-216
Proceeds from common stock issuances	216	116
Repayments of long-term debt	-172	-1,077
Proceeds from commercial paper, net	9	130
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	2,235
Customer funds administered	818	962
Other, net	-257	-104
Cash flows (used for) from financing activities	-573	1,503
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	6	-20
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	238	1,632
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	7,276	8,406
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period	$7,514	$10,038

Basis_of_Presentation_Notes

Basis of Presentation (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Basis of Presentation
	Basis of Presentation
	UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (individually and together with its subsidiaries, “UnitedHealth Group” and “the Company”) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making health care work better. The Company offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services.
	The Company has prepared the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements according to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and has included the accounts of UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiaries. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. In accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Company has omitted certain footnote disclosures that would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in its annual audited Consolidated Financial Statements. Therefore, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 as filed with the SEC (2013 10-K). The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present the interim financial statements fairly.
	On January 1, 2014, the Company realigned certain of its businesses to respond to changes in the markets it serves and the opportunities that are emerging as the health system evolves. The Company’s Optum business platform took responsibility for certain technology operations and business processing activities with the intention of pursuing additional third-party commercial opportunities in addition to continuing to serve UnitedHealthcare. These activities, which were historically a corporate function, are now included in OptumInsight’s results of operations. The Company’s reportable segments remain the same and prior period segment financial information has been recast to conform to the 2014 presentation. See Note 9 for segment financial information.
	Use of Estimates
	These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include certain amounts based on the Company’s best estimates and judgments. The Company’s most significant estimates relate to medical costs payable, revenues, valuation and impairment analysis of goodwill and other intangible assets, estimates of other policy liabilities and other current receivables, valuations of certain investments, and estimates and judgments related to income taxes and contingent liabilities. Certain of these estimates require the application of complex assumptions and judgments, often because they involve matters that are inherently uncertain and will likely change in subsequent periods. The impact of any changes in estimates is included in earnings in the period in which the estimate is adjusted.
	Accounting Policies
	Industry Tax. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and a reconciliation measure, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (together, Health Reform Legislation or ACA) include an annual, nondeductible insurance industry tax (Industry Tax) to be levied proportionally across the insurance industry for risk-based products beginning on January 1, 2014.
	The Company estimates its liability for the Industry Tax based on a ratio of the Company’s net premiums written compared to the U.S. health insurance industry total net premiums, both for the previous calendar year. The Company records in full the estimated liability for the Industry Tax at the beginning of the calendar year with a corresponding deferred cost that is amortized to operating costs on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations using a straight-line method of allocation over the calendar year. The liability is recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and the corresponding deferred cost is recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Industry Tax liability was $1.3 billion and as of March 31, 2014 the unamortized asset was $1.0 billion. The Company has experienced a higher effective income tax rate in 2014 as compared to 2013 due to the nondeductible nature of the Industry Tax.
	Premium Stabilization Programs. Beginning in 2014, Health Reform Legislation includes three programs designed to stabilize health insurance markets (Premium Stabilization Programs): a permanent risk adjustment program; a temporary risk corridors program; and a transitional reinsurance program.
	The risk-adjustment provisions of Health Reform Legislation are permanent regulations and apply to market reform compliant individual and small group plans in the commercial markets. Under the program, each covered member is assigned a risk score based upon demographic information and applicable diagnostic codes from the current year paid claims, in order to determine an average risk score for each plan in a particular state and market risk pool. Generally, a plan with an average risk score that is less than the state’s average risk score will pay into a pool, while a plan with an average risk score that is greater than the state’s average risk score will receive money from the pool.
	The risk corridors provisions of Health Reform Legislation will be in place for three years and are intended to limit the gains and losses of individual and small group qualified health plans operating in the exchanges. Plans are required to calculate the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) risk corridor ratio of allowable costs (defined as medical claims plus quality improvement costs adjusted for the impact of reinsurance recoveries and the risk adjustment program) to the defined target amount (defined as actual premiums less defined allowable administrative costs inclusive of taxes and profits). Qualified health plans with ratios below 97% are required to make payments to HHS, while plans with ratios greater than 103% will receive funds from HHS.
	The transitional reinsurance program is a temporary three year program that is funded on a per capita basis from all commercial lines of business including insured and self-funded arrangements. Only issuers of market reform compliant individual plans are eligible for reinsurance recoveries from the risk pools.
	None of the Premium Stabilization Programs are expected to have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	All other accounting policies disclosed in Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements” in the 2013 10-K remain unchanged.

Investments_Notes

Investments (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments [Text Block]	'
	Investments
	A summary of short-term and long-term investments by major security type is as follows:
	(in millions)	Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair
		Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized			Value
					Gains			Losses
	March 31, 2014
	Debt securities - available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	$	1,851		$	4		$	(14	)	$	1,841
	State and municipal obligations	6,623			162			(30		)	6,755
	Corporate obligations	7,109			134			(33		)	7,210
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,261			20			(42		)	2,239
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	818			13			(5		)	826
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale	18,662			333			(124		)	18,871
	Equity securities - available-for-sale	1,835			18			(15		)	1,838
	Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	182			2			—			184
	State and municipal obligations	28			—			—			28
	Corporate obligations	327			—			—			327
	Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	537			2			—			539
	Total investments	$	21,034		$	353		$	(139	)	$	21,248
	December 31, 2013
	Debt securities - available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	$	2,211		$	5		$	(21	)	$	2,195
	State and municipal obligations	6,902			147			(72		)	6,977
	Corporate obligations	7,265			130			(60		)	7,335
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,256			23			(61		)	2,218
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	697			12			(7		)	702
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale	19,331			317			(221		)	19,427
	Equity securities - available-for-sale	1,576			9			(13		)	1,572
	Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	181			1			—			182
	State and municipal obligations	28			—			—			28
	Corporate obligations	334			—			—			334
	Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	543			1			—			544
	Total investments	$	21,450		$	327		$	(234	)	$	21,543
	The fair values of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities by credit rating (when multiple credit ratings are available for an individual security, the average of the available ratings is used) and origination date as of March 31, 2014 were as follows:
	(in millions)	AAA			AA			Non-Investment			Total Fair
								Grade			Value
	2014	$	100		$	—		$	—		$	100
	2013	157			—			—			157
	2012	109			—			—			109
	2011	18			—			—			18
	2010	25			—			—			25
	2009	7			—			—			7
	Pre - 2009	395			2			13			410
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,237			2			—			2,239
	Total	$	3,048		$	4		$	13		$	3,065
	The Company includes any securities backed by Alt-A or subprime mortgages and any commercial mortgage loans in default in the non-investment grade column in the table above.
	The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities as of March 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
	(in millions)	Amortized			Fair
		Cost			Value
	Due in one year or less	$	2,007		$	2,019
	Due after one year through five years	6,944			7,052
	Due after five years through ten years	4,900			4,962
	Due after ten years	1,732			1,773
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,261			2,239
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	818			826
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale	$	18,662		$	18,871
	The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities as of March 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
	(in millions)	Amortized			Fair
		Cost			Value
	Due in one year or less	$	81		$	81
	Due after one year through five years	235			235
Due after five years through ten years	132			134
Due after ten years	89			89
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	$	537		$	539
The fair value of available-for-sale investments with gross unrealized losses by major security type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows:
	Less Than 12 Months						12 Months or Greater						Total
(in millions)	Fair			Gross			Fair			Gross			Fair		Gross
	Value			Unrealized			Value			Unrealized			Value		Unrealized
				Losses						Losses					Losses
March 31, 2014
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agency obligations	$	796		$	(13	)	$	11		$	(1	)	$	807	$	(14	)
State and municipal obligations	1,564			(24		)	128			(6		)	1,692		(30		)
Corporate obligations	2,174			(26		)	116			(7		)	2,290		(33		)
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	1,146			(33		)	108			(9		)	1,254		(42		)
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	289			(4		)	31			(1		)	320		(5		)
Total debt securities - available-for-sale	$	5,969		$	(100	)	$	394		$	(24	)	$	6,363	$	(124	)
Equity securities - available-for-sale	$	167		$	(15	)	$	—		$	—		$	167	$	(15	)
December 31, 2013
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agency obligations	$	1,055		$	(19	)	$	17		$	(2	)	$	1,072	$	(21	)
State and municipal obligations	2,491			(62		)	128			(10		)	2,619		(72		)
Corporate obligations	2,573			(51		)	103			(9		)	2,676		(60		)
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	1,393			(51		)	105			(10		)	1,498		(61		)
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	289			(6		)	26			(1		)	315		(7		)
Total debt securities - available-for-sale	$	7,801		$	(189	)	$	379		$	(32	)	$	8,180	$	(221	)
Equity securities - available-for-sale	$	180		$	(13	)	$	—		$	—		$	180	$	(13	)
The unrealized losses from all securities as of March 31, 2014 were generated from approximately 5,200 positions out of a total of 20,700 positions. The Company believes that it will collect the principal and interest due on its debt securities that have an amortized cost in excess of fair value. The unrealized losses were primarily caused by interest rate increases and not by unfavorable changes in the credit quality associated with these securities. At each reporting period, the Company evaluates securities for impairment when the fair value of the investment is less than its amortized cost. The Company evaluated the underlying credit quality and credit ratings of the issuers, noting neither a significant deterioration since purchase nor other factors leading to an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). Therefore, the Company believes these losses to be temporary. As of March 31, 2014, the Company did not have the intent to sell any of the securities in an unrealized loss position.
The Company’s investments in equity securities consist of investments in Brazilian real denominated fixed-income funds, employee savings plan related investments, private equity funds, and dividend paying stocks. The Company evaluated its investments in equity securities for severity and duration of unrealized loss, overall market volatility and other market factors.
Net realized gains reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income were from the following sources:
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions)	2014			2013
Total OTTI	$	(3	)	$	(3	)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income	—			—
Net OTTI recognized in earnings	(3		)	(3		)
Gross realized losses from sales	(10		)	(1		)
Gross realized gains from sales	59			61
Net realized gains (included in investment and other income on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations)	46			57
Income tax effect (included in provision for income taxes on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations)	(17		)	(21		)
Realized gains, net of taxes	$	29		$	36

Fair_Value_Notes

Fair Value (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value [Text Block]	'
	Fair Value
	Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or have fair values disclosed in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. These assets and liabilities are classified into one of three levels of a hierarchy defined by GAAP. In instances in which the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.
	The fair value hierarchy is summarized as follows:
	Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets/liabilities in active markets.
	Level 2 — Other observable inputs, either directly or indirectly, including:
	•	Quoted prices for similar assets/liabilities in active markets;
	•	Quoted prices for identical or similar assets/liabilities in nonactive markets (e.g., few transactions, limited information, noncurrent prices, high variability over time);
	•	Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset/liability (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, implied volatilities, credit spreads); and
	•	Inputs that are corroborated by other observable market data.
	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data.
	Transfers between levels, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the reporting period in which the transfer occurs; there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 of any financial assets or liabilities during 2014 or 2013.
	Nonfinancial assets and liabilities or financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances, such as when the Company records an impairment. There were no significant fair value adjustments for these assets and liabilities recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.
	The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value and determine the fair value hierarchy classification of each class of financial instrument included in the tables below:
	Cash and Cash Equivalents. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value as maturities are less than three months. Fair values of cash equivalent instruments that do not trade on a regular basis in active markets are classified as Level 2.
	Debt and Equity Securities. Fair values of debt and equity securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. The Company obtains one price for each security primarily from a third-party pricing service (pricing service), which generally uses quoted or other observable inputs for the determination of fair value. The pricing service normally derives the security prices through recently reported trades for identical or similar securities, and, if necessary, makes adjustments through the reporting date based upon available observable market information. For securities not actively traded, the pricing service may use quoted market prices of comparable instruments or discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating inputs that are currently observable in the markets for similar securities. Inputs that are often used in the valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, credit spreads, default rates, prepayment speeds and nonbinding broker quotes. As the Company is responsible for the determination of fair value, it performs quarterly analyses on the prices received from the pricing service to determine whether the prices are reasonable estimates of fair value. Specifically, the Company compares the prices received from the pricing service to prices reported by a secondary pricing source, such as its custodian, its investment consultant and third-party investment advisors. Additionally, the Company compares changes in the reported market values and returns to relevant market indices to test the reasonableness of the reported prices. The Company’s internal price verification procedures and reviews of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services have not historically resulted in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service.
	Fair values of debt securities that do not trade on a regular basis in active markets but are priced using other observable inputs are classified as Level 2.
	Fair value estimates for Level 1 and Level 2 equity securities are based on quoted market prices for actively traded equity securities and/or other market data for the same or comparable instruments and transactions in establishing the prices.
	The fair values of Level 3 investments in venture capital portfolios are estimated using a market valuation technique that relies heavily on management assumptions and qualitative observations. Under the market approach, the fair values of the Company’s various venture capital investments are computed using limited quantitative and qualitative observations of activity for similar companies in the current market. The Company’s market modeling utilizes, as applicable, transactions for comparable companies in similar industries that also have similar revenue and growth characteristics and preferences in their capital structure. Key significant unobservable inputs in the market technique include implied earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) multiples and revenue multiples. Additionally, the fair values of certain of the Company’s venture capital securities are based off of recent transactions in inactive markets for identical or similar securities. Significant changes in any of these inputs could result in significantly lower or higher fair value measurements.
	Throughout the procedures discussed above in relation to the Company’s processes for validating third-party pricing information, the Company validates the understanding of assumptions and inputs used in security pricing and determines the proper classification in the hierarchy based on that understanding.
	AARP Program-related Investments. The Company provides health insurance products and services to members of AARP under a Supplemental Health Insurance Program (AARP Program). AARP Program-related investments consist of debt securities and other investments held to fund costs associated with the AARP Program and are priced and classified using the same methodologies as the Company’s investments in debt and equity securities.
	Interest Rate Swaps. Fair values of the Company’s swaps are estimated using the terms of the swaps and publicly available information including market yield curves. Because the swaps are unique and not actively traded but are valued using other observable inputs, the fair values are classified as Level 2.
	Long-term Debt. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated and classified using the same methodologies as the Company’s investments in debt securities.
	AARP Program-related Other Liabilities. AARP Program-related other liabilities consist of liabilities that represent the amount of net investment gains and losses related to AARP Program-related investments that accrue to the benefit of the AARP policyholders.
	The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level and carrying values for items measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets excluding AARP Program-related assets and liabilities, which are presented in a separate table below:
	(in millions)		Quoted Prices			Other			Unobservable			Total
			in Active			Observable			Inputs			Fair and Carrying
			Markets			Inputs			(Level 3)			Value
			(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	March 31, 2014
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	7,511		$	3		$	—		$	7,514
	Debt securities - available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agency obligations		1,531			310			—			1,841
	State and municipal obligations		—			6,755			—			6,755
	Corporate obligations		29			7,141			40			7,210
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities		—			2,239			—			2,239
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities		—			820			6			826
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale		1,560			17,265			46			18,871
	Equity securities - available-for-sale		1,513			12			313			1,838
	Total assets at fair value		$	10,584		$	17,280		$	359		$	28,223
	Percentage of total assets at fair value		38		%	61		%	1		%	100		%
	Interest rate swap liabilities		$	—		$	97		$	—		$	97
	December 31, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	7,005		$	271		$	—		$	7,276
	Debt securities - available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agency obligations		1,750			445			—			2,195
	State and municipal obligations		—			6,977			—			6,977
	Corporate obligations		25			7,274			36			7,335
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities		—			2,218			—			2,218
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities		—			696			6			702
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale		1,775			17,610			42			19,427
	Equity securities - available-for-sale		1,291			12			269			1,572
	Total assets at fair value		$	10,071		$	17,893		$	311		$	28,275
	Percentage of total assets at fair value		36		%	63		%	1		%	100		%
	Interest rate swap liabilities		$	—		$	163		$	—		$	163
	The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level and carrying values for certain financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	(in millions)		Quoted Prices			Other			Unobservable			Total			Total Carrying Value
			in Active			Observable			Inputs			Fair
			Markets			Inputs			(Level 3)			Value
			(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	March 31, 2014
	Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
	U.S. government and agency obligations		$	184		$	—		$	—		$	184		$	182
	State and municipal obligations		—			—			28			28			28
Corporate obligations		49			9			269			327			327
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity		$	233		$	9		$	297		$	539		$	537
Long-term debt and other financing obligations		$	—		$	16,910		$	—		$	16,910		$	15,641
December 31, 2013
Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
U.S. government and agency obligations		$	182		$	—		$	—		$	182		$	181
State and municipal obligations		—			—			28			28			28
Corporate obligations		47			9			278			334			334
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity		$	229		$	9		$	306		$	544		$	543
Long-term debt and other financing obligations		$	—		$	16,602		$	—		$	16,602		$	15,745
The carrying amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for other financial assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of their short-term nature. These assets and liabilities are not listed in the table above.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs is as follows:
		March 31, 2014									March 31, 2013
(in millions)		Debt			Equity			Total			Debt			Equity			Total
		Securities			Securities						Securities			Securities
Balance at beginning of period		$	42		$	269		$	311		$	17		$	224		$	241
Purchases		3			44			47			15			31			46
Sales		—			(4		)	(4		)	—			(21		)	(21		)
Net unrealized gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income		1			4			5			—			(2		)	(2		)
Net realized gains in investment and other income		—			—			—			—			7			7
Balance at end of period		$	46		$	313		$	359		$	32		$	239		$	271
The following table presents quantitative information regarding unobservable inputs that were significant to the valuation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs:
								Range
(in millions)		Fair Value			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input	Low		High
March 31, 2014
Equity securities - available-for-sale
Venture capital portfolios		$	273		Market approach - comparable companies		Revenue multiple	1		6
							EBITDA multiple	8		9
		40			Market approach - recent transactions		Inactive market transactions	N/A		N/A
Total equity securities		$	313
available-for-sale
Also included in the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs were $46 million of available-for-sale debt securities at March 31, 2014, which were not significant.
The Company elected to measure the entirety of the AARP Program assets under management at fair value pursuant to the fair value option. See Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item II, Part 8, “Financial Statements” in the Company’s 2013 10-K for further detail on the AARP Program. The following table presents fair value information about the AARP Program-related financial assets and liabilities:
(in millions)		Quoted Prices			Other			Total
		in Active			Observable			Fair and Carrying
		Markets			Inputs			Value
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)
March 31, 2014
Cash and cash equivalents		$	240		$	—		$	240
Debt securities:
U.S. government and agency obligations		459			296			755
State and municipal obligations		—			67			67
Corporate obligations		—			1,097			1,097
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities		—			394			394
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities		—			145			145
Total debt securities		459			1,999			2,458
Other investments		—			82			82
Total assets at fair value		$	699		$	2,081		$	2,780
Other liabilities		$	4		$	16		$	20
December 31, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents		$	265		$	—		$	265
Debt securities:
U.S. government and agency obligations		426			301			727
State and municipal obligations		—			63			63
Corporate obligations		—			1,145			1,145
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities		—			414			414
Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities		—			139			139
Total debt securities		426			2,062			2,488
Equity securities - available-for-sale		—			4			4
Total assets at fair value		$	691		$	2,066		$	2,757
Other liabilities		$	3		$	11		$	14

Medicare_Part_D_Pharmacy_Benef

Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits [Abstract]	'
Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Contract [Text Block]	'
	Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits
	Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits
	The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include the following amounts associated with the Medicare Part D program:
		March 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
	(in millions)	Subsidies		Drug Discount		Risk-Share		Subsidies		Drug Discount		Risk-Share
	Other current receivables	$	529	$	184	$	—	$	881	$	425	$	—
	Other policy liabilities	—		84		103		—		152		214
	The Catastrophic Reinsurance and Low-Income Member Cost Sharing Subsidies (Subsidies) and drug discounts represent cost reimbursements under the Medicare Part D program. The Company is fully reimbursed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for costs incurred for these contract elements and, accordingly, there is no insurance risk to the Company. Amounts received for these contract elements are not reflected as premium revenues, but rather are accounted for as a reduction of receivables and/or increase in deposit liabilities. CMS provides prospective payments for the drug discounts, which the Company records as liabilities when received. The drug discounts are ultimately funded by the pharmaceutical manufacturers. The Company bills them for claims under the program and records those bills as receivables. Related cash flows are presented as customer funds administered within financing activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
	Premiums from CMS are subject to risk-sharing provisions based on a comparison of the Company’s annual bid estimates of prescription drug costs and the actual costs incurred. Variances may result in CMS making additional payments to the Company or require the Company to remit funds to CMS subsequent to the end of the year. The Company records risk-share adjustments to premium revenue and to other current receivables or other policy liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item II, Part 8, “Financial Statements” in the Company’s 2013 10-K for further detail on Medicare Part D.

Medical_Cost_Reserve_Developme

Medical Cost Reserve Development (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Medical Cost Development Disclosure Text Block	'
	Medical Cost Reserve Development
	Favorable medical cost reserve development was $220 million and $280 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2014, favorable development was driven by a number of individual factors that were not material. Lower than expected health system utilization levels were a significant driver in 2013.

Commercial_Paper_and_LongTerm_

Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt [Text Block]	'
	Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt
	Commercial paper and senior unsecured long-term debt consisted of the following:
			March 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
	(in millions, except percentages)		Par		Carrying		Fair		Par		Carrying		Fair
			Value		Value		Value		Value		Value		Value
	Commercial paper		$	1,124	$	1,124	$	1,124	$	1,115	$	1,115	$	1,115
	4.750% notes due February 2014		—		—		—		172		173		173
	5.000% notes due August 2014		389		395		396		389		397		400
	Floating-rate notes due August 2014		250		250		250		250		250		250
	4.875% notes due March 2015 (a)		416		429		433		416		431		436
	0.850% notes due October 2015 (a)		625		624		628		625		624		628
	5.375% notes due March 2016 (a)		601		637		654		601		641		657
	1.875% notes due November 2016		400		398		409		400		398		408
	5.360% notes due November 2016		95		95		106		95		95		107
	6.000% notes due June 2017		441		476		502		441		479		506
	1.400% notes due October 2017 (a)		625		613		623		625		613		617
	6.000% notes due November 2017		156		167		178		156		168		178
	6.000% notes due February 2018		1,100		1,115		1,266		1,100		1,116		1,271
	1.625% notes due March 2019 (a)		500		491		486		500		489		481
	3.875% notes due October 2020 (a)		450		441		476		450		435		474
	4.700% notes due February 2021		400		415		441		400		416		436
	3.375% notes due November 2021 (a)		500		480		507		500		472		494
	2.875% notes due March 2022 (a)		1,100		1,001		1,069		1,100		981		1,046
	0.000% notes due November 2022		15		10		11		15		9		10
	2.750% notes due February 2023 (a)		625		577		588		625		563		572
	2.875% notes due March 2023 (a)		750		745		711		750		729		698
	5.800% notes due March 2036		850		845		989		850		845		935
	6.500% notes due June 2037		500		495		628		500		495		593
	6.625% notes due November 2037		650		646		837		650		645		786
	6.875% notes due February 2038		1,100		1,085		1,447		1,100		1,084		1,370
	5.700% notes due October 2040		300		298		350		300		298		329
	5.950% notes due February 2041		350		348		419		350		348		397
	4.625% notes due November 2041		600		593		603		600		593		567
	4.375% notes due March 2042		502		486		488		502		486		459
	3.950% notes due October 2042		625		611		566		625		611		530
	4.250% notes due March 2043		750		740		714		750		740		673
	Total commercial paper and long-term debt		$	16,789	$	16,630	$	17,899	$	16,952	$	16,739	$	17,596
	(a)	Fixed-rate debt instruments hedged with interest rate swap contracts. See below for more information on the Company’s interest rate swaps.
	The Company’s long-term debt obligations also included $135 million and $121 million of other financing obligations, of which $43 million and $34 million were current as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Commercial Paper and Bank Credit Facilities
	Commercial paper consists of short-duration, senior unsecured debt privately placed on a discount basis through broker-dealers. As of March 31, 2014, the Company’s outstanding commercial paper had a weighted-average annual interest rate of 0.2%.
	The Company has $3.0 billion five-year and $1.0 billion 364-day revolving bank credit facilities with 23 banks, which mature in November 2018 and November 2014, respectively. These facilities provide liquidity support for the Company’s $4.0 billion commercial paper program and are available for general corporate purposes. There were no amounts outstanding under these facilities as of March 31, 2014. The interest rates on borrowings are variable based on term and are calculated based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a credit spread based on the Company’s senior unsecured credit ratings. As of March 31, 2014, the annual interest rates on the bank credit facilities, had they been drawn, would have ranged from 1.0% to 1.2%.
	Debt Covenants
	The Company’s bank credit facilities contain various covenants including requiring the Company to maintain a debt to debt-plus-equity ratio of not more than 50%. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of March 31, 2014.
	Interest Rate Swap Contracts
	The Company uses interest rate swap contracts to convert a portion of its interest rate exposure from fixed rates to floating rates to more closely align interest expense with interest income received on its cash equivalent and variable rate investment balances. The floating rates are benchmarked to LIBOR. The swaps are designated as fair value hedges on the Company’s fixed-rate debt. Since the critical terms of the swaps match those of the debt being hedged, they are considered to be highly effective hedges and all changes in the fair values of the swaps are recorded as adjustments to the carrying value of the related debt with no net impact recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Both the hedge fair value changes and the offsetting debt adjustments are recorded in interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had interest rate swap contracts with notional amounts of $6.2 billion. The fair values of these swap liabilities were $97 million and $163 million, as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, which were recorded in other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

ShareBased_Compensation_Notes

Share-Based Compensation (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	'
	Share-Based Compensation
	The Company’s outstanding share-based awards consist mainly of nonqualified stock options, stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs) and restricted stock and restricted stock units (collectively, restricted shares). As of March 31, 2014, the Company had 24 million shares available for future grants of share-based awards under its share-based compensation plan, including, but not limited to, incentive or nonqualified stock options, SARs and 11 million of awards in restricted shares.
	Stock Options and SARs
	Stock option and SAR activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is summarized in the table below:
		Shares			Weighted-				Weighted-	Aggregate
					Average				Average	Intrinsic Value
					Exercise				Remaining
					Price				Contractual Life
		(in millions)							(in years)	(in millions)
	Outstanding at beginning of period	41			$	48
	Granted	7			70
	Exercised	(7	)		46
	Outstanding at end of period	41			52				5.5	$	1,228
	Exercisable at end of period	27			46				3.4	963
	Vested and expected to vest, end of period	40			52				5.4	1,207
	Restricted Shares
	Restricted share activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is summarized in the table below:
	(shares in millions)		Shares			Weighted-Average
						Grant Date
						Fair Value
						per Share
	Nonvested at beginning of period		11			$	50
	Granted		4			70
	Vested		(6	)		46
	Nonvested at end of period		9			60
	Other Share-Based Compensation Data
	(in millions, except per share amounts)		Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014				2013
	Stock Options and SARs
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share		$	22			$	19
	Total intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised		212				83
	Restricted Shares
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share		70				57
	Total fair value of restricted shares vested		414				—
	Share-Based Compensation Items
	Share-based compensation expense, before tax		105				99
	Share-based compensation expense, net of tax effects		86				89
	Income tax benefit realized from share-based award exercises		119				33
	(in millions, except years)		March 31, 2014
	Unrecognized compensation expense related to share awards		$	587
	Weighted-average years to recognize compensation expense		1.5
	Share-Based Compensation Recognition and Estimates
	The principal assumptions the Company used in calculating grant-date fair value for stock options and SARs were as follows:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2014		2013
	Risk-free interest rate		1.70%		1.00%
	Expected volatility		39.60%		42.60%
	Expected dividend yield		1.60%		1.50%
	Forfeiture rate		5.00%		5.00%
	Expected life in years		5.4		5.3
	Risk-free interest rates are based on U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and the implied volatility from exchange-traded options on the Company’s common stock. Expected dividend yields are based on the per share cash dividend paid by the Company. The Company uses historical data to estimate option and SAR exercises and forfeitures within the valuation model. The expected lives of options and SARs granted represents the period of time that the awards granted are expected to be outstanding based on historical exercise patterns.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Legal Matters
	Because of the nature of its businesses, the Company is frequently made party to a variety of legal actions and regulatory inquiries, including class actions and suits brought by members, care providers, consumer advocacy organizations, customers and regulators, relating to the Company’s businesses, including management and administration of health benefit plans and other services. These matters include medical malpractice, employment, intellectual property, antitrust, privacy and contract claims, and claims related to health care benefits coverage and other business practices.
	The Company records liabilities for its estimates of probable costs resulting from these matters where appropriate. Estimates of costs resulting from legal and regulatory matters involving the Company are inherently difficult to predict, particularly where the matters: involve indeterminate claims for monetary damages or may involve fines, penalties or punitive damages; present novel legal theories or represent a shift in regulatory policy; involve a large number of claimants or regulatory bodies; are in the early stages of the proceedings; or could result in a change in business practices. Accordingly, the Company is often unable to estimate the losses or ranges of losses for those matters where there is a reasonable possibility or it is probable that a loss may be incurred.
	Litigation Matters
	California Claims Processing Matter. On January 25, 2008, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) issued an Order to Show Cause to PacifiCare Life and Health Insurance Company, a subsidiary of the Company, alleging violations of certain insurance statutes and regulations related to an alleged failure to include certain language in standard claims correspondence, timeliness and accuracy of claims processing, interest payments, care provider contract implementation, care provider dispute resolution and other related matters. Although the Company believes that CDI has never issued a penalty in excess of $8 million, CDI has advocated a penalty of approximately $325 million in this matter. The matter was the subject of an administrative hearing before a California administrative law judge beginning in December 2009, and in August 2013, the administrative law judge issued a nonbinding proposed decision recommending a penalty in an amount that is not material to the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. The matter is now before the California Insurance Commissioner, who has indicated that he will not adopt the administrative law judge’s proposed decision and will issue his own decision. The Commissioner’s decision is subject to challenge in court. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter given the procedural status of the dispute, the legal issues presented (including the legal basis for the majority of the alleged violations), the inherent difficulty in predicting regulatory fines and penalties, and the various remedies and levels of judicial review available to the Company in the event a fine or penalty is assessed.
	Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada Litigation. In April 2013, a Las Vegas jury awarded $24 million in compensatory damages and $500 million in punitive damages against a Company health plan and its parent corporation on the theory that they were negligent in their credentialing and monitoring of an in-network endoscopy center owned and operated by independent physicians who were subsequently linked by regulators to an outbreak of hepatitis C. The trial court reduced the overall award to $366 million. The Company is appealing the case. Company plans are party to 41 additional individual lawsuits and two class actions, at various procedural stages, relating to the outbreak. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from these matters given the likelihood of reversal on appeal, the availability of statutory and other limits on damages, the novel legal theories being advanced by the plaintiffs, the various postures of the remaining cases, the availability in many cases of federal defenses under Medicare law and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and the pendency of certain relevant legal questions before the Nevada Supreme Court. The Company is vigorously defending these lawsuits.
	Government Investigations, Audits and Reviews
	The Company has been, or is currently involved in various governmental investigations, audits and reviews. These include routine, regular and special investigations, audits and reviews by CMS, state insurance and health and welfare departments, the Brazilian national regulatory agency for private health insurance and plans, the Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar, state attorneys general, the Office of the Inspector General, the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Civil Rights, the Government Accountability Office, the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Congressional committees, the U.S. Department of Justice, the SEC, the Internal Revenue Service, the Brazilian federal revenue service - the Secretaria da Receita Federal, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Defense Contract Audit Agency and other governmental authorities. Certain of the Company’s businesses have been reviewed or are currently under review, including for, among other things, compliance with coding and other requirements under the Medicare risk-adjustment model.
	In February 2012, CMS announced a final Risk Adjustment Data Validation (RADV) audit and payment adjustment methodology and that it will conduct RADV audits beginning with the 2011 payment year. These audits involve a review of medical records maintained by care providers and may result in retrospective adjustments to payments made to health plans. CMS has not communicated how the final payment adjustment under its methodology will be implemented.
	The Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from any material government investigations, audits and reviews in which it is currently involved given the inherent difficulty in predicting regulatory action, fines and penalties, if any, and the various remedies and levels of judicial review available to the Company in the event of an adverse finding.

Segment_Financial_Information_

Segment Financial Information (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Financial Information [Text Block]	'
	Segment Financial Information
	Factors used to determine the Company’s reportable segments include the nature of operating activities, economic characteristics, existence of separate senior management teams and the type of information presented to the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate its results of operations. Reportable segments with similar economic characteristics are combined. The Company’s four reportable segments are UnitedHealthcare, OptumHealth, OptumInsight and OptumRx.
	Transactions between reportable segments principally consist of sales of pharmacy benefit products and services to UnitedHealthcare customers by OptumRx, certain product offerings and care management and integrated care delivery services sold to UnitedHealthcare by OptumHealth, and health information and technology solutions, consulting and other services sold to UnitedHealthcare by OptumInsight. These transactions are recorded at management’s estimate of fair value. Intersegment transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Corporate and intersegment elimination amounts are presented to reconcile the reportable segment results to the consolidated results. For more information on the Company’s segments see Item I, “Business” and Note 13 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item II, Part 8, “Financial Statements” in the Company's 2013 10-K.
	Prior period reportable segment financial information has been recast to conform to the 2014 presentation as discussed in Note 1. The following table presents the reportable segment financial information:
				Optum
	(in millions)	UnitedHealthcare		OptumHealth		OptumInsight		OptumRx		Optum Eliminations			Optum		Corporate and			Consolidated
															Eliminations
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revenues - external customers:
	Premiums	$	27,511	$	604	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	604	$	—		$	28,115
	Services	1,586		263		525		30		—			818		—			2,404
	Products	1		7		26		964		—			997		—			998
	Total revenues - external customers	29,098		874		551		994		—			2,419		—			31,517
	Total revenues - intersegment	—		1,671		696		6,464		(115		)	8,716		(8,716		)	—
	Investment and other income	156		35		—		—		—			35		—			191
	Total revenues	$	29,254	$	2,580	$	1,247	$	7,458	$	(115	)	$	11,170	$	(8,716	)	$	31,708
	Earnings from operations	$	1,404	$	211	$	197	$	242	$	—		$	650	$	—		$	2,054
	Interest expense	—		—		—		—		—			—		(160		)	(160		)
	Earnings before income taxes	$	1,404	$	211	$	197	$	242	$	—		$	650	$	(160	)	$	1,894
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Revenues - external customers:
	Premiums	$	26,681	$	593	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	593	$	—		$	27,274
	Services	1,394		207		488		23		—			718		—			2,112
	Products	2		5		19		725		—			749		—			751
	Total revenues - external customers	28,077		805		507		748		—			2,060		—			30,137
	Total revenues - intersegment	—		1,607		646		4,448		(108		)	6,593		(6,593		)	—
	Investment and other income	173		30		—		—		—			30		—			203
	Total revenues	$	28,250	$	2,442	$	1,153	$	5,196	$	(108	)	$	8,683	$	(6,593	)	$	30,340
	Earnings from operations	$	1,598	$	220	$	208	$	113	$	—		$	541	$	—		$	2,139
	Interest expense	—		—		—		—		—			—		(178		)	(178		)
	Earnings before income taxes	$	1,598	$	220	$	208	$	113	$	—		$	541	$	(178	)	$	1,961

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis of presentation [Abstract]	'
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include certain amounts based on the Company’s best estimates and judgments. The Company’s most significant estimates relate to medical costs payable, revenues, valuation and impairment analysis of goodwill and other intangible assets, estimates of other policy liabilities and other current receivables, valuations of certain investments, and estimates and judgments related to income taxes and contingent liabilities. Certain of these estimates require the application of complex assumptions and judgments, often because they involve matters that are inherently uncertain and will likely change in subsequent periods. The impact of any changes in estimates is included in earnings in the period in which the estimate is adjusted.
Deferred Charges, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Industry Tax. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and a reconciliation measure, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (together, Health Reform Legislation or ACA) include an annual, nondeductible insurance industry tax (Industry Tax) to be levied proportionally across the insurance industry for risk-based products beginning on January 1, 2014.
	The Company estimates its liability for the Industry Tax based on a ratio of the Company’s net premiums written compared to the U.S. health insurance industry total net premiums, both for the previous calendar year. The Company records in full the estimated liability for the Industry Tax at the beginning of the calendar year with a corresponding deferred cost that is amortized to operating costs on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations using a straight-line method of allocation over the calendar year. The liability is recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and the corresponding deferred cost is recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Industry Tax liability was $1.3 billion and as of March 31, 2014 the unamortized asset was $1.0 billion. The Company has experienced a higher effective income tax rate in 2014 as compared to 2013 due to the nondeductible nature of the Industry Tax.
Premium Stabilization Programs, Accounting Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Premium Stabilization Programs. Beginning in 2014, Health Reform Legislation includes three programs designed to stabilize health insurance markets (Premium Stabilization Programs): a permanent risk adjustment program; a temporary risk corridors program; and a transitional reinsurance program.
	The risk-adjustment provisions of Health Reform Legislation are permanent regulations and apply to market reform compliant individual and small group plans in the commercial markets. Under the program, each covered member is assigned a risk score based upon demographic information and applicable diagnostic codes from the current year paid claims, in order to determine an average risk score for each plan in a particular state and market risk pool. Generally, a plan with an average risk score that is less than the state’s average risk score will pay into a pool, while a plan with an average risk score that is greater than the state’s average risk score will receive money from the pool.
	The risk corridors provisions of Health Reform Legislation will be in place for three years and are intended to limit the gains and losses of individual and small group qualified health plans operating in the exchanges. Plans are required to calculate the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) risk corridor ratio of allowable costs (defined as medical claims plus quality improvement costs adjusted for the impact of reinsurance recoveries and the risk adjustment program) to the defined target amount (defined as actual premiums less defined allowable administrative costs inclusive of taxes and profits). Qualified health plans with ratios below 97% are required to make payments to HHS, while plans with ratios greater than 103% will receive funds from HHS.
	The transitional reinsurance program is a temporary three year program that is funded on a per capita basis from all commercial lines of business including insured and self-funded arrangements. Only issuers of market reform compliant individual plans are eligible for reinsurance recoveries from the risk pools.
	None of the Premium Stabilization Programs are expected to have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Short-Term and Long-Term Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of short-term and long-term investments by major security type is as follows:
	(in millions)	Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair
		Cost			Unrealized			Unrealized			Value
					Gains			Losses
	March 31, 2014
	Debt securities - available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	$	1,851		$	4		$	(14	)	$	1,841
	State and municipal obligations	6,623			162			(30		)	6,755
	Corporate obligations	7,109			134			(33		)	7,210
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,261			20			(42		)	2,239
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	818			13			(5		)	826
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale	18,662			333			(124		)	18,871
	Equity securities - available-for-sale	1,835			18			(15		)	1,838
	Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	182			2			—			184
	State and municipal obligations	28			—			—			28
	Corporate obligations	327			—			—			327
	Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	537			2			—			539
	Total investments	$	21,034		$	353		$	(139	)	$	21,248
	December 31, 2013
	Debt securities - available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	$	2,211		$	5		$	(21	)	$	2,195
	State and municipal obligations	6,902			147			(72		)	6,977
	Corporate obligations	7,265			130			(60		)	7,335
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,256			23			(61		)	2,218
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	697			12			(7		)	702
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale	19,331			317			(221		)	19,427
	Equity securities - available-for-sale	1,576			9			(13		)	1,572
	Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	181			1			—			182
	State and municipal obligations	28			—			—			28
	Corporate obligations	334			—			—			334
	Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	543			1			—			544
	Total investments	$	21,450		$	327		$	(234	)	$	21,543
Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Investments with Gross Unrealized Losses by Investment Type and Length of Time that Individual Securities have been in a Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of available-for-sale investments with gross unrealized losses by major security type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows:
		Less Than 12 Months						12 Months or Greater						Total
	(in millions)	Fair			Gross			Fair			Gross			Fair		Gross
		Value			Unrealized			Value			Unrealized			Value		Unrealized
					Losses						Losses					Losses
	March 31, 2014
	Debt securities - available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	$	796		$	(13	)	$	11		$	(1	)	$	807	$	(14	)
	State and municipal obligations	1,564			(24		)	128			(6		)	1,692		(30		)
	Corporate obligations	2,174			(26		)	116			(7		)	2,290		(33		)
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	1,146			(33		)	108			(9		)	1,254		(42		)
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	289			(4		)	31			(1		)	320		(5		)
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale	$	5,969		$	(100	)	$	394		$	(24	)	$	6,363	$	(124	)
	Equity securities - available-for-sale	$	167		$	(15	)	$	—		$	—		$	167	$	(15	)
	December 31, 2013
	Debt securities - available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	$	1,055		$	(19	)	$	17		$	(2	)	$	1,072	$	(21	)
	State and municipal obligations	2,491			(62		)	128			(10		)	2,619		(72		)
	Corporate obligations	2,573			(51		)	103			(9		)	2,676		(60		)
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	1,393			(51		)	105			(10		)	1,498		(61		)
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	289			(6		)	26			(1		)	315		(7		)
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale	$	7,801		$	(189	)	$	379		$	(32	)	$	8,180	$	(221	)
	Equity securities - available-for-sale	$	180		$	(13	)	$	—		$	—		$	180	$	(13	)
Net Realized Gains, Included in Investment and Other Income [Table Text Block]	'
	Net realized gains reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income were from the following sources:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(in millions)	2014			2013
	Total OTTI	$	(3	)	$	(3	)
	Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income	—			—
	Net OTTI recognized in earnings	(3		)	(3		)
	Gross realized losses from sales	(10		)	(1		)
	Gross realized gains from sales	59			61
	Net realized gains (included in investment and other income on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations)	46			57
	Income tax effect (included in provision for income taxes on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations)	(17		)	(21		)
	Realized gains, net of taxes	$	29		$	36
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'
Investments by Contractual Maturity [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair values of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities by credit rating (when multiple credit ratings are available for an individual security, the average of the available ratings is used) and origination date as of March 31, 2014 were as follows:
	(in millions)	AAA			AA			Non-Investment			Total Fair
								Grade			Value
	2014	$	100		$	—		$	—		$	100
	2013	157			—			—			157
	2012	109			—			—			109
	2011	18			—			—			18
	2010	25			—			—			25
	2009	7			—			—			7
	Pre - 2009	395			2			13			410
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,237			2			—			2,239
	Total	$	3,048		$	4		$	13		$	3,065
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'
Investments by Contractual Maturity [Table Text Block]	'
	The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities as of March 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
	(in millions)	Amortized			Fair
		Cost			Value
	Due in one year or less	$	2,007		$	2,019
	Due after one year through five years	6,944			7,052
	Due after five years through ten years	4,900			4,962
	Due after ten years	1,732			1,773
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	2,261			2,239
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	818			826
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale	$	18,662		$	18,871
Held-to-maturity Securities [Member]	'
Investments by Contractual Maturity [Table Text Block]	'
	The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities as of March 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
	(in millions)	Amortized			Fair
		Cost			Value
	Due in one year or less	$	81		$	81
	Due after one year through five years	235			235
	Due after five years through ten years	132			134
	Due after ten years	89			89
	Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	$	537		$	539

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Financial Assets and Liabilities, Measured at Fair Value Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level and carrying values for items measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets excluding AARP Program-related assets and liabilities, which are presented in a separate table below:
	(in millions)	Quoted Prices			Other			Unobservable			Total
		in Active			Observable			Inputs			Fair and Carrying
		Markets			Inputs			(Level 3)			Value
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	March 31, 2014
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,511		$	3		$	—		$	7,514
	Debt securities - available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	1,531			310			—			1,841
	State and municipal obligations	—			6,755			—			6,755
	Corporate obligations	29			7,141			40			7,210
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			2,239			—			2,239
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			820			6			826
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale	1,560			17,265			46			18,871
	Equity securities - available-for-sale	1,513			12			313			1,838
	Total assets at fair value	$	10,584		$	17,280		$	359		$	28,223
	Percentage of total assets at fair value	38		%	61		%	1		%	100		%
	Interest rate swap liabilities	$	—		$	97		$	—		$	97
	December 31, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,005		$	271		$	—		$	7,276
	Debt securities - available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	1,750			445			—			2,195
	State and municipal obligations	—			6,977			—			6,977
	Corporate obligations	25			7,274			36			7,335
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			2,218			—			2,218
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			696			6			702
	Total debt securities - available-for-sale	1,775			17,610			42			19,427
	Equity securities - available-for-sale	1,291			12			269			1,572
	Total assets at fair value	$	10,071		$	17,893		$	311		$	28,275
	Percentage of total assets at fair value	36		%	63		%	1		%	100		%
	Interest rate swap liabilities	$	—		$	163		$	—		$	163
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level and carrying values for certain financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	(in millions)	Quoted Prices			Other			Unobservable			Total			Total Carrying Value
		in Active			Observable			Inputs			Fair
		Markets			Inputs			(Level 3)			Value
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	March 31, 2014
	Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	$	184		$	—		$	—		$	184		$	182
	State and municipal obligations	—			—			28			28			28
	Corporate obligations	49			9			269			327			327
	Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	$	233		$	9		$	297		$	539		$	537
	Long-term debt and other financing obligations	$	—		$	16,910		$	—		$	16,910		$	15,641
	December 31, 2013
	Debt securities - held-to-maturity:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	$	182		$	—		$	—		$	182		$	181
	State and municipal obligations	—			—			28			28			28
	Corporate obligations	47			9			278			334			334
	Total debt securities - held-to-maturity	$	229		$	9		$	306		$	544		$	543
	Long-term debt and other financing obligations	$	—		$	16,602		$	—		$	16,602		$	15,745
Reconciliation of Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Level 3 Inputs [Table Text Block]	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs is as follows:
		March 31, 2014									March 31, 2013
	(in millions)	Debt			Equity			Total			Debt			Equity			Total
		Securities			Securities						Securities			Securities
	Balance at beginning of period	$	42		$	269		$	311		$	17		$	224		$	241
	Purchases	3			44			47			15			31			46
	Sales	—			(4		)	(4		)	—			(21		)	(21		)
	Net unrealized gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income	1			4			5			—			(2		)	(2		)
	Net realized gains in investment and other income	—			—			—			—			7			7
	Balance at end of period	$	46		$	313		$	359		$	32		$	239		$	271
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents quantitative information regarding unobservable inputs that were significant to the valuation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs:
								Range
	(in millions)	Fair Value			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input	Low		High
	March 31, 2014
	Equity securities - available-for-sale
	Venture capital portfolios	$	273		Market approach - comparable companies		Revenue multiple	1		6
							EBITDA multiple	8		9
		40			Market approach - recent transactions		Inactive market transactions	N/A		N/A
	Total equity securities	$	313
	available-for-sale
Aarp Program [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Financial Assets and Liabilities, Measured at Fair Value Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	(in millions)	Quoted Prices			Other			Total
		in Active			Observable			Fair and Carrying
		Markets			Inputs			Value
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	March 31, 2014
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	240		$	—		$	240
	Debt securities:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	459			296			755
	State and municipal obligations	—			67			67
	Corporate obligations	—			1,097			1,097
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			394			394
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			145			145
	Total debt securities	459			1,999			2,458
	Other investments	—			82			82
	Total assets at fair value	$	699		$	2,081		$	2,780
	Other liabilities	$	4		$	16		$	20
	December 31, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	265		$	—		$	265
	Debt securities:
	U.S. government and agency obligations	426			301			727
	State and municipal obligations	—			63			63
	Corporate obligations	—			1,145			1,145
	U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			414			414
	Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities	—			139			139
	Total debt securities	426			2,062			2,488
	Equity securities - available-for-sale	—			4			4
	Total assets at fair value	$	691		$	2,066		$	2,757
	Other liabilities	$	3		$	11		$	14

Medicare_Part_D_Pharmacy_Benef1

Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Current Receivables and Other Policy Liabilities Associated with Medicare Part D Program [Table Text Block]	'
	The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include the following amounts associated with the Medicare Part D program:
		March 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
	(in millions)	Subsidies		Drug Discount		Risk-Share		Subsidies		Drug Discount		Risk-Share
	Other current receivables	$	529	$	184	$	—	$	881	$	425	$	—
	Other policy liabilities	—		84		103		—		152		214

Commercial_Paper_and_LongTerm_1

Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	Commercial paper and senior unsecured long-term debt consisted of the following:
			March 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
	(in millions, except percentages)		Par		Carrying		Fair		Par		Carrying		Fair
			Value		Value		Value		Value		Value		Value
	Commercial paper		$	1,124	$	1,124	$	1,124	$	1,115	$	1,115	$	1,115
	4.750% notes due February 2014		—		—		—		172		173		173
	5.000% notes due August 2014		389		395		396		389		397		400
	Floating-rate notes due August 2014		250		250		250		250		250		250
	4.875% notes due March 2015 (a)		416		429		433		416		431		436
	0.850% notes due October 2015 (a)		625		624		628		625		624		628
	5.375% notes due March 2016 (a)		601		637		654		601		641		657
	1.875% notes due November 2016		400		398		409		400		398		408
	5.360% notes due November 2016		95		95		106		95		95		107
	6.000% notes due June 2017		441		476		502		441		479		506
	1.400% notes due October 2017 (a)		625		613		623		625		613		617
	6.000% notes due November 2017		156		167		178		156		168		178
	6.000% notes due February 2018		1,100		1,115		1,266		1,100		1,116		1,271
	1.625% notes due March 2019 (a)		500		491		486		500		489		481
	3.875% notes due October 2020 (a)		450		441		476		450		435		474
	4.700% notes due February 2021		400		415		441		400		416		436
	3.375% notes due November 2021 (a)		500		480		507		500		472		494
	2.875% notes due March 2022 (a)		1,100		1,001		1,069		1,100		981		1,046
	0.000% notes due November 2022		15		10		11		15		9		10
	2.750% notes due February 2023 (a)		625		577		588		625		563		572
	2.875% notes due March 2023 (a)		750		745		711		750		729		698
	5.800% notes due March 2036		850		845		989		850		845		935
	6.500% notes due June 2037		500		495		628		500		495		593
	6.625% notes due November 2037		650		646		837		650		645		786
	6.875% notes due February 2038		1,100		1,085		1,447		1,100		1,084		1,370
	5.700% notes due October 2040		300		298		350		300		298		329
	5.950% notes due February 2041		350		348		419		350		348		397
	4.625% notes due November 2041		600		593		603		600		593		567
	4.375% notes due March 2042		502		486		488		502		486		459
	3.950% notes due October 2042		625		611		566		625		611		530
	4.250% notes due March 2043		750		740		714		750		740		673
	Total commercial paper and long-term debt		$	16,789	$	16,630	$	17,899	$	16,952	$	16,739	$	17,596
	(a)	Fixed-rate debt instruments hedged with interest rate swap contracts. See below for more information on the Company’s interest rate swaps.

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Option and SAR Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	Stock option and SAR activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is summarized in the table below:
		Shares			Weighted-				Weighted-	Aggregate
					Average				Average	Intrinsic Value
					Exercise				Remaining
					Price				Contractual Life
		(in millions)							(in years)	(in millions)
	Outstanding at beginning of period	41			$	48
	Granted	7			70
	Exercised	(7	)		46
	Outstanding at end of period	41			52				5.5	$	1,228
	Exercisable at end of period	27			46				3.4	963
	Vested and expected to vest, end of period	40			52				5.4	1,207
Restricted Share Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	Restricted share activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is summarized in the table below:
	(shares in millions)		Shares			Weighted-Average
						Grant Date
						Fair Value
						per Share
	Nonvested at beginning of period		11			$	50
	Granted		4			70
	Vested		(6	)		46
	Nonvested at end of period		9			60
Other Share-Based Compensation Data [Table Text Block]	'
	Other Share-Based Compensation Data
	(in millions, except per share amounts)		Three Months Ended
			March 31,
			2014				2013
	Stock Options and SARs
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share		$	22			$	19
	Total intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised		212				83
	Restricted Shares
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share		70				57
	Total fair value of restricted shares vested		414				—
	Share-Based Compensation Items
	Share-based compensation expense, before tax		105				99
	Share-based compensation expense, net of tax effects		86				89
	Income tax benefit realized from share-based award exercises		119				33
	(in millions, except years)		March 31, 2014
	Unrecognized compensation expense related to share awards		$	587
	Weighted-average years to recognize compensation expense		1.5
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The principal assumptions the Company used in calculating grant-date fair value for stock options and SARs were as follows:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2014		2013
	Risk-free interest rate		1.70%		1.00%
	Expected volatility		39.60%		42.60%
	Expected dividend yield		1.60%		1.50%
	Forfeiture rate		5.00%		5.00%
	Expected life in years		5.4		5.3

Segment_Financial_Information_1

Segment Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	Prior period reportable segment financial information has been recast to conform to the 2014 presentation as discussed in Note 1. The following table presents the reportable segment financial information:
				Optum
	(in millions)	UnitedHealthcare		OptumHealth		OptumInsight		OptumRx		Optum Eliminations			Optum		Corporate and			Consolidated
															Eliminations
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Revenues - external customers:
	Premiums	$	27,511	$	604	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	604	$	—		$	28,115
	Services	1,586		263		525		30		—			818		—			2,404
	Products	1		7		26		964		—			997		—			998
	Total revenues - external customers	29,098		874		551		994		—			2,419		—			31,517
	Total revenues - intersegment	—		1,671		696		6,464		(115		)	8,716		(8,716		)	—
	Investment and other income	156		35		—		—		—			35		—			191
	Total revenues	$	29,254	$	2,580	$	1,247	$	7,458	$	(115	)	$	11,170	$	(8,716	)	$	31,708
	Earnings from operations	$	1,404	$	211	$	197	$	242	$	—		$	650	$	—		$	2,054
	Interest expense	—		—		—		—		—			—		(160		)	(160		)
	Earnings before income taxes	$	1,404	$	211	$	197	$	242	$	—		$	650	$	(160	)	$	1,894
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Revenues - external customers:
	Premiums	$	26,681	$	593	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	593	$	—		$	27,274
	Services	1,394		207		488		23		—			718		—			2,112
	Products	2		5		19		725		—			749		—			751
	Total revenues - external customers	28,077		805		507		748		—			2,060		—			30,137
	Total revenues - intersegment	—		1,607		646		4,448		(108		)	6,593		(6,593		)	—
	Investment and other income	173		30		—		—		—			30		—			203
	Total revenues	$	28,250	$	2,442	$	1,153	$	5,196	$	(108	)	$	8,683	$	(6,593	)	$	30,340
	Earnings from operations	$	1,598	$	220	$	208	$	113	$	—		$	541	$	—		$	2,139
	Interest expense	—		—		—		—		—			—		(178		)	(178		)
	Earnings before income taxes	$	1,598	$	220	$	208	$	113	$	—		$	541	$	(178	)	$	1,961

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (Industry Tax [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Industry Tax [Member]	'
Accrued Liabilities, Current	$1.30
Deferred Costs, Current	$1

Investments_Narrative_Details

Investments (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014
	positions
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	5,200
Total number of security positions	20,700

Investments_ShortTerm_and_Long

Investments (Short-Term and Long-Term Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$18,871	'
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,835	1,576
Securities, Available for sale Equity Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	18	9
Securities, Available for sale Equity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-15	-13
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	1,838	1,572
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	537	543
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	2	1
Securities, Held To Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	0
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity, Fair Value	539	544
Total investments, Amortized Cost	21,034	21,450
Total investments, Gross Unrealized Gains	353	327
Total investments: Gross Unrealized Losses	-139	-234
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	21,248	21,543
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	18,662	19,331
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	333	317
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-124	-221
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	18,871	19,427
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,851	2,211
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4	5
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-14	-21
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,841	2,195
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	182	181
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	2	1
Securities, Held To Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	0
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity, Fair Value	184	182
State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,623	6,902
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	162	147
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-30	-72
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	6,755	6,977
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	28	28
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	0
Securities, Held To Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	0
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity, Fair Value	28	28
Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	7,109	7,265
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	134	130
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-33	-60
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	7,210	7,335
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	327	334
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	0
Securities, Held To Maturity, Unrecognized Holding Loss	0	0
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity, Fair Value	327	334
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,261	2,256
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	20	23
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-42	-61
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	2,239	2,218
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	818	697
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	13	12
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-5	-7
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$826	$702

Investments_Fair_Value_of_Mort

Investments (Fair Value of Mortgage-Backed Securities by Credit Rating Origination) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mortgage-backed securities	$3,065
2014	'
Mortgage-backed securities	100
2013	'
Mortgage-backed securities	157
2012	'
Mortgage-backed securities	109
2011	'
Mortgage-backed securities	18
2010	'
Mortgage-backed securities	25
2009	'
Mortgage-backed securities	7
Pre 2009	'
Mortgage-backed securities	410
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'
Mortgage-backed securities	2,239
AAA [Member]	'
Mortgage-backed securities	3,048
AAA [Member] | 2014	'
Mortgage-backed securities	100
AAA [Member] | 2013	'
Mortgage-backed securities	157
AAA [Member] | 2012	'
Mortgage-backed securities	109
AAA [Member] | 2011	'
Mortgage-backed securities	18
AAA [Member] | 2010	'
Mortgage-backed securities	25
AAA [Member] | 2009	'
Mortgage-backed securities	7
AAA [Member] | Pre 2009	'
Mortgage-backed securities	395
AAA [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'
Mortgage-backed securities	2,237
AA [Member]	'
Mortgage-backed securities	4
AA [Member] | 2014	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
AA [Member] | 2013	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
AA [Member] | 2012	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
AA [Member] | 2011	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
AA [Member] | 2010	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
AA [Member] | 2009	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
AA [Member] | Pre 2009	'
Mortgage-backed securities	2
AA [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'
Mortgage-backed securities	2
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member]	'
Mortgage-backed securities	13
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | 2014	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | 2013	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | 2012	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | 2011	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | 2010	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | 2009	'
Mortgage-backed securities	0
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Pre 2009	'
Mortgage-backed securities	13
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'
Mortgage-backed securities	$0

Investments_Amortized_Cost_and

Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Due in one year or less, Amortized Cost	$2,007	'
Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	6,944	'
Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	4,900	'
Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	1,732	'
Total debt securities - available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	18,662	'
Due in one year or less, Fair Value	2,019	'
Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	7,052	'
Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	4,962	'
Due after ten years, Fair Value	1,773	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	18,871	'
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Mortgage-backed securities, Amortized Cost	2,261	'
Mortgage-backed securities, Fair Value	2,239	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	2,239	2,218
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Mortgage-backed securities, Amortized Cost	818	'
Mortgage-backed securities, Fair Value	826	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$826	$702

Investments_Amortized_Cost_and1

Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Held-To-Maturity Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Due in one year or less, Amortized Cost	$81	'
Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	235	'
Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	132	'
Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	89	'
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost	537	543
Due in one year or less, Fair Value	81	'
Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	235	'
Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	134	'
Due after ten years, Fair Value	89	'
Total debt securities - held-to-maturity, Fair Value	$539	$544

Investments_Fair_Value_of_Avai

Investments (Fair Value of Available-For-Sale Investments with Gross Unrealized Losses by Investment Type and Length of Time That Individual Securities Have Been in a Continuous Unrealized Loss Position) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	$5,969	$7,801
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-100	-189
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	394	379
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-24	-32
Total, Fair Value	6,363	8,180
Total, Unrealized Losses	-124	-221
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	796	1,055
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-13	-19
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	11	17
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-2
Total, Fair Value	807	1,072
Total, Unrealized Losses	-14	-21
State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,564	2,491
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-24	-62
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	128	128
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-6	-10
Total, Fair Value	1,692	2,619
Total, Unrealized Losses	-30	-72
Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	2,174	2,573
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-26	-51
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	116	103
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-7	-9
Total, Fair Value	2,290	2,676
Total, Unrealized Losses	-33	-60
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,146	1,393
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-33	-51
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	108	105
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-9	-10
Total, Fair Value	1,254	1,498
Total, Unrealized Losses	-42	-61
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	289	289
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-4	-6
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	31	26
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-1
Total, Fair Value	320	315
Total, Unrealized Losses	-5	-7
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	167	180
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	-15	-13
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	0	'
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	'
Total, Fair Value	167	180
Total, Unrealized Losses	($15)	($13)

Investments_Net_Realized_Gains

Investments (Net Realized Gains) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Income tax effect (included in Provision for Income Taxes on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations)	($795)	($721)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Total OTTI	-3	-3
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income	0	0
Net OTTI recognized in earnings	-3	-3
Gross realized losses from sales	-10	-1
Gross realized gains from sales	59	61
Net realized gains (included in Investment and Other Income on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations)	46	57
Income tax effect (included in Provision for Income Taxes on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations)	-17	-21
Realized gains, net of taxes	$29	$36

Fair_Value_Narrative_Details

Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Transfers from level 1 to level 2-Assets	$0	$0
Transfers from level 1 to level 2-Liabilities	0	0
Transfer from level 2 to level 1-Assets	0	0
Transfer from level 2 to level 1-Liabilities	0	0
Transfers Into Level 3	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Significant fair value adjustments for assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	$46	'

Fair_Value_Financial_Assets_an

Fair Value (Financial Assets and Liabilities, Excluding AARP, Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents	$7,514	$7,276
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	18,871	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	1,838	1,572
Total assets at fair value	28,223	28,275
Percentage of total assets at fair value	100.00%	100.00%
Interest rate swap liabilities	97	163
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	18,871	19,427
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,841	2,195
State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	6,755	6,977
Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	7,210	7,335
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	2,239	2,218
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	826	702
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	7,511	7,005
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	1,513	1,291
Total assets at fair value	10,584	10,071
Percentage of total assets at fair value	38.00%	36.00%
Interest rate swap liabilities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,560	1,775
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,531	1,750
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	29	25
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	3	271
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	12	12
Total assets at fair value	17,280	17,893
Percentage of total assets at fair value	61.00%	63.00%
Interest rate swap liabilities	97	163
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	17,265	17,610
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	310	445
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	6,755	6,977
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	7,141	7,274
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	2,239	2,218
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	820	696
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	313	269
Total assets at fair value	359	311
Percentage of total assets at fair value	1.00%	1.00%
Interest rate swap liabilities	0	0
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	46	42
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	40	36
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$6	$6

Fair_Value_Financial_Assets_an1

Fair Value (Financial Assets and Liabilities, Excluding AARP, Not Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	$537	$543
Long-term Debt, Gross	16,630	16,739
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	539	544
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	233	229
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	9	9
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	297	306
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	537	543
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	184	182
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	184	182
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	182	181
State and Municipal Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	28	28
State and Municipal Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
State and Municipal Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
State and Municipal Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	28	28
State and Municipal Obligations [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	28	28
Corporate Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	327	334
Corporate Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	49	47
Corporate Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	9	9
Corporate Obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	269	278
Corporate Obligations [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Debt securities - held-to-maturity	327	334
Long-term debt and other financing obligations | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	16,910	16,602
Long-term debt and other financing obligations | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Long-term debt and other financing obligations | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	16,910	16,602
Long-term debt and other financing obligations | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Long-term debt and other financing obligations | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	$15,641	$15,745

Fair_Value_Reconciliation_of_A

Fair Value (Reconciliation of Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Level 3 Inputs) (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$311	$241
Purchases	47	46
Sales	-4	-21
Net unrealized gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income	5	-2
Net realized gains in investment and other income	0	7
Balance at end of period	359	271
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	42	17
Purchases	3	15
Sales	0	0
Net unrealized gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income	1	0
Net realized gains in investment and other income	0	0
Balance at end of period	46	32
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	269	224
Purchases	44	31
Sales	-4	-21
Net unrealized gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income	4	-2
Net realized gains in investment and other income	0	7
Balance at end of period	$313	$239

Fair_Value_Fair_Value_Inputs_A

Fair Value Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Venture Capital Funds [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Comparable Companies [Member]	'
Available-for-sale Securities	273
Venture Capital Funds [Member] | Market Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Recent Transactions [Member]	'
Available-for-sale Securities	40
Minimum [Member] | Comparable Companies [Member]	'
Fair Value Inputs, Revenue Multiple	1
Fair Value Inputs, Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization Multiple	8
Maximum [Member] | Comparable Companies [Member]	'
Fair Value Inputs, Revenue Multiple	6
Fair Value Inputs, Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization Multiple	9
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'
Available-for-sale Securities	313

Fair_Value_Assets_and_Liabilit

Fair Value (Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents	$7,514	$7,276
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	18,871	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	1,838	1,572
Total assets at fair value	28,223	28,275
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	18,871	19,427
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,841	2,195
State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	6,755	6,977
Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	7,210	7,335
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	2,239	2,218
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	826	702
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	7,511	7,005
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	1,513	1,291
Total assets at fair value	10,584	10,071
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,560	1,775
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,531	1,750
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	29	25
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	3	271
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	12	12
Total assets at fair value	17,280	17,893
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	17,265	17,610
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	310	445
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	6,755	6,977
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	7,141	7,274
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	2,239	2,218
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	820	696
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	240	265
Other Investments	82	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	'	4
Total assets at fair value	2,780	2,757
Other liabilities	20	14
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	2,458	2,488
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	755	727
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	67	63
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,097	1,145
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	394	414
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	145	139
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	240	265
Other Investments	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	'	0
Total assets at fair value	699	691
Other liabilities	4	3
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	459	426
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	459	426
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Other Investments	82	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	'	4
Total assets at fair value	2,081	2,066
Other liabilities	16	11
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,999	2,062
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	296	301
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	67	63
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1,097	1,145
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	394	414
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | AARP Program [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$145	$139

Medicare_Part_D_Pharmacy_Benef2

Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other current receivables	$3,624	$3,998
Other policy liabilities	5,247	5,279
CMS Subsidies [Member]	'	'
Other current receivables	529	881
Other policy liabilities	0	0
Drug Discount [Member]	'	'
Other current receivables	184	425
Other policy liabilities	84	152
Risk-Share [Member]	'	'
Other current receivables	0	0
Other policy liabilities	$103	$214

Medical_Cost_Reserve_Developme1

Medical Cost Reserve Development (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims, Prior Years	$220	$280

Commercial_Paper_and_LongTerm_2

Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Commercial Paper [Member]

Five Year $3.0 Billion Credit Facility [Member]

Five Year $3.0 Billion Credit Facility [Member]

Five Year $3.0 Billion Credit Facility [Member]

364 Day $1.0 Billion Credit Facility [Member]

364 Day $1.0 Billion Credit Facility [Member]

364 Day $1.0 Billion Credit Facility [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Other Liabilities [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

banks

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Other Long-term Debt

$135,000,000

$121,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Long-term Debt, Current

43,000,000

34,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving bank credit facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

0

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

'

'

0.20%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit, Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

4,000,000,000

3,000,000,000

'

'

1,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period

'

'

'

'

1.00%

1.20%

'

1.00%

1.20%

'

'

'

'

Number Of Years Of Revolving Bank Credit

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit Facility, Number of Days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'364

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of banks that comprise revolving bank credit facility (banks)

'

'

'

23

'

'

23

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum percentage of indebtedness to total net capital bank covenant

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,200,000,000

6,200,000,000

'

'

Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value

$97,000,000

$163,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$97,000,000

$163,000,000

Commercial_Paper_and_LongTerm_3

Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Par Value	$16,789		$16,952
Carrying Value	16,630		16,739
Fair Value	17,899		17,596
Commercial Paper [Member]	'		'
Par Value	1,124		1,115
Commercial Paper	1,124		1,115
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	1,124		1,115
4.750% Notes Due February 2014 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%		'
Par Value	0		172
Carrying Value	0		173
Fair Value	0		173
5.000% Notes Due August 2014 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%		'
Par Value	389		389
Carrying Value	395		397
Fair Value	396		400
Floating-rate Notes Due August 2014 [Member]	'		'
Par Value	250		250
Carrying Value	250		250
Fair Value	250		250
4.875% Notes Due March 2015 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.88%		'
Par Value	416	[1]	416	[1]
Carrying Value	429	[1]	431	[1]
Fair Value	433	[1]	436	[1]
0.850% Notes due October 2015 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.85%		'
Par Value	625	[1]	625	[1]
Carrying Value	624	[1]	624	[1]
Fair Value	628	[1]	628	[1]
5.375% Notes Due March 2016 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.38%		'
Par Value	601	[1]	601	[1]
Carrying Value	637	[1]	641	[1]
Fair Value	654	[1]	657	[1]
1.875% Notes Due November 2016 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.88%		'
Par Value	400		400
Carrying Value	398		398
Fair Value	409		408
5.360% Notes Due November 2016 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.36%		'
Par Value	95		95
Carrying Value	95		95
Fair Value	106		107
6.000% Notes Due June 2017 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.00%		'
Par Value	441		441
Carrying Value	476		479
Fair Value	502		506
1.400% Notes due October 2017 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.40%		'
Par Value	625	[1]	625	[1]
Carrying Value	613	[1]	613	[1]
Fair Value	623	[1]	617	[1]
6.000% Notes Due November 2017 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.00%		'
Par Value	156		156
Carrying Value	167		168
Fair Value	178		178
6.000% Notes Due February 2018 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.00%		'
Par Value	1,100		1,100
Carrying Value	1,115		1,116
Fair Value	1,266		1,271
1.625% Notes Due March 2019 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.63%		'
Par Value	500	[1]	500	[1]
Carrying Value	491	[1]	489	[1]
Fair Value	486	[1]	481	[1]
3.875% Notes Due October 2020 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.88%		'
Par Value	450	[1]	450	[1]
Carrying Value	441	[1]	435	[1]
Fair Value	476	[1]	474	[1]
4.700% Notes Due February 2021 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.70%		'
Par Value	400		400
Carrying Value	415		416
Fair Value	441		436
3.375% Notes Due November 2021 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.38%		'
Par Value	500	[1]	500	[1]
Carrying Value	480	[1]	472	[1]
Fair Value	507	[1]	494	[1]
2.875% Notes Due March 2022 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.88%		'
Par Value	1,100	[1]	1,100	[1]
Carrying Value	1,001	[1]	981	[1]
Fair Value	1,069	[1]	1,046	[1]
0.000% Notes Due November 2022 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.00%		'
Par Value	15		15
Carrying Value	10		9
Fair Value	11		10
2.750% Notes due February 2023 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.75%		'
Par Value	625	[1]	625	[1]
Carrying Value	577	[1]	563	[1]
Fair Value	588	[1]	572	[1]
2.875% Notes due March 2023 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.88%		'
Par Value	750	[1]	750	[1]
Carrying Value	745	[1]	729	[1]
Fair Value	711	[1]	698	[1]
5.800% Notes Due March 2036 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.80%		'
Par Value	850		850
Carrying Value	845		845
Fair Value	989		935
6.500% Notes Due June 2037 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.50%		'
Par Value	500		500
Carrying Value	495		495
Fair Value	628		593
6.625% Notes Due November 2037 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.63%		'
Par Value	650		650
Carrying Value	646		645
Fair Value	837		786
6.875% Notes Due February 2038 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.88%		'
Par Value	1,100		1,100
Carrying Value	1,085		1,084
Fair Value	1,447		1,370
5.700% Notes Due October 2040 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.70%		'
Par Value	300		300
Carrying Value	298		298
Fair Value	350		329
5.950% Notes Due February 2041 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.95%		'
Par Value	350		350
Carrying Value	348		348
Fair Value	419		397
4.625% Notes Due November 2041 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.63%		'
Par Value	600		600
Carrying Value	593		593
Fair Value	603		567
4.375% Notes Due March 2042 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.38%		'
Par Value	502		502
Carrying Value	486		486
Fair Value	488		459
3.950% Notes due October 2042 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.95%		'
Par Value	625		625
Carrying Value	611		611
Fair Value	566		530
4.250% Notes due March 2043 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.25%		'
Par Value	750		750
Carrying Value	740		740
Fair Value	$714		$673
[1]	(a)Fixed-rate debt instruments hedged with interest rate swap contracts. See below for more information on the Company’s interest rate swaps.

ShareBased_Compensation_Narrat

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'
Shares available for future grants	11
Total Shares Available To Grant [Member]	'
Shares available for future grants	24

ShareBased_Compensation_Stock_

Share-Based Compensation (Stock Option and SAR Activity) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period	41
Granted, Shares	7
Exercised, Shares	-7
Outstanding at the end of the period	41
Exercisable at end of period, Shares	27
Vested and expected to vest end of period, Shares	40
Outstanding at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$48
Granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$70
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$46
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$52
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$46
Vested and expected to vest end of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$52
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	'5 years 6 months
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	'3 years 4 months 24 days
Vested and expected to vest end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	'5 years 4 months 24 days
Outstanding at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$1,228
Exercisable at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	963
Vested and expected to vest end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$1,207

ShareBased_Compensation_Restri

Share-Based Compensation (Restricted Share Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'
Nonvested at beginning of period, Shares	11
Granted, Shares	4
Vested	-6
Nonvested at end of period, Shares	9
Nonvested at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$50
Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share	$70
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$46
Nonvested at end of period, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$60

ShareBased_Compensation_Other_

Share-Based Compensation Other Share-Based Compensation Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Other Share-Based Compensation Data [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based compensation expense, before tax	$105	$99
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax effects	86	89
Income tax benefit realized from share-based award exercises	119	33
Unrecognized compensation expense related to share awards	587	'
Weighted-average years to recognize compensation expense	'1 year 6 months	'
Stock Options and SARs [Member]	'	'
Other Share-Based Compensation Data [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share	$22	$19
Total intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised	212	83
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'
Other Share-Based Compensation Data [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average grant date fair value (per share)	$70	$57
Total fair value of restricted shares vested	$414	$0

ShareBased_Compensation_ShareB

Share-Based Compensation (Share-Based Compensation Principal Fair Value Assumptions) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Risk-free interest rate	1.70%	1.00%
Expected volatility	39.60%	42.60%
Expected dividend yield	1.60%	1.50%
Forfeiture rate	5.00%	5.00%
Expected Life in years	'5 years 4 months 24 days	'5 years 3 months 18 days

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
	California Claims Processing Matter [Member]	Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada Litigation [Member]	Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada Litigation [Member]	Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada Litigation [Member]	Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada Litigation [Member]	Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada Litigation [Member]
		class_action_lawsuit	individual_lawsuit	Compensatory Damages [Member]	Punitive Damages [Member]	Post-Trial Motions [Member]
Estimated Largest Aggregate Penalty Issued By Cdi	$8	'	'	'	'	'
CDI aggregate penalty	325	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value	'	'	'	$24	$500	$366
Individual Lawsuits [Line Items]	'	2	41	'	'	'

Segment_Financial_Information_2

Segment Financial Information Segment Financial Information (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Number of Reportable Segments	4

Segment_Financial_Information_3

Segment Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Premiums, revenues - external customers	$28,115	$27,274
Services, revenues - external customers	2,404	2,112
Products, revenues - external customers	998	751
Investment and other income	191	203
Revenues	31,708	30,340
Earnings from operations	2,054	2,139
Interest expense	-160	-178
Earnings before income taxes	1,894	1,961
UnitedHealthcare [Member]	'	'
Investment and other income	156	173
Revenues	29,254	28,250
Earnings from operations	1,404	1,598
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	1,404	1,598
Total Optum [Member]	'	'
Investment and other income	35	30
Revenues	11,170	8,683
Earnings from operations	650	541
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	650	541
OptumHealth [Member]	'	'
Investment and other income	35	30
Revenues	2,580	2,442
Earnings from operations	211	220
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	211	220
OptumInsight [Member]	'	'
Investment and other income	0	0
Revenues	1,247	1,153
Earnings from operations	197	208
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	197	208
OptumRx [Member]	'	'
Investment and other income	0	0
Revenues	7,458	5,196
Earnings from operations	242	113
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	242	113
Optum Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Investment and other income	0	0
Revenues	-115	-108
Earnings from operations	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	0	0
Corporate and Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Investment and other income	0	0
Revenues	-8,716	-6,593
Earnings from operations	0	0
Interest expense	-160	-178
Earnings before income taxes	-160	-178
External Customers [Member]	'	'
Premiums, revenues - external customers	28,115	27,274
Services, revenues - external customers	2,404	2,112
Products, revenues - external customers	998	751
Revenues	31,517	30,137
External Customers [Member] | UnitedHealthcare [Member]	'	'
Premiums, revenues - external customers	27,511	26,681
Services, revenues - external customers	1,586	1,394
Products, revenues - external customers	1	2
Revenues	29,098	28,077
External Customers [Member] | Total Optum [Member]	'	'
Premiums, revenues - external customers	604	593
Services, revenues - external customers	818	718
Products, revenues - external customers	997	749
Revenues	2,419	2,060
External Customers [Member] | OptumHealth [Member]	'	'
Premiums, revenues - external customers	604	593
Services, revenues - external customers	263	207
Products, revenues - external customers	7	5
Revenues	874	805
External Customers [Member] | OptumInsight [Member]	'	'
Premiums, revenues - external customers	0	0
Services, revenues - external customers	525	488
Products, revenues - external customers	26	19
Revenues	551	507
External Customers [Member] | OptumRx [Member]	'	'
Premiums, revenues - external customers	0	0
Services, revenues - external customers	30	23
Products, revenues - external customers	964	725
Revenues	994	748
External Customers [Member] | Optum Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Premiums, revenues - external customers	0	0
Services, revenues - external customers	0	0
Products, revenues - external customers	0	0
Revenues	0	0
External Customers [Member] | Corporate and Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Premiums, revenues - external customers	0	0
Services, revenues - external customers	0	0
Products, revenues - external customers	0	0
Revenues	0	0
Intersegment [Member]	'	'
Revenues	0	0
Intersegment [Member] | UnitedHealthcare [Member]	'	'
Revenues	0	0
Intersegment [Member] | Total Optum [Member]	'	'
Revenues	8,716	6,593
Intersegment [Member] | OptumHealth [Member]	'	'
Revenues	1,671	1,607
Intersegment [Member] | OptumInsight [Member]	'	'
Revenues	696	646
Intersegment [Member] | OptumRx [Member]	'	'
Revenues	6,464	4,448
Intersegment [Member] | Optum Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Revenues	-115	-108
Intersegment [Member] | Corporate and Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Revenues	($8,716)	($6,593)