UnitedHealth (UNH) 10-Q 7 May 19 2019 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
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 Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		950,343,113

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 12,407	$ 10,866
Short-term investments	3,303	3,458
Accounts receivable, net	12,826	11,388
Other current receivables, net	7,631	6,862
Assets under management	2,951	3,032
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,697	3,086
Total current assets	42,815	38,692
Long-term investments	33,553	32,510
Property, equipment and capitalized software, net	8,230	8,458
Goodwill	59,379	58,910
Other intangible assets, net	9,245	9,325
Other assets	7,975	4,326
Total assets	161,197	152,221
Current liabilities:
Medical costs payable	21,139	19,891
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	16,900	16,705
Commercial paper and current maturities of long-term debt	3,919	1,973
Unearned revenues	2,530	2,396
Other current liabilities	14,445	12,244
Total current liabilities	58,933	53,209
Long-term debt, less current maturities	34,419	34,581
Deferred income taxes	2,786	2,474
Other liabilities	8,554	5,730
Total liabilities	104,692	95,994
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	2,054	1,908
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; 953 and 960 issued and outstanding	10	10
Retained earnings	55,472	55,846
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,758)	(4,160)
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	2,727	2,623
Total equity	54,451	54,319
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	$ 161,197	$ 152,221

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - $ / shares shares in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	3,000	3,000
Common stock, shares issued	953	960
Common stock, shares outstanding	953	960
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10	10
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Premiums	$ 47,513	$ 44,084
Products	8,072	6,702
Services	4,318	4,104
Investment and other income	405	298
Total revenues	60,308	55,188
Operating costs:
Medical costs	38,939	35,863
Operating costs	8,517	8,506
Cost of products sold	7,381	6,184
Depreciation and amortization	639	582
Total operating costs	55,476	51,135
Earnings from operations	4,832	4,053
Interest expense	(400)	(329)
Earnings before income taxes	4,432	3,724
Provision for income taxes	(875)	(800)
Net earnings	3,557	2,924
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(90)	(88)
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	$ 3,467	$ 2,836
Earnings per share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders:
Basic	$ 3.62	$ 2.94
Diluted	$ 3.56	$ 2.87
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	958	966
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents	17	21
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	975	987
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of dilutive effect of common share equivalents	8	7

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Net earnings	$ 3,557	$ 2,924
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Gross unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities during the period	520	(378)
Income tax effect	(119)	86
Total unrealized gains (losses), net of tax	401	(292)
Gross reclassification adjustment for net realized losses (gains) included in net earnings	4	(19)
Income tax effect	(1)	4
Total reclassification adjustment, net of tax	3	(15)
Total foreign currency translation losses	(2)	(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	402	(308)
Comprehensive income	3,959	2,616
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(90)	(88)
Comprehensive income attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	$ 3,869	$ 2,528

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Net Unrealized (Losses) Gains on Investments [Member]	Foreign Currency Translation [Member]	Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 49,833	$ 10	$ 1,703	$ 48,730	$ (13)	$ (2,654)	$ 2,057
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		969
Adjustment to adopt ASU at Dec. 31, 2017	0			(24)	24
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	2,836			2,836
Net earnings attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest							53
Net Earnings, Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	2,889
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(308)				(307)	(1)
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects (in shares)		5
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects	415	$ 0	415
Share-based compensation	206		206
Common share repurchases (in shares)		(12)
Common share repurchases	(2,650)	$ 0	(2,324)	(326)
Cash dividends paid on common shares ($0.90 per share and $0.75 per share for three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively)	(722)			(722)
Acquisition and other adjustments of nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	423						423
Distribution to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	(50)						(50)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	50,036	$ 10	0	50,494	(296)	(2,655)	2,483
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018		962
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 54,319	$ 10	0	55,846	(264)	(3,896)	2,623
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	960	960
Adjustment to adopt ASU at Dec. 31, 2018	$ (18)			(13)			(5)
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	3,467			3,467
Net earnings attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest							60
Net Earnings, Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	3,527
Other comprehensive income (loss)	402				404	(2)
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects (in shares)		5
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects	56	$ 0	56
Share-based compensation	239		239
Common share repurchases (in shares)		(12)
Common share repurchases	(3,002)	$ 0	(34)	(2,968)
Cash dividends paid on common shares ($0.90 per share and $0.75 per share for three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively)	(860)			(860)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value and other adjustments	(152)		(152)
Acquisition and other adjustments of nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	23		(109)				132
Distribution to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	(83)						(83)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 54,451	$ 10	$ 0	$ 55,472	$ 140	$ (3,898)	$ 2,727
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019	953	953

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.90	$ 0.75

Condensed Consolidated Statem_5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Operating activities
Net earnings	$ 3,557	$ 2,924
Noncash items:
Depreciation and amortization	639	582
Deferred income taxes	134	(74)
Share-based compensation	243	208
Other, net	42	27
Net change in other operating items, net of effects from acquisitions and changes in AARP balances:
Accounts receivable	(1,421)	(1,579)
Other assets	(1,495)	(3,232)
Medical costs payable	1,125	1,313
Accounts payable and other liabilities	318	2,821
Unearned revenues	92	5,379
Cash flows from operating activities	3,234	8,369
Investing activities
Purchases of investments	(3,540)	(3,891)
Sales of investments	1,510	1,002
Maturities of investments	1,711	1,504
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash assumed	(689)	(2,583)
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	(562)	(477)
Other, net	154	(72)
Cash flows used for investing activities	(1,416)	(4,517)
Financing activities
Common share repurchases	(3,002)	(2,650)
Cash dividends paid	(860)	(722)
Proceeds from common stock issuances	323	295
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,250)	(1,100)
Proceeds from commercial paper, net	3,101	4,259
Customer funds administered	1,784	2,962
Other, net	(368)	(622)
Cash flows (used for) from financing activities	(272)	2,422
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(5)	(12)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,541	6,262
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	10,866	11,981
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 12,407	$ 18,243

Basis of Presentation (Notes)

Basis of Presentation (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (individually and together with its subsidiaries, “UnitedHealth Group” and the “Company”) is a diversified health care company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and helping make the health system work better for everyone. Through its diversified family of businesses, the Company leverages core competencies in data and health information; advanced technology; and clinical expertise. These core competencies are deployed within two distinct, but strategically aligned, business platforms: health benefits operating under UnitedHealthcare and health services operating under Optum. 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 and Supplementary Data” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the SEC ( 2018 10-K). The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present the interim financial statements fairly. 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 include medical costs payable and goodwill. 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 change in estimates is included in earnings in the period in which the estimate is adjusted. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” as modified by ASUs 2018-01, 2018-10, 2018-11, 2018-20 and 2019-01 (collectively, ASU 2016-02). Under ASU 2016-02, an entity is required to recognize assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases on the entity’s balance sheet for both finance and operating leases. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 using a cumulative-effect upon adoption approach as of January 1, 2019. Upon adoption, the Company recognized $3.3 billion of lease right-of-use (ROU) assets and liabilities for operating leases on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, of which, $668 million were classified as current liabilities. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 was immaterial to the Company’s consolidated results of operations, equity and cash flows. The Company has included the disclosures required by ASU 2016-02 below and in Note 6, “Commitments and Contingencies” . The Company leases facilities and equipment under long-term operating leases that are non-cancelable and expire on various dates. At the lease commencement date, lease ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term, which includes all fixed obligations arising from the lease contract. If an interest rate is not implicit in a lease, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate for a period that closely matches the lease term. The Company’s ROU assets are included in other assets, and lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has determined that there have been no other recently adopted or issued accounting standards that had, or will have, a material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investments (Notes)

Investments (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Investments [Abstract]
Investments [Text Block]	Investments A summary of debt securities by major security type is as follows: (in millions) Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value March 31, 2019 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ 3,610 $ 30 $ (19 ) $ 3,621 State and municipal obligations 6,566 150 (9 ) 6,707 Corporate obligations 15,589 95 (58 ) 15,626 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 5,212 37 (51 ) 5,198 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 1,471 13 (6 ) 1,478 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 32,448 325 (143 ) 32,630 Debt securities - held-to-maturity: U.S. government and agency obligations 265 — (1 ) 264 State and municipal obligations 31 1 — 32 Corporate obligations 428 1 — 429 Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 724 2 (1 ) 725 Total debt securities $ 33,172 $ 327 $ (144 ) $ 33,355 December 31, 2018 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ 3,434 $ 13 $ (42 ) $ 3,405 State and municipal obligations 7,117 61 (57 ) 7,121 Corporate obligations 15,366 14 (218 ) 15,162 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 4,947 11 (106 ) 4,852 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 1,376 2 (20 ) 1,358 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 32,240 101 (443 ) 31,898 Debt securities - held-to-maturity: U.S. government and agency obligations 255 1 (2 ) 254 State and municipal obligations 11 — — 11 Corporate obligations 355 — — 355 Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 621 1 (2 ) 620 Total debt securities $ 32,861 $ 102 $ (445 ) $ 32,518 The Company held $2.0 billion of equity securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . The Company’s investments in equity securities primarily consist of employee savings plan related investments, shares of Brazilian real denominated fixed-income funds and dividend paying stocks with readily determinable fair values. Additionally, the Company’s investments included $1.5 billion of equity method investments in operating businesses in the health care sector as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities as of March 31, 2019 , by contractual maturity, were as follows: Available-for-Sale Held-to-Maturity (in millions) Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Fair Due in one year or less $ 3,457 $ 3,455 $ 132 $ 132 Due after one year through five years 12,283 12,304 318 318 Due after five years through ten years 7,314 7,430 131 131 Due after ten years 2,711 2,765 143 144 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 5,212 5,198 — — Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 1,471 1,478 — — Total debt securities $ 32,448 $ 32,630 $ 724 $ 725 The fair value of available-for-sale debt securities with gross unrealized losses by 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 Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Fair Value Gross March 31, 2019 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ — $ — $ 1,329 $ (19 ) $ 1,329 $ (19 ) State and municipal obligations — — 1,274 (9 ) 1,274 (9 ) Corporate obligations 1,461 (7 ) 5,479 (51 ) 6,940 (58 ) U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — — 2,979 (51 ) 2,979 (51 ) Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — — 546 (6 ) 546 (6 ) Total debt securities - available-for-sale $ 1,461 $ (7 ) $ 11,607 $ (136 ) $ 13,068 $ (143 ) December 31, 2018 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ 998 $ (7 ) $ 1,425 $ (35 ) $ 2,423 $ (42 ) State and municipal obligations 1,334 (11 ) 2,491 (46 ) 3,825 (57 ) Corporate obligations 8,105 (109 ) 4,239 (109 ) 12,344 (218 ) U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 1,296 (22 ) 2,388 (84 ) 3,684 (106 ) Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 622 (7 ) 459 (13 ) 1,081 (20 ) Total debt securities - available-for-sale $ 12,355 $ (156 ) $ 11,002 $ (287 ) $ 23,357 $ (443 ) The Company’s unrealized losses from debt securities as of March 31, 2019 were generated from 11,000 positions out of a total of 30,000 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 no significant deterioration since purchase. As of March 31, 2019 , the Company did not have the intent to sell any of the securities in an unrealized loss position. Therefore, the Company believes these losses to be temporary.

Fair Value (Notes)

Fair Value (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
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. For a description of the methods and assumptions that are used to estimate the fair value and determine the fair value hierarchy classification of each class of financial instrument, see Note 4 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in the 2018 10-K. 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: (in millions) Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Fair and Carrying Value March 31, 2019 Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,283 $ 124 $ — $ 12,407 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations 3,319 302 — 3,621 State and municipal obligations — 6,707 — 6,707 Corporate obligations 17 15,424 185 15,626 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 5,198 — 5,198 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 1,478 — 1,478 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 3,336 29,109 185 32,630 Equity securities 1,827 12 — 1,839 Assets under management 896 2,043 12 2,951 Total assets at fair value $ 18,342 $ 31,288 $ 197 $ 49,827 Percentage of total assets at fair value 37 % 63 % — % 100 % December 31, 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 10,757 $ 109 $ — $ 10,866 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations 3,060 345 — 3,405 State and municipal obligations — 7,121 — 7,121 Corporate obligations 39 14,950 173 15,162 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 4,852 — 4,852 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 1,358 — 1,358 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 3,099 28,626 173 31,898 Equity securities 1,832 13 — 1,845 Assets under management 1,086 1,938 8 3,032 Total assets at fair value $ 16,774 $ 30,686 $ 181 $ 47,641 Percentage of total assets at fair value 35 % 65 % — % 100 % There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 financial assets or liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2019 or 2018 . 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 in Active Markets (Level 1) Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Fair Value Total Carrying Value March 31, 2019 Debt securities - held-to-maturity $ 273 $ 172 $ 280 $ 725 $ 724 Long-term debt and other financing obligations — 37,790 — 37,790 35,221 December 31, 2018 Debt securities - held-to-maturity $ 260 $ 65 $ 295 $ 620 $ 621 Long-term debt and other financing obligations $ — $ 37,944 $ — $ 37,944 $ 36,554 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, 2019 or 2018 .

Medical Costs Payable (Notes)

Medical Costs Payable (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Medical Costs Payable Text Block	Medical Costs Payable The following table shows the components of the change in medical costs payable for the three months ended March 31: (in millions) 2019 2018 Medical costs payable, beginning of period $ 19,891 $ 17,871 Acquisitions 35 211 Reported medical costs: Current year 39,239 36,153 Prior years (300 ) (290 ) Total reported medical costs 38,939 35,863 Medical payments: Payments for current year (22,973 ) (21,237 ) Payments for prior years (14,753 ) (13,119 ) Total medical payments (37,726 ) (34,356 ) Medical costs payable, end of period $ 21,139 $ 19,589 For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , the medical cost reserve development included no individual factors that were significant. Medical costs payable included reserves for claims incurred by insured customers but not yet reported to the Company of $14.3 billion and $13.2 billion at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively.

Commercial Paper and Long-Term

Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
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, 2019 December 31, 2018 (in millions, except percentages) Par Value Carrying Value Fair Value Par Value Carrying Value Fair Value Commercial paper $ 3,134 $ 3,117 $ 3,117 $ — $ — $ — 1.700% notes due February 2019 — — — 750 750 749 1.625% notes due March 2019 — — — 500 500 499 2.300% notes due December 2019 500 496 499 500 494 497 2.700% notes due July 2020 1,500 1,498 1,503 1,500 1,498 1,494 Floating rate notes due October 2020 300 299 300 300 299 298 3.875% notes due October 2020 450 445 457 450 443 456 1.950% notes due October 2020 900 897 890 900 897 884 4.700% notes due February 2021 400 400 413 400 398 412 2.125% notes due March 2021 750 748 744 750 747 734 Floating rate notes due June 2021 350 349 350 350 349 347 3.150% notes due June 2021 400 399 404 400 399 400 3.375% notes due November 2021 500 493 508 500 489 503 2.875% notes due December 2021 750 742 754 750 735 748 2.875% notes due March 2022 1,100 1,063 1,107 1,100 1,051 1,091 3.350% notes due July 2022 1,000 997 1,022 1,000 997 1,005 2.375% notes due October 2022 900 895 891 900 894 872 0.000% notes due November 2022 15 12 13 15 12 13 2.750% notes due February 2023 625 610 625 625 602 611 2.875% notes due March 2023 750 758 754 750 750 739 3.500% notes due June 2023 750 747 773 750 746 756 3.500% notes due February 2024 750 745 772 750 745 755 3.750% notes due July 2025 2,000 1,989 2,088 2,000 1,989 2,025 3.700% notes due December 2025 300 298 312 300 298 303 3.100% notes due March 2026 1,000 996 999 1,000 995 965 3.450% notes due January 2027 750 746 763 750 746 742 3.375% notes due April 2027 625 619 633 625 619 611 2.950% notes due October 2027 950 938 933 950 938 898 3.850% notes due June 2028 1,150 1,142 1,204 1,150 1,142 1,163 3.875% notes due December 2028 850 842 890 850 842 861 4.625% notes due July 2035 1,000 992 1,121 1,000 992 1,060 5.800% notes due March 2036 850 838 1,045 850 838 1,003 6.500% notes due June 2037 500 492 661 500 492 638 6.625% notes due November 2037 650 641 874 650 641 841 6.875% notes due February 2038 1,100 1,076 1,514 1,100 1,076 1,437 5.700% notes due October 2040 300 296 370 300 296 355 5.950% notes due February 2041 350 345 446 350 345 426 4.625% notes due November 2041 600 588 657 600 588 627 4.375% notes due March 2042 502 484 534 502 484 503 3.950% notes due October 2042 625 607 631 625 607 596 4.250% notes due March 2043 750 735 787 750 734 744 4.750% notes due July 2045 2,000 1,973 2,260 2,000 1,973 2,116 4.200% notes due January 2047 750 738 777 750 738 745 4.250% notes due April 2047 725 717 759 725 717 719 3.750% notes due October 2047 950 933 923 950 933 869 4.250% notes due June 2048 1,350 1,329 1,420 1,350 1,329 1,349 4.450% notes due December 2048 1,100 1,087 1,191 1,100 1,087 1,132 Total commercial paper and long-term debt $ 37,551 $ 37,151 $ 39,688 $ 35,667 $ 35,234 $ 36,591 The Company’s long-term debt obligations included $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion of other financing obligations, of which $306 million and $229 million were classified as current as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , 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, 2019 , the Company’s outstanding commercial paper had a weighted average annual interest rate of 2.7% . The Company has $3.5 billion five-year, $3.5 billion three-year and $3.0 billion 364-day revolving bank credit facilities with 26 banks, which mature in December 2023 , December 2021 and December 2019 , respectively. These facilities provide liquidity support for the Company’s commercial paper program and are available for general corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2019 , no amounts had been drawn on any of the bank credit facilities. The annual interest rates, which are variable based on term, are calculated based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a credit spread based on the Company’s senior unsecured credit ratings. If amounts had been drawn on the bank credit facilities as of March 31, 2019 , annual interest rates would have ranged from 3.2% to 3.4% . Debt Covenants The Company’s bank credit facilities contain various covenants, including covenants requiring the Company to maintain a defined debt to debt-plus-shareholders’ equity ratio of not more than 60% . The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of March 31, 2019 .

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Commitments and Contingencies Leases Operating lease costs were $238 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and included immaterial variable and short-term lease costs. Cash payments made on the Company’s operating lease liabilities were $181 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, which were classified within operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of March 31, 2019, the Company’s weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate for its operating leases were 8.5 years and 4.2% , respectively. As of March 31, 2019, future minimum annual lease payments under all non-cancelable operating leases were as follows: (in millions) Future Operating Lease Payments 2019 480 2020 667 2021 578 2022 481 2023 393 Thereafter 1,553 Total future minimum lease payments 4,152 Less imputed interest (731 ) Total 3,421 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. Government Investigations, Audits and Reviews The Company has been involved or is currently involved in various governmental investigations, audits and reviews. These include routine, regular and special investigations, audits and reviews by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (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 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 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 matters, compliance with coding and other requirements under the Medicare risk-adjustment model. CMS has selected certain of the Company’s local plans for risk adjustment data validation (RADV) audits to validate the coding practices of and supporting documentation maintained by health care providers and such audits may result in retrospective adjustments to payments made to the Company’s health plans. On February 14, 2017, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced its decision to pursue certain claims within a lawsuit initially asserted against the Company and filed under seal by a whistleblower in 2011. The whistleblower’s complaint, which was unsealed on February 15, 2017, alleges that the Company made improper risk adjustment submissions and violated the False Claims Act. On February 12, 2018, the court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion to dismiss. In May 2018, DOJ moved to dismiss the Company’s counterclaims, which were filed in March 2018, and moved for partial summary judgment. In March 2019, the court denied the government’s motion for partial summary judgment and dismissed the Company’s counterclaims without prejudice. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the outcome that may result from this matter given its procedural status.

Segment Financial Information (

Segment Financial Information (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Financial Information [Text Block]	Segment Financial Information The Company’s four reportable segments are UnitedHealthcare, OptumHealth, OptumInsight and OptumRx . For more information on the Company’s segments see Part I, Item I, “Business” and Note 13 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in the 2018 10-K. The following tables present reportable segment financial information: Optum (in millions) UnitedHealthcare OptumHealth OptumInsight OptumRx Optum Eliminations Optum Corporate and Eliminations Consolidated Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Revenues - unaffiliated customers: Premiums $ 46,501 $ 1,012 $ — $ — $ — $ 1,012 $ — $ 47,513 Products — 8 23 8,041 — 8,072 — 8,072 Services 2,141 1,274 754 149 — 2,177 — 4,318 Total revenues - unaffiliated customers 48,642 2,294 777 8,190 — 11,261 — 59,903 Total revenues - affiliated customers — 4,287 1,407 9,613 (359 ) 14,948 (14,948 ) — Investment and other income 254 132 5 14 — 151 — 405 Total revenues $ 48,896 $ 6,713 $ 2,189 $ 17,817 $ (359 ) $ 26,360 $ (14,948 ) $ 60,308 Earnings from operations $ 2,954 $ 626 $ 432 $ 820 $ — $ 1,878 $ — $ 4,832 Interest expense — — — — — — (400 ) (400 ) Earnings before income taxes $ 2,954 $ 626 $ 432 $ 820 $ — $ 1,878 $ (400 ) $ 4,432 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Revenues - unaffiliated customers: Premiums $ 43,237 $ 847 $ — $ — $ — $ 847 $ — $ 44,084 Products — 12 23 6,667 — 6,702 — 6,702 Services 2,039 1,188 740 137 — 2,065 — 4,104 Total revenues - unaffiliated customers 45,276 2,047 763 6,804 — 9,614 — 54,890 Total revenues - affiliated customers — 3,606 1,304 9,295 (333 ) 13,872 (13,872 ) — Investment and other income 183 106 2 7 — 115 — 298 Total revenues $ 45,459 $ 5,759 $ 2,069 $ 16,106 $ (333 ) $ 23,601 $ (13,872 ) $ 55,188 Earnings from operations $ 2,400 $ 488 $ 395 $ 770 $ — $ 1,653 $ — $ 4,053 Interest expense — — — — — — (329 ) (329 ) Earnings before income taxes $ 2,400 $ 488 $ 395 $ 770 $ — $ 1,653 $ (329 ) $ 3,724

Basis of Presentation Basis of

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Basis of presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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 and Supplementary Data” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the SEC ( 2018 10-K). The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present the interim financial statements fairly.
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 include medical costs payable and goodwill. 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 change in estimates is included in earnings in the period in which the estimate is adjusted.
Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]	The Company leases facilities and equipment under long-term operating leases that are non-cancelable and expire on various dates. At the lease commencement date, lease ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term, which includes all fixed obligations arising from the lease contract. If an interest rate is not implicit in a lease, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate for a period that closely matches the lease term. The Company’s ROU assets are included in other assets, and lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” as modified by ASUs 2018-01, 2018-10, 2018-11, 2018-20 and 2019-01 (collectively, ASU 2016-02). Under ASU 2016-02, an entity is required to recognize assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases on the entity’s balance sheet for both finance and operating leases. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 using a cumulative-effect upon adoption approach as of January 1, 2019. Upon adoption, the Company recognized $3.3 billion of lease right-of-use (ROU) assets and liabilities for operating leases on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, of which, $668 million were classified as current liabilities. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 was immaterial to the Company’s consolidated results of operations, equity and cash flows. The Company has included the disclosures required by ASU 2016-02 below and in Note 6, “Commitments and Contingencies” . The Company leases facilities and equipment under long-term operating leases that are non-cancelable and expire on various dates. At the lease commencement date, lease ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term, which includes all fixed obligations arising from the lease contract. If an interest rate is not implicit in a lease, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate for a period that closely matches the lease term. The Company’s ROU assets are included in other assets, and lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has determined that there have been no other recently adopted or issued accounting standards that had, or will have, a material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investments (Policies)

Investments (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Investment [Line Items]
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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 no significant deterioration since purchase. As of March 31, 2019 , the Company did not have the intent to sell any of the securities in an unrealized loss position. Therefore, the Company believes these losses to be temporary.

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Short-Term and Long-Term Investments [Table Text Block]	A summary of debt securities by major security type is as follows: (in millions) Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value March 31, 2019 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ 3,610 $ 30 $ (19 ) $ 3,621 State and municipal obligations 6,566 150 (9 ) 6,707 Corporate obligations 15,589 95 (58 ) 15,626 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 5,212 37 (51 ) 5,198 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 1,471 13 (6 ) 1,478 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 32,448 325 (143 ) 32,630 Debt securities - held-to-maturity: U.S. government and agency obligations 265 — (1 ) 264 State and municipal obligations 31 1 — 32 Corporate obligations 428 1 — 429 Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 724 2 (1 ) 725 Total debt securities $ 33,172 $ 327 $ (144 ) $ 33,355 December 31, 2018 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ 3,434 $ 13 $ (42 ) $ 3,405 State and municipal obligations 7,117 61 (57 ) 7,121 Corporate obligations 15,366 14 (218 ) 15,162 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 4,947 11 (106 ) 4,852 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 1,376 2 (20 ) 1,358 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 32,240 101 (443 ) 31,898 Debt securities - held-to-maturity: U.S. government and agency obligations 255 1 (2 ) 254 State and municipal obligations 11 — — 11 Corporate obligations 355 — — 355 Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 621 1 (2 ) 620 Total debt securities $ 32,861 $ 102 $ (445 ) $ 32,518
Investments by Contractual Maturity [Table Text Block]	The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities as of March 31, 2019 , by contractual maturity, were as follows: Available-for-Sale Held-to-Maturity (in millions) Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Fair Due in one year or less $ 3,457 $ 3,455 $ 132 $ 132 Due after one year through five years 12,283 12,304 318 318 Due after five years through ten years 7,314 7,430 131 131 Due after ten years 2,711 2,765 143 144 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 5,212 5,198 — — Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 1,471 1,478 — — Total debt securities $ 32,448 $ 32,630 $ 724 $ 725
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 debt securities with gross unrealized losses by 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 Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Fair Value Gross March 31, 2019 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ — $ — $ 1,329 $ (19 ) $ 1,329 $ (19 ) State and municipal obligations — — 1,274 (9 ) 1,274 (9 ) Corporate obligations 1,461 (7 ) 5,479 (51 ) 6,940 (58 ) U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — — 2,979 (51 ) 2,979 (51 ) Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — — 546 (6 ) 546 (6 ) Total debt securities - available-for-sale $ 1,461 $ (7 ) $ 11,607 $ (136 ) $ 13,068 $ (143 ) December 31, 2018 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ 998 $ (7 ) $ 1,425 $ (35 ) $ 2,423 $ (42 ) State and municipal obligations 1,334 (11 ) 2,491 (46 ) 3,825 (57 ) Corporate obligations 8,105 (109 ) 4,239 (109 ) 12,344 (218 ) U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 1,296 (22 ) 2,388 (84 ) 3,684 (106 ) Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 622 (7 ) 459 (13 ) 1,081 (20 ) Total debt securities - available-for-sale $ 12,355 $ (156 ) $ 11,002 $ (287 ) $ 23,357 $ (443 )

Fair Value (Tables)

Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
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: (in millions) Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Fair and Carrying Value March 31, 2019 Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,283 $ 124 $ — $ 12,407 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations 3,319 302 — 3,621 State and municipal obligations — 6,707 — 6,707 Corporate obligations 17 15,424 185 15,626 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 5,198 — 5,198 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 1,478 — 1,478 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 3,336 29,109 185 32,630 Equity securities 1,827 12 — 1,839 Assets under management 896 2,043 12 2,951 Total assets at fair value $ 18,342 $ 31,288 $ 197 $ 49,827 Percentage of total assets at fair value 37 % 63 % — % 100 % December 31, 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 10,757 $ 109 $ — $ 10,866 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations 3,060 345 — 3,405 State and municipal obligations — 7,121 — 7,121 Corporate obligations 39 14,950 173 15,162 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 4,852 — 4,852 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 1,358 — 1,358 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 3,099 28,626 173 31,898 Equity securities 1,832 13 — 1,845 Assets under management 1,086 1,938 8 3,032 Total assets at fair value $ 16,774 $ 30,686 $ 181 $ 47,641 Percentage of total assets at fair value 35 % 65 % — % 100 %
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 in Active Markets (Level 1) Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Fair Value Total Carrying Value March 31, 2019 Debt securities - held-to-maturity $ 273 $ 172 $ 280 $ 725 $ 724 Long-term debt and other financing obligations — 37,790 — 37,790 35,221 December 31, 2018 Debt securities - held-to-maturity $ 260 $ 65 $ 295 $ 620 $ 621 Long-term debt and other financing obligations $ — $ 37,944 $ — $ 37,944 $ 36,554

Medical Costs Payable (Tables)

Medical Costs Payable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Insurance [Abstract]
Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Table Text Block]	The following table shows the components of the change in medical costs payable for the three months ended March 31: (in millions) 2019 2018 Medical costs payable, beginning of period $ 19,891 $ 17,871 Acquisitions 35 211 Reported medical costs: Current year 39,239 36,153 Prior years (300 ) (290 ) Total reported medical costs 38,939 35,863 Medical payments: Payments for current year (22,973 ) (21,237 ) Payments for prior years (14,753 ) (13,119 ) Total medical payments (37,726 ) (34,356 ) Medical costs payable, end of period $ 21,139 $ 19,589

Commercial Paper and Long-Ter_2

Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
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, 2019 December 31, 2018 (in millions, except percentages) Par Value Carrying Value Fair Value Par Value Carrying Value Fair Value Commercial paper $ 3,134 $ 3,117 $ 3,117 $ — $ — $ — 1.700% notes due February 2019 — — — 750 750 749 1.625% notes due March 2019 — — — 500 500 499 2.300% notes due December 2019 500 496 499 500 494 497 2.700% notes due July 2020 1,500 1,498 1,503 1,500 1,498 1,494 Floating rate notes due October 2020 300 299 300 300 299 298 3.875% notes due October 2020 450 445 457 450 443 456 1.950% notes due October 2020 900 897 890 900 897 884 4.700% notes due February 2021 400 400 413 400 398 412 2.125% notes due March 2021 750 748 744 750 747 734 Floating rate notes due June 2021 350 349 350 350 349 347 3.150% notes due June 2021 400 399 404 400 399 400 3.375% notes due November 2021 500 493 508 500 489 503 2.875% notes due December 2021 750 742 754 750 735 748 2.875% notes due March 2022 1,100 1,063 1,107 1,100 1,051 1,091 3.350% notes due July 2022 1,000 997 1,022 1,000 997 1,005 2.375% notes due October 2022 900 895 891 900 894 872 0.000% notes due November 2022 15 12 13 15 12 13 2.750% notes due February 2023 625 610 625 625 602 611 2.875% notes due March 2023 750 758 754 750 750 739 3.500% notes due June 2023 750 747 773 750 746 756 3.500% notes due February 2024 750 745 772 750 745 755 3.750% notes due July 2025 2,000 1,989 2,088 2,000 1,989 2,025 3.700% notes due December 2025 300 298 312 300 298 303 3.100% notes due March 2026 1,000 996 999 1,000 995 965 3.450% notes due January 2027 750 746 763 750 746 742 3.375% notes due April 2027 625 619 633 625 619 611 2.950% notes due October 2027 950 938 933 950 938 898 3.850% notes due June 2028 1,150 1,142 1,204 1,150 1,142 1,163 3.875% notes due December 2028 850 842 890 850 842 861 4.625% notes due July 2035 1,000 992 1,121 1,000 992 1,060 5.800% notes due March 2036 850 838 1,045 850 838 1,003 6.500% notes due June 2037 500 492 661 500 492 638 6.625% notes due November 2037 650 641 874 650 641 841 6.875% notes due February 2038 1,100 1,076 1,514 1,100 1,076 1,437 5.700% notes due October 2040 300 296 370 300 296 355 5.950% notes due February 2041 350 345 446 350 345 426 4.625% notes due November 2041 600 588 657 600 588 627 4.375% notes due March 2042 502 484 534 502 484 503 3.950% notes due October 2042 625 607 631 625 607 596 4.250% notes due March 2043 750 735 787 750 734 744 4.750% notes due July 2045 2,000 1,973 2,260 2,000 1,973 2,116 4.200% notes due January 2047 750 738 777 750 738 745 4.250% notes due April 2047 725 717 759 725 717 719 3.750% notes due October 2047 950 933 923 950 933 869 4.250% notes due June 2048 1,350 1,329 1,420 1,350 1,329 1,349 4.450% notes due December 2048 1,100 1,087 1,191 1,100 1,087 1,132 Total commercial paper and long-term debt $ 37,551 $ 37,151 $ 39,688 $ 35,667 $ 35,234 $ 36,591

Commitments and Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]	As of March 31, 2019, future minimum annual lease payments under all non-cancelable operating leases were as follows: (in millions) Future Operating Lease Payments 2019 480 2020 667 2021 578 2022 481 2023 393 Thereafter 1,553 Total future minimum lease payments 4,152 Less imputed interest (731 ) Total 3,421

Segment Financial Information_2

Segment Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Financial Information [Table Text Block]	The following tables present reportable segment financial information: Optum (in millions) UnitedHealthcare OptumHealth OptumInsight OptumRx Optum Eliminations Optum Corporate and Eliminations Consolidated Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Revenues - unaffiliated customers: Premiums $ 46,501 $ 1,012 $ — $ — $ — $ 1,012 $ — $ 47,513 Products — 8 23 8,041 — 8,072 — 8,072 Services 2,141 1,274 754 149 — 2,177 — 4,318 Total revenues - unaffiliated customers 48,642 2,294 777 8,190 — 11,261 — 59,903 Total revenues - affiliated customers — 4,287 1,407 9,613 (359 ) 14,948 (14,948 ) — Investment and other income 254 132 5 14 — 151 — 405 Total revenues $ 48,896 $ 6,713 $ 2,189 $ 17,817 $ (359 ) $ 26,360 $ (14,948 ) $ 60,308 Earnings from operations $ 2,954 $ 626 $ 432 $ 820 $ — $ 1,878 $ — $ 4,832 Interest expense — — — — — — (400 ) (400 ) Earnings before income taxes $ 2,954 $ 626 $ 432 $ 820 $ — $ 1,878 $ (400 ) $ 4,432 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Revenues - unaffiliated customers: Premiums $ 43,237 $ 847 $ — $ — $ — $ 847 $ — $ 44,084 Products — 12 23 6,667 — 6,702 — 6,702 Services 2,039 1,188 740 137 — 2,065 — 4,104 Total revenues - unaffiliated customers 45,276 2,047 763 6,804 — 9,614 — 54,890 Total revenues - affiliated customers — 3,606 1,304 9,295 (333 ) 13,872 (13,872 ) — Investment and other income 183 106 2 7 — 115 — 298 Total revenues $ 45,459 $ 5,759 $ 2,069 $ 16,106 $ (333 ) $ 23,601 $ (13,872 ) $ 55,188 Earnings from operations $ 2,400 $ 488 $ 395 $ 770 $ — $ 1,653 $ — $ 4,053 Interest expense — — — — — — (329 ) (329 ) Earnings before income taxes $ 2,400 $ 488 $ 395 $ 770 $ — $ 1,653 $ (329 ) $ 3,724

Basis of Presentation Basis o_2

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation, Uses of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Description of Transition Method	Cumulative effect upon adoption approach
New Accounting Pronouncement, Transition Guidance Not Significant or Not Practical	Impact is not material
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset		$ 3,300
Operating Lease, Liability, Current		$ 668

Investments (Narrative) (Detail

Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Investment [Line Items]
Equity Securities, FV-NI and without Readily Determinable Fair Value	$ 2,000	$ 2,000
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	11,000
Total number of security positions	30,000
Equity Method Investments	$ 1,500	$ 1,500

Investments (Short-Term and Lon

Investments (Short-Term and Long-Term Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	$ 32,448	$ 32,240
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	325	101
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(143)	(443)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	32,630	31,898
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	724	621
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	2	1
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Accumulated Unrecognized Loss	(1)	(2)
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	725	620
Total debt securities, Amortized Cost	33,172	32,861
Total debt securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	327	102
Total debt securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(144)	(445)
Debt securities, Fair Value Disclosure	33,355	32,518
Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	32,630	31,898
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	3,610	3,434
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	30	13
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(19)	(42)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	3,621	3,405
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	265	255
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	1
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Accumulated Unrecognized Loss	(1)	(2)
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	264	254
State and Municipal Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	6,566	7,117
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	150	61
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(9)	(57)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	6,707	7,121
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	31	11
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	1	0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Accumulated Unrecognized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	32	11
Corporate Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	15,589	15,366
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	95	14
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(58)	(218)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	15,626	15,162
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	428	355
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	1	0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Accumulated Unrecognized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	429	355
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	5,212	4,947
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	37	11
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(51)	(106)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	5,198	4,852
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	1,471	1,376
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	13	2
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(6)	(20)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	$ 1,478	$ 1,358

Investments (Amortized Cost and

Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Due in one year or less, Amortized Cost	$ 3,457
Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	12,283
Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	7,314
Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	2,711
Total debt securities - available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	32,448	$ 32,240
Due in one year or less, Fair Value	3,455
Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	12,304
Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	7,430
Due after ten years, Fair Value	2,765
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	32,630	31,898
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, within One Year, Amortized Cost	132
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after One Through Five Years, Amortized Cost	318
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Five Through Ten Years, Amortized Cost	131
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after 10 Years, Amortized Cost	143
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	724	621
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value	132
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	318
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	131
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after 10 Years, Fair Value	144
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	725	620
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Mortgage-backed securities, Amortized Cost	5,212
Total debt securities - available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	5,212	4,947
Mortgage-backed securities, Fair Value	5,198
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	5,198	4,852
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Mortgage-backed securities, Amortized Cost	1,471
Total debt securities - available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	1,471	1,376
Mortgage-backed securities, Fair Value	1,478
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	$ 1,478	$ 1,358

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 ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	$ 1,461	$ 12,355
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(7)	(156)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	11,607	11,002
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(136)	(287)
Total, Fair Value	13,068	23,357
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(143)	(443)
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	0	998
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(7)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,329	1,425
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(19)	(35)
Total, Fair Value	1,329	2,423
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(19)	(42)
State and Municipal Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	0	1,334
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(11)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,274	2,491
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(9)	(46)
Total, Fair Value	1,274	3,825
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(9)	(57)
Corporate Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,461	8,105
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(7)	(109)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	5,479	4,239
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(51)	(109)
Total, Fair Value	6,940	12,344
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(58)	(218)
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	0	1,296
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(22)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	2,979	2,388
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(51)	(84)
Total, Fair Value	2,979	3,684
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(51)	(106)
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	0	622
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(7)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	546	459
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(6)	(13)
Total, Fair Value	546	1,081
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ (6)	$ (20)

Fair Value (Narrative) (Details

Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value [Line Items]
Transfers Into Level 3	$ 0	$ 0
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value [Line Items]
Significant fair value adjustments for assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value (Financial Assets an

Fair Value (Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 12,407	$ 10,866
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	32,630	31,898
Equity Securities, Fair Value	1,839	1,845
Assets under management	2,951	3,032
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	49,827	47,641
Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	32,630	31,898
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	3,621	3,405
State and Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	6,707	7,121
Corporate Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	15,626	15,162
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	5,198	4,852
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	1,478	1,358
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	12,283	10,757
Equity Securities, Fair Value	1,827	1,832
Assets under management	896	1,086
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	18,342	16,774
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	3,336	3,099
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	3,319	3,060
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	17	39
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	124	109
Equity Securities, Fair Value	12	13
Assets under management	2,043	1,938
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	31,288	30,686
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	29,109	28,626
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	302	345
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	6,707	7,121
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	15,424	14,950
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	5,198	4,852
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	1,478	1,358
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Equity Securities, Fair Value	0	0
Assets under management	12	8
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	197	181
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	185	173
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | State and Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	185	173
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value (Financial Assets _2

Fair Value (Financial Assets and Liabilities, Not Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	$ 725	$ 620
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity	724	621
Debt and other financing obligations, carrying value	37,151	35,234
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	725	620
Debt and other financing obligations	37,790	37,944
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	273	260
Debt and other financing obligations	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	172	65
Debt and other financing obligations	37,790	37,944
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	280	295
Debt and other financing obligations	0	0
Long-term debt and other financing obligations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt and other financing obligations, carrying value	$ 35,221	$ 36,554

Medical Costs Payable (Narrativ

Medical Costs Payable (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims, Amount	$ 14.3	$ 13.2

Medical Costs Payable Rollforwa

Medical Costs Payable Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Medical costs payable, beginning of period	$ 19,891	$ 17,871
Acquisitions	35	211
Reported medical costs:
Current year	39,239	36,153
Prior years	(300)	(290)
Total reported medical costs	38,939	35,863
Medical payments:
Payments for current year	(22,973)	(21,237)
Payments for prior years	(14,753)	(13,119)
Total medical payments	(37,726)	(34,356)
Medical costs payable, end of period	$ 21,139	$ 19,589

Commercial Paper and Long-Ter_3

Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	3.20%
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	3.40%
Five Year $3.5 Billion Credit Facility [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 0
Line of Credit, Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 3,500
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Period	5 years
Three Year $3.5 Billion Credit Facility [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 0
Line of Credit, Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 3,500
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Period	3 years
364 Day $3.0 Billion Credit Facility [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit, Current	$ 0
Line of Credit, Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 3,000
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Period	364 days
Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other Long-term Debt	$ 1,200	$ 1,300
Other Long-term Debt, Current	$ 306	$ 229
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time	2.70%

Commercial Paper and Long-Ter_4

Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par Value	$ 37,551	$ 35,667
Carrying value, Combined Amount	37,151	35,234
Fair Value	39,688	36,591
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par Value	3,134	0
Commercial Paper	3,117	0
Fair Value	$ 3,117	0
1.700% Notes due February 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.70%
Par Value	$ 0	750
Carrying Value, Current	0	750
Fair Value	$ 0	749
1.625% notes due March 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.625%
Par Value	$ 0	500
Carrying Value, Current	0	500
Fair Value	$ 0	499
2.300% notes due December 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.30%
Par Value	$ 500	500
Carrying Value, Current	496	494
Fair Value	$ 499	497
2.700% Notes due July 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.70%
Par Value	$ 1,500	1,500
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	1,498	1,498
Fair Value	1,503	1,494
Floating rate notes due October 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par Value	300	300
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	299	299
Fair Value	$ 300	298
3.875% notes due October 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.875%
Par Value	$ 450	450
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	445	443
Fair Value	$ 457	456
1.950% notes due October 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.95%
Par Value	$ 900	900
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	897	897
Fair Value	$ 890	884
4.700% notes due February 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.70%
Par Value	$ 400	400
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	400	398
Fair Value	$ 413	412
2.125% notes due March 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.125%
Par Value	$ 750	750
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	748	747
Fair Value	744	734
Floating rate notes due June 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par Value	350	350
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	349	349
Fair Value	$ 350	347
3.150% notes due June 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.15%
Par Value	$ 400	400
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	399	399
Fair Value	$ 404	400
3.375% notes due November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.375%
Par Value	$ 500	500
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	493	489
Fair Value	$ 508	503
2.875% notes due December 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.875%
Par Value	$ 750	750
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	742	735
Fair Value	$ 754	748
2.875% notes due March 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.875%
Par Value	$ 1,100	1,100
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	1,063	1,051
Fair Value	$ 1,107	1,091
3.350% notes due July 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.35%
Par Value	$ 1,000	1,000
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	997	997
Fair Value	$ 1,022	1,005
2.375% notes due October 2022 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.375%
Par Value	$ 900	900
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	895	894
Fair Value	$ 891	872
Zero Coupon notes due November 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.00%
Par Value	$ 15	15
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	12	12
Fair Value	$ 13	13
2.750% notes due February 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.75%
Par Value	$ 625	625
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	610	602
Fair Value	$ 625	611
2.875% notes due March 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.875%
Par Value	$ 750	750
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	758	750
Fair Value	$ 754	739
3.500% notes due June 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.50%
Par Value	$ 750	750
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	747	746
Fair Value	$ 773	756
3.500% notes due February 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.50%
Par Value	$ 750	750
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	745	745
Fair Value	$ 772	755
3.750% notes due July 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.75%
Par Value	$ 2,000	2,000
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	1,989	1,989
Fair Value	$ 2,088	2,025
3.700% notes due December 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.70%
Par Value	$ 300	300
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	298	298
Fair Value	$ 312	303
3.100% notes due March 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.10%
Par Value	$ 1,000	1,000
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	996	995
Fair Value	$ 999	965
3.450% notes due January 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.45%
Par Value	$ 750	750
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	746	746
Fair Value	$ 763	742
3.375% notes due April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.375%
Par Value	$ 625	625
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	619	619
Fair Value	$ 633	611
2.950% notes due October 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.95%
Par Value	$ 950	950
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	938	938
Fair Value	$ 933	898
3.850% notes due June 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.85%
Par Value	$ 1,150	1,150
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	1,142	1,142
Fair Value	$ 1,204	1,163
3.875% notes due December 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.875%
Par Value	$ 850	850
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	842	842
Fair Value	$ 890	861
4.625% notes due July 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%
Par Value	$ 1,000	1,000
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	992	992
Fair Value	$ 1,121	1,060
5.800% notes due March 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.80%
Par Value	$ 850	850
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	838	838
Fair Value	$ 1,045	1,003
6.500% Notes Due June 2037 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.50%
Par Value	$ 500	500
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	492	492
Fair Value	$ 661	638
6.625% Notes due November 2037 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.625%
Par Value	$ 650	650
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	641	641
Fair Value	$ 874	841
6.875% notes due February 2038 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.875%
Par Value	$ 1,100	1,100
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	1,076	1,076
Fair Value	$ 1,514	1,437
5.700% notes due October 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.70%
Par Value	$ 300	300
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	296	296
Fair Value	$ 370	355
5.950% notes due February 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.95%
Par Value	$ 350	350
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	345	345
Fair Value	$ 446	426
4.625% notes due November 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%
Par Value	$ 600	600
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	588	588
Fair Value	$ 657	627
4.375% notes due March 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.375%
Par Value	$ 502	502
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	484	484
Fair Value	$ 534	503
3.950% notes due October 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.95%
Par Value	$ 625	625
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	607	607
Fair Value	$ 631	596
4.250% notes due March 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.25%
Par Value	$ 750	750
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	735	734
Fair Value	$ 787	744
4.750% notes due July 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%
Par Value	$ 2,000	2,000
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	1,973	1,973
Fair Value	$ 2,260	2,116
4.200% notes due January 2047 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.20%
Par Value	$ 750	750
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	738	738
Fair Value	$ 777	745
4.250% notes due April 2047 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.25%
Par Value	$ 725	725
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	717	717
Fair Value	$ 759	719
3.750% notes due October 2047 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.75%
Par Value	$ 950	950
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	933	933
Fair Value	$ 923	869
4.250% notes due June 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.25%
Par Value	$ 1,350	1,350
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	1,329	1,329
Fair Value	$ 1,420	1,349
4.450% notes due December 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.45%
Par Value	$ 1,100	1,100
Carrying Value, Noncurrent	1,087	1,087
Fair Value	$ 1,191	$ 1,132

Commitments and Contingencies N

Commitments and Contingencies Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases, Operating [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Cost	$ 238
Operating Lease, Payments	$ 181
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	8 years 6 months
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	4.20%

Commitments and Contingencies F

Commitments and Contingencies Future Lease Payments (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2019	$ 480
2020	667
2021	578
2022	481
2023	393
Thereafter	1,553
Total future minimum lease payments	4,152
Less imputed interest	(731)
Total	$ 3,421

Segment Financial Information_3

Segment Financial Information (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	4

Segment Financial Information_4

Segment Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	$ 47,513	$ 44,084
Products, revenues - unaffiliated customers	8,072	6,702
Services, revenues - unaffiliated customers	4,318	4,104
Investment and other income	405	298
Total revenues	60,308	55,188
Earnings from operations	4,832	4,053
Interest expense	(400)	(329)
Earnings before income taxes	4,432	3,724
Optum
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	151	115
Total revenues	26,360	23,601
Earnings from operations	1,878	1,653
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	1,878	1,653
Unaffiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	47,513	44,084
Products, revenues - unaffiliated customers	8,072	6,702
Services, revenues - unaffiliated customers	4,318	4,104
Total revenues	59,903	54,890
Unaffiliated Customers | Optum
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	1,012	847
Products, revenues - unaffiliated customers	8,072	6,702
Services, revenues - unaffiliated customers	2,177	2,065
Total revenues	11,261	9,614
Affiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Affiliated Customers | Optum
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	14,948	13,872
Operating Segments | UnitedHealthcare
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	254	183
Total revenues	48,896	45,459
Earnings from operations	2,954	2,400
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	2,954	2,400
Operating Segments | OptumHealth
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	132	106
Total revenues	6,713	5,759
Earnings from operations	626	488
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	626	488
Operating Segments | OptumInsight
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	5	2
Total revenues	2,189	2,069
Earnings from operations	432	395
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	432	395
Operating Segments | OptumRx
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	14	7
Total revenues	17,817	16,106
Earnings from operations	820	770
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	820	770
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | UnitedHealthcare
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	46,501	43,237
Products, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0
Services, revenues - unaffiliated customers	2,141	2,039
Total revenues	48,642	45,276
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | OptumHealth
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	1,012	847
Products, revenues - unaffiliated customers	8	12
Services, revenues - unaffiliated customers	1,274	1,188
Total revenues	2,294	2,047
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | OptumInsight
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0
Products, revenues - unaffiliated customers	23	23
Services, revenues - unaffiliated customers	754	740
Total revenues	777	763
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | OptumRx
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0
Products, revenues - unaffiliated customers	8,041	6,667
Services, revenues - unaffiliated customers	149	137
Total revenues	8,190	6,804
Operating Segments | Affiliated Customers | UnitedHealthcare
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0
Operating Segments | Affiliated Customers | OptumHealth
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	4,287	3,606
Operating Segments | Affiliated Customers | OptumInsight
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	1,407	1,304
Operating Segments | Affiliated Customers | OptumRx
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	9,613	9,295
Optum Eliminations
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	0	0
Total revenues	(359)	(333)
Earnings from operations	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	0	0
Optum Eliminations | Unaffiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0
Products, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0
Services, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0
Total revenues	0	0
Optum Eliminations | Affiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	(359)	(333)
Corporate and Eliminations
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	0	0
Total revenues	(14,948)	(13,872)
Earnings from operations	0	0
Interest expense	(400)	(329)
Earnings before income taxes	(400)	(329)
Corporate and Eliminations | Unaffiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0
Products, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0
Services, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0
Total revenues	0	0
Corporate and Eliminations | Affiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ (14,948)	$ (13,872)