UnitedHealth (UNH) 10-K 15 Feb 22 2021 FY Annual report Financial data

Cover Document

Cover Document - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Jan. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Cover Page [Abstract]
Entity File Number	1-10864
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	41-1321939
Entity Address, Address Line One	UnitedHealth Group Center
Entity Address, Address Line Two	9900 Bren Road East
Entity Address, City or Town	Minnetonka,
Entity Address, State or Province	MN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	55343
City Area Code	952
Local Phone Number	936-1300
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	UNH
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Well known seasoned issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Public Float			$ 376,162,785,060
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		940,899,146
Documents Incorporated by Reference	The information required by Part III of this report, to the extent not set forth herein, is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.
Entity Registrant Name	UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
Entitiy Central Index Key	0000731766
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true

Auditor Information

Auditor Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Auditor Information [Abstract]
Auditor Name	DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Auditor Firm ID	34
Auditor Location	Minneapolis, Minnesota

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 21,375	$ 16,921
Short-term investments	2,532	2,860
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $954 and $990	14,216	12,870
Other current receivables, net of allowances of $993 and $1,047	13,866	12,534
Assets under management	4,449	4,076
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,320	4,457
Total current assets	61,758	53,718
Long-term investments	43,114	41,242
Property, equipment and capitalized software, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $5,992 and $5,230	8,969	8,626
Goodwill	75,795	71,337
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $5,636 and $5,455	10,044	10,856
Other assets	12,526	11,510
Total assets	212,206	197,289
Current liabilities:
Medical costs payable	24,483	21,872
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	24,643	22,495
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt	3,620	4,819
Unearned revenues	2,571	2,842
Other current liabilities	22,975	20,392
Total current liabilities	78,292	72,420
Long-term debt, less current maturities	42,383	38,648
Deferred Income Taxes	3,265	3,367
Other liabilities	11,787	12,315
Total liabilities	135,727	126,750
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,434	2,211
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; 941 and 946 issued and outstanding	10	10
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Retained earnings	77,134	69,295
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(5,384)	(3,814)
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	3,285	2,837
Total equity	75,045	68,328
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	$ 212,206	$ 197,289
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
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	3,000	3,000
Common stock, shares issued	941	946
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	941	946

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Allowance for doubtful accounts, accounts receivable	$ 954	$ 990
Allowance for doubtful accounts, other receivables	993	1,047
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	5,992	5,230
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 5,636	$ 5,455
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	3,000	3,000
Common stock, shares issued	941	946
Common Stock, shares outstanding	941	946
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

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenues:
Premiums	$ 226,233	$ 201,478	$ 189,699
Investment and other income	2,324	1,502	1,886
Total revenues	287,597	257,141	242,155
Operating costs:
Medical costs	186,911	159,396	156,440
Operating costs	42,579	41,704	35,193
Cost of products sold	31,034	30,745	28,117
Depreciation and amortization	3,103	2,891	2,720
Total operating costs	263,627	234,736	222,470
Earnings from operations	23,970	22,405	19,685
Interest expense	(1,660)	(1,663)	(1,704)
Earnings before income taxes	22,310	20,742	17,981
Provision for income taxes	(4,578)	(4,973)	(3,742)
Net earnings	17,732	15,769	14,239
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(447)	(366)	(400)
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	$ 17,285	$ 15,403	$ 13,839
Earnings per share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders:
Basic	$ 18.33	$ 16.23	$ 14.55
Diluted	$ 18.08	$ 16.03	$ 14.33
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	943	949	951
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents	13	12	15
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	956	961	966
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of dilutive effect of common share equivalents	1	8	10
Products
Revenue from Products and Services	$ 34,437	$ 34,145	$ 31,597
Services
Revenue from Products and Services	$ 24,603	$ 20,016	$ 18,973

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Net earnings	$ 17,732	$ 15,769	$ 14,239
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Gross unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities during the period	(1,028)	1,058	1,212
Income tax effect	248	(253)	(279)
Total unrealized (losses) gains, net of tax	(780)	805	933
Gross reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net earnings	(173)	(75)	(104)
Income tax effect	40	17	24
Total reclassification adjustment, net of tax	(133)	(58)	(80)
Total foreign currency translation losses	(657)	(983)	(271)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(1,570)	(236)	582
Comprehensive income	16,162	15,533	14,821
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(447)	(366)	(400)
Comprehensive income attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	$ 15,715	$ 15,167	$ 14,421

Consolidated Statements of Chan

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 Losses [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 54,319	$ 10	$ 0	$ 55,846	$ (264)	$ (3,896)	$ 2,623
Balance (Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2018	(18)			(13)			(5)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		960
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	13,839			13,839
Net earnings attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest							285
Net earnings, Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	14,124
Other comprehensive income (loss)	582				853	(271)
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects (in shares)		10
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects	696	$ 0	696
Share-based compensation	673		673
Common share repurchases (in shares)		(22)
Common share repurchases	(5,500)	$ (1)	(937)	(4,562)
Cash dividends paid on common shares ($5.60 per share, $4.83 per share and $4.14 per share for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	(3,932)			(3,932)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value and other adjustments	(316)		(316)
Acquisition and other adjustments of nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	87		(109)				196
Distributions to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	(279)						(279)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	60,436	$ 9	7	61,178	589	(4,167)	2,820
Balance (Accounting Standards Update 2016-13) at Dec. 31, 2019	(28)			(28)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019		948
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	15,403			15,403
Net earnings attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest							254
Net earnings, Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	15,657
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(236)				747	(983)
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects (in shares)		12
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects	1,120	$ 1	1,119
Share-based compensation	$ 647		647
Common share repurchases (in shares)	(14)	(14)
Common share repurchases	$ (4,250)	$ 0	(1,576)	(2,674)
Cash dividends paid on common shares ($5.60 per share, $4.83 per share and $4.14 per share for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	(4,584)			(4,584)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value and other adjustments	(197)		(197)
Acquisition and other adjustments of nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	40						40
Distributions to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	(277)						(277)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 68,328	$ 10	0	69,295	1,336	(5,150)	2,837
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020	946	946
Net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders	$ 17,285			17,285
Net earnings attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest							360
Net earnings, Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	17,645
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,570)				(913)	(657)
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects (in shares)		8
Issuances of common stock, and related tax effects	1,100	$ 0	1,100
Share-based compensation	$ 729		729
Common share repurchases (in shares)	(13)	(13)
Common share repurchases	$ (5,000)	$ 0	(940)	(4,060)
Cash dividends paid on common shares ($5.60 per share, $4.83 per share and $4.14 per share for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	(5,280)			(5,280)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value and other adjustments	(995)		(889)	(106)
Acquisition and other adjustments of nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	407						407
Distributions to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	(319)						(319)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 75,045	$ 10	$ 0	$ 77,134	$ 423	$ (5,807)	$ 3,285
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021	941	941

Consolidated Statement of Chang

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 14, 2021	Sep. 21, 2021	Jun. 29, 2021	Mar. 23, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends per common share	$ 1.45	$ 1.45	$ 1.45	$ 1.25	$ 5.60	$ 4.83	$ 4.14

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating activities
Net earnings	$ 17,732	$ 15,769	$ 14,239
Noncash items:
Depreciation and amortization	3,103	2,891	2,720
Deferred income taxes	130	(8)	230
Share-based compensation	800	679	697
Other, net	(944)	(52)	(106)
Net change in other operating items, net of effects from acquisitions and changes in AARP balances:
Accounts receivable	(1,000)	(688)	162
Other assets	(1,031)	(2,195)	(1,563)
Medical costs payable	2,701	152	1,221
Accounts payable and other liabilities	1,162	5,348	733
Unearned revenues	(310)	278	130
Cash flows from operating activities	22,343	22,174	18,463
Investing activities
Purchases of investments	(17,139)	(16,577)	(18,131)
Sales of investments	7,045	6,489	8,536
Maturities of investments	8,251	7,252	7,091
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash assumed	(4,821)	(7,139)	(8,343)
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	(2,454)	(2,051)	(2,071)
Other, net	(1,254)	(506)	219
Cash flows used for investing activities	(10,372)	(12,532)	(12,699)
Financing activities
Common share repurchases	(5,000)	(4,250)	(5,500)
Cash dividends paid	(5,280)	(4,584)	(3,932)
Proceeds from common stock issuances	1,355	1,440	1,037
Repayments of long-term debt	(3,150)	(3,150)	(1,750)
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term borrowings, net	(1,302)	872	300
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	6,933	4,864	5,444
Customer funds administered	622	1,677	13
Purchases of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(1,338)	0	(618)
Other, net	(295)	(459)	(619)
Cash flows used for financing activities	(7,455)	(3,590)	(5,625)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(62)	(116)	(20)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	4,454	5,936	119
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	16,921	10,985	10,866
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	21,375	16,921	10,985
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Cash paid for interest	1,653	1,704	1,627
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 3,966	$ 4,935	$ 3,542

Description of Business (Notes)

Description of Business (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Nature of Operations [Text Block]	Description of BusinessUnitedHealth Group Incorporated (individually and together with its subsidiaries, “UnitedHealth Group” and “the Company”) is a health care and well-being company with a mission to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Our two distinct, yet complementary business platforms — Optum and UnitedHealthcare — are working to help build a modern, high-performing health system through improved access, affordability, outcomes and experiences for the individuals and organizations we are privileged to serve.

Basis of Presentation, Uses of

Basis of Presentation, Uses of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation, Use of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The Company has prepared the Consolidated Financial Statements according to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and has included the accounts of UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiaries. Use of Estimates These Consolidated Financial Statements include certain amounts based on the Company’s best estimates and judgments. The Company’s most significant estimates relate to estimates and judgments for medical costs payable and goodwill. Certain of these estimates require the application of complex assumptions and judgments, often because they involve matters 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. Revenues Premiums Premium revenues are primarily derived from risk-based health insurance arrangements in which the premium is typically at a fixed rate per individual served for a one-year period, and the Company assumes the economic risk of funding its customers’ health care and related administrative costs. Premium revenues are recognized in the period in which eligible individuals are entitled to receive health care benefits. Health care premium payments received from the Company’s customers in advance of the service period are recorded as unearned revenues. Fully insured commercial products of U.S. health plans, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Medicare Part D) plans with medical loss ratios (MLRs) as calculated under the definitions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and related federal and state regulations and implementing regulation, falling below certain targets are required to rebate ratable portions of their premiums annually. Commercial premiums within the Company’s individual and small group markets are also subject to the ACA risk adjustment program. Medicare Advantage premium revenue includes the impact of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality bonuses based on plans’ Star rating. Certain of the Company’s Medicaid business is also subject to state minimum MLR rebates. Premium revenues are recognized based on the estimated premiums earned, net of projected rebates, because the Company is able to reasonably estimate the ultimate premiums of these contracts. The Company also records premium revenues for certain value-based arrangements at its Optum Health care delivery businesses. Under these value-based arrangements, the Company enters into agreements with health plans to stand ready to deliver, integrate, direct and control certain health care services for the individuals enrolled. In exchange, the Company receives a premium that is typically paid on a per-member per-month basis. The Company considers these value-based arrangements to represent a single performance obligation where premium revenues are recognized in the period in which health care services are made available. The Company’s Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D premium revenues are subject to periodic adjustment under CMS’ risk adjustment payment methodology. CMS deploys a risk adjustment model which apportions premiums paid to all health plans according to health severity and certain demographic factors. The CMS risk adjustment model provides higher per member payments for enrollees diagnosed with certain conditions and lower payments for enrollees who are healthier. Under this risk adjustment methodology, CMS calculates the risk adjusted premium payment using diagnosis and encounter data from hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient and physician treatment settings. The Company and health care providers collect, capture and submit the necessary and available data to CMS within prescribed deadlines. The Company estimates risk adjustment premium revenues based upon the data submitted and expected to be submitted to CMS. Risk adjustment data for the Company’s plans are subject to review by the government, including audit by regulators. See Note 12 for additional information regarding these audits. Products and Services For the Company’s Optum Rx pharmacy care services business, the majority of revenues are derived from products sold through a contracted network of retail pharmacies or home delivery, specialty and community health pharmacies. Product revenues include the cost of pharmaceuticals (net of rebates), a negotiated dispensing fee and customer co-payments for drugs dispensed through the Company’s home delivery, specialty and community pharmacies. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized revenue and cost of products sold for retail pharmacy co-payments related to its Optum Rx business. Revenue recognized in prior periods related to retail pharmacy transactions excludes the member’s applicable co-payment. There was no impact on earnings from operations, net earnings, earnings per share or total equity. Pharmacy products are billed to customers based on the number of transactions occurring during the billing period. Product revenues are recognized when the prescriptions are dispensed. The Company has entered into contracts in which it is primarily obligated to pay its network pharmacy providers for benefits provided to their customers regardless of whether the Company is paid. The Company is also involved in establishing the prices charged by retail pharmacies, determining which drugs will be included in formulary listings and selecting which retail pharmacies will be included in the network offered to plan sponsors’ members and accordingly, are reported on a gross basis. Services revenue are comprised of a number of services and products sold through Optum. Optum Health’s service revenues include net patient service revenues recorded based upon established billing rates, less allowances for contractual adjustments, and are recognized as services are provided. For its financial services offerings, Optum Health charges fees and earns investment income on managed funds. Optum Insight provides software and information products, advisory consulting arrangements and managed services outsourcing contracts, which may be delivered over several years. Optum Insight revenues are generally recognized over time and measured each period based on the progress to date as services are performed or made available to customers. Services revenue also consists of fees derived from services performed for customers who self-insure the health care costs of their employees and employees’ dependents. Under service fee contracts, the Company receives monthly, a fixed fee per employee, which is recognized as revenue as the Company performs, or makes available, the applicable services to the customer. The customers retain the risk of financing health care costs for their employees and employees’ dependents, and the Company administers the payment of customer funds to physicians and other health care professionals from customer-funded bank accounts. As the Company has neither the obligation for funding the health care costs, nor the primary responsibility for providing the medical care, the Company does not recognize premium revenue and medical costs for these contracts in its Consolidated Financial Statements. For these fee-based customer arrangements, the Company provides coordination and facilitation of medical services; transaction processing; customer, consumer and care professional services; and access to contracted networks of physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals. These services are performed throughout the contract period. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, accounts receivables related to products and services were $5.4 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively. In 2021 and 2020, the Company had no material bad-debt expense and there were no material contract assets, contract liabilities or deferred contract costs recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 or 2020. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, revenue recognized from performance obligations related to prior periods (for example, due to changes in transaction price) was not material. Revenue expected to be recognized in any future year related to remaining performance obligations, excluding revenue pertaining to contracts having an original expected duration of one year or less, contracts where revenue is recognized as invoiced and contracts with variable consideration related to undelivered performance obligations, is not material. See Note 13 for disaggregation of revenue by segment and type. Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable The Company’s estimate of medical costs payable represents management’s best estimate of its liability for unpaid medical costs as of December 31, 2021. Each period, the Company re-examines previously established medical costs payable estimates based on actual claim submissions and other changes in facts and circumstances. As more complete claim information becomes available, the Company adjusts the amount of the estimates and includes the changes in estimates in medical costs in the period in which the change is identified. Approximately 90% of claims related to medical care services are known and settled within 90 days from the date of service and substantially all within twelve months. Medical costs and medical costs payable include estimates of the Company’s obligations for medical care services rendered on behalf of consumers, but for which claims have either not yet been received, processed, or paid. The Company develops estimates for medical care services incurred but not reported (IBNR), which includes estimates for claims which have not been received or fully processed, using an actuarial process consistently applied, centrally controlled and automated. The actuarial models consider factors such as time from date of service to claim processing, seasonal variances in medical care consumption, health care professional contract rate changes, medical care utilization and other medical cost trends, membership volume and demographics, the introduction of new technologies, benefit plan changes, and business mix changes related to products, customers and geography. Judgments related to these factors contemplated the impact of COVID-19. In developing its medical costs payable estimates, the Company applies different estimation methods depending on which incurred claims are being estimated. For the most recent two months, the Company estimates claim costs incurred by applying observed medical cost trend factors to the average per member per month (PMPM) medical costs incurred in prior months for which more complete claim data are available, supplemented by a review of near-term completion factors (actuarial estimates, based upon historical experience and analysis of current trends, of the percentage of incurred claims during a given period adjudicated by the Company at the date of estimation). For months prior to the most recent two months, the Company applies the completion factors to actual claims adjudicated-to-date to estimate the expected amount of ultimate incurred claims for those months. Cost of Products Sold The Company’s cost of products sold includes the cost of pharmaceuticals dispensed to unaffiliated customers either directly at its home delivery, specialty and community pharmacy locations, or indirectly through its nationwide network of participating pharmacies. Rebates attributable to unaffiliated clients are accrued as rebates receivable and a reduction of cost of products sold, with a corresponding payable for the amounts of the rebates to be remitted to those unaffiliated clients in accordance with their contracts and recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a reduction of product revenue. Cost of products sold also includes the cost of personnel to support the Company’s transaction processing services, system sales, maintenance and professional services. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments Cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments having an original maturity of three months or less. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their carrying value because of the short maturity of the instruments. Investments with maturities of less than one year are classified as short-term. Because of regulatory requirements, certain investments are included in long-term investments regardless of their maturity date. The Company classifies these investments as held-to-maturity and reports them at amortized cost. Substantially all other investments are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value based on quoted market prices, where available. Equity investments, with certain exceptions, are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. The Company excludes unrealized gains and losses on investments in available-for-sale debt securities from net earnings and reports them as comprehensive income and, net of income tax effects, as a separate component of equity. To calculate realized gains and losses on the sale of debt securities, the Company specifically identifies the cost of each investment sold. The Company evaluates an available-for-sale debt security for credit-related impairment by considering the present value of expected cash flows relative to a security’s amortized cost, the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and specific events or circumstances which may influence the operations of the issuer. Credit-related impairments are recorded as an allowance, with an offset to investment and other income. Non-credit related impairments are recorded through other comprehensive income. If the Company intends to sell an impaired security, or will likely be required to sell a security before recovery of the entire amortized cost, the entire impairment is included in net earnings. New information and the passage of time can change these judgments. The Company manages its investment portfolio to limit its exposure to any one issuer or market sector, and largely limits its investments to investment grade quality. Securities downgraded below policy minimums after purchase will be disposed of in accordance with the Company’s investment policy. Assets Under Management The Company provides health insurance products and services to members of AARP under a Supplemental Health Insurance Program (the AARP Program) and to AARP members and non-members under separate Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D arrangements. The products and services under the AARP Program include supplemental Medicare benefits, hospital indemnity insurance, including insurance for individuals between 50 to 64 years of age, and other related products. Pursuant to the Company’s agreement with AARP, program assets are managed separately from the Company’s general investment portfolio and are used to pay costs associated with the AARP Program. These assets are invested at the Company’s discretion, within investment guidelines approved by AARP. The Company does not guarantee any rates of return on these investments and, upon any transfer of the AARP Program contract to another entity, the Company would transfer cash equal in amount to the fair value of these investments at the date of transfer to the entity. Because the purpose of these assets is to fund the medical costs payable, the rate stabilization fund (RSF) liabilities and other related liabilities associated with this AARP contract, assets under management are classified as current assets, consistent with the classification of these liabilities. Other Current Receivables Other current receivables include amounts due from pharmaceutical manufacturers for rebates and Medicare Part D drug discounts, accrued interest and other miscellaneous amounts due to the Company. The Company’s pharmacy care services businesses contract with pharmaceutical manufacturers, some of which provide rebates based on use of the manufacturers’ products by its affiliated and unaffiliated clients. The Company accrues rebates as they are earned by its clients on a monthly basis based on the terms of the applicable contracts, historical data and current estimates. The pharmacy care services businesses bill these rebates to the manufacturers on a monthly or quarterly basis depending on the contractual terms and record rebates attributable to affiliated clients as a reduction to medical costs. The Company generally receives rebates two to five months after billing. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, total pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates receivable included in other receivables in the Consolidated Balance Sheets amounted to $7.2 billion and $6.3 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s Medicare Part D receivables amounted to $3.4 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively. Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software Property, equipment and capitalized software are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Capitalized software consists of certain costs incurred in the development of internal-use software, including external direct costs of materials and services and applicable payroll costs of employees devoted to specific software development. The Company calculates depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives for property, equipment and capitalized software are: Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3 to 10 years Buildings 35 to 40 years Capitalized software 3 to 5 years Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining lease term or their estimated useful economic life. Operating Leases The Company leases facilities and equipment under long-term operating leases which are non-cancelable and expire on various dates. At the lease commencement date, lease right-of-use (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 closely matching 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 Consolidated Balance Sheet. Goodwill To determine whether goodwill is impaired, annually or more frequently if needed, the Company performs impairment tests. The Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. The Company may also elect to skip the qualitative testing and proceed directly to the quantitative testing. When performing quantitative testing, the Company first estimates the fair values of its reporting units using discounted cash flows or a weighted combination of discounted cash flows and a market-based method. To determine fair values, the Company must make assumptions about a wide variety of internal and external factors. Significant assumptions used in the impairment analysis include financial projections of free cash flow (including significant assumptions about operations, capital requirements and income taxes), long-term growth rates for determining terminal value, discount rates and the selection of comparable peer companies. If the fair value is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, an impairment is recognized for the difference, up to the carrying amount of goodwill. There was no impairment of goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Intangible Assets The Company’s intangible assets are subject to impairment tests when events or circumstances indicate an intangible asset (or asset group) may be impaired. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets are also tested for impairment annually. There was no impairment of intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Other Current Liabilities Other current liabilities include health savings account deposits ($11.4 billion and $10.2 billion as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively), accruals for premium rebates payable, the RSF associated with the AARP Program, the current portion of future policy benefits and customer balances. Policy Acquisition Costs The Company’s short duration health insurance contracts typically have a one-year term and may be canceled by the customer with at least 30 days’ notice. Costs related to the acquisition and renewal of short duration customer contracts are primarily charged to expense as incurred. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Company’s subsidiaries whose redemption is outside the control of the Company are classified as temporary equity. The following table provides details of the Company's redeemable noncontrolling interests’ activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: (in millions) 2021 2020 Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning of period $ 2,211 $ 1,726 Net earnings 87 112 Acquisitions 28 321 Redemptions (1,338) — Distributions (255) (149) Fair value and other adjustments 701 201 Redeemable noncontrolling interests, end of period $ 1,434 $ 2,211 Share-Based Compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense for share-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock and restricted stock units (collectively, restricted shares), on a straight-line basis over the related service period (generally the vesting period) of the award, or to an employee’s eligible retirement date under the award agreement, if earlier. Restricted shares vest ratably, primarily over four four Net Earnings Per Common Share The Company computes basic earnings per common share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders by dividing net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company determines diluted net earnings per common share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for potentially dilutive shares associated with stock options, restricted shares and the ESPP (collectively, common stock equivalents), using the treasury stock method. The treasury stock method assumes a hypothetical issuance of shares to settle the share-based awards, with the assumed proceeds used to purchase common stock at the average market price for the period. Assumed proceeds include the amount the employee must pay upon exercise and the average unrecognized compensation cost. The difference between the number of shares assumed issued and number of shares assumed purchased represents the dilutive shares. ACA Tax The Health Insurance Tax was permanently repealed by Congress, effective January 1, 2021. The permanent repeal of the tax impacts year-over-year comparability of our financial statements, including revenues, operating costs, medical care ratio (MCR), operating cost ratio, effective tax rate and cash flows from operations.

Investments (Notes)

Investments (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Investments [Abstract]
Investments [Text Block]	Investments A summary of debt securities by major security type is as follows: (in millions) Amortized Gross Gross Fair December 31, 2021 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ 3,206 $ 23 $ (31) $ 3,198 State and municipal obligations 6,829 297 (20) 7,106 Corporate obligations 20,947 372 (145) 21,174 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 5,868 88 (55) 5,901 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 2,819 42 (23) 2,838 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 39,669 822 (274) 40,217 Debt securities - held-to-maturity: U.S. government and agency obligations 511 2 (2) 511 State and municipal obligations 30 2 — 32 Corporate obligations 100 — — 100 Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 641 4 (2) 643 Total debt securities $ 40,310 $ 826 $ (276) $ 40,860 December 31, 2020 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ 3,335 $ 133 $ (3) $ 3,465 State and municipal obligations 6,893 435 — 7,328 Corporate obligations 18,886 863 (12) 19,737 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 6,849 245 (3) 7,091 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 2,116 95 (4) 2,207 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 38,079 1,771 (22) 39,828 Debt securities - held-to-maturity: U.S. government and agency obligations 420 6 — 426 State and municipal obligations 31 2 — 33 Corporate obligations 187 1 — 188 Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 638 9 — 647 Total debt securities $ 38,717 $ 1,780 $ (22) $ 40,475 Nearly all of the Company’s investments in mortgage-backed securities were rated “Triple A” as of December 31, 2021. The Company held $3.5 billion and $2.3 billion of equity securities as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company’s investments in equity securities primarily consist of employee savings plan related investments, other venture investments and shares of Brazilian real denominated fixed-income funds with readily determinable fair values. Additionally, the Company’s investments included $1.3 billion of equity method investments in operating businesses in the health care sector, as of both December 31, 2021 and 2020. The allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was not material. The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities as of December 31, 2021, by contractual maturity, were as follows: Available-for-Sale Held-to-Maturity (in millions) Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Due in one year or less $ 2,603 $ 2,614 $ 235 $ 236 Due after one year through five years 12,885 13,065 355 354 Due after five years through ten years 11,342 11,524 28 29 Due after ten years 4,152 4,275 23 24 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 5,868 5,901 — — Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 2,819 2,838 — — Total debt securities $ 39,669 $ 40,217 $ 641 $ 643 The fair value of available-for-sale debt securities 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 December 31, 2021 U.S. government and agency obligations $ 1,976 $ (18) $ 249 $ (13) $ 2,225 $ (31) State and municipal obligations 1,386 (19) 31 (1) $ 1,417 $ (20) Corporate obligations 9,357 (130) 376 (15) 9,733 (145) U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 3,078 (52) 116 (3) 3,194 (55) Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 1,321 (18) 114 (5) 1,435 (23) Total debt securities - available-for-sale $ 17,118 $ (237) $ 886 $ (37) $ 18,004 $ (274) December 31, 2020 U.S. government and agency obligations $ 346 $ (3) $ — $ — $ 346 $ (3) Corporate obligations 1,273 (9) 456 (3) 1,729 (12) U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 601 (3) — — 601 (3) Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 195 (1) 93 (3) 288 (4) Total debt securities - available-for-sale $ 2,415 $ (16) $ 549 $ (6) $ 2,964 $ (22) The Company’s unrealized losses from all securities as of December 31, 2021 were generated from approximately 13,000 positions out of a total of 39,000 positions. The Company believes it will collect the timely principal and interest due on its debt securities having 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 which impacted the Company’s assessment on collectability of principal and interest. At each reporting period, the Company evaluates available-for-sale debt securities for any credit-related impairment when the fair value of the investment is less than its amortized cost. The Company evaluated the expected cash flows, the underlying credit quality and credit ratings of the issuers noting no significant credit deterioration since purchase. As of December 31, 2021, 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. The allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was not material.

Fair Value (Notes)

Fair Value (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value [Text Block]	Fair ValueCertain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value in the Consolidated Financial Statements or have fair values disclosed in the Notes to the 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 which 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 inactive markets (e.g., few transactions, limited information, noncurrent prices, high variability over time); • Inputs other than quoted prices observable for the asset/liability (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, implied volatilities, credit spreads); and • Inputs corroborated by other observable market data. Level 3 — Unobservable inputs cannot be corroborated by observable market data. There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 financial assets or liabilities during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020. Nonfinancial assets and liabilities or financial assets and liabilities 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. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized $840 million of unrealized gains in investment and other income related to fair value adjustments on equity securities primarily in our venture portfolio, based on transactions of the same or similar security. There were no other significant fair value adjustments for these assets and liabilities recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020. 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 which 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 currently observable in the markets for similar securities. Inputs 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 to the prices obtained from the pricing service. Fair values of debt securities which 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 corporate bonds, which are not a significant portion of our investments, are estimated using valuation techniques relying heavily on management assumptions and qualitative observations. 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 such understanding. Assets Under Management. Assets under management consists 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. Long-Term Debt. The fair values of the Company’s long-term debt are estimated and classified using the same methodologies as the Company’s investments in debt securities. 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 Consolidated Balance Sheets: (in millions) Quoted Prices Other Unobservable Total December 31, 2021 Cash and cash equivalents $ 21,359 $ 16 $ — $ 21,375 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations 3,017 181 — 3,198 State and municipal obligations — 7,106 — 7,106 Corporate obligations 40 20,916 218 21,174 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 5,901 — 5,901 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 2,838 — 2,838 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 3,057 36,942 218 40,217 Equity securities 2,090 23 64 2,177 Assets under management 1,972 2,376 101 4,449 Total assets at fair value $ 28,478 $ 39,357 $ 383 $ 68,218 Percentage of total assets at fair value 42 % 57 % 1 % 100 % December 31, 2020 Cash and cash equivalents $ 16,841 $ 80 $ — $ 16,921 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations 3,241 224 — 3,465 State and municipal obligations — 7,328 — 7,328 Corporate obligations 25 19,424 288 19,737 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 7,091 — 7,091 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 2,207 — 2,207 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 3,266 36,274 288 39,828 Equity securities 1,795 33 — 1,828 Assets under management 1,774 2,250 52 4,076 Total assets at fair value $ 23,676 $ 38,637 $ 340 $ 62,653 Percentage of total assets at fair value 38 % 61 % 1 % 100 % 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 Consolidated Balance Sheets: (in millions) Quoted Prices Other Unobservable Total Total Carrying Value December 31, 2021 Debt securities - held-to-maturity $ 534 $ 102 $ 7 $ 643 $ 641 Long-term debt and other financing obligations $ — $ 52,583 $ — $ 52,583 $ 46,003 December 31, 2020 Debt securities - held-to-maturity $ 466 $ 108 $ 73 $ 647 $ 638 Long-term debt and other financing obligations $ — $ 51,254 $ — $ 51,254 $ 42,171

Property, Plant, and Capitalize

Property, Plant, and Capitalized Software (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software A summary of property, equipment and capitalized software is as follows: (in millions) December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Land and improvements $ 502 $ 533 Buildings and improvements 4,882 4,759 Computer equipment 1,851 1,767 Furniture and fixtures 2,014 1,787 Less accumulated depreciation (3,857) (3,364) Property and equipment, net 5,392 5,482 Capitalized software 5,712 5,010 Less accumulated amortization (2,135) (1,866) Capitalized software, net 3,577 3,144 Total property, equipment and capitalized software, net $ 8,969 $ 8,626

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by reportable segment, were as follows: (in millions) UnitedHealthcare Optum Health Optum Insight Optum Rx Consolidated Balance at January 1, 2020 $ 27,228 $ 15,342 $ 8,292 $ 14,797 $ 65,659 Acquisitions 1,180 4,500 — 699 6,379 Foreign currency effects and other adjustments, net (623) 2 (119) 39 (701) Balance at December 31, 2020 27,785 19,844 8,173 15,535 71,337 Acquisitions 60 4,648 96 — 4,804 Foreign currency effects and other adjustments, net (456) (268) 350 28 (346) Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 27,389 $ 24,224 $ 8,619 $ 15,563 $ 75,795 The gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net carrying value of other intangible assets were as follows: December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in millions) Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Customer-related $ 13,011 $ (4,697) $ 8,314 $ 13,428 $ (4,575) $ 8,853 Trademarks and technology 1,630 (739) 891 1,597 (624) 973 Trademarks and other indefinite-lived 617 — 617 680 — 680 Other 422 (200) 222 606 (256) 350 Total $ 15,680 $ (5,636) $ 10,044 $ 16,311 $ (5,455) $ 10,856 The acquisition date fair values and weighted-average useful lives assigned to finite-lived intangible assets acquired in business combinations consisted of the following by year of acquisition: 2021 2020 (in millions, except years) Fair Value Weighted-Average Useful Life Fair Value Weighted-Average Useful Life Customer-related $ 484 9 years $ 1,113 11 years Trademarks and technology 147 5 years 514 10 years Other 29 11 years 95 10 years Total acquired finite-lived intangible assets $ 660 8 years $ 1,722 11 years Estimated full year amortization expense relating to intangible assets for each of the next five years ending December 31 is as follows: (in millions) 2022 $ 1,098 2023 1,033 2024 972 2025 892 2026 757

Medical Costs Payable (Notes)

Medical Costs Payable (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Insurance [Abstract]
Medical Costs Payable	Medical Costs Payable The following table shows the components of the change in medical costs payable for the years ended December 31: (in millions) 2021 2020 2019 Medical costs payable, beginning of period $ 21,872 $ 21,690 $ 19,891 Acquisitions 88 316 679 Reported medical costs: Current year 188,631 160,276 157,020 Prior years (1,720) (880) (580) Total reported medical costs 186,911 159,396 156,440 Medical payments: Payments for current year (165,524) (139,974) (137,155) Payments for prior years (18,864) (19,556) (18,165) Total medical payments (184,388) (159,530) (155,320) Medical costs payable, end of period $ 24,483 $ 21,872 $ 21,690 For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 medical cost reserve development was primarily driven by lower than expected health system utilization levels. Additionally, medical cost reserve development in the year ended December 31, 2021 was driven by the uncertainty of care patterns due to the disruption of the health care system caused by COVID-19. Medical costs payable included IBNR of $17.1 billion and $14.8 billion at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Substantially all of the IBNR balance as of December 31, 2021 relates to the current year. The following is information about incurred and paid medical cost development as of December 31, 2021: Net Incurred Medical Costs (in millions) For the Years Ended December 31, Year 2020 2021 2020 $ 160,276 $ 159,140 2021 188,631 Total $ 347,771 Net Cumulative Medical Payments (in millions) For the Years Ended December 31, Year 2020 2021 2020 $ (139,974) $ (158,182) 2021 (165,524) Total (323,706) Net remaining outstanding liabilities prior to 2020 418 Total medical costs payable $ 24,483

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt [Text Block]	Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt Short-term borrowings and senior unsecured long-term debt consisted of the following: Carrying Value As of December 31, (in millions, except percentages) 2021 2020 Commercial paper $ — $ 1,296 $400 million 4.700% notes due February 2021 — 400 $750 million 2.125% notes due March 2021 — 750 $350 million Floating rate notes due June 2021 — 350 $400 million 3.150% notes due June 2021 — 400 $500 million 3.375% notes due November 2021 — 507 $750 million 2.875% notes due December 2021 — 762 $1,100 million 2.875% notes due March 2022 1,097 1,113 $1,000 million 3.350% notes due July 2022 999 999 $900 million 2.375% notes due October 2022 899 897 $15 million 0.000% notes due November 2022 14 14 $625 million 2.750% notes due February 2023 632 644 $750 million 2.875% notes due March 2023 768 789 $750 million 3.500% notes due June 2023 749 748 $750 million 3.500% notes due February 2024 748 747 $1,000 million 0.550% notes due May 2024 996 — $750 million 2.375% notes due August 2024 748 747 $2,000 million 3.750% notes due July 2025 1,994 1,992 $300 million 3.700% notes due December 2025 299 298 $500 million 1.250% notes due January 2026 497 496 $1,000 million 3.100% notes due March 2026 997 997 $1,000 million 1.150% notes due May 2026 972 — $750 million 3.450% notes due January 2027 747 747 $625 million 3.375% notes due April 2027 621 620 $950 million 2.950% notes due October 2027 942 940 $1,150 million 3.850% notes due June 2028 1,144 1,143 $850 million 3.875% notes due December 2028 844 844 $1,000 million 2.875% notes due August 2029 1,023 1,086 $1,250 million 2.000% notes due May 2030 1,235 1,234 $1,500 million 2.300% notes due May 2031 1,482 — $1,000 million 4.625% notes due July 2035 993 992 $850 million 5.800% notes due March 2036 839 839 $500 million 6.500% notes due June 2037 492 492 $650 million 6.625% notes due November 2037 642 641 $1,100 million 6.875% notes due February 2038 1,078 1,077 $1,250 million 3.500% notes due August 2039 1,242 1,241 $1,000 million 2.750% notes due May 2040 966 964 $300 million 5.700% notes due October 2040 296 296 $350 million 5.950% notes due February 2041 346 346 $1,500 million 3.050% notes due May 2041 1,483 — $600 million 4.625% notes due November 2041 589 589 $502 million 4.375% notes due March 2042 485 485 $625 million 3.950% notes due October 2042 608 608 $750 million 4.250% notes due March 2043 736 735 $2,000 million 4.750% notes due July 2045 1,974 1,974 $750 million 4.200% notes due January 2047 739 738 $725 million 4.250% notes due April 2047 718 717 $950 million 3.750% notes due October 2047 934 934 $1,350 million 4.250% notes due June 2048 1,330 1,330 $1,100 million 4.450% notes due December 2048 1,087 1,086 $1,250 million 3.700% notes due August 2049 1,236 1,235 $1,250 million 2.900% notes due May 2050 1,209 1,208 $2,000 million 3.250% notes due May 2051 1,970 — $1,250 million 3.875% notes due August 2059 1,228 1,228 $1,000 million 3.125% notes due May 2060 965 965 Total short-term borrowings and long-term debt $ 44,632 $ 42,280 The Company’s long-term debt obligations also included $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion of other financing obligations, of which $611 million and $354 million were current as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Maturities of short-term borrowings and long-term debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows: (in millions) 2022 $ 3,626 2023 2,277 2024 2,652 2025 2,452 2026 2,652 Thereafter 32,829 Short-Term Borrowings Commercial paper consists of short-duration, senior unsecured debt privately placed on a discount basis through broker-dealers. The Company has $5.6 billion five-year, $5.6 billion three-year and $3.8 billion 364-day revolving bank credit facilities with 24 banks, which mature in December 2026, December 2024 and December 2022, respectively. These facilities provide full liquidity support for the Company’s commercial paper program and are available for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2021, 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 one-month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a SOFR Adjustment of 10 basis points 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 December 31, 2021, annual interest rates would have ranged from 0.8% to 0.9%. Debt Covenants The Company’s bank credit facilities contain various covenants, including requiring the Company to maintain a debt to debt-plus-shareholders’ equity ratio of not more than 60%. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 31, 2021.

Income Taxes (Notes)

Income Taxes (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Income Taxes The current income tax provision reflects the tax consequences of revenues and expenses currently taxable or deductible on various income tax returns for the year reported. The deferred income tax provision or benefit generally reflects the net change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year, excluding any deferred income tax assets and liabilities of acquired businesses. The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows: (in millions) 2021 2020 2019 Current Provision: Federal $ 3,451 $ 4,098 $ 2,629 State and local 481 392 319 Foreign 516 491 564 Total current provision 4,448 4,981 3,512 Deferred provision (benefit) 130 (8) 230 Total provision for income taxes $ 4,578 $ 4,973 $ 3,742 The reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate to the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows: (in millions, except percentages) 2021 2020 2019 Tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate $ 4,685 21.0 % $ 4,356 21.0 % $ 3,776 21.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 419 1.9 315 1.5 271 1.5 Share-based awards - excess tax benefit (100) (0.4) (130) (0.6) (132) (0.7) Non-deductible compensation 144 0.6 134 0.7 119 0.7 Health insurance tax — — 626 3.0 — — Foreign rate differential (246) (1.1) (164) (0.8) (214) (1.2) Other, net (324) (1.5) (164) (0.8) (78) (0.5) Provision for income taxes $ 4,578 20.5 % $ 4,973 24.0 % $ 3,742 20.8 % Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the differences between the financial and income tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities based on enacted tax rates and laws. The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows: (in millions) 2021 2020 Deferred income tax assets: Accrued expenses and allowances $ 723 $ 815 U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards 287 276 Share-based compensation 117 98 Nondeductible liabilities 296 252 Non-U.S. tax loss carryforwards 435 340 Lease liability 1,284 1,200 Other-domestic 228 126 Other-non-U.S. 376 454 Subtotal 3,746 3,561 Less: valuation allowances (198) (170) Total deferred income tax assets 3,548 3,391 Deferred income tax liabilities: U.S. federal and state intangible assets (2,658) (2,588) Non-U.S. goodwill and intangible assets (512) (606) Capitalized software (833) (731) Depreciation and amortization (349) (346) Prepaid expenses (256) (216) Outside basis in partnerships (565) (342) Lease right-of-use asset (1,267) (1,179) Net unrealized gains on investments (125) (400) Other-non-U.S. (248) (350) Total deferred income tax liabilities (6,813) (6,758) Net deferred income tax liabilities $ (3,265) $ (3,367) Valuation allowances are provided when it is considered more likely than not deferred tax assets will not be realized. The valuation allowances primarily relate to future tax benefits on certain federal, state and non-U.S. net operating loss carryforwards. Gross federal net operating loss carryforwards of $42 million expire beginning in 2023 through 2037 and $295 million have an indefinite carryforward period; state net operating loss carryforwards expire beginning in 2022 through 2041, with some having an indefinite carryforward period. Substantially all of the non-U.S. tax loss carryforwards have indefinite carryforward periods. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s undistributed earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries are intended to be indefinitely reinvested in non-U.S. operations, and therefore no U.S. deferred taxes have been recorded. Taxes payable on the remittance of such earnings would be minimal. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 is as follows: (in millions) 2021 2020 2019 Gross unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period $ 1,829 $ 1,423 $ 1,056 Gross increases: Current year tax positions 538 416 512 Prior year tax positions 10 120 2 Gross decreases: Prior year tax positions (47) (130) (96) Settlements — — (46) Statute of limitations lapses (20) — (5) Gross unrecognized tax benefits, end of period $ 2,310 $ 1,829 $ 1,423 The Company believes it is reasonably possible its liability for unrecognized tax benefits will decrease in the next twelve months by $42 million as a result of audit settlements and the expiration of statutes of limitations. The Company classifies net interest and penalties associated with uncertain income tax positions as income taxes within its Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $66 million, $52 million and $19 million of net interest and penalties, respectively. The Company had $194 million and $128 million of accrued interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These amounts are not included in the reconciliation above. As of December 31, 2021, there were $1.2 billion of unrecognized tax benefits which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. The Company currently files income tax returns in the United States, various states and localities and non-U.S. jurisdictions. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has completed exams on the consolidated income tax returns for fiscal years 2016 and prior. The Company’s 2017 through 2020 tax years are under review by the IRS under its Compliance Assurance Program. With the exception of a few states, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations prior to the 2014 tax year. In general, the Company is subject to examination in non-U.S. jurisdictions for years 2015 and forward.

Shareholders' Equity (Notes)

Shareholders' Equity (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Shareholders' Equity Regulatory Capital and Dividend Restrictions The Company’s regulated insurance and health maintenance organization (HMO) subsidiaries are subject to regulations and standards in their respective jurisdictions. These standards, among other things, require these subsidiaries to maintain specified levels of statutory capital, as defined by each jurisdiction, and restrict the timing and amount of dividends and other distributions which may be paid to their parent companies. In the United States, most of these state regulations and standards are generally consistent with model regulations established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. These standards generally permit dividends to be paid from statutory unassigned surplus of the regulated subsidiary and are limited based on the regulated subsidiary’s level of statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus. These dividends are referred to as “ordinary dividends” and generally may be paid without prior regulatory approval. If the dividend, together with other dividends paid within the preceding twelve months, exceeds a specified statutory limit or is paid from sources other than earned surplus, it is generally considered an “extraordinary dividend” and must receive prior regulatory approval. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company’s domestic insurance and HMO subsidiaries paid their parent companies dividends of $8.0 billion, including $4.7 billion of extraordinary dividends. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s domestic insurance and HMO subsidiaries paid their parent companies dividends of $8.3 billion, including $4.2 billion of extraordinary dividends. The Company's global financially regulated subsidiaries had estimated aggregate statutory capital and surplus of $30.7 billion as of December 31, 2021. The estimated statutory capital and surplus necessary to satisfy regulatory requirements of the Company's global financially regulated subsidiaries was approximately $13.0 billion as of December 31, 2021. Optum Bank must meet minimum capital requirements of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) under the capital adequacy rules to which it is subject. At December 31, 2021, the Company believes Optum Bank met the FDIC requirements to be considered “Well Capitalized.” Share Repurchase Program Under its Board of Directors’ authorization, the Company maintains a share repurchase program. The objectives of the share repurchase program are to optimize the Company’s capital structure and cost of capital, thereby improving returns to shareholders, as well as to offset the dilutive impact of share-based awards. Repurchases may be made from time to time in open market purchases or other types of transactions (including prepaid or structured share repurchase programs), subject to certain Board restrictions. In June 2018, the Board renewed the Company’s share repurchase program with an authorization to repurchase up to 100 million shares of its common stock. A summary of common share repurchases for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows: Years Ended December 31, (in millions, except per share data) 2021 2020 Common share repurchases, shares 13 14 Common share repurchases, average price per share $ 389.92 $ 300.58 Common share repurchases, aggregate cost $ 5,000 $ 4,250 Board authorized shares remaining 45 58 Dividends In June 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the Company’s quarterly cash dividend to shareholders to an annual rate of $5.80 compared to $5.00 per share, which the Company had paid since June 2020. Declaration and payment of future quarterly dividends is at the discretion of the Board and may be adjusted as business needs or market conditions change. The following table provides details of the Company’s 2021 dividend payments: Payment Date Amount per Share Total Amount Paid (in millions) March 23 $ 1.25 $ 1,181 June 29 1.45 1,367 September 21 1.45 1,367 December 14 1.45 1,365

Share-Based Compensation (Notes

Share-Based Compensation (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]	Share-Based Compensation The Company’s outstanding share-based awards consist mainly of non-qualified stock options and restricted shares. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had 64 million shares available for future grants of share-based awards under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan. In June 2021, the Company’s shareholders approved 15 million additional shares under the ESPP. As of December 31, 2021, there were 18 million shares of common stock available for issuance under the ESPP. Stock Options Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2021 is summarized in the table below: Shares Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate (in millions) (in years) (in millions) Outstanding at beginning of period 28 $ 211 Granted 5 329 Exercised (7) 175 Forfeited (1) 297 Outstanding at end of period 25 241 6.3 $ 6,610 Exercisable at end of period 12 179 4.7 3,932 Vested and expected to vest, end of period 25 240 6.2 6,509 Restricted Shares Restricted share activity for the year ended December 31, 2021 is summarized in the table below: (shares in millions) Shares Weighted-Average Nonvested at beginning of period 4 $ 256 Granted 2 352 Vested (2) 246 Nonvested at end of period 4 303 Other Share-Based Compensation Data (in millions, except per share amounts) For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Stock Options Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share $ 71 $ 54 $ 46 Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised 1,519 1,736 1,398 Restricted Shares Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share 352 303 259 Total fair value of restricted shares vested $ 560 $ 574 $ 545 Employee Stock Purchase Plan Number of shares purchased 1 1 1 Share-Based Compensation Items Share-based compensation expense, before tax $ 800 $ 679 $ 697 Share-based compensation expense, net of tax effects 719 619 641 Income tax benefit realized from share-based award exercises 173 208 201 (in millions, except years) December 31, 2021 Unrecognized compensation expense related to share awards $ 905 Weighted-average years to recognize compensation expense 1.3 Share-Based Compensation Recognition and Estimates The principal assumptions the Company used in calculating grant-date fair value for stock options were as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Risk-free interest rate 0.7% - 1.2% 0.2% - 1.4% 1.5% - 2.5% Expected volatility 29.2% - 29.8% 22.2% - 29.5% 19.4% - 21.6% Expected dividend yield 1.3% - 1.5% 1.4% - 1.7% 1.4% - 1.8% Forfeiture rate 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Expected life in years 4.8 5.1 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 exercises and forfeitures within the valuation model. The expected lives of options granted represents the period of time the awards granted are expected to be outstanding based on historical exercise patterns. Other Employee Benefit Plans The Company offers a 401(k) plan for its employees. Compensation expense related to this plan was not material for 2021, 2020 and 2019. In addition, the Company maintains non-qualified, deferred compensation plans, which allow certain members of senior management and executives to defer portions of their salary or bonus. The deferrals are recorded within long-term investments with an approximately equal amount in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total deferrals are distributable based upon termination of employment or other periods, as elected under each plan and were $1.8 billion and $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Commitments and Contingencies Leases Operating lease costs were $1.2 billion, $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and included immaterial variable and short-term lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Cash payments made on the Company’s operating lease liabilities were $921 million, $865 million and $746 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which were classified within operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate for its operating leases were 8.7 years and 2.9%, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, future minimum annual lease payments under all non-cancelable operating leases were as follows: (in millions) Future Minimum Lease Payments 2022 $ 870 2023 763 2024 616 2025 510 2026 407 Thereafter 1,716 Total future minimum lease payments 4,882 Less imputed interest (609) Total $ 4,273 Other Commitments The Company provides guarantees related to its service level under certain contracts. If minimum standards are not met, the Company may be financially at risk up to a stated percentage of the contracted fee or a stated dollar amount. None of the amounts accrued, paid or charged to income for service level guarantees were material as of December 31, 2021, 2020 or 2019. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding, undrawn letters of credit with financial institutions of $181 million and surety bonds outstanding with insurance companies of $1.3 billion, primarily to bond contractual performance. Pending Acquisitions In 2021, we entered into agreements to acquire multiple companies in the health care sector, most notably, Change Healthcare (NASDAQ: CHNG), subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. Additionally, in January 2022, we entered into agreements to acquire multiple companies in the health care sector, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. The total anticipated capital required for these acquisitions, excluding the payoff of acquired indebtedness, is approximately $12 billion. Legal Matters 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 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 CMS, state insurance and health and welfare departments, 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 (DOJ), the SEC, the IRS, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of Labor, the FDIC, the Defense Contract Audit Agency and other governmental authorities. Similarly, our international businesses are also subject to investigations, audits and reviews by applicable foreign governments, including South American and other non-U.S. 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 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 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 which may result from this matter given its procedural status.

Segment Financial Information (

Segment Financial Information (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
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 used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate its results of operations. Reportable segments with similar economic characteristics, products and services, customers, distribution methods and operational processes which operate in a similar regulatory environment are combined. The following is a description of the types of products and services from which each of the Company’s four reportable segments derives its revenues: • UnitedHealthcare includes the combined results of operations of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, UnitedHealthcare Community & State and UnitedHealthcare Global. The U.S. businesses share significant common assets, including a contracted network of physicians, health care professionals, hospitals and other facilities, information technology and consumer engagement infrastructure and other resources. UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual offers an array of consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for large national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, sole proprietorships and individuals nationwide. UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement provides health care coverage and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older, addressing their unique needs for preventive and acute health care services as well as services dealing with chronic disease and other specialized issues for older individuals. UnitedHealthcare Community & State provides diversified health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, the medically underserved and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. UnitedHealthcare Community & State’s primary customers oversee Medicaid plans, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and other federal, state and community health care programs. UnitedHealthcare Global provides health and dental benefits and hospital and clinical services to employer groups and individuals in South America, and other diversified global health businesses. • Optum Health focuses on care delivery, care management, wellness and consumer engagement, and health financial services. Optum Health is building a comprehensive, connected health care delivery and engagement platform by directly providing high-quality care, helping people manage chronic and complex health needs, and proactively engaging consumers in managing their health through in-person, in-home, virtual and digital clinical platforms. Optum Health offers access to networks of care provider specialists, health management services, care delivery, consumer engagement and financial services. • Optum Insight brings together advanced analytics, technology and health care expertise to deliver integrated services and solutions. Hospital systems, physicians, health plans, governments, life sciences companies and other organizations comprising the health care industry depend on Optum Insight to help them improve performance, achieve efficiency, reduce costs, meet compliance mandates and modernize their core operating systems to meet the changing needs of the health system. • Optum Rx offers pharmacy care services and programs, including retail network contracting, home delivery, specialty and community health pharmacy services, purchasing and clinical capabilities, and develops programs in areas such as step therapy, formulary management, drug adherence and disease/drug therapy management. Optum Rx integrates pharmacy and medical care and is positioned to serve patients with complex clinical needs and consumers looking for a better digital pharmacy experience with transparent pricing. The Company’s accounting policies for reportable segment operations are consistent with those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (see Note 2 ). Transactions between reportable segments principally consist of sales of pharmacy care products and services to UnitedHealthcare customers by Optum Rx, certain product offerings and care management and local and in-home care delivery services sold to UnitedHealthcare by Optum Health, and health information and technology solutions, consulting and other services sold to UnitedHealthcare by Optum Insight. These transactions are recorded at management’s estimate of fair value. Transactions with affiliated customers are eliminated in consolidation. Assets and liabilities jointly used are assigned to each reportable segment using estimates of pro-rata usage. Cash and investments are assigned so each reportable segment has working capital and/or at least minimum specified levels of regulatory capital. As a percentage of the Company’s total consolidated revenues, premium revenues from CMS were 36%, 36% and 33% for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, most of which were generated by UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement and included in the UnitedHealthcare segment. U.S. customer revenue represented approximately 97%, 97% and 96% of consolidated total revenues for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Long-lived fixed assets located in the United States represented approximately 78% and 75% of the total long-lived fixed assets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The non-U.S. revenues and fixed assets are primarily related to UnitedHealthcare Global. The following table presents the reportable segment financial information: Optum (in millions) UnitedHealthcare Optum Health Optum Insight Optum Rx Optum Eliminations Optum Corporate and Consolidated 2021 Revenues - unaffiliated customers: Premiums $ 212,381 $ 13,852 $ — $ — $ — $ 13,852 $ — $ 226,233 Products — 32 159 34,246 — 34,437 — 34,437 Services 9,661 9,894 3,936 1,112 — 14,942 — 24,603 Total revenues - unaffiliated customers 222,042 23,778 4,095 35,358 — 63,231 — 285,273 Total revenues - affiliated customers — 29,234 7,867 55,779 (2,013) 90,867 (90,867) — Investment and other income 857 1,053 237 177 — 1,467 — 2,324 Total revenues $ 222,899 $ 54,065 $ 12,199 $ 91,314 $ (2,013) $ 155,565 $ (90,867) $ 287,597 Earnings from operations $ 11,975 $ 4,462 $ 3,398 $ 4,135 $ — $ 11,995 $ — $ 23,970 Interest expense — — — — — — (1,660) (1,660) Earnings before income taxes $ 11,975 $ 4,462 $ 3,398 $ 4,135 $ — $ 11,995 $ (1,660) $ 22,310 Total assets $ 102,967 $ 60,474 $ 16,868 $ 40,181 $ — $ 117,523 $ (8,284) $ 212,206 Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software 795 791 567 301 — 1,659 — 2,454 Depreciation and amortization 1,004 818 684 597 — 2,099 — 3,103 2020 Revenues - unaffiliated customers: Premiums $ 191,679 $ 9,799 $ — $ — $ — $ 9,799 $ — $ 201,478 Products — 33 135 33,977 — 34,145 — 34,145 Services 8,464 6,815 3,687 1,050 — 11,552 — 20,016 Total revenues - unaffiliated customers 200,143 16,647 3,822 35,027 — 55,496 — 255,639 Total revenues - affiliated customers — 22,481 6,941 52,420 (1,800) 80,042 (80,042) — Investment and other income 732 680 39 51 — 770 — 1,502 Total revenues $ 200,875 $ 39,808 $ 10,802 $ 87,498 $ (1,800) $ 136,308 $ (80,042) $ 257,141 Earnings from operations $ 12,359 $ 3,434 $ 2,725 $ 3,887 $ — $ 10,046 $ — $ 22,405 Interest expense — — — — — — (1,663) (1,663) Earnings before income taxes $ 12,359 $ 3,434 $ 2,725 $ 3,887 $ — $ 10,046 $ (1,663) $ 20,742 Total assets $ 98,229 $ 52,073 $ 15,425 $ 39,280 $ — $ 106,778 $ (7,718) $ 197,289 Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software 687 715 461 188 — 1,364 — 2,051 Depreciation and amortization 920 703 670 598 — 1,971 — 2,891 2019 Revenues - unaffiliated customers: Premiums $ 183,783 $ 5,916 $ — $ — $ — $ 5,916 $ — $ 189,699 Products — 31 116 31,450 — 31,597 — 31,597 Services 8,922 5,732 3,630 689 — 10,051 — 18,973 Total revenues - unaffiliated customers 192,705 11,679 3,746 32,139 — 47,564 — 240,269 Total revenues - affiliated customers — 17,966 6,239 42,093 (1,661) 64,637 (64,637) — Investment and other income 1,137 672 21 56 — 749 — 1,886 Total revenues $ 193,842 $ 30,317 $ 10,006 $ 74,288 $ (1,661) $ 112,950 $ (64,637) $ 242,155 Earnings from operations $ 10,326 $ 2,963 $ 2,494 $ 3,902 $ — $ 9,359 $ — $ 19,685 Interest expense — — — — — — (1,704) (1,704) Earnings before income taxes $ 10,326 $ 2,963 $ 2,494 $ 3,902 $ — $ 9,359 $ (1,704) $ 17,981 Total assets $ 88,250 $ 40,444 $ 15,181 $ 36,346 $ — $ 91,971 $ (6,332) $ 173,889 Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software 841 573 495 162 — 1,230 — 2,071 Depreciation and amortization 926 565 672 557 — 1,794 — 2,720

Schedule I (Notes)

Schedule I (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block]	Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) UnitedHealth Group Condensed Balance Sheets (in millions, except per share data) December 31, December 31, Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,167 $ 258 Other current assets 503 562 Total current assets 2,670 820 Equity in net assets of subsidiaries 116,907 107,714 Long-term notes receivable from subsidiaries 5,680 5,021 Other assets 32 342 Total assets $ 125,289 $ 113,897 Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 605 $ 589 Current portion of notes payable to subsidiaries 8,105 4,882 Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt 3,009 4,465 Total current liabilities 11,719 9,936 Long-term debt, less current maturities 41,623 37,815 Other liabilities 187 655 Total liabilities 53,529 48,406 Commitments and contingencies (Note 4) Shareholders’ equity: Preferred stock, $0.001 par value -10 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding — — Common stock, $0.01 par value - 3,000 shares authorized; 941 and 946 issued and outstanding 10 10 Additional paid-in capital — — Retained earnings 77,134 69,295 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (5,384) (3,814) Total UnitedHealth Group shareholders’ equity 71,760 65,491 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 125,289 $ 113,897 See Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements of Registrant Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) UnitedHealth Group Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income For the Years Ended December 31, (in millions) 2021 2020 2019 Revenues: Investment and other income $ 494 $ 194 $ 209 Total revenues 494 194 209 Operating costs: Operating costs 40 27 38 Interest expense 1,583 1,594 1,580 Total operating costs 1,623 1,621 1,618 Loss before income taxes (1,129) (1,427) (1,409) Benefit for income taxes 231 300 293 Loss of parent company (898) (1,127) (1,116) Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries 18,183 16,530 14,955 Net earnings 17,285 15,403 13,839 Other comprehensive (loss) income (1,570) (236) 582 Comprehensive income $ 15,715 $ 15,167 $ 14,421 See Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements of Registrant Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) UnitedHealth Group Condensed Statements of Cash Flows For the Years Ended December 31, (in millions) 2021 2020 2019 Operating activities Cash flows from operating activities $ 11,439 $ 8,842 $ 9,275 Investing activities Issuances of notes to subsidiaries (444) (628) (2,722) Repayments of notes to subsidiaries 37 1,089 2,249 Cash paid for acquisitions (4,953) (7,706) (9,645) Return of capital to parent company 245 943 4,497 Capital contributions to subsidiaries (747) (43) (803) Other, net — 143 490 Cash flows used for investing activities (5,862) (6,202) (5,934) Financing activities Common stock repurchases (5,000) (4,250) (5,500) Proceeds from common stock issuances 1,355 1,440 1,037 Cash dividends paid (5,280) (4,584) (3,932) (Repayments of) proceeds from short-term borrowings, net (1,302) 872 300 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 6,933 4,864 5,444 Repayments of long-term debt (3,150) (3,150) (1,750) Proceeds from notes from subsidiaries 3,223 2,818 1,207 Other, net (447) (438) (535) Cash flows used for financing activities (3,668) (2,428) (3,729) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,909 212 (388) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 258 46 434 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 2,167 $ 258 $ 46 Supplemental cash flow disclosures Cash paid for interest $ 1,575 $ 1,633 $ 1,506 Cash paid for income taxes 3,050 4,185 2,590 See Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements of Registrant Schedule I Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) UnitedHealth Group Notes to Condensed Financial Statements 1. Basis of Presentation UnitedHealth Group’s parent company financial information has been derived from its consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. The accounting policies for the registrant are the same as those described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements. and Supplementary Data . ” 2. Subsidiary Transactions Investment in Subsidiaries. UnitedHealth Group’s investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries. Dividends and Capital Distributions. Cash dividends received from subsidiaries and included in Cash Flows from Operating Activities in the Condensed Statements of Cash Flows were $10.8 billion, $10.0 billion and $5.6 billion in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Additionally, $0.2 billion, $0.9 billion and $4.5 billion in cash were received as a return of capital to the parent company during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Discussion of short-term borrowings and long-term debt can be found in Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .” Long-term debt obligations of the parent company do not include other financing obligations at subsidiaries which totaled $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion at December 31, 2021 and 2020. Maturities of short-term borrowings and long-term debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows: (in millions) 2022 $ 3,015 2023 2,125 2024 2,500 2025 2,300 2026 2,500 Thereafter 32,677 UnitedHealth Group’s parent company had notes payable to subsidiaries of $8.1 billion and $4.9 billion as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which included on-demand features. 4. Commitments and Contingencies Certain regulated subsidiaries are guaranteed by UnitedHealth Group’s parent company in the event of insolvency. UnitedHealth Group’s parent company also provides guarantees related to its service level under certain contracts. None of the amounts accrued, paid or charged to income for service level guarantees were material as of December 31, 2021, 2020 or 2019. For a summary of commitments and contingencies, see Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements. and Supplementary Data ”

Basis of Presentation, Uses o_2

Basis of Presentation, Uses of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The Company has prepared the Consolidated Financial Statements according to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and has included the accounts of UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiaries.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates These Consolidated Financial Statements include certain amounts based on the Company’s best estimates and judgments. The Company’s most significant estimates relate to estimates and judgments for medical costs payable and goodwill. Certain of these estimates require the application of complex assumptions and judgments, often because they involve matters 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.
Revenue [Policy Text Block]	Revenues Premiums Premium revenues are primarily derived from risk-based health insurance arrangements in which the premium is typically at a fixed rate per individual served for a one-year period, and the Company assumes the economic risk of funding its customers’ health care and related administrative costs. Premium revenues are recognized in the period in which eligible individuals are entitled to receive health care benefits. Health care premium payments received from the Company’s customers in advance of the service period are recorded as unearned revenues. Fully insured commercial products of U.S. health plans, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Medicare Part D) plans with medical loss ratios (MLRs) as calculated under the definitions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and related federal and state regulations and implementing regulation, falling below certain targets are required to rebate ratable portions of their premiums annually. Commercial premiums within the Company’s individual and small group markets are also subject to the ACA risk adjustment program. Medicare Advantage premium revenue includes the impact of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality bonuses based on plans’ Star rating. Certain of the Company’s Medicaid business is also subject to state minimum MLR rebates. Premium revenues are recognized based on the estimated premiums earned, net of projected rebates, because the Company is able to reasonably estimate the ultimate premiums of these contracts. The Company also records premium revenues for certain value-based arrangements at its Optum Health care delivery businesses. Under these value-based arrangements, the Company enters into agreements with health plans to stand ready to deliver, integrate, direct and control certain health care services for the individuals enrolled. In exchange, the Company receives a premium that is typically paid on a per-member per-month basis. The Company considers these value-based arrangements to represent a single performance obligation where premium revenues are recognized in the period in which health care services are made available. The Company’s Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D premium revenues are subject to periodic adjustment under CMS’ risk adjustment payment methodology. CMS deploys a risk adjustment model which apportions premiums paid to all health plans according to health severity and certain demographic factors. The CMS risk adjustment model provides higher per member payments for enrollees diagnosed with certain conditions and lower payments for enrollees who are healthier. Under this risk adjustment methodology, CMS calculates the risk adjusted premium payment using diagnosis and encounter data from hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient and physician treatment settings. The Company and health care providers collect, capture and submit the necessary and available data to CMS within prescribed deadlines. The Company estimates risk adjustment premium revenues based upon the data submitted and expected to be submitted to CMS. Risk adjustment data for the Company’s plans are subject to review by the government, including audit by regulators. See Note 12 for additional information regarding these audits. Products and Services For the Company’s Optum Rx pharmacy care services business, the majority of revenues are derived from products sold through a contracted network of retail pharmacies or home delivery, specialty and community health pharmacies. Product revenues include the cost of pharmaceuticals (net of rebates), a negotiated dispensing fee and customer co-payments for drugs dispensed through the Company’s home delivery, specialty and community pharmacies. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized revenue and cost of products sold for retail pharmacy co-payments related to its Optum Rx business. Revenue recognized in prior periods related to retail pharmacy transactions excludes the member’s applicable co-payment. There was no impact on earnings from operations, net earnings, earnings per share or total equity. Pharmacy products are billed to customers based on the number of transactions occurring during the billing period. Product revenues are recognized when the prescriptions are dispensed. The Company has entered into contracts in which it is primarily obligated to pay its network pharmacy providers for benefits provided to their customers regardless of whether the Company is paid. The Company is also involved in establishing the prices charged by retail pharmacies, determining which drugs will be included in formulary listings and selecting which retail pharmacies will be included in the network offered to plan sponsors’ members and accordingly, are reported on a gross basis. Services revenue are comprised of a number of services and products sold through Optum. Optum Health’s service revenues include net patient service revenues recorded based upon established billing rates, less allowances for contractual adjustments, and are recognized as services are provided. For its financial services offerings, Optum Health charges fees and earns investment income on managed funds. Optum Insight provides software and information products, advisory consulting arrangements and managed services outsourcing contracts, which may be delivered over several years. Optum Insight revenues are generally recognized over time and measured each period based on the progress to date as services are performed or made available to customers. Services revenue also consists of fees derived from services performed for customers who self-insure the health care costs of their employees and employees’ dependents. Under service fee contracts, the Company receives monthly, a fixed fee per employee, which is recognized as revenue as the Company performs, or makes available, the applicable services to the customer. The customers retain the risk of financing health care costs for their employees and employees’ dependents, and the Company administers the payment of customer funds to physicians and other health care professionals from customer-funded bank accounts. As the Company has neither the obligation for funding the health care costs, nor the primary responsibility for providing the medical care, the Company does not recognize premium revenue and medical costs for these contracts in its Consolidated Financial Statements. For these fee-based customer arrangements, the Company provides coordination and facilitation of medical services; transaction processing; customer, consumer and care professional services; and access to contracted networks of physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals. These services are performed throughout the contract period. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, accounts receivables related to products and services were $5.4 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively. In 2021 and 2020, the Company had no material bad-debt expense and there were no material contract assets, contract liabilities or deferred contract costs recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 or 2020. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, revenue recognized from performance obligations related to prior periods (for example, due to changes in transaction price) was not material. Revenue expected to be recognized in any future year related to remaining performance obligations, excluding revenue pertaining to contracts having an original expected duration of one year or less, contracts where revenue is recognized as invoiced and contracts with variable consideration related to undelivered performance obligations, is not material. See Note 13 for disaggregation of revenue by segment and type.
Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable [Policy Text Block]	Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable The Company’s estimate of medical costs payable represents management’s best estimate of its liability for unpaid medical costs as of December 31, 2021. Each period, the Company re-examines previously established medical costs payable estimates based on actual claim submissions and other changes in facts and circumstances. As more complete claim information becomes available, the Company adjusts the amount of the estimates and includes the changes in estimates in medical costs in the period in which the change is identified. Approximately 90% of claims related to medical care services are known and settled within 90 days from the date of service and substantially all within twelve months. Medical costs and medical costs payable include estimates of the Company’s obligations for medical care services rendered on behalf of consumers, but for which claims have either not yet been received, processed, or paid. The Company develops estimates for medical care services incurred but not reported (IBNR), which includes estimates for claims which have not been received or fully processed, using an actuarial process consistently applied, centrally controlled and automated. The actuarial models consider factors such as time from date of service to claim processing, seasonal variances in medical care consumption, health care professional contract rate changes, medical care utilization and other medical cost trends, membership volume and demographics, the introduction of new technologies, benefit plan changes, and business mix changes related to products, customers and geography. Judgments related to these factors contemplated the impact of COVID-19. In developing its medical costs payable estimates, the Company applies different estimation methods depending on which incurred claims are being estimated. For the most recent two months, the Company estimates claim costs incurred by applying observed medical cost trend factors to the average per member per month (PMPM) medical costs incurred in prior months for which more complete claim data are available, supplemented by a review of near-term completion factors (actuarial estimates, based upon historical experience and analysis of current trends, of the percentage of incurred claims during a given period adjudicated by the Company at the date of estimation). For months prior to the most recent two months, the Company applies the completion factors to actual claims adjudicated-to-date to estimate the expected amount of ultimate incurred claims for those months.
Cost of Goods and Service [Policy Text Block]	Cost of Products Sold The Company’s cost of products sold includes the cost of pharmaceuticals dispensed to unaffiliated customers either directly at its home delivery, specialty and community pharmacy locations, or indirectly through its nationwide network of participating pharmacies. Rebates attributable to unaffiliated clients are accrued as rebates receivable and a reduction of cost of products sold, with a corresponding payable for the amounts of the rebates to be remitted to those unaffiliated clients in accordance with their contracts and recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a reduction of product revenue. Cost of products sold also includes the cost of personnel to support the Company’s transaction processing services, system sales, maintenance and professional services.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments Cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments having an original maturity of three months or less. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their carrying value because of the short maturity of the instruments.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Investments with maturities of less than one year are classified as short-term. Because of regulatory requirements, certain investments are included in long-term investments regardless of their maturity date. The Company classifies these investments as held-to-maturity and reports them at amortized cost. Substantially all other investments are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value based on quoted market prices, where available. Equity investments, with certain exceptions, are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. The Company excludes unrealized gains and losses on investments in available-for-sale debt securities from net earnings and reports them as comprehensive income and, net of income tax effects, as a separate component of equity. To calculate realized gains and losses on the sale of debt securities, the Company specifically identifies the cost of each investment sold. The Company evaluates an available-for-sale debt security for credit-related impairment by considering the present value of expected cash flows relative to a security’s amortized cost, the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and specific events or circumstances which may influence the operations of the issuer. Credit-related impairments are recorded as an allowance, with an offset to investment and other income. Non-credit related impairments are recorded through other comprehensive income. If the Company intends to sell an impaired security, or will likely be required to sell a security before recovery of the entire amortized cost, the entire impairment is included in net earnings.
AARP Assets Under Management [Policy Text Block]	Assets Under Management The Company provides health insurance products and services to members of AARP under a Supplemental Health Insurance Program (the AARP Program) and to AARP members and non-members under separate Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D arrangements. The products and services under the AARP Program include supplemental Medicare benefits, hospital indemnity insurance, including insurance for individuals between 50 to 64 years of age, and other related products. Pursuant to the Company’s agreement with AARP, program assets are managed separately from the Company’s general investment portfolio and are used to pay costs associated with the AARP Program. These assets are invested at the Company’s discretion, within investment guidelines approved by AARP. The Company does not guarantee any rates of return on these investments and, upon any transfer of the AARP Program contract to another entity, the Company would transfer cash equal in amount to the fair value of these investments at the date of transfer to the entity. Because the purpose of these assets is to fund the medical costs payable, the rate stabilization fund (RSF) liabilities and other related liabilities associated with this AARP contract, assets under management are classified as current assets, consistent with the classification of these liabilities.
Receivable [Policy Text Block]	Other Current Receivables Other current receivables include amounts due from pharmaceutical manufacturers for rebates and Medicare Part D drug discounts, accrued interest and other miscellaneous amounts due to the Company. The Company’s pharmacy care services businesses contract with pharmaceutical manufacturers, some of which provide rebates based on use of the manufacturers’ products by its affiliated and unaffiliated clients. The Company accrues rebates as they are earned by its clients on a monthly basis based on the terms of the applicable contracts, historical data and current estimates. The pharmacy care services businesses bill these rebates to the manufacturers on a monthly or quarterly basis depending on the contractual terms and record rebates attributable to affiliated clients as a reduction to medical costs. The Company generally receives rebates two to five months after billing. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, total pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates receivable included in other receivables in the Consolidated Balance Sheets amounted to $7.2 billion and $6.3 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s Medicare Part D receivables amounted to $3.4 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software Property, equipment and capitalized software are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Capitalized software consists of certain costs incurred in the development of internal-use software, including external direct costs of materials and services and applicable payroll costs of employees devoted to specific software development. The Company calculates depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives for property, equipment and capitalized software are: Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3 to 10 years Buildings 35 to 40 years Capitalized software 3 to 5 years Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining lease term or their estimated useful economic life.
Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]	Operating Leases The Company leases facilities and equipment under long-term operating leases which are non-cancelable and expire on various dates. At the lease commencement date, lease right-of-use (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 closely matching the lease term.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill To determine whether goodwill is impaired, annually or more frequently if needed, the Company performs impairment tests. The Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. The Company may also elect to skip the qualitative testing and proceed directly to the quantitative testing. When performing quantitative testing, the Company first estimates the fair values of its reporting units using discounted cash flows or a weighted combination of discounted cash flows and a market-based method. To determine fair values, the Company must make assumptions about a wide variety of internal and external factors. Significant assumptions used in the impairment analysis include financial projections of free cash flow (including significant assumptions about operations, capital requirements and income taxes), long-term growth rates for determining terminal value, discount rates and the selection of comparable peer companies. If the fair value is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, an impairment is recognized for the difference, up to the carrying amount of goodwill. There was no impairment of goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Intangible Assets The Company’s intangible assets are subject to impairment tests when events or circumstances indicate an intangible asset (or asset group) may be impaired. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets are also tested for impairment annually. There was no impairment of intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Other Current Liabilities [Policy Text Block]	Other Current Liabilities Other current liabilities include health savings account deposits ($11.4 billion and $10.2 billion as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively), accruals for premium rebates payable, the RSF associated with the AARP Program, the current portion of future policy benefits and customer balances.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Policy Acquisition Costs The Company’s short duration health insurance contracts typically have a one-year term and may be canceled by the customer with at least 30 days’ notice. Costs related to the acquisition and renewal of short duration customer contracts are primarily charged to expense as incurred.
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Company’s subsidiaries whose redemption is outside the control of the Company are classified as temporary equity. The following table provides details of the Company's redeemable noncontrolling interests’ activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: (in millions) 2021 2020 Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning of period $ 2,211 $ 1,726 Net earnings 87 112 Acquisitions 28 321 Redemptions (1,338) — Distributions (255) (149) Fair value and other adjustments 701 201 Redeemable noncontrolling interests, end of period $ 1,434 $ 2,211
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]	Share-Based CompensationThe Company recognizes compensation expense for share-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock and restricted stock units (collectively, restricted shares), on a straight-line basis over the related service period (generally the vesting period) of the award, or to an employee’s eligible retirement date under the award agreement, if earlier. Restricted shares vest ratably, primarily over four four
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Net Earnings Per Common Share The Company computes basic earnings per common share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders by dividing net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company determines diluted net earnings per common share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for potentially dilutive shares associated with stock options, restricted shares and the ESPP (collectively, common stock equivalents), using the treasury stock method. The treasury stock method assumes a hypothetical issuance of shares to settle the share-based awards, with the assumed proceeds used to purchase common stock at the average market price for the period. Assumed proceeds include the amount the employee must pay upon exercise and the average unrecognized compensation cost. The difference between the number of shares assumed issued and number of shares assumed purchased represents the dilutive shares.
Health Insurance Industry Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	ACA Tax The Health Insurance Tax was permanently repealed by Congress, effective January 1, 2021. The permanent repeal of the tax impacts year-over-year comparability of our financial statements, including revenues, operating costs, medical care ratio (MCR), operating cost ratio, effective tax rate and cash flows from operations.

Fair Value Fair Value (Policies

Fair Value Fair Value (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value in the Consolidated Financial Statements or have fair values disclosed in the Notes to the 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 which 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 inactive markets (e.g., few transactions, limited information, noncurrent prices, high variability over time); • Inputs other than quoted prices observable for the asset/liability (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, implied volatilities, credit spreads); and • Inputs corroborated by other observable market data. Level 3 — Unobservable inputs cannot be corroborated by observable market data. There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 financial assets or liabilities during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020. Nonfinancial assets and liabilities or financial assets and liabilities 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. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized $840 million of unrealized gains in investment and other income related to fair value adjustments on equity securities primarily in our venture portfolio, based on transactions of the same or similar security. There were no other significant fair value adjustments for these assets and liabilities recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020. 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 which 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 currently observable in the markets for similar securities. Inputs 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 to the prices obtained from the pricing service. Fair values of debt securities which 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 corporate bonds, which are not a significant portion of our investments, are estimated using valuation techniques relying heavily on management assumptions and qualitative observations. 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 such understanding. Assets Under Management. Assets under management consists 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. Long-Term Debt. The fair values of the Company’s long-term debt are estimated and classified using the same methodologies as the Company’s investments in debt securities.

Schedule I (Policies)

Schedule I (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation, Use of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The Company has prepared the Consolidated Financial Statements according to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and has included the accounts of UnitedHealth Group and its subsidiaries. Use of Estimates These Consolidated Financial Statements include certain amounts based on the Company’s best estimates and judgments. The Company’s most significant estimates relate to estimates and judgments for medical costs payable and goodwill. Certain of these estimates require the application of complex assumptions and judgments, often because they involve matters 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. Revenues Premiums Premium revenues are primarily derived from risk-based health insurance arrangements in which the premium is typically at a fixed rate per individual served for a one-year period, and the Company assumes the economic risk of funding its customers’ health care and related administrative costs. Premium revenues are recognized in the period in which eligible individuals are entitled to receive health care benefits. Health care premium payments received from the Company’s customers in advance of the service period are recorded as unearned revenues. Fully insured commercial products of U.S. health plans, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Medicare Part D) plans with medical loss ratios (MLRs) as calculated under the definitions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and related federal and state regulations and implementing regulation, falling below certain targets are required to rebate ratable portions of their premiums annually. Commercial premiums within the Company’s individual and small group markets are also subject to the ACA risk adjustment program. Medicare Advantage premium revenue includes the impact of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality bonuses based on plans’ Star rating. Certain of the Company’s Medicaid business is also subject to state minimum MLR rebates. Premium revenues are recognized based on the estimated premiums earned, net of projected rebates, because the Company is able to reasonably estimate the ultimate premiums of these contracts. The Company also records premium revenues for certain value-based arrangements at its Optum Health care delivery businesses. Under these value-based arrangements, the Company enters into agreements with health plans to stand ready to deliver, integrate, direct and control certain health care services for the individuals enrolled. In exchange, the Company receives a premium that is typically paid on a per-member per-month basis. The Company considers these value-based arrangements to represent a single performance obligation where premium revenues are recognized in the period in which health care services are made available. The Company’s Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D premium revenues are subject to periodic adjustment under CMS’ risk adjustment payment methodology. CMS deploys a risk adjustment model which apportions premiums paid to all health plans according to health severity and certain demographic factors. The CMS risk adjustment model provides higher per member payments for enrollees diagnosed with certain conditions and lower payments for enrollees who are healthier. Under this risk adjustment methodology, CMS calculates the risk adjusted premium payment using diagnosis and encounter data from hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient and physician treatment settings. The Company and health care providers collect, capture and submit the necessary and available data to CMS within prescribed deadlines. The Company estimates risk adjustment premium revenues based upon the data submitted and expected to be submitted to CMS. Risk adjustment data for the Company’s plans are subject to review by the government, including audit by regulators. See Note 12 for additional information regarding these audits. Products and Services For the Company’s Optum Rx pharmacy care services business, the majority of revenues are derived from products sold through a contracted network of retail pharmacies or home delivery, specialty and community health pharmacies. Product revenues include the cost of pharmaceuticals (net of rebates), a negotiated dispensing fee and customer co-payments for drugs dispensed through the Company’s home delivery, specialty and community pharmacies. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized revenue and cost of products sold for retail pharmacy co-payments related to its Optum Rx business. Revenue recognized in prior periods related to retail pharmacy transactions excludes the member’s applicable co-payment. There was no impact on earnings from operations, net earnings, earnings per share or total equity. Pharmacy products are billed to customers based on the number of transactions occurring during the billing period. Product revenues are recognized when the prescriptions are dispensed. The Company has entered into contracts in which it is primarily obligated to pay its network pharmacy providers for benefits provided to their customers regardless of whether the Company is paid. The Company is also involved in establishing the prices charged by retail pharmacies, determining which drugs will be included in formulary listings and selecting which retail pharmacies will be included in the network offered to plan sponsors’ members and accordingly, are reported on a gross basis. Services revenue are comprised of a number of services and products sold through Optum. Optum Health’s service revenues include net patient service revenues recorded based upon established billing rates, less allowances for contractual adjustments, and are recognized as services are provided. For its financial services offerings, Optum Health charges fees and earns investment income on managed funds. Optum Insight provides software and information products, advisory consulting arrangements and managed services outsourcing contracts, which may be delivered over several years. Optum Insight revenues are generally recognized over time and measured each period based on the progress to date as services are performed or made available to customers. Services revenue also consists of fees derived from services performed for customers who self-insure the health care costs of their employees and employees’ dependents. Under service fee contracts, the Company receives monthly, a fixed fee per employee, which is recognized as revenue as the Company performs, or makes available, the applicable services to the customer. The customers retain the risk of financing health care costs for their employees and employees’ dependents, and the Company administers the payment of customer funds to physicians and other health care professionals from customer-funded bank accounts. As the Company has neither the obligation for funding the health care costs, nor the primary responsibility for providing the medical care, the Company does not recognize premium revenue and medical costs for these contracts in its Consolidated Financial Statements. For these fee-based customer arrangements, the Company provides coordination and facilitation of medical services; transaction processing; customer, consumer and care professional services; and access to contracted networks of physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals. These services are performed throughout the contract period. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, accounts receivables related to products and services were $5.4 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively. In 2021 and 2020, the Company had no material bad-debt expense and there were no material contract assets, contract liabilities or deferred contract costs recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 or 2020. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, revenue recognized from performance obligations related to prior periods (for example, due to changes in transaction price) was not material. Revenue expected to be recognized in any future year related to remaining performance obligations, excluding revenue pertaining to contracts having an original expected duration of one year or less, contracts where revenue is recognized as invoiced and contracts with variable consideration related to undelivered performance obligations, is not material. See Note 13 for disaggregation of revenue by segment and type. Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable The Company’s estimate of medical costs payable represents management’s best estimate of its liability for unpaid medical costs as of December 31, 2021. Each period, the Company re-examines previously established medical costs payable estimates based on actual claim submissions and other changes in facts and circumstances. As more complete claim information becomes available, the Company adjusts the amount of the estimates and includes the changes in estimates in medical costs in the period in which the change is identified. Approximately 90% of claims related to medical care services are known and settled within 90 days from the date of service and substantially all within twelve months. Medical costs and medical costs payable include estimates of the Company’s obligations for medical care services rendered on behalf of consumers, but for which claims have either not yet been received, processed, or paid. The Company develops estimates for medical care services incurred but not reported (IBNR), which includes estimates for claims which have not been received or fully processed, using an actuarial process consistently applied, centrally controlled and automated. The actuarial models consider factors such as time from date of service to claim processing, seasonal variances in medical care consumption, health care professional contract rate changes, medical care utilization and other medical cost trends, membership volume and demographics, the introduction of new technologies, benefit plan changes, and business mix changes related to products, customers and geography. Judgments related to these factors contemplated the impact of COVID-19. In developing its medical costs payable estimates, the Company applies different estimation methods depending on which incurred claims are being estimated. For the most recent two months, the Company estimates claim costs incurred by applying observed medical cost trend factors to the average per member per month (PMPM) medical costs incurred in prior months for which more complete claim data are available, supplemented by a review of near-term completion factors (actuarial estimates, based upon historical experience and analysis of current trends, of the percentage of incurred claims during a given period adjudicated by the Company at the date of estimation). For months prior to the most recent two months, the Company applies the completion factors to actual claims adjudicated-to-date to estimate the expected amount of ultimate incurred claims for those months. Cost of Products Sold The Company’s cost of products sold includes the cost of pharmaceuticals dispensed to unaffiliated customers either directly at its home delivery, specialty and community pharmacy locations, or indirectly through its nationwide network of participating pharmacies. Rebates attributable to unaffiliated clients are accrued as rebates receivable and a reduction of cost of products sold, with a corresponding payable for the amounts of the rebates to be remitted to those unaffiliated clients in accordance with their contracts and recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a reduction of product revenue. Cost of products sold also includes the cost of personnel to support the Company’s transaction processing services, system sales, maintenance and professional services. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments Cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments having an original maturity of three months or less. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their carrying value because of the short maturity of the instruments. Investments with maturities of less than one year are classified as short-term. Because of regulatory requirements, certain investments are included in long-term investments regardless of their maturity date. The Company classifies these investments as held-to-maturity and reports them at amortized cost. Substantially all other investments are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value based on quoted market prices, where available. Equity investments, with certain exceptions, are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. The Company excludes unrealized gains and losses on investments in available-for-sale debt securities from net earnings and reports them as comprehensive income and, net of income tax effects, as a separate component of equity. To calculate realized gains and losses on the sale of debt securities, the Company specifically identifies the cost of each investment sold. The Company evaluates an available-for-sale debt security for credit-related impairment by considering the present value of expected cash flows relative to a security’s amortized cost, the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and specific events or circumstances which may influence the operations of the issuer. Credit-related impairments are recorded as an allowance, with an offset to investment and other income. Non-credit related impairments are recorded through other comprehensive income. If the Company intends to sell an impaired security, or will likely be required to sell a security before recovery of the entire amortized cost, the entire impairment is included in net earnings. New information and the passage of time can change these judgments. The Company manages its investment portfolio to limit its exposure to any one issuer or market sector, and largely limits its investments to investment grade quality. Securities downgraded below policy minimums after purchase will be disposed of in accordance with the Company’s investment policy. Assets Under Management The Company provides health insurance products and services to members of AARP under a Supplemental Health Insurance Program (the AARP Program) and to AARP members and non-members under separate Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D arrangements. The products and services under the AARP Program include supplemental Medicare benefits, hospital indemnity insurance, including insurance for individuals between 50 to 64 years of age, and other related products. Pursuant to the Company’s agreement with AARP, program assets are managed separately from the Company’s general investment portfolio and are used to pay costs associated with the AARP Program. These assets are invested at the Company’s discretion, within investment guidelines approved by AARP. The Company does not guarantee any rates of return on these investments and, upon any transfer of the AARP Program contract to another entity, the Company would transfer cash equal in amount to the fair value of these investments at the date of transfer to the entity. Because the purpose of these assets is to fund the medical costs payable, the rate stabilization fund (RSF) liabilities and other related liabilities associated with this AARP contract, assets under management are classified as current assets, consistent with the classification of these liabilities. Other Current Receivables Other current receivables include amounts due from pharmaceutical manufacturers for rebates and Medicare Part D drug discounts, accrued interest and other miscellaneous amounts due to the Company. The Company’s pharmacy care services businesses contract with pharmaceutical manufacturers, some of which provide rebates based on use of the manufacturers’ products by its affiliated and unaffiliated clients. The Company accrues rebates as they are earned by its clients on a monthly basis based on the terms of the applicable contracts, historical data and current estimates. The pharmacy care services businesses bill these rebates to the manufacturers on a monthly or quarterly basis depending on the contractual terms and record rebates attributable to affiliated clients as a reduction to medical costs. The Company generally receives rebates two to five months after billing. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, total pharmaceutical manufacturer rebates receivable included in other receivables in the Consolidated Balance Sheets amounted to $7.2 billion and $6.3 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company’s Medicare Part D receivables amounted to $3.4 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively. Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software Property, equipment and capitalized software are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Capitalized software consists of certain costs incurred in the development of internal-use software, including external direct costs of materials and services and applicable payroll costs of employees devoted to specific software development. The Company calculates depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives for property, equipment and capitalized software are: Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3 to 10 years Buildings 35 to 40 years Capitalized software 3 to 5 years Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining lease term or their estimated useful economic life. Operating Leases The Company leases facilities and equipment under long-term operating leases which are non-cancelable and expire on various dates. At the lease commencement date, lease right-of-use (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 closely matching 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 Consolidated Balance Sheet. Goodwill To determine whether goodwill is impaired, annually or more frequently if needed, the Company performs impairment tests. The Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. The Company may also elect to skip the qualitative testing and proceed directly to the quantitative testing. When performing quantitative testing, the Company first estimates the fair values of its reporting units using discounted cash flows or a weighted combination of discounted cash flows and a market-based method. To determine fair values, the Company must make assumptions about a wide variety of internal and external factors. Significant assumptions used in the impairment analysis include financial projections of free cash flow (including significant assumptions about operations, capital requirements and income taxes), long-term growth rates for determining terminal value, discount rates and the selection of comparable peer companies. If the fair value is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, an impairment is recognized for the difference, up to the carrying amount of goodwill. There was no impairment of goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Intangible Assets The Company’s intangible assets are subject to impairment tests when events or circumstances indicate an intangible asset (or asset group) may be impaired. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets are also tested for impairment annually. There was no impairment of intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Other Current Liabilities Other current liabilities include health savings account deposits ($11.4 billion and $10.2 billion as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively), accruals for premium rebates payable, the RSF associated with the AARP Program, the current portion of future policy benefits and customer balances. Policy Acquisition Costs The Company’s short duration health insurance contracts typically have a one-year term and may be canceled by the customer with at least 30 days’ notice. Costs related to the acquisition and renewal of short duration customer contracts are primarily charged to expense as incurred. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Company’s subsidiaries whose redemption is outside the control of the Company are classified as temporary equity. The following table provides details of the Company's redeemable noncontrolling interests’ activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: (in millions) 2021 2020 Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning of period $ 2,211 $ 1,726 Net earnings 87 112 Acquisitions 28 321 Redemptions (1,338) — Distributions (255) (149) Fair value and other adjustments 701 201 Redeemable noncontrolling interests, end of period $ 1,434 $ 2,211 Share-Based Compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense for share-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock and restricted stock units (collectively, restricted shares), on a straight-line basis over the related service period (generally the vesting period) of the award, or to an employee’s eligible retirement date under the award agreement, if earlier. Restricted shares vest ratably, primarily over four four Net Earnings Per Common Share The Company computes basic earnings per common share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders by dividing net earnings attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company determines diluted net earnings per common share attributable to UnitedHealth Group common shareholders using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for potentially dilutive shares associated with stock options, restricted shares and the ESPP (collectively, common stock equivalents), using the treasury stock method. The treasury stock method assumes a hypothetical issuance of shares to settle the share-based awards, with the assumed proceeds used to purchase common stock at the average market price for the period. Assumed proceeds include the amount the employee must pay upon exercise and the average unrecognized compensation cost. The difference between the number of shares assumed issued and number of shares assumed purchased represents the dilutive shares. ACA Tax The Health Insurance Tax was permanently repealed by Congress, effective January 1, 2021. The permanent repeal of the tax impacts year-over-year comparability of our financial statements, including revenues, operating costs, medical care ratio (MCR), operating cost ratio, effective tax rate and cash flows from operations.
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Company’s subsidiaries whose redemption is outside the control of the Company are classified as temporary equity. The following table provides details of the Company's redeemable noncontrolling interests’ activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: (in millions) 2021 2020 Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning of period $ 2,211 $ 1,726 Net earnings 87 112 Acquisitions 28 321 Redemptions (1,338) — Distributions (255) (149) Fair value and other adjustments 701 201 Redeemable noncontrolling interests, end of period $ 1,434 $ 2,211
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation UnitedHealth Group’s parent company financial information has been derived from its consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. The accounting policies for the registrant are the same as those described in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements. and Supplementary Data . ”
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Subsidiary Transactions Investment in Subsidiaries. UnitedHealth Group’s investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries.

Basis of Presentation, Uses o_3

Basis of Presentation, Uses of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	A summary of property, equipment and capitalized software is as follows: (in millions) December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Land and improvements $ 502 $ 533 Buildings and improvements 4,882 4,759 Computer equipment 1,851 1,767 Furniture and fixtures 2,014 1,787 Less accumulated depreciation (3,857) (3,364) Property and equipment, net 5,392 5,482 Capitalized software 5,712 5,010 Less accumulated amortization (2,135) (1,866) Capitalized software, net 3,577 3,144 Total property, equipment and capitalized software, net $ 8,969 $ 8,626
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block]	The following table provides details of the Company's redeemable noncontrolling interests’ activity for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020: (in millions) 2021 2020 Redeemable noncontrolling interests, beginning of period $ 2,211 $ 1,726 Net earnings 87 112 Acquisitions 28 321 Redemptions (1,338) — Distributions (255) (149) Fair value and other adjustments 701 201 Redeemable noncontrolling interests, end of period $ 1,434 $ 2,211
Useful Life [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	The Company calculates depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives for property, equipment and capitalized software are: Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3 to 10 years Buildings 35 to 40 years Capitalized software 3 to 5 years

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Short-Term and Long-Term Investments [Table Text Block]	A summary of debt securities by major security type is as follows: (in millions) Amortized Gross Gross Fair December 31, 2021 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ 3,206 $ 23 $ (31) $ 3,198 State and municipal obligations 6,829 297 (20) 7,106 Corporate obligations 20,947 372 (145) 21,174 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 5,868 88 (55) 5,901 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 2,819 42 (23) 2,838 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 39,669 822 (274) 40,217 Debt securities - held-to-maturity: U.S. government and agency obligations 511 2 (2) 511 State and municipal obligations 30 2 — 32 Corporate obligations 100 — — 100 Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 641 4 (2) 643 Total debt securities $ 40,310 $ 826 $ (276) $ 40,860 December 31, 2020 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations $ 3,335 $ 133 $ (3) $ 3,465 State and municipal obligations 6,893 435 — 7,328 Corporate obligations 18,886 863 (12) 19,737 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 6,849 245 (3) 7,091 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 2,116 95 (4) 2,207 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 38,079 1,771 (22) 39,828 Debt securities - held-to-maturity: U.S. government and agency obligations 420 6 — 426 State and municipal obligations 31 2 — 33 Corporate obligations 187 1 — 188 Total debt securities - held-to-maturity 638 9 — 647 Total debt securities $ 38,717 $ 1,780 $ (22) $ 40,475
Investments by Contractual Maturity [Table Text Block]	The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities as of December 31, 2021, by contractual maturity, were as follows: Available-for-Sale Held-to-Maturity (in millions) Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Due in one year or less $ 2,603 $ 2,614 $ 235 $ 236 Due after one year through five years 12,885 13,065 355 354 Due after five years through ten years 11,342 11,524 28 29 Due after ten years 4,152 4,275 23 24 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 5,868 5,901 — — Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 2,819 2,838 — — Total debt securities $ 39,669 $ 40,217 $ 641 $ 643
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	The fair value of available-for-sale debt securities 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 December 31, 2021 U.S. government and agency obligations $ 1,976 $ (18) $ 249 $ (13) $ 2,225 $ (31) State and municipal obligations 1,386 (19) 31 (1) $ 1,417 $ (20) Corporate obligations 9,357 (130) 376 (15) 9,733 (145) U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 3,078 (52) 116 (3) 3,194 (55) Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 1,321 (18) 114 (5) 1,435 (23) Total debt securities - available-for-sale $ 17,118 $ (237) $ 886 $ (37) $ 18,004 $ (274) December 31, 2020 U.S. government and agency obligations $ 346 $ (3) $ — $ — $ 346 $ (3) Corporate obligations 1,273 (9) 456 (3) 1,729 (12) U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 601 (3) — — 601 (3) Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities 195 (1) 93 (3) 288 (4) Total debt securities - available-for-sale $ 2,415 $ (16) $ 549 $ (6) $ 2,964 $ (22)

Fair Value (Tables)

Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
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 Consolidated Balance Sheets: (in millions) Quoted Prices Other Unobservable Total December 31, 2021 Cash and cash equivalents $ 21,359 $ 16 $ — $ 21,375 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations 3,017 181 — 3,198 State and municipal obligations — 7,106 — 7,106 Corporate obligations 40 20,916 218 21,174 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 5,901 — 5,901 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 2,838 — 2,838 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 3,057 36,942 218 40,217 Equity securities 2,090 23 64 2,177 Assets under management 1,972 2,376 101 4,449 Total assets at fair value $ 28,478 $ 39,357 $ 383 $ 68,218 Percentage of total assets at fair value 42 % 57 % 1 % 100 % December 31, 2020 Cash and cash equivalents $ 16,841 $ 80 $ — $ 16,921 Debt securities - available-for-sale: U.S. government and agency obligations 3,241 224 — 3,465 State and municipal obligations — 7,328 — 7,328 Corporate obligations 25 19,424 288 19,737 U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 7,091 — 7,091 Non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities — 2,207 — 2,207 Total debt securities - available-for-sale 3,266 36,274 288 39,828 Equity securities 1,795 33 — 1,828 Assets under management 1,774 2,250 52 4,076 Total assets at fair value $ 23,676 $ 38,637 $ 340 $ 62,653 Percentage of total assets at fair value 38 % 61 % 1 % 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 Consolidated Balance Sheets: (in millions) Quoted Prices Other Unobservable Total Total Carrying Value December 31, 2021 Debt securities - held-to-maturity $ 534 $ 102 $ 7 $ 643 $ 641 Long-term debt and other financing obligations $ — $ 52,583 $ — $ 52,583 $ 46,003 December 31, 2020 Debt securities - held-to-maturity $ 466 $ 108 $ 73 $ 647 $ 638 Long-term debt and other financing obligations $ — $ 51,254 $ — $ 51,254 $ 42,171

Property, Plant, and Capitali_2

Property, Plant, and Capitalized Software (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	A summary of property, equipment and capitalized software is as follows: (in millions) December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Land and improvements $ 502 $ 533 Buildings and improvements 4,882 4,759 Computer equipment 1,851 1,767 Furniture and fixtures 2,014 1,787 Less accumulated depreciation (3,857) (3,364) Property and equipment, net 5,392 5,482 Capitalized software 5,712 5,010 Less accumulated amortization (2,135) (1,866) Capitalized software, net 3,577 3,144 Total property, equipment and capitalized software, net $ 8,969 $ 8,626

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Goodwill [Line Items]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by reportable segment, were as follows: (in millions) UnitedHealthcare Optum Health Optum Insight Optum Rx Consolidated Balance at January 1, 2020 $ 27,228 $ 15,342 $ 8,292 $ 14,797 $ 65,659 Acquisitions 1,180 4,500 — 699 6,379 Foreign currency effects and other adjustments, net (623) 2 (119) 39 (701) Balance at December 31, 2020 27,785 19,844 8,173 15,535 71,337 Acquisitions 60 4,648 96 — 4,804 Foreign currency effects and other adjustments, net (456) (268) 350 28 (346) Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 27,389 $ 24,224 $ 8,619 $ 15,563 $ 75,795
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]	The gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net carrying value of other intangible assets were as follows: December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in millions) Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Customer-related $ 13,011 $ (4,697) $ 8,314 $ 13,428 $ (4,575) $ 8,853 Trademarks and technology 1,630 (739) 891 1,597 (624) 973 Trademarks and other indefinite-lived 617 — 617 680 — 680 Other 422 (200) 222 606 (256) 350 Total $ 15,680 $ (5,636) $ 10,044 $ 16,311 $ (5,455) $ 10,856
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table Text Block]	The acquisition date fair values and weighted-average useful lives assigned to finite-lived intangible assets acquired in business combinations consisted of the following by year of acquisition: 2021 2020 (in millions, except years) Fair Value Weighted-Average Useful Life Fair Value Weighted-Average Useful Life Customer-related $ 484 9 years $ 1,113 11 years Trademarks and technology 147 5 years 514 10 years Other 29 11 years 95 10 years Total acquired finite-lived intangible assets $ 660 8 years $ 1,722 11 years
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	Estimated full year amortization expense relating to intangible assets for each of the next five years ending December 31 is as follows: (in millions) 2022 $ 1,098 2023 1,033 2024 972 2025 892 2026 757

Medical Costs Payable (Tables)

Medical Costs Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
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 years ended December 31: (in millions) 2021 2020 2019 Medical costs payable, beginning of period $ 21,872 $ 21,690 $ 19,891 Acquisitions 88 316 679 Reported medical costs: Current year 188,631 160,276 157,020 Prior years (1,720) (880) (580) Total reported medical costs 186,911 159,396 156,440 Medical payments: Payments for current year (165,524) (139,974) (137,155) Payments for prior years (18,864) (19,556) (18,165) Total medical payments (184,388) (159,530) (155,320) Medical costs payable, end of period $ 24,483 $ 21,872 $ 21,690
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Table Text Block]	The following is information about incurred and paid medical cost development as of December 31, 2021: Net Incurred Medical Costs (in millions) For the Years Ended December 31, Year 2020 2021 2020 $ 160,276 $ 159,140 2021 188,631 Total $ 347,771 Net Cumulative Medical Payments (in millions) For the Years Ended December 31, Year 2020 2021 2020 $ (139,974) $ (158,182) 2021 (165,524) Total (323,706) Net remaining outstanding liabilities prior to 2020 418 Total medical costs payable $ 24,483

Short-Term Borrowings and Lon_2

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt [Table Text Block]	Short-term borrowings and senior unsecured long-term debt consisted of the following: Carrying Value As of December 31, (in millions, except percentages) 2021 2020 Commercial paper $ — $ 1,296 $400 million 4.700% notes due February 2021 — 400 $750 million 2.125% notes due March 2021 — 750 $350 million Floating rate notes due June 2021 — 350 $400 million 3.150% notes due June 2021 — 400 $500 million 3.375% notes due November 2021 — 507 $750 million 2.875% notes due December 2021 — 762 $1,100 million 2.875% notes due March 2022 1,097 1,113 $1,000 million 3.350% notes due July 2022 999 999 $900 million 2.375% notes due October 2022 899 897 $15 million 0.000% notes due November 2022 14 14 $625 million 2.750% notes due February 2023 632 644 $750 million 2.875% notes due March 2023 768 789 $750 million 3.500% notes due June 2023 749 748 $750 million 3.500% notes due February 2024 748 747 $1,000 million 0.550% notes due May 2024 996 — $750 million 2.375% notes due August 2024 748 747 $2,000 million 3.750% notes due July 2025 1,994 1,992 $300 million 3.700% notes due December 2025 299 298 $500 million 1.250% notes due January 2026 497 496 $1,000 million 3.100% notes due March 2026 997 997 $1,000 million 1.150% notes due May 2026 972 — $750 million 3.450% notes due January 2027 747 747 $625 million 3.375% notes due April 2027 621 620 $950 million 2.950% notes due October 2027 942 940 $1,150 million 3.850% notes due June 2028 1,144 1,143 $850 million 3.875% notes due December 2028 844 844 $1,000 million 2.875% notes due August 2029 1,023 1,086 $1,250 million 2.000% notes due May 2030 1,235 1,234 $1,500 million 2.300% notes due May 2031 1,482 — $1,000 million 4.625% notes due July 2035 993 992 $850 million 5.800% notes due March 2036 839 839 $500 million 6.500% notes due June 2037 492 492 $650 million 6.625% notes due November 2037 642 641 $1,100 million 6.875% notes due February 2038 1,078 1,077 $1,250 million 3.500% notes due August 2039 1,242 1,241 $1,000 million 2.750% notes due May 2040 966 964 $300 million 5.700% notes due October 2040 296 296 $350 million 5.950% notes due February 2041 346 346 $1,500 million 3.050% notes due May 2041 1,483 — $600 million 4.625% notes due November 2041 589 589 $502 million 4.375% notes due March 2042 485 485 $625 million 3.950% notes due October 2042 608 608 $750 million 4.250% notes due March 2043 736 735 $2,000 million 4.750% notes due July 2045 1,974 1,974 $750 million 4.200% notes due January 2047 739 738 $725 million 4.250% notes due April 2047 718 717 $950 million 3.750% notes due October 2047 934 934 $1,350 million 4.250% notes due June 2048 1,330 1,330 $1,100 million 4.450% notes due December 2048 1,087 1,086 $1,250 million 3.700% notes due August 2049 1,236 1,235 $1,250 million 2.900% notes due May 2050 1,209 1,208 $2,000 million 3.250% notes due May 2051 1,970 — $1,250 million 3.875% notes due August 2059 1,228 1,228 $1,000 million 3.125% notes due May 2060 965 965 Total short-term borrowings and long-term debt $ 44,632 $ 42,280
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Maturities of short-term borrowings and long-term debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows: (in millions) 2022 $ 3,626 2023 2,277 2024 2,652 2025 2,452 2026 2,652 Thereafter 32,829

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows: (in millions) 2021 2020 2019 Current Provision: Federal $ 3,451 $ 4,098 $ 2,629 State and local 481 392 319 Foreign 516 491 564 Total current provision 4,448 4,981 3,512 Deferred provision (benefit) 130 (8) 230 Total provision for income taxes $ 4,578 $ 4,973 $ 3,742
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate to the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows: (in millions, except percentages) 2021 2020 2019 Tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate $ 4,685 21.0 % $ 4,356 21.0 % $ 3,776 21.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 419 1.9 315 1.5 271 1.5 Share-based awards - excess tax benefit (100) (0.4) (130) (0.6) (132) (0.7) Non-deductible compensation 144 0.6 134 0.7 119 0.7 Health insurance tax — — 626 3.0 — — Foreign rate differential (246) (1.1) (164) (0.8) (214) (1.2) Other, net (324) (1.5) (164) (0.8) (78) (0.5) Provision for income taxes $ 4,578 20.5 % $ 4,973 24.0 % $ 3,742 20.8 %
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows: (in millions) 2021 2020 Deferred income tax assets: Accrued expenses and allowances $ 723 $ 815 U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards 287 276 Share-based compensation 117 98 Nondeductible liabilities 296 252 Non-U.S. tax loss carryforwards 435 340 Lease liability 1,284 1,200 Other-domestic 228 126 Other-non-U.S. 376 454 Subtotal 3,746 3,561 Less: valuation allowances (198) (170) Total deferred income tax assets 3,548 3,391 Deferred income tax liabilities: U.S. federal and state intangible assets (2,658) (2,588) Non-U.S. goodwill and intangible assets (512) (606) Capitalized software (833) (731) Depreciation and amortization (349) (346) Prepaid expenses (256) (216) Outside basis in partnerships (565) (342) Lease right-of-use asset (1,267) (1,179) Net unrealized gains on investments (125) (400) Other-non-U.S. (248) (350) Total deferred income tax liabilities (6,813) (6,758) Net deferred income tax liabilities $ (3,265) $ (3,367)
Summary of Positions for which Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Table Text Block]	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 is as follows: (in millions) 2021 2020 2019 Gross unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period $ 1,829 $ 1,423 $ 1,056 Gross increases: Current year tax positions 538 416 512 Prior year tax positions 10 120 2 Gross decreases: Prior year tax positions (47) (130) (96) Settlements — — (46) Statute of limitations lapses (20) — (5) Gross unrecognized tax benefits, end of period $ 2,310 $ 1,829 $ 1,423

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Share Repurchase Activity	A summary of common share repurchases for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows: Years Ended December 31, (in millions, except per share data) 2021 2020 Common share repurchases, shares 13 14 Common share repurchases, average price per share $ 389.92 $ 300.58 Common share repurchases, aggregate cost $ 5,000 $ 4,250 Board authorized shares remaining 45 58
Dividends Declared	The following table provides details of the Company’s 2021 dividend payments: Payment Date Amount per Share Total Amount Paid (in millions) March 23 $ 1.25 $ 1,181 June 29 1.45 1,367 September 21 1.45 1,367 December 14 1.45 1,365

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock Option Activity [Table Text Block]	Stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2021 is summarized in the table below: Shares Weighted- Weighted- Aggregate (in millions) (in years) (in millions) Outstanding at beginning of period 28 $ 211 Granted 5 329 Exercised (7) 175 Forfeited (1) 297 Outstanding at end of period 25 241 6.3 $ 6,610 Exercisable at end of period 12 179 4.7 3,932 Vested and expected to vest, end of period 25 240 6.2 6,509
Restricted Share Activity [Table Text Block]	Restricted share activity for the year ended December 31, 2021 is summarized in the table below: (shares in millions) Shares Weighted-Average Nonvested at beginning of period 4 $ 256 Granted 2 352 Vested (2) 246 Nonvested at end of period 4 303
Other Share-Based Compensation Data [Table Text Block]	Other Share-Based Compensation Data (in millions, except per share amounts) For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Stock Options Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share $ 71 $ 54 $ 46 Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised 1,519 1,736 1,398 Restricted Shares Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share 352 303 259 Total fair value of restricted shares vested $ 560 $ 574 $ 545 Employee Stock Purchase Plan Number of shares purchased 1 1 1 Share-Based Compensation Items Share-based compensation expense, before tax $ 800 $ 679 $ 697 Share-based compensation expense, net of tax effects 719 619 641 Income tax benefit realized from share-based award exercises 173 208 201 (in millions, except years) December 31, 2021 Unrecognized compensation expense related to share awards $ 905 Weighted-average years to recognize compensation expense 1.3
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 were as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Risk-free interest rate 0.7% - 1.2% 0.2% - 1.4% 1.5% - 2.5% Expected volatility 29.2% - 29.8% 22.2% - 29.5% 19.4% - 21.6% Expected dividend yield 1.3% - 1.5% 1.4% - 1.7% 1.4% - 1.8% Forfeiture rate 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Expected life in years 4.8 5.1 5.3

Commitments and Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2021, future minimum annual lease payments under all non-cancelable operating leases were as follows: (in millions) Future Minimum Lease Payments 2022 $ 870 2023 763 2024 616 2025 510 2026 407 Thereafter 1,716 Total future minimum lease payments 4,882 Less imputed interest (609) Total $ 4,273

Segment Financial Information_2

Segment Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Financial Information [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the reportable segment financial information: Optum (in millions) UnitedHealthcare Optum Health Optum Insight Optum Rx Optum Eliminations Optum Corporate and Consolidated 2021 Revenues - unaffiliated customers: Premiums $ 212,381 $ 13,852 $ — $ — $ — $ 13,852 $ — $ 226,233 Products — 32 159 34,246 — 34,437 — 34,437 Services 9,661 9,894 3,936 1,112 — 14,942 — 24,603 Total revenues - unaffiliated customers 222,042 23,778 4,095 35,358 — 63,231 — 285,273 Total revenues - affiliated customers — 29,234 7,867 55,779 (2,013) 90,867 (90,867) — Investment and other income 857 1,053 237 177 — 1,467 — 2,324 Total revenues $ 222,899 $ 54,065 $ 12,199 $ 91,314 $ (2,013) $ 155,565 $ (90,867) $ 287,597 Earnings from operations $ 11,975 $ 4,462 $ 3,398 $ 4,135 $ — $ 11,995 $ — $ 23,970 Interest expense — — — — — — (1,660) (1,660) Earnings before income taxes $ 11,975 $ 4,462 $ 3,398 $ 4,135 $ — $ 11,995 $ (1,660) $ 22,310 Total assets $ 102,967 $ 60,474 $ 16,868 $ 40,181 $ — $ 117,523 $ (8,284) $ 212,206 Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software 795 791 567 301 — 1,659 — 2,454 Depreciation and amortization 1,004 818 684 597 — 2,099 — 3,103 2020 Revenues - unaffiliated customers: Premiums $ 191,679 $ 9,799 $ — $ — $ — $ 9,799 $ — $ 201,478 Products — 33 135 33,977 — 34,145 — 34,145 Services 8,464 6,815 3,687 1,050 — 11,552 — 20,016 Total revenues - unaffiliated customers 200,143 16,647 3,822 35,027 — 55,496 — 255,639 Total revenues - affiliated customers — 22,481 6,941 52,420 (1,800) 80,042 (80,042) — Investment and other income 732 680 39 51 — 770 — 1,502 Total revenues $ 200,875 $ 39,808 $ 10,802 $ 87,498 $ (1,800) $ 136,308 $ (80,042) $ 257,141 Earnings from operations $ 12,359 $ 3,434 $ 2,725 $ 3,887 $ — $ 10,046 $ — $ 22,405 Interest expense — — — — — — (1,663) (1,663) Earnings before income taxes $ 12,359 $ 3,434 $ 2,725 $ 3,887 $ — $ 10,046 $ (1,663) $ 20,742 Total assets $ 98,229 $ 52,073 $ 15,425 $ 39,280 $ — $ 106,778 $ (7,718) $ 197,289 Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software 687 715 461 188 — 1,364 — 2,051 Depreciation and amortization 920 703 670 598 — 1,971 — 2,891 2019 Revenues - unaffiliated customers: Premiums $ 183,783 $ 5,916 $ — $ — $ — $ 5,916 $ — $ 189,699 Products — 31 116 31,450 — 31,597 — 31,597 Services 8,922 5,732 3,630 689 — 10,051 — 18,973 Total revenues - unaffiliated customers 192,705 11,679 3,746 32,139 — 47,564 — 240,269 Total revenues - affiliated customers — 17,966 6,239 42,093 (1,661) 64,637 (64,637) — Investment and other income 1,137 672 21 56 — 749 — 1,886 Total revenues $ 193,842 $ 30,317 $ 10,006 $ 74,288 $ (1,661) $ 112,950 $ (64,637) $ 242,155 Earnings from operations $ 10,326 $ 2,963 $ 2,494 $ 3,902 $ — $ 9,359 $ — $ 19,685 Interest expense — — — — — — (1,704) (1,704) Earnings before income taxes $ 10,326 $ 2,963 $ 2,494 $ 3,902 $ — $ 9,359 $ (1,704) $ 17,981 Total assets $ 88,250 $ 40,444 $ 15,181 $ 36,346 $ — $ 91,971 $ (6,332) $ 173,889 Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software 841 573 495 162 — 1,230 — 2,071 Depreciation and amortization 926 565 672 557 — 1,794 — 2,720

Schedule I (Tables)

Schedule I (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Maturities of short-term borrowings and long-term debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows: (in millions) 2022 $ 3,626 2023 2,277 2024 2,652 2025 2,452 2026 2,652 Thereafter 32,829
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) UnitedHealth Group Condensed Balance Sheets (in millions, except per share data) December 31, December 31, Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,167 $ 258 Other current assets 503 562 Total current assets 2,670 820 Equity in net assets of subsidiaries 116,907 107,714 Long-term notes receivable from subsidiaries 5,680 5,021 Other assets 32 342 Total assets $ 125,289 $ 113,897 Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 605 $ 589 Current portion of notes payable to subsidiaries 8,105 4,882 Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt 3,009 4,465 Total current liabilities 11,719 9,936 Long-term debt, less current maturities 41,623 37,815 Other liabilities 187 655 Total liabilities 53,529 48,406 Commitments and contingencies (Note 4) Shareholders’ equity: Preferred stock, $0.001 par value -10 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding — — Common stock, $0.01 par value - 3,000 shares authorized; 941 and 946 issued and outstanding 10 10 Additional paid-in capital — — Retained earnings 77,134 69,295 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (5,384) (3,814) Total UnitedHealth Group shareholders’ equity 71,760 65,491 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 125,289 $ 113,897
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) UnitedHealth Group Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income For the Years Ended December 31, (in millions) 2021 2020 2019 Revenues: Investment and other income $ 494 $ 194 $ 209 Total revenues 494 194 209 Operating costs: Operating costs 40 27 38 Interest expense 1,583 1,594 1,580 Total operating costs 1,623 1,621 1,618 Loss before income taxes (1,129) (1,427) (1,409) Benefit for income taxes 231 300 293 Loss of parent company (898) (1,127) (1,116) Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries 18,183 16,530 14,955 Net earnings 17,285 15,403 13,839 Other comprehensive (loss) income (1,570) (236) 582 Comprehensive income $ 15,715 $ 15,167 $ 14,421
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) UnitedHealth Group Condensed Statements of Cash Flows For the Years Ended December 31, (in millions) 2021 2020 2019 Operating activities Cash flows from operating activities $ 11,439 $ 8,842 $ 9,275 Investing activities Issuances of notes to subsidiaries (444) (628) (2,722) Repayments of notes to subsidiaries 37 1,089 2,249 Cash paid for acquisitions (4,953) (7,706) (9,645) Return of capital to parent company 245 943 4,497 Capital contributions to subsidiaries (747) (43) (803) Other, net — 143 490 Cash flows used for investing activities (5,862) (6,202) (5,934) Financing activities Common stock repurchases (5,000) (4,250) (5,500) Proceeds from common stock issuances 1,355 1,440 1,037 Cash dividends paid (5,280) (4,584) (3,932) (Repayments of) proceeds from short-term borrowings, net (1,302) 872 300 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 6,933 4,864 5,444 Repayments of long-term debt (3,150) (3,150) (1,750) Proceeds from notes from subsidiaries 3,223 2,818 1,207 Other, net (447) (438) (535) Cash flows used for financing activities (3,668) (2,428) (3,729) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,909 212 (388) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 258 46 434 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 2,167 $ 258 $ 46 Supplemental cash flow disclosures Cash paid for interest $ 1,575 $ 1,633 $ 1,506 Cash paid for income taxes 3,050 4,185 2,590
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Maturities of short-term borrowings and long-term debt for the years ending December 31 are as follows: (in millions) 2022 $ 3,015 2023 2,125 2024 2,500 2025 2,300 2026 2,500 Thereafter 32,677

Basis of Presentation, Uses o_4

Basis of Presentation, Uses of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	$ 14,216	$ 12,870
Other current receivables	13,866	12,534
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	24,643	22,495
Other Liabilities, Current	$ 22,975	20,392
Number Of Days Notice Required To Cancel Health Insurance Contract	30 days
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0	0	$ 0
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	0	0	$ 0
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Health savings account deposits	$ 11,400	10,200
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Discount from Market Price, Offering Date	10.00%
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Plan Award, Options, Award Exercisable Period	10 years
Health Insurance Product Line [Member]
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration, First 90 Days	0.90
Products and services [Member]
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	$ 5,400	5,300
Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Rebates Receivable [Member]
Other current receivables	7,200	6,300
Medicare Part D Receivables [Member]
Other current receivables	$ 3,400	$ 2,900

Basis of Presentation, Uses o_5

Basis of Presentation, Uses of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies Useful lives for property, equipment and capitalized software (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021
Furniture, Fixtures and equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	3 years
Furniture, Fixtures and equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	10 years
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	35 years
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	40 years
Capitalized software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	3 years
Capitalized software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	5 years

Basis of Presentation, Uses o_6

Basis of Presentation, Uses of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, beginning of period	$ 2,211
Acquisitions	407	$ 40	$ 87
Distributions	(319)	(277)	(279)
Fair value and other adjustments	995	197	316
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, end of period	1,434	2,211
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interest, beginning of period	2,211	1,726
Net earnings	87	112
Acquisitions	28	321
Redemptions	(1,338)	0
Distributions	(255)	(149)
Fair value and other adjustments	701	201
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, end of period	$ 1,434	$ 2,211	$ 1,726

Investments (Narrative) (Detail

Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)positions	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Investment [Line Items]
Equity Securities, FV-NI and without Readily Determinable Fair Value	$ 3.5	$ 2.3
Equity Method Investments	$ 1.3	$ 1.3
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Number of Positions | positions	13,000
Total number of security positions	39,000

Investments (Short-Term and Lon

Investments (Short-Term and Long-Term Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	$ 39,669	$ 38,079
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	822	1,771
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(274)	(22)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	40,217	39,828
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	641	638
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	4	9
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Accumulated Unrecognized Loss	(2)	0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	643	647
Total investments, Amortized Cost	40,310	38,717
Total investments, Gross Unrealized Gains	826	1,780
Total investments, Gross Unrealized Losses	(276)	(22)
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	40,860	40,475
Debt Securities - held-to-maturity
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	40,217	39,828
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	3,206	3,335
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	23	133
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(31)	(3)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	3,198	3,465
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	511	420
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	2	6
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Accumulated Unrecognized Loss	(2)	0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	511	426
State and Municipal Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	6,829	6,893
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	297	435
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(20)	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	7,106	7,328
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	30	31
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	2	2
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Accumulated Unrecognized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	32	33
Corporate Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	20,947	18,886
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	372	863
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(145)	(12)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	21,174	19,737
Held-to-maturity securities, Amortized Cost	100	187
Securities, Held to maturity, Unrecognized Holding Gain	0	1
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Accumulated Unrecognized Loss	0	0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	100	188
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	5,868	6,849
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	88	245
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(55)	(3)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	5,901	7,091
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	2,819	2,116
Securities, Available for sale Debt Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	42	95
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	(23)	(4)
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	$ 2,838	$ 2,207

Investments (Amortized Cost and

Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Due in one year or less, Amortized Cost	$ 2,603
Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	12,885
Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	11,342
Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	4,152
Total debt securities - available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	39,669	$ 38,079
Due in one year or less, Fair Value	2,614
Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	13,065
Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	11,524
Due after ten years, Fair Value	4,275
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	40,217	39,828
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, within One Year, Amortized Cost	235
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, within One Year, Fair Value	236
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after One Through Five Years, Amortized Cost	355
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value	354
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Five Through Ten Years, Amortized Cost	28
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value	29
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after 10 Years, Amortized Cost	23
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after 10 Years, Fair Value	24
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity	641	638
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	643	647
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Mortgage-backed securities, Amortized Cost	5,868
Total debt securities - available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	5,868	6,849
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	5,901	7,091
Mortgage-backed securities, Fair Value	5,901
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Mortgage-backed securities, Amortized Cost	2,819
Total debt securities - available-for-sale, Amortized Cost	2,819	2,116
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	2,838	$ 2,207
Mortgage-backed securities, Fair Value	$ 2,838

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	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Securities - held-to-maturity
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	$ 17,118	$ 2,415
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(237)	(16)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	886	549
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(37)	(6)
Total, Fair Value	18,004	2,964
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(274)	(22)
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,976	346
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(18)	(3)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	249
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(13)
Total, Fair Value	2,225	346
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(31)	(3)
State and Municipal Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,386
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(19)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	31
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)
Total, Fair Value	1,417
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(20)
Corporate Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	9,357	1,273
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(130)	(9)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	376	456
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(15)	(3)
Total, Fair Value	9,733	1,729
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(145)	(12)
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	3,078	601
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(52)	(3)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	116	0
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3)	0
Total, Fair Value	3,194	601
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	(55)	(3)
Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Less Than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,321	195
Less Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(18)	(1)
Greater Than 12 Months, Fair Value	114	93
Greater Than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	(5)	(3)
Total, Fair Value	1,435	288
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	$ (23)	$ (4)

Fair Value (Narrative) (Details

Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value [Line Items]
Transfers Into Level 3	$ 0	$ 0
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain	840
Fair Value, 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	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 21,375	$ 16,921
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	40,217	39,828
Equity Securities, FV-NI	2,177	1,828
Assets under management	4,449	4,076
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	68,218	62,653
Debt Securities - held-to-maturity
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	40,217	39,828
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	3,198	3,465
State and Municipal Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	7,106	7,328
Corporate Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	21,174	19,737
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	5,901	7,091
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	2,838	2,207
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	21,359	16,841
Equity Securities, FV-NI	2,090	1,795
Assets under management	1,972	1,774
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	28,478	23,676
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities - held-to-maturity
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	3,057	3,266
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	3,017	3,241
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	40	25
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	16	80
Equity Securities, FV-NI	23	33
Assets under management	2,376	2,250
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	39,357	38,637
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt Securities - held-to-maturity
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	36,942	36,274
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	181	224
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	7,106	7,328
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	20,916	19,424
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	5,901	7,091
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	2,838	2,207
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, FV-NI	64	0
Assets under management	101	52
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	383	340
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Debt Securities - held-to-maturity
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	218	288
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	218	288
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	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	$ 643	$ 647
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity	641	638
Debt and other financing obligations, carrying value	44,632	42,280
Fair Value, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	643	647
Fair Value, 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	534	466
Fair Value, 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	102	108
Fair Value, 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	7	73
Long-term debt and other financing obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt and other financing obligations, carrying value	46,003	42,171
Long-term debt and other financing obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt and other financing obligations	52,583	51,254
Long-term debt and other financing obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Nonrecurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt and other financing obligations	0	0
Long-term debt and other financing obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Nonrecurring [Member] | Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt and other financing obligations	52,583	51,254
Long-term debt and other financing obligations [Member] | Fair Value, Nonrecurring [Member] | Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt and other financing obligations	$ 0	$ 0

Property, Plant, and Capitali_3

Property, Plant, and Capitalized Software (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 996	$ 997	$ 995
Capitalized Computer Software, Amortization	$ 923	$ 814	$ 721

Property, Plant, and Capitali_4

Property, Plant, and Capitalized Software Property Plant and Equipment Table (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land and improvements	$ 502	$ 533
Buildings and improvements	4,882	4,759
Computer equipment	1,851	1,767
Furniture and fixtures	2,014	1,787
Less accumulated depreciation	(3,857)	(3,364)
Property and equipment, net	5,392	5,482
Capitalized software	5,712	5,010
Less accumulated amortization	(2,135)	(1,866)
Capitalized software, net	3,577	3,144
Total property, equipment and capitalized software, net	$ 8,969	$ 8,626

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 1.2	$ 1.1	$ 1

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reporting Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 71,337	$ 65,659
Acquisitions	4,804	6,379
Foreign currency effects and adjustments, net	(346)	(701)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	75,795	71,337
UnitedHealthcare
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	27,785	27,228
Acquisitions	60	1,180
Foreign currency effects and adjustments, net	(456)	(623)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	27,389	27,785
Optum Health
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	19,844	15,342
Acquisitions	4,648	4,500
Foreign currency effects and adjustments, net	(268)	2
Goodwill, Ending Balance	24,224	19,844
Optum Insight
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	8,173	8,292
Acquisitions	96	0
Foreign currency effects and adjustments, net	350	(119)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	8,619	8,173
Optum Rx
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	15,535	14,797
Acquisitions	0	699
Foreign currency effects and adjustments, net	28	39
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 15,563	$ 15,535

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net carrying value of intangible assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 15,680	$ 16,311
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(5,636)	(5,455)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	10,044	10,856
Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	13,011	13,428
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(4,697)	(4,575)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	8,314	8,853
Trademarks and Technology [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	1,630	1,597
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(739)	(624)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	891	973
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	617	680
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	617	680
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	422	606
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(200)	(256)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 222	$ 350

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_6

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Weighted-average useful lives assigned to finite-lived intangible assets acquired in business combinations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 660	$ 1,722
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	8 years	11 years
Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 484	$ 1,113
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	9 years	11 years
Trademarks and Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 147	$ 514
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	5 years	10 years
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 29	$ 95
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	11 years	10 years

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_7

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Amortization Expense relating to Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2022	$ 1,098
2023	1,033
2024	972
2025	892
2026	$ 757

Medical Costs Payable (Narrativ

Medical Costs Payable (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims, Amount	$ 17.1	$ 14.8

Medical Costs Payable Rollforwa

Medical Costs Payable Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Medical costs payable, beginning of period	$ 21,872	$ 21,690	$ 19,891
Acquisitions	88	316	679
Reported medical costs:
Current year	188,631	160,276	157,020
Prior years	(1,720)	(880)	(580)
Total reported medical costs	186,911	159,396	156,440
Medical payments:
Payments for current year	(165,524)	(139,974)	(137,155)
Payments for prior years	(18,864)	(19,556)	(18,165)
Total medical payments	(184,388)	(159,530)	(155,320)
Medical costs payable, end of period	$ 24,483	$ 21,872	$ 21,690

Medical Costs Payable, Incurred

Medical Costs Payable, Incurred and Paid Medical Cost Development (Details) - Health Insurance Product Line [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Net Incurred Medical Costs	$ 347,771
Net Cumulative Medical Payments	(323,706)
Net remaining outstanding liabilities prior to 2020	418
Total Medical costs payable	24,483
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2020 [Member]
Net Incurred Medical Costs	159,140	$ 160,276
Net Cumulative Medical Payments	(158,182)	$ (139,974)
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year 2021 [Member]
Net Incurred Medical Costs	188,631
Net Cumulative Medical Payments	$ (165,524)

Short-Term Borrowings and Lon_3

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	0.80%
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	0.90%
364 Day $3.8 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	$ 3,800
Maturity Period, Line of Credit	364 days
Five Year $5.6 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	$ 5,600
Maturity Period, Line of Credit	5 years
Three Year $5.6 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	$ 5,600
Maturity Period, Line of Credit	3 years
Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other Long-term Debt	$ 1,400	$ 1,200
Other Long-term Debt, Current	$ 611	$ 354

Short-Term Borrowings and Lon_4

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 44,632	$ 42,280
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial Paper	$ 0	1,296
4.700% Notes Due February 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.70%
Par Value	$ 400
Unsecured Debt, Current	$ 0	400
2.125% notes due March 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.125%
Par Value	$ 750
Unsecured Debt, Current	0	750
Floating rate notes due June 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Par Value	350
Unsecured Debt, Current	$ 0	350
3.150% notes due June 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.15%
Par Value	$ 400
Unsecured Debt, Current	$ 0	400
3.375% Notes Due November 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.375%
Par Value	$ 500
Unsecured Debt, Current	$ 0	507
2.875% Notes Due December 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.875%
Par Value	$ 750
Unsecured Debt, Current	$ 0	762
2.875% Notes Due March 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.875%
Par Value	$ 1,100
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent		1,113
Unsecured Debt, Current	$ 1,097
3.350% Notes Due July 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.35%
Par Value	$ 1,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent		999
Unsecured Debt, Current	$ 999
2.375% notes due October 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.375%
Par Value	$ 900
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent		897
Unsecured Debt, Current	$ 899
0.000% Notes Due November 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.00%
Par Value	$ 15
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent		14
Unsecured Debt, Current	$ 14
2.750% Notes Due February 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.75%
Par Value	$ 625
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 632	644
2.875% Notes Due March 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.875%
Par Value	$ 750
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 768	789
3.500% notes due June 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.50%
Par Value	$ 750
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 749	748
3.500% notes due February 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.50%
Par Value	$ 750
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 748	747
0.550% notes due May 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.55%
Par Value	$ 1,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 996	0
2.375% notes due August 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.375%
Par Value	$ 750
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 748	747
3.750% Notes Due July 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.75%
Par Value	$ 2,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,994	1,992
3.700% notes due December 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.70%
Par Value	$ 300
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 299	298
1.250% notes due January 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.25%
Par Value	$ 500
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 497	496
3.100% notes due March 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.10%
Par Value	$ 1,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 997	997
1.150% notes due May 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	1.15%
Par Value	$ 1,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 972	0
3.450% notes due January 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.45%
Par Value	$ 750
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 747	747
3.375% notes due April 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.375%
Par Value	$ 625
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 621	620
2.950% notes due October 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.95%
Par Value	$ 950
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 942	940
3.850% notes due June 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.85%
Par Value	$ 1,150
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,144	1,143
3.875% notes due December 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.875%
Par Value	$ 850
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 844	844
2.875% notes due August 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.875%
Par Value	$ 1,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,023	1,086
2.000% notes due May 2030 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.00%
Par Value	$ 1,250
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,235	1,234
2.300% notes due May 2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.30%
Par Value	$ 1,500
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,482	0
4.625% notes Due July 2035 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%
Par Value	$ 1,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 993	992
5.800% notes Due March 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.80%
Par Value	$ 850
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 839	839
6.500% notes Due June 2037 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.50%
Par Value	$ 500
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 492	492
6.625% notes due November 2037 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.625%
Par Value	$ 650
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 642	641
6.875% notes Due Februray 2038 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.875%
Par Value	$ 1,100
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,078	1,077
3.500% notes due August 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.50%
Par Value	$ 1,250
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,242	1,241
2.750% notes due May 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.75%
Par Value	$ 1,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 966	964
5.700% notes Due October 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.70%
Par Value	$ 300
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 296	296
5.950% notes Due Februrary 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.95%
Par Value	$ 350
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 346	346
3.050% notes due May 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.05%
Par Value	$ 1,500
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,483	0
4.625% notes Due November 2041 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%
Par Value	$ 600
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 589	589
4.375% notes Due March 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.375%
Par Value	$ 502
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 485	485
3.950% notes Due October 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.95%
Par Value	$ 625
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 608	608
4.250% notes Due March 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.25%
Par Value	$ 750
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 736	735
4.750% notes Due July 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%
Par Value	$ 2,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,974	1,974
4.200% notes due January 2047 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.20%
Par Value	$ 750
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 739	738
4.250% notes due April 2047 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.25%
Par Value	$ 725
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 718	717
3.750% notes due October 2047 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.75%
Par Value	$ 950
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 934	934
4.250% notes due June 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.25%
Par Value	$ 1,350
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,330	1,330
4.450% notes due December 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.45%
Par Value	$ 1,100
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,087	1,086
3.700% notes due August 2049 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.70%
Par Value	$ 1,250
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,236	1,235
2.900% notes due May 2050 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.90%
Par Value	$ 1,250
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,209	1,208
3.250% notes due May 2051 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.25%
Par Value	$ 2,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,970	0
3.875% notes due August 2059 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.875%
Par Value	$ 1,250
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 1,228	1,228
3.125% notes due May 2060 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.125%
Par Value	$ 1,000
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	$ 965	$ 965

Short-Term Borrowings and Lon_5

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt Maturities of commercial paper and long-term debt (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2022	$ 3,626
2023	2,277
2024	2,652
2025	2,452
2026	2,652
Thereafter	$ 32,829

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	$ 66	$ 52	$ 19
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	194	$ 128
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	42
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 1,200
Federal [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	Jan. 1, 2023
Open Tax Year	2017
Federal [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	Jan. 1, 2037
Open Tax Year	2020
State [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	Jan. 1, 2022
Open Tax Year	2014
State [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date	Jan. 1, 2041
Open Tax Year	2021
Non-U.S [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2015
Non-U.S [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Year	2021
Finite-lived NOL carryforwards [Member] | Federal [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 42
Indefinite NOL carryforwards [Member] | Federal [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 295

Income Taxes Reconciliation of

Income Taxes Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current Provision:
Federal	$ 3,451	$ 4,098	$ 2,629
State and local	481	392	319
Foreign	516	491	564
Total current provision	4,448	4,981	3,512
Deferred provision (benefit)	130	(8)	230
Total provision for income taxes	$ 4,578	$ 4,973	$ 3,742

Income Tax Reconciliation of th

Income Tax Reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. Federal Statutory Rate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate, Amount	$ 4,685	$ 4,356	$ 3,776
Tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate, Percent	21.00%	21.00%	21.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit, Amount	$ 419	$ 315	$ 271
State income taxes, net of federal benefit, Percent	1.90%	1.50%	1.50%
Share-based awards - excess tax benefit, Amount	$ (100)	$ (130)	$ (132)
Share-based awards - excess tax benefit, Percent	(0.40%)	(0.60%)	(0.70%)
Non-deductible compensation, Amount	$ 144	$ 134	$ 119
Non-deductible compensation, Percent	0.60%	0.70%	0.70%
Health insurance industry tax, Amount	$ 0	$ 626	$ 0
Health insurance industry tax, Percent	0.00%	3.00%	0.00%
Foreign rate differential, Amount	$ (246)	$ (164)	$ (214)
Foreign rate differential, Percent	(1.10%)	(0.80%)	(1.20%)
Other, net, Amount	$ (324)	$ (164)	$ (78)
Other, net, Percent	(1.50%)	(0.80%)	(0.50%)
Total provision for income taxes	$ 4,578	$ 4,973	$ 3,742
Provision for income taxes, Percent	20.50%	24.00%	20.80%

Income Taxes Components of Defe

Income Taxes Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Deferred income tax assets:
Accrued expenses and allowances	$ 723	$ 815
U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	287	276
Share-based compensation	117	98
Nondeductible liabilities	296	252
Non-U.S. tax loss carryforwards	435	340
Lease liability	1,284	1,200
Other-domestic	228	126
Other-non-U.S.	376	454
Subtotal	3,746	3,561
Less: valuation allowances	(198)	(170)
Total deferred income tax assets	3,548	3,391
Deferred income tax liabilities:
U.S. federal and state intangible assets	(2,658)	(2,588)
Non-U.S. goodwill and intangible assets	(512)	(606)
Capitalized software	(833)	(731)
Depreciation and amortization	(349)	(346)
Prepaid expenses	(256)	(216)
Outside basis in partnerships	(565)	(342)
Lease right-of-use asset	(1,267)	(1,179)
Other-domestic	(125)	(400)
Other-non-U.S.	(248)	(350)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(6,813)	(6,758)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$ (3,265)	$ (3,367)

Income Taxes Reconciliation o_2

Income Taxes Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period	$ 1,829	$ 1,423	$ 1,056
Current year tax positions	538	416	512
Prior year tax positions, gross increases	10	120	2
Prior year tax positions, gross decreases	(47)	(130)	(96)
Settlements	0	0	(46)
Statute of limitations lapses	(20)	0	(5)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, end of period	$ 2,310	$ 1,829	$ 1,423

Shareholders' Equity (Narrative

Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Jun. 01, 2018
Shareholders' Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash Dividends Paid to Parent, Consolidated Subsidiaries	$ 8	$ 8.3
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Balance	30.7
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required	13
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased			100
Extraordinary Dividends [Member]
Shareholders' Equity Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash Dividends Paid to Parent, Consolidated Subsidiaries	$ 4.7	$ 4.2

Shareholders' Equity Share Repu

Shareholders' Equity Share Repurchases (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Common shares repurchases, shares	13,000,000	14,000,000
Common share repurchases, average price per share	$ 389.92	$ 300.58
Common share repurchases	$ 5,000	$ 4,250	$ 5,500
Board authorized shares remaining	45,000,000	58,000,000

Shareholders' Equity Dividends

Shareholders' Equity Dividends (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Dec. 14, 2021	Sep. 21, 2021	Jun. 29, 2021	Mar. 23, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividends per common share	$ 1.45	$ 1.45	$ 1.45	$ 1.25	$ 5.60	$ 4.83	$ 4.14
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock	$ 1,365	$ 1,367	$ 1,367	$ 1,181	$ 5,280	$ 4,584	$ 3,932

Share-Based Compensation (Narra

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		64
Deferred Compensation, Recorded Liability		$ 1,800	$ 1,600
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		18
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized	15

Share-Based Compensation (Stock

Share-Based Compensation (Stock Option Activity) (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at the beginning of the period | shares	28
Granted | shares	5
Exercised | shares	(7)
Forfeitures | shares	(1)
Outstanding at the end of the period | shares	25
Exercisable at end of period | shares	12
Vested and expected to vest, end of period | shares	25
Outstanding at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 211
Granted, Weighted-Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	329
Exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	175
Forfeitures, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	297
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	241
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	179
Vested and expected to vest end of period, Weighted-Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 240
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	6 years 3 months 18 days
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	4 years 8 months 12 days
Vested and expected to vest end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	6 years 2 months 13 days
Outstanding at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 6,610
Exercisable at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	3,932
Vested and expected to vest end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 6,509

Share-Based Compensation (Restr

Share-Based Compensation (Restricted Share Activity) (Details) - Restricted Stock [Member] shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021$ / sharesshares
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	4
Granted | shares	2
Vested | shares	(2)
Nonvested at end of period | shares	4
Nonvested at beginning of period, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share | $ / shares	$ 256
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share | $ / shares	352
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per share | $ / shares	246
Nonvested at end of period, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share | $ / shares	$ 303

Share-Based Compensation Other

Share-Based Compensation Other Share-Based Compensation Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense, before tax	$ 800	$ 679	$ 697
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax effects	719	619	641
Income tax benefit realized from share-based award exercises	173	$ 208	$ 201
Unrecognized compensation expense related to share awards	$ 905
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 3 months 18 days
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares granted, per share	$ 71	$ 54	$ 46
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$ 1,519	$ 1,736	$ 1,398
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share	$ 352	$ 303	$ 259
Total fair value of restricted shares vested	$ 560	$ 574	$ 545
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares purchased	1	1	1

Share-Based Compensation (Share

Share-Based Compensation (Share-Based Compensation Principal Fair Value Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Forfeiture rate	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Expected Life in years	4 years 9 months 19 days	5 years 1 month 7 days	5 years 3 months 19 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 3 months 18 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 8 months 12 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 2 months 13 days
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	0.70%	0.20%	1.50%
Expected Volatility	29.20%	22.20%	19.40%
Expected dividend yield	1.30%	1.40%	1.40%
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	1.20%	1.40%	2.50%
Expected Volatility	29.80%	29.50%	21.60%
Expected dividend yield	1.50%	1.70%	1.80%

Commitments and Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating Lease, Cost		$ 1,200	$ 1,100	$ 1,000
Operating Lease, Payments		$ 921	$ 865	$ 746
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term		8 years 8 months 12 days
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent		2.90%
Undrawn Letters Of Credit		$ 181
Surety Bonds Outstanding		$ 1,300
Other Commitments, Description		In 2021, we entered into agreements to acquire multiple companies in the health care sector, most notably, Change Healthcare (NASDAQ: CHNG), subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
Subsequent Event
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Other Commitment	$ 12,000
Subsequent Event, Description	Additionally, in January 2022, we entered into agreements to acquire multiple companies in the health care sector, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

Commitments and Contingencies F

Commitments and Contingencies Future Lease Payments (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
2022	$ 870
2023	763
2024	616
2025	510
2026	407
Thereafter	1,716
Total future minimum lease payments	4,882
Less imputed interest	(609)
Commitments
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Total	$ 4,273

Segment Financial Information_3

Segment Financial Information (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments	4
UNITED STATES
Statement [Line Items]
Disclosure on Geographic Areas Percentage of Revenue from External Customers	97.00%	97.00%	96.00%
Disclosure on Geographic Areas Percentage of Long Lived Assets	78.00%	75.00%
Revenues [Member] | CMS [Member] | Revenue Benchmark
Statement [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	36.00%	36.00%	33.00%

Segment Financial Information_4

Segment Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	$ 226,233	$ 201,478	$ 189,699
Investment and other income	2,324	1,502	1,886
Total revenues	287,597	257,141	242,155
Earnings from operations	23,970	22,405	19,685
Interest expense	(1,660)	(1,663)	(1,704)
Earnings before income taxes	22,310	20,742	17,981
Total assets	212,206	197,289	173,889
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	2,454	2,051	2,071
Depreciation and amortization	3,103	2,891	2,720
Products
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	34,437	34,145	31,597
Services
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	24,603	20,016	18,973
Optum
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	1,467	770	749
Total revenues	155,565	136,308	112,950
Earnings from operations	11,995	10,046	9,359
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	11,995	10,046	9,359
Total assets	117,523	106,778	91,971
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	1,659	1,364	1,230
Depreciation and amortization	2,099	1,971	1,794
Unaffiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	226,233	201,478	189,699
Total revenues	285,273	255,639	240,269
Unaffiliated Customers | Products
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	34,437	34,145	31,597
Unaffiliated Customers | Services
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	24,603	20,016	18,973
Unaffiliated Customers | Optum
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	13,852	9,799	5,916
Total revenues	63,231	55,496	47,564
Unaffiliated Customers | Optum | Products
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	34,437	34,145	31,597
Unaffiliated Customers | Optum | Services
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	14,942	11,552	10,051
Affiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0	0
Affiliated Customers | Optum
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	90,867	80,042	64,637
Operating Segments | UnitedHealthcare
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	857	732	1,137
Total revenues	222,899	200,875	193,842
Earnings from operations	11,975	12,359	10,326
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	11,975	12,359	10,326
Total assets	102,967	98,229	88,250
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	795	687	841
Depreciation and amortization	1,004	920	926
Operating Segments | Optum Health
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	1,053	680	672
Total revenues	54,065	39,808	30,317
Earnings from operations	4,462	3,434	2,963
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	4,462	3,434	2,963
Total assets	60,474	52,073	40,444
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	791	715	573
Depreciation and amortization	818	703	565
Operating Segments | Optum Insight
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	237	39	21
Total revenues	12,199	10,802	10,006
Earnings from operations	3,398	2,725	2,494
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	3,398	2,725	2,494
Total assets	16,868	15,425	15,181
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	567	461	495
Depreciation and amortization	684	670	672
Operating Segments | Optum Rx
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	177	51	56
Total revenues	91,314	87,498	74,288
Earnings from operations	4,135	3,887	3,902
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	4,135	3,887	3,902
Total assets	40,181	39,280	36,346
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	301	188	162
Depreciation and amortization	597	598	557
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | UnitedHealthcare
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	212,381	191,679	183,783
Total revenues	222,042	200,143	192,705
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | UnitedHealthcare | Products
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	0	0	0
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | UnitedHealthcare | Services
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	9,661	8,464	8,922
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | Optum Health
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	13,852	9,799	5,916
Total revenues	23,778	16,647	11,679
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | Optum Health | Products
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	32	33	31
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | Optum Health | Services
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	9,894	6,815	5,732
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | Optum Insight
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0	0
Total revenues	4,095	3,822	3,746
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | Optum Insight | Products
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	159	135	116
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | Optum Insight | Services
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	3,936	3,687	3,630
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | Optum Rx
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0	0
Total revenues	35,358	35,027	32,139
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | Optum Rx | Products
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	34,246	33,977	31,450
Operating Segments | Unaffiliated Customers | Optum Rx | Services
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	1,112	1,050	689
Operating Segments | Affiliated Customers | UnitedHealthcare
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	0	0	0
Operating Segments | Affiliated Customers | Optum Health
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	29,234	22,481	17,966
Operating Segments | Affiliated Customers | Optum Insight
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	7,867	6,941	6,239
Operating Segments | Affiliated Customers | Optum Rx
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	55,779	52,420	42,093
Optum Eliminations
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	0	0	0
Total revenues	(2,013)	(1,800)	(1,661)
Earnings from operations	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	0	0	0
Total assets	0	0	0
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0
Optum Eliminations | Unaffiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0	0
Total revenues	0	0	0
Optum Eliminations | Unaffiliated Customers | Products
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	0	0	0
Optum Eliminations | Unaffiliated Customers | Services
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	0	0	0
Optum Eliminations | Affiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	(2,013)	(1,800)	(1,661)
Corporate and Eliminations
Statement [Line Items]
Investment and other income	0	0	0
Total revenues	(90,867)	(80,042)	(64,637)
Earnings from operations	0	0	0
Interest expense	(1,660)	(1,663)	(1,704)
Earnings before income taxes	(1,660)	(1,663)	(1,704)
Total assets	(8,284)	(7,718)	(6,332)
Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized software	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0
Corporate and Eliminations | Unaffiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Premiums, revenues - unaffiliated customers	0	0	0
Total revenues	0	0	0
Corporate and Eliminations | Unaffiliated Customers | Products
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	0	0	0
Corporate and Eliminations | Unaffiliated Customers | Services
Statement [Line Items]
Revenue from Products and Services - unaffiliated customers	0	0	0
Corporate and Eliminations | Affiliated Customers
Statement [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ (90,867)	$ (80,042)	$ (64,637)

Schedule I (Details)

Schedule I (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash Dividends Paid to Parent, Consolidated Subsidiaries	$ 8,000	$ 8,300
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash Dividends Paid to Parent, Consolidated Subsidiaries	10,800	10,000	$ 5,600
Return of capital to parent company	245	943	$ 4,497
Notes Payable	8,100	4,900
Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Other Long-term Debt	$ 1,400	$ 1,200

Schedule I Condensed Balance Sh

Schedule I Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 21,375	$ 16,921	$ 10,985	$ 10,866
Total current assets	61,758	53,718
Other assets	12,526	11,510
Total assets	212,206	197,289	173,889
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	24,643	22,495
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt	3,620	4,819
Total current liabilities	78,292	72,420
Long-term debt, less current maturities	42,383	38,648
Other liabilities	11,787	12,315
Total liabilities	135,727	126,750
Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)
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; 941 and 946 issued and outstanding	10	10
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Retained earnings	77,134	69,295
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(5,384)	(3,814)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	212,206	197,289
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,167	258	$ 46	$ 434
Other current assets	503	562
Total current assets	2,670	820
Equity in net assets of subsidiaries	116,907	107,714
Long-term notes receivable from subsidiaries	5,680	5,021
Other assets	32	342
Total assets	125,289	113,897
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	605	589
Current portion of notes payable to subsidiaries	8,105	4,882
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt	3,009	4,465
Total current liabilities	11,719	9,936
Long-term debt, less current maturities	41,623	37,815
Other liabilities	187	655
Total liabilities	53,529	48,406
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; 941 and 946 issued and outstanding	10	10
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Retained earnings	77,134	69,295
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(5,384)	(3,814)
Total UnitedHealth Group shareholders’ equity	71,760	65,491
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 125,289	$ 113,897

Schedule I Balance Sheet Docume

Schedule I Balance Sheet Document (Details) - $ / shares shares in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	3,000	3,000
Common stock, shares issued	941	946
Common Stock, shares outstanding	941	946
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
Parent Company [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	3,000	3,000
Common stock, shares issued	941	946
Common Stock, shares outstanding	941	946
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

Schedule I Condensed Statement

Schedule I Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenues:
Investment and other income	$ 2,324	$ 1,502	$ 1,886
Total revenues	287,597	257,141	242,155
Operating costs:
Interest expense	1,660	1,663	1,704
Total operating costs	263,627	234,736	222,470
Benefit for income taxes	4,578	4,973	3,742
Net earnings	17,285	15,403	13,839
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,570)	(236)	582
Comprehensive income	15,715	15,167	14,421
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues:
Investment and other income	494	194	209
Total revenues	494	194	209
Operating costs:
Operating costs	40	27	38
Interest expense	1,583	1,594	1,580
Total operating costs	1,623	1,621	1,618
Loss before income taxes	(1,129)	(1,427)	(1,409)
Benefit for income taxes	231	300	293
Loss of parent company	(898)	(1,127)	(1,116)
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	18,183	16,530	14,955
Net earnings	17,285	15,403	13,839
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,570)	(236)	582
Comprehensive income	$ 15,715	$ 15,167	$ 14,421

Schedule I Statement of Cash Fl

Schedule I Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating activities
Cash flows from operating activities	$ 22,343	$ 22,174	$ 18,463
Investing activities
Cash paid for acquisitions	(4,821)	(7,139)	(8,343)
Other, net	1,254	506	(219)
Cash flows used for investing activities	(10,372)	(12,532)	(12,699)
Financing activities
Common stock repurchases	(5,000)	(4,250)	(5,500)
Proceeds from common stock issuances	1,355	1,440	1,037
(Repayments of) proceeds from commercial paper, net	(1,302)	872	300
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	6,933	4,864	5,444
Repayments of long-term debt	(3,150)	(3,150)	(1,750)
Other, net	(295)	(459)	(619)
Cash flows used for financing activities	(7,455)	(3,590)	(5,625)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	16,921	10,985	10,866
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	21,375	16,921	10,985
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Cash paid for interest	1,653	1,704	1,627
Cash paid for income taxes	3,966	4,935	3,542
Parent Company [Member]
Operating activities
Cash flows from operating activities	11,439	8,842	9,275
Investing activities
Issuances of notes to subsidiaries	(444)	(628)	(2,722)
Repayments of notes to subsidiaries	37	1,089	2,249
Cash paid for acquisitions	(4,953)	(7,706)	(9,645)
Return of capital to parent company	245	943	4,497
Capital contributions to subsidiaries	(747)	(43)	(803)
Other, net	0	143	490
Cash flows used for investing activities	(5,862)	(6,202)	(5,934)
Financing activities
Common stock repurchases	(5,000)	(4,250)	(5,500)
Proceeds from common stock issuances	1,355	1,440	1,037
Cash dividends paid	(5,280)	(4,584)	(3,932)
(Repayments of) proceeds from commercial paper, net	(1,302)	872	300
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	6,933	4,864	5,444
Repayments of long-term debt	(3,150)	(3,150)	(1,750)
Proceeds from notes from subsidiary	3,223	2,818	1,207
Other, net	(447)	(438)	(535)
Cash flows used for financing activities	(3,668)	(2,428)	(3,729)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,909	212	(388)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	258	46	434
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,167	258	46
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Cash paid for interest	1,575	1,633	1,506
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 3,050	$ 4,185	$ 2,590

Schedule I Maturities of Short-

Schedule I Maturities of Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2022	$ 3,626
2023	2,277
2024	2,652
2025	2,452
2026	2,652
Thereafter	32,829
Parent Company [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2022	3,015
2023	2,125
2024	2,500
2025	2,300
2026	2,500
Thereafter	$ 32,677