| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?> |
<InstanceReport xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"> |
| <Version> 2.2.0.25 </Version> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <ReportLongName> 40201 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation, Use of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) </ReportLongName> |
| <DisplayLabelColumn> true </DisplayLabelColumn> |
| <ShowElementNames> false </ShowElementNames> |
| <RoundingOption/> |
| <HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports> |
| <Columns> |
| | <Column> |
| | | <Id> 1 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| | | <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| | | <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| | | <MCU> |
| <KeyName> 1/1/2011 - 12/31/2011 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Duration_1_1_2011_To_12_31_2011 </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0000731766 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2011-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 2011-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments/> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit12 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit14 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Divide </UnitType> |
| <NumeratorMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </NumeratorMeasure> |
| <DenominatorMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> shares </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> xbrli </MeasureNamespace> |
| </DenominatorMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit1 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> shares </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> xbrli </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit13 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> pure </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> xbrli </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| | | <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| | | <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="12 Months Ended"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Dec. 31, 2011"/> |
| </Labels> |
| | | </Column> |
| | <Column> |
| | | <Id> 2 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| | | <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| | | <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| | | <MCU> |
| <KeyName> 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Duration_1_1_2010_To_12_31_2010 </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0000731766 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2010-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 2010-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments/> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit12 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit13 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> pure </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> xbrli </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit1 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> shares </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> xbrli </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit14 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Divide </UnitType> |
| <NumeratorMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </NumeratorMeasure> |
| <DenominatorMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> shares </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> xbrli </MeasureNamespace> |
| </DenominatorMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| | | <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| | | <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="12 Months Ended"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Dec. 31, 2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| | | </Column> |
| | <Column> |
| | | <Id> 3 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| | | <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| | | <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| | | <MCU> |
| <KeyName> 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) USD ($) / shares </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Duration_1_1_2009_To_12_31_20092 </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0000731766 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2009-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments/> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit12 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit13 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> pure </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> xbrli </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit14 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Divide </UnitType> |
| <NumeratorMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </NumeratorMeasure> |
| <DenominatorMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> shares </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> xbrli </MeasureNamespace> |
| </DenominatorMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit1 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> shares </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> xbrli </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| | | <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| | | <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="12 Months Ended"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="Dec. 31, 2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| | | </Column> |
| | </Columns> |
| <Rows> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 2 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> unh_ChecksOutstandingInExcessOfBankDeposits </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> unh </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of bank checks outstanding in excess of bank deposits. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 1300000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1300000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> true </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 1200000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1200000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> true </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of bank checks outstanding in excess of bank deposits. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Checks outstanding in excess of bank deposits </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 3 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 172000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 172000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Loss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph e(2) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 43 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 47 -Subparagraph b Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 20 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Goodwill impairment charge </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 4 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 2000000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 2000000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 2000000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 2000000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> The known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from reinsurers for claims paid or incurred by the ceding insurer and associated claims settlement expenses, including estimated amounts for claims incurred but not reported, and policy benefits, net of any related valuation allowance. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 6 -Article 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 113 -Paragraph 14, 16, 27, 113 </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Reinsurance receivable </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 5 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> unh_MedicarePartDInitialCoverageLimit </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> unh </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> Medicare Part D initial coverage limit. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 2840000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 2840000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 2830000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 2830000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Medicare Part D initial coverage limit. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Initial coverage limit </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 6 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> unh_MedicarePartDCatastrophicCoverage </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> unh </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> Medicare Part D catastrophic coverage. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 6448000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 6448000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 6440000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 6440000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Medicare Part D catastrophic coverage. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Catastrophic coverage </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 7 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> unh_MedicarePartDAnnualOutOfPocketMaximum </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> unh </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> Medicare Part D annual out of pocket maximum. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 4550000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 4550000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Medicare Part D annual out of pocket maximum. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Annual out-of-pocket maximum </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 8 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> unh_CatastrophicReinsuranceSubsidyCoverage </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> unh </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> Catastrophic reinsurance subsidy coverage. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> true </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> true </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0.8 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0.8 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> true </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> us-types:percentItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> pure </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Catastrophic reinsurance subsidy coverage. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Catastrophic reinsurance subsidy coverage rate </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 9 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> unh_VarianceOfRiskShare </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> unh </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> Variance Of Risk Share </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> true </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> true </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0.05 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0.05 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> true </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> us-types:percentItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> pure </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> Variance Of Risk Share </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Variance of risk share </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 10 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName/> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurebasisofpresentationuseofestimatesandsignificantaccountingpoliciesnarrativedetails </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 4 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Other Current Receivables [Member] 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> As_Of_12_31_2010227 </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0000731766 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2010-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Other Current Receivables [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> unh_OtherCurrentReceivablesMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit12 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Other Current Receivables [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 5 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Other Current Receivables [Member] 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> As_Of_12_31_200923 </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0000731766 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Other Current Receivables [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> unh_OtherCurrentReceivablesMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit12 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Other Current Receivables [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Other Current Receivables [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 11 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> unh_ReinsuranceRecoverablesCurrent </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> unh </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> The current portion of the known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from reinsurers for claims... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 126000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 126000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 139000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 139000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> The current portion of the known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from reinsurers for claims paid or incurred by the ceding insurer and associated claims settlement expenses, including estimated amounts for claims incurred but not reported, and policy benefits, net of any related valuation allowance. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Reinsurance receivable included in other current receivables </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 12 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName/> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/taxonomy/role/disclosurebasisofpresentationuseofestimatesandsignificantaccountingpoliciesnarrativedetails </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 6 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Other Assets 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> As_Of_12_31_2010228 </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0000731766 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2010-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Other Assets </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit12 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Other Assets"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 7 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis} : Other Assets 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> As_Of_12_31_200924 </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0000731766 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 0001-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Other Assets </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> unh_ReinsuranceReceivablesByBalanceSheetLocationAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> Unit12 </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Other Assets"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Other Assets </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 13 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> unh_ReinsuranceRecoverablesNoncurrent </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> unh </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> instant </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> The non-current portion of the known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from reinsurers for claims... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 1900000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1900000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> true </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 1900000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1900000000 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> true </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> The non-current portion of the known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from reinsurers for claims paid or incurred by the ceding insurer and associated claims settlement expenses, including estimated amounts for claims incurred but not reported, and policy benefits, net of any related valuation allowance. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Reinsurance receivable included in other assets </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | </Rows> |
| <Footnotes/> |
| <NumberOfCols> 3 </NumberOfCols> |
| <NumberOfRows> 12 </NumberOfRows> |
| <ReportName> Basis of Presentation, Use of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) </ReportName> |
| <MonetaryRoundingLevel> NoRounding </MonetaryRoundingLevel> |
| <SharesRoundingLevel> UnKnown </SharesRoundingLevel> |
| <PerShareRoundingLevel> UnKnown </PerShareRoundingLevel> |
| <ExchangeRateRoundingLevel> UnKnown </ExchangeRateRoundingLevel> |
| <HasCustomUnits> true </HasCustomUnits> |
| <SharesShouldBeRounded> true </SharesShouldBeRounded> |
| </InstanceReport> |