SEC Info  
    Home      Search      My Interests      Help      Sign In      Please Sign In

Unitedhealth Group Inc – ‘10-K’ for 12/31/11 – ‘XML’

On:  Wednesday, 2/8/12, at 7:46pm ET   ·   As of:  2/9/12   ·   For:  12/31/11   ·   Accession #:  731766-12-9   ·   File #:  1-10864

Previous ‘10-K’:  ‘10-K’ on 2/10/11 for 12/31/10   ·   Next:  ‘10-K’ on 2/7/13 for 12/31/12   ·   Latest:  ‘10-K’ on 2/28/24 for 12/31/23   ·   2 References:   

Find Words in Filings emoji
 
  in    Show  and   Hints

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size

 2/09/12  Unitedhealth Group Inc            10-K       12/31/11   99:21M

Annual Report   —   Form 10-K   —   Sect. 13 / 15(d) – SEA’34
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-K        Annual Report                                       HTML   1.44M 
 3: EX-21.1     Subsidiaries of the Company                         HTML    196K 
 4: EX-23.1     Consent of Independent Registered Public            HTML     32K 
                Accounting Firm                                                  
 5: EX-24.1     Power of Attorney                                   HTML     38K 
 2: EX-12.1     Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges   HTML     43K 
 6: EX-31.1     Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the        HTML     46K 
                Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002                                          
 7: EX-32.1     Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the        HTML     35K 
                Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002                                          
67: R1          Document and Entity Information                     HTML     59K 
54: R2          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets               HTML    157K 
65: R3          Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)         HTML     66K 
70: R4          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations     HTML    122K 
89: R5          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in     HTML    112K 
                Shareholders' Equity                                             
56: R6          Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders   HTML     36K 
                equity (Parentheticals)                                          
64: R7          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows     HTML    169K 
48: R8          Description of Business                             HTML     34K 
38: R9          Basis of Presentation                               HTML    112K 
90: R10         Investments                                         HTML    276K 
72: R11         Fair Value                                          HTML    305K 
71: R12         Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software        HTML     55K 
77: R13         Goodwill                                            HTML    123K 
78: R14         Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable             HTML     62K 
75: R15         Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt                 HTML    174K 
79: R16         Income Taxes                                        HTML    148K 
66: R17         Shareholders' Equity                                HTML     61K 
68: R18         Share-Based Compensation                            HTML     97K 
74: R19         Commitments and Contingencies                       HTML     66K 
99: R20         Segment Financial Information                       HTML    301K 
85: R21         Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)                HTML     76K 
60: R22         Schedule I                                          HTML    175K 
73: R23         Basis of Presentation (Policy)                      HTML    203K 
62: R24         Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation         HTML     49K 
                (Tables)                                                         
29: R25         Investments (Tables)                                HTML    273K 
86: R26         Fair Value (Tables)                                 HTML    295K 
94: R27         Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software        HTML     52K 
                (Tables)                                                         
43: R28         Goodwill (Tables)                                   HTML    127K 
42: R29         Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable Medical     HTML     59K 
                Costs And Medical Costs Payable (Tables)                         
46: R30         Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Tables)        HTML    175K 
47: R31         Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)                  HTML    147K 
49: R32         Shareholders' Equity (Tables)                       HTML     39K 
21: R33         Share-Based Compensation (Tables)                   HTML     79K 
83: R34         Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and       HTML     42K 
                Contingencies (Tables)                                           
58: R35         Segment Financial Information (Tables)              HTML    289K 
61: R36         Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly      HTML     74K 
                Financial Data (Tables)                                          
33: R37         Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation         HTML     64K 
                (Details)                                                        
98: R38         Basis of Presentation Medicare Part D (Details)     HTML     35K 
14: R39         Basis of Presentation Useful lives for property,    HTML     35K 
                equipment and capitalized software (Details)                     
51: R40         Investments (Narrative) (Details)                   HTML     43K 
88: R41         Investments (Short-Term and Long-Term Investments)  HTML     89K 
                (Details)                                                        
31: R42         Investments (Fair Value of Mortgage-Backed          HTML     51K 
                Securities by Credit Rating Origination) (Details)               
41: R43         Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of       HTML     77K 
                Available-for-Sale Debt Securities by Contractual                
                Maturity) (Details)                                              
45: R44         Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of       HTML     63K 
                Held-To-Maturity Debt Securities by Contractual                  
                Maturity) (Details)                                              
55: R45         Investments (Fair Value of Available-For-Sale       HTML     64K 
                Investments with Gross Unrealized Losses by                      
                Investment Type and Length of Time That Individual               
                Securities Have Been in a Continuous Unrealized                  
                Loss Position) (Details)                                         
20: R46         Investments (Net Realized Gains) (Details)          HTML     52K 
37: R47         Fair Value (Narrative) (Details)                    HTML     49K 
16: R48         Fair Value (Financial Assets and Liabilities,       HTML     74K 
                Excluding AARP, Measured at Fair Value on a                      
                Recurring Basis) (Details)                                       
87: R49         Fair Value (Assets and Liabilities measured at      HTML     86K 
                fair value on a recurring basis) (Details)                       
30: R50         Fair Value (Summary of Fair Value and Carrying      HTML     74K 
                Value for Certain Financial Instruments for Which                
                it is Practicable to Estimate Fair Value)                        
                (Details)                                                        
84: R51         Fair Value (Reconciliation of Assets Measured at    HTML     56K 
                Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Level 3                    
                Inputs) (Details)                                                
34: R52         Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software        HTML     36K 
                Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software                     
                (Narrative) (Details)                                            
52: R53         Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software        HTML     60K 
                Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software table               
                (Details)                                                        
15: R54         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Numbers in     HTML     39K 
                narrative (Details)                                              
18: R55         Goodwill (Changes in the Carrying Amount of         HTML     67K 
                Goodwill by Reporting Segment) (Details)                         
44: R56         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Gross          HTML     44K 
                carrying value, accumulated amortization and net                 
                carrying value of ther intangible assets (Details)               
24: R57         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets                HTML     41K 
                Weighted-average useful lives assigned to                        
                finite-lived intangible assets acquired in                       
                business combinations (Details)                                  
91: R58         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Amortization   HTML     42K 
                Expense relating to Intangible Assets (Details)                  
57: R59         Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable Narrative   HTML     32K 
                (Details)                                                        
76: R60         Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable Medical     HTML     58K 
                Costs And Medical Costs Payable (Details)                        
36: R61         Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Narrative)     HTML     49K 
                (Details)                                                        
39: R62         Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Commercial     HTML     79K 
                Paper and Long-Term Debt) (Details)                              
82: R63         Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt Maturities of   HTML     49K 
                commercial paper and long-term debt (Details)                    
80: R64         Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Summary of     HTML     42K 
                Effect of Changes in Fair Value of Fair Value                    
                Hedges) (Details)                                                
59: R65         Income Taxes Income Tax Narrative (Details)         HTML     46K 
81: R66         Income Taxes Components of the provision for        HTML     54K 
                income taxes (Details)                                           
35: R67         Income Taxes Reconciliation of the tax provision    HTML     76K 
                at the U.S. Federal Statutory Rate to the                        
                provision for income taxes (Details)                             
63: R68         Income Taxes Components of deferred income tax      HTML     98K 
                assets and liabilities (Details)                                 
93: R69         Income Taxes Reconciliation of the beginning and    HTML     50K 
                ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits                       
                (Details)                                                        
17: R70         Shareholders' Equity (Details)                      HTML     81K 
28: R71         Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)      HTML     82K 
53: R72         Share-Based Compensation (Stock Option and SAR      HTML     80K 
                Activity) (Details)                                              
23: R73         Share-Based Compensation (Share-Based Compensation  HTML     49K 
                Principal Fair Value Assumptions) (Details)                      
97: R74         Share-Based Compensation (Restricted Share          HTML     59K 
                Activity) (Details)                                              
32: R75         Commitments and Contingencies (Details)             HTML     51K 
25: R76         Commitments and Contingencies Future lease          HTML     52K 
                payments (Details)                                               
27: R77         Segment Financial Information (Narrative)           HTML     32K 
                (Details)                                                        
19: R78         Segment Financial Information (Details)             HTML    143K 
22: R79         Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly      HTML     58K 
                Financial Data (Details)                                         
69: R80         Schedule I Schedule I Condensed Balance Sheet       HTML    154K 
                (Details)                                                        
26: R81         Schedule I Condensed Statements of Operations       HTML     79K 
                (Details)                                                        
92: R82         Schedule I Schedule I Condensed Statements of Cash  HTML    111K 
                Flows (Details)                                                  
50: R83         Schedule I Numbers in Narrative (Details)           HTML     33K 
95: XML         IDEA XML File -- Filing Summary                      XML    156K 
40: EXCEL       IDEA Workbook of Financial Reports (.xls)            XLS   3.65M 
 8: EX-101.INS  XBRL Instance -- unh-20111231                        XML   5.58M 
10: EX-101.CAL  XBRL Calculations -- unh-20111231_cal                XML    318K 
11: EX-101.DEF  XBRL Definitions -- unh-20111231_def                 XML   1.05M 
12: EX-101.LAB  XBRL Labels -- unh-20111231_lab                      XML   2.20M 
13: EX-101.PRE  XBRL Presentations -- unh-20111231_pre               XML   1.40M 
 9: EX-101.SCH  XBRL Schema -- unh-20111231                          XSD    241K 
96: ZIP         XBRL Zipped Folder -- 0000731766-12-000009-xbrl      Zip    397K 


‘XML’   —   IDEA XML File — Filing Summary


This Document is an IDEA XML File.


                                                                                                                                                                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
<Version> 2.4.0.6 </Version>
<ProcessingTime/>
<ReportFormat> Html </ReportFormat>
<ContextCount> 448 </ContextCount>
<ElementCount> 459 </ElementCount>
<EntityCount> 1 </EntityCount>
<FootnotesReported> true </FootnotesReported>
<SegmentCount> 101 </SegmentCount>
<ScenarioCount> 0 </ScenarioCount>
<TuplesReported> false </TuplesReported>
<UnitCount> 9 </UnitCount>
<MyReports>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R1.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation </Role>
<ShortName> Document and Entity Information </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> true </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R2.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets </Role>
<ShortName> Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R3.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical </Role>
<ShortName> Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R4.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations </Role>
<ShortName> Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R5.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 1003000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInShareholdersEquity </Role>
<ShortName> Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R6.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 1003500 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders equity (Parentheticals) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfChangesInShareholdersEquityParentheticals </Role>
<ShortName> Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders equity (Parentheticals) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R7.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows </Role>
<ShortName> Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R8.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2101100 - Disclosure - Description of Business </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/DescriptionOfBusiness </Role>
<ShortName> Description of Business </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R9.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2102100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/BasisOfPresentation </Role>
<ShortName> Basis of Presentation </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R10.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2104100 - Disclosure - Investments </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/Investments </Role>
<ShortName> Investments </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R11.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2105100 - Disclosure - Fair Value </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/FairValue </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R12.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2106100 - Disclosure - Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/PropertyEquipmentAndCapitalizedSoftware </Role>
<ShortName> Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R13.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2107100 - Disclosure - Goodwill </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/Goodwill </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R14.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2108100 - Disclosure - Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/MedicalCostsAndMedicalCostsPayable </Role>
<ShortName> Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R15.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2109100 - Disclosure - Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CommercialPaperAndLongTermDebt </Role>
<ShortName> Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R16.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2110100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/IncomeTaxes </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R17.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2111100 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ShareholdersEquity </Role>
<ShortName> Shareholders' Equity </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R18.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2112100 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation </Role>
<ShortName> Share-Based Compensation </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R19.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2114100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies </Role>
<ShortName> Commitments and Contingencies </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R20.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2115100 - Disclosure - Segment Financial Information </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/SegmentFinancialInformation </Role>
<ShortName> Segment Financial Information </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R21.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2116100 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited </Role>
<ShortName> Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R22.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2117100 - Disclosure - Schedule I </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ScheduleI </Role>
<ShortName> Schedule I </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R23.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2202201 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation (Policy) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/BasisOfPresentationPolicy </Role>
<ShortName> Basis of Presentation (Policy) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R24.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2302302 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/BasisOfPresentationBasisOfPresentationTables </Role>
<ShortName> Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R25.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2304301 - Disclosure - Investments (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/InvestmentsTables </Role>
<ShortName> Investments (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R26.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2305301 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/FairValueTables </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R27.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2306301 - Disclosure - Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/PropertyEquipmentAndCapitalizedSoftwareTables </Role>
<ShortName> Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R28.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2307301 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/GoodwillTables </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R29.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2308301 - Disclosure - Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable Medical Costs And Medical Costs Payable (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/MedicalCostsAndMedicalCostsPayableMedicalCostsAndMedicalCostsPayableTables </Role>
<ShortName> Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable Medical Costs And Medical Costs Payable (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R30.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2309301 - Disclosure - Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CommercialPaperAndLongTermDebtTables </Role>
<ShortName> Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R31.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2310301 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxesTables </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R32.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2311301 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityTables </Role>
<ShortName> Shareholders' Equity (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R33.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2312301 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables </Role>
<ShortName> Share-Based Compensation (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R34.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2314301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables </Role>
<ShortName> Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R35.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2315301 - Disclosure - Segment Financial Information (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/SegmentFinancialInformationTables </Role>
<ShortName> Segment Financial Information (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R36.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2316301 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Data (Tables) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedQuarterlyFinancialDataTables </Role>
<ShortName> Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Data (Tables) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R37.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2402403 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/BasisOfPresentationBasisOfPresentationDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R38.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2402404 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation Medicare Part D (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/BasisOfPresentationMedicarePartDDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Basis of Presentation Medicare Part D (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R39.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2402405 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation Useful lives for property, equipment and capitalized software (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/BasisOfPresentationUsefulLivesForPropertyEquipmentAndCapitalizedSoftwareDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Basis of Presentation Useful lives for property, equipment and capitalized software (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R40.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2404402 - Disclosure - Investments (Narrative) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Investments (Narrative) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R41.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2404403 - Disclosure - Investments (Short-Term and Long-Term Investments) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/InvestmentsShortTermAndLongTermInvestmentsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Investments (Short-Term and Long-Term Investments) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R42.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2404404 - Disclosure - Investments (Fair Value of Mortgage-Backed Securities by Credit Rating Origination) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/InvestmentsFairValueOfMortgageBackedSecuritiesByCreditRatingOriginationDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Investments (Fair Value of Mortgage-Backed Securities by Credit Rating Origination) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R43.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2404405 - Disclosure - Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/InvestmentsAmortizedCostAndFairValueOfAvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesByContractualMaturityDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R44.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2404406 - Disclosure - Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Held-To-Maturity Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/InvestmentsAmortizedCostAndFairValueOfHeldToMaturityDebtSecuritiesByContractualMaturityDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Held-To-Maturity Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R45.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2404407 - Disclosure - 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) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/InvestmentsFairValueOfAvailableForSaleInvestmentsWithGrossUnrealizedLossesByInvestmentTypeAndLengthOfTimeThatIndividualSecuritiesHaveBeenInContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionDetails </Role>
<ShortName> 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) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R46.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2404408 - Disclosure - Investments (Net Realized Gains) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/InvestmentsNetRealizedGainsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Investments (Net Realized Gains) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R47.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2405402 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/FairValueNarrativeDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R48.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2405403 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Financial Assets and Liabilities, Excluding AARP, Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/FairValueFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesExcludingAarpMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value (Financial Assets and Liabilities, Excluding AARP, Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R49.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2405404 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value (Assets and Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R50.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2405405 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Summary of Fair Value and Carrying Value for Certain Financial Instruments for Which it is Practicable to Estimate Fair Value) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/FairValueSummaryOfFairValueAndCarryingValueForCertainFinancialInstrumentsForWhichItIsPracticableToEstimateFairValueDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value (Summary of Fair Value and Carrying Value for Certain Financial Instruments for Which it is Practicable to Estimate Fair Value) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R51.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2405406 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Reconciliation of Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Level 3 Inputs) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/FairValueReconciliationOfAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisUsingLevel3InputsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Fair Value (Reconciliation of Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Level 3 Inputs) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R52.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2406402 - Disclosure - Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software (Narrative) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/PropertyEquipmentAndCapitalizedSoftwarePropertyEquipmentAndCapitalizedSoftwareNarrativeDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software (Narrative) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R53.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2406403 - Disclosure - Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software table (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/PropertyEquipmentAndCapitalizedSoftwarePropertyEquipmentAndCapitalizedSoftwareTableDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software Property, Equipment and Capitalized Software table (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R54.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2407402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Numbers in narrative (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNumbersInNarrativeDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Numbers in narrative (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R55.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2407403 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reporting Segment) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/GoodwillChangesInCarryingAmountOfGoodwillByReportingSegmentDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill (Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reporting Segment) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R56.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2407404 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net carrying value of ther intangible assets (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsGrossCarryingValueAccumulatedAmortizationAndNetCarryingValueOfTherIntangibleAssetsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net carrying value of ther intangible assets (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R57.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2407405 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Weighted-average useful lives assigned to finite-lived intangible assets acquired in business combinations (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLivesAssignedToFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredInBusinessCombinationsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Weighted-average useful lives assigned to finite-lived intangible assets acquired in business combinations (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R58.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2407406 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Amortization Expense relating to Intangible Assets (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseRelatingToIntangibleAssetsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Amortization Expense relating to Intangible Assets (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R59.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2408402 - Disclosure - Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable Narrative (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/MedicalCostsAndMedicalCostsPayableNarrativeDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable Narrative (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R60.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2408403 - Disclosure - Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable Medical Costs And Medical Costs Payable (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/MedicalCostsAndMedicalCostsPayableMedicalCostsAndMedicalCostsPayableDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Medical Costs and Medical Costs Payable Medical Costs And Medical Costs Payable (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R61.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2409402 - Disclosure - Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CommercialPaperAndLongTermDebtNarrativeDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R62.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2409403 - Disclosure - Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CommercialPaperAndLongTermDebtCommercialPaperAndLongTermDebtDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R63.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2409404 - Disclosure - Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt Maturities of commercial paper and long-term debt (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CommercialPaperAndLongTermDebtMaturitiesOfCommercialPaperAndLongTermDebtDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt Maturities of commercial paper and long-term debt (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R64.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2409405 - Disclosure - Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Summary of Effect of Changes in Fair Value of Fair Value Hedges) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CommercialPaperAndLongTermDebtSummaryOfEffectOfChangesInFairValueOfFairValueHedgesDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Summary of Effect of Changes in Fair Value of Fair Value Hedges) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R65.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2410402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Income Tax Narrative (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxNarrativeDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes Income Tax Narrative (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R66.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2410403 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Components of the provision for income taxes (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfProvisionForIncomeTaxesDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes Components of the provision for income taxes (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R67.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2410404 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. Federal Statutory Rate to the provision for income taxes (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/IncomeTaxesReconciliationOfTaxProvisionAtUSFederalStatutoryRateToProvisionForIncomeTaxesDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes Reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. Federal Statutory Rate to the provision for income taxes (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R68.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2410405 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfDeferredIncomeTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes Components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R69.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2410406 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/IncomeTaxesReconciliationOfBeginningAndEndingAmountOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Income Taxes Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R70.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2411402 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Shareholders' Equity (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R71.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2412402 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R72.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2412403 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Stock Option and SAR Activity) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationStockOptionAndSarActivityDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Share-Based Compensation (Stock Option and SAR Activity) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R73.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2412404 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Share-Based Compensation Principal Fair Value Assumptions) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationPrincipalFairValueAssumptionsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Share-Based Compensation (Share-Based Compensation Principal Fair Value Assumptions) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R74.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2412405 - Disclosure - Share-Based Compensation (Restricted Share Activity) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationRestrictedShareActivityDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Share-Based Compensation (Restricted Share Activity) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R75.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2414402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Commitments and Contingencies (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R76.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2414403 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies Future lease payments (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesFutureLeasePaymentsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Commitments and Contingencies Future lease payments (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R77.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2415402 - Disclosure - Segment Financial Information (Narrative) (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/SegmentFinancialInformationNarrativeDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Segment Financial Information (Narrative) (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R78.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2415403 - Disclosure - Segment Financial Information (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/SegmentFinancialInformationDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Segment Financial Information (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R79.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2416402 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Data (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedQuarterlyFinancialDataDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Data (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R80.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2417401 - Disclosure - Schedule I Schedule I Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ScheduleIScheduleICondensedBalanceSheetDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Schedule I Schedule I Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R81.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2417402 - Disclosure - Schedule I Condensed Statements of Operations (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ScheduleICondensedStatementsOfOperationsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Schedule I Condensed Statements of Operations (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R82.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2417403 - Disclosure - Schedule I Schedule I Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ScheduleIScheduleICondensedStatementsOfCashFlowsDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Schedule I Schedule I Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<HtmlFileName> R83.htm </HtmlFileName>
<LongName> 2417404 - Disclosure - Schedule I Numbers in Narrative (Details) </LongName>
<ReportType> Sheet </ReportType>
<Role> http://www.uhc.com/role/ScheduleINumbersInNarrativeDetails </Role>
<ShortName> Schedule I Numbers in Narrative (Details) </ShortName>
</Report>
<Report>
<IsDefault> false </IsDefault>
<HasEmbeddedReports> false </HasEmbeddedReports>
<LongName> All Reports </LongName>
<ReportType> Book </ReportType>
<ShortName> All Reports </ShortName>
</Report>
</MyReports>
<Logs>
<Log type="Info"> Element us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage had a mix of decimals attribute values: 2 3. </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Element us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent had a mix of decimals attribute values: -8 -6. </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Element us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 0. </Log>
<Log type="Info"> 'Shares' elements on report '1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values. </Log>
<Log type="Info"> 'Monetary' elements on report '2402403 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values. </Log>
<Log type="Info"> 'Monetary' elements on report '2409402 - Disclosure - Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values. </Log>
<Log type="Info"> 'Monetary' elements on report '2411402 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values. </Log>
<Log type="Info"> 'Monetary' elements on report '2415403 - Disclosure - Segment Financial Information (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values. </Log>
<Log type="Info"> 'Shares' elements on report '2417401 - Disclosure - Schedule I Schedule I Condensed Balance Sheet (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values. </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009' </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2008' </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended Dec. 31, 2011' </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended Sep. 30, 2011' </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2011' </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended Mar. 31, 2011' </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended Dec. 31, 2010' </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended Sep. 30, 2010' </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2010' </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended Mar. 31, 2010' </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: 1003500 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders equity (Parentheticals) </Log>
<Log type="Info"> Process Flow-Through: 1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows </Log>
</Logs>
<InputFiles>
<File> unh-20111231.xml </File>
<File> unh-20111231.xsd </File>
<File> unh-20111231_cal.xml </File>
<File> unh-20111231_def.xml </File>
<File> unh-20111231_lab.xml </File>
<File> unh-20111231_pre.xml </File>
</InputFiles>
<SupplementalFiles/>
<BaseTaxonomies/>
<HasPresentationLinkbase> true </HasPresentationLinkbase>
<HasCalculationLinkbase> true </HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>


2 Subsequent Filings that Reference this Filing

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 6/14/12  SEC                               UPLOAD10/06/17    1:34K  Unitedhealth Group Inc.
 4/25/12  SEC                               UPLOAD10/06/17    1:60K  Unitedhealth Group Inc.
Top
Filing Submission 0000731766-12-000009   –   Alternative Formats (Word / Rich Text, HTML, Plain Text, et al.)

Copyright © 2024 Fran Finnegan & Company LLC – All Rights Reserved.
AboutPrivacyRedactionsHelp — Tue., Apr. 23, 2:53:51.2pm ET