Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Segment	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments \| Segment			3
Member co-share amounts and government subsidies	$ 3,300	$ 2,600	$ 8,800	$ 6,800
Depreciation and amortization classified as benefit expense	$ 23	$ 27	$ 68	$ 79

Depreciation and amortization expense that has been reclassified to be included with benefit expenses. The reclassification is the result of depreciation and amortization expense associated primarily from the delivery of pharmacy services by our wholly-owned pharmacy business included in our Healthcare Services segment.

No definition available.

Name:	hum_DepreciationAndAmortizationClassifiedAsBenefitExpense
Namespace Prefix:	hum_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration