Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 shares
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HUMANA INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000049071
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	HUM
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	137,186,880