Name:	ci_PercentageOfBenefitObligationGuaranteesAssociatedWithSoldRetirementBenefitsBusiness
Namespace Prefix:	ci_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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The current carrying amount of the liability for the freestanding or embedded guarantor's obligations under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82913245&loc=d3e12069-110248

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Indicates, if estimable, the approximate extent to which the proceeds from liquidation of any assets held either as collateral or by third parties would be expected to cover the maximum potential amount of future payments under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82913245&loc=d3e12069-110248

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82913245&loc=d3e12069-110248

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

States the reasons why the guarantor is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments under its guarantee (or each group of similar guarantees).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82913245&loc=d3e12069-110248

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposureInestimable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=ci_RetirementAndLifeInsuranceContractsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis=ci_IndemnificationGuaranteeToLendersMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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