XML 64 R40.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Basis of Presentation, Uses of Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies Medicare Part D (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Other current receivables $ 5,498us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent $ 3,998us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent
Other policy liabilities 5,965us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds 5,279us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds
CMS Subsidies [Member]    
Other current receivables 1,801us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_CmsSubsidiesMember
881us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_CmsSubsidiesMember
Other policy liabilities 0us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_CmsSubsidiesMember
0us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_CmsSubsidiesMember
Drug Discount [Member]    
Other current receivables 719us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_DrugDiscountMember
425us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_DrugDiscountMember
Other policy liabilities 302us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_DrugDiscountMember
152us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_DrugDiscountMember
Risk-Share [Member]    
Other current receivables 20us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_RiskShareMember
0us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_RiskShareMember
Other policy liabilities $ 0us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_RiskShareMember
$ 214us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds
/ unh_MedicarePartDPharmacyBenefitsContractAxis
= unh_RiskShareMember