2.2.0.7 false Commitment and Contingencies (Policy) 21401 - Disclosure - Commitment and Contingencies (Policy) true false false false 1 USD false false Unit13 Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 Unit12 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Unit14 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 Unit1 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 2 0 unh_CommitmentsAndContingenciesAbstract unh false na duration Commitments And Contingencies false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string Commitments And Contingencies false 3 1 unh_SubsequentEventSettlementPaidLigtigationTextBlock unh false na duration Subsequent Event Settlement Paid: Ligtigation false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 <div> <p style="margin-top: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" class="_mt" size="2">On October 18, 2010, the Company paid the settlement amount, plus interest, to an escrow account established by the plaintiffs. Several members of the plaintiff class have indicated an intent to appeal approval of the settlement</font> </p> </div> On October 18, 2010, the Company paid the settlement amount, plus interest, to an escrow account established by the plaintiffs. Several members of the false false false us-types:textBlockItemType textblock Subsequent Event Settlement Paid: Ligtigation No authoritative reference available. false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true