2.2.0.7 false Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) 40301 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) true false In Millions false false 1 USD false false 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 Unit13 Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ false 2 USD false false 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 Unit13 Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ false 3 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 $ false 4 USD false false 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 Unit13 Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 5 3 unh_FairValueMeasurementInputReconciliationOnRecurringBasisAssetsAndLiabilitiesLevel1And2TransfersNet unh false debit duration Fair Value Measurement Input Reconciliation, On Recurring Basis, Assets and Liabilities, Level 1 and 2 Transfers Net false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 true true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 true true false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Fair Value Measurement Input Reconciliation, On Recurring Basis, Assets and Liabilities, Level 1 and 2 Transfers Net No authoritative reference available. false 6 3 us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNet us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 0 0 false false false 4 false true false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary This element represents [net] transfers in to and out of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(3) false 7 3 unh_FairValueAdjustmentsForAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnNonRecurringBasis unh false debit duration Fair Value Adjustments For Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Non recurring basis false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 0 0 false false false 4 false true false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Fair Value Adjustments For Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Non recurring basis No authoritative reference available. false 8 3 unh_FairValuesOfLevel3InvestmentsInVentureCapitalPortfolios unh false debit instant Fair values of Level 3 investments in venture capital portfolios false false false false false false false false false false false label false 1 false true false false 166000000 166 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false true false false 166000000 166 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Fair values of Level 3 investments in venture capital portfolios No authoritative reference available. false 9 3 unh_RemainingLevel3PreferredStockEquitySecuritiesHoldings unh false debit instant Remaining Level 3 preferred stock equity securities holdings false false false false false false false false false false false label false 1 true true false false 37000000 37 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 true true false false 37000000 37 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Remaining Level 3 preferred stock equity securities holdings No authoritative reference available. false 4 5 false Millions UnKnown UnKnown false true