2.2.0.7falseFair Value (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)40301 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Narrative) (Details)truefalseIn Millionsfalsefalse1USDfalsefalseUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit14Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0$false2USDfalsefalseUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit14Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0$false3USDfalsefalseUnit13Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit14Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0$false4USDfalsefalseUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit14Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0$53unh_FairValueMeasurementInputReconciliationOnRecurringBasisAssetsAndLiabilitiesLevel1And2TransfersNetunhfalsedebitdurationFair Value Measurement Input Reconciliation, On Recurring Basis, Assets and Liabilities, Level 1 and 2 Transfers Netfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabelfalse1truetruefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value Measurement Input Reconciliation, On Recurring Basis, Assets and Liabilities, Level 1 and 2 Transfers NetNo authoritative reference available.false63us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNetus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabelfalse1falsetruefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsetruefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis 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)
false73unh_FairValueAdjustmentsForAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnNonRecurringBasisunhfalsedebitdurationFair Value Adjustments For Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Non recurring basisfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabelfalse1falsetruefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse4falsetruefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair Value Adjustments For Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Non recurring basisNo authoritative reference available.false83unh_FairValuesOfLevel3InvestmentsInVentureCapitalPortfoliosunhfalsedebitinstantFair values of Level 3 investments in venture capital portfoliosfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabelfalse1falsetruefalsefalse166000000166falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsetruefalsefalse166000000166falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFair values of Level 3 investments in venture capital portfoliosNo authoritative reference available.false93unh_RemainingLevel3PreferredStockEquitySecuritiesHoldingsunhfalsedebitinstantRemaining Level 3 preferred stock equity securities holdingsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalselabelfalse1truetruefalsefalse3700000037falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truetruefalsefalse3700000037falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryRemaining Level 3 preferred stock equity securities holdingsNo authoritative reference available.false45falseMillionsUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue