2.2.0.7falseShareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)40901 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details)truefalseIn Millions, except Per Share datafalsefalse1USDfalsefalseUnit13Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit14Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0$false2falsefalseUnit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli053unh_AdditionalSharesAuthorizedForRepurchaseunhfalsenainstantAdditional shares authorized for repurchasefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabelfalse1falsetruefalsefalse6500000065falsefalsefalse2falsetruefalsefalse120000000120falsefalsefalsexbrli:sharesItemTypesharesAdditional shares authorized for repurchaseNo authoritative reference available.false63us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodSharesus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabelfalse1falsetruefalsefalse5900000059falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:sharesItemTypesharesNumber of shares that have been repurchased during the period and have not been retired and are not held in treasury. Some state laws may govern the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 43
-Chapter 1
-Section B
-Paragraph 11A
false73unh_AverageSharePriceForCommonStockRepurchasesunhfalsenadurationAverage share price for common stock repurchases.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabeltrue1truetruefalsefalse3232falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalseus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalAverage share price for common stock repurchases.No authoritative reference available.false83us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValueus-gaaptruedebitdurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truetruefalsefalse18920000001892falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the value of stock that has been repurchased during the period and has not been retired and is not held in treasury. Some state laws may mandate the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
-Article 5
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 12
-Paragraph 10
Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3
Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 43
-Chapter 1
-Section B
-Paragraph 11A
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