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USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2010
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2007
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2006
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2005
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : Pre-2005
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. Agency Mortgage-backed Securities
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2010
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2006
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2005
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : Pre-2005
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. Agency Mortgage-backed Securities
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2010
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2007
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2006
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2005
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : Pre-2005
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. Agency Mortgage-backed Securities
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2010
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2007
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2006
12/31/2010
USD ($)
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2005
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_2010222229http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNon-investment Gradeus-gaap_CreditDerivativesByPaymentAndPerformanceRiskCreditRatingAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingNonInvestmentGradeMemberus-gaap_CreditDerivativesByPaymentAndPerformanceRiskCreditRatingAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalse2005unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiunh_OriginationIn2005Memberunh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse54false0us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse30000003falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans (mortgages) as of the balance sheet date which have been categorized as available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 7
-Paragraph 15
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
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{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : Pre-2005
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_201022252http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNon-investment Gradeus-gaap_CreditDerivativesByPaymentAndPerformanceRiskCreditRatingAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingNonInvestmentGradeMemberus-gaap_CreditDerivativesByPaymentAndPerformanceRiskCreditRatingAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalsePre-2005unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiunh_OriginationInPre2005Memberunh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse56false0us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse10000001falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans (mortgages) as of the balance sheet date which have been categorized as available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 7
-Paragraph 15
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
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{us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis} : U.S. Agency Mortgage-backed Securities
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_201022253http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseNon-investment Gradeus-gaap_CreditDerivativesByPaymentAndPerformanceRiskCreditRatingAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingNonInvestmentGradeMemberus-gaap_CreditDerivativesByPaymentAndPerformanceRiskCreditRatingAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseU.S. Agency Mortgage-backed Securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse58false0us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans (mortgages) as of the balance sheet date which have been categorized as available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 7
-Paragraph 15
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_20102226http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseU.S. Agency Mortgage-backed Securitiesus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByUSGovernmentSponsoredEnterprisesMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse60false0us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse19030000001903falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans (mortgages) as of the balance sheet date which have been categorized as available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 7
-Paragraph 15
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_2010222222http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalse2010unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiunh_OriginationIn2010Memberunh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse62false0us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse80000008falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans (mortgages) as of the balance sheet date which have been categorized as available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 7
-Paragraph 15
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse63false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureinvestmentsfairvalueofcompanysmortgagebackedsecuritiesbycreditratingandnonusagencymortgagebackedsecuritiesbyoriginationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse32falsefalseUSDtruefalse{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2007
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_20102293http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalse2007unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiunh_OriginationIn2007Memberunh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse64false0us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse7600000076falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans (mortgages) as of the balance sheet date which have been categorized as available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 7
-Paragraph 15
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
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12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_20102292http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalse2006unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiunh_OriginationIn2006Memberunh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse66false0us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse137000000137falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans (mortgages) as of the balance sheet date which have been categorized as available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 7
-Paragraph 15
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse67false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureinvestmentsfairvalueofcompanysmortgagebackedsecuritiesbycreditratingandnonusagencymortgagebackedsecuritiesbyoriginationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse34falsefalseUSDtruefalse{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : 2005
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_20102283http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalse2005unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiunh_OriginationIn2005Memberunh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse68false0us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse143000000143falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans (mortgages) as of the balance sheet date which have been categorized as available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 7
-Paragraph 15
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse69false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/taxonomy/role/disclosureinvestmentsfairvalueofcompanysmortgagebackedsecuritiesbycreditratingandnonusagencymortgagebackedsecuritiesbyoriginationdetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse35falsefalseUSDtruefalse{unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxis} : Pre-2005
12/31/2010
USD ($)
$As_Of_12_31_2010222223http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePre-2005unh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiunh_OriginationInPre2005Memberunh_SecuritiesByOriginationAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse70false0us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosureus-gaaptruedebitinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse101000000101falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents securitized, pay-through debt securities collateralized by real estate mortgage loans (mortgages) as of the balance sheet date which have been categorized as available-for-sale.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)
-Number AAG-DEP
-Chapter 7
-Paragraph 15
-IssueDate 2006-05-01
falsefalse169Investments (Fair Value of the Company's Mortgage-backed Securities by Credit Rating and Non-U.S. Agency Mortgage-backed Securities by Origination) (Details) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue
