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UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC

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2.2.0.25truefalse40802 - Disclosure - Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt (Commercial Paper and Long-Term Debt) (Details)truefalseIn Millionsfalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $As_Of_12_31_20103http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit14Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2009 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $As_Of_12_31_20093http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000731766instant2009-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00Unit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170Unit1Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit14Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0Unit13Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$2false0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmountus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse1149500000011495falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1134000000011340falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 21 -Paragraph 16, 20 falsefalse3false0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmountus-gaaptruecreditinstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse1114200000011142falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1117300000011173falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIncluding current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). 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