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Goodwill and Intangible Assets Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Reporting Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 65,659	$ 58,910
Acquisitions	6,379	6,944
Foreign currency effects and adjustments, net	(701)	(195)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	71,337	65,659
UnitedHealthcare
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	27,228	26,400
Acquisitions	1,180	1,022
Foreign currency effects and adjustments, net	(623)	(194)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	27,785	27,228
OptumHealth
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	15,342	11,947
Acquisitions	4,500	3,395
Foreign currency effects and adjustments, net	2	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	19,844	15,342
OptumInsight
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	8,292	5,772
Acquisitions	0	2,521
Foreign currency effects and adjustments, net	(119)	(1)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	8,173	8,292
OptumRx
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	14,797	14,791
Acquisitions	699	6
Foreign currency effects and adjustments, net	39	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 15,535	$ 14,797

X

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Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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