v2.4.1.9

Property, Software And Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, software and equipment, gross | $ 733 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross | $ 639 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross |
Less accumulated depreciation | (288)us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment | (244)us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment |
Property, software and equipment, net | 445 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet | 395 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet |
Depreciation expense | 65 us-gaap_Depreciation | 52 us-gaap_Depreciation | 49 us-gaap_Depreciation
Computer Software [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, software and equipment, gross | 198 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember | 185 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember |
Buildings [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, software and equipment, gross | 208 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_BuildingMember | 206 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_BuildingMember |
Land [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, software and equipment, gross | 87 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_LandMember | 69 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_LandMember |
Computer Hardware [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, software and equipment, gross | 88 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = cnc_ComputerHardwareMember | 69 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = cnc_ComputerHardwareMember |
Furniture And Office Equipment [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, software and equipment, gross | 70 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = cnc_FurnitureAndOfficeEquipmentMember | 53 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = cnc_FurnitureAndOfficeEquipmentMember |
Leasehold Improvements [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, software and equipment, gross | 82 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember | 57 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember |
Assets Held Under Capital Leases [Member] |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |  |  |
Less accumulated depreciation | (3)us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember | (2)us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember |
Property, software and equipment, net | $ 7 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember | $ 6 us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember |

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- Definition Amount of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.14) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 14 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 7 + Details
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