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Capital Stock (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 2 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Feb. 05, 2015
Mar. 25, 2015
Feb. 04, 2014
Oct. 02, 2014
Jan. 27, 2015
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Share-based compensation cost         $ 168,900,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation $ 146,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation $ 146,500,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation          
Tax benefit from share-based compensation expense         60,700,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 52,600,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 52,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense          
Employee stock purchase plan, purchase price per share as a percent of closing price         95.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent              
Common stock purchased under Stock Purchase Plan         0antm_CommonStockPurchasedUnderStockPurchasePlan 0antm_CommonStockPurchasedUnderStockPurchasePlan 0antm_CommonStockPurchasedUnderStockPurchasePlan          
Cash dividend payment date Dec. 22, 2014 Sep. 25, 2014 Jun. 25, 2014 Mar. 25, 2014                
Cash dividend record date Dec. 05, 2014 Sep. 10, 2014 Jun. 10, 2014 Mar. 10, 2014                
Increase in stock repurchase program authorization                     5,000,000,000.0antm_IncreaseInStockRepurchaseProgramAuthorization  
Accelerated share repurchase program, shares repurchased         30,400,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares 20,700,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares            
Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Number of registered shares for issuance 60,100,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember
      60,100,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember
             
Common stock available for future issuance 21,200,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember
      21,200,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember
             
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Fair value of shares vested         174,000,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
46,700,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
222,300,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
         
Approximate number of performance restricted stock units granted         700,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
             
Approximate number of performance restricted stock units earned 1,000,000antm_PerformanceRestrictedStockUnitsEarned
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
      1,000,000antm_PerformanceRestrictedStockUnitsEarned
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
             
Unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock 76,900,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
      76,900,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
             
Weighted-average remaining requisite service period, months         10 months              
Stock Option [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Stock incentive plan vesting period, years         3 years              
Stock option term, years         7 years              
Intrinsic value of options exercised         156,700,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
176,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
65,400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
         
Tax benefit from stock option exercises and disqualifying dispositions         53,200,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxExpenseFromStockOptionsExercised
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
56,800,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxExpenseFromStockOptionsExercised
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
22,900,000us-gaap_DeferredTaxExpenseFromStockOptionsExercised
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
         
Cash received from exercise of stock options         283,600,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
524,700,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
110,800,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationCashReceivedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
         
Unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock 14,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
      14,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
/ antm_CapitalStockAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
             
Weighted-average remaining requisite service period, months         11 months              
Subsequent Event [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Cash Dividend per Share                       $ 0.6250us-gaap_DividendsPayableAmountPerShare
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Cash dividend payment date                 Mar. 25, 2015      
Cash dividend record date                 Mar. 10, 2015      
Accelerated share repurchase program, shares repurchased               1,800,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
       
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Number of registered shares for issuance 14,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
      14,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
             
Common stock available for future issuance 5,900,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
      5,900,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
             
Maximum amount of stock employees are permitted to purchase per calender year         25,000antm_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardMaximumSharesPerEmployeeAmount
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
             
Payroll deductions, percent of gross compensation, minimum 1.00%antm_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardMinimumEmployeeSubscriptionRate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
      1.00%antm_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardMinimumEmployeeSubscriptionRate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
             
Payroll deductions, percent of gross compensation, maximum 15.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumEmployeeSubscriptionRate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
      15.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumEmployeeSubscriptionRate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
             
Employee stock purchase plan, purchase price per share as a percent of closing price         95.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
             
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans         200,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= antm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
             
Call Options [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Number of shares subject to purchase call options         3,000,000antm_NumberOfSharesSubjectToPurchaseCallOptions
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CallOptionMember
             
Aggregate premium paid         25,800,000us-gaap_DerivativeCostOfHedge
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CallOptionMember
             
Aggregate fair value 27,500,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CallOptionMember
      27,500,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CallOptionMember
             
Call Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Price per share 77.50antm_DerivativePriceRiskOptionStrikePricePerShare
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CallOptionMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
      $ 77.50antm_DerivativePriceRiskOptionStrikePricePerShare
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CallOptionMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
             
Call Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Price per share 83.10antm_DerivativePriceRiskOptionStrikePricePerShare
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CallOptionMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
      $ 83.10antm_DerivativePriceRiskOptionStrikePricePerShare
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CallOptionMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
             
Shareholders' Equity [Member] | Call Options [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Aggregate premium paid         7,900,000us-gaap_DerivativeCostOfHedge
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ShareholdersEquityMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CallOptionMember
             
Derivative assets [Member] | Call Options [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Aggregate premium paid         17,900,000us-gaap_DerivativeCostOfHedge
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= us-gaap_CallOptionMember
             
Repurchase Agreements [Member]                        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]                        
Accelerated share repurchase program, amount authorized                   $ 600,000,000.0us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember
   
Accelerated share repurchase program, shares repurchased           6,600,000us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsMember