Name:	ci_AdjustedIncomeLossFromOperations
Namespace Prefix:	ci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	ci_AfterTaxAdjustmentsToReconcileToAdjustedIncomeFromOperationsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ci_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

No definition available.

Name:	ci_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssetsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	ci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

This element represents after-tax acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

No definition available.

Name:	ci_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCostsAfterTax
Namespace Prefix:	ci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount after taxes of the net realized gains or (losses) on investments during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	ci_RealizedInvestmentGainsLossesNetOfTaxes
Namespace Prefix:	ci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Sum of net of tax amounts classified as special items, attributable to the parent. Special items reflect amounts that management does not believe are representative of underlying results of operations.

No definition available.

Name:	ci_SpecialItemGainOrLossNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity
Namespace Prefix:	ci_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	ci_SpecialItemsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ci_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1377-109256

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ci_GlobalHealthBenefitsSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ci_GlobalSupplementalBenefitsSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ci_GroupDisabilityAndLifeSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: