Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

(in millions)	2011		2010		2009
Current Provision:
Federal	$	2,608	$	2,524	$	1,924
State and local	150		180		78
Total current provision	2,758		2,704		2,002
Deferred provision	59		45		(16		)
Total provision for income taxes	$	2,817	$	2,749	$	1,986

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

The reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. Federal Statutory Rate to the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

(in millions, except percentages)	2011					2010					2009
Tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate	$	2,785		35.0	%	$	2,584		35.0	%	$	2,033		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	136			1.7		129			1.7		66			1.1
Settlement of state exams, net of federal benefit	(29		)	(0.4	)	(3		)	—		(40		)	(0.7	)
Tax-exempt investment income	(63		)	(0.8	)	(65		)	(0.9	)	(70		)	(1.2	)
Non-deductible compensation	10			0.1		64			0.9		—			—
Other, net	(22		)	(0.2	)	40			0.5		(3		)	—
Provision for income taxes	$	2,817		35.4	%	$	2,749		37.2	%	$	1,986		34.2	%

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows:

(in millions)	2011			2010
Deferred income tax assets:
Share-based compensation	$	417		$	385
Accrued expenses and allowances	259			233
Net operating loss carryforwards	247			285
Medical costs payable and other policy liabilities	166			102
Long term liabilities	155			147
Unearned revenues	56			78
Unrecognized tax benefits	44			62
Other	192			215
Subtotal	1,536			1,507
Less: valuation allowances	(184		)	(247		)
Total deferred income tax assets	1,352			1,260
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	(1,148		)	(1,104		)
Capitalized software development	(465		)	(450		)
Net unrealized gains on investments	(275		)	(161		)
Depreciation and amortization	(256		)	(140		)
Prepaid expenses	(86		)	(92		)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(2,230		)	(1,947		)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$	(878	)	$	(687	)

Summary Of Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Table Text Block]

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 is as follows:

(in millions)	2011			2010			2009
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period	$	220		$	220		$	340
Gross increases:
Current year tax positions	11			13			10
Prior year tax positions	10			30			11
Gross decreases:
Prior year tax positions	(34		)	—			(62		)
Settlements	(25		)	—			(61		)
Statute of limitations lapses	(53		)	(43		)	(18		)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, end of period	$	129		$	220		$	220