| Entity Registrant Name | AETNA INC /PA/ | 
| CIK | 0001122304 | 
| Accession number | 0001122304-14-000037 | 
| Link to XBRL instance | http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1122304/000112230414000037/aet-20131231.xml | 
| Fiscal year end | --12-31 | 
| Fiscal year focus | 2013 | 
| Fiscal period focus | FY | 
| Current balance sheet date | 2013-12-31 | 
| Current year-to-date income statement start date | 2013-01-01 | 
| Commentary | Provides PPE net on balance sheet, breaks out gross and net in disclosure, does not provide a breakdown of PPE components. | 
| Level 3 (Disclosure) Text Block concept | PPE Components Presented on Balance Sheet | 
| PPE Components Presented on Balance Sheet | 
Level 4 Details Key Concepts: Long-term Debt Maturities
| Description | Fact value | US GAAP XBRL Concept | 
|---|---|---|
| PPE, Gross | 852,000,000 | us-gaap:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross | 
| Accumulated depreciation | 130,000,000 | us-gaap:AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment | 
| PPE, Net | 721,900,000 | us-gaap:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet | 
| CHECK | -100,000 | 
         
          
         
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