EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENTS - Condensed Financial Information of Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) data:
GROSS PROFIT	$ 166,320	$ 101,390	$ 324,349	$ 199,584
Equity in net income	1,000	600	1,574	1,192
Consolidated balance sheet data:
Current assets	637,543		637,543		$ 558,654
Noncurrent assets	1,988,722		1,988,722		2,030,893
Current liabilities	394,611		394,611		330,004
Noncurrent liabilities	1,363,688		1,363,688		1,352,716
Legacy Health Systems | Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee or Group of Investees
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) data:
Net revenue	6,520	4,789	12,011	9,396
Cost of revenue	4,772	3,432	8,712	6,799
GROSS PROFIT	1,748	1,357	3,299	2,597
Net income	633	257	1,150	507
Equity in net income	316	129	574	254
Consolidated balance sheet data:
Current assets	8,401		8,401		7,643
Noncurrent assets	3,387		3,387		3,846
Current liabilities	1,213		1,213		903
Noncurrent liabilities	498		498		659
Vanderbilt Health Services | Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee or Group of Investees
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) data:
Net revenue	11,972	9,925	22,480	19,163
Cost of revenue	9,341	7,468	17,981	14,517
GROSS PROFIT	2,631	2,457	4,499	4,646
Net income	1,391	1,028	1,999	1,876
Equity in net income	696	$ 514	1,000	$ 938
Consolidated balance sheet data:
Current assets	14,684		14,684		11,111
Noncurrent assets	1,699		1,699		2,033
Current liabilities	2,680		2,680		1,228
Noncurrent liabilities	$ 745		$ 745		$ 956