Acquisitions - schedule of purchase price allocation and identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions				12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2022	Nov. 24, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Acquisitions				$ 10,040	$ 414
Goodwill	$ 22,280			22,280	$ 12,421	$ 12,013
VillageMD
Purchase Price Allocation:
Total purchase price		$ 5,200
Less: purchase price for issuance of new preferred units at fair value		(2,300)
Net consideration		2,900
Fair value of share-based compensation awards attributable to pre-combination services		683
Fair value of previously held equity and debt		3,211
Fair value of non-controlling interest		3,257
Total		10,051
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Tangible assets		634
Intangible assets		1,621
Liabilities		(245)
Total identifiable net assets		2,010
Acquisitions		$ 8,041
Shields Health Solutions
Purchase Price Allocation:
Business combination, consideration transferred			$ 969
Fair value of share-based compensation awards attributable to pre-combination services			13
Fair value of previously held equity and debt			502
Fair value of non-controlling interest			589
Total			2,074
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Tangible assets			84
Intangible assets			1,060
Liabilities			(528)
Total identifiable net assets			616
Acquisitions				1,500
Goodwill			$ 1,457
CareCentrix, Inc.
Purchase Price Allocation:
Business combination, consideration transferred	320
Business combination, contingent consideration, liability	4			4
Fair value of share-based compensation awards attributable to pre-combination services	66
Fair value of non-controlling interest	217
Total	607
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Tangible assets	358			358
Intangible assets	460			460
Liabilities	(665)			(665)
Total identifiable net assets	153			153
Acquisitions				454
Goodwill	$ 454			$ 454