Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Real estate Defined Benefit Plan, Real Estate [Member] Revision of Prior Period [Axis] Revision of Prior Period [Axis] Other asset-backed securities Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member] Securities collateralized by a variety of assets such as automobile loans, credit card receivables, home equity loans, etc. Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block] Number of claims Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number Net benefit costs Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net Long-term debt Subtotal Long-Term Debt, Gross Assets: Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets [Abstract] Less: Impact of discount rate on long-duration insurance reserves Add: Impact of discount rate on long-duration insurance reserves Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions AOCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, before Tax Total finance lease costs Finance Lease Cost Finance Lease Cost Policyholders' Funds Allocations to Policyholders, Policies [Policy Text Block] Deferred: Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Net unrealized investment gains (losses) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-Sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense and Components of Change in Health Care Costs Payable Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Table Text Block] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Settlement Framework and Other Opioid-Related Claims Settlement Framework And Other Opioid-Related Claims [Member] Settlement Framework And Other Opioid-Related Claims Total finance lease liabilities Total finance lease liabilities Finance lease liabilities Finance Lease, Liability Total property and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Redemption and breakage Contract With Customer Liability Redemption And Breakage Contract With Customer Liability Redemption And Breakage Settlements Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Payment for Settlement Long-term debt Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure 5.05% senior notes due March 2048 Senior Notes, 5.05%, Due March 2048 [Member] Senior Notes, 5.05%, Due March 2048 [Member] Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Activity [Line Items] Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Activity [Line Items] Surrenders and withdrawals Policyholder Account Balance, Surrender and Withdrawal Health care costs payable Total health care costs payable Health care costs payable, beginning of period Health care costs payable, end of period Health care costs payable Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Change in discount rate on insurance reserves OCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification Adjustment and Tax 3.5% senior notes due July 2022 Senior Notes, 3.5%, Due July 2022 [Member] Senior Notes, 3.5%, Due July 2022 [Member] After five years through ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 5 Through 10 Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments [Domain] 7 Category 7 [Member] Mortgage loan credit quality indicator - 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Beginning balance Ending balance Fair value of plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount Written Communications Written Communications Weighted average exercise price, forfeited ($ per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Expected gross premiums Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Gross Premium, Undiscounted, before Reinsurance Premiums Earned, Net [Abstract] Premiums Earned, Net [Abstract] Compensation not yet recognized, other than options Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Excluding Option, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Performance Stock Units (PSUs) Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) And Performance Stock Units (PSUs) [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) And Performance Stock Units (PSUs) Settlement Framework Settlement Framework [Member] Settlement Framework Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Gross transfers out of Level 3 Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3 Employee Stock Employee Stock [Member] Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Weighted average contractual term, outstanding at end of year Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Fair Value, Separate Account Investment [Line Items] Fair Value, Separate Account Investment [Line Items] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Actuarial gain Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Actuarial Gain (Loss) Settlements Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities 2027 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Five Common stock, par value $0.01: 3,200 shares authorized; 1,758 shares issued and 1,300 shares outstanding at December 31, 2022 and 1,744 shares issued and 1,322 shares outstanding at December 31, 2021 and capital surplus Common Stocks, Including Additional Paid in Capital Mortgage loans Mortgages Held-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure Current portion of operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Credit-related impairment loss Credit-Related Impairment Loss, Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Recognized In Earnings Credit-Related Impairment Loss, Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Recognized In Earnings Shares expired (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table] Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table] Foreign securities Foreign Government Short-Term Debt Securities [Member] Finance lease cost: Lease, Cost [Abstract] Proceeds from divestiture of subsidiary Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses 2 to 4 Category 2 To 4 [Member] Mortgage Loan Credit Quality Indicator - Category 2 to 4 [Member]. 5.3% senior notes due December 2043 Senior Notes, 5.3%, Due December 2043 [Member] Senior Notes, 5.3%, Due December 2043 [Member] 2025 Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Collections Of Principal In Year Three Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Collections Of Principal In Year Three Cash paid to other suppliers and employees Payments to Suppliers and Employees Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] Total liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities 2021 Repurchase Program 2021 Repurchase Program [Member] 2021 Repurchase Program Lease and rents Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, 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Line of Credit Line of Credit [Member] Variable lease costs Variable Lease, Cost Gain on sale of subsidiaries Gain (loss) on sale of subsidiaries Gain on divestiture of subsidiaries Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Customer [Axis] Customer [Axis] Foreign currency translation adjustments Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Long-term debt Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent One year through five years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year One Through Five Private equity investments Private Equity Funds [Member] Schedule of Valuation Assumptions Schedule of Share-Based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Income Tax Provision Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Residential mortgage-backed securities Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] Health insurer fee Health Insurer Fee Represents the estimated amount of the health insurer fee accrued during the reporting period, as required by Health Care Reform. Compensation not yet recognized, period for recognition Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Unrealized Losses Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss Weighted average remaining contractual term exercisable at end of year Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Premiums and deposits Separate Account, Liability, Premium and Deposit Loss on net cash flow hedges Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Schedule of Carrying Value and Fair Value By Level of Fair Value Hierarchy Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Premium paid in excess of debt principal Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, before Write off of Debt 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Accounts payable and pharmacy claims and discounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Other asset-backed securities Separate Account, Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member] Separate Account, Other Asset-Backed Securities Other revenues from transactions with related party Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party Cumulative Paid Health Care Claims, Net of Reinsurance Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Concentration risk, percent Concentration Risk, Percentage Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items] Reinsurance Recoverables Reinsurance Accounting Policy [Policy Text Block] 3.625% senior notes due April 2027 Senior Notes, 3 Point 625 Percent, April 2027 [Member] Senior Notes, 3 Point 625 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[Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Portion at Fair Value Measurement Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Other Insurance Liabilities and Separate Accounts Insurance Contract, Acquisition Cost [Text Block] Number of states that elected to join the settlement Litigation Settlement, Number Of States Elected To Join Litigation Settlement, Number Of States Elected To Join 2027 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five After five years through ten years Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After Five Through Ten Years Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After Five Through Ten Years Internal Credit Assessment [Domain] Internal Credit Assessment [Domain] Litigation Status [Domain] Litigation Status [Domain] Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table Text Block] 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Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Interest credited Policyholder Account Balance, Interest Expense Gross transfers into Level 3 Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3 Greater than ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 10 Settlement losses Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement Long-Term Care Reporting Unit Long-Term Care Reporting Unit [Member] Long-Term Care Reporting Unit [Member] Scenario [Domain] Scenario [Domain] Recurring Fair Value, Recurring [Member] Weighted average exercise price exercisable at end of year ($ per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Cash surrender value Policyholder Account Balance, Cash Surrender Value Fair Value, Less than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Domain] Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Domain] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Financing cash flows paid for principal portion of finance leases Finance Lease, Principal Payments Legal charges Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Legal Settlements Insurance benefits paid Payments For Insurance Benefits Payments For Insurance Benefits Property and equipment, net Property, Plant And Equipment, Net, Including Assets Held For Sale Property, Plant And Equipment, Net, Including Assets Held For Sale Cash surrender value, end of the period Separate Account, Liability, Cash Surrender Value, Amount Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Charitable contribution to CVS Health Foundation Related Party Transaction, Charitable Contribution To Non-Profit Entity Related Party Transaction, Charitable Contribution To Non-Profit Entity Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Total current taxes Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Products Product [Member] Weighted average crediting rate Policyholder Account Balance, Weighted Average Crediting Rate Common/collective trusts, Equity Securities Defined Benefit Plan, Common Collective Trust, Equity Securities [Member] Defined Benefit Plan, Common Collective Trust, Equity Securities [Member] 2024 Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two One year through five years Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After One Through Five Years, Accumulated Loss Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After One Through Five Years, Accumulated Loss Weighted average exercise price vested at end of year and expected to vest in the future ($ per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price HSA balances Heath Savings Account Balance Heath Savings Account Balance 2.75% senior notes due November 2022 Senior Notes, 2.75%, Due November 2022 [Member] Senior Notes, 2.75%, Due November 2022 [Member] Redeemable preferred securities Redeemable Preferred Securities [Member] Redeemable Preferred Securities [Member] Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Litigation Status [Axis] Litigation Status [Axis] Policyholders’ funds Other Policyholder Funds Equity securities Equity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Amount Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Goodwill Balance, beginning of the period Balance, end of the period Goodwill Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet: Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract] Health Care and Other Insurance Liabilities [Abstract] Health Care and Other Insurance Liabilities Treasury stock (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Actual return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Increase (Decrease) for Actual Return (Loss) Net unrealized investment gains (losses) AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Including Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Income tax provision Total Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Valuation allowance Valuation allowance Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Cost of products sold Cost of Goods and Services Sold Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Liability for future policy benefits, beginning of period - current discount rate Liability For Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Before Reinsurance, Before Discount Rate Change Liability For Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Before Reinsurance, Before Discount Rate Change Termination fee Business Combination, Termination Fee Business Combination, Termination Fee 2023 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year One Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions AOCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, before Tax Other receivables Accounts Receivable [Member] Total Investments Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] 4% senior notes due December 2023 Senior Notes, 4%, Due December 2023 [Member] Senior Notes, 4%, Due December 2023 [Member] Acquisition-related integration costs Business Combination, Integration Related Costs Senior Notes Senior Notes [Member] New mortgage loans SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, New Mortgage Loan Beginning liability for future policy benefits at original (locked-in) discount rate Ending liability for future policy benefits at original (locked-in) discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Original Discount Rate, before Cash Flow and Reinsurance Current liabilities reflected in accrued expenses Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Current Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted 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With Customer, Liability Contract liabilities (included in accrued expenses) Contract liabilities, beginning of period Contract liabilities, end of period Contract with Customer, Liability, Current 4.75% senior notes due March 2044 Senior Notes, 4.75%, Due March 2044 [Member] Senior Notes, 4.75%, Due March 2044 [Member] Interest on lease liabilities Finance Lease, Interest Expense ESPP issuances, net of purchase of treasury shares ESPP Issuance, Net Of Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method ESPP Issuance, Net Of Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Total CVS Health Shareholders’ Equity Parent [Member] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Number of Securities Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Number of Positions Fair Value Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Effect of actual variances from expected experience Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) of Actual Variance from Expected Experience Operating lease cost Operating Lease, Cost Total lease payments Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due Mortgage loans Mortgage Loans [Member] Represents mortgage loans for the reporting period measured at carrying value. We carry the value of our mortgage loan investments on our balance sheet at the unpaid principal balance, net of impairment reserves. Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type [Axis] Other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax 2025 Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three Other Separate Account, Liability, Increase (Decrease) from Other Change Gains from sale-leaseback transactions Sale and Leaseback Transaction, Gain (Loss), Net Acquisitions, Divestitures and Asset Sales Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block] Gross Unrealized Gains Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax Deferred income tax assets: Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract] Basis difference upon disposition of subsidiary Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Disposition of Business, Percent Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Proceeds from VIE Proceeds From Variable Interest Entity Proceeds From Variable Interest Entity 4.3% senior notes due 2028 Senior Notes, 4.3%, Due 2028 [Member] Senior Notes, 4.3%, Due 2028 Shares exercisable at end of year (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Total Investments [Line Items] Total Investments [Line Items] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Purchase price of common stock percent Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent Less: Claims paid Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid [Abstract] Other Insurance Liabilities Other Insurance Liabilities [Member] Other Insurance Liabilities [Member] Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items] Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items] 2027 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, after Year Five Current discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Current Weighted-Average Discount Rate Acquisitions, net Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Business Acquisitions Operating lease term (in years) Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract Barclays Bank Barclays Bank [Member] Barclays Bank Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Earnings per share from continuing operations: Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted EPS [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted EPS Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Health care costs payable and other insurance liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Insurance Liabilities Number of Securities, Less than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Number of Positions Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Net premiums (actual) Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Net Premium Collected Debt securities available for sale Debt And Equity Securities Available For Sale [Member] Investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized neither as trading securities nor held-to-maturity securities. Such securities are reported at fair value; unrealized gains and losses related to Available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity (other comprehensive income) Operating cash flows paid for operating leases Operating Lease, Payments Mortgage loans foreclosed SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Foreclosure Present value of expected net premiums Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium [Roll Forward] Repayments of long-term debt Redeemed principal amount Repayments of Long-Term Debt Employee Stock Option Stock Options Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract] Treasury stock, at cost: 458 and 422 shares at December 31, 2022 and 2021 Treasury Stock, Value Net Amortized Cost Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, after Allowance for Credit Loss Pension and other postretirement benefits Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, after Tax Estimated statutory capital and surplus Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Balance Expected volatility Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Long-term operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Including Liabilities Held For Sale Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Including Liabilities Held For Sale Stock option activity, stock awards and other Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Self insurance liabilities Self Insurance Reserve Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Transfer of shares to treasury stock value Transfer Of Shares To Treasury Stock Value Transfer Of Shares To Treasury Stock Value Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Maximum Maximum [Member] Accumulated depreciation Finance Lease, Right-Of-Use Asset, Accumulated Depreciation Finance Lease, Right-Of-Use Asset, Accumulated Depreciation Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Reduction to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), before tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Number of international health care members, renewal rights sold Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Number Of International Health Care Members, Renewal Rights Sold Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Number Of International Health Care Members, Renewal Rights Sold 6.75% senior notes due December 2037 Senior Notes, 6.75%, Due December 2037 [Member] Senior Notes, 6.75%, Due December 2037 [Member] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] Dividends Payable [Line Items] Dividends Payable [Line Items] Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) from Cash Flow Change Measurement Frequency [Domain] Measurement Frequency [Domain] Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income) Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Separate Accounts Policyholder Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block] Liability for future policy benefits Net liability for future policy benefits Liability for Future Policy Benefit, before Reinsurance Income from continuing operations Income from continuing operations Income from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Value of Business Acquired Value Of Business Acquired [Member] Value Of Business Acquired [Member] 3.875% senior notes due July 2025 Senior Notes, 3.875%, Due July 2025 [Member] Senior Notes, 3.875%, Due July 2025 [Member] Cost of Products Sold Cost of Goods and Service [Policy Text Block] Thereafter Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due After Year Five Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due After Year Five Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net [Abstract] Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net [Abstract] Weighted average discount rate Leases, Weighted Average Discount Rate [Abstract] Leases, Weighted Average Discount Rate [Abstract] Schedule of reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block] Debt securities, maturity, without single maturity date Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, without Single 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Securities, Available-For-Sale, Weighted Average Duration Of Securities Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Weighted Average Duration Of Securities Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment Summary of Separate Account Assets Fair Value, Separate Account Investment [Table Text Block] Separate Accounts, financial assets Separate Account, Financial Assets [Member] Separate Account, Financial Assets Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Determining Benefit Obligations and Net Benefit Costs Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions [Table Text Block] Investment contract liabilities with a fixed maturity Investment Contracts With Fixed Maturity, Fair Value Disclosure Investment Contracts With Fixed Maturity, Fair Value Disclosure. Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss 3.5% senior notes due November 2024 Senior Notes, 3.5%, Due November 2024 [Member] Senior Notes, 3.5%, Due November 2024 [Member] Debt securities, maturity, without single maturity date, unrealized losses Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Without Single Maturity Date, Accumulated Loss Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Without Single Maturity Date, Accumulated Loss Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] As Reported Previously Reported [Member] Unrealized Losses, Greater than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss Former gain contingency, recognized in current period, net of tax Former Gain Contingency, Recognized In Current Period, Net of Tax Former Gain Contingency, Recognized In Current Period, Net of Tax Net deferred income tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net Estimated Fair Value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Other insurance liabilities Other Insurance Liabilities, Current Other Insurance Liabilities, Current 2.75% senior notes due December 2022 Senior Notes, 2.75%, Due December 2022 [Member] Senior Notes, 2.75%, Due December 2022 [Member] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Legal settlement awarded to other party Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded to Other Party Current year Current Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Inventories Inventory, Net Premium deficiency reserve Add: Premium deficiency reserve Premium Deficiency Reserve Liability The amount of reserves related to expected future claims, including maintenance costs (for example, direct costs such as claim processing costs), in excess of existing reserves plus anticipated future premiums and reinsurance recoveries. Aggregate intrinsic value vested at end of year and expected to vest in the future Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value 1.875% senior notes due February 2031 Senior Notes, 1 Point 875 Percent, February 2031 [Member] Senior Notes, 1 Point 875 Percent, February 2031 Income from continuing operations attributable to CVS Health (in dollars per share) Earnings per share from continuing operations, basic (USD per share) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Total lease liabilities Lease, Liability Lease, Liability Weighted average basic shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted average shares, basic (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Schedule of variable interest entities Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block] 2026 Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items] Liability recorded in association with legal settlement Loss Contingency Accrual Aetna Inc 2010 Stock Incentive Plan Aetna Inc 2010 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] Aetna Inc 2010 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] 4.125% senior notes due November 2042 Senior Notes, 4.125%, Due November 2042 [Member] This item represents senior notes due 2042 with a coupon rate of 4.125%. Decrease in prior years' healthcare costs payable Prior years Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Copayments Net Revenues, Retail CoPayments Net Revenues, Retail CoPayments Change in plan assets: Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward] Beginning liability for future policy benefits at original (locked-in) discount rate Ending liability for future policy benefits at original (locked-in) discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Original Discount Rate, before Cash Flow and Reinsurance Debt securities, maturity, without single maturity date, fair value Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Without Single Maturity Date, Fair Value Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Without Single Maturity Date, Fair Value Target investment allocations Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Target Allocation, Percentage Dividends paid SEC Schedule, 12-04, Cash Dividends Paid to Registrant, Consolidated Subsidiaries Separate Account Asset Category [Domain] Separate Account Asset Category [Domain] Forward contract, notional amount Derivative, Notional Amount Preferred stock, par value $0.01: 0.1 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Restricted cash (included in other current assets) Restricted Cash, Current Fixtures, equipment and internally developed software Fixtures, Equipment And Internally Developed Software [Member] Fixtures, Equipment And Internally Developed Software [Member] Fair Value, Separate Account Investment [Table] Fair Value, Separate Account Investment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Short-term Debt, Type [Domain] Short-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Schedule of Operating Leased Assets [Table] Schedule of Operating Leased Assets [Table] Included in other comprehensive income (loss) Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Pending Litigation Pending Litigation [Member] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Right-of-Use Assets and Lease Liabilities Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block] Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Change in net unrealized gains (losses) Policyholder Account Balance, Change In Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Policyholder Account Balance, Change In Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) One year through five years Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After One Through Five Years Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After One Through Five Years Stock Incentive Plans Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Cash and cash equivalents Separate Account, Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Allowance for credit losses Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss Summary of Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale Disclosure of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Table Text Block] Health Care Costs Payable Health Care Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Divestitures Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit Purchase of treasury shares, net of ESPP issuances Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, Net Of ESPP Issuance Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, Net Of ESPP Issuance Debt instrument term Debt Instrument, Term Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Cost, Product and Service [Extensible List] Cost, Product and Service [Extensible Enumeration] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Aggregate principal of debt extinguished Extinguishment of Debt, Amount Land Land [Member] Effect of dilutive securities (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Payment Arrangements Diluted earnings per share: Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Settlements Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements Disposal Group Name [Domain] Disposal Group Name [Domain] Acquisitions (net of cash acquired) Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Supporting remaining products Supporting Remaining Products [Member] Debt securities in an unrealized capital loss position supporting remaining products. Benefit costs Benefit costs Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net, Health Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations: Supplemental Income Statement Elements [Abstract] Purchases Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases Total assets held for sale Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets Intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Premiums Premiums [Member] Premiums [Member] 5.75% senior notes due May 2041 Senior Notes, 5.75%, Due May 2041 [Member] Senior Notes, 5.75%, Due May 2041 [Member] Leases, amount due in excess of remaining estimated economic life Operating And Capital Leases, Amount Due In Excess Of Remaining Estimated Economic Life Operating And Capital Leases, Amount Due In Excess Of Remaining Estimated Economic Life Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Prior year refunds and unrecognized tax benefits Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Settlement, Domestic, Percent Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Reporting Unit [Domain] Reporting Unit [Domain] Schedule of accounts receivable, net Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block] Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Domain] Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Domain] Self-Insurance Liabilities Self Insurance Reserve [Policy Text Block] Customer Concentration Risk Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Health care costs payable, beginning of period, net Health care costs payable, end of period, net Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Expiration period Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Expiration Period Accounts receivable, net Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Accounts, Notes and Loans Receivable, Net Reinsurance Reinsurance [Text Block] Other Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Liability for future policy benefits, beginning of period - current discount rate Liability for future policy benefits, end of period - current discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, before Reinsurance, after Discount Rate Change Impairment of intangible assets, indefinite-lived Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-Lived (Excluding Goodwill) Summary of Intangible Assets Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the cost, accumulated amortization and net balance of intangibles assets and amortization period, in total and by major class. Finite-lived intangible assets have a stated useful life over which their gross carrying value is amortized. Indefinite intangible assets have a projected indefinite period of benefit (hence are not amortized). Assets: Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract] Lease renewal term Lessee, Operating And Finance Leases, Renewal Term Lessee, Operating And Finance Leases, Renewal Term Radcliff and Flaim v Aetna Inc., et al Radcliff and Flaim v Aetna Inc., et al [Member] Radcliff and Flaim v Aetna Inc., et al 3.75% senior notes due April 2030 Senior Notes, 3 Point 75 Percent, April 2030 [Member] Senior Notes, 3 Point 75 Percent, April 2030 Finance leases Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Greater than ten years Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After Ten Years, Accumulated Loss Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After Ten Years, Accumulated Loss Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Total incurred health care costs Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims Less than one year Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, Within One Year Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, Within One Year Health Services Health Services Segment [Member] Health Services Segment Long-term debt (1) Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation Total Investments [Axis] Total Investments [Axis] Defined contribution plan, employer contributions Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Vested (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Other receivables Other Receivables, Net, Current Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Number of shares authorized (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Amended contract term (in years) Variable Interest Entity, Amended Contract Term Variable Interest Entity, Amended Contract Term Health Care Costs Payable Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block] Other long-term insurance liabilities Other Insurance Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Insurance Liabilities, Noncurrent RSU and Performance Share Unit Activity Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block] Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract] Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract] Schedule of Short-term Debt [Table] Schedule of Short-Term Debt [Table] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Operating lease, right-of-use asset, fair value Operating lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Fair Value Disclosure Operating lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Fair Value Disclosure Amended contract extension term Variable Interest Entity, Amended Contract Extension Term Variable Interest Entity, Amended Contract Extension Term Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted Premium Deficiency Reserves Insurance Premium Deficiency Reserve [Policy Text Block] Insurance Premium Deficiency Reserve [Policy Text Block] Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Other Policyholder Account Balance, Increase (Decrease) from Other Change Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] 2021 Year Of Origination Period Two [Member] Year Of Origination Period Two Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year [Axis] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year [Axis] Multiemployer plans, plan contributions Multiemployer Plan, Pension, Insignificant, Plan Contribution Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table] Total value of proposed/pending acquisition Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Legal settlement, period of payment Legal Settlement, Period Of Payment Legal Settlement, Period Of Payment Number of Securities Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Number of Positions [Abstract] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] City Area Code City Area Code Assets: Assets [Abstract] Attorneys' fees and costs Legal Fees Adjustments Revision of Prior Period, Adjustment [Member] Measurement of Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block] Schedule of Debt Securities In An Unrealized Capital Loss Position Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block] Fair Value Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Fair Value [Abstract] Net assets Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts for Asset (Liability) Recognized in Statement of Financial Position 4.5% senior notes due May 2042 Senior Notes, 4.5%, Due May 2042 [Member] Senior Notes, 4.5%, Due May 2042 [Member] Interest and investment income received Proceeds from Interest and Dividends Received Financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Earnings per Share Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] 2023 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year One Stock-based compensation Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company Hartford Life And Accident Insurance Company [Member] Hartford Life And Accident Insurance Company [Member] Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other Intangible Assets[Line Items] Other Acquired Intangible Assets [Line Items] -- None. No documentation exists for this element. -- Other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Purchases of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Benefit payments (actual) Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Benefit Payment 2023 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year One Benefit obligation Benefit obligation, beginning of year Benefit obligation, end of year Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation Thereafter Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Five Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Operating leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Gross realized capital losses Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Realized Loss Real Estate [Domain] Real Estate [Domain] Customer [Domain] Customer [Domain] Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract] Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract] Other Postretirement Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] Interest accrual (using locked-in discount rate) Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Interest Income Employee Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Employee Stock Options And Stock Appreciation Rights [Member] Employee Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights [Member] Less than one year Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Year One Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Total lease payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid Net income Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Insurance lines other than short duration Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expense, Other Reconciling Item Statutory net income Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Net Income Amount Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Separate Account Asset Category [Axis] Separate Account Asset Category [Axis] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] 2024 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Two Payroll tax deferral Deferred Tax Assets, Payroll Tax Deferral Deferred Tax Assets, Payroll Tax Deferral Provider networks Provider Networks [Member] Acquired in a business combination or other transaction. This item represents the value ascribed to the relationships with the acquiree's physicians, hospitals and other health care providers network. Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items] Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items] Valuation Allowance [Line Items] Valuation Allowance [Line Items] Maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Expenses from transactions with related party Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Current portion of long-term debt Current portion of long-term debt Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current Average purchase price of shares purchased (in dollars per share) Stock Issued During Period, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Average Purchase Price of Shares Purchased Stock Issued During Period, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Average Purchase Price of Shares Purchased U.S. domestic Defined Benefit Plan, Equity Securities, US [Member] Software Software and Software Development Costs [Member] Shares Held in Trust Shares Held In Trust [Policy Text Block] Shares Held In Trust [Policy Text Block] Investments on deposit with regulatory bodies Assets Held by Insurance Regulators ASR, maximum amount of shares received or delivered Accelerated Share Repurchase Program, Maximum Number Of Shares Accelerated Share Repurchase Program, Maximum Number Of Shares 2026 Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Collections Of Principal In Year Four Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Collections Of Principal In Year Four Other Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] 3.7% senior notes due 2023 Senior Notes, 3 Point 70 Percent, Due 2023 [Member] Senior Notes, 3 Point 70 Percent, Due 2023 Thailand Business Thailand Business [Member] Thailand Business Initial contractual term (in years) Initial Contractual Term Variable Interest Entity, Initial Contractual Term Debt securities Separate Account, Debt Security [Member] Short-term Debt, Type [Axis] Short-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Expiration of statutes of limitation Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations Net periodic benefit cost Net periodic benefit cost (income) Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Total Lessee, Leases Liabilities Payments Due [Abstract] Lessee, Leases Liabilities Payments Due [Abstract] ESPP issuances, net of purchase of treasury shares (in shares) ESPP Issuance, Net Of Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired, Cost Method ESPP Issuance, Net Of Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired, Cost Method Cash paid for inventory and prescriptions dispensed by retail network pharmacies Payments For Inventory And Prescriptions Dispensed By Retail Network Pharmacies Payments For Inventory And Prescriptions Dispensed By Retail Network Pharmacies Net income attributable to CVS Health Net income attributable to CVS Health Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Schedule ESPP Valuation Assumptions Schedule of Share-Based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] One year through five years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year One Through Five Leases Lessee, Finance Leases [Text Block] Other Other Intangible Assets [Member] Debt securities Debt Securities [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt [Table Text Block] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Retail LTC Retail Long-Term Care Segment [Member] Retail Long-Term Care Segment [Member] Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Schedule of Regulatory Requirements Schedule of Regulatory Assets [Table Text Block] Net amount at risk Policyholder Account Balance, Net Amount at Risk Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward] Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward] Total Assets, Fair Value Disclosure ASR percent of notional amount received in shares Accelerated Share Repurchases, Percent Of Notional Amount Received In Shares Accelerated Share Repurchases, Percent Of Notional Amount Received In Shares 4.75% senior notes due December 2022 Senior Notes, 4.75%, Due December 2022 [Member] Senior Notes, 4.75%, Due December 2022 [Member] Liability for future policy benefits, beginning of period - current discount rate Liability for future policy benefits, end of period - current discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, before Reinsurance, after Discount Rate Change Gross investment income Investment Income, Interest and Dividend Denominator for earnings per share calculation: Denominator For Earnings Per Share Calculation [Abstract] Denominator For Earnings Per Share Calculation [Abstract] Leases Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] 6.125% senior notes due September 2039 Senior Notes, 6.125%, Due September 2039 [Member] Senior Notes, 6.125%, Due September 2039 [Member] States, municipalities and political subdivisions States, municipalities and political subdivisions US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Axis] Long-term debt and lease obligation Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation, Including Current Maturities Liabilities: Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities [Abstract] Income from continuing operations attributable to CVS Health (in dollars per share) Earnings per share from continuing operations, diluted (USD per share) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] ASR agreement, amount Accelerated Share Repurchases Agreement, Amount Accelerated Share Repurchases Agreement, Amount Signify Health, Inc. Signify Health, Inc. [Member] Signify Health, Inc. Number of operating segments Number of Operating Segments Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill [Line Items] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Stock Options And Stock Appreciation Rights [Member] Stock Options And Stock Appreciation Rights Schedule of Change in Level 3 Plan Assets Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Table Text Block] Sales Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales Expected future benefit payments Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Undiscounted, before Reinsurance Investment earnings Separate Account, Liability, Increase (Decrease) from Invested Performance Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Bad debts and other allowances Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves And Accruals, Bad Debts And Other Allowances Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves And Accruals, Bad Debts And Other Allowances Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Schedule of Debt Securities Available For Sale Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Table Text Block] Finance leases: Finance Lease, Assets And Liabilities, Lessee [Abstract] Finance Lease, Assets And Liabilities, Lessee [Abstract] Property and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] Information about Incurred and Paid Health Care Claims Development Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Claims Development [Table Text Block] Pharmacy claims and discounts payable Pharmacy Claims And Discounts Payable, Current Pharmacy Claims And Discounts Payable, Current 3.25% senior notes due August 2029 Senior Notes, 3.25%, Due August 2029 [Member] Senior Notes, 3.25%, Due August 2029 [Member] Amount expected to be reclassified Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net Roll Forward of Separate Accounts Separate Account, Liability [Table Text Block] 5% senior notes due December 2024 Senior Notes, 5%, Due December 2024 [Member] Senior Notes, 5%, Due December 2024 [Member] Shares forfeited (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Receipt of fully reserved ACA risk corridor receivable Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Pharmacy network Sales Channel, Through Intermediary [Member] Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated [Table] Number of reinsurance contracts entered into Number of Reinsurance Contracts Entered Into Number of reinsurance contracts entered into with an unrelated insurer. Noncurrent liabilities reflected in other long-term liabilities Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent Prior years Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Prior Years Technology Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] Schedule of property and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Loss from discontinued operations attributable to CVS Health (in dollars per share) Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Former gain contingency, recognized in current period, before tax Former Gain Contingency, Recognized In Current Period, Before Tax Former Gain Contingency, Recognized In Current Period, Before Tax Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Units Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows: Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] 2025 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Three Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items] Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Borrowings and Credit Agreements Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Cash and restricted cash sold Cash Divested from Deconsolidation Purchase of treasury shares, net of ESPP issuances (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired, Cost Method, Net Of ESPP Issuance Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired, Cost Method, Net Of ESPP Issuance Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Reductions for tax positions of prior years Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Direct Direct Premiums Earned 1.75% senior notes due August 2030 Senior Notes, 1 Point 75 Percent, August 2030 [Member] Senior Notes, 1 Point 75 Percent, August 2030 Schedule of Net Investment Income Investment Income [Table Text Block] Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block] Concentration Risk [Table] Concentration Risk [Table] 2023 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year One Property and equipment, net Finance Lease, Right-Of-Use Asset, Net Finance Lease, Right-Of-Use Asset, Net 4.875% senior notes due July 2035 Senior Notes, 4.875%, Due July 2035 [Member] Senior Notes, 4.875%, Due July 2035 [Member] Financial Instrument [Axis] Financial Instrument [Axis] 2025 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Three Deferred income tax liabilities: Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract] Finance Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Finance Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Revenues Revenue Benchmark [Member] Subsequent Event Subsequent Event [Member] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date 6.25% senior notes due June 2027 Senior Notes, 6.25%, Due June 2027 [Member] Senior Notes, 6.25%, Due June 2027 [Member] Adoption of new accounting standard, pre-tax Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest, Pretax Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest, Pretax Red Oak Red Oak [Member] Red Oak Separate accounts assets Separate Account Asset Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Total assets Total assets Assets Pharmacy Pharmacy Revenue [Member] Pharmacy Revenue [Member] Net income per share attributable to CVS Health: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Debt premiums Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium Amount awarded from other party Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded from Other Party 1.3% senior notes due August 2027 Senior Notes, 1 Point 3 Percent, August 2027 [Member] Senior Notes, 1 Point 3 Percent, August 2027 Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] 3.7% senior notes due March 2023 Senior Notes, 3.7%, Due March 2023 [Member] Senior Notes, 3.7%, Due March 2023 [Member] Equity securities Equity Securities, FV-NI, Current Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term [Abstract] Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term [Abstract] Net transfers from general account Transfer to (from) Policyholder Account Balance (to) from Separate Account Debt discounts and deferred financing costs Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount And Debt Issuance Costs, Net Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount And Debt Issuance Costs, Net 4.25% senior notes due April 2050 Senior Notes, 4 Point 25 Percent, April 2050 [Member] Senior Notes, 4 Point 25 Percent, April 2050 Weighted average exercise price, exercised ($ per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price 2027 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Five Long-term investments Long-Term Investments Stock repurchase program, authorized amount Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Operating leases: Operating Lease, Assets And Liabilities, Lessee [Abstract] Operating Lease, Assets And Liabilities, Lessee [Abstract] Other asset-backed securities Asset-Backed Securities [Member] Number of stores, annual planned closures for closure period Number Of Stores, Annual Planned Closures For Closure Period Number Of Stores, Annual Planned Closures For Closure Period Income before income tax provision Income before income tax provision Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Restricted stock units and performance stock units vested if actual payout rates are applied (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Vested In Period, Actual Payout Rates Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Vested In Period, Actual Payout Rates Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Gain contingency, unrecorded amount Gain Contingency, Unrecorded Amount Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Contractual obligations underlying the guaranteed benefits Contractual Obligations To Maintain Levels Of Separate Accounts Represents the contractual obligation to maintain the required level of funding in Separate Accounts necessary to fund specific guaranteed pensions annuities. Forward Contracts Forward Contracts [Member] Reinsurance recoverables Less: Reinsurance recoverables Add: Reinsurance recoverables Reinsurance Recoverable for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustments Supporting experience- rated products Supporting Experience Rated Products [Member] Supporting discontinued and experience-rated products. Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Loss on early extinguishment of debt Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) from Cash Flow Change Accounts Receivable Receivable [Policy Text Block] Ceded Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Ceded Assets (liabilities) recognized on the consolidated balance sheet Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts for Asset (Liability) Recognized in Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Less than one year Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, Within One Year, Accumulated Loss Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, Within One Year, Accumulated Loss Depreciation and amortization Deferred Tax Liabilities, Depreciation And Amortization Deferred Tax Liabilities, Depreciation and Amortization - Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences from depreciation and amortization Schedule of Proceeds and Related Gross Realized Capital Gains and Losses From the Sale of Debt Securities Proceeds And Related Gross Realized Capital Gains Losses From Sale Of Debt Securities [Table Text Block] This item includes proceeds from the sale of debt securities and the related gross realized capital gains and losses, excluding amounts related to experience-rated and discontinued products. Goodwill Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block] Insurance [Abstract] Insurance [Abstract] 2.875% senior notes due June 2026 Senior Notes, 2.875%, Due June 2026 [Member] Senior Notes, 2.875%, Due June 2026 [Member] Total Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Thereafter Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Collections Of Principal After Year Five Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Collections Of Principal After Year Five Commercial Real Estate Commercial Real Estate [Member] Capitalizations Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Capitalization Operating costs: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) claims liability, net Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims Liability, Net Estimated minimum statutory surplus required by regulators Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required Intersegment Eliminations Intersegment Eliminations [Member] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Axis] Operating expenses Operating Expenses, Excluding Store Impairments, Goodwill Impairments, Loss On Assets Held For Sale, And Loss On Litigation Settlement Operating Expenses, Excluding Store Impairments, Goodwill Impairments, Loss On Assets Held For Sale, And Loss On Litigation Settlement 2028-2032 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, after Year Five for Next Five Years All Other All Other Reinsurers [Member] All Other Reinsurers [Member] 4.3% senior notes due March 2028 Senior Notes, 4.3%, Due March 2028 [Member] Senior Notes, 4.3%, Due March 2028 [Member] Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Claims Development [Line Items] Claims Development [Line Items] Deferred acquisition costs Deferred acquisition costs, beginning of the period Deferred acquisition costs, end of the period Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Treasury Shares Treasury Stock, Common [Member] Pension Plan Pension Plan [Member] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Accounting Standards Update [Axis] Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] Share price (in dollars per share) Share Price Fair value of stock options and SARs vested Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options And Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Vested In Period, Fair Value Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options And Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Vested In Period, Fair Value Treasury shares outstanding, beginning of year balance (in shares) Treasury shares outstanding, end of year balance (in shares) Treasury Stock, Common, Shares Total debt principal Long-term Debt, Gross And Lease Obligation Long-term Debt, Gross And Lease Obligation Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Trade, Current Health Care Benefits Health Care Benefits Segment [Member] Health Care Benefits Segment [Member] Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Lessee, Lease [Table Text Block] Lessee, Lease [Table Text Block] Number of patients served per year (more than) Number Of Patients Served Per Year Number Of Patients Served Per Year Additions based on tax positions related to prior years Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share Fair Value Measured at Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] Equipment Equipment [Member] 2022 Repurchase Program 2022 Repurchase Program [Member] 2022 Repurchase Program Disposal Group Classification [Axis] Disposal Group Classification [Axis] Actual return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets Level 3 Reconciliation, Increase (Decrease) for Actual Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Still Held Deposits received Policyholder Account Balance, Deposits Received Policyholder Account Balance, Deposits Received Shares vested at end of year and expected to vest in the future (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Federal home loan bank advances maximum amount available Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances, General Debt Obligations, Maximum Amount Available Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Schedule of Changes in Plan Assets Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block] Total revenues Total revenues Revenues Net cash flow hedges Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax Legal charges Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Legal Charges, Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Legal Charges, Percent Number of Securities, Greater than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Number of Positions Net investment income Investment Income, Net Investments Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Common/collective trusts Common And Collective Trusts [Member] The total amount of Common/Collective Trusts held by the company, primarily related to investment funds otherwise known as underlying funds. Operating lease right-of-use assets Property Subject to Operating Lease [Member] Income from continuing operations attributable to CVS Health Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Property and equipment, gross Finance Lease, Right-Of-Use Asset, Gross Finance Lease, Right-Of-Use Asset, Gross State Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Fair Value, Greater than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer Number of medical members Number Of Medical Members Number Of Medical Members Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Summary of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Interest paid Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities International Defined Benefit Plan, Equity Securities, Non-US [Member] 2025 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Pre-commencement Tender Offer Pre-commencement Tender Offer Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Other payables Accounts Payable [Member] CVS Health 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan CVS Health 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] CVS Health 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] Inventories Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Counterparty Name [Domain] Counterparty Name [Domain] Total CVS Health shareholders’ equity Total CVS Health shareholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Health Care Reform Health Care Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block] Finance leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability Forfeited (in dollars per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Common stock dividends Dividends, Common Stock Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items] Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items] Other Deferred Tax Assets, Other Outstanding Senior Notes Outstanding Senior Notes [Member] Outstanding Senior Notes [Member] Commercial mortgage-backed securities Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] Net investment income (excluding net realized capital gains or losses) Investment Income, Excluding Capital Gains Or Losses Investment Income, Excluding Capital Gains Or Losses Summary of Stock Option and SAR Activity Cash Proceeds Received and Tax Benefit from Share-Based Payment Awards [Table Text Block] Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization 2025 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Three Benefit payments Separate Account, Liability, Benefit Payment 2027 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Five Proceeds from sales Proceeds from Sale of Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale 2027 Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five Lessee, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Dividends paid Payments of Dividends Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Compensation not yet recognized, options Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Option, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount Opioid litigation charges Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement Schedule of Direct, Assumed and Ceded Premiums Earned SEC Schedule, 12-17, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance [Text Block] Net lease cost Lease, Cost Revenues Revenues from external customers Premiums Earned, Net And Revenue From Contract With Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Premiums Earned, Net And Revenue From Contract With Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Common Shares Common Stock [Member] Valuation Allowance [Table] Valuation Allowance [Table] Premium receivables Premiums Receivable, Net Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Summary of the Components of Net Lease Cost Lease, Cost [Table Text Block] Number of shares available for grant (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Schedule of discontinued operations Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table Text Block] Vested (in dollars per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Large Case Pensions Large Case Pensions [Member] Large Case Pensions Investments Deferred Tax Liabilities, Investments Fixtures and equipment Furniture and Fixtures [Member] Long-term operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items] SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items] Share Repurchase Programs Class of Treasury Stock [Table Text Block] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Total Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1, 2 and 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 [Member] Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Trademarks Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Leasehold improvements Leasehold Improvements [Member] Disposal Group Name [Axis] Disposal Group Name [Axis] Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current U.S. government securities US Treasury and Government [Member] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Schedule of Assets (Liabilities) Recognized in Balance Sheet Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block] Dividends Payable [Table] Dividends Payable [Table] Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year [Domain] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Accident Year [Domain] Litigation Case [Domain] Litigation Case [Domain] Segment Reporting Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Weighted average exercise price, expired ($ per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Revision of Prior Period [Domain] Revision of Prior Period [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Direct Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Direct Unvested at beginning of period (in shares) Unvested at end of period (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Finite-lived intangible assets, gross carrying amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Present value of expected future policy benefits Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit [Roll Forward] 2021 Short-Duration Insurance Contract, Accident Year 2019 [Member] Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Year Of Origination [Axis] Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Year Of Origination [Axis] Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Year Of Origination Gross Unrealized Losses Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Stock repurchased during period, value Stock Repurchased During Period, Value 4.125% senior notes due April 2040 Senior Notes, 4 Point 125 Percent, April 2040 [Member] Senior Notes, 4 Point 125 Percent, April 2040 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] 2020 Year Of Origination Period Three [Member] Year Of Origination Period Three Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] 2024 Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payment, Year Two Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Fresenius Medical Care Reinsurance Company (Cayman) Ltd. Fresenius Medical Care Reinsurance Company (Cayman) Ltd. [Member] Fresenius Medical Care Reinsurance Company (Cayman) Ltd. Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness Pharmacy And Consumer Health Segment [Member] Pharmacy And Consumer Health Segment Operating income Operating income Operating income (GAAP measure) Operating Income (Loss) Inventory Deferred Tax Assets, Inventory Tribal Entities Tribal Entities [Member] Tribal Entities Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2018-12 Accounting Standards Update 2018-12 [Member] Services Service [Member] Income tax benefit Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation Number of states subject to earlier settlements Litigation Settlement, Number Of States Subject To Earlier Settlements Litigation Settlement, Number Of States Subject To Earlier Settlements Stock repurchased during the period (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Rewards earnings and gift card issuances Contract With Customer Liability Loyalty Program Earnings And Gift Card Issuance Amount of increase (decrease) in contract liability recognized for loyalty program earnings and gift card issuance. Adjustments required to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Goodwill and Other Intangibles Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share 2026 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Shares granted (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Adjusted beginning liability for future policy benefits - original (locked-in) discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Original Discount Rate, before Reinsurance, after Cash Flow Change Schedule of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option and Stock Appreciation Rights, Activity [Table Text Block] Federal Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Schedule of Changes in Liability for Future Policy Benefits Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Activity [Table Text Block] Liability for unpaid claims Liability For Unpaid Claims Represents the total liability on the balance sheet for unpaid claims for both short-duration and long-duration insurance contracts after reinsurance. Restricted cash (included in other assets) Restricted Cash, Noncurrent Basic earnings per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Intrinsic value of stock options and SARs exercised Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted average shares, diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Expected life (in years) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Schedule of Adjustments Resulting From Applying New Accounting Standard Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Table Text Block] Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Line Items] Buildings, building improvements and leasehold improvements Building and improvements Building and Building Improvements [Member] Common/collective trusts, Debt Securities Defined Benefit Plan, Common Collective Trust, Debt Securities [Member] Defined Benefit Plan, Common Collective Trust, Debt Securities [Member] Stock options granted subsequent to 2018 Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option, Granted Subsequent to 2018 [Member] Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option, Granted Subsequent to 2018 Carrying Value Reported Value Measurement [Member] Number of pharmacy plan members Number Of Pharmacy Plan Members Number Of Pharmacy Plan Members 1 Category 1 [Member] Mortgage Loan Credit Quality Indicator - Category 1 [Member]. Granted (in dollars per share) Weighted-average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Short-term Debt [Line Items] Short-Term Debt [Line Items] Net realized capital gains (losses) Net realized capital (gains) losses Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Benefit costs recorded in other insurance liabilities Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Excluded From Total Incurred Health Care Costs Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Excluded From Total Incurred Health Care Costs Mail choice Sales Channel, Directly to Consumer [Member] Oak Street Health Inc. Oak Street Health Inc. [Member] Oak Street Health Inc. Interest rate for pension and annuity investment contracts Pension And Annuity Investment Contracts Interest Pension And Annuity Investment Contracts Interest Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] Pension and other postretirement benefits Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Gain (Loss) Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Aggregate intrinsic value exercisable at end of year Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Units Restricted Stock Units And Performance Share Units [Member] Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Units [Member] Short-term lease costs Short-Term Lease, Cost Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized ASR, shares to be received at the end of program as a percent of notional amount Accelerated Share Repurchases, Percent Of Notional Amount In Shares To Be Received At End Of Program Accelerated Share Repurchases, Percent Of Notional Amount In Shares To Be Received At End Of Program Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Cumulative goodwill impairments Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Liabilities held for sale Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Current Concentration Risk [Line Items] Concentration Risk [Line Items] Common Stock and Capital Surplus Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member] Current portion of long-term debt Finance Lease, Liability, Current Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Debt face amount Debt Instrument, Face Amount Investments Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Corporate/ Other Corporate and Other [Member] Comprehensive income attributable to CVS Health Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent 2022 Short-Duration Insurance Contract, Accident Year 2020 [Member] Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case [Axis] Change in discount rate assumptions Effect Of Application Of Accounting Standards Update 2018-12, Adjustments For Change In Discount Rate Assumptions [Member] Effect Of Application Of Accounting Standards Update 2018-12, Adjustments For Change In Discount Rate Assumptions Adjusted operating income Adjusted operating income (loss) Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) Summarized Financial Information Of Segments Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] Loss on assets held for sale Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Long-Term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] 2023 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year One Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Statutory income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Cash dividend declared (USD per share) Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share Shares issued employee stock purchase plan (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans Shares, Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares) Shares, Outstanding at end of year (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number 2027 Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Collections Of Principal In Year Five Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Collections Of Principal In Year Five Vendor and manufacturer receivables Vendor and Manufacturer Receivables Vendor and Manufacturer Receivables Other increases (decreases) in noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest, Other Period Increase (Decrease) Noncontrolling Interest, Other Period Increase (Decrease) State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Percent 2024 Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two Other Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Assets Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract] Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Liabilities: Liabilities [Abstract] Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Schedule of Projected Annual Amortization Expense for Intangible Assets for Next Five Years Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Forfeited (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Other income Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] 2.625% senior notes due August 2024 Senior Notes, 2.625%, Due August 2024 [Member] Senior Notes, 2.625%, Due August 2024 [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Reduction to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Equity securities and common/collective trusts Equity Securities And Common And Collective Trusts [Member] Equity Securities And Common And Collective Trusts Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward] Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward] Policyholders’ funds, beginning of the period Policyholders’ funds, end of the period Policyholder Account Balance Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Plan Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Total current assets Total current assets Assets, Current Income taxes paid Income Taxes Paid, Net Cash impact of litigation settlement Payments for Legal Settlements Settled Litigation Settled Litigation [Member] 2.8% senior notes due June 2023 Senior Notes, 2.8%, Due June 2023 [Member] Senior Notes, 2.8%, Due June 2023 [Member] Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Office real estate optimization charges Office Real Estate Optimization Charges Office Real Estate Optimization Charges - Related to the abandonment of leased real estate and the related right-of-use assets and property and equipment Shares outstanding, beginning of year balance (in shares) Shares outstanding, end of year balance (in shares) Shares, Outstanding Effect of actual variances from expected experience Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) of Actual Variance from Expected Experience Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Revenues: Revenues [Abstract] Finite-lived intangible assets, net carrying amount Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Other Insurance Liabilities Unpaid Policy Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block] Other Intangible Assets [Table] Other Acquired Intangible Assets [Table] -- None. No documentation exists for this element. -- Premiums Net premiums Premiums Earned, Net Investments Deferred Tax Assets, Investments U.S. corporate securities Debt Security, Corporate, US [Member] Adjusted beginning liability for future policy benefits - original (locked-in) discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Benefit, Original Discount Rate, before Reinsurance, after Cash Flow Change Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Mortgage loans fully repaid Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Loans Fully Repaid Pertains to amount of mortgage loans fully repaid. Redeemable preferred securities Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] All outstanding liabilities for health care costs payable prior to 2021, net of reinsurance Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense, Net, Not Separately Presented 2019 Year Of Origination Period Four [Member] Year Of Origination Period Four Aggregate Intrinsic value outstanding at end of year Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] Removal of shadow adjustments in accumulated other comprehensive income Effect Of Application Of Accounting Standards Update 2018-12, Adjustments For Removal Of Shadow Adjustments In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Effect Of Application Of Accounting Standards Update 2018-12, Adjustments For Removal Of Shadow Adjustments In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Total operating costs Total operating costs Costs and Expenses Ceded Credit Risk [Table] Ceded Credit Risk [Table] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Table] SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate Schedule [Table] Investments related to 2012 contract conversion Restricted Investments, at Fair Value Reporting Unit [Axis] Reporting Unit [Axis] Schedule of Reinsurance Recoverables Ceded Credit Risk [Table Text Block] Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract] Number of stores, planned closure Number Of Stores, Planned Closure Number Of Stores, Planned Closure Total reinsurance recoverables Reinsurance Recoverable for Paid and Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustments Total operating lease liabilities Total operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability U.S. government securities US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] Stock-Based Compensation Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block] Total lease payments Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid Maturities of Finance Lease Liabilities Finance Lease, Liability, Fiscal Year Maturity [Table Text Block] 4.1% senior notes due March 2025 Senior Notes, 4.1%, Due March 2025 [Member] Senior Notes, 4.1%, Due March 2025 [Member] 2024 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Two Future noncancelable subleases, future minimum payments Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received Finance lease term (in years) Lessee, Finance Lease, Term of Contract Internal Credit Assessment [Axis] Internal Credit Assessment [Axis] Weighted average exercise price, granted ($ per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Benefit payments Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Benefits Paid Gross Amortized Cost Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost Inventories Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Inventory Policyholder Account Balance [Roll Forward] Policyholder Account Balance [Roll Forward] Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets 2026 Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Four Schedule of Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block] Weighted Average Life (years) Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Weighted Average Period before Next Renewal or Extension Pharmacy rebate period Pharmacy Rebate Period Pharmacy Rebate Period Write off of deferred debt issuance cost Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost Shareholders’ equity: Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Federal Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Treasury shares held in trust Treasury Stock, Value, Shares Held In Trust Treasury Stock, Value, Shares Held In Trust Stock-based compensation expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense Commitments and contingencies (Note 17) Commitments and Contingencies Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Weighted average exercise price, outstanding at beginning of year ($ per share) Weighted average exercise price, outstanding at end of year ($ per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Liability for future policy benefits, after tax Liability For Future Policy Benefit, After Reinsurance, Net Of Tax Liability For Future Policy Benefit, After Reinsurance, Net Of Tax Amortization expense Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Amortization Expense Quarterly dividends declared, percent increase Dividends Payable, Quarterly Dividends Declared, Increase Amount, Percent Dividends Payable, Quarterly Dividends Declared, Increase Amount, Percent Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Other Sales Channel, Other [Member] Sales Channel, Other [Member] Assets held for sale Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current Liabilities: Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract] Revenues Intersegment revenues Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] Capital shares reserved for future issuance (in shares) Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Greater than ten years Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After Ten Years Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After Ten Years Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Goodwill impairment Impairment Goodwill, Impairment Loss Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] Finance leases Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Additional number of states in which the Company entered the individual public health insurance exchange Individual Public Health Insurance Exchanges, Number Of Additional States Individual Public Health Insurance Exchanges, Number Of Additional States Deferred income Deferred Tax Assets, Deferred Income Change in benefit obligation: Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward] Add: Components of incurred health care costs Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims [Abstract] Investments [Domain] Investments [Domain] Forecast Forecast [Member] Risk-free interest rate Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Axis] Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Axis] Discount rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Amortization of net actuarial loss Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards Payments for taxes for net share settlement of equity awards Payment, Tax Withholding, Share-Based Payment Arrangement Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Property and equipment, net Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Property, Plant and Equipment Stock options granted through 2018 Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option, Granted Prior Through 2018 [Member] Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option, Granted Prior Through 2018 Revolving Credit Facility, Expiring May 16, 2025 Revolving Credit Facility, Expiring May 16, 2025 [Member] Revolving Credit Facility, Expiring May 16, 2025 Current year Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Current Year Health Insurance Product Line Health Insurance Product Line [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount Surrenders and withdrawals Separate Account, Liability, Surrender and Withdrawal Domestic real estate Equity Securities Domestic Real Estate [Member] This category includes information about ownership interests or the right to acquire ownership interests in domestic real estate whose ownership interest is represented by shares of common or preferred stock (which is neither mandatorily redeemable no redeemable at the option of the holder), convertible securities, stock rights, or stock warrants categorized by other type. Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items] Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items] Reconciliation Of Consolidated Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Debt extinguishment fees Debt Extinguishment Fees Debt Extinguishment Fees Purchases of investments Payments to Acquire Investments Insurance and HMO Insurance And HMO [Member] Insurance and HMO subsidiaries [Member]. State of Florida Settlement State Of Florida Settlement [Member] State Of Florida Settlement Income tax penalties and interest accrued Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued Gross realized capital gains Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Realized Gain Amortized Cost Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost [Abstract] Less: imputed interest Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Net income attributable to CVS Health (in dollars per share) Net income attributable to CVS Health (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Expected to vest (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Insurance reserves Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Reserves 2022 Year Of Origination Period One [Member] Year Of Origination Period One Award vesting period Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period ASU 2016-13 Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] 2024 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two Other current assets Other Assets, Current Greater than ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 10 Interest accrual (using locked-in discount rate) Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Interest Expense Health insurer fee Health Insurer Fee Tax Effect, Percent Represents the tax effect of the health care reform's non-tax deductible health insurer fee. Beginning balance Ending balance Unrecognized Tax Benefits Total deferred income tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Liability for future policy benefits, end of period - current discount rate Liability For Future Policy Benefit, Including Deferred Profit Liability, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Before Reinsurance, After Discount Rate Change Liability For Future Policy Benefit, Including Deferred Profit Liability, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Before Reinsurance, After Discount Rate Change Equity securities Equity Securities [Member] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Commitment fee percentage Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage Investment expenses Investment Income, Investment Expense Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] Discount rate Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate OCI before reclassifications, pre-tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Vendor Allowances and Purchase Discounts Vendor Allowances And Purchase Discounts [Policy Text Block] Vendor Allowances And Purchase Discounts Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One 4.78% senior notes due March 2038 Senior Notes, 4.78%, Due March 2038 [Member] Senior Notes, 4.78%, Due March 2038 [Member] Real estate partnerships Real Estate Funds [Member] Cash receipts from customers Proceeds from Customers Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Hedge fund investments Hedge Funds [Member] Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets 5 and 6 Categories 5 And 6 [Member] Mortgage loan credit quality indicator - Categories 5 and 6 Interest expense Interest Expense Related Party Transactions Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block] Accounts payable Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Accounts Payable Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Estimated maximum dividend distributions permitted in 2023 without prior regulatory approval Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments without Regulatory Approval Change in discount rate on long-duration insurance reserves AOCI, Change In Discount Rate On Insurance Reserves [Member] AOCI, Change In Discount Rate On Insurance Reserves Summary of Company's Borrowings Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Lease and rents Deferred Tax Liabilities, Leasing Arrangements Distribution centers and Corporate offices Building [Member] Funded status Defined Benefit Plan, Funded (Unfunded) Status of Plan Assumed Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Assumed Schedule of Activity in Mortgage Loan Portfolio Activity In Mortgage Loan Portfolio [Table Text Block] Table representing activities in mortgage loan portfolio during the period. After five years through ten years Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After Five Through Ten Years, Accumulated Loss Debt Securities, Available-For-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Allocated And Single Maturity Date, After Five Through Ten Years, Accumulated Loss Advertising costs Advertising Expense Schedule of disaggregation of revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Total deferred income tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Period after date of service a claim is paid Health Care Costs Payable, Period After Date Of Services Claims Are Paid Health Care Costs Payable, Period After Date Of Services Claims Are Paid Trade receivables Trade receivables (included in accounts receivable, net) Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Mortgage-backed securities Separate Account, Mortgage-Backed Security [Member] VIE, ownership percentage Variable Interest Entity, Qualitative or Quantitative Information, Ownership Percentage Operating cash flows paid for interest portion of finance leases Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability Customer contracts/relationships and covenants not to compete Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member] Schedule of Mortgage Loan Amortized Cost and Credit Quality Indicator Schedule Of Mortgage Loan Internal Credit Ratings [Table Text Block] Schedule detailing credit quality information related to financing receivables by credit quality indicator and by class of financing receivable. Assumptions used to determine net benefit costs Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Including Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Commercial Paper Commercial Paper [Member] Other Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Liabilities Total Investments [Table] Total Investments [Table] Separate Account, Liability [Roll Forward] Separate Account, Liability [Roll Forward] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Schedule of Total Investments Total Investments [Table Text Block] This item includes total investments, both current and long-term. Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Type of Adoption [Domain] Accounting Standards Update [Domain] Citibank, N.A. Citibank, N.A. [Member] Citibank, N.A. Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Coventry Health Care Workers Compensation Business Coventry Health Care Workers Compensation Business [Member] Coventry Health Care Workers Compensation Business Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Other Debt Obligations Other Debt Obligations [Member] Current portion of operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Including Liabilities Held For Sale Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Including Liabilities Held For Sale Transfers out of Level 3 Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets Level 3 Reconciliation, Increase (Decrease) for Assets Transferred into (out of) Level 3 Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Table] Short-Duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Table] Beginning balance Ending balance Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value Heartland Healthcare Services Heartland Healthcare Services [Member] Heartland Healthcare Services [Member] Advertising Costs Advertising Cost [Policy Text Block] Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Acquisition purchase price adjustments outside of measurement period Business Combination, Purchase Price Adjustment, Outside Of Measurement Period Business Combination, Purchase Price Adjustment, Outside Of Measurement Period Less: imputed interest Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Real Estate, Type of Property [Axis] Real Estate, Type of Property [Axis] 2018 Year Of Origination Period Five [Member] Year Of Origination Period Five Disposal Group Classification [Domain] Disposal Group Classification [Domain] Store impairments Store impairment charges Store Impairment Charges Store Impairment Charges Fair Value Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Payflex Payflex [Member] Payflex Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries (net of cash and restricted cash sold of $2,854, $0 and $9) Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested International Health Care Renewal Rights International Health Care Renewal Rights [Member] International Health Care Renewal Rights Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Contract with Customer, Sales Channel [Domain] Plan assets, investment within plan asset category, amount Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Investment within Plan Asset Category, Amount Revolving Credit Facility, Expiring May 16, 2027 Revolving Credit Facility, Expiring May 16, 2027 [Member] Revolving Credit Facility, Expiring May 16, 2027 Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List] Accounting Standards Update [Extensible Enumeration]