EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Net Income Available (Loss Attributable) to Common Shareholders (Numerator)
Net income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$ 94	$ (20)
Net income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	$ 94	$ (20)
Weighted Average Shares (Denominator)
Net income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings (loss) per share (in shares)	104,353	102,788
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units (in shares)	1,380	0
Net income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings (loss) per share (in shares)	105,733	102,788
Per-Share Amount
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.90	$ (0.19)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units (in dollars per share)	(0.01)	0
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.89	$ (0.19)