SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconciling Items (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	$ 23,766		$ 23,682
Capital expenditures:	208	$ 184
Net operating revenues	5,044	4,424
Adjusted EBITDA	613	529
Depreciation and amortization	212	207
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	613	529
Depreciation and amortization	(212)	(207)
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	(28)	(29)
Litigation and investigation costs	(173)	(3)
Interest expense	(243)	(199)
Gains on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities	147
Investment earnings	1
Net income from continuing operations, before income taxes	105	91
Hospital operations and other
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	17,131		17,353
Conifer
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	1,168		1,170
Ambulatory Care
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	5,467		$ 5,159
Operating segments | Hospital operations and other
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Capital expenditures:	191	176
Net operating revenues	4,397	4,151
Adjusted EBITDA	414	418
Depreciation and amortization	174	192
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	414	418
Depreciation and amortization	(174)	(192)
Operating segments | Conifer
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Capital expenditures:	5	4
Net operating revenues	385	342
Adjusted EBITDA	63	82
Depreciation and amortization	13	11
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	63	82
Depreciation and amortization	(13)	(11)
Operating segments | Conifer | Tenet
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net operating revenues	167	160
Operating segments | Conifer | Other customers
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net operating revenues	218	182
Operating segments | Ambulatory Care
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Capital expenditures:	12	4
Net operating revenues	429	91
Adjusted EBITDA	136	29
Depreciation and amortization	25	4
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	136	29
Depreciation and amortization	(25)	(4)
Intercompany eliminations
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net operating revenues	$ (167)	$ (160)