SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconciling Items (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	$ 24,474		$ 24,474		$ 23,682
Capital expenditures:	201	$ 207	614	$ 566
Net operating revenues	4,849	4,692	14,761	13,608
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	31	28	85	48
Adjusted EBITDA	570	566	1,800	1,663
Depreciation and amortization	205	185	632	589
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	570	566	1,800	1,663
Depreciation and amortization	(205)	(185)	(632)	(589)
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	(31)	(44)	(81)	(266)
Litigation and investigation costs	(4)	(50)	(291)	(67)
Interest expense	(243)	(248)	(730)	(664)
Investment earnings (losses)	(1)	1	2
Gains on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities	3		151
Net income from continuing operations, before income taxes	89	40	219	77
Hospital operations and other
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	17,627		17,627		17,353
Conifer
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	1,118		1,118		1,170
Ambulatory Care
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	5,729		5,729		$ 5,159
Operating segments | Hospital operations and other
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Capital expenditures:	182	194	557	536
Net operating revenues	4,162	4,179	12,761	12,505
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	3	(2)	6	12
Adjusted EBITDA	334	383	1,163	1,259
Depreciation and amortization	170	156	525	525
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	334	383	1,163	1,259
Depreciation and amortization	(170)	(156)	(525)	(525)
Operating segments | Conifer
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Capital expenditures:	5	6	15	16
Net operating revenues	398	347	1,169	1,029
Adjusted EBITDA	79	61	205	204
Depreciation and amortization	13	12	38	36
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	79	61	205	204
Depreciation and amortization	(13)	(12)	(38)	(36)
Operating segments | Conifer | Tenet
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net operating revenues	159	163	488	488
Operating segments | Conifer | Other customers
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net operating revenues	239	184	681	541
Operating segments | Ambulatory Care
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Capital expenditures:	14	7	42	14
Net operating revenues	448	329	1,319	562
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	28	30	79	36
Adjusted EBITDA	157	122	432	200
Depreciation and amortization	22	17	69	28
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	157	122	432	200
Depreciation and amortization	(22)	(17)	(69)	(28)
Intercompany eliminations
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net operating revenues	$ (159)	$ (163)	$ (488)	$ (488)