Name:	thc_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	thc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the land held for expansion, long-term receivables and other assets which are classified as noncurrent as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	thc_LandHeldForExpansionLongTermReceivablesAndOtherAssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	thc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

Name:	thc_LongTermInvestmentsAndOtherAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	thc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts which could be received based on the terms of the insurance contract upon surrendering life policies owned by the entity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765

Name:	us-gaap_CashSurrenderValueOfLifeInsurance
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value of amounts transferred to third parties for security purposes that are expected to be returned or applied towards payment after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

Name:	us-gaap_DepositsAssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66022249&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The total amount of investments that are intended to be held for an extended period of time (longer than one operating cycle).

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermInvestments
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

The total amount of investments that are intended to be held for an extended period of time (longer than one operating cycle) and amount due to the Entity from outside sources, including trade accounts receivable, notes and loans receivable, as well as any other types of receivables, net of allowances established for the purpose of reducing such investments and receivables to an amount that approximates their net realizable value.

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermInvestmentsAndReceivablesNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Total debt and equity financial instruments including: (1) securities held-to-maturity and (2) securities available-for-sale that will be held for the long-term.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66010992&loc=d3e26626-111562

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682