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Acquisitions and Divestitures - Divestitures - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2020 Item	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 Item
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net		$ 24	$ 48	$ 138
Hospitals Included in Continuing Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net		$ 29	(80)	$ (5)
Biloxi Mississippi To Memorial Properties Inc
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of licensed beds \| Item	153
Agreement date	Oct. 12, 2020
Biloxi Mississippi To Memorial Properties Inc \| Merit Health Biloxi
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Ownership Interest percentage by parent	50.00%
Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Impairment charge recorded on the sale or closure of hospitals			$ 3
Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center \| Lake City Florida
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of licensed beds \| Item					99