SCHEDULE I-PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Condensed Statements of Income) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 14,168	$ 14,206	$ 14,259	$ 14,279	$ 13,189	$ 13,282	$ 13,534	$ 13,762	$ 56,912	$ 53,767	$ 54,379
Expenses:
Operating costs									7,525	6,567	7,173
Merger termination fee and related costs, net									0	(936)	104
Depreciation									444	410	388
Interest									218	242	189
Total operating expenses									53,812	49,505	52,638
Other expense, net									33	0	0
Loss on sale of business									786	0	0
(Benefit) provision for income taxes									391	1,572	938
Equity in net earnings of Kindred at Home									11	0	0
Net income	$ 355	$ 644	$ 193	$ 491	$ 184	$ 499	$ 650	$ 1,115	1,683	2,448	614
Parent Company
Revenues:
Management fees charged to operating subsidiaries									1,666	1,864	1,683
Investment and other income, net									30	57	42
Total revenues									1,696	1,921	1,725
Expenses:
Operating costs									1,468	1,801	1,519
Merger termination fee and related costs, net									0	(936)	104
Depreciation									342	332	302
Interest									218	243	189
Total operating expenses									2,028	1,440	2,114
Other expense, net									33	0	0
Loss on sale of business									782	0	0
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity in net earnings of subsidiaries									(1,147)	481	(389)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes									(542)	61	(107)
(Loss) income before equity in net earnings of subsidiaries									(605)	420	(282)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries									2,277	2,028	896
Equity in net earnings of Kindred at Home									11	0	0
Net income									$ 1,683	$ 2,448	$ 614