Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Document Period End Date			Sep. 30, 2014
Total long-term debt	$ 12,300,000,000		$ 12,300,000,000
Estimated fair value of long-term debt	13,100,000,000		13,100,000,000
Generic Sourcing Venture
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	7,000,000	12,000,000	34,000,000	35,000,000
Charitable Contribution to the CVS Foundation	25,000,000		25,000,000
Terms of Generic Sourcing Venture [Member]
Generic Sourcing Venture
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	50.00%		50.00%
Number of Quarterly Payments Due	39		39
Contractual Obligation	$ 25,600,000		$ 25,600,000