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Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Jun. 29, 2012
Reconciliation of the changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest:        
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest $ 0us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest $ 0us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest $ (2)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest  
Generation Health, Inc.        
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest        
Remaining interest acquired in Generation Health (as a percent)       40.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Acquisition from minority interest       26us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAdditionalInterestInSubsidiaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Acquisition from employee option holders       5cvs_PaymentsToOptionHolderForAcquireAdditionalInterestInSubsidiaries
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Aggregate acquisition cost of Remaining interest in Generation Health       31us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Reconciliation of the changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest:        
Beginning balance     30us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest     (2)us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
 
Purchase of noncontrolling interest     (26)us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
 
Reclassification to capital surplus in connection with purchase of noncontrolling interest     (2)cvs_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromReclassificationToCapitalSurplus
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
 
Ending balance     $ 0us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember