Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs, Net

No definition available.

Name:	cvs_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountandDebtIssuanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109500613&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28541-108399

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109500613&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt, classified as current. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs of long-term debt classified as noncurrent and excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(19)(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Borrowings - Schedule of Borrowings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 15, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term debt (commercial paper)	$ 720	$ 1,070
Long-term debt gross	74,265	69,848
Debt premiums	302	267
Debt discounts and deferred financing costs	(1,138)	(1,061)
Long-term Debt	73,429	69,054
Short-term debt (commercial paper)	(720)	(1,070)
Current portion of long-term debt	(1,265)	(3,778)			$ (1,267)
Long-term debt	$ 71,444	64,206			$ 71,348
Senior Notes \| 2.2% senior notes due March 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate	2.20%
Long-term debt gross	$ 375	0
Senior Notes \| 2.25% senior notes due August 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate	2.25%
Long-term debt gross	$ 850	$ 0
Senior Notes \| 3.125% senior notes due March 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		3.125%	3.125%
Long-term debt gross	2,000	$ 723
Senior Notes \| 2.8% senior notes due July 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		2.80%
Long-term debt gross	2,750	$ 2,750
Senior Notes \| 3.35% senior notes due March 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		3.35%	3.35%
Long-term debt gross	3,000	$ 2,038
Senior Notes \| 4.125% senior notes due May 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.125%
Long-term debt gross	550	$ 222
Senior Notes \| 2.125% senior notes due June 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		2.125%
Long-term debt gross	1,750	$ 1,750
Senior Notes \| 4.125% senior notes due June 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.125%
Long-term debt gross	500	$ 203
Senior Notes \| 5.45% senior notes due June 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		5.45%	5.45%
Long-term debt gross	600	$ 187
Senior Notes \| 3.5% senior notes due July 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		3.50%
Long-term debt gross	1,500	$ 1,500
Senior Notes \| 2.75% senior notes due November 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		2.75%
Long-term debt gross	1,000	$ 1,000
Senior Notes \| 2.75% senior notes due December 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		2.75%
Long-term debt gross	1,250	$ 1,250
Senior Notes \| 4.75% senior notes due December 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.75%
Long-term debt gross	399	$ 399
Senior Notes \| 3.7% senior notes due March 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		3.70%
Long-term debt gross	6,000	$ 6,000
Senior Notes \| 2.8% senior notes due June 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		2.80%
Long-term debt gross	1,300	$ 1,300
Senior Notes \| 4% senior notes due December 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.00%
Long-term debt gross	1,250	$ 1,250
Senior Notes \| 2.625% senior notes due August 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		2.265%		2.625%
Long-term debt gross	0	$ 1,000
Senior Notes \| 3.375% senior notes due August 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		3.375%
Long-term debt gross	650	$ 650
Senior Notes \| 3.5% senior notes due November 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		3.50%
Long-term debt gross	750	$ 750
Senior Notes \| 5% senior notes due December 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		5.00%
Long-term debt gross	299	$ 299
Senior Notes \| 4.1% senior notes due March 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.10%
Long-term debt gross	5,000	$ 5,000
Senior Notes \| 3.875% senior notes due July 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		3.875%
Long-term debt gross	2,828	$ 2,828
Senior Notes \| 2.875% senior notes due June 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		2.875%
Long-term debt gross	1,750	$ 1,750
Senior Notes \| 3% senior notes due August 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		3.00%		3.00%
Long-term debt gross	0	$ 750
Senior Notes \| 6.25% senior notes due June 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		6.25%
Long-term debt gross	372	$ 372
Senior Notes \| 4.3% senior notes due March 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.30%
Long-term debt gross	9,000	$ 9,000
Senior Notes \| 3.25% senior notes due August 2029
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		3.25%		3.25%
Long-term debt gross	0	$ 1,750
Senior Notes \| 4.875% senior notes due July 2035
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.875%
Long-term debt gross	652	$ 652
Senior Notes \| 6.625% senior notes due June 2036
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		6.625%
Long-term debt gross	771	$ 771
Senior Notes \| 6.75% senior notes due December 2037
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		6.75%
Long-term debt gross	533	$ 533
Senior Notes \| 4.78% senior notes due March 2038
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.78%
Long-term debt gross	5,000	$ 5,000
Senior Notes \| 6.125% senior notes due September 2039
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		6.125%
Long-term debt gross	447	$ 447
Senior Notes \| 5.75% senior notes due May 2041
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		5.75%
Long-term debt gross	133	$ 133
Senior Notes \| 4.5% senior notes due May 2042
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.50%
Long-term debt gross	500	$ 500
Senior Notes \| 4.125% senior notes due November 2042
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.125%
Long-term debt gross	500	$ 500
Senior Notes \| 5.3% senior notes due December 2043
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		5.30%
Long-term debt gross	750	$ 750
Senior Notes \| 4.75% senior notes due March 2044
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		4.75%
Long-term debt gross	375	$ 375
Senior Notes \| 5.125% senior notes due July 2045
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		5.125%
Long-term debt gross	3,500	$ 3,500
Senior Notes \| 3.875% senior notes due August 2047
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		3.875%
Long-term debt gross	1,000	$ 1,000
Senior Notes \| 5.05% senior notes due March 2048
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt interest rate		5.05%
Long-term debt gross	8,000	$ 8,000
Floating Rate Notes \| Floating rate notes due March 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt gross	1,000	277
Floating Rate Notes \| Floating rate notes due March 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt gross	1,000	1,000
Floating Rate Notes \| 3-year tranche term loan due November 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt gross	$ 3,000	0
Debt instrument term	3 years
Capital Lease Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt gross	$ 642	618
Other Debt Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt gross	$ 19	$ 1