Significant Accounting Policies - Impact of New Lease Standard On Balance Sheet Line Items (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Other current assets	$ 5,113	$ 4,533	$ 4,581
Total current assets	50,302	45,195	45,243
Property and equipment, net			11,349
Property and equipment, net	12,044	11,360
Operating lease right-of-use assets	20,860	20,987
Intangible assets, net	33,121	36,307	36,524
Other assets	4,600	4,525	5,046
Total assets	222,449	216,668	196,456
Accrued expenses	12,133	10,659	10,711
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	1,596	1,803
Current portion of long-term debt	3,781	1,267	1,265
Total current liabilities	53,303	45,762	44,009
Long-term operating lease liabilities	18,926	18,832
Long-term debt		71,348	71,444
Deferred income taxes	7,294	7,740	7,677
Other long-term liabilities	2,162	2,262	2,780
Total liabilities	158,279	157,947	137,913
Retained earnings	45,108	41,089	40,911
Total CVS Health shareholders’ equity	63,864	58,403	58,225
Total shareholders’ equity	$ 64,170	58,721	$ 58,543	$ 37,695	$ 36,834
ASU 2016-02
Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Other current assets		(48)
Total current assets		(48)
Property and equipment, net		11
Operating lease right-of-use assets		20,987
Intangible assets, net		(217)
Other assets		(521)
Total assets		20,212
Accrued expenses		(52)
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		1,803
Current portion of long-term debt		2
Total current liabilities		1,753
Long-term operating lease liabilities		18,832
Long-term debt		(96)
Deferred income taxes		63
Other long-term liabilities		(518)
Total liabilities		20,034
Retained earnings		178
Total CVS Health shareholders’ equity		178
Total shareholders’ equity		$ 178