Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 28, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-01011
Entity Registrant Name	CVS HEALTH CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	05-0494040
Entity Address, Address Line One	One CVS Drive,
Entity Address, City or Town	Woonsocket,
Entity Address, State or Province	RI
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	02895
City Area Code	(401)
Local Phone Number	765-1500
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	CVS
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,308,913,498
Entity Central Index Key	0000064803
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false