Centers of Excellence for Infusion and Enteral Services

No definition available.

Name:	cvs_CentersofExcellenceforInfusionandEnteralServices
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

A fixed fee that subscribers to a medical plan must pay for use of entity medical services covered by the plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cvs_CoPaymentRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of pharmacies through which the reporting entity supplies pharmaceuticals.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cvs_NumberOfPharmacies
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Infusion and Enteral Branches

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cvs_NumberofInfusionandEnteralBranches
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of LTC hub pharmacies

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cvs_NumberofLTChubpharmacies
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of LTC spoke pharmacies

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cvs_NumberofLTCspokepharmacies
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of retail drugstores operated by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cvs_NumberofRetailDrugstores
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of clinics

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cvs_Numberofclinics
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of clinics in retail drugstores

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cvs_Numberofclinicsinretaildrugstores
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of retail drugstores operating a pharmacy

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cvs_Numberofretaildrugstoresoperatingapharmacy
Namespace Prefix:	cvs_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 23
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73531572&loc=d3e1043-128460

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Costs incurred to effect a business combination which have been expensed during the period. Such costs could include business integration costs, systems integration and conversion costs, and severance and other employee-related costs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of loss from the write-down of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13854-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13777-109266

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1,2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GrossProfit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=cvs_AccountingStandardsUpdate201717Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=cvs_PharmacyServicesSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=cvs_RetailLTCSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=cvs_GrossProfitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLossMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorCustomersAxis=cvs_MinuteClinicWithinCVSPharmacyStoresMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=cvs_CarePlusandCVSPharmacyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=cvs_MinuteClinicMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=cvs_TargetPharmacyAcquisitionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	cvs_SegmentInformationByServicesAxis=cvs_SpecialtyStoresMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	cvs_SegmentInformationByServicesAxis=cvs_SpecialtyMailOrderMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	cvs_SegmentInformationByServicesAxis=cvs_MailServiceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	cvs_SegmentInformationByServicesAxis=cvs_InfusionandEnteralBranchesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	cvs_SegmentInformationByServicesAxis=cvs_AmbulatoryinfusionsuitesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) state pharmacy item store Center	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) state segment pharmacy item store Center	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Segment reporting information
Number of reportable segments \| segment			3
Net revenues	$ 46,181	$ 44,615	$ 136,380	$ 131,555
Gross profit	7,126	7,492	20,641	21,251
Operating profit (loss)	2,499	2,824	6,409	7,366
Restructuring Charges	6		211
Goodwill, impairment loss	$ 0		$ 135
ASU 2017-17
Segment reporting information
Operating profit (loss)		7		23
Pharmacy Services Segment
Segment reporting information
Centers of excellence for infusion and enteral services \| Center	3		3
Number of states pharmacies operated \| state	41		41
Net revenues, retail co-payments	$ 2,600	2,500	$ 8,400	8,100
Retail/LTC Segment
Segment reporting information
Number of states pharmacies operated \| state	49		49
Number of retail drugstores \| item	9,751		9,751
Number of retail drugstores operating a pharmacy \| item	8,016		8,016
Number of LTC spoke pharmacies \| item	143		143
Number of LTC hub pharmacies \| item	31		31
Goodwill, impairment loss			$ 135
Retail/LTC Segment \| Gross Profit
Segment reporting information
Integration related costs	$ 2	5	7	15
Retail/LTC Segment \| Operating profit
Segment reporting information
Restructuring Charges	6		211
Acquisition related costs	9	52	34	194
Corporate Segment \| Operating profit
Segment reporting information
Integration related costs	3	13	3	13
Operating Segments \| Pharmacy Services Segment
Segment reporting information
Net revenues	32,896	30,429	96,444	88,704
Gross profit	1,645	1,797	4,210	4,266
Operating profit (loss)	1,353	1,459	3,272	3,282
Operating Segments \| Retail/LTC Segment
Segment reporting information
Net revenues	19,593	20,143	58,488	60,253
Gross profit	5,685	5,893	17,036	17,560
Operating profit (loss)	1,553	1,778	4,375	5,273
Operating Segments \| Corporate Segment
Segment reporting information
Operating profit (loss)	(220)	(228)	(686)	(660)
Intersegment Eliminations
Segment reporting information
Net revenues	(6,308)	(5,957)	(18,552)	(17,402)
Gross profit	(204)	(198)	(605)	(575)
Operating profit (loss)	$ (187)	$ (185)	$ (552)	$ (529)
Minute Clinic Within C V S Pharmacy Stores \| Retail/LTC Segment
Segment reporting information
Number of clinics in retail drugstores \| item	1,122		1,122
CarePlus and CVS Pharmacy \| Retail/LTC Segment
Segment reporting information
Number of pharmacies (more than 68,000) \| pharmacy	38		38
MinuteClinic \| Retail/LTC Segment
Segment reporting information
Number of clinics \| item	1,129		1,129
Target Pharmacy Acquisition \| Retail/LTC Segment
Segment reporting information
Number of retail drugstores operating a pharmacy \| store	1,687		1,687
Specialty stores \| Pharmacy Services Segment
Segment reporting information
Number of pharmacies (more than 68,000) \| pharmacy	23		23
Specialty mail order \| Pharmacy Services Segment
Segment reporting information
Number of pharmacies (more than 68,000) \| pharmacy	15		15
Mail service \| Pharmacy Services Segment
Segment reporting information
Number of pharmacies (more than 68,000) \| pharmacy	4		4
Infusion and Enteral Branches \| Pharmacy Services Segment
Segment reporting information
Number of infusion and enteral branches \| pharmacy	82		82
Ambulatory Infusion Suites \| Pharmacy Services Segment
Segment reporting information
Number of infusion and enteral branches \| pharmacy	73		73