Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Address, Address Line One	14201 Dallas Parkway
Entity Registrant Name	TENET HEALTHCARE CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Entity Central Index Key	0000070318
Document Type	10-K
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 1.2
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		104,288,796
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-2557091
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-7293
Entity Address, City or Town	Dallas
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75254
City Area Code	469
Local Phone Number	893-2200
Common Stock | New York Stock Exchange
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock,
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Trading Symbol	THC
6.875% Senior Notes due 2031 | New York Stock Exchange
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.875% Senior Notes due 2031
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Trading Symbol	THC31