CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 2,006	$ 2,842	$ 1,573
Increase (decrease) in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(3,896)	(3,248)	(2,789)
Inventories and other assets	(122)	(18)	(287)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	355	313	229
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,770	2,824	2,648
Depreciation and amortization	1,679	1,465	1,421
Income taxes	96	912	27
Gains on sales of facilities	(15)	(142)	(4)
Legal claim costs	175
Gain on acquisition of controlling interest in equity investment		(1,522)
Impairments of long-lived assets			123
Losses on retirement of debt		481
Amortization of deferred loan costs	62	70	81
Share-based compensation	56	26	32
Pay-in-kind interest		(78)
Other	9	8	31
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	4,175	3,933	3,085
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(1,862)	(1,679)	(1,325)
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities	(258)	(1,682)	(233)
Disposal of hospitals and health care entities	30	281	37
Change in investments	16	80	472
Other	11	5	10
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,063)	(2,995)	(1,039)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of long-term debt	4,850	5,500	2,912
Net change in revolving bank credit facilities	(685)	(449)	1,889
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,441)	(6,640)	(2,268)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(401)	(378)	(342)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests			57
Payment of debt issuance costs	(62)	(92)	(50)
Issuance of common stock		2,506
Repurchase of common stock		(1,503)
Distributions to stockholders	(3,148)	(31)	(4,257)
Income tax benefits	174	63	114
Other	(67)	48	(2)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(1,780)	(976)	(1,947)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	332	(38)	99
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	373	411	312
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	705	373	411
Interest payments	1,723	1,987	1,994
Income tax (refunds) payments, net	$ 618	$ (256)	$ 517