Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statements (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 467	$ 455	$ 1,442	$ 1,579
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:
Foreign currency translation	60	30		37
Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities	1	3	(7)	8
Defined benefit plans	8		8
Pension costs included in salaries and benefits	9	7	24	21
Total defined benefit plans	17	7	32	21
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments	(31)	(56)	9	(158)
Interest costs included in interest expense	33	30	97	90
Total change in fair value of derivative financial instruments	2	(26)	106	(68)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes	80	14	131	(2)
Income taxes (benefits) related to other comprehensive income items	28	5	48	(2)
Other comprehensive income	52	9	83
Comprehensive income	519	464	1,525	1,579
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	102	95	310	288
Comprehensive income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc.	$ 417	$ 369	$ 1,215	$ 1,291