Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,996	$ 2,006	$ 2,842
Increase (decrease) in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(4,395)	(3,896)	(3,248)
Inventories and other assets	(19)	(122)	(18)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	142	355	313
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,858	3,770	2,824
Depreciation and amortization	1,753	1,679	1,465
Income taxes	143	96	912
Losses (gains) on sales of facilities	10	(15)	(142)
Losses on retirement of debt	17		481
Legal claim costs		175
Gain on acquisition of controlling interest in equity investment			(1,522)
Amortization of deferred loan costs	55	62	70
Share-based compensation	113	56	26
Pay-in-kind interest			(78)
Other	7	9	8
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,680	4,175	3,933
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(1,943)	(1,862)	(1,679)
Acquisition of hospitals and health care entities	(481)	(258)	(1,682)
Disposal of hospitals and health care entities	33	30	281
Change in investments	36	16	80
Other	9	11	5
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,346)	(2,063)	(2,995)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of long-term debt		4,850	5,500
Net change in revolving bank credit facilities	970	(685)	(449)
Repayment of long-term debt	(1,662)	(2,441)	(6,640)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(435)	(401)	(378)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(5)	(62)	(92)
Issuance of common stock			2,506
Repurchase of common stock	(500)		(1,503)
Distributions to stockholders	(16)	(3,148)	(31)
Income tax benefits	113	174	63
Other	(90)	(67)	48
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(1,625)	(1,780)	(976)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(291)	332	(38)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	705	373	411
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	414	705	373
Interest payments	1,832	1,723	1,987
Income tax payments (refunds), net	$ 694	$ 618	$ (256)