Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income Statements (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 811	$ 720
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:
Foreign currency translation	(43)	(51)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	2	1
Defined benefit plans	0	0
Pension costs included in salaries and benefits	4	6
Total defined benefit plans	4	6
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments	(38)	(23)
Interest costs included in interest expense	28	31
Total change in fair value of derivative financial instruments	(10)	8
Other comprehensive loss before taxes	(47)	(36)
Income tax benefits related to other comprehensive income items	(18)	(15)
Other comprehensive loss	(29)	(21)
Comprehensive income	782	699
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	117	129
Comprehensive income attributable to HCA Holdings, Inc.	$ 665	$ 570