Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	HCA
Entity Registrant Name	HCA Healthcare, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000860730
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		339,917,500
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	1-11239
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-3865930
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Park Plaza
Entity Address, City or Town	Nashville
Entity Address, State or Province	TN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	37203
City Area Code	615
Local Phone Number	344-9551
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 25,836
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true