ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Allowance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Mar. 31, 2018 |
Mar. 31, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
|
| Accounts Receivable Additional Disclosures [Abstract] | |||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts as a percent of patients accounts receivable | 26.60% | ||
| Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts | |||
| Estimated costs of caring | $ 181 | $ 190 | |
| Self-pay patients | |||
| Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts | |||
| Estimated costs of caring | 146 | 160 | |
| Charity care patients | |||
| Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts | |||
| Estimated costs of caring | 35 | 30 | |
| Medicaid DSH and other supplemental revenues | |||
| Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts | |||
| Estimated costs of caring | $ 220 | $ 158 | |