Tenet Healthcare (THC) 10-Q 29 Apr 19 2019 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 24, 2019
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	TENET HEALTHCARE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000070318
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		103,131,661

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 252	$ 411
Accounts receivable	2,744	2,595
Inventories of supplies, at cost	308	305
Income tax receivable	17	21
Assets held for sale	0	107
Other current assets	1,261	1,197
Total current assets	4,582	4,636
Investments and other assets	2,331	1,456
Deferred income taxes	291	312
Property and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization ($5,382 at March 31, 2019 and $5,221 at December 31, 2018)	6,996	6,993
Goodwill	7,283	7,281
Other intangible assets, at cost, less accumulated amortization ($1,010 at March 31, 2019 and $1,013 at December 31, 2018)	1,675	1,731
Total assets	23,158	22,409
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	158	182
Accounts payable	1,101	1,207
Accrued compensation and benefits	707	838
Professional and general liability reserves	224	216
Accrued interest payable	323	240
Liabilities held for sale	0	43
Other current liabilities	1,212	1,131
Total current liabilities	3,725	3,857
Long-term debt, net of current portion	14,814	14,644
Professional and general liability reserves	690	666
Defined benefit plan obligations	512	521
Deferred income taxes	36	36
Other long-term liabilities	1,268	578
Total liabilities	21,045	20,302
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	1,439	1,420
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.05 par value; authorized 262,500,000 shares; 151,433,339 shares issued at March 31, 2019 and 150,897,143 shares issued at December 31, 2018	7	7
Additional paid-in capital	4,748	4,747
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(221)	(223)
Accumulated deficit	(2,254)	(2,236)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 48,352,853 shares at March 31, 2019 and 48,359,705 shares at December 31, 2018	(2,414)	(2,414)
Total shareholders’ deficit	(134)	(119)
Noncontrolling interests	808	806
Total equity	674	687
Total liabilities and equity	$ 23,158	$ 22,409

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ 5,382	$ 5,221
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 1,010	$ 1,013
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05
Common stock, authorized shares (in shares)	262,500,000	151,433,339
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	150,806,763	149,384,952
Common stock in treasury (in shares)	48,360,191	48,352,853

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net operating revenues	$ 4,545	$ 4,699
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	34	25
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits	2,153	2,227
Supplies	741	774
Other operating expenses, net	1,074	1,060
Electronic health record incentives	(1)	(1)
Depreciation and amortization	208	204
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	19	47
Litigation and investigation costs	13	6
Net losses (gains) on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities	1	(110)
Operating income	371	517
Interest expense	(251)	(255)
Other non-operating income (expense), net	1	(1)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	(47)	(1)
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	74	260
Income tax expense	(17)	(70)
Income from continuing operations, before discontinued operations	57	190
Discontinued operations:
Income from operations	10	1
Income tax expense	(2)	0
Income from discontinued operations	8	1
Net income	65	191
Less: Net income available to noncontrolling interests	84	92
Net income available (loss attributable) to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders	(19)	99
Amounts available (attributable) to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(27)	98
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	8	1
Net income available (loss attributable) to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders	$ (19)	$ 99
Basic
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.97
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.08	0.01
Total loss per share, Basic (in dollars per share)	(0.18)	0.98
Diluted
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.26)	0.95
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.08	0.01
Total loss per share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.96
Weighted average shares and dilutive securities outstanding (in thousands):
Basic (in shares)	102,788	101,392
Diluted (in shares)	102,788	102,656

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 65	$ 191
Other comprehensive income:
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in other non-operating expense, net	3	4
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0	6
Other comprehensive income before income taxes	3	10
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	(1)	(2)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	2	8
Comprehensive net income	67	199
Less: Comprehensive income available to noncontrolling interests	84	92
Comprehensive income available (loss attributable) to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders	$ (17)	$ 107

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income	$ 65	$ 191
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	208	204
Deferred income tax expense	19	70
Stock-based compensation expense	11	9
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	19	47
Litigation and investigation costs	13	6
Net losses (gains) on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities	1	(110)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	47	1
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions received	3	9
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	11	11
Pre-tax income from discontinued operations	(10)	(1)
Other items, net	(7)	(1)
Changes in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(158)	(66)
Inventories and other current assets	(115)	(41)
Income taxes	9	0
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(109)	(183)
Other long-term liabilities	37	1
Payments for restructuring charges, acquisition-related costs, and litigation costs and settlements	(32)	(33)
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations, excluding income taxes	(2)	(1)
Net cash provided by operating activities	10	113
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment — continuing operations	(192)	(143)
Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests, net of cash acquired	(2)	(16)
Proceeds from sales of facilities and other assets — continuing operations	41	425
Proceeds from sales of facilities and other assets — discontinued operations	17	0
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities, long-term investments and other assets	4	134
Purchases of equity investments	(1)	(30)
Other long-term assets	(2)	7
Other items, net	(4)	(4)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(139)	373
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of borrowings under credit facility	(495)	0
Proceeds from borrowings under credit facility	685	0
Repayments of other borrowings	(1,620)	(91)
Proceeds from other borrowings	1,507	7
Debt issuance costs	(18)	0
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(74)	(64)
Proceeds from sales of noncontrolling interests	4	5
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(3)	(9)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan	1	9
Other items, net	(17)	20
Net cash used in financing activities	(30)	(123)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(159)	363
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	411	611
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	252	974
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	(158)	(169)
Income tax refunds, net	$ 9	$ 1

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION Description of Business and Basis of Presentation Tenet Healthcare Corporation (together with our subsidiaries, referred to herein as “Tenet,” “we” or “us”) is a national, diversified healthcare services company. We operate regionally focused, integrated healthcare delivery networks, primarily in large urban and suburban markets. Through our subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures, including USPI Holding Company, Inc. (“USPI”), at March 31, 2019 , we operated 65 hospitals, 23 surgical hospitals and approximately 470 outpatient centers throughout the United States. In addition, our Conifer Holdings, Inc. (“Conifer”) subsidiary provides healthcare business process services in the areas of hospital and physician revenue cycle management and value-based care solutions to healthcare systems, as well as individual hospitals, physician practices, self-insured organizations, health plans and other entities . This quarterly report supplements our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (“Annual Report”). As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim reporting, we have omitted certain notes and disclosures that substantially duplicate those in our Annual Report. For further information, refer to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes included in our Annual Report. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial and statistical data included in these notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements relate to our continuing operations, with dollar amounts expressed in millions (except per-share amounts). Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”) using the modified retrospective transition approach as of the period of adoption. Our financial statements for periods prior to January 1, 2019 were not modified for the application of the new lease accounting standard. The main difference between the guidance in ASU 2016-02 and previous accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, we recorded $822 million of right-of-use assets, net of deferred rent, associated with operating leases in investments and other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, $147 million of current liabilities associated with operating leases in other current liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet and $715 million of long-term liabilities associated with operating leases in other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. We also recognized $1 million of cumulative effect adjustment that decreased accumulated deficit at January 1, 2019. Although the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes within this document are unaudited, we believe all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. In preparing our financial statements in conformity with GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and these accompanying notes. We regularly evaluate the accounting policies and estimates we use. In general, we base the estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable given the particular circumstances in which we operate. Actual results may vary from those estimates. Financial and statistical information we report to other regulatory agencies may be prepared on a basis other than GAAP or using different assumptions or reporting periods and, therefore, may vary from amounts presented herein. Although we make every effort to ensure that the information we report to those agencies is accurate, complete and consistent with applicable reporting guidelines, we cannot be responsible for the accuracy of the information they make available to the public. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. Reasons for this include, but are not limited to: overall revenue and cost trends, particularly the timing and magnitude of price changes; fluctuations in contractual allowances and cost report settlements and valuation allowances; managed care contract negotiations, settlements or terminations and payer consolidations; changes in Medicare and Medicaid regulations; Medicaid and other supplemental funding levels set by the states in which we operate; the timing of approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of Medicaid provider fee revenue programs; trends in patient accounts receivable collectability and associated implicit price concessions; fluctuations in interest rates; levels of malpractice insurance expense and settlement trends; impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill; restructuring charges; losses, costs and insurance recoveries related to natural disasters and other weather-related occurrences; litigation and investigation costs; acquisitions and dispositions of facilities and other assets; gains (losses) on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities; income tax rates and deferred tax asset valuation allowance activity; changes in estimates of accruals for annual incentive compensation; the timing and amounts of stock option and restricted stock unit grants to employees and directors; gains (losses) from early extinguishment of debt; and changes in occupancy levels and patient volumes. Factors that affect service mix, revenue mix, patient volumes and, thereby, the results of operations at our hospitals and related healthcare facilities include, but are not limited to: changes in federal and state healthcare regulations; the business environment, economic conditions and demographics of local communities in which we operate; the number of uninsured and underinsured individuals in local communities treated at our hospitals; seasonal cycles of illness; climate and weather conditions; physician recruitment, retention and attrition; advances in technology and treatments that reduce length of stay; local healthcare competitors; managed care contract negotiations or terminations; the number of patients with high-deductible health insurance plans; hospital performance data on quality measures and patient satisfaction, as well as standard charges for services; any unfavorable publicity about us, or our joint venture partners, that impacts our relationships with physicians and patients; and the timing of elective procedures. These considerations apply to year-to-year comparisons as well. Net Operating Revenues We recognize net operating revenues in the period in which we satisfy our performance obligations under contracts by transferring our services to our customers. Net operating revenues are recognized in the amounts to which we expect to be entitled, which are the transaction prices allocated to the distinct services. Net operating revenues for our Hospital Operations and other and Ambulatory Care segments primarily consist of net patient service revenues, principally for patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, managed care and other health plans, as well as certain uninsured patients under our Compact with Uninsured Patients (“ Compact ”) and other uninsured discount and charity programs. Net operating revenues for our Conifer segment primarily consist of revenues from providing revenue cycle management services to healthcare systems, as well as individual hospitals, physician practices, self-insured organizations, health plans and other entities. Net Patient Service Revenues— We report net patient service revenues at the amounts that reflect the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for providing patient care. These amounts are due from patients, third-party payers (including managed care payers and government programs) and others, and they include variable consideration for retroactive revenue adjustments due to settlement of audits, reviews and investigations. Generally, we bill our patients and third-party payers several days after the services are performed or shortly after discharge. Revenues are recognized as performance obligations are satisfied. Conifer Revenues— Our Conifer segment recognizes revenue from its contracts when Conifer’s performance obligations are satisfied, which is generally as services are rendered. Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration to which Conifer expects to be entitled. Cash and Cash Equivalents We treat highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less as cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents were $252 million and $411 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , our book overdrafts were $246 million and $288 million , respectively, which were classified as accounts payable. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , $174 million and $177 million , respectively, of total cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were intended for the operations of our captive insurance subsidiaries, and $13 million and $8 million , respectively, of total cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were intended for the operations of our health plan-related businesses. Also at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , we had $84 million and $135 million , respectively, of property and equipment purchases accrued for items received but not yet paid. Of these amounts, $60 million and $114 million , respectively, were included in accounts payable. Other Intangible Assets The following tables provide information regarding other intangible assets, which are included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 : Gross Accumulated Net Book At March 31, 2019: Capitalized software costs $ 1,607 $ (847 ) $ 760 Trade names 102 — 102 Contracts 870 (82 ) 788 Other 106 (81 ) 25 Total $ 2,685 $ (1,010 ) $ 1,675 Gross Accumulated Net Book At December 31, 2018: Capitalized software costs $ 1,667 $ (858 ) $ 809 Trade names 102 — 102 Contracts 871 (76 ) 795 Other 104 (79 ) 25 Total $ 2,744 $ (1,013 ) $ 1,731 Estimated future amortization of intangibles with finite useful lives at March 31, 2019 is as follows: Nine Months Years Ending Later Years December 31, Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Amortization of intangible assets $ 998 $ 103 $ 129 $ 115 $ 98 $ 89 $ 464 We recognized amortization expense of $45 million and $41 million in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates We control 226 of the facilities within our Ambulatory Care segment and, therefore, consolidate their results. We account for many of the facilities our Ambulatory Care segment operates ( 108 of 334 at March 31, 2019 ), as well as additional companies in which our Hospital Operations and other segment holds ownership interests, under the equity method as investments in unconsolidated affiliates and report only our share of net income as equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Summarized financial information for these equity method investees is included in the following table; among the equity method investees are four North Texas hospitals in which we held minority interests that were operated by our Hospital Operations and other segment through the divestiture of these investments effective March 1, 2018. For investments acquired during the reporting periods, amounts reflect 100% of the investee’s results beginning on the date of our acquisition of the investment. Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Net operating revenues $ 568 $ 574 Net income $ 150 $ 116 Net income available to the investees $ 106 $ 71

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Accounts Receivable Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE The principal components of accounts receivable are shown in the table below: March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Continuing operations: Patient accounts receivable $ 2,577 $ 2,427 Estimated future recoveries 151 148 Net cost reports and settlements payable and valuation allowances 18 18 2,746 2,593 Discontinued operations (2 ) 2 Accounts receivable, net $ 2,744 $ 2,595 Accounts that are pursued for collection through Conifer’s business offices are maintained on our hospitals’ books and reflected in patient accounts receivable. Patient accounts receivable, including billed accounts and certain unbilled accounts, as well as estimated amounts due from third-party payers for retroactive adjustments, are receivables if our right to consideration is unconditional and only the passage of time is required before payment of that consideration is due. Estimated uncollectable amounts are generally considered implicit price concessions that are a direct reduction to patient accounts receivable rather than allowance for doubtful accounts. We also provide charity care to patients who are unable to pay for the healthcare services they receive. Most patients who qualify for charity care are charged a per-diem amount for services received, subject to a cap. Except for the per-diem amounts, our policy is not to pursue collection of amounts determined to qualify as charity care; therefore, we do not report these amounts in net operating revenues. Most states include an estimate of the cost of charity care in the determination of a hospital’s eligibility for Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (“DSH”) payments. These payments are intended to mitigate our cost of uncompensated care, as well as reduced Medicaid funding levels. The following table shows our estimated costs (based on selected operating expenses, which include salaries, wages and benefits, supplies and other operating expenses and which exclude the costs of our health plan businesses) of caring for our uninsured patients and charity care patients, as well as revenues attributable to Medicaid DSH and other supplemental revenues we recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 : Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Estimated costs for: Uninsured patients $ 158 $ 146 Charity care patients 34 35 Total $ 192 $ 181 Medicaid DSH and other supplemental revenues $ 199 $ 220 We had $284 million and $277 million of receivables recorded in other current assets and investments and other assets, respectively, and $63 million and $42 million of payables recorded in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2019 related to California’s provider fee program. We had $278 million and $231 million of receivables recorded in other current assets and investments and other assets, respectively, and $100 million and $42 million of payables recorded in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018

CONTRACT BALANCES

CONTRACT BALANCES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
CONTRACT BALANCES	CONTRACT BALANCES Hospital Operations and Other Segment Amounts related to services provided to patients for which we have not billed and that do not meet the conditions of unconditional right to payment at the end of the reporting period are contract assets. For our Hospital Operations and other segment, our contract assets consist primarily of services that we have provided to patients who are still receiving inpatient care in our facilities at the end of the reporting period. Our Hospital Operations and other segment’s contract assets are included in other current assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2019. The opening and closing balances of contract assets for our Hospital Operations and other segment are as follows: December 31, 2018 $ 169 March 31, 2019 166 Increase/(decrease) $ (3 ) January 1, 2018 $ 171 March 31, 2018 158 Increase/(decrease) $ (13 ) Approximately 89% of our Hospital Operations and other segment’s contract assets meet the conditions for unconditional right to payment and are reclassified to patient receivables within 90 days. Conifer Segment Conifer enters into contracts with customers to sell revenue cycle management and other services, such as value-based care, consulting and project services. The payment terms and conditions in our customer contracts vary. In some cases, customers are invoiced in advance and (for other than fixed-price fee arrangements) a true-up to the actual fee is included on a subsequent invoice. In other cases, payment is due in arrears. In addition, some contracts contain performance incentives, penalties and other forms of variable consideration. When the timing of Conifer’s delivery of services is different from the timing of payments made by the customers, Conifer recognizes either unbilled revenue (performance precedes contractual right to invoice the customer) or deferred revenue (customer payment precedes Conifer service performance). In the following table, customers that prepay prior to obtaining control/benefit of the service are represented by deferred contract revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied. Unbilled revenue represents arrangements in which Conifer has provided services to and the customer has obtained control/benefit of services prior to the contractual invoice date. Contracts with payment in arrears are recognized as receivables in the month the service is performed. The opening and closing balances of Conifer’s receivables, contract asset, and current and long-term contract liabilities are as follows: Contract Liability- Contract Liability- Contract Asset- Current Long-Term Receivables Unbilled Revenue Deferred Revenue Deferred Revenue December 31, 2018 $ 42 $ 11 $ 61 $ 20 March 31, 2019 90 11 64 20 Increase/(decrease) $ 48 $ — $ 3 $ — January 1, 2018 $ 89 $ 10 $ 80 $ 21 March 31, 2018 99 10 78 29 Increase/(decrease) $ 10 $ — $ (2 ) $ 8 The difference between the opening and closing balances of Conifer’s contract assets and contract liabilities are primarily related to prepayments for those customers who are billed in advance, changes in estimates related to metric-based services, and up-front integration services that are typically not distinct and are, therefore, recognized over the performance obligation period to which they relate. Our Conifer segment’s receivables and contract assets are reported as part of other current assets in our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and our Conifer segment’s current and long-term contract liabilities are reported as part of other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of revenue Conifer recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 that was included in the opening current deferred revenue liability was $49 million and $60 million , respectively. This revenue consists primarily of prepayments for those customers who are billed in advance, changes in estimates related to metric-based services, and up-front integration services that are recognized over the services period. Contract Costs We have elected to apply the practical expedient provided by FASB Accounting Standards Codification 340-40-25-4 and expense as incurred the incremental customer contract acquisition costs for contracts in which the amortization period of the asset that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. However, incremental costs incurred to obtain and fulfill customer contracts for which the amortization period of the asset that we otherwise would have recognized is longer than one year, which consist primarily of Conifer deferred contract setup costs, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the term of the related contract. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , we recognized amortization expense of $1 million and $3 million , respectively. At both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the unamortized customer contract costs were $28 million Net operating revenues for our Hospital Operations and other and Ambulatory Care segments primarily consist of net patient service revenues, principally for patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, managed care and other health plans, as well as certain uninsured patients under our Compact and other uninsured discount and charity programs. Net operating revenues for our Conifer segment primarily consist of revenues from providing revenue cycle management services to healthcare systems, as well as individual hospitals, physician practices, self-insured organizations, health plans and other entities. The table below shows our sources of net operating revenues from continuing operations: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Hospital Operations and other: Net patient service revenues from hospitals and related outpatient facilities Medicare $ 758 $ 782 Medicaid 314 321 Managed care 2,354 2,368 Uninsured 1 37 Indemnity and other 155 135 Total 3,582 3,643 Physician practices revenues 270 280 Health plans — 6 Revenue from other sources 10 18 Hospital Operations and other total prior to inter-segment eliminations 3,862 3,947 Ambulatory Care 480 498 Conifer 349 404 Inter-segment eliminations (146 ) (150 ) Net operating revenues $ 4,545 $ 4,699 Adjustments for prior-year cost reports and related valuation allowances, principally related to Medicare and Medicaid, increased revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 by $10 million and $5 million , respectively. Estimated cost report settlements and valuation allowances are included in accounts receivable in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 2). We believe that we have made adequate provision for any adjustments that may result from final determination of amounts earned under all the above arrangements with Medicare and Medicaid. The table below shows the composition of net operating revenues for our Ambulatory Care segment: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Net patient service revenues $ 451 $ 469 Management fees 23 23 Revenue from other sources 6 6 Net operating revenues $ 480 $ 498 The table below shows the composition of net operating revenues for our Conifer segment: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Revenue cycle services – Tenet $ 142 $ 144 Revenue cycle services – other customers 180 232 Other services – Tenet 4 6 Other services – other customers 23 22 Net operating revenues $ 349 $ 404 Other services represent 8% of Conifer’s revenue and include value-based care services, consulting services and other client-defined projects. Performance Obligations The following table includes Conifer’s revenue that is expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied, or partially unsatisfied, at the end of the reporting period. The amounts in the table primarily consist of revenue cycle management fixed fees, which are typically recognized ratably as the performance obligation is satisfied. The estimated revenue does not include volume or contingency based contracts, performance incentives, penalties or other variable consideration that is considered constrained. Conifer’s contract with Catholic Health Initiatives (“CHI”), a minority interest owner of Conifer Health Solutions, LLC, represents the majority of the fixed-fee revenue related to remaining performance obligations. Conifer’s contract term with CHI ends in 2032. Nine Months Years Ending Later Years December 31, Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Performance obligations $ 7,748 $ 448 $ 597 $ 595 $ 595 $ 595 $ 4,918

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE	ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE There were no assets or liabilities classified as held for sale at March 31, 2019 . In the three months ended December 31, 2017, three of our hospitals in the Chicago-area, as well as other operations affiliated with the hospitals, met the criteria to be classified as held for sale. As a result, we have classified these assets totaling $107 million as “assets held for sale” in current assets and the related liabilities of $43 million as “liabilities held for sale” in current liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018. These assets and liabilities, which were in our Hospital Operations and other segment until their divestiture on January 28, 2019, were recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or their fair value less estimated costs to sell. We recorded impairment charges of $17 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 for the write-down of the assets held for sale to their estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell, as a result of the planned divestiture of these assets. The following table provides information on significant components of our business that have been disposed of since January 1, 2018: Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Significant disposals: Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes Chicago-area (includes a $7 million loss on sale in the 2019 period and $17 million of impairment charges in the 2018 period) $ (12 ) $ (16 ) Philadelphia (includes a $2 million loss on sale in the 2018 period) 1 (9 ) MacNeal (includes a $98 million gain on sale in the 2018 period) 1 101 Aspen — 3 Total $ (10 ) $ 79

IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CH

IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS	IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , we recorded impairment and restructuring charges and acquisition-related costs of $19 million , consisting of $1 million of impairment charges , $16 million of restructuring charges and $2 million of acquisition-related costs . Restructuring charges consisted of $7 million of employee severance costs , $1 million of contract and lease termination fees , and $8 million of other restructuring costs . Acquisition-related costs consisted of $2 million of transaction costs . During the three months ended March 31, 2018 , we recorded impairment and restructuring charges and acquisition-related costs of $47 million , consisting of $19 million of impairment charges , $25 million of restructuring charges and $3 million of acquisition-related costs . Impairment charges consisted primarily of $17 million of charges to write-down assets held for sale to their estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell, for certain Chicago-area facilities and $2 million of other impairment charges. Restructuring charges consisted of $17 million of employee severance costs , $1 million of contract and lease termination fees , and $7 million of other restructuring costs . Acquisition-related costs consisted of $2 million of transaction costs and $1 million of acquisition integration charges . Our impairment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were primarily related to our Hospital Operations and other segment. Our impairment tests presume stable, improving or, in some cases, declining operating results in our facilities, which are based on programs and initiatives being implemented that are designed to achieve each facility’s most recent projections. If these projections are not met, or if in the future negative trends occur that impact our future outlook, impairments of long-lived assets and goodwill may occur, and we may incur additional restructuring charges, which could be material. At March 31, 2019 , our continuing operations consisted of three reportable segments, Hospital Operations and other, Ambulatory Care and Conifer. Our segments are reporting units used to perform our goodwill impairment analysis.

LEASES (Notes)

LEASES (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
LEASES	LEASES The following table presents the components of our right-of-use assets and liabilities related to leases and their classification in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2019 : Component of Lease Balances Classification in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet March 31, 2019 Assets: Operating lease assets Investments and other assets $ 799 Finance lease assets Property and equipment, at cost, less 441 Total leased assets $ 1,240 Liabilities: Operating lease liabilities: Current Other current liabilities $ 146 Long-term Other long-term liabilities 714 Total operating lease liabilities 860 Finance lease liabilities: Current Current portion of long-term debt 141 Long-term Long-term debt, net of current portion 224 Total finance lease liabilities 365 Total lease liabilities $ 1,225 We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception of the contract. Our right-of-use assets represent our right to use the underlying assets for the lease term and our lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the leases. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. We use our estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from information available at the lease commencement date, in determining the present value of lease payments. For our Hospital Operations and other and Conifer segments, we estimate our incremental borrowing rates for our portfolio of leases using documented rates included in our recent equipment finance leases or, if applicable, recent secured debt issuances that correspond to various lease terms. We also give consideration to information obtained from our bankers, our secured debt fair value and publicly available data for instruments with similar characteristics. For our Ambulatory Care segment, we estimate an incremental borrowing rate for each center by utilizing historical and projected financial data, estimating a hypothetical credit rating using publicly available market data and adjusting the market data to reflect the effects of collateralization. Our operating leases are primarily for real estate, including off-campus outpatient facilities, medical office buildings, and corporate and other administrative offices, as well as medical and office equipment. Our finance leases are primarily for medical equipment and information technology and telecommunications assets. Our real estate lease agreements typically have initial terms of five to 10 years, and our equipment lease agreements typically have initial terms of three years. We do not record leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (“short-term leases”) in our consolidated balance sheets. Our real estate leases may include one or more options to renew, with renewals that can extend the lease term from five to 10 years. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. In general, we do not consider renewal options to be reasonably likely to be exercised, therefore renewal options are generally not recognized as part of our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The useful life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. The majority of our medical equipment leases have terms of three years with a bargain purchase option that is reasonably certain of exercise, so these assets are depreciated over their useful life, typically ranging from five to seven years. Similarly, some of our leases of information technology and telecommunications assets include a transfer of title and, therefore, have useful lives of 15 years. Certain of our lease agreements for real estate include payments based on actual common area maintenance expenses and others include rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation. These variable lease payments are recognized in other operating expenses, net, but are not included in the right-of-use asset or liability balances. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants. We have elected the practical expedient that allows lessees to choose to not separate lease and non-lease components by class of underlying asset and are applying this expedient to all relevant asset classes. We have also elected the practical expedient package to not reassess at adoption (i) expired or existing contracts for whether they are or contain a lease, (ii) the lease classification of any existing leases or (iii) initial indirect costs for existing leases. The following table presents the components of our lease expense and their classification in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 : Classification on Condensed Consolidated Three Months Ended Component of Lease Expense Statements of Operations March 31, 2019 Operating lease expense Other operating expenses, net $ 50 Finance lease expense: Amortization of leased assets Depreciation and amortization 18 Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 5 Total finance lease expense 23 Variable and short term-lease expense Other operating expenses, net 34 Total lease expense $ 107 The weighted-average lease terms and discount rates for operating and finance leases are presented in the following table: March 31, 2019 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 6.7 Finance leases 6.1 Weighted-average discount rate Operating leases 5.2 % Finance leases 5.5 % Cash flow and other information related to leases is included in the following table: Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash outflows from operating leases $ 47 Operating cash outflows from finance leases $ 5 Financing cash outflows from finance leases $ 36 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 28 Finance leases $ 36 Future maturities of lease liabilities at March 31, 2019 are presented in the following table: Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2019 $ 144 $ 120 $ 264 2020 171 122 293 2021 152 64 216 2022 132 16 148 2023 110 13 123 Later years 339 123 462 Total lease payments 1,048 458 1,506 Less: Imputed interest 188 93 281 Total lease obligations 860 365 1,225 Less: Current obligations 146 141 287 Long-term lease obligations $ 714 $ 224 $ 938 Future maturities of lease liabilities at December 31, 2018 , prior to our adoption of ASU 2016-02, are presented in the following table: Years Ending December 31, Later Years Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Capital lease obligations $ 425 $ 140 $ 95 $ 57 $ 37 $ 21 $ 75 Long-term non-cancelable operating leases $ 932 $ 171 $ 151 $ 133 $ 113 $ 92 $ 272
LEASES	LEASES The following table presents the components of our right-of-use assets and liabilities related to leases and their classification in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2019 : Component of Lease Balances Classification in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet March 31, 2019 Assets: Operating lease assets Investments and other assets $ 799 Finance lease assets Property and equipment, at cost, less 441 Total leased assets $ 1,240 Liabilities: Operating lease liabilities: Current Other current liabilities $ 146 Long-term Other long-term liabilities 714 Total operating lease liabilities 860 Finance lease liabilities: Current Current portion of long-term debt 141 Long-term Long-term debt, net of current portion 224 Total finance lease liabilities 365 Total lease liabilities $ 1,225 We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception of the contract. Our right-of-use assets represent our right to use the underlying assets for the lease term and our lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the leases. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. We use our estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from information available at the lease commencement date, in determining the present value of lease payments. For our Hospital Operations and other and Conifer segments, we estimate our incremental borrowing rates for our portfolio of leases using documented rates included in our recent equipment finance leases or, if applicable, recent secured debt issuances that correspond to various lease terms. We also give consideration to information obtained from our bankers, our secured debt fair value and publicly available data for instruments with similar characteristics. For our Ambulatory Care segment, we estimate an incremental borrowing rate for each center by utilizing historical and projected financial data, estimating a hypothetical credit rating using publicly available market data and adjusting the market data to reflect the effects of collateralization. Our operating leases are primarily for real estate, including off-campus outpatient facilities, medical office buildings, and corporate and other administrative offices, as well as medical and office equipment. Our finance leases are primarily for medical equipment and information technology and telecommunications assets. Our real estate lease agreements typically have initial terms of five to 10 years, and our equipment lease agreements typically have initial terms of three years. We do not record leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (“short-term leases”) in our consolidated balance sheets. Our real estate leases may include one or more options to renew, with renewals that can extend the lease term from five to 10 years. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. In general, we do not consider renewal options to be reasonably likely to be exercised, therefore renewal options are generally not recognized as part of our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The useful life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. The majority of our medical equipment leases have terms of three years with a bargain purchase option that is reasonably certain of exercise, so these assets are depreciated over their useful life, typically ranging from five to seven years. Similarly, some of our leases of information technology and telecommunications assets include a transfer of title and, therefore, have useful lives of 15 years. Certain of our lease agreements for real estate include payments based on actual common area maintenance expenses and others include rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation. These variable lease payments are recognized in other operating expenses, net, but are not included in the right-of-use asset or liability balances. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants. We have elected the practical expedient that allows lessees to choose to not separate lease and non-lease components by class of underlying asset and are applying this expedient to all relevant asset classes. We have also elected the practical expedient package to not reassess at adoption (i) expired or existing contracts for whether they are or contain a lease, (ii) the lease classification of any existing leases or (iii) initial indirect costs for existing leases. The following table presents the components of our lease expense and their classification in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 : Classification on Condensed Consolidated Three Months Ended Component of Lease Expense Statements of Operations March 31, 2019 Operating lease expense Other operating expenses, net $ 50 Finance lease expense: Amortization of leased assets Depreciation and amortization 18 Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 5 Total finance lease expense 23 Variable and short term-lease expense Other operating expenses, net 34 Total lease expense $ 107 The weighted-average lease terms and discount rates for operating and finance leases are presented in the following table: March 31, 2019 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 6.7 Finance leases 6.1 Weighted-average discount rate Operating leases 5.2 % Finance leases 5.5 % Cash flow and other information related to leases is included in the following table: Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash outflows from operating leases $ 47 Operating cash outflows from finance leases $ 5 Financing cash outflows from finance leases $ 36 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 28 Finance leases $ 36 Future maturities of lease liabilities at March 31, 2019 are presented in the following table: Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2019 $ 144 $ 120 $ 264 2020 171 122 293 2021 152 64 216 2022 132 16 148 2023 110 13 123 Later years 339 123 462 Total lease payments 1,048 458 1,506 Less: Imputed interest 188 93 281 Total lease obligations 860 365 1,225 Less: Current obligations 146 141 287 Long-term lease obligations $ 714 $ 224 $ 938 Future maturities of lease liabilities at December 31, 2018 , prior to our adoption of ASU 2016-02, are presented in the following table: Years Ending December 31, Later Years Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Capital lease obligations $ 425 $ 140 $ 95 $ 57 $ 37 $ 21 $ 75 Long-term non-cancelable operating leases $ 932 $ 171 $ 151 $ 133 $ 113 $ 92 $ 272

LONG-TERM DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT The table below shows our long-term debt at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 : March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Senior unsecured notes: 5.500% due 2019 $ — $ 468 6.750% due 2020 — 300 8.125% due 2022 2,800 2,800 6.750% due 2023 1,872 1,872 7.000% due 2025 478 478 6.875% due 2031 362 362 Senior secured first lien notes: 4.750% due 2020 500 500 6.000% due 2020 1,800 1,800 4.500% due 2021 850 850 4.375% due 2021 1,050 1,050 4.625% due 2024 1,870 1,870 Senior secured second lien notes: 7.500% due 2022 — 750 5.125% due 2025 1,410 1,410 6.250% due 2027 1,500 — Credit facility due 2020 190 — Finance leases and mortgage notes 473 500 Unamortized issue costs and note discounts (183 ) (184 ) Total long-term debt 14,972 14,826 Less current portion 158 182 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 14,814 $ 14,644 Senior Secured and Senior Unsecured Notes On February 5, 2019, we sold $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.250% senior secured second lien notes, which will mature on February 1, 2027 (the “2027 Senior Secured Second Lien Notes”). We will pay interest on the 2027 Senior Secured Second Lien Notes semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, which payments will commence on August 1, 2019. The proceeds from the sale of the 2027 Senior Secured Second Lien Notes were used, after payment of fees and expenses, together with cash on hand and borrowings under our Credit Agreement, to fund the redemption of all $300 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 6.750% senior notes due 2020 and all $750 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 7.500% senior secured second lien notes due 2022, as well as the repayment upon maturity of all $468 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 5.500% senior unsecured notes due March 1, 2019. In connection with the redemptions, we recorded a loss from early extinguishment of debt of approximately $47 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , primarily related to the difference between the redemption prices and the par values of the notes, as well as the write-off of the associated unamortized issuance costs. Credit Agreement We have a senior secured revolving credit facility (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) that provides, subject to borrowing availability, for revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1 billion , with a $300 million subfacility for standby letters of credit. Obligations under the Credit Agreement, which has a scheduled maturity date of December 4, 2020, are guaranteed by substantially all of our domestic wholly owned hospital subsidiaries and are secured by a first-priority lien on the accounts receivable owned by us and the subsidiary guarantors. Outstanding revolving loans accrue interest at a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum or the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% per annum, in each case based on available credit. An unused commitment fee payable on the undrawn portion of the revolving loans ranges from 0.25% to 0.375% per annum based on available credit. Our borrowing availability is based on a specified percentage of eligible accounts receivable, including self-pay accounts. At March 31, 2019 , we had $190 million of cash borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement subject to an interest rate of 3.66% , and we had $2 million of standby letters of credit outstanding. Based on our eligible receivables, $808 million was available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement at March 31, 2019 . Letter of Credit Facility We have a letter of credit facility (as amended, the “LC Facility”) that provides for the issuance of standby and documentary letters of credit, from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $180 million (subject to increase to up to $200 million ). The maturity date of the LC Facility is March 7, 2021. Obligations under the LC Facility are guaranteed and secured by a first-priority pledge of the capital stock and other ownership interests of certain of our wholly owned domestic hospital subsidiaries on an equal ranking basis with our senior secured first lien notes. Drawings under any letter of credit issued under the LC Facility that we have not reimbursed within three business days after notice thereof accrue interest at a base rate plus a margin equal to 0.50% per annum. An unused commitment fee is payable at an initial rate of 0.25% per annum with a step up to 0.375% per annum should our secured-debt-to-EBITDA ratio equal or exceed 3.00 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal quarter. A fee on the aggregate outstanding amount of issued but undrawn letters of credit accrues at a rate of 1.50% per annum. An issuance fee equal to 0.125% per annum of the aggregate face amount of each outstanding letter of credit is payable to the account of the issuer of the related letter of credit. At March 31, 2019 , we had $93 million of standby letters of credit outstanding under the LC Facility.

GUARANTEES

GUARANTEES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Guarantees [Abstract]
GUARANTEES	GUARANTEES At March 31, 2019 , the maximum potential amount of future payments under our income guarantees to certain physicians who agree to relocate and revenue collection guarantees to hospital-based physician groups providing certain services at our hospitals was $135 million . We had a total liability of $114 million recorded for these guarantees included in other current liabilities at March 31, 2019 . At March 31, 2019 , we also had issued guarantees of the indebtedness and other obligations of our investees to third parties, the maximum potential amount of future payments under which was approximately $24 million . Of the total, $8 million relates to the obligations of consolidated subsidiaries, which obligations are recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2019

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Share-Based Compensation Plans In recent years, we have granted both options and restricted stock units to certain of our employees and directors pursuant to our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. Options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant and generally expire 10 years from the date of grant. A restricted stock unit is a contractual right to receive one share of our common stock in the future. Typically, options and time-based restricted stock units vest one-third on each of the first three anniversary dates of the grant; however, certain special retention awards may have different vesting terms. In addition, we grant performance-based options and performance-based restricted stock units that vest subject to the achievement of specified performance goals within a specified time frame. At March 31, 2019 , assuming outstanding performance-based restricted stock units and options for which performance has not yet been determined will achieve target performance, approximately 3.7 million shares of common stock were available under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan for future stock option grants and other equity incentive awards, including restricted stock units (approximately 2.6 million shares remain available if we assume maximum performance for outstanding performance-based restricted stock units and options for which performance has not yet been determined). The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 include $11 million and $9 million , respectively, of pre-tax compensation costs related to our stock-based compensation arrangements. Stock Options The following table summarizes stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2019 : Options Weighted Average Aggregate Weighted Average (In Millions) Outstanding at December 31, 2018 2,262,743 $ 19.12 Granted 230,713 28.28 Exercised (76,159 ) 4.56 Forfeited/Expired (120,871 ) 19.25 Outstanding at March 31, 2019 2,296,426 $ 20.52 $ 19 6.6 years Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2019 2,296,426 $ 20.52 $ 19 6.6 years Exercisable at March 31, 2019 684,628 $ 19.03 $ 7 3.3 years There were 76,159 and 443,204 stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, in each case with an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $1 million . At March 31, 2019 , there were $7 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years. On March 29, 2019, we granted an aggregate of 7,862 performance-based stock options under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan to a new senior officer. The options will all vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the achievement of a closing stock price of at least $36.05 (a 25% premium above the March 29, 2019 grant-date closing stock price of $28.84 ) for at least 20 consecutive trading days within three years of the grant date, and will expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. On February 27, 2019, we granted an aggregate of 222,851 performance-based stock options under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan to certain of our senior officers. The options will all vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the achievement of a closing stock price of at least $35.33 (a 25% premium above the February 27, 2019 grant-date closing stock price of $28.26 ) for at least 20 consecutive trading days within three years of the grant date, and will expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. In the three months ended March 31, 2018, we granted an aggregate of 604,012 performance-based stock options under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan to certain of our senior officers. The stock options will all vest on the third anniversary of the grant date because, in the three months ended June 30, 2018, the requirement that our stock close at a price of at least $25.75 (a 25% premium above the February 28, 2018 grant-date closing stock price of $20.60 ) for at least 20 consecutive trading days within three years of the grant date was met; these options will expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. The weighted average estimated fair value of stock options we granted in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $12.50 and $8.83 per share, respectively. These fair values were calculated based on each grant date, using a Monte Carlo simulation with the following assumptions: March 29, 2019 February 27, 2019 February 28, 2018 Expected volatility 48% 48% 46% Expected dividend yield 0% 0% 0% Expected life 6.2 years 6.2 years 6.2 years Expected forfeiture rate 0% 0% 0% Risk-free interest rate 2.26% 2.53% 2.72% The expected volatility used for the 2019 and 2018 Monte Carlo simulations incorporates historical volatility based on an analysis of historical prices of our stock. The expected volatility reflects the historical volatility for a duration consistent with the expected life of the options; it does not consider the implied volatility from open-market exchanged options due to the limited trading activity and the transient nature of factors impacting our stock price volatility. The historical share-price volatility for 2019 and 2018 excludes the movements in our stock price for the period from August 15, 2017 through November 30, 2017 due to impact that the announcement of the departure of certain board members and officers, as well as reports that we were exploring a potential sale of the company, had on our stock price during that time. The risk-free interest rates are based on zero-coupon United States Treasury yields in effect at the date of grant consistent with the expected exercise time frames. The following table summarizes information about our outstanding stock options at March 31, 2019 : Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Range of Exercise Prices Number of Weighted Average Weighted Average Number of Weighted Average $4.57 to $19.759 1,246,675 6.0 years 18.15 413,960 16.46 $19.76 to $35.430 1,049,751 7.4 years 23.33 270,668 22.94 2,296,426 6.6 years $ 20.52 684,628 $ 19.03 Restricted Stock Units The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity during the three months ended March 31, 2019 : Restricted Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Unvested at December 31, 2018 1,884,130 $ 32.25 Granted 1,128,005 26.49 Vested (477,293 ) 23.94 Forfeited (298,680 ) 25.02 Unvested at March 31, 2019 2,236,162 $ 32.09 In the three months ended March 31, 2019 , we granted 1,128,005 restricted stock units, of which 243,506 will vest and be settled ratably over a three -year period from the grant date, 566,172 will vest and be settled ratably over a 27 month period from the grant date, and 318,327 will vest and be settled on the third anniversary of the grant date. At March 31, 2019 , there were $40 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted stock units. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years. Employee Retirement Plans In the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , we recognized (i) service cost related to one of our frozen nonqualified defined benefit pension plans of less than $1 million and approximately $1 million , respectively, in salaries, wages and benefits expense, and (ii) other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost related to our frozen qualified and nonqualified defined benefit plans of $5 million and $4 million

EQUITY

EQUITY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
EQUITY	EQUITY Changes in Shareholders’ Equity The following tables show the changes in consolidated equity during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in millions, share amounts in thousands): Common Stock Additional Accumulated Accumulated Treasury Noncontrolling Total Equity Shares Issued Par Balances at December 31, 2018 102,537 $ 7 $ 4,747 $ (223 ) $ (2,236 ) $ (2,414 ) $ 806 $ 687 Net income (loss) — — — — (19 ) — 37 18 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — (37 ) (37 ) Other comprehensive income — — — 2 — — — 2 Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests — — (5 ) — — — — (5 ) Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests — — (2 ) — — — 2 — Cumulative effect of accounting change — — — — 1 — — 1 Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefit and issuance of common stock 543 — 8 — — — — 8 Balances at March 31, 2019 103,080 $ 7 $ 4,748 $ (221 ) $ (2,254 ) $ (2,414 ) $ 808 $ 674 Balances at December 31, 2017 100,972 $ 7 $ 4,859 $ (204 ) $ (2,390 ) $ (2,419 ) $ 686 $ 539 Net income — — — — 99 — 31 130 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — (34 ) (34 ) Other comprehensive income — — — 8 — — — 8 Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests — — (37 ) — — — — (37 ) Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests — — (4 ) — — — (2 ) (6 ) Cumulative effect of accounting change — — — (43 ) 43 — — — Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefit and issuance of common stock 1,017 — 15 — — 1 — 16 Balances at March 31, 2018 101,989 $ 7 $ 4,833 $ (239 ) $ (2,248 ) $ (2,418 ) $ 681 $ 616 Our noncontrolling interests balances at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were comprised of $114 million and $112 million , respectively, from our Hospital Operations and other segment, and $694 million and $694 million , respectively, from our Ambulatory Care segment. Our net income available to noncontrolling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 in the table above were comprised of $2 million for both periods from our Hospital Operations and other segment, and $35 million and $29 million

NET OPERATING REVENUES

NET OPERATING REVENUES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
NET OPERATING REVENUES	CONTRACT BALANCES Hospital Operations and Other Segment Amounts related to services provided to patients for which we have not billed and that do not meet the conditions of unconditional right to payment at the end of the reporting period are contract assets. For our Hospital Operations and other segment, our contract assets consist primarily of services that we have provided to patients who are still receiving inpatient care in our facilities at the end of the reporting period. Our Hospital Operations and other segment’s contract assets are included in other current assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2019. The opening and closing balances of contract assets for our Hospital Operations and other segment are as follows: December 31, 2018 $ 169 March 31, 2019 166 Increase/(decrease) $ (3 ) January 1, 2018 $ 171 March 31, 2018 158 Increase/(decrease) $ (13 ) Approximately 89% of our Hospital Operations and other segment’s contract assets meet the conditions for unconditional right to payment and are reclassified to patient receivables within 90 days. Conifer Segment Conifer enters into contracts with customers to sell revenue cycle management and other services, such as value-based care, consulting and project services. The payment terms and conditions in our customer contracts vary. In some cases, customers are invoiced in advance and (for other than fixed-price fee arrangements) a true-up to the actual fee is included on a subsequent invoice. In other cases, payment is due in arrears. In addition, some contracts contain performance incentives, penalties and other forms of variable consideration. When the timing of Conifer’s delivery of services is different from the timing of payments made by the customers, Conifer recognizes either unbilled revenue (performance precedes contractual right to invoice the customer) or deferred revenue (customer payment precedes Conifer service performance). In the following table, customers that prepay prior to obtaining control/benefit of the service are represented by deferred contract revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied. Unbilled revenue represents arrangements in which Conifer has provided services to and the customer has obtained control/benefit of services prior to the contractual invoice date. Contracts with payment in arrears are recognized as receivables in the month the service is performed. The opening and closing balances of Conifer’s receivables, contract asset, and current and long-term contract liabilities are as follows: Contract Liability- Contract Liability- Contract Asset- Current Long-Term Receivables Unbilled Revenue Deferred Revenue Deferred Revenue December 31, 2018 $ 42 $ 11 $ 61 $ 20 March 31, 2019 90 11 64 20 Increase/(decrease) $ 48 $ — $ 3 $ — January 1, 2018 $ 89 $ 10 $ 80 $ 21 March 31, 2018 99 10 78 29 Increase/(decrease) $ 10 $ — $ (2 ) $ 8 The difference between the opening and closing balances of Conifer’s contract assets and contract liabilities are primarily related to prepayments for those customers who are billed in advance, changes in estimates related to metric-based services, and up-front integration services that are typically not distinct and are, therefore, recognized over the performance obligation period to which they relate. Our Conifer segment’s receivables and contract assets are reported as part of other current assets in our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and our Conifer segment’s current and long-term contract liabilities are reported as part of other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of revenue Conifer recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 that was included in the opening current deferred revenue liability was $49 million and $60 million , respectively. This revenue consists primarily of prepayments for those customers who are billed in advance, changes in estimates related to metric-based services, and up-front integration services that are recognized over the services period. Contract Costs We have elected to apply the practical expedient provided by FASB Accounting Standards Codification 340-40-25-4 and expense as incurred the incremental customer contract acquisition costs for contracts in which the amortization period of the asset that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. However, incremental costs incurred to obtain and fulfill customer contracts for which the amortization period of the asset that we otherwise would have recognized is longer than one year, which consist primarily of Conifer deferred contract setup costs, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the term of the related contract. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , we recognized amortization expense of $1 million and $3 million , respectively. At both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the unamortized customer contract costs were $28 million Net operating revenues for our Hospital Operations and other and Ambulatory Care segments primarily consist of net patient service revenues, principally for patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, managed care and other health plans, as well as certain uninsured patients under our Compact and other uninsured discount and charity programs. Net operating revenues for our Conifer segment primarily consist of revenues from providing revenue cycle management services to healthcare systems, as well as individual hospitals, physician practices, self-insured organizations, health plans and other entities. The table below shows our sources of net operating revenues from continuing operations: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Hospital Operations and other: Net patient service revenues from hospitals and related outpatient facilities Medicare $ 758 $ 782 Medicaid 314 321 Managed care 2,354 2,368 Uninsured 1 37 Indemnity and other 155 135 Total 3,582 3,643 Physician practices revenues 270 280 Health plans — 6 Revenue from other sources 10 18 Hospital Operations and other total prior to inter-segment eliminations 3,862 3,947 Ambulatory Care 480 498 Conifer 349 404 Inter-segment eliminations (146 ) (150 ) Net operating revenues $ 4,545 $ 4,699 Adjustments for prior-year cost reports and related valuation allowances, principally related to Medicare and Medicaid, increased revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 by $10 million and $5 million , respectively. Estimated cost report settlements and valuation allowances are included in accounts receivable in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 2). We believe that we have made adequate provision for any adjustments that may result from final determination of amounts earned under all the above arrangements with Medicare and Medicaid. The table below shows the composition of net operating revenues for our Ambulatory Care segment: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Net patient service revenues $ 451 $ 469 Management fees 23 23 Revenue from other sources 6 6 Net operating revenues $ 480 $ 498 The table below shows the composition of net operating revenues for our Conifer segment: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Revenue cycle services – Tenet $ 142 $ 144 Revenue cycle services – other customers 180 232 Other services – Tenet 4 6 Other services – other customers 23 22 Net operating revenues $ 349 $ 404 Other services represent 8% of Conifer’s revenue and include value-based care services, consulting services and other client-defined projects. Performance Obligations The following table includes Conifer’s revenue that is expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied, or partially unsatisfied, at the end of the reporting period. The amounts in the table primarily consist of revenue cycle management fixed fees, which are typically recognized ratably as the performance obligation is satisfied. The estimated revenue does not include volume or contingency based contracts, performance incentives, penalties or other variable consideration that is considered constrained. Conifer’s contract with Catholic Health Initiatives (“CHI”), a minority interest owner of Conifer Health Solutions, LLC, represents the majority of the fixed-fee revenue related to remaining performance obligations. Conifer’s contract term with CHI ends in 2032. Nine Months Years Ending Later Years December 31, Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Performance obligations $ 7,748 $ 448 $ 597 $ 595 $ 595 $ 595 $ 4,918

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND G

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Property and Professional and General Liablity Insurance [Abstract]
PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE	PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE Property Insurance We have property, business interruption and related insurance coverage to mitigate the financial impact of catastrophic events or perils that is subject to deductible provisions based on the terms of the policies. These policies are on an occurrence basis. For the policy period April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019, we had coverage totaling $850 million per occurrence, after deductibles and exclusions, with annual aggregate sub-limits of $100 million for floods, $200 million for earthquakes and a per-occurrence sub-limit of $200 million for named windstorms with no annual aggregate. With respect to fires and other perils, excluding floods, earthquakes and named windstorms, the total $850 million limit of coverage per occurrence applied. Deductibles were 5% of insured values up to a maximum of $25 million for California earthquakes, floods and named windstorms, and 2% of insured values for New Madrid fault earthquakes, with a maximum per claim deductible of $25 million . Floods and certain other covered losses, including fires and other perils, had a minimum deductible of $1 million . For the policy period April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020, we have coverage totaling $850 million per occurrence, after deductibles and exclusions, with annual aggregate sub-limits of $100 million for floods, $200 million for earthquakes and a per-occurrence sub-limit of $200 million for named windstorms with no annual aggregate. With respect to fires and other perils, excluding floods, earthquakes and named windstorms, the total $850 million limit of coverage per occurrence applies. Deductibles are 5% of insured values up to a maximum of $40 million for California earthquakes, $25 million for floods and named windstorms, and 2% of insured values for New Madrid fault earthquakes, with a maximum per claim deductible of $25 million . Floods and certain other covered losses, including fires and other perils, have a minimum deductible of $1 million . Professional and General Liability Reserves We are self-insured for the majority of our professional and general liability claims and purchase insurance from third-parties to cover catastrophic claims. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the aggregate current and long-term professional and general liability reserves in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were $914 million and $882 million , respectively. These reserves include the reserves recorded by our captive insurance subsidiaries and our self-insured retention reserves recorded based on modeled estimates for the portion of our professional and general liability risks, including incurred but not reported claims, for which we do not have insurance coverage. We estimated the reserves for losses and related expenses using expected loss-reporting patterns discounted to their present value under a risk-free rate approach using a Federal Reserve seven -year maturity rate of 2.31% at March 31, 2019 and 2.59% at December 31, 2018 . If the aggregate limit of any of our professional and general liability policies is exhausted, in whole or in part, it could deplete or reduce the limits available to pay any other material claims applicable to that policy period. Included in other operating expenses, net, in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is malpractice expense of $121 million and $83 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS	CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS We operate in a highly regulated and litigious industry. Healthcare companies are subject to numerous investigations by various governmental agencies. Further, private parties have the right to bring qui tam or “whistleblower” lawsuits against companies that allegedly submit false claims for payments to, or improperly retain overpayments from, the government and, in some states, private payers. We and our subsidiaries have received inquiries in recent years from government agencies, and we may receive similar inquiries in future periods. We are also subject to class action lawsuits, employment-related claims and other legal actions in the ordinary course of business. Some of these actions may involve large demands, as well as substantial defense costs. We cannot predict the outcome of current or future legal actions against us or the effect that judgments or settlements in such matters may have on us. We are also subject to a non-prosecution agreement (“NPA”), as described in our Annual Report. If we fail to comply with this agreement, we could be subject to criminal prosecution, substantial penalties and exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs, any of which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We record accruals for estimated losses relating to claims and lawsuits when available information indicates that a loss is probable and we can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss or a range of loss. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of the probability of a loss and the determination as to whether a loss is reasonably estimable. These determinations are updated at least quarterly and are adjusted to reflect the effects of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and technical experts, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter, but are subject to significant uncertainty regarding numerous factors that could affect the ultimate loss levels. If a loss on a material matter is reasonably possible and estimable, we disclose an estimate of the loss or a range of loss. In cases where we have not disclosed an estimate, we have concluded that the loss is either not reasonably possible or the loss, or a range of loss, is not reasonably estimable, based on available information. Given the inherent uncertainties involved in these matters, especially those involving governmental agencies, and the indeterminate damages sought in some of these matters, there is significant uncertainty as to the ultimate liability we may incur from these matters, and an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters could be material to our results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period. Shareholder Derivative Litigation In January 2017, the Dallas County District Court consolidated two previously disclosed shareholder derivative lawsuits filed on behalf of the Company by purported shareholders of the Company’s common stock against current and former officers and directors into a single matter captioned In re Tenet Healthcare Corporation Shareholder Derivative Litigation . The plaintiffs filed a consolidated shareholder derivative petition in February 2017. The consolidated shareholder derivative petition alleged that false or misleading statements or omissions concerning the Company’s financial performance and compliance policies, specifically with respect to the previously disclosed civil qui tam litigation and parallel criminal investigation of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (together, the “Clinica de la Mama matters”), caused the price of the Company’s common stock to be artificially inflated. In addition, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendants violated GAAP by failing to disclose an estimate of the possible loss or a range of loss related to the Clinica de la Mama matters. The plaintiffs claimed that they did not make demand on the Company’s board of directors to bring the lawsuit because such a demand would have been futile. In May 2018, the judge in the consolidated shareholder derivative litigation entered an order lifting the previous year-long stay of the matter and, in July 2018, the defendants filed pleadings seeking dismissal of the lawsuit. In October 2018, the judge granted defendants’ motion to dismiss, but also agreed to give the plaintiffs 30 days to replead their complaint. On January 30, 2019, the court issued a final judgment and order of dismissal after the plaintiffs elected not to replead. On February 28, 2019, the plaintiffs filed an appeal of the court’s ruling that dismissal was appropriate because the plaintiffs failed to adequately plead that a pre-suit demand on the Company’s board of directors, a precondition to their action, should be excused as futile. The defendants intend to continue to vigorously contest the plaintiffs’ allegations in this matter. Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit Filed by Registered Nurses in San Antonio In Maderazo, et al. v. VHS San Antonio Partners, L.P. d/b/a Baptist Health Systems, et al. , filed in June 2006 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, a purported class of registered nurses employed by three unaffiliated San Antonio-area hospital systems alleged those hospital systems, including our Baptist Health System, and other unidentified San Antonio regional hospitals violated Section §1 of the federal Sherman Act by conspiring to depress nurses’ compensation and exchanging compensation-related information among themselves in a manner that reduced competition and suppressed the wages paid to such nurses. The suit sought unspecified damages (subject to trebling under federal law), interest, costs and attorneys’ fees. On January 23, 2019, the district court issued an opinion denying the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The plaintiffs’ subsequent appeal of the district court’s decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit was denied on March 26, 2019. On April 9, 2019, the plaintiffs filed a petition seeking the appellate court’s further review of the district court’s ruling. If necessary, we will continue to vigorously defend ourselves against the plaintiffs’ allegations. Government Investigation of Detroit Medical Center Detroit Medical Center (“DMC”) is subject to an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan and the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) for potential violations of the Stark law, the Medicare and Medicaid anti-kickback and anti-fraud and abuse amendments codified under Section 1128B(b) of the Social Security Act (the “Anti-kickback Statute”), and the federal False Claims Act (“FCA”) related to DMC’s employment of nurse practitioners and physician assistants (“Mid-Level Practitioners”) from 2006 through 2017. As previously disclosed, a media report was published in August 2017 alleging that 14 Mid-Level Practitioners were terminated by DMC earlier in 2017 due to compliance concerns. We are cooperating with the investigation and continue to produce documents on a schedule agreed upon with the DOJ. Because the government’s review is in its preliminary stages, we are unable to determine the potential exposure, if any, at this time. Oklahoma Surgical Hospital Qui Tam Action In September 2016, a relator filed a qui tam lawsuit under seal in the Western District of Oklahoma against, among other parties, (i) Oklahoma Center for Orthopaedic & Multispecialty Surgery (“OCOM”), a surgical hospital jointly owned by USPI, a healthcare system partner and physicians, (ii) Southwest Orthopaedic Specialists (“SOS”), an independent physician practice group, (iii) Tenet, and (iv) other related entities and individuals. The complaint alleges various violations of the FCA, the Anti-kickback Statute, the Stark law and the Oklahoma Medicaid False Claims Act. In May 2018, Tenet and its affiliates learned that they were parties to the suit when the court unsealed the complaint and the DOJ declined to intervene with respect to the issues involving Tenet, USPI, OCOM and individually named employees. In June 2018, the relator filed an amended complaint more fully describing the claims and adding additional defendants. Tenet, USPI, OCOM and individually named employees filed motions to dismiss the case in October 2018, but the court has not yet ruled on the motions. On February 11, 2019, the court granted a motion brought by the SOS defendants and the relator for a four-month stay so that those parties could continue conferring regarding the issues and claims in the case. Pursuant to the obligations under our NPA, we reported the unsealed qui tam action to the DOJ, and we are investigating the claims contained in the amended complaint and cooperating fully with the DOJ. Because these proceedings and investigations are in preliminary stages, we are unable to predict with any certainty the terms, or potential impact on our business or financial condition, of any potential resolution of these matters. Ordinary Course Matters We are also subject to other claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including potential claims related to, among other things, the care and treatment provided at our hospitals and outpatient facilities, the application of various federal and state labor laws, tax audits and other matters. Although the results of these claims and lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the ultimate resolution of these ordinary course claims and lawsuits will not have a material effect on our business or financial condition. New claims or inquiries may be initiated against us from time to time. These matters could (1) require us to pay substantial damages or amounts in judgments or settlements, which, individually or in the aggregate, could exceed amounts, if any, that may be recovered under our insurance policies where coverage applies and is available, (2) cause us to incur substantial expenses, (3) require significant time and attention from our management, and (4) cause us to close or sell hospitals or otherwise modify the way we conduct business. The table below presents reconciliations of the beginning and ending liability balances in connection with legal settlements and related costs recorded in continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 . No amounts were recorded in discontinued operations in those periods. Balances at Beginning of Period Litigation and Investigation Costs Cash Payments Balances at End of Period Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 $ 8 $ 13 $ (8 ) $ 13 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 $ 12 $ 6 $ (7 ) $ 11 For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , we recorded costs of $13 million and $6 million

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTER

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES	REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES The following table shows the changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 : Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Balances at beginning of period $ 1,420 $ 1,866 Net income 47 61 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests (37 ) (30 ) Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests 5 37 Purchases and sales of businesses and noncontrolling interests, net 4 8 Balances at end of period $ 1,439 $ 1,942 The following tables show the composition by segment of our redeemable noncontrolling interests balances at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , as well as our net income available to redeemable noncontrolling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 : March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Hospital Operations and other $ 420 $ 431 Ambulatory Care 723 713 Conifer 296 276 Redeemable noncontrolling interests $ 1,439 $ 1,420 Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Hospital Operations and other $ (6 ) $ 6 Ambulatory Care 33 35 Conifer 20 20 Net income available to redeemable noncontrolling interests $ 47 $ 61

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , we recorded income tax expense of $17 million in continuing operations on pre-tax income of $74 million compared to income tax expense of $70 million on pre-tax income of $260 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018 . Our provision for income taxes during interim reporting periods is calculated by applying an estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full year to “ordinary” income or loss (pre-tax income or loss excluding unusual or infrequently occurring discrete items) for the reporting period. In calculating “ordinary” income, non-taxable income or loss attributable to non-controlling interests has been deducted from pre-tax income or loss in the determination of the annualized effective tax rate used to calculate income taxes for the quarter. The reconciliation between the amount of recorded income tax expense (benefit) and the amount calculated at the statutory federal tax rate is shown in the following table: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Tax expense at statutory federal rate of 21% $ 16 $ 55 State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 3 10 Tax attributable to noncontrolling interests (17 ) (18 ) Nondeductible goodwill — 5 Nontaxable gains (1 ) — Stock-based compensation (1 ) 4 Change in valuation allowance-interest expense limitation 24 12 Other items (7 ) 2 Income tax expense $ 17 $ 70 During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , there were no adjustments to our estimated liabilities for uncertain tax positions. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2019 was $45 million , of which $43 million , if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate and income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations. Our practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Total accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2019 were $3 million , all of which related to continuing operations. At March 31, 2019 , approximately $10 million

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHAR

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE The following table is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of our basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share calculations for our continuing operations for three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 . Net income available (loss attributable) to our common shareholders is expressed in millions and weighted average shares are expressed in thousands. Net Income Available (Loss Attributable) Weighted Per-Share Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders $ (27 ) 102,788 $ (0.26 ) Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units — — — Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share $ (27 ) 102,788 $ (0.26 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Net income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders $ 98 101,392 $ 0.97 Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units — 1,264 (0.02 ) Net income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share $ 98 102,656 $ 0.95 All potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 because we did not report income from continuing operations available to common shareholders in that period. In circumstances where we do not have income from continuing operations available to common shareholders, the effect of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities is anti-dilutive, that is, a loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders has the effect of making the diluted loss per share less than the basic loss per share. Had we generated income from continuing operations available to common shareholders in the three months ended March 31, 2019 , the effect (in thousands) of employee stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units on the diluted shares calculation would have been an increase in shares of 1,753

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Our non-financial assets and liabilities not permitted or required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis typically relate to long-lived assets held and used, long-lived assets held for sale and goodwill. We are required to provide additional disclosures about fair value measurements as part of our financial statements for each major category of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The following tables present this information and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair values. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, which generally are not applicable to non-financial assets and liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable, such as definitive sales agreements, appraisals or established market values of comparable assets. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability, such as internal estimates of future cash flows. December 31, 2018 Quoted Prices Significant Other Significant Long-lived assets held for sale $ 39 $ — $ 39 $ — Long-lived assets held and used 130 — 130 — The fair value of our long-term debt (except for borrowings under the Credit Agreement) is based on quoted market prices (Level 1). The inputs used to establish the fair value of the borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement are considered to be Level 2 inputs, which include inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the estimated fair value of our long-term debt was approximately 103.0% and 97.3%

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS Preliminary purchase price allocations (representing the fair value of the consideration conveyed) for all acquisitions made during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Current assets $ 2 $ 2 Property and equipment 5 3 Other intangible assets 1 1 Goodwill 3 20 Other long-term assets, including previously held equity method investments (1 ) 1 Current liabilities — (1 ) Long-term liabilities (1 ) (1 ) Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries (1 ) (9 ) Noncontrolling interests (1 ) — Cash paid, net of cash acquired (2 ) (16 ) Gains on consolidations $ 5 $ — The goodwill generated from these transactions, the majority of which will not be deductible for income tax purposes, can be attributed to the benefits that we expect to realize from operating efficiencies and growth strategies. The goodwill total of $3 million from acquisitions completed during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was recorded in our Ambulatory Care segment. Approximately $2 million in transaction costs related to prospective and closed acquisitions were expensed during both of the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , and are included in impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. We are required to allocate the purchase prices of acquired businesses to assets acquired or liabilities assumed and, if applicable, noncontrolling interests based on their fair values. The excess of the purchase price allocation over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. We are in process of finalizing the purchase price allocations, including valuations of the acquired property and equipment, other intangible assets and noncontrolling interests for some of our 2019 and 2018 acquisitions; therefore, those purchase price allocations are subject to adjustment once the valuations are completed. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , we recognized gains totaling $5 million

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	SEGMENT INFORMATION Our business consists of our Hospital Operations and other segment, our Ambulatory Care segment and our Conifer segment. The factors for determining the reportable segments include the manner in which management evaluates operating performance combined with the nature of the individual business activities. Our Hospital Operations and other segment is comprised of our acute care and specialty hospitals, ancillary outpatient facilities, urgent care centers, microhospitals and physician practices . At March 31, 2019 , our subsidiaries operated 65 hospitals serving primarily urban and suburban communities in nine states. Our Ambulatory Care segment is comprised of the operations of USPI and included nine Aspen facilities in the United Kingdom until their divestiture effective August 17, 2018. At March 31, 2019 , USPI had interests in 252 ambulatory surgery centers , 36 urgent care centers operated under the CareSpot brand, 23 imaging centers and 23 surgical hospitals in 27 states . At March 31, 2019 , we owned 95.0% of USPI. Our Conifer segment provides healthcare business process services in the areas of hospital and physician revenue cycle management and value-based care solutions to healthcare systems, as well as individual hospitals, physician practices, self-insured organizations, health plans and other entities . At March 31, 2019 , Conifer provided services to approximately 730 Tenet and non-Tenet hospitals and other clients nationwide. In 2012, we entered into agreements documenting the terms and conditions of various services Conifer provides to Tenet hospitals, as well as certain administrative services our Hospital Operations and other segment provides to Conifer. The pricing terms for the services provided by each party to the other under these contracts were based on estimated third-party pricing terms in effect at the time the agreements were signed. At March 31, 2019 , we owned 76.2% of Conifer Health Solutions, LLC, which is the principal subsidiary of Conifer Holdings, Inc. The following tables include amounts for each of our reportable segments and the reconciling items necessary to agree to amounts reported in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, as applicable: March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Assets: Hospital Operations and other $ 16,070 $ 15,684 Ambulatory Care 6,014 5,711 Conifer 1,074 1,014 Total $ 23,158 $ 22,409 Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Capital expenditures: Hospital Operations and other $ 170 $ 120 Ambulatory Care 20 15 Conifer 2 8 Total $ 192 $ 143 Net operating revenues: Hospital Operations and other total prior to inter-segment eliminations (1) $ 3,862 $ 3,947 Ambulatory Care 480 498 Conifer Tenet 146 150 Other customers 203 254 Total Conifer revenues 349 404 Inter-segment eliminations (146 ) (150 ) Total $ 4,545 $ 4,699 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates: Hospital Operations and other $ 3 $ (2 ) Ambulatory Care 31 27 Total $ 34 $ 25 Adjusted EBITDA (2) : Hospital Operations and other (2) $ 337 $ 402 Ambulatory Care 177 165 Conifer 99 98 Total $ 613 $ 665 Depreciation and amortization: Hospital Operations and other $ 179 $ 175 Ambulatory Care 18 17 Conifer 11 12 Total $ 208 $ 204 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Adjusted EBITDA (2) $ 613 $ 665 Loss from divested and closed businesses (1 ) (1 ) Depreciation and amortization (208 ) (204 ) Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs (19 ) (47 ) Litigation and investigation costs (13 ) (6 ) Interest expense (251 ) (255 ) Loss from early extinguishment of debt (47 ) (1 ) Other non-operating income (expense), net 1 (1 ) Net gains (losses) on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities (1 ) 110 Income from continuing operations, before income taxes $ 74 $ 260 (1) Hospital Operations and other revenues includes health plan revenues of less than $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 , respectively. (2) Hospital Operations and other Adjusted EBITDA excludes health plan EBITDA of $(1) million for both the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	Description of Business and Basis of Presentation Tenet Healthcare Corporation (together with our subsidiaries, referred to herein as “Tenet,” “we” or “us”) is a national, diversified healthcare services company. We operate regionally focused, integrated healthcare delivery networks, primarily in large urban and suburban markets. Through our subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures, including USPI Holding Company, Inc. (“USPI”), at March 31, 2019 , we operated 65 hospitals, 23 surgical hospitals and approximately 470 outpatient centers throughout the United States. In addition, our Conifer Holdings, Inc. (“Conifer”) subsidiary provides healthcare business process services in the areas of hospital and physician revenue cycle management and value-based care solutions to healthcare systems, as well as individual hospitals, physician practices, self-insured organizations, health plans and other entities . This quarterly report supplements our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (“Annual Report”). As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim reporting, we have omitted certain notes and disclosures that substantially duplicate those in our Annual Report. For further information, refer to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes included in our Annual Report. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial and statistical data included in these notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements relate to our continuing operations, with dollar amounts expressed in millions (except per-share amounts). Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”) using the modified retrospective transition approach as of the period of adoption. Our financial statements for periods prior to January 1, 2019 were not modified for the application of the new lease accounting standard. The main difference between the guidance in ASU 2016-02 and previous accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, we recorded $822 million of right-of-use assets, net of deferred rent, associated with operating leases in investments and other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, $147 million of current liabilities associated with operating leases in other current liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet and $715 million of long-term liabilities associated with operating leases in other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. We also recognized $1 million of cumulative effect adjustment that decreased accumulated deficit at January 1, 2019. Although the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes within this document are unaudited, we believe all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. In preparing our financial statements in conformity with GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and these accompanying notes. We regularly evaluate the accounting policies and estimates we use. In general, we base the estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable given the particular circumstances in which we operate. Actual results may vary from those estimates. Financial and statistical information we report to other regulatory agencies may be prepared on a basis other than GAAP or using different assumptions or reporting periods and, therefore, may vary from amounts presented herein. Although we make every effort to ensure that the information we report to those agencies is accurate, complete and consistent with applicable reporting guidelines, we cannot be responsible for the accuracy of the information they make available to the public. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. Reasons for this include, but are not limited to: overall revenue and cost trends, particularly the timing and magnitude of price changes; fluctuations in contractual allowances and cost report settlements and valuation allowances; managed care contract negotiations, settlements or terminations and payer consolidations; changes in Medicare and Medicaid regulations; Medicaid and other supplemental funding levels set by the states in which we operate; the timing of approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of Medicaid provider fee revenue programs; trends in patient accounts receivable collectability and associated implicit price concessions; fluctuations in interest rates; levels of malpractice insurance expense and settlement trends; impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill; restructuring charges; losses, costs and insurance recoveries related to natural disasters and other weather-related occurrences; litigation and investigation costs; acquisitions and dispositions of facilities and other assets; gains (losses) on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities; income tax rates and deferred tax asset valuation allowance activity; changes in estimates of accruals for annual incentive compensation; the timing and amounts of stock option and restricted stock unit grants to employees and directors; gains (losses) from early extinguishment of debt; and changes in occupancy levels and patient volumes. Factors that affect
Net Operating Revenues	Net Operating Revenues We recognize net operating revenues in the period in which we satisfy our performance obligations under contracts by transferring our services to our customers. Net operating revenues are recognized in the amounts to which we expect to be entitled, which are the transaction prices allocated to the distinct services. Net operating revenues for our Hospital Operations and other and Ambulatory Care segments primarily consist of net patient service revenues, principally for patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, managed care and other health plans, as well as certain uninsured patients under our Compact with Uninsured Patients (“ Compact ”) and other uninsured discount and charity programs. Net operating revenues for our Conifer segment primarily consist of revenues from providing revenue cycle management services to healthcare systems, as well as individual hospitals, physician practices, self-insured organizations, health plans and other entities. Net Patient Service Revenues— We report net patient service revenues at the amounts that reflect the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for providing patient care. These amounts are due from patients, third-party payers (including managed care payers and government programs) and others, and they include variable consideration for retroactive revenue adjustments due to settlement of audits, reviews and investigations. Generally, we bill our patients and third-party payers several days after the services are performed or shortly after discharge. Revenues are recognized as performance obligations are satisfied. Conifer Revenues—
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents We treat highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less as cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents were $252 million and $411 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , our book overdrafts were $246 million and $288 million , respectively, which were classified as accounts payable. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , $174 million and $177 million , respectively, of total cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were intended for the operations of our captive insurance subsidiaries, and $13 million and $8 million
Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates	Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates We control 226 of the facilities within our Ambulatory Care segment and, therefore, consolidate their results. We account for many of the facilities our Ambulatory Care segment operates ( 108 of 334 at March 31, 2019

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Tables)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of other intangible assets	The following tables provide information regarding other intangible assets, which are included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 : Gross Accumulated Net Book At March 31, 2019: Capitalized software costs $ 1,607 $ (847 ) $ 760 Trade names 102 — 102 Contracts 870 (82 ) 788 Other 106 (81 ) 25 Total $ 2,685 $ (1,010 ) $ 1,675 Gross Accumulated Net Book At December 31, 2018: Capitalized software costs $ 1,667 $ (858 ) $ 809 Trade names 102 — 102 Contracts 871 (76 ) 795 Other 104 (79 ) 25 Total $ 2,744 $ (1,013 ) $ 1,731
Schedule of estimated future amortization of intangibles with finite useful lives	Estimated future amortization of intangibles with finite useful lives at March 31, 2019 is as follows: Nine Months Years Ending Later Years December 31, Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Amortization of intangible assets $ 998 $ 103 $ 129 $ 115 $ 98 $ 89 $ 464
Schedule of equity method investments	Summarized financial information for these equity method investees is included in the following table; among the equity method investees are four North Texas hospitals in which we held minority interests that were operated by our Hospital Operations and other segment through the divestiture of these investments effective March 1, 2018. For investments acquired during the reporting periods, amounts reflect 100% of the investee’s results beginning on the date of our acquisition of the investment. Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Net operating revenues $ 568 $ 574 Net income $ 150 $ 116 Net income available to the investees $ 106 $ 71

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (Tables)

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Accounts Receivable Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of components of accounts receivable	The principal components of accounts receivable are shown in the table below: March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Continuing operations: Patient accounts receivable $ 2,577 $ 2,427 Estimated future recoveries 151 148 Net cost reports and settlements payable and valuation allowances 18 18 2,746 2,593 Discontinued operations (2 ) 2 Accounts receivable, net $ 2,744 $ 2,595
Schedule of estimated costs for charity care and self-pay patients	The following table shows our estimated costs (based on selected operating expenses, which include salaries, wages and benefits, supplies and other operating expenses and which exclude the costs of our health plan businesses) of caring for our uninsured patients and charity care patients, as well as revenues attributable to Medicaid DSH and other supplemental revenues we recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 : Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Estimated costs for: Uninsured patients $ 158 $ 146 Charity care patients 34 35 Total $ 192 $ 181 Medicaid DSH and other supplemental revenues $ 199 $ 220

CONTRACT BALANCES (Tables)

CONTRACT BALANCES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Schedule receivables, contract asset, and current and long-term contract liabilities	The opening and closing balances of Conifer’s receivables, contract asset, and current and long-term contract liabilities are as follows: Contract Liability- Contract Liability- Contract Asset- Current Long-Term Receivables Unbilled Revenue Deferred Revenue Deferred Revenue December 31, 2018 $ 42 $ 11 $ 61 $ 20 March 31, 2019 90 11 64 20 Increase/(decrease) $ 48 $ — $ 3 $ — January 1, 2018 $ 89 $ 10 $ 80 $ 21 March 31, 2018 99 10 78 29 Increase/(decrease) $ 10 $ — $ (2 ) $ 8 December 31, 2018 $ 169 March 31, 2019 166 Increase/(decrease) $ (3 ) January 1, 2018 $ 171 March 31, 2018 158 Increase/(decrease) $ (13 )

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD F_2

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale	The following table provides information on significant components of our business that have been disposed of since January 1, 2018: Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Significant disposals: Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes Chicago-area (includes a $7 million loss on sale in the 2019 period and $17 million of impairment charges in the 2018 period) $ (12 ) $ (16 ) Philadelphia (includes a $2 million loss on sale in the 2018 period) 1 (9 ) MacNeal (includes a $98 million gain on sale in the 2018 period) 1 101 Aspen — 3 Total $ (10 ) $ 79

LEASES (Tables)

LEASES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule Of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related To Leases	The following table presents the components of our right-of-use assets and liabilities related to leases and their classification in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2019 : Component of Lease Balances Classification in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet March 31, 2019 Assets: Operating lease assets Investments and other assets $ 799 Finance lease assets Property and equipment, at cost, less 441 Total leased assets $ 1,240 Liabilities: Operating lease liabilities: Current Other current liabilities $ 146 Long-term Other long-term liabilities 714 Total operating lease liabilities 860 Finance lease liabilities: Current Current portion of long-term debt 141 Long-term Long-term debt, net of current portion 224 Total finance lease liabilities 365 Total lease liabilities $ 1,225
Schedule of Additional Information Related to Lease Expense, Terms and Discount Rates, and Cash Flow Information	The following table presents the components of our lease expense and their classification in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 : Classification on Condensed Consolidated Three Months Ended Component of Lease Expense Statements of Operations March 31, 2019 Operating lease expense Other operating expenses, net $ 50 Finance lease expense: Amortization of leased assets Depreciation and amortization 18 Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 5 Total finance lease expense 23 Variable and short term-lease expense Other operating expenses, net 34 Total lease expense $ 107 The weighted-average lease terms and discount rates for operating and finance leases are presented in the following table: March 31, 2019 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating leases 6.7 Finance leases 6.1 Weighted-average discount rate Operating leases 5.2 % Finance leases 5.5 % Cash flow and other information related to leases is included in the following table: Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash outflows from operating leases $ 47 Operating cash outflows from finance leases $ 5 Financing cash outflows from finance leases $ 36 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 28 Finance leases $ 36
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity	Future maturities of lease liabilities at March 31, 2019 are presented in the following table: Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2019 $ 144 $ 120 $ 264 2020 171 122 293 2021 152 64 216 2022 132 16 148 2023 110 13 123 Later years 339 123 462 Total lease payments 1,048 458 1,506 Less: Imputed interest 188 93 281 Total lease obligations 860 365 1,225 Less: Current obligations 146 141 287 Long-term lease obligations $ 714 $ 224 $ 938
Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity	Future maturities of lease liabilities at March 31, 2019 are presented in the following table: Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2019 $ 144 $ 120 $ 264 2020 171 122 293 2021 152 64 216 2022 132 16 148 2023 110 13 123 Later years 339 123 462 Total lease payments 1,048 458 1,506 Less: Imputed interest 188 93 281 Total lease obligations 860 365 1,225 Less: Current obligations 146 141 287 Long-term lease obligations $ 714 $ 224 $ 938
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases (prior to adoption of ASU 2016-02)	Future maturities of lease liabilities at December 31, 2018 , prior to our adoption of ASU 2016-02, are presented in the following table: Years Ending December 31, Later Years Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Capital lease obligations $ 425 $ 140 $ 95 $ 57 $ 37 $ 21 $ 75 Long-term non-cancelable operating leases $ 932 $ 171 $ 151 $ 133 $ 113 $ 92 $ 272
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases (prior to adoption of ASU 2016-02)	Future maturities of lease liabilities at December 31, 2018 , prior to our adoption of ASU 2016-02, are presented in the following table: Years Ending December 31, Later Years Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Capital lease obligations $ 425 $ 140 $ 95 $ 57 $ 37 $ 21 $ 75 Long-term non-cancelable operating leases $ 932 $ 171 $ 151 $ 133 $ 113 $ 92 $ 272

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Summary of long-term debt	The table below shows our long-term debt at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 : March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Senior unsecured notes: 5.500% due 2019 $ — $ 468 6.750% due 2020 — 300 8.125% due 2022 2,800 2,800 6.750% due 2023 1,872 1,872 7.000% due 2025 478 478 6.875% due 2031 362 362 Senior secured first lien notes: 4.750% due 2020 500 500 6.000% due 2020 1,800 1,800 4.500% due 2021 850 850 4.375% due 2021 1,050 1,050 4.625% due 2024 1,870 1,870 Senior secured second lien notes: 7.500% due 2022 — 750 5.125% due 2025 1,410 1,410 6.250% due 2027 1,500 — Credit facility due 2020 190 — Finance leases and mortgage notes 473 500 Unamortized issue costs and note discounts (183 ) (184 ) Total long-term debt 14,972 14,826 Less current portion 158 182 Long-term debt, net of current portion $ 14,814 $ 14,644

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Summary of stock option activity	The following table summarizes stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2019 : Options Weighted Average Aggregate Weighted Average (In Millions) Outstanding at December 31, 2018 2,262,743 $ 19.12 Granted 230,713 28.28 Exercised (76,159 ) 4.56 Forfeited/Expired (120,871 ) 19.25 Outstanding at March 31, 2019 2,296,426 $ 20.52 $ 19 6.6 years Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2019 2,296,426 $ 20.52 $ 19 6.6 years Exercisable at March 31, 2019 684,628 $ 19.03 $ 7 3.3 years
Schedule of assumptions used to determine fair value of stock options	These fair values were calculated based on each grant date, using a Monte Carlo simulation with the following assumptions: March 29, 2019 February 27, 2019 February 28, 2018 Expected volatility 48% 48% 46% Expected dividend yield 0% 0% 0% Expected life 6.2 years 6.2 years 6.2 years Expected forfeiture rate 0% 0% 0% Risk-free interest rate 2.26% 2.53% 2.72%
Summary of information about stock options by range of exercise prices	The following table summarizes information about our outstanding stock options at March 31, 2019 : Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Range of Exercise Prices Number of Weighted Average Weighted Average Number of Weighted Average $4.57 to $19.759 1,246,675 6.0 years 18.15 413,960 16.46 $19.76 to $35.430 1,049,751 7.4 years 23.33 270,668 22.94 2,296,426 6.6 years $ 20.52 684,628 $ 19.03
Summary of restricted stock unit activity	The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity during the three months ended March 31, 2019 : Restricted Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Unvested at December 31, 2018 1,884,130 $ 32.25 Granted 1,128,005 26.49 Vested (477,293 ) 23.94 Forfeited (298,680 ) 25.02 Unvested at March 31, 2019 2,236,162 $ 32.09

EQUITY (Tables)

EQUITY (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of changes in consolidated equity	The following tables show the changes in consolidated equity during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in millions, share amounts in thousands): Common Stock Additional Accumulated Accumulated Treasury Noncontrolling Total Equity Shares Issued Par Balances at December 31, 2018 102,537 $ 7 $ 4,747 $ (223 ) $ (2,236 ) $ (2,414 ) $ 806 $ 687 Net income (loss) — — — — (19 ) — 37 18 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — (37 ) (37 ) Other comprehensive income — — — 2 — — — 2 Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests — — (5 ) — — — — (5 ) Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests — — (2 ) — — — 2 — Cumulative effect of accounting change — — — — 1 — — 1 Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefit and issuance of common stock 543 — 8 — — — — 8 Balances at March 31, 2019 103,080 $ 7 $ 4,748 $ (221 ) $ (2,254 ) $ (2,414 ) $ 808 $ 674 Balances at December 31, 2017 100,972 $ 7 $ 4,859 $ (204 ) $ (2,390 ) $ (2,419 ) $ 686 $ 539 Net income — — — — 99 — 31 130 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — (34 ) (34 ) Other comprehensive income — — — 8 — — — 8 Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests — — (37 ) — — — — (37 ) Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests — — (4 ) — — — (2 ) (6 ) Cumulative effect of accounting change — — — (43 ) 43 — — — Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefit and issuance of common stock 1,017 — 15 — — 1 — 16 Balances at March 31, 2018 101,989 $ 7 $ 4,833 $ (239 ) $ (2,248 ) $ (2,418 ) $ 681 $ 616

NET OPERATING REVENUES (Tables)

NET OPERATING REVENUES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts and implicit price concessions	The table below shows our sources of net operating revenues from continuing operations: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Hospital Operations and other: Net patient service revenues from hospitals and related outpatient facilities Medicare $ 758 $ 782 Medicaid 314 321 Managed care 2,354 2,368 Uninsured 1 37 Indemnity and other 155 135 Total 3,582 3,643 Physician practices revenues 270 280 Health plans — 6 Revenue from other sources 10 18 Hospital Operations and other total prior to inter-segment eliminations 3,862 3,947 Ambulatory Care 480 498 Conifer 349 404 Inter-segment eliminations (146 ) (150 ) Net operating revenues $ 4,545 $ 4,699 Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Net patient service revenues $ 451 $ 469 Management fees 23 23 Revenue from other sources 6 6 Net operating revenues $ 480 $ 498 The table below shows the composition of net operating revenues for our Conifer segment: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Revenue cycle services – Tenet $ 142 $ 144 Revenue cycle services – other customers 180 232 Other services – Tenet 4 6 Other services – other customers 23 22 Net operating revenues $ 349 $ 404
Performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction	The following table includes Conifer’s revenue that is expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied, or partially unsatisfied, at the end of the reporting period. The amounts in the table primarily consist of revenue cycle management fixed fees, which are typically recognized ratably as the performance obligation is satisfied. The estimated revenue does not include volume or contingency based contracts, performance incentives, penalties or other variable consideration that is considered constrained. Conifer’s contract with Catholic Health Initiatives (“CHI”), a minority interest owner of Conifer Health Solutions, LLC, represents the majority of the fixed-fee revenue related to remaining performance obligations. Conifer’s contract term with CHI ends in 2032. Nine Months Years Ending Later Years December 31, Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Performance obligations $ 7,748 $ 448 $ 597 $ 595 $ 595 $ 595 $ 4,918

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Tables)

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliations of legal settlements and related costs	during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 . No amounts were recorded in discontinued operations in those periods. Balances at Beginning of Period Litigation and Investigation Costs Cash Payments Balances at End of Period Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 $ 8 $ 13 $ (8 ) $ 13 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 $ 12 $ 6 $ (7 ) $ 11

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INT_2

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Schedule of changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	The following table shows the changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 : Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Balances at beginning of period $ 1,420 $ 1,866 Net income 47 61 Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests (37 ) (30 ) Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests 5 37 Purchases and sales of businesses and noncontrolling interests, net 4 8 Balances at end of period $ 1,439 $ 1,942 The following tables show the composition by segment of our redeemable noncontrolling interests balances at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , as well as our net income available to redeemable noncontrolling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 : March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Hospital Operations and other $ 420 $ 431 Ambulatory Care 723 713 Conifer 296 276 Redeemable noncontrolling interests $ 1,439 $ 1,420 Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Hospital Operations and other $ (6 ) $ 6 Ambulatory Care 33 35 Conifer 20 20 Net income available to redeemable noncontrolling interests $ 47 $ 61

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of reconciliation between reported income tax expense (benefit) and income taxes calculated by the statutory federal income tax rate	The reconciliation between the amount of recorded income tax expense (benefit) and the amount calculated at the statutory federal tax rate is shown in the following table: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Tax expense at statutory federal rate of 21% $ 16 $ 55 State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 3 10 Tax attributable to noncontrolling interests (17 ) (18 ) Nondeductible goodwill — 5 Nontaxable gains (1 ) — Stock-based compensation (1 ) 4 Change in valuation allowance-interest expense limitation 24 12 Other items (7 ) 2 Income tax expense $ 17 $ 70

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SH_2

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of reconciliation of numerators and denominators of our basic and diluted loss per common share	The following table is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of our basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share calculations for our continuing operations for three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 . Net income available (loss attributable) to our common shareholders is expressed in millions and weighted average shares are expressed in thousands. Net Income Available (Loss Attributable) Weighted Per-Share Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders $ (27 ) 102,788 $ (0.26 ) Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units — — — Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share $ (27 ) 102,788 $ (0.26 ) Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Net income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders $ 98 101,392 $ 0.97 Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units — 1,264 (0.02 ) Net income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share $ 98 102,656 $ 0.95

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	The following tables present this information and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair values. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, which generally are not applicable to non-financial assets and liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable, such as definitive sales agreements, appraisals or established market values of comparable assets. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability, such as internal estimates of future cash flows. December 31, 2018 Quoted Prices Significant Other Significant Long-lived assets held for sale $ 39 $ — $ 39 $ — Long-lived assets held and used 130 — 130 —

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of preliminary purchase price allocation	Preliminary purchase price allocations (representing the fair value of the consideration conveyed) for all acquisitions made during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows: Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Current assets $ 2 $ 2 Property and equipment 5 3 Other intangible assets 1 1 Goodwill 3 20 Other long-term assets, including previously held equity method investments (1 ) 1 Current liabilities — (1 ) Long-term liabilities (1 ) (1 ) Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries (1 ) (9 ) Noncontrolling interests (1 ) — Cash paid, net of cash acquired (2 ) (16 ) Gains on consolidations $ 5 $ —

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of assets by reportable segment to consolidated assets	The following tables include amounts for each of our reportable segments and the reconciling items necessary to agree to amounts reported in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, as applicable: March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Assets: Hospital Operations and other $ 16,070 $ 15,684 Ambulatory Care 6,014 5,711 Conifer 1,074 1,014 Total $ 23,158 $ 22,409
Reconciliation of other significant reconciling items from segments to consolidated	Three Months Ended 2019 2018 Capital expenditures: Hospital Operations and other $ 170 $ 120 Ambulatory Care 20 15 Conifer 2 8 Total $ 192 $ 143 Net operating revenues: Hospital Operations and other total prior to inter-segment eliminations (1) $ 3,862 $ 3,947 Ambulatory Care 480 498 Conifer Tenet 146 150 Other customers 203 254 Total Conifer revenues 349 404 Inter-segment eliminations (146 ) (150 ) Total $ 4,545 $ 4,699 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates: Hospital Operations and other $ 3 $ (2 ) Ambulatory Care 31 27 Total $ 34 $ 25 Adjusted EBITDA (2) : Hospital Operations and other (2) $ 337 $ 402 Ambulatory Care 177 165 Conifer 99 98 Total $ 613 $ 665 Depreciation and amortization: Hospital Operations and other $ 179 $ 175 Ambulatory Care 18 17 Conifer 11 12 Total $ 208 $ 204 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Adjusted EBITDA (2) $ 613 $ 665 Loss from divested and closed businesses (1 ) (1 ) Depreciation and amortization (208 ) (204 ) Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs (19 ) (47 ) Litigation and investigation costs (13 ) (6 ) Interest expense (251 ) (255 ) Loss from early extinguishment of debt (47 ) (1 ) Other non-operating income (expense), net 1 (1 ) Net gains (losses) on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities (1 ) 110 Income from continuing operations, before income taxes $ 74 $ 260 (1) Hospital Operations and other revenues includes health plan revenues of less than $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 , respectively. (2) Hospital Operations and other Adjusted EBITDA excludes health plan EBITDA of $(1) million for both the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)hospitalcenter	Jan. 01, 2019USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2018USD ($)
Business Acquisition
Number of hospitals operated by subsidiaries | hospital	65
Number of outpatient centers | center	470
Operating lease, right-of-use assets	$ 799	$ 822
Operating lease liability, current	146	147
Operating lease liabiltiies, long-term	$ 714	715
Cumulative effect of accounting change		1	$ 0
United Surgical Partners International
Business Acquisition
Number of surgical hospitals | hospital	23
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Business Acquisition
Cumulative effect of accounting change		$ 1

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Cash an

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 252	$ 411
Accrued property and equipment purchases for items received but not yet paid	84	135
Captive insurance subsidiaries
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents	174	177
Health plan-related businesses
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents	13	8
Accounts payable
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Book overdrafts classified as accounts payable	246	288
Accrued property and equipment purchases for items received but not yet paid	$ 60	$ 114

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Other I

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 2,685	$ 2,744
Accumulated Amortization	(1,010)	(1,013)
Net Book Value	1,675	1,731
Capitalized software costs
Other intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	1,607	1,667
Accumulated Amortization	(847)	(858)
Net Book Value	760	809
Trade names
Other intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	102	102
Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Net Book Value	102	102
Contracts
Other intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	870	871
Accumulated Amortization	(82)	(76)
Net Book Value	788	795
Other
Other intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	106	104
Accumulated Amortization	(81)	(79)
Net Book Value	$ 25	$ 25

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Amortiz

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Amortization of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Amortization of intangible assets
Total	$ 998
Nine months ending 2019	103
Year Ending 2020	129
Year Ending 2021	115
Year Ending 2022	98
Year Ending 2023	89
Later Years	464
Amortization expense	$ 45	$ 41

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Investm

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)hospital	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investee results reflected	1
Net operating revenues | $	$ 568	$ 574
Net income | $	150	116
Net income available to the investees | $	$ 106	$ 71
Ambulatory Care
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of outpatient centers recorded not using equity method	226
Number of outpatient centers recorded using equity method	108
Number of outpatient centers	334
Hospital Operations and other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of hospitals recorded using equity method	4

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Component

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable, net	$ 2,744	$ 2,595
Continuing Operations
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Patient accounts receivable	2,577	2,427
Estimated future recoveries	151	148
Net cost reports and settlements payable and valuation allowances	18	18
Accounts receivable, net	2,746	2,593
Discontinued operations
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable, net	$ (2)	$ 2

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Allowance

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Allowance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Estimated costs of caring	$ 192	$ 181
Uninsured patients
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Estimated costs of caring	158	146
Charity care patients
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Estimated costs of caring	34	35
Medicaid DSH and other supplemental revenues
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Estimated costs of caring	$ 199	$ 220

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Other Rec

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Other Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Receivables	$ 2,744	$ 2,595
Payables	1,101	1,207
California's Provider Fee Program | Other current assets
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Receivables	284	278
California's Provider Fee Program | Other assets
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Receivables	277	231
California's Provider Fee Program | Other current liabilities
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Payables	63	100
California's Provider Fee Program | Other long-term liabilities
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Payables	$ 42	$ 42

CONTRACT BALANCES - Hospital Op

CONTRACT BALANCES - Hospital Operations and Other Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Receivables
Percentage of contract assets that meet the conditions for unconditional right to payment payment	89.00%
Hospital Operations And Other Total Prior To Inter-Segment Eliminations
Receivables
Balance at beginning of period	$ 169	$ 171
Balance at end of period	166	158
Increase/(decrease)	$ (3)	$ (13)

CONTRACT BALANCES - Conifer Seg

CONTRACT BALANCES - Conifer Segment (Details) - Conifer - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Receivables
Beginning balance	$ 42	$ 89
Ending balance	90	99
Increase/(decrease)	48	10
Contract Asset-Unbilled Revenue
Beginning balance	11	10
Ending balance	11	10
Increase/(decrease)	0	0
Contract Liability-Current Deferred Revenue
Balance at beginning of period	61	80
Balance at end of period	64	78
Contract Liability-Long-term Deferred Revenue
Balance at beginning of period	20	21
Balance at end of period	20	29
Amount of revenue recognized included in current deferred revenue liability	49	60
Long-term Contract with Customer
Contract Liability-Current Deferred Revenue
Increase/(decrease)	0	8
Contract Liability-Long-term Deferred Revenue
Increase/(decrease)	0	8
Short-term Contract with Customer
Contract Liability-Current Deferred Revenue
Increase/(decrease)	3	(2)
Contract Liability-Long-term Deferred Revenue
Increase/(decrease)	$ 3	$ (2)

CONTRACT BALANCES - Contract Co

CONTRACT BALANCES - Contract Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 1	$ 3
Unamortized customer contract costs	$ 28		$ 28

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD F_3

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE (Details)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017hospital	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Current Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
Assets held for sale	$ 0
Liabilities held for sale	0
Impairment charges	$ 1,000,000	$ 19,000,000
Chicago-area
Current Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
Assets held for sale				$ 107,000,000
Liabilities held for sale				43,000,000
Impairment charges				$ 17,000,000
Chicago-area | Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Current Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
Number of hospitals | hospital			3

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD F_4

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE - Significant Disposals (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes	$ (10)	$ 79
Chicago-area | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes	(12)	(16)
Gain (loss) on disposition of business	(7)	(17)
Philadelphia
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposition of business		(2)
Philadelphia | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes	1	(9)
MacNeal | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes	1	101
Gain (loss) on disposition of business		98
Aspen | Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes	$ 0	$ 3

IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING _2

IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)segment	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net impairment and restructuring charges and acquisition-related costs	$ 19	$ 47
Impairment charges	1	19
Restructuring charges	16	25
Acquisition costs	2	3
Employee severance costs	7	17
Contract and lease termination costs	1	1
Other restructuring costs	8	7
Acquisition-related transaction costs	$ 2	2
Acquisition integration charges		1
Number of operating segments | segment	3
Chicago-area
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Impairment charges			$ 17
Charges to write-down assets held for sale to their estimated fair value		17
Other impairment charges		$ 2

LEASES - Narrative (Details)

LEASES - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	15 years
Finance lease renewal term	5 years
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Finance lease renewal term	10 years
Real Estate | Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease, term of contract	5 years
Real Estate | Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease, term of contract	10 years
Equipment | Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease renewal term	3 years
Medical Equipment
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Finance lease, term of contract	3 years
Useful life	5 years
Medical Equipment | Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Useful life	7 years

LEASES - Balance Sheet Compone

LEASES - Balance Sheet Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease assets	$ 799	$ 822
Finance lease assets	441
Total leased assets	1,240
Operating lease liability, current	146	147
Operating lease liabiltiies, long-term	714	$ 715
Total operating lease liabilities	860
Finance lease liabilities, current	141
Finance lease liabilities, long-term	224
Total finance lease liabilities	365
Total lease obligations	$ 1,225

LEASES - Lease Costs (Details)

LEASES - Lease Costs (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating lease expense	$ 50
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	18
Interest on lease liabilities	5
Total finance lease expense	23
Variable and short term-lease expense	34
Total lease expense	$ 107
Weighted-average remaining lease term, operating leases (years)	6 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted-average remaining lease term, finance leases (years)	6 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted-average discount rate, operating leases (percentage)	5.20%
Weighted-average discount rate, finance leases (percentage)	5.50%

LEASES - Supplemental Cash Flo

LEASES - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Cash Paid For Amounts Included In The Measurement Of Lease Liabilities [Abstract]
Operating cash outflows from operating leases	$ 47
Operating cash outflows from finance leases	5
Financing cash outflows from finance leases	36
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	28
Finance leases	$ 36

LEASES - Schedule of Lease Matu

LEASES - Schedule of Lease Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Operating Leases
2019	$ 144
2020	171
2021	152
2022	132
2023	110
Later years	339
Total lease payments	1,048
Less: Imputed interest	188
Total operating lease liabilities	860
Less: Current obligations	146	$ 147
Long-term lease obligations	714	$ 715
Finance Leases
2019	120
2020	122
2021	64
2022	16
2023	13
Later years	123
Total lease payments	458
Less: Imputed interest	93
Total finance lease liabilities	365
Less: Current obligations	141
Long-term lease obligations	224
Total
2019	264
2020	293
2021	216
2022	148
2023	123
Later years	462
Total lease payments	1,506
Less: Imputed interest	281
Total lease obligations	1,225
Less: Current obligations	287
Long-term lease obligations	$ 938

LEASES - Lease Obligations Prio

LEASES - Lease Obligations Prior to Adoption of ASU 2016-02 (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Capital lease obligations
Total	$ 425
2019	140
2020	95
2021	57
2022	37
2023	21
Later Years	75
Long-term non-cancelable operating leases
Total	932
2019	171
2020	151
2021	133
2022	113
2023	92
Later Years	$ 272

LONG-TERM DEBT - Schedule of De

LONG-TERM DEBT - Schedule of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Feb. 05, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Finance leases and mortgage notes	$ 473		$ 500
Unamortized issue costs and note discounts	(183)		(184)
Total long-term debt	14,972		14,826
Less current portion	158		182
Long-term debt, net of current portion	14,814		14,644
5.500% due 2019
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage		5.50%
7.500% due 2022
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage		7.50%
6.250% due 2027
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage		6.25%
Senior Notes | 5.500% due 2019
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 0		468
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.50%
Senior Notes | 6.750% due 2020
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 0		300
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.75%	6.75%
Senior Notes | 8.125% due 2022
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 2,800		2,800
Interest rate, stated percentage	8.125%
Senior Notes | 6.750% due 2023
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 1,872		1,872
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.75%
Senior Notes | 7.000% due 2025
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 478		478
Interest rate, stated percentage	7.00%
Senior Notes | 6.875% due 2031
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 362		362
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.875%
Senior Notes | 4.750% due 2020
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 500		500
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.75%
Senior Notes | 6.000% due 2020
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 1,800		1,800
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.00%
Senior Notes | 4.500% due 2021
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 850		850
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%
Senior Notes | 4.375% due 2021
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 1,050		1,050
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.375%
Senior Notes | 4.625% due 2024
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 1,870		1,870
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.625%
Senior Notes | 7.500% due 2022
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 0		750
Interest rate, stated percentage	7.50%
Senior Notes | 5.125% due 2025
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 1,410		1,410
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.125%
Senior Notes | 6.250% due 2027
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 1,500		0
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.25%
Letter of Credit Facility
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 190		$ 0

LONG-TERM DEBT - Senior Secured

LONG-TERM DEBT - Senior Secured and Senior Secured Notes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Feb. 05, 2019
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	$ 47,000,000	$ 1,000,000
6.250% due 2027
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage			6.25%
5.500% due 2019
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage			5.50%
7.500% due 2022
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage			7.50%
Senior Notes | 6.250% due 2027
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Long term debt, face amount			$ 1,500,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.25%
Senior Notes | 5.500% due 2019
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.50%
Repurchased face amount			$ 468,000,000
Senior Notes | 6.875% due 2031
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.875%
Senior Notes | 6.750% due 2023
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.75%
Senior Notes | 7.000% due 2025
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	7.00%
Senior Notes | 6.750% due 2020
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.75%		6.75%
Repurchased face amount			$ 300,000,000
Senior Notes | 7.500% due 2022
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	7.50%
Repurchased face amount			$ 750,000,000

LONG-TERM DEBT - Credit Agreeme

LONG-TERM DEBT - Credit Agreement and Letter of Credit Facility (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Credit Agreement
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity (up to)	$ 1,000,000,000
Line of credit facility, subfacility maximum available capacity	$ 300,000,000
Interest rate on cash borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement (percentage)	3.66%
Standby letters of credit outstanding	$ 2,000,000
Amount available for borrowing under revolving credit facility	$ 808,000,000
Credit Agreement | Minimum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Unused commitment fee (percentage)	0.25%
Credit Agreement | Maximum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Unused commitment fee (percentage)	0.375%
Credit Agreement | Base rate | Minimum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Margin on variable rate (percentage)	0.25%
Credit Agreement | Base rate | Maximum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Margin on variable rate (percentage)	0.75%
Credit Agreement | LIBOR | Minimum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Margin on variable rate (percentage)	1.25%
Credit Agreement | LIBOR | Maximum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Margin on variable rate (percentage)	1.75%
Letter of Credit Facility
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity (up to)	$ 180,000,000
Carrying amount	190,000,000	$ 0
Standby letters of credit outstanding	93,000,000
Borrowing capacity after increase subject to certain conditions (up to)	$ 200,000,000
Unused commitment fee after step down (up to) (percentage)	0.50%
Secured debt to EBITDA ratio	3
Issuance fee (percentage)	1.50%
Issuance fee, based on face amount (percentage)	0.125%
Letter of Credit Facility | Maximum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Number of business days after notice, for reimbursement of amount drawn	3 days

GUARANTEES (Details)

GUARANTEES (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Income and Revenue Collection Guarantee
GUARANTEES
Maximum potential amount of future payments under guarantees	$ 135
Income and Revenue Collection Guarantee | Other current liabilities
GUARANTEES
Liability for the fair value of guarantees	114
Guaranteed Investees Of Third Parties
GUARANTEES
Liability for the fair value of guarantees	24
Guaranteed Investees Of Third Parties | Other current liabilities
GUARANTEES
Guarantee obligations for consolidated subsidiaries	$ 8

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Shares available for issuance under the plan (in shares)	3,700,000
Shares available assuming maximum performance (in shares)	2,600,000
Stock-based compensation costs, pretax	$ 11	$ 9
Stock Options
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Expiration period from the date of grant	10 years
Vesting period	3 years
Portion of awards vesting on each of the first three anniversary dates of the grant	33.33%
Restricted Stock Units
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Contractual right to receive shares of common stock for a stock based award (in shares)	1
Vesting period	3 years
Portion of awards vesting on each of the first three anniversary dates of the grant	33.33%

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Stock

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Stock Options (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Mar. 29, 2019	Feb. 27, 2019	Feb. 28, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Weighted Average Remaining Life
Outstanding at the end of the period				6 years 7 months 6 days
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period				6 years 7 months 6 days
Exercisable at the end of the period				3 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average estimated fair value of awards granted (in dollars per share)				$ 12.50		$ 8.83
Stock Options
Options
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)				2,262,743
Granted (in shares)				230,713
Exercised (in shares)				(76,159)		(443,204)
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)				(120,871)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)				2,296,426
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in shares)				2,296,426
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)				684,628
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)				$ 19.12
Granted (in dollars per share)				28.28
Exercised (in dollars per share)				4.56
Forfeited/Expired (in dollars per share)				19.25
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)				20.52
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in dollars per share)				20.52
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)				$ 19.03
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at the end of the period				$ 19
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period				19
Exercisable at the end of the period				$ 7
Weighted Average Remaining Life
Outstanding at the end of the period				6 years 7 months 6 days
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period				6 years 7 months 6 days
Exercisable at the end of the period				3 years 3 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic value of awards exercised				$ 1
Unrecognized compensation costs				$ 7
Period for recognition of unrecognized compensation costs				2 years 1 month 10 days
Assumptions used to calculate fair value of awards granted to top eleven employees
Expected volatility	48.00%	48.00%	46.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected life	6 years 2 months 12 days	6 years 2 months 12 days	6 years 2 months 12 days
Expected forfeiture rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate	2.26%	2.53%	2.72%
Performance-based Stock Options | Senior Officers
Options
Granted (in shares)	7,862					604,012
Weighted Average Remaining Life
Target closing stock price (in dollars per share)	$ 36.05
Stock price premium	25.00%
Share price (in dollars per share)	$ 28.84
Number of consecutive trading days (at least)					20 days
Non-Performance Employee Stock Option | Senior Officers
Options
Granted (in shares)		222,851
Weighted Average Remaining Life
Target closing stock price (in dollars per share)		$ 35.33			$ 25.75
Stock price premium		25.00%	25.00%
Share price (in dollars per share)		$ 28.26	$ 20.60
Number of consecutive trading days (at least)					20 days
Vesting date of grant anniversary subject to specific conditions				3 years	3 years

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Range

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Range of Exercise Prices (Details) - Stock Options	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019$ / sharesshares
Options Outstanding
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares) | shares	2,296,426
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	6 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.52
Options Exercisable
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	684,628
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 19.03
$4.57 to $19.759
Options Outstanding
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,246,675
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	6 years
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 18.15
Options Exercisable
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	413,960
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 16.46
$19.76 to $35.430
Options Outstanding
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,049,751
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	7 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 23.33
Options Exercisable
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	270,668
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 22.94
Minimum | $4.57 to $19.759
Summary information about outstanding stock options
Exercise price per share, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	4.57
Minimum | $19.76 to $35.430
Summary information about outstanding stock options
Exercise price per share, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	19.76
Maximum | $4.57 to $19.759
Summary information about outstanding stock options
Exercise price per share, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	19.759
Maximum | $19.76 to $35.430
Summary information about outstanding stock options
Exercise price per share, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$ 35.430

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Restri

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Restricted Stock Units (Details) - Restricted Stock Units $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Restricted Stock Units
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	1,884,130
Granted (in shares)	1,128,005
Vested (in shares)	(477,293)
Forfeited (in shares)	(298,680)
Unvested at the end of the period (in shares)	2,236,162
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Unit
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 32.25
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	26.49
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	23.94
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	25.02
Unvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 32.09
Vesting period	3 years
Percentage of restricted stock units, which will vest three years from the grant date	33.33%
Unrecognized compensation costs | $	$ 40
Time Based Vesting, Three Year Period From Grant Date [Member]
Restricted Stock Units
Vested (in shares)	(243,506)
Vesting and settled ratably over a three-year period from the grant date
Restricted Stock Units
Vesting date of grant anniversary subject to specific conditions	3 years
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Unit
Number of restricted stock units vested on third anniversary of grant date (in shares)	318,327
Twenty-seven month vesting
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Unit
Number of restricted stock units vesting ratably over a two and twenty five hundredths-year period from grant date	566,172
Vesting period	27 months

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Employ

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Employee Retirement Plans (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)plan	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Employee Retirement Plans
Number of frozen plans | plan	1
Salaries, wages and benefits expense
Employee Retirement Plans
Service costs (less than in current year)	$ 1	$ 1
Other non-operating income (expense), net
Employee Retirement Plans
Other components	$ 5	$ 4

EQUITY - Changes in Shareholder

EQUITY - Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2019	Jan. 01, 2018
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances, beginning of period	$ 687	$ 539
Net income	18	130
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(37)	(34)
Other comprehensive income	2	8
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(5)	(37)
Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests	0	(6)
Cumulative effect of accounting change			$ 1	$ 0
Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefit and issuance of common stock	8	16
Balances, end of period	$ 674	$ 616
Common Stock
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances, beginning of period (in shares)	102,537	100,972
Balances, beginning of period	$ 7	$ 7
Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefit and issuance of common stock (in shares)	543	1,017
Balances, end of period (in shares)	103,080	101,989
Balances, end of period	$ 7	$ 7
Additional Paid-In Capital
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances, beginning of period	4,747	4,859
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(5)	(37)
Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests	(2)	(4)
Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefit and issuance of common stock	8	15
Balances, end of period	4,748	4,833
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances, beginning of period	(223)	(204)
Other comprehensive income	2	8
Cumulative effect of accounting change			0	(43)
Balances, end of period	(221)	(239)
Accumulated Deficit
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances, beginning of period	(2,236)	(2,390)
Net income	(19)	99
Cumulative effect of accounting change			$ 1	$ 43
Balances, end of period	(2,254)	(2,248)
Treasury Stock
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances, beginning of period	(2,414)	(2,419)
Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefit and issuance of common stock	0	1
Balances, end of period	(2,414)	(2,418)
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances, beginning of period	806	686
Net income	37	31
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(37)	(34)
Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests	2	(2)
Balances, end of period	$ 808	$ 681

EQUITY - Changes in Sharehold_2

EQUITY - Changes in Shareholders' Equity - Noncontrolling interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Stockholders equity balance	$ 674	$ 616	$ 687	$ 539
Net income	18	130
Noncontrolling Interests
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Stockholders equity balance	808	681	806	$ 686
Net income	37	31
Noncontrolling Interests | Hospital Operations and other
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Stockholders equity balance	114		112
Net income	2	2
Noncontrolling Interests | Ambulatory Care
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Stockholders equity balance	694		$ 694
Net income	$ 35	$ 29

NET OPERATING REVENUES (Details

NET OPERATING REVENUES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	$ 4,545	$ 4,699
Adjustments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	10	5
Hospital Operations and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	480	498
Hospital Operations and other | Revenue from other sources
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	6	6
Conifer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	349	404
Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	3,862	3,947
Operating segments | Ambulatory Care
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	480	498
Operating segments | Conifer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	349	404
Inter-segment eliminations
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	(146)	(150)
Continuing Operations
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	4,545	4,699
Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	3,862	3,947
Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other | Physician practices revenues
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	270	280
Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other | Health plans
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	0	6
Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other | Revenue from other sources
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	10	18
Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Ambulatory Care
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	480	498
Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Conifer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	349	404
Continuing Operations | Inter-segment eliminations
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	(146)	(150)
Acute Care Hospitals and Related Outpatient Facilities | Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other | Medicare
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	758	782
Acute Care Hospitals and Related Outpatient Facilities | Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other | Medicaid
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	314	321
Acute Care Hospitals and Related Outpatient Facilities | Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other | Managed care
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	2,354	2,368
Acute Care Hospitals and Related Outpatient Facilities | Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other | Uninsured
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	1	37
Acute Care Hospitals and Related Outpatient Facilities | Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other | Indemnity and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	155	135
Acute Care Hospitals and Related Outpatient Facilities | Continuing Operations | Operating segments | Hospital Operations and other | Total
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	$ 3,582	$ 3,643

NET OPERATING REVENUES - Ambula

NET OPERATING REVENUES - Ambulatory Care (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	$ 4,545	$ 4,699
Hospital Operations and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	480	498
Hospital Operations and other | Net patient service revenues
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	451	469
Hospital Operations and other | Management fees
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	23	23
Hospital Operations and other | Revenue from other sources
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	$ 6	$ 6

NET OPERATING REVENUES - Conife

NET OPERATING REVENUES - Conifer (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	$ 4,545	$ 4,699
Conifer
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	349	404
Conifer | Revenue cycle services | Tenet
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	142	144
Conifer | Revenue cycle services | Non-Tenet
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	180	232
Conifer | Other services | Tenet
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	4	6
Conifer | Other services | Non-Tenet
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	$ 23	$ 22
Conifer | Revenue from other sources
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net operating revenues, percentage of total	8.00%

NET OPERATING REVENUES - Perfor

NET OPERATING REVENUES - Performance Obligations (Details) - Conifer $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2018-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations	$ 448
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations	597
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations	595
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations	595
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations	595
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations	4,918
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: (nil)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Performance obligations	$ 7,748

NET OPERATING REVENUES NET OPER

NET OPERATING REVENUES NET OPERATING REVENUES - Performance Obligations, Timing of Satisfaction (Details)	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	9 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, remaining performance obligation, expected timing of satisfaction, period

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND_2

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Floods
Insurance coverage
Insurance, maximum coverage per incident		$ 100
Windstorms
Insurance coverage
Insurance, maximum coverage per incident		200
Fire and other perils
Insurance coverage
Insurance, maximum coverage per incident		$ 850
Flood, earthquake and windstorm
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible as a percent		5.00%
Insurance deductible		$ 25
New Madrid Fault Earthquakes
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible as a percent		2.00%
Insurance deductible		$ 25
Other Catastrophic Events
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible		$ 1
Scenario, Forecast
Insurance coverage
Malpractice insurance, annual coverage limit	$ 850
Scenario, Forecast | Floods
Insurance coverage
Insurance, maximum coverage per incident	100
Scenario, Forecast | Earthquake
Insurance coverage
Insurance, maximum coverage per incident	200
Insurance deductible	40
Scenario, Forecast | Windstorms
Insurance coverage
Insurance, maximum coverage per incident	200
Scenario, Forecast | Fire and other perils
Insurance coverage
Insurance, maximum coverage per incident	$ 850
Scenario, Forecast | Flood, earthquake and windstorm
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible as a percent	5.00%
Insurance deductible	$ 25
Scenario, Forecast | New Madrid Fault Earthquakes
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible as a percent	2.00%
Insurance deductible	$ 25
Scenario, Forecast | Other Catastrophic Events
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible	$ 1

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND_3

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE - Professional and General Liability Reserves (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Other operating expense, net
Insurance coverage
Malpractice expense	$ 121	$ 83
Professional and General Liability Reserves
Insurance coverage
Self insurance reserve	$ 914		$ 882
Loss contingency discount rate, maturity rate period			7 years
Risk-free discount rate	2.31%		2.59%

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Details)

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2006hospital	Jan. 31, 2017lawsuit
Shareholder Derivative Litigation
Loss Contingencies
Consolidated lawsuits | lawsuit		2
Maderazo V. VHS San Antonio Partners, L.P. D/B/A Baptist Health Systems
Loss Contingencies
Number of hospital systems alleging violation | hospital	3

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS - Reconcili

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS - Reconciliations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Litigation and Investigation Costs	$ 13	$ 6
Claims, lawsuits, and regulatory proceedings | Continuing Operations
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Litigation reserve, balance at beginning of period	8	12
Litigation and Investigation Costs	13	6
Cash Payments	(8)	(7)
Litigation reserve, balance at end of period	$ 13	$ 11

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INT_3

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES - Changes in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	$ (37)	$ (34)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
Balances at beginning of period	1,420	1,866
Net income	47	61
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(37)	(30)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	5	37
Purchases and sales of businesses and noncontrolling interests, net	4	8
Balances at end of period	$ 1,439	$ 1,942

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INT_4

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES - Segment Details (Details) - Redeemable noncontrolling interests - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 1,439	$ 1,942	$ 1,420	$ 1,866
Net income available to redeemable noncontrolling interests	47	61
Hospital Operations and other
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	420		431
Net income available to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(6)	6
Ambulatory Care
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	723		713
Net income available to redeemable noncontrolling interests	33	35
Conifer
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	296		$ 276
Net income available to redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 20	$ 20

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Taxes
Income tax expense	$ (17)	$ (70)
Continued operations pre-tax earnings	74	260
Unrecognized tax benefits	45
Unrecognized tax benefits which, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	43
Interest and penalties related to accrued liabilities for uncertain tax positions, recognized	3
Unrecognized federal and state tax benefits and reserves for interest and penalties, which may decrease in the next 12 months	10
Continuing Operations
Income Taxes
Income tax expense	$ (17)	$ (70)

INCOME TAXES - Federal Tax Reco

INCOME TAXES - Federal Tax Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Reconciliation between reported income tax expense (benefit) and income taxes calculated by the statutory federal income tax rate
Tax expense at statutory federal rate of 21%	$ 16	$ 55
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	3	10
Tax attributable to noncontrolling interests	(17)	(18)
Nondeductible goodwill	0	5
Nontaxable gains	(1)	0
Stock-based compensation	(1)	4
Change in valuation allowance-interest expense limitation	24	12
Other items	(7)	2
Income tax expense	$ 17	$ 70

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SH_3

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Net Income Available (Loss Attributable) to Common Shareholders (Numerator)
Net income (loss) available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$ (27)	$ 98
Net income (loss) available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$ (27)	$ 98
Weighted Average Shares (Denominator)
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share (in shares)	102,788	101,392
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units (in shares)	0	1,264
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share (in shares)	102,788	102,656
Per-Share Amount
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.97
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units (in dollars per share)	0	(0.02)
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.95

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SH_4

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE - Antidilutive securities (Details) shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019shares
Employee stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units
Antidilutive securities
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	1,753

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Long-lived assets held and used		$ 130
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Long-lived assets held and used		0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Long-lived assets held and used		130
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Long-lived assets held and used		0
Nonrecurring
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Long-lived assets held for sale		39
Nonrecurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Long-lived assets held for sale		0
Nonrecurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Long-lived assets held for sale		39
Nonrecurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Long-lived assets held for sale		$ 0
Recurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Estimated fair value of the long-term debt instrument as a percentage of carrying value	103.00%	97.30%

ACQUISITIONS (Details)

ACQUISITIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Final purchase price allocations
Goodwill	$ 7,283		$ 7,281
Gains on consolidations	5
Transaction costs related to prospective and closed acquisitions	2	$ 2
Series of individual business acquisitions
Final purchase price allocations
Current assets	2	2
Property and equipment	5	3
Other intangible assets	1	1
Goodwill	3	20
Other long-term assets, including previously held equity method investments	(1)	1
Current liabilities	0	(1)
Long-term liabilities	(1)	(1)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	(1)	(9)
Noncontrolling interests	(1)	0
Cash paid, net of cash acquired	(2)	(16)
Gains on consolidations	5	0
Transaction costs related to prospective and closed acquisitions	$ 2	$ 2

SEGMENT INFORMATION - General I

SEGMENT INFORMATION - General Information and Customer Concentration (Details)	Aug. 17, 2018hospital	Mar. 31, 2019hospitalstate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of hospitals operated by subsidiaries		65
Conifer Health Solutions, LLC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by parent		76.20%
United Surgical Partners International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of states where operations occur | state		27
Number of ambulatory surgery centers		252
Number of urgent care centers		36
Number of diagnostic imaging centers		23
Number of surgical hospitals		23
European Surgical Partners Ltd | United Surgical Partners International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of facilities owned by subsidiaries	9
Hospital Operations and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of states where operations occur | state		9
Conifer | Minimum
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of hospitals to which segment of the entity provides revenue cycle services		730
United Surgical Partners International | Ambulatory Care
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Ownership percentage by parent		95.00%

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconcili

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconciling Items (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 23,158		$ 22,409
Capital expenditures	192	$ 143
Net operating revenues	4,545	4,699
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	34	25
Adjusted EBITDA	613	665
Depreciation and amortization	208	204
Adjusted EBITDA and Other Reconciling Items
Adjusted EBITDA	613	665
Loss from divested and closed businesses (i.e., the Company’s health plan businesses)	(1)	(1)
Depreciation and amortization	(208)	(204)
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	(19)	(47)
Litigation and investigation costs	(13)	(6)
Interest expense	(251)	(255)
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	(47)	(1)
Other non-operating income (expense), net	1	(1)
Net gains (losses) on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities	(1)	110
Income from continuing operations, before income taxes	74	260
Inter-segment eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	(146)	(150)
Hospital Operations and other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	16,070		15,684
Net operating revenues	480	498
Adjusted EBITDA and Other Reconciling Items
Health plan revenues (less than in the current year)	1	6
Hospital Operations and other | Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	170	120
Net operating revenues	3,862	3,947
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	3	(2)
Adjusted EBITDA	337	402
Depreciation and amortization	179	175
Adjusted EBITDA and Other Reconciling Items
Adjusted EBITDA	337	402
Depreciation and amortization	(179)	(175)
Ambulatory Care
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	6,014		5,711
Ambulatory Care | Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	20	15
Net operating revenues	480	498
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	31	27
Adjusted EBITDA	177	165
Depreciation and amortization	18	17
Adjusted EBITDA and Other Reconciling Items
Adjusted EBITDA	177	165
Depreciation and amortization	(18)	(17)
Conifer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	1,074		$ 1,014
Net operating revenues	349	404
Conifer | Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures	2	8
Net operating revenues	349	404
Adjusted EBITDA	99	98
Depreciation and amortization	11	12
Adjusted EBITDA and Other Reconciling Items
Adjusted EBITDA	99	98
Depreciation and amortization	(11)	(12)
Conifer | Operating segments | Tenet
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	146	150
Conifer | Operating segments | Other customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	$ 203	$ 254