Tenet Healthcare (THC) 10-Q 4 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'TENET HEALTHCARE CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000070318	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	99,226,697
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$82	$364
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts ($440 at September 30, 2013 and $401 at December 31, 2012)	1,380	1,345
Inventories of supplies, at cost	154	153
Income tax receivable	3	7
Current portion of deferred income taxes	358	354
Other current assets	583	458
Total current assets	2,560	2,681
Investments and other assets	184	162
Deferred income taxes, net of current portion	396	342
Property and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization ($3,756 at September 30, 2013 and $3,494 at December 31, 2012)	4,354	4,293
Goodwill	1,120	916
Other intangible assets, at cost, less accumulated amortization ($490 at September 30, 2013 and $426 at December 31, 2012)	723	650
Total assets	9,337	9,044
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	133	94
Accounts payable	618	722
Accrued compensation and benefits	383	415
Professional and general liability reserves	74	64
Accrued interest payable	109	125
Other current liabilities	452	343
Total current liabilities	1,769	1,763
Long-term debt, net of current portion	5,690	5,158
Professional and general liability reserves	255	292
Other long-term liabilities	620	597
Total liabilities	8,334	7,810
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	83	16
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.05 par value; authorized 262,500,000 shares; 143,973,854 shares issued at September 30, 2013 and 142,363,915 shares issued at December 31, 2012	7	7
Additional paid-in capital	4,562	4,471
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-68	-68
Accumulated deficit	-1,398	-1,288
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 44,807,632 shares at September 30, 2013 and 37,730,431 shares at December 31, 2012	-2,278	-1,979
Total shareholders' equity	825	1,143
Noncontrolling interests	95	75
Total equity	920	1,218
Total liabilities and equity	$9,337	$9,044

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$440	$401
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation and amortization (in dollars)	3,756	3,494
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$490	$426
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.05
Common stock, authorized shares	262,500,000	262,500,000
Common stock, shares issued	143,973,854	142,363,915
Common stock in treasury, shares	44,807,632	37,730,431

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net operating revenues:	'	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue, Total	$2,618	$2,427	$7,841	$7,373
Health Care Organization, Patient Service Revenue Provision for Bad Debts	210	206	624	585
Health Care Organization, Revenue Net of Patient Service Revenue Provisions, Total	2,408	2,221	7,217	6,788
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,172	1,050	3,499	3,166
Supplies	387	376	1,158	1,164
Other operating expenses, net	575	539	1,710	1,604
Electronic health record incentives	-14	-13	-48	-13
Depreciation and amortization	119	110	354	314
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	20	6	45	12
Litigation and investigation costs	1	0	3	3
Operating income	148	153	496	538
Interest expense	-91	-103	-292	-303
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	0	0	-348	0
Investment earnings	0	1	1	2
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes	57	51	-143	237
Income tax benefit (expense)	-16	-18	57	-90
Income (loss) from continuing operations, before discontinued operations	41	33	-86	147
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	-8	4	-5	7
Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, and restructuring charges, net	0	0	0	-100
Litigation and investigation costs	-2	0	-2	0
Net gains (losses)on sales of facilities	0	-1	0	1
Income tax benefit (expense)	5	-4	3	24
Loss from discontinued operations	-5	-1	-4	-68
Net income (loss)	36	32	-90	79
Less: Preferred stock dividends	0	1	0	11
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations	8	2	20	7
Discontinued operations	0	-11	0	-31
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders	28	40	-110	92
Amounts attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	33	30	-106	129
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	-5	10	-4	-37
Net income (loss) attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders	$28	$40	($110)	$92
Basic	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.33	$0.29	($1.03)	$1.25
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	($0.05)	$0.09	($0.04)	($0.36)
Total earnings (loss) per share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.28	$0.38	($1.07)	$0.89
Diluted	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.32	$0.28	($1.03)	$1.21
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	($0.05)	$0.09	($0.04)	($0.35)
Total earnings (loss) per share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.27	$0.37	($1.07)	$0.86
Weighted average shares and dilutive securities outstanding (in thousands):	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	100,894	104,244	102,669	103,613
Diluted (in shares)	103,098	107,311	102,669	106,904

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$36	$32	($90)	$79
Other comprehensive income:	'	'	'	'
Adjustments for supplemental executive retirement plans	0	0	0	3
Other comprehensive income before income taxes	0	0	0	3
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0	0	3
Comprehensive income (loss)	36	32	-90	82
Less: Preferred stock dividends	0	1	0	11
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	8	-9	20	-24
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders	$28	$40	($110)	$95

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	'	'
Net income (loss)	($90)	$79
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	354	314
Provision for doubtful accounts	624	585
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	-60	58
Stock-based compensation expense	26	24
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	45	12
Litigation and investigation costs	3	3
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	348	0
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	12	16
Pre-tax loss from discontinued operations	7	92
Other items, net	-19	-7
Changes in cash from operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-662	-653
Inventories and other current assets	-159	-106
Income taxes	-5	-2
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-44	-23
Other long-term liabilities	-5	20
Payments for restructuring charges, acquisition-related costs, and litigation costs and settlements	-36	-56
Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations, excluding income taxes	-5	-19
Net cash provided by operating activities	334	337
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment - continuing operations	-398	-358
Purchases of property and equipment - discontinued operations	0	-2
Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests	-142	-38
Proceeds from sales of facilities and other assets - discontinued operations	11	45
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities, long-term investments and other assets	6	9
Other long-term assets	11	-5
Other items, net	3	3
Net cash used in investing activities	-509	-346
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayments of borrowings under credit facility	-1,001	-1,458
Proceeds from borrowing under credit facility	1,211	1,553
Repayments of other borrowings	-1,987	-76
Proceeds from other borrowings	1,907	292
Repurchases of preferred stock	0	-292
Deferred debt issuance costs	-31	-3
Repurchases of common stock	-300	-26
Cash dividends on preferred stock	0	-13
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	-18	-9
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	98	3
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	22	5
Other items, net	-8	3
Net cash used in financing activities	-107	-21
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-282	-30
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	364	113
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	82	83
Supplemental disclosures:	'	'
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	-295	-288
Income tax payments, net	($5)	($9)

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	'
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	'
	NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	Tenet Healthcare Corporation (together with our subsidiaries, referred to herein as “Tenet,” the “Company,” “we” or “us”) is an investor-owned health care services company whose subsidiaries and affiliates as of September 30, 2013 primarily operated 49 hospitals with a total of 13,180 licensed beds, 134 outpatient centers and Conifer Health Solutions (“Conifer”), which provides business process solutions to more than 700 hospital and other clients nationwide.
	This quarterly report supplements our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (“Annual Report”). As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) 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). All amounts related to shares, share prices and earnings per share have been restated to give retrospective presentation for the reverse stock split described in Note 2 of our Annual Report. Furthermore, certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.
	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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), we must use 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 and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 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 funding levels set by the states in which we operate; the timing of approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) of Medicaid provider fee revenue programs; trends in patient accounts receivable collectability and associated provisions for doubtful accounts; fluctuations in interest rates; levels of malpractice insurance expense and settlement trends; the timing of when we meet the criteria to recognize electronic health record incentives; impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill; restructuring charges; acquisition-related costs; losses, costs and insurance recoveries related to natural disasters; litigation and investigation costs; acquisitions and dispositions of facilities and other assets; 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 or losses from early extinguishment of debt; and changes in occupancy levels and patient volumes. Factors that affect patient volumes and, thereby, the results of operations at our hospitals and related health care facilities include, but are not limited to: the business environment, economic conditions and demographics of local communities; 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 health care competitors; managed care contract negotiations or terminations; the number of patients with high-deductible health insurance plans or plans with annual or lifetime coverage caps; any unfavorable publicity about us, which impacts our relationships with physicians and patients; changes in health care regulations and the participation of individual states in federal programs; and the timing of elective procedures. These considerations apply to year-to-year comparisons as well.
	Net Operating RevenuesBefore Provision for Doubtful Accounts
	We recognize net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts in the period in which our services are performed. Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts primarily consist of net patient service revenues that are recorded based on established billing rates (i.e., gross charges), less estimated discounts for contractual and other allowances, principally for patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, managed care and other health plans, as well as certain uninsured patients under ourCompact with Uninsured Patients (“Compact”).
	The table below shows the sources of net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	General Hospitals:
	Medicare	$	501	$	505		$	1,543	$	1,666
	Medicaid	206		176			630		587
	Managed care	1,378		1,348			4,126		4,002
	Indemnity, self-pay and other	262		261			783		747
	Acute care hospitals — other revenue	14		8			53		45
	Other:
	Other operations	257		129			706		326
	Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$	2,618	$	2,427		$	7,841	$	7,373
	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 approximately $82 million and $364 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our book overdrafts were approximately $182 million and $232 million, respectively, which were classified as accounts payable.
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, approximately $51 million and $65 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.
	Also at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had $63 million and $98 million, respectively, of property and equipment purchases accrued for items received but not yet paid. Of these amounts, $50 million and $93 million, respectively, were included in accounts payable.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we entered into non-cancellable capital leases of approximately $99 million and $54 million, respectively, primarily for equipment.
	Other Intangible Assets
	The following table provides information regarding other intangible assets, which are included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		Gross		Accumulated			Net Book
		Carrying		Amortization			Value
		Amount
	September 30, 2013:
	Capitalized software costs	$	1,048	$	(455	)	$	593
	Long-term debt issuance costs	107		(25		)	82
	Other	58		(10		)	48
	Total	$	1,213	$	(490	)	$	723
	December 31, 2012:
	Capitalized software costs	$	927	$	(399	)	$	528
	Long-term debt issuance costs	106		(25		)	81
	Other	43		(2		)	41
	Total	$	1,076	$	(426	)	$	650
	Estimated future amortization of other intangible assets with finite useful lives as of September 30, 2013 is as follows:
				Years Ending December 31,											Later
		Total		2013			2014		2015		2016		2017		Years
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	723	$	49		$	97	$	80	$	71	$	56	$	370

ACCOUNTS_RECEIVABLE_AND_ALLOWA

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS	'
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS	'
	NOTE 2. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
	The principal components of accounts receivable are shown in the table below:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Continuing operations:
	Patient accounts receivable	$	1,735		$	1,668
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(439		)	(396		)
	Estimated future recoveries from accounts assigned to our Conifer subsidiary	91			88
	Net cost reports and settlements payable and valuation allowances	(11		)	(24		)
		1,376			1,336
	Discontinued operations:
	Patient accounts receivable	2			11
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(1		)	(5		)
	Estimated future recoveries from accounts assigned to our Conifer subsidiary	1			2
	Net cost reports and settlements receivable and valuation allowances	2			1
		4			9
	Accounts receivable, net	$	1,380		$	1,345
	Our self-pay collection rate, which is the blended collection rate for uninsured and balance after insurance accounts receivable, was approximately 28.8% and 28.9% as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. These self-pay collection rates include payments made by patients, including co-payments and deductibles paid by patients with insurance. Our estimated collection rate from managed care payers was approximately 98.3% and 98.0% at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our allowance for doubtful accounts for self-pay uninsured accounts was 88.8% and 87.3%, respectively, of our self-pay uninsured patient accounts receivable. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our allowance for doubtful accounts for self-pay balance after insurance accounts was 56.9% and 54.5%, respectively, of our self-pay balance after insurance patient accounts receivable, consisting primarily of co-payments and deductibles owed by patients with insurance. Our self-pay write-offs, including uninsured and balance after insurance accounts, decreased approximately $21 million from $231 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $210 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to a decrease in patient account assignments to our Conifer subsidiary. The increase in provision for doubtful accounts primarily related to an increase in uninsured patient revenues and higher co-payments and deductibles owed by patients with insurance in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our allowance for doubtful accounts for managed care accounts was 8.7% and 9.4%, respectively, of our managed care patient accounts receivable.
	Our estimated costs (based on selected operating expenses, which include salaries, wages and benefits, supplies and other operating expenses) of caring for our self-pay patients for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $116 million and $106 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $342 million and $322 million, respectively. Our estimated costs (based on the selected operating expenses described above) of caring for charity care patients for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $32 million and $40 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $95 million and $102 million, respectively. 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. Revenues attributable to DSH and other state-funded subsidy payments for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $72 million and $56 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $257 million and $210 million, respectively. These payments are intended to mitigate our cost of uncompensated care, as well as reduced Medicaid funding levels.

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'
	NOTE 3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized a $7 million gain in discontinued operations related to the sale of land.
	In the three months ended June 30, 2012, our Creighton University Medical Center hospital (“CUMC”) in Nebraska was reclassified into discontinued operations based on the guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment,” as a result of our plan to sell CUMC. We recorded an impairment charge in discontinued operations of $100 million, consisting of $98 million for the write-down of CUMC’s long-lived assets to their estimated fair values, less estimated costs to sell, and a $2 million charge for the write-down of goodwill related to CUMC in the three months ended June 30, 2012. We completed the sale of CUMC on August 31, 2012. In May 2012, we completed the sale of Diagnostic Imaging Services, Inc. (“DIS”), our former diagnostic imaging center business in Louisiana, for net proceeds of approximately $10 million. As a result of the sale, DIS was reclassified into discontinued operations in the three months ended June 30, 2012, and a gain on sale of approximately $2 million was recognized in discontinued operations.
	Net operating revenues and income (loss) before income taxes reported in discontinued operations are as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013			2012		2013			2012
	Net operating revenues	$	3		$	38	$	6		$	150
	Income (loss) before income taxes	(10		)	3		(7		)	(92		)
	Should we dispose of additional hospitals or other assets in the future, we may incur additional asset impairment and restructuring charges in future periods.

IMPAIRMENT_AND_RESTRUCTURING_C

IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS	'
IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS	'
	NOTE 4. IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded impairment and restructuring charges and acquisition-related costs of $45 million, consisting of $2 million relating to the impairment of property, $10 million of restructuring costs, $9 million of employee severance costs, $1 million of lease termination costs, and $23 million of acquisition-related costs.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded impairment and restructuring charges and acquisition-related costs of $12 million, consisting of $3 million relating to the impairment of obsolete assets, $4 million of employee severance costs and $5 million of other related costs.
	Our impairment tests presume stable, improving or, in some cases, declining results in our hospitals, which are based on programs and initiatives being implemented that are designed to achieve the hospital’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.
	As of September 30, 2013, our continuing operations consisted of two operating segments, our Conifer subsidiary and our hospital and other operations. In the three months ended September 30, 2013, we moved our hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from our Southern States region into a separate market. Our hospital and other operations were structured as follows as of September 30, 2013:
	·            Our California region included all of our hospitals and other operations in California;
	·            Our Central region included all of our hospitals and other operations in Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas;
	·            Our Florida region included all of our hospitals and other operations in Florida;
	·            Our Southern States region included all of our hospitals and other operations in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina; and
	·            Our two hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were part of a separate market.
	These regions and our Philadelphia market are reporting units used to perform our goodwill impairment analysis and are one level below our hospital operations reportable business segment level.
	The tables below are reconciliations of beginning and ending liability balances in connection with restructuring charges recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 in continuing and discontinued operations:
		Balances at		Restructuring		Cash			Other			Balances
		Beginning of		Charges, Net		Payments						at End
		Period										of Period
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Continuing operations:
	Lease and other costs, and employee severance-related costs in connection with hospital cost-control programs and general overhead-reduction plans	$	8	$	20	$	(20	)	$	(2	)	$	6
	Discontinued operations:
	Employee severance-related costs, and other estimated costs associated with the sale or closure of hospitals and other facilities	4		0		0			0			4
		$	12	$	20	$	(20	)	$	(2	)	$	10
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Continuing operations:
	Lease and other costs, and employee severance-related costs in connection with hospital cost-control programs and general overhead-reduction plans	$	6	$	8	$	(7	)	$	(0	)	$	7
	Discontinued operations:
	Employee severance-related costs, and other estimated costs associated with the sale or closure of hospitals and other facilities	5		0		0			0			5
		$	11	$	8	$	(7	)	$	(0	)	$	12
	The above liability balances at September 30, 2013 are included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Cash payments to be applied against these accruals at September 30, 2013 are expected to be approximately $4 million in 2013 and $6 million thereafter. The column labeled “Other” above represents charges recorded in restructuring expense that are not recorded in the liability account, such as the acceleration of stock-based compensation expense related to severance agreements.

LONGTERM_DEBT_AND_LEASE_OBLIGA

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'
	NOTE 5. LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
	The table below shows our long-term debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Senior notes:
	73¤8%, due 2013	$	0		$	55
	97¤8%, due 2014	60			60
	91¤4%, due 2015	474			474
	63¤4%, due 2020	300			300
	8%, due 2020	750			750
	67¤8%, due 2031	430			430
	Senior secured notes:
	61¤4%, due 2018	1,041			1,041
	10%, due 2018	0			714
	87/8%, due 2019	0			925
	43/4%, due 2020	500			500
	41/2%, due 2021	850			0
	43/8%, due 2021	1,050			0
	Credit facility due 2016	210			0
	Capital leases and mortgage notes	188			119
	Unamortized note discounts and premium	(30		)	(116		)
	Total long-term debt	5,823			5,252
	Less current portion	133			94
	Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	5,690		$	5,158
	Credit Agreement
	We have a senior secured revolving credit facility, as amended November 29, 2011 (“Credit Agreement”), that provides, subject to borrowing availability, for revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $800 million (which can be increased, subject to certain conditions, to $1 billion), with a $300 million subfacility for standby letters of credit. The Credit Agreement has a scheduled maturity date of November 29, 2016, subject to our repayment or refinancing on or before November 3, 2014 of approximately $238 million of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of our 91/4% senior notes due 2015 (approximately $474 million of which was outstanding at September 30, 2013). If such repayment or refinancing does not occur, borrowings under the Credit Agreement will be due November 3, 2014. The revolving credit facility is collateralized by patient accounts receivable of all of our wholly owned acute care and specialty hospitals. In addition, borrowings under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by our wholly owned hospital subsidiaries. Outstanding revolving loans accrued interest during a six-month initial period that ended in May 2012 at the rate of either (i) a base rate plus a margin of 1.25% or (ii) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin of 2.25% per annum. Outstanding revolving loans now accrue interest at a base rate plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.50% or LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.00% to 2.50% per annum based on available credit. An unused commitment fee was payable on the undrawn portion of the revolving loans at a six-month initial rate that ended in May 2012 of 0.438% per annum. The unused commitment fee now ranges from 0.375% to 0.500% per annum based on available credit. Our borrowing availability is based on a specified percentage of eligible accounts receivable, including self-pay accounts. At September 30, 2013, we had $210 million of cash borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility subject to an interest rate of 2.39%, and we had approximately $152 million of standby letters of credit outstanding. Based on our eligible receivables, approximately $415 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility at September 30, 2013.
	Senior Secured Notes
	In May 2013, we sold $1.050 billion aggregate principal amount of 43¤8% senior secured notes, which will mature on October 1, 2021. We will pay interest on the 43/8% senior secured notes semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year, commencing on January 1, 2014. We used a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the notes to purchase approximately $767 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 87/8% senior secured notes due 2019 in a tender offer and to call approximately $158 million of the remaining aggregate principal amount outstanding of those notes. In connection with the purchase, we recorded a loss from early extinguishment of debt of $171 million, primarily related to the difference between the purchase prices and the par values of the purchased notes, as well as the write-off of unamortized note discounts and issuance costs.
	In February 2013, we sold $850 million aggregate principal amount of 41¤2% senior secured notes, which will mature on April 1, 2021. We will pay interest on the 41¤2% senior secured notes semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, which payments commenced on October 1, 2013. We used a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the notes to purchase approximately $645 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 10% senior secured notes due 2018 in a tender offer and to call approximately $69 million of the remaining aggregate principal amount outstanding of those notes. In connection with the purchase, we recorded a loss from early extinguishment of debt of $177 million, primarily related to the difference between the purchase prices and the par values of the purchased notes, as well as the write-off of unamortized note discounts and issuance costs. The remaining net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility.

GUARANTEES

GUARANTEES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
GUARANTEES	'
GUARANTEES	'
	NOTE 6. GUARANTEES
	At September 30, 2013, 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 $104 million. We had a liability of $76 million recorded for these guarantees included in other current liabilities at September 30, 2013.
	We have also guaranteed minimum rent revenue to certain landlords who built medical office buildings on or near our hospital campuses. The maximum potential amount of future payments under these guarantees at September 30, 2013 was $2 million. We had a liability of $2 million recorded for these guarantees at September 30, 2013, of which $1 million was included in other current liabilities and $1 million was included in other long-term liabilities.

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'
	NOTE 7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	At September 30, 2013, approximately 2.5 million shares of common stock were available under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan for future stock option grants and other incentive awards, including restricted stock units. 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 or the equivalent value in cash in the future. Options and restricted stock units typically vest one-third on each of the first three anniversary dates of the grant; however, from time to time, we grant (i) options and stock units with different time-based vesting terms, and (ii) performance-based options and restricted stock units that vest subject to the achievement of specified performance goals within a specified timeframe.
	Our income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 includes $29 million and $24 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 nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Options		Weighted Average			Aggregate			Weighted Average
				Exercise Price Per			Intrinsic Value			Remaining Life
				Share
							(In Millions)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	4,289,192		$	30.49
	Granted	295,639		39.31
	Exercised	(913,369	)	23.56
	Forfeited/Expired	(227,016	)	58.16
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	3,444,446		$	31.26		$	40		3.5 years
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	3,427,698		$	31.23		$	40		3.5 years
	Exercisable as of September 30, 2013	2,880,799		$	31.21		$	35		3.0 years
	There were 913,369 stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 with a $17 million aggregate intrinsic value, and 1,350,222 stock options exercised during the same period in 2012 with a $21 million aggregate intrinsic value.
	As of September 30, 2013, there were $5 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.
	In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we granted an aggregate of 295,639 stock options under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan to certain of our senior officers. These stock options will all vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the terms of the plan, and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we granted an aggregate of 477,500 stock options under our 2008 Stock Incentive Plan to certain of our senior officers; 257,500 of these stock options are subject to time-vesting and 220,000 of these stock options were granted subject to performance-based vesting. Because all conditions were met, the performance-based options will vest and be settled ratably over a three-year period from the grant date.
	The weighted average estimated fair value of stock options we granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $14.46 and $12.05 per share, respectively. These fair values were calculated based on each grant date, using a binomial lattice model with the following assumptions:
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012
	Expected volatility	50%		52%
	Expected dividend yield	0%		0%
	Expected life	3.6 years		6.9 years
	Expected forfeiture rate	6%		2%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.48%		1.06%-1.41%
	Early exercise threshold	100% gain		70% gain
	Early exercise rate	50% per year		20% per year
	The expected volatility used in the binomial lattice model incorporated historical and implied share-price volatility and was based on an analysis of historical prices of our stock and open-market exchanged options. The expected volatility reflects the historical volatility for a duration consistent with the contractual life of the options, and the volatility implied by the trading of options to purchase our stock on open-market exchanges. The historical share-price volatility excludes the movements in our stock price on two dates (one in 2010 and one in 2011) with unusual volatility due to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The expected life of options granted is derived from the output of the binomial lattice model and represents the period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding. This model incorporates an early exercise assumption in the event of a significant increase in stock price. 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 timeframes.
	The following table summarizes information about our outstanding stock options at September 30, 2013:
		Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices	Number of		Weighted Average		Weighted Average			Number of		Weighted Average
		Options		Remaining		Exercise Price			Options		Exercise Price
				Contractual Life
	$0.00 to $4.569	345,066		5.4 years		$	4.56		345,066		$	4.56
	$4.57 to $25.089	1,042,631		6.2 years		20.86			774,623		20.17
	$25.09 to $32.569	522,889		2.8 years		29.66			522,889		29.66
	$32.57 to $42.529	824,077		2.5 years		41.14			528,438		42.17
	$42.53 to $55.129	671,033		0.4 years		48.46			671,033		48.46
	$55.13 to $70.249	38,750		0.2 years		62.36			38,750		62.36
		3,444,446		3.5 years		$	31.26		2,880,799		$	31.21
	Restricted Stock Units
	The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Restricted Stock		Weighted Average Grant
		Units		Date Fair Value Per Unit
	Unvested as of December 31, 2012	2,295,942		$	23.4
	Granted	1,233,500		40.91
	Vested	(948,539	)	24.13
	Forfeited	(157,128	)	29.48
	Unvested as of September 30, 2013	2,423,775		$	31.63
	In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we granted 815,262 restricted stock units subject to time-vesting, of which 735,129 will vest and be settled ratably over a three-year period from the date of the grant and 80,133 will vest 100% on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. In addition, we granted 206,058 performance-based restricted stock units to certain of our senior officers. If all conditions are met, the performance-based restricted stock units will vest and be settled ratably over a three-year period from the grant date. We also awarded a grant of 212,180 restricted stock units to our chief executive officer, of which 106,090 are subject to time-vesting and 106,090 are performance-based. If target conditions are met, 50% of this grant will vest three years from the grant date and the remaining 50% will vest six years from the grant date. The award also allows for an additional 106,090 shares to be issued if higher performance criteria are met. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we granted 1,535,187 restricted units subject to time-vesting. In addition, we granted 116,250 performance-based restricted stock units to certain of our senior officers. Because all conditions were met, the performance-based restricted stock units will vest and be settled ratably over a three-year period from the grant date.
	As of September 30, 2013, there were $57 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted stock units. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.1 years.

EQUITY

EQUITY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EQUITY	'
EQUITY	'
	NOTE 8. EQUITY
	Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock
	In April 2012, we repurchased and subsequently retired 298,700 shares of our 7% mandatory convertible preferred stock with a carrying value of $289 million. In a related private financing, we issued an additional $141 million aggregate principal amount of our 61¤4% senior secured notes due 2018 at a premium for $142 million of cash proceeds and an additional $150 million aggregate principal amount of our 8% senior notes due 2020. On October 1, 2012, the remaining 46,300 shares outstanding of our mandatory convertible preferred stock automatically converted to 1,978,633 shares of our common stock.
	Share Repurchase Program
	In October 2012, we announced that our board of directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of our common stock through a share repurchase program expiring in December 2013. Under the program, shares may be purchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions in a manner consistent with applicable securities laws and regulations, including pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan maintained by the Company. Shares will be repurchased at times and in amounts based on market conditions and other factors. Pursuant to the share repurchase program, we paid approximately $400 million to repurchase a total of 10,501,173 shares during the period from the commencement of the program through September 30, 2013.
	Period	Total Number of		Average Price			Total Number of		Maximum Dollar Value
		Shares		Paid Per			Shares Purchased as		of Shares That May Yet
		Purchased		Share			Part of Publicly		Be Purchased Under
							Announced Program		the Program
		(In Thousands)					(In Thousands)		(In Millions)
	November 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012	3,406		$	29.36		3,406		$	400
	January 1, 2013 through January 31, 2013	531		37.13			531		380
	February 1, 2013 through February 28, 2013	914		39.3			914		344
	March 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013	1,010		43.95			1,010		300
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	2,455		40.74			2,455		300
	May 1, 2013 through May 31, 2013	933		46.78			933		256
	June 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013	1,065		45.71			1,065		208
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2013	1,998		46.21			1,998		208
	July 1, 2013 through July 31, 2013	166		46.08			166		200
	August 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013	1,045		40.43			1,045		158
	September 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013	1,431		40.35			1,431		100
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013	2,642		40.75			2,642		100
	Total	10,501		$	38.09		10,501		$	100
	Repurchased shares are recorded based on settlement date and are held as treasury stock.
	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 nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Balances at beginning of period	$	16		$	16
	Net income	7			0
	Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(2		)	0
	Sales of joint venture interests	52			0
	Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests	10			0
	Balances at end of period	$	83		$	16
	Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
	The following table shows the changes in consolidated equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in millions, share amounts in thousands):
		Tenet Healthcare Corporation Shareholders’ Equity
										Accumulated
		Common Stock					Additional			Other
		Shares		Issued Par			Paid-in			Comprehensive			Accumulated			Treasury			Noncontrolling			Total
		Outstanding		Amount			Capital			Loss			Deficit			Stock			Interests			Equity
	Balances at December 31, 2012	104,633		$	7		$	4,471		$	(68	)	$	(1,288	)	$	(1,979	)	$	75		$	1,218
	Net income (loss)	0		0			0			0			(110		)	0			13			(97		)
	Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	0		0			0			0			0			0			(16		)	(16		)
	Sales of joint venture interests	0		0			53			0			0			0			0			53
	Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests	0		0			0			0			0			0			23			23
	Repurchase of common stock	(7,095	)	0			0			0			0			(300		)	0			(300		)
	Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock	1,628		0			38			0			0			1			0			39
	Balances at September 30, 2013	99,166		$	7		$	4,562		$	(68	)	$	(1,398	)	$	(2,278	)	$	95		$	920
		Tenet Healthcare Corporation Shareholders’ Equity
															Accumulated
		Preferred Stock					Common Stock					Additional			Other
		Shares		Issued			Shares		Issued Par			Paid-in			Comprehensive			Accumulated			Treasury			Noncontrolling			Total
		Outstanding		Amount			Outstanding		Amount			Capital			Loss			Deficit			Stock			Interests			Equity
	Balances at December 31, 2011	345		$	334		103,756		$	7		$	4,427		$	(52	)	$	(1,440	)	$	(1,853	)	$	69		$	1,492
	Net income (loss)	0		0			0		0			0			0			103			0			(24		)	79
	Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	0		0			0		0			0			0			0			0			(9		)	(9		)
	Contribution from noncontrolling interests	0		0			0		0			0			0			0			0			2			2
	Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests	0		0			0		0			0			0			0			0			7			7
	Other comprehensive income	0		0			0		0			0			3			0			0			0			3
	Preferred stock dividends	0		0			0		0			(11		)	0			0			0			0			(11		)
	Repurchase of common stock	0		0			(1,327	)	0			0			0			0			(26		)	0			(26		)
	Repurchase of preferred stock	(299	)	(289		)	0		0			0			0			0			0			0			(289		)
Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock	0		0			1,990		0			21			0			0			0			0			21
Balances at September 30, 2012	46		$	45		104,419		$	7		$	4,437		$	(49	)	$	(1,337	)	$	(1,879	)	$	45		$	1,269

PROPERTY_AND_PROFESSIONAL_AND_

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE	'
PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE	'
	NOTE 9. 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 annual policy periods April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2014, we have coverage totaling $600 million per occurrence, after deductibles and exclusions, with annual aggregate sub-limits of $100 million each for floods and earthquakes and a per-occurrence sub-limit of $100 million for windstorms with no annual aggregate. With respect to fires and other perils, excluding floods, earthquakes and windstorms, the total $600 million limit of coverage per occurrence applies. Deductibles are 5% of insured values up to a maximum of $25 million for floods, California earthquakes and wind-related claims, and 2% of insured values for New Madrid fault earthquakes, with a maximum per claim deductible of $25 million. Other covered losses, including fires and other perils, have a minimum deductible of $1 million.
	Professional and General Liability Insurance
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the aggregate current and long-term professional and general liability reserves in our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were approximately $329 million and $356 million, respectively. These reserves include the reserves recorded by our captive insurance subsidiaries and our self-insured retention reserves recorded based on actuarial 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 2.02% and 1.18% at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	For the policy period June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014, our hospitals generally have a self-insurance retention of $5 million per occurrence for all claims incurred. Our captive insurance company, The Healthcare Insurance Corporation (“THINC”), retains $10 million per occurrence coverage above our hospitals’ $5 million self-insurance retention level. The next $10 million of claims in excess of these aggregate self-insurance retentions of $15 million per occurrence are 85% reinsured by THINC with independent reinsurance companies, with THINC retaining 15% or a maximum of $1.5 million. Claims in excess of $25 million are covered by our excess professional and general liability insurance policies with major independent insurance companies, on a claims-made basis, subject to an aggregate limit of $175 million.
	For the policy period June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2013, our hospitals generally have a self-insurance retention of $5 million per occurrence for all claims incurred. THINC retains $10 million per occurrence coverage above our hospitals’ $5 million self-insurance retention level. The next $10 million of claims in excess of these aggregate self-insurance retentions of $15 million per occurrence are 80% reinsured by THINC with independent reinsurance companies, with THINC retaining 20% or a maximum of $2 million. Claims in excess of $25 million are covered by our excess professional and general liability insurance policies with major independent insurance companies, on a claims-made basis, subject to an aggregate limit of $175 million.
	If the aggregate limit of any of our excess professional and general liability policies is exhausted, in whole or in part, it could deplete or reduce the excess 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 $71 million and $81 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

CLAIMS_AND_LAWSUITS

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS	'
CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS	'
	NOTE 10. CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS
	We operate in a highly regulated and litigious industry. As a result, various lawsuits, claims, and legal and regulatory proceedings have been and can be expected to continue to be instituted or asserted against us. The resolution of any of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows in a given period.
	In accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies,” and related guidance, we record accruals for estimated losses relating to claims and lawsuits when available information indicates that a loss is probable and the amount of the loss, or a range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. Where 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.
	1.                                      Governmental Reviews—Health care 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. Certain of our individual facilities have received inquiries from government agencies, and our facilities may receive such inquiries in future periods. The following material governmental reviews, which have been previously reported, are currently pending.
	·                  Review of Billing Practices for Kyphoplasty Procedures. The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), in coordination with the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has contacted a number of hospitals nationwide requesting information regarding their billing practices in connection with kyphoplasty procedures. More specifically, the government is investigating the appropriateness of Medicare patients receiving kyphoplasty — which is a minimally invasive spinal procedure used to treat vertebral compression fractures — on an inpatient as opposed to an outpatient basis. In March 2009, one of our hospitals received an information request from the DOJ regarding these procedures and, in July 2010, we were notified that six additional hospitals were also under review. Following a chart review by our external clinical expert and non-binding discussions with the government, we entered into an agreement with the DOJ in January 2013 for approximately $900,000 (which was previously reserved) to settle claims relating to the first hospital to receive an information request. In September 2012, we reached agreement with the DOJ on the appropriate methodology to review the billing practices of a second hospital, and our expert has completed the chart review for that hospital. As a result, in the three months ended December 31, 2012, management established a reserve, as described below, to reflect the current estimate of probable liability for that second hospital. We are unable to calculate an estimate of loss or a range of loss with respect to the five remaining hospitals under review because (i) our external clinical expert has not completed its report on the billing practices of three of those hospitals, and (ii) we have not reached agreement with the DOJ on the appropriate review methodology with respect to the remaining two hospitals. The parties are currently engaged in non-binding discussions regarding a resolution of all remaining matters in dispute, but it is impossible at this time to predict the outcome of those discussions or the amount of any potential resolution.
	·                  Review of Billing Practices for Cardiac Defibrillator Implantation Procedures. The DOJ has contacted a number of hospitals nationwide requesting information regarding their Medicare billing practices in connection with the implantation of cardiac defibrillators. As previously reported, in March 2010, the DOJ issued a civil investigative demand to one of our hospitals pursuant to the federal False Claims Act seeking information to determine if procedures to implant cardiac defibrillators at that hospital from 2002 to 2010 were performed in accordance with Medicare coverage requirements. Also as previously reported, in September 2010, the DOJ notified us that its review may extend to billing procedures at 32 of our other hospitals in addition to the hospital that received the original information request. The number of hospitals under review may increase or decrease depending on the timeframe of the government’s examination. The parties are currently engaged in non-binding discussions regarding a resolution of any potential liability associated with claims submitted to Medicare for the implantation of cardiac defibrillators during the relevant period, but it is impossible at this time to predict the outcome of those discussions or the amount of any potential resolution.
	·                  Review of Arrangements with Local Service Provider. As previously reported, we received a subpoena from the OIG in Atlanta seeking documents from January 2004 through May 2012 related to the relationship that Atlanta Medical Center, North Fulton Regional Hospital, South Fulton Medical Center (now Atlanta Medical Center — South Campus) and Spalding Regional Hospital (all located in Georgia) and Hilton Head Hospital (located in South Carolina) had with Hispanic Medical Management, Inc. (“HMM”). HMM is an unaffiliated entity that owns and operates clinics that provide, among other things, prenatal care predominantly to Hispanic women. The hospitals contracted with HMM for translation, marketing, management and Medicaid eligibility determination services. The parallel criminal and civil investigations, which are being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the DOJ and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, relate to HMM’s relationships with various hospitals. The investigations arose out of a qui tam action captioned United States of America, ex. rel. Ralph D. Williams v. Health Management Associates, Inc., et al. filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. We understand the government’s review focuses on whether the arrangements violated the federal and state anti-kickback statutes and false claims acts. We have produced documents and information responsive to the subpoena, have voluntarily produced additional documents, and have had a series of meetings with representatives of the DOJ and the State of Georgia as part of our ongoing cooperation with the government’s review. On April 30, 2013, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DOJ filed a notice that the government was choosing not to intervene in the qui tam suit at the time of the filing. The Georgia Attorney General’s Office filed a notice of intervention on May 31, 2013 and filed its complaint in intervention on July 31, 2013. Our response to both complaints must be filed by November 11, 2013, and we intend to vigorously defend these matters. At this time, we are unable to determine the potential impact, if any, that will result from the final resolution of these investigations.
	Except with respect to the matter settled in January 2013 involving one hospital, as discussed above, our analysis of these pending reviews is still ongoing, and we are unable to predict with any certainty the progress or final outcome of any discussions with government agencies at this time. Based on currently available information, as of September 30, 2013, we had recorded reserves of approximately $3 million in the aggregate with respect to three hospitals under review for their billing practices for kyphoplasty and cardiac defibrillator implantation procedures. Changes in the reserves may be required in the future as additional information becomes available. We cannot predict the ultimate resolution of any governmental review, and the final amounts paid in settlement or otherwise, if any, could differ materially from our currently recorded reserves.
	2.                                      Hospital-Related Tort Claim—In August 2013, we settled for $8 million a previously disclosed lawsuit — which is captioned Rosenberg v. Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center and Tenet Healthcare Corporation — filed in connection with an alleged April 2006 assault at Tarzana Regional Medical Center (a hospital we divested in 2008). Following a jury trial, and post-trial motions by both parties, the plaintiff had been awarded $9.8 million in damages, attorneys’ fees, interest and expenses. Both parties filed notices appealing all aspects of the final judgment. In the three months ended December 31, 2011, we recorded a reserve of approximately $6 million in discontinued operations for this matter, which reserve was computed as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Following the settlement, we increased the reserve by approximately $2 million in discontinued operations in the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	3.                                      Class Action Lawsuits Relating to Vanguard Acquisition—On June 24, 2013, we agreed to acquire Vanguard Health Systems, Inc. (“Vanguard”) for $21 per share in cash. On June 25, 2013, a Vanguard stockholder filed a class action lawsuit in the Chancery Court for Davidson County, Tennessee, captioned James A. Kaurich v. Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., et al., and, on June 27, 2013, a second Vanguard stockholder filed a class action lawsuit in the Chancery Court for Davidson County, Tennessee, captioned Marion Edinburgh TTEE FBO Marion Edinburgh Trust U/T/D/ 7/8/1991 v. Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., et al. Both complaints name as defendants Vanguard, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, the merger subsidiary formed for the purpose of completing the merger with Vanguard, and the members of Vanguard’s board of directors, and allege, among other things, that we aided and abetted Vanguard’s directors’ breach of their fiduciary duties with respect to the process and terms of the merger. Both complaints seek to enjoin the merger and to create a constructive trust for the purportedly improper benefits received by Vanguard’s directors.
	On August 26, 2013, we and the other defendants entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with the plaintiffs regarding the settlement of these lawsuits. Under the terms of the MOU, which is subject to customary conditions and court approval, Vanguard agreed to make certain supplemental disclosures related to the merger and to extend the period for its stockholders to exercise their appraisal rights. The MOU also contemplates that the parties will enter into a stipulation of settlement, and that Vanguard will cover the fees and expenses of the plaintiffs’ counsel for an amount that is less than $1 million. In the event that the parties enter into a stipulation of settlement, a hearing will be scheduled at which the court will consider the fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of the settlement. If the court ultimately approves the settlement, it will resolve and release all claims in all actions that were or could have been brought challenging any aspect of the merger and any related disclosure, among other claims. There can be no assurance that the parties will ultimately enter into a stipulation of settlement or that the court will approve the settlement even if the parties do enter into such stipulation. If the proposed settlement were not to be approved, we would continue to vigorously defend against each of these cases.
	4.                                      Ordinary Course Matters—Also, as previously reported, we are defendants in a class action lawsuit in which the plaintiffs claim that in April 1996 patient identifying records from a psychiatric hospital that we closed in 1995 were temporarily placed in an unsecure location while the hospital was undergoing renovations. The lawsuit, Doe, et al. v. Jo Ellen Smith Medical Foundation, was filed in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans in Louisiana in March 1997 and is currently pending. The plaintiffs’ claims include allegations of tortious invasion of privacy and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The plaintiffs contend that the class consists of over 5,000 persons; however, only eight individuals have been identified to date in the class certification process. The plaintiffs have asserted each member of the class is entitled to common damages under a theory of presumed “common damage” regardless of whether or not any members of the class were actually harmed or even aware of the incident. We believe there is no authority for an award of common damages under Louisiana law. In addition, we believe that there is no basis for the certification of this proceeding as a class action under applicable federal and Louisiana law precedents. However, the trial court has denied our motions for summary judgment and our motion to decertify the proceeding as a class action, and our attempts to appeal the trial court’s decisions have been unsuccessful. The court is expected to set the matter for trial in the near term. At this time, we are not able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or reasonably possible range of loss given: the small number of class members that have been identified or otherwise responded to the class certification process; the novel theories asserted by plaintiffs, including their assertion that a theory of presumed common damage exists under Louisiana law; and the failure of the plaintiffs to provide any evidence of damages. We intend to vigorously contest the plaintiffs’ claims.
	In addition to the matters described above, our hospitals are subject to investigations, claims and legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. Most of these matters involve allegations of medical malpractice or other injuries suffered at our hospitals. We are also party in the normal course of business to regulatory proceedings and private litigation concerning the terms of our union agreements and the application of various federal and state labor laws, rules and regulations governing, among other things, a variety of workplace wage and hour issues. Furthermore, our hospitals are routinely subject to sales and use tax audits and personal property tax audits by the state and local government jurisdictions in which they do business. The results of the audits are frequently disputed, and such disputes are ordinarily resolved by administrative appeals or litigation. It is management’s opinion that the ultimate resolution of these ordinary course investigations, claims and legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	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 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Balances at		Litigation and		Cash			Balances at
		Beginning		Investigation		Payments			End of
		of Period		Costs					Period
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Continuing operations	$	5	$	3	$	(3	)	$	5
	Discontinued operations	5		2		(1		)	6
		$	10	$	5	$	(4	)	$	11
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Continuing operations	$	49	$	3	$	(48	)	$	4
	Discontinued operations	17		0		(12		)	5
		$	66	$	3	$	(60	)	$	9
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded net litigation and investigation costs of $5 million and $3 million, respectively, primarily related to costs associated with various legal proceedings and governmental reviews.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
INCOME TAXES	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	NOTE 11. INCOME TAXES
	The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2013 was $41 million related to continuing operations, of which $38 million, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate and income tax expense (benefit).
	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 as of September 30, 2013 were $5 million, all of which related to continuing operations.
	As of September 30, 2013, approximately $2 million of unrecognized federal and state tax benefits, as well as reserves for interest and penalties, may decrease in the next 12 months as a result of the settlement of audits, the filing of amended tax returns or the expiration of statutes of limitations.

EARNINGS_LOSS_PER_COMMON_SHARE

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	'
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	'
	NOTE 12. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
	The table below is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of our basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share calculations for income (loss) from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Income (loss) is expressed in millions and weighted average shares are expressed in thousands.
		Income (Loss)			Weighted	Per-Share
		(Numerator)			Average	Amount
					Shares
					(Denominator)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$	33		100,894	$	0.33
	Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	0			2,204	(0.01		)
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	$	33		103,098	$	0.32
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$	30		104,244	$	0.29
	Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	0			3,067	(0.01		)
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	$	30		107,311	$	0.28
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Loss to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$	(106	)	102,669	$	(1.03	)
	Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	0			0	0
	Loss to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	$	(106	)	102,669	$	(1.03	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$	129		103,613	$	1.25
	Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	0			3,291	(0.04		)
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	$	129		106,904	$	1.21
	All potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 because we did not report income from continuing operations in the period. In circumstances where we do not have income from continuing operations, the effect of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities is anti-dilutive, that is, a loss from continuing operations has the effect of making the diluted loss per share less than the basic loss per share. Had we generated income from continuing operations in that period, 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 of 2,256. Stock options (in thousands) whose exercise price exceeded the average market price of our common stock and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were 1,226 and 827 shares, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 were 3,711 shares for both periods.

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
	NOTE 13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Our financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis primarily relate to investments in available-for-sale securities held by our captive insurance subsidiaries. The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The following tables also 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. We consider a security that trades at least weekly to have an active market. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable, such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves. 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.
		September 30, 2013		Quoted Prices		Significant Other		Significant
				in Active		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
				Markets for		(Level 2)		Inputs
				Identical Assets				(Level 3)
				(Level 1)
	Investments:
	Marketable securities — current	$	1	$	1	$	0	$	0
	Investments in Reserve Yield Plus Fund	2		0		2		0
	Marketable debt securities — noncurrent	11		0		10		1
		$	14	$	1	$	12	$	1
		December 31, 2012		Quoted Prices		Significant Other		Significant
				in Active		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
				Markets for		(Level 2)		Inputs
				Identical Assets				(Level 3)
				(Level 1)
	Investments:
	Marketable securities — current	$	4	$	4	$	0	$	0
	Investments in Reserve Yield Plus Fund	2		0		2		0
	Marketable debt securities — noncurrent	14		2		11		1
		$	20	$	6	$	13	$	1
	At September 30, 2013, one of our captive insurance subsidiaries held $1 million of preferred stock and other securities that were distributed from auction rate securities whose auctions have failed due to sell orders exceeding buy orders. We were not required to record an other-than-temporary impairment of these securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.
	The fair value of our long-term debt is based on quoted market prices (Level 1). At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the estimated fair value of our long-term debt was approximately 99.4% and 108.2%, respectively, of the carrying value of the debt.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACQUISITIONS	'
ACQUISITIONS	'
	NOTE 14. ACQUISITIONS
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we acquired six ambulatory surgery centers (in one of which we had previously held a noncontrolling interest), an urgent care center, an independent physician association and various physician practice entities. The fair value of the consideration conveyed in the acquisitions (the “purchase price”) was $142 million.
	We are required to allocate the purchase prices of the 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 and intangible assets, for several recent acquisitions; therefore, the purchase price allocations for those acquisitions are subject to adjustment once the valuations are completed.
	Purchase price allocations for the acquisitions made during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:
	Current assets	$	4
	Property and equipment	9
	Goodwill	196
	Current liabilities	(13		)
	Long-term liabilities	(11		)
	Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	(10		)
	Noncontrolling interests	(23		)
	Net assets acquired	152
	Total consideration paid	142
	Gain on business combination	$	10
	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 increased reimbursement. Approximately $23 million in acquisition-related costs for prospective and closed acquisitions were expensed during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and are included in impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	Included in equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates is $10 million of earnings associated with stepping up our basis in a previously held investment in an ambulatory surgery center in which we acquired a controlling interest and are now consolidating.

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
	NOTE 15. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Our core business is Hospital Operations and other, which is focused on owning and operating acute care hospitals and outpatient facilities. We also own various related health care businesses. At September 30, 2013, our subsidiaries operated 49 hospitals with a total of 13,180 licensed beds, primarily serving urban and suburban communities, as well as 134 outpatient centers.
	We operate revenue cycle management and patient communications services businesses under our Conifer subsidiary. In addition, Conifer operates a management services business that supports value-based performance through clinical integration, financial risk management and population health management. At September 30, 2013, Conifer provided services to more than 700 Tenet and non-Tenet hospital and other clients nationwide.
	The following table includes 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Assets:
	Hospital Operations and other	$	9,092		$	8,825
	Conifer	245			219
	Total	$	9,337		$	9,044
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Capital expenditures:
	Hospital Operations and other	$	139		$	105		$	387		$	352
	Conifer	3			3			11			8
	Total	$	142		$	108		$	398		$	360
	Net operating revenues:
	Hospital Operations and other	$	2,275		$	2,193		$	6,840		$	6,725
	Conifer
	Tenet	92			94			278			274
	Other customers	133			28			377			63
		2,500			2,315			7,495			7,062
	Intercompany eliminations	(92		)	(94		)	(278		)	(274		)
	Total	$	2,408		$	2,221		$	7,217		$	6,788
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Hospital Operations and other	$	252		$	245		$	802		$	793
	Conifer	36			24			96			74
	Total	$	288		$	269		$	898		$	867
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Hospital Operations and other	$	114		$	108		$	339		$	307
	Conifer	5			2			15			7
	Total	$	119		$	110		$	354		$	314
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	288		$	269		$	898		$	867
	Depreciation and amortization	(119		)	(110		)	(354		)	(314		)
	Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	(20		)	(6		)	(45		)	(12		)
	Litigation and investigation costs	(1		)	(0		)	(3		)	(3		)
	Interest expense	(91		)	(103		)	(292		)	(303		)
	Loss from early extinguishment of debt	0			0			(348		)	0
	Investment earnings	0			1			1			2
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	57		$	51		$	(143	)	$	237

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	'
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	'
	NOTE 16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On October 1, 2013, we acquired the common stock of Vanguard for $21 per share in an all cash transaction. Vanguard owned and operated 28 hospitals (with one more under development), 39 outpatient centers and five health plans with approximately 150,000 members, serving communities in Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan and Texas. We paid approximately $4.3 billion to acquire Vanguard and repay $2.5 billion of Vanguard’s net debt. We have not yet finalized the analysis required to complete the purchase price accounting for this acquisition and the related disclosures.
	Also on October 1, 2013, we entered into supplemental indentures relating to the sale of $2.8 billion aggregate principal amount of 81/8% senior notes, which will mature on April 1, 2022, and $1.8 billion aggregate principal amount of 6% senior secured notes, which will mature on October 1, 2020. The proceeds from the notes were used to finance the acquisition of Vanguard.
	In addition, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, on October 15, 2013, we increased the maximum aggregate principal amount of our revolving credit facility from $800 million to $1 billion, subject to borrowing availability.

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_Policies

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	'
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,” the “Company,” “we” or “us”) is an investor-owned health care services company whose subsidiaries and affiliates as of September 30, 2013 primarily operated 49 hospitals with a total of 13,180 licensed beds, 134 outpatient centers and Conifer Health Solutions (“Conifer”), which provides business process solutions to more than 700 hospital and other clients nationwide.
	This quarterly report supplements our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (“Annual Report”). As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) 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). All amounts related to shares, share prices and earnings per share have been restated to give retrospective presentation for the reverse stock split described in Note 2 of our Annual Report. Furthermore, certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.
	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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), we must use 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 and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 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 funding levels set by the states in which we operate; the timing of approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) of Medicaid provider fee revenue programs; trends in patient accounts receivable collectability and associated provisions for doubtful accounts; fluctuations in interest rates; levels of malpractice insurance expense and settlement trends; the timing of when we meet the criteria to recognize electronic health record incentives; impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill; restructuring charges; acquisition-related costs; losses, costs and insurance recoveries related to natural disasters; litigation and investigation costs; acquisitions and dispositions of facilities and other assets; 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 or losses from early extinguishment of debt; and changes in occupancy levels and patient volumes. Factors that affect patient volumes and, thereby, the results of operations at our hospitals and related health care facilities include, but are not limited to: the business environment, economic conditions and demographics of local communities; 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 health care competitors; managed care contract negotiations or terminations; the number of patients with high-deductible health insurance plans or plans with annual or lifetime coverage caps; any unfavorable publicity about us, which impacts our relationships with physicians and patients; changes in health care regulations and the participation of individual states in federal programs; and the timing of elective procedures. These considerations apply to year-to-year comparisons as well.
Net Operating Revenues before Provision for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Net Operating RevenuesBefore Provision for Doubtful Accounts
	We recognize net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts in the period in which our services are performed. Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts primarily consist of net patient service revenues that are recorded based on established billing rates (i.e., gross charges), less estimated discounts for contractual and other allowances, principally for patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, managed care and other health plans, as well as certain uninsured patients under ourCompact with Uninsured Patients (“Compact”).
	The table below shows the sources of net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	General Hospitals:
	Medicare	$	501	$	505		$	1,543	$	1,666
	Medicaid	206		176			630		587
	Managed care	1,378		1,348			4,126		4,002
	Indemnity, self-pay and other	262		261			783		747
	Acute care hospitals — other revenue	14		8			53		45
	Other:
	Other operations	257		129			706		326
	Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$	2,618	$	2,427		$	7,841	$	7,373
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 approximately $82 million and $364 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our book overdrafts were approximately $182 million and $232 million, respectively, which were classified as accounts payable.
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, approximately $51 million and $65 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.
	Also at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had $63 million and $98 million, respectively, of property and equipment purchases accrued for items received but not yet paid. Of these amounts, $50 million and $93 million, respectively, were included in accounts payable.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we entered into non-cancellable capital leases of approximately $99 million and $54 million, respectively, primarily for equipment.
Other Intangible Assets	'
	Other Intangible Assets
	The following table provides information regarding other intangible assets, which are included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		Gross		Accumulated			Net Book
		Carrying		Amortization			Value
		Amount
	September 30, 2013:
	Capitalized software costs	$	1,048	$	(455	)	$	593
	Long-term debt issuance costs	107		(25		)	82
	Other	58		(10		)	48
	Total	$	1,213	$	(490	)	$	723
	December 31, 2012:
	Capitalized software costs	$	927	$	(399	)	$	528
	Long-term debt issuance costs	106		(25		)	81
	Other	43		(2		)	41
	Total	$	1,076	$	(426	)	$	650
	Estimated future amortization of other intangible assets with finite useful lives as of September 30, 2013 is as follows:
				Years Ending December 31,											Later
		Total		2013			2014		2015		2016		2017		Years
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	723	$	49		$	97	$	80	$	71	$	56	$	370

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_Tables

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	'
Schedule of sources of net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	'
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	General Hospitals:
	Medicare	$	501	$	505		$	1,543	$	1,666
	Medicaid	206		176			630		587
	Managed care	1,378		1,348			4,126		4,002
	Indemnity, self-pay and other	262		261			783		747
	Acute care hospitals — other revenue	14		8			53		45
	Other:
	Other operations	257		129			706		326
	Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$	2,618	$	2,427		$	7,841	$	7,373
Schedule of other intangible assets	'
		Gross		Accumulated			Net Book
		Carrying		Amortization			Value
		Amount
	September 30, 2013:
	Capitalized software costs	$	1,048	$	(455	)	$	593
	Long-term debt issuance costs	107		(25		)	82
	Other	58		(10		)	48
	Total	$	1,213	$	(490	)	$	723
	December 31, 2012:
	Capitalized software costs	$	927	$	(399	)	$	528
	Long-term debt issuance costs	106		(25		)	81
	Other	43		(2		)	41
	Total	$	1,076	$	(426	)	$	650
Schedule of estimated future amortization of other intangible assets with finite useful lives	'
	Estimated future amortization of other intangible assets with finite useful lives as of September 30, 2013 is as follows:
				Years Ending December 31,											Later
		Total		2013			2014		2015		2016		2017		Years
	Amortization of intangible assets	$	723	$	49		$	97	$	80	$	71	$	56	$	370

ACCOUNTS_RECEIVABLE_AND_ALLOWA1

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS	'
Schedule Of Components Of Accounts Receivable	'
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Continuing operations:
	Patient accounts receivable	$	1,735		$	1,668
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(439		)	(396		)
	Estimated future recoveries from accounts assigned to our Conifer subsidiary	91			88
	Net cost reports and settlements payable and valuation allowances	(11		)	(24		)
		1,376			1,336
	Discontinued operations:
	Patient accounts receivable	2			11
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(1		)	(5		)
	Estimated future recoveries from accounts assigned to our Conifer subsidiary	1			2
	Net cost reports and settlements receivable and valuation allowances	2			1
		4			9
	Accounts receivable, net	$	1,380		$	1,345

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS_Tables

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'
Schedule of net operating revenues and income (loss) before income taxes	'
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013			2012		2013			2012
	Net operating revenues	$	3		$	38	$	6		$	150
	Income (loss) before income taxes	(10		)	3		(7		)	(92		)

IMPAIRMENT_AND_RESTRUCTURING_C1

IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS	'
Schedule of reconciliations of beginning and ending liability balances in connection with restructuring activities	'
		Balances at		Restructuring		Cash			Other			Balances
		Beginning of		Charges, Net		Payments						at End
		Period										of Period
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Continuing operations:
	Lease and other costs, and employee severance-related costs in connection with hospital cost-control programs and general overhead-reduction plans	$	8	$	20	$	(20	)	$	(2	)	$	6
	Discontinued operations:
	Employee severance-related costs, and other estimated costs associated with the sale or closure of hospitals and other facilities	4		0		0			0			4
		$	12	$	20	$	(20	)	$	(2	)	$	10
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Continuing operations:
	Lease and other costs, and employee severance-related costs in connection with hospital cost-control programs and general overhead-reduction plans	$	6	$	8	$	(7	)	$	(0	)	$	7
	Discontinued operations:
	Employee severance-related costs, and other estimated costs associated with the sale or closure of hospitals and other facilities	5		0		0			0			5
		$	11	$	8	$	(7	)	$	(0	)	$	12

LONGTERM_DEBT_AND_LEASE_OBLIGA1

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'
Summary of long-term debt	'
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Senior notes:
	73¤8%, due 2013	$	0		$	55
	97¤8%, due 2014	60			60
	91¤4%, due 2015	474			474
	63¤4%, due 2020	300			300
	8%, due 2020	750			750
	67¤8%, due 2031	430			430
	Senior secured notes:
	61¤4%, due 2018	1,041			1,041
	10%, due 2018	0			714
	87/8%, due 2019	0			925
	43/4%, due 2020	500			500
	41/2%, due 2021	850			0
	43/8%, due 2021	1,050			0
	Credit facility due 2016	210			0
	Capital leases and mortgage notes	188			119
	Unamortized note discounts and premium	(30		)	(116		)
	Total long-term debt	5,823			5,252
	Less current portion	133			94
	Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	5,690		$	5,158

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Tables

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'
Summary of stock option activity	'
		Options		Weighted Average			Aggregate			Weighted Average
				Exercise Price Per			Intrinsic Value			Remaining Life
				Share
							(In Millions)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	4,289,192		$	30.49
	Granted	295,639		39.31
	Exercised	(913,369	)	23.56
	Forfeited/Expired	(227,016	)	58.16
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	3,444,446		$	31.26		$	40		3.5 years
	Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2013	3,427,698		$	31.23		$	40		3.5 years
	Exercisable as of September 30, 2013	2,880,799		$	31.21		$	35		3.0 years
Schedule of assumptions used to determine fair value of stock options	'
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012
	Expected volatility	50%		52%
	Expected dividend yield	0%		0%
	Expected life	3.6 years		6.9 years
	Expected forfeiture rate	6%		2%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.48%		1.06%-1.41%
	Early exercise threshold	100% gain		70% gain
	Early exercise rate	50% per year		20% per year
Summary of information about stock options by range of exercise prices	'
	The following table summarizes information about our outstanding stock options at September 30, 2013:
		Options Outstanding							Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices	Number of		Weighted Average		Weighted Average			Number of		Weighted Average
		Options		Remaining		Exercise Price			Options		Exercise Price
				Contractual Life
	$0.00 to $4.569	345,066		5.4 years		$	4.56		345,066		$	4.56
	$4.57 to $25.089	1,042,631		6.2 years		20.86			774,623		20.17
	$25.09 to $32.569	522,889		2.8 years		29.66			522,889		29.66
	$32.57 to $42.529	824,077		2.5 years		41.14			528,438		42.17
	$42.53 to $55.129	671,033		0.4 years		48.46			671,033		48.46
	$55.13 to $70.249	38,750		0.2 years		62.36			38,750		62.36
		3,444,446		3.5 years		$	31.26		2,880,799		$	31.21
Summary of restricted stock unit activity	'
		Restricted Stock		Weighted Average Grant
		Units		Date Fair Value Per Unit
	Unvested as of December 31, 2012	2,295,942		$	23.4
	Granted	1,233,500		40.91
	Vested	(948,539	)	24.13
	Forfeited	(157,128	)	29.48
	Unvested as of September 30, 2013	2,423,775		$	31.63

EQUITY_Tables

EQUITY (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EQUITY	'
Schedule Of Repurchase Of Common Stock	'
	Period	Total Number of		Average Price			Total Number of		Maximum Dollar Value
		Shares		Paid Per			Shares Purchased as		of Shares That May Yet
		Purchased		Share			Part of Publicly		Be Purchased Under
							Announced Program		the Program
		(In Thousands)					(In Thousands)		(In Millions)
	November 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012	3,406		$	29.36		3,406		$	400
	January 1, 2013 through January 31, 2013	531		37.13			531		380
	February 1, 2013 through February 28, 2013	914		39.3			914		344
	March 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013	1,010		43.95			1,010		300
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013	2,455		40.74			2,455		300
	May 1, 2013 through May 31, 2013	933		46.78			933		256
	June 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013	1,065		45.71			1,065		208
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2013	1,998		46.21			1,998		208
	July 1, 2013 through July 31, 2013	166		46.08			166		200
	August 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013	1,045		40.43			1,045		158
	September 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013	1,431		40.35			1,431		100
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013	2,642		40.75			2,642		100
	Total	10,501		$	38.09		10,501		$	100
Schedule of changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	'
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Balances at beginning of period	$	16		$	16
	Net income	7			0
	Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(2		)	0
	Sales of joint venture interests	52			0
	Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests	10			0
	Balances at end of period	$	83		$	16
Schedule Of Changes In Consolidated Equity	'
	The following table shows the changes in consolidated equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (dollars in millions, share amounts in thousands):
		Tenet Healthcare Corporation Shareholders’ Equity
										Accumulated
		Common Stock					Additional			Other
		Shares		Issued Par			Paid-in			Comprehensive			Accumulated			Treasury			Noncontrolling			Total
		Outstanding		Amount			Capital			Loss			Deficit			Stock			Interests			Equity
	Balances at December 31, 2012	104,633		$	7		$	4,471		$	(68	)	$	(1,288	)	$	(1,979	)	$	75		$	1,218
	Net income (loss)	0		0			0			0			(110		)	0			13			(97		)
	Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	0		0			0			0			0			0			(16		)	(16		)
	Sales of joint venture interests	0		0			53			0			0			0			0			53
	Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests	0		0			0			0			0			0			23			23
	Repurchase of common stock	(7,095	)	0			0			0			0			(300		)	0			(300		)
	Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock	1,628		0			38			0			0			1			0			39
	Balances at September 30, 2013	99,166		$	7		$	4,562		$	(68	)	$	(1,398	)	$	(2,278	)	$	95		$	920
		Tenet Healthcare Corporation Shareholders’ Equity
															Accumulated
		Preferred Stock					Common Stock					Additional			Other
		Shares		Issued			Shares		Issued Par			Paid-in			Comprehensive			Accumulated			Treasury			Noncontrolling			Total
		Outstanding		Amount			Outstanding		Amount			Capital			Loss			Deficit			Stock			Interests			Equity
	Balances at December 31, 2011	345		$	334		103,756		$	7		$	4,427		$	(52	)	$	(1,440	)	$	(1,853	)	$	69		$	1,492
	Net income (loss)	0		0			0		0			0			0			103			0			(24		)	79
	Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	0		0			0		0			0			0			0			0			(9		)	(9		)
	Contribution from noncontrolling interests	0		0			0		0			0			0			0			0			2			2
	Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests	0		0			0		0			0			0			0			0			7			7
	Other comprehensive income	0		0			0		0			0			3			0			0			0			3
	Preferred stock dividends	0		0			0		0			(11		)	0			0			0			0			(11		)
	Repurchase of common stock	0		0			(1,327	)	0			0			0			0			(26		)	0			(26		)
	Repurchase of preferred stock	(299	)	(289		)	0		0			0			0			0			0			0			(289		)
	Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock	0		0			1,990		0			21			0			0			0			0			21
	Balances at September 30, 2012	46		$	45		104,419		$	7		$	4,437		$	(49	)	$	(1,337	)	$	(1,879	)	$	45		$	1,269

CLAIMS_AND_LAWSUITS_Tables

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS	'
Reconciliations Of Legal Settlements And Related Costs	'
		Balances at		Litigation and		Cash			Balances at
		Beginning		Investigation		Payments			End of
		of Period		Costs					Period
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Continuing operations	$	5	$	3	$	(3	)	$	5
	Discontinued operations	5		2		(1		)	6
		$	10	$	5	$	(4	)	$	11
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Continuing operations	$	49	$	3	$	(48	)	$	4
	Discontinued operations	17		0		(12		)	5
		$	66	$	3	$	(60	)	$	9

EARNINGS_LOSS_PER_COMMON_SHARE1

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	'
Schedule of reconciliation of numerators and denominators of our basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share	'
	Income (loss) is expressed in millions and weighted average shares are expressed in thousands.
		Income (Loss)			Weighted	Per-Share
		(Numerator)			Average	Amount
					Shares
					(Denominator)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$	33		100,894	$	0.33
	Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	0			2,204	(0.01		)
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	$	33		103,098	$	0.32
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$	30		104,244	$	0.29
	Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	0			3,067	(0.01		)
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	$	30		107,311	$	0.28
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Loss to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$	(106	)	102,669	$	(1.03	)
	Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	0			0	0
	Loss to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	$	(106	)	102,669	$	(1.03	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$	129		103,613	$	1.25
	Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	0			3,291	(0.04		)
	Income available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share	$	129		106,904	$	1.21

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
		September 30, 2013		Quoted Prices		Significant Other		Significant
				in Active		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
				Markets for		(Level 2)		Inputs
				Identical Assets				(Level 3)
				(Level 1)
	Investments:
	Marketable securities — current	$	1	$	1	$	0	$	0
	Investments in Reserve Yield Plus Fund	2		0		2		0
	Marketable debt securities — noncurrent	11		0		10		1
		$	14	$	1	$	12	$	1
		December 31, 2012		Quoted Prices		Significant Other		Significant
				in Active		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
				Markets for		(Level 2)		Inputs
				Identical Assets				(Level 3)
				(Level 1)
	Investments:
	Marketable securities — current	$	4	$	4	$	0	$	0
	Investments in Reserve Yield Plus Fund	2		0		2		0
	Marketable debt securities — noncurrent	14		2		11		1
		$	20	$	6	$	13	$	1

ACQUISITIONS_Tables

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
ACQUISITIONS	'
Schedule Of Purchase Price Allocations	'
	Current assets	$	4
	Property and equipment	9
	Goodwill	196
	Current liabilities	(13		)
	Long-term liabilities	(11		)
	Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	(10		)
	Noncontrolling interests	(23		)
	Net assets acquired	152
	Total consideration paid	142
	Gain on business combination	$	10

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'
Schedule of reconciliation of amounts for each reportable segments, Hospital Operations and other segment includes health plans, and the reconciling items	'
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Assets:
	Hospital Operations and other	$	9,092		$	8,825
	Conifer	245			219
	Total	$	9,337		$	9,044
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Capital expenditures:
	Hospital Operations and other	$	139		$	105		$	387		$	352
	Conifer	3			3			11			8
	Total	$	142		$	108		$	398		$	360
	Net operating revenues:
	Hospital Operations and other	$	2,275		$	2,193		$	6,840		$	6,725
	Conifer
	Tenet	92			94			278			274
	Other customers	133			28			377			63
		2,500			2,315			7,495			7,062
	Intercompany eliminations	(92		)	(94		)	(278		)	(274		)
	Total	$	2,408		$	2,221		$	7,217		$	6,788
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Hospital Operations and other	$	252		$	245		$	802		$	793
	Conifer	36			24			96			74
	Total	$	288		$	269		$	898		$	867
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Hospital Operations and other	$	114		$	108		$	339		$	307
	Conifer	5			2			15			7
	Total	$	119		$	110		$	354		$	314
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	288		$	269		$	898		$	867
	Depreciation and amortization	(119		)	(110		)	(354		)	(314		)
	Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	(20		)	(6		)	(45		)	(12		)
	Litigation and investigation costs	(1		)	(0		)	(3		)	(3		)
	Interest expense	(91		)	(103		)	(292		)	(303		)
	Loss from early extinguishment of debt	0			0			(348		)	0
	Investment earnings	0			1			1			2
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	57		$	51		$	(143	)	$	237

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_Details

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
			item
Description of Business	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of acute care hospitals operated by subsidiaries	'	'	49	'	'	'
Number of licensed beds in hospitals operated by subsidiaries	'	'	13,180	'	'	'
Number of provider-based outpatient centers operated by subsidiaries	'	'	134	'	'	'
Minimum number of hospitals to which business process solutions is provided by Conifer	'	'	700	'	'	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$2,618	$2,427	$7,841	$7,373	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	1,213	'	1,213	'	1,076	'
Accumulated Amortization	-490	'	-490	'	-426	'
Net Book Value	723	'	723	'	650	'
Cash Equivalents	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	82	83	82	83	364	113
Book overdrafts classified as accounts payable	182	'	182	'	232	'
Cash and cash equivalents related to captive insurance subsidiaries	51	'	51	'	65	'
Accrued property and equipment purchases for items received but not yet paid	'	'	63	'	98	'
Accrued property and equipment purchases, for items received but not yet paid, included in accounts payable	50	'	50	'	93	'
Non-cancellable capital leases primarily for equipment	'	'	99	54	'	'
Capitalized software costs	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	1,048	'	1,048	'	927	'
Accumulated Amortization	-455	'	-455	'	-399	'
Net Book Value	593	'	593	'	528	'
Long-term debt issuance costs	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	107	'	107	'	106	'
Accumulated Amortization	-25	'	-25	'	-25	'
Net Book Value	82	'	82	'	81	'
Other	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	58	'	58	'	43	'
Accumulated Amortization	-10	'	-10	'	-2	'
Net Book Value	48	'	48	'	41	'
Medicare	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	501	505	1,543	1,666	'	'
Medicaid	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	206	176	630	587	'	'
Managed care	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	1,378	1,348	4,126	4,002	'	'
Indemnity, self-pay and other	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	262	261	783	747	'	'
Acute care hospitals - other revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	14	8	53	45	'	'
Other operations	'	'	'	'	'	'
Summary of significant accounting policies	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$257	$129	$706	$326	'	'

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_Details_

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Estimated future amortization of other intangible assets with finite useful lives	'	'
Net Book Value	$723	$650
2013	49	'
2014	97	'
2015	80	'
2016	71	'
2017	56	'
Later Years	$370	'

ACCOUNTS_RECEIVABLE_AND_ALLOWA2

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	$1,380	$1,345
Continuing operations	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'	'
Patient accounts receivable	1,735	1,668
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-439	-396
Estimated future recoveries from accounts assigned to our collection agency subsidiary	91	88
Net cost reports and settlements receivable (payable) and valuation allowances	-11	-24
Accounts receivable, net	1,376	1,336
Discontinued operations	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'	'
Patient accounts receivable	2	11
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-1	-5
Estimated future recoveries from accounts assigned to our collection agency subsidiary	1	2
Net cost reports and settlements receivable (payable) and valuation allowances	2	1
Accounts receivable, net	$4	$9

ACCOUNTS_RECEIVABLE_AND_ALLOWA3

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues payments	$2,618	$2,427	$7,841	$7,373	'
Self-Pay Patients	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'	'	'	'	'
Collection rates on accounts receivable (as a percent)	'	'	28.80%	'	28.90%
Estimated costs of caring	116	106	342	322	'
Managed Care Patients	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'	'	'	'	'
Collection rates on accounts receivable (as a percent)	'	'	98.30%	'	98.00%
Allowance for doubtful accounts as a percent of accounts receivable	'	'	8.70%	'	9.40%
Self-pay uninsured patient	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'	'	'	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts as a percent of accounts receivable	'	'	88.80%	'	87.30%
Self-pay write-offs	'	'	231	210	'
Decrease in self-pay write-offs	'	'	21	'	'
Self-Pay Patients After Insurance	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'	'	'	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts as a percent of accounts receivable	'	'	56.90%	'	54.50%
Charity Care Patients	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated costs of caring	32	40	95	102	'
Disproportionate Share Hospital	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues payments	$72	$56	$257	$210	'

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS_Detail

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	31-May-12
						Land	Creighton University Medical Center (CUMC)	DIS
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment charge	'	'	'	'	'	'	$100	'
Write-down of long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	98	'
Write-down of goodwill	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operation	'	'	'	11	45	'	'	10
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations	0	-1	2	0	1	7	'	'
Net operating revenues and income (loss) before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues	3	38	'	6	150	'	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	($10)	$3	'	($7)	($92)	'	'	'

IMPAIRMENT_AND_RESTRUCTURING_C2

IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	item
	segment
IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS	'	'
Number of continuing operating segments	2	'
Net impairment and restructuring charges and acquisition-related costs	$45	$12
Acquisition costs	23	'
Obsolete assets	'	3
Employee severance costs	9	4
Other related costs	'	5
Lease termination costs	1	'
Restructuring costs	10	'
Property	$2	'
Number of hospitals	2	'

IMPAIRMENT_AND_RESTRUCTURING_C3

IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accrued Restructuring Charges	'	'
Balances at Beginning of Period	$12	$11
Restructuring Charges, Net	20	8
Cash Payments	-20	-7
Other	-2	0
Balances at End of Period	10	12
Cash payments to be applied against accruals due within one year	4	'
Cash payments to be applied against accruals due thereafter	6	'
Continuing operations | Lease and other costs, and employee severance-related costs in connection with hospital cost-control programs and general overhead-reduction plans	'	'
Accrued Restructuring Charges	'	'
Balances at Beginning of Period	8	6
Restructuring Charges, Net	20	8
Cash Payments	-20	-7
Other	-2	0
Balances at End of Period	6	7
Discontinued operations | Employee severance-related costs, and other estimated costs associated with the sale or closure of hospitals and other facilities	'	'
Accrued Restructuring Charges	'	'
Balances at Beginning of Period	4	5
Restructuring Charges, Net	0	0
Cash Payments	0	0
Other	0	0
Balances at End of Period	$4	$5

LONGTERM_DEBT_AND_LEASE_OBLIGA2

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	31-May-13	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Capital leases and mortgage notes	$188	'	$119
Unamortized note discounts and premium	-30	'	-116
Total long-term debt	5,823	'	5,252
Less current portion	133	'	94
Long-term debt, net of current portion	5,690	'	5,158
7 3/8%, due 2013	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	7.38%	'	7.38%
Carrying amount	0	'	55
9 7/8%, due 2014	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	9.88%	'	9.88%
Carrying amount	60	'	60
9 1/4%, due 2015	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	9.25%	'	9.25%
Carrying amount	474	'	474
6 3/4%, due 2020	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.75%	'	6.75%
Carrying amount	300	'	300
8%, due 2020	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	8.00%	'	8.00%
Carrying amount	750	'	750
6 7/8%, due 2031	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.88%	'	6.88%
Carrying amount	430	'	430
6.25%, due 2018	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.25%	'	6.25%
Carrying amount	1,041	'	1,041
10%, due 2018	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	10.00%	'	10.00%
Carrying amount	0	'	714
8 7/8%, due 2019	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	8.88%	'	8.88%
Carrying amount	0	'	925
4 3/4%, due 2020	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.75%	'	4.75%
Carrying amount	500	'	500
4 1/2%, due 2021	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%	'	4.50%
Carrying amount	850	'	0
4 3/8%, due 2021	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.38%	4.38%	4.38%
Carrying amount	1,050	'	0
Credit Facility due 2016	'	'	'
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS	'	'	'
Carrying amount	$210	'	$0

LONGTERM_DEBT_AND_LEASE_OBLIGA3

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS (Details 2) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

9.25% senior notes due 2015

9.25% senior notes due 2015

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Credit Agreement

Initial six months period

Period after six months

Period after six months

Base rate

Base rate

Base rate

Base rate

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

Low end of range

High end of range

Initial six months period

Period after six months

Period after six months

Period after six months

Initial six months period

Period after six months

Period after six months

Period after six months

Low end of range

High end of range

Low end of range

High end of range

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

$800,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity after increase subject to certain conditions

'

'

1,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, subfacility maximum available capacity

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding principal amount of notes that must be repaid or refinanced on or before November 3, 2014 to extend the maturity date of the credit facility

'

238,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Base rate used to calculate interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'base rate

'base rate

'

'

'LIBOR

'LIBOR

'

'

Margin on variable rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

'

1.00%

1.50%

2.25%

'

2.00%

2.50%

Unused commitment fee (as a percent)

'

'

'

0.44%

0.38%

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate, stated percentage

9.25%

9.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding cash borrowings

'

'

210,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate on borrowings (as a percent)

'

'

2.39%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Standby letters of credit outstanding

'

'

152,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount available for borrowing under revolving credit facility

'

'

$415,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LONGTERM_DEBT_AND_LEASE_OBLIGA4

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS (Details 3) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-13

Dec. 31, 2012

31-May-13

4 1/2% senior secured notes due 2021

4 1/2% senior secured notes due 2021

4 1/2% senior secured notes due 2021

10% senior notes due 2018

4 3/8%, due 2021

4 3/8%, due 2021

4 3/8%, due 2021

8.875% senior notes due 2019

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount of notes sold

'

'

'

'

'

$850

'

'

'

$1,050

'

'

Debt repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

645

'

'

'

767

Remaining carrying amount

'

'

'

'

'

69

'

'

'

'

'

158

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

$0

$0

$348

$0

'

'

'

$177

'

'

'

$171

Interest rate, stated percentage

'

'

'

'

4.50%

'

4.50%

10.00%

4.38%

4.38%

4.38%

8.88%

GUARANTEES_Details

GUARANTEES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income and Revenue Collection Guarantee	'
Guarantee Obligations	'
Maximum potential amount of future payments under guarantees	$104
Liability for the fair value of guarantees	76
Guaranteed Minimum Rent	'
Guarantee Obligations	'
Maximum potential amount of future payments under guarantees	2
Liability for the fair value of guarantees	2
Guarantee obligations for recorded liabilities, current	1
Guarantee obligations for recorded liabilities, long term	$1

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Details

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Continuing operations	'	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'	'
Stock-based compensation costs, pretax	$29	$24
Stock Options	'	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'	'
Expiration period from the date of grant	'10 years	'
Portion of awards vesting on each of the first three anniversary dates of the grant (as a percent)	33.00%	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'
Restricted Stock Units	'	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'	'
Contractual right to receive shares of common stock for a stock based award	1	'
Portion of awards vesting on each of the first three anniversary dates of the grant (as a percent)	33.00%	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'
2008 Stock Incentive Plan	'	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'	'
Shares available under the plan	2,500,000	'
2008 Stock Incentive Plan | Stock Options	'	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'	'
Expiration period from the date of grant	'5 years	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Details1

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details 2) (Stock Options, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	item
Stock option activity	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	4,289,192	'
Granted (in shares)	295,639	'
Exercised (in shares)	-913,369	-1,350,222
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)	-227,016	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	3,444,446	'
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in shares)	3,427,698	'
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	2,880,799	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$30.49	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	$39.31	'
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$23.56	'
Forfeited/Expired (in dollars per share)	$58.16	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$31.26	'
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$31.23	'
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$31.21	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'
Outstanding at the end of the period	$40	'
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period	40	'
Exercisable at the end of the period	35	'
Weighted Average Remaining Life	'	'
Outstanding at the end of the period	'3 years 6 months	'
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period	'3 years 6 months	'
Exercisable at the end of the period	'3 years	'
Other Disclosures	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic value of awards exercised	17	21
Unrecognized compensation costs	$5	'
Period for recognition of unrecognized compensation costs	'1 year 10 months 24 days	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'
Expiration period	'10 years	'
Weighted average estimated fair value of awards granted (in dollars per share)	$14.46	$12.05
Assumptions used to calculate fair value of awards granted to top eleven employees	'	'
Expected volatility (as a percent)	50.00%	52.00%
Expected dividend yield (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%
Expected life	'3 years 7 months 6 days	'6 years 10 months 24 days
Expected forfeiture rate (as a percent)	6.00%	2.00%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	0.48%	'
Risk-free interest rate, minimum (as a percent)	'	1.06%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum (as a percent)	'	1.41%
Early exercise threshold gain (as a percent)	100.00%	70.00%
Early exercise rate, gain (as a percent)	50.00%	20.00%
Number of years excluded from historical share-price volatility	2	'
2008 Stock Incentive Plan	'	'
Stock option activity	'	'
Granted (in shares)	295,639	477,500
Other Disclosures	'	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'
Expiration period	'5 years	'
2008 Stock Incentive Plan | Time-vesting	'	'
Stock option activity	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	257,500
2008 Stock Incentive Plan | Performance-based vesting	'	'
Stock option activity	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	220,000
Other Disclosures	'	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Details2

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Options Exercisable	'
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	3,444,446
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	2,880,799
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	'3 years 6 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$31.26
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$31.21
Stock Options | Range of Exercise Prices, $0.00 to $4.569	'
Summary information about outstanding stock options	'
Exercise price per share, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$0
Exercise price per share, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$4.57
Options Exercisable	'
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	345,066
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	345,066
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	'5 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$4.56
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$4.56
Stock Options | Range of Exercise Prices, $4.57 to $25.089	'
Summary information about outstanding stock options	'
Exercise price per share, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$4.57
Exercise price per share, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$25.09
Options Exercisable	'
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	1,042,631
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	774,623
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	'6 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$20.86
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$20.17
Stock Options | Range of Exercise Prices, $25.09 to $32.569	'
Summary information about outstanding stock options	'
Exercise price per share, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$25.09
Exercise price per share, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$32.57
Options Exercisable	'
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	522,889
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	522,889
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	'2 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$29.66
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$29.66
Stock Options | Range of Exercise Prices, $32.57 to $42.529	'
Summary information about outstanding stock options	'
Exercise price per share, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$32.57
Exercise price per share, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$42.53
Options Exercisable	'
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	824,077
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	528,438
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	'2 years 6 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$41.14
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$42.17
Stock Options | Range of Exercise Prices, $42.53 to $55.129	'
Summary information about outstanding stock options	'
Exercise price per share, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$42.53
Exercise price per share, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$55.13
Options Exercisable	'
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	671,033
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	671,033
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	'4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$48.46
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$48.46
Stock Options | Range of Exercise Prices, $55.13 to $70.249	'
Summary information about outstanding stock options	'
Exercise price per share, low end of the range (in dollars per share)	$55.13
Exercise price per share, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$70.25
Options Exercisable	'
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares)	38,750
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	38,750
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	'2 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$62.36
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$62.36

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Details3

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details 4) (Restricted Stock Units, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted stock unit activity	'	'
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	2,295,942	'
Granted (in shares)	1,233,500	'
Vested (in shares)	-948,539	'
Forfeited (in shares)	-157,128	'
Unvested at the end of the period (in shares)	2,423,775	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Unit	'	'
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	23.4	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	40.91	'
Vested (in dollars per share)	24.13	'
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	29.48	'
Unvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	31.63	'
Other Disclosures	'	'
Granted (in shares)	1,233,500	'
Vesting period	'3 years	'
Unrecognized compensation costs	57	'
Period for recognition of unrecognized compensation costs	'3 years 1 month 6 days	'
Chief executive officer	'	'
Restricted stock unit activity	'	'
Granted (in shares)	212,180	'
Other Disclosures	'	'
Granted (in shares)	212,180	'
Vesting period	'6 years	'
Percentage of restricted stock units, which will vest three years from the grant date	50.00%	'
Remaining percentage of restricted stock units, which will vest thereafter three years from the grant date	50.00%	'
Time-vesting	'	'
Restricted stock unit activity	'	'
Granted (in shares)	815,262	1,535,187
Other Disclosures	'	'
Restricted stock that will vest and be settled over a three-year period from the grant date (in shares)	735,129	'
Restricted stock that will vest and be settled on the fifth anniversary of the grant date (in shares)	80,133	'
Percentage of restricted stock units, which will vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date	100.00%	'
Granted (in shares)	815,262	1,535,187
Vesting period	'3 years	'3 years
Time-vesting | Chief executive officer	'	'
Restricted stock unit activity	'	'
Granted (in shares)	106,090	'
Other Disclosures	'	'
Granted (in shares)	106,090	'
Performance-based vesting	'	'
Restricted stock unit activity	'	'
Granted (in shares)	206,058	116,250
Other Disclosures	'	'
Granted (in shares)	206,058	116,250
Vesting period	'3 years	'3 years
Performance-based vesting | Chief executive officer	'	'
Restricted stock unit activity	'	'
Granted (in shares)	106,090	'
Other Disclosures	'	'
Granted (in shares)	106,090	'
Additional award to be granted (in shares)	106,090	'

EQUITY_Details

EQUITY (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2012
				6.25%, due 2018	6.25%, due 2018	6.25%, due 2018	8%, due 2020	8%, due 2020	8%, due 2020	Convertible Preferred Stock
Class of Stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock 7% mandatory convertible shares retired	298,700	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock, percent of mandatory convertible shares	'	7.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchases of preferred stock	$289	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount of notes issued	'	'	'	141	'	'	'	'	150	'
Cash proceeds	'	'	'	$142	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	'	'	'	'	6.25%	6.25%	8.00%	8.00%	'	'
Number of common stock received after mandatory convertible preferred stock	'	'	46,300	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,978,633

EQUITY_Details_2

EQUITY (Details 2) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

31-May-13

Mar. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Class of Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of common stock authorized to be repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments made for repurchase of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300

26

'

Common stock repurchased (in shares)

1,431,000

1,045,000

166,000

1,065,000

933,000

1,010,000

914,000

531,000

'

3,406,000

2,642,000

1,998,000

2,455,000

'

'

10,501,173

Average Price Paid Per Share

$40.35

$40.43

$46.08

$45.71

$46.78

$43.95

$39.30

$37.13

'

$29.36

$40.75

$46.21

$40.74

'

'

$38.09

Maximum Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program

$100

$158

$200

$208

$256

$300

$344

$380

'

$400

$100

$208

$300

'

'

$100

Publicly Announced Program

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Class of Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock repurchased (in shares)

1,431,000

1,045,000

166,000

1,065,000

933,000

1,010,000

914,000

531,000

'

3,406,000

2,642,000

1,998,000

2,455,000

'

'

10,501,000

EQUITY_Details_3

EQUITY (Details 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	'	'
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	($16)	($9)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	'	'
Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	'	'
Balances at beginning of period	16	16
Net income	7	0
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	-2	0
Sales of joint venture interests	52	0
Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests	10	0
Balances at end of period	$83	$16

EQUITY_Details_4

EQUITY (Details 4) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

2 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

11 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

31-May-13

Mar. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Changes in Shareholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,218

'

'

'

$1,218

'

$1,218

$1,492

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36

'

'

32

-90

79

'

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-16

-9

'

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

Sales of joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

53

'

'

Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23

7

'

Other comprehensive income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

0

0

3

'

Preferred stock dividends

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

-1

0

-11

'

Repurchases of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-300

-26

'

Repurchases of common stock (in shares)

-1,431,000

-1,045,000

-166,000

-1,065,000

-933,000

-1,010,000

-914,000

-531,000

-3,406,000

-2,642,000

-1,998,000

-2,455,000

'

'

'

-10,501,173

Repurchases of preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-289

'

Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

39

21

'

Balances

920

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,218

920

'

'

1,269

920

1,269

920

Preferred Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes in Shareholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

334

'

Balances (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

345,000

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Other comprehensive income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Preferred stock dividends

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Repurchases of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Repurchases of common stock (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Repurchases of preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-289

'

Repurchases of preferred stock (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-299,000

'

Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Balances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

45

'

45

'

Balances (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

46,000

'

46,000

'

Common Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes in Shareholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

'

'

'

7

'

7

7

'

Balances (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

104,633,000

'

'

'

104,633,000

'

104,633,000

103,756,000

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Sales of joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Purchase of businesses or joint venture interests (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Other comprehensive income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Preferred stock dividends

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Repurchases of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Repurchases of common stock (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-7,095,000

-1,327,000

'

Repurchases of preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Repurchases of preferred stock (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,628,000

1,990,000

'

Balances

7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

'

'

7

7

7

7

Balances (in shares)

99,166,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

99,166,000

'

'

104,419,000

99,166,000

104,419,000

99,166,000

Additional Paid-in Capital

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes in Shareholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,471

'

'

'

4,471

'

4,471

4,427

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Sales of joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

53

'

'

Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Other comprehensive income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Preferred stock dividends

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-11

'

Repurchases of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Repurchases of preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38

21

'

Balances

4,562

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,562

'

'

4,437

4,562

4,437

4,562

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes in Shareholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-68

'

'

'

-68

'

-68

-52

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Sales of joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Other comprehensive income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

Preferred stock dividends

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Repurchases of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Repurchases of preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Balances

-68

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-68

'

'

-49

-68

-49

-68

Accumulated Deficit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes in Shareholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,288

'

'

'

-1,288

'

-1,288

-1,440

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-110

103

'

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Sales of joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Other comprehensive income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Preferred stock dividends

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Repurchases of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Repurchases of preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Balances

-1,398

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,398

'

'

-1,337

-1,398

-1,337

-1,398

Treasury Stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes in Shareholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,979

'

'

'

-1,979

'

-1,979

-1,853

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Sales of joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Other comprehensive income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Preferred stock dividends

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Repurchases of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-300

-26

'

Repurchases of preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

0

'

Balances

-2,278

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,278

'

'

-1,879

-2,278

-1,879

-2,278

Noncontrolling Interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes in Shareholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75

'

'

'

75

'

75

69

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

-24

'

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-16

-9

'

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

Sales of joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23

7

'

Other comprehensive income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Preferred stock dividends

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Repurchases of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Repurchases of preferred stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

Balances

$95

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$95

'

'

$45

$95

$45

$95

PROPERTY_AND_PROFESSIONAL_AND_1

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			Property Insurance	Professional and General Liability Insurance	Professional and General Liability Insurance	Professional and General Liability Insurance	Professional and General Liability Insurance
			April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2014			June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014	June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2013
Insurance coverage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Insurance coverage limit	'	'	$600	'	'	'	'
Insurance coverage limit per occurrence excluding floods, earthquakes, and windstorms	'	'	600	'	'	'	'
Annual aggregate sub-limits for floods and earthquakes covered under insurance policies	'	'	100	'	'	'	'
Annual aggregate sub-limits for windstorms covered under insurance policies	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Per-occurrence sub-limit for windstorms covered under insurance policies	'	'	100	'	'	'	'
Deductible for general claims (as a percent)	'	'	5.00%	'	'	'	'
General claims, maximum coverage	'	'	25	'	'	'	'
Deductible for other specific claims (as a percent)	'	'	2.00%	'	'	'	'
Other specific claims, maximum coverage	'	'	25	'	'	'	'
Other covered claims, minimum deductible	'	'	1	'	'	'	'
Self insurance reserve	'	'	'	329	356	'	'
Loss contingency, discount rate maturity (in years)	'	'	'	'P7Y	'P7Y	'	'
Risk-free rate (as a percent)	'	'	'	2.02%	1.18%	'	'
Self-insurance retention per occurrence	'	'	'	'	'	5	5
Insurance retention per occurrence	'	'	'	'	'	10	10
Insurance coverage, additional to aggregate self coverage	'	'	'	'	'	10	10
Aggregate self-insurance retentions per occurrence	'	'	'	'	'	15	15
Insurance coverage, percent reinsured	'	'	'	'	'	85.00%	80.00%
Insurance coverage, percent retained	'	'	'	'	'	15.00%	20.00%
Insurance coverage, maximum amount retained	'	'	'	'	'	1.5	2
Insurance coverage, additional to aggregate coverage	'	'	'	'	'	25	25
Insurance coverage, aggregate limit	'	'	'	'	'	175	175
Malpractice expense	$71	$81	'	'	'	'	'

CLAIMS_AND_LAWSUITS_Details

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jan. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2010

Jul. 31, 2010

Mar. 31, 2010

Mar. 31, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 24, 2013

Aug. 26, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Governmental Reviews

Governmental Reviews

Governmental Reviews

Governmental Reviews

Governmental Reviews

Governmental Reviews

Governmental Reviews

Hospital-Related Tort Claim

Hospital-Related Tort Claim

Hospital-Related Tort Claim

Vanguard Acquisition Lawsuits

Vanguard Acquisition Lawsuits

Ordinary Course Matters

Ordinary Course Matters

hospital

hospital

hospital

hospital

hospital

hospital

Vanguard

Maximum

person

Minimum

person

Loss Contingencies

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of hospitals which have received information requests from the DOJ regarding Kyphoplasty billing procedures

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Litigation reserve

$11,000,000

$10,000,000

$9,000,000

$66,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$3,000,000

'

'

'

$6,000,000

'

'

'

'

Number of hospitals under governmental review

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Settlement amount

'

'

'

'

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Damages, attorneys' fees, interest and expenses awarded to plaintiff

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in reserve

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Number of hospitals under Medicare claims review

'

'

'

'

'

32

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of hospitals under Medicare claims review not calculate estimate loss or range of loss

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of hospitals for which review of billing practices not completed by clinical expert

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of hospitals for which agreement with DOJ on appropriate review methodology has not been reached

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fees and expenses of the plaintiffs' counsel

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,000,000

'

'

Business acquisition share price (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$21

'

'

'

Number of persons in class action lawsuits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000

Number of persons identified in class certification process

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8

'

CLAIMS_AND_LAWSUITS_Details_2

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Loss Contingencies	'	'	'	'
Litigation reserve, Balances at Beginning of Period	'	'	$10	$66
Litigation and Investigation costs	1	0	3	3
Cash Payments	'	'	-4	-60
Litigation reserve, Balances at End of Period	11	9	11	9
Claims, lawsuits, and regulatory proceedings | Continuing operations	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies	'	'	'	'
Litigation reserve, Balances at Beginning of Period	'	'	5	49
Litigation and Investigation costs	'	'	3	3
Cash Payments	'	'	-3	-48
Litigation reserve, Balances at End of Period	5	4	5	4
Claims, lawsuits, and regulatory proceedings | Discontinued operations	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies	'	'	'	'
Litigation reserve, Balances at Beginning of Period	'	'	5	17
Litigation and Investigation costs	'	'	2	0
Cash Payments	'	'	-1	-12
Litigation reserve, Balances at End of Period	$6	$5	$6	$5

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
INCOME TAXES	'
Unrecognized federal and state tax benefits and reserves for interest and penalties, which may decrease in the next 12 months	$2
Continuing operations	'
INCOME TAXES	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	41
Unrecognized tax benefits which, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	38
Total accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits	$5

EARNINGS_LOSS_PER_COMMON_SHARE2

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic earnings per share	$33	$30	($106)	$129
Effect of dilutive stock options, and restricted stock units (in Weighted Average Shares)	100,894	104,244	102,669	103,613
Income (loss) available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common (Per-Share)	$0.33	$0.29	($1.03)	$1.25
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units	0	0	0	0
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units (in Weighted Average Shares)	2,204	3,067	0	3,291
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units (Per-Share)	($0.01)	($0.01)	$0	($0.04)
Income (loss) available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share, Income	$33	$30	($106)	$129
Income (loss) available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share (in Weighted Average Shares)	103,098	107,311	102,669	106,904
Income (loss) available to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted earnings per share (Per-Share)	$0.32	$0.28	($1.03)	$1.21
Effect of employee stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units on the diluted shares	'	'	2,256	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	1,226	3,711	827	3,711

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	'	'
Marketable securities-current	$1	$4
Investments in Reserve Yield Plus Fund	2	2
Marketable debt securities-noncurrent	11	14
Investments	14	20
Preferred stock and other securities held by captive insurance subsidiaries	1	'
Estimated fair value of the long-term debt instrument as a percentage of carrying value	99.40%	108.20%
Recurring basis | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	'	'
Marketable securities-current	1	4
Investments in Reserve Yield Plus Fund	0	0
Marketable debt securities-noncurrent	0	2
Investments	1	6
Recurring basis | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	'	'
Marketable securities-current	0	0
Investments in Reserve Yield Plus Fund	2	2
Marketable debt securities-noncurrent	10	11
Investments	12	13
Recurring basis | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	'	'
Marketable securities-current	0	0
Investments in Reserve Yield Plus Fund	0	0
Marketable debt securities-noncurrent	1	1
Investments	$1	$1

ACQUISITIONS_Details

ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities acquired	'	'
Goodwill	$1,120	$916
Acquisition-related costs for prospective and closed acquisitions	23	'
Series of individual business acquisition	'	'
Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities acquired	'	'
Current assets	4	'
Property and equipment	9	'
Goodwill	196	'
Current liabilities	-13	'
Long-term liabilities	-11	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	-10	'
Noncontrolling interests	-23	'
Net assets acquired	152	'
Total consideration paid	142	'
Gain on business combination	10	'
Ambulatory Surgery Centers	'	'
Business Acquisition	'	'
Number of ambulatory surgery centers	7	'
Number of ambulatory surgery centers where entity held noncontrolling interest	1	'
Fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities acquired	'	'
Gain on business combination	$23	'

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
			item
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Number of hospitals owned by subsidiaries	'	'	49	'	'
Number of licensed beds in hospitals operated by subsidiaries	'	'	13,180	'	'
Number of provider-based outpatient centers operated by subsidiaries	'	'	134	'	'
Number of Tenet and non-Tenet Hospitals and other health care organizations to which Conifer provided revenue cycle services	'	'	700	'	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	$9,337	'	$9,337	'	$9,044
Capital expenditures:	142	108	398	360	'
Net operating revenues	2,408	2,221	7,217	6,788	'
Adjusted EBITDA	288	269	898	867	'
Depreciation and amortization	119	110	354	314	'
Adjusted EBITDA	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	-20	-6	-45	-12	'
Litigation and investigation costs	-1	0	-3	-3	'
Interest expense	-91	-103	-292	-303	'
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	0	0	-348	0	'
Investment earnings	0	1	1	2	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	57	51	-143	237	'
Hospital Operations and other	'	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	9,092	'	9,092	'	8,825
Capital expenditures:	139	105	387	352	'
Net operating revenues	2,275	2,193	6,840	6,725	'
Adjusted EBITDA	252	245	802	793	'
Depreciation and amortization	114	108	339	307	'
Conifer	'	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	245	'	245	'	219
Capital expenditures:	3	3	11	8	'
Adjusted EBITDA	36	24	96	74	'
Depreciation and amortization	5	2	15	7	'
Operating segments	'	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues	2,500	2,315	7,495	7,062	'
Operating segments | Conifer | Tenet	'	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues	92	94	278	274	'
Operating segments | Conifer | Other customers	'	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues	133	28	377	63	'
Intercompany eliminations	'	'	'	'	'
SEGMENT INFORMATION	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating revenues	($92)	($94)	($278)	($274)	'

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended						0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 15, 2013	Oct. 02, 2013	Oct. 02, 2013	Oct. 02, 2013
	item		Revolving credit facility	Subsequent event	Subsequent event	Subsequent event	Subsequent event
				Revolving credit facility	8 1/8% senior unsecured notes due 2022	6% senior secured notes due 2020	Vanguard
							item
Subsequent event	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business acquisition share price (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	'	$21
Number of hospitals	2	'	'	'	'	'	28
Number of hospitals under development	'	'	'	'	'	'	1
Number of outpatient centers	'	'	'	'	'	'	39
Number of health plans	'	'	'	'	'	'	5
Number of members covered under the health plans	'	'	'	'	'	'	150,000
Cash paid	$142,000,000	$38,000,000	'	'	'	'	$4,300,000,000
Repay of net debt	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,500,000,000
Aggregate principal amount of notes sold	'	'	'	'	2,800,000,000	1,800,000,000	'
Interest rate, stated percentage	'	'	'	'	8.13%	6.00%	'
Maximum borrowing capacity before increase (decrease)	'	'	'	800,000,000	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	'	'	$800,000,000	$1,000,000,000	'	'	'