Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 26, 2016
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	TENET HEALTHCARE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000070318
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
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		99,635,674
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 649	$ 356
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	2,786	2,704
Inventories of supplies, at cost	322	309
Income tax receivable	11	7
Assets held for sale	17	550
Other current assets	1,331	1,245
Total current assets	5,116	5,171
Investments and other assets	1,324	1,175
Deferred income taxes	840	776
Property and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization ($4,957 at September 30, 2016 and $4,323 at December 31, 2015)	7,965	7,915
Goodwill	7,376	6,970
Other intangible assets, at cost, less accumulated amortization ($761 at September 30, 2016 and $659 at December 31, 2015)	1,853	1,675
Total assets	24,474	23,682
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	184	127
Accounts payable	1,228	1,380
Accrued compensation and benefits	809	880
Professional and general liability reserves	185	177
Accrued interest payable	308	205
Liabilities held for sale	13	101
Accrued legal settlement costs	527	294
Other current liabilities	1,293	1,144
Total current liabilities	4,547	4,308
Long-term debt, net of current portion	14,323	14,383
Professional and general liability reserves	620	578
Defined benefit plan obligations	586	595
Deferred income taxes	320	37
Other long-term liabilities	606	557
Total liabilities	21,002	20,458
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	2,307	2,266
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.05 par value; authorized 262,500,000 shares; 147,949,048 shares issued at September 30, 2016 and 146,920,454 shares issued at December 31, 2015	7	7
Additional paid-in capital	4,801	4,815
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(200)	(164)
Accumulated deficit	(1,663)	(1,550)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 48,420,844 shares at September 30, 2016 and 48,425,298 shares at December 31, 2015	(2,417)	(2,417)
Total shareholders' equity	528	691
Noncontrolling interests	637	267
Total equity	1,165	958
Total liabilities and equity	$ 24,474	$ 23,682

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$ 981	$ 887
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation and amortization (in dollars)	4,957	4,323
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$ 761	$ 659
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	147,949,048	146,920,454
Common stock in treasury, shares	48,420,844	48,425,298

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net operating revenues:
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 5,216	$ 5,063	$ 15,856	$ 14,694
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts	367	371	1,095	1,086
Net operating revenues	4,849	4,692	14,761	13,608
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	31	28	85	48
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits	2,314	2,258	7,032	6,568
Supplies	767	752	2,351	2,146
Other operating expenses, net	1,231	1,151	3,686	3,325
Electronic health record incentives	(2)	(7)	(23)	(46)
Depreciation and amortization	205	185	632	589
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	31	44	81	266
Litigation and investigation costs	4	50	291	67
Gains on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities	(3)		(151)
Operating income	333	287	947	741
Interest expense	(243)	(248)	(730)	(664)
Investment earnings (losses)	(1)	1	2
Net income from continuing operations, before income taxes	89	40	219	77
Income tax expense	(10)	(11)	(61)
Net income from continuing operations, before discontinued operations	79	29	158	77
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from operations	2	(1)	(5)	(1)
Income tax expense	(1)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	1	(1)	(5)	(1)
Net income	80	28	153	76
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	88	57	266	119
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders	(8)	(29)	(113)	(43)
Amounts available (attributable) to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders
Net loss from continuing operations, net of tax	(9)	(28)	(108)	(42)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1	(1)	(5)	(1)
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders	$ (8)	$ (29)	$ (113)	$ (43)
Basic
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.28)	$ (1.09)	$ (0.42)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.01	(0.01)	(0.05)	(0.01)
Total loss per share, Basic (in dollars per share)	(0.08)	(0.29)	(1.14)	(0.43)
Diluted
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.09)	(0.28)	(1.09)	(0.42)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.01	(0.01)	(0.05)	(0.01)
Total loss per share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.29)	$ (1.14)	$ (0.43)
Weighted average shares and dilutive securities outstanding (in thousands):
Basic (in shares)	99,523	99,537	99,210	99,160
Diluted (in shares)	99,523	99,537	99,210	99,160

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income	$ 80	$ 28	$ 153	$ 76
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit costs	5	3	8	8
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities held as available-for-sale	2	(2)	3	(1)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(3)	3	(44)	3
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	4	4	(33)	10
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	(1)		(3)	(1)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3	4	(36)	9
Comprehensive net income	83	32	117	85
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	88	57	266	119
Comprehensive loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders	$ (5)	$ (25)	$ (149)	$ (34)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Net income	$ 153	$ 76
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	632	589
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,095	1,086
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	32	(10)
Stock-based compensation expense	51	50
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	81	266
Litigation and investigation costs	291	67
Gains on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities	(151)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions received	2	(48)
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs	33	32
Pre-tax loss from discontinued operations	5	1
Other items, net	(3)	22
Changes in cash from operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(1,156)	(1,124)
Inventories and other current assets	(95)	(62)
Income taxes	(1)	(5)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(35)	39
Other long-term liabilities	48	31
Payments for restructuring charges, acquisition-related costs, and litigation costs and settlements	(132)	(157)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations, excluding income taxes	1	(18)
Net cash provided by operating activities	851	835
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment - continuing operations	(614)	(566)
Purchases of businesses or joint venture interests, net of cash acquired	(96)	(720)
Proceeds from sales of facilities and other assets	573	28
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities, long-term investments and other assets	36	18
Purchases of equity investments	(37)	(18)
Other long-term assets	(15)	(6)
Other items, net	3	(8)
Net cash used in investing activities	(150)	(1,272)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of borrowings under credit facility	(1,195)	(1,880)
Proceeds from borrowings under credit facility	1,195	1,770
Repayments of other borrowings	(112)	(2,011)
Proceeds from other borrowings	4	3,208
Debt issuance costs	(1)	(76)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(151)	(65)
Proceeds from sale of noncontrolling interests	19	4
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(180)	(254)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	4	15
Other items, net	9	(17)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(408)	694
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	293	257
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	356	193
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	649	450
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	(596)	(519)
Income tax payments, net	$ (33)	$ (6)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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,” “we” or “us”) is a diversified healthcare services company. At September 30, 2016, we operated 79 hospitals, 20 short-stay surgical hospitals, approximately 470 outpatient centers, nine facilities in the United Kingdom and six health plans (certain of which are classified as held for sale, as described in Note 3) through our subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures, including USPI Holding Company, Inc. (“USPI joint venture”). We hold noncontrolling interests in 129 facilities, which are recorded using the equity method of accounting. Our Conifer Holdings, Inc. (“Conifer”) subsidiary provides healthcare business process services in the areas of revenue cycle management and technology-enabled performance improvement and health management solutions to health systems, as well as individual hospitals, physician practices, self-insured organizations, health plans and other entities.

This quarterly report supplements our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (“Annual Report”). As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim reporting, we have omitted certain notes and disclosures that substantially duplicate those in our Annual Report. For further information, refer to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes included in our Annual Report. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial and statistical data included in these notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements relate to our continuing operations, with dollar amounts expressed in millions (except per-share amounts). 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 are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and these accompanying notes. We regularly evaluate the accounting policies and estimates we use. In general, we base the estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable given the particular circumstances in which we operate. Actual results may vary from those estimates. Financial and statistical information we report to other regulatory agencies may be prepared on a basis other than GAAP or using different assumptions or reporting periods and, therefore, may vary from amounts presented herein. Although we make every effort to ensure that the information we report to those agencies is accurate, complete and consistent with applicable reporting guidelines, we cannot be responsible for the accuracy of the information they make available to the public.

Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. Reasons for this include, but are not limited to: overall revenue and cost trends, particularly the timing and magnitude of price changes; fluctuations in contractual allowances and cost report settlements and valuation allowances; managed care contract negotiations, settlements or terminations and payer consolidations; changes in Medicare and Medicaid regulations; Medicaid and other supplemental funding levels set by the states in which we operate; the timing of approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of Medicaid provider fee revenue programs; trends in patient accounts receivable collectability and associated provisions for doubtful accounts; fluctuations in interest rates; levels of malpractice insurance expense and settlement trends; the number of covered lives managed by our health plans and the plans’ ability to effectively manage medical costs; the timing of when we meet the criteria to recognize electronic health record incentives; impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill; restructuring charges; losses, costs and insurance recoveries related to natural disasters and other weather-related occurrences; litigation and investigation costs; acquisitions and dispositions of facilities and other assets; 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 healthcare facilities include, but are not limited to: the business environment, economic conditions and demographics of local communities in which we operate; the number of uninsured and underinsured individuals in local communities treated at our hospitals; seasonal cycles of illness; climate and weather conditions; physician recruitment, retention and attrition; advances in technology and treatments that reduce length of stay; local healthcare competitors; managed care contract negotiations or terminations; the number of patients with high-deductible health insurance plans; any unfavorable publicity about us, or our joint venture partners, that impacts our relationships with physicians and patients; changes in healthcare 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.

Translation of Foreign Currencies

The accounts of European Surgical Partners, Limited (“Aspen”) were measured in its local currency (the pound sterling) and then translated into U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities were translated using the current rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. Results of operations were translated using the average rates prevailing throughout the period of operations. Translation gains or losses resulting from changes in exchange rates are accumulated in shareholders’ equity.

Net Operating Revenues Before 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 our Compact with Uninsured Patients and other uninsured discount and charity programs.

The table below shows the sources of net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts from continuing operations:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
General Hospitals:
Medicare	$	809	$	817	$	2,547	$	2,565
Medicaid		342		361		1,013		1,095
Managed care		2,599		2,514		7,632		7,420
Indemnity, self-pay and other		311		426		1,212		1,247
Acute care hospitals — other revenue		4		11		25		39
Other:
Other operations		1,151		934		3,427		2,328
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$	5,216	$	5,063	$	15,856	$	14,694

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 $649 million and $356 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our book overdrafts were approximately $201 million and $301 million, respectively, which were classified as accounts payable.

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, approximately $201 million and $171 million, respectively, of total cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were intended for the operations of our captive insurance subsidiaries and our health plan-related businesses.

Also at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had $123 million and $133 million, respectively, of property and equipment purchases accrued for items received but not yet paid. Of these amounts, $78 million and $95 million, respectively, were included in accounts payable.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we entered into non-cancellable capital leases of approximately $110 million and $113 million, respectively, primarily for buildings and equipment.

Other Intangible Assets

The following tables provide information regarding other intangible assets, which are included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:


	Gross
	Carrying		Accumulated		Net Book
	Amount		Amortization		Value
At September 30, 2016:
Capitalized software costs	$	1,565	$	(677)	$	888
Trade names		106		—		106
Contracts		847		(39)		808
Other		96		(45)		51
Total	$	2,614	$	(761)	$	1,853


	Gross
	Carrying		Accumulated		Net Book
	Amount		Amortization		Value
At December 31, 2015:
Capitalized software costs	$	1,456	$	(594)	$	862
Trade names		106		—		106
Contracts		653		(26)		627
Other		119		(39)		80
Total	$	2,334	$	(659)	$	1,675

Estimated future amortization of intangibles with finite useful lives at September 30, 2016 is as follows:


			Years Ending December 31,										Later
	Total		2016		2017		2018		2019		2020		Years
Amortization of intangible assets	$	1,196	$	41	$	178	$	164	$	131	$	116	$	566

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

We control 216 of the facilities operated by our Ambulatory Care segment and, therefore, consolidate their results (212 are consolidated within our Ambulatory Care segment and four are consolidated within our Hospital Operations and other segment). We account for many of the facilities our Ambulatory Care segment operates (114 of 330 at September 30, 2016) and four of the hospitals our Hospital Operations and other segment operates under the equity method as investments in unconsolidated affiliates and report only our share of net income attributable to the investee as equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Summarized financial information for these equity method investees is included in the following table.


	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,
	2016		2016
Net operating revenues	$	610	$	1,803
Net income	$	129	$	364
Net income attributable to the investees	$	83	$	241

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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,
	2016		2015
Continuing operations:
Patient accounts receivable	$	3,666	$	3,486
Allowance for doubtful accounts		(981)		(887)
Estimated future recoveries		141		144
Net cost reports and settlements payable and valuation allowances		(42)		(42)
		2,784		2,701
Discontinued operations		2		3
Accounts receivable, net	$	2,786	$	2,704

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our allowance for doubtful accounts was 26.8% and 25.4%, respectively, of our patient accounts receivable. Accounts that are pursued for collection through Conifer’s regional business offices are maintained on our hospitals’ books and reflected in patient accounts receivable with an allowance for doubtful accounts established to reduce the carrying value of such receivables to their estimated net realizable value. Generally, we estimate this allowance based on the aging of our accounts receivable by hospital, our historical collection experience by hospital and for each type of payer, and other relevant factors. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our allowance for doubtful accounts for self-pay was 83.0% and 80.6%, respectively, of our self-pay patient accounts receivable, including co-pays and deductibles owed by patients with insurance. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our allowance for doubtful accounts for managed care was 9.7% and 7.5%, respectively, of our managed care patient accounts receivable.

We also provide charity care to patients who are financially unable to pay for the healthcare services they receive. Most patients who qualify for charity care are charged a per-diem amount for services received, subject to a cap. Except for the per-diem amounts, our policy is not to pursue collection of amounts determined to qualify as charity care; therefore, we do not report these amounts in net operating revenues. Most states include an estimate of the cost of charity care in the determination of a hospital’s eligibility for Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (“DSH”) payments. These payments are intended to mitigate our cost of uncompensated care, as well as reduced Medicaid funding levels. The table below shows 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 and charity care patients, and revenues attributable to Medicaid DSH and other supplemental revenues we recognized in three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Estimated costs for:
Self-pay patients	$	167	$	171	$	477	$	503
Charity care patients	$	37	$	50	$	109	$	123
Medicaid DSH and other supplemental revenues	$	249	$	208	$	691	$	675

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had approximately $561 million and $387 million, respectively, of receivables recorded in other current assets and approximately $176 million and $139 million, respectively, of payables recorded in other current liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related to California’s provider fee program.

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE	9 Months Ended
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE	Sep. 30, 2016
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE	NOTE 3. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE In the three months ended September 30, 2016, certain of our health plan assets and liabilities met the criteria to be classified as held for sale. In accordance with the guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment,” we classified $16 million of our health plan assets as “assets held for sale” in current assets and $13 million of our health plan liabilities as “liabilities held for sale” in current liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2016. Our hospitals, physician practices and related assets in Georgia met the criteria to be classified as assets held for sale in the three months ended June 30, 2015. In accordance with ASC 360, we classified $549 million of our assets in Georgia as “assets held for sale” in current assets and $101 million of our liabilities in Georgia as “liabilities held for sale” in current liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2015. We completed the sale of our Georgia assets on March 31, 2016 at a transaction price of approximately $575 million and recognized a gain on sale of approximately $113 million. Because we did not sell the related accounts receivable with respect to the pre-closing period, net receivables of approximately $61 million are included in accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2016.

- Definition

The entire disclosure related to a disposal group. Includes, but is not limited to, a discontinued operation, disposal classified as held-for-sale or disposed of by means other than sale or disposal of an individually significant component.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65878427&loc=SL51721533-107759

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721665-107760

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721675-107760

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64862545&loc=SL51724579-110230

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721663-107760

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64862545&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=d3e1361-107760

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721673-107760

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721659-107760

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721671-107760

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5D
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721677-107760

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=d3e1474-107760

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721683-107760

+ Details

IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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, 2016, we recorded impairment and restructuring charges and acquisition-related costs of $81 million primarily related to our Hospital Operations and other segment, consisting of approximately $2 million to write-down other intangible assets, $26 million of employee severance costs, $9 million of restructuring costs, $4 million of contract and lease termination fees, and $40 million in acquisition-related costs, which include $5 million of transaction costs and $35 million of acquisition integration charges.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded impairment and restructuring charges and acquisition-related costs of $266 million, consisting of a $147 million charge to write-down assets held for sale to their estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell, as a result of us entering into a definitive agreement for the sale of Saint Louis University Hospital in the period, $16 million of employee severance costs, $5 million of restructuring costs, $15 million of contract and lease termination fees, and $83 million in acquisition-related costs, which include $48 million of transaction costs and $35 million of acquisition integration charges.

Our impairment tests presume stable, improving or, in some cases, declining operating results in our facilities, which are based on programs and initiatives being implemented that are designed to achieve the facility’s most recent projections. If these projections are not met, or if in the future negative trends occur that impact our future outlook, impairments of long-lived assets and goodwill may occur, and we may incur additional restructuring charges, which could be material.

At September 30, 2016, our continuing operations consisted of three reportable segments, Hospital Operations and other, Ambulatory Care and Conifer. Within our Hospital Operations and other segment, our regions and markets are reporting units used to perform our goodwill impairment analysis and are one level below our reportable business segment level. Our Ambulatory Care segment consists of the operations of our USPI joint venture and our Aspen facilities.

Our Hospital Operations and other segment was structured as follows at September 30, 2016:

·

Our Florida region included all of our hospitals and other operations in Florida;

·

Our Northeast region included all of our hospitals and other operations in Illinois, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania;

·

Our Southern region included all of our hospitals and other operations in Alabama, Missouri, South Carolina and Tennessee;

·

Our Texas region included all of our hospitals and other operations in New Mexico and Texas;

·

Our Western region included all of our hospitals and other operations in Arizona and California; and

·

Our Detroit market included all of our hospitals and other operations in the Detroit, Michigan area.

We periodically incur costs to implement restructuring efforts for specific operations, which are recorded in our statement of operations as they are incurred. Our restructuring plans focus on various aspects of operations, including aligning our operations in the most strategic and cost-effective structure. Certain restructuring and acquisition-related costs are based on estimates. Changes in estimates are recognized as they occur.

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2016		2015
Senior notes:
5% due 2019	$	1,100	$	1,100
51/2% due 2019		500		500
63/4% due 2020		300		300
8% due 2020		750		750
81/8% due 2022		2,800		2,800
63/4% due 2023		1,900		1,900
67/8% due 2031		430		430
Senior secured notes:
61/4% due 2018		1,041		1,041
43/4% due 2020		500		500
6% due 2020		1,800		1,800
Floating % due 2020		900		900
41/2% due 2021		850		850
43/8% due 2021		1,050		1,050
Capital leases and mortgage notes		818		852
Unamortized issue costs, note discounts and premiums		(232)		(263)
Total long-term debt		14,507		14,510
Less current portion		184		127
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	14,323	$	14,383

Credit Agreement

On December 4, 2015, we entered into an amendment to our existing senior secured revolving credit facility (as amended, “Credit Agreement”) in order to, among other things, (i) extend the scheduled maturity date of the facility, (ii) reduce the rates of certain interest and fees payable under the facility, and (iii) remove certain restrictions with respect to the borrowing base eligibility of certain accounts receivable. The Credit Agreement provides, subject to borrowing availability, for revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1 billion, with a $300 million subfacility for standby letters of credit. The Credit Agreement, which has a scheduled maturity date of December 4, 2020, is collateralized by patient accounts receivable of substantially all of our domestic wholly owned hospitals. In addition, borrowings under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by substantially all of our wholly owned domestic hospital subsidiaries. Outstanding revolving loans accrue interest at a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum or the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% per annum, in each case based on available credit. An unused commitment fee payable on the undrawn portion of the revolving loans ranges from 0.25% to 0.375% per annum based on available credit. Our borrowing availability is based on a specified percentage of eligible accounts receivable, including self-pay accounts. At September 30, 2016, we had no cash borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement, and we had approximately $2 million of standby letters of credit outstanding. Based on our eligible receivables, approximately $998 million was available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement at September 30, 2016.

Letter of Credit Facility

We have a letter of credit facility that provides for the issuance of standby and documentary letters of credit, from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $180 million (subject to increase to up to $200 million). On September 15, 2016, we entered into an amendment to our existing letter of credit facility agreement (as amended, “LC Facility”) in order to, among other things, (i) extend the scheduled maturity date of the LC Facility to March 7, 2021, (ii) reduce the margin payable with respect to unreimbursed drawings under letters of credit issued under the LC Facility and with respect to undrawn letters of credit issued under the LC Facility, and (iii) reduce the commitment fee payable with respect to the undrawn portion of the commitments under the LC Facility. Obligations under the LC Facility are guaranteed by and secured by a first priority pledge of the capital stock and other ownership interests of certain of our domestic hospital subsidiaries on an equal ranking basis with our existing senior secured notes.

Drawings under any letter of credit issued under the LC Facility that we have not reimbursed within three business days after notice thereof will accrue interest at a base rate plus a margin equal to 0.50% per annum. An unused commitment fee is payable at an initial rate of 0.25% per annum with a step up to 0.375% per annum should our secured debt to EBITDA ratio equal or exceed 3.00 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal quarter. A fee on the aggregate outstanding amount of issued but undrawn letters of credit will accrue at a rate of 1.50% per annum. An issuance fee equal to 0.125% per annum of the aggregate face amount of each outstanding letter of credit is payable to the account of the issuer of the related letter of credit. At September 30, 2016, we had approximately $144 million of standby letters of credit outstanding under the LC Facility.

GUARANTEES	9 Months Ended
GUARANTEES	Sep. 30, 2016
GUARANTEES
GUARANTEES	NOTE 6. GUARANTEES At September 30, 2016, 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 $90 million. We had a total liability of $82 million recorded for these guarantees included in other current liabilities at September 30, 2016. At September 30, 2016, we also had issued guarantees of the indebtedness and other obligations of our investees to third parties, the maximum potential amount of future payments under which was approximately $28 million. Of the total, $15 million relates to the obligations of consolidated subsidiaries, which obligations are recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2016.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

NOTE 7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

At September 30, 2016, approximately 7.1 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 time-based restricted stock units typically vest one-third on each of the first three anniversary dates of the grant; however, certain special retention awards may have longer vesting periods. In addition, we grant performance-based restricted stock units (and, in prior years, have granted performance-based options) that vest subject to the achievement of specified performance goals within a specified timeframe.

Our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 include $46 million and $52 million, respectively, of pre-tax compensation costs related to our stock-based compensation arrangements recorded in salaries, wages and benefits.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2016:


		Weighted Average
		Exercise Price		Aggregate		Weighted Average
	Options	Per Share		Intrinsic Value		Remaining Life
					(In Millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	1,606,842	$	22.87
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(110,715)		18.00
Forfeited/Expired	(53,456)		20.20
Outstanding at September 30, 2016	1,442,671	$	22.79	$	5	2.4	years
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2016	1,442,671	$	22.79	$	5	2.4	years
Exercisable at September 30, 2016	1,442,671	$	22.79	$	5	2.4	years

There were 110,715 stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 with an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $1 million, and 321,619 stock options exercised during the same period in 2015 with an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $8 million.

At September 30, 2016, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options. Also, there were no stock options granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 or 2015.

The following table summarizes information about our outstanding stock options at September 30, 2016:


	Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable
		Weighted Average
	Number of	Remaining		Weighted Average		Number of	Weighted Average
Range of Exercise Prices	Options	Contractual Life		Exercise Price		Options	Exercise Price
$0.00 to $4.569	178,969	2.4	years	$	4.56	178,969	$	4.56
$4.57 to $25.089	827,315	3.1	years		20.85	827,315		20.85
$25.09 to $32.569	182,000	0.4	years		26.40	182,000		26.40
$32.57 to $42.529	254,387	1.4	years		39.31	254,387		39.31
	1,442,671	2.4	years	$	22.79	1,442,671	$	22.79

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2016:


	Restricted Stock	Weighted Average Grant
	Units	Date Fair Value Per Unit
Unvested at December 31, 2015	3,627,232	$	44.69
Granted	1,584,063		30.43
Vested	(1,542,039)		43.18
Forfeited	(348,694)		33.92
Unvested at September 30, 2016	3,320,562	$	38.54

In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we granted 717,277 restricted stock units subject to time-vesting, of which 484,295 will vest and be settled ratably over a three-year period from the grant date, 57,139 will vest and be settled on the third anniversary of the grant date, and 175,843 will vest and be settled on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. In addition, in May 2016, we made an annual grant of 90,105 restricted stock units to our non-employee directors for the 2016-2017 board service year, which units vested immediately and will settle in shares of our common stock on the third anniversary of the date of the grant. In January 2016, following the appointment of two new members of our Board of Directors, we also made initial grants totaling 5,084 restricted stock units to these directors, as well as prorated annual grants totaling 5,614 restricted stock units. Both the initial grants and the annual grants vested immediately, however the initial grants will not settle until the directors’ separation from the Board, while the annual grants settle on the third anniversary of the grant date. In addition, we granted 474,443 performance-based restricted stock units to certain of our senior officers; the vesting of these restricted stock units is contingent on our achievement of specified three-year performance goals for the years 2016 to 2018. Provided the goals are achieved, the performance-based restricted stock units will vest and settle on the third anniversary of the grant date. The actual number of performance-based restricted stock units that could vest will range from 0% to 200% of the 474,443 units granted, depending on our level of achievement with respect to the performance goals. Moreover, in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we granted 291,540 restricted stock units as a result of our level of achievement with respect to prior-year target performance goals.

At September 30, 2016, there were $83 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted stock units. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References + Details

EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

EQUITY

EQUITY

NOTE 8. EQUITY

Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

The following table shows the changes in consolidated equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (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
	Outstanding	Amount		Capital		Loss		Deficit		Stock		Interests		Total Equity
Balances at December 31, 2015	98,495	$	7	$	4,815	$	(164)	$	(1,550)	$	(2,417)	$	267	$	958
Net income (loss)	—		—		—		—		(113)		—		96		(17)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	—		—		—		—		—		—		(82)		(82)
Other comprehensive loss	—		—		—		(36)		—		—		—		(36)
Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests	—		—		(43)		—		—		—		119		76
Purchase accounting adjustments	—		—		—		—		—		—		237		237
Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefit and issuance of common stock	1,033		—		29		—		—		—		—		29
Balances at September 30, 2016	99,528	$	7	$	4,801	$	(200)	$	(1,663)	$	(2,417)	$	637	$	1,165

Balances at December 31, 2014	98,382	$	7	$	4,614	$	(182)	$	(1,410)	$	(2,378)	$	134	$	785
Net income (loss)	—		—		—		—		(43)		—		33		(10)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	—		—		—		—		—		—		(35)		(35)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	—		—		—		—		—		—		2		2
Other comprehensive income	—		—		—		9		—		—		—		9
Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests	—		—		130		—		—		—		82		212
Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock	1,210		—		54		—		—		1		—		55
Balances at September 30, 2015	99,592	$	7	$	4,798	$	(173)	$	(1,453)	$	(2,377)	$	216	$	1,018

Our noncontrolling interests balances at September 30, 2016 and 2015 in the table above were comprised of $99 million and $37 million, respectively, from our Hospital Operations and other segment, and $538 million and $179 million, respectively, from our Ambulatory Care segment. Our net income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the table above were comprised of $8 million and $21 million, respectively, from our Hospital Operations and other segment, and $88 million and $12 million, respectively, from our Ambulatory Care segment.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.E)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74567-122707

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(29))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21488-112644

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(31))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 4.C)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187143-122770

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(30))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405834&loc=d3e23285-112656

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Preferred Stock
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21564-112644

+ Details

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 policy period April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017, 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 $200 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 Reserves At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the aggregate current and long-term professional and general liability reserves in our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were approximately $805 million and $755 million, respectively. These reserves include the reserves recorded by our captive insurance subsidiaries and our self-insured retention reserves recorded based on modeled estimates for the portion of our professional and general liability risks, including incurred but not reported claims, for which we do not have insurance coverage. We estimated the reserves for losses and related expenses using expected loss-reporting patterns discounted to their present value under a risk-free rate approach using a Federal Reserve seven-year maturity rate of 1.42% at September 30, 2016 and 2.09% at December 31, 2015. If the aggregate limit of any of our professional and general liability policies is exhausted, in whole or in part, it could deplete or reduce the limits available to pay any other material claims applicable to that policy period. Included in other operating expenses, net, in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is malpractice expense of $233 million and $202 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS

NOTE 10. CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS

We operate in a highly regulated and litigious industry. Healthcare companies are subject to numerous investigations by various governmental agencies. Further, private parties have the right to bring qui tam or “whistleblower” lawsuits against companies that allegedly submit false claims for payments to, or improperly retain overpayments from, the government and, in some states, private payers. We and our subsidiaries have received inquiries in recent years from government agencies, and we may receive similar inquiries in future periods. We are also subject to class action lawsuits, employment-related claims and other legal actions in the ordinary course of business. Some of these actions may involve large demands, as well as substantial defense costs. We cannot predict the outcome of current or future legal actions against us or the effect that judgments or settlements in such matters may have on us.

We record accruals for estimated losses relating to claims and lawsuits when available information indicates that a loss is probable and we can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss or a range of loss. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of the probability of a loss and the determination as to whether a loss is reasonably estimable. These determinations are updated at least quarterly and are adjusted to reflect the effects of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and technical experts, and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. If a loss on a material matter is reasonably possible and estimable, we disclose an estimate of the loss or a range of loss. In cases where we have not disclosed an estimate, we have concluded that the loss is either not reasonably possible or the loss, or a range of loss, is not reasonably estimable, based on available information.

Resolution of Clinica de la Mama Qui Tam Action and Criminal Investigation

As previously disclosed, on September 30, 2016, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, including Tenet HealthSystem Medical, Inc. (“THSMI”), Atlanta Medical Center, Inc. (“AMCI”) and North Fulton Medical Center, Inc. (“NFMCI”), executed agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and others to resolve the Clinica de la Mama civil qui tam litigation and criminal investigation. For additional information regarding these matters, we refer you to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2016, which summarizes the terms and conditions, and includes copies, of the resolution agreements.

On October 19, 2016, in accordance with the terms of the resolution agreements, AMCI and NFMCI pled guilty before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia to conspiring to violate the federal anti-kickback statute and defraud the United States. On October 28, 2016, in accordance with the resolution agreements, AMCI and NFMCI paid forfeiture money judgments in the total amount of approximately $146 million to the United States. In addition, on November 2, 2016, the Company will pay approximately $372 million (which is comprised of the settlement amount of $368 million, approximately $1.7 million in interest, and approximately $1.9 million in relator’s attorneys’ fees and costs) to resolve the civil qui tam litigation captioned United States of America, ex rel. Ralph D. Williams v. Health Management Associates, Inc., et al., which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. We increased our reserves in the three months ended September 30, 2016 from $516 million to $517 million to reflect updated interest and fee amounts to be paid by us in connection with the resolution of the civil qui tam litigation. We funded the forfeiture money judgments, and will fund the civil monetary payment, through general corporate sources of liquidity, including cash and borrowings under our Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the previously disclosed Non-Prosecution Agreement (“NPA”) with the DOJ’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia (together, the “Offices”), THSMI and the Company have agreed to cooperate fully with the Offices in any matters relating to the conduct described in the NPA and other conduct under investigation by the Offices at any time during the term of the NPA, and the Company has agreed to retain an independent compliance monitor to assess, oversee and monitor the Company’s compliance with its obligations under the NPA. The term of the NPA will be three years from the date on which the monitor is retained, unless the NPA is extended or terminated early. The foregoing description of the NPA is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of that agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on October 3, 2016.

Among other things, the terms of the NPA provide that if, during its term, THSMI commits any felony under federal law, or if the Company commits any felony related to the federal anti-kickback statute, or if THSMI or the Company fail to cooperate or otherwise fail to fulfill the obligations set forth in the NPA, then THSMI, the Company and their affiliates shall be subject to prosecution for any federal criminal violation of which the Offices have knowledge, including, but not limited to, the conduct described in the NPA. The Offices retain sole discretion over determining whether there has been a breach of the NPA and whether to pursue prosecution.

Shareholder Litigation

On October 7, 2016, a purported shareholder filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against the Company and several current and former executive officers in a matter captioned Pennington v. Tenet Healthcare Corporation, et al. On October 10, 2016, a second purported shareholder filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas (Dallas Division) against THC and two current executive officers in a matter captioned Yamany v. Tenet Healthcare Corporation, et al. Both lawsuits seek class certification on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s common stock. In addition, both complaints allege that false or misleading statements or omissions concerning the Company’s financial performance and compliance policies, specifically with respect to the Clinica de la Mama matters, caused the price of THC’s common stock to be artificially inflated. No lead plaintiff has been appointed in either of these cases, which the Company believes will be consolidated into a single proceeding. No action is required of the defendants until the appointment of a lead plaintiff. The Company believes the allegations in these cases are without merit, and it intends to vigorously defend against them.

Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit Filed by Registered Nurses in San Antonio

In Maderazo, et al. v. VHS San Antonio Partners, L.P. d/b/a Baptist Health Systems, et al., filed in June 2006 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, a purported class of registered nurses employed by three unaffiliated San Antonio-area hospital systems allege those hospital systems, including Baptist Health System, and other unidentified San Antonio regional hospitals violated Section §1 of the federal Sherman Act by conspiring to depress nurses’ compensation and exchanging compensation-related information among themselves in a manner that reduced competition and suppressed the wages paid to such nurses. The suit seeks unspecified damages (subject to trebling under federal law), interest, costs and attorneys’ fees. The case had been stayed since 2008; however, in July 2015, the court lifted the stay and re-opened discovery. We will continue to seek to defeat class certification and vigorously defend ourselves against the plaintiffs’ allegations. Because these proceedings remain at an early stage, it is impossible at this time to predict their outcome with any certainty; however, we believe that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Ordinary Course Matters

We are also subject to other claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including potential claims related to, among other things, the care and treatment provided at our hospitals and outpatient facilities, the application of various federal and state labor laws, tax audits and other matters. Although the results of these claims and lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the ultimate resolution of these ordinary course claims and lawsuits will not have a material effect on our business or financial condition.

New claims or inquiries may be initiated against us from time to time. These matters could (1) require us to pay substantial damages or amounts in judgments or settlements, which, individually or in the aggregate, could exceed amounts, if any, that may be recovered under our insurance policies where coverage applies and is available, (2) cause us to incur substantial expenses, (3) require significant time and attention from our management, and (4) cause us to close or sell hospitals or otherwise modify the way we conduct business.

The table below presents reconciliations of the beginning and ending liability balances in connection with legal settlements and related costs recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:


	Balances at		Litigation and						Balances at
	Beginning		Investigation		Cash				End of
	of Period		Costs		Payments		Other		Period
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Continuing operations	$	299	$	291	$	(59)	$	—	$	531
Discontinued operations		—		—		—		—		—
	$	299	$	291	$	(59)	$	—	$	531

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Continuing operations	$	73	$	67	$	(49)	$	2	$	93
Discontinued operations		10		(3)		(8)		1		—
	$	83	$	64	$	(57)	$	3	$	93

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we recorded costs of $291 million and $67 million, respectively, in continuing operations in connection with significant legal proceedings and governmental reviews. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we reduced a previously established reserve for a legal matter in discontinued operations by approximately $3 million based on updated claims information.

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

NOTE 11. REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

As previously disclosed, as part of the formation of our USPI joint venture in 2015, we entered into a put/call agreement (the “Put/Call Agreement”) with respect to the equity interests in the joint venture held by our joint venture partners. Each year starting in 2016, our joint venture partners must put to us at least 12.5%, and may put up to 25%, of the equity held by them in the joint venture immediately after the closing. In January 2016, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, on behalf of our joint venture partners, delivered a put notice for the minimum number of shares they were required to put to us in 2016 according to the Put/Call Agreement. In April 2016, we paid approximately $127 million to purchase these shares, which increased our ownership interest in the USPI joint venture to approximately 56.3%.

The following table shows the changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:


	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2016		2015
Balances at beginning of period	$	2,266	$	401
Net income		170		86
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests		(69)		(30)
Purchase accounting adjustments		(47)		—
Purchases and sales of businesses and noncontrolling interests, net		(13)		1,225
Balances at end of period	$	2,307	$	1,682

Our redeemable noncontrolling interests balances at September 30, 2016 and 2015 in the table above were comprised of $526 million and $142 million, respectively, from our Hospital Operations and other segment, $1.637 billion and $1.446 billion, respectively, from our Ambulatory Care segment, and $144 million and $94 million, respectively, from our Conifer segment. Our net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in the table above were comprised of $16 million and $8 million, respectively, from our Hospital Operations and other segment, $116 million and $40 million, respectively, from our Ambulatory Care segment, and $38 million and $38 million, respectively, from our Conifer segment.

INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

NOTE 12. INCOME TAXES

During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we recorded income tax expense of $10 million in continuing operations on pre-tax income of $89 million, compared to income tax expense of $11 million on pre-tax income of $40 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recorded income tax expense of $61 million in continuing operations on pre-tax income of $219 million, compared to no income tax expense on pre-tax income of $77 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The reconciliation between the amount of recorded income tax expense (benefit) and the amount calculated at the statutory federal tax rate is shown below.


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Tax expense at statutory federal rate of 35%	$	31	$	14	$	77	$	27
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		3		4		10		11
Tax attributable to noncontrolling interests		(28)		(11)		(75)		(33)
Nondeductible goodwill		—		—		29		—
Nontaxable gains		(1)		—		(18)		—
Nondeductible litigation		4		—		37		—
Change in tax contingency reserves, including interest		(1)		—		(4)		1
Amendment of prior-year tax returns		—		—		—		(17)
Other items		2		4		5		11
	$	10	$	11	$	61	$	—

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we decreased our estimated liabilities for uncertain tax positions by $4 million, net of related deferred tax assets. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2016 was $37 million, of which $34 million, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate and income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations.

Our practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Total accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2016 were $5 million, all of which related to continuing operations.

At September 30, 2016, approximately $6 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.

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

NOTE 13. LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of our basic and diluted loss per common share calculations for our continuing operations for three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. Loss attributable to our common shareholders is expressed in millions and weighted average shares are expressed in thousands.


	Loss Attributable
	to Common		Weighted
	Shareholders		Average Shares	Per-Share
	(Numerator)		(Denominator)	Amount
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$	(9)	99,523	$	(0.09)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units		—	—		—
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$	(9)	99,523	$	(0.09)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$	(28)	99,537	$	(0.28)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units		—	—		—
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$	(28)	99,537	$	(0.28)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$	(108)	99,210	$	(1.09)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units		—	—		—
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$	(108)	99,210	$	(1.09)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$	(42)	99,160	$	(0.42)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units		—	—		—
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$	(42)	99,160	$	(0.42)

All potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 because we did not report income from continuing operations available to common shareholders in those periods. In circumstances where we do not have income from continuing operations available to common shareholders, the effect of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities is anti-dilutive, that is, a loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders has the effect of making the diluted loss per share less than the basic loss per share. Had we generated income from continuing operations available to common shareholders in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the effect (in thousands) of employee stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units on the diluted shares calculation would have been an increase in shares of 1,455 and 1,470 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and 2,500 and 2,449 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

NOTE 14. 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. 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.


			Quoted Prices
			in Active				Significant
			Markets for		Significant Other		Unobservable
			Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Inputs
Investments	September 30, 2016		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Marketable debt securities — noncurrent	$	63	$	25	$	38	$	—
	$	63	$	25	$	38	$	—


			Quoted Prices
			in Active				Significant
			Markets for		Significant Other		Unobservable
			Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Inputs
Investments	December 31, 2015		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Marketable debt securities — noncurrent	$	59	$	24	$	35	$	—
	$	59	$	24	$	35	$	—

The fair value of our long-term debt (except for borrowings under the Credit Agreement) is based on quoted market prices (Level 1). The inputs used to establish the fair value of the borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement are considered to be Level 2 inputs, which include inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the estimated fair value of our long-term debt was approximately 96.4% and 96.2%, respectively, of the carrying value of the debt.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

ACQUISITIONS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS

NOTE 15. ACQUISITIONS

Preliminary purchase price allocations (representing the fair value of the consideration conveyed) for all acquisitions made during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 are as follows:


Current assets	$	42
Property and equipment		33
Other intangible assets		7
Goodwill		316
Other long-term assets		6
Current liabilities		(25)
Other long-term liabilities		(14)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		(114)
Noncontrolling interests		(122)
Cash paid, net of cash acquired		(96)
Gains on consolidations	$	33

The goodwill generated from these transactions, the majority of which will not be deductible for income tax purposes, can be attributed to the benefits that we expect to realize from operating efficiencies and growth strategies. Of the total $316 million of goodwill recorded for acquisitions completed during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, $190 million was recorded in our Hospital Operations and other segment, and $126 million was recorded in our Ambulatory Care segment. Approximately $5 million in transaction costs related to prospective and closed acquisitions were expensed during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and are included in impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

We are required to allocate the purchase prices of acquired businesses to assets acquired or liabilities assumed and, if applicable, noncontrolling interests based on their fair values. The excess of the purchase price allocation over those fair values is recorded as goodwill. We are in process of finalizing the purchase price allocations, including valuations of the acquired property and equipment, other intangible assets and noncontrolling interests for some of our 2016 and 2015 acquisitions; therefore, those purchase price allocations are subject to adjustment once the valuations are completed. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we made adjustments to the purchase price allocations for businesses acquired in 2015 that increased goodwill by approximately $79 million and increased depreciation and amortization expense by approximately $7 million.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized gains totaling $33 million, associated with stepping up our ownership interests in previously held equity investments, which we began consolidating after we acquired controlling interests.

Pro Forma Information – Unaudited

Effective June 16, 2015, we combined our freestanding ambulatory surgery and imaging center assets with the short-stay surgical facility assets of United Surgical Partners International, Inc. (“USPI”) into the USPI joint venture. We refinanced approximately $1.5 billion of existing USPI debt, which was allocated to the joint venture through an intercompany loan, and paid approximately $424 million to align the respective valuations of the assets contributed to the joint venture. We also completed the Aspen acquisition for approximately $226 million.

The following table provides 2016 actual results compared to 2015 pro forma information for Tenet as if the USPI joint venture and Aspen acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the year ended December 31, 2015.


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Net operating revenues	$	4,849	$	4,692	$	14,761	$	13,992
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	$	31	$	28	$	85	$	91
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$	(8)	$	(29)	$	(113)	$	(74)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders	$	(0.08)	$	(0.29)	$	(1.14)	$	(0.75)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1497-128463

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1490-128463

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1392-128463

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e7008-128479

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1486-128463

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73530397&loc=d3e4845-128472

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1524-128463

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e7000-128479

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73530397&loc=d3e4922-128472

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73530397&loc=d3e4934-128472

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73530397&loc=d3e4926-128472

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73530397&loc=SL65897772-128472

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1383-128463

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6996-128479

+ Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION

NOTE 16. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Our business consists of our Hospital Operations and other segment, our Ambulatory Care segment and our Conifer segment. The factors for determining the reportable segments include the manner in which management evaluates operating performance combined with the nature of the individual business activities.

Our Hospital Operations and other segment is focused on operating acute care hospitals, ancillary outpatient facilities, freestanding emergency departments and physician practices. We also own various related healthcare businesses. At September 30, 2016, our subsidiaries operated 79 hospitals, primarily serving urban and suburban communities in 12 states, and six health plans (certain of which are classified as held for sale, as described in Note 3), as well as hospital-based outpatient centers, freestanding emergency departments and freestanding urgent care centers.

Our Ambulatory Care segment is comprised of the operations of our USPI joint venture and our nine Aspen facilities in the United Kingdom. At September 30, 2016, our USPI joint venture had interests in 245 ambulatory surgery centers, 34 urgent care centers, 22 imaging centers and 20 short-stay surgical hospitals in 27 states.

Our Conifer segment provides healthcare business process services in the areas of revenue cycle management and technology-enabled performance improvement and health management solutions to health systems, as well as individual hospitals, physician practices, self-insured organizations, health plans and other entities. At September 30, 2016, Conifer provided services to more than 800 Tenet and non-Tenet hospitals and other clients nationwide. Our Conifer subsidiary and our Hospital Operations and other segment entered into formal agreements documenting terms and conditions of various services provided by Conifer to Tenet hospitals, as well as certain administrative services provided by our Hospital Operations and other segment to Conifer. The services provided by both parties under these agreements are charged to the other party based on estimated third-party pricing terms.

The following tables include amounts for each of our reportable segments and the reconciling items necessary to agree to amounts reported in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2016		2015
Assets:
Hospital Operations and other	$	17,627	$	17,353
Ambulatory Care		5,729		5,159
Conifer		1,118		1,170
Total	$	24,474	$	23,682


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Capital expenditures:
Hospital Operations and other	$	182	$	194	$	557	$	536
Ambulatory Care		14		7		42		14
Conifer		5		6		15		16
Total	$	201	$	207	$	614	$	566

Net operating revenues:
Hospital Operations and other	$	4,162	$	4,179	$	12,761	$	12,505
Ambulatory Care		448		329		1,319		562
Conifer
Tenet		159		163		488		488
Other customers		239		184		681		541
Total Conifer revenues		398		347		1,169		1,029
Intercompany eliminations		(159)		(163)		(488)		(488)
Total	$	4,849	$	4,692	$	14,761	$	13,608

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates:
Hospital Operations and other	$	3	$	(2)	$	6	$	12
Ambulatory Care		28		30		79		36
Total	$	31	$	28	$	85	$	48

Adjusted EBITDA:
Hospital Operations and other	$	334	$	383	$	1,163	$	1,259
Ambulatory Care		157		122		432		200
Conifer		79		61		205		204
Total	$	570	$	566	$	1,800	$	1,663

Depreciation and amortization:
Hospital Operations and other	$	170	$	156	$	525	$	525
Ambulatory Care		22		17		69		28
Conifer		13		12		38		36
Total	$	205	$	185	$	632	$	589

Adjusted EBITDA	$	570	$	566	$	1,800	$	1,663
Depreciation and amortization		(205)		(185)		(632)		(589)
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs		(31)		(44)		(81)		(266)
Litigation and investigation costs		(4)		(50)		(291)		(67)
Interest expense		(243)		(248)		(730)		(664)
Investment earnings (losses)		(1)		1		2		—
Gains on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities		3		—		151		—
Net income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	89	$	40	$	219	$	77

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 33
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8971-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8595-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8380-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 26
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8844-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 35
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8984-108599

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e9031-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e9054-108599

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8538-108599

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 29
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8864-108599

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8906-108599

+ Details

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	9 Months Ended
RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	Sep. 30, 2016
RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	NOTE 17. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”), which affects any entity that enters into a lease (as that term is defined in ASU 2016-02), with some specified scope exceptions. The main difference between the guidance in ASU 2016-02 and previous GAAP is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under current GAAP. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance, which will be effective for us beginning in 2019. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”), which affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The guidance in ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Some of the areas of simplification apply only to nonpublic entities. ASU 2016-09 includes amendments that should be applied retrospectively, amendments that should be applied prospectively and amendments that should be applied using a modified retrospective transition by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance, which will be effective for us beginning in 2017. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”), which applies to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230. ASU 2016-15 addresses the presentation and classification of cash flows related to (i) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (ii) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, (iii) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (iv) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, (v) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies), (vi) distributions received from equity method investees, (vii) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and (viii) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The amendments in ASU 2016-05 should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented, unless it is impracticable. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance, which will be effective for us beginning in 2018.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507316

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Direct Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66092750

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Indirect Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515603

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22580-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.10-01.(b)(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015980&loc=d3e46468-122699

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Accounting Change
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503790

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Retrospective Application
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6523989

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064558&loc=d3e765-108305

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064558&loc=d3e725-108305

+ Details

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Basis of Presentation

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Tenet Healthcare Corporation (together with our subsidiaries, referred to herein as “Tenet,” “we” or “us”) is a diversified healthcare services company. At September 30, 2016, we operated 79 hospitals, 20 short-stay surgical hospitals, approximately 470 outpatient centers, nine facilities in the United Kingdom and six health plans (certain of which are classified as held for sale, as described in Note 3) through our subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures, including USPI Holding Company, Inc. (“USPI joint venture”). We hold noncontrolling interests in 129 facilities, which are recorded using the equity method of accounting. Our Conifer Holdings, Inc. (“Conifer”) subsidiary provides healthcare business process services in the areas of revenue cycle management and technology-enabled performance improvement and health management solutions to health systems, as well as individual hospitals, physician practices, self-insured organizations, health plans and other entities.

This quarterly report supplements our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (“Annual Report”). As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim reporting, we have omitted certain notes and disclosures that substantially duplicate those in our Annual Report. For further information, refer to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes included in our Annual Report. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial and statistical data included in these notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements relate to our continuing operations, with dollar amounts expressed in millions (except per-share amounts). 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 are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and these accompanying notes. We regularly evaluate the accounting policies and estimates we use. In general, we base the estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable given the particular circumstances in which we operate. Actual results may vary from those estimates. Financial and statistical information we report to other regulatory agencies may be prepared on a basis other than GAAP or using different assumptions or reporting periods and, therefore, may vary from amounts presented herein. Although we make every effort to ensure that the information we report to those agencies is accurate, complete and consistent with applicable reporting guidelines, we cannot be responsible for the accuracy of the information they make available to the public.

Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. Reasons for this include, but are not limited to: overall revenue and cost trends, particularly the timing and magnitude of price changes; fluctuations in contractual allowances and cost report settlements and valuation allowances; managed care contract negotiations, settlements or terminations and payer consolidations; changes in Medicare and Medicaid regulations; Medicaid and other supplemental funding levels set by the states in which we operate; the timing of approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of Medicaid provider fee revenue programs; trends in patient accounts receivable collectability and associated provisions for doubtful accounts; fluctuations in interest rates; levels of malpractice insurance expense and settlement trends; the number of covered lives managed by our health plans and the plans’ ability to effectively manage medical costs; the timing of when we meet the criteria to recognize electronic health record incentives; impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill; restructuring charges; losses, costs and insurance recoveries related to natural disasters and other weather-related occurrences; litigation and investigation costs; acquisitions and dispositions of facilities and other assets; 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 healthcare facilities include, but are not limited to: the business environment, economic conditions and demographics of local communities in which we operate; the number of uninsured and underinsured individuals in local communities treated at our hospitals; seasonal cycles of illness; climate and weather conditions; physician recruitment, retention and attrition; advances in technology and treatments that reduce length of stay; local healthcare competitors; managed care contract negotiations or terminations; the number of patients with high-deductible health insurance plans; any unfavorable publicity about us, or our joint venture partners, that impacts our relationships with physicians and patients; changes in healthcare 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.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy

Translation of Foreign Currencies

The accounts of European Surgical Partners, Limited (“Aspen”) were measured in its local currency (the pound sterling) and then translated into U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities were translated using the current rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. Results of operations were translated using the average rates prevailing throughout the period of operations. Translation gains or losses resulting from changes in exchange rates are accumulated in shareholders’ equity.

Net Operating Revenues before Provision for Doubtful Accounts

Net Operating Revenues Before 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 our Compact with Uninsured Patients and other uninsured discount and charity programs.

The table below shows the sources of net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts from continuing operations:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
General Hospitals:
Medicare	$	809	$	817	$	2,547	$	2,565
Medicaid		342		361		1,013		1,095
Managed care		2,599		2,514		7,632		7,420
Indemnity, self-pay and other		311		426		1,212		1,247
Acute care hospitals — other revenue		4		11		25		39
Other:
Other operations		1,151		934		3,427		2,328
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$	5,216	$	5,063	$	15,856	$	14,694

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 $649 million and $356 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our book overdrafts were approximately $201 million and $301 million, respectively, which were classified as accounts payable.

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, approximately $201 million and $171 million, respectively, of total cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were intended for the operations of our captive insurance subsidiaries and our health plan-related businesses.

Also at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had $123 million and $133 million, respectively, of property and equipment purchases accrued for items received but not yet paid. Of these amounts, $78 million and $95 million, respectively, were included in accounts payable.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, we entered into non-cancellable capital leases of approximately $110 million and $113 million, respectively, primarily for buildings and equipment.

Other Intangible Assets

The following tables provide information regarding other intangible assets, which are included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:


	Gross
	Carrying		Accumulated		Net Book
	Amount		Amortization		Value
At September 30, 2016:
Capitalized software costs	$	1,565	$	(677)	$	888
Trade names		106		—		106
Contracts		847		(39)		808
Other		96		(45)		51
Total	$	2,614	$	(761)	$	1,853


	Gross
	Carrying		Accumulated		Net Book
	Amount		Amortization		Value
At December 31, 2015:
Capitalized software costs	$	1,456	$	(594)	$	862
Trade names		106		—		106
Contracts		653		(26)		627
Other		119		(39)		80
Total	$	2,334	$	(659)	$	1,675

Estimated future amortization of intangibles with finite useful lives at September 30, 2016 is as follows:


			Years Ending December 31,										Later
	Total		2016		2017		2018		2019		2020		Years
Amortization of intangible assets	$	1,196	$	41	$	178	$	164	$	131	$	116	$	566

Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

We control 216 of the facilities operated by our Ambulatory Care segment and, therefore, consolidate their results (212 are consolidated within our Ambulatory Care segment and four are consolidated within our Hospital Operations and other segment). We account for many of the facilities our Ambulatory Care segment operates (114 of 330 at September 30, 2016) and four of the hospitals our Hospital Operations and other segment operates under the equity method as investments in unconsolidated affiliates and report only our share of net income attributable to the investee as equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Summarized financial information for these equity method investees is included in the following table.


	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,
	2016		2016
Net operating revenues	$	610	$	1,803
Net income	$	129	$	364
Net income attributable to the investees	$	83	$	241

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for cash and cash equivalents, including the policy for determining which items are treated as cash equivalents. Other information that may be disclosed includes (1) the nature of any restrictions on the entity's use of its cash and cash equivalents, (2) whether the entity's cash and cash equivalents are insured or expose the entity to credit risk, (3) the classification of any negative balance accounts (overdrafts), and (4) the carrying basis of cash equivalents (for example, at cost) and whether the carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for the equity method of accounting for investments in common stock or other interests including unconsolidated subsidiaries, corporate joint ventures, noncontrolling interests in real estate ventures, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies. The accounting policy may include information such as: (1) initially recording an investment in the stock of an investee at cost; (2) adjusting the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investor's share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of acquisition; and (3) adjustments to reflect the investor's share of changes in the investee's capital (dividends). This disclosure may also include a detailed description of the policy for determining the amount of equity method losses recognized after an investment has been reduced to zero as a result of previous losses, reasons for not using the equity method when the investor company owns 20 percent or more of the voting stock of the investee's company (including identification of the significant investee), reasons for using the equity method when the ownership percentage is less than 20 percent, and discussion of recognition of equity method losses when an investor's total investment in an investee includes, in addition to an investment in common stock, other investments such as preferred stock and loans to the investee. An entity also may describe how such investments are assessed for impairment.

+ References + Details

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
General Hospitals:
Medicare	$	809	$	817	$	2,547	$	2,565
Medicaid		342		361		1,013		1,095
Managed care		2,599		2,514		7,632		7,420
Indemnity, self-pay and other		311		426		1,212		1,247
Acute care hospitals — other revenue		4		11		25		39
Other:
Other operations		1,151		934		3,427		2,328
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$	5,216	$	5,063	$	15,856	$	14,694

Schedule of other intangible assets


	Gross
	Carrying		Accumulated		Net Book
	Amount		Amortization		Value
At September 30, 2016:
Capitalized software costs	$	1,565	$	(677)	$	888
Trade names		106		—		106
Contracts		847		(39)		808
Other		96		(45)		51
Total	$	2,614	$	(761)	$	1,853


	Gross
	Carrying		Accumulated		Net Book
	Amount		Amortization		Value
At December 31, 2015:
Capitalized software costs	$	1,456	$	(594)	$	862
Trade names		106		—		106
Contracts		653		(26)		627
Other		119		(39)		80
Total	$	2,334	$	(659)	$	1,675

Schedule of estimated future amortization of intangibles with finite useful lives


			Years Ending December 31,										Later
	Total		2016		2017		2018		2019		2020		Years
Amortization of intangible assets	$	1,196	$	41	$	178	$	164	$	131	$	116	$	566

Schedule of equity method investments


	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,
	2016		2016
Net operating revenues	$	610	$	1,803
Net income	$	129	$	364
Net income attributable to the investees	$	83	$	241

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Schedule Of Components Of Accounts Receivable


	September 30,		December 31,
	2016		2015
Continuing operations:
Patient accounts receivable	$	3,666	$	3,486
Allowance for doubtful accounts		(981)		(887)
Estimated future recoveries		141		144
Net cost reports and settlements payable and valuation allowances		(42)		(42)
		2,784		2,701
Discontinued operations		2		3
Accounts receivable, net	$	2,786	$	2,704

Schedule of estimated costs for charity care and self-pay patients


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Estimated costs for:
Self-pay patients	$	167	$	171	$	477	$	503
Charity care patients	$	37	$	50	$	109	$	123
Medicaid DSH and other supplemental revenues	$	249	$	208	$	691	$	675

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Summary of long-term debt


	September 30,		December 31,
	2016		2015
Senior notes:
5% due 2019	$	1,100	$	1,100
51/2% due 2019		500		500
63/4% due 2020		300		300
8% due 2020		750		750
81/8% due 2022		2,800		2,800
63/4% due 2023		1,900		1,900
67/8% due 2031		430		430
Senior secured notes:
61/4% due 2018		1,041		1,041
43/4% due 2020		500		500
6% due 2020		1,800		1,800
Floating % due 2020		900		900
41/2% due 2021		850		850
43/8% due 2021		1,050		1,050
Capital leases and mortgage notes		818		852
Unamortized issue costs, note discounts and premiums		(232)		(263)
Total long-term debt		14,507		14,510
Less current portion		184		127
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	14,323	$	14,383

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

+ Details

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Summary of stock option activity


		Weighted Average
		Exercise Price		Aggregate		Weighted Average
	Options	Per Share		Intrinsic Value		Remaining Life
					(In Millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	1,606,842	$	22.87
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(110,715)		18.00
Forfeited/Expired	(53,456)		20.20
Outstanding at September 30, 2016	1,442,671	$	22.79	$	5	2.4	years
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2016	1,442,671	$	22.79	$	5	2.4	years
Exercisable at September 30, 2016	1,442,671	$	22.79	$	5	2.4	years

Summary of information about stock options by range of exercise prices


	Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable
		Weighted Average
	Number of	Remaining		Weighted Average		Number of	Weighted Average
Range of Exercise Prices	Options	Contractual Life		Exercise Price		Options	Exercise Price
$0.00 to $4.569	178,969	2.4	years	$	4.56	178,969	$	4.56
$4.57 to $25.089	827,315	3.1	years		20.85	827,315		20.85
$25.09 to $32.569	182,000	0.4	years		26.40	182,000		26.40
$32.57 to $42.529	254,387	1.4	years		39.31	254,387		39.31
	1,442,671	2.4	years	$	22.79	1,442,671	$	22.79

Summary of restricted stock unit activity


	Restricted Stock	Weighted Average Grant
	Units	Date Fair Value Per Unit
Unvested at December 31, 2015	3,627,232	$	44.69
Granted	1,584,063		30.43
Vested	(1,542,039)		43.18
Forfeited	(348,694)		33.92
Unvested at September 30, 2016	3,320,562	$	38.54

EQUITY (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

EQUITY

Schedule Of Changes In Consolidated Equity


	Tenet Healthcare Corporation Shareholders’ Equity
						Accumulated
	Common Stock			Additional		Other
	Shares	Issued Par		Paid-in		Comprehensive		Accumulated		Treasury		Noncontrolling
	Outstanding	Amount		Capital		Loss		Deficit		Stock		Interests		Total Equity
Balances at December 31, 2015	98,495	$	7	$	4,815	$	(164)	$	(1,550)	$	(2,417)	$	267	$	958
Net income (loss)	—		—		—		—		(113)		—		96		(17)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	—		—		—		—		—		—		(82)		(82)
Other comprehensive loss	—		—		—		(36)		—		—		—		(36)
Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests	—		—		(43)		—		—		—		119		76
Purchase accounting adjustments	—		—		—		—		—		—		237		237
Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefit and issuance of common stock	1,033		—		29		—		—		—		—		29
Balances at September 30, 2016	99,528	$	7	$	4,801	$	(200)	$	(1,663)	$	(2,417)	$	637	$	1,165

Balances at December 31, 2014	98,382	$	7	$	4,614	$	(182)	$	(1,410)	$	(2,378)	$	134	$	785
Net income (loss)	—		—		—		—		(43)		—		33		(10)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	—		—		—		—		—		—		(35)		(35)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	—		—		—		—		—		—		2		2
Other comprehensive income	—		—		—		9		—		—		—		9
Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests	—		—		130		—		—		—		82		212
Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock	1,210		—		54		—		—		1		—		55
Balances at September 30, 2015	99,592	$	7	$	4,798	$	(173)	$	(1,453)	$	(2,377)	$	216	$	1,018

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS

Reconciliations Of Legal Settlements And Related Costs


	Balances at		Litigation and						Balances at
	Beginning		Investigation		Cash				End of
	of Period		Costs		Payments		Other		Period
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Continuing operations	$	299	$	291	$	(59)	$	—	$	531
Discontinued operations		—		—		—		—		—
	$	299	$	291	$	(59)	$	—	$	531

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Continuing operations	$	73	$	67	$	(49)	$	2	$	93
Discontinued operations		10		(3)		(8)		1		—
	$	83	$	64	$	(57)	$	3	$	93

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the loss contingencies that were reported in the period or disclosed as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14472-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12021-110248

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14453-108349

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12053-110248

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14394-108349

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14615-108349

+ Details

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Schedule of changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries


	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2016		2015
Balances at beginning of period	$	2,266	$	401
Net income		170		86
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests		(69)		(30)
Purchase accounting adjustments		(47)		—
Purchases and sales of businesses and noncontrolling interests, net		(13)		1,225
Balances at end of period	$	2,307	$	1,682

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

INCOME TAXES

Schedule of reconciliation between reported income tax expense (benefit) and income taxes calculated by the statutory federal income tax rate


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Tax expense at statutory federal rate of 35%	$	31	$	14	$	77	$	27
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		3		4		10		11
Tax attributable to noncontrolling interests		(28)		(11)		(75)		(33)
Nondeductible goodwill		—		—		29		—
Nontaxable gains		(1)		—		(18)		—
Nondeductible litigation		4		—		37		—
Change in tax contingency reserves, including interest		(1)		—		(4)		1
Amendment of prior-year tax returns		—		—		—		(17)
Other items		2		4		5		11
	$	10	$	11	$	61	$	—

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

Schedule of reconciliation of numerators and denominators of our basic and diluted loss per common share


	Loss Attributable
	to Common		Weighted
	Shareholders		Average Shares	Per-Share
	(Numerator)		(Denominator)	Amount
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$	(9)	99,523	$	(0.09)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units		—	—		—
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$	(9)	99,523	$	(0.09)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$	(28)	99,537	$	(0.28)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units		—	—		—
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$	(28)	99,537	$	(0.28)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$	(108)	99,210	$	(1.09)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units		—	—		—
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$	(108)	99,210	$	(1.09)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$	(42)	99,160	$	(0.42)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units		—	—		—
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$	(42)	99,160	$	(0.42)

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis


			Quoted Prices
			in Active				Significant
			Markets for		Significant Other		Unobservable
			Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Inputs
Investments	September 30, 2016		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Marketable debt securities — noncurrent	$	63	$	25	$	38	$	—
	$	63	$	25	$	38	$	—


			Quoted Prices
			in Active				Significant
			Markets for		Significant Other		Unobservable
			Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Inputs
Investments	December 31, 2015		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Marketable debt securities — noncurrent	$	59	$	24	$	35	$	—
	$	59	$	24	$	35	$	—

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Business Acquisition

Schedule of pro forma financial information as if USPI joint venture and Aspen acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the year


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Net operating revenues	$	4,849	$	4,692	$	14,761	$	13,992
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	$	31	$	28	$	85	$	91
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$	(8)	$	(29)	$	(113)	$	(74)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders	$	(0.08)	$	(0.29)	$	(1.14)	$	(0.75)

Series of individual business acquisitions

Business Acquisition

Schedule of preliminary purchase price allocation


Current assets	$	42
Property and equipment		33
Other intangible assets		7
Goodwill		316
Other long-term assets		6
Current liabilities		(25)
Other long-term liabilities		(14)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		(114)
Noncontrolling interests		(122)
Cash paid, net of cash acquired		(96)
Gains on consolidations	$	33

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Reconciliation of assets by reportable segment to consolidated assets


	September 30,		December 31,
	2016		2015
Assets:
Hospital Operations and other	$	17,627	$	17,353
Ambulatory Care		5,729		5,159
Conifer		1,118		1,170
Total	$	24,474	$	23,682

Reconciliation of other significant reconciling items from segments to consolidated


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Capital expenditures:
Hospital Operations and other	$	182	$	194	$	557	$	536
Ambulatory Care		14		7		42		14
Conifer		5		6		15		16
Total	$	201	$	207	$	614	$	566

Net operating revenues:
Hospital Operations and other	$	4,162	$	4,179	$	12,761	$	12,505
Ambulatory Care		448		329		1,319		562
Conifer
Tenet		159		163		488		488
Other customers		239		184		681		541
Total Conifer revenues		398		347		1,169		1,029
Intercompany eliminations		(159)		(163)		(488)		(488)
Total	$	4,849	$	4,692	$	14,761	$	13,608

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates:
Hospital Operations and other	$	3	$	(2)	$	6	$	12
Ambulatory Care		28		30		79		36
Total	$	31	$	28	$	85	$	48

Adjusted EBITDA:
Hospital Operations and other	$	334	$	383	$	1,163	$	1,259
Ambulatory Care		157		122		432		200
Conifer		79		61		205		204
Total	$	570	$	566	$	1,800	$	1,663

Depreciation and amortization:
Hospital Operations and other	$	170	$	156	$	525	$	525
Ambulatory Care		22		17		69		28
Conifer		13		12		38		36
Total	$	205	$	185	$	632	$	589

Adjusted EBITDA	$	570	$	566	$	1,800	$	1,663
Depreciation and amortization		(205)		(185)		(632)		(589)
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs		(31)		(44)		(81)		(266)
Litigation and investigation costs		(4)		(50)		(291)		(67)
Interest expense		(243)		(248)		(730)		(664)
Investment earnings (losses)		(1)		1		2		—
Gains on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities		3		—		151		—
Net income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	89	$	40	$	219	$	77

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)	9 Months Ended
BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)	Sep. 30, 2016 plan Institution
Business Acquisition
Number of acute care hospitals operated by subsidiaries	79
Number of short-stay surgical hospitals	20
Number of hospitals recorded using equity method	129
Number of outpatient centers	470
Number of facilities owned by subsidiaries	9
Number of health plans \| plan	6
United Surgical Partners International
Business Acquisition
Number of short-stay surgical hospitals	20

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Supplemental payments and net operating revenues
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 5,216	$ 5,063	$ 15,856	$ 14,694
Medicare
Supplemental payments and net operating revenues
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	809	817	2,547	2,565
Medicaid
Supplemental payments and net operating revenues
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	342	361	1,013	1,095
Managed care
Supplemental payments and net operating revenues
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	2,599	2,514	7,632	7,420
Indemnity, self-pay and other
Supplemental payments and net operating revenues
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	311	426	1,212	1,247
Acute care hospitals - other revenue
Supplemental payments and net operating revenues
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	4	11	25	39
Other operations
Supplemental payments and net operating revenues
Net operating revenues before provision for doubtful accounts	$ 1,151	$ 934	$ 3,427	$ 2,328

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 649	$ 450	$ 356	$ 193
Accrued property and equipment purchases for items received but not yet paid	123		133
Non-cancellable capital leases primarily for buildings and equipment	110	$ 113
Accounts payable
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Book overdrafts classified as accounts payable	201		301
Accrued property and equipment purchases for items received but not yet paid	78		95
Captive insurance subsidiaries
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 201		$ 171

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Intangible Assets Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 2,614	$ 2,334
Accumulated Amortization	(761)	(659)
Net Book Value	1,853	1,675
Capitalized software costs
Other intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	1,565	1,456
Accumulated Amortization	(677)	(594)
Net Book Value	888	862
Trade names
Other intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	106	106
Net Book Value	106	106
Contracts
Other intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	847	653
Accumulated Amortization	(39)	(26)
Net Book Value	808	627
Other
Other intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	96	119
Accumulated Amortization	(45)	(39)
Net Book Value	$ 51	$ 80

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Amortization of Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Estimated future amortization of intangibles with finite useful lives
Total	$ 1,196
2016	41
2017	178
2018	164
2019	131
2020	116
Later Years	$ 566

BASIS OF PRESENTATION - Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) Institution
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net operating revenues \| $	$ 610	$ 1,803
Net income \| $	129	364
Net income attributable to the investee \| $	$ 83	$ 241
Number of outpatient centers		470
Number of hospitals recorded using equity method		129
Number of outpatient centers recorded not using equity method		216
Ambulatory Care
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of outpatient centers		330
Number of outpatient centers recorded using equity method		114
Number of outpatient centers recorded not using equity method		212
Hospital operations and other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of hospitals recorded using equity method		4
Number of outpatient centers recorded not using equity method		4

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS - Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable, net	$ 2,786	$ 2,704
Continuing operations
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Patient accounts receivable	3,666	3,486
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(981)	(887)
Estimated future recoveries	141	144
Net cost reports and settlements payable and valuation allowances	(42)	(42)
Accounts receivable, net	2,784	2,701
Discontinued operations
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable, net	$ 2	$ 3

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS - Allowance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Allowance for doubtful accounts as a percent of patients accounts receivable			26.80%		25.40%
Self-Pay Patients
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Allowance for doubtful accounts as a percent of patients accounts receivable			83.00%		80.60%
Estimated costs of caring	$ 167	$ 171	$ 477	$ 503
Managed Care Patients
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Allowance for doubtful accounts as a percent of patients accounts receivable			9.70%		7.50%
Charity Care Patients
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Estimated costs of caring	37	50	$ 109	123
Medicai DSH and other supplemental revenues
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Estimated costs of caring	$ 249	$ 208	$ 691	$ 675

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS - Other Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Receivables	$ 2,786	$ 2,704
Payables	1,228	1,380
California's Provider Fee Program \| Other current assets
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Receivables	561	387
California's Provider Fee Program \| Other current liabilities
Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Payables	$ 176	$ 139

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Current Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
Health plan assets held for sale		$ 16
Health plan liabilities held for sale		13
Assets held for sale		17		$ 550
Proceeds from sales of facilities and other assets		573	$ 28
Net receivables		2,786		2,704
Liabilities held for sale		13		101
Impairment charges		2	$ 147
Georgia Facilities \| Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Current Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
Assets held for sale				549
Liabilities held for sale				$ 101
Georgia Facilities \| Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Current Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
Proceeds from sales of facilities and other assets	$ 575
Net receivables		$ 61
Gain on sale	$ 113

IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) segment	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
IMPAIRMENT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES, AND ACQUISITION-RELATED COSTS
Net impairment and restructuring charges and acquisition-related costs	$ 81	$ 266
Impairment charges	2	147
Employee severance costs	26	16
Restructuring costs	9	5
Lease termination costs	4	15
Acquisition costs	40	83
Acquisition-related transaction costs	5	48
Acquisition integration charges	$ 35	$ 35
Number of continuing operating segments \| segment	3

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS - Schedule of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Capital leases and mortgage notes	$ 818	$ 852
Unamortized note discounts and premiums	(232)	(263)
Total long-term debt	14,507	14,510
Less current portion	184	127
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$ 14,323	$ 14,383
5%, due 2019
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.00%	5.00%
Carrying amount	$ 1,100	$ 1,100
5 1/2%, due 2019
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.50%	5.50%
Carrying amount	$ 500	$ 500
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
8 1/8%, due 2022
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	8.125%	8.125%
Carrying amount	$ 2,800	$ 2,800
6 3/4%, due 2023
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.75%	6.75%
Carrying amount	$ 1,900	$ 1,900
6 7/8%, due 2031
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.875%	6.875%
Carrying amount	$ 430	$ 430
6 1/4%, due 2018
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.25%	6.25%
Carrying amount	$ 1,041	$ 1,041
4 3/4%, due 2020
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.75%	4.75%
Carrying amount	$ 500	$ 500
6%, due 2020
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.00%	6.00%
Carrying amount	$ 1,800	$ 1,800
Floating % due 2020
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Carrying amount	$ 900	$ 900
4 1/2%, due 2021
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%	4.50%
Carrying amount	$ 850	$ 850
4 3/8%, due 2021
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.375%	4.375%
Carrying amount	$ 1,050	$ 1,050

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS - Credit Agreement and Letter of Credit Facility (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Credit Agreement
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,000,000,000
Line of credit facility, subfacility maximum available capacity	300,000,000
Borrowings outstanding	0
Standby letters of credit outstanding	2,000,000
Amount available for borrowing under revolving credit facility	$ 998,000,000
Credit Agreement \| Minimum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Unused commitment fee (as a percent)	0.25%
Credit Agreement \| Maximum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Unused commitment fee (as a percent)	0.375%
Credit Agreement \| Base rate \| Minimum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Margin on variable rate (as a percent)	0.25%
Credit Agreement \| Base rate \| Maximum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Margin on variable rate (as a percent)	0.75%
Credit Agreement \| LIBOR \| Minimum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Margin on variable rate (as a percent)	1.25%
Credit Agreement \| LIBOR \| Maximum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Margin on variable rate (as a percent)	1.75%
Letter of Credit Facility
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 180,000,000
Unused commitment fee (as a percent)	0.25%
Standby letters of credit outstanding	$ 144,000,000
Borrowing capacity after increase subject to certain conditions	$ 200,000,000
Secured debt to EBITDA ratio	3.00
Issuance fee (percentage)	1.50%
Issuance fee, based on face amount (percentage)	0.125%
Letter of Credit Facility \| Maximum
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Number of business days after notice, for reimbursement of amount drawn.	3 days
Unused commitment fee after step down	0.375%
Letter of Credit Facility \| Base rate
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Margin on variable rate (as a percent)	0.50%

GUARANTEES (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Income and Revenue Collection Guarantee
GUARANTEES
Maximum potential amount of future payments under guarantees	$ 90
Income and Revenue Collection Guarantee \| Other current liabilities
GUARANTEES
Liability for the fair value of guarantees	82
Guaranteed Investees Of Third Parties
GUARANTEES
Liability for the fair value of guarantees	28
Guaranteed Investees Of Third Parties \| Other current liabilities
GUARANTEES
Guarantee obligations for consolidated subsidiaries	$ 15

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Stock-based compensation costs, pretax	$ 46	$ 52
2008 Stock Incentive Plan
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Shares available for issuance under the plan	7,100,000
2008 Stock Incentive Plan \| 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)	33.30%
Vesting period	3 years
2008 Stock Incentive Plan \| 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)	33.30%
Vesting period	3 years

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Stock Options (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Stock option activity
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	$ 46,000,000	$ 52,000,000
Stock Options
Stock option activity
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	1,606,842
Granted (in shares)	0	0
Exercised (in shares)	(110,715)	(321,619)
Forfeited/Expired (in shares)	(53,456)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	1,442,671
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in shares)	1,442,671
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	1,442,671
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 22.87
Exercised (in dollars per share)	18.00
Forfeited/Expired (in dollars per share)	20.20
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	22.79
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	22.79
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 22.79
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at the end of the period	$ 5,000,000
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period	5,000,000
Exercisable at the end of the period	$ 5,000,000
Weighted Average Remaining Life
Outstanding at the end of the period	2 years 4 months 24 days
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period	2 years 4 months 24 days
Exercisable at the end of the period	2 years 4 months 24 days
Other Disclosures
Aggregate Intrinsic value of awards exercised	$ 1,000,000	$ 8,000,000
Unrecognized compensation costs	$ 0

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Range of Exercise Prices (Details) - Stock Options	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 $ / shares shares
Options Outstanding
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	1,442,671
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	2 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 22.79
Options Exercisable
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	1,442,671
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 22.79
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)	0.00
Exercise price per share, high end of the range (in dollars per share)	$ 4.569
Options Outstanding
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	178,969
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	2 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 4.56
Options Exercisable
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	178,969
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 4.56
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)	$ 25.089
Options Outstanding
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	827,315
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	3 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.85
Options Exercisable
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	827,315
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.85
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)	$ 32.569
Options Outstanding
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	182,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 26.40
Options Exercisable
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	182,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 26.40
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)	$ 42.529
Options Outstanding
Number of Options Outstanding (in shares) \| shares	254,387
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual life	1 year 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 39.31
Options Exercisable
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares) \| shares	254,387
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 39.31

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Restricted Stock (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016 shares	Jan. 31, 2016 director $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Non Employee Directors
Other Disclosures
Restricted stock that will vest and be settled on the third anniversary of the grant date (in shares)	90,105
Restricted Stock Units
Restricted stock unit activity
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)		3,627,232	3,627,232
Granted (in shares)			1,584,063
Vested (in shares)			(1,542,039)
Forfeited (in shares)			(348,694)
Unvested at the end of the period (in shares)			3,320,562
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Unit
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 44.69	$ 44.69
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			30.43
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			43.18
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			33.92
Unvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares			$ 38.54
Other Disclosures
Unrecognized compensation costs \| $			$ 83
Period for recognition of unrecognized compensation costs			2 years
Restricted Stock Units \| Time-vesting
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)			717,277
Other Disclosures
Restricted stock that will vest and be settled over a three-year period from the grant date (in shares)			484,295
Restricted stock that will vest and be settled on the fifth anniversary of the grant date (in shares)			175,843
Restricted stock that will vest and be settled on the third anniversary of the grant date (in shares)			57,139
Vesting period			3 years
Restricted Stock Units \| Time-vesting \| Director
Other Disclosures
Initial grant received (in shares)		5,084
Pro-rated annual grant (in shares)		5,614
New directors \| director		2
Restricted Stock Units \| Performance-based vesting
Restricted stock unit activity
Granted (in shares)			291,540
Restricted Stock Units \| Performance-based vesting \| Minimum
Other Disclosures
Awards vesting (as a percent)			0.00%
Restricted Stock Units \| Performance-based vesting \| Maximum
Other Disclosures
Awards vesting (as a percent)			200.00%
Restricted Stock Units \| Performance-based vesting \| Senior Officers
Other Disclosures
Restricted stock that will vest and be settled on the third anniversary of the grant date (in shares)			474,443
Term for achievement of specified performance goal			3 years

EQUITY - Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances			$ 958	$ 785
Net income (loss)			(17)	(10)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests			(82)	(35)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests				2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 3	$ 4	(36)	9
Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests			76	212
Purchase accounting adjustments			237
Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock			29	55
Balances	1,165	1,018	1,165	1,018
Common Stock
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances			$ 7	$ 7
Balances (in shares)			98,495	98,382
Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock (in shares)			1,033	1,210
Balances	$ 7	$ 7	$ 7	$ 7
Balances (in shares)	99,528	99,592	99,528	99,592
Additional Paid-in Capital
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances			$ 4,815	$ 4,614
Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests			(43)	130
Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock			29	54
Balances	$ 4,801	$ 4,798	4,801	4,798
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances			(164)	(182)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(36)	9
Balances	(200)	(173)	(200)	(173)
Accumulated Deficit
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances			(1,550)	(1,410)
Net income (loss)			(113)	(43)
Balances	(1,663)	(1,453)	(1,663)	(1,453)
Treasury Stock
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances			(2,417)	(2,378)
Stock-based compensation expense and issuance of common stock				1
Balances	(2,417)	(2,377)	(2,417)	(2,377)
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balances			267	134
Net income (loss)			96	33
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests			(82)	(35)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests				2
Purchases (sales) of businesses and noncontrolling interests			119	82
Purchase accounting adjustments			237
Balances	$ 637	$ 216	$ 637	$ 216

EQUITY - Changes in Shareholders' Equity - Noncontrolling interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balance	$ 1,165	$ 1,018	$ 958	$ 785
Net income (loss)	(17)	(10)
Noncontrolling Interests
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balance	637	216	$ 267	$ 134
Net income (loss)	96	33
Noncontrolling Interests \| Hospital operations and other
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balance	99	37
Net income (loss)	8	21
Noncontrolling Interests \| Ambulatory Care
Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Balance	538	179
Net income (loss)	$ 88	$ 12

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Insurance coverage
Insurance coverage, aggregate limit	$ 600
Flood and Earthquake
Insurance coverage
Insurance, maximum coverage per incident	100
Windstorms
Insurance coverage
Insurance, maximum coverage per incident	$ 200
Flood, earthquake and windstorm
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible (as a percentage)	5.00%
Flood, earthquake and windstorm \| Maximum
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible	$ 25
New Madrid fault earthquakes
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible (as a percentage)	2.00%
New Madrid fault earthquakes \| Maximum
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible	$ 25
Fire and other perils
Insurance coverage
Insurance, maximum coverage per incident	600
Fire and other perils \| Minimum
Insurance coverage
Insurance deductible	$ 1

PROPERTY AND PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE - Professional and General Liability Reserves (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Other operating expense, net
Insurance coverage
Malpractice expense	$ 233	$ 202
Professional and General Liability Reserves
Insurance coverage
Self insurance reserve	$ 805		$ 755
Loss contingency discount rate, maturity rate period	7 years		7 years
Risk-free discount rate (as a percent)	1.42%		2.09%

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Details) $ in Millions				3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS (Details) $ in Millions	Nov. 02, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 28, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 10, 2016 defendant	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) Institution
Clinica de la Mama Investigations and Qui Tam Action
Loss Contingencies
Litigation reserve				$ 516.0	$ 516.0
Increase in litigation reserve				$ 517.0
Number of years DOJ will appoint corporate monitor					3 years
Clinica de la Mama Investigations and Qui Tam Action \| AMCI and NFMCI \| Forecast
Loss Contingencies
Settlement amount	$ 368.0
Damages paid	372.0	$ 146.0
Litigation settlement interest	1.7
Litigation settlement expense	$ 1.9
Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit
Loss Contingencies
Number of hospital systems alleging violation \| Institution					3
Shareholder Litigation \| Forecast
Loss Contingencies
Number of defendants \| defendant			2

CLAIMS AND LAWSUITS - Reconciliations (Details) - Claims, lawsuits, and regulatory proceedings - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Loss Contingencies
Litigation reserve, Balances at Beginning of Period	$ 299	$ 83
Litigation and Investigation costs	291	64
Cash Payments	(59)	(57)
Other		3
Litigation reserve, Balances at End of Period	531	93
Continuing operations
Loss Contingencies
Litigation reserve, Balances at Beginning of Period	299	73
Litigation and Investigation costs	291	67
Cash Payments	(59)	(49)
Other		2
Litigation reserve, Balances at End of Period	$ 531	93
Discontinued operations
Loss Contingencies
Litigation reserve, Balances at Beginning of Period		10
Litigation and Investigation costs		(3)
Cash Payments		(8)
Other		$ 1

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES - Ownership percentage (Details) - United Surgical Partners International - USD ($) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended
	Jun. 16, 2015	Apr. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Payment made to purchase shares in joint venture	$ 424
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Payment made to purchase shares in joint venture		$ 127
Joint venture ownership percentage		56.30%
Redeemable noncontrolling interests \| Put Option \| Minimum
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Equity necessary for joint venture (as a percent)			12.50%
Redeemable noncontrolling interests \| Put Option \| Maximum
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Equity necessary for joint venture (as a percent)			25.00%

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES - Changes in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	$ (82)	$ (35)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests		2
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
Balances at beginning of period	2,266	401
Net income	170	86
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(69)	(30)
Purchase accounting adjustments	(47)
Purchases and sales of businesses and noncontrolling interests, net	(13)	1,225
Balances at end of period	$ 2,307	$ 1,682

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN EQUITY OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES - Segment Details (Details) - Redeemable noncontrolling interests - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
Redeemable noncontrolling interests balances	$ 2,307	$ 1,682	$ 2,266	$ 401
Net income	170	86
Hospital operations and other
Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
Redeemable noncontrolling interests balances	526	142
Net income	16	8
Ambulatory Care
Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
Redeemable noncontrolling interests balances	1,637	1,446
Net income	116	40
Conifer
Changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries
Redeemable noncontrolling interests balances	144	94
Net income	$ 38	$ 38

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Taxes
Income tax expenses	$ 10	$ 11	$ 61
Continued operations pre-tax earnings	89	$ 40	219	$ 77
Reduction in estimated liabilities for uncertain tax positions			4
Unrecognized tax benefits	37		37
Unrecognized tax benefits which, if recognized, would impact effective tax rate	34		34
Unrecognized federal and state tax benefits and reserves for interest and penalties, which may decrease in the next 12 months	$ 6		6
Continuing operations
Income Taxes
Interest and penalties related to accrued liabilities for uncertain tax positions, recognized			$ 5

INCOME TAXES - Federal Tax Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Reconciliation between reported income tax expense (benefit) and income taxes calculated by the statutory federal income tax rate
Tax expense at statutory federal rate of 35%	$ 31	$ 14	$ 77	$ 27
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	3	4	10	11
Tax attributable to noncontrolling interests	(28)	(11)	(75)	(33)
Nondeductible goodwill			29
Nontaxable gains	(1)		(18)
Nondeductible litigation	4		37
Change in tax contingency reserves, including interest	(1)		(4)	1
Amendment of prior-year tax returns				(17)
Other items	2	4	5	$ 11
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 10	$ 11	$ 61
Statutory federal rate (as a percent)			35.00%

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders (Numerator)
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$ (9)	$ (28)	$ (108)	$ (42)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units, and deferred compensation units
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$ (9)	$ (28)	$ (108)	$ (42)
Weighted Average Shares (Denominator)
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	99,523	99,537	99,210	99,160
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units (in weighted average shares)
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	99,523	99,537	99,210	99,160
Per-Share Amount
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for basic loss per share	$ (0.09)	$ (0.28)	$ (1.09)	$ (0.42)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units, and deferred compensation units (Per-Share)
Net loss attributable to Tenet Healthcare Corporation common shareholders for diluted loss per share	$ (0.09)	$ (0.28)	$ (1.09)	$ (0.42)

LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - Antidilutive securities (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Employee stock options, restricted stock units and deferred compensation units
Antidilutive securities
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	1,455	2,500	1,470	2,449

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - Recurring basis - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Marketable debt securities-noncurrent	$ 63	$ 59
Investments	63	59
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Marketable debt securities-noncurrent	25	24
Investments	$ 25	$ 24
Estimated fair value of the long-term debt instrument as a percentage of carrying value	96.40%	96.20%
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis
Marketable debt securities-noncurrent	$ 38	$ 35
Investments	$ 38	$ 35

- Definition

Fair value portion of investment securities, including, but not limited to, marketable securities, derivative financial instruments, and investments accounted for under the equity method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(12))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Trading Securities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6526789

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27723805&loc=d3e24584-111560

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65884222&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Available-for-Sale Securities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505594

+ Details

ACQUISITIONS - Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 16, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Final purchase price allocations
Goodwill		$ 7,376	$ 7,376	$ 6,970
Increase in goodwill		79
Increase in depreciation and amortization expense		7
Hospital Operations
Final purchase price allocations
Goodwill		190	190
Ambulatory Care
Final purchase price allocations
Goodwill		126	126
United Surgical Partners International
Final purchase price allocations
Assumed debt	$ 1,500
Payment contributed to joint venture	424
Series of individual business acquisitions
Final purchase price allocations
Current assets		42	42
Property and equipment		33	33
Other intangible assets		7	7
Goodwill		316	316
Other long-term assets		6	6
Current liabilities		(25)	(25)
Other long-term liabilities		(14)	(14)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries		(114)	(114)
Noncontrolling interests		(122)	(122)
Cash paid, net of cash acquired		$ (96)	(96)
Gain on consolidations			33
Transaction costs related to prospective and closed acquisitions			$ 5
European Surgical Partners Ltd
Final purchase price allocations
Payment contributed to joint venture	$ 226

ACQUISITIONS - Pro Forma (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Pro Forma Information - Unaudited
Net operating revenues	$ 4,849	$ 4,692	$ 14,761	$ 13,992
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	31	28	85	48
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$ (8)	$ (29)	$ (113)	$ (74)
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders	$ (0.08)	$ (0.29)	$ (1.14)	$ (0.75)
Pro Forma
Pro Forma Information - Unaudited
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	$ 31	$ 28	$ 85	$ 91

SEGMENT INFORMATION - General Information and Customer Concentration (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 state plan Institution
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Number of hospitals owned by subsidiaries	79
Number of facilities owned by subsidiaries	9
Number of short-stay surgical hospitals	20
Number of states where operations occur \| state	12
Number of provider-based outpatient centers operated by subsidiaries	470
Number of health plans \| plan	6
United Surgical Partners International
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Number of short-stay surgical hospitals	20
Number of ambulatory surgery centers	245
Number of diagnostic imaging centers	22
Number of states where operations occur \| state	27
Number of urgent care centers	34
European Surgical Partners Ltd
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Number of facilities owned by subsidiaries	9
Minimum \| Conifer
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Number of Tenet and non-Tenet Hospitals and other health care organizations to which Conifer provided revenue cycle services	800

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Reconciling Items (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	$ 24,474		$ 24,474		$ 23,682
Capital expenditures:	201	$ 207	614	$ 566
Net operating revenues	4,849	4,692	14,761	13,608
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	31	28	85	48
Adjusted EBITDA	570	566	1,800	1,663
Depreciation and amortization	205	185	632	589
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	570	566	1,800	1,663
Depreciation and amortization	(205)	(185)	(632)	(589)
Impairment and restructuring charges, and acquisition-related costs	(31)	(44)	(81)	(266)
Litigation and investigation costs	(4)	(50)	(291)	(67)
Interest expense	(243)	(248)	(730)	(664)
Investment earnings (losses)	(1)	1	2
Gains on sales, consolidation and deconsolidation of facilities	3		151
Net income from continuing operations, before income taxes	89	40	219	77
Hospital operations and other
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	17,627		17,627		17,353
Conifer
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	1,118		1,118		1,170
Ambulatory Care
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Assets	5,729		5,729		$ 5,159
Operating segments \| Hospital operations and other
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Capital expenditures:	182	194	557	536
Net operating revenues	4,162	4,179	12,761	12,505
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	3	(2)	6	12
Adjusted EBITDA	334	383	1,163	1,259
Depreciation and amortization	170	156	525	525
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	334	383	1,163	1,259
Depreciation and amortization	(170)	(156)	(525)	(525)
Operating segments \| Conifer
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Capital expenditures:	5	6	15	16
Net operating revenues	398	347	1,169	1,029
Adjusted EBITDA	79	61	205	204
Depreciation and amortization	13	12	38	36
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	79	61	205	204
Depreciation and amortization	(13)	(12)	(38)	(36)
Operating segments \| Conifer \| Tenet
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net operating revenues	159	163	488	488
Operating segments \| Conifer \| Other customers
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net operating revenues	239	184	681	541
Operating segments \| Ambulatory Care
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Capital expenditures:	14	7	42	14
Net operating revenues	448	329	1,319	562
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	28	30	79	36
Adjusted EBITDA	157	122	432	200
Depreciation and amortization	22	17	69	28
Adjusted EBITDA and other reconciling items
Adjusted EBITDA	157	122	432	200
Depreciation and amortization	(22)	(17)	(69)	(28)
Intercompany eliminations
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net operating revenues	$ (159)	$ (163)	$ (488)	$ (488)