Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets
Allowance for doubtful patient accounts	$ 1,840,003	$ 1,639,198
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, par value per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued
Common stock, par value per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	91,753,992	93,644,862
Common stock, shares outstanding	90,778,443	92,669,313
Treasury stock, shares	975,549	975,549