Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 102,167	$ 53,547	$ 201,419	$ 131,872
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	9,976	(8,969)	20,512	27,477
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	(527)	268	2,140	1,338
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	1,140	807	2,281	1,579
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10,589	(7,894)	24,933	30,394
Comprehensive income	112,756	45,653	226,352	162,266
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	18,808	18,158	42,586	35,159
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.	93,948	27,495	183,766	127,107
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	83,359	35,389	158,833	96,713
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	9,976	(8,969)	20,512	27,477
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	(527)	268	2,140	1,338
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	1,140	807	2,281	1,579
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10,589	(7,894)	24,933	30,394
Comprehensive income	93,948	27,495	183,766	127,107
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.	93,948	27,495	183,766	127,107
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	83,359	35,389	158,833	96,713
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	9,976	(8,969)	20,512	27,477
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	(527)	268	2,140	1,338
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	1,140	807	2,281	1,579
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10,589	(7,894)	24,933	30,394
Comprehensive income	93,948	27,495	183,766	127,107
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.	93,948	27,495	183,766	127,107
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	82,995	52,214	195,060	129,528
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	(527)	268	2,140	1,338
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	1,140	807	2,281	1,579
Other comprehensive income (loss)	613	1,075	4,421	2,917
Comprehensive income	83,608	53,289	199,481	132,445
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.	83,608	53,289	199,481	132,445
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	57,269	10,925	123,347	33,012
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Comprehensive income	57,269	10,925	123,347	33,012
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	18,808	18,158	42,586	35,159
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.	38,461	(7,233)	80,761	(2,147)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	(204,815)	(80,370)	(434,654)	(224,094)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	(9,976)	8,969	(20,512)	(27,477)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	1,054	(536)	(4,280)	(2,676)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	(2,280)	(1,614)	(4,562)	(3,158)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(11,202)	6,819	(29,354)	(33,311)
Comprehensive income	(216,017)	(73,551)	(464,008)	(257,405)
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc.	$ (216,017)	$ (73,551)	$ (464,008)	$ (257,405)