Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 25, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001108109
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		91,196,196