Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 58,758	$ 92,631	$ 260,177	$ 224,503
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	8,254	2,722	28,766	30,199
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	1,370	(4,029)	3,509	(2,692)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	1,202	790	3,483	2,369
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10,826	(517)	35,758	29,876
Comprehensive income	69,584	92,114	295,935	254,379
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	14,525	18,327	57,111	53,486
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	55,059	73,787	238,824	200,893
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	44,233	74,304	203,066	171,017
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	8,254	2,722	28,766	30,199
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	1,370	(4,029)	3,509	(2,692)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	1,202	790	3,483	2,369
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10,826	(517)	35,758	29,876
Comprehensive income	55,059	73,787	238,824	200,893
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	55,059	73,787	238,824	200,893
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	44,233	74,304	203,066	171,017
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	8,254	2,722	28,766	30,199
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	1,370	(4,029)	3,509	(2,692)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	1,202	790	3,483	2,369
Other comprehensive income (loss)	10,826	(517)	35,758	29,876
Comprehensive income	55,059	73,787	238,824	200,893
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	55,059	73,787	238,824	200,893
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	81,021	77,776	281,270	207,304
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	1,370	(4,029)	3,509	(2,692)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	1,202	790	3,483	2,369
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,572	(3,239)	6,992	(323)
Comprehensive income	83,593	74,537	288,262	206,981
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	83,593	74,537	288,262	206,981
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	28,685	18,930	137,658	51,942
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Comprehensive income	28,685	18,930	137,658	51,942
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	14,525	18,327	57,111	53,486
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	14,160	603	80,547	(1,544)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	(139,414)	(152,683)	(564,883)	(376,777)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	(8,254)	(2,722)	(28,766)	(30,199)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	(2,740)	8,058	(7,018)	5,384
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	(2,404)	(1,580)	(6,966)	(4,738)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,398)	3,756	(42,750)	(29,553)
Comprehensive income	(152,812)	(148,927)	(607,633)	(406,330)
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	$ (152,812)	$ (148,927)	$ (607,633)	$ (406,330)