Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ 58,758	$ 95,800	$ 260,643	$ 280,279
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes	14,525	18,327	57,111	53,486
Income from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	44,233	77,473	203,532	226,793
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(3,169)	(466)	(55,776)
Less: Loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted		$ (3,169)	$ (466)	$ (55,776)
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	89,259,950	89,412,310	89,028,249	90,513,665
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock awards	449,811	307,631	210,418	275,561
Employee stock options	280,495	128,371	214,082	458,685
Other equity-based awards	18,857	9,271	12,238	8,558
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	90,009,113	89,857,583	89,464,987	91,256,469