Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 20, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001108109
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Trading Symbol	CYH
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		92,163,048
Entity Public Float			$ 2,549,100,980