Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 345,803	$ 277,623	$ 348,441
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	46,409	55,145	(15,676)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	3,012	(960)	3,716
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	(10,252)	(7,737)	2,418
Other comprehensive income (loss)	39,169	46,448	(9,542)
Comprehensive income	384,972	324,071	338,899
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	80,163	75,675	68,458
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	304,809	248,396	270,441
Parent Company [Member]
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	265,640	201,948	279,983
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	46,409	55,145	(15,676)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	3,012	(960)	3,716
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	(10,252)	(7,737)	2,418
Other comprehensive income (loss)	39,169	46,448	(9,542)
Comprehensive income	304,809	248,396	270,441
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	304,809	248,396	270,441
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	265,640	201,948	279,983
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	46,409	55,145	(15,676)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	3,012	(960)	3,716
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	(10,252)	(7,737)	2,418
Other comprehensive income (loss)	39,169	46,448	(9,542)
Comprehensive income	304,809	248,396	270,441
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	304,809	248,396	270,441
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	347,556	281,335	319,616
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	3,012	(960)	3,716
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	(10,252)	(7,737)	2,418
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(7,240)	(8,697)	6,134
Comprehensive income	340,316	272,638	325,750
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	340,316	272,638	325,750
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	190,058	98,598	141,940
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Comprehensive income	190,058	98,598	141,940
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	80,163	75,675	68,458
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	109,895	22,923	73,482
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	(723,091)	(506,206)	(673,081)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	(46,409)	(55,145)	15,676
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	(6,024)	1,920	(7,432)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	20,504	15,474	(4,836)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(31,929)	(37,751)	3,408
Comprehensive income	(755,020)	(543,957)	(669,673)
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	$ (755,020)	$ (543,957)	$ (669,673)