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
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ 96,323	$ 99,718
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes	17,149	23,778
Income from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	79,174	75,940
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(466)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted		$ (466)
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	91,002,615	88,674,779
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock awards	281,447	21,233
Employee stock options	705,189	147,440
Other equity-based awards	9,742	9,252
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	91,998,993	88,852,704