Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	$ 47,085	$ 102,167	$ 143,408	$ 201,419
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	21,139	9,976	36,909	20,512
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	(139)	(527)	1,670	2,140
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	731	1,140	1,464	2,281
Other comprehensive income (loss)	21,731	10,589	40,043	24,933
Comprehensive income	68,816	112,756	183,451	226,352
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17,332	18,808	34,481	42,586
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	51,484	93,948	148,970	183,766
Parent Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	29,753	83,359	108,927	158,833
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	21,139	9,976	36,909	20,512
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	(139)	(527)	1,670	2,140
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	731	1,140	1,464	2,281
Other comprehensive income (loss)	21,731	10,589	40,043	24,933
Comprehensive income	51,484	93,948	148,970	183,766
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	51,484	93,948	148,970	183,766
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	29,753	83,359	108,927	158,833
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	21,139	9,976	36,909	20,512
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	(139)	(527)	1,670	2,140
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	731	1,140	1,464	2,281
Other comprehensive income (loss)	21,731	10,589	40,043	24,933
Comprehensive income	51,484	93,948	148,970	183,766
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	51,484	93,948	148,970	183,766
Other Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	22,245	84,747	112,652	200,249
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	(139)	(527)	1,670	2,140
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	731	1,140	1,464	2,281
Other comprehensive income (loss)	592	613	3,134	4,421
Comprehensive income	22,837	85,360	115,786	204,670
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	22,837	85,360	115,786	204,670
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	23,780	52,409	45,518	108,973
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Comprehensive income	23,780	52,409	45,518	108,973
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17,332	18,808	34,481	42,586
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	6,448	33,601	11,037	66,387
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	(58,446)	(201,707)	(232,616)	(425,469)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps	(21,139)	(9,976)	(36,909)	(20,512)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities	278	1,054	(3,340)	(4,280)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components	(1,462)	(2,280)	(2,928)	(4,562)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(22,323)	(11,202)	(43,177)	(29,354)
Comprehensive income	(80,769)	(212,909)	(275,793)	(454,823)
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	$ (80,769)	$ (212,909)	$ (275,793)	$ (454,823)