Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) (Interest Rate Swap [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value Disclosures [Line Items]
Credit risk valuation adjustment, decrease in fair value of liability	$ 1.6	$ 3.6
Credit risk valuation adjustment, decrease in fair value of liability, net of tax	$ 1.0	$ 2.3

Amount of credit risk valuation adjustment to derivative liabilities to properly reflect the credit quality of the entity, net of tax.

No definition available.

Name:	cyh_DerivativeCreditRiskValuationAdjustmentDerivativeLiabilitiesNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant