Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other 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
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges - Interest rate swaps	$ (155,056)	$ (151,607)	$ (311,406)	$ (303,782)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	64,570	151,686	208,596	297,223
Tax benefit	(17,485)	(49,519)	(65,188)	(95,338)
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	29,753	83,359	108,927	158,833
Change in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges - Interest rate swaps	(26,804)		(54,106)
Tax benefit	9,676		19,532
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(17,128)		(34,574)
Change in Unrecognized Pension Cost Components [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of defined benefit pension items - Prior service costs	(286)		(572)
Amortization of defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	(879)		(1,758)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(1,165)		(2,330)
Tax benefit	434		866
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (731)		$ (1,464)