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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ 21,598	$ 58,758	$ 165,006	$ 260,643
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes	17,503	14,525	51,984	57,111
Income from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	4,095	44,233	113,022	203,532
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	93,259,027	89,259,950	92,384,270	89,028,249
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock awards	521,460	449,811	381,893	210,418
Employee stock options	681,991	280,495	733,923	214,082
Other equity-based awards	21,118	18,857	16,072	12,238
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	94,483,596	90,009,113	93,516,158	89,464,987