Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges - Interest rate swaps	$ (154,329)	$ (158,565)	$ (465,735)	$ (462,347)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	25,040	84,458	233,636	381,681
Tax benefit	(3,442)	(25,700)	(68,630)	(121,038)
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	4,095	44,233	113,022	203,066
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	(25,013)		(79,120)
Tax benefit	9,029		28,563
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(15,984)		(50,557)
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)		(858)
Amortization of defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	(879)		(2,637)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(1,165)		(3,495)
Tax benefit	434		1,300
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (731)		$ (2,195)