Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges - Interest rate swaps	$ (224)	$ (156)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	(135)	147
Tax benefit	57	(49)
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(112)	79
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	(18)	(27)
Tax benefit	7	9
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(11)	(18)
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 - Actuarial losses		(1)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes		(1)
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders		$ (1)