Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive (Loss) Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	$ (98)	$ 96
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	9	16
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax		2
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1
Other comprehensive income	9	19
Comprehensive (loss) income	(89)	115
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	14	17
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	(103)	98
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(112)	79
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	9	16
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax		2
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1
Other comprehensive income	9	19
Comprehensive (loss) income	(103)	98
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	(103)	98
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(112)	79
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	9	16
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax		2
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1
Other comprehensive income	9	19
Comprehensive (loss) income	(103)	98
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	(103)	98
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(32)	90
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax		2
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1
Other comprehensive income		3
Comprehensive (loss) income	(32)	93
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	(32)	93
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(11)	22
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Comprehensive (loss) income	(11)	22
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	14	17
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	(25)	5
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	169	(174)
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(9)	(16)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(4)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		(2)
Other comprehensive income	(9)	(22)
Comprehensive (loss) income	160	(196)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	$ 160	$ (196)