Fair Value (Narrative) (Details) (Interest Rate Swap [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value Disclosures [Line Items]
Credit risk valuation adjustment, decrease in fair value of liability	$ 3	$ 1
Credit risk valuation adjustment, decrease in fair value of liability, net of tax	$ 2	$ 1

Amount of credit risk valuation adjustment to derivative liabilities to properly reflect the credit quality of the entity, net of tax.

No definition available.

Name:	cyh_DerivativeCreditRiskValuationAdjustmentDerivativeLiabilitiesNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant