Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges - Interest rate swaps	$ (255)	$ (154)	$ (478)	$ (310)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	107	74	(24)	222
Tax benefit	(32)	(21)	24	(70)
Net income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	42	30	(70)	109
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)	(36)	(54)
Tax benefit	6	10	13	19
Net income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(12)	(17)	(23)	(35)
Change in Unrecognized Pension Cost Components [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses		(1)	(1)	(2)
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]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(1)	(1)	(2)
Tax benefit			1	1
Net income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders		$ (1)		$ (1)