Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 389		$ 373	$ 251		$ 388
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	3,121		2,323
Supplies	550		371
Prepaid income taxes	193		107
Deferred income taxes	317		101
Prepaid expenses and taxes	203		127
Other current assets	624		345
Total current assets	5,397		3,747
Property and equipment, net	10,817		7,051
Goodwill	8,519		4,424
Other assets, net	2,537		1,895
Total assets	27,270		17,117
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	209		167
Accounts payable	1,000		949
Deferred income taxes			3
Accrued interest	233		112
Accrued liabilities	1,727		1,227
Total current liabilities	3,169		2,458
Long-term debt	16,722		9,286
Deferred income taxes	1,043		906
Other long-term liabilities	1,782		977
Total liabilities	22,716		13,627
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	689		358
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	2,021		1,256
Treasury stock, at cost	(7)		(7)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(55)	(58)	(67)	(105)	(126)	(145)
Retained earnings	1,815		1,885
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	3,775		3,068
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	90		64
Total equity	3,865		3,132
Total liabilities and equity	27,270		17,117
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Prepaid income taxes	193		107
Deferred income taxes	317		101
Total current assets	510		208
Intercompany receivable	1,179		579
Net investment in subsidiaries	3,135		3,194
Total assets	4,824		3,981
Current liabilities:
Deferred income taxes			3
Accrued liabilities	4		4
Total current liabilities	4		7
Deferred income taxes	1,043		906
Other long-term liabilities	2
Total liabilities	1,049		913
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	2,021		1,256
Treasury stock, at cost	(7)		(7)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(55)		(67)
Retained earnings	1,815		1,885
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	3,775		3,068
Total equity	3,775		3,068
Total liabilities and equity	4,824		3,981
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	16,522		9,541
Other assets, net	319		144
Net investment in subsidiaries	17,838		9,335
Total assets	34,679		19,020
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	146		152
Accrued interest	232		111
Total current liabilities	378		263
Long-term debt	15,903		8,718
Intercompany payable	14,450		6,226
Other long-term liabilities	812		619
Total liabilities	31,543		15,826
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	1,150		1,175
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(55)		(67)
Retained earnings	2,041		2,086
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	3,136		3,194
Total equity	3,136		3,194
Total liabilities and equity	34,679		19,020
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	206		238	132		272
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	1,056		866
Supplies	370		256
Prepaid expenses and taxes	149		98
Other current assets	277		262
Total current assets	2,058		1,720
Intercompany receivable	3,087		4,534
Property and equipment, net	7,126		4,657
Goodwill	5,267		2,530
Other assets, net	1,778		1,454
Net investment in subsidiaries	6,936		4,030
Total assets	26,252		18,925
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	54		13
Accounts payable	718		734
Accrued liabilities	1,216		871
Total current liabilities	1,988		1,618
Long-term debt	127		51
Intercompany payable	19,396		13,060
Other long-term liabilities	1,190		671
Total liabilities	22,701		15,400
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	1,284		1,274
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(13)		(11)
Retained earnings	2,280		2,262
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	3,551		3,525
Total equity	3,551		3,525
Total liabilities and equity	26,252		18,925
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	183		135	119		116
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	2,065		1,457
Supplies	180		115
Prepaid expenses and taxes	54		29
Other current assets	347		83
Total current assets	2,829		1,819
Intercompany receivable	7,869		3,810
Property and equipment, net	3,691		2,394
Goodwill	3,252		1,894
Other assets, net	1,045		828
Total assets	18,686		10,745
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	9		2
Accounts payable	282		215
Accrued interest	1		1
Accrued liabilities	507		352
Total current liabilities	799		570
Long-term debt	692		517
Intercompany payable	15,226		8,266
Other long-term liabilities	383		218
Total liabilities	17,100		9,571
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	689		358
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	656		595
Retained earnings	151		157
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	807		752
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	90		64
Total equity	897		816
Total liabilities and equity	18,686		10,745
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	(28,657)		(18,464)
Other assets, net	(605)		(531)
Net investment in subsidiaries	(27,909)		(16,559)
Total assets	(57,171)		(35,554)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payable	(49,072)		(27,552)
Other long-term liabilities	(605)		(531)
Total liabilities	(49,677)		(28,083)
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	(3,090)		(3,044)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	68		78
Retained earnings	(4,472)		(4,505)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	(7,494)		(7,471)
Total equity	(7,494)		(7,471)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (57,171)		$ (35,554)