Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	$ 94	$ 22	$ 67	$ 165
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	11	10	20	47
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(5)	1	(2)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1	1	1	2
Other comprehensive income	7	12	19	52
Comprehensive income	101	34	86	217
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	32	18	75	52
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	69	16	11	165
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	62	4	(8)	113
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	11	10	20	47
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(5)	1	(2)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1	1	1	2
Other comprehensive income	7	12	19	52
Comprehensive income	69	16	11	165
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	69	16	11	165
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	62	4	(8)	113
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	11	10	20	47
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(5)	1	(2)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1	1	1	2
Other comprehensive income	7	12	19	52
Comprehensive income	69	16	11	165
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	69	16	11	165
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	64	75	91	188
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(5)	1	(2)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1	1	1	2
Other comprehensive income	(4)	2	(1)	5
Comprehensive income	60	77	90	193
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	60	77	90	193
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	55	23	89	68
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Comprehensive income	55	23	89	68
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	32	18	75	52
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	23	5	14	16
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	(149)	(84)	(97)	(317)
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(11)	(10)	(20)	(47)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	10	(2)	4	(6)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(2)	(2)	(2)	(4)
Other comprehensive income	(3)	(14)	(18)	(57)
Comprehensive income	(152)	(98)	(115)	(374)
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. shockholders	$ (152)	$ (98)	$ (115)	$ (374)