Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ 93	$ 28	$ 93	$ 180
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	32	18	75	52
Income from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	61	10	18	128
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	1	(6)	(26)	(15)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	$ 1	$ (6)	$ (26)	$ (15)
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	113,138,663	93,259,027	110,871,066	92,384,270
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock awards	506,345	521,460	292,414	381,893
Employee stock options	679,748	681,991	582,216	733,923
Other equity-based awards	19,022	21,118	11,694	16,072
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	114,343,778	94,483,596	111,757,390	93,516,158