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								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ 165	$ 94	$ 76	$ (75)	$ 62	$ 28	$ 53	$ 99	$ 260	$ 242	$ 358
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests									111	76	80
Income from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted									149	166	278
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(29)		(6)	(22)	(10)	(6)	(6)	(3)	(57)	(25)	(12)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted									$ (57)	$ (25)	$ (12)
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	113,606,631	113,138,663	112,598,899	106,601,997	93,372,398	93,259,027	92,866,370	91,002,615	111,579,088	92,633,332	89,242,949
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock awards									377,190	448,567	335,664
Employee stock options									578,395	714,560	212,227
Other equity-based awards									14,647	18,554	16,097
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	114,828,587	114,343,778	113,474,169	106,601,997	94,703,458	94,483,596	94,109,368	91,998,993	112,549,320	93,815,013	89,806,937