Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	$ 99us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ (98)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(9)	9
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	1
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(7)	9
Comprehensive income (loss)	92	(89)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	20	14
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	72us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	(103)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	79	(112)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(9)	9
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	1
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(7)	9
Comprehensive income (loss)	72	(103)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	72	(103)
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	79	(112)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(9)	9
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	1
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(7)	9
Comprehensive income (loss)	72	(103)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	72	(103)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	101	(29)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	1
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1
Other comprehensive (loss) income	2
Comprehensive income (loss)	103	(29)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	103	(29)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	10	(18)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Comprehensive income (loss)	10	(18)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	20	14
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(10)	(32)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	(170)	173
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	9	(9)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(2)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	5	(9)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(165)	164
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (165)	$ 164

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