Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	$ 134	$ 70	$ 232	$ (27)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	8		(1)	9
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	3	(1)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax			1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6	3	(1)	12
Comprehensive income (loss)	140	73	231	(15)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	23	28	43	43
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	117	45	188	(58)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	111	42	189	(70)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	8		(1)	9
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	3	(1)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax			1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6	3	(1)	12
Comprehensive income (loss)	117	45	188	(58)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	117	45	188	(58)
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	111	42	189	(70)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	8		(1)	9
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	3	(1)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax			1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6	3	(1)	12
Comprehensive income (loss)	117	45	188	(58)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	117	45	188	(58)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	133	58	235	27
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	3	(1)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax			1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2)	3		3
Comprehensive income (loss)	131	61	235	30
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	131	61	235	30
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	33	43	43	34
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Comprehensive income (loss)	33	43	43	34
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	23	28	43	43
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	10	15		(9)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income (loss)	(254)	(115)	(424)	52
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(8)		1	(9)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	4	(6)	2	(6)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax			(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)	(6)	1	(15)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(258)	(121)	(423)	37
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (258)	$ (121)	$ (423)	$ 37