Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ 140	$ 76	$ 252	$ 1
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes	23	28	43	43
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	117	48	209	(42)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(6)	(6)	(20)	(28)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	$ (6)	$ (6)	$ (20)	$ (28)
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	115,194,899	112,598,899	114,809,386	109,617,014
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock awards	441,351	267,529	311,236
Employee stock options	453,661	596,766	453,160
Other equity-based awards	10,506	10,975	7,105
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	116,100,417	113,474,169	115,580,887	109,617,014