Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	$ 239	$ 255	$ 481	$ 478
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	214	109	382	(22)
Tax benefit	(74)	(33)	(130)	23
Net income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	111	42	189	(70)
Change in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	(9)	(18)	(18)	(36)
Tax benefit	3	6	6	13
Net income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(6)	$ (12)	(12)	(23)
Change in Unrecognized Pension Cost Components [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of defined benefit pension items - Actuarial losses	(1)		(1)	(1)
Change in Unrecognized Pension Cost Components [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of defined benefit pension items - Prior service costs			(1)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(1)		(2)	(1)
Tax benefit	$ 1		1	$ 1
Net income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders			$ (1)