Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 10, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001108109
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Trading Symbol	CYH
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 7,438,008,592
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		112,762,293