Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	$ 251	$ 241
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	63	168
Tax benefit	(26)	(56)
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	11	79
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	(14)	(9)
Tax benefit	5	3
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(9)	(6)
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)
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 from continuing operations before income taxes	(1)	(1)
Net income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (1)	$ (1)