Amount of loss contingency liability.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow reducing loss contingency liability.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualPayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount charged against operating income increasing loss contingency liability, after adjustments to reduce previously estimated charges.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualProvision
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis=us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=cyh_CvrRelatedLiabilityAtFairValueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=cyh_OtherProbableContingenciesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Contingencies (Schedule Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Liability Balances in Connection with Probable Contingencies) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Expense (income)	$ (6)	$ 1	$ 1
Pending Litigation [Member] \| CVR Related Liability at Fair Value [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		261
Cash payments		(1)
Ending Balance		260
Pending Litigation [Member] \| Other Probable Contingencies [Member]
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		10
Expense (income)		1
Cash payments		(5)
Ending Balance		$ 6