Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	$ (1,406)	$ 134	$ (1,371)	$ 232
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(2)	8	(21)	(1)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(3)	(2)	(1)	(1)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	2		3	1
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(3)	6	(19)	(1)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(1,409)	140	(1,390)	231
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	26	23	50	43
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(1,435)	117	(1,440)	188
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(1,432)	111	(1,421)	189
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(2)	8	(21)	(1)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(3)	(2)	(1)	(1)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	2		3	1
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(3)	6	(19)	(1)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(1,435)	117	(1,440)	188
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(1,435)	117	(1,440)	188
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(1,432)	111	(1,421)	189
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(2)	8	(21)	(1)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(3)	(2)	(1)	(1)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	2		3	1
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(3)	6	(19)	(1)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(1,435)	117	(1,440)	188
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(1,435)	117	(1,440)	188
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(1,389)	137	(1,331)	235
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(3)	(2)	(1)	(1)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	2		3	1
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(1)	(2)	2
Comprehensive (loss) income	(1,390)	135	(1,329)	235
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(1,390)	135	(1,329)	235
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(445)	24	(447)	41
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Comprehensive (loss) income	(445)	24	(447)	41
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	26	23	50	43
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(471)	1	(497)	(2)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	3,292	(249)	3,249	(422)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	2	(8)	21	1
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	6	4	2	2
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(4)		(6)	(2)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	4	(4)	17	1
Comprehensive (loss) income	3,296	(253)	3,266	(421)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ 3,296	$ (253)	$ 3,266	$ (421)