Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 461		$ 184	$ 365		$ 509
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	3,179		3,611
Supplies	527		580
Prepaid income taxes	33		27
Prepaid expenses and taxes	217		197
Other current assets	425		567
Total current assets	4,842		5,166
Property and equipment, net	8,955		10,112
Goodwill	6,926		8,965
Other assets, net	1,709		2,352
Total assets	22,432		26,595
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	253		229
Accounts payable	979		1,258
Accrued interest	208		227
Accrued liabilities	1,288		1,358
Total current liabilities	2,728		3,072
Long-term debt	15,110		16,556
Deferred income taxes	388		593
Other long-term liabilities	1,658		1,698
Total liabilities	19,884		21,919
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	546		571
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	1,965		1,963
Treasury stock, at cost			(7)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(90)	$ (89)	(73)	(64)	$ (70)	(63)
Retained earnings	19		2,135
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,895		4,019
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	107		86
Total equity	2,002		4,105
Total liabilities and equity	22,432		26,595
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Prepaid income taxes	33		27
Total current assets	33		27
Intercompany receivable	262		1,159
Net investment in subsidiaries	2,000		3,438
Total assets	2,295		4,624
Current liabilities:
Accrued liabilities	4		4
Total current liabilities	4		4
Deferred income taxes	388		593
Other long-term liabilities	8		8
Total liabilities	400		605
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	1,965		1,963
Treasury stock, at cost			(7)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(90)		(73)
Retained earnings	19		2,135
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,895		4,019
Total equity	1,895		4,019
Total liabilities and equity	2,295		4,624
Issuer [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	15,370		16,004
Net investment in subsidiaries	20,224		20,218
Total assets	35,594		36,222
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	170		162
Accrued interest	206		226
Total current liabilities	376		388
Long-term debt	14,232		15,603
Intercompany payable	17,736		15,577
Other long-term liabilities	1,250		1,216
Total liabilities	33,594		32,784
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	788		1,324
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(90)		(73)
Retained earnings	1,302		2,187
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	2,000		3,438
Total equity	2,000		3,438
Total liabilities and equity	35,594		36,222
Other Guarantor [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	178		32	192		373
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	846		894
Supplies	359		355
Prepaid expenses and taxes	150		125
Other current assets	252		335
Total current assets	1,785		1,741
Intercompany receivable	5,402		4,590
Property and equipment, net	5,905		6,199
Goodwill	4,055		4,965
Other assets, net	2,132		2,018
Net investment in subsidiaries	9,834		9,414
Total assets	29,113		28,927
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	73		62
Accounts payable	695		774
Accrued interest	1
Accrued liabilities	707		814
Total current liabilities	1,476		1,650
Long-term debt	107		136
Intercompany payable	23,705		22,143
Other long-term liabilities	1,177		1,028
Total liabilities	26,465		24,957
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	1,004		1,505
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(15)		(22)
Retained earnings	1,659		2,487
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	2,648		3,970
Total equity	2,648		3,970
Total liabilities and equity	29,113		28,927
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	283		152	$ 173		$ 136
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	2,333		2,717
Supplies	168		225
Prepaid expenses and taxes	67		72
Other current assets	173		232
Total current assets	3,024		3,398
Intercompany receivable	8,453		7,478
Property and equipment, net	3,050		3,913
Goodwill	2,871		4,000
Other assets, net	842		1,379
Total assets	18,240		20,168
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	10		5
Accounts payable	284		484
Accrued interest	1		1
Accrued liabilities	577		540
Total current liabilities	872		1,030
Long-term debt	771		817
Intercompany payable	14,994		16,196
Other long-term liabilities	488		491
Total liabilities	17,125		18,534
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	546		571
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	763		964
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8)		(1)
Retained earnings	(293)		14
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	462		977
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	107		86
Total equity	569		1,063
Total liabilities and equity	18,240		20,168
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	(29,487)		(29,231)
Other assets, net	(1,265)		(1,045)
Net investment in subsidiaries	(32,058)		(33,070)
Total assets	(62,810)		(63,346)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payable	(56,435)		(53,916)
Other long-term liabilities	(1,265)		(1,045)
Total liabilities	(57,700)		(54,961)
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	(2,555)		(3,793)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	113		96
Retained earnings	(2,668)		(4,688)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	(5,110)		(8,385)
Total equity	(5,110)		(8,385)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (62,810)		$ (63,346)