Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Numerator:
(Loss) Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ (1,405)	$ 140	$ (1,368)	$ 252
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes	26	23	50	43
(Loss) Income from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	(1,431)	117	(1,418)	209
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(1)	(6)	(3)	(20)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	$ (1)	$ (6)	$ (3)	$ (20)
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	110,879,285	115,194,899	110,563,576	114,809,386
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock awards		441,351		311,236
Employee stock options		453,661		453,160
Other equity-based awards		10,506		7,105
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	110,879,285	116,100,417	110,563,576	115,580,887