Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	$ 233	$ 242	$ 730	$ 723
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	(83)	121	(1,563)	502
Tax benefit	29	(38)	141	(167)
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(79)	52	(1,500)	241
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	(15)	(9)	(45)	(27)
Tax benefit	5	3	16	10
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(10)	(6)	(29)	(17)
Change in Unrecognized Pension Cost Components [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax		(1)	(3)	(2)
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)		(1)	(1)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	(1)	(1)	(4)	(3)
Tax benefit	$ 1		1	1
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders		$ (1)	$ (3)	$ (2)