Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	$ (56)	$ 75	$ (1,427)	$ 308
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	10	(21)	(11)	(22)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(7)	(9)	(8)	(10)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1	3	2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3	(29)	(16)	(30)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(53)	46	(1,443)	278
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	23	23	73	67
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(76)	23	(1,516)	211
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(79)	52	(1,500)	241
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	10	(21)	(11)	(22)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(7)	(9)	(8)	(10)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1	3	2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3	(29)	(16)	(30)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(76)	23	(1,516)	211
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(76)	23	(1,516)	211
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(79)	52	(1,500)	241
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	10	(21)	(11)	(22)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(7)	(9)	(8)	(10)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1	3	2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3	(29)	(16)	(30)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(76)	23	(1,516)	211
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(76)	23	(1,516)	211
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(17)	76	(1,349)	311
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(7)	(9)	(8)	(10)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1	3	2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(7)	(8)	(5)	(8)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(24)	68	(1,354)	303
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(24)	68	(1,354)	303
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	8	9	(437)	50
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Comprehensive (loss) income	8	9	(437)	50
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	23	23	73	67
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(15)	(14)	(510)	(17)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	111	(114)	3,359	(535)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(10)	21	11	22
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	14	18	16	20
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		(2)	(6)	(4)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4	37	21	38
Comprehensive (loss) income	115	(77)	3,380	(497)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ 115	$ (77)	$ 3,380	$ (497)