Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 133		$ 184	$ 186		$ 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	208		197
Other current assets	461		567
Total current assets	4,541		5,166
Property and equipment, net	8,830		10,112
Goodwill	6,901		8,965
Other assets, net	1,955		2,352
Total assets	22,227		26,595
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	240		229
Accounts payable	1,018		1,258
Accrued interest	151		227
Accrued liabilities	1,277		1,358
Total current liabilities	2,686		3,072
Long-term debt	15,082		16,556
Deferred income taxes	357		593
Other long-term liabilities	1,622		1,698
Total liabilities	19,747		21,919
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	553		571
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	1,967		1,963
Treasury stock, at cost			(7)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(87)	$ (90)	(73)	(93)	$ (64)	(63)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(60)		2,135
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,821		4,019
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	106		86
Total equity	1,927		4,105
Total liabilities and equity	22,227		26,595
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Prepaid income taxes	33		27
Total current assets	33		27
Intercompany receivable	229		1,159
Net investment in subsidiaries	1,928		3,438
Total assets	2,190		4,624
Current liabilities:
Accrued liabilities	4		4
Total current liabilities	4		4
Deferred income taxes	357		593
Other long-term liabilities	8		8
Total liabilities	369		605
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	1,967		1,963
Treasury stock, at cost			(7)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(87)		(73)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(60)		2,135
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,821		4,019
Total equity	1,821		4,019
Total liabilities and equity	2,190		4,624
Issuer [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	15,243		16,004
Net investment in subsidiaries	21,769		20,218
Total assets	37,012		36,222
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	170		162
Accrued interest	149		226
Total current liabilities	319		388
Long-term debt	14,240		15,603
Intercompany payable	19,275		15,577
Other long-term liabilities	1,253		1,216
Total liabilities	35,087		32,784
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	759		1,324
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(87)		(73)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	1,253		2,187
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,925		3,438
Total equity	1,925		3,438
Total liabilities and equity	37,012		36,222
Other Guarantor [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	18		32	28		373
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	850		894
Supplies	356		355
Prepaid expenses and taxes	144		125
Other current assets	259		335
Total current assets	1,627		1,741
Intercompany receivable	2,677		4,590
Property and equipment, net	5,854		6,199
Goodwill	4,027		4,965
Other assets, net	2,203		2,018
Net investment in subsidiaries	8,523		9,414
Total assets	24,911		28,927
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	61		62
Accounts payable	697		774
Accrued interest	1
Accrued liabilities	753		814
Total current liabilities	1,512		1,650
Long-term debt	106		136
Intercompany payable	19,501		22,143
Other long-term liabilities	1,167		1,028
Total liabilities	22,286		24,957
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	998		1,505
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(21)		(22)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	1,648		2,487
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	2,625		3,970
Total equity	2,625		3,970
Total liabilities and equity	24,911		28,927
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	115		152	$ 158		$ 136
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	2,329		2,717
Supplies	171		225
Prepaid expenses and taxes	64		72
Other current assets	202		232
Total current assets	2,881		3,398
Intercompany receivable	6,838		7,478
Property and equipment, net	2,976		3,913
Goodwill	2,874		4,000
Other assets, net	926		1,379
Total assets	16,495		20,168
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	9		5
Accounts payable	321		484
Accrued interest	1		1
Accrued liabilities	520		540
Total current liabilities	851		1,030
Long-term debt	736		817
Intercompany payable	13,419		16,196
Other long-term liabilities	368		491
Total liabilities	15,374		18,534
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	553		571
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	769		964
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6)		(1)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(301)		14
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	462		977
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	106		86
Total equity	568		1,063
Total liabilities and equity	16,495		20,168
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	(24,987)		(29,231)
Other assets, net	(1,174)		(1,045)
Net investment in subsidiaries	(32,220)		(33,070)
Total assets	(58,381)		(63,346)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payable	(52,195)		(53,916)
Other long-term liabilities	(1,174)		(1,045)
Total liabilities	(53,369)		(54,961)
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	(2,526)		(3,793)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	114		96
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(2,600)		(4,688)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	(5,012)		(8,385)
Total equity	(5,012)		(8,385)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (58,381)		$ (63,346)