Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	$ 229	$ 251
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	(176)	63
Tax benefit		(26)
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(199)	11
Reclassification, net of tax	(5)	(10)
Change in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification, net of tax	(5)	(9)
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]
Tax benefit	3	5
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(5)	(9)
Change in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	(8)	(14)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification, Total before tax	(1)	(1)
Change in Unrecognized Pension Cost Components [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification, Total before tax	(1)	(1)
Tax benefit	$ 1
Reclassification, net of tax		$ (1)