Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net	$ 239	$ 246	$ 468	$ 496
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(131)	(1,543)	(307)	(1,480)
Tax benefit	15	138	15	112
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(137)	(1,432)	(335)	(1,421)
Reclassification, net of tax	(6)	(12)	(12)	(22)
Change in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification, net of tax	(5)	(10)	(11)	(19)
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	6	6	11
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(5)	(10)	(11)	(19)
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)	(16)	(17)	(30)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification, Total before tax	(1)		(1)	(1)
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		(2)	(1)	(3)
Change in Unrecognized Pension Cost Components [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification, Total before tax	(1)	(2)	(2)	(4)
Tax benefit			1	1
Reclassification, net of tax	$ (1)	$ (2)	$ (1)	$ (3)