Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	$ (122)	$ (1,406)	$ (299)	$ (1,371)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(2)	(2)	3	(21)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(3)	5	(1)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1	2	1	3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1	(3)	9	(19)
Comprehensive loss	(121)	(1,409)	(290)	(1,390)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	15	26	36	50
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(136)	(1,435)	(326)	(1,440)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(137)	(1,432)	(335)	(1,421)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(2)	(2)	3	(21)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(3)	5	(1)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1	2	1	3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1	(3)	9	(19)
Comprehensive loss	(136)	(1,435)	(326)	(1,440)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(136)	(1,435)	(326)	(1,440)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(137)	(1,432)	(335)	(1,421)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(2)	(2)	3	(21)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(3)	5	(1)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1	2	1	3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1	(3)	9	(19)
Comprehensive loss	(136)	(1,435)	(326)	(1,440)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(136)	(1,435)	(326)	(1,440)
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(51)	(1,389)	(174)	(1,331)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(3)	5	(1)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1	2	1	3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3	(1)	6	2
Comprehensive loss	(48)	(1,390)	(168)	(1,329)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(48)	(1,390)	(168)	(1,329)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(13)	(445)	(47)	(447)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Comprehensive loss	(13)	(445)	(47)	(447)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	15	26	36	50
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(28)	(471)	(83)	(497)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	216	3,292	592	3,249
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	2	2	(3)	21
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(4)	6	(10)	2
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(2)	(4)	(2)	(6)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)	4	(15)	17
Comprehensive loss	212	3,296	577	3,266
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ 212	$ 3,296	$ 577	$ 3,266