Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 768		$ 238	$ 461		$ 184
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	2,939		3,176
Supplies	438		480
Prepaid income taxes	22		17
Prepaid expenses and taxes	210		187
Other current assets	678		568
Total current assets	5,055		4,666
Property and equipment, net	7,312		8,149
Goodwill	6,165		6,521
Other assets, net	2,341		2,608
Total assets	20,873		21,944
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	46		455
Accounts payable	917		995
Accrued interest	236		207
Accrued liabilities	1,179		1,230
Total current liabilities	2,378		2,887
Long-term debt	14,702		14,789
Deferred income taxes	396		411
Other long-term liabilities	1,456		1,575
Total liabilities	18,932		19,662
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	548		554
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	1,984		1,975
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(53)	$ (54)	(62)	(90)	$ (89)	(73)
Accumulated deficit	(634)		(299)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,298		1,615
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	95		113
Total equity	1,393		1,728
Total liabilities and equity	20,873		21,944
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Prepaid income taxes	22		17
Total current assets	22		17
Intercompany receivable	282		295
Other assets, net	14		15
Net investment in subsidiaries	1,402		1,728
Total assets	1,720		2,055
Current liabilities:
Accrued liabilities	14		17
Total current liabilities	14		17
Deferred income taxes	396		411
Other long-term liabilities	12		12
Total liabilities	422		440
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	1,984		1,975
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(53)		(62)
Accumulated deficit	(634)		(299)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,298		1,615
Total equity	1,298		1,615
Total liabilities and equity	1,720		2,055
Issuer [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	14,341		14,966
Other assets, net	14
Net investment in subsidiaries	22,217		22,205
Total assets	36,572		37,171
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt			149
Accrued interest	235		205
Total current liabilities	235		354
Long-term debt	13,802		14,018
Intercompany payable	19,915		19,811
Other long-term liabilities	1,218		1,259
Total liabilities	35,170		35,442
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	549		676
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(53)		(62)
Accumulated deficit	906		1,115
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,402		1,729
Total equity	1,402		1,729
Total liabilities and equity	36,572		37,171
Other Guarantor [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	685		162	178		32
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	684		843
Supplies	281		324
Prepaid expenses and taxes	157		133
Other current assets	489		283
Total current assets	2,296		1,745
Intercompany receivable	4,781		667
Property and equipment, net	4,557		5,403
Goodwill	3,404		3,735
Other assets, net	2,512		2,820
Net investment in subsidiaries	9,347		8,607
Total assets	26,897		22,977
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	38		56
Accounts payable	596		715
Accrued interest			1
Accrued liabilities	694		775
Total current liabilities	1,328		1,547
Long-term debt	197		233
Intercompany payable	21,925		17,508
Other long-term liabilities	1,117		1,187
Total liabilities	24,567		20,475
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	907		1,080
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(20)		(22)
Accumulated deficit	1,443		1,444
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	2,330		2,502
Total equity	2,330		2,502
Total liabilities and equity	26,897		22,977
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	83		76	$ 283		$ 152
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	2,255		2,333
Supplies	157		156
Prepaid expenses and taxes	53		54
Other current assets	189		285
Total current assets	2,737		2,904
Intercompany receivable	5,955		6,985
Property and equipment, net	2,755		2,746
Goodwill	2,761		2,786
Other assets, net	1,020		995
Total assets	15,228		16,416
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	8		250
Accounts payable	321		280
Accrued interest	1		1
Accrued liabilities	471		438
Total current liabilities	801		969
Long-term debt	703		538
Intercompany payable	12,370		13,393
Other long-term liabilities	328		339
Total liabilities	14,202		15,239
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	548		554
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	732		816
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6)		(9)
Accumulated deficit	(343)		(297)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	383		510
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	95		113
Total equity	478		623
Total liabilities and equity	15,228		16,416
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	(25,359)		(22,913)
Other assets, net	(1,219)		(1,222)
Net investment in subsidiaries	(32,966)		(32,540)
Total assets	(59,544)		(56,675)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payable	(54,210)		(50,712)
Other long-term liabilities	(1,219)		(1,222)
Total liabilities	(55,429)		(51,934)
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	(2,188)		(2,572)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	79		93
Accumulated deficit	(2,006)		(2,262)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' equity	(4,115)		(4,741)
Total equity	(4,115)		(4,741)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (59,544)		$ (56,675)