Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Numerator:
Loss from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ (116)	$ (1,405)	$ (292)	$ (1,368)
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes	15	26	36	50
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	(131)	(1,431)	(328)	(1,418)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(6)	(1)	(7)	(3)
Less: Loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted	$ (6)	$ (1)	$ (7)	$ (3)
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	111,909,858	110,879,285	111,582,911	110,563,576
Effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	111,909,858	110,879,285	111,582,911	110,563,576