Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	$ (90)	$ (56)	$ (390)	$ (1,427)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	5	10	8	(11)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(7)	7	(8)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1		2	3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8	3	17	(16)
Comprehensive loss	(82)	(53)	(373)	(1,443)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	20	23	56	73
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(102)	(76)	(429)	(1,516)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(110)	(79)	(446)	(1,500)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	5	10	8	(11)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(7)	7	(8)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1		2	3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8	3	17	(16)
Comprehensive loss	(102)	(76)	(429)	(1,516)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(102)	(76)	(429)	(1,516)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(110)	(79)	(446)	(1,500)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	5	10	8	(11)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(7)	7	(8)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1		2	3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8	3	17	(16)
Comprehensive loss	(102)	(76)	(429)	(1,516)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(102)	(76)	(429)	(1,516)
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(40)	(16)	(213)	(1,350)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(7)	7	(8)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1		2	3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3	(7)	9	(5)
Comprehensive loss	(37)	(23)	(204)	(1,355)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(37)	(23)	(204)	(1,355)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(4)	3	(59)	(433)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Comprehensive loss	(4)	3	(59)	(433)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	20	23	56	73
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(24)	(20)	(115)	(506)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	174	115	774	3,356
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(5)	(10)	(8)	11
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(4)	14	(14)	16
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(2)		(4)	(6)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(11)	4	(26)	21
Comprehensive loss	163	119	748	3,377
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ 163	$ 119	$ 748	$ 3,377