Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss [Abstract]
Operating revenues (net of contractual allowances and discounts)		$ 5,168
Provision for bad debts		682
Net operating revenues (see Note 1)	$ 3,689	4,486
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	1,648	2,061
Supplies	616	749
Other operating expenses	911	1,057
Government and other legal settlements and related costs	5	(41)
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement	(1)	(6)
Rent	89	109
Depreciation and amortization	181	236
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	28	250
Total operating costs and expenses	3,477	4,415
Income from operations	212	71
Interest expense, net	228	229
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	4	21
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(7)	(3)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(13)	(176)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(7)
Loss from continuing operations	(6)	(176)
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
Loss from operations of entities sold or held for sale		(1)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(1)
Net loss	(6)	(177)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	19	22
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (25)	$ (199)
Basic loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ (0.22)	$ (1.78)
Discontinued operations		(0.01)
Net loss	(0.22)	(1.79)
Diluted loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
Continuing operations	(0.22)	(1.78)
Discontinued operations		(0.01)
Net loss	$ (0.22)	$ (1.79)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	112,291,496	111,252,331
Diluted	112,291,496	111,252,331