Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Operating revenues (net of contractual allowances and discounts)		$ 5,168
Provision for bad debts		682
Net operating revenues	$ 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)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(7)
Loss from continuing operations	(6)	(176)
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
(Loss) income 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)
Parent Company [Member]
Operating costs and expenses:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	25	199
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(25)	(199)
Loss from continuing operations	(25)	(199)
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
Net loss	(25)	(199)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(25)	(199)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Operating revenues (net of contractual allowances and discounts)		(6)
Net operating revenues	(5)	(6)
Operating costs and expenses:
Income from operations	(5)	(6)
Interest expense, net	91	70
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	4	21
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(33)	121
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(67)	(218)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(42)	(19)
Loss from continuing operations	(25)	(199)
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
Net loss	(25)	(199)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(25)	(199)
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Operating revenues (net of contractual allowances and discounts)		2,879
Provision for bad debts		489
Net operating revenues	2,243	2,390
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	824	927
Supplies	400	430
Other operating expenses	601	599
Government and other legal settlements and related costs	5	(41)
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement	(1)	(2)
Rent	47	51
Depreciation and amortization	113	124
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	16	41
Total operating costs and expenses	2,005	2,129
Income from operations	238	261
Interest expense, net	136	147
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	21	163
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	81	(49)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	47	71
Loss from continuing operations	34	(120)
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
(Loss) income from operations of entities sold or held for sale		(3)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(3)
Net loss	34	(123)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	34	(123)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Operating revenues (net of contractual allowances and discounts)		2,295
Provision for bad debts		193
Net operating revenues	1,451	2,102
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	824	1,134
Supplies	216	319
Other operating expenses	310	458
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement		(4)
Rent	42	58
Depreciation and amortization	68	112
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	12	209
Total operating costs and expenses	1,472	2,286
Income from operations	(21)	(184)
Interest expense, net	1	12
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(22)	(196)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(12)	(52)
Loss from continuing operations	(10)	(144)
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
(Loss) income from operations of entities sold or held for sale		2
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		2
Net loss	(10)	(142)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	19	22
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(29)	(164)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Operating costs and expenses:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(20)	(486)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	20	486
Loss from continuing operations	20	486
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
Net loss	20	486
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ 20	$ 486