Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	$ (6)	$ (177)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	18	5
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1
Other comprehensive income	17	8
Comprehensive income (loss)	11	(169)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	19	22
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(8)	(191)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(25)	(199)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	18	5
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1
Other comprehensive income	17	8
Comprehensive income (loss)	(8)	(191)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(8)	(191)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(25)	(199)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	18	5
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1
Other comprehensive income	17	8
Comprehensive income (loss)	(8)	(191)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(8)	(191)
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	34	(123)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	1
Other comprehensive income	(1)	3
Comprehensive income (loss)	33	(120)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	33	(120)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(10)	(142)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax
Comprehensive income (loss)	(10)	(142)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	19	22
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(29)	(164)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	20	486
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(18)	(5)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	4	(6)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(2)
Other comprehensive income	(16)	(11)
Comprehensive income (loss)	4	475
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ 4	$ 475