Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net operating revenues (see Note 1)	$ 3,451	$ 3,666	$ 10,702	$ 12,295
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	1,585	1,724	4,850	5,704
Supplies	565	610	1,773	2,056
Other operating expenses	858	911	2,646	2,984
Government and other legal settlements and related costs	2	1	9	(32)
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement	(1)	(2)	(2)	(25)
Rent	83	93	257	306
Depreciation and amortization	173	206	531	665
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	112	33	314	363
Total operating costs and expenses	3,377	3,576	10,378	12,021
Income from operations	74	90	324	274
Interest expense, net	256	238	720	706
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt	27	4	(32)	35
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(5)	(5)	(17)	(13)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(204)	(147)	(347)	(454)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	104	(59)	58	(74)
Loss from continuing operations	(308)	(88)	(405)	(380)
Discontinued operations, net of taxes:
Loss from operations of entities sold or held for sale		(1)		(4)
Impairment of hospitals sold or held for sale		(1)		(6)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes		(2)		(10)
Net loss	(308)	(90)	(405)	(390)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17	20	55	56
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (325)	$ (110)	$ (460)	$ (446)
Basic loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ (2.88)	$ (0.96)	$ (4.08)	$ (3.91)
Discontinued operations		(0.02)		(0.08)
Net loss	(2.88)	(0.98)	(4.08)	(3.99)
Diluted loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
Continuing operations	(2.88)	(0.96)	(4.08)	(3.91)
Discontinued operations		(0.02)		(0.08)
Net loss	$ (2.88)	$ (0.98)	$ (4.08)	$ (3.99)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	112,865,482	111,935,738	112,667,077	111,701,812
Diluted	112,865,482	111,935,738	112,667,077	111,701,812
Operating Revenues (Net of Contractual Allowances and Discounts) [Member]
Net operating revenues (see Note 1)		$ 4,333		$ 14,323
Provision for Bad Debts [Member]
Net operating revenues (see Note 1)		$ (667)		$ (2,028)