Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity (Schedule of Impact of Noncontrolling Interest to Stockholders' Deficit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity [Abstract]
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (328)	$ (325)	$ (110)	$ (25)	$ (2,013)	$ (110)	$ (137)	$ (199)	$ (788)	$ (2,459)	$ (1,721)
Net decrease in Community Health Systems, Inc. paid-in capital for purchase of subsidiary partnership interests									(4)	(2)	(9)
Net transfers from the noncontrolling interests									(4)	(2)	(9)
Change to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit from net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders and transfers to noncontrolling interests									$ (792)	$ (2,461)	$ (1,730)