Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share) (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
Numerator:
Loss from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ (299)	$ (308)	$ (91)	$ (6)	$ (2,004)	$ (88)	$ (116)	$ (176)	$ (704)	$ (2,384)	$ (1,611)
Less: Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes									84	63	95
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted									(788)	(2,447)	(1,706)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes					$ (3)	$ (2)	$ (6)	$ (1)		(12)	(15)
Less: Loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of taxes
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders - basic and diluted										$ (12)	$ (15)
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic	112,909,869	112,865,482	112,837,944	112,291,496	111,971,628	111,935,738	111,909,858	111,252,331	112,728,274	111,769,821	110,730,971
Effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted	112,909,869	112,865,482	112,837,944	112,291,496	111,971,628	111,935,738	111,909,858	111,252,331	112,728,274	111,769,821	110,730,971