Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	$ (704)	$ (2,396)	$ (1,626)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	20	19	17
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	8	(11)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(1)	14	3
Other comprehensive income	17	41	9
Comprehensive loss	(687)	(2,355)	(1,617)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	84	63	95
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(771)	(2,418)	(1,712)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	1,542	5,298	3,827
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(20)	(19)	(17)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	4	(16)	22
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	2	(28)	(6)
Other comprehensive income	(14)	(63)	(1)
Comprehensive loss	1,528	5,235	3,826
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	1,528	5,235	3,826
Parent Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(788)	(2,459)	(1,721)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	20	19	17
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	8	(11)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(1)	14	3
Other comprehensive income	17	41	9
Comprehensive loss	(771)	(2,418)	(1,712)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(771)	(2,418)	(1,712)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(788)	(2,459)	(1,721)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	20	19	17
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	8	(11)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(1)	14	3
Other comprehensive income	17	41	9
Comprehensive loss	(771)	(2,418)	(1,712)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(771)	(2,418)	(1,712)
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(379)	(1,960)	(1,477)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(2)	8	(11)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(1)	14	3
Other comprehensive income	(3)	22	(8)
Comprehensive loss	(382)	(1,938)	(1,485)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(382)	(1,938)	(1,485)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(291)	(816)	(534)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Comprehensive loss	(291)	(816)	(534)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	84	63	95
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (375)	$ (879)	$ (629)