Acquisitions and Divestitures (Schedule of Operating Results included in Consolidated Statement of Income) (Details) - Hospitals in Period [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Loss from operations before income taxes	$ (488)	$ (701)	$ (492)
Less: Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(2)
Loss from operations before income taxes attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (488)	$ (699)	$ (492)

Amount before tax of income (loss) from an individually significant component disposed of or held-for-sale attributable to noncontrolling interest. Excludes discontinued operations.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount before tax of income (loss) from an individually significant component disposed of or held-for-sale attributable to parent. Excludes discontinued operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=SL51724579-110230

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- Definition

Amount before tax of income (loss) from an individually significant component disposed of or held-for-sale including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Excludes discontinued operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=SL51724579-110230

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