Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Apr. 25, 2019
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001108109
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Trading Symbol	CYH
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		118,062,944
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false