Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	$ 3,376.0	$ 3,689.0
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	1,542.0	1,648.0
Supplies	558.0	616.0
Other operating expenses	811.0	911.0
Government and other legal settlements and related costs	5.0	5.0
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement		(1.0)
Lease cost and rent	80.0	89.0
Depreciation and amortization	153.0	181.0
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	38.0	28.0
Total operating costs and expenses	3,187.0	3,477.0
Income from operations	189.0	212.0
Interest expense, net	257.0	228.0
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	31.0	4.0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(5.0)	(7.0)
Loss before income taxes	(94.0)	(13.0)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	7.0	(7.0)
Net loss	(101.0)	(6.0)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17.0	19.0
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(118.0)	(25.0)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Operating costs and expenses:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(198.0)	(20.0)
Loss before income taxes	198.0	20.0
Net loss	198.0	20.0
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	198.0	20.0
Parent Guarantor [Member]
Operating costs and expenses:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	118.0	25.0
Loss before income taxes	(118.0)	(25.0)
Net loss	(118.0)	(25.0)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(118.0)	(25.0)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	42.0	(5.0)
Operating costs and expenses:
Income from operations	42.0	(5.0)
Interest expense, net	138.0	91.0
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	31.0	4.0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(2.0)	(34.0)
Loss before income taxes	(125.0)	(66.0)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(7.0)	(41.0)
Net loss	(118.0)	(25.0)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(118.0)	(25.0)
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	2,073.0	2,285.0
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	801.0	847.0
Supplies	373.0	406.0
Other operating expenses	529.0	607.0
Government and other legal settlements and related costs	5.0	5.0
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement		(1.0)
Lease cost and rent	41.0	47.0
Depreciation and amortization	94.0	116.0
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	24.0	16.0
Total operating costs and expenses	1,867.0	2,043.0
Income from operations	206.0	242.0
Interest expense, net	136.0	143.0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	77.0	22.0
Loss before income taxes	(7.0)	77.0
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(1.0)	44.0
Net loss	(6.0)	33.0
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(6.0)	33.0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	1,261.0	1,409.0
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	741.0	801.0
Supplies	185.0	210.0
Other operating expenses	282.0	304.0
Lease cost and rent	39.0	42.0
Depreciation and amortization	59.0	65.0
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	14.0	12.0
Total operating costs and expenses	1,320.0	1,434.0
Income from operations	(59.0)	(25.0)
Interest expense, net	(17.0)	(6.0)
Loss before income taxes	(42.0)	(19.0)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	15.0	(10.0)
Net loss	(57.0)	(9.0)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17.0	19.0
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (74.0)	$ (28.0)