Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	$ 3,302	$ 3,562	$ 6,679	$ 7,251
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	1,488	1,617	3,030	3,265
Supplies	539	592	1,097	1,208
Other operating expenses	893	879	1,704	1,789
Government and other legal settlements and related costs	4	1	9	7
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement				(1)
Lease cost and rent	81	85	162	173
Depreciation and amortization	153	177	305	358
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	33	174	71	202
Total operating costs and expenses	3,191	3,525	6,378	7,001
Income from operations	111	37	301	250
Interest expense, net	265	235	522	464
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt		(64)	31	(59)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(5)	(5)	(9)	(12)
Loss before income taxes	(149)	(129)	(243)	(143)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(3)	(38)	3	(45)
Net loss	(146)	(91)	(246)	(98)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	21	19	39	37
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(167)	(110)	(285)	(135)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Operating costs and expenses:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(177)	(423)	(375)	(443)
Loss before income taxes	177	423	375	443
Net loss	177	423	375	443
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	177	423	375	443
Parent Guarantor [Member]
Operating costs and expenses:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	167	110	285	135
Loss before income taxes	(167)	(110)	(285)	(135)
Net loss	(167)	(110)	(285)	(135)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(167)	(110)	(285)	(135)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	1	(2)	44	(8)
Operating costs and expenses:
Other operating expenses	22		22
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	(2)	14	(2)	14
Total operating costs and expenses	20	14	20	14
Income from operations	(19)	(16)	24	(22)
Interest expense, net	157	98	296	189
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt		(65)	31	(61)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(7)	116	(9)	82
Loss before income taxes	(169)	(165)	(294)	(232)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(2)	(55)	(9)	(97)
Net loss	(167)	(110)	(285)	(135)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(167)	(110)	(285)	(135)
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	2,010	2,182	4,083	4,467
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	766	833	1,567	1,680
Supplies	351	388	724	793
Other operating expenses	592	577	1,122	1,184
Government and other legal settlements and related costs	4	1	9	7
Lease cost and rent	43	44	84	90
Depreciation and amortization	93	113	186	229
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	21	4	45	20
Total operating costs and expenses	1,870	1,960	3,737	4,003
Income from operations	140	222	346	464
Interest expense, net	127	145	263	288
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt		1		2
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	12	192	90	214
Loss before income taxes	1	(116)	(7)	(40)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(2)	4	(4)	48
Net loss	3	(120)	(3)	(88)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	3	(120)	(3)	(88)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	1,291	1,382	2,552	2,792
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	722	784	1,463	1,585
Supplies	188	204	373	415
Other operating expenses	279	302	560	605
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement				(1)
Lease cost and rent	38	41	78	83
Depreciation and amortization	60	64	119	129
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	14	156	28	168
Total operating costs and expenses	1,301	1,551	2,621	2,984
Income from operations	(10)	(169)	(69)	(192)
Interest expense, net	(19)	(8)	(37)	(13)
Loss before income taxes	9	(161)	(32)	(179)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	1	13	16	4
Net loss	8	(174)	(48)	(183)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	21	19	39	37
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (13)	$ (193)	$ (87)	$ (220)