Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive 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 Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	$ (146)	$ (91)	$ (246)	$ (98)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax		7	(2)	25
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(1)	4	(2)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1		1
Other comprehensive income	2	7	2	24
Comprehensive loss	(144)	(84)	(244)	(74)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	21	19	39	37
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(165)	(103)	(283)	(111)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	177	423	375	443
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax		(7)	2	(25)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(4)	2	(8)	4
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		(2)		(2)
Other comprehensive income	(4)	(7)	(6)	(23)
Comprehensive loss	173	416	369	420
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	173	416	369	420
Parent Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(167)	(110)	(285)	(135)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax		7	(2)	25
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(1)	4	(2)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1		1
Other comprehensive income	2	7	2	24
Comprehensive loss	(165)	(103)	(283)	(111)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(165)	(103)	(283)	(111)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	(167)	(110)	(285)	(135)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax		7	(2)	25
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(1)	4	(2)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1		1
Other comprehensive income	2	7	2	24
Comprehensive loss	(165)	(103)	(283)	(111)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(165)	(103)	(283)	(111)
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	3	(120)	(3)	(88)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	2	(1)	4	(2)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		1		1
Other comprehensive income	2		4	(1)
Comprehensive loss	5	(120)	1	(89)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	5	(120)	1	(89)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net (loss) income	8	(174)	(48)	(183)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax
Comprehensive loss	8	(174)	(48)	(183)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	21	19	39	37
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (13)	$ (193)	$ (87)	$ (220)