Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 207		$ 196
Patient accounts receivable	2,356		2,352
Supplies	378		402
Prepaid income taxes			3
Prepaid expenses and taxes	177		196
Other current assets	366		400
Total current assets	3,484		3,549
Property and equipment, net	5,934		6,139
Goodwill	4,494		4,559
Deferred income taxes	57		69
Other assets, net	2,163		1,543
Total assets	16,132		15,859
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	206		204
Current operating lease liabilities	133
Accounts payable	812		887
Accrued interest	388		206
Accrued liabilities	964		1,095
Total current liabilities	2,503		2,392
Long-term debt	13,393		13,392
Deferred income taxes	26		26
Long-term operating lease liabilities	479
Other long-term liabilities	987		1,008
Total liabilities	17,388		16,818
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	503		504
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Preferred stock
Common stock	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	2,002		2,017
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8)		(10)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(3,828)		(3,543)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	(1,833)		(1,535)
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	74		72
Total stockholders' deficit	(1,759)	$ (1,590)	(1,463)	$ (803)	$ (701)	$ (692)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	16,132		15,859
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	(23,504)		(23,905)
Net investment in subsidiaries	(34,049)		(33,259)
Total assets	(57,553)		(57,164)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payable	(61,023)		(60,266)
Total liabilities	(61,023)		(60,266)
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Additional paid-in capital	818		732
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	18		24
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	2,634		2,346
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	3,470		3,102
Total stockholders' deficit	3,470		3,102
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	(57,553)		(57,164)
Parent Guarantor [Member]
Current assets:
Prepaid income taxes			3
Total current assets			3
Deferred income taxes	57		69
Total assets	57		72
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payable	1,863		1,572
Deferred income taxes	26		26
Other long-term liabilities	1		9
Total liabilities	1,890		1,607
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Common stock	1		1
Additional paid-in capital	2,002		2,017
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8)		(10)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(3,828)		(3,543)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	(1,833)		(1,535)
Total stockholders' deficit	(1,833)		(1,535)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	57		72
Issuer [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	12,552		12,696
Other assets, net			25
Net investment in subsidiaries	22,182		21,642
Total assets	34,734		34,363
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	155		155
Accrued interest	388		206
Accrued liabilities	1
Total current liabilities	544		361
Long-term debt	13,173		13,167
Intercompany payable	22,762		22,299
Other long-term liabilities	3		2
Total liabilities	36,482		35,829
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Additional paid-in capital	(393)		(329)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8)		(10)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(1,347)		(1,127)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	(1,748)		(1,466)
Total stockholders' deficit	(1,748)		(1,466)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	34,734		34,363
Other Guarantor [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	163		135
Patient accounts receivable	1,949		1,974
Supplies	241		262
Prepaid expenses and taxes	128		132
Other current assets	112		132
Total current assets	2,593		2,635
Intercompany receivable	4,791		4,895
Property and equipment, net	3,802		3,994
Goodwill	2,692		2,760
Other assets, net	1,255		958
Net investment in subsidiaries	11,867		11,617
Total assets	27,000		26,859
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	26		22
Current operating lease liabilities	72
Accounts payable	507		595
Accrued liabilities	522		638
Total current liabilities	1,127		1,255
Long-term debt	144		147
Intercompany payable	24,639		24,599
Long-term operating lease liabilities	234
Other long-term liabilities	720		714
Total liabilities	26,864		26,715
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Additional paid-in capital	161		162
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10)		(5)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(15)		(13)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	136		144
Total stockholders' deficit	136		144
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	27,000		26,859
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	44		61
Patient accounts receivable	407		378
Supplies	137		140
Prepaid expenses and taxes	49		64
Other current assets	254		268
Total current assets	891		911
Intercompany receivable	6,161		6,314
Property and equipment, net	2,132		2,145
Goodwill	1,802		1,799
Other assets, net	908		560
Total assets	11,894		11,729
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	25		27
Current operating lease liabilities	61
Accounts payable	305		292
Accrued liabilities	441		457
Total current liabilities	832		776
Long-term debt	76		78
Intercompany payable	11,759		11,796
Long-term operating lease liabilities	245
Other long-term liabilities	263		283
Total liabilities	13,175		12,933
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	503		504
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Additional paid-in capital	(586)		(565)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(9)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(1,272)		(1,206)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	(1,858)		(1,780)
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	74		72
Total stockholders' deficit	(1,784)		(1,708)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$ 11,894		$ 11,729