Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss [Abstract]
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
Loss (gain) 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)
Loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
Basic	$ (1.47)	$ (0.97)	$ (2.51)	$ (1.20)
Diluted	$ (1.47)	$ (0.97)	$ (2.51)	$ (1.20)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	113,862,097	112,837,944	113,561,523	112,566,230
Diluted	113,862,097	112,837,944	113,561,523	112,566,230