Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	$ 3,246	$ 3,451	$ 9,925	$ 10,702
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	1,469	1,585	4,499	4,850
Supplies	526	565	1,623	1,773
Other operating expenses	812	858	2,516	2,646
Government and other legal settlements and related costs	26	2	35	9
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement		(1)		(2)
Lease cost and rent	79	83	240	257
Depreciation and amortization	151	173	456	531
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	(1)	112	70	314
Total operating costs and expenses	3,062	3,377	9,439	10,378
Income from operations	184	74	486	324
Interest expense, net	259	256	782	720
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt		27	31	(32)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(3)	(5)	(12)	(17)
Loss before income taxes	(72)	(204)	(315)	(347)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(74)	104	(71)	58
Net income (loss)	2	(308)	(244)	(405)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	19	17	58	55
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(17)	(325)	(302)	(460)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Operating costs and expenses:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	28	(550)	(415)	(1,042)
Loss before income taxes	(28)	550	415	1,042
Net income (loss)	(28)	550	415	1,042
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(28)	550	415	1,042
Parent Guarantor [Member]
Operating costs and expenses:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	17	325	302	460
Loss before income taxes	(17)	(325)	(302)	(460)
Net income (loss)	(17)	(325)	(302)	(460)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(17)	(325)	(302)	(460)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	1	1	45	(7)
Operating costs and expenses:
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net		15	(2)	29
Total operating costs and expenses		15	(2)	29
Income from operations	1	(14)	47	(36)
Interest expense, net	157	115	453	304
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt		27	31	(33)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(73)	289	(45)	350
Loss before income taxes	(83)	(445)	(392)	(657)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(66)	(120)	(90)	(197)
Net income (loss)	(17)	(325)	(302)	(460)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(17)	(325)	(302)	(460)
Other Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	2,061	2,010	6,231	6,122
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	768	765	2,342	2,283
Supplies	357	343	1,097	1,071
Other operating expenses	576	534	1,755	1,589
Government and other legal settlements and related costs	26	2	35	9
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement				(1)
Lease cost and rent	40	40	125	125
Depreciation and amortization	96	105	288	311
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	(3)	34	56	46
Total operating costs and expenses	1,860	1,823	5,698	5,433
Income from operations	201	187	533	689
Interest expense, net	119	129	365	373
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt				1
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	25	(69)	146	215
Loss before income taxes	57	127	22	100
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(13)	422	(8)	463
Net income (loss)	70	(295)	30	(363)
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	70	(295)	30	(363)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
Net operating revenues	1,184	1,440	3,649	4,587
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	701	820	2,157	2,567
Supplies	169	222	526	702
Other operating expenses	236	324	761	1,057
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement		(1)		(1)
Lease cost and rent	39	43	115	132
Depreciation and amortization	55	68	168	220
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	2	63	16	239
Total operating costs and expenses	1,202	1,539	3,743	4,916
Income from operations	(18)	(99)	(94)	(329)
Interest expense, net	(17)	12	(36)	43
Loss before income taxes	(1)	(111)	(58)	(372)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	5	(198)	27	(208)
Net income (loss)	(6)	87	(85)	(164)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	19	17	58	55
Net loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (25)	$ 70	$ (143)	$ (219)