Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 157			$ 196
Patient accounts receivable	2,269			2,352
Supplies	376			402
Prepaid income taxes	45			3
Prepaid expenses and taxes	194			196
Other current assets	341			400
Total current assets	3,382			3,549
Property and equipment, net	5,931			6,139
Goodwill	4,495			4,559
Deferred income taxes	94			69
Other assets, net	1,993			1,543
Total assets	15,895			15,859
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	318			204
Current operating lease liabilities	137
Accounts payable	743			887
Accrued interest	145			206
Accrued liabilities	1,012			1,095
Total current liabilities	2,355			2,392
Long-term debt	13,286			13,392
Deferred income taxes	26			26
Long-term operating lease liabilities	497
Other long-term liabilities	998			1,008
Total liabilities	17,162			16,818
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	498			504
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Preferred stock
Common stock	1			1
Additional paid-in capital	2,004			2,017
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8)			(10)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(3,845)			(3,543)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	(1,848)			(1,535)
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	83			72
Total stockholders' deficit	(1,765)	$ (1,759)	$ (1,590)	(1,463)	$ (1,130)	$ (803)	$ (701)	$ (692)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	15,895			15,859
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	(23,934)			(23,830)
Net investment in subsidiaries	(33,671)			(32,650)
Total assets	(57,605)			(56,480)
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payable	(62,289)			(60,758)
Total liabilities	(62,289)			(60,758)
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Additional paid-in capital	377			262
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	16			24
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	4,291			3,992
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	4,684			4,278
Total stockholders' deficit	4,684			4,278
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	(57,605)			(56,480)
Parent Guarantor [Member]
Current assets:
Prepaid income taxes	45			3
Total current assets	45			3
Deferred income taxes	94			69
Other assets, net	(8)
Total assets	131			72
Current liabilities:
Intercompany payable	1,952			1,572
Deferred income taxes	26			26
Other long-term liabilities	1			9
Total liabilities	1,979			1,607
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Common stock	1			1
Additional paid-in capital	2,004			2,017
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8)			(10)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(3,845)			(3,543)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	(1,848)			(1,535)
Total stockholders' deficit	(1,848)			(1,535)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	131			72
Issuer [Member]
Current assets:
Intercompany receivable	12,057			12,595
Other assets, net				25
Net investment in subsidiaries	21,550			20,868
Total assets	33,607			33,488
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	276			155
Accrued interest	144			206
Accrued liabilities	1
Total current liabilities	421			361
Long-term debt	13,013			13,167
Intercompany payable	21,935			21,424
Other long-term liabilities	3			2
Total liabilities	35,372			34,954
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Additional paid-in capital	(399)			(329)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8)			(10)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(1,358)			(1,127)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	(1,765)			(1,466)
Total stockholders' deficit	(1,765)			(1,466)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	33,607			33,488
Other Guarantor [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	92			132
Patient accounts receivable	1,839			1,856
Supplies	254			272
Prepaid expenses and taxes	146			135
Other current assets	60			133
Total current assets	2,391			2,528
Intercompany receivable	5,711			4,884
Property and equipment, net	4,301			4,379
Goodwill	2,694			2,704
Other assets, net	1,064			798
Net investment in subsidiaries	12,121			11,782
Total assets	28,282			27,075
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	18			22
Current operating lease liabilities	81
Accounts payable	476			576
Accrued interest	1
Accrued liabilities	559			580
Total current liabilities	1,135			1,178
Long-term debt	206			151
Intercompany payable	25,756			24,898
Long-term operating lease liabilities	270
Other long-term liabilities	666			624
Total liabilities	28,033			26,851
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Additional paid-in capital	970			966
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10)			(5)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(711)			(737)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	249			224
Total stockholders' deficit	249			224
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	28,282			27,075
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	65			64
Patient accounts receivable	430			496
Supplies	122			130
Prepaid expenses and taxes	48			61
Other current assets	281			267
Total current assets	946			1,018
Intercompany receivable	6,166			6,351
Property and equipment, net	1,630			1,760
Goodwill	1,801			1,855
Other assets, net	937			720
Total assets	11,480			11,704
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	24			27
Current operating lease liabilities	56
Accounts payable	267			311
Accrued liabilities	452			515
Total current liabilities	799			853
Long-term debt	67			74
Intercompany payable	12,646			12,864
Long-term operating lease liabilities	227
Other long-term liabilities	328			373
Total liabilities	14,067			14,164
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	498			504
Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit:
Additional paid-in capital	(948)			(899)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	2			(9)
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(2,222)			(2,128)
Total Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders' deficit	(3,168)			(3,036)
Noncontrolling interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries	83			72
Total stockholders' deficit	(3,085)			(2,964)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$ 11,480			$ 11,704