Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss [Abstract]
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
Loss (gain) 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)
Loss per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
Basic	$ (0.15)	$ (2.88)	$ (2.66)	$ (4.08)
Diluted	$ (0.15)	$ (2.88)	$ (2.66)	$ (4.08)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	113,891,721	112,865,482	113,672,798	112,667,077
Diluted	113,891,721	112,865,482	113,672,798	112,667,077