Contingencies (Contingencies Narrative) (Details)				3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jan. 21, 2020 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2018 USD ($) plaintiff	Nov. 09, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Change in settlement liability claims estimate amount				$ 0	$ 20,000,000	$ 70,000,000
Pending Litigation [Member] | Litigation Matters For Which An Outcome Cannot Be Assessed [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, number of plaintiffs | plaintiff		4
Loss contingency damages sought value		$ 73,000,000
Pending Litigation [Member] | Legal Matters Where Negative Outcome is Known or Probable [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Attorneys' fees and other costs incurred							$ 21,000,000	$ 2,000,000
U.S. ex re. Baker vs. Community Health Systems, Inc. [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Judgment awarded			$ 1,900,000
Empire Health Foundation Vs Community Health Systems Inc [Member] | Settled Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Judgment awarded					$ 22,000,000
Class Action Shareholder Federal Securities Cases [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Liability based on the proposed settlement agreement				$ 53,000,000			$ 53,000,000
Class Action Shareholder Federal Securities Cases [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Judgment awarded	$ 53,000,000