Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive (Loss) Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	$ (590)	$ (704)	$ (2,396)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(3)	20	19
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax	4	(2)	8
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		(1)	14
Other comprehensive income	1	17	41
Comprehensive loss	(589)	(687)	(2,355)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	85	84	63
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(674)	(771)	(2,418)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	763	2,022	5,918
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	3	(20)	(19)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax	(8)	4	(16)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		2	(28)
Other comprehensive income	(5)	(14)	(63)
Comprehensive loss	758	2,008	5,855
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	758	2,008	5,855
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(675)	(788)	(2,459)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(3)	20	19
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax	4	(2)	8
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		(1)	14
Other comprehensive income	1	17	41
Comprehensive loss	(674)	(771)	(2,418)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(674)	(771)	(2,418)
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(675)	(788)	(2,459)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(3)	20	19
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax	4	(2)	8
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		(1)	14
Other comprehensive income	1	17	41
Comprehensive loss	(674)	(771)	(2,418)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(674)	(771)	(2,418)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	21	(403)	(1,892)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax	4	(2)	8
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax		(1)	14
Other comprehensive income	4	(3)	22
Comprehensive loss	25	(406)	(1,870)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	25	(406)	(1,870)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net loss	(24)	(747)	(1,504)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of income taxes:
Comprehensive loss	(24)	(747)	(1,504)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	85	84	63
Comprehensive loss attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (109)	$ (831)	$ (1,567)