Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 24, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	001-15925
Entity Registrant Name	COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEMS INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-3893191
Entity Address, Address Line One	4000 Meridian Boulevard
Entity Address, City or Town	Franklin
Entity Address, State or Province	TN
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	37067
City Area Code	615
Local Phone Number	465-7000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CYH
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		119,665,237
Entity Central Index Key	0001108109
Amendment Flag	false