Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net operating revenues	$ 11,789	$ 13,210	$ 14,155
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	5,411	5,947	6,384
Supplies	1,963	2,151	2,355
Other operating expenses	2,957	3,303	3,496
Government and other legal settlements and related costs		93	11
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement		(1)	(4)
Lease cost and rent	327	321	337
Pandemic relief funds	(601)
Depreciation and amortization	558	608	700
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	48	138	668
Total operating costs and expenses	10,663	12,560	13,947
Income from operations	1,126	650	208
Interest expense, net of interest income of $3 in both 2020 and 2019 and $7 in 2018	1,031	1,041	976
(Gain) loss from early extinguishment of debt	(317)	54	(31)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(10)	(15)	(22)
Income (loss) before income taxes	422	(430)	(715)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(185)	160	(11)
Net income (loss)	607	(590)	(704)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	96	85	84
Net income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ 511	$ (675)	$ (788)
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. common stockholders:
Basic	$ 4.43	$ (5.93)	$ (6.99)
Diluted	$ 4.39	$ (5.93)	$ (6.99)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	115,491,022	113,739,046	112,728,274
Diluted	116,544,561	113,739,046	112,728,274