Acquisitions and Divestitures - Schedule of Net Operating Revenues and Loss and Assets and Liabilities Classified as Discontinued Operations) (Details) - Hospitals Included in Continuing Operations [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups
Loss before income taxes	$ (144)	$ (103)	$ (465)
Less: Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6)	(8)	(5)
Loss from operations before income taxes attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (138)	$ (95)	$ (460)

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Schedule of Net Operating Revenues and Loss and Assets and Liabilities Classified as Discontinued Operations) (Details) - Hospitals Included in Continuing Operations [Member] - USD ($)
$ in Millions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups

Loss before income taxes

$ (144)

$ (103)

$ (465)

Less: Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

(6)

(8)

(5)

Loss from operations before income taxes attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders

$ (138)

$ (95)

$ (460)