Condensed Financial Information of Parent - Condensed Statement of Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Condensed Income Statements Captions [Line Items]
Net operating revenues	$ 12,368	$ 11,789	$ 13,210
Operating costs and expenses:
Salaries and benefits	5,242	5,411	5,947
Supplies	2,042	1,963	2,151
Other operating expenses	2,958	2,957	3,303
Government and other legal settlements and related costs			93
Electronic health records incentive reimbursement			(1)
Pandemic relief funds	(148)	(601)
Depreciation and amortization	540	558	608
Impairment and (gain) loss on sale of businesses, net	24	48	138
Total operating costs and expenses	10,966	10,663	12,560
Income from operations	1,402	1,126	650
Interest expense, net	885	1,031	1,041
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt	(79)	317	(54)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(22)	(10)	(15)
Income (loss) before income taxes	499	422	(430)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	131	(185)	160
Net income (loss)	368	607	(590)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	138	96	85
Net income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	230	511	(675)
Parent Company
Operating costs and expenses:
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(230)	(511)	675
Income (loss) before income taxes	230	511	(675)
Net income (loss)	230	511	(675)
Net income (loss) attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ 230	$ 511	$ (675)