Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
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)
Lease cost and rent	308	327	321
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 of interest income of $3 in 2021, 2020 and 2019	885	1,031	1,041
Loss (gain) from early extinguishment of debt	79	(317)	54
Gain on sale of equity interests in Macon Healthcare, LLC	(39)
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)
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders:
Basic	$ 1.82	$ 4.43	$ (5.93)
Diluted	$ 1.76	$ 4.39	$ (5.93)
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	126,754,852	115,491,022	113,739,046
Diluted	130,597,410	116,544,561	113,739,046