Accelerated payments received (returned) under Cares Act.

No definition available.

Name:	cyh_AcceleratedPaymentsReceivedReturnedUnderCaresAct
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Accounting for impairment or disposal of long lived assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cyh_AccountingForImpairmentOrDisposalOfLongLivedAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount related to closure of hospitals.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cyh_AmountRelatedToClosureOfHospitals
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amounts due from third party payors.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cyh_AmountsDueFromThirdPartyPayors
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amounts due to third party payors.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cyh_AmountsDueToThirdPartyPayors
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

CARES Act and PPPHCE Act Funds.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cyh_CARESActAndPPPHCEActFundsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The corporate office costs which are a subset of the expenses not otherwise specified in the taxonomy for managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the providing of patient care.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cyh_CorporateOfficeCosts
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Impairment of long-lived assets sold.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cyh_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsSold
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net Operating Revenues [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cyh_NetOperatingRevenuesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Third-Party Reimbursement [Abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	cyh_ThirdPartyReimbursementAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	cyh_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of charity care provided during the period based on the provider's direct and indirect costs of providing charity care services.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 954
-SubTopic 605
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126943290&loc=d3e8255-115641

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CharityCareDirectAndIndirectCostBasisAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of charity care provided during the period on a basis other than the provider's direct and indirect costs of providing charity care services.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CharityCareOtherMeasurementBasisAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfRevenueAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) from the difference between the sale price or salvage price and the book value of an asset that was sold or retired, and gain (loss) from the write down of assets from their carrying value to fair value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126954810&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long lived assets held for use (including those held for disposal by means other than sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126954810&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=d3e2921-110230

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126905981&loc=d3e2420-110228

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=cyh_CoronavirusAidReliefAndEconomicSecurityActMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HealthCareOrganizationRevenueSourcesAxis=cyh_PublicHealthAndSocialServicesEmergencyFundMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansInsuredOrGuaranteedByGovernmentAuthoritiesAxis=cyh_PaycheckProtectionProgramAndHealthCareEnhancementActMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLossMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedByTypeAxis=cyh_AdjustmentForCarryingValueOfOtherLongLivedAssetsAtUnderperformingHospitalsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedByTypeAxis=cyh_HospitalsSoldOrDeemedHeldForSaleMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=cyh_CertainHospitalsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedByTypeAxis=cyh_HospitalClosedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedByTypeAxis=cyh_SharedServiceCenterMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Cost of Revenue, Policy [Abstract]
Corporate office costs	$ 60	$ 56	$ 179	$ 168
Third Party Reimbursement [Abstract]
Amounts due to third party payors	115		115		$ 118
Amounts due from third party payors	102		102		$ 114
Net Operating Revenues, Policy [Abstract]
Charity care services charges excluded from net operating revenues	285	215	1,100	659
Value of charity care services at the Company's standard charges included in contractual allowances	33	25	121	77
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
Gain (loss) on disposition of business				(24)
Impairment charge of long-lived assets sold			54
Amount related to closure of hospitals			48
CARES Act \| Public Health And Social Services Emergency Fund \| Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
CARES Act and PPPHCE Act Funds [Abstract]
Payments through the PHSSEF and various state and local programs	108	(4)	160	4
CARES Act \| Public Health And Social Services Emergency Fund \| Accrued Liabilities - Other \| Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
CARES Act and PPPHCE Act Funds [Abstract]
Payments through the PHSSEF and various state and local programs			4
CARES Act \| Operating Costs and Expenses \| Public Health And Social Services Emergency Fund \| Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
CARES Act and PPPHCE Act Funds [Abstract]
Payments through the PHSSEF and various state and local programs	$ 115	$ 19	171	102
Adjustment for Carrying Value of Other Long-Lived Assets at Underperforming Hospitals
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets held for sale			$ 6	29
Hospitals Sold or Deemed Held for Sale \| Certain Hospitals
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
Gain (loss) on disposition of business				(3)
Hospitals Closed
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
Gain (loss) on disposition of business				8
Shared Service Center
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
Gain (loss) on disposition of business				$ 7