| **Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)**                          | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
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| **Earnings Per Share [Abstract]**                               |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share      | The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in millions, except per share amounts): For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014Basic:     Numerator:     Income from continuing operations$318.1 $253.7 $276.2Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests included in continuing operations(70.5) (69.7) (59.7)Less: Income allocated to participating securities(0.8) (1.0) (2.3)Less: Convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends— (1.6) (6.3)Income from continuing operations attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders246.8 181.4 207.9(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders— (0.9) 5.5Less: Income from discontinued operations allocated to participating securities— — (0.1)Net income attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders$246.8 $180.5 $213.3Denominator:     Basic weighted average common shares outstanding89.1 89.4 86.8Basic earnings per share attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders:     Continuing operations$2.77 $2.03 $2.40Discontinued operations— (0.01) 0.06Net income$2.77 $2.02 $2.46      Diluted:     Numerator:     Income from continuing operations$318.1 $253.7 $276.2Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests included in continuing operations(70.5) (69.7) (59.7)Add: Interest on convertible debt, net of tax9.7 9.4 9.0Income from continuing operations attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders257.3 193.4 225.5(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders— (0.9) 5.5Net income attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders$257.3 $192.5 $231.0Denominator:     Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding99.5 101.0 100.7Diluted earnings per share attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders:     Continuing operations$2.59 $1.92 $2.24Discontinued operations— (0.01) 0.05Net income$2.59 $1.91 $2.29 |
| Reconciliation of Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding | The following table sets forth the reconciliation between basic weighted average common shares outstanding and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions): For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014Basic weighted average common shares outstanding89.1 89.4 86.8Convertible perpetual preferred stock— 1.0 3.2Convertible senior subordinated notes8.5 8.3 8.2Restricted stock awards, dilutive stock options, and restricted stock units1.9 2.3 2.5Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding99.5 101.0 100.7                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| Schedule of Warrants                                            | The following table summarizes information relating to these warrants and their activity through their expiration date (number of warrants in millions): Number of Warrants Weighted Average Exercise PriceCommon stock warrants outstanding as of December 31, 20168.2 $41.40Cashless exercise(6.5) 41.40Cash exercise(0.6) 41.40Expired(1.1) 41.40Common stock warrants outstanding as of January 17, 2017—                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |

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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of an entity's basic and diluted earnings per share calculations, including a reconciliation of numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per-share computations for income from continuing operations.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of warrants or rights issued. Warrants and rights outstanding are derivative securities that give the holder the right to purchase securities (usually equity) from the issuer at a specific price within a certain time frame. Warrants are often included in a new debt issue to entice investors by a higher return potential. The main difference between warrants and call options is that warrants are issued and guaranteed by the company, whereas options are exchange instruments and are not issued by the company. Also, the lifetime of a warrant is often measured in years, while the lifetime of a typical option is measured in months. Disclose the title of issue of securities called for by warrants and rights outstanding, the aggregate amount of securities called for by warrants and rights outstanding, the date from which the warrants or rights are exercisable, and the price at which the warrant or right is exercisable.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the weighted average number of shares used in calculating basic net earnings per share (or unit) and diluted earnings per share (or unit).
+ References
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