| **Business Combinations - Table 2 (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified**                      | 12 Months Ended |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
||
| **Summary of Actual and Pro Forma Results of Operations for Acquisitions**                                        |            |
| Acquired entities only: Actual from acquisition date to December 31, 2010, Net Operating Revenues                 | $ 10.1          |
| Acquired entities only: Actual from acquisition date to December 31, 2010, Net Income Attributable to HealthSouth | 0.4             |
| Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma (unaudited), Net Operating Revenues                                       | 1,896.1         |
| Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma (unaudited), Net Income Attributable to HealthSouth                       | $ 902.7         |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                   |
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
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| - Definition
The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
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| - Definition
The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.
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|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the amount of earnings or loss of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated income statement for the reporting period.
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| - Definition
This element represents the amount of revenue of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated income statement for the reporting period.
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