| **Business Combinations**            | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
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| **Business Combinations [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Business Combinations                | Business CombinationsIn June 2014, we acquired an additional 30% equity interest from UMass Memorial Health Care, our joint venture partner in Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital (“Fairlawn”) in Worcester, Massachusetts. This transaction increased our ownership interest from 50% to 80% and resulted in a change in accounting for this hospital from the equity method of accounting to a consolidated entity. As a result of our consolidation of this hospital and the remeasurement of our previously held equity interest at fair value, Goodwill increased by $34.8 million, and we recorded a $27.2 million gain as part of Other income during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The transaction was funded using cash on hand. See also Note 9, Income Taxes.We entered into this transaction to increase our ownership in this profitable hospital and continue to grow our core business by consolidating its operations. None of the goodwill resulting from this transaction is deductible for federal income tax purposes. The goodwill reflects our expectations of our ability to continue to serve the consolidated hospital’s historical patient base as well as favorable growth opportunities based on positive demographic trends in this market.We accounted for this transaction under the acquisition method of accounting and reported the results of operations of Fairlawn from the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair values of identifiable intangible assets were based on valuations using the cost and income approaches. The cost approach is based on amounts that would be required to replace the asset (i.e., replacement cost). The income approach is based on management’s estimates of future operating results and cash flows discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital that reflects market participant assumptions. The excess of the fair value of the consideration conveyed over the fair value of the net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill.The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date were as follows (in millions):Total current assets$12.1Property and equipment, net30.4Identifiable intangible assets: Noncompete agreement (useful life of 3 years)0.4Tradename (useful life of 20 years)2.5Certificate of need (useful life of 20 years)9.7License (useful life of 20 years)2.0Goodwill34.8Total assets acquired91.9Total current liabilities assumed(7.8)Total long-term liabilities assumed(14.1)Net assets acquired$70.0Our reported Net operating revenues and Net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 include operating results for Fairlawn from June 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014. The following table summarizes the results of operations of the above mentioned entity from the date of acquisition included in our consolidated results of operations and the results of operations of the combined entity had the date of the acquisition been January 1, 2013 (in millions): Net Operating Revenues Net Income Attributable to HealthSouthAcquired entity only: Actual from acquisition date to September 30, 2014$15.4 $2.6Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma from 07/01/2014-09/30/2014*596.9 50.1Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma from 07/01/2013-09/30/2013574.8 59.3Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma from 01/01/2014-09/30/20141,811.3 181.6Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma from 01/01/2013-09/30/20131,734.4 278.0*Pro forma amounts equal reported operating results due to the acquisition of Fairlawn effective June 1, 2014.Information regarding the net cash paid for all acquisitions during each period presented is as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 2013 2014 2013Fair value of assets acquired, net of $5.1 million of cash acquired in 2014$— $— $52.0 $15.6Goodwill— — 34.8 13.7Fair value of liabilities assumed— — (21.9) (0.4)Fair value of noncontrolling interest owned by joint venture partner— — (14.0) —Fair value of equity interest prior to acquisition— — (35.0) —Net cash paid for acquisitions$— $— $15.9 $28.9See Note 2, Business Combinations, to the 2013 Form 10-K for information regarding the acquisition completed in 2013. |

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| - Definition
The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).
+ References
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