| **Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)**   | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Revision     | This revision is not material to the related financial statements for any prior periods and had no impact on our consolidated statements of cash flows. For the Three Months EndedMarch 31, For the Six Months EndedJune 30, 2012 2011 2012 2011HealthSouth Corporation$68.5 $55.5 $137.0 $113.7Guarantor Subsidiaries5.7 3.7 10.8 8.6Nonguarantor Subsidiaries7.3 1.0 7.3 2.0This revision is not material to the related financial statements for any prior periods and had no impact on our consolidated statements of cash flows. For the Year Ended December 31, 2011 2010HealthSouth Corporation$233.4 $194.8Guarantor Subsidiaries13.2 16.8Nonguarantor Subsidiaries4.0 4.0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations              |            For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$27.0 $1,544.8 $649.3 $(59.2) $2,161.9Less:  Provision for doubtful accounts(0.6) (17.7) (8.7) — (27.0)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts26.4 1,527.1 640.6 (59.2) 2,134.9Operating expenses:         Salaries and benefits25.0 730.2 308.6 (13.6) 1,050.2Other operating expenses16.9 218.5 97.4 (29.0) 303.8General and administrative expenses117.9 — — — 117.9Supplies0.7 72.7 29.0 — 102.4Depreciation and amortization8.8 56.9 16.8 — 82.5Occupancy costs4.9 43.7 16.6 (16.6) 48.6Government, class action, and related settlements(3.5) — — — (3.5)Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal16.1 — — — 16.1Total operating expenses186.8 1,122.0 468.4 (59.2) 1,718.0Loss on early extinguishment of debt4.0 — — — 4.0Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees85.1 7.5 2.6 (1.1) 94.1Other income(1.2) (5.0) (3.4) 1.1 (8.5)Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates(4.3) (8.4) — — (12.7)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(258.0) (21.5) — 279.5 —Management fees(97.1) 75.1 22.0 — —Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense111.1 357.4 151.0 (279.5) 340.0Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(72.6) 142.9 38.3 — 108.6Income from continuing operations183.7 214.5 112.7 (279.5) 231.4Income from discontinued operations, net of tax1.3 1.3 1.9 — 4.5Net Income185.0 215.8 114.6 (279.5) 235.9Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (50.9) — (50.9)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$185.0 $215.8 $63.7 $(279.5) $185.0Comprehensive income$186.6 $215.8 $114.6 $(279.5) $237.5Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$186.6 $215.8 $63.7 $(279.5) $186.6           For the Year Ended December 31, 2011 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$22.1 $1,448.6 $601.4 $(45.2) $2,026.9Less:  Provision for doubtful accounts(0.5) (15.0) (5.5) — (21.0)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts21.6 1,433.6 595.9 (45.2) 2,005.9Operating expenses:         Salaries and benefits23.9 686.1 285.5 (13.5) 982.0Other operating expenses16.4 203.3 90.3 (21.7) 288.3General and administrative expenses110.5 — — — 110.5Supplies0.7 73.2 28.9 — 102.8Depreciation and amortization9.7 52.3 16.8 — 78.8Occupancy costs4.6 36.1 17.7 (10.0) 48.4Government, class action, and related settlements(12.3) — — — (12.3)Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal21.0 — — — 21.0Total operating expenses174.5 1,051.0 439.2 (45.2) 1,619.5Loss on early extinguishment of debt38.8 — — — 38.8Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees109.5 8.4 2.6 (1.1) 119.4Other income(0.2) (0.1) (3.5) 1.1 (2.7)Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates(3.1) (8.9) — — (12.0)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(233.4) (13.2) — 246.6 —Management fees(93.9) 73.0 20.9 — —Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense29.4 323.4 136.7 (246.6) 242.9Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(160.3) 156.8 40.6 — 37.1Income from continuing operations189.7 166.6 96.1 (246.6) 205.8Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax19.0 34.3 (4.5) — 48.8Net Income208.7 200.9 91.6 (246.6) 254.6Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (45.9) — (45.9)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$208.7 $200.9 $45.7 $(246.6) $208.7Comprehensive income$208.0 $200.9 $91.6 $(246.6) $253.9Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$208.0 $200.9 $45.7 $(246.6) $208.0           For the Year Ended December 31, 2010 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$19.9 $1,344.5 $552.6 $(39.4) $1,877.6Less:  Provision for doubtful accounts(0.4) (12.1) (3.9) — (16.4)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts19.5 1,332.4548.7(39.4) 1,861.2Operating expenses:        Salaries and benefits19.3 646.7 268.1 (12.4) 921.7Other operating expenses17.6 185.4 86.1 (18.2) 270.9General and administrative expenses106.2 — — — 106.2Supplies0.6 70.7 28.1 — 99.4Depreciation and amortization9.7 48.4 15.0 — 73.1Occupancy costs3.1 33.7 16.8 (8.7) 44.9Government, class action, and related settlements1.1 — — — 1.1Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal17.2 — — — 17.2Total operating expenses174.8 984.9414.1(39.3) 1,534.5Loss on early extinguishment of debt12.3 — — — 12.3Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees116.0 8.8 3.0 (2.2) 125.6Other income(1.0) (0.6) (4.9) 2.2 (4.3)Loss on interest rate swaps13.3 — — — 13.3Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates(2.3) (7.8) — — (10.1)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(194.8) (16.8) — 211.6 —Management fees(90.4) 70.5 19.9 — —(Loss) income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense(8.4) 293.4116.6(211.7) 189.9Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(904.8) 134.0 30.0 — (740.8)Income from continuing operations896.4 159.486.6(211.7) 930.7Income from discontinued operations, net of tax2.6 5.0 1.4 0.1 9.1Net Income899.0 164.488.0(211.6) 939.8Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (40.8) — (40.8)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$899.0 $164.4$47.2$(211.6) $899.0Comprehensive income$899.5 $164.4 $88.0 $(211.6) $940.3Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$899.5 $164.4 $47.2 $(211.6) $899.5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet                        |            As of December 31, 2011 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Assets         Current assets:         Cash and cash equivalents$26.0 $1.3 $2.8 $— $30.1Restricted cash0.7 — 34.6 — 35.3Accounts receivable, net2.4 154.4 66.0 — 222.8Deferred income tax assets111.7 14.9 0.6 — 127.2Prepaid expenses and other current assets33.5 16.0 30.7 (4.0) 76.2Total current assets174.3 186.6134.7(4.0) 491.6Property and equipment, net13.6 499.3 151.5 — 664.4Goodwill— 266.1 155.6 — 421.7Intangible assets, net12.0 37.4 8.3 — 57.7Deferred income tax assets431.3 27.4 48.8 — 507.5Other long-term assets62.4 32.0 40.1 (6.2) 128.3Intercompany receivable1,141.8 605.7 — (1,747.5) —Total assets$1,835.4 $1,654.5$539.0$(1,757.7) $2,271.2Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)        Current liabilities:        Current portion of long-term debt$10.9 $9.6 $2.4 $(4.0) $18.9Accounts payable5.1 28.7 11.6 — 45.4Accrued payroll29.6 39.8 15.6 — 85.0Accrued interest payable22.2 0.1 0.2 — 22.5Other current liabilities76.0 16.8 48.6 — 141.4Total current liabilities143.8 95.078.4(4.0) 313.2Long-term debt, net of current portion1,144.6 73.2 24.2 (6.2) 1,235.8Self-insured risks32.8 — 70.0 — 102.8Other long-term liabilities9.8 10.9 9.7 — 30.4Intercompany payable— — 1,308.0 (1,308.0) — 1,331.0 179.11,490.3(1,318.2) 1,682.2Commitments and contingencies    Convertible perpetual preferred stock387.4 — — — 387.4Shareholders’ equity (deficit):        HealthSouth shareholders’ equity (deficit)117.0 1,475.4 (1,035.9) (439.5) 117.0Noncontrolling interests— — 84.6 — 84.6Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)117.0 1,475.4(951.3)(439.5) 201.6Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit)$1,835.4 $1,654.5$539.0$(1,757.7) $2,271.2           As of December 31, 2012 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Assets         Current assets:         Cash and cash equivalents$131.3 $0.3 $1.2 $— $132.8Restricted cash0.8 — 48.5 — 49.3Accounts receivable, net2.2 176.8 70.3 — 249.3Deferred income tax assets106.5 19.7 11.3 — 137.5Prepaid expenses and other current assets29.8 15.1 40.5 (17.5) 67.9Total current assets270.6 211.9171.8(17.5) 636.8Property and equipment, net13.6 549.4 185.0 — 748.0Goodwill— 266.1 171.2 — 437.3Intangible assets, net18.1 41.5 13.6 — 73.2Deferred income tax assets340.7 0.9 51.5 — 393.1Other long-term assets69.9 21.3 44.2 — 135.4Intercompany receivable1,243.3 — — (1,243.3) —Total assets$1,956.2 $1,091.1$637.3$(1,260.8) $2,423.8Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)        Current liabilities:        Current portion of long-term debt$19.2 $8.4 $3.5 $(17.5) $13.6Accounts payable7.9 27.8 9.6 — 45.3Accrued payroll21.0 46.4 18.3 — 85.7Accrued interest payable25.6 0.1 0.2 — 25.9Other current liabilities63.6 18.1 48.7 — 130.4Total current liabilities137.3 100.880.3(17.5) 300.9Long-term debt, net of current portion1,147.3 64.2 28.4 — 1,239.9Self-insured risks28.1 — 78.4 — 106.5Other long-term liabilities9.7 11.2 9.3 — 30.2Intercompany payable— 516.9 1,021.4 (1,538.3) — 1,322.4 693.11,217.8(1,555.8) 1,677.5Commitments and contingencies    Convertible perpetual preferred stock342.2 — — — 342.2Shareholders’ equity (deficit):        HealthSouth shareholders’ equity (deficit)291.6 398.0 (693.0) 295.0 291.6Noncontrolling interests— — 112.5 — 112.5Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)291.6 398.0(580.5)295.0 404.1Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit)$1,956.2 $1,091.1$637.3$(1,260.8) $2,423.8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows              |            For the Year Ended December 31, 2010 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net cash provided by operating activities$13.5 $203.5 $120.8 $(6.8) $331.0Cash flows from investing activities:         Purchases of property and equipment(2.9) (39.0) (20.9) — (62.8)Capitalized software costs(6.0) (0.4) (0.1) — (6.5)Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired— (34.1) — — (34.1)Proceeds from sale of restricted investments— — 10.4 — 10.4Purchase of restricted investments— — (26.0) — (26.0)Net change in restricted cash1.8 — 29.5 — 31.3Net settlements on interest rate swaps not designated as hedges(44.7) — — — (44.7)Other(0.1) (0.3) — — (0.4)Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations0.4 (0.9) 7.4 — 6.9Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(51.5) (74.7)0.3— (125.9)Cash flows from financing activities:        Proceeds from bond issuance525.0 — — — 525.0Principal payments on debt, including pre-payments(755.3) — 4.0 — (751.3)Borrowings on revolving credit facility100.0 — — — 100.0Payments on revolving credit facility(22.0) — — — (22.0)Principal payments under capital lease obligations(2.4) (10.5) (2.0) — (14.9)Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock(26.0) — — — (26.0)Debt amendment and issuance costs(19.3) — — — (19.3)Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates— — (34.4) — (34.4)Contributions from consolidated affiliates— — 4.8 — 4.8Other0.4 — 0.2 — 0.6Change in intercompany advances207.3 (120.0) (94.1) 6.8 —Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities7.7 (130.5)(121.5)6.8 (237.5)Decrease in cash and cash equivalents(30.3) (1.7)(0.4)— (32.4)Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year76.1 1.8 2.8 — 80.7Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$45.8 $0.1$2.4$— $48.3           For the Year Ended December 31, 2011 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities$(56.8) $272.2 $127.3 $— $342.7Cash flows from investing activities:         Purchases of property and equipment(5.0) (83.1) (12.2) — (100.3)Capitalized software costs(6.6) (2.0) (0.2) — (8.8)Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired— (4.9) — — (4.9)Proceeds from sale of restricted investments— — 1.2 — 1.2Purchase of restricted investments— — (8.4) — (8.4)Net change in restricted cash(0.2) — 1.4 — 1.2Net settlements on interest rate swaps not designated as hedges(10.9) — — — (10.9)Other— (0.9) — — (0.9)Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations—         Proceeds from sale of LTCHs107.9 — — — 107.9Other investing activities of discontinued operations— (0.3) (0.4) — (0.7)Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities85.2 (91.2)(18.6)— (24.6)Cash flows from financing activities:        Principal borrowings on term loan100.0 — — — 100.0Proceeds from bond issuance120.0 — — — 120.0Principal payments on debt, including pre-payments(507.4) (1.5) 4.0 — (504.9)Borrowings on revolving credit facility338.0 — — — 338.0Payments on revolving credit facility(306.0) — — — (306.0)Principal payments under capital lease obligations(0.8) (10.2) (2.2) — (13.2)Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock(26.0) — — — (26.0)Debt amendment and issuance costs(4.4) — — — (4.4)Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates— — (44.2) — (44.2)Other4.4 — — — 4.4Change in intercompany advances234.0 (168.1) (65.9) — —Net cash used in financing activities(48.2) (179.8)(108.3)— (336.3)(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(19.8) 1.20.4— (18.2)Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year45.8 0.1 2.4 — 48.3Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$26.0 $1.3$2.8$— $30.1           For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net cash provided by operating activities$29.5 $251.8 $130.2 $— $411.5Cash flows from investing activities:         Purchases of property and equipment(4.9) (98.3) (37.6) — (140.8)Capitalized software costs(8.5) (7.2) (3.2) — (18.9)Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired— (3.1) — — (3.1)Proceeds from sale of restricted investments— — 0.3 — 0.3Purchase of restricted investments— — (9.1) — (9.1)Net change in restricted cash(0.1) — (13.9) — (14.0)Other(0.3) (0.8) 0.2 — (0.9)Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations— 3.3 4.4 — 7.7Net cash used in investing activities(13.8) (106.1)(58.9)—(178.8)Cash flows from financing activities:        Proceeds from bond issuance275.0 — — — 275.0Principal payments on debt, including pre-payments(164.9) (1.3) — — (166.2)Borrowings on revolving credit facility135.0 — — — 135.0Payments on revolving credit facility(245.0) — — — (245.0)Principal payments under capital lease obligations(0.3) (8.9) (2.9) — (12.1)Repurchases of convertible perpetual preferred stock(46.0) — — — (46.0)Dividends paid on convertible perpetual preferred stock(24.6) — — — (24.6)Debt amendment and issuance costs(7.7) — — — (7.7)Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates— — (49.3) — (49.3)Contributions from consolidated affiliates— — 10.5 — 10.5Other7.7 — (7.3) — 0.4Change in intercompany advances160.4 (136.5) (23.9) — —Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities89.6 (146.7)(72.9)— (130.0)Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents105.3 (1.0)(1.6)— 102.7Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year26.0 1.3 2.8 — 30.1Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$131.3 $0.3$1.2$— $132.8 |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_CondensedConsolidatingBalanceSheetTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                              |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**hls_CondensedConsolidatingFinancialInformationAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
A revision to our condensed consolidating statements of cash flows to adjust cash flows from operating activities to eliminate equity in earnings from affiliates, which is a noncash activity. The impact of this revision, along with other immaterial classification revisions, was to decrease cash flows from operating activities (and, correspondingly increase cash flows from financing activities) for HealthSouth Corporation, Guarantor Subsidiaries, and Nonguarantor Subsidiaries, with an offset to Eliminating Entries.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_CondensedConsolidatingStatementOfCashFlowsRevisionTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_CondensedConsolidatingStatementOfCashFlowsTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_CondensedConsolidatingStatementOfOperationsTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |