| **Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified** | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Assets**                                                                                                        |          |          |
| Allowance for doubtful accounts                                                                                   | $ 21.4        | $ 22.7        |
| **Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)**                                                                |          |          |
| Convertible perpetual preferred stock, par value                                                                  | $ 0.10        | $ 0.10        |
| Convertible perpetual preferred stock, shares authorized                                                          | 1,500,000     | 1,500,000     |
| Convertible perpetual preferred stock, shares issued                                                              | 400,000       | 400,000       |
| Convertible perpetual preferred stock, liquidation preference                                                     | $ 1,000       | $ 1,000       |
| **HealthSouth shareholders' equity (deficit):**                                                                   |          |          |
| Common stock, par value                                                                                           | $ 0.01        | $ 0.01        |
| Common stock, shares authorized                                                                                   | 200,000,000   | 200,000,000   |
| Common stock, shares issued                                                                                       | 99,735,959    | 97,626,393    |
| Treasury stock, shares                                                                                            | 4,489,079     | 4,180,025     |

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A valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to an Entity within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible.
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Face amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.
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The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.
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Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.
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| - Definition
The per share liquidation preference (or restrictions) of stock classified as temporary equity that has a preference in involuntary liquidation considerably in excess of the par or stated value of the shares. The liquidation preference is the difference between the preference in liquidation and the par or stated values of the share. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.
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Face amount or stated value per share of stock classified as temporary equity; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.
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| - Definition
The maximum number of securities classified as temporary equity that are permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.
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| - Definition
The number of securities classified as temporary equity that have been sold (or granted) to the entity's shareholders. Securities issued include securities outstanding and securities held in treasury. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. If convertible, the issuer does not control the actions or events necessary to issue the maximum number of shares that could be required to be delivered under the conversion option if the holder exercises the option to convert the stock to another class of equity. If the security is a warrant or a rights issue, the warrant or rights issue is considered to be temporary equity if the issuer cannot demonstrate that it would be able to deliver upon the exercise of the option by the holder in all cases. Includes stock with put option held by ESOP and stock redeemable by holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.
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Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends.
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