| **Income Taxes**                     | 3 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  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| **Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 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| Income Taxes                         | Income TaxesOur Provision for income tax expense of $33.5 million and $29.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, primarily resulted from the application of our estimated effective blended federal and state income tax rate of approximately 39% to our pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to HealthSouth.We have significant federal and state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) that expire in various amounts at varying times through 2031. Our utilization of NOLs could be subject to limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (“Section 382”) and may be limited in the event of certain cumulative changes in ownership interests of significant stockholders over a three-year period in excess of 50%. Section 382 imposes an annual limitation on the use of these losses to an amount that approximates the value of a company at the time of an ownership change multiplied by the long-term tax exempt rate. At this time, we do not believe these limitations will restrict our ability to use any NOLs before they expire. However, no such assurances can be provided.The $497.3 million of net deferred tax assets included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2013 reflects management’s assessment it is more likely than not we will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income to utilize those deferred tax assets based on our current estimates and assumptions. As of March 31, 2013, we maintained a valuation allowance of $39.8 million due to uncertainties regarding our ability to utilize a portion of our deferred tax assets, primarily related to state NOLs, before they expire. The amount of the valuation allowance has been determined for each tax jurisdiction based on the weight of all available evidence including management’s estimates of taxable income for each jurisdiction in which we operate over the periods in which the related deferred tax assets will be recoverable. It is possible we may be required to increase or decrease our valuation allowance at some future time if our forecast of future earnings varies from actual results on a consolidated basis or in the applicable state tax jurisdictions, or if the timing of future tax deductions differs from our expectations.Our reported federal NOL of $317.2 million (approximately $906.2 million on a gross basis) as of March 31, 2013 excludes $6.5 million related to operating loss carryforwards resulting from excess tax benefits related to share-based awards, the tax benefits of which, when recognized, will be accounted for as a credit to Capital in excess of par value when they reduce taxes payable.On April 25, 2013, we entered into closing agreements with the IRS that settle federal income tax matters related to the previous restatement of our financial statements, as well as certain other tax matters, through December 31, 2008. As a result of these closing agreements, we expect to increase our deferred tax assets, primarily our federal NOL, and record a net federal income tax benefit of at least $91 million in the second quarter of 2013. This federal income tax benefit is expected to result in at least a $260 million increase to our federal NOL on a gross basis. Certain of the federal tax benefits recognized as a result of these settlements will be evaluated to determine whether it is more likely than not these attributes will be realized in the future. In addition, it is reasonably possible this amount may increase as we continue to analyze the related state income tax implications of these settlements. However, it is not possible to determine the range of any state income tax impact at this time.We recognize the financial statement effects of uncertain tax positions when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, a position will be sustained upon examination by and resolution with the taxing authorities. Total remaining gross unrecognized tax benefits were $116.4 million and $78.0 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits changed during the three months ended March 31, 2013 primarily based on the status of our discussions with the IRS, as discussed above, as of March 31, 2013. We expect to decrease our unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $112 million in the second quarter of 2013 as a result of the IRS settlements discussed above. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability for unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions): Gross Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits Accrued Interest and PenaltiesBalance at December 31, 2012$78.0 $—Gross amount of increases in unrecognized tax benefits related to prior periods38.4 —Balance at March 31, 2013$116.4 $—Our continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. Interest recorded as part of our income tax provision during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was not material. Accrued interest income related to income taxes as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was not material.HealthSouth and its subsidiaries’ federal and state income tax returns are periodically examined by various regulatory taxing authorities. In connection with such examinations, we have settled federal income tax examinations with the IRS for all tax years through 2008. We are currently under audit by the IRS for the 2009 and 2010 tax years and by two states for tax years ranging from 2008 through 2011.For the tax years that remain open under the applicable statutes of limitation, amounts related to unrecognized tax benefits have been considered by management in its estimate of our potential net recovery of prior years’ income taxes. We do not expect a material change in our unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months due to the closing of the applicable statutes of limitation. |

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| - Definition
The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.
+ References
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