| **Earnings per Common Share (Tables)**                          | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
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| **Earnings Per Share [Abstract]**                               |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share      | The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in millions, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 2013 2014 2013Basic:       Numerator:       Income from continuing operations$65.7 $73.2 $221.4 $318.4Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests included in continuing operations(14.7) (14.1) (44.3) (42.5)Less: Income allocated to participating securities(0.5) (0.6) (2.1) (4.1)Less: Convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends(1.6) (5.7) (4.7) (17.2)Income from continuing operations attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders48.9 52.8 170.3 254.6(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders(0.9) (0.9) 2.8 (1.2)Net income attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders$48.0 $51.9 $173.1 $253.4Denominator:       Basic weighted average common shares outstanding86.5 86.2 86.8 88.7Basic earnings per share attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders:       Continuing operations$0.56 $0.61 $1.96 $2.87Discontinued operations(0.01) (0.01) 0.03 (0.01)Net income$0.55 $0.60 $1.99 $2.86        Diluted:       Numerator:       Income from continuing operations$65.7 $73.2 $221.4 $318.4Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests included in continuing operations(14.7) (14.1) (44.3) (42.5)Add: Interest on convertible debt, net of tax2.3 — 6.8 —Income from continuing operations attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders53.3 59.1 183.9 275.9(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders(0.9) (0.9) 2.8 (1.2)Net income attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders$52.4 $58.2 $186.7 $274.7Denominator:       Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding100.5 100.4 100.7 102.4Diluted earnings per share attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders:       Continuing operations$0.53 $0.59 $1.82 $2.69Discontinued operations(0.01) (0.01) 0.03 (0.01)Net income$0.52 $0.58 $1.85 $2.68 |
| Reconciliation of Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding | The following table sets forth the reconciliation between basic weighted average common shares outstanding and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 2013 2014 2013Basic weighted average common shares outstanding86.5 86.2 86.8 88.7Convertible perpetual preferred stock3.2 11.6 3.2 11.6Convertible senior subordinated notes8.2 — 8.1 —Restricted stock awards, dilutive stock options, and restricted stock units2.6 2.6 2.6 2.1Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding100.5 100.4 100.7 102.4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| Schedule of Warrants                                            | The following table summarizes information relating to these warrants and their activity from December 31, 2013 through their expiration date (number of warrants in millions): Number of Warrants Weighted Average Exercise PriceCommon stock warrants outstanding as of December 31, 20132.9 $32.50Cashless exercise(1.8) 32.16Cash exercise(1.0) 32.16Expired(0.1) 32.16Common stock warrants outstanding as of January 16, 2014—                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |

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| - Definition
This table sets forth the reconciliation between basic weighted average common shares outstanding and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.
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No definition available.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of an entity's basic and diluted earnings per share calculations, including a reconciliation of numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per-share computations for income from continuing operations.
+ References
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of warrants or rights issued. Warrants and rights outstanding are derivative securities that give the holder the right to purchase securities (usually equity) from the issuer at a specific price within a certain time frame. Warrants are often included in a new debt issue to entice investors by a higher return potential. The main difference between warrants and call options is that warrants are issued and guaranteed by the company, whereas options are exchange instruments and are not issued by the company. Also, the lifetime of a warrant is often measured in years, while the lifetime of a typical option is measured in months. Disclose the title of issue of securities called for by warrants and rights outstanding, the aggregate amount of securities called for by warrants and rights outstanding, the date from which the warrants or rights are exercisable, and the price at which the warrant or right is exercisable.
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