| **Investments in and Advances to Nonconsolidated Affiliates (Tables)**                                | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
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| **Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Schedule of Aggregate Equity and Cost Method Investments                                              | Our investments, which are included in Other long-term assets in our consolidated balance sheets, consist of the following (in millions):  As of December 31, 2012 2011Equity method investments:   Capital contributions$2.8 $7.2Cumulative share of income93.8 100.0Cumulative share of distributions(77.4) (80.1) 19.2 27.1Cost method investments:   Capital contributions, net of distributions and impairments1.6 1.9Total investments in and advances to nonconsolidated affiliates$20.8 $29.0                                                   |
| Schedule of Combined Assets, Liabilities, and Equity of Equity Method Affiliates                      | The following summarizes the combined assets, liabilities, and equity and the combined results of operations of our equity method affiliates (on a 100% basis, in millions):  As of December 31, 2012 2011Assets—   Current$21.4 $17.4Noncurrent48.7 73.4Total assets$70.1 $90.8Liabilities and equity—   Current liabilities$7.7 $8.9Noncurrent liabilities1.2 7.0Partners’ capital and shareholders’ equity—   HealthSouth19.2 27.1Outside partners42.0 47.8Total liabilities and equity$70.1 $90.8 |
| Schedule of Combined Results of Operations of Equity Method Affiliates                                | Condensed statements of operations (in millions):  For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010Net operating revenues$83.3 $87.0 $79.8Operating expenses(48.1) (53.1) (51.6)Income from continuing operations, net of tax28.3 26.5 23.0Net income28.3 26.5 23.0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |

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| - Definition
A tabular presentation of the Company's aggregate carrying value in its equity and cost method investments as of the balance sheet dates presented.
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No definition available.
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| - Definition
A tabular presentation summarizing the combined assets, liabilities, and equity of the Company's equity method affiliates (on a 100% basis) as of the balance sheet dates presented.
+ References
No definition available.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the combined results of operations of our equity method affiliates (on a 100% basis) for the periods presented.
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No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_ScheduleOfCombinedResultsOfOperationsOfEquityMethodAffiliatesTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
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