| **Income Taxes**                     | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  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| **Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         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| Income Taxes                         | Income TaxesOur Provision for income tax expense of $28.1 million and $84.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 included the following: (1) estimated income tax expense of approximately $30 million and $86 million, respectively, based on 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 offset by (2) an approximate $1 million reduction in our valuation allowance associated with certain capital loss carryforwards, as discussed below, and (3) an approximate $1 million reduction in unrecognized tax benefits due to settlements with taxing authorities and the lapse of applicable statutes of limitation for certain state matters.We have significant federal and state net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") that expire in various amounts at varying times through 2031. Our utilization of our federal NOL 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 equal to 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 our federal NOL before it expires. However, no such assurances can be provided.The $553.1 million of net deferred tax assets included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2012 ($26.6 million included in Other current assets) 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 September 30, 2012, we maintained a valuation allowance of $49.1 million due to uncertainties related to our ability to utilize a portion of our deferred tax assets, primarily related to state NOLs, before they expire. During the third quarter of 2012, we reduced our valuation allowance associated with certain capital loss carryforwards by $1 million primarily as a result of capital gains generated by legal entity restructuring activities at one of our subsidiaries. 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 NOLs exclude approximately $8.3 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 in the period they reduce taxes payable.Our Provision for income tax expense of $18.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 included the following: (1) estimated income tax expense of approximately $16 million based on the application of our estimated effective blended federal and state income tax rate of approximately 40% to our pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to HealthSouth and (2) approximately $4 million of estimated income tax expense primarily associated with federal income tax on state income tax refunds received offset by (3) approximately $2 million of income tax benefit associated with a reduction in unrecognized tax benefits due to settlements with state taxing authorities and the corresponding receipt of interest income on these refunds. Our Provision for income tax expense of $21.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 included the following: (1) estimated income tax expense of approximately $50 million based on the application of our estimated effective blended federal and state income tax rate of approximately 40% to our pre-tax income from continuing operations attributable to HealthSouth and (2) approximately $4 million of estimated income tax expense primarily associated with federal income tax on state income tax refunds received offset by (3) the settlement of federal income tax claims with the Internal Revenue Service for tax years 2007 and 2008 which resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $24 million and (4) other items, primarily related to a reduction in unrecognized tax benefits due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations for certain federal and state claims, which resulted in a tax benefit of approximately $8 million. 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 $79.0 million and $6.0 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. The amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits changed during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 primarily based on ongoing discussions with taxing authorities as part of our continued pursuit of the maximization of our tax benefits, primarily related to our federal NOL, as discussed below. In October 2012, we submitted additional net positive claims to the IRS. Because these claims were determined and submitted to the IRS after the balance sheet date, they are not included in the gross unrecognized income tax benefits reconciliation presented below.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, 2011$6.0 $0.1Gross amount of increases in unrecognized tax benefits related to prior periods74.1 —Decreases in unrecognized tax benefits relating to settlements with taxing authorities(0.7) —Reductions to unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations(0.4) (0.1)Balance at September 30, 2012$79.0 $—Our continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. Net interest income recorded as part of our income tax provision during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was not material. Accrued interest income related to income taxes as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 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 one state for tax years 2007 and 2008.For the tax years that remain open under the applicable statutes of limitations, amounts related to unrecognized tax benefits have been considered by management in its estimate of our potential net recovery of prior years’ income taxes. However, at this time, we cannot estimate a range of the reasonably possible change that may occur. In addition, we continue to actively pursue, through ongoing discussions with taxing authorities, the maximization of our income tax benefits, primarily related to our federal NOL. As part of our pursuit of these benefits, we requested a pre-filing agreement with the IRS, the primary purpose of which was to consider whether certain amounts related to the restatement of our financial statements for periods prior to 2003 result in net increases to our federal NOL and adjustments to other tax attributes. The pre-filing agreement program permits taxpayers to resolve certain tax issues in advance of filing their corporate income tax returns. Due to the unique nature of our claims and uncertainties around this process, we did not recognize any amounts associated with our request as of September 30, 2012. In July 2012, the IRS granted our request to utilize the pre-filing agreement process. Depending upon the process undertaken by the IRS to audit and settle these matters, the accounting recognition criteria for these positions could be met either in part or in total as the process continues or upon completion of the process. Therefore, as we continue this process with the IRS, it is reasonably possible that over the next twelve-month period we may experience an increase or decrease to our unrecognized tax benefits, our NOLs, other tax attributes, or any combination thereof that could have a material net favorable impact on income tax expense and our effective income tax rate. Due to the aforementioned uncertainties regarding the outcome of this process, it is not possible to determine the range of any impact at this time. |

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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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