| **Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests**                    | 3 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
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| **Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Abstract [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| Redeemable noncontolling interests note [Text Block]       | Redeemable Noncontrolling InterestsRedeemable noncontrolling interests relate to two joint venture entities:•In the first quarter of 2013, we entered into an agreement to convert our 100% owned hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas into a joint venture with St. Bernards Healthcare. Following the formation of the joint venture, our ownership percentage was reduced to approximately 56%. The increase in Goodwill from December 31, 2012 to March 31, 2013 resulted from this transaction.•In 2009, we entered into an agreement to convert our 100% owned hospital in Altoona, Pennsylvania into a joint venture with Altoona Regional Health System. Following the formation of the joint venture, our ownership percentage was reduced to 55%. Historically, the noncontrolling interest related to this joint venture was included in Other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 1, Basis of Presentation, “Reclassifications.”The joint venture agreements for these two entities contain provisions that allow our partners to require us to purchase their interests in the joint venture at fair value at certain points in the future. Because these noncontrolling interests provide for redemption features that are not solely within our control, we classify them as Redeemable noncontrolling interests outside of permanent equity in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. At the end of each reporting period, we compare the carrying value of the Redeemable noncontrolling interests to their estimated redemption value. If the estimated redemption value is greater than the current carrying value, the carrying value is adjusted to the estimated redemption value, with the adjustments recorded through equity in the line item Capital in excess of par value. We determine the fair value of our Redeemable noncontrolling interests with these redemption options primarily using the income approach. The income approach includes the use of the hospital’s projected operating results and cash flows discounted using a rate that reflects market participant assumptions for the applicable hospitals, or Level 3 inputs. The projected operating results use management’s best estimates of economic and market conditions over the forecasted periods including assumptions for pricing and volume, operating expenses, and capital expenditures.The following is a summary of the activity related to our Redeemable noncontrolling interests during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 2012Balance at beginning of period$7.2 $7.3Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests1.3 1.0Distributions declared(0.9) (1.1)Contribution to joint venture6.2 —Balance at end of period$13.8 $7.2The following table reconciles the net income attributable to nonredeemable Noncontrolling interests, as recorded in the shareholders’ equity section of the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the net income attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests, as recorded in the mezzanine section of the condensed consolidated balance sheets, to the Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests presented on the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (in millions): Three Months Ended March 31,  2013 2012Net income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests$13.3 $11.6Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests1.3 1.0Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests$14.6 $12.6 |

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| - Definition
The entire disclosure for redeemable noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries.
+ References
No definition available.
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| - Details**Name:**hls_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestAbstractAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |