| **Condensed Consolidating Financial Information**                                | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Condensed Consolidating Financial Information                                    | Condensed Consolidating Financial InformationThe accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X, Rule 3-10, “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered.” Each of the subsidiary guarantors is 100% owned by HealthSouth, and all guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several, subject to certain customary conditions for release. HealthSouth’s investments in its consolidated subsidiaries, as well as guarantor subsidiaries’ investments in nonguarantor subsidiaries and nonguarantor subsidiaries’ investments in guarantor subsidiaries, are presented under the equity method of accounting with the related investment presented within the line items Intercompany receivable and investments in consolidated affiliates and Intercompany payable in the accompanying condensed consolidating balance sheets.The terms of our credit agreement allow us to declare and pay cash dividends on our common stock so long as: (1) we are not in default under our credit agreement and (2) our senior secured leverage ratio (as defined in our credit agreement) remains less than or equal to 1.75x. The terms of our senior note indenture allow us to declare and pay cash dividends on our common stock so long as (1) we are not in default, (2) the consolidated coverage ratio (as defined in the indenture) exceeds 2x or we are otherwise allowed under the indenture to incur debt, and (3) we have capacity under the indenture’s restricted payments covenant to declare and pay dividends. See Note 8, Long-term Debt, to the consolidated financial statements accompanying the 2015 Form 10-K.Periodically, certain wholly owned subsidiaries of HealthSouth make dividends or distributions of available cash and/or intercompany receivable balances to their parents. In addition, HealthSouth makes contributions to certain wholly owned subsidiaries. When made, these dividends, distributions, and contributions impact the Intercompany receivable, Intercompany payable, and HealthSouth shareholders’ equity line items in the accompanying condensed consolidating balance sheet but have no impact on the consolidated financial statements of HealthSouth Corporation. Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$4.9 $546.6 $405.0 $(29.7) $926.8Less: Provision for doubtful accounts— (10.0) (4.8) — (14.8)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts4.9 536.6 400.2 (29.7) 912.0Operating expenses:         Salaries and benefits10.4 252.1 239.5 (4.6) 497.4Other operating expenses6.4 80.1 51.6 (11.8) 126.3Occupancy costs0.6 22.4 7.9 (13.3) 17.6Supplies— 22.6 12.2 — 34.8General and administrative expenses30.4 — (0.1) — 30.3Depreciation and amortization2.3 26.1 15.1 — 43.5Total operating expenses50.1 403.3 326.2 (29.7) 749.9Loss on early extinguishment of debt2.6 — — — 2.6Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees36.3 5.4 5.8 (5.0) 42.5Other income(5.1) (0.1) (0.6) 5.0 (0.8)Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates— (2.3) (0.2) — (2.5)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(86.1) (8.8) — 94.9 —Management fees(33.9) 26.0 7.9 — —Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense41.0 113.1 61.1 (94.9) 120.3Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(20.8) 45.1 17.8 — 42.1Income from continuing operations61.8 68.0 43.3 (94.9) 78.2Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(0.1) — — — (0.1)Net income61.7 68.0 43.3 (94.9) 78.1Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (16.4) — (16.4)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$61.7 $68.0 $26.9 $(94.9) $61.7Comprehensive income$61.6 $68.0 $43.3 $(94.9) $78.0Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$61.6 $68.0 $26.9 $(94.9) $61.6 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$4.3 $458.8 $341.5 $(26.0) $778.6Less: Provision for doubtful accounts— (7.5) (3.2) — (10.7)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts4.3 451.3 338.3 (26.0) 767.9Operating expenses:         Salaries and benefits14.7 213.9 192.7 (4.2) 417.1Other operating expenses6.5 66.4 43.8 (10.0) 106.7Occupancy costs1.1 16.3 6.9 (11.8) 12.5Supplies— 19.9 11.1 — 31.0General and administrative expenses27.8 — 2.8 — 30.6Depreciation and amortization2.6 19.8 11.3 — 33.7Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal0.4 — — — 0.4Total operating expenses53.1 336.3 268.6 (26.0) 632.0Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees33.4 1.9 2.9 (2.6) 35.6Other income(2.5) (0.1) (0.7) 2.6 (0.7)Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates— (2.4) — — (2.4)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(80.2) (9.7) — 89.9 —Management fees(29.2) 21.7 7.5 — —Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense29.7 103.6 60.0 (89.9) 103.4Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(20.7) 39.4 17.2 — 35.9Income from continuing operations50.4 64.2 42.8 (89.9) 67.5Income from discontinued operations, net of tax0.3 — — — 0.3Net income50.7 64.2 42.8 (89.9) 67.8Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (17.1) — (17.1)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$50.7 $64.2 $25.7 $(89.9) $50.7Comprehensive income$49.9 $64.2 $42.8 $(89.9) $67.0Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$49.9 $64.2 $25.7 $(89.9) $49.9 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$14.9 $1,635.1 $1,195.3 $(88.0) $2,757.3Less: Provision for doubtful accounts— (32.4) (14.3) — (46.7)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts14.9 1,602.7 1,181.0 (88.0) 2,710.6Operating expenses:         Salaries and benefits32.7 752.0 698.6 (13.7) 1,469.6Other operating expenses18.9 232.6 149.9 (34.4) 367.0Occupancy costs2.4 67.2 23.8 (39.9) 53.5Supplies— 67.8 36.4 — 104.2General and administrative expenses94.7 — 1.9 — 96.6Depreciation and amortization7.1 77.9 43.8 — 128.8Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal1.9 — — — 1.9Total operating expenses157.7 1,197.5 954.4 (88.0) 2,221.6Loss on early extinguishment of debt7.4 — — — 7.4Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees111.7 16.3 17.2 (14.7) 130.5Other income(14.6) (0.2) (2.0) 14.7 (2.1)Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates— (6.7) (0.6) — (7.3)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(260.5) (28.7) — 289.2 —Management fees(101.9) 77.7 24.2 — —Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense115.1 346.8 187.8 (289.2) 360.5Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(67.5) 138.4 53.3 — 124.2Income from continuing operations182.6 208.4 134.5 (289.2) 236.3Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(0.3) — — — (0.3)Net income182.3 208.4 134.5 (289.2) 236.0Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (53.7) — (53.7)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$182.3 $208.4 $80.8 $(289.2) $182.3Comprehensive income$182.5 $208.4 $134.5 $(289.2) $236.2Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$182.5 $208.4 $80.8 $(289.2) $182.5 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net operating revenues$14.7 $1,366.5 $978.8 $(76.4) $2,283.6Less: Provision for doubtful accounts— (24.5) (8.7) — (33.2)Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts14.7 1,342.0 970.1 (76.4) 2,250.4Operating expenses:         Salaries and benefits35.0 632.1 549.4 (12.5) 1,204.0Other operating expenses22.7 195.1 126.9 (30.6) 314.1Occupancy costs3.2 46.7 20.5 (33.3) 37.1Supplies— 60.9 33.2 — 94.1General and administrative expenses93.6 — 3.7 — 97.3Depreciation and amortization7.3 58.1 32.9 — 98.3Government, class action, and related settlements8.0 — — — 8.0Professional fees—accounting, tax, and legal2.7 — — — 2.7Total operating expenses172.5 992.9 766.6 (76.4) 1,855.6Loss on early extinguishment of debt20.0 — — — 20.0Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees91.0 6.3 8.5 (7.5) 98.3Other income(9.6) (0.2) (1.9) 7.5 (4.2)Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates— (6.3) — — (6.3)Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates(240.3) (27.2) — 267.5 —Management fees(87.0) 64.8 22.2 — —Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense68.1 311.7 174.7 (267.5) 287.0Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(69.6) 118.5 49.5 — 98.4Income from continuing operations137.7 193.2 125.2 (267.5) 188.6Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(1.6) — — — (1.6)Net income136.1 193.2 125.2 (267.5) 187.0Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — (50.9) — (50.9)Net income attributable to HealthSouth$136.1 $193.2 $74.3 $(267.5) $136.1Comprehensive income$135.5 $193.2 $125.2 $(267.5) $186.4Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth$135.5 $193.2 $74.3 $(267.5) $135.5 As of September 30, 2016 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Assets         Current assets:         Cash and cash equivalents$56.1 $0.3 $20.0 $— $76.4Accounts receivable, net— 260.6 158.6 — 419.2Other current assets62.1 29.3 118.7 (39.7) 170.4Total current assets118.2 290.2 297.3 (39.7) 666.0Property and equipment, net26.9 984.2 342.0 — 1,353.1Goodwill— 860.6 1,055.0 — 1,915.6Intangible assets, net9.8 118.3 282.0 — 410.1Deferred income tax assets56.6 64.1 — (48.1) 72.6Other long-term assets50.2 90.6 73.1 — 213.9Intercompany notes receivable542.6 — — (542.6) —Intercompany receivable and investments in consolidated affiliates2,847.6 44.6 — (2,892.2) —Total assets$3,651.9 $2,452.6 $2,049.4 $(3,522.6) $4,631.3Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity        Current liabilities:        Current portion of long-term debt$40.0 $6.1 $8.2 $(17.5) $36.8Accounts payable7.3 39.0 21.2 — 67.5Accrued expenses and other current liabilities166.9 92.2 134.8 (22.2) 371.7Total current liabilities214.2 137.3 164.2 (39.7) 476.0Long-term debt, net of current portion2,669.8 250.7 53.5 — 2,974.0Intercompany notes payable— — 542.6 (542.6) —Other long-term liabilities41.6 14.9 149.4 (47.8) 158.1Intercompany payable— — 177.2 (177.2) — 2,925.6 402.9 1,086.9 (807.3) 3,608.1Commitments and contingencies    Redeemable noncontrolling interests— — 109.4 — 109.4Shareholders’ equity:        HealthSouth shareholders’ equity726.3 2,049.7 665.6 (2,715.3) 726.3Noncontrolling interests— — 187.5 — 187.5Total shareholders’ equity726.3 2,049.7 853.1 (2,715.3) 913.8Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$3,651.9 $2,452.6 $2,049.4 $(3,522.6) $4,631.3 As of December 31, 2015 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Assets         Current assets:         Cash and cash equivalents$41.2 $1.2 $19.2 $— $61.6Accounts receivable, net— 261.5 149.0 — 410.5Other current assets29.3 22.2 93.9 (18.8) 126.6Total current assets70.5 284.9 262.1 (18.8) 598.7Property and equipment, net14.5 988.4 307.2 — 1,310.1Goodwill— 860.7 1,029.4 — 1,890.1Intangible assets, net8.8 122.4 288.2 — 419.4Deferred income tax assets176.2 64.1 — (49.5) 190.8Other long-term assets48.6 75.3 73.1 — 197.0Intercompany notes receivable546.6 — — (546.6) —Intercompany receivable and investments in consolidated affiliates2,779.7 — — (2,779.7) —Total assets$3,644.9 $2,395.8 $1,960.0 $(3,394.6) $4,606.1Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity        Current liabilities:        Current portion of long-term debt$40.0 $6.8 $7.5 $(17.5) $36.8Accounts payable5.8 35.4 20.4 — 61.6Accrued expenses and other current liabilities122.2 71.8 135.3 (1.3) 328.0Total current liabilities168.0 114.0163.2(18.8) 426.4Long-term debt, net of current portion2,821.9 255.6 57.2 — 3,134.7Intercompany notes payable— — 546.6 (546.6) —Other long-term liabilities43.6 12.3 137.8 (49.1) 144.6Intercompany payable— 156.7 157.5 (314.2) — 3,033.5 538.61,062.3(928.7) 3,705.7Commitments and contingencies    Redeemable noncontrolling interests— — 121.1 — 121.1Shareholders’ equity:        HealthSouth shareholders’ equity611.4 1,857.2 608.7 (2,465.9) 611.4Noncontrolling interests— — 167.9 — 167.9Total shareholders’ equity611.4 1,857.2776.6(2,465.9) 779.3Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$3,644.9 $2,395.8$1,960.0$(3,394.6) $4,606.1 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net cash provided by operating activities$77.8 $263.3 $148.4 $— $489.5Cash flows from investing activities:         Purchases of property and equipment(9.2) (54.3) (50.4) — (113.9)Capitalized software costs(15.9) (0.1) (1.5) — (17.5)Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired— — (19.6) — (19.6)Purchase of restricted investments— — (0.8) — (0.8)Net change in restricted cash— — (7.1) — (7.1)Funding of intercompany note receivable(11.5) — — 11.5 —Proceeds from repayment of intercompany note receivable22.0 — — (22.0) —Other(3.3) 0.5 5.4 — 2.6Net cash used in investing activities(17.9) (53.9)(74.0)(10.5) (156.3)Cash flows from financing activities:        Principal payments on debt, including pre-payments(192.9) (1.3) (1.0) — (195.2)Principal borrowings on intercompany note payable— — 11.5 (11.5) —Principal payments on intercompany note payable— — (22.0) 22.0 —Borrowings on revolving credit facility260.0 — — — 260.0Payments on revolving credit facility(240.0) — — — (240.0)Repurchases of common stock, including fees and expenses(24.1) — — — (24.1)Dividends paid on common stock(62.4) — — — (62.4)Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates— — (49.5) — (49.5)Other3.3 (4.4) (6.1) — (7.2)Change in intercompany advances211.1 (204.6) (6.5) — —Net cash used in financing activities(45.0) (210.3)(73.6)10.5 (318.4)Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents14.9 (0.9)0.8— 14.8Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period41.2 1.2 19.2 — 61.6Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$56.1 $0.3$20.0$— $76.4 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 HealthSouth Corporation Guarantor Subsidiaries Nonguarantor Subsidiaries Eliminating Entries HealthSouth Consolidated (In Millions)Net cash provided by operating activities$21.6 $187.6 $159.0 $— $368.2Cash flows from investing activities:         Purchases of property and equipment(10.0) (42.0) (33.2) — (85.2)Capitalized software costs(19.0) (0.4) (1.3) — (20.7)Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired(56.6) — (30.5) — (87.1)Proceeds from sale of marketable securities12.8 — — — 12.8Purchase of restricted investments— — (6.5) — (6.5)Net change in restricted cash— — 3.2 — 3.2Other13.6 3.0 0.5 (13.0) 4.1Net cash used in investing activities(59.2) (39.4) (67.8) (13.0) (179.4)Cash flows from financing activities:        Principal borrowings under term loan facilities125.0 — — — 125.0Proceeds from bond issuance1,400.0 — — — 1,400.0Principal payments on debt, including pre-payments(545.0) (0.8) (0.5) — (546.3)Borrowings on revolving credit facility315.0 — — — 315.0Payments on revolving credit facility(615.0) — — — (615.0)Debt amendment and issuance costs(31.3) — — — (31.3)Dividends paid on common stock(56.3) — — — (56.3)Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests of consolidated affiliates— — (39.7) — (39.7)Other(1.3) (0.6) (16.4) 13.0 (5.3)Change in intercompany advances191.3 (148.2) (43.1) — —Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities782.4 (149.6) (99.7) 13.0 546.1Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents744.8 (1.4) (8.5) — 734.9Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period41.9 1.4 23.4 — 66.7Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$786.7 $— $14.9 $— $801.6 |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_CondensedFinancialInformationOfParentCompanyOnlyDisclosureAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The entire disclosure for condensed financial information, including the financial position, cash flows, and the results of operations of the registrant (parent company) as of the same dates or for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements are being presented. Alternatively, the details of this disclosure can be reported by the specific parent company taxonomy elements, indicating the appropriate date and period contexts in an instance document.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-05(c)(Schedule II)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879921&loc=d3e569147-122900Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68079674&loc=d3e5283-111683Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 235 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-06) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6882215&loc=d3e537971-122884Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04(c)(Schedule I)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27047687&loc=d3e5864-122674Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24072-122690
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_CondensedFinancialInformationOfParentCompanyOnlyDisclosureTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |