| **Business Combinations**            | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
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| **Business Combinations [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Business Combinations                | Business CombinationsIn April 2013, we closed the transaction to acquire Walton Rehabilitation Hospital, a 58-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Augusta, Georgia. The acquisition was not material to our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. As a result of this transaction, Goodwill increased by $13.7 million. The acquisition was funded using availability under our revolving credit facility.This acquisition was made to enhance our position and ability to provide inpatient rehabilitative services to patients in Georgia. All of the goodwill resulting from this transaction is deductible for federal income tax purposes. The goodwill reflects our expectations of our ability to gain access to and penetrate the acquired hospital’s historical patient base and the benefits of being able to leverage operational efficiencies with favorable growth opportunities based on positive demographic trends in this market.We accounted for this transaction under the acquisition method of accounting and reported the results of operations of the acquired hospital from the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair values of identifiable intangible assets were based on valuations using the cost and income approaches. The cost approach is based on amounts that would be required to replace the asset (i.e., replacement cost). The income approach is based on management’s estimates of future operating results and cash flows discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital that reflects market participant assumptions. The excess of the fair value of the consideration conveyed over the fair value of the net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill.The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date were as follows (in millions):Property and equipment, net$11.3Identifiable intangible assets: Noncompete agreement (useful life of 5 years)0.1Tradename (useful life of 20 years)0.9Certificate of need (useful life of 20 years)3.3Goodwill13.7Total assets acquired29.3Total current liabilities assumed(0.4)Net assets acquired$28.9The Company’s reported Net operating revenues and Net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 include operating results for Walton Rehabilitation Hospital from April 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013. The following table summarizes the results of operations of the above mentioned transaction from the date of acquisition included in our consolidated results of operations and the results of operations of the combined entity had the date of the acquisition been January 1, 2012 (in millions): Net Operating Revenues Net (Loss) Income Attributable to HealthSouthAcquired entity only: Actual from acquisition date to September 30, 2013$6.8 $(0.9)Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma from 07/01/2013-09/30/2013*564.0 58.2Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma from 07/01/2012-09/30/2012542.4 47.2Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma from 01/01/2013-09/30/20131,706.0 274.3Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma from 01/01/2012-09/30/20121,626.0 138.1*Pro forma amounts equal reported operating results due to the acquisition of Walton Rehabilitation Hospital effective April 1, 2013.Information regarding the net cash paid for all acquisitions during each period presented is as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 2012 2013 2012Fair value of assets acquired$— $— $15.6 $2.1Goodwill— — 13.7 —Fair value of liabilities assumed— — (0.4) —Noncompete agreements— 1.0 — 1.0Net cash paid for acquisitions$— $1.0 $28.9 $3.1 |

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| - Definition
The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).
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