| **Cash and Marketable Securities - Table 3 (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------|
| **Restricted Cash**                                                                                   |          |          |
| Restricted Cash                                                                                       | $ 35.3        | $ 36.5        |
| Affiliate cash [Member]                                                                               |          |          |
| **Restricted Cash**                                                                                   |          |          |
| Restricted Cash                                                                                       | 11.1          | 15.6          |
| Self-insured captive funds [Member]                                                                   |          |          |
| **Restricted Cash**                                                                                   |          |          |
| Restricted Cash                                                                                       | 23.5          | 20.4          |
| Paid-loss deposit funds [Member]                                                                      |          |          |
| **Restricted Cash**                                                                                   |          |          |
| Restricted Cash                                                                                       | $ 0.7         | $ 0.5         |

| X                                                                                                                                                  |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**hls_RestrictedCashAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
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| - Definition
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-BRD -Chapter 4 -Paragraph 80 -Subparagraph Exhibit 4-8, 3 -IssueDate 2006-05-01 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
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