| **Basis of Presentation (Tables)**                                                  | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Concentration of Net Operating Revenues by Payor                                    | During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we derived consolidated Net operating revenues from the following payor sources: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 2013 2014 2013Medicare73.5% 74.1% 74.1% 74.5%Medicaid2.2% 1.5% 1.8% 1.2%Workers’ compensation1.1% 1.3% 1.2% 1.3%Managed care and other discount plans, including Medicare Advantage18.8% 18.7% 18.6% 18.5%Other third-party payors1.8% 1.7% 1.7% 1.7%Patients1.1% 1.1% 1.0% 1.1%Other income1.5% 1.6% 1.6% 1.7%Total100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the concentration of net operating revenues by payor class as a percentage of total net operating revenues.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_ConcentrationOfNetOperatingRevenuesByPayorTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |