| **Investments in and Advances to Nonconsolidated Affiliates (Tables)**                                | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
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| **Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Schedule of Aggregate Equity and Cost Method Investments                                              | Our investments, which are included in Other long-term assets in our consolidated balance sheets, consist of the following (in millions): As of December 31, 2014 2013Equity method investments:   Capital contributions$0.8 $2.9Cumulative share of income77.3 104.8Cumulative share of distributions(69.9) (88.8) 8.2 18.9Cost method investments:   Capital contributions, net of distributions and impairments1.2 1.4Total investments in and advances to nonconsolidated affiliates$9.4 $20.3                                                   |
| Schedule of Combined Assets, Liabilities, and Equity of Equity Method Affiliates                      | The following summarizes the combined assets, liabilities, and equity and the combined results of operations of our equity method affiliates (on a 100% basis, in millions): As of December 31, 2014 2013Assets—   Current$9.6 $16.6Noncurrent13.1 36.2Total assets$22.7 $52.8Liabilities and equity—   Current liabilities$0.7 $2.4Noncurrent liabilities0.1 0.7Partners’ capital and shareholders’ equity—   HealthSouth8.2 18.9Outside partners13.7 30.8Total liabilities and equity$22.7 $52.8 |
| Schedule of Combined Results of Operations of Equity Method Affiliates                                | Condensed statements of operations (in millions): For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012Net operating revenues$50.2 $74.3 $83.3Operating expenses(25.9) (43.6) (48.1)Income from continuing operations, net of tax30.9 24.6 28.3Net income30.9 24.6 28.3                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

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| - Definition
A tabular presentation of the Company's aggregate carrying value in its equity and cost method investments as of the balance sheet dates presented.
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No definition available.
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| - Definition
A tabular presentation summarizing the combined assets, liabilities, and equity of the Company's equity method affiliates (on a 100% basis) as of the balance sheet dates presented.
+ References
No definition available.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the combined results of operations of our equity method affiliates (on a 100% basis) for the periods presented.
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No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_ScheduleOfCombinedResultsOfOperationsOfEquityMethodAffiliatesTableTextBlock**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**nonnum:textBlockItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
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