| **Business Combinations - Table 2 (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified**                       | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
||
| **Summary of Actual and Pro Forma Results of Operations for Acquisitions**                                         |           |           |           |   |   |
| Acquired entities only: Actual from acquisition date to September 30, 2013, Net Operating Revenues                 |           |           | $ 6.8          |   |   |
| Acquired entities only: Actual from acquisition date to September 30, 2013, Net Income Attributable to HealthSouth |           |           | (0.9)          |   |   |
| Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma (unaudited), Net Operating Revenues                                        | 564.0          | 542.4          |           | 1,706.0 | 1,626.0 |
| Combined entity: Supplemental pro forma (unaudited), Net Income Attributable to HealthSouth                        | $ 58.2         | $ 47.2         |           | $ 274.3 | $ 138.1 |

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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
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| - Definition
The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents the amount of earnings or loss of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated income statement for the reporting period.
+ References
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
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| - Definition
This element represents the amount of revenue of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated income statement for the reporting period.
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