| **Investments in and Advances to Nonconsolidated Affiliates**                                         | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
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| **Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| Investments in and Advances to Nonconsolidated Affiliates                                             | Investments in and Advances to Nonconsolidated Affiliates:Investments in and advances to nonconsolidated affiliates as of December 31, 2012 represents our investment in 13 partially owned subsidiaries, of which 9 are general or limited partnerships, limited liability companies, or joint ventures in which HealthSouth or one of its subsidiaries is a general or limited partner, managing member, member, or venturer, as applicable. We do not control these affiliates but have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of certain of these affiliates. Our ownership percentages in these affiliates range from approximately 1% to 51%. We account for these investments using the cost and equity methods of accounting. 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, 2012 2011Equity method investments:   Capital contributions$2.8 $7.2Cumulative share of income93.8 100.0Cumulative share of distributions(77.4) (80.1) 19.2 27.1Cost method investments:   Capital contributions, net of distributions and impairments1.6 1.9Total investments in and advances to nonconsolidated affiliates$20.8 $29.0The 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, 2012 2011Assets—   Current$21.4 $17.4Noncurrent48.7 73.4Total assets$70.1 $90.8Liabilities and equity—   Current liabilities$7.7 $8.9Noncurrent liabilities1.2 7.0Partners’ capital and shareholders’ equity—   HealthSouth19.2 27.1Outside partners42.0 47.8Total liabilities and equity$70.1 $90.8Condensed statements of operations (in millions):  For the Year Ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010Net operating revenues$83.3 $87.0 $79.8Operating expenses(48.1) (53.1) (51.6)Income from continuing operations, net of tax28.3 26.5 23.0Net income28.3 26.5 23.0During the third quarter of 2012, we negotiated with our partner to amend the joint venture agreement related to St. Vincent Rehabilitation Hospital which resulted in a change in accounting for this hospital from the equity method of accounting to a consolidated entity. The amendment revised certain participatory rights held by our joint venture partner resulting in HealthSouth gaining control of this entity from an accounting perspective. In accordance with the applicable guidance, we accounted for this change in control as a business combination and consolidated this entity using the acquisition method. The consolidation of St. Vincent Rehabilitation Hospital did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. As a result of our consolidation of this hospital and the remeasurement of our previously held equity interest at fair value, goodwill increased by $15.6 million, and we recorded a $4.9 million gain as part of Other income during the year ended December 31, 2012. See Note 6,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and Note 13,Fair Value Measurements. |

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| - Definition
General disclosure relating to our investments in and advances to nonconsolidated affiliates. These investments include affiliates that the Company accounts for under the equity and cost methods.
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No definition available.
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| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVenturesAbstract**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |