| **Business Combinations - Textual (Details)**                                                                                      | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |              |               |               |               |        |        |        |        |        |        |        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|-----------------|--------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
||
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Increase in goodwill                                                                                                               |           |            |         | $ 51,400,000  | $ 806,100,000 | $ 593,100,000 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of states in which acquired entity operates | state                                                                         |           |            |         | 35            |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests                                                                                                |           |            |         | $ 138,300,000 | 121,100,000   |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gain on consolidation of acquired entoty                                                                                           |           |            |         | 0             | 0             | 27,200,000    |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital [Member]                                                                                          |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gain on consolidation of acquired entoty                                                                                           |           |            |         |          |          | $ 27,200,000  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| 2014 Acquisitions [Member]                                                                                                         |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Proforma tax rate (percent)                                                                                                        |           |            |         |          |          | 40.00%        |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation Segment [Member]                                                                                          |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Increase in goodwill                                                                                                               |           |            |         | $ 8,900,000   | $ 641,600,000 | $ 600,000     |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of Joint Venture hospitals accounted for using equity method of accounting | facilities                                     |           |            |         | 1             |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of states in which acquired entity operates | state                                                                         |           |            |         | 30            |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation Segment [Member] | CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs [Member]                                                   |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Interest acquired in business acquisition (percent)                                                                                |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   | 50.00% |   |   |   |   |
| Number of beds acquired | bed                                                                                                      |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   | 20     |   |   |   |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation Segment [Member] | St. Joseph Regional Health Center (Bryan) [Member]                                     |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Interest acquired in business acquisition (percent)                                                                                |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   | 50.00% |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of beds acquired | bed                                                                                                      |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   | 19     |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation Segment [Member] | The Bernsen Rehabilitation Center at St. John (Broken Arrow) [Member]                  |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Interest acquired in business acquisition (percent)                                                                                |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   | 51.00% |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of beds acquired | bed                                                                                                      |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   | 24     |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation Segment [Member] | Reliant [Member]                                                                       |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of beds acquired | bed                                                                                                      |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 902 |   |   |
| Number of leases treated as capital leases | lease                                                                                 |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 7 |   |   |
| Number of locations | hospital                                                                                                     |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 11 |   |   |
| Capital lease obligation                                                                                                           |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | $ 210,000,000 |   |   |
| Remaining minority limited partner interest (percent)                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 0.50% |   |   |
| Goodwill expected to be tax-deductible (percent)                                                                                   |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 86.00% |   |   |
| Proforma tax rate (percent)                                                                                                        |           |            |         |          | 40.00%        |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation Segment [Member] | Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital [Member]                                               |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Interest acquired in business acquisition (percent)                                                                                |           | 50.10%          |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of beds acquired | bed                                                                                                      |           | 26              |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Goodwill expected to be tax-deductible                                                                                             |           | $ 0             |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Increase in goodwill                                                                                                               |           | $ 600,000       |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation Segment [Member] | All Other Acquisitions [Member]                                                        |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Interest acquired in business acquisition (percent)                                                                                | 83.00%         |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of beds acquired | bed                                                                                                      | 50             |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Goodwill expected to be tax-deductible                                                                                             | $ 0            |            |         | $ 0           |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Increase in goodwill                                                                                                               | $ 700,000      |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member]                                                                                           |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Increase in goodwill                                                                                                               |           |            |         | $ 42,500,000  | $ 164,500,000 | $ 592,500,000 |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of states in which acquired entity operates | state                                                                         |           |            |         | 25            |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | CareSouth [Member]                                                                      |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Goodwill expected to be tax-deductible (percent)                                                                                   |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 6.50% |   |   |   |
| Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | Encompass [Member]                                                                      |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of locations | facilities                                                                                                   |           |            |         |          |          | 135           |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Goodwill expected to be tax-deductible (percent)                                                                                   |           |            |         |          |          | 23.00%        |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of states in which acquired entity operates | state                                                                         |           |            |         |          |          | 12            |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests                                                                                                |           |            |         |          |          | $ 64,500,000  |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Subsidiary's common stock held by subsidiary 's management (percent)                                                               |           |            |         |          |          | 16.70%        |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | All Other Acquisitions [Member]                                                         |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Goodwill expected to be tax-deductible                                                                                             |           |            |         |          | $ 20,300,000  |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | All Other Acquisitions [Member]                        |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Goodwill expected to be tax-deductible                                                                                             |           |            |         | $ 41,400,000  |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Hospice [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | Home Health Agency of Georgia, LLC (“Camellia”) [Member] |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of locations | location                                                                                                     |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   | 2      |   |   |   |   |   |
| Hospice [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | Sotto International, Inc. (“Serenity”) [Member]          |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of locations | location                                                                                                     |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   | 3      |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Hospice [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | Honor Hospice, LLC (“Honor”) [Member]                    |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of locations | location                                                                                                     |           |            |         |          |          |          | 1      |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Hospice [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | CareSouth [Member]                                                   |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of locations | facilities                                                                                                   |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 3 |   |   |   |
| Home health [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | Summit Home Health Care, Inc. (“Summit”) [Member]    |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of locations | location                                                                                                     |           |            |         |          |          |          |   | 2      |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Home health [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | Advantage Health Inc. (“Advantage”) [Member]         |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of locations | location                                                                                                     |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   | 1      |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Home health [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | LightHouse Health Care, Inc. (“LightHouse”) [Member] |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of locations | location                                                                                                     |           |            |         |          |          |          |   | 1      |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Home health [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | Gulf City Home Care, Inc. (“Gulf City”) [Member]     |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of locations | location                                                                                                     |           |            |         |          |          |          | 1      |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Home health [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member] | CareSouth [Member]                                               |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of locations | facilities                                                                                                   |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 44 |   |   |   |
| Inpatient [Member] | Inpatient Rehabilitation Segment [Member] | All Other Acquisitions [Member]                                   |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of beds acquired | bed                                                                                                      |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 158 |   |
| Skilled Nursing [Member] | Inpatient Rehabilitation Segment [Member] | All Other Acquisitions [Member]                             |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of beds acquired | bed                                                                                                      |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 74 |   |
| Corporate Joint Venture [Member] | Inpatient Rehabilitation Segment [Member] | Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital [Member]           |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Interest acquired in business acquisition (percent)                                                                                |           |            | 30.00%       |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Increase in goodwill                                                                                                               |           |            | $ 34,000,000 |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Ownership interest prior to acquisition (percent)                                                                                  |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 50.00% |
| Ownership interest after acquisition (percent)                                                                                     |           |            | 80.00%       |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Gain on consolidation of acquired entoty                                                                                           |           |            | $ 27,000,000 |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Corporate Joint Venture [Member] | Home health [Member] | Home Health and Hospice Segment [Member]                                 |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                                                              |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| Number of Joint Venture hospitals accounted for using equity method of accounting | facilities                                     |           |            |         |          |          |          |   |   |   |   |   |   |   | 2 |   |   |   |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount of goodwill arising from a business combination that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes expressed as a percentage.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_BusinessAcquisitionGoodwillExpectedTaxDeductibleAmountPercent**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Business Combination, Pro Form Information, Income Tax Rate
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_BusinessCombinationProFormInformationIncomeTaxRate**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of Leases Treated as Capital Leases
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_LeasesNumberofCapitalLeases**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of hospital beds acquired as part of a facility acquisition.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_NumberOfBedsAcquired**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Total number of joint venture hospitals accounted for using the equity method.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_NumberOfJointVentureHospitalsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The number of locations acquired as part of a facility acquisition.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_NumberofLocationsofanAcquiredEntity**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount of subsidiary's common stock held by subsidiary 's management, Percent
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**hls_SubsidiaryscommonstockheldbysubsidiarysmanagementPercent**Namespace Prefix:**hls_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:stringItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1392-128463
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount of goodwill arising from a business combination that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationGoodwillExpectedTaxDeductibleAmount**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of capital lease obligation, assumed at the acquisition date.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73530397&loc=d3e4845-128472
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCapitalLeaseObligation**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Percentage of voting equity interests acquired in a business combination achieved in stages, including equity interests in the acquiree held by the acquirer immediately before the acquisition date and acquired at the acquisition date.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeIncludingSubsequentAcquisitionPercentage**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Percentage of equity in the acquiree held by the acquirer immediately before the acquisition date in a business combination.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireePercentage**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the amount of gain recognized by the entity as a result of remeasuring to fair value the equity interest in the acquiree it held before the business combination.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (g)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1392-128463
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of increase in asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized resulting from a business combination.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:integerItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
As of the reporting date, the aggregate carrying amount of all noncontrolling interests which are redeemable by the (parent) entity (1) at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, (2) at the option of the holder of the noncontrolling interest, or (3) upon occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the (parent) entity. This item includes noncontrolling interest holder's ownership (or holders' ownership) regardless of the type of equity interest (common, preferred, other) including all potential organizational (legal) forms of the investee entity.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 480 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3A -Subparagraph (12)(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 480 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3A -Subparagraph (16)(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 480 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3A -Subparagraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 480 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3A -Subparagraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65877616&loc=SL6540498-122764
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_FairlawnRehabilitationHospitalMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_A2014AcquisitionsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hls_InpatientRehabilitationSegmentMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_CHISt.VincentHotSpringsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                    |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_St.JosephRegionalHealthCenterBryanMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_TheBernsenRehabilitationCenteratSt.JohnBrokenArrowMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_ReliantMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                               |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_QuillenRehabilitationHospitalMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=us-gaap_SeriesOfIndividuallyImmaterialBusinessAcquisitionsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=hls_HomeHealthandHospiceSegmentMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                           |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_CareSouthMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                           |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_EncompassMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                              |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                 |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis=hls_HospiceMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_HomeHealthAgencyofGeorgiaLLCCamelliaMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_SottoInternationalInc.SerenityMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_HonorHospiceLLCHonorMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis=hls_HomehealthMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_SummitHomeHealthCareInc.SummitMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_AdvantageHealthInc.AdvantageMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                    |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_LightHouseHealthCareInc.LightHouseMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hls_GulfCityHomeCareInc.GulfCityMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis=hls_InpatientMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis=hls_SkilledNursingMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                              |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |