| **Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)**                  | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
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| **Accounting Policies [Abstract]**                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Reductions in Annual Market Basket Updates                               | The reductions in our annual market basket updates began April 1, 2010 and continue through 2019 for each CMS fiscal year, which for us begins October 1, as follows:201020112012-1320142015-162017-190.25%0.25%0.1%0.3%0.2%0.75%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Concentration of Net Operating Revenues by Payor                         | During the year ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, we derived consolidated Net operating revenues from the following payor sources: For the Year Ended December 31, 2011 2010 2009Medicare72.0% 70.5% 67.8%Medicaid1.6% 1.8% 2.2%Workers' compensation1.6% 1.6% 1.7%Managed care and other discount plans19.8% 21.3% 23.0%Other third-party payors2.0% 2.3% 2.6%Patients1.2% 1.3% 1.3%Other income1.8% 1.2% 1.4%Total100.0% 100.0% 100.0% |
| Concentration of Net Patient Service Accounts Receivable by Payor Class  | The concentration of net patient service accounts receivable by payor class, as a percentage of total net patient service accounts receivable as of the end of each of the reporting periods, is as follows: As of December 31, 2011 2010Medicare60.7% 58.7%Medicaid2.6% 2.2%Workers' compensation3.2% 3.1%Managed care and other discount plans26.8% 28.9%Other third-party payors4.7% 5.0%Patients2.0% 2.1%Total100.0% 100.0%                                                                   |
| Useful Lives of Property and Equipment                                   | Useful lives are generally as follows: YearsBuildings15 to 30Leasehold improvements2 to 15Furniture, fixtures, and equipment3 to 10Assets under capital lease obligations: Real estate15 to 20Equipment3 to 5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| Estimated Useful Lives and Amortization Basis of Other Intangible Assets | The range of estimated useful lives and the amortization basis for our other intangible assets are generally as follows: Estimated Useful Lifeand Amortization BasisCertificates of need13 to 30 years using straight-line basisLicenses10 to 20 years using straight-line basisNoncompete agreements3 to 18 years using straight-line basisTradenames10 to 20 years using straight-line basisInternal-use software3 to 7 years using straight-line basisMarket access assets20 years using accelerated basis                                  |

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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the concentration of net operating revenues by payor class as a percentage of total net operating revenues.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the concentration of net patient service accounts receivable by payor class as a percentage of total net patient service accounts receivable.
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No definition available.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of current and expected future reductions in annual market basket updates (Medicare reimbursement rates) for hospitals.
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No definition available.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of estimated useful lives and amortization basis of the Company's finite-lived intangible assets by major class.
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No definition available.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the useful life and salvage value of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph b -Article 5Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229
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