| **Business Combinations - Net Cash Paid for Acquisition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions** | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|-----------------|---------|
||
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    |           |           |            | $ 101.2 | $ 10.2 | $ 179.5 |   |
| Net cash paid for acquisitions                                                              |           |           |            | 118.6   | 1.1 | 231.5 |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation                                                                    |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    |           |           |            | 8.8     | 9.2 | 4.8 |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation | Shannon Medical, Heritage Valley & ECHD Ventures             |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of assets acquired                                                               |           |           |            | 1.4     |   |   |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    |           |           |            | 8.8     |   |   |   |
| Fair value of noncontrolling interest owned by joint venture partner                        |           |           | $ (9.1)         | (9.1)   |   |   |   |
| Net cash paid for acquisitions                                                              |           |           |            | 1.1     |   |   |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation | Portercare Adventist and Premier Health Partners                 |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of assets acquired                                                               |           |           |            |    | 1.7 |   |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    |           |           |            |    | 9.2 |   |   |
| Fair value of noncontrolling interest owned by joint venture partner                        |           |           |            |    | (10.9) |   |   |
| Net cash paid for acquisitions                                                              |           |           |            |    | 0.0 |   |   |
| Inpatient Rehabilitation | Saint Alphonsus and Heritage Valley                              |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of assets acquired                                                               |           |           |            |    |   | 0.5 |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    |           |           |            |    |   | 4.8 |   |
| Fair value of liabilities assumed                                                           |           |           |            |    |   | (0.2) |   |
| Fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest owned by joint venture partner             |           |           |            |    |   | 5.1 |   |
| Net cash paid for acquisitions                                                              |           |           |            |    |   | 0.0 |   |
| Home Health and Hospice                                                                     |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    |           |           |            | 92.4    | $ 1.0 | 174.7 |   |
| Home Health and Hospice | Frontier Home Health And Hospice                                  |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of assets acquired                                                               |           |           | 11.9            |    |   |   |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    |           |           | 92.4            |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of liabilities assumed                                                           |           |           | (2.0)           |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest owned by joint venture partner             |           |           | (3.9)           |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of noncontrolling interest owned by joint venture partner                        |           |           |            |    |   |   | $ (3.9) |
| Net cash paid for acquisitions                                                              |           |           | 98.4            |    |   |   |   |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                                                   |           |           |            |    |   |   | $ 0.8 |
| Home Health and Hospice | Generation Solutions of Lynchburg                                 |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of assets acquired                                                               | $ 0.1          |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    | 1.0            |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Net cash paid for acquisitions                                                              | $ 1.1          |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Home Health and Hospice | Alacare                                                           |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of assets acquired                                                               |           | $ 68.6         |            |    |   |   |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    |           | 163.9          |            |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of liabilities assumed                                                           |           | (14.7)         |            |    |   |   |   |
| Net cash paid for acquisitions                                                              |           | $ 217.8        |            |    |   |   |   |
| Home Health and Hospice | Tidewater and Care Resource Group                                 |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of assets acquired                                                               |           |           |            |    |   | 3.2 |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    |           |           |            |    |   | 10.8 |   |
| Fair value of liabilities assumed                                                           |           |           |            |    |   | (0.3) |   |
| Net cash paid for acquisitions                                                              |           |           |            |    |   | $ 13.7 |   |
| Other Home Health and Hospice Acquisitions | Baptist Outpatient Services, Inc               |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| **Business Acquisition [Line Items]**                                                       |           |           |            |    |   |   |   |
| Fair value of assets acquired                                                               |           |           |            | 3.8     |   |   |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                    |           |           |            | 8.0     |   |   |   |
| Fair value of liabilities assumed                                                           |           |           |            | (1.0)   |   |   |   |
| Fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest owned by joint venture partner             |           |           |            | 2.3     |   |   |   |
| Fair value of equity interest prior to acquisition                                          |           |           | (5.3)           | (5.3)   |   |   |   |
| Fair value of noncontrolling interest owned by joint venture partner                        |           |           | (2.3)           | (2.3)   |   |   |   |
| Net cash paid for acquisitions                                                              |           |           |            | 3.2     |   |   |   |
| Cash and cash equivalents                                                                   |           |           | $ 0.8           | $ 0.8   |   |   |   |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Business Combination, Noncontrolling Interest, Fair Value
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**ehc_BusinessCombinationNoncontrollingInterestFairValue**Namespace Prefix:**ehc_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Value of equity interests (such as common shares, preferred shares, or partnership interest) issued or issuable to acquire the entity.
+ References
Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120321790&loc=d3e6927-128479
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableValueAssigned**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**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
This element represents the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date.
+ References
Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (e)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123413009&loc=d3e4845-128472
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, acquired at the acquisition date. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.
+ References
Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123413009&loc=d3e4845-128472
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The fair value of assets acquired in noncash investing or financing activities.
+ References
Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123431023&loc=d3e4313-108586Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123431023&loc=d3e4332-108586Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123431023&loc=d3e4304-108586
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_FairValueOfAssetsAcquired**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121556970&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 total amount of [all] liabilities that an Entity assumes in acquiring a business or in consideration for an asset received in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.
+ References
Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123431023&loc=d3e4313-108586Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123431023&loc=d3e4304-108586Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123431023&loc=d3e4332-108586
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfLiabilitiesAssumed1**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.
+ References
Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3213-108585
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ehc_InpatientRehabilitationSegmentMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=ehc_ShannonMedicalHeritageValleyHealthSystemAndECHDVenturesMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=ehc_PortercareAdventistAndPremierHealthPartnersMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=ehc_SaintAlphonsusandHeritageValleyMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ehc_HomeHealthandHospiceSegmentMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=ehc_FrontierHomeHealthAndHospiceMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=ehc_GenerationSolutionsOfLynchburgMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=ehc_AlacareMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                               |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=ehc_TidewaterandCareResourceGroupMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ehc_OtherHomeHealthAndHospiceAcquisitionsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=ehc_BaptistOutpatientServicesIncMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |