Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Jan. 22, 2008	Oct. 04, 2007 Hospital
Pre tax charges in connection with lawsuits
Professional fees and other related costs	$ 6,082,000	$ 0	$ 12,256,000	$ 0
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of New Mexico hospitals violated the norms under Federal False Claims Act						3
Civil Division notified that hospitals received ineligible federal participation payments					$ 27,500,000