Acquisitions and Disposals - Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		4 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2016
Net assets acquired:
Goodwill	$ 3,269,225	$ 3,346,838	$ 3,269,225	$ 3,382,846
H.I.G Bayside Debt & LBO Fund II L.P. | BCPE Seminole Holdings LP
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity attributable to Surgery Partners, Inc.	721,764
Redeemable preferred stock	310,000
Fair value of non-controlling interests	939,083		939,083
Aggregate fair value of acquisition				1,970,847
Net assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents	214,206		214,206
Accounts receivable	252,911		252,911
Inventories	44,310		44,310
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	61,438		61,438
Property and equipment	379,685		379,685
Intangible assets	63,978		63,978
Goodwill	3,281,728		3,281,728
Investments in and advances to affiliates	75,113		75,113
Restricted invested assets	315		315
Long-term deferred tax assets	206,073		206,073
Other long-term assets	50,666		50,666
Accounts payable	(64,921)		(64,921)
Accrued payroll and benefits	(56,535)		(56,535)
Other current liabilities	(97,617)		(97,617)
Current maturities of long-term debt	(49,942)		(49,942)
Long-term debt, less current maturities	(2,142,375)		(2,142,375)
Long-term tax receivable agreement liability	(78,498)		(78,498)
Other long-term liabilities	(169,688)		(169,688)
Total fair value of net assets acquired	1,970,847		1,970,847
Total Acquisitions in 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration				106,441
Fair value of non-controlling interests				63,774
Aggregate fair value of acquisition				170,215
Net assets acquired:
Current assets				12,254
Property and equipment				5,033
Intangible assets				0
Goodwill				156,529
Other long-term assets				6,575
Current liabilities				(6,061)
Long-term liabilities				(4,115)
Total fair value of net assets acquired				$ 170,215
Total Acquisitions in 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration		29,448
Fair value of non-controlling interests		21,893
Aggregate fair value of acquisition		51,341
Net assets acquired:
Current assets		2,267
Property and equipment		248
Intangible assets		41
Goodwill		49,368
Other long-term assets		0
Current liabilities		(583)
Long-term liabilities		0
Total fair value of net assets acquired		$ 51,341
Predecessor
Net assets acquired:
Goodwill	2,414,572		2,414,572		$ 1,555,204
Predecessor | Total Acquisitions in 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration			14,163
Fair value of non-controlling interests	105		105
Aggregate fair value of acquisition	14,268		14,268
Net assets acquired:
Current assets	777		777
Property and equipment	696		696
Intangible assets	1,101		1,101
Goodwill	12,167		12,167
Other long-term assets	0		0
Current liabilities	(287)		(287)
Long-term liabilities	(186)		(186)
Total fair value of net assets acquired	14,268		14,268
Predecessor | NSH
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration	764,007
Fair value of non-controlling interests	325,965		325,965
Aggregate fair value of acquisition	1,089,972		1,089,972
Net assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents	51,159		51,159
Accounts receivable	71,639		71,639
Inventories	14,986		14,986
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,367		18,367
Property and equipment	174,100		174,100
Intangible assets	27,881		27,881
Goodwill	871,373		871,373
Investments in and advances to affiliates	29,737		29,737
Long-term deferred tax assets	20,212		20,212
Other long-term assets	26,988		26,988
Accounts payable	(29,652)		(29,652)
Accrued payroll and benefits	(30,853)		(30,853)
Other current liabilities	(23,937)		(23,937)
Current maturities of long-term debt	(16,416)		(16,416)
Long-term debt, less current maturities	(42,770)		(42,770)
Other long-term liabilities	(72,842)		(72,842)
Total fair value of net assets acquired	$ 1,089,972		$ 1,089,972