CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 0	$ 35	$ 292,346	$ 42,439	$ (28,182)	$ (2,048)	$ 0	$ 304,590
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss attributable to Healthways, Inc.	0	0	0	(11,520)	0	0	0	(11,520)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0	0	0	(420)	(420)
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of income tax benefit of $45	0	0	0	0	0	(15)	0	(15)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	0	0	(2,377)	(162)	(2,539)
Total other comprehensive loss	0	0	0	0	0	(2,392)	(162)	(2,554)
Total comprehensive loss	0	0	0	(11,520)	0	(2,392)	(582)	(14,494)
Exercise of stock options	0	1	2,463	0	0	0	0	2,464
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0	(1,833)	0	0	0	(1,833)
Tax effect of stock options and restricted stock units	0	0	(5,231)	0	0	0	0	(5,231)
Share-based employee compensation expense	0	0	7,539	0	0	0	0	7,539
Issuance of CareFirst Warrants	0	0	1,436	0	0	0	0	1,436
Proceeds from non-controlling interest	0	0	416	0	0	0	1,199	1,615
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 0	$ 36	$ 298,969	$ 29,086	$ (28,182)	$ (4,440)	$ 617	$ 296,086