Liquidity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 07, 2014	Jul. 09, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2014	May 13, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5,201,000				$ 3,970,000				$ 5,201,000	$ 3,970,000	$ 8,319,000			$ 16,917,000
Loss from continuing operations	1,229,000	(77,000)	1,911,000	2,851,000	2,159,000	3,931,000	3,765,000	2,825,000	5,913,000	12,680,000	9,774,000
Net cash used in operating activities									3,430,000	7,029,000	4,177,000
Costs paid to sell business									1,900,000
Proceeds from sale of real estate, net of closing costs and broker fees									2,544,000	0	0
Minimum Percent of aggregate unbilled eligible receivables													50.00%
Net proceeds from sale of Basking Ridge, New Jersey property and sale of Heritage Labs and Hooper Holmes Services business units									5,300,000
Capital expenditures									(1,409,000)	(1,550,000)	(4,103,000)
Strategic Alliance Agreement Assets [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Costs paid to sell business									800,000
Consideration amount															3,500,000
Purchase and Sale Agreement Property [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Costs paid to sell business												200,000
Consideration amount																3,000,000
Cash proceeds												2,500,000
2013 Loan and Security Agreement [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under Loan and Security Agreement	10,000,000								10,000,000
Loan maximum defined, based on eligible receivables	85.00%								85.00%
Remaining borrowing capacity under Loan and Security Agreement	10,000,000								10,000,000
Reserve on eligible borrowings	500,000								500,000
Net borrowings									2,600,000
Borrowings outstanding under Loan and Security Agreement	$ 0								$ 0
Minimum Percent of aggregate unbilled eligible receivables													50.00%