Quarterly Data (Unaudited) Tables 1 - 2 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data
Net operating revenues	$ 572.1	$ 564.0	$ 564.5	$ 572.6	$ 552.9	$ 537.0	$ 533.4	$ 538.6	$ 2,273.2	$ 2,161.9	$ 2,026.9
Operating earnings	106.9	119.0	101.1	108.7	95.5	94.4	92.7	96.1	435.7	378.7
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	30.5	35.2	(86.5)	33.5	24.5	28.1	26.9	29.1	12.7	108.6	37.1
Income from continuing operations	64.1	73.2	178.9	66.3	57.4	60.4	56.4	57.2	382.5	231.4	205.8
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0.1	(0.9)	0.1	(0.4)	1.9	(0.5)	3.5	(0.4)	(1.1)	4.5	48.8
Net income	64.2	72.3	179.0	65.9	59.3	59.9	59.9	56.8	381.4	235.9	254.6
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(15.3)	(14.1)	(13.8)	(14.6)	(12.3)	(12.8)	(13.2)	(12.6)	(57.8)	(50.9)	(45.9)
Net income attributable to HealthSouth	$ 48.9	$ 58.2	$ 165.2	$ 51.3	$ 47.0	$ 47.1	$ 46.7	$ 44.2	$ 323.6	$ 185.0	$ 208.7
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders:
Continuing operations	$ (0.31)	$ 0.61	$ 1.82	$ 0.48	$ 0.41	$ 0.44	$ 0.38	$ 0.39	$ 2.59	$ 1.62	$ 1.39
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ (0.01)	$ 0.04	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.05	$ 0.52
Net income	$ (0.31)	$ 0.60	$ 1.82	$ 0.48	$ 0.43	$ 0.43	$ 0.42	$ 0.39	$ 2.58	$ 1.67	$ 1.91
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders:
Continuing operations	$ (0.31)	$ 0.59	$ 1.66	$ 0.48	$ 0.41	$ 0.44	$ 0.38	$ 0.39	$ 2.59	$ 1.62
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ (0.01)	$ 0.04	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.05
Net income	$ (0.31)	$ 0.58	$ 1.66	$ 0.48	$ 0.43	$ 0.43	$ 0.42	$ 0.39	$ 2.58	$ 1.67
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to HealthSouth common shareholders:
Continuing operations			$ 1.85	$ 0.49	$ 0.42	$ 0.44	$ 0.39	$ 0.40		$ 1.65	$ 1.42
Discontinued operations			$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.04	$ (0.01)		$ 0.04	$ 0.54
Net income			$ 1.85	$ 0.49	$ 0.44	$ 0.44	$ 0.43	$ 0.39		$ 1.69	$ 1.96