Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Tables 1 - 5 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Net operating revenues	$ 879.3	$ 778.6	$ 764.4	$ 740.6	$ 613.4	$ 596.9	$ 604.4	$ 591.2	$ 3,162.9	$ 2,405.9	$ 2,273.2
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts									(47.2)	(31.6)	(26.0)
Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts									3,115.7	2,374.3	2,247.2
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits									1,670.8	1,161.7	1,089.7
Other operating expenses									432.1	351.6	323.0
Occupancy costs									53.9	41.6	47.0
Supplies									128.7	111.9	105.4
General and administrative expenses									133.3	124.8	119.1
Depreciation and amortization									139.7	107.7	94.7
Government, class action, and related settlements									7.5	(1.7)	(23.5)
Professional fees-accounting, tax, and legal									3.0	9.3	9.5
Total operating expenses									2,569.0	1,906.9	1,764.9
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	2.4		18.8	1.2					22.4	13.2	2.4
Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees									142.9	109.2	100.4
Other income									(5.5)	(31.2)	(4.5)
Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates									(8.7)	(10.7)	(11.2)
Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates									0.0	0.0	0.0
Management fees									0.0	0.0	0.0
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense									395.6	386.9	395.2
Provision for income tax expense	43.5	35.9	32.2	30.3	19.3	22.1	36.5	32.8	141.9	110.7	12.7
Income from continuing operations	65.1	67.5	61.8	59.3	54.8	65.7	94.1	61.6	253.7	276.2	382.5
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0.7	0.3	(1.6)	(0.3)	2.7	(0.9)	3.8	(0.1)	(0.9)	5.5	(1.1)
Net income	65.8	67.8	60.2	59.0	57.5	64.8	97.9	61.5	252.8	281.7	381.4
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18.8)	(17.1)	(17.3)	(16.5)	(15.4)	(14.7)	(14.8)	(14.8)	(69.7)	(59.7)	(57.8)
Net income attributable to HealthSouth	47.0	$ 50.7	$ 42.9	$ 42.5	42.1	$ 50.1	$ 83.1	$ 46.7	183.1	222.0	323.6
Comprehensive income									252.1	281.3	379.9
Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth									182.4	221.6	322.1
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	61.6				66.7				61.6	66.7	64.5	$ 132.8
Restricted Cash	45.9				45.6				45.9	45.6
Accounts receivable, net	410.5				323.2				410.5	323.2
Deferred income tax assets	0.0				188.4				0.0	188.4
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	80.7				62.7				80.7	62.7
Total current assets	598.7				686.6				598.7	686.6
Property and equipment, net	1,310.1				1,019.7				1,310.1	1,019.7
Goodwill	1,890.1				1,084.0				1,890.1	1,084.0	456.9	437.3
Intangible assets, net	419.4				306.1				419.4	306.1
Deferred income tax assets	190.8				129.4				190.8	129.4
Other long-term assets	197.0				162.5				197.0	162.5
Intercompany notes receivable	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Intercompany receivable and investments in consolidated affiliates	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Total assets	4,606.1				3,388.3				4,606.1	3,388.3
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	36.8				20.8				36.8	20.8
Accounts payable	61.6				53.4				61.6	53.4
Accrued payroll	126.2				123.3				126.2	123.3
Accrued interest payable	29.7				21.2				29.7	21.2
Other current liabilities	172.1				145.6				172.1	145.6
Total current liabilities	426.4				364.3				426.4	364.3
Long-term debt, net of current portion	3,134.7				2,090.4				3,134.7	2,090.4
Intercompany notes payable	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Self-insured risks	101.6				98.7				101.6	98.7
Other long-term liabilities	43.0				37.5				43.0	37.5
Intercompany payable	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Total liabilities	$ 3,705.7				$ 2,590.9				$ 3,705.7	$ 2,590.9
Commitments and contingencies
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Attributable to Parent	$ 0.0				$ 93.2				$ 0.0	$ 93.2
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	121.1				84.7				121.1	84.7
Shareholders' equity
HealthSouth shareholders' equity	611.4				473.2				611.4	473.2
Noncontrolling interests	167.9				146.3				167.9	146.3
Total shareholders' equity	779.3				619.5				779.3	619.5	468.7	403.5
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	4,606.1				3,388.3				4,606.1	3,388.3
HealthSouth Corporation
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Net operating revenues									19.4	16.1	12.2
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts									0.0	0.0	0.0
Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts									19.4	16.1	12.2
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits									49.4	22.3	12.1
Other operating expenses									31.3	21.6	10.8
Occupancy costs									4.0	4.2	4.1
Supplies									0.0	0.0	0.0
General and administrative expenses									128.3	124.8	119.1
Depreciation and amortization									9.9	9.7	8.8
Government, class action, and related settlements									7.5	(1.7)	(23.5)
Professional fees-accounting, tax, and legal									3.0	9.3	9.5
Total operating expenses									233.4	190.2	140.9
Loss on early extinguishment of debt									22.4	13.2	2.4
Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees									130.0	99.8	90.4
Other income									(13.6)	(0.7)	(1.0)
Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates									0.0	0.0	(3.6)
Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates									(322.7)	(314.0)	(268.0)
Management fees									(119.7)	(107.9)	(102.3)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense									89.6	135.5	153.4
Provision for income tax expense									(94.6)	(80.8)	(169.0)
Income from continuing operations									184.2	216.3	322.4
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax									(1.1)	5.7	1.2
Net income									183.1	222.0	323.6
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0.0	0.0	0.0
Net income attributable to HealthSouth									183.1	222.0	323.6
Comprehensive income									182.4	221.6	322.1
Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth									182.4	221.6	322.1
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	41.2				41.9				41.2	41.9	60.5	131.3
Restricted Cash	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Accounts receivable, net	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Deferred income tax assets					125.0					125.0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	29.3				30.9				29.3	30.9
Total current assets	70.5				197.8				70.5	197.8
Property and equipment, net	14.5				16.1				14.5	16.1
Goodwill	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Intangible assets, net	8.8				11.3				8.8	11.3
Deferred income tax assets	176.2				163.3				176.2	163.3
Other long-term assets	48.6				55.8				48.6	55.8
Intercompany notes receivable	546.6				385.2				546.6	385.2
Intercompany receivable and investments in consolidated affiliates	2,779.7				1,898.7				2,779.7	1,898.7
Total assets	3,644.9				2,728.2				3,644.9	2,728.2
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	40.0				27.9				40.0	27.9
Accounts payable	5.8				9.3				5.8	9.3
Accrued payroll	27.7				17.5				27.7	17.5
Accrued interest payable	26.5				19.2				26.5	19.2
Other current liabilities	68.0				70.4				68.0	70.4
Total current liabilities	168.0				144.3				168.0	144.3
Long-term debt, net of current portion	2,821.9				1,973.4				2,821.9	1,973.4
Intercompany notes payable	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Self-insured risks	19.8				22.9				19.8	22.9
Other long-term liabilities	23.8				21.2				23.8	21.2
Intercompany payable	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Total liabilities	$ 3,033.5				$ 2,161.8				$ 3,033.5	$ 2,161.8
Commitments and contingencies
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Attributable to Parent					$ 93.2					$ 93.2
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 0.0				0.0				$ 0.0	0.0
Shareholders' equity
HealthSouth shareholders' equity	611.4				473.2				611.4	473.2
Noncontrolling interests	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Total shareholders' equity	611.4				473.2				611.4	473.2
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	3,644.9				2,728.2				3,644.9	2,728.2
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Net operating revenues									1,927.0	1,719.1	1,622.4
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts									(34.6)	(22.3)	(18.3)
Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts									1,892.4	1,696.8	1,604.1
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits									893.2	795.7	757.7
Other operating expenses									274.7	246.7	238.5
Occupancy costs									69.4	58.2	48.3
Supplies									85.2	78.6	73.8
General and administrative expenses									0.0	0.0	0.0
Depreciation and amortization									84.3	71.9	65.1
Government, class action, and related settlements									0.0	0.0	0.0
Professional fees-accounting, tax, and legal									0.0	0.0	0.0
Total operating expenses									1,406.8	1,251.1	1,183.4
Loss on early extinguishment of debt									0.0	0.0	0.0
Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees									11.9	7.8	8.1
Other income									(0.2)	(28.5)	(1.2)
Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates									(8.5)	(10.7)	(7.5)
Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates									(34.5)	(30.6)	(20.6)
Management fees									91.6	82.2	78.6
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense									425.3	425.5	363.3
Provision for income tax expense									169.7	148.0	134.4
Income from continuing operations									255.6	277.5	228.9
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax									0.0	0.0	(0.8)
Net income									255.6	277.5	228.1
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0.0	0.0	0.0
Net income attributable to HealthSouth									255.6	277.5	228.1
Comprehensive income									255.6	277.5	228.1
Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth									255.6	277.5	228.1
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1.3				1.5				1.3	1.5	2.3	0.3
Restricted Cash	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Accounts receivable, net	267.2				202.6				267.2	202.6
Deferred income tax assets					39.8					39.8
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22.7				15.4				22.7	15.4
Total current assets	291.2				259.3				291.2	259.3
Property and equipment, net	965.7				752.0				965.7	752.0
Goodwill	863.2				279.6				863.2	279.6
Intangible assets, net	123.2				50.6				123.2	50.6
Deferred income tax assets	64.1				17.5				64.1	17.5
Other long-term assets	75.3				42.5				75.3	42.5
Intercompany notes receivable	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Intercompany receivable and investments in consolidated affiliates	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Total assets	2,382.7				1,401.5				2,382.7	1,401.5
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	6.8				4.2				6.8	4.2
Accounts payable	35.2				29.5				35.2	29.5
Accrued payroll	50.7				55.6				50.7	55.6
Accrued interest payable	2.9				1.8				2.9	1.8
Other current liabilities	19.0				15.2				19.0	15.2
Total current liabilities	114.6				106.3				114.6	106.3
Long-term debt, net of current portion	255.6				83.9				255.6	83.9
Intercompany notes payable	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Self-insured risks	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Other long-term liabilities	12.4				12.7				12.4	12.7
Intercompany payable	141.7				381.0				141.7	381.0
Total liabilities	$ 524.3				$ 583.9				$ 524.3	$ 583.9
Commitments and contingencies
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Attributable to Parent					$ 0.0					$ 0.0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 0.0				0.0				$ 0.0	0.0
Shareholders' equity
HealthSouth shareholders' equity	1,858.4				817.6				1,858.4	817.6
Noncontrolling interests	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Total shareholders' equity	1,858.4				817.6				1,858.4	817.6
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,382.7				1,401.5				2,382.7	1,401.5
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Net operating revenues									1,320.0	761.1	709.8
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts									(12.6)	(9.3)	(7.7)
Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts									1,307.4	751.8	702.1
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits									745.3	358.8	334.4
Other operating expenses									167.4	120.1	107.5
Occupancy costs									25.6	17.7	17.5
Supplies									43.5	33.3	31.6
General and administrative expenses									5.0	0.0	0.0
Depreciation and amortization									45.5	26.1	20.8
Government, class action, and related settlements									0.0	0.0	0.0
Professional fees-accounting, tax, and legal									0.0	0.0	0.0
Total operating expenses									1,032.3	556.0	511.8
Loss on early extinguishment of debt									0.0	0.0	0.0
Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees									12.4	2.8	3.1
Other income									(3.1)	(3.2)	(3.5)
Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates									(0.2)	0.0	(0.1)
Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates									0.0	0.0	0.0
Management fees									28.1	25.7	23.7
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense									237.9	170.5	167.1
Provision for income tax expense									66.8	43.5	47.3
Income from continuing operations									171.1	127.0	119.8
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax									0.2	(0.2)	(1.5)
Net income									171.3	126.8	118.3
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(69.7)	(59.7)	(57.8)
Net income attributable to HealthSouth									101.6	67.1	60.5
Comprehensive income									171.3	126.8	118.3
Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth									101.6	67.1	60.5
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	19.1				23.3				19.1	23.3	1.7	1.2
Restricted Cash	45.9				45.6				45.9	45.6
Accounts receivable, net	143.3				120.6				143.3	120.6
Deferred income tax assets					23.6					23.6
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	47.5				35.2				47.5	35.2
Total current assets	255.8				248.3				255.8	248.3
Property and equipment, net	329.9				251.6				329.9	251.6
Goodwill	1,026.9				804.4				1,026.9	804.4
Intangible assets, net	287.4				244.2				287.4	244.2
Deferred income tax assets	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Other long-term assets	73.1				64.2				73.1	64.2
Intercompany notes receivable	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Intercompany receivable and investments in consolidated affiliates	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Total assets	1,973.1				1,612.7				1,973.1	1,612.7
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	7.5				6.2				7.5	6.2
Accounts payable	20.6				14.6				20.6	14.6
Accrued payroll	47.8				50.2				47.8	50.2
Accrued interest payable	0.3				0.2				0.3	0.2
Other current liabilities	86.4				61.3				86.4	61.3
Total current liabilities	162.6				132.5				162.6	132.5
Long-term debt, net of current portion	57.2				33.1				57.2	33.1
Intercompany notes payable	546.6				385.2				546.6	385.2
Self-insured risks	81.8				75.8				81.8	75.8
Other long-term liabilities	55.9				55.0				55.9	55.0
Intercompany payable	179.1				173.2				179.1	173.2
Total liabilities	$ 1,083.2				$ 854.8				$ 1,083.2	$ 854.8
Commitments and contingencies
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Attributable to Parent					$ 0.0					$ 0.0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 121.1				84.7				$ 121.1	84.7
Shareholders' equity
HealthSouth shareholders' equity	600.9				526.9				600.9	526.9
Noncontrolling interests	167.9				146.3				167.9	146.3
Total shareholders' equity	768.8				673.2				768.8	673.2
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,973.1				1,612.7				1,973.1	1,612.7
Eliminating Entries
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
Net operating revenues									(103.5)	(90.4)	(71.2)
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts									0.0	0.0	0.0
Net operating revenues less provision for doubtful accounts									(103.5)	(90.4)	(71.2)
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits									(17.1)	(15.1)	(14.5)
Other operating expenses									(41.3)	(36.8)	(33.8)
Occupancy costs									(45.1)	(38.5)	(22.9)
Supplies									0.0	0.0	0.0
General and administrative expenses									0.0	0.0	0.0
Depreciation and amortization									0.0	0.0	0.0
Government, class action, and related settlements									0.0	0.0	0.0
Professional fees-accounting, tax, and legal									0.0	0.0	0.0
Total operating expenses									(103.5)	(90.4)	(71.2)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt									0.0	0.0	0.0
Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees									(11.4)	(1.2)	(1.2)
Other income									11.4	1.2	1.2
Equity in net income of nonconsolidated affiliates									0.0	0.0	0.0
Equity in net income of consolidated affiliates									357.2	344.6	288.6
Management fees									0.0	0.0	0.0
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense									(357.2)	(344.6)	(288.6)
Provision for income tax expense									0.0	0.0	0.0
Income from continuing operations									(357.2)	(344.6)	(288.6)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax									0.0	0.0	0.0
Net income									(357.2)	(344.6)	(288.6)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0.0	0.0	0.0
Net income attributable to HealthSouth									(357.2)	(344.6)	(288.6)
Comprehensive income									(357.2)	(344.6)	(288.6)
Comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth									(357.2)	(344.6)	(288.6)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Restricted Cash	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Accounts receivable, net	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Deferred income tax assets					0.0					0.0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(18.8)				(18.8)				(18.8)	(18.8)
Total current assets	(18.8)				(18.8)				(18.8)	(18.8)
Property and equipment, net	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Goodwill	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Intangible assets, net	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Deferred income tax assets	(49.5)				(51.4)				(49.5)	(51.4)
Other long-term assets	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Intercompany notes receivable	(546.6)				(385.2)				(546.6)	(385.2)
Intercompany receivable and investments in consolidated affiliates	(2,779.7)				(1,898.7)				(2,779.7)	(1,898.7)
Total assets	(3,394.6)				(2,354.1)				(3,394.6)	(2,354.1)
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	(17.5)				(17.5)				(17.5)	(17.5)
Accounts payable	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Accrued payroll	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Accrued interest payable	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Other current liabilities	(1.3)				(1.3)				(1.3)	(1.3)
Total current liabilities	(18.8)				(18.8)				(18.8)	(18.8)
Long-term debt, net of current portion	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Intercompany notes payable	(546.6)				(385.2)				(546.6)	(385.2)
Self-insured risks	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Other long-term liabilities	(49.1)				(51.4)				(49.1)	(51.4)
Intercompany payable	(320.8)				(554.2)				(320.8)	(554.2)
Total liabilities	$ (935.3)				$ (1,009.6)				$ (935.3)	$ (1,009.6)
Commitments and contingencies
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Attributable to Parent					$ 0.0					$ 0.0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 0.0				0.0				$ 0.0	0.0
Shareholders' equity
HealthSouth shareholders' equity	(2,459.3)				(1,344.5)				(2,459.3)	(1,344.5)
Noncontrolling interests	0.0				0.0				0.0	0.0
Total shareholders' equity	(2,459.3)				(1,344.5)				(2,459.3)	(1,344.5)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ (3,394.6)				$ (2,354.1)				$ (3,394.6)	$ (2,354.1)