Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 25, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HEALTHSOUTH CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000785161
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		98,310,804
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes