Employee Benefit Plans - Textual (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) yr plan	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company healthcare plan costs, net of employee payments	$ 189.2	$ 178.4	$ 164.7
Number of qualified savings plans offered | plan	2
Employer contributions	$ 25.4	23.4	21.5
Employer contributions funded by forfeited accounts	1.5	1.4	2.5
Payments under the Senior Management Bonus Program	$ 17.9	$ 18.4	$ 19.7
Encompass Health Retirement Investment Plan
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution as percentage of salary allowed under the Plan (percent)	100.00%
Age requirement to participate in the Plan | yr	21
Vesting percentage	100.00%
Vesting period	3 years
Employer matching contribution	50.00%
Vesting percentage in employer contributions (percent)	6.00%
Encompass Home Health Savings Plan HHSP
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution as percentage of salary allowed under the Plan (percent)	60.00%
Vesting percentage	3.00%
Vesting period	6 years
Employer matching contribution	25.00%