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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 OXpRI34Aoo8zVeseBWijZQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-11-007805.txt : 20110228
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-11-007805.hdr.sgml : 20110228
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110228113427
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-11-007805
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110225
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110228
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110228

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHAW L EDWARD JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001183337

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10315
		FILM NUMBER:		11644032

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		AETNA INC
		STREET 2:		151 FARMINGTON AVE RC4B
		CITY:			HARTFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06156

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEALTHSOUTH CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000785161
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-HOSPITALS [8060]
		IRS NUMBER:				630860407
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3660 GRANDVIEW PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35243
		BUSINESS PHONE:		205-967-7116

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3660 GRANDVIEW PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			BIRMINGHAM
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35243

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HEALTHSOUTH REHABILITATION CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-02-25</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000785161</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HEALTHSOUTH CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HLS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001183337</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHAW L EDWARD JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9 CARRIAGE HOUSE LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MAMARONECK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10543</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Healthsouth Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-02-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4148</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>55175</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Award of restricted stock units pursuant to the Company's 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John P. Whittington, attorney-in-fact for L. Edward Shaw, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-02-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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