Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,291	$ 59,173	[1]
Available-for-sale securities	62,961	121,106	[1]
Accounts receivable, less allowances for doubtful accounts of $709,008 and $670,729 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	970,132	957,918	[1]
Supplies, prepaid expenses and other assets	226,552	220,884	[1]
Prepaid and recoverable income taxes	164,803	60,438	[1]
Restricted funds	30,667	26,525	[1]
Assets held for sale	6,250	6,250	[1]
Total current assets	1,462,656	1,452,294	[1]
Property, plant and equipment	5,832,225	5,523,870	[1]
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(2,241,393)	(2,057,980)	[1]
Net property, plant and equipment	3,590,832	3,465,890	[1]
Restricted funds	125,042	125,532	[1]
Goodwill	1,032,713	1,025,137	[1]
Deferred charges and other assets	413,660	317,501	[1]
Total assets	6,624,903	6,386,354	[1]
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	160,565	211,387	[1]
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	570,780	609,732	[1]
Deferred income taxes	10,169	29,026	[1]
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	110,780	126,262	[1]
Total current liabilities	852,294	976,407	[1]
Deferred income taxes	386,543	301,237	[1]
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current maturities	3,636,948	3,440,353	[1]
Other long-term liabilities	469,512	460,886	[1]
Total liabilities	5,345,297	5,178,883	[1]
Redeemable equity securities	272,013	212,458	[1]
Health Management Associates, Inc. equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, none issued			[1]
Common stock, Class A, $0.01 par value, 750,000 shares authorized, 264,495 shares and 256,394 shares issued at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	2,645	2,564	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(8,148)	(41,940)	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	231,317	173,843	[1]
Retained earnings	771,141	843,938	[1]
Total Health Management Associates, Inc. stockholders' equity	996,955	978,405	[1]
Noncontrolling interests	10,638	16,608	[1]
Total stockholders' equity	1,007,593	995,013	[1]
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 6,624,903	$ 6,386,354	[1]

[1] Restated