Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock Shareholder Rights Plan In August 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan, as set forth in the Shareholder Rights Agreement between the Company and the rights agent, the purpose of which is, among other things, to enhance the Board’s ability to protect shareholder interests and to ensure that shareholders receive fair treatment in the event any coercive takeover attempt of the Company is made in the future. The Shareholder Rights Plan could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from acquiring, the Company or a large block of the Company’s common stock. In March 2012, the Board approved an amendment to the Shareholder Rights Plan to enable Eastern Capital Limited and its affiliates to purchase up to 49.9% of the shares of common stock of the Company without becoming an “acquiring person” and thereby triggering the stockholder rights, with the limitations under the Shareholder Rights Plan remaining in effect for all other stockholders of the Company. In connection with the adoption of the Shareholder Rights Plan, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right (Right) for each outstanding share of common stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 15, 2011. In addition, one Right will automatically attach to each share of common stock issued between August 15, 2011 and the distribution date. As a result of the October 2013 reverse stock split, the number of Rights associated with each share of common stock was automatically proportionately adjusted so that (i) twenty rights were then associated with each outstanding share of common stock and (ii) so long as the Rights are attached to the common stock, twenty rights shall be deemed to be delivered for each share of common stock issued or transferred by the Company in the future. The Rights currently are not exercisable and are attached to and trade with the outstanding shares of common stock. Each Right entitles the registered holder of common stock to purchase from the Company a unit consisting of one ten-thousandth of a share (Unit) of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value per share, at a cash exercise prices of $30.00 per Unit. There are currently 45,000 shares authorized and zero issued and outstanding. Under the Shareholder Rights Plan, the Rights become exercisable if a person or group becomes an “acquiring person” by acquiring 15% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock or if a person or group commences a tender offer that would result in that person owning 15% or more of the common stock. If a person or group becomes an “acquiring person,” each holder of a Right (other than the acquiring person and its affiliates, associates and transferees) would be entitled to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, such number of shares of the Company’s preferred stock which are equivalent to shares of common stock having a value of twice the exercise price of the Right. If the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction after any such event, each holder of a Right would then be entitled to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, shares of the acquiring company’s common stock having a value of twice the exercise price of the Right. The Rights may be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per Right (payable in cash, common stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors) by the Board of Directors only until the earlier of (i) the time at which any person becomes an “acquiring person” or (ii) the expiration date of the Rights Agreement. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Right will terminate and thereafter the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price. The Rights will expire at the close of business on August 15, 2021, unless previously redeemed or exchanged by the Company as described above. Series B Convertible Preferred Stock On March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of 12,308 shares of Series B-1 Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (Series B-1 preferred stock) at an offering price of $3,250 per share. In addition to the Series B-1 preferred stock, which was issued at the closing, the Company also authorized Series B-2 Voting Convertible preferred Stock (Series B-2 preferred stock). The Series B-1 preferred stock and Series B-2 preferred stock collectively are referred to as the Series B preferred stock. The Series B preferred stock is convertible, at the option of the holder thereof at any time after the five year anniversary of the closing of the offering, into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $3.25 per share of common stock, at a conversion ratio of one share of preferred stock for fifty shares of common stock. At any time after the five year anniversary of issuance, the Company may elect to convert any or all outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock into shares of common stock, subject to certain limitations. Dividends on the Series B preferred stock will be cumulative and compound daily, at a rate of 11.5% per annum, payable upon conversion, liquidation, redemption or other similar events, and payable in cash or Series B-1 preferred stock until the five year anniversary of issuance. As of December 31, 2015, there are 338,710 accumulated but undeclared Series B-1 dividends. Unless prohibited by Michigan law governing distributions to shareholders, the Series B-1 preferred stock shall be redeemable at the option of holder of the Series B-1 preferred stock commencing at any time after the five year anniversary of issuance, liquidation, winding up, dissolution or other similar events, subject to certain terms and limitations. The Series B preferred stock does not, in its entirety, require liability classification and was evaluated for embedded features to determine if those features require bifurcation and separate classification as derivative liabilities. The Series B preferred stock host contract was evaluated for equity or mezzanine classification based upon the nature of the redemption and conversion features. Generally, any feature that could require cash redemption for matters not within the Company’s control, irrespective of probability of the event occurring, requires classification outside of shareholders’ equity. The Series B preferred stock was initially recorded as mezzanine in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and was accreted to its redemption value through charges to accumulated deficit using the effective interest method. On August 12, 2013, the Company amended the Series B preferred stock agreement to remove the cash redemption provision, modify the liquidation preferences for the Series B-2 preferred stock and to increase the redemption price for the Series B-1 preferred stock. The redemption price, prior to the five year anniversary, is now equal to $7,430 multiplied by the number of Series B-1 preferred shares redeemed minus the Company’s closing stock price multiplied by the number of common shares into which the outstanding Series B-2 preferred stock are convertible. The redemption price, after the five year anniversary, is the amount equal to the greater of the Series B offering price plus accrued dividends or the conversion value in common stock. As a result of the amendment to the agreement, the total amount of $38.4 million Series B preferred stock was reclassified from mezzanine into shareholders’ equity. Series A Convertible Preferred Stock On December 18, 2015, Vericel entered into a Securities Exchange Agreement (Exchange Agreement) with Stonepine pursuant to which Stonepine exchanged an aggregate of 1,250,000 shares of its common stock held by Stonepine for 1,250 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the Exchange). The Exchange closed on December 23, 2015. In connection with the Exchange, the Company designated 1,250 shares of its authorized and unissued preferred stock as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into 1,000 shares of its common stock at any time at the holder’s option. The holder, however, will be prohibited from converting Series A Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, the holder, together with its affiliates, would own more than 9.99% of the shares of the Company's common stock then issued and outstanding or, upon such holder’s written election, 14.99% of the shares of our common stock then issued and outstanding. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock will receive a payment equal to any declared but unpaid dividends before any proceeds are distributed to the holders of common stock, after any proceeds are distributed to the holder of our Series B-1 Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B-2 Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (together, the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock) and pari passu with any distributions to the holders of the Company's common stock. Shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock have no voting rights, except as required by law and except where the consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred Stock would be required to amend the terms of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends at the same time as the shares of Common Stock.

Preferred Stock

Shareholder Rights Plan

In August 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan, as set forth in the Shareholder Rights Agreement between the Company and the rights agent, the purpose of which is, among other things, to enhance the Board’s ability to protect shareholder interests and to ensure that shareholders receive fair treatment in the event any coercive takeover attempt of the Company is made in the future. The Shareholder Rights Plan could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from acquiring, the Company or a large block of the Company’s common stock. In March 2012, the Board approved an amendment to the Shareholder Rights Plan to enable Eastern Capital Limited and its affiliates to purchase up to 49.9% of the shares of common stock of the Company without becoming an “acquiring person” and thereby triggering the stockholder rights, with the limitations under the Shareholder Rights Plan remaining in effect for all other stockholders of the Company.

In connection with the adoption of the Shareholder Rights Plan, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right (Right) for each outstanding share of common stock to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 15, 2011. In addition, one Right will automatically attach to each share of common stock issued between August 15, 2011 and the distribution date. As a result of the October 2013 reverse stock split, the number of Rights associated with each share of common stock was automatically proportionately adjusted so that (i) twenty rights were then associated with each outstanding share of common stock and (ii) so long as the Rights are attached to the common stock, twenty rights shall be deemed to be delivered for each share of common stock issued or transferred by the Company in the future. The Rights currently are not exercisable and are attached to and trade with the outstanding shares of common stock. Each Right entitles the registered holder of common stock to purchase from the Company a unit consisting of one ten-thousandth of a share (Unit) of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value per share, at a cash exercise prices of $30.00 per Unit. There are currently 45,000 shares authorized and zero issued and outstanding. Under the Shareholder Rights Plan, the Rights become exercisable if a person or group becomes an “acquiring person” by acquiring 15% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock or if a person or group commences a tender offer that would result in that person owning 15% or more of the common stock. If a person or group becomes an “acquiring person,” each holder of a Right (other than the acquiring person and its affiliates, associates and transferees) would be entitled to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, such number of shares of the Company’s preferred stock which are equivalent to shares of common stock having a value of twice the exercise price of the Right. If the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction after any such event, each holder of a Right would then be entitled to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, shares of the acquiring company’s common stock having a value of twice the exercise price of the Right.

The Rights may be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per Right (payable in cash, common stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors) by the Board of Directors only until the earlier of (i) the time at which any person becomes an “acquiring person” or (ii) the expiration date of the Rights Agreement. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Right will terminate and thereafter the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price. The Rights will expire at the close of business on August 15, 2021, unless previously redeemed or exchanged by the Company as described above.

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

On March 9, 2012, the Company completed the sale of 12,308 shares of Series B-1 Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (Series B-1 preferred stock) at an offering price of $3,250 per share. In addition to the Series B-1 preferred stock, which was issued at the closing, the Company also authorized Series B-2 Voting Convertible preferred Stock (Series B-2 preferred stock). The Series B-1 preferred stock and Series B-2 preferred stock collectively are referred to as the Series B preferred stock. The Series B preferred stock is convertible, at the option of the holder thereof at any time after the five year anniversary of the closing of the offering, into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $3.25 per share of common stock, at a conversion ratio of one share of preferred stock for fifty shares of common stock. At any time after the five year anniversary of issuance, the Company may elect to convert any or all outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock into shares of common stock, subject to certain limitations. Dividends on the Series B preferred stock will be cumulative and compound daily, at a rate of 11.5% per annum, payable upon conversion, liquidation, redemption or other similar events, and payable in cash or Series B-1 preferred stock until the five year anniversary of issuance. As of December 31, 2015, there are 338,710 accumulated but undeclared Series B-1 dividends. Unless prohibited by Michigan law governing distributions to shareholders, the Series B-1 preferred stock shall be redeemable at the option of holder of the Series B-1 preferred stock commencing at any time after the five year anniversary of issuance, liquidation, winding up, dissolution or other similar events, subject to certain terms and limitations.

The Series B preferred stock does not, in its entirety, require liability classification and was evaluated for embedded features to determine if those features require bifurcation and separate classification as derivative liabilities. The Series B preferred stock host contract was evaluated for equity or mezzanine classification based upon the nature of the redemption and conversion features. Generally, any feature that could require cash redemption for matters not within the Company’s control, irrespective of probability of the event occurring, requires classification outside of shareholders’ equity. The Series B preferred stock was initially recorded as mezzanine in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and was accreted to its redemption value through charges to accumulated deficit using the effective interest method.

On August 12, 2013, the Company amended the Series B preferred stock agreement to remove the cash redemption provision, modify the liquidation preferences for the Series B-2 preferred stock and to increase the redemption price for the Series B-1 preferred stock. The redemption price, prior to the five year anniversary, is now equal to $7,430 multiplied by the number of Series B-1 preferred shares redeemed minus the Company’s closing stock price multiplied by the number of common shares into which the outstanding Series B-2 preferred stock are convertible. The redemption price, after the five year anniversary, is the amount equal to the greater of the Series B offering price plus accrued dividends or the conversion value in common stock. As a result of the amendment to the agreement, the total amount of $38.4 million Series B preferred stock was reclassified from mezzanine into shareholders’ equity.

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

On December 18, 2015, Vericel entered into a Securities Exchange Agreement (Exchange Agreement) with Stonepine pursuant to which Stonepine exchanged an aggregate of 1,250,000 shares of its common stock held by Stonepine for 1,250 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the Exchange). The Exchange closed on December 23, 2015. In connection with the Exchange, the Company designated 1,250 shares of its authorized and unissued preferred stock as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into 1,000 shares of its common stock at any time at the holder’s option. The holder, however, will be prohibited from converting Series A Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, the holder, together with its affiliates, would own more than 9.99% of the shares of the Company's common stock then issued and outstanding or, upon such holder’s written election, 14.99% of the shares of our common stock then issued and outstanding. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock will receive a payment equal to any declared but unpaid dividends before any proceeds are distributed to the holders of common stock, after any proceeds are distributed to the holder of our Series B-1 Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B-2 Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (together, the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock) and pari passu with any distributions to the holders of the Company's common stock. Shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock have no voting rights, except as required by law and except where the consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred Stock would be required to amend the terms of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends at the same time as the shares of Common Stock.