Minimum consolidated coverage ratio to permit the declaration and payment of dividends under senior note indenture.

No definition available.

Name:	ehc_Consolidatedcoverageratiominimum
Namespace Prefix:	ehc_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Max senior secured leverage ratio to permit restricted payments under credit agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ehc_DebtInstrumentCovenantLeverageRatioMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	ehc_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

HealthSouth's ownership percentage in its guarantor subsidiaries.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ehc_OwnershipPercentageOfSubsidiaryGuarantors
Namespace Prefix:	ehc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	srt_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	srt_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	srt_OwnershipAxis=ehc_HoldingsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Textuals (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Encompass Health ownership percentage of subsidiary guarantors (percent)	100.00%
Senior secured leverage ratio maximum	2
Consolidated coverage ratio minimum	2
Holdings
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Remaining noncontrolling interest		1.20%	5.50%