Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Background and Basis of Presentation	Background and Basis of Presentation Halyard Health, Inc. is a medical technology company focused on eliminating pain, speeding recovery and preventing infection for healthcare providers and patients. We are committed to addressing some of today’s most important healthcare needs, such as reducing the use of opioids while helping patients move from surgery to recovery. We operate through our Medical Devices business segment. References to “Halyard,” “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Halyard Health, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include our net assets, results of our operations and cash flows. All intercompany transactions and accounts within our consolidated businesses have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates Preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, distributor rebate accruals, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets, loss contingencies, and deferred tax assets and potential income tax assessments. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and the effect of the change could be material to our financial statements. Changes in these estimates are recorded when known.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents are short-term investments with an original maturity date of three months or less. We maintain cash balances and short-term investments in excess of insurable limits in a diversified group of major banks that are selected and monitored based on ratings by the major rating agencies in accordance with our treasury policy.
Inventories and Distribution Costs	Inventories and Distribution Costs Most U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost, using the Last-In, First-Out (“LIFO”) method, or market. The balance of the U.S. and non-U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost (determined on the First-In, First-Out (“FIFO”) or weighted-average cost methods) or market. Distribution costs are classified as cost of products sold.
Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation	Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on the straight-line method. Buildings are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily 40 years. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily ranging from 16 to 20 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the assets’ estimated useful lives, or the remaining lease term, whichever is shorter. Purchases of computer software, including external costs and certain internal costs (including payroll and payroll-related costs of employees) directly associated with developing significant computer software applications for internal use, are capitalized. Computer software costs are amortized on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, which is generally three to five years. Depreciation expense is recorded in cost of products sold, research and development and selling and general expenses. Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed, and when warranted, changes are made to them. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be indicated when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset group, which are identifiable and largely independent of the cash flows of other asset groups, are less than the carrying amount of the asset group. Measurement of an impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value. Fair value is measured using discounted cash flows or independent appraisals, as appropriate. When property is sold or retired, the cost of the property and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet and any gain or loss on the transaction is included in income.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and whenever events and circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. The evaluation of goodwill involves comparing the current fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. We used a combination of income and market approaches to estimate current fair value. The fair value determination utilized key assumptions regarding the growth of the business, each of which required management judgment, including estimated future sales volumes, selling prices and costs, changes in working capital and investments in property and equipment. These assumptions and estimates were based upon our historical experience and projections of future activity. In addition, the selection of the discount rate used to determine fair value was based upon a market participant’s view considering current market rates and our current cost of financing. There can be no assurance that the assumptions and estimates made for purposes of the annual goodwill impairment test will prove to be accurate. Volatility in the equity and debt markets, or increases in interest rates, could result in a higher discount rate. Changes in sales volumes, selling prices and costs of goods sold and increases in interest rates could cause changes in our forecasted cash flows. Unfavorable changes in any of the factors described above could result in a goodwill impairment charge in the future. We completed the required annual goodwill impairment test as of July 1, 2017, and the fair value was substantially in excess of net asset carrying value. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Estimated useful lives range from 7 to 30 years for trademarks, 7 to 17 years for patents and acquired technologies, and 2 to 16 years for other intangible assets. An impairment loss would be indicated when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be measured as the difference between the fair value (based on discounted future cash flows) and the carrying amount of the asset.
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable	Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable Sales revenue is recognized at the time of product shipment or delivery, depending on when title passes, to unaffiliated customers, and when all of the following have occurred: evidence of a sales arrangement is in place, pricing is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Sales are reported net of returns, rebates and freight allowed. Distributor rebates are estimated based on the historical cost difference between list prices and average end user contract prices and the quantity of products expected to be sold to specific end users. We maintain liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated rebate costs incurred but unpaid for these programs. Differences between estimated and actual rebate costs are normally not material and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Taxes imposed by governmental authorities on our revenue-producing activities with customers, such as sales taxes and value-added taxes, are excluded from net sales.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation The income statements of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange in effect each month. The balance sheets of these operations are translated at period-end exchange rates, and the differences from historical exchange rates are reflected as unrealized translation adjustments in other comprehensive income.
Research and Development	Research and Development Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for personnel, product trial costs, outside laboratory and license fees, the costs of laboratory equipment and facilities and asset write-offs for equipment that does not reach success in product manufacturing certifications.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation We have a stock-based Equity Participation Plan and an Outside Directors’ Compensation Plan that provide for awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock (and in certain limited cases, unrestricted stock), restricted stock units, performance units and cash awards to eligible employees (including officers who are employees), directors, advisors and consultants. Stock-based compensation is initially measured at the fair value of the awards on the grant date and is recognized in the financial statements over the period the employees are required to provide services in exchange for the awards. The fair value of option awards is measured on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of time-based and some performance-based restricted share awards is based on the Halyard stock price at the grant date and the assessed probability of meeting future performance targets. For performance-based restricted share units for which vesting is conditioned upon achieving a measure of total shareholder return, fair value is measured using a Monte Carlo simulation. Generally, new shares are issued to satisfy vested restricted stock units and exercises of stock options.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method of accounting, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Under this method, changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in income in the period such changes are enacted. The provision for federal, state, and foreign income taxes is calculated on income before income taxes based on current tax law and includes the cumulative effect of any changes in tax rates from those used previously in determining deferred tax assets and liabilities. Such provision differs from the amounts currently payable because certain items of income and expense are recognized in different reporting periods for financial reporting purposes than for income tax purposes. Recording the provision for income taxes requires management to make significant judgments and estimates for matters whose ultimate resolution may not become known until the final resolution of an examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or state and foreign agencies. If it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. Recording liabilities for uncertain tax positions involves judgment in evaluating our tax positions and developing the best estimate of the taxes ultimately expected to be paid. We include any related tax penalties and interest in income tax expense. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a federal corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the transition of U.S international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial system, and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign earnings. We have estimated our provision for income taxes in accordance with the Act and guidance available as of the date of this filing and as a result have recorded $10 million as additional income tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2017, the period in which the legislation was enacted. The provisional amount related to the re-measurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities, based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, was $16 million of benefit. The provisional amount related to the one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign earnings was $7 million based on cumulative foreign earnings of $101 million. We also recorded a $1 million benefit related to the treatment of current year cash dividends in relation to the repatriation tax. On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) was issued to address the application of US GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. In accordance with SAB 118, we have determined that the $16 million of the deferred tax benefit recorded in connection with the re-measurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities, the $7 million of current tax expense recorded in connection with the transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign earnings and the $1 million benefit related to the treatment of current year cash dividends in relation to the repatriation tax are provisional amounts and reasonable estimates at December 31, 2017. The impact of the Act may differ from this estimate, possibly materially, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations we have made, guidance that may be issued and actions we may take as a result of the Act. Additional work is necessary for a more detailed analysis of our deferred tax assets and liabilities and our historical foreign earnings as well as potential correlative adjustments. We have not accounted for the tax impacts related to the Global Intangible Low Tax Income, Base Erosion Anti Abuse Tax or Foreign Derived Intangible Income regimes or any of the other provisions of the tax legislation that are not effective until fiscal year 2018. Any subsequent adjustment to these amounts will be recorded to current tax expense in the quarter of 2018 when the analysis is complete. At December 31, 2017, prior to the calculation of the transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation, U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes had not been provided on $151 million of current and prior year undistributed earnings of subsidiaries operating outside the U.S. These earnings, which are considered to be invested indefinitely, would become subject to income tax if they were remitted as dividends, were lent to one of our U.S. entities or if we were to sell our stock in the subsidiaries. While the provisional transition tax of approximately $7 million resulted in the reduction of the excess amount of financial reporting over the tax basis in our foreign subsidiaries, we have not completed our analysis of the Act’s impact as an actual repatriation from our non-U.S. subsidiaries could still be subject to additional foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state taxes. We have not completed our analysis of our global working capital and cash requirements and the potential tax liabilities attributable to a repatriation. Therefore, we have not made a provisional estimate of the deferred taxes attributable to repatriation. We will record the tax effects of any change in our prior assertion with respect to these investments, and disclose any unrecognized deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to our foreign investments, if practicable, in the period that we are first able to make a reasonable estimate, no later than December 2018. While we otherwise intend to maintain the indefinite reinvestment exception, we have provided for a deferred tax asset of $5 million representing our tax basis over book basis in our investment in certain investments in connection with the proposed divestiture of our S&IP business.
Employee Defined Benefit Plans	Employee Defined Benefit Plans We recognize the funded status of our defined benefit as an asset or a liability on our balance sheet. Actuarial gains or losses are a component of our other comprehensive income, which is then included in our accumulated other comprehensive income. Pension expenses are recognized over the period in which the employee renders service and becomes eligible to receive benefits. We make assumptions (including the discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets) in computing the pension expense and obligations.
Recently Adopted Pronouncements and Recently Issued Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Pronouncements Effective January 1, 2017, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, and elected to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than applying an estimated forfeiture rate. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Effective July 1, 2017, we adopted ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, that replaced the two-step goodwill impairment test with a simplified one-step process. This ASU provides that goodwill impairment will be measured as the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value and abandons the second step that requires the measurement of goodwill impairment by comparing the implied value of a reporting unit’s goodwill to the goodwill’s carrying amount. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Recently Issued Pronouncements In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This ASU is intended to improve the financial reporting and presentation of hedging relationships and the economic results of risk management activities in financial statements. The amendments in ASU 2017-12 better align risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. In addition, the amendments permit hedge accounting for risk components involving non-financial and interest rate risks and contains other targeted improvements to simplify the application of hedge accounting. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted in any interim period following the issuance of this ASU. The provisions of this ASU should be applied to existing hedging relationships as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. All other presentation and disclosure requirements are to be applied prospectively. We do not expect adoption of this ASU to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting. This ASU is intended to provide clarity and reduce both (i) diversity in practice and (ii) cost and complexity when applying the modification accounting guidance in Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. Specifically, modification accounting is applied to any changes in stock-based awards unless (i) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before modification, (ii) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the original award before modification and (iii) the equity or liability classification of the modified award is the same as the original award. This ASU is to be prospectively applied for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. As this ASU is intended to bring consistency in practice but does not change any fair value measurement methodologies, it is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post Retirement Benefit Cost. This ASU requires that current service cost be reported in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are to be presented separately in the income statement and below operating income, if operating income is presented. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with retrospective application required. Earlier adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which provides guidance in evaluating whether transactions involve the acquisition (or disposal) of assets or a business. A business has been defined as having three elements: inputs, processes and outputs. While an integrated set of assets and activities (a “set”) that is a business usually has outputs, outputs are not required to be present. Additionally, the inputs and processes that a seller uses in operating a set are not required if market participants can acquire the set and continue to produce outputs. This ASU provides a screen to determine when a set is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. It is expected that this ASU will reduce the number of transactions that are treated as business combinations. This ASU is to be adopted prospectively for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU provides guidance on the presentation and classification of certain specific cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows and is intended to reduce diversity in practice. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, but earlier adoption is permitted. This ASU is to be adopted using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. This ASU requires the recognition of assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than twelve months. The recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease will depend primarily on its classification as a finance or an operating lease, with the classification criteria for distinguishing between the two being similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital and operating leases under current GAAP. However, unlike current GAAP, recognition of finance and operating leases on the balance sheet is required, and additional disclosures are required to help financial statement users to better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This ASU requires modified retrospective application for existing leases. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, however, earlier application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU will require us to recognize assets and liabilities for operating leases we have entered into for our principal executive offices as well as certain warehouse, manufacturing and distribution facilities globally. We have not yet determined the impact recognition of such assets and liabilities will have on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. This ASU requires equity investments, except those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the equity investee, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, equity investments without readily determinable fair values may be measured at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments in the same issuer. In addition, this ASU provides for a qualitative impairment assessment for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. This ASU also clarifies that entities should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. This ASU should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The provisions related to equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values should be applied prospectively to such equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which, along with subsequent amendments, provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most existing revenue recognition guidance. ASU 2014-09 provides for a principles-based, five-step approach to measure and recognize revenue from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 is permitted. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new ASU with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new ASU with disclosure of results under old standards. Based on the results of our review, we do not expect adoption of this ASU will have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We will apply this ASU using the modified retrospective method.