Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity common stock, shares outstanding Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Revenues Health Care Organization Revenue Salaries, wages and benefits Labor And Related Expense Supplies Health Care Organization Medical Supplies And Drugs Expense Rent Lease And Rental Expense Other operating expenses Other Cost And Expense Operating Other income Other Operating Income Asset Impairment Charges Impairment charges Impairment charges Impairment charges Depreciation and amortization Depreciation And Amortization Interest Expense Interest expense Interest expense (income) Investment Income Nonoperating Investment income (loss) Operating expenses Operating Expenses Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Income Tax Expense Benefit Provision (benefit) for income taxes Income (loss) from continuing operations Income Loss From Continuing Operations Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax As reported in Statement of Operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes Income (loss) from discontinued operations Profit Loss Net income Net income Income (loss) attributable to Kindred Income from continuing operations Income Loss From Continuing Operations As reported in Statement of Operations Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity Income (loss) from discontinued operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations Basic: Earnings Per Share Basic [Abstract] Diluted: Earnings Per Share Diluted [Abstract] Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share Income from operations Income from discontinued operations Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic Basic Weighted average shares outstanding-basic computation Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding-diluted computation Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income Available for Sale Securities Adjustment Net of Tax Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Available-for-sale securities: Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Net Of Tax Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment For Sale Of Securities Included In Net Income Net Of Tax Reclassification of (gains) losses realized in net income Other Comprehensive Income Available for Sale Securities Adjustment Net of Tax Portion Attributable to Parent Net change Interest rate swaps: Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent [Abstract] Change in unrealized loss Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment On Derivatives Included In Net Income Net Of Tax Reclassification of losses realized in net income, net of payments Net change Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax Portion Attributable To Parent 1 Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent Other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) (Earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Kindred ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Current [Abstract] Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying value Cash and cash equivalents Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash-restricted, Carrying value Cash-restricted Insurance Subsidiary Investments Current Insurance subsidiary investments, Current Insurance subsidiary investments current. Insurance subsidiary investments Accounts Receivable Net Current Accounts receivable less allowance for loss of $31,630 - September30, 2012 and $29,746 - December31, 2011 Accounts receivable, net Inventories Inventory Net Deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Income Taxes Receivable Income taxes Other Other Assets Current Current assets, Total Property and equipment Property Plant And Equipment Gross Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Property Plant And Equipment Net Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net Property and equipment Goodwill Goodwill Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill Intangible assets less accumulated amortization of $32,915 - September30, 2012 and $16,581 December31, 2011 Intangible assets, net Assets Held For Sale Long Lived Assets held for sale Assets held for sale Insurance Subsidiary Investments Non Current Insurance subsidiary investments Insurance subsidiary investments. Insurance subsidiary investments, Non-current Other Assets Noncurrent Other Assets Assets at end of period Total assets LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable Current Salaries, wages and other compensation Employee Related Liabilities Current Due To Third Party Payors Due to third party payors Due to third party payors. Professional Liability Risks Current Professional liability risks Professional liability risks current. Other accrued liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities Current Long-term debt due within one year Long Term Debt Current Current liabilities, Total Long-term debt Long Term Debt Noncurrent Professional Liability Risks Non Current Professional liability risks Professional liability risks non current. Deferred tax liabilities Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Deferred credits and other liabilities Other Liabilities Noncurrent Noncontrolling interests-redeemable Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Equity Other Carrying Amount Commitments and contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Equity: Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Common Stock Value Common stock, $0.25 par value; authorized 175,000 shares; issued 53,271 shares - September30, 2012 and 52,116 shares - December31, 2011 Capital in excess of par value Additional Paid In Capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Retained earnings Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Stockholders Equity Stockholders' equity Stockholders' equity Noncontrolling interests-nonredeemable Minority Interest Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total equity Total liabilities and equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock Shares Authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] RehabCare Acquisition [Member] RehabCare Acquisition [Member] Rehab care acquisition. Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments Noncash Items To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Amortization of stock-based compensation costs Share Based Compensation Amortization of deferred financing costs Amortization Of Financing Costs Debt Related Commitment Fees And Debt Issuance Costs Payment of lender fees related to debt issuance Provision for doubtful accounts Provision For Doubtful Accounts Deferred Income Taxes Deferred income taxes Deferred income taxes. Other Other Noncash Income Expense Change in operating assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable Inventories and other assets Increase Decrease In Inventories And Other Operating Assets Accounts payable Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Income taxes Increase Decrease In Income Taxes Receivable Due to third party payors Increase Decrease In Due To Related Parties Current Other accrued liabilities Increase Decrease In Other Accrued Liabilities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Routine capital expenditures Payments To Acquire Productive Assets Development capital expenditures Payments For Capital Improvements Payments To Acquire Businesses Net Of Cash Acquired Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Cash Acquired From Acquisition Acquisitions Sale of assets Proceeds From Sale Of Productive Assets Purchase of insurance subsidiary investments Payments To Acquire Interest In Subsidiaries And Affiliates Sale of insurance subsidiary investments Proceeds From Sale Of Insurance Investments Net Change In Insurance Subsidiary Cash And Cash Equivalents Net change in insurance subsidiary cash and cash equivalents Net changes in insurance subsidiary cash and cash equivalents. Change in other investments Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Other Investments Other Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit Proceeds From Long Term Lines Of Credit Repayment of borrowings under revolving credit Repayments Of Long Term Lines Of Credit Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes Proceeds From Issuance Of Unsecured Debt Proceeds from issuance of term loan, net of discount Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt Repayment of other long-term debt Repayments Of Long Term Debt Payments Of Financing Costs Financing costs Payment of deferred financing costs Contributions From Noncontrolling Interests Contribution made by noncontrolling interest Payments For Repurchase Of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Distribution made to noncontrolling interests Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock Issuance of common stock Other Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Supplemental information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest payments Interest Paid Income tax payments (refunds) Income Taxes Paid Net Stock Issued During Period Value Acquisitions Issuance of common stock in RehabCare acquisition Financing costs paid in connection with RehabCare acquisition Interest Paid Net BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization Consolidation Basis Of Presentation Business Description And Accounting Policies [Text Block] REHABCARE ACQUISITION Mergers Acquisitions And Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block] Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] OTHER ACQUISITIONS DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations Disclosure [Text Block] BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] INSURANCE RISKS Insurance Disclosure [Text Block] INSURANCE SUBSIDIARY INVESTMENTS Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties [Text Block] LEASES Leases Of Lessor Disclosure [Text Block] CONTINGENCIES Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Financial Instruments Disclosure [Text Block] CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block] LEGAL AND REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS Legal Matters And Contingencies [Text Block] Business Basis Of Accounting Policy Policy [Text Block] Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Policy [Text Block] Recently issued accounting requirements Recently issued accounting pronouncements. Equity Stockholders Equity Policy [Text Block] Derivative financial instruments Derivatives Reporting Of Derivative Activity Other Information Policy [Text Block] Other information Other information. Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment Description Policy [Text Block] Reclassifications Prior period reclassification adjustment description. Schedule Of Stockholders Equity Table [Text Block] Summary of changes in equity attributable to noncontrolling interests and equity attributable to Kindred Unaudited pro forma net effect of RehabCare Merger Schedule Of Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures [Text Block] Summary of discontinued operations Schedule Of Revenues And Profitability For Discontinued Operations Indicated By Segment Table [Text Block] Discontinued operating data by business segment Schedule of revenues and profitability for discontinued operations indicated by segment. Disclosure Of Long Lived Assets Held For Sale [Text Block] Summary of net assets held for sale Data by business segment Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information By Segment [Text Block] Schedule Of Provision For Loss For Insurance Risks Table [Text Block] Provision for loss for insurance risks Schedule of provision for loss for insurance risks. Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Of Insurance Risks Table [Text Block] Assets and liabilities related to insurance risks Schedule of assets and liabilities of insurance risks. Amortized cost and estimated fair value of insurance subsidiary investments Available For Sale Securities [Text Block] Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations And Comprehensive Income Table [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of condensed consolidating statement of operations and comprehensive income. Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Table [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Schedule of condensed consolidating balance sheet. Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows Table [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Schedule of condensed consolidating statement of cash flows. Business Segments [Axis] Statement Business Segments [Axis] Segment [Domain] Segment [Domain] Hospital Division [Member] Hospital division [Member] Hospital division.