Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Information
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 110,279	$ 99,925	$ 219,343	$ 205,659
Depreciation and amortization	(15,428)	(17,999)	(31,627)	(35,221)
Income (loss) from operations	93,513	81,026	185,117	168,658
Loss on early retirement of debt		(31,018)		(31,018)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated subsidiaries	2,752	(251)	5,217	(324)
Income before income taxes	72,467	24,572	142,614	86,523
Select Medical Corporation
Segment Information
Depreciation and amortization	(15,428)	(17,999)	(31,627)	(35,221)
Income (loss) from operations	93,513	81,026	185,117	168,658
Loss on early retirement of debt		(20,385)		(20,385)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated subsidiaries	2,752	(251)	5,217	(324)
Interest expense, net	(20,957)	(19,583)	(42,207)	(38,189)
Income before income taxes	75,308	40,807	148,127	109,760
Select Medical Holdings Corporation
Segment Information
Income (loss) from operations	93,513	81,026	185,117	168,658
Loss on early retirement of debt		(31,018)		(31,018)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated subsidiaries	2,752	(251)	5,217	(324)
Interest expense, net	(23,798)	(25,185)	(47,720)	(50,793)
Income before income taxes	72,467	24,572	142,614	86,523
Specialty Hospitals
Segment Information
Adjusted EBITDA	102,166	91,081	202,120	191,434
Depreciation and amortization	(11,479)	(13,047)	(23,322)	(25,093)
Income (loss) from operations	90,687	78,034	178,798	166,341
Outpatient Rehabilitation
Segment Information
Adjusted EBITDA	25,837	24,467	48,315	45,873
Depreciation and amortization	(3,232)	(4,227)	(6,882)	(8,686)
Income (loss) from operations	22,605	20,240	41,433	37,187
All Other
Segment Information
Adjusted EBITDA	(17,724)	(15,623)	(31,092)	(31,648)
Depreciation and amortization	(717)	(725)	(1,423)	(1,442)
Stock compensation expense	(1,338)	(900)	(2,599)	(1,780)
Income (loss) from operations	$ (19,779)	$ (17,248)	$ (35,114)	$ (34,870)