XML 75 R80.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Note 16 - Equity Method Investment in Caris HealthCare, L.P. (Details) (Caris [Member], USD $)
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Caris [Member]
   
Note 16 - Equity Method Investment in Caris HealthCare, L.P. (Details) [Line Items]    
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 75.10%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= nhc_CarisMember
 
Equity Method Investments $ 35,020,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= nhc_CarisMember
$ 37,185,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= nhc_CarisMember