Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Net patient revenues	$ 236,111,000	$ 231,692,000
Other revenues	12,174,000	11,269,000
Net operating revenues	248,285,000	242,961,000
Cost and expenses:
Salaries, wages and benefits	141,388,000	140,095,000
Other operating	69,432,000	65,172,000
Facility rent	10,238,000	10,229,000
Depreciation and amortization	10,517,000	10,342,000
Interest	926,000	1,240,000
Total costs and expenses	232,501,000	227,078,000
Income from operations	15,784,000	15,883,000
Other income (expense):
Non–operating income (expense)	6,001,000	(3,065,000)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities	6,838,000	(15,517,000)
Income (loss) before income taxes	28,623,000	(2,699,000)
Income tax provision	(7,392,000)	(200,000)
Net income (loss)	21,231,000	(2,899,000)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	38,000	108,000
Net income (loss) attributable to National HealthCare Corporation	$ 21,269,000	$ (2,791,000)
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to National HealthCare Corporation stockholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.39	$ (0.18)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.39	$ (0.18)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	15,256,189	15,216,635
Diluted (in shares)	15,324,125	15,216,635
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.50	$ 0.48