Note 1 - Description of Business	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Notes to Financial Statements
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 1 – Description of Business National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of senior health care services. As of September 30, 2021, we operate or manage, through certain affiliates, 75 skilled nursing facilities with a total of 9,473 licensed beds, 24 assisted living facilities, five independent living facilities, one behavioral health hospital, 34 homecare agencies, and 28 hospice agencies. We operate specialized care units within certain of our healthcare centers such as Alzheimer's disease care units and sub-acute nursing units. In addition, we provide insurance services, management and accounting services, and we lease properties to operators of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. We operate in 10 states and are located primarily in the southeastern United States.

Note 1 - Description of Business

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 1 – Description of Business

National HealthCare Corporation (“NHC” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of senior health care services. As of September 30, 2021, we operate or manage, through certain affiliates, 75 skilled nursing facilities with a total of 9,473 licensed beds, 24 assisted living facilities, five independent living facilities, one behavioral health hospital, 34 homecare agencies, and 28 hospice agencies. We operate specialized care units within certain of our healthcare centers such as Alzheimer's disease care units and sub-acute nursing units. In addition, we provide insurance services, management and accounting services, and we lease properties to operators of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. We operate in 10 states and are located primarily in the southeastern United States.