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      <LongName>14071 - Disclosure - Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plans (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureStockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlansDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plans (Details 2)</ShortName>
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    <Report>
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      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14072 - Disclosure - Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plans (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureStockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlansDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plans (Details 3)</ShortName>
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      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14073 - Disclosure - Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plans (Details 4)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureStockOptionAndRestrictedStockPlansDetails4</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plans (Details 4)</ShortName>
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    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14080 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R54.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14081 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details 2)</ShortName>
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    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14082 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details 3)</ShortName>
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    <Report>
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      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14083 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details 4)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails4</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details 4)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R57.xml</XmlFileName>
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    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14090 - Disclosure - Retirement Savings Plan  (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureRetirementSavingsPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Retirement Savings Plan  (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R58.xml</XmlFileName>
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    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14100 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14101 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details 2)</ShortName>
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    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14110 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R61.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14120 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R62.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14130 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R63.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14131 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies  (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies  (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R64.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14132 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies  (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies  (Details 3)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R65.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14140 - Disclosure - Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalDisclosuresOfCashFlowInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R66.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14150 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R67.xml</XmlFileName>
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    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14160 - Disclosure - Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInformationForSubsidiaryGuarantorsAndNonGuarantorSubsidiariesUnderTheCompanys758SeniorSubordinatedNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R68.xml</XmlFileName>
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      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14161 - Disclosure - Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInformationForSubsidiaryGuarantorsAndNonGuarantorSubsidiariesUnderTheCompanys758SeniorSubordinatedNotesDetails2</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R69.xml</XmlFileName>
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      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14162 - Disclosure - Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (Details 3)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInformationForSubsidiaryGuarantorsAndNonGuarantorSubsidiariesUnderTheCompanys758SeniorSubordinatedNotesDetails3</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (Details 3)</ShortName>
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    <Report>
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      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14163 - Disclosure - Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (Details 4)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInformationForSubsidiaryGuarantorsAndNonGuarantorSubsidiariesUnderTheCompanys758SeniorSubordinatedNotesDetails4</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 7 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes (Details 4)</ShortName>
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    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>14170 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureSelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R72.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>21180 - Disclosure - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</ShortName>
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    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>24180 - Disclosure - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30010 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/BalanceSheetQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30015 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/BalanceSheetParentheticalQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30020 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/StatementOfIncomeQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30030 - Statement - Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfChangesInEquityAndIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity and Income</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30040 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/CashFlowsQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R79.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30045 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/CashFlowParentheticalQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R80.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31010 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R81.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31020 - Disclosure - Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureAccountingPoliciesQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R82.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31030 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R83.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31040 - Disclosure - Indebtedness</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIndebtednessQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Indebtedness</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R84.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31050 - Disclosure - Fair Value</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureFairValueQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R85.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31060 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31070 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31080 - Disclosure - Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 6.375% Senior Notes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInformationForSubsidiaryGuarantorsAndNonGuarantorSubsidiariesUnderTheCompanys6.375SeniorNotesQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 6.375% Senior Notes</ShortName>
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    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>32020 - Disclosure - Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureAccountingPoliciesPoliciesQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R89.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>33030 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsTablesQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R90.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>33040 - Disclosure - Indebtedness (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIndebtednessTablesQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Indebtedness (Tables)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R91.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>33060 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationTablesQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>33080 - Disclosure - Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 6.375% Senior Notes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureFinancialInformationForSubsidiaryGuarantorsAndNonGuarantorSubsidiariesUnderTheCompanys6.375SeniorNotesTablesQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries under the Company's 6.375% Senior Notes (Tables)</ShortName>
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    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>34030 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsDetailsQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>34031 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsDetails2QuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Details 2)</ShortName>
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    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>34040 - Disclosure - Indebtedness (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIndebtednessDetailsQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Indebtedness (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R96.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>34050 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureFairValueDetailsQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R97.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>34060 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationDetailsQuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R98.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>34061 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details 2)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationDetails2QuarterEnd</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Details 2)</ShortName>
      <XmlFileName>R99.xml</XmlFileName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>34070 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
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