2.4.0.814083 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details 4)truefalsefalse1false USDfalsefalse$D2012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001035688duration2012-01-01T00:00:002012-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2false USDfalsefalse$D2011http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001035688duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$3false USDfalsefalse$D2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001035688duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$1true 2us-gaap_ReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsExcludingAmountsPertainingToExaminedTaxReturnsRollForwardus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Reconciliation of the company's unrecognized tax benefits2false 3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalsefalseperiodStartLabel1truefalsefalse1565600015656000USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse2231000022310000USD$falsetruefalse3truefalsefalse2273500022735000USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns as of the balance sheet date.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Unrecognized Tax Benefit -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6527854 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Gross tax contingencies at the beginning of the period3false 3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromAcquisitionus-gaap_truecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse915000915000falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryGross amount of increases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from acquisitions.No definition available.false2Acquired contingencies - Regency Management Company4false 3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitationsus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedLabel1truefalsefalse-2516000-2516000falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-2706000-2706000falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse-2972000-2972000falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe gross amount of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a)(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(4) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Reductions for tax positions taken in prior periods due primarily to statute expiration5false 3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositionsus-gaap_truecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse750000750000falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse30640003064000falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse16320001632000falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe gross amount of increases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions that have been or will be taken in the tax return for the current period, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(2) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Additions for existing tax positions taken6false 3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositionsus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruenegatedLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse-7012000-7012000falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe gross amount of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns, excluding amounts pertaining to examined tax returns.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Reductions for tax positions taken in prior periods due to change in estimate7false 3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodEndLabel1truefalsefalse1389000013890000falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1565600015656000falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse2231000022310000falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns as of the balance sheet date.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Unrecognized Tax Benefit -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6527854 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Gross tax contingencies at the end of the period8false 2us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromAcquisitionus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse70000007000000falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryGross amount of decreases in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from acquisitions.No definition available.false2Income tax benefits recognized based on new information discovered9false 3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRateus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse1390000013900000falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1560000015600000falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Unrecognized tax benefits, if fully recognized, would affect effective income tax rate10false 3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccruedus-gaap_truecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse15000001500000falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse13000001300000falsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents the amount of interest expense accrued as of the date of the statement of financial position for an underpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph c -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Accrued interest related to income taxes11false 3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesExpenseus-gaap_truedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse500000500000USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse400000400000USD$falsetruefalse3truefalsefalse400000400000USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThis element represents interest expense recognized for an underpayment of income taxes computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between a tax position recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return of the entity.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph c -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 48 -Paragraph 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Interest recognizedfalseIncome Taxes (Details 4) (USD $)NoRoundingUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.selectmedicalcorp.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails4311