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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 zUTEUKSmlcjyeQEzDFimUw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000891839-06-000012.txt : 20060131
<SEC-HEADER>0000891839-06-000012.hdr.sgml : 20060131
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060131174924
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000891839-06-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060130
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060131
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060131

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WHITMAN BURKE W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001188191

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11141
		FILM NUMBER:		06567227

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13455 NOEL ROAD # 2000
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75240

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEALTH MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000792985
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-GENERAL MEDICAL & SURGICAL HOSPITALS, NEC [8062]
		IRS NUMBER:				610963645
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5811 PELICAN BAY BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			NAPLES
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33963
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9415983131

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5811 PELICAN BAY BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			NAPLES
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33963
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-01-30</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000792985</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HEALTH MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HMA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001188191</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WHITMAN BURKE W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>HEALTH MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>5811 PELICAN BAY BOULEVARD, SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NAPLES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>34108</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and COO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-01-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>75000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>75000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This restricted stock award was granted under the Issuer's 1996 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan in a transaction exempt under Rule 16b-3 and is subject to forfeiture if certain vesting conditions are not met.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Burke W. Whitman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-01-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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