Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes In Partners' Capital (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (HTALP)	Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (HTALP) General Partner	Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (HTALP) Limited Partner
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012		$ 1,266,199	$ 1,254,536	$ 11,663
Balance as of beginning of period (in units) at Dec. 31, 2012			214,652	3,056
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of general partner units (in units)			20,707
Issuance of general partner units		228,306	228,306
Share-based award transactions, net (in units)			412	(2)
Share-based award transactions, net		5,129	1,952	3,177
Redemptions of general partner units			(28)
Redemptions of general partner units		(287)	(287)
Distributions		(99,651)	(98,630)	(1,021)
Net income attributable to common unitholders	20,199	20,583	20,199	384
Balance as of end of period at Sep. 30, 2013		1,420,279	1,406,076	14,203
Balance as of end of period (in units) at Sep. 30, 2013			235,743	3,054
Balance as of beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to common unitholders	4,823	4,996
Balance as of end of period at Sep. 30, 2013		1,420,279
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013		1,401,294	1,387,476	13,818
Balance as of beginning of period (in units) at Dec. 31, 2013			236,880	3,053
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of general partner units (in units)			1,542
Issuance of general partner units		17,742	17,742
Share-based award transactions, net (in units)			508	(6)
Share-based award transactions, net		3,279	3,279
Redemptions of general partner units			(58)
Redemptions of general partner units		(572)	(572)
Redemption of limited partner units (in units)			73	(73)
Redemption of limited partner units		0	362	(362)
Distributions		(104,019)	(103,097)	(922)
Net income attributable to common unitholders	24,179	24,431	24,179	252
Balance as of end of period at Sep. 30, 2014		1,342,155	1,329,369	12,786
Balance as of end of period (in units) at Sep. 30, 2014			238,945	2,974
Balance as of beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to common unitholders	16,032	16,192
Balance as of end of period at Sep. 30, 2014		$ 1,342,155