CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (HTALP)	Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (HTALP) General Partners’ Capital	Healthcare Trust of America Holdings, LP (HTALP) Limited Partners’ Capital
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2016		$ 1,780,417	$ 1,687,544	$ 92,873
Balance as of beginning of period (in units) at Dec. 31, 2016			141,719	4,323
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of limited partner units in connection with an acquisition		610		$ 610
Issuance of limited partner units in connection with an acquisition (in units)				21
Share-based award transactions, net		2,530	$ 2,530
Share-based award transactions, net (in units)			213
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units		(3,118)	$ (3,118)
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units (in units)			(107)
Distributions declared		(44,466)	$ (43,145)	$ (1,321)
Net income	$ 13,545	13,970	13,545	425
Other comprehensive gain (loss)	(88)	(88)	(85)	(3)
Balance as of end of period at Mar. 31, 2017		1,749,855	$ 1,657,271	$ 92,584
Balance as of end of period (in units) at Mar. 31, 2017			141,825	4,344
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017		3,363,448	$ 3,279,052	$ 84,396
Balance as of beginning of period (in units) at Dec. 31, 2017			204,892	4,124
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Share-based award transactions, net		3,507	$ 3,507
Share-based award transactions, net (in units)			289
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units		(2,709)	$ (2,709)
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units (in units)			(92)
Redemption of limited partner units and other		0	$ 2,413	$ (2,413)
Redemption of limited partner units and other (in units)			91	(91)
Distributions declared		(63,866)	$ (62,559)	$ (1,307)
Net income	9,802	9,983	9,802	181
Other comprehensive gain (loss)	$ 900	900	883	17
Balance as of end of period at Mar. 31, 2018		$ 3,311,263	$ 3,230,389	$ 80,874
Balance as of end of period (in units) at Mar. 31, 2018			205,180	4,033