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 (in units) at Dec. 31, 2016			141,719	4,323
Balance as of beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2016		$ 1,780,417	$ 1,687,544	$ 92,873
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of partner units, net (in units)			62,823
Issuance of general partner OP Units, net	$ 0	1,746,956	$ 1,746,956
Issuance of limited partner units in connection with an acquisition (in units)				38
Issuance of limited partner OP Units in connection with acquisitions		1,125		$ 1,125
Share-based award transactions, net (in units)			230
Share-based award transactions, net		6,870	$ 6,870
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units (in units)			(116)
Redemption and cancellation of general partner OP Units		(3,413)	$ (3,413)
Redemption of limited partner units and other (in units)			236	(237)
Redemption of limited partner OP Units and other		(2,014)	$ 3,929	$ (5,943)
Distributions declared		(232,227)	(227,024)	(5,203)
Net income	63,916	65,454	63,916	1,538
Other comprehensive income	280	280	$ 274	$ 6
Balance as of end of period (in units) at Dec. 31, 2017			204,892	4,124
Balance as of end of period at Dec. 31, 2017		3,363,448	$ 3,279,052	$ 84,396
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of partner units, net (in units)			2,550
Issuance of general partner OP Units, net	0	72,814	$ 72,814
Share-based award transactions, net (in units)			308
Share-based award transactions, net		10,166	$ 9,755	$ 411
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units (in units)			(2,678)
Redemption and cancellation of general partner OP Units		(70,319)	$ (70,319)
Redemption of limited partner units and other (in units)			195	(195)
Redemption of limited partner OP Units and other		0	$ 5,195	$ (5,195)
Distributions declared		(258,766)	(253,699)	(5,067)
Net income	213,463	217,537	213,463	4,074
Other comprehensive income	34	34	$ 33	$ 1
Balance as of end of period (in units) at Dec. 31, 2018			205,267	3,929
Balance as of end of period at Dec. 31, 2018		3,334,914	$ 3,256,294	$ 78,620
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of partner units, net (in units)			11,096
Issuance of general partner OP Units, net	2,603		$ 322,218	$ 2,603
Issuance of limited partner units in connection with an acquisition (in units)				163
Issuance of limited partner OP Units in connection with acquisitions		2,000		$ 2,000
Share-based award transactions, net (in units)			319
Share-based award transactions, net		10,127	$ 10,127	$ 0
Redemption and cancellation of general partner units (in units)			(487)
Redemption and cancellation of general partner OP Units		(12,178)	$ (12,178)
Redemption of limited partner units and other (in units)			258	(258)
Redemption of limited partner OP Units and other		1,725	$ 8,018	$ (6,293)
Distributions declared		(265,773)	(260,593)	(5,180)
Net income	30,154	30,692	30,154	538
Other comprehensive income	$ 4,316	4,316	$ 4,239	$ 77
Balance as of end of period (in units) at Dec. 31, 2019			216,453	3,834
Balance as of end of period at Dec. 31, 2019		$ 3,430,644	$ 3,358,279	$ 72,365