Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies Background and Basis of Presentation Halyard Health, Inc. is a global business which seeks to advance health and healthcare by preventing infection, eliminating pain and speeding recovery. Our products and solutions are designed to address some of today’s most important healthcare needs, namely, preventing infections and reducing the use of narcotics while helping patients move from surgery to recovery. We market and support the efficacy, safety and economic benefit of our products with a significant body of clinical evidence. We operate in two business segments: Surgical and Infection Prevention (“S&IP”) and Medical Devices. References to “Halyard,” “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Halyard Health, Inc. Interim Financial Statements We prepared the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments which are of a normal and recurring nature necessary to fairly state our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Use of Estimates Preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, distributor rebate accruals, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets, loss contingencies, deferred tax assets and potential income tax assessments. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and the effect of the change could be material to our financial statements. Changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Annual Goodwill Impairment Test We test goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently whenever events or circumstances more likely than not indicate that the fair value of the reporting unit may be below its carrying amount. The fair value of our reporting units were estimated using a combination of income (discounted cash flow analysis) and market approaches. Both approaches are dependent upon several assumptions regarding future periods, including assumptions with respect to future sales growth, commodity costs and a terminal growth rate. A weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) was used to discount future estimated cash flows to their present values. The WACC was based on externally observable data considering market participants’ cost of equity and debt, optimal capital structure and risk factors specific to our company. In addition, the market approach estimated the fair value of our business based on comparable publicly-traded companies in our industry. We have completed the required annual goodwill impairment testing as of July 1, 2016, and the fair values for both our S&IP and Medical Devices reporting units were substantially in excess of their respective net asset carrying values. New Accounting Standards In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU provides guidance on the presentation and classification of certain specific cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows and is intended to reduce diversity in practice. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, but earlier adoption is permitted. This ASU is to be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. Application of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This ASU simplifies several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, statutory tax withholding requirements and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under this ASU, all excess tax benefits or deficiencies are recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement and the pool of windfall tax benefits as a component of additional paid-in capital is eliminated. In regards to forfeitures, companies may make a one-time policy election to use an estimated forfeiture rate or account for forfeitures as they occur. The policy election regarding forfeitures applies only to instruments with service conditions; the requirement to estimate the probability of achieving performance conditions remains. For statutory tax withholding requirements, this ASU allows for net settlement up to the employer’s maximum statutory tax withholding requirement. Formerly, only the minimum statutory tax withholding requirement was allowed to be met through net settlement while retaining equity classification. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Earlier adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The application of this ASU in regards to the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements should be applied using a modified retrospective application with a cumulative effect adjustment to additional paid-in capital as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The presentation of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows should be applied retrospectively. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. This ASU requires the recognition of assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than twelve months. The recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease will depend primarily on its classification as a finance or an operating lease, with the classification criteria for distinguishing between the two being similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital and operating leases under current GAAP. However, unlike current GAAP, recognition of finance and operating leases on the balance sheet is required, and additional disclosures are required to help financial statement users to better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This ASU requires modified retrospective application for existing leases. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, however, earlier application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU will require us to recognize assets and liabilities for operating leases we have entered into for our principal executive offices as well as certain warehouse, manufacturing and distribution facilities globally. We have not yet determined the impact recognition of such assets and liabilities will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. This ASU requires equity investments, except those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the equity investee, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, equity investments without readily determinable fair values may be measured at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments in the same issuer. In addition, this ASU provides for a qualitative impairment assessment for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. This ASU also clarifies that entities should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. This ASU should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The provisions related to equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values should be applied prospectively to such equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted. The impact of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which, along with subsequent amendments, provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. ASU 2014-09 provides for a principles-based, five-step approach to measure and recognize revenue from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 is permitted. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new ASU with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new ASU with disclosure of results under old standards. During 2016, we expect to complete an evaluation of the effects adoption of this ASU may have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Accounting Policies

Background and Basis of Presentation

Halyard Health, Inc. is a global business which seeks to advance health and healthcare by preventing infection, eliminating pain and speeding recovery. Our products and solutions are designed to address some of today’s most important healthcare needs, namely, preventing infections and reducing the use of narcotics while helping patients move from surgery to recovery. We market and support the efficacy, safety and economic benefit of our products with a significant body of clinical evidence. We operate in two business segments: Surgical and Infection Prevention (“S&IP”) and Medical Devices. References to “Halyard,” “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Halyard Health, Inc.

Interim Financial Statements

We prepared the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments which are of a normal and recurring nature necessary to fairly state our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, distributor rebate accruals, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets, loss contingencies, deferred tax assets and potential income tax assessments. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and the effect of the change could be material to our financial statements. Changes in these estimates are recorded when known.

Annual Goodwill Impairment Test

We test goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently whenever events or circumstances more likely than not indicate that the fair value of the reporting unit may be below its carrying amount. The fair value of our reporting units were estimated using a combination of income (discounted cash flow analysis) and market approaches. Both approaches are dependent upon several assumptions regarding future periods, including assumptions with respect to future sales growth, commodity costs and a terminal growth rate. A weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) was used to discount future estimated cash flows to their present values. The WACC was based on externally observable data considering market participants’ cost of equity and debt, optimal capital structure and risk factors specific to our company. In addition, the market approach estimated the fair value of our business based on comparable publicly-traded companies in our industry.

We have completed the required annual goodwill impairment testing as of July 1, 2016, and the fair values for both our S&IP and Medical Devices reporting units were substantially in excess of their respective net asset carrying values.

New Accounting Standards

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU provides guidance on the presentation and classification of certain specific cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows and is intended to reduce diversity in practice. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, but earlier adoption is permitted. This ASU is to be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. Application of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This ASU simplifies several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, statutory tax withholding requirements and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under this ASU, all excess tax benefits or deficiencies are recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement and the pool of windfall tax benefits as a component of additional paid-in capital is eliminated. In regards to forfeitures, companies may make a one-time policy election to use an estimated forfeiture rate or account for forfeitures as they occur. The policy election regarding forfeitures applies only to instruments with service conditions; the requirement to estimate the probability of achieving performance conditions remains. For statutory tax withholding requirements, this ASU allows for net settlement up to the employer’s maximum statutory tax withholding requirement. Formerly, only the minimum statutory tax withholding requirement was allowed to be met through net settlement while retaining equity classification. This ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Earlier adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The application of this ASU in regards to the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements should be applied using a modified retrospective application with a cumulative effect adjustment to additional paid-in capital as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The presentation of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows should be applied retrospectively. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. This ASU requires the recognition of assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than twelve months. The recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease will depend primarily on its classification as a finance or an operating lease, with the classification criteria for distinguishing between the two being similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital and operating leases under current GAAP. However, unlike current GAAP, recognition of finance and operating leases on the balance sheet is required, and additional disclosures are required to help financial statement users to better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This ASU requires modified retrospective application for existing leases. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, however, earlier application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU will require us to recognize assets and liabilities for operating leases we have entered into for our principal executive offices as well as certain warehouse, manufacturing and distribution facilities globally. We have not yet determined the impact recognition of such assets and liabilities will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. This ASU requires equity investments, except those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the equity investee, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, equity investments without readily determinable fair values may be measured at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments in the same issuer. In addition, this ASU provides for a qualitative impairment assessment for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. This ASU also clarifies that entities should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. This ASU should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The provisions related to equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values should be applied prospectively to such equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted. The impact of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which, along with subsequent amendments, provides a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. ASU 2014-09 provides for a principles-based, five-step approach to measure and recognize revenue from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 is permitted. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new ASU with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new ASU with disclosure of results under old standards. During 2016, we expect to complete an evaluation of the effects adoption of this ASU may have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.