Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies Unaudited Interim Financial Data The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, in our opinion, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these consolidated financial statements. The balance sheet shown in this report as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from, and does not include, all the disclosures contained in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. Nature of Operations We provide management, administrative and operating expertise and services to the housekeeping, laundry, linen, facility maintenance and dietary service departments of the health care industry, including nursing homes, retirement complexes, rehabilitation centers and hospitals located throughout the United States. Although we do not directly participate in any government reimbursement programs, our clients’ reimbursements are subject to government regulation. Therefore, they are directly affected by any legislation relating to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs. We provide our services primarily pursuant to full service agreements with our clients. In such agreements, we are responsible for the day-to-day management of the managers and hourly employees located at our clients’ facilities. We also provide services on the basis of a management-only agreement for a very limited number of clients. Our agreements with clients typically provide for a one year service term, cancelable by either party upon 30 to 90 days’ notice after the initial 90-day period. We are organized into two reportable segments: housekeeping, laundry, linen and other services (“Housekeeping”), and dietary department services (“Dietary”). Housekeeping consists of the managing of the client’s housekeeping department which is principally responsible for the cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of patient rooms and common areas of a client’s facility, as well as the laundering and processing of the personal clothing belonging to the facility’s patients. Also within the scope of this segment’s service is the responsibility for laundering and processing of the bed linens, uniforms and other assorted linen items utilized by a client facility. Dietary consists of managing the client’s dietary department which is principally responsible for food purchasing, meal preparation and providing dietitian consulting professional services, which includes the development of a menu that meets the patient’s dietary needs. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Healthcare Services Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents are held in U.S. financial institutions or in custodial accounts with U.S. financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at time of purchase that are readily convertible into cash and have insignificant interest rate risk. Inventories and Supplies Inventories and supplies include housekeeping, linen and laundry supplies, as well as food provisions and supplies. Inventories and supplies are stated at cost to approximate a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Linen supplies are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of 24 months. Revenue Recognition Revenues from our service agreements with clients are recognized as services are performed. As a distributor of laundry equipment, we occasionally sell laundry installations to certain clients. The sales in most cases represent the construction and installation of a turn-key operation and are for payment terms ranging from 24 to 60 months. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, laundry installation sales were not material. Income Taxes We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current period. We accrue for probable tax obligations as required by facts and circumstances in the various regulatory environments. In addition, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. If appropriate, we would record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount for which realization is more likely than not. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we account for uncertain income tax positions reflected within our financial statements based on a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Earnings (Loss) per Common Share Basic earnings (loss) per common share are computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share reflect the weighted-average common shares outstanding and dilutive common shares, such as those issuable upon exercise of stock options. Share-Based Compensation U.S. GAAP addresses the accounting for share-based compensation, specifically, the measurement and recognition of compensation expense, based on estimated fair values, for all share-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options and participation in the Company’s employee stock purchase plan. We estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income over the requisite service periods. We use the straight-line single option method of expensing share-based awards in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Because share-based compensation expense is based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, share-based compensation expense will be reduced to account for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Use of Estimates in Financial Statements In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates are used for, but not limited to, our allowance for doubtful accounts, accrued insurance claims, asset valuations and review for potential impairment, and deferred taxes. The estimates are based upon various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent industry and regulatory authority information. We regularly evaluate this information to determine if it is necessary to update the basis for our estimates and to compensate for known changes. Self-Funded Captive Insurance Programs In July 2015, the Company transitioned its workers compensation and certain employee health & welfare insurance programs to HCSG Insurance Corp. ("HCSG Insurance"), its wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary. HCSG Insurance previously provided general liability coverage to the Company. HCSG Insurance was formed in January 2014 to provide the Company with greater efficiency in managing its property & casualty and health & welfare programs. Concentrations of Credit Risk Financial instruments, as defined by U.S. GAAP, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, deferred compensation funding and accounts and notes receivable. We define our marketable securities as fixed income investments which are highly liquid investments that can be readily purchased or sold using established markets. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities were held in one large financial institution located in the United States. Our clients are concentrated in the health care industry, primarily providers of long-term care. Many of our clients’ revenues are highly contingent on Medicare, Medicaid and third party payors’ reimbursement funding rates. Congress has enacted a number of major laws during the past decade that have significantly altered, or threatened to alter, overall government reimbursement for nursing home services. These changes and lack of substantive reimbursement funding rate reform legislation, as well as other trends in the long-term care industry have affected and could adversely affect the liquidity of our clients, resulting in their inability to make payments to us on agreed upon payment terms. These factors, in addition to delays in payments from clients, could result in significant additional bad debts in the future. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805). The amendments in this ASU require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Additionally, this ASU requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. To simplify the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination, the amendments in this ASU eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years.The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. This ASU defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606) for all entities by one year. As a result, all entities will be required to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently assessing the adoption date and impact the guidance in this ASU will have, if any, on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows, or financial position. In June 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements. The amendments in this ASU represent changes to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. Additionally, some of the amendments will make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies, providing needed clarifications, and improving the presentation of guidance in the Codification. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). This ASU will require an entity's management, for each annual and interim reporting period, to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The definition of substantial doubt within this ASU incorporates a likelihood threshold of "probable" similar to the use of that term under current guidance for Topic 450, Contingencies. Certain disclosures will be required if conditions give rise to substantial doubt. This ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Unaudited Interim Financial Data

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, in our opinion, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these consolidated financial statements. The balance sheet shown in this report as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from, and does not include, all the disclosures contained in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.

Nature of Operations

We provide management, administrative and operating expertise and services to the housekeeping, laundry, linen, facility maintenance and dietary service departments of the health care industry, including nursing homes, retirement complexes, rehabilitation centers and hospitals located throughout the United States. Although we do not directly participate in any government reimbursement programs, our clients’ reimbursements are subject to government regulation. Therefore, they are directly affected by any legislation relating to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs.

We provide our services primarily pursuant to full service agreements with our clients. In such agreements, we are responsible for the day-to-day management of the managers and hourly employees located at our clients’ facilities. We also provide services on the basis of a management-only agreement for a very limited number of clients. Our agreements with clients typically provide for a one year service term, cancelable by either party upon 30 to 90 days’ notice after the initial 90-day period.

We are organized into two reportable segments: housekeeping, laundry, linen and other services (“Housekeeping”), and dietary department services (“Dietary”).

Housekeeping consists of the managing of the client’s housekeeping department which is principally responsible for the cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of patient rooms and common areas of a client’s facility, as well as the laundering and processing of the personal clothing belonging to the facility’s patients. Also within the scope of this segment’s service is the responsibility for laundering and processing of the bed linens, uniforms and other assorted linen items utilized by a client facility.

Dietary consists of managing the client’s dietary department which is principally responsible for food purchasing, meal preparation and providing dietitian consulting professional services, which includes the development of a menu that meets the patient’s dietary needs.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Healthcare Services Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are held in U.S. financial institutions or in custodial accounts with U.S. financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at time of purchase that are readily convertible into cash and have insignificant interest rate risk.

Inventories and Supplies

Inventories and supplies include housekeeping, linen and laundry supplies, as well as food provisions and supplies. Inventories and supplies are stated at cost to approximate a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Linen supplies are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of 24 months.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues from our service agreements with clients are recognized as services are performed.

As a distributor of laundry equipment, we occasionally sell laundry installations to certain clients. The sales in most cases represent the construction and installation of a turn-key operation and are for payment terms ranging from 24 to 60 months. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, laundry installation sales were not material.

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current period. We accrue for probable tax obligations as required by facts and circumstances in the various regulatory environments. In addition, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. If appropriate, we would record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount for which realization is more likely than not.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we account for uncertain income tax positions reflected within our financial statements based on a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

Basic earnings (loss) per common share are computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share reflect the weighted-average common shares outstanding and dilutive common shares, such as those issuable upon exercise of stock options.

Share-Based Compensation

U.S. GAAP addresses the accounting for share-based compensation, specifically, the measurement and recognition of compensation expense, based on estimated fair values, for all share-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options and participation in the Company’s employee stock purchase plan. We estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income over the requisite service periods. We use the straight-line single option method of expensing share-based awards in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Because share-based compensation expense is based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, share-based compensation expense will be reduced to account for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

Use of Estimates in Financial Statements

In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates are used for, but not limited to, our allowance for doubtful accounts, accrued insurance claims, asset valuations and review for potential impairment, and deferred taxes. The estimates are based upon various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent industry and regulatory authority information. We regularly evaluate this information to determine if it is necessary to update the basis for our estimates and to compensate for known changes.

Self-Funded Captive Insurance Programs

In July 2015, the Company transitioned its workers compensation and certain employee health & welfare insurance programs to HCSG Insurance Corp. ("HCSG Insurance"), its wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary. HCSG Insurance previously provided general liability coverage to the Company. HCSG Insurance was formed in January 2014 to provide the Company with greater efficiency in managing its property & casualty and health & welfare programs.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments, as defined by U.S. GAAP, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, deferred compensation funding and accounts and notes receivable. We define our marketable securities as fixed income investments which are highly liquid investments that can be readily purchased or sold using established markets. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities were held in one large financial institution located in the United States.

Our clients are concentrated in the health care industry, primarily providers of long-term care. Many of our clients’ revenues are highly contingent on Medicare, Medicaid and third party payors’ reimbursement funding rates. Congress has enacted a number of major laws during the past decade that have significantly altered, or threatened to alter, overall government reimbursement for nursing home services. These changes and lack of substantive reimbursement funding rate reform legislation, as well as other trends in the long-term care industry have affected and could adversely affect the liquidity of our clients, resulting in their inability to make payments to us on agreed upon payment terms. These factors, in addition to delays in payments from clients, could result in significant additional bad debts in the future.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805). The amendments in this ASU require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Additionally, this ASU requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. To simplify the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination, the amendments in this ASU eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years.The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. This ASU defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606) for all entities by one year. As a result, all entities will be required to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently assessing the adoption date and impact the guidance in this ASU will have, if any, on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.

In June 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements. The amendments in this ASU represent changes to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. Additionally, some of the amendments will make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies, providing needed clarifications, and improving the presentation of guidance in the Codification. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). This ASU will require an entity's management, for each annual and interim reporting period, to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The definition of substantial doubt within this ASU incorporates a likelihood threshold of "probable" similar to the use of that term under current guidance for Topic 450, Contingencies. Certain disclosures will be required if conditions give rise to substantial doubt. This ASU is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the guidance in this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.