Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations Healthcare Services Group, Inc. (the “Company”) provides 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 the Company does not directly participate in any government reimbursement programs, the Company’s clients receive government reimbursements related to Medicare and Medicaid. Therefore, they are directly affected by any legislation relating to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs. The Company provides services primarily pursuant to full service agreements with its clients. In such agreements, the Company is responsible for the day-to-day management of employees located at the clients’ facilities. The Company also provides services on the basis of management-only agreements for a limited number of clients. The agreements with clients typically provide for renewable one year service terms, cancelable by either party upon 30 to 90 days’ notice after the initial 60 to 120 day period. The Company is organized into two reportable segments: housekeeping, laundry, linen and other services (“Housekeeping”), and dietary department services (“Dietary”). Housekeeping consists of managing the clients’ housekeeping departments, which are principally responsible for the cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of resident rooms and common areas of a client’s facility, as well as the laundering and processing of the bed linens, uniforms, resident personal clothing and other assorted linen items utilized at a client facility. Dietary consists of managing the clients’ dietary departments which are principally responsible for food purchasing, meal preparation and dietitian professional services, which includes the development of menus that meet residents’ dietary needs. 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 the Company’s opinion, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature and are necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these consolidated financial statements. The balance sheet shown in this report as of December 31, 2016 has been derived from, and does not include, all of the disclosures contained in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current presentation. 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 equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the 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 the Company’s service agreements with clients are recognized as services are performed. Revenues are reported net of sales taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to taxing authorities. Income Taxes The Company uses 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. The Company accrues for probable tax obligations as required by facts and circumstances in 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 bases of assets and liabilities. When appropriate, valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts for which realization is more likely than not. Uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns are reflected within the Company’s financial statements based on a recognition and measurement process. Earnings per Common Share Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common shares, such as those issuable upon exercise of stock options and upon the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Share-Based Compensation The Company estimates the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model for stock options and using the share price on the date of grant for restricted stock and restricted stock units. The value of the award is recognized ratably as an expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income over the requisite service periods, with adjustments made for forfeitures as they occur. Use of Estimates in Financial Statements In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, estimates and assumptions are made that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates are used in determining, but are not limited to, the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts, accrued insurance claims, valuations, deferred taxes and reviews for potential impairment. The estimates are based upon various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent industry and regulatory authority information. Management regularly evaluates this information to determine if it is necessary to update the basis for its estimates and to adjust for known changes. Concentrations of Credit Risk The financial instruments that are subject to concentrations of credit risk are cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, deferred compensation funding and accounts and notes receivable. The Company’s marketable securities are fixed income investments which are highly liquid and can be readily purchased or sold through established markets. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were held in one large financial institution located in the United States. The Company’s clients are concentrated in the health care industry and are primarily providers of long-term care. The revenues of many of the Company’s clients are highly reliant on Medicare, Medicaid and third party payors’ reimbursement funding rates. New legislation or changes in existing regulations could be made which could directly impact the governmental reimbursement programs in which the clients participate. The full effect of any such programs would not be realized until these laws are fully implemented and governmental agencies issue applicable regulations or guidance. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-09, Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments. The Company adopted the standard beginning January 1, 2017. The impact of adopting the standard includes the recognition of excess tax benefits related to share-based payments as a component of income tax expense, as opposed to additional paid-in capital; an amendment to the calculation of diluted earnings per share to exclude windfall tax benefits from assumed proceeds when calculating diluted shares outstanding; as well as accounting for forfeitures of share-based awards as they occur, as opposed to reserving for estimated forfeitures. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The guidance changes the definition of a business to assist entities in evaluating whether a set of transferred assets and activities constitutes a business under Topic 805. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2018. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which was subsequently amended and updated throughout 2015 and 2016. The standard provides guidance on revenue recognition, among other topics such as the accounting for compensation and costs to obtain a contract. The standard requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Adoption is required for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption prohibited. The Company plans to adopt the standard beginning on January 1, 2018 utilizing the modified retrospective method. The Company has evaluated the impact of the adoption of this ASU by reviewing the nature and terms of existing contracts under the provisions of the new guidance and designing operational and process updates required for ongoing compliance. Management does not expect a material impact to the Company's accounting for the revenue earned related to its Housekeeping and Dietary department services. Management anticipates that the most significant impact of the new standard will relate to additional disclosure obligations. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on their balance sheet related to the rights and obligations created by most leases, while continuing to recognize expenses on their income statements over the lease term. It will also require disclosures designed to give financial statement users information regarding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. The Company will adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2019. Management is continuing to evaluate the expected impact of the requirements, however it is expected that the primary impact will relate to the capitalization of operating leases of office space, vehicles and equipment.

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Healthcare Services Group, Inc. (the “Company”) provides 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 the Company does not directly participate in any government reimbursement programs, the Company’s clients receive government reimbursements related to Medicare and Medicaid. Therefore, they are directly affected by any legislation relating to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs.

The Company provides services primarily pursuant to full service agreements with its clients. In such agreements, the Company is responsible for the day-to-day management of employees located at the clients’ facilities. The Company also provides services on the basis of management-only agreements for a limited number of clients. The agreements with clients typically provide for renewable one year service terms, cancelable by either party upon 30 to 90 days’ notice after the initial 60 to 120 day period.

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

Housekeeping consists of managing the clients’ housekeeping departments, which are principally responsible for the cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of resident rooms and common areas of a client’s facility, as well as the laundering and processing of the bed linens, uniforms, resident personal clothing and other assorted linen items utilized at a client facility.

Dietary consists of managing the clients’ dietary departments which are principally responsible for food purchasing, meal preparation and dietitian professional services, which includes the development of menus that meet residents’ dietary needs.

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 the Company’s opinion, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature and are necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these consolidated financial statements. The balance sheet shown in this report as of December 31, 2016 has been derived from, and does not include, all of the disclosures contained in the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current presentation.

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 equivalents are defined as short-term, highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the 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 the Company’s service agreements with clients are recognized as services are performed. Revenues are reported net of sales taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to taxing authorities.

Income Taxes

The Company uses 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. The Company accrues for probable tax obligations as required by facts and circumstances in 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 bases of assets and liabilities. When appropriate, valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts for which realization is more likely than not.

Uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns are reflected within the Company’s financial statements based on a recognition and measurement process.

Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common shares, such as those issuable upon exercise of stock options and upon the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company estimates the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model for stock options and using the share price on the date of grant for restricted stock and restricted stock units. The value of the award is recognized ratably as an expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income over the requisite service periods, with adjustments made for forfeitures as they occur.

Use of Estimates in Financial Statements

In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, estimates and assumptions are made that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates are used in determining, but are not limited to, the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts, accrued insurance claims, valuations, deferred taxes and reviews for potential impairment. The estimates are based upon various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent industry and regulatory authority information. Management regularly evaluates this information to determine if it is necessary to update the basis for its estimates and to adjust for known changes.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

The financial instruments that are subject to concentrations of credit risk are cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, deferred compensation funding and accounts and notes receivable. The Company’s marketable securities are fixed income investments which are highly liquid and can be readily purchased or sold through established markets. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities were held in one large financial institution located in the United States.

The Company’s clients are concentrated in the health care industry and are primarily providers of long-term care. The revenues of many of the Company’s clients are highly reliant on Medicare, Medicaid and third party payors’ reimbursement funding rates. New legislation or changes in existing regulations could be made which could directly impact the governmental reimbursement programs in which the clients participate. The full effect of any such programs would not be realized until these laws are fully implemented and governmental agencies issue applicable regulations or guidance.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-09, Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments. The Company adopted the standard beginning January 1, 2017. The impact of adopting the standard includes the recognition of excess tax benefits related to share-based payments as a component of income tax expense, as opposed to additional paid-in capital; an amendment to the calculation of diluted earnings per share to exclude windfall tax benefits from assumed proceeds when calculating diluted shares outstanding; as well as accounting for forfeitures of share-based awards as they occur, as opposed to reserving for estimated forfeitures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The guidance changes the definition of a business to assist entities in evaluating whether a set of transferred assets and activities constitutes a business under Topic 805. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2018.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which was subsequently amended and updated throughout 2015 and 2016. The standard provides guidance on revenue recognition, among other topics such as the accounting for compensation and costs to obtain a contract. The standard requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Adoption is required for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption prohibited. The Company plans to adopt the standard beginning on January 1, 2018 utilizing the modified retrospective method. The Company has evaluated the impact of the adoption of this ASU by reviewing the nature and terms of existing contracts under the provisions of the new guidance and designing operational and process updates required for ongoing compliance. Management does not expect a material impact to the Company's accounting for the revenue earned related to its Housekeeping and Dietary department services. Management anticipates that the most significant impact of the new standard will relate to additional disclosure obligations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on their balance sheet related to the rights and obligations created by most leases, while continuing to recognize expenses on their income statements over the lease term. It will also require disclosures designed to give financial statement users information regarding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. The Company will adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2019. Management is continuing to evaluate the expected impact of the requirements, however it is expected that the primary impact will relate to the capitalization of operating leases of office space, vehicles and equipment.