Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 segment	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 14,967	$ 10,993	$ 10,841	$ 12,359	$ 15,191	$ 12,299	$ 11,180	$ 12,307	$ 49,160	$ 50,977	$ 51,082
Depreciation and amortization expense									1,846	2,367	2,314
Operating income (loss)									(9,756)	(7,037)	(7,771)
Capital expenditures									525	2,087	1,955
Segment assets	21,646				36,418				21,646	36,418
Cash and cash equivalents	3,970				8,319				3,970	8,319	16,917	21,391
Number of reportable segments									3
Intercompany eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,100	2,100	2,000
Health & Wellness [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									23,149	21,349	18,441
Depreciation and amortization expense									655	563	409
Operating income (loss)									5	989	1,992
Capital expenditures									347	818	788
Segment assets	6,937				6,261				6,937	6,261
Heritage Labs [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									11,390	13,154	13,664
Depreciation and amortization expense									423	620	455
Operating income (loss)									619	764	596
Capital expenditures									56	752	254
Segment assets	4,094				4,624				4,094	4,624
Hooper Holmes Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									14,621	16,474	18,977
Depreciation and amortization expense									260	371	340
Operating income (loss)									(1,716)	(2,475)	(3,348)
Capital expenditures									0	109	413
Segment assets	1,994				3,320				1,994	3,320
Unallocated Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization expense									508	813	1,110
Operating income (loss)									(8,664)	(6,315)	(7,011)
Capital expenditures									122	408	500
Segment assets	$ 8,621				$ 22,213				$ 8,621	$ 22,213