<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-11-13</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000792985</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HEALTH MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HMA</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001240208</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LAWSON PETER M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>HEALTH MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>5811 PELICAN BAY BOULEVARD, SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NAPLES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>34108</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Exec. Vice President</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-13</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>7500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>13.00</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>11358</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-13</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>7500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>22.97</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3858</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-13</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3750</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>8.25</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>7608</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-13</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3750</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>22.97</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3858</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-13</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>5000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>12.125</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>8858</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-13</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>S</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>22.97</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>7858</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1280</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>600</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>Trusts for benefit of children</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4073</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>401(k) Plan</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>13.00</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-11-13</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>7500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2003-05-28</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2009-05-27</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>22500</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>15000</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>8.25</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-11-13</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3750</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2003-08-23</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2009-08-22</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>11250</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>7500</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>12.125</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-11-13</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>M</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>5000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2010-05-25</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>20000</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>15000</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>16.60</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F5"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2011-05-14</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>75000</value><footnoteId id="F5"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>75000</value><footnoteId id="F5"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>19.95</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F6"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2012-05-20</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>30000</value><footnoteId id="F6"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>30000</value><footnoteId id="F6"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>18.56</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F7"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-05-19</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>30000</value><footnoteId id="F7"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>30000</value><footnoteId id="F7"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>21.625</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2002-05-19</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2008-05-18</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>45000</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>45000</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Contingent Stock Award</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-12-07</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2003-12-07</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1834</value><footnoteId id="F8"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1834</value><footnoteId id="F8"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Contingent Stock Award</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2004-12-05</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2004-12-05</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>2497</value><footnoteId id="F8"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2497</value><footnoteId id="F8"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Contingent Stock Award</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2005-12-04</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2005-12-04</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>4799</value><footnoteId id="F8"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4799</value><footnoteId id="F8"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Contingent Stock Award</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2006-12-04</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2006-12-04</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>13263</value><footnoteId id="F8"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>13263</value><footnoteId id="F8"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">These shares are held jointly by Mr. Lawson and his wife.</footnote><footnote id="F2">These shares are held in trusts, of which Mr. Lawson and his wife serve as co-trustees, for the benefit of their children.</footnote><footnote id="F3">This employee stock option was previously reported by Mr. Lawson.</footnote><footnote id="F4">This employee stock option was previously reported by Mr. Lawson.  Mr. Lawson can exercise this option as follows: 5,000 shares on 5/26/01, 5,000 shares on 5/26/02, 5,000 shares on 5/26/03 and 5,000 shares on 5/26/04.</footnote><footnote id="F5">This employee stock option was previously reported by Mr. Lawson.  Mr. Lawson can exercise this option as follows:  25,000 shares on 5/15/02 (exercised on 8/21/03), 25,000 shares on 5/15/03, 25,000 shares on 5/15/04 and 25,000 shares on 5/15/05.</footnote><footnote id="F6">This employee stock option was previously reported by Mr. Lawson.  Mr. Lawson can exercise this option as follows: 7,500 shares 5/21/03, 7,500 shares on 5/21/04, 7,500 shares on 5/21/05 and 7,500 shares on 5/21/06.</footnote><footnote id="F7">This employee stock option was previously reported by Mr. Lawson.  Mr. Lawson can exercise this option as follows: 7,500 shares on 5/20/04, 7,500 shares on 5/20/05, 7,500 shares on 5/20/06 and 7,500 shares on 5/20/07.</footnote><footnote id="F8">This contingent stock incentive award under the Issuer's 1996 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan was previously reported by Mr. Lawson.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Rob F. Jay, Attorney-in-fact for Peter M. Lawson</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-17</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

