Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vericel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to 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 and the reported amounts of expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Inventory	Inventory Inventories are measured at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is calculated based upon standard-cost which approximates costs determined on the first-in, first-out method. We periodically review our inventories for excess or obsolescence and write-down obsolete or other unmarketable inventory to its estimated net realizable value. If the actual net realizable value is less than that estimated by us, or if it is determined that inventory utilization will further diminish based on estimates of demand, additional inventory write-downs may be required. In all cases, product inventory is carried at the lower of cost or its estimated net realizable value. Amounts written down are charged to cost of sales.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are initially recorded at the contractual amount owed by the customer. Allowances for doubtful accounts are established when the facts and circumstances indicate that a receivable may not be collectible.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are initially measured and recognized at acquisition cost, including any directly attributable cost of preparing the asset for its intended use or, in the case of assets acquired in a business combination, at fair value as at the date of the combination. After initial measurement, property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Repair and maintenance costs of property, plant and equipment are expensed as incurred. The depreciable value of property, plant and equipment, net of any residual value, is depreciated on a straight line basis over the useful life of the asset. The useful life of an asset is usually equivalent to its economic life. The useful lives of property, plant and equipment are as follows: •Equipment and computers: 3 to 5 years •Furniture and fixtures: 5 years •Building improvements and leasehold improvements: Shorter of the remaining life of the lease or 7 years The costs of assets retired or otherwise disposed of and the accumulated depreciation thereon are removed from the accounts, with any gain or loss realized upon sale or disposal credited or charged to operations.
Intangible Assets and Other Long Lived Assets	Intangible Assets and Other Long Lived Assets Intangible assets are initially measured at acquisition cost, including any directly attributable costs of preparing the asset for its intended use or, in the case of assets acquired in a business combination at fair value as at the date of the combination. Identifiable intangible assets related to commercial rights are amortized on a straight line basis over their expected useful lives. Amortization of intangible assets is recognized in these financial statements under Costs of product sales. Intangible assets and long-lived assets are assessed for potential impairment when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recovered. An impairment loss would be recognized when an asset’s fair value, determined based on undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, is less than its carrying amount. The impairment loss would be measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value and recognized in these financial statements. Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment.
Revenue Recognition and Net Product Sales	Revenue Recognition and Net Product Sales Total revenues are comprised of product sales of Carticel, Epicel, MACI, bone marrow and surgical kits. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the goods are shipped or delivered and implanted, depending on shipping terms, title and risk of loss pass to the customer and collectability is reasonably assured. Shipping and handling costs are included as a component of revenue. On June 30, 2016, the Company terminated the agreement with its exclusive distributor for substantially all of its Carticel sales by reducing the scope of its agreement with this distributor. Prior to June 30, 2016, the distributor purchased and took title to Carticel upon shipment of the product and assumed credit and collection risk. The distributor worked with the payers on behalf of patients and surgeons to ensure medical coverage and to obtain reimbursement for Carticel implantation procedures. The Company retained all responsibility for shipment of the product to the surgical suite. In addition, revenue for Carticel was recorded net of a provision for rebates and cash discounts. These rebates and cash discounts were established by the Company at the time of sale, based on historical experience adjusted to reflect known changes in the factors that impact such reserves. For instance, the distributor of Carticel was entitled to chargeback incentives for services that are provided for based on the selling price to the end customer, under specific contractual arrangements. Cash discounts may also be granted for prompt payment. Effective July 1, 2016, the Company transitioned to a direct sales model whereby the Company retains credit and collection risk from the end customer. The Company utilizes a new provider, Dohmen Life Science Services, LLC (DLSS), to provide patient support services but this provider does not purchase and take title to Carticel. The Company recognizes product revenues from sales of Carticel upon implantation as long as (i) there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists between ourselves and the customer, (ii) collectability is reasonably assured and (iii) the price is fixed or determinable. Prior authorization or confirmation of coverage level by the patient’s private insurance plan, hospital or government payer is a prerequisite to the shipment of product to a patient. The Company's net product revenues are calculated by estimating expected payments for insurance, hospital or patient payments at the time it recognizes the gross revenue.
Research and Development Expense	Research and Development Expense Research and development activities represent a significant part of the Company’s business. These expenditures relate to the development of new products, improvement of existing products, technical support of products and compliance with governmental regulations for the protection of consumers and patients. Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company’s accounting for stock-based compensation requires it to determine the fair value of common stock issued in the form of stock option awards. The Company uses the value of its common stock at the date of the grant in the calculation of the fair value of its share-based awards. The fair value of stock options held by the employees is determined using a Black-Scholes option valuation method, which is a valuation technique that is acceptable for share-based payment accounting. Key assumptions in determining fair value include volatility, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield and expected term. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock options represent the Company’s best estimates, however; these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and different assumptions are used, the stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those stock options expected to vest over the service period. The estimated forfeiture rate considers the historical experience of the Company’s stock-based awards. If the actual forfeiture rate is different from the estimate, expense is adjusted accordingly. The Company also has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) which is a compensatory plan. Compensation expense is recorded based on the fair value of the purchase options at the grant date, which corresponds to the first day of each purchase period, and is amortized over the purchase period.
Comprehensive Loss	Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive loss is the change in common stockholders’ equity during a period arising from any gain or loss realized related to foreign currency translation.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and tax credit carryforwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders	Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated using the two-class method, which is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings (loss) per share for the holders of the Company’s common shares and holders of the Series B preferred stock. The Series B preferred stock shares contain participation rights in undistributed earnings, but do not share in the losses of the Company. The accumulated but undeclared dividends on the Series B preferred stock of $6.7 million are treated as a reduction of earnings attributable to common shareholders.
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments The Company’s financial instruments include receivables for which the current carrying amounts approximate market value based upon their short-term nature.
Warrants	Warrants Warrants that could be cash settled or have anti-dilution price protection provisions are recorded as liabilities at their estimated fair value at the date of issuance, with subsequent changes in estimated fair value recorded in other income (expense) in our statement of operations in each subsequent period. Warrants that meet the requirements for equity classification are recorded at fair value with no subsequent remeasurement. In general, warrants are measured using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The methodology is based, in part, upon inputs for which there is little or no observable market data, requiring the Company to develop its own assumptions. The assumptions used in calculating the estimated fair value of the warrants represent our best estimates; however, these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and different assumptions are used, the warrant liability for those warrants that could be cash settled or have anti-dilution price protection provisions, the change in estimated fair value could be materially different.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued authoritative guidance requiring entities to apply a new model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers and the reporting of principal versus agent considerations. The guidance will supersede the current revenue recognition guidance and require entities to evaluate their revenue recognition arrangements using a five step model to determine when a customer obtains control of a transferred good or service. The guidance is currently effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and may be adopted using a full or modified retrospective application. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating its revenue arrangements under the issued guidance and has not yet determined the impact to its consolidated financial statements. Going Concern Assessment The FASB has issued authoritative guidance for management on how to assess whether substantial doubt exists regarding an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and guidance on how to prepare related footnote disclosures. The guidance will require management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year from the date the financial statements are issued. The Company has adopted the new guidance for the period ended December 31, 2016. Refer to Note 1 for further discussion. Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs The FASB issued guidance which requires entities to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. For debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements, companies are able to defer and present debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The guidance was effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and the Company adopted the guidance as of March 31, 2016 and for future periods. Accounting for Leases The FASB issued guidance to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. In accordance with the updated guidance, lessees are required to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from operating leases on the balance sheet. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within 2018. The Company is currently reviewing the potential impact of adopting the new guidance. Share-based Payment Accounting The FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The new standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the potential impact that this standard may have on our financial position, results of operations and statement of cash flows. Statement of Cash Flows Presentation The FASB issued guidance to address diversity in practice with respect to how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The updated guidance addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity that occurs in practice. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within 2017. The Company is currently reviewing the potential impact of adopting the new guidance.