| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 2414403 - Disclosure - Income Taxes Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) (https://www.accretivehealth.com/role/IncomeTaxesEffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDetails)  | 
| Table | (Implied) | 
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0001472595 (https://www.sec.gov/CIK) | 
| Income Taxes [Abstract] | Period [Axis] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
2011-01-01 - 2011-12-31  | 2010-01-01 - 2010-12-31  | 2009-01-01 - 2009-12-31  | |
Income Taxes [Abstract]  | |||
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate  | .35    | .35    | .35    | 
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes  | .05    | .09    | .06    | 
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance  | .00    | .00    | (.23)   | 
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Holidays  | (.01)   | (.02)   | (.02)   | 
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Meals and Entertainment  | .01    | .01    | .01    | 
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Alternative Minimum Tax Percent  | .00    | (.01)   | .00    | 
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments  | (.01)   | .02    | .00    | 
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations  | .39    | .44    | .17    |