Document And Entity Information
Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]
Statistical Measurement [Axis]
Note To Financial Statement Details Textual
Significant Accounting Policies
Note 3 - Acquisition of Five Skilled Nursing Facilities
us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Income tax provision
ecd_NonRule10b51ArrTrmntdFlag
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag]
Note 4 - Net Patient Revenues
ecd_NonRule10b51ArrAdoptedFlag
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag]
Note 5 - Other Revenues
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Trading Arrangements, by Individual [Table]
Note 6 - Non-operating Income
Material Terms of Trading Arrangement [Text Block]
Note 7 - Business Segments
Note 8 - Long-term Leases
Note 9 - Earnings Per Share
Financial Instrument [Axis]
Investment in Debt and Equity Securities and Other Trading Assets [Text Block]
Note 10 - Investments in Marketable Securities
Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements
Minimum [Member]
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax
Note 12 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Investments in unconsolidated companies
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax
Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation
Statistical Measurement [Domain]
Note 16 - Long-term Debt
Maximum [Member]
Note 3 - Acquisition of Five Skilled Nursing Facilities - Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details)
Note 4 - Net Patient Revenues - Revenue Disaggregation (Details)
us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Equity in losses/(earnings) of unconsolidated investments
Note 5 - Other Revenues - Summary of Other Revenues (Details)
Balance Sheet Classifications:
Note 6 - Non-operating Income - Summary of Non-operating Income (Details)
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
Accounts receivable
Note 7 - Business Segments - Summary of Financial Information by Reporting Segment (Details)
Income before income taxes
us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic
Note 8 - Long-term Leases - Maturity of Lease Liabilities (Details)
Note 9 - Earnings Per Share - Summary of Earnings and Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Used in Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details)
Note 10 - Investments in Marketable Securities - Marketable Securities and Restricted Marketable Securities (Details)
Note 10 - Investments in Marketable Securities - Available for Sale Marketable Equity Securities (Details)
Note 10 - Investments in Marketable Securities - Amortized Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Debt Securities as Available for Sale (Details)
Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Value Measurements by Level (Details)
Note 12 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Activity Related to Goodwill By Segment (Details)
Note 12 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Details)
Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Assumptions Used to Value Options Granted (Details)
Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation - Summary of Options Outstanding (Details)
Note 14 - Stock-based Compensation - Options Outstanding by Exercise Price Range (Details)
Note 16 - Long-term Debt - Summary of Long-term Debt (Details)
Notes To Financial Statements
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]
Restricted investments available for sale, debt, fair value
nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilitiesSubleased
Number of Skilled Nursing Facilities Subleased
Represents the number of skilled nursing facilities that the company subleases.
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Table]
us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent
Options granted, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Options exercised, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Salaries, wages, and benefits
Lessee, Operating and Finance Leases [Text Block]
Disclosure for operating and finance leases of lessee.
Land [Member]
us-gaap_InventoryLandHeldForSale
Inventory, Land, Held-for-Sale
Interest income
Financial Instruments [Domain]
Dividends declared to common stockholders, per share (in dollars per share)
nhc_PolicyTable
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
Inventories
us-gaap_SharesOutstanding
Balance (in shares)
Balance (in shares)
nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingCentersLeasedFromNHI
Number of Skilled Nursing Centers Leased from NHI
Number of Skilled Nursing Centers under lease agreements with NHI
Segment Reporting [Text Block]
Homecare and Hospice Services [Member]
Represents homecare and hospice services.
nhc_NumberOfIndependentLivingCentersLeasedFromNHI
Number of Independent Living Centers Leased from NHI
Number of Independent Living Centers under lease agreements with NHI
Credit Facility [Member]
Represents credit facility.
Segment Reporting [Table Text Block]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
us-gaap_Liabilities
Total liabilities
nhc_PaymentsForProceedsFromNotesReceivableTotal
Collections of notes receivable
Represents the cash paid or received by the reporting entity associated with notes receivable.
nhc_NumberOfSubleasedNHIProperties
Number of Subleased NHI Properties
Number of Skilled Nursing Centers under lease agreements with NHI that are subleased to third parties by NHC
us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense
Consolidation Items [Axis]
us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
Total liabilities and equity
Segment Reporting [Table]
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets
Prepaid expenses and other assets
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Stock–based compensation
us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve
Self Insurance Reserve
Subsequent Event [Member]
Consolidation Items [Domain]
Trade accounts payable
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableTrade
Lessee, Lease, Description [Table]
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]
Location, Statement of Income, Balance [Axis]
Lease Contractual Term [Axis]
Lease Contractual Term [Domain]
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Liability Reserve Estimate, Policy [Policy Text Block]
nhc_NumberOfBeds
Number of Beds
Number of licensed skilled nursing beds that are operated or managed as of the balance sheet date.
us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents
us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents
Total Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents
National [Member]
Represents the name of the credit facility, National.
us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
Cash and cash equivalents
Other Revenues [Text Block]
Disclosure of other revenues.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsIncludingDisposalGroupAndDiscontinuedOperations
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, End of Period
Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain]
Statement [Table]
Credit Facility [Axis]
Schedule of Other Revenues [Table Text Block]
Tabular disclosure of the detailed components of other operating revenues.
Credit Facility [Domain]
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity
Marketable equity securities
NHI Common Stock, fair value
Equity Securities [Member]
Restricted marketable equity securities
Unrestricted investments available for sale, equity, amortized cost
NHI Common Stock, Cost
Product and Service [Domain]
Product and Service [Axis]
us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Long-Term Line of Credit
us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Useful Life (Year)
Unrealized gains on marketable equity securities
Unrealized gains/(losses) on marketable equity securities
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Unrealized gains on marketable equity securities
us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueAfterYearFive
Thereafter
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDue
Total minimum lease payments
Exercise price, upper (in dollars per share)
Exercise Price Range [Domain]
Exercise Price Range [Axis]
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueNextTwelveMonths
2027
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFive
2031
Facility rent
Rent
Operating Lease, Expense
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsRemainderOfFiscalYear
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Remainder of Fiscal Year
Options exercisable, shares (in shares)
Options exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Options outstanding (in shares)
Options outstanding, shares (in shares)
Options outstanding, shares (in shares)
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearThree
2029
Measurement Frequency [Axis]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearTwo
2028
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Statement [Line Items]
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityPaymentsDueYearFour
2030
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value
Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis]
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)
Risk–free interest rate
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Expected volatility
Rental income
us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome
Expected dividend yield
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table]
Common stock, $.01 par value; 45,000,000 shares authorized; 15,661,395 and 15,536,427 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option, Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]
Issuance of common shares
Business Combination, Recognized Asset Acquired and Liability Assumed [Table Text Block]
NHI Common Stock [Member]
NHI common stock [member
us-gaap_PolicyTextBlockAbstract
Accounting Policies
us-gaap_DisclosureTextBlockAbstract
Notes to Financial Statements
us-gaap_TableTextBlock
Notes Tables
us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Comprehensive income attributable to National HealthCare Corporation
Trade accounts payable
Other Operating Expenses Policy [Policy Text Block]
Disclosure of accounting policy for other operating expenses.
Disposal Group Classification [Axis]
Disposal Group Classification [Domain]
Amounts due to third party payors
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities
Accrued payroll
Disposal Group, Disposed of Other than by Sale, Not Discontinued Operation, Exchange [Member]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]
Professional Liability Insurance [Member]
us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt
Dividends payable
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityUndiscountedExcessAmount
Less: amounts representing interest
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion
Noncurrent lease liabilities
Present value of future minimum lease payments
Operating lease liabilities, current portion
Less: current portion
Long-term debt, current portion
Less current portion
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Expected life (Year)
Total long-term debt, less current portion
Inpatient Services [Member]
The amount of revenue derived from inpatient services.
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
Cost
Medicaid [Member]
Related to the program Medicaid.
Managed Care [Member]
Related to managed care provided by the company.
Medicare [Member]
Related to the Medicare program.
Workers Compensation Revenue [Member]
Related to revenue derived from workers compensation agreements.
Accrued risk reserves, current portion
Accrued risk reserves, less current portion
Private Pay and Other [Member]
Related to private pay received and other revenue sources.
Homecare Services Segment [Member]
Information pertaining to the Homecare Services Segment.
Inpatient Services Segment [Member]
Information pertaining to the Inpatient Services Segment, which includes the operation of skilled nursing facilities and assisted and independent living facilities
Credit facility, interest payable monthly
Share Repurchase Program [Table]
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Loss Contingencies [Table]
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Marketable equity securities
us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Equity:
Equity Components [Axis]
nhc_NumberOfBehavioralHealthHospitals
Number of Behavioral Health Hospitals
The number of behavioral health hospitals.
Operating lease obligations
Entrance fee deposits
The cash inflow (outflow) associated with entrance fee deposits (refunds).
Equity Component [Domain]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
FLORIDA
us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentFairValueDisclosure
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Fair Value Disclosure
Exercise price, lower (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Net property and equipment
Property and equipment, at cost
Subsequent Event Type [Domain]
Subsequent Event [Table]
Exercise Price Range 1 [Member]
Exercise price range 1 [member
Subsequent Event Type [Axis]
Exercise Price Range 2 [Member]
Exercise price range two [member
Property and Equipment:
Property, Plant, and Equipment [Policy Text Block]
Stock–based compensation
Intangible Asset and Goodwill [Text Block]
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block]
Deferred income taxes
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]
Revenue Recognition for Alternative Revenue Programs, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property
Gain on sale of property and equipment
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Schedule of Share-Based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]
Current Liabilities:
us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent
Total current liabilities
Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) [Member]
Treasury Stock [Text Block]
Accounts receivable
Investments available for sale, fair value
Other revenues
nhc_OtherRevenues
Total other revenues
The revenues not separately disclosed.
Management and accounting services fees
nhc_ManagementAndAccountingServicesFeesRevenue
The amount of management and accounting services fees revenue.
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
Options cancelled, shares (in shares)
Revenue, concentration percentage
The percentage of total revenue from contracts with customers, including the assessed tax.
nhc_EquitySecuritiesFvNiGrossUnrealizedGain
Equity Securities Fv Ni Gross Unrealized Gain
The amount of gross unrealized gains from equity securities measured at fair value with gains losses reported on the income statement.
Other
nhc_MiscellaneousRevenue
The amount of miscellaneous revenue.
Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]
Long-Term Debt [Text Block]
us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
nhc_EquitySecuritiesFvNiGrossUnrealizedLoss
Equity Securities Fv Ni Gross Unrealized Loss
The gross unrealized loss on equity securities measured at fair value with gains and losses recognized on the income statement.
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Options cancelled, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
Acquisition of skilled nursing facilities and other assets
us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
General and Administrative Expense
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]
us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
Income before income taxes
nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilities
Number of Skilled Nursing Facilities
Number of skilled nursing centers operated or managed as of the balance sheet date.
nhc_NumberOfIndependentLivingFacilities
Number of Independent Living Facilities
Number of independent living facilities in which the company operates as of the Balance Sheet date.
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecurities
Purchases of marketable securities
nhc_NumberOfAssistedLivingFacilities
Number of Assisted Living Facilities
Number of assisted living facilities in which company operates as of the Balance Sheet date.
Capital in excess of par value
nhc_NumberOfHomecarePrograms
Number of Homecare Programs
Number of homecare Programs in which the company operates as of the Balance Sheet date.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Noncontrolling interest
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Equipment and Furniture [Member]
Information pertaining to equipment and furniture.
us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition (Year)
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Purchases of property and equipment
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders
Distributions attributable to noncontrolling interest
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage
Weighted average remaining contractual life (Year)
us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value
Dividends and net realized gains and losses on sales of securities
The amount of dividends and other net realized gains and losses resulting from the sale of securities.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Current Assets:
Shares sold – options exercised
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_AssetsCurrent
Total current assets
Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Table]
Debt Instrument, Name [Domain]
Shares sold – options exercised (in shares)
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
Options exercised, shares (in shares)
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table]
Distributions from unconsolidated investments
us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares (in shares)
Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table]
Debt Instrument [Axis]
us-gaap_GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetImpairment
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
Net cash used in investing activities
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
Net cash used in financing activities
Total financial assets
Other Operating Segment [Member]
Operating Segments [Member]
US Government Corporations and Agencies Securities [Member]
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Segments [Domain]
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Segments [Axis]
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue
Repurchase of common shares
us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares
Repurchase of common shares (in shares)
Other Assets:
Income Statement [Abstract]
us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments
Number of Operating Segments
us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Number of Reportable Segments
Equity in earnings/(loss) of unconsolidated investments
Represents the amount of gain (loss) from sale of an unconsolidated company.
Schedule of Available-for-Sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
Net income attributable to National HealthCare Corporation
us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Net income attributable to National HealthCare Corporation
Restricted investments available for sale, debt, amortized cost
Amortized cost of restricted investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).
Costs and expenses:
Restricted investments available for sale, equity, amortized cost
Cost of restricted investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI). Excludes equity method investment and investment in equity security without readily determinable fair value.
Investments available for sale, amortized cost
Amortized cost of investment in marketable securities measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).
nhc_PaymentsForProceedsFromUnconsolidatedInvestments
Investments in unconsolidated companies
The net cash outflow or inflow associated with unconsolidated investments during the period.
Total costs and expenses
Total costs and expenses
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Other Nonoperating Income and Expense [Text Block]
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Table]
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block]
Tabular disclosure of undiscounted cash flows of lessee's operating and finance lease liability.
Continuing Care Contracts and Refundable Entrance Fee, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Disclosure of accounting policy for calculating advance fees which may include the entity's policy for (1) calculating the liability for the obligation to provide future services, (2) their refund policy for refundable fees, (3) the method of amortization of the liability for entrance fees that are refundable, and (4) the basis and method of amortization of deferred revenue related to entrance fees that are refundable if the contract holder's unit is reoccupied. Alternate captions include entrance fees and entrance fees and membership fees earned and cancellation penalties.
nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilities1
Number of Skilled Nursing Facilities
Number of skilled nursing facilities operated or managed as of the balance sheet date.
Insurance services
us-gaap_InsuranceServicesRevenue
Insurance Services Revenue
Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain]
Measurement Frequency [Domain]
us-gaap_OpenTaxYear
Open Tax Year
Other income (expense):
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermLinesOfCredit
Repayments under credit facility
Restricted marketable debt securities, current portion
Represents current restricted marketable debt securities.
Restricted marketable debt securities, less current portion
Represents noncurrent restricted marketable debt securities.
us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock
Dividends declared to common stockholders
Accrued payroll
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedSalaries
Fair Value, Recurring [Member]
us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders
Noncontrolling interest distributions
us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
Total other assets
Other operating
us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
Repurchase of common shares
nhc_ManagementFeeRevenue
Management Fee Revenue
Amount of revenue from the management.
Deferred income taxes
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredIncomeTaxes
Document Type
Other noncurrent liabilities
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherNoncurrentLiabilities
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Quarterly Report
us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract (Year)
Other current liabilities
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherCurrentLiabilities
Document Information [Table]
us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount (in shares)
Antidilutive Securities [Axis]
Diluted:
Entity Interactive Data Current
Document Transition Report
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)
Diluted (in shares)
Basic:
Earnings per share attributable to National HealthCare Corporation stockholders:
Intangible Asset, Indefinite-Lived, Class [Domain]
Effects of dilutive instruments (in shares)
us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)
Basic (in shares)
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Debt Instrument, Term (Year)
Antidilutive Security, Excluded EPS Calculation [Table]
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share)
Basic (in dollars per share)
Intangible Asset, Indefinite-Lived, Class [Axis]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table]
Deposits and other assets
NHI Lease Agreement [Member]
Represents NHI agreement.
Intangible assets
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, less current portion
Goodwill, additions
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Depreciation and amortization
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current portion
Amendment Flag
Common Stock [Member]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Goodwill
Goodwill, balance
Goodwill, balance
us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesRealizedGainLoss
Debt Securities, Realized Gain (Loss)
Document Period End Date
nhc_NumberOfHospiceAgencies
Number of Hospice Agencies
Represents the number of hospice agencies operated or managed by the reporting entity as of the specified date.
Long-Lived Asset, Class [Domain]
Options granted, shares (in shares)
Legal Entity [Axis]
Business Combination [Domain]
Entity File Number
Entity Tax Identification Number
Business Combination [Axis]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table]
Entity [Domain]
Entity Central Index Key
Entity Registrant Name
Business Combination [Policy Text Block]
Entity Current Reporting Status
Business Combination [Table]
Homecare and Hospice Segment [Member]
Represents information regarding the Homecare and Hospice segment.
us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRealizedGainLoss
Realized gains on sale of marketable securities
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Accounts receivable
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables
Inventory
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInventory
Prepaid expenses and other assets
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsPrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets
Entity Filer Category
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets
Total assets acquired
Entity Shell Company
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities
Total liabilities assumed
Entity Emerging Growth Company
Other comprehensive loss
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax
Entity Small Business
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Income from operations
Income from operations
Investments [Domain]
Intangible assets
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet
Total estimated fair value of the acquisition
Trade accounts payable
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesAccountsPayable
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]
Property and equipment
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Net operating revenues
us-gaap_Revenues
Net operating revenues
Revenues:
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred
Refundable entrance fees
Entity Address, State or Province
Entity Address, City or Town
Interest expense
us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating
Interest expense
Retained earnings
Entity Address, Address Line One
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]
City Area Code
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual
Business Combination, Acquiree's Revenue since Acquisition Date, Actual
Other current liabilities
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesOther
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost
1 to 5 years, cost
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationEarningsOrLossOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual
Business Combination, Acquiree's Earnings (Loss) since Acquisition Date, Actual
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsAmortizedCost
6 to 10 years, cost
Accrued risk reserves
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInSelfInsuranceReserve
Local Phone Number
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearAmortizedCost
Within 1 year, cost
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]
Title of 12(b) Security
Security Exchange Name
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsFairValue
6 to 10 years, fair value
Trading Symbol
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue
Within 1 year, fair value
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue
1 to 5 years, fair value
Class of Stock [Axis]
Base Rate [Member]
Available-for-sale securities
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Fair Value
Variable Rate [Axis]
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax
Income tax (expense)/benefit related to items of other comprehensive income
Variable Rate [Domain]
Revenue [Policy Text Block]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]
Unrealized gains/(losses) on investments in marketable debt securities
us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Net income
Net income
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value
Weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Non–operating income
Non-operating income (loss)
Total non-operating income
Medicare and Medicaid [Member]
Medicare and medicaid [member
Amounts due to third party payors
nhc_IncreaseDecreaseInDueToThirdPartyPayors
The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in other obligations due to third party payors that are payable within one year (or one business cycle).
Long-Lived Asset, Class [Axis]
Receivable [Domain]
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax
Reclassification adjustment for realized losses on sales of marketable debt securities
us-gaap_Assets
Total assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents
Geographical [Domain]
Geographical [Axis]
us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share)
Diluted (in dollars per share)
NHI Common Stock, Shares (in shares)
us-gaap_ContinuingCareRetirementCommunitiesAdvanceFeesObligationForFutureServicesAmount
Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Refund Obligation
Depreciation and amortization
us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Policy Text Block]
Accounting policy disclosure of other noncurrent liabilities.
nhc_ManagementFeesRevenue
Management Fees Revenue
The amount of management fees revenue.
nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingFacilitiesAcquired
Number of Skilled Nursing Facilities Acquired
The number of skilled nursing facilities acquired during the period.
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item, Corporate Nonsegment [Member]
Investment Type [Axis]
nhc_PaymentsForDepositsInEscrowForRealEstateAcquisition
Deposits in escrow for real estate acquisition
The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of real estate using deposits in escrow.
Deposits and other assets
nhc_BusinessCombinationRecognizedAssetAcquiredDepositsAndOtherAssets
Amount of deposits and other assets acquired in business combination and recognized at acquisition date.
Receivable Type [Axis]
nhc_NumberOfSkilledNursingBedsAcquired
Number of Skilled Nursing Beds Acquired
The number of skilled nursing beds acquired during the period.
Five Skilled Nursing Facilities Acquired in June 2026 [Member]
Represents the Five Skilled Nursing Facilities Acquired in June 2026.
us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Intangible Asset, Indefinite-Lived [Table Text Block]
Accrued payroll
nhc_BusinessCombinationRecognizedLiabilityAssumedAccruedPayroll
Amount of accrued payroll assumed in business combination and recognized at acquisition date.
us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Total equity
Balance
Balance
nhc_NumberOfIndependentLivingFacilitiesAcquired
Number of Independent Living Facilities Acquired
The number of independent living facilities acquired during the period.
Inventories
Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Represents the federal funds rate.
nhc_DebtInstrumentInterestRateBaseRate
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Base Rate
The interest rates used in determining the base rate.
Certificates of Need [Member]
Related to certificates of need.
July 2026 Credit Agreement [Member]
Represents the July 2026 Credit Agreement.
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
nhc_PaymentsForDepositsInEscrowAccounts
Payments for Deposits in Escrow Accounts
The cash outflow associated with the deposits in escrow accounts.
Business Combination [Text Block]
July 2026 Acquisitions from National Health Investors [Member]
Represents the July 2026 Acquisitions from National Health Investors.
us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates
Number of States in which Entity Operates
nhc_NumberOfSubleasedSkilledNursingFacilities
Number of Subleased Skilled Nursing Facilities
The number of skilled nursing facilities that are subleased to third parties.
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Total National HealthCare Corporation stockholders’ equity
Goodwill [Table Text Block]
nhc_DebtInstrumentFundingDayInterestRate
Debt Instrument, Funding Day Interest Rate
The interest rate at funding day for the debt instrument.
Term Facility [Member]
Represents term facility.
Health Care Organization, Revenue Sources [Domain]
us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
Dividends paid to common stockholders
Health Care Organization, Revenue Sources [Axis]
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income, by Component [Table Text Block]
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Other current liabilities
Other noncurrent liabilities
ecd_Rule10b51ArrTrmntdFlag
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag]
Net patient revenues
Net patient revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax
ecd_Rule10b51ArrAdoptedFlag
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag]
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]