WebMD Health (WBMD) 10-K 27 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 23, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	WBMD
Entity Registrant Name	WEBMD HEALTH CORP.
Entity Central Index Key	1326583
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,210,893
Entity Public Float			$1,762,535,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$706,776	$824,880
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $631 at December 31, 2014 and $793 at December 31, 2013	136,806	124,232
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	13,877	13,243
Deferred tax assets	18,147	13,620
Total current assets	875,606	975,975
Property and equipment, net	59,573	64,884
Goodwill	202,980	202,980
Intangible assets, net	14,215	13,834
Deferred tax assets	18,947	38,802
Other assets	26,236	29,153
TOTAL ASSETS	1,197,557	1,325,628
Current liabilities:
Accrued expenses	72,658	73,739
Deferred revenue	89,785	85,148
Liabilities of discontinued operations		1,506
Total current liabilities	162,443	160,393
Other long-term liabilities	21,293	22,103
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 650,000,000 shares authorized; 57,437,992 shares issued at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	574	574
Additional paid-in capital	9,214,800	9,273,712
Treasury stock, at cost; 21,084,995 shares at December 31, 2014 and 18,281,498 shares at December 31, 2013	-685,659	-572,221
Accumulated other comprehensive income	976
Accumulated deficit	-8,469,102	-8,511,165
Stockholders' equity	61,589	190,900
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	1,197,557	1,325,628
2.25% Convertible Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Current liabilities:
Convertible notes	252,232	252,232
2.50% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Current liabilities:
Convertible notes	400,000	400,000
1.50% Convertible Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Current liabilities:
Convertible notes	$300,000	$300,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	$631	$793
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	650,000,000	650,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	57,437,992	57,437,992
Treasury stock, shares	21,084,995	18,281,498

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$580,449	$515,293	$469,866
Cost of operations	224,094	209,740	216,361
Sales and marketing	136,160	127,997	127,659
General and administrative	94,119	93,220	97,618
Depreciation and amortization	29,811	26,606	28,399
Interest income	69	76	86
Interest expense	24,686	22,826	23,334
Loss on convertible notes		4,871
Gain on investments			8,074
Restructuring			7,579
Other expense		1,353	2,297
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax provision (benefit)	71,648	28,756	-25,221
Income tax provision (benefit)	30,707	13,640	-2,134
Income (loss) from continuing operations	40,941	15,116	-23,087
Income from discontinued operations, net of a tax provision of $0 and $555 in 2014 and 2012	1,122		2,743
Net income (loss)	$42,063	$15,116	($20,344)
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$1.08	$0.32	($0.45)
Income from discontinued operations	$0.03		$0.05
Net income (loss)	$1.11	$0.32	($0.40)
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$0.97	$0.31	($0.45)
Income from discontinued operations	$0.03		$0.05
Net income (loss)	$1	$0.31	($0.40)
Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts:
Basic	37,869	46,830	50,862
Diluted	45,614	48,398	50,862

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope1

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Income from discontinued operations, tax provision benefit	$0	$555

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$42,063	$15,116	($20,344)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net change in unrealized gains on available-for sale securities	976
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	976
Comprehensive income (loss)	$43,039	$15,116	($20,344)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ

Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)	Total	Tender Offer [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data				Tender Offer [Member]		Tender Offer [Member]		Tender Offer [Member]
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	$674,436		$624		$9,473,811		($294,062)		($8,505,937)
Balances, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011			62,410,255				6,685,439
Net income (loss)	-20,344								-20,344
Issuance of stock for option exercises and other issuances, Value	-1,539				-19,807		18,268
Issuance of stock for option exercises and other issuances, Shares			27,737				-350,371
Tax benefit realized from issuances of common stock	377				377
Stock-based compensation expense	44,571				44,571
Repurchase of shares, Value	-26,900	-150,759					-26,900	-150,759
Repurchase of shares, Shares							1,320,846	5,769,230
Tax deficiency from issuances of common stock	-9,853				-9,853
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	509,989		624		9,489,099		-453,453		-8,526,281
Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2012			62,437,992				13,425,144
Net income (loss)	15,116								15,116
Issuance of stock for option exercises and other issuances, Value	17,796				-83,165		100,961
Issuance of stock for option exercises and other issuances, Shares							-1,938,041
Tax benefit realized from issuances of common stock	58				58
Stock-based compensation expense	38,186				38,186
Repurchase of shares, Value	-219,729	-170,516		-50		-170,466	-219,729
Repurchase of shares, Shares				-5,000,000			6,794,395
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	190,900		574		9,273,712		-572,221		-8,511,165
Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2013			57,437,992				18,281,498
Net income (loss)	42,063								42,063
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	976									976
Issuance of stock for option exercises and other issuances, Value	7,516		0		-105,382		112,898
Issuance of stock for option exercises and other issuances, Shares			0				-2,356,573
Tax benefit realized from issuances of common stock	14,239				14,239
Stock-based compensation expense	32,231				32,231
Repurchase of shares, Value	-128,748	-97,588					-128,748	-97,588
Repurchase of shares, Shares							3,160,070	2,000,000
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	$61,589		$574		$9,214,800		($685,659)		($8,469,102)	$976
Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2014			57,437,992				21,084,995

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$42,063	$15,116	($20,344)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	-1,122		-2,743
Depreciation and amortization	29,811	26,606	28,399
Non-cash interest, net	4,511	4,192	4,326
Non-cash stock-based compensation	32,546	38,550	44,921
Deferred income taxes	14,717	13,070	-2,337
Loss on convertible notes		4,871
Gain on investments			-8,074
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-12,574	-17,610	14,713
Prepaid expenses and other, net	-673	266	-1,589
Accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities	-380	8,061	9,429
Deferred revenue	4,637	-7,028	4,121
Net cash provided by continuing operations	113,536	86,094	70,822
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operations	-384		4,324
Net cash provided by operating activities	113,152	86,094	75,146
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid in business combination	-3,182
Proceeds received from ARS option			9,269
Purchases of property and equipment	-23,194	-22,341	-35,171
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		1,381
Net cash used in investing activities	-26,376	-20,960	-25,902
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	40,602	29,724	827
Cash used for withholding taxes due on stock-based awards	-33,385	-12,526	-2,740
Net proceeds from issuance of convertible notes		291,823
Repurchase of convertible notes		-150,354
Repurchase of shares through tender offers	-97,588	-170,516	-150,759
Purchases of treasury stock	-128,748	-220,298	-26,331
Excess tax benefit on stock-based awards	14,239	58	377
Net cash used in financing activities	-204,880	-232,089	-178,626
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-118,104	-166,955	-129,382
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	824,880	991,835	1,121,217
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$706,776	$824,880	$991,835

Background_and_Basis_of_Presen

Background and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Background and Basis of Presentation	1.    Background and Basis of Presentation
	Background
	WebMD Health Corp. (the “Company” or “WebMD”) is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated on May 3, 2005. The Company completed an initial public offering on September 28, 2005. The Company’s Common Stock trades under the symbol “WBMD” on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
	The Company provides health information services to consumers, physicians and other healthcare professionals, private and governmental employers and health plans through its public and private online portals, mobile platforms and health-focused publications.The WebMD Health Network includes: www.WebMD.com, the Company’s primary public portal for consumers and related mobile-optimized sites and mobile apps; www.Medscape.com, the Company’s primary public portal for physicians and other healthcare professionals and related mobile services; and other sites and apps through which the Company provides branded health and wellness content, tools and services. The Company’s services for consumers enable them to obtain information on health and wellness topics or on a particular disease or condition, to assess their personal health status, to use online trackers, tools and quizzes, to locate physicians, to receive periodic e-mailed newsletters and alerts on topics of individual interest, and to participate in online communities with peers and experts. The Company’s services for physicians and healthcare professionals make it easier for them to access clinical reference sources, stay abreast of the latest clinical information, learn about new treatment options, earn continuing medical education (“CME”) credit and communicate with peers. The Company does not charge any usage, membership or download fees for access to its public portals or mobile platforms. The Company generates revenue from its public portals and mobile platforms primarily through the sale of various types of advertising and sponsorship programs to its clients, which include: pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies; hospitals, clinics and other healthcare services companies; health insurance providers; consumer products companies whose products or services relate to health, wellness, diet, fitness, lifestyle, safety and illness prevention; and various other businesses, organizations and governmental entities. Advertisers and sponsors use the Company’s services to reach, educate and inform target audiences of consumers, physicians and other healthcare professionals. The Company also generates revenue from advertising sold in WebMD Magazine, a consumer magazine distributed to physician office waiting rooms. In addition, the Company generates revenue from the sale of certain information products. The Company’s private portals are a cloud-based population health management platform, hosted by the Company and provided to private and governmental employers and health plans for use by their employees and plan participants. The Company markets these private portals and related services under the WebMD Health Services brand. The WebMD Health Services platform enables employers and health plans to provide their employees and plan participants with access to personalized health and benefit information, including an online personal health record application. The Company’s WebMD Health Services solutions include a comprehensive set of decision support and transparency tools that help their employees and plan participants understand the financial implications of their benefits options and make more informed benefits-related purchase decisions and also provide access to information and services that can help them factor quality and cost into decisions about care and treatment options. The Company also provides telephonic, online and onsite health coaching and targeted condition management programs for use by its private portals clients’ employees and plan participants to help them make healthier lifestyle choices and achieve their wellness goals. The Company generates revenue from subscriptions to its WebMD Health Services platform by employers and health plans, either directly or through its distributors. WebMD offers its health coaching services and its condition management programs on a per-participant basis.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in United States dollars, and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The results of operations for companies acquired or disposed of are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the effective date of acquisition or up to the date of disposal. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Accounting Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current business factors, and various other assumptions that the Company believes are necessary to consider to form a basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities, the recorded amounts of revenue and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company is subject to uncertainties such as the impact of future events, economic and political factors, and changes in the Company’s business environment; therefore, actual results could differ from these estimates. Accordingly, the accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Changes in estimates are made when circumstances warrant. Such changes in estimates and refinements in estimation methodologies are reflected in reported results of operations; if material, the effects of changes in estimates are disclosed in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Significant estimates and assumptions by management affect the allowance for doubtful accounts, the carrying value of long-lived assets (including goodwill and intangible assets), the amortization period of long-lived assets (excluding goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying value, capitalization and amortization of software and Website development costs, the carrying value of investments, the provision for income taxes and related deferred tax accounts, certain accrued liabilities, revenue recognition, contingencies, litigation and related legal accruals and the value attributed to employee stock options and other stock-based awards.
	Seasonality
	The timing of the Company’s revenue is affected by seasonal factors. The Company’s public portal advertising and sponsorship revenue is seasonal, primarily due to the annual spending patterns of the advertising and sponsorship clients of the Company’s public portals. This portion of the Company’s revenue is usually the lowest in the first quarter of each calendar year, and generally increases during each consecutive quarter throughout the year. The timing of revenue in relation to the Company’s expenses, many of which do not vary directly with revenue, has an impact on cost of operations, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue in each calendar quarter.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	All highly liquid investments with an original maturity from the date of purchase of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. These investments are stated at cost, which approximates market. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are generally invested in various money market accounts.
	Fair Value
	The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue is deemed to approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. See Note 12 for further information on the fair value of the Company’s investments.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reflects the Company’s best estimate of losses inherent in the Company’s receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available evidence.
	Long-Lived Assets
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The useful lives are generally as follows:
	Computer equipment	3 to 5 years
	Office equipment, furniture and fixtures	4 to 7 years
	Software	3 years
	Building and improvements	Up to 40 years
	Website development costs	3 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful life or lease term
	Expenditures for maintenance, repair and renewals of minor items are charged to expense as incurred. Major improvements are capitalized.
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and intangible assets result from business combinations accounted for under the acquisition method. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized and are subjected to impairment review by applying fair value based tests. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the individually estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
	Content	3 to 5 years
	Customer relationships	5 to 12 years
	Acquired technology and patents	3 years
	Trade names	Up to 10 years
	Recoverability
	The Company reviews the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually and whenever indicators of impairment are present. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level only when, after completing a qualitative analysis, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Fair value is determined using an income approach valuation. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment.
	Long-lived assets used in operations are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets to be held and used, the Company recognizes an impairment loss only if its carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted cash flows and measures the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value. Long-lived assets held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell.
	Based on the Company’s analysis, there was no impairment of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	Internal Use Software
	Software development costs that are incurred in the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Once certain criteria have been met, direct costs incurred in developing or obtaining computer software are capitalized. The Company capitalized $5,369 and $9,085 during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Capitalized internal use software development costs are included in property and equipment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Training and data conversion costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are depreciated over a three-year period. Depreciation expense related to internal use software was $6,449, $5,070 and $6,223 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The remaining balance of internal use software, net of accumulated depreciation, was $11,597 and $12,677 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Website Development Costs
	Costs related to the planning and post implementation phases of WebMD’s Website development efforts, as well as minor enhancements and maintenance, are expensed as incurred. Direct costs incurred in the development phase are capitalized. The Company capitalized $5,539 and $7,428 during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These capitalized costs are included in property and equipment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are depreciated over a three-year period. Depreciation expense related to Website development costs was $6,421, $5,696 and $4,998 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The remaining balance of Website development costs, net of accumulated depreciation, was $11,343 and $12,225 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Restricted Cash
	The Company’s restricted cash primarily relates to collateral for letters of credit obtained to support the Company’s operations. Total restricted cash was $1,765 and $1,730 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Deferred Charges
	Other assets includes costs associated with the issuance of the Company’s convertible notes that are amortized to interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, using the effective interest method over the period from issuance through the earliest date on which holders can demand redemption. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company capitalized issuance costs of $12,655 and $12,595, related to the issuance of its 2.50% Convertible Notes due 2018 (the “2.50% Notes”) and its 2.25% Convertible Notes due 2016 (the “2.25% Notes”), respectively. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company capitalized $8,177 of issuance costs in connection with the 2013 issuance of its 1.50% Convertible Notes due 2020 (the “1.50% Notes”). The aggregate amortization of these issuance costs, which is included within interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, was $4,511, $4,192 and $4,326 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company wrote off issuance costs of $2,285 in connection with the repurchase of a portion of its 2.25% Notes. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were $14,355 and $18,866, respectively, of unamortized issuance costs included in other assets within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Deferred Revenue
	Deferred revenue consists of invoices sent to customers or payments received from customers, in advance of revenue recognition and is recognized as the revenue recognition criteria are met. Deferred revenue is influenced by several factors, including the timing of invoices to our customers and the timing of payments received from our customers in relation to the timing of the revenue recognition for the related customer contract. Deferred revenue at each balance sheet date is expected to be recognized during the succeeding twelve month period and is therefore classified as a current liability within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Leases
	The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis, including predetermined fixed escalations, over the initial lease term including reasonably assured renewal periods, net of lease incentives, from the time that the Company controls the leased property. Leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the lease term. Lease incentives are recorded as a deferred credit and recognized as a reduction to rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term as described above.
	Presentation of Segment Information
	The Company generates revenue in four groups, as set forth in the table below. The first group is “Advertising and Sponsorship – Biopharma and Medical Device” and consists of advertising and sponsorship revenue from pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device clients relating to ethical pharmaceutical products or other regulated devices or products or for sponsoring educational programs. The second category is “Advertising and Sponsorship – OTC, CPG and Other” and consists of advertising and sponsorship revenue relating to non-Rx or over-the-counter medications and other healthcare products, food and beverages, beauty products and other consumer products, as well as revenue from clients such as retailers, pharmacies, hospitals, health insurance companies and government agencies. The combined revenue of the first two groups is sometimes referred to as “Advertising and Sponsorship” revenue. The third group is “Private Portal Services” and consists of revenue from employers and health plans for subscriptions to the Company’s private portals solution and related services, including health coaching and condition management services. The fourth group is “Information Services” and consists of revenue from the sale of stand-alone information and data products. Discrete financial information related to a measure of profit or loss for these four revenue groups is not available as they leverage many common expenses, and the Company does not separately allocate these common expenses in assessing the performance of its business. Accordingly, the Company views its business as one reportable operating segment.
	The following table presents the revenues recognized from the four revenue groups described above:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Advertising and sponsorship
	Biopharma and medical device	$	329,329	$	304,018	$	280,261
	OTC, CPG and other		124,636		113,009		98,492
			453,965		417,027		378,753
	Private portal services		103,182		82,111		78,527
	Information services		23,302		16,155		12,586
		$	580,449	$	515,293	$	469,866
	The Company’s revenue is principally generated in the United States. An adverse change in economic conditions in the United States could negatively affect the Company’s revenue and results of operations. The Company recorded revenue from foreign customers of $46,095, $31,340 and $24,206 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Sales, Use and Value Added Tax
	The Company excludes sales, use and value added tax from revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred and totaled $4,196, $5,174 and $2,798 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Foreign Currency
	The functional currency of the Company’s foreign operations is the U.S. dollar. Fluctuations in foreign dollar monetary assets and liabilities result in gains or losses which are credited or charged to income. Foreign currency transactional gains or losses are also credited or charged to income.
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	None of the Company’s customers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue in 2014, 2013 or 2012 or more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable as of December 31, 2014 or 2013.
Loss Contingencies
The Company accounts for loss contingencies in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC No. 450, “Contingencies.” Under ASC No. 450, accruals for loss contingencies are recorded when both (i) the information available indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company records adjustments to these accruals to reflect the status of negotiations, settlements, advice of counsel and other information and events related to an individual matter.
Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequence of differences between the tax and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities at each reporting period. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
Tax contingencies are recorded to address potential exposure involving tax positions the Company has taken that could be challenged by tax authorities. These potential exposures result from applications of various statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations. The Company’s estimates of tax contingencies contain assumptions and judgments about potential actions by taxing jurisdictions. The Company reflects interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of the income tax provision (benefit) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted is determined based on the grant-date fair value. The grant-date fair value for stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model. The Company recognizes these compensation costs net of an estimated forfeiture rate on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term of the share-based payment award.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from advertising is recognized as advertisements are delivered or as publications are distributed. Revenue from sponsorship arrangements, content syndication and distribution arrangements and subscriptions to healthcare management tools and private portals as well as related health coaching services is recognized ratably over the term of the applicable agreement. Revenue from information services is recognized as the underlying data is delivered. Revenue from the sponsorship of CME is recognized over the period the Company substantially completes its contractual deliverables as determined by the applicable agreements.
Contracts that contain multiple deliverables are subject to Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-13 Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 requires the allocation of revenue to each deliverable of multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements, based on the relative selling price of each deliverable. It also defines the level of evidence of selling price required to separate deliverables and allows a company to make its best estimate of the selling price of deliverables when more objective evidence of selling price is not available.
Pursuant to the guidance of ASU 2009-13, when a sales arrangement contains multiple deliverables, the Company allocates revenue to each deliverable based on relative selling price. The selling price for a deliverable is based on vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) if available, third-party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available, or best estimate of selling price if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. The Company then recognizes revenue on each deliverable in accordance with its revenue recognition policies over the period that delivery occurs. VSOE of selling price is based on the price charged when the deliverable is sold separately. In determining VSOE, GAAP requires that a substantial majority of the selling prices fall within a reasonable range based on historical pricing trends for specific products and services. TPE is based on competitor prices of similar deliverables when sold separately. The Company is not able to determine TPE of selling price as it is unable to reliably determine what competitors’ selling prices are for comparable services, combined with the fact that its services often contain unique features and customizations such that comparable services do not exist. The determination of best estimate of selling price is a judgmental process that considers multiple factors including, but not limited to, recent selling prices and related discounting practices for each service, market conditions, customer classes, sales channels and other factors.
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic income (loss) per common share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted income (loss) per common share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the periods, increased to give effect to potentially dilutive securities and assumes that any dilutive convertible notes were converted, only in the periods in which such effect is dilutive (shares in thousands):
	Years Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations — Basic	$	40,941	$	15,116	$	(23,087	)
Interest expense on 1.50% Notes, net of tax		3,456		—		—
Income (loss) from continuing operations — Diluted	$	44,397	$	15,116	$	(23,087	)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax — Basic and Diluted	$	1,122	$	—	$	2,743
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares — Basic		37,869		46,830		50,862
Stock options and restricted stock		2,060		1,568		—
1.50% Notes		5,685		—		—
Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions — Diluted		45,614		48,398		50,862
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	1.08	$	0.32	$	(0.45	)
Income from discontinued operations		0.03		—		0.05
Net income (loss)	$	1.11	$	0.32	$	(0.40	)
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.97	$	0.31	$	(0.45	)
Income from discontinued operations		0.03		—		0.05
Net income (loss)	$	1	$	0.31	$	(0.40	)
The Company has excluded certain of its convertible notes, as well as certain outstanding stock options and restricted stock, from the calculation of diluted income (loss) per common share during the periods in which such securities were anti-dilutive. The following table presents the total weighted-average number of potentially dilutive common shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share during the periods presented (shares in thousands):
	Years Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Options and restricted stock		2,594		5,744		12,291
1.50% Notes		—		556		—
2.50% Notes		6,195		6,148		6,108
2.25% Notes		3,506		5,020		5,482
		12,295		17,468		23,881
Discontinued Operations
The operating results of a business unit are reported as discontinued if its operations and cash flows can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the business, the operations have been sold or will be sold within a year, there will be no continuing involvement in the operation after the disposal date and certain other criteria are met. Significant judgments are involved in determining whether a business component meets the criteria for discontinued operation reporting and the period in which these criteria are met.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform with the current period presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Pronouncement Adopted During 2014
In July 2013, the FASB issued an update to existing guidance on the financial presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. The update provides that a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit would be presented as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, which for the Company was the first quarter of 2014. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted in the Future
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies the related disclosure requirements. Under the revised guidance, a discontinued operation is defined as a disposal of a component or group of components that represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The revised guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the quarter ending March 31, 2015; early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact the revised guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to achieve a consistent application of revenue recognition within the U.S., resulting in a single revenue model to be applied by reporting companies under GAAP. Under the new model, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the revised guidance requires that reporting companies disclose the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The revised guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the quarter ending March 31, 2017; early adoption is prohibited. The revised guidance is required to be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying it recognized at the date of initial application. The Company has not yet determined the impact the revised guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period, which requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The revised guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the quarter ending March 31, 2016; early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact the revised guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	3.    Discontinued Operations
	EPS
	On September 14, 2006, the Company completed the sale of Emdeon Practice Services, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “EPS”) to Sage Software, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The Sage Group plc (the “EPS Sale”). The Company had certain indemnity obligations to advance amounts for reasonable defense costs for initially ten, and later four, former officers and directors of EPS who were indicted in connection with an investigation by the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina (the “Investigation”) that began in 2003 and was completed in 2011.
	During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recognized an after-tax gain of $2,235 related to the receipt of approximately $3,600 which represented a reimbursement to the Company related to recoveries by the United States Department of Justice from former employees of a predecessor of EPS who pleaded guilty to certain matters that were part of the Investigation. None of the former employees who pleaded guilty were employees to whom the Company provided indemnification in connection with the Investigation.
	Also included in income from discontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2012 is a gain of $508 related to a state tax refund that the Company received in connection with the finalization of a state tax appeal related to the EPS Sale.
	Porex
	On October 19, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its Porex business. In connection with the sale of Porex, the Company agreed to indemnify Porex for certain tax matters. The remaining estimate of the Company’s tax indemnification liability related to Porex was $1,506 and was included within liabilities of discontinued operations within the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company paid $384 in connection with the completion of the remaining tax audits for all periods covered under the indemnity agreement. The remaining indemnity liability of $1,122 was adjusted through income from discontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company has no further obligations related to this matter.

Convertible_Notes

Convertible Notes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Convertible Notes	4.    Convertible Notes
	1.50% Convertible Notes due 2020
	On November 26, 2013, the Company issued $300,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.50% Notes in a private offering. Unless previously converted, the 1.50% Notes will mature on December 1, 2020. Net proceeds from the sale of the 1.50% Notes were approximately $291,823, after deducting the related offering expenses. Interest on the 1.50% Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 2014. Under the terms of the 1.50% Notes, holders were able to surrender their 1.50% Notes for conversion into the Company’s Common Stock at an initial conversion rate of 18.9362 shares of Common Stock per thousand dollars principal amount of the 1.50% Notes. This was equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $52.81 per share of Common Stock. In the aggregate, the 1.50% Notes were convertible into 5,680,860 shares of the Company’s Common Stock. The conversion rate may be adjusted under certain circumstances.
	Effective September 10, 2014, after giving effect to an adjustment resulting from a tender offer for the Company’s Common Stock that the Company completed on September 9, 2014 (see Note 10 for additional discussion), the conversion rate was adjusted to 18.9795 shares of Common Stock per thousand dollars principal amount of the 1.50% Notes. This is equivalent to an adjusted conversion price of approximately $52.69 per share of Common Stock. In the aggregate, the 1.50% Notes are convertible into 5,693,850 shares of Common Stock following the September 10, 2014 adjustment.
	Under the terms of the 1.50% Notes, if the Company undergoes certain change of control or other fundamental change transactions prior to the maturity date of the 1.50% Notes, holders of the 1.50% Notes will have the right, at their option, to require the Company to repurchase some or all of their 1.50% Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 1.50% Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date. However, the repurchase option will not apply in the case of certain change of control or other fundamental change transactions in which the Company is acquired by a public company, and (a) not less than 90% of the consideration received or to be received by holders of WebMD Common Stock, excluding cash payments for fractional shares, consists of acquirer common stock and (b) as a result of the transaction, the 1.50% Notes become convertible into the same consideration.
	2.50% Convertible Notes due 2018
	On January 11, 2011, the Company issued $400,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.50% Notes in a private offering. Unless previously converted, the 2.50% Notes will mature on January 31, 2018. Net proceeds from the sale of the 2.50% Notes were approximately $387,345, after deducting the related offering expenses, of which approximately $100,000 was used to repurchase 1,920,490 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price of $52.07 per share, the last reported sale price of the Company’s Common Stock on January 5, 2011, which repurchase settled on January 11, 2011. Interest on the 2.50% Notes is payable semi-annually on January 31 and July 31 of each year, commencing July 31, 2011. Under the terms of the 2.50% Notes, holders were able to surrender their 2.50% Notes for conversion into the Company’s Common Stock at an initial conversion rate of 15.1220 shares of Common Stock per thousand dollars principal amount of the 2.50% Notes. This was equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $66.13 per share of Common Stock. In the aggregate, the 2.50% Notes were convertible into 6,048,800 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
	Effective April 4, 2012, after giving effect to an adjustment resulting from a tender offer for the Company’s Common Stock that the Company completed on April 3, 2012 (see Note 10 for additional discussion), the conversion rate was adjusted to 15.3223 shares of Common Stock per thousand dollars principal amount of the 2.50% Notes. This was equivalent to an adjusted conversion price of approximately $65.26 per share of Common Stock. In the aggregate, the 2.50% Notes were convertible into 6,128,920 shares of Common Stock following the April 4, 2012 adjustment. Effective September 11, 2013, after giving effect to an adjustment resulting from a tender offer for the Company’s Common Stock that the Company completed on September 10, 2013 (see Note 10 for additional discussion), the conversion rate was adjusted to 15.4764 shares of Common Stock per thousand dollars principal amount of the 2.50% Notes. This was equivalent to an adjusted conversion price of approximately $64.61 per share of Common Stock. In the aggregate, the 2.50% Notes were convertible into 6,190,560 shares of Common Stock following the September 11, 2013 adjustment.
	Effective September 10, 2014, after giving effect to an adjustment resulting from a tender offer for the Company’s Common Stock that the Company completed on September 9, 2014 (see Note 10 for additional discussion), the conversion rate was adjusted to 15.5118 shares of Common Stock per thousand dollars principal amount of the 2.50% Notes. This is equivalent to an adjusted conversion price of approximately $64.47 per share of Common Stock. In the aggregate, the 2.50% Notes are convertible into 6,204,720 shares of Common Stock following the September 10, 2014 adjustment.
	Under the terms of the 2.50% Notes, if the Company undergoes certain change of control transactions prior to the maturity date of the 2.50% Notes, holders of the 2.50% Notes will have the right, at their option, to require the Company to repurchase some or all of their 2.50% Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2.50% Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date. At the Company’s option, and to the extent permitted by the applicable rules of the Nasdaq Global Select Market (or the applicable rules of such other exchange on which the Company’s Common Stock may be listed), instead of paying the repurchase price in cash, the Company may pay the repurchase price in shares of its Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of its Common Stock. However, in the case of certain change of control transactions in which the Company is acquired by a public company, the Company may elect to provide for conversion of the 2.50% Notes into acquirer common stock, in which case the repurchase option would not apply.
	2.25% Convertible Notes due 2016
	On March 14, 2011, the Company issued $400,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.25% Notes in a private offering. Unless previously converted, the 2.25% Notes will mature on March 31, 2016. Net proceeds from the sale of the 2.25% Notes were approximately $387,400, after deducting the related offering expenses, of which approximately $50,000 was used to repurchase 868,507 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price of $57.57 per share, the last reported sale price of the Company’s Common Stock on March 8, 2011, which repurchase settled on March 14, 2011. Interest on the 2.25% Notes is payable semi-annually on March 31 and September 30 of each year, commencing September 30, 2011. Under the terms of the 2.25% Notes, holders were able to surrender their 2.25% Notes for conversion into the Company’s Common Stock at an initial conversion rate of 13.5704 shares of Common Stock per thousand dollars principal amount of the 2.25% Notes. This was equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $73.69 per share of Common Stock. In the aggregate, the 2.25% Notes were convertible into 5,428,160 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.
	Effective April 4, 2012, after giving effect to an adjustment resulting from a tender offer for the Company’s Common Stock that the Company completed on April 3, 2012 (see Note 10 for additional discussion), the conversion rate was adjusted to 13.7502 shares of Common Stock per thousand dollars principal amount of the 2.25% Notes. This was equivalent to an adjusted conversion price of approximately $72.73 per share of Common Stock. In the aggregate, the 2.25% Notes are convertible into 5,500,080 shares of Common Stock following the April 4, 2012 adjustment. Effective September 11, 2013, after giving effect to an adjustment resulting from a tender offer for the Company’s Common Stock that the Company completed on September 10, 2013 (see Note 10 for additional discussion), the conversion rate was adjusted to 13.8884 shares of Common Stock per thousand dollars principal amount of the 2.25% Notes. This was equivalent to an adjusted conversion price of approximately $72.00 per share of Common Stock. In the aggregate, the 2.25% Notes were convertible into 5,555,360 shares of Common Stock following the September 11, 2013 adjustment.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased $100,000 principal amount of its 2.25% Notes for $101,750 in cash in a privately negotiated transaction. Also during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased $47,768 principal amount of its 2.25% Notes for $48,604 in cash in the open market. The Company recognized a pre-tax loss of $4,871 in 2013 related to these repurchases, which is reflected within loss on convertible notes in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. The loss includes the expensing of the remaining deferred issuance costs outstanding related to the repurchased notes. As of December 31, 2013, the remaining principal amount of the 2.25% Notes outstanding was $252,232, which, in the aggregate, was convertible into 3,503,099 shares of Common Stock.
	Effective September 10, 2014, after giving effect to an adjustment resulting from a tender offer for the Company’s Common Stock that the Company completed on September 9, 2014 (see Note 10 for additional discussion), the conversion rate was adjusted to 13.9202 shares of Common Stock per thousand dollars principal amount of the 2.25% Notes. This is equivalent to an adjusted conversion price of approximately $71.84 per share of Common Stock. In the aggregate, the 2.25% Notes are convertible into 3,511,120 shares of Common Stock following the September 10, 2014 adjustment.
	Under the terms of the 2.25% Notes, if the Company undergoes certain change of control transactions prior to the maturity date of the 2.25% Notes, holders of the 2.25% Notes will have the right, at their option, to require the Company to repurchase some or all of their 2.25% Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2.25% Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date. At the Company’s option, and to the extent permitted by the applicable rules of the Nasdaq Global Select Market (or the applicable rules of such other exchange on which the Company’s Common Stock may be listed), instead of paying the repurchase price in cash, the Company may pay the repurchase price in shares of its Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of its Common Stock. However, in the case of certain change of control transactions in which the Company is acquired by a public company, the Company may elect to provide for conversion of the 2.25% Notes into acquirer common stock, in which case the repurchase option would not apply.

LongLived_Assets

Long-Lived Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Long-Lived Assets	5.    Long-Lived Assets
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment consist of the following:
			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Software		$	60,341		$	54,972
	Computer equipment			63,541			56,399
	Web site development costs			57,922			52,383
	Leasehold improvements			44,000			40,828
	Office equipment, furniture and fixtures			15,154			14,677
	Land and buildings			291			291
				241,249			219,550
	Less: accumulated depreciation			(181,676	)		(154,666	)
	Property and equipment, net		$	59,573		$	64,884
	Depreciation expense was $27,010, $24,335 and $24,505 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	The balance of goodwill was $202,980 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Intangible assets consist of the following:
			December 31, 2014										December 31, 2013
			Gross			Accumulated			Net		Weighted		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Weighted
			Carrying			Amortization					Average		Carrying		Amortization					Average
			Amount								Remaining		Amount							Remaining
											Useful Life(a)									Useful Life(a)
	Content		$	15,954		$	(15,954	)	$	—		—	$	15,954	$	(15,954	)	$	—		—
	Customer relationships			34,057			(27,126	)		6,931		3.6		34,057		(25,035	)		9,022		4.5
	Technology and patents			17,882			(15,231	)		2,651		2.5		14,700		(14,700	)		—		—
	Trade names-definite lives			2,530			(2,361	)		169		1		2,530		(2,182	)		348		2
	Trade names-indefinite lives			4,464			—			4,464		n/a		4,464		—			4,464		n/a
	Total		$	74,887		$	(60,672	)	$	14,215			$	71,705	$	(57,871	)	$	13,834
	(a)	The calculation of the weighted average remaining useful life is based on the net book value and the remaining amortization period of each respective intangible asset.
	In July 2014, the Company acquired the assets of TheraSim, Inc. for $3,182 in cash. TheraSim’s technology provides the content and programming for certain of the Company’s sponsorship services. The purchase price was allocated to an intangible asset, “Technology,” is being amortized over a 3-year term and is included within “Technology and Patents” in the above table.
	Amortization expense was $2,801, $2,271 and $3,894 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Future amortization expense for intangible assets is estimated to be:
	Year Ending December 31:
	2015		$	3,321
	2016		$	3,120
	2017		$	2,044
	2018		$	1,266

Accrued_Expenses

Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses	6.    Accrued Expenses
	Accrued expenses consist of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accrued compensation	$	38,856	$	39,346
	Accrued outside services		11,089		7,805
	Accrued marketing and distribution		4,442		5,638
	Accrued interest		5,960		6,010
	Other accrued liabilities		12,311		14,940
		$	72,658	$	73,739

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	7.    Commitments and Contingencies
	Legal Proceedings and Claims
	National Jewish Health v. WebMD Health Services Group, Inc. and WebMD Health Corp.
	On October 25, 2012, National Jewish Health, a Colorado non-profit corporation, filed a complaint against the Company in United States District Court for the District of Colorado alleging copyright infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference with prospective business relations, and breach of contract. The allegations related to a condition management program of the Company’s private portals. The complaint sought injunctive relief, as well as damages of $8,000 to $10,000. On January 28, 2015, the parties entered into a Settlement Agreement pursuant to which the parties have filed with the Court a Joint Motion to Dismiss all claims with prejudice. Neither party has admitted any liability to the other and the Company’s private portals business is not required to modify, suspend or terminate the sale of any of its products.
	MyMedicalRecords, Inc. v. WebMD Health Corp. and WebMD Health Services Corp.
	On February 13, 2013, MyMedicalRecords, Inc. filed an action against the Company in the United States District Court in the Central District of California. The complaint alleged that the personal health record tool sold by WebMD Health Services Group, Inc. infringes U.S. Patent No. 8,301,466 issued on October 30, 2012. The complaint sought injunctive relief, as well as damages in unspecified amounts. Pursuant to an agreement between the parties, MyMedicalRecords dismissed the complaint without prejudice in order to enable the parties to try to resolve the matter without the timing constraints of the litigation. The parties were unable to resolve the matter and, on October 2, 2013, MyMedicalRecords filed a new complaint against the Company alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 8,301,466 as well as U.S. Patent No. 8,498,883 issued on July 30, 2013. The Plaintiff sought unspecified damages and an injunction with respect to certain products offered by the Company. The Court had consolidated the Plaintiff’s claim against the Company with its claims against several other companies. On December 22, 2014, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of the Company and its co-defendants finding that the ‘883 patent is invalid. On December 23, 2014, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of the Company and its co-defendants finding that the ‘466 patent is invalid. On January 6, 2015, the Court entered a final order dismissing the case. On January 15, 2015, MyMedicalRecords filed a Notice of Appeal of the Court’s order with the Circuit Court for the Federal Circuit. If the Court’s order is appealed, the Company plans to defend the Order of the District Court. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of any appeal or to reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, arising from the claims that may be asserted therein.
	Coverage Dispute with Stop Loss Carrier for Health Benefit Plan
	The Company sponsors and maintains a self-insured group health and prescription benefit plan (the “Health Plan”) for its eligible employees and their dependents. The Company purchases stop loss insurance coverage on an annual basis to reimburse the Company for claims that exceed certain individual and/or aggregate claim amounts under the Health Plan. On May 7, 2013, the Company was advised that the former stop loss carrier for the Health Plan, Everest Reinsurance Company (“Everest”), was attempting to deny payment for certain medical claims under the Health Plan that were pending under the 2012 stop loss policy, and to recover certain payments that had already been made under the 2011 and 2012 stop loss policies. These claims were incurred in 2011 and 2012 and had previously been approved by Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, the third party claims administrator for the Health Plan appointed by the Company. The maximum amount of claims in dispute by Everest is approximately $4,900, of which approximately $1,965 remains unpaid by Everest. On June 27, 2013, the Company filed an action in the Supreme Court, State of New York (“New York Action”), seeking payment from Everest of the $1,965 in outstanding claims. On August 14, 2013, Everest filed an action in the Superior Court, State of New Jersey (“New Jersey Action”), against the Company, the claims administrator and the Company’s insurance broker seeking recovery of approximately $2,935 paid by Everest under the stop loss policies and seeking a declaration that the remaining $1,965 is not payable by Everest. On August 15, 2013, Everest filed a motion in the New York Action seeking to dismiss the complaint filed by the Company on forum non conveniens grounds. On October 3, 2013, the New York Action court granted the Company’s motion for a temporary restraining order and stayed the New Jersey Action pending adjudication of Everest’s motion to dismiss the New York Action and the Company’s cross motion to dismiss the New Jersey Action. A preliminary injunction hearing was held on November 7, 2013 in the New York Action, following which, the New York Action court issued orders: (i) denying Everest’s motion to dismiss (or, in the alternative, for a stay of) the New York Action; and (ii) granting the Company’s motion enjoining Everest from prosecuting the New Jersey Action pending a stipulation of the parties or further order of the court. Everest answered the New York Action complaint on or about December 9, 2013, including the assertion of counterclaims similar in content and substance to its allegations in the New Jersey Action. Everest then voluntarily dismissed the New Jersey Action on or about December 10, 2013. The parties to the New York Action are currently proceeding with discovery. The Company believes the $1,965 outstanding from Everest will be recoverable. This amount is reflected within other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014. Additionally, the Company believes that the $2,935 previously paid by Everest will not be repayable by the Company. Accordingly, no provision has been recorded in the accompanying financial statements related to this matter.
	Traffic Information, LLC v. WebMD LLC
	On June 25, 2014, Traffic Information, LLC filed an action against the Company in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges that the Company directly infringes and has induced infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,785,606 issued on August 31, 2004. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, as well as damages in unspecified amounts. The Company believes that the Plaintiff’s claims are without merit. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of this action or to reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, arising from the claims asserted therein.
	Patent Claim by International Business Machines Corporation
	International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”) has notified the Company that IBM believes that the Company’s Websites infringe U.S. Patents 7,072,849, 5,796,967 and 6,374,359. The Company has had discussions with IBM and is evaluating information recently provided by IBM. The Company has not arrived at a conclusion with respect to IBM’s allegations of infringement. Accordingly, the Company is not yet able to reasonably estimate a range for possible costs relating to IBM’s allegations.
	Other Legal Proceedings and Claims
	In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various claims and legal proceedings. While the ultimate resolution of these matters has yet to be determined, the Company does not believe that their outcomes will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
	Leases
	The Company leases its offices and other facilities under operating lease agreements that expire at various dates through 2023. Total rent expense for all operating leases was approximately $9,194, $8,805 and $8,573 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Included in other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $10,605 and $12,279, respectively, related to lease incentives and the difference between rent expense and the rental amount payable for leases with fixed escalations.
	Future minimum lease commitments under non-cancelable lease agreements at December 31, 2014 were as follows:
	Years Ending December 31,
	2015	$	11,559
	2016		7,524
	2017		7,610
	2018		7,435
	2019		6,639
	Thereafter		13,983
	Total minimum lease payments	$	54,750
	Other Contingencies
	The Company provides certain indemnification provisions within its customer agreements to protect the other party from any liabilities or damages resulting from a claim of misappropriation or infringement by third parties relating to its products and services. The Company has not incurred a liability relating to any of these indemnification provisions in the past and management believes that the likelihood of any future payment relating to these provisions is unlikely. Therefore, the Company has not recorded a liability during any period for these indemnification provisions.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	8.    Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has various stock-based compensation plans (collectively, the “Plans”) that provide for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, and other awards based on WebMD Common Stock.
	The 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2005 Plan”) is the only existing plan under which future grants can be made. The maximum number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that may be subject to awards under the 2005 Plan was 23,275,000 as of December 31, 2014, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the 2005 Plan. The Company had an aggregate of 2,226,394 shares of Common Stock available for future grants under the 2005 Plan at December 31, 2014.
	Equity awards granted to a former Chief Executive Officer of the Company in 2012 were made outside of the 2005 Plan and were approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, in reliance on the NASDAQ Global Select Market exception to shareholder approval for equity grants to new hires.
	Stock Options
	Generally, options under the Plans vest and become exercisable ratably over periods ranging from two to five years based on their individual grant dates, subject to continued employment on the applicable vesting dates, and generally expire within ten years from the date of grant. Options are granted at prices not less than the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. The following table summarizes stock option activity for the Plans:
			Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
						Average Exercise			Average			Intrinsic  Value(a)
						Price Per Share			Remaining
									Contractual
									Life (In Years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2012			11,054,381		$	32.46
	Granted			4,888,600			18.42
	Exercised			(195,377	)		22.8
	Cancelled			(2,446,916	)		38.96
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			13,300,688			26.24
	Granted			2,844,500			33.64
	Exercised			(2,695,600	)		20.9
	Cancelled			(2,020,309	)		27.5
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			11,429,279			29.12
	Granted			899,200			43.03
	Exercised			(3,875,410	)		24.4
	Cancelled			(905,543	)		33.42
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014			7,547,526		$	32.69			7		$	62,618
	Vested and exercisable at the end of the period			3,766,975		$	30.09			5.4		$	42,361
	(a)	The aggregate intrinsic value is based on the market price of the Company’s Common Stock on December 31, 2014, which was $39.55, less the applicable exercise price of the underlying option. This aggregate intrinsic value represents the amount that would have been realized if all the option holders had exercised their options on December 31, 2014.
	The following table summarizes information with respect to options outstanding and options exercisable at December 31, 2014:
			Outstanding									Exercisable
	Exercise Prices		Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Shares		Weighted
						Average Exercise			Average					Average
						Price Per Share			Remaining					Exercise Price
									Contractual					Per Share
									Life (In Years)
	$13.15			709,500		$	13.15			7.8			709,500	$	13.15
	$13.37-$22.99			733,984			19.99			6.7			259,384		19.96
	$23.03-$27.94			869,919			25.43			3.8			749,519		25.25
	$28.00-$30.00			827,220			29.6			6.8			484,770		29.67
	$30.15-$33.40			870,173			32.82			8.1			290,548		32.36
	$33.55-$37.97			783,775			36.34			7.8			263,287		36.5
	$38.01-$39.35			669,705			38.62			7.9			142,980		38.53
	$39.50-$39.78			643,600			39.51			8.8			17,400		39.51
	$40.02-$46.95			775,125			44.35			6.3			446,612		44.19
	$47.02-$58.96			664,525			50.2			6.3			402,975		51.13
				7,547,526		$	32.69			7			3,766,975	$	30.09
	The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model considering the weighted-average assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on implied volatility from traded options of the Company’s Common Stock combined with historical volatility of the Company’s Common Stock. The expected term represents the period of time that options are expected to be outstanding following their grant date, and was determined using historical exercise data combined with assumptions for future exercise activity. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve for periods equal to the expected term of the options on the grant date.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Expected dividend yield			0	%		0	%		0	%
	Expected volatility			0.47-0.49			0.43-0.48			0.42-0.46
	Risk-free interest rate			1.16%-1.72	%		0.55%-1.62	%		0.52%-1.04	%
	Expected term (years)			4.2-5.0			4.5-5.1			4.4-5.1
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period		$	17.58		$	13.95		$	6.96
	On February 23, 2012, the Company’s directors and certain officers voluntarily surrendered a total of 960,600 non-qualified stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of $46.85 per share. None of these individuals received any consideration or promise of consideration in exchange for the surrender of these stock options. These options were originally granted under the 2005 Plan, and therefore, upon their surrender, the shares underlying these options were returned to the 2005 Plan and became available for grant under such plan. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company expensed the remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of $8,076 related to these stock options.
	Restricted Stock
	The Company’s Restricted Stock consists of shares of the Company’s Common Stock which have been awarded to employees with restrictions that cause them to be subject to substantial risk of forfeiture and restrict their sale or other transfer by the employee until they vest. Generally, the Company’s Restricted Stock grants vest ratably over periods ranging from three to four years from their individual award dates subject to continued employment on the applicable vesting dates. The following table summarizes the activity of the Company’s Restricted Stock:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014						2013					2012
			Shares			Weighted			Shares			Weighted		Shares			Weighted
						Average Grant						Average Grant					Average Grant
						Date Fair Value						Date Fair Value					Date Fair Value
	Balance at beginning of the year			1,184,961		$	33.07			932,386		$	31.69		1,205,333		$	36.18
	Granted			177,200			43.84			812,000			32.65		339,800			20.64
	Vested			(324,453	)		32.7			(401,825	)		32.57		(413,372	)		33.92
	Forfeited			(133,625	)		31.29			(157,600	)		24.02		(199,375	)		35.53
Balance at the end of the year			904,083		$	35.58			1,184,961		$	33.07		932,386		$	31.69
Proceeds received from the exercise of options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock were $40,602, $29,724 and $827 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Additionally, in connection with the exercise of certain stock options and the vesting of restricted stock, the Company made payments of $33,385, $12,526 and $2,740 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to employee statutory withholding taxes that were satisfied by withholding shares of Common Stock of equal value from the respective employees. The proceeds and payments described above are reflected within cash flows from financing activities within the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.
The intrinsic value related to stock options that were exercised, combined with the fair value of shares of restricted stock that vested, aggregated $100,232, $45,882 and $9,076 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Other
Each year the Company issues shares of its Common Stock to WebMD non-employee directors with a value equal to their annual board and committee retainers. The Company recorded $315, $364 and $350 of stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in connection with these issuances.
Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The following table summarizes the components and classification of stock-based compensation expense:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
Stock options		$	21,117		$	24,483		$	31,593
Restricted stock			11,114			13,703			12,978
Other			315			364			350
Total stock-based compensation expense		$	32,546		$	38,550		$	44,921
Included in:
Cost of operations		$	5,940		$	6,762		$	8,160
Sales and marketing			7,221			8,395			8,201
General and administrative			19,385			23,393			28,560
Total stock-based compensation expense		$	32,546		$	38,550		$	44,921
As of December 31, 2014, approximately $54,600 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested awards (net of estimated forfeitures) is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.7 years, related to the Plans.
Tax benefits attributable to stock-based compensation represented approximately 39% of stock-based compensation expense during each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	9.    Retirement Plans
	The Company maintains certain defined contribution retirement plans covering substantially all of its employees, which provide for matching and discretionary contributions. The Company has recorded expenses related to these plans of $3,971, $3,903 and $4,205 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to these matching and discretionary contributions.

Equity

Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Equity	10.    Equity
	Treasury Stock
	Repurchased shares are recorded under the cost method and are reflected as treasury stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, unless the shares are cancelled and retired.
	Tender Offers
	On September 9, 2014, the Company completed a tender offer (the “2014 Tender Offer”) through which it repurchased 2,000,000 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $48.50 per share for total consideration of $97,588, which includes $588 of costs directly attributable to the purchase. The shares repurchased through the 2014 Tender Offer are reflected as treasury stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	On September 10, 2013, the Company completed a tender offer (the “2013 Tender Offer”) through which it repurchased 5,000,000 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $34.00 per share for total consideration of $170,516, which includes $516 of costs directly attributable to the purchase. The shares repurchased through the 2013 Tender Offer were cancelled and retired.
	On April 3, 2012, the Company completed a tender offer (the “2012 Tender Offer”) through which it repurchased 5,769,230 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $26.00 per share for total consideration of $150,759, which includes $759 of costs directly attributable to the purchase. The shares repurchased through the 2012 Tender Offer are reflected as treasury stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Stock Repurchase Program
	In August 2011, the Board of Directors established a stock repurchase program (the “Program”) through which the Company was authorized to use up to $75,000 to purchase shares of WebMD Common Stock, from time to time, in the open market, through block trades or in private transactions, depending on market conditions and other factors. In October 2011, February 2014, March 2014, April 2014 and November 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized increases to the Program of $75,000, $50,000, $40,000, $30,000 and $23,895, respectively. During 2012, the Company repurchased 1,320,846 shares at an aggregate cost of $26,900 under the Program. During 2013, the Company repurchased 1,266,962 shares at an aggregate cost of $42,309 under the Program. During 2014, the Company repurchased 3,160,070 shares at an aggregate cost of $128,748 under the Program. The Company paid cash of $569 in 2013 related to the repurchase of 39,857 shares in 2012, that settled in 2013. As of December 31, 2014, $35,011 remained available for repurchases under the Program.
	Other Repurchase Activity
	On October 21, 2013, the Company repurchased 5,527,433 shares of its Common Stock that were beneficially owned by Carl C. Icahn and certain of his affiliates, at a purchase price of $32.08 per share, the NASDAQ official closing price of WebMD Common Stock on October 18, 2013. The total purchase price was $177,420, which includes $100 of costs directly attributable to the purchase. This share repurchase was not made under the Program.
	Shareholder Rights Agreement
	The Board of Directors of the Company adopted, and the Company entered into, a Stockholder Rights Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2011 (the “Rights Agreement”), by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent. Pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement, which had a one-year term until amended (as described below), one preferred stock purchase right (a “Right”) was attached to each outstanding share of the Company’s Common Stock held by holders of record as of the close of business on November 14, 2011. The Company issued one Right with each new share of Common Stock issued after that date until the Rights expired. The Rights initially traded with and were inseparable from the Company’s Common Stock and were not evidenced by separate certificates unless they became exercisable. The Rights would, if they had become exercisable, have caused substantial dilution to a person or group that attempted to acquire the Company on terms not approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. However, the Rights would not have interfered with a merger or other business combination approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Until amended (as described below), each Right entitled its holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share (a “Unit”) of Series A Junior Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), at an exercise price of $153.00 per Unit, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement, once the Rights become exercisable. On October 18, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted, and the Company entered into, an Amendment to Rights Agreement (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment: extended the expiration date of the Rights Agreement from October 31, 2012 to October 31, 2014; provided that equity compensation awards to directors would not be included in determining whether a stockholder became an “Acquiring Person” under the Rights Agreement; and decreased the purchase price payable by holders of Rights upon exercise of such Rights from $153.00 per Unit to $66.29 per Unit. On August 1, 2013 the Company entered into a Second Amendment to the Rights Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). Pursuant to the Second Amendment, the final expiration date of the Rights Agreement occurred on August 1, 2013, which terminated the Rights Agreement and caused the Rights issued to WebMD stockholders pursuant to the Rights Agreement to expire at the close of business on that date.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 represents the unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes, that was recorded during 2014 (see Note 12 for additional discussion).

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	11.    Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets (liabilities) were as follows:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	91,000		$	105,323
	State net operating loss carryforwards		35,488			39,098
	Capital losses		458			6,016
	Federal tax credits		56,096			55,976
	Accrued expenses		17,919			16,748
	Stock-based compensation		21,031			26,946
	Intangible assets		3,570			4,596
	Other		3,841			3,932
	Total deferred tax assets		229,403			258,635
	Valuation allowance		(157,644	)		(174,592	)
	Net deferred tax assets		71,759			84,043
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment		(3,063	)		(3,976	)
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset		(30,975	)		(27,645	)
	Other		(627	)		—
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(34,665	)		(31,621	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	37,094		$	52,422
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Current deferred tax assets, net:
	Current deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities	$	59,371		$	41,921
	Valuation allowance		(41,224	)		(28,301	)
	Current deferred tax assets, net		18,147			13,620
	Non-current deferred tax assets, net:
	Non-current deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities		135,367			185,093
	Valuation allowance		(116,420	)		(146,291	)
	Non-current deferred tax assets, net		18,947			38,802
	Net deferred tax assets	$	37,094		$	52,422
	The income tax provision (benefit) was as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	(622	)	$	(73	)	$	(583	)
	State		3,047			502			295
	Foreign		369			141			190
	Current income tax provision (benefit)		2,794			570			(98	)
	Deferred:
	Federal		12,570			10,683			(325	)
	State		2,147			2,387			(2,012	)
	Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		14,717			13,070			(2,337	)
	Reversal of valuation allowance applied to additional paid-in capital		13,196			—			301
	Total income tax provision (benefit)	$	30,707		$	13,640		$	(2,134	)
	The reconciliation between the federal statutory rate and the effective income tax rate is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	United States federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		(35.0	)%
	State income taxes (net of federal benefit)		7.4			12.5			(0.3	)
	Valuation allowance		(3.3	)		(6.4	)		18.4
	Non-deductible officer compensation		2.2			3.6			8.7
	Other		1.6			2.7			(0.3	)
	Effective income tax rate		42.9	%		47.4	%		(8.5	)%
	During 2014 and 2012, the Company reversed $13,196 and $301, respectively, of its valuation allowance through additional paid-in capital as a result of the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards generated by excess tax benefits of stock-based awards. In 2014 and 2013, the Company reversed $1,311 and $1,351, respectively, of its deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance through the tax provision as a result of the expiration of state net operating loss carryforwards. During 2014 and 2012, the Company reversed $1,359 and $801, respectively, of its deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance through additional paid-in capital as a result of the expiration of state net operating loss carryforwards generated by excess tax benefits of stock-based awards. In 2012, the Company also increased its valuation allowance by $4,724 through the tax provision for certain research and development tax credits for which scheduled expiration prior to utilization is more likely than not. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets decreased by $16,948 and $1,811 in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $700,000, which expire in 2017 through 2034, and federal tax credits of $64,809, which excludes the impact of any unrecognized tax benefits, of which $44,085 expire in 2017 through 2031 and $20,724 can be carried forward indefinitely.
	The Company uses the “with-and-without” approach in determining the order in which tax attributes are utilized. Using the “with-and-without” approach, the Company will only recognize a tax benefit from stock-based awards in additional paid-in capital if an incremental tax benefit is realized after all other net operating loss carryforwards currently available to the Company have been utilized, but prior to the utilization of other tax attributes.
	The net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $700,000 include approximately $250,000 of excess tax benefits related to share-based payments that are presented on a tax effected basis within the deferred tax assets. Since this amount was recorded through additional paid-in capital, the related valuation allowance on these net operating loss carryforwards will be reversed through additional paid-in capital when these excess tax benefits are realized. Also included in these net operating loss carryforwards are excess tax benefits related to share-based payments of approximately $450,000 that are not recognized as a deferred tax asset as the amounts would not have resulted in a reduction in current taxes payable if all other net operating loss carryforwards currently available to the Company were utilized. The benefit of these deductions will be recognized through additional paid-in capital at the time the tax deduction results in a reduction of current taxes payable.
	The tender offer completed on November 25, 2008 resulted in a cumulative change of more than 50% of the ownership of the Company’s capital, as determined under rules prescribed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury regulations. As a result of the ownership change, there is an annual limitation imposed on the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards and federal tax credits. The Company experienced another cumulative change on February 25, 2011. Despite this second ownership change, the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards and federal tax credits continue to be limited by the November 25, 2008 annual limitation.
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had unrecognized income tax benefits of $13,553 and $13,889, respectively, which if recognized, would result in $8,828 and $9,164, respectively, being reflected as a component of the income tax provision (benefit). Included in the unrecognized income tax benefits as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are accrued interest and penalties of $581 and $497, respectively. If recognized, these benefits would be reflected as a component of the income tax provision (benefit).
	The following table summarizes the activity of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Balance at the beginning of the year	$	13,392		$	13,949		$	12,069
Increases related to prior year tax positions		15			—			757
Increases related to current year tax positions		—			—			1,707
Decreases related to prior year tax positions		(379	)		(532	)		—
Expiration of the statute of limitations for the assessment of taxes		(56	)		(25	)		(584	)
Balance at the end of the year	$	12,972		$	13,392		$	13,949
Although the Company files U.S. federal and various state and other tax returns, the major taxing jurisdiction is the U.S. The Company is currently under audit in a number of state and local taxing jurisdictions and will have statutes of limitations with respect to certain tax returns expiring within the next twelve months. As a result, it is reasonably possible that there may be a reduction in the unrecognized income tax benefits, prior to any annual increase, in the range of $100 to $200 within the next twelve months. With the exception of adjusting net operating loss carryforwards that may be utilized, the Company is no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for tax years before 2011 and for state and local income tax examinations for tax years before 2010.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12.    Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company accounts for certain assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, the Company uses valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized below:
		Level 1:	Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
		Level 2:	Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
		Level 3:	Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions.
	The Company did not have any Level 2 assets during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and only had one Level 3 asset which is discussed in more detail below. The following table sets forth the Company’s Level 1 financial assets that were measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			Fair Value			December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
			Estimate Using:			Amortized		Fair Value		Gross		Amortized		Fair Value		Gross
						Cost Basis				Unrealized		Cost Basis				Unrealized
										Gains						Gains
	Cash and cash equivalents			Level 1		$	706,776	$	706,776	$	—	$	824,880	$	824,880	$	—
	Available-for-sale security			Level 1			—		1,603		1,603		—		—		—
	The Company’s available-for-sale security consists of an equity investment in a publicly traded company that completed its initial public offering in December 2014. The unrealized gain related to this investment, net of tax, is included within accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014.
	Through April 20, 2010, the Company held investments in student loan backed auction rate securities (“ARS”). Effective April 20, 2010, the Company entered into an agreement pursuant to which the Company sold all of its holdings of ARS. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company retained an option (the “ARS Option”), for a period of two years from the date of the agreement: (a) to repurchase from the purchaser the same principal amount of any or all of the various series of ARS sold, at the agreed upon purchase prices received on April 20, 2010; and (b) to receive additional proceeds from the purchaser upon certain redemptions of the various series of ARS sold. The ARS Option was classified as a Level 3 asset as its valuation required substantial judgment. The historical redemption activity of the specific ARS underlying the ARS Option was the most significant assumption used to determine an estimated value of the ARS Option. The Company was required to reassess the value of the ARS Option at each reporting period and changes in value were recorded within the statement of operations. As of March 31, 2012, the Company no longer had any remaining positions related to the ARS Option. The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the ARS Option during the year ended December 31, 2012:
			Year Ended
			December 31,
			2012
	Fair value as of the beginning of the period		$	1,195
	Cash proceeds received			(9,269	)
	Gain included in earnings			8,074
	Fair value as of the end of the period		$	—
	The Company also holds an investment in a privately held company which is carried at cost, and not subject to fair value measurements. However, if events or circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable, it would be reviewed for impairment. The Company made this investment in November 2008 by acquiring preferred stock. During November 2014, this investment was converted into a combination of preferred stock and debt securities of another privately held company through an acquisition. The total amount of the Company’s investment in this privately held company is $6,471, which includes $470 of acquisition costs. Since the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over this company, the investment is accounted for under the cost method and it is included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	For disclosure purposes, the Company is required to measure the outstanding value of its debt on a recurring basis. The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value (based on Level 1 market price data) of the Company’s convertible notes that were carried at historical cost as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			December 31, 2014					December 31, 2013
			Carrying			Fair Value		Carrying		Fair Value
			Amount					Amount
	2.25% Notes		$	252,232		$	254,754	$	252,232	$	252,863
	2.50% Notes		$	400,000		$	399,000	$	400,000	$	394,400
	1.50% Notes		$	300,000		$	299,250	$	300,000	$	294,852

Restructuring

Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Restructuring	13.    Restructuring
	In December 2012, the Company announced a plan to streamline its operations, simplify its organizational structure, reduce costs and better focus its resources, which resulted in a reduction of the Company’s workforce. In connection with this reduction in workforce, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $7,579 during the three months ended December 31, 2012 related to severance and other employee benefits that were provided to the terminated employees. The remaining accrual related to this charge was $0 and $146 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is reflected within accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The reduction in this accrual during 2014 and 2013 was the result of payments of the severance and related employee benefits.

Other_Expense

Other Expense	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Expense	14.    Other expense
	For 2013, other expense consisted of cash severance and related expenses due to the May 2013 departure of a Chief Executive Officer of the Company. For 2012, other expense consisted of severance and related expenses due to the January 2012 departure of a Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and the related search and recruitment of his replacement during that period.

Supplemental_Disclosures_of_Ca

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information	15.    Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
	Supplemental information related to the consolidated statements of cash flows is summarized below:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014		2013		2012
	Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
	Interest paid		$	20,225	$	19,038	$	19,000
	Taxes paid, net(a)		$	277	$	274	$	785
	(a)	As the Company generally files its tax returns on a consolidated basis, taxes paid, net of refunds, includes all taxes paid by the Company, including those of the Company’s discontinued operations.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	16.    Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	The following table summarizes the quarterly financial data for 2014 and 2013. The per common share calculations for each of the quarters are based on the weighted-average number of common shares for each period; therefore, the sum of the quarters may not necessarily be equal to the full year per common share amount.
		2014
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Revenue	$	133,832		$	140,400	$	143,490	$	162,727
	Cost of operations		52,564			54,456		56,398		60,676
	Sales and marketing		32,911			33,321		32,950		36,978
	General and administrative		23,781			22,339		23,243		24,756
	Depreciation and amortization		7,328			7,042		7,667		7,774
	Interest income		15			17		19		18
	Interest expense		6,172			6,172		6,171		6,171
	Income from continuing operations before income tax provision		11,091			17,087		17,080		26,390
	Income tax provision		4,825			7,371		7,275		11,236
	Income from continuing operations		6,266			9,716		9,805		15,154
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—		—		1,122
	Net income	$	6,266		$	9,716	$	9,805	$	16,276
	Basic income per common share:
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.16		$	0.26	$	0.26	$	0.42
	Income from discontinued operations		—			—		—		0.03
	Net income	$	0.16		$	0.26	$	0.26	$	0.45
	Diluted income per common share:
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.15		$	0.23	$	0.23	$	0.36
	Income from discontinued operations		—			—		—		0.02
	Net income	$	0.15		$	0.23	$	0.23	$	0.38
	Net Income per Common Share:
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations — Basic	$	6,266		$	9,716	$	9,805	$	15,154
	Interest expense on 1.50% Notes, net of tax		—			864		864		864
	Interest expense on 2.50% Notes, net of tax		—			—		—		1,797
	Interest expense on 2.25% Notes, net of tax		—			—		—		1,103
	Income from continuing operations — Diluted	$	6,266		$	10,580	$	10,669	$	18,918
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax — Basic and Diluted	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	1,122
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares — Basic		39,268			37,819		37,960		36,427
	Stock options and restricted stock		2,584			2,301		2,113		1,245
	1.50% Notes		—			5,681		5,684		5,694
	2.50% Notes		—			—		—		6,205
	2.25% Notes		—			—		—		3,511
	Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions — Diluted		41,852			45,801		45,757		53,082
		2013
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Revenue	$	112,762		$	125,317	$	130,937	$	146,277
	Cost of operations		46,943			51,596		53,438		57,763
	Sales and marketing		30,933			31,422		32,561		33,081
	General and administrative		23,534			24,282		22,689		22,715
	Depreciation and amortization		6,853			6,635		6,552		6,566
	Interest income		21			17		16		22
	Interest expense		5,832			5,832		5,833		5,329
	Loss on convertible notes		—			—		3,296		1,575
	Other expense		—			1,353		—		—
	(Loss) income before income tax provision		(1,312	)		4,214		6,584		19,270
	Income tax provision		226			1,603		3,353		8,458
	Net (loss) income	$	(1,538	)	$	2,611	$	3,231	$	10,812
	Net (loss) income per common share — Basic	$	(0.03	)	$	0.05	$	0.07	$	0.27
	Net (loss) income per common share — Diluted	$	(0.03	)	$	0.05	$	0.06	$	0.25
	Net (Loss) Income per Common Share:
	Numerator:
	Net (loss) income — Basic	$	(1,538	)	$	2,611	$	3,231	$	10,812
	Interest expense on 1.50% Notes, net of tax		—			—		—		326
	Net (loss) income — Diluted	$	(1,538	)	$	2,611	$	3,231	$	11,138
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares — Basic		49,007			49,315		48,540		40,457
Stock options and restricted stock		—			1,610		2,054		2,192
1.50% Notes		—			—		—		2,223
Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions — Diluted		49,007			50,925		50,594		44,872

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
			Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
			Balance at		Charged to			Acquired		Write-offs			Other			Balance at
			Beginning		Costs and											End of Year
			of Year		Expenses
			(in thousands)
	December 31, 2014
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts		$	0	$	0		$	0	$	0		$	0		$	0
	Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets			0		0			0		0			0	(a)		0
	December 31, 2013
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts			1,304		283			—		(794	)		—			793
	Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets			176,403		(1,831	)		—		—			20	(a)		174,592
	December 31, 2012
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts			1,129		511			—		(336	)		—			1,304
	Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets			172,832		4,650			—		—			(1,079	)(a)		176,403
	(a)	Primarily represents the valuation allowance released as a result of the utilization, and in 2012, the utilization and expiration, of net operating loss carryforwards generated by excess tax benefits of stock-based awards.

Background_and_Basis_of_Presen1

Background and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Background	Background
	WebMD Health Corp. (the “Company” or “WebMD”) is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated on May 3, 2005. The Company completed an initial public offering on September 28, 2005. The Company’s Common Stock trades under the symbol “WBMD” on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
	The Company provides health information services to consumers, physicians and other healthcare professionals, private and governmental employers and health plans through its public and private online portals, mobile platforms and health-focused publications.The WebMD Health Network includes: www.WebMD.com, the Company’s primary public portal for consumers and related mobile-optimized sites and mobile apps; www.Medscape.com, the Company’s primary public portal for physicians and other healthcare professionals and related mobile services; and other sites and apps through which the Company provides branded health and wellness content, tools and services. The Company’s services for consumers enable them to obtain information on health and wellness topics or on a particular disease or condition, to assess their personal health status, to use online trackers, tools and quizzes, to locate physicians, to receive periodic e-mailed newsletters and alerts on topics of individual interest, and to participate in online communities with peers and experts. The Company’s services for physicians and healthcare professionals make it easier for them to access clinical reference sources, stay abreast of the latest clinical information, learn about new treatment options, earn continuing medical education (“CME”) credit and communicate with peers. The Company does not charge any usage, membership or download fees for access to its public portals or mobile platforms. The Company generates revenue from its public portals and mobile platforms primarily through the sale of various types of advertising and sponsorship programs to its clients, which include: pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies; hospitals, clinics and other healthcare services companies; health insurance providers; consumer products companies whose products or services relate to health, wellness, diet, fitness, lifestyle, safety and illness prevention; and various other businesses, organizations and governmental entities. Advertisers and sponsors use the Company’s services to reach, educate and inform target audiences of consumers, physicians and other healthcare professionals. The Company also generates revenue from advertising sold in WebMD Magazine, a consumer magazine distributed to physician office waiting rooms. In addition, the Company generates revenue from the sale of certain information products. The Company’s private portals are a cloud-based population health management platform, hosted by the Company and provided to private and governmental employers and health plans for use by their employees and plan participants. The Company markets these private portals and related services under the WebMD Health Services brand. The WebMD Health Services platform enables employers and health plans to provide their employees and plan participants with access to personalized health and benefit information, including an online personal health record application. The Company’s WebMD Health Services solutions include a comprehensive set of decision support and transparency tools that help their employees and plan participants understand the financial implications of their benefits options and make more informed benefits-related purchase decisions and also provide access to information and services that can help them factor quality and cost into decisions about care and treatment options. The Company also provides telephonic, online and onsite health coaching and targeted condition management programs for use by its private portals clients’ employees and plan participants to help them make healthier lifestyle choices and achieve their wellness goals. The Company generates revenue from subscriptions to its WebMD Health Services platform by employers and health plans, either directly or through its distributors. WebMD offers its health coaching services and its condition management programs on a per-participant basis.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in United States dollars, and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The results of operations for companies acquired or disposed of are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the effective date of acquisition or up to the date of disposal. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Accounting Estimates	Accounting Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current business factors, and various other assumptions that the Company believes are necessary to consider to form a basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities, the recorded amounts of revenue and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company is subject to uncertainties such as the impact of future events, economic and political factors, and changes in the Company’s business environment; therefore, actual results could differ from these estimates. Accordingly, the accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Changes in estimates are made when circumstances warrant. Such changes in estimates and refinements in estimation methodologies are reflected in reported results of operations; if material, the effects of changes in estimates are disclosed in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Significant estimates and assumptions by management affect the allowance for doubtful accounts, the carrying value of long-lived assets (including goodwill and intangible assets), the amortization period of long-lived assets (excluding goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying value, capitalization and amortization of software and Website development costs, the carrying value of investments, the provision for income taxes and related deferred tax accounts, certain accrued liabilities, revenue recognition, contingencies, litigation and related legal accruals and the value attributed to employee stock options and other stock-based awards.
Seasonality	Seasonality
	The timing of the Company’s revenue is affected by seasonal factors. The Company’s public portal advertising and sponsorship revenue is seasonal, primarily due to the annual spending patterns of the advertising and sponsorship clients of the Company’s public portals. This portion of the Company’s revenue is usually the lowest in the first quarter of each calendar year, and generally increases during each consecutive quarter throughout the year. The timing of revenue in relation to the Company’s expenses, many of which do not vary directly with revenue, has an impact on cost of operations, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue in each calendar quarter.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	All highly liquid investments with an original maturity from the date of purchase of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. These investments are stated at cost, which approximates market. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are generally invested in various money market accounts.
Fair Value	Fair Value
	The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accrued expenses and deferred revenue is deemed to approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. See Note 12 for further information on the fair value of the Company’s investments.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reflects the Company’s best estimate of losses inherent in the Company’s receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available evidence.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The useful lives are generally as follows:
	Computer equipment	3 to 5 years
	Office equipment, furniture and fixtures	4 to 7 years
	Software	3 years
	Building and improvements	Up to 40 years
	Website development costs	3 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful life or lease term
	Expenditures for maintenance, repair and renewals of minor items are charged to expense as incurred. Major improvements are capitalized.
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and intangible assets result from business combinations accounted for under the acquisition method. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized and are subjected to impairment review by applying fair value based tests. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the individually estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
	Content	3 to 5 years
	Customer relationships	5 to 12 years
	Acquired technology and patents	3 years
	Trade names	Up to 10 years
	Recoverability
	The Company reviews the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually and whenever indicators of impairment are present. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level only when, after completing a qualitative analysis, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Fair value is determined using an income approach valuation. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment.
	Long-lived assets used in operations are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets to be held and used, the Company recognizes an impairment loss only if its carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted cash flows and measures the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value. Long-lived assets held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell.
	Based on the Company’s analysis, there was no impairment of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Internal Use Software	Internal Use Software
	Software development costs that are incurred in the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Once certain criteria have been met, direct costs incurred in developing or obtaining computer software are capitalized. The Company capitalized $5,369 and $9,085 during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Capitalized internal use software development costs are included in property and equipment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Training and data conversion costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are depreciated over a three-year period. Depreciation expense related to internal use software was $6,449, $5,070 and $6,223 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The remaining balance of internal use software, net of accumulated depreciation, was $11,597 and $12,677 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Website Development Costs	Website Development Costs
	Costs related to the planning and post implementation phases of WebMD’s Website development efforts, as well as minor enhancements and maintenance, are expensed as incurred. Direct costs incurred in the development phase are capitalized. The Company capitalized $5,539 and $7,428 during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These capitalized costs are included in property and equipment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are depreciated over a three-year period. Depreciation expense related to Website development costs was $6,421, $5,696 and $4,998 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The remaining balance of Website development costs, net of accumulated depreciation, was $11,343 and $12,225 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash
	The Company’s restricted cash primarily relates to collateral for letters of credit obtained to support the Company’s operations. Total restricted cash was $1,765 and $1,730 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Deferred Charges	Deferred Charges
	Other assets includes costs associated with the issuance of the Company’s convertible notes that are amortized to interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, using the effective interest method over the period from issuance through the earliest date on which holders can demand redemption. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company capitalized issuance costs of $12,655 and $12,595, related to the issuance of its 2.50% Convertible Notes due 2018 (the “2.50% Notes”) and its 2.25% Convertible Notes due 2016 (the “2.25% Notes”), respectively. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company capitalized $8,177 of issuance costs in connection with the 2013 issuance of its 1.50% Convertible Notes due 2020 (the “1.50% Notes”). The aggregate amortization of these issuance costs, which is included within interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, was $4,511, $4,192 and $4,326 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company wrote off issuance costs of $2,285 in connection with the repurchase of a portion of its 2.25% Notes. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were $14,355 and $18,866, respectively, of unamortized issuance costs included in other assets within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Deferred Revenue	Deferred Revenue
	Deferred revenue consists of invoices sent to customers or payments received from customers, in advance of revenue recognition and is recognized as the revenue recognition criteria are met. Deferred revenue is influenced by several factors, including the timing of invoices to our customers and the timing of payments received from our customers in relation to the timing of the revenue recognition for the related customer contract. Deferred revenue at each balance sheet date is expected to be recognized during the succeeding twelve month period and is therefore classified as a current liability within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Leases	Leases
	The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis, including predetermined fixed escalations, over the initial lease term including reasonably assured renewal periods, net of lease incentives, from the time that the Company controls the leased property. Leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the lease term. Lease incentives are recorded as a deferred credit and recognized as a reduction to rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term as described above.
Presentation of Segment Information	Presentation of Segment Information
	The Company generates revenue in four groups, as set forth in the table below. The first group is “Advertising and Sponsorship – Biopharma and Medical Device” and consists of advertising and sponsorship revenue from pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device clients relating to ethical pharmaceutical products or other regulated devices or products or for sponsoring educational programs. The second category is “Advertising and Sponsorship – OTC, CPG and Other” and consists of advertising and sponsorship revenue relating to non-Rx or over-the-counter medications and other healthcare products, food and beverages, beauty products and other consumer products, as well as revenue from clients such as retailers, pharmacies, hospitals, health insurance companies and government agencies. The combined revenue of the first two groups is sometimes referred to as “Advertising and Sponsorship” revenue. The third group is “Private Portal Services” and consists of revenue from employers and health plans for subscriptions to the Company’s private portals solution and related services, including health coaching and condition management services. The fourth group is “Information Services” and consists of revenue from the sale of stand-alone information and data products. Discrete financial information related to a measure of profit or loss for these four revenue groups is not available as they leverage many common expenses, and the Company does not separately allocate these common expenses in assessing the performance of its business. Accordingly, the Company views its business as one reportable operating segment.
	The following table presents the revenues recognized from the four revenue groups described above:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Advertising and sponsorship
	Biopharma and medical device	$	329,329	$	304,018	$	280,261
	OTC, CPG and other		124,636		113,009		98,492
			453,965		417,027		378,753
	Private portal services		103,182		82,111		78,527
	Information services		23,302		16,155		12,586
		$	580,449	$	515,293	$	469,866
	The Company’s revenue is principally generated in the United States. An adverse change in economic conditions in the United States could negatively affect the Company’s revenue and results of operations. The Company recorded revenue from foreign customers of $46,095, $31,340 and $24,206 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Sales, Use and Value Added Tax	Sales, Use and Value Added Tax
	The Company excludes sales, use and value added tax from revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred and totaled $4,196, $5,174 and $2,798 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency
	The functional currency of the Company’s foreign operations is the U.S. dollar. Fluctuations in foreign dollar monetary assets and liabilities result in gains or losses which are credited or charged to income. Foreign currency transactional gains or losses are also credited or charged to income.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk
	None of the Company’s customers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue in 2014, 2013 or 2012 or more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable as of December 31, 2014 or 2013.
Loss Contingencies	Loss Contingencies
	The Company accounts for loss contingencies in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC No. 450, “Contingencies.” Under ASC No. 450, accruals for loss contingencies are recorded when both (i) the information available indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company records adjustments to these accruals to reflect the status of negotiations, settlements, advice of counsel and other information and events related to an individual matter.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequence of differences between the tax and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities at each reporting period. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
	Tax contingencies are recorded to address potential exposure involving tax positions the Company has taken that could be challenged by tax authorities. These potential exposures result from applications of various statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations. The Company’s estimates of tax contingencies contain assumptions and judgments about potential actions by taxing jurisdictions. The Company reflects interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of the income tax provision (benefit) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation	Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted is determined based on the grant-date fair value. The grant-date fair value for stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model. The Company recognizes these compensation costs net of an estimated forfeiture rate on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term of the share-based payment award.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue from advertising is recognized as advertisements are delivered or as publications are distributed. Revenue from sponsorship arrangements, content syndication and distribution arrangements and subscriptions to healthcare management tools and private portals as well as related health coaching services is recognized ratably over the term of the applicable agreement. Revenue from information services is recognized as the underlying data is delivered. Revenue from the sponsorship of CME is recognized over the period the Company substantially completes its contractual deliverables as determined by the applicable agreements.
	Contracts that contain multiple deliverables are subject to Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-13 Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 requires the allocation of revenue to each deliverable of multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements, based on the relative selling price of each deliverable. It also defines the level of evidence of selling price required to separate deliverables and allows a company to make its best estimate of the selling price of deliverables when more objective evidence of selling price is not available.
	Pursuant to the guidance of ASU 2009-13, when a sales arrangement contains multiple deliverables, the Company allocates revenue to each deliverable based on relative selling price. The selling price for a deliverable is based on vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) if available, third-party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available, or best estimate of selling price if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. The Company then recognizes revenue on each deliverable in accordance with its revenue recognition policies over the period that delivery occurs. VSOE of selling price is based on the price charged when the deliverable is sold separately. In determining VSOE, GAAP requires that a substantial majority of the selling prices fall within a reasonable range based on historical pricing trends for specific products and services. TPE is based on competitor prices of similar deliverables when sold separately. The Company is not able to determine TPE of selling price as it is unable to reliably determine what competitors’ selling prices are for comparable services, combined with the fact that its services often contain unique features and customizations such that comparable services do not exist. The determination of best estimate of selling price is a judgmental process that considers multiple factors including, but not limited to, recent selling prices and related discounting practices for each service, market conditions, customer classes, sales channels and other factors.
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
	Basic income (loss) per common share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted income (loss) per common share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the periods, increased to give effect to potentially dilutive securities and assumes that any dilutive convertible notes were converted, only in the periods in which such effect is dilutive (shares in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations — Basic	$	40,941	$	15,116	$	(23,087	)
	Interest expense on 1.50% Notes, net of tax		3,456		—		—
	Income (loss) from continuing operations — Diluted	$	44,397	$	15,116	$	(23,087	)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax — Basic and Diluted	$	1,122	$	—	$	2,743
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares — Basic		37,869		46,830		50,862
	Stock options and restricted stock		2,060		1,568		—
	1.50% Notes		5,685		—		—
	Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions — Diluted		45,614		48,398		50,862
	Basic income (loss) per common share:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	1.08	$	0.32	$	(0.45	)
	Income from discontinued operations		0.03		—		0.05
	Net income (loss)	$	1.11	$	0.32	$	(0.40	)
	Diluted income (loss) per common share:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.97	$	0.31	$	(0.45	)
	Income from discontinued operations		0.03		—		0.05
	Net income (loss)	$	1	$	0.31	$	(0.40	)
	The Company has excluded certain of its convertible notes, as well as certain outstanding stock options and restricted stock, from the calculation of diluted income (loss) per common share during the periods in which such securities were anti-dilutive. The following table presents the total weighted-average number of potentially dilutive common shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share during the periods presented (shares in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Options and restricted stock		2,594		5,744		12,291
	1.50% Notes		—		556		—
	2.50% Notes		6,195		6,148		6,108
	2.25% Notes		3,506		5,020		5,482
			12,295		17,468		23,881
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	The operating results of a business unit are reported as discontinued if its operations and cash flows can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the business, the operations have been sold or will be sold within a year, there will be no continuing involvement in the operation after the disposal date and certain other criteria are met. Significant judgments are involved in determining whether a business component meets the criteria for discontinued operation reporting and the period in which these criteria are met.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform with the current period presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Accounting Pronouncement Adopted During 2014
	In July 2013, the FASB issued an update to existing guidance on the financial presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. The update provides that a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit would be presented as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, which for the Company was the first quarter of 2014. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted in the Future
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies the related disclosure requirements. Under the revised guidance, a discontinued operation is defined as a disposal of a component or group of components that represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The revised guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the quarter ending March 31, 2015; early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact the revised guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to achieve a consistent application of revenue recognition within the U.S., resulting in a single revenue model to be applied by reporting companies under GAAP. Under the new model, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the revised guidance requires that reporting companies disclose the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The revised guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the quarter ending March 31, 2017; early adoption is prohibited. The revised guidance is required to be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying it recognized at the date of initial application. The Company has not yet determined the impact the revised guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period, which requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The revised guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the quarter ending March 31, 2016; early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact the revised guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Property and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives	The useful lives are generally as follows:
	Computer equipment	3 to 5 years
	Office equipment, furniture and fixtures	4 to 7 years
	Software	3 to 5 years
	Building and improvements	Up to 40 years
	Website development costs	3 years
	Leasehold improvements	Shorter of useful life or lease term
Intangible Assets with Definite Lives are Amortized on Straight-Line Basis over Individually Estimated Useful Lives of Related Assets	Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the individually estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
	Content	3 to 5 years
	Customer relationships	5 to 12 years
	Acquired technology and patents	3 years
	Trade names	Up to 10 years
Summary of Revenues from Four Revenue Groups	The following table presents the revenues recognized from the four revenue groups described above:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Advertising and sponsorship
	Biopharma and medical device	$	329,329	$	304,018	$	280,261
	OTC, CPG and other		124,636		113,009		98,492
			453,965		417,027		378,753
	Private portal services		103,182		82,111		78,527
	Information services		23,302		16,155		12,586
		$	580,449	$	515,293	$	469,866
Schedule of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Shares	Diluted income (loss) per common share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the periods, increased to give effect to potentially dilutive securities and assumes that any dilutive convertible notes were converted, only in the periods in which such effect is dilutive (shares in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations — Basic	$	40,941	$	15,116	$	(23,087	)
	Interest expense on 1.50% Notes, net of tax		3,456		—		—
	Income (loss) from continuing operations — Diluted	$	44,397	$	15,116	$	(23,087	)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax — Basic and Diluted	$	1,122	$	—	$	2,743
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares — Basic		37,869		46,830		50,862
	Stock options and restricted stock		2,060		1,568		—
	1.50% Notes		5,685		—		—
	Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions — Diluted		45,614		48,398		50,862
	Basic income (loss) per common share:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	1.08	$	0.32	$	(0.45	)
	Income from discontinued operations		0.03		—		0.05
	Net income (loss)	$	1.11	$	0.32	$	(0.40	)
	Diluted income (loss) per common share:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.97	$	0.31	$	(0.45	)
	Income from discontinued operations		0.03		—		0.05
	Net income (loss)	$	1	$	0.31	$	(0.40	)
Weighted Average Number of Potentially Dilutive Common Shares Excluded from Computation of Diluted Income (Loss) Per Common Share	The following table presents the total weighted-average number of potentially dilutive common shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share during the periods presented (shares in thousands):
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Options and restricted stock		2,594		5,744		12,291
	1.50% Notes		—		556		—
	2.50% Notes		6,195		6,148		6,108
	2.25% Notes		3,506		5,020		5,482
			12,295		17,468		23,881

LongLived_Assets_Tables

Long-Lived Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Components of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment consist of the following:
			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Software		$	60,341		$	54,972
	Computer equipment			63,541			56,399
	Web site development costs			57,922			52,383
	Leasehold improvements			44,000			40,828
	Office equipment, furniture and fixtures			15,154			14,677
	Land and buildings			291			291
				241,249			219,550
	Less: accumulated depreciation			(181,676	)		(154,666	)
	Property and equipment, net		$	59,573		$	64,884
	Depreciation expense was $27,010, $24,335 and $24,505 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	Intangible assets consist of the following:
			December 31, 2014										December 31, 2013
			Gross			Accumulated			Net		Weighted		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Weighted
			Carrying			Amortization					Average		Carrying		Amortization					Average
			Amount								Remaining		Amount							Remaining
											Useful Life(a)									Useful Life(a)
	Content		$	15,954		$	(15,954	)	$	—		—	$	15,954	$	(15,954	)	$	—		—
	Customer relationships			34,057			(27,126	)		6,931		3.6		34,057		(25,035	)		9,022		4.5
	Technology and patents			17,882			(15,231	)		2,651		2.5		14,700		(14,700	)		—		—
	Trade names-definite lives			2,530			(2,361	)		169		1		2,530		(2,182	)		348		2
	Trade names-indefinite lives			4,464			—			4,464		n/a		4,464		—			4,464		n/a
	Total		$	74,887		$	(60,672	)	$	14,215			$	71,705	$	(57,871	)	$	13,834
	(a)	The calculation of the weighted average remaining useful life is based on the net book value and the remaining amortization period of each respective intangible asset.
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	Future amortization expense for intangible assets is estimated to be:
	Year Ending December 31:
	2015		$	3,321
	2016		$	3,120
	2017		$	2,044
	2018		$	1,266

Accrued_Expenses_Tables

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Components of Accrued Expenses	Accrued expenses consist of the following:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Accrued compensation	$	38,856	$	39,346
	Accrued outside services		11,089		7,805
	Accrued marketing and distribution		4,442		5,638
	Accrued interest		5,960		6,010
	Other accrued liabilities		12,311		14,940
		$	72,658	$	73,739

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Commitments	Future minimum lease commitments under non-cancelable lease agreements at December 31, 2014 were as follows:
	Years Ending December 31,
	2015	$	11,559
	2016		7,524
	2017		7,610
	2018		7,435
	2019		6,639
	Thereafter		13,983
	Total minimum lease payments	$	54,750

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the Plans:
			Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
						Average Exercise			Average			Intrinsic  Value(a)
						Price Per Share			Remaining
									Contractual
									Life (In Years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2012			11,054,381		$	32.46
	Granted			4,888,600			18.42
	Exercised			(195,377	)		22.8
	Cancelled			(2,446,916	)		38.96
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			13,300,688			26.24
	Granted			2,844,500			33.64
	Exercised			(2,695,600	)		20.9
	Cancelled			(2,020,309	)		27.5
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			11,429,279			29.12
	Granted			899,200			43.03
	Exercised			(3,875,410	)		24.4
	Cancelled			(905,543	)		33.42
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014			7,547,526		$	32.69			7		$	62,618
	Vested and exercisable at the end of the period			3,766,975		$	30.09			5.4		$	42,361
	(a)	The aggregate intrinsic value is based on the market price of the Company’s Common Stock on December 31, 2014, which was $39.55, less the applicable exercise price of the underlying option. This aggregate intrinsic value represents the amount that would have been realized if all the option holders had exercised their options on December 31, 2014.
Summarized Information with Respect to Options Outstanding and Options Exercisable	The following table summarizes information with respect to options outstanding and options exercisable at December 31, 2014:
			Outstanding									Exercisable
	Exercise Prices		Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Shares		Weighted
						Average Exercise			Average					Average
						Price Per Share			Remaining					Exercise Price
									Contractual					Per Share
									Life (In Years)
	$13.15			709,500		$	13.15			7.8			709,500	$	13.15
	$13.37-$22.99			733,984			19.99			6.7			259,384		19.96
	$23.03-$27.94			869,919			25.43			3.8			749,519		25.25
	$28.00-$30.00			827,220			29.6			6.8			484,770		29.67
	$30.15-$33.40			870,173			32.82			8.1			290,548		32.36
	$33.55-$37.97			783,775			36.34			7.8			263,287		36.5
	$38.01-$39.35			669,705			38.62			7.9			142,980		38.53
	$39.50-$39.78			643,600			39.51			8.8			17,400		39.51
	$40.02-$46.95			775,125			44.35			6.3			446,612		44.19
	$47.02-$58.96			664,525			50.2			6.3			402,975		51.13
				7,547,526		$	32.69			7			3,766,975	$	30.09
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve for periods equal to the expected term of the options on the grant date.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Expected dividend yield			0	%		0	%		0	%
	Expected volatility			0.47-0.49			0.43-0.48			0.42-0.46
	Risk-free interest rate			1.16%-1.72	%		0.55%-1.62	%		0.52%-1.04	%
	Expected term (years)			4.2-5.0			4.5-5.1			4.4-5.1
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period		$	17.58		$	13.95		$	6.96
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Awards, Activity	The following table summarizes the activity of the Company’s Restricted Stock:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014						2013					2012
			Shares			Weighted			Shares			Weighted		Shares			Weighted
						Average Grant						Average Grant					Average Grant
						Date Fair Value						Date Fair Value					Date Fair Value
	Balance at beginning of the year			1,184,961		$	33.07			932,386		$	31.69		1,205,333		$	36.18
	Granted			177,200			43.84			812,000			32.65		339,800			20.64
	Vested			(324,453	)		32.7			(401,825	)		32.57		(413,372	)		33.92
	Forfeited			(133,625	)		31.29			(157,600	)		24.02		(199,375	)		35.53
	Balance at the end of the year			904,083		$	35.58			1,184,961		$	33.07		932,386		$	31.69
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	The following table summarizes the components and classification of stock-based compensation expense:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Stock options		$	21,117		$	24,483		$	31,593
	Restricted stock			11,114			13,703			12,978
	Other			315			364			350
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	32,546		$	38,550		$	44,921
	Included in:
	Cost of operations		$	5,940		$	6,762		$	8,160
	Sales and marketing			7,221			8,395			8,201
	General and administrative			19,385			23,393			28,560
	Total stock-based compensation expense		$	32,546		$	38,550		$	44,921

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Significant Components of the Company's Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities)	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets (liabilities) were as follows:
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	91,000		$	105,323
	State net operating loss carryforwards		35,488			39,098
	Capital losses		458			6,016
	Federal tax credits		56,096			55,976
	Accrued expenses		17,919			16,748
	Stock-based compensation		21,031			26,946
	Intangible assets		3,570			4,596
	Other		3,841			3,932
	Total deferred tax assets		229,403			258,635
	Valuation allowance		(157,644	)		(174,592	)
	Net deferred tax assets		71,759			84,043
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment		(3,063	)		(3,976	)
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset		(30,975	)		(27,645	)
	Other		(627	)		—
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(34,665	)		(31,621	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	37,094		$	52,422
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Current deferred tax assets, net:
	Current deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities	$	59,371		$	41,921
	Valuation allowance		(41,224	)		(28,301	)
	Current deferred tax assets, net		18,147			13,620
	Non-current deferred tax assets, net:
	Non-current deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities		135,367			185,093
	Valuation allowance		(116,420	)		(146,291	)
	Non-current deferred tax assets, net		18,947			38,802
	Net deferred tax assets	$	37,094		$	52,422
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)	The income tax provision (benefit) was as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	(622	)	$	(73	)	$	(583	)
	State		3,047			502			295
	Foreign		369			141			190
	Current income tax provision (benefit)		2,794			570			(98	)
	Deferred:
	Federal		12,570			10,683			(325	)
	State		2,147			2,387			(2,012	)
	Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		14,717			13,070			(2,337	)
	Reversal of valuation allowance applied to additional paid-in capital		13,196			—			301
	Total income tax provision (benefit)	$	30,707		$	13,640		$	(2,134	)
Reconciliation between Federal Statutory Rate and Effective Income Tax Rate	The reconciliation between the federal statutory rate and the effective income tax rate is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	United States federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		(35.0	)%
	State income taxes (net of federal benefit)		7.4			12.5			(0.3	)
	Valuation allowance		(3.3	)		(6.4	)		18.4
	Non-deductible officer compensation		2.2			3.6			8.7
	Other		1.6			2.7			(0.3	)
	Effective income tax rate		42.9	%		47.4	%		(8.5	)%
Activity of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Accrued Interest and Penalties	The following table summarizes the activity of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at the beginning of the year	$	13,392		$	13,949		$	12,069
	Increases related to prior year tax positions		15			—			757
	Increases related to current year tax positions		—			—			1,707
	Decreases related to prior year tax positions		(379	)		(532	)		—
	Expiration of the statute of limitations for the assessment of taxes		(56	)		(25	)		(584	)
	Balance at the end of the year	$	12,972		$	13,392		$	13,949

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Reconciles of Beginning and Ending Balances of Level 3 Assets	The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of the ARS Option during the year ended December 31, 2012:
		Year Ended
		December 31,
		2012
	Fair value as of the beginning of the period	$	1,195
	Cash proceeds received		(9,269	)
	Gain included in earnings		8,074
	Fair value as of the end of the period	$	—
Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Company's Convertible Notes that are Carried at Historical Cost	The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value (based on Level 1 market price data) of the Company’s convertible notes that were carried at historical cost as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		December 31, 2014					December 31, 2013
		Carrying Amount			Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	2.25% Notes	$	0		$	0	$	252,232	$	252,863
	2.50% Notes	$	0		$	0	$	400,000	$	394,400
	1.50% Notes	$	0		$	0	$	300,000	$	294,852
Financial Assets Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table sets forth the Company’s Level 1 financial assets that were measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		Fair Value			December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Estimate Using:			Amortized		Fair Value		Gross		Amortized		Fair Value		Gross
					Cost Basis				Unrealized		Cost Basis				Unrealized
									Gains						Gains
	Cash and cash equivalents		Level 1		$	706,776	$	706,776	$	—	$	824,880	$	824,880	$	—
	Available-for-sale security		Level 1			—		1,603		1,603		—		—		—

Supplemental_Disclosures_of_Ca1

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	Supplemental information related to the consolidated statements of cash flows is summarized below:
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014		2013		2012
	Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
	Interest paid		$	20,225	$	19,038	$	19,000
	Taxes paid, net(a)		$	277	$	274	$	785
	(a)	As the Company generally files its tax returns on a consolidated basis, taxes paid, net of refunds, includes all taxes paid by the Company, including those of the Company’s discontinued operations.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data	The following table summarizes the quarterly financial data for 2014 and 2013. The per common share calculations for each of the quarters are based on the weighted-average number of common shares for each period; therefore, the sum of the quarters may not necessarily be equal to the full year per common share amount.
		2014
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Revenue	$	133,832		$	140,400	$	143,490	$	162,727
	Cost of operations		52,564			54,456		56,398		60,676
	Sales and marketing		32,911			33,321		32,950		36,978
	General and administrative		23,781			22,339		23,243		24,756
	Depreciation and amortization		7,328			7,042		7,667		7,774
	Interest income		15			17		19		18
	Interest expense		6,172			6,172		6,171		6,171
	Income from continuing operations before income tax provision		11,091			17,087		17,080		26,390
	Income tax provision		4,825			7,371		7,275		11,236
	Income from continuing operations		6,266			9,716		9,805		15,154
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			—		—		1,122
	Net income	$	6,266		$	9,716	$	9,805	$	16,276
	Basic income per common share:
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.16		$	0.26	$	0.26	$	0.42
	Income from discontinued operations		—			—		—		0.03
	Net income	$	0.16		$	0.26	$	0.26	$	0.45
	Diluted income per common share:
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.15		$	0.23	$	0.23	$	0.36
	Income from discontinued operations		—			—		—		0.02
	Net income	$	0.15		$	0.23	$	0.23	$	0.38
	Net Income per Common Share:
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations — Basic	$	6,266		$	9,716	$	9,805	$	15,154
	Interest expense on 1.50% Notes, net of tax		—			864		864		864
	Interest expense on 2.50% Notes, net of tax		—			—		—		1,797
	Interest expense on 2.25% Notes, net of tax		—			—		—		1,103
	Income from continuing operations — Diluted	$	6,266		$	10,580	$	10,669	$	18,918
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax — Basic and Diluted	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	1,122
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares — Basic		39,268			37,819		37,960		36,427
	Stock options and restricted stock		2,584			2,301		2,113		1,245
	1.50% Notes		—			5,681		5,684		5,694
	2.50% Notes		—			—		—		6,205
	2.25% Notes		—			—		—		3,511
	Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions — Diluted		41,852			45,801		45,757		53,082
		2013
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Revenue	$	112,762		$	125,317	$	130,937	$	146,277
	Cost of operations		46,943			51,596		53,438		57,763
	Sales and marketing		30,933			31,422		32,561		33,081
	General and administrative		23,534			24,282		22,689		22,715
	Depreciation and amortization		6,853			6,635		6,552		6,566
	Interest income		21			17		16		22
	Interest expense		5,832			5,832		5,833		5,329
	Loss on convertible notes		—			—		3,296		1,575
	Other expense		—			1,353		—		—
	(Loss) income before income tax provision		(1,312	)		4,214		6,584		19,270
	Income tax provision		226			1,603		3,353		8,458
	Net (loss) income	$	(1,538	)	$	2,611	$	3,231	$	10,812
	Net (loss) income per common share — Basic	$	(0.03	)	$	0.05	$	0.07	$	0.27
	Net (loss) income per common share — Diluted	$	(0.03	)	$	0.05	$	0.06	$	0.25
	Net (Loss) Income per Common Share:
	Numerator:
	Net (loss) income — Basic	$	(1,538	)	$	2,611	$	3,231	$	10,812
	Interest expense on 1.50% Notes, net of tax		—			—		—		326
	Net (loss) income — Diluted	$	(1,538	)	$	2,611	$	3,231	$	11,138
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares — Basic		49,007			49,315		48,540		40,457
	Stock options and restricted stock		—			1,610		2,054		2,192
1.50% Notes		—			—		—		2,223
Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions — Diluted		49,007			50,925		50,594		44,872

Background_and_Basis_of_Presen2

Background and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Background And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]
Entity Incorporation, date of incorporation	3-May-05

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	3 years
Website Development Costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Computer Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Office Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	4 years
Minimum [Member] | Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	Shorter of useful life or lease term
Maximum [Member] | Computer Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Office Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	4 years
Maximum [Member] | Building and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	40 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets with Definite Lives are Amortized on Straight-Line Basis over Individually Estimated Useful Lives of Related Asset (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	3 years 7 months 6 days	4 years 6 months
Minimum [Member] | Content [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Content [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	12 years
Maximum [Member] | Acquired Technology and Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life	10 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 11, 2011	Mar. 14, 2011
	Segment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment charge	$0	$0	$0
Depreciation expense	27,010	24,335	24,505
Property and equipment, net	59,573	64,884
Restricted cash	1,765	1,730
Interest on convertible notes	1.50%	1.50%
Amortization of debt issuance costs	4,511	4,192	4,326
Unamortized issuance cost	14,355	18,866
Reportable operating segments	1
Advertising expense	4,196	5,174	2,798
Foreign Country Customers [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Revenue from foreign customers	46,095	31,340	24,206
2.50% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Issuance costs capitalized				12,655
Interest on convertible notes				2.50%	2.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date				2018
2.25% Convertible Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Issuance costs capitalized				12,595
Interest on convertible notes		2.25%		2.25%		2.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date				2016
Issuance costs written off		2,285
1.50% Convertible Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Issuance costs capitalized		8,177
Interest on convertible notes		1.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date		2020
Software [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Computer software capitalized	5,369	9,085
Depreciation expense	6,449	5,070	6,223
Property and equipment, net	11,597	12,677
Website Development Costs [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	6,421	5,696	4,998
Property and equipment, net	11,343	12,225
Capitalized web development cost	$5,539	$7,428

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Revenues from Four Revenue Groups (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of revenues relating to public and private portal
Revenue	$162,727	$143,490	$140,400	$133,832	$146,277	$130,937	$125,317	$112,762	$580,449	$515,293	$469,866
Advertising and Sponsorship [Member]
Summary of revenues relating to public and private portal
Revenue									453,965	417,027	378,753
Advertising and Sponsorship [Member] | Biopharma and Medical Device [Member]
Summary of revenues relating to public and private portal
Revenue									329,329	304,018	280,261
Advertising and Sponsorship [Member] | OTC, CPG and Other [Member]
Summary of revenues relating to public and private portal
Revenue									124,636	113,009	98,492
Private Portal Services [Member]
Summary of revenues relating to public and private portal
Revenue									103,182	82,111	78,527
Information Services [Member]
Summary of revenues relating to public and private portal
Revenue									$23,302	$16,155	$12,586

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Shares (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations - Basic	$15,154	$9,805	$9,716	$6,266	$10,812	$3,231	$2,611	($1,538)	$40,941	$15,116	($23,087)
Interest expense on 1.50% Notes, net of tax									3,456
Income (loss) from continuing operations - Diluted	18,918	10,669	10,580	6,266	11,138	3,231	2,611	-1,538	44,397	15,116	-23,087
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - Basic and Diluted	$1,122								$1,122		$2,743
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares - Basic	36,427	37,960	37,819	39,268	40,457	48,540	49,315	49,007	37,869	46,830	50,862
Stock options and restricted stock	1,245	2,113	2,301	2,584	2,192	2,054	1,610		2,060	1,568
1.50% Notes									5,685
Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions - Diluted	53,082	45,757	45,801	41,852	44,872	50,594	50,925	49,007	45,614	48,398	50,862
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$0.42	$0.26	$0.26	$0.16	$0.27	$0.07	$0.05	($0.03)	$1.08	$0.32	($0.45)
Income from discontinued operations	$0.03								$0.03		$0.05
Net income (loss)	$0.45	$0.26	$0.26	$0.16					$1.11	$0.32	($0.40)
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$0.36	$0.23	$0.23	$0.15	$0.25	$0.06	$0.05	($0.03)	$0.97	$0.31	($0.45)
Income from discontinued operations	$0.02								$0.03		$0.05
Net income (loss)	$0.38	$0.23	$0.23	$0.15					$1	$0.31	($0.40)

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Shares (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Interest on notes	1.50%	1.50%

Summary_of_Significant_Account8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Weighted Average Number of Potentially Dilutive Common Shares Excluded from Computation of Diluted Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted average number of potentially dilutive common shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share	12,295	17,468	23,881
Options and Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted average number of potentially dilutive common shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share	2,594	5,744	12,291
1.50% Convertible Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted average number of potentially dilutive common shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share		556
2.50% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted average number of potentially dilutive common shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share	6,195	6,148	6,108
2.25% Convertible Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted average number of potentially dilutive common shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted income (loss) per common share	3,506	5,020	5,482

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Consolidated income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$1,122	$1,122	$2,743
State tax refund			508
United States Department of Justice [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Consolidated income from discontinued operations, net of tax			2,235
Amount received related to investigation			3,600
Emdeon Practice Services [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Indemnification obligations, initial number of former officers and directors	10	10
Indemnification obligations, subsequent number of former officers and directors	4	4
Porex [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Consolidated income from discontinued operations, net of tax		1,122
Payments related to completion of audit		384
Porex [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Remaining estimate of tax indemnification liability related to Porex included within liabilities of discontinued operations	$0	$0		$1,506

Convertible_Notes_Additional_I

Convertible Notes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 11, 2011	Sep. 10, 2014	Sep. 11, 2013	Apr. 04, 2012	Mar. 14, 2011	Nov. 26, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest on convertible notes	1.50%		1.50%	1.50%
Proceeds from sale of notes				$291,823
Cash paid to repurchase common stock			128,748	220,298	26,331
Pre-tax loss on repurchase of notes	1,575	3,296		4,871
2.50% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible notes due						400,000
Interest on convertible notes						2.50%						2.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date						31-Jan-18
Proceeds from sale of notes						387,345
Percentage of principal amount equal to repurchase price			100.00%
Cash paid to repurchase common stock						100,000
Common stock repurchased, shares						1,920,490
Common stock repurchased, price per share						$52.07
Principal amount of repurchases remaining	400,000		400,000	400,000
2.50% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member] | Before Equitable Adjustment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion rate of notes per thousand dollar of principal amount						15.122
Conversion price per share of common stock						$66.13
Common stock available upon conversion						6,048,800
2.50% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member] | After Equitable Adjustment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion rate of notes per thousand dollar of principal amount							15.5118	15.4764	15.3223
Conversion price per share of common stock							$64.47	$64.61	$65.26
Common stock available upon conversion							6,204,720	6,190,560	6,128,920
2.25% Convertible Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible notes due										400,000
Interest on convertible notes	2.25%			2.25%						2.25%		2.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date										31-Mar-16
Proceeds from sale of notes										387,400
Common stock available upon conversion				3,503,099
Percentage of principal amount equal to repurchase price													100.00%
Cash paid to repurchase common stock										50,000
Common stock repurchased, shares										868,507
Common stock repurchased, price per share										$57.57
Pre-tax loss on repurchase of notes				4,871
Principal amount of repurchases remaining	252,232		252,232	252,232
2.25% Convertible Notes Due 2016 [Member] | Before Equitable Adjustment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion rate of notes per thousand dollar of principal amount										13.5704
Conversion price per share of common stock										$73.69
Common stock available upon conversion										5,428,160
2.25% Convertible Notes Due 2016 [Member] | After Equitable Adjustment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion rate of notes per thousand dollar of principal amount							13.9202	13.8884	13.7502
Conversion price per share of common stock							$71.84	$72	$72.73
Common stock available upon conversion							3,511,120	5,555,360	5,500,080
2.25% Convertible Notes Due 2016 [Member] | Privately Negotiated Transaction [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible notes repurchased	100,000			100,000
Repurchased amount in cash open market	101,750			101,750
2.25% Convertible Notes Due 2016 [Member] | Open Market [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible notes repurchased	47,768			47,768
Repurchased amount in cash open market	48,604			48,604
1.50% Senior Convertible Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible notes due											300,000
Interest on convertible notes											1.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date											1-Dec-20
Proceeds from sale of notes											291,823
Percentage of principal amount equal to repurchase price			100.00%
1.50% Senior Convertible Note [Member] | Before Equitable Adjustment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion rate of notes per thousand dollar of principal amount											18.9362
Conversion price per share of common stock											$52.81
Common stock available upon conversion											5,680,860
1.50% Senior Convertible Note [Member] | After Equitable Adjustment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion rate of notes per thousand dollar of principal amount							18.9795
Conversion price per share of common stock							$52.69
Common stock available upon conversion							5,693,850
1.50% Convertible Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest on convertible notes	1.50%			1.50%
Minimum percentage of consideration received or to be received by holders of common stock for repurchase option			90.00%
Principal amount of repurchases remaining	$300,000		$300,000	$300,000

LongLived_Assets_Components_of

Long-Lived Assets - Components of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$241,249	$219,550
Less: accumulated depreciation	-181,676	-154,666
Property and equipment, net	59,573	64,884
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	60,341	54,972
Property and equipment, net	11,597	12,677
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	63,541	56,399
Website Development Costs [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	57,922	52,383
Property and equipment, net	11,343	12,225
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	44,000	40,828
Office Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	15,154	14,677
Land and Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$291	$291

LongLived_Assets_Additional_In

Long-Lived Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Depreciation expense		$27,010	$24,335	$24,505
Goodwill		202,980	202,980
Cash paid to acquire intangible assets	3,182
Amortization expense		$2,801	$2,271	$3,894
Technology [Member]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period of assets	3 years

LongLived_Assets_Schedule_of_F

Long-Lived Assets - Schedule of Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite and finite lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	$74,887	$71,705
Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-60,672	-57,871
Indefinite and finite lived intangible assets, Net	14,215	13,834
Content [Member]
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	15,954	15,954
Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-15,954	-15,954
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	34,057	34,057
Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-27,126	-25,035
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	6,931	9,022
Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life	3 years 7 months 6 days	4 years 6 months
Technology and Patents [Member]
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	17,882	14,700
Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-15,231	-14,700
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	2,651
Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life	2 years 6 months
Trade Names-Definitive Lives [Member]
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	2,530	2,530
Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-2,361	-2,182
Finite lived intangible assets, Net	169	348
Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life	1 year	2 years
Trade Names-Indefinite Lives [Member]
Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	4,464	4,464
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Net	$4,464	$4,464

LongLived_Assets_Schedule_of_F1

Long-Lived Assets - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$3,321
2016	3,120
2017	2,044
2018	$1,266

Accrued_Expense_Components_of_

Accrued Expense - Components of Accrued Expense (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued compensation	$38,856	$39,346
Accrued outside services	11,089	7,805
Accrued marketing and distribution	4,442	5,638
Accrued interest	5,960	6,010
Other accrued liabilities	12,311	14,940
Accrued expenses	$72,658	$73,739

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 14, 2013	Oct. 25, 2012	Jun. 27, 2013
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Outstanding claims						$1,965
Maximum amount of claims in dispute	4,900
Rent expense for operating leases	9,194	8,805	8,573
Amount related to lease incentives and the difference between rent expense and the rental amount payable for leases	10,605	12,279
New Hampshire Insurance Company [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Outstanding claims				1,965
Provision for claims in dispute	0
Claim filed under stop loss policy				2,935
Recoverable from outstanding losses	1,965
Minimum [Member] | National Jewish Health [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Damages					8,000
Maximum [Member] | National Jewish Health [Member]
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Damages					$10,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Commitments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$11,559
2016	7,524
2017	7,610
2018	7,435
2019	6,639
Thereafter	13,983
Total minimum lease payments	$54,750

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 23, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Shares authorized under 2005 Plan		23,275,000
Common stock available for future grants		2,226,394
Stock options surrendered by certain officers and directors	960,600
Weighted average strike price for stock options surrendered by certain officers and directors	$46.85
Share based compensation, expense of options surrendered				$8,076
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		40,602	29,724	827
Employee withholding tax paid		33,385	12,526	2,740
Combined value of stock options exercised and vested restricted stock		100,232	45,882	9,076
Stock-based compensation expense		32,546	38,550	44,921
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested awards		54,600
Period for recognition of unrecognized stock based compensation expense		2 years 8 months 12 days
Percentage of tax benefit attributable to stock-based compensation		39.00%	39.00%	39.00%
Director [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		315	364	350
Stock Options [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Expiration period from grant date		10 years
Stock-based compensation expense		21,117	24,483	31,593
Restricted Stock [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		$11,114	$13,703	$12,978
Minimum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award, award vesting period		2 Years
Minimum [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award, award vesting period		3 Years
Maximum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award, award vesting period		5 Years
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items]
Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award, award vesting period		4 Years

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance	11,429,279	13,300,688	11,054,381
Granted, Shares	899,200	2,844,500	4,888,600
Exercised, Shares	-3,875,410	-2,695,600	-195,377
Cancelled, Shares	-905,543	-2,020,309	-2,446,916
Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance	7,547,526	11,429,279	13,300,688
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, at the beginning of the period	$29.12	$26.24	$32.46
Vested and Exercisable, Shares	3,766,975
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Granted	$43.03	$33.64	$18.42
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	$24.40	$20.90	$22.80
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Cancelled	$33.42	$27.50	$38.96
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, at the end of the period	$32.69	$29.12	$26.24
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share, Vested and exercisable at the end of the period	$30.09
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years), Outstanding	7 years
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years), Vested and exercisable at the end of the period	5 years 4 months 24 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	$62,618
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and Exercisable	$42,361

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu1

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Market price of common stock	$39.55

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation - Summarized Information with Respect to Options Outstanding and Options Exercisable (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Outstanding, Shares	7,547,526	11,429,279	13,300,688	11,054,381
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$32.69	$29.12	$26.24	$32.46
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	7 years
Exercisable Shares	3,766,975
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$30.09
$13.15 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$13.15
Outstanding, Shares	709,500
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$13.15
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	7 years 9 months 18 days
Exercisable Shares	709,500
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$13.15
$13.37 - $22.99 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$13.37
Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$22.99
Outstanding, Shares	733,984
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$19.99
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	6 years 8 months 12 days
Exercisable Shares	259,384
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$19.96
$23.03 - $27.94 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$23.03
Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$27.94
Outstanding, Shares	869,919
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$25.43
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	3 years 9 months 18 days
Exercisable Shares	749,519
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$25.25
$28.00 - $30.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$28
Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$30
Outstanding, Shares	827,220
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$29.60
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	6 years 9 months 18 days
Exercisable Shares	484,770
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$29.67
$30.15 - $33.40 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$30.15
Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$33.40
Outstanding, Shares	870,173
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$32.82
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	8 years 1 month 6 days
Exercisable Shares	290,548
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$32.36
$33.55 - $37.97 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$33.55
Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$37.97
Outstanding, Shares	783,775
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$36.34
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	7 years 9 months 18 days
Exercisable Shares	263,287
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$36.50
$38.01 - $39.35 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$38.01
Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$39.35
Outstanding, Shares	669,705
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$38.62
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	7 years 10 months 24 days
Exercisable Shares	142,980
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$38.53
$39.50 - $39.78 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$39.50
Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$39.78
Outstanding, Shares	643,600
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$39.51
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	8 years 9 months 18 days
Exercisable Shares	17,400
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$39.51
$40.02 - $46.95 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$40.02
Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$46.95
Outstanding, Shares	775,125
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$44.35
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	6 years 3 months 18 days
Exercisable Shares	446,612
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$44.19
$47.02 - $58.96 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price, Lower Range Limit	$47.02
Exercise Price, Upper Range Limit	$58.96
Outstanding, Shares	664,525
Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$50.20
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (In Years)	6 years 3 months 18 days
Exercisable Shares	402,975
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$51.13

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu2

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility, Minimum	47.00%	43.00%	42.00%
Expected volatility, Maximum	49.00%	48.00%	46.00%
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	1.16%	0.55%	0.52%
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	1.72%	1.62%	1.04%
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period	$17.58	$13.95	$6.96
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (years)	4 years 2 months 12 days	4 years 6 months	4 years 4 months 24 days
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (years)	5 years	5 years 1 month 6 days	5 years 1 month 6 days

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu3

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Awards, Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted Stock Awards, Shares, Balance at the beginning of the year	1,184,961	932,386	1,205,333
Restricted Stock Awards, Shares, Granted	177,200	812,000	339,800
Restricted Stock Awards, Shares, Vested	-324,453	-401,825	-413,372
Restricted Stock Awards, Shares, Forfeited	-133,625	-157,600	-199,375
Restricted Stock Awards, Shares, Balance at the end of the year	904,083	1,184,961	932,386
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Balance at the beginning of the year	$33.07	$31.69	$36.18
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$43.84	$32.65	$20.64
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$32.70	$32.57	$33.92
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$31.29	$24.02	$35.53
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$35.58	$33.07	$31.69

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu4

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$32,546	$38,550	$44,921
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	21,117	24,483	31,593
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	11,114	13,703	12,978
Other [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	315	364	350
Cost of Operations [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	5,940	6,762	8,160
Sales and Marketing [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	7,221	8,395	8,201
General and Administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$19,385	$23,393	$28,560

Retirement_Plans_Additional_In

Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Expense related to retirement plans	$3,971	$3,903	$4,205

Equity_Additional_Information_

Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 09, 2014

Sep. 10, 2013

Apr. 03, 2012

Nov. 30, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Oct. 31, 2011

Oct. 21, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

Oct. 30, 2012

Nov. 14, 2011

Nov. 02, 2011

Aug. 31, 2011

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Common stock repurchased, total consideration

$128,748

$219,729

$26,900

Cash paid to repurchase common stock

128,748

220,298

26,331

Right to purchase preferred stock, exercise price

$66.29

$153

Series A Junior Preferred Stock [Member]

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Preferred stock, par value

$0.01

Warrant to Purchase Series A Junior Preferred Stock [Member]

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Terms of Rights Agreement

1 year

Preferred stock purchase rights per outstanding share

1

Right to purchase preferred stock, exercise price

$153

Warrant to Purchase Series A Junior Preferred Stock [Member] | Series A Junior Preferred Stock [Member]

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Preferred shares authorized per purchase right

0.001

2014 Tender Offer [Member]

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Common stock repurchased, shares

2,000,000

Common stock repurchased, total consideration

97,588

Common stock repurchased, price per share

$48.50

Costs directly attributable to repurchase of common stock

588

2013 Tender Offer [Member]

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Common stock repurchased, shares

5,000,000

Common stock repurchased, price per share

$34

Costs directly attributable to repurchase of common stock

516

Common stock repurchased and retired, total consideration

170,516

2012 Tender Offers [Member]

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Common stock repurchased, shares

5,769,230

Common stock repurchased, total consideration

150,759

Common stock repurchased, price per share

$26

Costs directly attributable to repurchase of common stock

759

2011 Program [Member]

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Common stock repurchased, shares

3,160,070

1,266,962

1,320,846

Stock repurchase program authorized additional amount

23,895

30,000

40,000

50,000

75,000

Cash paid to repurchase common stock

128,748

42,309

26,900

Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount

35,011

2011 Program [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Funds authorized to repurchase common stock

75,000

2012 Program [Member]

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Common stock repurchased, shares

39,857

Cash paid to repurchase common stock

569

CarlC Icahn And Affiliates [Member]

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

Common stock repurchased, shares

5,527,433

Common stock repurchased, total consideration

177,420

Common stock repurchased, price per share

$32.08

Costs directly attributable to repurchase of common stock

$100

Income_Taxes_Significant_Compo

Income Taxes - Significant Components of the Company's Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$91,000	$105,323
State net operating loss carryforwards	35,488	39,098
Capital losses	458	6,016
Federal tax credits	56,096	55,976
Accrued expenses	17,919	16,748
Stock-based compensation	21,031	26,946
Intangible assets	3,570	4,596
Other	3,841	3,932
Total deferred tax assets	229,403	258,635
Valuation allowance	-157,644	-174,592
Net deferred tax assets	71,759	84,043
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	-3,063	-3,976
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset	-30,975	-27,645
Other	-627
Total deferred tax liabilities	-34,665	-31,621
Net deferred tax assets	37,094	52,422
Current deferred tax assets, net:
Current deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities	59,371	41,921
Valuation allowance	-41,224	-28,301
Current deferred tax assets, net	18,147	13,620
Non-current deferred tax assets, net:
Non-current deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities	135,367	185,093
Valuation allowance	-116,420	-146,291
Non-current deferred tax assets, net	18,947	38,802
Net deferred tax assets	$37,094	$52,422

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Provis

Income Taxes - Income Tax Provision (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal									($622)	($73)	($583)
State									3,047	502	295
Foreign									369	141	190
Current income tax provision (benefit)									2,794	570	-98
Deferred:
Federal									12,570	10,683	-325
State									2,147	2,387	-2,012
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)									14,717	13,070	-2,337
Reversal of valuation allowance applied to additional paid-in capital									13,196		301
Total income tax provision (benefit)	$11,236	$7,275	$7,371	$4,825	$8,458	$3,353	$1,603	$226	$30,707	$13,640	($2,134)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_be

Income Taxes - Reconciliation between Federal Statutory Rate and Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	-35.00%
State income taxes (net of federal benefit)	7.40%	12.50%	-0.30%
Valuation allowance	-3.30%	-6.40%	18.40%
Non-deductible officer compensation	2.20%	3.60%	8.70%
Other	1.60%	2.70%	-0.30%
Effective income tax rate	42.90%	47.40%	-8.50%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 25, 2008	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation allowance reversed through additional paid-in capital		$13,196		$301
Deferred tax asset, state net operating loss carry forwards		35,488	39,098
Increase (Decrease) in valuation allowance for deferred tax asset		-16,948	-1,811
Reversal of valuation allowance through tax provision				4,724
Net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes		700,000
Federal tax credits		64,809
Federal tax credits, unrecognized tax benefits		44,085
Federal tax credits, unrecognized tax benefits, expiration dates		2017 through 2031
Expiration period of operating loss carryforwards		2017 through 2034
Federal tax credits, expiration period		20,724
Excess tax benefits related to share-based payments, deferred tax assets		250,000
Excess tax benefits, adjustment related to share-based payments		450,000
Percentage of ownership in company's capital	50.00%
Unrecognized income tax benefits		13,553	13,889
Result of unrecognized income tax benefit provision if recognized		8,828	9,164
Accrued interest and penalties		581	497
Unrecognized income tax benefits, lower range		100
Unrecognized income tax benefits, upper range		200
Valuation Allowance, Operating Loss Carryforwards [Member]
Deferred tax asset, state net operating loss carry forwards		1,311	1,351
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Valuation allowance reversed through additional paid-in capital		$1,359		$801

Income_Taxes_Activity_of_Unrec

Income Taxes - Activity of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Accrued Interest and Penalties (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of the year	$13,392	$13,949	$12,069
Increases related to prior year tax positions	15		757
Increases related to current year tax positions			1,707
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	-379	-532
Expiration of the statute of limitations for the assessment of taxes	-56	-25	-584
Balance at the end of the year	$12,972	$13,392	$13,949

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Financial Assets Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, Amortized Cost Basis	$706,776	$824,880	$991,835	$1,121,217
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, Amortized Cost Basis	706,776	824,880
Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value	706,776	824,880
Cash and cash equivalents, Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Available-for-sale-security, Amortized cost basis	0	0
Available-for-sale-security, Fair value	1,603
Available-for-sale-security, Gross unrealized gains	$1,603

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 20, 2010	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Period that option was retained	2 years
Private Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Amount		$6,471
Acquisition costs		$470

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Reconciles of Beginning and Ending Balances of Level 3 Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value as of the beginning of the period	$1,195
Cash proceeds received	-9,269
Gain included in earnings	8,074
Fair value as of the end of the period	$0

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru5

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Company's Convertible Notes that are Carried at Historical Cost (Detail) (Level 1 [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
2.25% Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes, Carrying Amount	$252,232	$252,232
Notes, Fair Value	254,754	252,863
2.50% Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes, Carrying Amount	400,000	400,000
Notes, Fair Value	399,000	394,400
1.50% Senior Convertible Note [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes, Carrying Amount	300,000	300,000
Notes, Fair Value	$299,250	$294,852

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru6

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Company's Convertible Notes that are Carried at Historical Cost (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes, Interest Rate	1.50%	1.50%
Level 1 [Member] | 2.25% Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes, Interest Rate	2.25%	2.25%
Level 1 [Member] | 2.50% Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes, Interest Rate	2.50%	2.50%
Level 1 [Member] | 1.50% Senior Convertible Note [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes, Interest Rate	1.50%	1.50%

Restructuring_Additional_Infor

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reorganizations [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	$7,579	$7,579
Accrued restructuring charges			$0	$146

Supplemental_Disclosures_of_Ca2

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid	$20,225	$19,038	$19,000
Taxes paid, net	$277	$274	$785

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Revenue	$162,727	$143,490	$140,400	$133,832	$146,277	$130,937	$125,317	$112,762	$580,449	$515,293	$469,866
Cost of operations	60,676	56,398	54,456	52,564	57,763	53,438	51,596	46,943	224,094	209,740	216,361
Sales and marketing	36,978	32,950	33,321	32,911	33,081	32,561	31,422	30,933	136,160	127,997	127,659
General and administrative	24,756	23,243	22,339	23,781	22,715	22,689	24,282	23,534	94,119	93,220	97,618
Depreciation and amortization	7,774	7,667	7,042	7,328	6,566	6,552	6,635	6,853	29,811	26,606	28,399
Interest income	18	19	17	15	22	16	17	21	69	76	86
Interest expense	6,171	6,171	6,172	6,172	5,329	5,833	5,832	5,832	24,686	22,826	23,334
Loss on convertible notes					1,575	3,296				4,871
Other expense							1,353			1,353	2,297
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax provision (benefit)	26,390	17,080	17,087	11,091	19,270	6,584	4,214	-1,312	71,648	28,756	-25,221
Income tax provision	11,236	7,275	7,371	4,825	8,458	3,353	1,603	226	30,707	13,640	-2,134
Income from continuing operations	15,154	9,805	9,716	6,266
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,122								1,122		2,743
Net income (loss)	16,276	9,805	9,716	6,266	10,812	3,231	2,611	-1,538	42,063	15,116	-20,344
Basic income per common share:
Income from continuing operations	$0.42	$0.26	$0.26	$0.16	$0.27	$0.07	$0.05	($0.03)	$1.08	$0.32	($0.45)
Income from discontinued operations	$0.03								$0.03		$0.05
Net income (loss)	$0.45	$0.26	$0.26	$0.16					$1.11	$0.32	($0.40)
Net (loss) income per common share - Basic	$0.42	$0.26	$0.26	$0.16	$0.27	$0.07	$0.05	($0.03)	$1.08	$0.32	($0.45)
Diluted income per common share:
Income from continuing operations	$0.36	$0.23	$0.23	$0.15	$0.25	$0.06	$0.05	($0.03)	$0.97	$0.31	($0.45)
Income from discontinued operations	$0.02								$0.03		$0.05
Net income (loss)	$0.38	$0.23	$0.23	$0.15					$1	$0.31	($0.40)
Net (loss) income per common share - Diluted	$0.36	$0.23	$0.23	$0.15	$0.25	$0.06	$0.05	($0.03)	$0.97	$0.31	($0.45)
Numerator:
Income from continuing operations - Basic	15,154	9,805	9,716	6,266	10,812	3,231	2,611	-1,538	40,941	15,116	-23,087
Interest expense on Notes, net of tax									3,456
Income from continuing operations - Diluted	18,918	10,669	10,580	6,266	11,138	3,231	2,611	-1,538	44,397	15,116	-23,087
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - Basic and Diluted	1,122								1,122		2,743
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares - Basic	36,427	37,960	37,819	39,268	40,457	48,540	49,315	49,007	37,869	46,830	50,862
Stock options and restricted stock	1,245	2,113	2,301	2,584	2,192	2,054	1,610		2,060	1,568
Convertible notes, Shares									5,685
Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions - Diluted	53,082	45,757	45,801	41,852	44,872	50,594	50,925	49,007	45,614	48,398	50,862
1.50% Convertible Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Numerator:
Interest expense on Notes, net of tax	864	864	864		326
Denominator:
Convertible notes, Shares	5,694	5,684	5,681		2,223
2.50% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Numerator:
Interest expense on Notes, net of tax	1,797
Denominator:
Convertible notes, Shares	6,205
2.25% Convertible Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Numerator:
Interest expense on Notes, net of tax	$1,103
Denominator:
Convertible notes, Shares	3,511

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$793	$1,304	$1,129
Charged to Costs and Expenses	577	283	511
Write-offs	-739	-794	-336
Balance at End of Year	631	793	1,304
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	174,592	176,403	172,832
Charged to Costs and Expenses	-2,350	-1,831	4,650
Other	-14,598	20	-1,079
Balance at End of Year	$157,644	$174,592	$176,403