Business Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Segment information about the Company's operations
Total net revenues	$ 415,591		$ 435,652
Operating contribution	57,609		58,358
Goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment	(224,320)	[1]	0
Depreciation and amortization	(4,781)		(7,430)
Interest expense and other, net	(22,293)		(21,502)	[2]
(Loss) Income before income taxes	(212,472)		7,582
Total assets	1,239,298		1,461,373		1,510,934
Home Health [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Total net revenues	236,061		239,964
Operating contribution	30,188		25,876	[3]
Segment assets	248,789		246,294
Hospice [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Total net revenues	179,530		195,688
Operating contribution	27,421		32,482	[3]
Segment assets	634,065		919,629
Home Health and Hospice [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Segment assets	882,854		1,165,923
Corporate [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Corporate Expenses	(18,687)	[3]	(21,844)	[3]
Segment assets	$ 356,444		$ 295,450

[1] (2)At March 31, 2013, the Company performed an interim impairment test of its Hospice reporting unit. Based on the results of the interim impairment test, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge relating to goodwill of approximately $220.8 million As part of that analysis, the Company reviewed the valuation of its owned real estate utilized in the Hospice business. The analysis indicated that two of the Company's hospice inpatient units had estimated fair values lower than their carrying values and, as such, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $1.9 million. See Note 7.In addition, the Company conducted an evaluation of the various systems used to support its field operations. In connection with that review, the Company made a strategic decision to replace its business intelligence software platform and, as such, recorded a non-cash impairment charge, related to developed software, of approximately $1.6 million.Hospice and corporate assets were reduced by $220.8 million and $3.5 million , respectively, as a result of the impairment.

[2] (3)For the first quarter of 2012, interest expense and other, net included charges of $0.5 million relating to the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs associated with the revolving credit facility. See Note 2 for additional information.

[3] (1)For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded charges relating to cost savings initiatives and other restructuring costs, acquisition and integration costs and legal settlements of $0.1 million and $5.4 million, respectively. See Note 6 for additional information.The charges were reflected as follows for segment reporting purposes (in millions): First Quarter 2013 2012Home Health$— $5.8Hospice— (0.2)Corporate expenses0.1 (0.2)Total$0.1 $5.4