Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 1,726,644		$ 1,712,804		$ 1,798,778
Cost of services sold	942,180		908,741		948,455
Gross profit	784,464		804,063		850,323
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(701,716)		(655,766)		(730,407)
Goodwill, intangibles and other long-lived asset impairment	(610,436)	[1]	(19,132)	[1]	(643,305)	[1]
Gain on sale of assets and businesses, net	0		8,014		1,061
Dividend income	0		0		8,590	[2]
Interest income	2,704		2,661		2,686
Interest expense and other	(113,088)		(92,608)		(91,296)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net (loss) earnings of CareCentrix	(638,072)		47,232		(602,348)
Income tax benefit (expense)	39,565		(17,251)		75,768
Equity in net (loss) earnings of CareCentrix	0		(2,301)		68,381
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(598,507)		27,680		(458,199)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	0		0		8,315
Net (loss) income	(598,507)		27,680		(449,884)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(487)		(884)		(641)
Net (loss) income attributable to Gentiva shareholders	(598,994)		26,796		(450,525)
Total comprehensive (loss) income	(598,507)		27,680		(450,362)
Basic earnings per common share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Gentiva shareholders	$ (18.75)		$ 0.88		$ (15.13)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0.00		$ 0.00		$ 0.28
Net (loss) income attributable to Gentiva shareholders	$ (18.75)		$ 0.88		$ (14.85)
Weighted average shares outstanding	31,954		30,509		30,336
Diluted earnings per common share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Gentiva shareholders	$ (18.75)		$ 0.87		$ (15.13)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0.00		$ 0.00		$ 0.28
Net (loss) income attributable to Gentiva shareholders	$ (18.75)		$ 0.87		$ (14.85)
Weighted average shares outstanding	31,954		30,687		30,336
Amounts attributable to Gentiva shareholders:
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(598,994)		26,796		(458,840)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	0		0		8,315
Net (loss) income attributable to Gentiva shareholders	$ (598,994)		$ 26,796		$ (450,525)

[1] The Company performed its annual impairment test as of December 31, 2013 for its Home Health, Hospice and Community Care segments. Based on this assessment, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges relating to the goodwill and intangibles of its Hospice segment of approximately $379.8 million and $6.3 million, respectively, for the year 2013.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. 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 these impairments.For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges associated with a write-off of its trade name intangibles of $19.1 million in connection with the Company's initiative to re-brand its operations under the Gentiva name. Home Health and Hospice assets were reduced by $6.0 million and $13.1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012 as a result of the impairment.For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges associated with goodwill, intangibles and other long-lived assets of $643.3 million. This charge was the result of (i) changes in the Company's business climate, (ii) uncertainties around Medicare reimbursement as the federal government worked to reduce the federal deficit, (iii) a significant decline in the price of the Company's common stock during the fiscal year, (iv) a write-down of software and (v) a change in the estimated fair value of real estate. Home Health, Hospice and corporate assets were reduced by $408.4 million, $193.7 million and $41.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2011, as a result of the impairment.

[2] For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recognized dividend income of $8.6 million as a result of the sale of a portion of the Company’s combined common and preferred ownership of CareCentrix.