Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross	$ 1,447,754,000		$ 1,447,754,000
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(1,057,673,000)		(1,057,673,000)
Goodwill	390,081,000		390,081,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Home Health [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross	386,824,000		386,824,000
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(263,370,000)		(263,370,000)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Hospice [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross	944,285,000		944,285,000
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(794,303,000)		(794,303,000)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		(220,800,000)
Community Care [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Gross	116,645,000		116,645,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 0