Business Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Segment information about the Company's operations
Total net revenues	$ 487,505		$ 415,591
Operating contribution	56,426		57,609
Goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment	0		(224,320)	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	(6,447)		(4,781)
Interest expense and other, net	(24,498)		(22,293)
Income (loss) before income taxes	919		(212,472)
Assets	1,234,934		1,239,298		1,262,617
Home Health [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Total net revenues	255,976		236,061
Operating contribution	29,603	[2]	30,188
Assets	406,783		248,789
Hospice [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Total net revenues	174,402		179,530
Operating contribution	17,544	[2]	27,421
Assets	358,652		634,065	[1]
Community Care [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Total net revenues	57,127		0
Operating contribution	9,279		0
Assets	170,717		0
Home Health and Hospice [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Assets	936,152		882,854
Corporate [Member]
Segment information about the Company's operations
Corporate Expenses	(24,562)	[2]	(18,687)	[2]
Assets	$ 298,782		$ 356,444	[1]

[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 9.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] (1)For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded charges relating to cost savings initiatives and acquisition and integration activities of $5.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively. See Note 8 for additional information.The charges were reflected as follows for segment reporting purposes (in millions): First Quarter 2014 2013Home Health$0.6 $—Hospice2.8 —Corporate expenses1.9 0.1Total$5.3 $0.1