Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 22,393	$ 65,755
Restricted cash—current	6,400	0
Accounts receivable—less allowance for doubtful accounts of $17,909 and $16,540 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	124,441	111,370
Investments—current	4,451	5,511
Prepaid income taxes	10,217	9,915
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,657	9,213
Deferred tax asset—current	8,633	9,232
Total current assets	184,192	210,996
Property and equipment, net	116,784	479,770
Insurance subsidiary deposits and investments	17,681	16,888
Escrow deposits	1,880	1,000
Deferred tax asset	10,930	4,464
Restricted cash - less current portion	1,819	0
Restricted and other assets	8,169	9,804
Intangible assets, net	6,711	5,718
Goodwill	24,326	23,935
Other indefinite-lived intangibles	8,340	7,740
Total assets	380,832	760,315
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	26,508	23,793
Accrued wages and related liabilities	44,590	40,093
Accrued self-insurance liabilities—current	14,771	15,461
Other accrued liabilities	23,697	25,698
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	7,411
Total current liabilities	109,566	112,456
Long-term debt—less current maturities	0	251,895
Accrued self-insurance liabilities—less current portion	32,792	33,642
Fair value of interest rate swap	0	1,828
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities	3,162	3,237
Total liabilities	145,520	403,058
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Equity:
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 75,000 shares authorized; 22,777 and 22,382 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2014, respectively, and 22,580 and 22,113 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013, respectively	23	22
Additional paid-in capital	107,876	101,364
Retained earnings	128,721	257,502
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 203 and 237 shares at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	(1,509)	(1,680)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	(1,112)
Total Ensign Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity	235,111	356,096
Non-controlling interest	201	1,161
Total equity	235,312	357,257
Total liabilities and equity	$ 380,832	$ 760,315