Quarterly Results (Unaudited) - Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Service revenue, net	$ 360,762	$ 343,771	$ 343,736	$ 336,696	$ 330,558	$ 324,824	$ 338,805	$ 324,033
Operating income	(693)	9,435	3,431	12,103	14,173	7,271	11,333	4,707	$ 24,276	$ 37,484	$ 48,157
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	(1,454)	10,295	1,964	7,423	38,008	3,374	7,658	2,046	18,228	51,085	26,881
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(19,026)	(2,964)	(13,366)	(1,697)	1,074	11,575	(3,917)	(5,997)	(37,053)	2,735	62,965
Net income (loss) attributable to Providence	$ (20,350)	$ 7,154	$ (11,215)	$ 5,430	$ 38,926	$ 14,853	$ 3,915	$ (4,325)	$ (18,981)	$ 53,369	$ 91,928
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.67)	$ 0.37	$ (0.96)	$ 0.27	$ 2.44	$ 0.88	$ 0.15	$ (0.40)	$ (1.95)	$ 3.14	$ 5.25
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.67)	$ 0.37	$ (0.95)	$ 0.26	$ 2.42	$ 0.88	$ 0.14	$ (0.40)	$ (1.94)	$ 3.12	$ 5.21