Segments (Segment Data) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income	$ 67,722	$ 58,947	$ 205,714	$ 154,343
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income	76,913	65,913	232,228	182,702
VITAS [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income	45,737	39,773	147,262	106,400
Roto-Rooter [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income	31,176	26,140	84,966	76,302
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income	$ (9,191)	$ (6,966)	$ (26,514)	$ (28,359)