SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 item	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION
Number of operating segments	2
Number of operating segments prior to changes	3
Net sales
Customers	$ 233,535	$ 218,091
Depreciation and amortization	9,285	8,285
Income (loss) from operations	22,716	21,737
Interest (income) expense	7,777	7,777
Income (loss) before taxes	14,939	13,960
Capital expenditures	5,398	5,316
Total assets	1,228,921		1,237,327
Patient Care
Summarized financial information concerning the Company's operating segments
Minimum age for health insurance coverage under Medicare health insurance program	65
Medicare reimbursement for O&P products and services based on prices set forth in fee schedules, number of regional service areas	10
Minimum age to supplement Medicare benefits for financially needy persons under Medicaid health insurance program	65
Estimated government reimbursement as a percentage of the company's net sales	40.20%	41.20%
Number of O&P provider locations	1,130
Number of O&P independent providers	400
Number of contracts with national and regional providers	56
Net sales
Customers	193,212	176,518
Depreciation and amortization	4,066	3,427
Income (loss) from operations	25,389	25,279
Interest (income) expense	7,750	7,582
Income (loss) before taxes	17,639	17,697
Capital expenditures	2,903	2,543
Total assets	1,398,550		1,389,223
Products and Services
Net sales
Customers	40,323	41,573
Intersegments	51,083	48,413
Depreciation and amortization	3,203	2,997
Income (loss) from operations	9,475	8,810
Interest (income) expense	3,335	2,272
Income (loss) before taxes	6,140	6,538
Capital expenditures	107	714
Total assets	341,005		336,318
Other
Net sales
Depreciation and amortization	2,016	1,861
Income (loss) from operations	(11,885)	(12,075)
Interest (income) expense	(3,308)	(2,077)
Income (loss) before taxes	(8,577)	(9,998)
Capital expenditures	2,388	2,059
Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales
Intersegments	(51,083)	(48,413)
Income (loss) from operations	(263)	(277)
Income (loss) before taxes	(263)	(277)
Total assets	$ (510,634)		$ (488,214)