SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 segment	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION
Number of operating segments	2
Net sales
Net sales	$ 235,605	$ 229,350
Depreciation and amortization	10,199	9,285
Income (loss) from operations	16,030	22,716
Interest (income) expense	6,098	7,777
Income before taxes	9,932	14,939
Capital expenditures	8,861	5,398
Total assets	1,369,685		1,271,660
Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales
Net sales	(49,555)	(51,083)
Income (loss) from operations	(218)	(263)
Income before taxes	(218)	(263)
Total assets	(569,487)		(639,689)
Patient Care
Segment and related information
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 published fee schedules, number of regional pricing 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	38.70%	40.20%
Number of O&P provider locations	1,170
Number of O&P independent providers	400
Number of contracts with national and regional providers	58
Net sales
Net sales	195,630	189,027
Depreciation and amortization	4,879	4,066
Interest (income) expense	7,956	7,750
Capital expenditures	4,568	2,903
Patient Care | Operating segments
Net sales
Income (loss) from operations	22,275	25,389
Income before taxes	14,319	17,639
Total assets	1,523,088		1,502,721
Products and Services
Net sales
Net sales	39,975	40,323
Depreciation and amortization	2,955	3,203
Interest (income) expense	3,691	3,335
Capital expenditures	266	107
Products and Services | Operating segments
Net sales
Income (loss) from operations	10,668	9,475
Income before taxes	6,977	6,140
Total assets	416,084		408,628
Products and Services | Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales
Net sales	49,555	51,083
Other
Net sales
Depreciation and amortization	2,365	2,016
Interest (income) expense	(5,549)	(3,308)
Capital expenditures	4,027	2,388
Other | Operating segments
Net sales
Income (loss) from operations	(16,695)	(11,885)
Income before taxes	$ (11,146)	$ (8,577)