SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 segment	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
SEGMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION
Number of operating segments			2
Net sales
Net sales	$ 275,854	$ 267,798	$ 511,459	$ 497,148
Depreciation and amortization	12,133	9,510	22,332	18,795
Income (loss) from operations	26,403	36,644	42,433	59,360
Interest (income) expense	6,201	7,708	12,299	15,485
Extinguishment of Debt		6,645		6,645
Income before taxes	20,202	22,291	30,134	37,230
PP&E Additions			21,686	18,045
Total assets	1,364,559		1,364,559		1,271,660
Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales
Net sales	(48,372)	(58,850)	(97,927)	(109,933)
Income (loss) from operations	(311)	(279)	(529)	(542)
Income before taxes	(311)	(279)	(529)	(542)
Total assets	(633,915)		(633,915)		(639,689)
Patient Care
Segment and related information
Minimum age for health insurance coverage under Medicare health insurance program	65		65
Medicare reimbursement for O&P products and services based on prices set forth in published fee schedules, number of regional pricing areas	10		10
Minimum age to supplement Medicare benefits for financially needy persons under Medicaid health insurance program	65		65
Estimated government reimbursement as a percentage of the company's net sales			40.70%	40.60%
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	231,894	225,154	427,524	414,181
Depreciation and amortization	6,597	4,067	11,476	8,133
Interest (income) expense	7,968	7,674	15,924	15,424
PP&E Additions			9,336	6,944
Total assets	1,567,564		1,567,564		1,502,721
Patient Care | Operating segments
Net sales
Income (loss) from operations	33,605	41,621	55,880	67,010
Income before taxes	25,637	33,947	39,956	51,586
Products and Services
Net sales
Net sales	43,960	42,644	83,935	82,967
Depreciation and amortization	3,081	3,343	6,036	6,546
Interest (income) expense	3,684	3,338	7,375	6,673
PP&E Additions			3,251	1,221
Total assets	430,910		430,910		408,628
Products and Services | Operating segments
Net sales
Income (loss) from operations	12,309	11,064	22,977	20,539
Income before taxes	8,625	7,726	15,602	13,866
Products and Services | Consolidating Adjustments
Net sales
Net sales	48,372	58,850	97,927	109,933
Other
Net sales
Depreciation and amortization	2,455	2,100	4,820	4,116
Interest (income) expense	(5,451)	(3,304)	(11,000)	(6,612)
Extinguishment of Debt		6,645		6,645
PP&E Additions			9,099	9,880
Other | Operating segments
Net sales
Income (loss) from operations	(19,200)	(15,762)	(35,895)	(27,647)
Income before taxes	$ (13,749)	$ (19,103)	$ (24,895)	$ (27,680)