CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 411,603	$ 374,946	$ 810,865	$ 739,607
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	242,564	220,541	480,873	436,870
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	77,215	74,943	152,846	149,402
Non-cash compensation	3,767	4,356	7,811	8,230
Other	42,104	41,617	83,784	82,034
Depreciation and amortization	3,125	4,537	6,718	8,954
Securities Class Action Lawsuit settlement, net	0	28,712	0	28,712
Operating expenses	368,775	374,706	732,032	714,202
Operating income	42,828	240	78,833	25,405
Other income (expense):
Interest income	114	41	234	60
Interest expense	(2,140)	(1,197)	(3,843)	(2,265)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	2,976	2,355	4,836	2,249
Miscellaneous, net	359	1,127	960	2,239
Total other income, net	1,309	2,326	2,187	2,283
Income before income taxes	44,137	2,566	81,020	27,688
Income tax (expense) benefit	(10,596)	1,963	(20,159)	(7,960)
Net income	33,541	4,529	60,861	19,728
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(192)	(68)	(353)	(137)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 33,349	$ 4,461	$ 60,508	$ 19,591
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, basic (usd per share)	$ 1.00	$ 0.13	$ 1.80	$ 0.58
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (shares)	33,439	33,637	33,705	33,540
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.98	$ 0.13	$ 1.76	$ 0.57
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	34,179	34,329	34,391	34,203