SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue Recognition Impact From Adoption (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable	$ 195,030		$ 195,030		$ 201,196
Allowance for doubtful accounts					0
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue	417,335	$ 373,704	1,228,200	$ 1,113,311
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	249,739	227,269	730,612	664,139
Provision for doubtful accounts		0		0
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 31,377	14,558	91,885	34,149
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts		0		0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable			$ 6,166	(10,846)
ASU 2014-09 | As Previously Reported
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable					201,196
Allowance for doubtful accounts					(20,866)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue		380,163		1,129,442
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization		226,642		662,192
Provision for doubtful accounts		7,086		18,078
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.		14,558		34,149
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts		7,086		18,078
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable				(28,924)
ASU 2014-09 | Adjustment for the Adoption of ASC 606
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable					0
Allowance for doubtful accounts					$ 20,866
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue		(6,459)		(16,131)
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization		627		1,947
Provision for doubtful accounts		(7,086)		(18,078)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.		0		0
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts		$ (7,086)		(18,078)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable				$ 18,078