SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue Recognition Impact from Adoption (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable	$ 188,972				$ 201,196				$ 188,972	$ 201,196
Allowance for doubtful accounts					0					0
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue	434,400	$ 417,300	$ 411,600	$ 399,300	398,000	$ 373,700	$ 374,900	$ 364,700	1,662,578	1,511,272	$ 1,419,261
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization									992,863	903,377	834,381
Provision for doubtful accounts										0	0
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 27,500	$ 31,400	$ 33,300	$ 27,200	(3,800)	$ 14,600	$ 4,500	$ 15,100	119,346	30,301	37,261
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									$ 12,224	(34,672)	(36,000)
ASU 2014-09 | As Previously Reported
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable					201,196					201,196
Allowance for doubtful accounts					(20,866)					(20,866)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue										1,533,680	1,437,454
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization										900,726	833,055
Provision for doubtful accounts										25,059	19,519
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.										30,301	37,261
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts										25,059	19,519
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable										(59,731)	(55,519)
ASU 2014-09 | Restatement Adjustment
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable					0					0
Allowance for doubtful accounts					$ (20,866)					(20,866)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue										(22,408)	(18,193)
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization										2,651	1,326
Provision for doubtful accounts										(25,059)	(19,519)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.										0	0
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts										(25,059)	(19,519)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable										$ 25,059	$ 19,519