CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 1,662,578	$ 1,511,272	$ 1,419,261
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	992,863	903,377	834,381
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	316,522	305,938	306,981
Non-cash compensation	17,887	16,295	16,401
Other	166,897	159,980	180,048
Depreciation and amortization	13,261	17,123	19,678
Asset impairment charge	0	1,323	4,432
Securities Class Action Lawsuit settlement, net	0	28,712	0
Operating expenses	1,507,430	1,432,748	1,361,921
Operating income	155,148	78,524	57,340
Other income (expense):
Interest income	278	158	75
Interest expense	(7,370)	(5,031)	(5,164)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	7,692	3,381	5,588
Miscellaneous, net	3,240	3,769	3,727
Total other income, net	3,840	2,277	4,226
Income before income taxes	158,988	80,801	61,566
Income tax expense	(38,859)	(50,118)	(23,935)
Net income	120,129	30,683	37,631
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(783)	(382)	(370)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 119,346	$ 30,301	$ 37,261
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (usd per share)	$ 3.64	$ 0.90	$ 1.12
Weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	32,791	33,704	33,198
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (usd per share)	$ 3.55	$ 0.88	$ 1.10
Weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	33,609	34,304	33,741