CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 494,631	$ 417,335	$ 1,454,955	$ 1,228,200
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	288,708	249,739	854,734	730,612
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	99,941	79,367	293,127	232,213
Non-cash compensation	6,298	4,842	18,451	12,653
Other	48,474	40,335	140,284	124,119
Depreciation and amortization	4,366	3,164	12,440	9,882
Operating expenses	447,787	377,447	1,319,036	1,109,479
Operating income	46,844	39,888	135,919	118,721
Other income (expense):
Interest income	15	29	59	263
Interest expense	(3,778)	(1,991)	(11,459)	(5,834)
Equity in (losses) earnings from equity method investments	(812)	1,625	4,120	6,461
Miscellaneous, net	1,975	1,822	2,404	2,782
Total other (expense) income, net	(2,600)	1,485	(4,876)	3,672
Income before income taxes	44,244	41,373	131,043	122,393
Income tax expense	(9,919)	(9,825)	(31,105)	(29,984)
Net income	34,325	31,548	99,938	92,409
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(193)	(171)	(760)	(524)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 34,132	$ 31,377	$ 99,178	$ 91,885
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, basic (usd per share)	$ 1.06	$ 0.99	$ 3.09	$ 2.78
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (shares)	32,211	31,815	32,096	33,075
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, diluted (usd per share)	$ 1.03	$ 0.96	$ 3.01	$ 2.71
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	33,002	32,691	32,944	33,852