CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 1,955,633	$ 1,662,578	$ 1,511,272
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	1,150,337	992,863	903,377
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	394,452	316,522	305,938
Non-cash compensation	25,040	17,887	16,295
Other	188,434	166,897	159,980
Depreciation and amortization	18,428	13,261	17,123
Asset impairment charge	1,470	0	1,323
Securities Class Action Lawsuit settlement, net	0	0	28,712
Operating expenses	1,778,161	1,507,430	1,432,748
Operating income	177,472	155,148	78,524
Other income (expense):
Interest income	78	278	158
Interest expense	(14,515)	(7,370)	(5,031)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	5,338	7,692	3,381
Miscellaneous, net	2,037	3,240	3,769
Total other (expense) income, net	(7,062)	3,840	2,277
Income before income taxes	170,410	158,988	80,801
Income tax expense	(42,503)	(38,859)	(50,118)
Net income	127,907	120,129	30,683
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,074)	(783)	(382)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 126,833	$ 119,346	$ 30,301
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (usd per share)	$ 3.95	$ 3.64	$ 0.90
Weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	32,142	32,791	33,704
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (usd per share)	$ 3.84	$ 3.55	$ 0.88
Weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	32,990	33,609	34,304