CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 485,059	$ 492,984	$ 976,744	$ 960,324
Other operating income	22,780	0	22,780	0
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	295,228	290,752	580,965	566,026
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	105,617	98,356	207,183	193,186
Non-cash compensation	6,725	5,538	12,634	12,153
Other	44,003	48,408	93,268	91,810
Depreciation and amortization	6,334	5,179	11,672	8,074
Operating expenses	457,907	448,233	905,722	871,249
Operating income	49,932	44,751	93,802	89,075
Other income (expense):
Interest income	214	20	227	44
Interest expense	(2,752)	(4,332)	(5,983)	(7,681)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	487	3,716	964	4,932
Miscellaneous, net	(2,703)	193	(2,440)	429
Total other expense, net	(4,754)	(403)	(7,232)	(2,276)
Income before income taxes	45,178	44,348	86,570	86,799
Income tax expense	(10,031)	(10,308)	(19,377)	(21,186)
Net income	35,147	34,040	67,193	65,613
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(473)	(298)	(717)	(567)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 34,674	$ 33,742	$ 66,476	$ 65,046
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, basic (usd per share)	$ 1.07	$ 1.05	$ 2.05	$ 2.03
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (shares)	32,412	32,075	32,371	32,038
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, diluted (usd per share)	$ 1.04	$ 1.02	$ 2.00	$ 1.98
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	33,285	32,933	33,259	32,913