CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 2,071,519	$ 1,955,633	$ 1,662,578
Other operating income	34,372	0	0
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	1,185,369	1,150,337	992,863
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	449,448	394,452	316,522
Non-cash compensation	26,730	25,040	17,887
Other	192,122	188,434	166,897
Depreciation and amortization	28,802	18,428	13,261
Asset impairment charge	4,152	1,470	0
Operating expenses	1,886,623	1,778,161	1,507,430
Operating income	219,268	177,472	155,148
Other income (expense):
Interest income	292	78	278
Interest expense	(11,038)	(14,515)	(7,370)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	3,966	5,338	7,692
Miscellaneous, net	(1,669)	2,037	3,240
Total other (expense) income, net	(8,449)	(7,062)	3,840
Income before income taxes	210,819	170,410	158,988
Income tax expense	(25,635)	(42,503)	(38,859)
Net income	185,184	127,907	120,129
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,576)	(1,074)	(783)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 183,608	$ 126,833	$ 119,346
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (usd per share)	$ 5.64	$ 3.95	$ 3.64
Weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	32,559	32,142	32,791
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (usd per share)	$ 5.52	$ 3.84	$ 3.55
Weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	33,268	32,990	33,609