CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 2,214,112	$ 2,071,519	$ 1,955,633
Other operating income	13,300	34,372	0
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	1,233,356	1,185,369	1,150,337
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	474,718	449,448	394,452
Non-cash compensation	23,809	26,730	25,040
Other	212,713	192,122	188,434
Depreciation and amortization	30,901	28,802	18,428
Asset impairment charge	0	4,152	1,470
Operating expenses	1,975,497	1,886,623	1,778,161
Operating income	251,915	219,268	177,472
Other income (expense):
Interest income	49	292	78
Interest expense	(9,525)	(11,038)	(14,515)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	4,949	3,966	5,338
Gain (loss) on equity method investments	31,098	(2,980)	0
Miscellaneous, net	1,745	1,311	2,037
Total other income (expense), net	28,316	(8,449)	(7,062)
Income before income taxes	280,231	210,819	170,410
Income tax expense	(70,065)	(25,635)	(42,503)
Net income	210,166	185,184	127,907
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,094)	(1,576)	(1,074)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 209,072	$ 183,608	$ 126,833
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (usd per share)	$ 6.41	$ 5.64	$ 3.95
Weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	32,642	32,559	32,142
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (usd per share)	$ 6.34	$ 5.52	$ 3.84
Weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	32,972	33,268	32,990