8-K

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): September 7, 2004

AMEDISYS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
0-24260	11-3131700
(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
11100 Mead Road, Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)
(225) 292-2031
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-(c))

ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

On September 7, 2004, Amedisys, Inc., issued a press release announcing the acquisition of Freedom Home Health in Virginia.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired.

Not applicable

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information

Not applicable

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Press release dated September 7, 2004 announcing the acquisition of Freedom Home Health in Virginia.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

AMEDISYS, INC.
By:	/s/ Gregory H. Browne
Gregory H. Browne Chief Financial Officer
DATE: September 9, 2004

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Contact: Amedisys, Inc.

Gregory H. Browne, Chief Financial Officer

(225) 292-2031

gbrowne@amedisys.com

Investor Relations: Euro RSCG Life NRP

Brian Ritchie (212) 845-4269

brian.ritchie@eurorscg.com

Amedisys Acquires Freedom Home Health in Virginia

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (September 7, 2004) – Amedisys, Inc. (Nasdaq: “AMED” or the “Company”), one of America’s leading home nursing companies, today announced that it has acquired a single home health agency with three locations in Richmond, Virginia, from Freedom Home Health, effective September 1, 2004. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The agency is not expected to have a significant contribution to Amedisys in 2004. Going forward, the agency is expected to contribute approximately $6.5 million to Amedisys’ annualized revenues.

“We are excited to significantly expand our presence in the Virginia market through this acquisition,” stated William F. Borne, Chief Executive Officer of Amedisys, Inc. “We continue to execute on our stated strategy of acquiring multi-site agencies that can quickly and efficiently be integrated into our systems.”

“We continue to see a number of multi-site operation and hospital-based acquisition opportunities available, and maintain our intention to selectively acquire companies that fit our acquisition profile,” concluded Mr. Borne.

Amedisys, Inc., one of the nation’s largest providers of home nursing services, is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Company had approximately $142 million in revenue in 2003. Its common stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “AMED”.

This press release includes statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements, usually containing the words “believe”, “estimate”, “project”, “expect” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, continued acceptance of the Company’s services in the marketplace, competitive factors, changes in government reimbursement procedures, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks discussed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.

Additional information on the Company can be found on the World Wide Web at:

http://www.amedisys.com