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): March 1, 2005

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 (17CFR 240.14d-2(b))

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

ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

On March 1, 2005, Amedisys, Inc., issued a press release announcing the acquisition of a home health agency from North Arundel Hospital, effective March 1, 2005.

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 March 1, 2005 announcing the acquisition of a home health agency from North Arundel Hospital.

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: March 3, 2005

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Contact:	Amedisys, Inc.	Noonan/Russo
	Chief Financial Officer	Investors/Media
	Gregory Browne	Brian Ritchie
	225.292.2031	212.845.4269
	gbrowne@amedisys.com	brian.ritchie@eurorscg.com

AMEDISYS ACQUIRES HOME HEALTH AGENCY FROM NORTH ARUNDEL HOSPITAL

IN CERTIFICATE OF NEED STATE OF MARYLAND

- Acquisition Marks Amedisys’ Initial Entry Into Maryland Market -

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (March 1, 2005) – Amedisys, Inc. (Nasdaq: “AMED” or the “Company”), one of America’s leading home health nursing companies, today announced that it has acquired a single home health agency from the North Arundel Hospital Association in Maryland, effective March 1, 2005. The acquisition represents Amedisys’ initial entry into Maryland, which is a Certificate of Need (C.O.N.) state. The C.O.N. acquired by Amedisys covers three counties and the city of Baltimore.

“We are excited to enter the Maryland market and initiate a relationship with one of the state’s best-equipped medical centers, which is one of six hospitals within the University of Maryland Medical System,” stated William F. Borne, Chief Executive Officer of Amedisys, Inc.

“We continue to execute on our stated strategy of acquiring hospital-based agencies that can quickly and efficiently be integrated onto our operating platform. We continue to see a number of acquisition opportunities available, and maintain our intention to selectively acquire companies that fit our stated profile,” concluded Mr. Borne.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The agency is not expected to contribute materially to Amedisys in 2005.

Amedisys, Inc., one of the nation’s largest providers of home health nursing services, is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 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