Segment Information (Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Net service revenue	$ 373,722,000	$ 422,349,000	$ 738,024,000	$ 835,316,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	193,147,000	209,293,000	384,326,000	413,352,000
General and administrative expenses	130,800,000	144,100,000	263,800,000	278,600,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,128,000	4,463,000	5,290,000	8,808,000
Depreciation and amortization	9,726,000	8,279,000	19,081,000	16,465,000
Operating expenses	335,712,000	366,220,000	672,533,000	717,305,000
Operating income	38,010,000	56,129,000	65,491,000	118,011,000
Home Health [Member]
Net service revenue	326,400,000	388,000,000	651,900,000	768,500,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	167,600,000	190,700,000	338,400,000	377,700,000
General and administrative expenses	73,500,000	91,100,000	150,200,000	177,400,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,200,000	4,000,000	5,400,000	7,800,000
Depreciation and amortization	3,800,000	3,900,000	7,000,000	7,500,000
Operating expenses	247,100,000	289,700,000	501,000,000	570,400,000
Operating income	79,300,000	98,300,000	150,900,000	198,100,000
Hospice [Member]
Net service revenue	47,300,000	34,300,000	86,100,000	66,800,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	25,500,000	18,600,000	45,900,000	35,700,000
General and administrative expenses	9,700,000	7,900,000	17,800,000	15,700,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	(100,000)	500,000	(100,000)	1,000,000
Depreciation and amortization	200,000	100,000	300,000	200,000
Operating expenses	35,300,000	27,100,000	63,900,000	52,600,000
Operating income	12,000,000	7,200,000	22,200,000	14,200,000
Other Segments [Member]
General and administrative expenses	47,600,000	45,100,000	95,800,000	85,500,000
Depreciation and amortization	5,700,000	4,300,000	11,800,000	8,800,000
Operating expenses	53,300,000	49,400,000	107,600,000	94,300,000
Operating income	$ (53,300,000)	$ (49,400,000)	$ (107,600,000)	$ (94,300,000)