Acquisitions (Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Income Statement Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net service revenue			$ 1,146,500	$ 1,295,500
Operating income			(489,200)	160,500
Net income			(386,100)	92,800
Basic earnings per share			$ (13.51)	$ 3.31
Diluted earnings per share			$ (13.51)	$ 3.26
Net service revenue	374,861,000	404,680,000	1,112,885,000	1,239,996,000
Net income	(423,697,000)	21,808,000	(386,662,000)	91,004,000
Beacon Hospice, Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net service revenue			27,300,000
Net income			$ 6,700,000