Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 374,861	$ 404,680	$ 1,112,885	$ 1,239,996
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	205,657	206,302	589,983	619,654
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	87,106	89,712	253,618	265,266
Non-cash compensation	3,150	2,636	8,265	8,317
Other	47,697	54,852	139,906	152,297
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,628	5,261	9,918	14,069
Depreciation and amortization	9,826	8,832	28,907	25,297
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment charge	574,114		574,114
Operating expenses	932,178	367,595	1,604,711	1,084,900
Operating (loss) income	(557,317)	37,085	(491,826)	155,096
Other (expense) income:
Interest income	18	197	225	374
Interest expense	(2,187)	(2,277)	(6,693)	(7,038)
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures	325	788	1,114	2,310
Miscellaneous, net	(176)	(42)	(940)	(1,585)
Total other expense, net	(2,020)	(1,334)	(6,294)	(5,939)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(559,337)	35,751	(498,120)	149,157
Income tax benefit (expense)	135,640	(13,943)	111,458	(58,153)
Net (loss) income	(423,697)	21,808	(386,662)	91,004
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(25)	(174)	(116)	(522)
Net (loss) income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ (423,722)	$ 21,634	$ (386,778)	$ 90,482
Net (loss) income per share attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders:
Basic	$ (14.73)	$ 0.77	$ (13.53)	$ 3.23
Diluted	$ (14.73)	$ 0.76	$ (13.53)	$ 3.18
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	28,770	28,096	28,587	28,007
Diluted	28,770	28,499	28,587	28,490