Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 48,004	$ 120,295
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $17,438, and $20,977	148,061	141,549
Prepaid expenses	11,321	9,947
Other current assets	24,630	22,259
Total current assets	232,016	294,050
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $94,266, and $78,074	148,536	138,554
Goodwill	334,695	791,412
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $20,611 and $17,135	50,067	53,393
Deferred tax asset	68,649
Other assets, net	24,322	22,454
Total assets	858,285	1,299,863
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	25,475	20,663
Payroll and employee benefits	82,130	82,961
Accrued expenses	68,493	61,254
Current portion of long-term obligations	33,888	37,178
Current portion of deferred income taxes	11,748	14,285
Total current liabilities	221,734	216,341
Long-term obligations, less current portion	111,551	144,688
Deferred income taxes		52,286
Other long-term obligations	4,852	6,833
Total liabilities	338,137	420,148
Commitments and Contingencies-Note 10
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized; 31,017,363 and 29,867,701 shares issued; and 30,328,549 and 29,232,807 shares outstanding	30	29
Additional paid-in capital	432,390	407,156
Treasury stock at cost, 688,814 and 634,894 shares of common stock	(15,770)	(14,022)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	13	25
Retained earnings	102,205	484,669
Total Amedisys, Inc. stockholders' equity	518,868	877,857
Noncontrolling interests	1,280	1,858
Total equity	520,148	879,715
Total liabilities and equity	$ 858,285	$ 1,299,863