Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statement Of Operations [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 1,470,358		$ 1,603,849		$ 1,484,376
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	782,348		796,389		705,617
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	333,190		341,720		315,816
Non-cash compensation	8,292		10,634		7,848
Other	185,297		192,245		169,554
Provision for doubtful accounts	13,531		18,750		19,715
Depreciation and amortization	38,611		33,523		27,712
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment charge	579,955
Operating expenses	1,941,224		1,393,261		1,246,262
Operating (loss) income	(470,866)		210,588		238,114
Other (expense) income:
Interest income	231		435		213
Interest expense	(8,822)		(9,201)		(11,670)
Equity in earnings from equity investments	1,494		3,016		2,343
Miscellaneous, net	(840)		(2,297)		363
Total other expense, net	(7,937)		(8,047)		(8,751)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(478,803)		202,541		229,363
Income tax benefit (expense)	103,426		(78,923)		(88,875)
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(375,377)		123,618		140,488
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(6,965)		(10,345)		(4,265)
Net (loss) income	(382,342)		113,273		136,223
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(122)		(693)		(386)
Net (loss) income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	(382,464)		112,580		135,837
Basic earnings per common share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ (13.09)		$ 4.39		$ 5.15
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (0.24)		$ (0.37)		$ (0.16)
Net (loss) income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ (13.33)	[1]	$ 4.02	[1]	$ 4.99
Weighted average shares outstanding	28,693		28,032		27,231
Diluted earnings per common share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ (13.09)		$ 4.32		$ 5.05
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (0.24)		$ (0.37)		$ (0.16)
Net (loss) income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ (13.33)	[1]	$ 3.95	[1]	$ 4.89
Weighted average shares outstanding	28,693		28,484		27,759
Amounts attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders:
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(375,499)		122,925		140,102
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(6,965)		(10,345)		(4,265)
Net (loss) income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ (382,464)		$ 112,580		$ 135,837

[1] Because of the method used in calculating per share data, the quarterly per share data may not necessarily total to the per share data as computed for the entire year.