Condensed Consolidated Income Statements (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 370,833	$ 359,314
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	208,506	187,304
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	87,077	83,388
Non-cash compensation	2,482	1,910
Other	44,394	44,296
Provision for doubtful accounts	5,863	3,114
Depreciation and amortization	10,054	9,180
Operating expenses	358,376	329,192
Operating income	12,457	30,122
Other (expense) income:
Interest income	15	118
Interest expense	(2,074)	(2,252)
Equity in earnings from equity investments	305	323
Miscellaneous, net	429	(295)
Total other expense, net	(1,325)	(2,106)
Income before income taxes	11,132	28,016
Income tax expense	(4,620)	(11,058)
Income from continuing operations	6,512	16,958
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,049)	(1,634)
Net income	5,463	15,324
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(43)	(36)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	5,420	15,288
Basic earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.22	$ 0.60
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (0.04)	$ (0.06)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.18	$ 0.54
Weighted average shares outstanding	29,389	28,366
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.22	$ 0.59
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (0.04)	$ (0.06)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.18	$ 0.53
Weighted average shares outstanding	29,780	28,867
Amounts attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations	6,469	16,922
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,049)	(1,634)
Net income	$ 5,420	$ 15,288