CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Net service revenue	$ 1,487,905		$ 1,468,305		$ 1,601,070
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	841,146		780,606		793,991
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	339,528		332,536		340,855
Non-cash compensation	7,217		8,292		10,634
Other	188,514		184,819		191,807
Provision for doubtful accounts	21,676		13,514		18,740
Depreciation and amortization	39,926		38,558		33,762
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment charge	162,103		579,955
Operating expenses	1,600,110		1,938,280		1,389,789
Operating (loss) income	(112,205)		(469,975)		211,281
Other (expense) income:
Interest income	65		231		435
Interest expense	(12,169)		(8,822)		(9,201)
Equity in earnings from equity investments	1,695		1,494		3,016
Miscellaneous, net	3,917		(837)		(2,294)
Total other expense, net	(6,492)		(7,934)		(8,044)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(118,697)		(477,909)		203,237
Income tax benefit (expense)	21,397		103,076		(79,195)
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(97,300)		(374,833)		124,042
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,283)		(7,509)		(10,769)
Net (loss) income	(98,583)		(382,342)		113,273
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	14,995		(122)		(693)
Net (loss) income	(83,588)		(382,464)		112,580
Basic earnings per common share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ (2.75)		$ (13.07)		$ 4.40
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (0.04)		$ (0.26)		$ (0.38)
Net (loss) income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ (2.79)	[1]	$ (13.33)	[1]	$ 4.02
Weighted average shares outstanding	29,896		28,693		28,032
Diluted earnings per common share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ (2.75)		$ (13.07)		$ 4.33
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (0.04)		$ (0.26)		$ (0.38)
Net (loss) income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ (2.79)	[1]	$ (13.33)	[1]	$ 3.95
Weighted average shares outstanding	29,896		28,693		28,484
Amounts attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders:
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(82,305)		(374,955)		123,349
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,283)		(7,509)		(10,769)
Net (loss) income	$ (83,588)		$ (382,464)		$ 112,580

[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.