Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013 D Number_of_Visits	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Episode of care as episodic-based revenue, days		60
Percentage of total reimbursement of outlier payment		10.00%
Low utilization payment adjustment, maximum number of visits		5
First threshold of therapy services required, visits		6
Second threshold of services required, visits		14
Third threshold of therapy services required, visits		20
Historical collection rate from Medicare		99.00%
Episodes in progress that begin during reporting period, days		60
Hospice Medicare revenue rate accounted for routine care		99.00%	99.00%	99.00%
Percentage of patient receivables outstanding		10.00%
Minimum days for accounts receivable outstanding to be fully reserved		365
Portion of accounts receivable derived from Medicare		67.00%	68.00%
Revenue adjustment to Medicare revenue		$ 9,000,000	$ 9,900,000	$ 10,900,000
Rate of request for anticipated payment submitted for the initial episode of care		60.00%
Rate of request for anticipated payment submitted for subsequent episodes of care		50.00%
Maximum days to submit final bill from the start of episode		120
Maximum days to submit final bill from the date the request for anticipated payment was paid		60
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Current portion of deferred tax assets (liabilities)	55,300,000	55,300,000	(5,600,000)
Noncurrent portion of deferred tax assets (liabilities)	90,200,000	90,200,000	92,800,000
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	145,500,000	145,500,000	87,200,000
Internally developed computer software	71,000,000	71,000,000
Internally developed computer software amortization period		15 years
Depreciation		35,200,000	36,300,000	33,600,000
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs		699,000	1,442,000	1,576,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	2,200,000	2,200,000	2,500,000
Write-off of deferred debt issuance cost	100,000
Deferred debt issuance cost	500,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs, weighted average amortization period, years		3 years 9 months 18 days
Non-cash compensation		6,519,000	7,217,000	8,292,000
Share-based compensation, tax benefit recognized		2,500,000	1,300,000	1,800,000
Advertising expense		3,900,000	4,400,000	4,500,000
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangibles impairment charge	4,600,000	(8,200,000)	(4,200,000)	(9,100,000)
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life of Intangible Assets		3 years
Reacquired Franchise Rights And Acquired Names [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life of Intangible Assets		5 years
Cap Year Two Thousand Ten Through Two Thousand Thirteen [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Estimated amounts due back to Medicare			4,800,000
Cap Year Two Thousand Twelve Through Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Estimated amounts due back to Medicare	$ 4,000,000	$ 4,000,000