CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Net service revenue	$ 360,746	$ 314,152	$ 709,563	$ 615,724
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	206,505	175,699	408,342	346,660
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	77,343	71,249	154,060	139,804
Non-cash compensation	3,736	2,193	7,806	4,577
Other	45,576	42,113	92,293	75,183
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,253	2,756	8,193	5,732
Depreciation and amortization	4,975	4,615	9,448	11,152
Asset impairment charge	0	0	0	75,193
Operating expenses	342,388	298,625	680,142	658,301
Operating income (loss)	18,358	15,527	29,421	(42,577)
Other (expense) income:
Interest income	9	4	31	26
Interest expense	(1,303)	(2,416)	(2,415)	(4,842)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	363	4,826	358	6,777
Miscellaneous, net	658	498	1,393	2,632
Total other (expense) income, net	(273)	2,912	(633)	4,593
Income (loss) before income taxes	18,085	18,439	28,788	(37,984)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(7,242)	(7,566)	(11,630)	14,025
Net income (loss)	10,843	10,873	17,158	(23,959)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(147)	(236)	(249)	(413)
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 10,696	$ 10,637	$ 16,909	$ (24,372)
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.32	$ 0.32	$ 0.51	$ (0.74)
Weighted average shares outstanding	33,197	33,004	33,059	32,871
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.32	$ 0.32	$ 0.50	$ (0.74)
Weighted average shares outstanding	33,708	33,459	33,641	32,871
Income Amounts Attributable To Reporting Entity Disclosures [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 10,696	$ 10,637	$ 16,909	$ (24,372)