CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net service revenue	$ 361,595	$ 326,450	$ 1,071,158	$ 942,174
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	212,124	186,772	620,466	533,432
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	77,019	69,993	231,079	209,797
Non-cash compensation	4,750	3,060	12,556	7,637
Other	42,658	39,551	134,951	114,734
Provision for doubtful accounts	5,471	3,638	13,664	9,370
Depreciation and amortization	5,214	4,646	14,662	15,798
Asset impairment charge	0	2,075	0	77,268
Operating expenses	347,236	309,735	1,027,378	968,036
Operating income (loss)	14,359	16,715	43,780	(25,862)
Other income (expense):
Interest income	14	7	45	33
Interest expense	(1,136)	(4,936)	(3,551)	(9,778)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	3,244	1,924	3,602	8,701
Miscellaneous, net	1,713	1,330	3,106	3,962
Total other income (expense), net	3,835	(1,675)	3,202	2,918
Income (loss) before income taxes	18,194	15,040	46,982	(22,944)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(6,693)	(6,465)	(18,323)	7,560
Net income (loss)	11,501	8,575	28,659	(15,384)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(66)	(135)	(315)	(548)
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 11,435	$ 8,440	$ 28,344	$ (15,932)
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.34	$ 0.25	$ 0.86	$ (0.48)
Weighted average shares outstanding	33,309	33,128	33,142	32,957
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.34	$ 0.25	$ 0.84	$ (0.48)
Weighted average shares outstanding	33,823	33,631	33,699	32,957
Income Amounts Attributable To Reporting Entity Disclosures [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 11,435	$ 8,440	$ 28,344	$ (15,932)