SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 11,562	$ 7,654	$ 9,304
Additions charged to costs and expenses	4,066	8,541	10,285
Deductions	(6,851)	(4,633)	(11,935)
Balance at end of period	8,777	11,562	7,654
Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	4,667	13,376	11,339
Additions charged to costs and expenses	0	258	3,354	[1]
Deductions	(1,789)	(8,967)	(1,315)
Balance at end of period	2,878	4,667	13,376
Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets [Member] | Odyssey Health Care Inc [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Additions charged to costs and expenses			$ 800	[1]

[1] Additions for 2010 include $0.8 million of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets acquired in the Odyssey transaction.