Acquisitions and Dispositions Acquistions and Dispositions (Goodwill) (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 NORTH CAROLINA Appalachian Regional Health Systems [Member]	Apr. 30, 2013 INDIANA Hope Hospice Inc [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 WASHINGTON & IDAHO [Domain] Family Home Care Corporation [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 MISSISSIPPI North Mississippi Hospice [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 438,436	$ 656,364	$ 2,600	$ 200	$ 5,600	$ 3,300

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

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