Exhibit 5.1

Alston & Bird llp

One Atlantic Center
1201 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3424

404-881-7000
Fax: 404-881-7777
www.alston.com

June 14, 2006

LHC Group, Inc.
420 West Pinhook Rd, Suite A,
Lafayette, LA 70503

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to LHC Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing of the above-referenced Registration Statement (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

     This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

     The Registration Statement relates to the proposed issuance and sale by the Company from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of the following securities (the “Registered Securities”) up to a total dollar amount of $50,000,000: (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company; and (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company. In addition, the Registration Statement relates to the potential sale of up to 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, by some of the Company’s stockholders.

     We have examined the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the Bylaws of the Company, records of proceedings of the Board of Directors, or committees thereof, and the Registration Statement. We also have made such further legal and factual examinations and investigations as we deemed necessary for purposes of expressing the opinion set forth herein.

     As to certain factual matters relevant to this opinion letter, we have relied conclusively upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records, agreements, documents and instruments, including certificates or comparable documents of officers of the Company and of public officials, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth. Except to the extent

Bank of America Plaza
101 South Tryon Street, Suite 4000
Charlotte, NC 28280-4000
704-444-1000
Fax: 704-444-1111 90 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-210-9400
Fax: 212-210-9444 3201 Beechleaf Court, Suite 600
Raleigh, NC 27604-1062
919-862-2200
Fax: 919-862-2260 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
North Building, 10^th Floor
Washington, DC 20004-2601
202-756-3300
Fax: 202-756-3333

June 14, 2006
Page 2

expressly set forth herein, we have made no independent investigations with regard to matters of fact, and, accordingly, we do not express any opinion as to matters that might have been disclosed by independent verification.

     Our opinion set forth below is limited to the laws of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and federal laws of the United States of America to the extent referred to specifically herein, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other laws.

     This opinion letter is provided for use solely in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement and may not be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon for any other purpose without our express written consent. No opinion may be implied or inferred beyond the opinion expressly stated in the numbered paragraphs below. Our opinion expressed herein is as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to advise you of any changes in applicable law or any other matters that may come to our attention after the date hereof that may affect our opinion expressed herein.

     Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, it is our opinion that:

1. When, as and if (a) appropriate corporate action has been taken to authorize the issuance of the Common Stock, (b) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained, (c) the Common Stock shall have been duly issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with such corporate action, and (d) certificates representing shares of the Common Stock have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with applicable law, then, upon the happening of such events, such Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (provided that the consideration paid therefor is not less than the par value thereof).

2. When, as and if (a) appropriate corporate action has been taken to authorize the issuance of the Preferred Stock, to fix the terms thereof and to authorize the execution and filing of a certificate of designation relating thereto with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (b) such certificate of designation shall have been executed by duly authorized officers of the Company and so filed by the Company, all in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, (c) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities are obtained, (d) the Preferred Stock with terms so fixed shall have been duly issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with such corporate action, and (e) certificates representing shares of the Preferred Stock have been duly executed by the duly authorized officers of the Company in accordance with applicable law, then, upon the happening of such events, such Preferred Stock will be validly

- 2 -

June 14, 2006
Page 3

issued, fully paid and non-assessable (provided that the consideration paid therefor is not less than the par value thereof).

     We consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus constituting a part thereof. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

ALSTON & BIRD LLP
By:	/s/ Peter C. November
	Peter C. November, Partner

- 3 -