Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash	$ 276	$ 256
Receivables:
Patient accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $11,218 and $10,692, respectively	89,945	91,183
Other receivables	961	1,636
Amounts due from governmental entities	187	315
Total receivables, net	91,093	93,134
Deferred income taxes	8,630	7,269
Prepaid income taxes	12,365	26,667
Prepaid expenses	5,780	6,576
Other current assets	3,274	4,363
Total current assets	121,418	138,265
Property, building and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $32,610 and $28,073, respectively	29,374	28,182
Goodwill	168,984	164,731
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $2,848 and $2,325, respectively	62,275	59,389
Other assets	5,447	5,809
Total assets	387,498	396,376
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	17,780	23,119
Salaries, wages, and benefits payable	24,971	25,571
Self insurance payable	4,954	5,612
Amounts due to governmental entities	3,241	3,234
Total current liabilities	50,946	57,536
Deferred income taxes	25,436	22,523
Income tax payable	3,415	3,415
Revolving credit facility	25,085	34,820
Total liabilities	104,882	118,294
Noncontrolling interest - redeemable	10,781	11,348
LHC Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 21,554,171 and 21,374,264 shares issued and 17,352,151, and 18,298,659 shares outstanding, respectively	216	183
Treasury stock - 4,202,020 and 3,075,605 shares at cost, respectively	(25,835)	(6,216)
Additional paid-in capital	99,615	95,964
Retained earnings	193,792	173,752
Total LHC Group, Inc. stockholders' equity	267,788	263,683
Noncontrolling interest - non-redeemable	4,047	3,051
Total equity	271,835	266,734
Total liabilities and equity	$ 387,498	$ 396,376