Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Unaudited quarterly results of operations
Net service revenue	$ 161,827	$ 158,926	$ 158,055	$ 158,761	$ 157,676	$ 153,398	$ 161,015	$ 161,783	$ 637,569	$ 633,872	$ 631,567
Gross margin	69,386	67,692	65,837	68,902	68,317	65,583	74,799	72,827	271,817	281,526	305,046
Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$ 7,400	$ 6,336	$ 5,963	$ 7,741	$ 7,234	$ (37,960)	$ 9,788	$ 7,694	$ 27,440	$ (13,244)	$ 48,759
Basic earnings per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$ 0.43	$ 0.36	$ 0.32	$ 0.42	$ 0.40	$ (2.08)	$ 0.54	$ 0.42	$ 1.54	$ (0.73)	$ 2.69
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$ 0.43	$ 0.36	$ 0.32	$ 0.42	$ 0.39	$ (2.08)	$ 0.53	$ 0.42	$ 1.53	$ (0.73)	$ 2.68
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	17,056,611	17,656,842	18,385,783	18,333,838	18,296,062	18,263,237	18,278,479	18,215,831	17,853,321	18,265,118	18,119,183
Diluted	17,155,909	17,726,819	18,423,258	18,399,608	18,353,505	18,263,237	18,346,441	18,351,637	17,899,195	18,265,118	18,226,091