Segments (Service Revenues And Sales And After-Tax Earnings By Business Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
After-tax Income/(Loss)	$ 58,947	$ 51,249	$ 154,343	$ 151,216
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
After-tax Income/(Loss)	65,913	60,484	182,702	172,519
VITAS [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
After-tax Income/(Loss)	39,773	35,921	106,400	99,720
Roto-Rooter [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
After-tax Income/(Loss)	26,140	24,563	76,302	72,799
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
After-tax Income/(Loss)	$ (6,966)	$ (9,235)	$ (28,359)	$ (21,303)