Independent Contractor Operations (Schedule Of Independent Contractors) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Independent Contractor Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 6,682	$ 6,512
Pretax profits	$ 3,082	$ 2,987

Net service revenues attributable to the independent contractors.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	che_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration