Hospice Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Hospice Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Benchmark percentage of the days in care reimbursement	20.00%

Medicare care costs reimbursement, benchmark percentage of the days in care

No definition available.

Name:	che_MedicareCareCostsReimbursementBenchmarkPercentageOfDaysInCare
Namespace Prefix:	che_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration