Segments (Service Revenues And Sales And After-Tax Earnings By Business Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total service revenues and sales	$ 360,182	$ 357,198	$ 718,482	$ 723,839
Net income	24,363	14,608	44,937	36,886
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total service revenues and sales	360,182	357,198	718,482	723,839
Net income	31,611	21,899	59,802	51,666
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income	(7,248)	(7,291)	(14,865)	(14,780)
Segment VITAS [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total service revenues and sales	264,026	263,568	524,438	534,895
Net income	20,892	20,485	39,051	40,628
Segment Roto-Rooter [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total service revenues and sales	96,156	93,630	194,044	188,944
Net income	$ 10,719	$ 1,414	$ 20,751	$ 11,038