Other Operating Income/(Expenses) (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) item	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Other Operating Expenses [Line Items]
Other operating expenses/(income)	$ (371,000)		$ 91,138,000	$ 4,491,000
Segment VITAS [Member]
Other Operating Expenses [Line Items]
Other operating expenses/(income)	$ 371,000		$ 1,100,000
Number of programs closed | item			3
Segment VITAS [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Other Operating Expenses [Line Items]
Other operating expenses/(income)		$ 4,500,000		4,500,000
Other operating expense, after tax		$ 2,800,000		$ 2,800,000
Potential Litigation Settlement [Member]
Other Operating Expenses [Line Items]
Other operating expenses/(income)			$ 90,000,000