EXHIBIT 99.1


(AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT LOGO)                                         NEWS RELEASE
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Contacts:   Joseph F. Furlong            or                Stephen L. Clanton
            President and CEO                              Executive VP and CFO
            (615) 221-8884                                 (615) 221-8884
                                                           PRIMARY CONTACT


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

              FRANK POWERS TO SERVE AS AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.'S
                             CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

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BRENTWOOD, TN. (February 9, 2005) - American HomePatient, Inc. (OTC: AHOM.OB)
today announced that Frank Powers will be the Company's new Chief Operating
Officer effective immediately. As previously announced, COO Thomas Mills decided
to leave the Company but agreed to assist in the transition of his duties
through March 31, 2005.

Mr. Powers previously had joined the Company as an Executive Vice President in
the fall of 2004.

Mr. Powers served as an executive officer of Matria Healthcare, Inc. from 1996
until 2002. Prior to that he was an officer of Healthdyne, Inc. or an affiliate
for over 12 years, during which time he spent a significant amount of time as
President of the Home Care Group that provided products and services to the home
care market.

American HomePatient, Inc. is one of the nation's largest home health care
providers with 276 centers in 35 states. Its product and service offerings
include respiratory services, infusion therapy, parenteral and enteral
nutrition, and medical equipment for patients in their home. American
HomePatient, Inc.'s common stock is currently traded in the over-the-counter
market or, on application by broker-dealers, in the NASD's Electronic Bulletin
Board under the symbol AHOM or AHOM.OB.



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Certain statements made in this press release may constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current
expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors, many of which the Company is unable to predict or control, that may
cause the Company's actual results or performance to materially differ from any
future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without
limitation, risks and uncertainties regarding hiring and retaining key
personnel. These risks and uncertainties are in addition to other factors
detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Such factors may include the effect of healthcare
regulation and reimbursement, government investigations, the ability to retain
management, leverage and liquidity, and the effect of competition. The Company
cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by the Company are
not necessarily indicative of future performance. The Company is not responsible
for updating the information contained in this press release beyond the
published date, or for changes made to this document by wire services or
Internet services.







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