Quarterly Financial Data Unaudited (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Data Abstract
Revenues	$ 244,160	$ 225,124	$ 230,326	$ 228,899	$ 221,148	$ 193,616	$ 186,292	$ 176,531	$ 928,509	$ 777,587	$ 692,571
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	68,103	63,504	67,024	66,342	61,235	55,574	55,814	51,903	264,973	224,526	209,705
Net earnings from continuing operations	57,584	53,374	55,862	55,526	51,253	47,249	47,026	43,744	222,346	189,272	176,714
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	1,810	391	(317)	(587)	239	368	(649)	884	1,297	842	3,782
Net earnings (loss)	59,394	53,765	55,545	54,939	51,492	47,617	46,377	44,628	223,643	190,114	180,496
Amounts attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders:
Earnings from continuing operations, net of income tax	15,690	15,281	16,060	15,554	13,552	12,847	12,535	11,460	62,585	50,394	49,998
Discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to AmSurg Corp.	1,124	156	(524)	(778)	(4)	279	(905)	233	(22)	(397)	(173)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	$ 16,814	$ 15,437	$ 15,536	$ 14,776	$ 13,548	$ 13,126	$ 11,630	$ 11,693	$ 62,563	$ 49,997	$ 49,825
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	$ 0.49	$ 0.48	$ 0.51	$ 0.50	$ 0.43	$ 0.41	$ 0.40	$ 0.37	$ 1.98	$ 1.61	$ 1.63
Net earnings attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	$ 0.53	$ 0.49	$ 0.49	$ 0.47	$ 0.43	$ 0.42	$ 0.37	$ 0.38	$ 1.98	$ 1.60	$ 1.62