Quarterly Statement of Earnings Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 581,811	$ 502,350	$ 278,227	$ 259,561	$ 279,095	$ 262,240	$ 262,497	$ 253,364	$ 1,621,949	$ 1,057,196	$ 899,245
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	101,535	39,141	80,487	73,029	80,363	72,615	77,100	73,069	294,192	303,147	256,591
Net earnings from continuing operations	79,234	39,119	67,689	60,047	67,348	61,470	64,607	61,068	246,089	254,493	215,698
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(150)	(1,697)	483	68	3,820	797	1,229	1,205	(1,296)	7,051	7,945
Net earnings	79,084	37,422	68,172	60,115	71,168	62,267	65,836	62,273	244,793	261,544	223,643
Net earnings (loss) attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders:
Continuing	25,311	(10,697)	18,771	17,392	18,931	16,636	18,093	17,349	50,777	71,009	60,037
Discontinued	(196)	(1,376)	190	(197)	627	135	470	462	(1,579)	1,694	2,526
Net earnings attributable to AmSurg Corp. common shareholders	25,115	(12,073)	18,961	17,195	19,558	16,771	18,563	17,811	49,198	72,703	62,563
Basic net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share	$ 0.53	$ (0.23)	$ 0.59	$ 0.55	$ 0.60	$ 0.53	$ 0.58	$ 0.56	$ 1.29	$ 2.27	$ 1.95
Basic net earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.53	$ (0.26)	$ 0.60	$ 0.54	$ 0.62	$ 0.53	$ 0.59	$ 0.57	$ 1.25	$ 2.32	$ 2.03
Diluted net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share	$ 0.53	$ (0.23)	$ 0.58	$ 0.54	$ 0.59	$ 0.52	$ 0.57	$ 0.54	$ 1.28	$ 2.22	$ 1.90
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.53	$ (0.26)	$ 0.59	$ 0.54	$ 0.61	$ 0.52	$ 0.58	$ 0.56	$ 1.24	$ 2.28	$ 1.98
Debt extinguishment costs		(16,900)							(16,887)	0	0
Transaction costs		$ 25,100							$ 33,890	$ 300	$ 700