SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue Recognition Impact From Adoption (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable, net	$ 192,936		$ 201,196
Allowance for doubtful accounts			0
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue	399,262	$ 364,661
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	238,309	216,329
Provision for doubtful accounts		0
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	27,159	15,130
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts		0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable	$ 8,260	(6,152)
ASU 2014-09 | As Previously Reported
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable, net			201,196
Allowance for doubtful accounts			(20,866)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue		370,458
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization		215,785
Provision for doubtful accounts		6,341
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.		15,130
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts		6,341
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable		(12,493)
ASU 2014-09 | Adjustment for the Adoption of ASC 606
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable, net			0
Allowance for doubtful accounts			$ 20,866
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue		(5,797)
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization		544
Provision for doubtful accounts		(6,341)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.		0
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts		(6,341)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable		$ 6,341