SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Revenue Recognition Impact From Adoption (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable	$ 197,592		$ 197,592		$ 201,196
Allowance for doubtful accounts					0
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue	411,603	$ 374,946	810,865	$ 739,607
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	242,564	220,541	480,873	436,870
Provision for doubtful accounts		0		0
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 33,349	4,461	60,508	19,591
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts		0		0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable			$ 3,604	(6,833)
ASU 2014-09 | As Previously Reported
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable					201,196
Allowance for doubtful accounts					(20,866)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue		378,821		749,279
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization		219,765		435,550
Provision for doubtful accounts		4,651		10,992
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.		4,461		19,591
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts		4,651		10,992
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable				(17,825)
ASU 2014-09 | Adjustment for the Adoption of ASC 606
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Patient accounts receivable					0
Allowance for doubtful accounts					$ 20,866
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Net service revenue		(3,875)		(9,672)
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization		776		1,320
Provision for doubtful accounts		(4,651)		(10,992)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.		0		0
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Provision for doubtful accounts		$ (4,651)		(10,992)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable				$ 10,992