CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 544,070	$ 494,631	$ 1,520,814	$ 1,454,955
Other operating income	4,812	0	27,592	0
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	297,668	288,708	878,633	854,734
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	123,146	99,941	330,329	293,127
Non-cash compensation	7,124	6,298	19,758	18,451
Other	49,348	48,474	142,616	140,284
Depreciation and amortization	8,283	4,366	19,955	12,440
Operating expenses	485,569	447,787	1,391,291	1,319,036
Operating income	63,313	46,844	157,115	135,919
Other income (expense):
Interest income	31	15	258	59
Interest expense	(2,692)	(3,778)	(8,675)	(11,459)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	1,435	(812)	2,399	4,120
Miscellaneous, net	122	1,975	(2,318)	2,404
Total other expense, net	(1,104)	(2,600)	(8,336)	(4,876)
Income before income taxes	62,209	44,244	148,779	131,043
Income tax benefit (expense)	10,202	(9,919)	(9,175)	(31,105)
Net income	72,411	34,325	139,604	99,938
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(430)	(193)	(1,147)	(760)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 71,981	$ 34,132	$ 138,457	$ 99,178
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, basic (usd per share)	$ 2.20	$ 1.06	$ 4.26	$ 3.09
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (shares)	32,662	32,211	32,469	32,096
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, diluted (usd per share)	$ 2.16	$ 1.03	$ 4.16	$ 3.01
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	33,260	33,002	33,267	32,944