CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 553,485	$ 544,070	$ 1,654,795	$ 1,520,814
Other operating income	(4)	4,812	13,300	27,592
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	310,294	297,668	916,188	878,633
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	119,373	123,146	349,533	330,329
Non-cash compensation	4,397	7,124	17,860	19,758
Other	55,158	49,348	158,995	142,616
Depreciation and amortization	7,487	8,283	21,763	19,955
Operating expenses	496,709	485,569	1,464,339	1,391,291
Operating income	56,772	63,313	203,756	157,115
Other income (expense):
Interest income	0	31	49	258
Interest expense	(2,730)	(2,692)	(6,734)	(8,675)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	1,444	1,435	3,932	2,399
Gain (loss) on equity method investments	0	0	31,092	(2,980)
Miscellaneous, net	490	122	1,253	662
Total other (expense) income, net	(796)	(1,104)	29,592	(8,336)
Income before income taxes	55,976	62,209	233,348	148,779
Income tax (expense) benefit	(10,731)	10,202	(57,192)	(9,175)
Net income	45,245	72,411	176,156	139,604
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(239)	(430)	(1,131)	(1,147)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 45,006	$ 71,981	$ 175,025	$ 138,457
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, basic (usd per share)	$ 1.38	$ 2.20	$ 5.36	$ 4.26
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (shares)	32,607	32,662	32,658	32,469
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, diluted (usd per share)	$ 1.37	$ 2.16	$ 5.30	$ 4.16
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (shares)	32,899	33,260	33,021	33,267