CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 39,106	$ 48,004
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $20,447, and $17,438	163,461	148,061
Prepaid expenses	10,646	11,321
Other current assets	20,635	24,630
Total current assets	233,848	232,016
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $105,157 and $94,266	150,947	148,536
Goodwill	367,495	334,695
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $22,745 and $20,611	51,959	50,067
Deferred tax asset	54,512	68,649
Other assets, net	16,963	24,322
Total assets	875,724	858,285
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	21,690	25,475
Payroll and employee benefits	81,751	82,130
Accrued expenses	64,460	68,493
Current portion of long-term obligations	54,307	33,888
Current portion of deferred income taxes	9,249	11,748
Total current liabilities	231,457	221,734
Long-term obligations, less current portion	67,856	111,551
Other long-term obligations	4,431	4,852
Total liabilities	303,744	338,137
Commitments and Contingencies-Note 7
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized; 32,423,585, and 31,017,363 shares issued; and 31,640,832 and 30,328,549 shares outstanding	32	30
Additional paid-in capital	446,233	432,390
Treasury Stock at cost 782,753, and 688,814 shares of common stock	(17,034)	(15,770)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	15	13
Retained earnings	125,429	102,205
Total Amedisys, Inc. stockholders' equity	554,675	518,868
Noncontrolling interests	17,305	1,280
Total equity	571,980	520,148
Total liabilities and equity	$ 875,724	$ 858,285