CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Net service revenue	$ 370,458	$ 348,817
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	215,785	201,837
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	74,459	76,717
Non-cash compensation	3,874	4,070
Other	40,417	46,717
Provision for doubtful accounts	6,341	3,940
Depreciation and amortization	4,417	4,473
Operating expenses	345,293	337,754
Operating income	25,165	11,063
Other expense:
Interest income	19	22
Interest expense	(1,068)	(1,112)
Equity in loss from equity method investments	(106)	(5)
Miscellaneous, net	1,112	735
Total other expense, net	(43)	(360)
Income before income taxes	25,122	10,703
Income tax expense	(9,923)	(4,388)
Net income	15,199	6,315
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(69)	(102)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 15,130	$ 6,213
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.45	$ 0.19
Weighted average shares outstanding	33,443	32,920
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.44	$ 0.19
Weighted average shares outstanding	34,073	33,508
Income Amounts Attributable To Reporting Entity Disclosures [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 15,130	$ 6,213