CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Net service revenue	$ 378,821	$ 360,746	$ 749,279	$ 709,563
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	219,765	206,505	435,550	408,342
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	74,943	77,343	149,402	154,060
Non-cash compensation	4,356	3,736	8,230	7,806
Other	41,617	45,576	82,034	92,293
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,651	4,253	10,992	8,193
Depreciation and amortization	4,537	4,975	8,954	9,448
Securities Class Action Lawsuit settlement, net	28,712	0	28,712	0
Operating expenses	378,581	342,388	723,874	680,142
Operating income	240	18,358	25,405	29,421
Other income (expense):
Interest income	41	9	60	31
Interest expense	(1,197)	(1,303)	(2,265)	(2,415)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	2,355	363	2,249	358
Miscellaneous, net	1,127	658	2,239	1,393
Total other income (expense), net	2,326	(273)	2,283	(633)
Income before income taxes	2,566	18,085	27,688	28,788
Income tax benefit (expense)	1,963	(7,242)	(7,960)	(11,630)
Net income	4,529	10,843	19,728	17,158
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(68)	(147)	(137)	(249)
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 4,461	$ 10,696	$ 19,591	$ 16,909
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.13	$ 0.32	$ 0.58	$ 0.51
Weighted average shares outstanding	33,637	33,197	33,540	33,059
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	$ 0.13	$ 0.32	$ 0.57	$ 0.50
Weighted average shares outstanding	34,329	33,708	34,203	33,641
Income Amounts Attributable To Reporting Entity Disclosures [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 4,461	$ 10,696	$ 19,591	$ 16,909