CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 1,533,680	$ 1,437,454	$ 1,280,541
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	900,726	833,055	725,915
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	305,938	306,981	279,425
Non-cash compensation	16,295	16,401	11,824
Other	159,980	180,048	161,186
Provision for doubtful accounts	25,059	19,519	14,053
Depreciation and amortization	17,123	19,678	20,036
Asset impairment charge	1,323	4,432	77,268
Securities Class Action Lawsuit settlement, net	28,712	0	0
Operating expenses	1,455,156	1,380,114	1,289,707
Operating income (loss)	78,524	57,340	(9,166)
Other income (expense):
Interest income	158	75	71
Interest expense	(5,031)	(5,164)	(10,783)
Equity in earnings from equity method investments	3,381	5,588	9,823
Miscellaneous, net	3,769	3,727	9,747
Total other income, net	2,277	4,226	8,858
Income (loss) before income taxes	80,801	61,566	(308)
Income tax expense	(50,118)	(23,935)	(2,004)
Net income (loss)	30,683	37,631	(2,312)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(382)	(370)	(709)
Net income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	$ 30,301	$ 37,261	$ (3,021)
Basic earnings per common share:
Income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (usd per share)	$ 0.90	$ 1.12	$ (0.09)
Weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	33,704	33,198	33,018
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income (loss) attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (usd per share)	$ 0.88	$ 1.10	$ (0.09)
Weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	34,304	33,741	33,018