LHC (LHCG) 10-K6 Mar 142013 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'LHCG	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'LHC Group, Inc	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001303313	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	17,614,509	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$297.30

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:	'	'
Cash	$14,014	$9,720
Receivables:	'	'
Patient accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $14,334 and $11,863, respectively	88,964	83,951
Other receivables	608	589
Amounts due from governmental entities	1,234	1,596
Total receivables, net	90,806	86,136
Deferred income taxes	9,251	7,671
Prepaid income taxes	4,069	7,436
Prepaid expenses	6,966	6,818
Other current assets	4,449	2,949
Total current assets	129,555	120,730
Property, building and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $40,935 and $34,331, respectively	31,052	29,531
Goodwill	194,893	169,150
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $4,518 and $3,054, respectively	62,184	62,042
Other assets	4,542	5,441
Total assets	422,226	386,894
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	17,217	14,897
Salaries, wages and benefits payable	31,927	29,890
Self insurance reserve	5,862	5,444
Current portion of long-term debt	249	'
Amounts due to governmental entities	4,391	4,979
Total current liabilities	59,646	55,210
Deferred income taxes	29,060	25,129
Income tax payable	3,415	3,415
Revolving credit facility	22,000	19,500
Long-term debt, less current portion	963	'
Total liabilities	115,084	103,254
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable	11,258	11,426
LHC Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock - $0.01 par value: 40,000,000 shares authorized; 21,801,634 and 21,578,772 shares issued in 2013 and 2012, respectively	218	216
Treasury stock - 4,693,647 and 4,653,039 shares at cost, respectively	-34,715	-33,846
Additional paid-in capital	103,972	100,619
Retained earnings	223,534	201,192
Total LHC Group, Inc. stockholders' equity	293,009	268,181
Noncontrolling interest - non-redeemable	2,875	4,033
Total stockholders' equity	295,884	272,214
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$422,226	$386,894

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Patient accounts receivable, allowance for uncollectible accounts	$14,334	$11,863
Property, building and equipment, accumulated depreciation	40,935	34,331
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$4,518	$3,054
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	21,801,634	21,578,772
Treasury stock at cost, shares	4,693,647	4,653,039

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net service revenue	$658,283	$637,569	$633,872
Cost of service revenue	383,464	365,752	352,346
Gross margin	274,819	271,817	281,526
Provision for bad debts	13,929	11,875	12,320
General and administrative expenses	214,133	205,637	210,588
Settlement with government agencies	'	'	65,000
Operating income (loss)	46,757	54,305	-6,382
Interest expense	-1,995	-1,550	-1,018
Non-operating income, including gain or loss on sales of assets	243	184	1,781
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	45,005	52,939	-5,619
Income tax expense (benefit)	15,859	17,511	-1,968
Income (loss) from continuing operations	29,146	35,428	-3,651
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	6,804	7,988	9,593
Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$22,342	$27,440	($13,244)
Earnings per share - basic:	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$1.31	$1.54	($0.73)
Earnings per share - diluted:	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$1.30	$1.53	($0.73)
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic	17,049,794	17,853,321	18,265,118
Diluted	17,132,751	17,899,195	18,265,118

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Non-controlling Interest Non Redeemable [Member]	Total Equity [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest - Redeemable [Member]	Net Income (Loss) [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Non-controlling Interest Non Redeemable [Member]	Total Equity [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest - Redeemable [Member]	Net Income (Loss) [Member]
Balances at Dec. 31, 2010	'	$181	($4,453)	$91,017	$186,996	$1,747	$275,488	$13,535	'
Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	21,180,286	3,008,264	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-3,651	'	'	'	-13,244	1,075	-12,169	8,518	-3,651
Transfer of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	205	'	163	368	'	'
Acquired noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	1,372	1,372	'	'
Noncontrolling interest distributions	'	'	'	'	'	-1,402	-1,402	-10,455	'
Purchase of additional controlling interest	'	'	'	-641	'	'	-641	-250	'
Sale of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	212	'	96	308	'	'
Nonvested stock compensation	'	'	'	4,092	'	'	4,092	'	'
Issuance of vested stock	'	155,687	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax	'	'	-1,186	'	'	'	-1,186	'	'
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax, shares	43,182	'	43,182	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	'	'	-577	'	'	'	-577	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	24,159	'	24,159	'	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits-vesting nonvested stock	'	'	'	221	'	'	221	'	'
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	2	'	858	'	'	860	'	'
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan, shares	38,291	38,291	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	'	183	-6,216	95,964	173,752	3,051	266,734	11,348	'
Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	'	21,374,264	3,075,605	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	35,428	'	'	'	27,440	595	28,035	7,393	35,428
Acquired noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	1,636	1,636	'	'
Noncontrolling interest distributions	'	'	'	'	'	-1,249	-1,249	-7,195	'
Purchase of additional controlling interest	'	'	'	-189	'	'	-189	-120	'
Sale of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	80	'	'	80	'	'
Nonvested stock compensation	'	'	'	4,390	'	'	4,390	'	'
Issuance of vested stock	'	154,323	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax	'	'	-672	'	'	'	-672	'	'
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax, shares	36,621	'	36,621	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	'	'	-26,958	'	'	'	-26,958	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	1,540,813	'	1,540,813	'	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits-vesting nonvested stock	'	'	'	-376	'	'	-376	'	'
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	1	'	782	'	'	783	'	'
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan, shares	50,185	50,185	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reclassification of common stock at par value	'	32	'	-32	'	'	'	'	'
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	272,214	216	-33,846	100,619	201,192	4,033	272,214	11,426	'
Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	21,578,772	4,653,039	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	29,146	'	'	'	22,342	1,244	23,586	5,560	29,146
Transfer of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	-1,342	-1,342	1,342	'
Acquired noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	608	'
Noncontrolling interest distributions	'	'	'	'	'	-1,060	-1,060	-7,066	'
Purchase of additional controlling interest	'	'	'	-1,267	'	'	-1,267	-612	'
Nonvested stock compensation	'	'	'	3,886	'	'	3,886	'	'
Issuance of vested stock	'	184,403	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax	'	'	-869	'	'	'	-869	'	'
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax, shares	40,608	'	40,608	'	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits-vesting nonvested stock	'	'	'	-50	'	'	-50	'	'
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	2	'	784	'	'	786	'	'
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan, shares	38,459	38,459	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$295,884	$218	($34,715)	$103,972	$223,534	$2,875	$295,884	$11,258	'
Balances, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	21,801,634	4,693,647	'	'	'	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$29,146	$35,428	($3,651)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	8,325	7,806	7,521
Provision for bad debts	13,929	11,875	12,320
Stock-based compensation expense	3,886	4,390	4,092
Deferred income taxes	2,351	2,204	4,378
Loss on sale of assets	20	105	'
Other intangibles impairment charge	500	650	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'	'
Receivables	-18,961	-4,497	-21,024
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-749	1,780	6,247
Prepaid income taxes	3,299	18,855	-17,926
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,395	-4,288	4,478
Net amounts due to/from governmental entities	-226	464	189
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	45,915	74,772	-3,376
Investing activities	'	'	'
Cash paid for acquisitions, primarily goodwill and intangible assets	-26,920	-6,758	-11,680
Proceeds from sale of assets	'	33	'
Purchases of property, building and equipment	-8,343	-8,415	-7,945
Net cash (used in) investing activities	-35,263	-15,140	-19,625
Financing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from line of credit	73,000	188,561	142,995
Payments on line of credit	-70,500	-203,881	-108,175
Payments on capital leases	'	'	-14
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock	18	'	320
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under ESPP	786	783	860
Proceeds from debt issuance	1,212	'	'
Noncontrolling interest distributions	-8,126	-8,444	-11,857
Purchase of additional controlling interest	-1,879	-309	-891
Sale of noncontrolling interest	'	80	308
Redemption of treasury stock to pay income tax	-869	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	'	-26,958	-577
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-6,358	-50,168	22,969
Change in cash	4,294	9,464	-32
Cash at beginning of period	9,720	256	288
Cash at end of period	14,014	9,720	256
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information	'	'	'
Interest paid	1,961	1,550	1,018
Income taxes paid	$21,606	$8,645	$11,363

Organization

Organization	12 Months Ended
Organization	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization	'
	1. Organization
	LHC Group, Inc. (the “Company”) is a health care provider specializing in the post-acute continuum of care primarily for Medicare beneficiaries. The Company provides home-based services, primarily through home nursing agencies and hospices, and facility-based services, primarily through long-term acute care hospitals. As of December 31, 2013, the Company, through its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries, equity joint ventures and controlled affiliates, operated 311 service providers in 26 states within the domestic United States.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries and entities controlled by the Company. Control is defined by the Company as ownership of a majority of the voting interest of an entity. The consolidated financial statements include entities in which the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the entities or the right to receive benefits from the entities and generally has voting control over the entities or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in the entities. Third party equity interests in the consolidated joint ventures are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	The following table summarizes the percentage of net service revenue earned by type of ownership or relationship the Company had with the operating entity for the periods presented:


			2013				2012				2011
	Wholly owned subsidiaries			48.8	%			48.1	%			49.5	%
	Equity joint ventures			48.5				49.1				47.1
	License leasing arrangements			1.9				1.9				2.4
	Management services			0.8				0.9				1

				100	%			100	%			100	%

	All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Business combinations accounted for as purchases have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the respective dates of acquisition.
	The following discussion describes the Company’s consolidation policy with respect to its various ventures excluding wholly owned subsidiaries:
	Equity Joint Ventures
	A majority of the Company’s equity joint ventures are structured as limited liability companies in which the Company typically owns a majority equity interest ranging from 51% to 91%. Each member of all but one of the Company’s equity joint ventures participates in profits and losses in proportion to their equity interests. The Company has one equity joint venture partner whose participation in losses is limited. The Company consolidates these entities as the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the entities and the right to receive benefits from the entities and generally has voting control over the entities.
	License Leasing Arrangements
	The Company, through wholly owned subsidiaries, leases home health licenses necessary to operate certain of its home nursing agencies. As with wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company owns 100% of the equity of these entities and consolidates them based on such ownership, as well as the Company’s obligation to absorb losses of the entities and the right to receive benefits from the entities.
	Management Services
	The Company has various management services agreements under which the Company manages certain operations of agencies and facilities. The Company does not consolidate these agencies or facilities, as the Company does not have an ownership interest and does not have an obligation to absorb losses of the entities or the right to receive the benefits from the entities.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company reports net service revenue at the estimated net realizable amount due from Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, managed care payors, patients and others for services rendered. All payors contribute to both the home-based services and facility-based services.
	The following table sets forth the percentage of net service revenue earned by category of payor for the years ending December 31:


			2013				2012				2011
	Payor:
	Medicare			79.8	%			77.9	%			79.7	%
	Medicaid			1.4				1.8				2.3
	Other			18.8				20.3				18

				100	%			100	%			100	%

	The percentage of net service revenue contributed from each reporting segment was as follows for the years ending December 31:


			2013				2012				2011
	Home-based services			88.5	%			88.4	%			88	%
	Facility-based services			11.5				11.6				12

				100	%			100	%			100	%

	Medicare
	Home-Based Services
	Home Nursing Services. The Company’s home nursing Medicare patients are classified into one of 153 home health resource groups prior to receiving services. Based on this home health resource group, the Company is entitled to receive a standard prospective Medicare payment for delivering care over a 60-day period referred to as an episode. The Company recognizes revenue based on the number of days elapsed during an episode of care within the reporting period.
	Final payments from Medicare may reflect one of four retroactive adjustments to ensure the adequacy and effectiveness of the total reimbursement: (a) an outlier payment if the patient’s care was unusually costly; (b) a low utilization adjustment if the number of visits was fewer than five; (c) a partial payment if the patient transferred to another provider before completing the episode; or (d) a payment adjustment based upon the level of therapy services required in the population base. Management estimates the impact of these payment adjustments based on historical experience and records this estimate during the period the services are rendered. The Company’s payment is also adjusted for geographic wage differences. In calculating the Company’s reported net service revenue from home nursing services, the Company adjusts the prospective Medicare payments by an estimate of the adjustments.
	Hospice Services. The Company is paid by Medicare under a per diem payment system. The Company receives one of four predetermined daily or hourly rates based upon the level of care the Company furnished. The Company records net service revenue from hospice services based on the daily or hourly rate and recognizes revenue as hospice services are provided.
	Hospice payments are also subject to an inpatient cap and an overall Medicare payment cap. Inpatient cap relates to individual programs receiving more than 20% of its total Medicare reimbursement from inpatient care services and the overall Medicare payment cap relates to individual programs receiving reimbursements in excess of a “cap amount,” calculated by multiplying (a) the number of beneficiaries during the period by (b) a statutory amount that is indexed for inflation. The determination for each cap is made annually based on the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of each year. The Company monitors its limits on a provider-by-provider basis and records an estimate of its liability for reimbursements received in excess of the cap amount. Annually, the Company receives notification of whether any of its hospice providers have exceeded either cap. Adjustments resulting from these notifications have not been material.
	Facility-Based Services
	Long-Term Acute Care Services. The Company is reimbursed by Medicare for services provided under the long-term acute care hospital (“LTACH”) prospective payment system, which was implemented on October 1, 2002. Each patient is assigned a long-term care diagnosis-related group. The Company is paid a predetermined fixed amount intended to reflect the average cost of treating a Medicare patient classified in that particular long-term care diagnosis-related group. For selected patients, the amount may be further adjusted based on length-of-stay and facility-specific costs, as well as in instances where a patient is discharged and subsequently re-admitted, among other factors. The Company calculates the adjustment based on a historical average of these types of adjustments for claims paid. Similar to other Medicare prospective payment systems, the rate is also adjusted for geographic wage differences. Revenue is recognized for the Company’s LTACHs as services are provided.
	Medicaid, managed care and other payors
	The Company’s Medicaid reimbursement is based on a predetermined fee schedule applied to each service provided. Therefore, revenue is recognized for Medicaid services as services are provided based on this fee schedule. The Company’s managed care and other payors reimburse the Company in a manner similar to either Medicare or Medicaid. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue from managed care and other payors in the same manner as the Company recognizes revenue from Medicare or Medicaid.

	Management Services
	The Company records management services revenue as such services are provided in accordance with the various management services agreements to which the Company is a party. As described in the management services agreements, the Company provides billing, management and other consulting services suited to and designed for the efficient operation of the applicable home nursing agency. The Company is responsible for the costs associated with the locations and personnel required for the provision of services. The Company is compensated based on a percentage of cash collections for one management service agreement and reimbursed for operating expenses plus a percentage of operating net income for two management service agreements.
	Accounts Receivable and Allowances for Uncollectible Accounts
	The Company reports accounts receivable net of estimated allowances for uncollectible accounts and adjustments. Accounts receivable are uncollateralized and primarily consist of amounts due from Medicare, other third-party payors, and patients. To provide for accounts receivable that could become uncollectible in the future, the Company establishes an allowance for uncollectible accounts to reduce the carrying amount of such receivables to their estimated net realizable value. Because Medicare is the Company’s primary payor, the credit risk associated with receivables from other payors is limited. The Company believes the credit risk associated with its Medicare accounts, which represent 68.6% and 63.6% of its patient accounts receivable at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, is limited due to (i) the historical collection rate from Medicare and (ii) the fact that Medicare is a U.S. government payor. The Company does not believe that there are any other significant concentrations of receivables from any particular payor that would subject it to any significant credit risk in the collection of accounts receivable.
	The amount of the provision for bad debts is based upon the Company’s assessment of historical and expected net collections, business and economic conditions and trends in government reimbursement. Uncollectible accounts are written off when the Company has determined that the account will not be collected.
	A portion of the estimated Medicare prospective payment system reimbursement from each submitted home nursing episode is received in the form of a request for anticipated payment (“RAP”). The Company submits a RAP for 60% of the estimated reimbursement for the initial episode at the start of care. The full amount of the episode is billed after the episode has been completed. The RAP received for that particular episode is deducted from the final payment. If a final bill is not submitted within the greater of 120 days from the start of the episode, or 60 days from the date the RAP was paid, any RAPs received for that episode will be recouped by Medicare from any other Medicare claims in process for that particular provider. The RAP and final claim must then be resubmitted. For subsequent episodes of care contiguous with the first episode for a particular patient, the Company submits a RAP for 50% instead of 60% of the estimated reimbursement.
The Company’s Medicare population is paid at a prospectively set amount that can be determined at the time services are rendered. The Company’s Medicaid reimbursement is based on a predetermined fee schedule applied to each individual service we provide. The Company’s managed care contracts are structured similar to either the Medicare or Medicaid payment methodologies. Because of its payor mix, the Company is able to calculate its actual amount due at the patient level and adjust the gross charges down to the actual amount at the time of billing. This negates the need to record an estimated contractual allowance when reporting net service revenue for each reporting period.
Business Combination
The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method. The assets typically acquired consist primarily of a Medicare license, trade names, certificate of need and/or a noncompete agreement. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed, if any, are measured at fair value on the acquisition date using the appropriate valuation method. The noncontrolling interest associated with joint venture acquisitions is also measured and recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. The residual purchase price is recorded as goodwill. The operations of the acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which provides an entity the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount prior to performing the two-step goodwill impairment test. If the qualitative assessment indicates the possibility of an impairment, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is required. If it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting is greater than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. The Company adopted this guidance in 2013.
Effective November 30, 2013, the Company changed the date of the annual impairment test for goodwill and other intangible assets from September 30 to November 30 to better coincide with the timing of when the Company prepares its annual budget and financial plans. These financial plans are a key component in estimating the fair value of the Company’s reporting units, which is the basis for performing the annual impairment test. The Company believes that the change in the annual impairment test date is preferable as it allows the Company to utilize its most current projections in the annual impairment test.
The Company performs its annual impairment review of goodwill at November 30, and when a triggering event occurs between annual impairment tests. For 2013, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill and determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units are less than the carrying amounts.
The Company has not recognized any goodwill impairment charges in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
Included in intangible assets are definite-lived assets subject to amortization such as non-compete agreements and defensive assets, which are defined as trade names that are not actively used. Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, ranging from two to five years.
The Company also has indefinite-lived assets that are not subject to amortization expense such as trade names, certificates of need and licenses to conduct specific operations within geographic markets. The Company has concluded that trade names, certificates of need and licenses have indefinite lives, because there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic or other factors that would limit the useful life of these intangible assets and the Company intends to renew and operate the certificates of need and licenses and use the trade names indefinitely. These indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. To determine whether an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, the Company performs a qualitative assessment to support the conclusion that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired. Based on the results of that qualitative assessment, the Company may perform a quantitative test. The Company utilizes a relief-from-royalty method in its quantitative impairment test of trade names. Under this method, the fair value of the trade name is determined by calculating the present value of the after-tax cost savings associated with owning the trade names and, therefore, not having to pay royalties for use over its estimated useful life. The Company utilizes the cost approach in its quantitative impairment test for certificates of need and licenses. Under this method, assumptions are made about the cost to replace the certificates of need and licenses. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to indefinite-lived intangible assets of $500,000 and $650,000, respectively. There were no impairment charges recorded in 2011.
Due to/from Governmental Entities
The Company’s LTACHs are reimbursed for certain activities based on tentative rates. The amounts recorded in due to/from governmental entities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets relate to settled and open cost reports that are subject to the completion of audits and the issuance of final assessments. Final reimbursement is determined based on submission of annual cost reports and audits by the fiscal intermediary. Adjustments are accrued on an estimated basis in the period the related services were rendered and further adjusted as final settlements are determined. These adjustments are accounted for as changes in estimates. Additionally, reimbursements received in excess of hospice cap amounts are recorded in this account. Adjustments resulting from these notifications have not been material.
Property, Building and Equipment
Property, building and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets. The estimated useful life of buildings is 39 years, while the estimated useful lives of transportation equipment, and furniture and other equipment range from 3 to 10 years. The useful life for leasehold improvements is the lesser of the lease term or the expected life of the leasehold improvement. Routine repairs and maintenance costs are expensed when incurred.
Property, building and equipment is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate possible impairment. There were no impairments recognized during the periods ended December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011.
The following table describes the Company’s components of property, building and equipment (amounts in thousands):


		December 31,
		2013				2012
Land		$	673			$	673
Building and improvements			8,997				6,109
Transportation equipment			6,181				6,232
Fixed equipment			4,137				3,516
Office furniture and medical equipment			51,999				47,332

			71,987				63,862
Less accumulated depreciation			40,935				34,331

		$	31,052			$	29,531

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $6.9 million, $6.9 million and $6.6 million, respectively, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses. The Company writes off assets that are fully depreciated and no longer in use.

Noncontrolling Interest
The nonredeemable interest held by third parties in subsidiaries owned or controlled by the Company is reported on the consolidated balance sheets as noncontrolling interest as a component of stockholders’ equity. Redeemable interest held by third parties in subsidiaries owned or controlled by the Company is reported on the consolidated balance sheets outside of permanent equity. All noncontrolling interest reported in the consolidated statements of operations reflects the respective interests in the income or loss after income taxes of the subsidiaries attributable to the other parties, the effect of which is removed from the net income (loss) available to LHC Group, Inc.
Stock-Based Employee Compensation
The Company grants restricted stock or restricted stock units to employees and members of its Board of Directors as a form of compensation. The expense for such awards is based on the grant date fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. See Note 7 to these consolidated financial statements.
Earnings Per Share
Basic per share information is computed by dividing the item by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period, under the treasury stock method. Diluted per share information is computed by dividing the item by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding plus dilutive potential shares.
The following table sets forth shares used in the computation of basic and diluted per share information for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:


		2013				2012				2011
Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation			17,049,794				17,853,321				18,265,118
Effect of dilutive potential shares:
Options			4,058				1,909				—
Nonvested restricted stock			78,899				43,965				—

Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation			17,132,751				17,899,195				18,265,118

Antidilutive shares			182,225				345,122				316,928

Acquisitions_and_Disposals

Acquisitions and Disposals

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions and Disposals

3. Acquisitions and Disposals

2013 Acquisitions

Pursuant to its strategy for becoming the leading provider of post-acute health care services in the United States, the Company acquired the home-based service line of Addus HomeCare, which consisted of 19 home health agencies and one hospice agency, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. Additionally, in separate acquisitions, the Company acquired one hospice agency and four home health agencies. The Company maintains an ownership interest in the acquired entities as set forth below:

Acquired Entity

Ownership

State of Operations

Acquisition

Percentage

Date

LHCG XXXVII, LLC (d/b/a Addus HealthCare)

Illinois

3/1/13

LHCG XXXVIII, LLC (d/b/a Addus HealthCare)

California

3/1/13

LHCG XLII, LLC (d/b/a/ Arkansas HomeCare)

100

Arkansas

3/1/13

LHCG XLI, LLC (d/b/a South Carolina HomeCare)

100

South Carolina

3/1/13

LHCG XXXIX, LLC (d/b/a Addus HealthCare)

100

Nevada

3/1/13

LHCG XXXIV, LLC (d/b/a Alabama Hospice Care of Mobile)

100

Alabama

4/1/13

LHCG XL, LLC (d/b/a Georgia Home Health)

100

Georgia

7/1/13

LHCG XXVII, LLC (d/b/a Pennsylvania Home Health)

100

Pennsylvania

7/1/13

LHCG XLVIII, LLC (d/b/a Minnesota Home Health)

100

Minnesota

7/1/13

LHCG XLVII, LLC (d/b/a Wisconsin Home Health)

100

Wisconsin

7/1/13

Each of the acquisitions was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of each acquired entity from the date of acquisition.

The total aggregate purchase price for the Company’s acquisitions was $27.3 million, of which $26.9 million was paid in cash and $380,000 in assumed liabilities. Purchase prices are determined based on an analysis of comparable acquisitions and the target market’s potential future cash flows. The Company paid $590,000 in acquisition-related costs, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses.

The Company’s home-based segment recognized aggregate goodwill of $25.7 million, including $622,000 of noncontrolling goodwill. Goodwill generated from the acquisitions was recognized based on the expected contributions of each acquisition to the overall corporate strategy. The Company expects its portion of goodwill to be fully tax deductible. The following table summarizes the aggregate consideration paid for the acquisitions and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates, as well as the fair value at the acquisition dates of the noncontrolling interest acquired (amounts in thousands):

Consideration

Cash

26,920

Fair value of total consideration transferred

26,920

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Trade name

1,177

Certificates of need/licenses

598

Other identifiable intangible assets

331

Other assets and (liabilities), net

(321

)

Total identifiable assets

1,785

Noncontrolling interest

608

Goodwill, including noncontrolling interest of $622

25,743

Trade names, certificates of need and licenses are indefinite-lived assets and, therefore, not subject to amortization. Acquired trade names that are not being used actively are amortized over the estimated useful life on the straight line basis. The other identifiable assets include non-compete agreements that are amortized over the life of the agreements, ranging from two to five years. Noncontrolling interest is valued at fair value by applying a discount to the value of the acquired entity for lack of control. The fair value of the acquired intangible assets is preliminary pending the final valuations of those assets.

The following table contains unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement information assuming the 2013 acquisitions closed January 1, 2012 (amount in thousands, except earnings per share):

2013

2012

Net service revenue

670,014

686,010

Operating income

44,563

50,354

Net income

21,031

25,028

Basic and diluted earnings per share

1.23

1.4

The pro forma disclosure in the table above includes adjustments for depreciation expense, amortization of intangible assets, income tax expense and an estimate of additional costs to provide administrative services for these locations as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012. This pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be indicative of the results of operations that would have actually occurred. In addition, future results may vary significantly from the results reflected in the pro forma information.

Purchase of Membership Interest in Company’s Subsidiary

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, the Company purchased additional membership interests in six of its equity joint ventures. The total purchase price for the additional ownership from these equity transactions was $1.9 million, resulting in the Company reducing noncontrolling interest-redeemable by $612,000 and additional paid in capital by $1.3 million.

2012 Acquisitions

The total aggregate purchase price for the Company’s acquisitions, which closed in the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, was $5.1 million, which was paid primarily in cash. Purchase prices are determined based on an analysis of comparable acquisitions and the target market’s potential future cash flows.

The Company’s home-based segment recognized aggregate goodwill of $4.4 million, including $902,000 of noncontrolling goodwill. Goodwill generated from the acquisitions was recognized based on the expected contributions of each acquisition to the overall corporate strategy. The Company expects its portion of goodwill to be fully tax deductible. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, the Company sold membership interests in one of its wholly owned subsidiaries. The total sales price was $80,000 for the sale of 40% membership interests and was accounted for as an equity transaction, resulting in the Company increasing additional paid in capital by $80,000.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, the Company purchased additional membership interests in three of its joint ventures. The total purchase price for the additional ownership from these equity transactions was $309,000, resulting in the Company reducing noncontrolling interest-redeemable by $120,000 and additional paid in capital by $189,000.

2011 Acquisitions

The total purchase price for the Company’s acquisitions, which closed in the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, was $12.3 million, which was paid primarily in cash. Purchase prices were determined based on an analysis of comparable acquisitions and the target market’s potential future cash flows. Consideration for one of the acquisitions was a transfer of a 26.32% ownership interest in one of the Company’s wholly owned home health agencies. The transfer of the noncontrolling interest in the Company’s existing home health agency was accounted for as an equity transaction, resulting in the Company recognizing additional paid in capital of $206,000.

The Company’s home-based segment recognized goodwill of $7.4 million, including $658,000 of noncontrolling goodwill. Goodwill generated from the acquisitions was recognized based on the expected contributions of each acquisition to the overall corporate strategy. The Company expects its portion of goodwill to be fully tax deductible.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased additional ownership interests in three of its joint ventures. The total purchase price for the additional ownership was $891,000 and was accounted for as an equity transaction, resulting in the Company reducing additional paid in capital by $641,000.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, the Company sold membership interests in three of its wholly owned subsidiaries. The total sales price was $308,000 for the sale of 26% membership interests and was accounted for as equity transactions, resulting in the Company increasing additional paid in capital by $212,000.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, the Company settled the working capital amounts acquired on a 2011 acquisition paying $155,000 in cash related to the settlements.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net	12 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net	'
	4. Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net
	The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill by segment during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in thousands):


		2013				2012
	Home-based services segment:
	Balance at beginning of period	$	157,559			$	153,140
	Goodwill from acquisitions		25,121				3,517
	Goodwill related to noncontrolling interest		622				902

	Home-based balance at end of period	$	183,302			$	157,559

	Facility-based services segment:
	Balance at beginning of period	$	11,591			$	11,591

	Facility-based balance at end of period		11,591				11,591

	Consolidated balance at end of period	$	194,893			$	169,150

	The Company determined that there was no impairment for the goodwill of any reporting units as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	The Company performed an impairment analysis on its indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the Company’s trade names, licenses and certificates of need to determine the fair values as of September 30, 2013 and November 30, 2013. Lower revenue expectations caused primarily by projected Medicare reimbursement cuts reduced the fair values of certain intangible assets below their carrying values. Based on that analysis, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $500,000 and $650,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses.
	As a result of the impairment charge, the carrying values of the related intangible assets were adjusted to their estimated fair values as of November 30, 2013. Any further decline in the estimated fair values of these intangibles could result in additional impairment charges being recorded. The Company determined that except for the impairment charges described above, no other intangible assets were impaired at December 31, 2013.
	The following tables summarize the changes in intangible assets during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in thousands):


		December 31, 2013
		Estimated useful life		Gross				Accumulated			Net
				carrying				amortization			carrying
				amount							amount
	Indefinite-lived assets:
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	46,707				—		$	46,707
	Certificates of need/licenses	Indefinite			10,540				—			10,540

	Indefinite-lived balance at end of period			$	57,247				—		$	57,247

	Definite-lived assets:
	Trade names	3 months – 5 years		$	5,625			$	(1,055	)	$	4,570
	Non-compete agreements	3 months – 2 years			3,830				(3,463	)		367

	Definite-lived balance at end of period			$	9,455			$	(4,518	)	$	4,937

	Balance at December 31, 2013			$	66,702			$	(4,518	)	$	62,184



		December 31, 2012
		Estimated useful life		Gross				Accumulated			Net
				carrying				amortization			carrying
				amount							amount
	Indefinite-lived assets:
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	51,087				—		$	51,087
	Certificates of need/licenses	Indefinite			10,100				—			10,100

	Indefinite-lived balance at end of period			$	61,187				—		$	61,187

	Definite-lived assets:
	Trade names	8 months – 1 year		$	398			$	(77	)	$	321
	Non-compete agreements	2 months – 3 years			3,511				(2,977	)		534

	Definite-lived balance at end of period			$	3,909			$	(3,054	)	$	855

	Balance at December 31, 2012			$	65,096			$	(3,054	)	$	62,042

Intangible assets of $61.1 million, net of accumulated amortization, related to the home-based services segment and $1.1 million related to the facility-based services segment as of December 31, 2013.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	5. Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (amounts in thousands):


			2013				2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Allowance for uncollectible accounts		$	5,127			$	3,901
	Accrued employee benefits			3,420				3,250
	Stock compensation			1,503				1,593
	Accrued self-insurance			2,257				2,097
	Acquisition costs			1,155				861
	Net operating loss carry forward			873				779
	Intangible asset impairment			55				60
	Uncertain tax position—state tax portion			215				215
	Other			61				520
	Valuation allowance			(44	)			(44	)

	Deferred tax assets		$	14,622			$	13,232

	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Amortization of intangible assets			(25,202	)			(21,455	)
	Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation			(7,171	)			(7,007	)
	Prepaid expenses			(786	)			(765	)
	Non-accrual experience accounting method			(1,223	)			(1,302	)
	Deferred state tax receivable			(49	)			(161	)

	Deferred tax liabilities			(34,431	)			(30,690	)

	Net deferred tax liability		$	(19,809	)		$	(17,458	)

	Based on the Company’s historical pattern of taxable income, the Company believes it will produce sufficient income in the future to realize its deferred income tax assets. Management provides a valuation allowance for any net deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion of such net deferred tax assets will not be recovered.
	The components of the Company’s income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations, less noncontrolling interest, were as follows (in thousands):


			2013				2012				2011
	Current:
	Federal		$	11,962			$	12,930			$	(5,924	)
	State			1,546				2,377				(636	)

				13,508				15,307				(6,560	)
	Deferred:
	Federal			1,448				1,955				4,545
	State			903				249				47

				2,351				2,204				4,592

	Total income tax expense (benefit)		$	15,859			$	17,511			$	(1,968	)


	A reconciliation of the differences between income tax expense on net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc., computed at the federal statutory rate and provisions for income taxes for each period is as follows (in thousands):


			2013				2012				2011
	Income taxes computed at federal statutory tax rate		$	13,360			$	15,733			$	(5,232	)
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit			1,641				1,739				(443	)
	Reduction in valuation allowance			—				—				(392	)
	Nondeductible expenses			1,022				844				675
	Uncertain tax position			—				—				3,200
	Other items			101				40				437
	Income tax credits			(265	)			(845	)			(213	)

Total income tax expense (benefit)		$	15,859			$	17,511			$	(1,968	)

The Company is subject to both federal and state income tax for jurisdictions within which it operates. Within these jurisdictions, the Company is open to examination for tax years ended after December 31, 2010.
As of December 31, 2013, $3.4 million was recorded in income tax payable as an unrecognized tax benefit which, if recognized, would decrease the Company’s effective tax rate. A reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits follows:


Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2012		$	3,415
Increases (decreases) in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of:
Tax positions taken during the current period			—

Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2013		$	3,415

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense and general and administrative expenses, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized $176,000 and $132,000 in interest expense, respectively, and recorded an accrued liability of interest payments related to uncertain tax positions. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company did not recognize any interest or penalties in its consolidated financial statements and did not record an accrued liability of interest or penalty payments related to uncertain tax positions.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
Debt	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	6. Debt
	Credit Facility
	As of December 31, 2013 the Company had $22.0 million drawn and letters of credit in the amount of $6.7 million outstanding under the credit facility. At December 31, 2012, the Company had $19.5 million drawn and letters of credit in the amount of $6.0 million outstanding under the credit facility. The interest rate on the credit facility at December 31, 2013 was 4.25%. The Company issues letters of credit as collateral on its workers’ compensation insurance.
	A credit fee of 0.5% was charged for any unused amounts on the Company’s credit facility. The Company paid $979,000 and $1.0 million of credit fees on the credit facility during 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The credit facility contains customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants. For example, the Company is restricted in incurring additional debt, disposing of assets, making investments, allowing fundamental changes to the Company’s business or organization, making certain payments in respect of stock or other ownership interests, such as dividends, and stock repurchases in excess of $50.0 million. Under the credit facility, the Company is also required to meet certain financial covenants with respect to minimum fixed charge coverage, consolidated net worth and leverage ratios.
	The credit facility also contains customary events of default. These include bankruptcy and other insolvency events, cross-defaults to other debt agreements, a change in control involving the Company or any subsidiary guarantor, and the failure to comply with covenants.
	Promissory Note
	On January 7, 2014, the Company entered into a promissory note with American Bank & Trust Company in an aggregate principal amount of $1.2 million. The promissory note matures on January 6, 2019. Principal payments of $23,000 are due monthly over a period of 60 months. Interest rate related to the promissory note is 4.5%. The proceeds received from this note were used to finance the construction of an office building, which will house offices for both a home-based agency and a facility-based agency.
	The scheduled principal payments on long-term debt for each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 is as follows: (amounts in thousands)


	2014	$	202
	2015		230
	2016		241
	2017		252
	2018		264
	Thereafter		23

	Total	$	1,212

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	7. Stockholders’ Equity
	Stock Repurchase Program
	In October 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, from time to time, in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million (“Stock Repurchase Program”). The Company anticipates that it will finance the Stock Repurchase Program with cash from general corporate funds or draws under the credit facility. The Company may repurchase shares of common stock in open market purchase or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable securities laws, rules and regulations. The timing and extent to which the Company repurchases its shares will depend upon market conditions and other corporate considerations.
	The Company uses the cost method to account for the repurchase of common stock and the average cost method to account for reissuance of treasury shares. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, no shares were repurchased. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, the Company repurchased 1,540,813 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $27.0 million, including commissions, or an average cost per share of $17.52. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, we repurchased 24,159 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $577,000, including commissions, or an average cost per share of $23.93. The remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under the share repurchase program was $22.5 million at December 31, 2013.

	Equity Based Awards
	At the Company’s 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders of the Company approved the Company’s 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2010 Incentive Plan”). The 2010 Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). A total of 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are reserved and available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the 2010 Incentive Plan. A variety of discretionary awards for employees, officers, directors and consultants are authorized under the 2010 Incentive Plan, including incentive or non-qualified statutory stock options and nonvested stock. All awards must be evidenced by a written award certificate which will include the provisions specified by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will determine the exercise price for non-statutory stock options, which cannot be less than the fair market value of our common stock as of the date of grant.
	In the event of a change of control as defined in the 2010 Incentive Plan, all restricted periods and restrictions imposed on non-performance based restricted stock awards will lapse and outstanding options will become immediately exercisable in full.
	Share Based Compensation
	Stock Options
	The following table represents stock options activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:


			Number of			Weighted		Average		Aggregate
			Shares			Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
						Exercise Price		Contractual		Value
								Term
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2013			15,000		$	16.88		3.0 years	$	66,375
	Options granted			—			—		—		—
	Options exercised			—			—		—		—
	Options forfeited or expired			—			—		—		—
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2013			15,000		$	16.88		2.0 years	$	—
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2013			15,000		$	16.88		2.0 years	$	107,475
	All options are fully vested and exercisable at December 31, 2013. There were no options granted and no compensation expense related to stock options grants recorded in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	Nonvested Stock
	The Company issues stock-based compensation to employees in the form of nonvested stock, which is an award of common stock subject to certain restrictions. The awards, which the Company calls nonvested shares, generally vest over a five year period, conditioned on continued employment for the full incentive period. Compensation expense for the nonvested stock is recognized for the awards that are expected to vest. The expense is based on the fair value of the awards on the date of grant recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which generally relates to the vesting period.
	During 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, 198,243, 187,140 and 139,470 nonvested shares were granted to employees pursuant to the 2010 Incentive Plan.

	The Company also issues nonvested stock to its independent directors of the Company’s Board of Directors. During 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, 24,300, 26,100 and 15,200 nonvested shares of stock were granted to the independent directors under the 2005 Director Compensation Plan. The shares issued under the 2005 Director Compensation Plan were drawn from the 1,500,000 shares reserved and available for issuance under the 2010 Incentive Plan. The shares fully vest one year from the date of the grant.
	The fair value of nonvested shares is determined based on the closing trading price of the Company’s shares on the grant date. The weighted average grant date fair values of nonvested shares granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $21.45, $19.02 and $26.37, respectively.
	The following table represents the nonvested stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:


			Number of			Weighted Average
			Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
	Nonvested shares outstanding at January 1, 2013			486,061		$	22.33
	Granted			222,543		$	21.45
	Vested			(184,027	)	$	22.07
	Forfeited			(18,110	)	$	21.19

	Nonvested shares outstanding at December 31, 2013			506,467		$	22.08

	During the year ended December 31, 2013, an independent director of the Company received a share based award, which was settled in cash at March 1, 2014. The amount of such cash payment was equal to the fair market value of 2,700 shares on the settlement date.
	As of December 31, 2013, there was $7.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested shares granted. That cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 3.24 years. The total fair value of shares vested in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $3.9 million, $3.7 million and $3.9 million, respectively. The Company records compensation expense related to non-vested share awards at the grant date for shares that are awarded fully vested and over the vesting term on a straight line basis for shares that vest over time. The Company has recorded $3.9 million, $4.4 million and $4.1 million in compensation expense related to non-vested stock grants in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	In 2006, the Company adopted the Employee Stock Purchase Plan allowing eligible employees to purchase the Company’s common stock at 95% of the market price on the last day of each calendar quarter. There were 250,000 shares reserved for the plan.
	On June 20, 2013, the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders. As a result of the amendment, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan was modified as follows:

		•		An additional 250,000 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance over the term of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

		•		The term of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan was extended from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2023.

	The following table represents the shares issued during 2013, 2012 and 2011 under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.


			Number of			Weighted Average
			Shares			Per Share Price
	Shares available as of January 1, 2010			149,723
	Additional shares authorized for issuance			250,000
	Shares issued in 2011			38,291		$	23.4
	Shares issued in 2012			50,185		$	15.58
	Shares issued in 2013			38,459		$	20.39

Shares available as of December 31, 2013			272,788

Treasury Stock
In conjunction with the vesting of the non-vested shares of stock, recipients incur personal income tax obligations. The Company allows the recipients to turn in shares of common stock to satisfy those personal tax obligations. The Company redeemed 40,608, 36,621 and 43,182 shares of common stock related to these tax obligations during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
Leases	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'
	8. Leases
	In certain instances, state laws may prohibit the sale of a home nursing agency or hospitals may be reluctant to sell their home health agencies. In these instances, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, enters into a lease agreement for a Medicare and Medicaid license, as well as the associated provider number to provide home health or hospice services. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had three license lease arrangements to operate four home nursing agencies and three hospice agencies.
	One of the leases was entered into in 2007 and expires in 2017. Expense related to this lease was $217,875, $210,000 and $245,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Payment due under this lease is $220,500 in 2014.
	Two of the leases were amended during 2010 to extend the lease terms to one year with an automatic renewal clause of four years. Expense related to these leases was $318,435, $269,176 and $135,892 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The lease payments associated with these leases are based on a percentage of quarterly net profits; therefore, the future payments will vary with the future profits.

	The Company leases office space and equipment at its various locations. Many of the leases contain renewal options with varying terms and conditions. Management expects that in the normal course of business, expiring leases will be renewed or, upon making a decision to relocate, replaced by leases for new locations. Operating lease terms range from three to ten years. Rent expense includes insurance, maintenance, and other costs as required by the lease. Total rental expense was approximately $17.2 million, $17.3 million and $17.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows (in thousands):


		Total
	2014	$	13,725
	2015		9,100
	2016		5,978
	2017		3,215
	2018		2,143
	Thereafter		3,074

		$	37,235

Employee_Benefit_Plan

Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plan	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plan	'

	9. Employee Benefit Plan

	Defined Contribution Plan

	The Company sponsors a 401(k) plan for all eligible employees. The plan allows participants to contribute up to $17,500 in 2013, tax deferred (subject to IRS guidelines). The plan also allows discretionary Company contributions as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company implemented a discretionary match of up to two percent of participating employee contributions. The employer contribution will vest 20% after two years and 20% each additional year until it is fully vested in year six. Contribution expense to the Company was $3.7 million, $1.7 million and $3.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	10. Commitments and Contingencies
	Contingencies
	The Company is involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the results of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes the outcome of pending litigation will not have a material adverse effect, after considering the effect of the Company’s insurance coverage, on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
	On October 17, 2011, the Company received a subpoena from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (the “OIG”). The subpoena requests documents related to the Company’s agencies in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The Company is continuing to produce the requested documents and is cooperating with the OIG’s review in this matter. The Company cannot predict the outcome or effect of this review, if any, on the Company’s business.
	On June 13, 2012, a putative shareholder securities class action was filed against the Company and its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, styled City of Omaha Police & Fire Retirement System v. LHC Group, Inc., et al., Case No. 6:12-cv-01609-JTT-CMH. The action was filed on behalf of LHC shareholders who purchased shares of the Company’s common stock between July 30, 2008 and October 26, 2011. Plaintiff generally alleges that the defendants caused false and misleading statements to be issued in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, amended (“the Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and that the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is a control person under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. On November 2, 2012, Lead Plaintiff City of Omaha Police & Fire Retirement System filed an Amended Complaint for Violations of the Federal Securities Laws (“the Amended Complaint”) on behalf of the same putative class of LHC shareholders as the original Complaint. In addition to claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, the Amended Complaint added a claim against the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for violation of Section 20A of the Exchange Act. The Company believes these claims are without merit and intends to defend this lawsuit vigorously. On December 17, 2012, the Company and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint, which was denied by Order dated March 15, 2013. The parties are presently conducting fact discovery. The Company cannot predict the outcome or effect of this lawsuit, if any, on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
	On October 18, 2013, a derivative complaint was filed by a purported Company shareholder against certain of the Company’s current and former executive officers, employees and members of its Board of Directors in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, styled Plummer v. Myers, et al., Case No. 6:13-cv-02899-JTT-CMH. The action was brought derivatively on behalf of the Company, which is also named as a nominal defendant. Plaintiff generally alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties owed to the Company. The complaint also alleges claims for insider selling and unjust enrichment against the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s former President and Chief Operating Officer. The Company believes these claims are without merit and intends to defend this lawsuit vigorously. By Order dated December 6, 2013, this action is currently stayed pending the conclusion of expert discovery in the related City of Omaha shareholder securities class action described above. The Company cannot predict the outcome or effect of this lawsuit, if any, on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
	On December 30, 2013, a derivative complaint was filed by a purported Company shareholder against certain of the Company’s current and former executive officers, employees and members of its Board of Directors in the United States District Court of the Western District of Louisiana, styled McCormack v. Myers, et al., Case No. 6:13-cv-03301-JTT-CMH. The action was brought derivatively on the Company’s behalf and the Company was also named as a nominal defendant. Plaintiff generally alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties owed to the Company and wasted corporate assets. Plaintiff also alleges that the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer caused false and misleading statements to be issued in violation of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and that the Company’s Directors are control persons under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The complaint also alleges claims for insider selling, misappropriation of information and unjust enrichment against the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s former President and Chief Operating Officer. The Company anticipates that this derivative action will be consolidated with the related Plummer derivative action described above. The Company believes these claims are without merit and intends to defend this lawsuit vigorously. The Company cannot predict the outcome or effect of this lawsuit, if any, on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
	Except as discussed above, the Company is not aware of any pending or threatened investigations involving allegations of potential wrongdoing.
	Any negative findings in the investigations or lawsuits could result in substantial financial penalties or awards against the Company or exclusion from future participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. At this time, the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these inquiries or the potential range of damages, if any.

	Settlement Agreement with the United States of America
	On September 30, 2011, the Company announced that it had entered into a settlement agreement with the United States government to resolve an investigation the Company first announced on July 13, 2009. The investigation resulted from a qui tam complaint filed by a relator against the Company under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. sections 3729-3733. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Company paid the United States $65 million (“settlement amount”) in a single lump sum payment. In exchange for the payment of the settlement amount, the United States and the relator released the Company from any civil or administrative monetary claim under the False Claim Act for the covered conduct. The released covered conduct includes claims involving home health services rendered by the Company from 2006 to 2008 with regard to whether such home health services were either not medically necessary or were delivered to patients who were not homebound. The OIG also agreed to release and refrain from instituting, directing or maintaining any administrative action seeking to exclude the Company from Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs with respect to the covered conduct described above.
	The government did not find that all aspects of the relator’s complaint deserved intervention, including homebound and medical necessity claims for 2005 and coding related claims for 2005 through 2008. As previously reported, the Company reached an agreement in principle to settle these non-intervened claims for $1.0 million with the relator and the government. On April 30, 2012, the Company entered into the final settlement agreement documenting the agreement in principle for these non-intervened claims.
	Effective September 29, 2011, the Company entered into a five year Corporate Integrity Agreement (“CIA”) with the OIG. The CIA formalizes various aspects of the Company’s already existing ethics and compliance programs and contains other requirements designed to help ensure Company’s ongoing compliance with federal health care program requirements.
	Joint Venture Buy/Sell Provisions
	Most of the Company’s joint ventures include a buy/sell option that grants to the Company and its joint venture partners the right to require the other joint venture party to either purchase all of the exercising member’s membership interests or sell to the exercising member all of the non-exercising member’s membership interest, at the non-exercising member’s option, within 30 days of the receipt of notice of the exercise of the buy/sell option. In some instances, the purchase price is based on a multiple of the historical or future earnings before income taxes and depreciation and amortization of the equity joint venture at the time the buy/sell option is exercised. In other instances, the buy/sell purchase price will be negotiated by the partners and subject to a fair market valuation process. The Company has not received notice from any joint venture partners of their intent to exercise the terms of the buy/sell agreement nor has the Company notified any joint venture partners of its intent to exercise the terms of the buy/sell agreement.
	Compliance
	The laws and regulations governing the Company’s operations, along with the terms of participation in various government programs, regulate how the Company does business, the services offered and its interactions with patients and the public. These laws and regulations and their interpretations, are subject to frequent change. Changes in existing laws or regulations, or their interpretations, or the enactment of new laws or regulations could materially and adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial condition.
	The Company is subject to various routine and non-routine governmental reviews, audits and investigations. In recent years, federal and state civil and criminal enforcement agencies have heightened and coordinated their oversight efforts related to the health care industry, including referral practices, cost reporting, billing practices, joint ventures and other financial relationships among health care providers. Violation of the laws governing the Company’s operations, or changes in the interpretation of those laws, could result in the imposition of fines, civil or criminal penalties, and/or termination of the Company’s rights to participate in federal and state-sponsored programs and suspension or revocation of the Company’s licenses. The Company believes that it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
Segment Information	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	11. Segment Information
	The Company’s segments consist of (a) home-based services and (b) facility-based services. Home-based services include home nursing services and hospice services. Facility-based services include long-term acute care services. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
	A reclassification has been made to the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 segment information to reclassify $400,000 of other intangibles impairment charge, $162,400 of income tax expense and $400,000 reduction of assets to the facility-based services segment. The amount was previously recorded in home-based services segment; however, the transactions are specific to the facility-based services segment.
	The following tables summarize the Company’s segment information for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (amounts in thousands)


			Year Ended December 31, 2013
			Home-Based			Facility-Based			Total
			Services			Services			Total
	Net service revenue		$	582,891		$	75,392		$	658,283
	Cost of service revenue			339,199			44,265			383,464
	Provision for bad debts			12,843			1,086			13,929
	General and administrative expenses			192,784			21,349			214,133

	Operating income			38,065			8,692			46,757
	Interest expense			1,800			195			1,995
	Non-operating income, including gain (loss) on sale of assets and entities			149			94			243

	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests			36,414			8,591			45,005
	Income tax expense			14,342			1,517			15,859

	Income from continuing operations			22,072			7,074			29,146
	Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			5,552			1,252			6,804

	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		$	16,520		$	5,822		$	22,342

	Total assets		$	385,915		$	36,311		$	422,226



			Year Ended December 31, 2012
			Home-Based			Facility-Based			Total
			Services			Services			Total
	Net service revenue		$	563,741		$	73,828		$	637,569
	Cost of service revenue			322,189			43,563			365,752
	Provision for bad debts			10,593			1,282			11,875
	General and administrative expenses			183,725			21,912			205,637

	Operating income			47,234			7,071			54,305
	Interest expense			1,356			194			1,550
	Non-operating income, including gain (loss) on sale of assets and entities			133			51			184

	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests			46,011			6,928			52,939
	Income tax expense			15,619			1,892			17,511

	Income from continuing operations			30,392			5,036			35,428
	Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			6,964			1,024			7,988

	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		$	23,428		$	4,012		$	27,440

	Total assets		$	350,140		$	36,754		$	386,894



			Year Ended December 31, 2011
			Home-Based			Facility-Based			Total
			Services			Services			Total
	Net service revenue		$	557,901		$	75,971		$	633,872
	Cost of service revenue			307,744			44,602			352,346
	Provision for bad debts			11,680			640			12,320
	General and administrative expenses			190,264			20,324			210,588
	Settlement with government agencies			65,000			—			65,000

Operating income (loss)			(16,787	)		10,405			(6,382	)
Interest expense			914			104			1,018
Non-operating income, including gain (loss) on sale of assets and entities			1,645			136			1,781

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests			(16,056	)		10,437			(5,619	)
Income tax expense (benefit)			(4,201	)		2,233			(1,968	)

Income (loss) from continuing operations			(11,855	)		8,204			(3,651	)
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			8,404			1,189			9,593

Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		$	(20,259	)	$	7,015		$	(13,244	)

Total assets		$	360,340		$	36,036		$	396,376

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	12. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values because of their short maturity. The estimated fair value of intangible assets was calculated using level 3 inputs based on the present value of anticipated future benefits. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt was based on the current interest rates and approximates its fair value.

Allowance_for_Uncollectible_Ac

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	12 Months Ended
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	'
	13. Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
	The following table summarizes the activity and ending balances in the allowance for uncollectible accounts (amounts in thousands):


		Beginning of		Additions		Deductions		End of Year
		Year Balance		Additions		Deductions		Balance
	Year ended December 31:
	2013	$	11,863	$	13,929	$	11,458	$	14,334
	2012	$	10,692	$	11,875	$	10,704	$	11,863
	2011	$	9,769	$	12,320	$	11,397	$	10,692

Concentration_of_Risk

Concentration of Risk	12 Months Ended
Concentration of Risk	Dec. 31, 2013
Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Concentration of Risk	'
	14. Concentration of Risk
	The Company’s Louisiana facilities accounted for approximately 26.0%, 28.5% and 31.1% of net service revenue during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Any material change in the current economic or competitive conditions in Louisiana could have a disproportionate effect on the Company’s overall business results.

Unaudited_Summarized_Quarterly

Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information	12 Months Ended
Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information	'
	15. Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information
	The following table represents the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations (amounts in thousands, except share data):


		First Quarter 2013		Second Quarter 2013		Third Quarter 2013		Fourth Quarter 2013
	Net service revenue	$	161,953	$	166,302	$	164,748	$	165,280
	Gross margin		68,705		69,293		66,782		70,039
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		6,286		5,790		5,297		4,969
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	0.37	$	0.34	$	0.31	$	0.29
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	0.37	$	0.34	$	0.31	$	0.29
	Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Basic		16,966,525		17,055,619		17,083,201		17,096,360
	Diluted		17,073,543		17,127,017		17,182,013		17,228,499


		First Quarter 2012		Second Quarter 2012		Third Quarter 2012		Fourth Quarter 2012
	Net service revenue	$	158,761	$	158,055	$	158,926	$	161,827
	Gross margin		68,902		65,837		67,692		69,386
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		7,741		5,963		6,336		7,400
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	0.42	$	0.32	$	0.36	$	0.43
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	0.42	$	0.32	$	0.36	$	0.43
	Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Basic		18,333,838		18,385,783		17,656,842		17,056,611
	Diluted		18,399,608		18,423,258		17,726,819		17,155,909
	Because of the method used to calculate per share amounts, quarterly per share amounts may not necessarily total to the per share amounts for the entire year.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Event	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'

	16. Subsequent Event

	On February 1, 2014, the Company entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement with BioScrip, Inc. to acquire the home health, hospice, and community-based service subsidiaries doing business as Deaconess HomeCare and Elk Valley Health Services for $60 million in cash, subject to post-closing net working capital adjustments. The Company will add 33 locations in five states. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2014.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries and entities controlled by the Company. Control is defined by the Company as ownership of a majority of the voting interest of an entity. The consolidated financial statements include entities in which the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the entities or the right to receive benefits from the entities and generally has voting control over the entities or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in the entities. Third party equity interests in the consolidated joint ventures are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	The following table summarizes the percentage of net service revenue earned by type of ownership or relationship the Company had with the operating entity for the periods presented:


		2013			2012			2011
	Wholly owned subsidiaries		48.8	%		48.1	%		49.5	%
	Equity joint ventures		48.5			49.1			47.1
	License leasing arrangements		1.9			1.9			2.4
	Management services		0.8			0.9			1

			100	%		100	%		100	%

	All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Business combinations accounted for as purchases have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the respective dates of acquisition.
	The following discussion describes the Company’s consolidation policy with respect to its various ventures excluding wholly owned subsidiaries:
	Equity Joint Ventures
	A majority of the Company’s equity joint ventures are structured as limited liability companies in which the Company typically owns a majority equity interest ranging from 51% to 91%. Each member of all but one of the Company’s equity joint ventures participates in profits and losses in proportion to their equity interests. The Company has one equity joint venture partner whose participation in losses is limited. The Company consolidates these entities as the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the entities and the right to receive benefits from the entities and generally has voting control over the entities.
	License Leasing Arrangements
	The Company, through wholly owned subsidiaries, leases home health licenses necessary to operate certain of its home nursing agencies. As with wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company owns 100% of the equity of these entities and consolidates them based on such ownership, as well as the Company’s obligation to absorb losses of the entities and the right to receive benefits from the entities.
	Management Services
	The Company has various management services agreements under which the Company manages certain operations of agencies and facilities. The Company does not consolidate these agencies or facilities, as the Company does not have an ownership interest and does not have an obligation to absorb losses of the entities or the right to receive the benefits from the entities.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company reports net service revenue at the estimated net realizable amount due from Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, managed care payors, patients and others for services rendered. All payors contribute to both the home-based services and facility-based services.
	The following table sets forth the percentage of net service revenue earned by category of payor for the years ending December 31:


		2013			2012			2011
	Payor:
	Medicare		79.8	%		77.9	%		79.7	%
	Medicaid		1.4			1.8			2.3
	Other		18.8			20.3			18

			100	%		100	%		100	%

	The percentage of net service revenue contributed from each reporting segment was as follows for the years ending December 31:


		2013			2012			2011
	Home-based services		88.5	%		88.4	%		88	%
	Facility-based services		11.5			11.6			12

			100	%		100	%		100	%

	Medicare
	Home-Based Services
	Home Nursing Services. The Company’s home nursing Medicare patients are classified into one of 153 home health resource groups prior to receiving services. Based on this home health resource group, the Company is entitled to receive a standard prospective Medicare payment for delivering care over a 60-day period referred to as an episode. The Company recognizes revenue based on the number of days elapsed during an episode of care within the reporting period.
	Final payments from Medicare may reflect one of four retroactive adjustments to ensure the adequacy and effectiveness of the total reimbursement: (a) an outlier payment if the patient’s care was unusually costly; (b) a low utilization adjustment if the number of visits was fewer than five; (c) a partial payment if the patient transferred to another provider before completing the episode; or (d) a payment adjustment based upon the level of therapy services required in the population base. Management estimates the impact of these payment adjustments based on historical experience and records this estimate during the period the services are rendered. The Company’s payment is also adjusted for geographic wage differences. In calculating the Company’s reported net service revenue from home nursing services, the Company adjusts the prospective Medicare payments by an estimate of the adjustments.
	Hospice Services. The Company is paid by Medicare under a per diem payment system. The Company receives one of four predetermined daily or hourly rates based upon the level of care the Company furnished. The Company records net service revenue from hospice services based on the daily or hourly rate and recognizes revenue as hospice services are provided.
	Hospice payments are also subject to an inpatient cap and an overall Medicare payment cap. Inpatient cap relates to individual programs receiving more than 20% of its total Medicare reimbursement from inpatient care services and the overall Medicare payment cap relates to individual programs receiving reimbursements in excess of a “cap amount,” calculated by multiplying (a) the number of beneficiaries during the period by (b) a statutory amount that is indexed for inflation. The determination for each cap is made annually based on the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of each year. The Company monitors its limits on a provider-by-provider basis and records an estimate of its liability for reimbursements received in excess of the cap amount. Annually, the Company receives notification of whether any of its hospice providers have exceeded either cap. Adjustments resulting from these notifications have not been material.
	Facility-Based Services
	Long-Term Acute Care Services. The Company is reimbursed by Medicare for services provided under the long-term acute care hospital (“LTACH”) prospective payment system, which was implemented on October 1, 2002. Each patient is assigned a long-term care diagnosis-related group. The Company is paid a predetermined fixed amount intended to reflect the average cost of treating a Medicare patient classified in that particular long-term care diagnosis-related group. For selected patients, the amount may be further adjusted based on length-of-stay and facility-specific costs, as well as in instances where a patient is discharged and subsequently re-admitted, among other factors. The Company calculates the adjustment based on a historical average of these types of adjustments for claims paid. Similar to other Medicare prospective payment systems, the rate is also adjusted for geographic wage differences. Revenue is recognized for the Company’s LTACHs as services are provided.
	Medicaid, managed care and other payors
	The Company’s Medicaid reimbursement is based on a predetermined fee schedule applied to each service provided. Therefore, revenue is recognized for Medicaid services as services are provided based on this fee schedule. The Company’s managed care and other payors reimburse the Company in a manner similar to either Medicare or Medicaid. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue from managed care and other payors in the same manner as the Company recognizes revenue from Medicare or Medicaid.

	Management Services
	The Company records management services revenue as such services are provided in accordance with the various management services agreements to which the Company is a party. As described in the management services agreements, the Company provides billing, management and other consulting services suited to and designed for the efficient operation of the applicable home nursing agency. The Company is responsible for the costs associated with the locations and personnel required for the provision of services. The Company is compensated based on a percentage of cash collections for one management service agreement and reimbursed for operating expenses plus a percentage of operating net income for two management service agreements.
Accounts Receivable and Allowances for Uncollectible Accounts	'
	Accounts Receivable and Allowances for Uncollectible Accounts
	The Company reports accounts receivable net of estimated allowances for uncollectible accounts and adjustments. Accounts receivable are uncollateralized and primarily consist of amounts due from Medicare, other third-party payors, and patients. To provide for accounts receivable that could become uncollectible in the future, the Company establishes an allowance for uncollectible accounts to reduce the carrying amount of such receivables to their estimated net realizable value. Because Medicare is the Company’s primary payor, the credit risk associated with receivables from other payors is limited. The Company believes the credit risk associated with its Medicare accounts, which represent 68.6% and 63.6% of its patient accounts receivable at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, is limited due to (i) the historical collection rate from Medicare and (ii) the fact that Medicare is a U.S. government payor. The Company does not believe that there are any other significant concentrations of receivables from any particular payor that would subject it to any significant credit risk in the collection of accounts receivable.
	The amount of the provision for bad debts is based upon the Company’s assessment of historical and expected net collections, business and economic conditions and trends in government reimbursement. Uncollectible accounts are written off when the Company has determined that the account will not be collected.
	A portion of the estimated Medicare prospective payment system reimbursement from each submitted home nursing episode is received in the form of a request for anticipated payment (“RAP”). The Company submits a RAP for 60% of the estimated reimbursement for the initial episode at the start of care. The full amount of the episode is billed after the episode has been completed. The RAP received for that particular episode is deducted from the final payment. If a final bill is not submitted within the greater of 120 days from the start of the episode, or 60 days from the date the RAP was paid, any RAPs received for that episode will be recouped by Medicare from any other Medicare claims in process for that particular provider. The RAP and final claim must then be resubmitted. For subsequent episodes of care contiguous with the first episode for a particular patient, the Company submits a RAP for 50% instead of 60% of the estimated reimbursement.
	The Company’s Medicare population is paid at a prospectively set amount that can be determined at the time services are rendered. The Company’s Medicaid reimbursement is based on a predetermined fee schedule applied to each individual service we provide. The Company’s managed care contracts are structured similar to either the Medicare or Medicaid payment methodologies. Because of its payor mix, the Company is able to calculate its actual amount due at the patient level and adjust the gross charges down to the actual amount at the time of billing. This negates the need to record an estimated contractual allowance when reporting net service revenue for each reporting period.
Business Combination	'
	Business Combination
	The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method. The assets typically acquired consist primarily of a Medicare license, trade names, certificate of need and/or a noncompete agreement. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed, if any, are measured at fair value on the acquisition date using the appropriate valuation method. The noncontrolling interest associated with joint venture acquisitions is also measured and recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. The residual purchase price is recorded as goodwill. The operations of the acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which provides an entity the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount prior to performing the two-step goodwill impairment test. If the qualitative assessment indicates the possibility of an impairment, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is required. If it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting is greater than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. The Company adopted this guidance in 2013.
	Effective November 30, 2013, the Company changed the date of the annual impairment test for goodwill and other intangible assets from September 30 to November 30 to better coincide with the timing of when the Company prepares its annual budget and financial plans. These financial plans are a key component in estimating the fair value of the Company’s reporting units, which is the basis for performing the annual impairment test. The Company believes that the change in the annual impairment test date is preferable as it allows the Company to utilize its most current projections in the annual impairment test.
	The Company performs its annual impairment review of goodwill at November 30, and when a triggering event occurs between annual impairment tests. For 2013, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill and determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units are less than the carrying amounts.
	The Company has not recognized any goodwill impairment charges in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	Included in intangible assets are definite-lived assets subject to amortization such as non-compete agreements and defensive assets, which are defined as trade names that are not actively used. Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, ranging from two to five years.
	The Company also has indefinite-lived assets that are not subject to amortization expense such as trade names, certificates of need and licenses to conduct specific operations within geographic markets. The Company has concluded that trade names, certificates of need and licenses have indefinite lives, because there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic or other factors that would limit the useful life of these intangible assets and the Company intends to renew and operate the certificates of need and licenses and use the trade names indefinitely. These indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. To determine whether an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, the Company performs a qualitative assessment to support the conclusion that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired. Based on the results of that qualitative assessment, the Company may perform a quantitative test. The Company utilizes a relief-from-royalty method in its quantitative impairment test of trade names. Under this method, the fair value of the trade name is determined by calculating the present value of the after-tax cost savings associated with owning the trade names and, therefore, not having to pay royalties for use over its estimated useful life. The Company utilizes the cost approach in its quantitative impairment test for certificates of need and licenses. Under this method, assumptions are made about the cost to replace the certificates of need and licenses. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to indefinite-lived intangible assets of $500,000 and $650,000, respectively. There were no impairment charges recorded in 2011.
Due to/from Governmental Entities	'
	Due to/from Governmental Entities
	The Company’s LTACHs are reimbursed for certain activities based on tentative rates. The amounts recorded in due to/from governmental entities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets relate to settled and open cost reports that are subject to the completion of audits and the issuance of final assessments. Final reimbursement is determined based on submission of annual cost reports and audits by the fiscal intermediary. Adjustments are accrued on an estimated basis in the period the related services were rendered and further adjusted as final settlements are determined. These adjustments are accounted for as changes in estimates. Additionally, reimbursements received in excess of hospice cap amounts are recorded in this account. Adjustments resulting from these notifications have not been material.
Property, Building and Equipment	'
	Property, Building and Equipment
	Property, building and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets. The estimated useful life of buildings is 39 years, while the estimated useful lives of transportation equipment, and furniture and other equipment range from 3 to 10 years. The useful life for leasehold improvements is the lesser of the lease term or the expected life of the leasehold improvement. Routine repairs and maintenance costs are expensed when incurred.
	Property, building and equipment is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate possible impairment. There were no impairments recognized during the periods ended December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	The following table describes the Company’s components of property, building and equipment (amounts in thousands):


		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land	$	673		$	673
	Building and improvements		8,997			6,109
	Transportation equipment		6,181			6,232
	Fixed equipment		4,137			3,516
	Office furniture and medical equipment		51,999			47,332

			71,987			63,862
	Less accumulated depreciation		40,935			34,331

		$	31,052		$	29,531

	Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $6.9 million, $6.9 million and $6.6 million, respectively, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses. The Company writes off assets that are fully depreciated and no longer in use.
Noncontrolling Interest	'
	Noncontrolling Interest
	The nonredeemable interest held by third parties in subsidiaries owned or controlled by the Company is reported on the consolidated balance sheets as noncontrolling interest as a component of stockholders’ equity. Redeemable interest held by third parties in subsidiaries owned or controlled by the Company is reported on the consolidated balance sheets outside of permanent equity. All noncontrolling interest reported in the consolidated statements of operations reflects the respective interests in the income or loss after income taxes of the subsidiaries attributable to the other parties, the effect of which is removed from the net income (loss) available to LHC Group, Inc.
Stock-Based Employee Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Employee Compensation
	The Company grants restricted stock or restricted stock units to employees and members of its Board of Directors as a form of compensation. The expense for such awards is based on the grant date fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. See Note 7 to these consolidated financial statements.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic per share information is computed by dividing the item by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period, under the treasury stock method. Diluted per share information is computed by dividing the item by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding plus dilutive potential shares.
	The following table sets forth shares used in the computation of basic and diluted per share information for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:


		2013			2012			2011
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation		17,049,794			17,853,321			18,265,118
	Effect of dilutive potential shares:
	Options		4,058			1,909			—
	Nonvested restricted stock		78,899			43,965			—

	Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation		17,132,751			17,899,195			18,265,118

	Antidilutive shares		182,225			345,122			316,928

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Percentage of Net Service Revenue Earned by Type of Ownership or Relationship with Operating Entity	'
	The following table summarizes the percentage of net service revenue earned by type of ownership or relationship the Company had with the operating entity for the periods presented:


		2013			2012			2011
	Wholly owned subsidiaries		48.8	%		48.1	%		49.5	%
	Equity joint ventures		48.5			49.1			47.1
	License leasing arrangements		1.9			1.9			2.4
	Management services		0.8			0.9			1

			100	%		100	%		100	%

Percentage of Net Service Revenue Earned by Category of Payor	'
	The following table sets forth the percentage of net service revenue earned by category of payor for the years ending December 31:


		2013			2012			2011
	Payor:
	Medicare		79.8	%		77.9	%		79.7	%
	Medicaid		1.4			1.8			2.3
	Other		18.8			20.3			18

			100	%		100	%		100	%

Percentage of Net Service Revenue Contributed from Each Reporting Segment	'
	The percentage of net service revenue contributed from each reporting segment was as follows for the years ending December 31:


		2013			2012			2011
	Home-based services		88.5	%		88.4	%		88	%
	Facility-based services		11.5			11.6			12

			100	%		100	%		100	%

Components of Property, Building and Equipment	'
	The following table describes the Company’s components of property, building and equipment (amounts in thousands):


		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land	$	673		$	673
	Building and improvements		8,997			6,109
	Transportation equipment		6,181			6,232
	Fixed equipment		4,137			3,516
	Office furniture and medical equipment		51,999			47,332

			71,987			63,862
	Less accumulated depreciation		40,935			34,331

		$	31,052		$	29,531

Shares Used in Computation of Basic and Diluted Per Share Information	'
	The following table sets forth shares used in the computation of basic and diluted per share information for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:


		2013			2012			2011
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation		17,049,794			17,853,321			18,265,118
	Effect of dilutive potential shares:
	Options		4,058			1,909			—
	Nonvested restricted stock		78,899			43,965			—

	Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation		17,132,751			17,899,195			18,265,118

	Antidilutive shares		182,225			345,122			316,928

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Tab

Acquisitions and Disposals (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions and Disposals (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Acquired Entities	'

	The Company maintains an ownership interest in the acquired entities as set forth below:



	Acquired Entity	Ownership			State of Operations		Acquisition
	Acquired Entity	Percentage			State of Operations		Date
	LHCG XXXVII, LLC (d/b/a Addus HealthCare)		90	%		Illinois		3/1/13
	LHCG XXXVIII, LLC (d/b/a Addus HealthCare)		90	%		California		3/1/13
	LHCG XLII, LLC (d/b/a/ Arkansas HomeCare)		100	%		Arkansas		3/1/13
	LHCG XLI, LLC (d/b/a South Carolina HomeCare)		100	%		South Carolina		3/1/13
	LHCG XXXIX, LLC (d/b/a Addus HealthCare)		100	%		Nevada		3/1/13
	LHCG XXXIV, LLC (d/b/a Alabama Hospice Care of Mobile)		100	%		Alabama		4/1/13
	LHCG XL, LLC (d/b/a Georgia Home Health)		100	%		Georgia		7/1/13
	LHCG XXVII, LLC (d/b/a Pennsylvania Home Health)		100	%		Pennsylvania		7/1/13
	LHCG XLVIII, LLC (d/b/a Minnesota Home Health)		100	%		Minnesota		7/1/13
	LHCG XLVII, LLC (d/b/a Wisconsin Home Health)		100	%		Wisconsin		7/1/13
Schedule of Aggregate Consideration Paid and Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the aggregate consideration paid for the acquisitions and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates, as well as the fair value at the acquisition dates of the noncontrolling interest acquired (amounts in thousands):


	Consideration
	Cash	$	26,920

	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	26,920

	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
	Trade name	$	1,177
	Certificates of need/licenses		598
	Other identifiable intangible assets		331
	Other assets and (liabilities), net		(321	)

	Total identifiable assets	$	1,785

	Noncontrolling interest	$	608
	Goodwill, including noncontrolling interest of $622	$	25,743
Pro Forma Consolidated Income Statement Information	'
	The following table contains unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement information assuming the 2013 acquisitions closed January 1, 2012 (amount in thousands, except earnings per share):


		2013			2012
	Net service revenue	$	670,014		$	686,010
	Operating income		44,563			50,354
	Net income		21,031			25,028
	Basic and diluted earnings per share		1.23			1.4

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles1

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Changes in Goodwill by Segment	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill by segment during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in thousands):


		2013				2012
	Home-based services segment:
	Balance at beginning of period	$	157,559			$	153,140
	Goodwill from acquisitions		25,121				3,517
	Goodwill related to noncontrolling interest		622				902

	Home-based balance at end of period	$	183,302			$	157,559

	Facility-based services segment:
	Balance at beginning of period	$	11,591			$	11,591

	Facility-based balance at end of period		11,591				11,591

	Consolidated balance at end of period	$	194,893			$	169,150

Summary of Changes in Intangible Assets	'
	The following tables summarize the changes in intangible assets during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (amounts in thousands):


		December 31, 2013
		Estimated useful life		Gross				Accumulated			Net
				carrying				amortization			carrying
				amount							amount
	Indefinite-lived assets:
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	46,707				—		$	46,707
	Certificates of need/licenses	Indefinite			10,540				—			10,540

	Indefinite-lived balance at end of period			$	57,247				—		$	57,247

	Definite-lived assets:
	Trade names	3 months – 5 years		$	5,625			$	(1,055	)	$	4,570
	Non-compete agreements	3 months – 2 years			3,830				(3,463	)		367

	Definite-lived balance at end of period			$	9,455			$	(4,518	)	$	4,937

	Balance at December 31, 2013			$	66,702			$	(4,518	)	$	62,184



		December 31, 2012
		Estimated useful life		Gross				Accumulated			Net
				carrying				amortization			carrying
				amount							amount
	Indefinite-lived assets:
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	51,087				—		$	51,087
	Certificates of need/licenses	Indefinite			10,100				—			10,100

	Indefinite-lived balance at end of period			$	61,187				—		$	61,187

	Definite-lived assets:
	Trade names	8 months – 1 year		$	398			$	(77	)	$	321
	Non-compete agreements	2 months – 3 years			3,511				(2,977	)		534

	Definite-lived balance at end of period			$	3,909			$	(3,054	)	$	855

	Balance at December 31, 2012			$	65,096			$	(3,054	)	$	62,042

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (amounts in thousands):


		2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Allowance for uncollectible accounts	$	5,127		$	3,901
	Accrued employee benefits		3,420			3,250
	Stock compensation		1,503			1,593
	Accrued self-insurance		2,257			2,097
	Acquisition costs		1,155			861
	Net operating loss carry forward		873			779
	Intangible asset impairment		55			60
	Uncertain tax position—state tax portion		215			215
	Other		61			520
	Valuation allowance		(44	)		(44	)

	Deferred tax assets	$	14,622		$	13,232

	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Amortization of intangible assets		(25,202	)		(21,455	)
	Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation		(7,171	)		(7,007	)
	Prepaid expenses		(786	)		(765	)
	Non-accrual experience accounting method		(1,223	)		(1,302	)
	Deferred state tax receivable		(49	)		(161	)

	Deferred tax liabilities		(34,431	)		(30,690	)

	Net deferred tax liability	$	(19,809	)	$	(17,458	)

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations, Less Noncontrolling Interest	'
	The components of the Company’s income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations, less noncontrolling interest, were as follows (in thousands):


		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	11,962		$	12,930		$	(5,924	)
	State		1,546			2,377			(636	)

			13,508			15,307			(6,560	)
	Deferred:
	Federal		1,448			1,955			4,545
	State		903			249			47

			2,351			2,204			4,592

	Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	15,859		$	17,511		$	(1,968	)

Statutory Rate and Provisions for Income Taxes	'
	A reconciliation of the differences between income tax expense on net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc., computed at the federal statutory rate and provisions for income taxes for each period is as follows (in thousands):


		2013			2012			2011
	Income taxes computed at federal statutory tax rate	$	13,360		$	15,733		$	(5,232	)
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		1,641			1,739			(443	)
	Reduction in valuation allowance		—			—			(392	)
	Nondeductible expenses		1,022			844			675
	Uncertain tax position		—			—			3,200
	Other items		101			40			437
	Income tax credits		(265	)		(845	)		(213	)

	Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	15,859		$	17,511		$	(1,968	)

Total Amounts of Unrecognized Tax	'
	A reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits follows:


	Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2012	$	3,415
	Increases (decreases) in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of:
	Tax positions taken during the current period		—

	Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2013	$	3,415

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Debt (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Principal Payments on Long-Term Debt	'
	The scheduled principal payments on long-term debt for each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2013 is as follows: (amounts in thousands)


	2014	$	202
	2015		230
	2016		241
	2017		252
	2018		264
	Thereafter		23

	Total	$	1,212

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stock Options Activity	'
	The following table represents stock options activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:


		Number of			Weighted		Average		Aggregate
		Shares			Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
					Exercise Price		Contractual		Value
							Term
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2013		15,000		$	16.88		3.0 years	$	66,375
	Options granted		—			—		—		—
	Options exercised		—			—		—		—
	Options forfeited or expired		—			—		—		—
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2013		15,000		$	16.88		2.0 years	$	—
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2013		15,000		$	16.88		2.0 years	$	107,475
Nonvested Stock Activity	'
	The following table represents the nonvested stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2013:


		Number of			Weighted Average
		Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
	Nonvested shares outstanding at January 1, 2013		486,061		$	22.33
	Granted		222,543		$	21.45
	Vested		(184,027	)	$	22.07
	Forfeited		(18,110	)	$	21.19

	Nonvested shares outstanding at December 31, 2013		506,467		$	22.08

Summary of Shares Issued Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'
	The following table represents the shares issued during 2013, 2012 and 2011 under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.


		Number of			Weighted Average
		Shares			Per Share Price
	Shares available as of January 1, 2010		149,723
	Additional shares authorized for issuance		250,000
	Shares issued in 2011		38,291		$	23.4
	Shares issued in 2012		50,185		$	15.58
	Shares issued in 2013		38,459		$	20.39

	Shares available as of December 31, 2013		272,788

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Leases (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Future Minimum Rental Commitments Under Non-cancelable Operating Leases	'
	Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows (in thousands):


		Total
	2014	$	13,725
	2015		9,100
	2016		5,978
	2017		3,215
	2018		2,143
	Thereafter		3,074

		$	37,235

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Segment Information (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	The following tables summarize the Company’s segment information for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (amounts in thousands)


			Year Ended December 31, 2013
			Home-Based				Facility-Based			Total
			Services				Services			Total
	Net service revenue		$	582,891			$	75,392		$	658,283
	Cost of service revenue			339,199				44,265			383,464
	Provision for bad debts			12,843				1,086			13,929
	General and administrative expenses			192,784				21,349			214,133

	Operating income			38,065				8,692			46,757
	Interest expense			1,800				195			1,995
	Non-operating income, including gain (loss) on sale of assets and entities			149				94			243

	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests			36,414				8,591			45,005
	Income tax expense			14,342				1,517			15,859

	Income from continuing operations			22,072				7,074			29,146
	Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			5,552				1,252			6,804

	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		$	16,520			$	5,822		$	22,342

	Total assets		$	385,915			$	36,311		$	422,226



			Year Ended December 31, 2012
			Home-Based				Facility-Based			Total
			Services				Services			Total
	Net service revenue		$	563,741			$	73,828		$	637,569
	Cost of service revenue			322,189				43,563			365,752
	Provision for bad debts			10,593				1,282			11,875
	General and administrative expenses			183,725				21,912			205,637

	Operating income			47,234				7,071			54,305
	Interest expense			1,356				194			1,550
	Non-operating income, including gain (loss) on sale of assets and entities			133				51			184

	Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests			46,011				6,928			52,939
	Income tax expense			15,619				1,892			17,511

	Income from continuing operations			30,392				5,036			35,428
	Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			6,964				1,024			7,988

	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		$	23,428			$	4,012		$	27,440

	Total assets		$	350,140			$	36,754		$	386,894



			Year Ended December 31, 2011
			Home-Based				Facility-Based			Total
			Services				Services			Total
	Net service revenue		$	557,901			$	75,971		$	633,872
	Cost of service revenue			307,744				44,602			352,346
	Provision for bad debts			11,680				640			12,320
	General and administrative expenses			190,264				20,324			210,588
	Settlement with government agencies			65,000				—			65,000

	Operating income (loss)			(16,787	)			10,405			(6,382	)
	Interest expense			914				104			1,018
	Non-operating income, including gain (loss) on sale of assets and entities			1,645				136			1,781

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests			(16,056	)			10,437			(5,619	)
Income tax expense (benefit)			(4,201	)			2,233			(1,968	)

Income (loss) from continuing operations			(11,855	)			8,204			(3,651	)
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			8,404				1,189			9,593

Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		$	(20,259	)		$	7,015		$	(13,244	)

Total assets		$	360,340			$	36,036		$	396,376

Allowance_for_Uncollectible_Ac1

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts (Tables)	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Activity and Ending Balances	'
	The following table summarizes the activity and ending balances in the allowance for uncollectible accounts (amounts in thousands):


		Beginning of		Additions		Deductions		End of Year
		Year Balance		Additions		Deductions		Balance
	Year ended December 31:
	2013	$	11,863	$	13,929	$	11,458	$	14,334
	2012	$	10,692	$	11,875	$	10,704	$	11,863
	2011	$	9,769	$	12,320	$	11,397	$	10,692

Unaudited_Summarized_Quarterly1

Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations	'
	The following table represents the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations (amounts in thousands, except share data):


		First Quarter 2013		Second Quarter 2013		Third Quarter 2013		Fourth Quarter 2013
	Net service revenue	$	161,953	$	166,302	$	164,748	$	165,280
	Gross margin		68,705		69,293		66,782		70,039
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		6,286		5,790		5,297		4,969
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	0.37	$	0.34	$	0.31	$	0.29
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	0.37	$	0.34	$	0.31	$	0.29
	Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Basic		16,966,525		17,055,619		17,083,201		17,096,360
	Diluted		17,073,543		17,127,017		17,182,013		17,228,499


		First Quarter 2012		Second Quarter 2012		Third Quarter 2012		Fourth Quarter 2012
	Net service revenue	$	158,761	$	158,055	$	158,926	$	161,827
	Gross margin		68,902		65,837		67,692		69,386
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		7,741		5,963		6,336		7,400
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	0.42	$	0.32	$	0.36	$	0.43
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	0.42	$	0.32	$	0.36	$	0.43
	Weighted average shares outstanding:
	Basic		18,333,838		18,385,783		17,656,842		17,056,611
	Diluted		18,399,608		18,423,258		17,726,819		17,155,909

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Earned by Type of Ownership or Relationship with Operating Entity (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Wholly-owned Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	48.80%	48.10%	49.50%
Equity Joint Ventures [Member]	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	48.50%	49.10%	47.10%
License Leasing Arrangements [Member]	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	1.90%	1.90%	2.40%
Management Services [Member]	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	0.80%	0.90%	1.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Group
	Times
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
License Leasing Arrangements	100.00%	'	'
Number of Medicare home health resource groups	153	'	'
Number of days from date RAP paid to submit final Medicare bill	'60 days	'	'
Low utilization adjustment visits	5	'	'
Minimum percentage of Medicare reimbursement from inpatient care services that subjects individual programs to inpatient cap	20.00%	'	'
Determination period for hospice Medicare inpatient reimbursement cap	'12 months	'	'
Reimbursement for initial episode of care	60.00%	'	'
Number of days from start of episode to submit final Medicare bill	'120 days	'	'
Reimbursement for subsequent episodes of care	50.00%	'	'
Goodwill impairment charges	$0	$0	$0
Loss on impairment of intangible assets	500,000	650,000	0
Depreciation expense	$6,900,000	$6,900,000	$6,600,000
Building [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'39 years	'	'
Credit Risk [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Medicare credit risk for accounts receivable	68.60%	63.60%	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Equity Joint Ventures, Ownership	51.00%	'	'
Estimated useful life	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] \| Transportation, furniture and other equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'3 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Equity Joint Ventures, Ownership	91.00%	'	'
Estimated useful life	'5 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] \| Transportation, furniture and other equipment [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'10 years	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Earned by Category of Payor (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Medicare [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	79.80%	77.90%	79.70%
Medicaid [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	1.40%	1.80%	2.30%
Other [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	18.80%	20.30%	18.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Contributed from Each Reporting Segment (Detail) (Sales Revenue, Segment [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Home-based services [Member]	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	88.50%	88.40%	88.00%
Facility-based services [Member]	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	11.50%	11.60%	12.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Property, Building and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, building and equipment, gross	$71,987	$63,862
Less accumulated depreciation	40,935	34,331
Property, building and equipment, net	31,052	29,531
Land [Member]	'	'
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, building and equipment, gross	673	673
Building and improvements [Member]	'	'
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, building and equipment, gross	8,997	6,109
Transportation equipment [Member]	'	'
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, building and equipment, gross	6,181	6,232
Fixed equipment [Member]	'	'
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, building and equipment, gross	4,137	3,516
Office furniture and medical equipment [Member]	'	'
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Property, building and equipment, gross	$51,999	$47,332

Summary_of_Significant_Account8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Shares Used in Computation of Basic and Diluted Per Share Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation	17,096,360	17,083,201	17,055,619	16,966,525	17,056,611	17,656,842	18,385,783	18,333,838	17,049,794	17,853,321	18,265,118
Effect of dilutive potential shares:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,058	1,909	'
Nonvested restricted stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	78,899	43,965	'
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation	17,228,499	17,182,013	17,127,017	17,073,543	17,155,909	17,726,819	18,423,258	18,399,608	17,132,751	17,899,195	18,265,118
Antidilutive shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	182,225	345,122	316,928

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Add

Acquisitions and Disposals - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	JointVenture	Subsidiary	JointVenture
		JointVenture
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total purchase price for acquisitions	$27,300,000	$5,100,000	$12,300,000
Acquisition price paid in cash	26,920,000	'	'
Acquisition paid in assumed liabilities	380,000	'	'
Noncontrolling goodwill	622,000	'	'
Purchase price to acquire additional ownership interests in joint ventures	1,900,000	309,000	891,000
Number of joint ventures in which additional ownership interests were acquired	6	3	3
Decrease in noncontrolling interest redeemable	612,000	120,000	'
Reduction in additional paid in capital as a result of the purchase of additional ownership interests	1,300,000	189,000	641,000
Number of subsidiaries in which membership interests were sold	'	1	'
Total sale price of acquisitions	'	80,000	308,000
Percentage of membership interest for sale	'	40.00%	26.00%
Ownership transfer as consideration for acquisition	'	'	26.32%
Change in additional paid in capital due to a transfer of ownership interests as consideration for an acquisition	'	'	206,000
Settlement of working capital amounts	'	'	155,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Change in Additional Paid in Capital as a result of the sale of membership interests	'	80,000	212,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'2 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life	'5 years	'	'
Home-based services [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill Recognized	25,700,000	4,400,000	7,400,000
Noncontrolling goodwill	622,000	902,000	658,000
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Acquisition-related costs	$590,000	'	'
Home health agencies [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of entities acquired	19	'	'
Number of additional entities acquired	4	'	'
Hospice agency [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of entities acquired	1	'	'
Number of additional entities acquired	1	'	'

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Sch

Acquisitions and Disposals - Schedule of Acquired Entities (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
LHCG XXXVII, LLC (d/b/a Addus HealthCare) [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	90.00%
State of Operations	'Illinois
Acquisition Date	1-Mar-13
LHCG XXXVIII, LLC (d/b/a Addus HealthCare) [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	90.00%
State of Operations	'California
Acquisition Date	1-Mar-13
LHCG XLII, LLC (d/b/a/ Arkansas HomeCare) [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Arkansas
Acquisition Date	1-Mar-13
LHCG XLI, LLC (d/b/a South Carolina HomeCare) [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'South Carolina
Acquisition Date	1-Mar-13
LHCG XXXIX, LLC (d/b/a Addus HealthCare) [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Nevada
Acquisition Date	1-Mar-13
LHCG XXXIV, LLC (d/b/a Alabama Hospice Care of Mobile) [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Alabama
Acquisition Date	1-Apr-13
LHCG XL, LLC (d/b/a Georgia Home Health) [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Georgia
Acquisition Date	1-Jul-13
LHCG XXVII, LLC (d/b/a Pennsylvania Home Health) [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Pennsylvania
Acquisition Date	1-Jul-13
LHCG XLVIII, LLC (d/b/a Minnesota Home Health) [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Minnesota
Acquisition Date	1-Jul-13
LHCG XLVII, LLC (d/b/a Wisconsin Home Health) [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Wisconsin
Acquisition Date	1-Jul-13

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Sch1

Acquisitions and Disposals - Schedule of Aggregate Consideration Paid and Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Consideration	'
Cash	$26,920
Fair value of total consideration transferred	26,920
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
Other assets and (liabilities), net	-321
Total identifiable assets	1,785
Noncontrolling interest	608
Goodwill, including noncontrolling interest of $622	25,743
Trade Names [Member]	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, Intangible Assets	1,177
Other identifiable intangible assets [Member]	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, Intangible Assets	331
Certificate of Need/Licenses [Member]	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, Intangible Assets	$598

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Sch2

Acquisitions and Disposals - Schedule of Aggregate Consideration Paid and Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Noncontrolling goodwill	$622

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Pro

Acquisitions and Disposals - Proforma Consolidated Income Statement Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Abstract]	'	'
Net service revenue	$670,014	$686,010
Operating income	44,563	50,354
Net income	$21,031	$25,028
Basic and diluted earnings per share	$1.23	$1.40

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles2

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net - Schedule of Changes in Goodwill by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$169,150,000	'	'
Goodwill from acquisitions	25,743,000	'	'
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interest	622,000	'	'
Balance at end of period	194,893,000	'	'
Home-based services [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	157,559,000	153,140,000	'
Goodwill from acquisitions	25,121,000	3,517,000	'
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interest	622,000	902,000	658,000
Balance at end of period	183,302,000	157,559,000	153,140,000
Facility-based services segment [Member]	'	'	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at end of period	$11,591,000	$11,591,000	$11,591,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles3

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment charges	$0	$0	$0
Impairment of intangible assets	500,000	650,000	'
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	62,184,000	62,042,000	'
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impairment of intangible assets	500,000	650,000	'
Home-based services [Member]	'	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	61,100,000	'	'
Facility-based services [Member]	'	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Impairment of intangible assets	'	400,000	'
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	$1,100,000	'	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles4

Goodwill and Other Intangibles Net - Summary of Changes in Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	$57,247	$61,187
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	9,455	3,909
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	66,702	65,096
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	-4,518	-3,054
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization ending balance	-4,518	-3,054
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	4,937	855
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	62,184	62,042
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'2 years	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'5 years	'
Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	46,707	51,087
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	5,625	398
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	-1,055	-77
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	4,570	321
Trade Names [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'3 months	'8 months
Trade Names [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'5 years	'1 year
Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	3,830	3,511
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	-3,463	-2,977
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	367	534
Noncompete Agreements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'3 months	'2 months
Noncompete Agreements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'2 years	'3 years
Certificate of Need/Licenses [Member]	'	'
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	$10,540	$10,100

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Allowance for uncollectible accounts	$5,127	$3,901
Accrued employee benefits	3,420	3,250
Stock compensation	1,503	1,593
Accrued self-insurance	2,257	2,097
Acquisition costs	1,155	861
Net operating loss carry forward	873	779
Intangible asset impairment	55	60
Uncertain tax position-state tax portion	215	215
Other	61	520
Valuation allowance	-44	-44
Deferred tax assets	14,622	13,232
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Amortization of intangible assets	-25,202	-21,455
Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation	-7,171	-7,007
Prepaid expenses	-786	-765
Non-accrual experience accounting method	-1,223	-1,302
Deferred state tax receivable	-49	-161
Deferred tax liabilities	-34,431	-30,690
Net deferred tax liability	($19,809)	($17,458)

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Expens

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations, Less Noncontrolling Interest (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	$11,962	$12,930	($5,924)
State	1,546	2,377	-636
Total Current	13,508	15,307	-6,560
Deferred:	'	'	'
Federal	1,448	1,955	4,545
State	903	249	47
Total Deferred	2,351	2,204	4,592
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$15,859	$17,511	($1,968)

Income_Taxes_Statutory_Rate_an

Income Taxes - Statutory Rate and Provisions for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Income taxes computed at federal statutory tax rate	$13,360	$15,733	($5,232)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	1,641	1,739	-443
Reduction in valuation allowance	'	'	-392
Nondeductible expenses	1,022	844	675
Uncertain tax position	'	'	3,200
Other items	101	40	437
Income tax credits	-265	-845	-213
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$15,859	$17,511	($1,968)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Tax payable as an unrecognized tax benefit	$3,400,000	'	'
Interest or penalties	'	'	0
Interest expense	$176,000	$132,000	'

Income_Taxes_Total_Amounts_of_

Income Taxes - Total Amounts of Unrecognized Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Excluding Amounts Pertaining To Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'
Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2012	$3,415
Increases (decreases) in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of:	'
Tax positions taken during the current period	'
Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2013	$3,415

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 07, 2014
				Promissory Note [Member]
				Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Line of credit facility drawn	'	$22,000,000	$19,500,000	'
Letter of credit outstanding	'	6,700,000	6,000,000	'
Line of credit facility interest rate	'	4.25%	'	'
Percentage of credit fee on unused amount	'	0.50%	'	'
Credit fees on the Credit Facility	'	979,000	1,000,000	'
Excess amount of stock repurchase	50,000,000	50,000,000	'	'
Promissory note Aggregate principal amount	'	'	'	1,200,000
Promissory note maturity date	'	'	'	6-Jan-19
Promissory note principal payment	'	'	'	$23,000
Promissory note interest rate percentage	'	'	'	4.50%

Debt_Schedule_of_Principal_Pay

Debt - Schedule of Principal Payments on Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$202
2015	230
2016	241
2017	252
2018	264
Thereafter	23
Total	$1,212

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Par value of common stock repurchased	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01	'
Total amount authorized for repurchase under company's stock repurchase program	$50,000,000	$50,000,000	'	'
Number of shares of common stock repurchased during period	'	0	1,540,813	24,159
Aggregate cost	'	'	27,000,000	577,000
Average cost per share of common stock repurchased during period	'	'	$17.52	$23.93
Remaining amount authorized for repurchase under company's stock repurchase program	'	22,500,000	'	'
Common stock reserved and available for issuance	'	1,500,000	'	'
Stock options granted during the period	'	0	0	0
Granted, Weighted average grant date fair value	'	$21.45	$19.02	$26.37
Share based payment description	'	'The amount of such cash payment was equal to the fair market value of 2,700 shares on the settlement date.	'	'
Share based award, settled in cash	'	2,700	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares of common stock granted	'	7,800,000	'	'
Weighted average period of cost recognized	'	'3 years 2 months 27 days	'	'
Total fair value of shares of common stock vested	'	3,900,000	3,700,000	3,900,000
Compensation expense related to nonvested stock grants	'	3,900,000	4,400,000	4,100,000
Price of shares issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan as a percentage of FMV	'	95.00%	'	'
Number of shares reserved for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'	250,000	'	'
Additional shares authorized for issuance	'	'	'	250,000
Shares redeemed to satisfy personal tax obligations	'	40,608	36,621	43,182
Employee Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Additional shares authorized for issuance	'	250,000	'	'
Director [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Non vested stock grants to Independent director	'	24,300	26,100	15,200
Director Period of Vested Shares	'	'1 year	'	'
Employee [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Vesting period of non-vested shares	'	'5 years	'	'
Nonvested stock grants to employees	'	198,243	187,140	139,470
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Compensation expense related to stock options	'	$0	$0	$0

Shareholders_Equity_Stock_Opti

Shareholders' Equity - Stock Options Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance	15,000	'
Options granted, Number of Shares	'	'
Options Exercised, Number of shares	'	'
Options forfeited or expired, Number of shares	'	'
Options outstanding, Ending Balance	15,000	15,000
Options exercisable, Number of Shares	15,000	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$16.88	'
Options granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'
Options Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'
Options forfeited or expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$16.88	$16.88
Options exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$16.88	'
Options outstanding, Average Remaining Contractual Term	'2 years	'3 years
Options exercisable, Average Remaining Contractual Term	'2 years	'
Beginning balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$66,375	'
Ending balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	66,375
Options exercisable, Aggregate intrinsic value	$107,475	'

Shareholders_Equity_Nonvested_

Shareholders' Equity - Nonvested Stock Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Nonvested shares outstanding, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	486,061	'	'
Granted, Number of Shares	222,543	'	'
Vested, Number of Shares	-184,027	'	'
Forfeited, Number of Shares	-18,110	'	'
Nonvested shares outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	506,467	486,061	'
Nonvested shares outstanding, Weighted average grant date fair value, Beginning Balance	$22.33	'	'
Granted, Weighted average grant date fair value	$21.45	$19.02	$26.37
Vested, Weighted average grant date fair value	$22.07	'	'
Forfeited, Weighted average grant date fair value	$21.19	'	'
Nonvested shares outstanding, Weighted average grant date fair value, Ending Balance	$22.08	$22.33	'

Shareholders_Equity_Summary_of

Shareholders' Equity - Summary of Shares Issued Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Shares available, Beginning balance	'	'	149,723
Additional shares authorized for issuance	'	'	250,000
Shares issued during period	38,459	50,185	38,291
Shares available, Ending Balance	272,788	'	'
Shares issued during period, Per share price	$20.39	$15.58	$23.40

Leases_Additional_information_

Leases - Additional information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Licenses
	Nursing_Agencies
	Hospice_Agencies
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Company license lease arrangements	3	'	'
Home nursing agencies	4	'	'
Hospice agencies	3	'	'
Operating leases start period	'2007	'	'
Operating leases expiration period	'2017	'	'
Lease payment due in 2014	$13,725,000	'	'
Operating lease terms range, minimum	'3 years	'	'
Operating lease terms range, maximum	'10 years	'	'
Total rental expenses	17,200,000	17,300,000	17,300,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating lease terms range	'1 year	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating lease terms range	'4 years	'	'
Lease 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expense related to lease	217,875	210,000	245,000
Lease payment due in 2014	220,500	'	'
Lease 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expense related to lease	$318,435	$269,176	$135,892

Leases_Future_Minimum_Rental_C

Leases - Future Minimum Rental Commitments Under Non-cancelable Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]	'
2014	$13,725
2015	9,100
2016	5,978
2017	3,215
2018	2,143
Thereafter	3,074
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	$37,235

Employee_Benefit_Plan_Addition

Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Participants contribution	$17,500	'	'
Employer contribution	2.00%	'	'
Initial vesting period of employer contribution	'2 years	'	'
Full vesting period of employer contribution	'6 years	'	'
Contribution expenses	$3,700,000	$1,700,000	$3,400,000
Employer contribution	20.00%	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Settlement amount with the United States	$65	'	'
Amount to settle non-intervened claims	'	'	$1
Corporate integrity agreement period	'	'5 years	'
Period of joint venture buy/sell option	'	'30 days	'

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangibles impairment charge	$500,000	$650,000
Facility-based services [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Other intangibles impairment charge	'	400,000
Income tax expense reclassification	'	162,400
Reduction of assets	'	$400,000

Segment_Information_Segment_In

Segment Information - Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net service revenue	$165,280	$164,748	$166,302	$161,953	$161,827	$158,926	$158,055	$158,761	$658,283	$637,569	$633,872
Cost of service revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	383,464	365,752	352,346
Provision for bad debts	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,929	11,875	12,320
General and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	214,133	205,637	210,588
Settlement with government agencies	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	65,000
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	46,757	54,305	-6,382
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,995	1,550	1,018
Non-operating income, including gain (loss) on sale of assets and entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	243	184	1,781
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	45,005	52,939	-5,619
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,859	17,511	-1,968
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	29,146	35,428	-3,651
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,804	7,988	9,593
Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,342	27,440	-13,244
Total assets	422,226	'	'	'	386,894	'	'	'	422,226	386,894	396,376
Home-based services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net service revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	582,891	563,741	557,901
Cost of service revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	339,199	322,189	307,744
Provision for bad debts	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12,843	10,593	11,680
General and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	192,784	183,725	190,264
Settlement with government agencies	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	65,000
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	38,065	47,234	-16,787
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,800	1,356	914
Non-operating income, including gain (loss) on sale of assets and entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	149	133	1,645
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	36,414	46,011	-16,056
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14,342	15,619	-4,201
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,072	30,392	-11,855
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,552	6,964	8,404
Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,520	23,428	-20,259
Total assets	385,915	'	'	'	350,140	'	'	'	385,915	350,140	360,340
Facility-based services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net service revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	75,392	73,828	75,971
Cost of service revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	44,265	43,563	44,602
Provision for bad debts	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,086	1,282	640
General and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	21,349	21,912	20,324
Operating income (loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,692	7,071	10,405
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	195	194	104
Non-operating income, including gain (loss) on sale of assets and entities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	94	51	136
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,591	6,928	10,437
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,517	1,892	2,233
Income (loss) from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,074	5,036	8,204
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,252	1,024	1,189
Net income (loss) attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,822	4,012	7,015
Total assets	$36,311	'	'	'	$36,754	'	'	'	$36,311	$36,754	$36,036

Allowance_for_Uncollectible_Ac2

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts - Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Activity and Ending Balances (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Rollforward	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$11,863	$10,692	$9,769
Additions	-13,929	-11,875	-12,320
Deductions	11,458	10,704	11,397
Ending balance	$14,334	$11,863	$10,692

Concentration_of_Risk_Addition

Concentration of Risk - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'	'
Rate of net service revenue by Louisiana facilities	26.00%	28.50%	31.10%

Unaudited_Summarized_Quarterly2

Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information - Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net service revenue	$165,280	$164,748	$166,302	$161,953	$161,827	$158,926	$158,055	$158,761	$658,283	$637,569	$633,872
Gross margin	70,039	66,782	69,293	68,705	69,386	67,692	65,837	68,902	274,819	271,817	281,526
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$4,969	$5,297	$5,790	$6,286	$7,400	$6,336	$5,963	$7,741	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$0.29	$0.31	$0.34	$0.37	$0.43	$0.36	$0.32	$0.42	$1.31	$1.54	($0.73)
Diluted earnings per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$0.29	$0.31	$0.34	$0.37	$0.43	$0.36	$0.32	$0.42	$1.30	$1.53	($0.73)
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	17,096,360	17,083,201	17,055,619	16,966,525	17,056,611	17,656,842	18,385,783	18,333,838	17,049,794	17,853,321	18,265,118
Diluted	17,228,499	17,182,013	17,127,017	17,073,543	17,155,909	17,726,819	18,423,258	18,399,608	17,132,751	17,899,195	18,265,118

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 01, 2014
		Subsequent Event [Member]
		State
		Location
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'
Acquisition price paid in cash	$26,920	$60,000
Number of locations in which the company will add following the close of the acquisition	'	33
Number of states in which the company will add following the close of the acquisition	'	5
Expected closing date of acquisition	'	31-Mar-14