LHC (LHCG) 10-Q 7 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Trading Symbol	'LHCG	'
Entity Registrant Name	'LHC Group, Inc	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001303313	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	17,789,101

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash	$12,027	$14,014
Receivables:	'	'
Patient accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $16,176 and $14,334, respectively	98,932	88,964
Other receivables	2,361	608
Amounts due from governmental entities	990	1,234
Total receivables, net	102,283	90,806
Deferred income taxes	9,817	9,251
Prepaid income taxes	3,497	4,069
Prepaid expenses	8,657	6,966
Other current assets	4,137	4,449
Receivable due from insurance carrier	7,850	'
Total current assets	148,268	129,555
Property, building and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $44,258 and $40,935, respectively	32,929	31,052
Goodwill	229,462	194,893
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $5,461 and $4,518, respectively	83,973	62,184
Other assets	2,993	4,542
Total assets	497,625	422,226
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	18,718	17,217
Salaries, wages, and benefits payable	37,648	31,927
Self-insurance reserve	6,610	5,862
Current portion of long-term debt	225	249
Amounts due to governmental entities	3,746	4,391
Legal settlement payable	7,850	'
Total current liabilities	74,797	59,646
Deferred income taxes	30,470	29,060
Income tax payable	3,415	3,415
Revolving credit facility	69,000	22,000
Long-term debt, less current portion	896	963
Total liabilities	178,578	115,084
Noncontrolling interest - redeemable	11,263	11,258
LHC Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 21,983,432 and 21,801,634 shares issued in 2014 and 2013, respectively	219	218
Treasury stock - 4,730,511 and 4,693,647 shares at cost, respectively	-35,565	-34,715
Additional paid-in capital	106,549	103,972
Retained earnings	233,663	223,534
Total LHC Group, Inc. stockholders' equity	304,866	293,009
Noncontrolling interest - non-redeemable	2,918	2,875
Total equity	307,784	295,884
Total liabilities and equity	$497,625	$422,226

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Patient accounts receivable, allowance for uncollectible accounts	$16,176	$14,334
Property, building and equipment, accumulated depreciation	44,258	40,935
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$5,461	$4,518
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, issued	21,983,432	21,801,634
Treasury stock at cost, shares	4,730,511	4,693,647

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net service revenue	$188,867	$166,302	$352,548	$328,255
Cost of service revenue	111,527	97,009	208,861	190,257
Gross margin	77,340	69,293	143,687	137,998
Provision for bad debts	4,363	3,208	7,725	7,125
General and administrative expenses	59,614	54,157	114,226	105,780
Operating income	13,363	11,928	21,736	25,093
Interest expense	-830	-700	-1,218	-1,125
Non-operating income (loss)	-109	65	-76	130
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	12,424	11,293	20,442	24,098
Income tax expense	4,352	3,918	7,275	8,454
Net income	8,072	7,375	13,167	15,644
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,011	1,585	3,038	3,568
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$6,061	$5,790	$10,129	$12,076
Earnings per share - basic and diluted:	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$0.35	$0.34	$0.59	$0.71
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic	17,233,264	17,055,619	17,190,070	17,011,306
Diluted	17,277,224	17,127,017	17,268,556	17,088,463

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total		Common Stock [Member]	Treasury [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Non-controlling Interest Non Redeemable [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning balance, Amount at Dec. 31, 2013	$295,884		$218	($34,715)	$103,972	$223,534	$2,875
Beginning balance, Treasury Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	-4,693,647		'	-4,693,647	'	'	'
Beginning balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'		21,801,634	'	'	'	'
Net income	10,683	[1]	'	'	'	10,129	554
Sale of noncontrolling interest	161		'	'	161	'	'
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	-95		'	'	-95	'	'
Noncontrolling interest distributions	-511		'	'	'	'	-511
Nonvested stock compensation	2,069		'	'	2,069	'	'
Issuance of vested stock, Shares	'		163,886	'	'	'	'
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax	-850		'	-850	'	'	'
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax, Shares	-36,864		'	-36,864	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits - vesting nonvested stock	52		'	'	52	'	'
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	391		1	'	390	'	'
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Shares	'		17,912	'	'	'	'
Ending balance, Amount at Jun. 30, 2014	$307,784		$219	($35,565)	$106,549	$233,663	$2,918
Ending balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2014	'		21,983,432	'	'	'	'
Ending balance, Treasury Shares at Jun. 30, 2014	-4,730,511		'	-4,730,511	'	'	'
[1]	Net income excludes net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable of $2.6 million during the six months ending June 30, 2014. Noncontrolling interest-redeemable is reflected outside of permanent equity on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]	'
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable	$2.50

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating activities	'	'
Net income	$13,167	$15,644
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	4,413	3,830
Provision for bad debts	7,725	7,125
Stock-based compensation expense	2,069	1,895
Deferred income taxes	844	1,270
Gain on sale of assets	144	15
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Receivables	-8,625	-10,837
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-301	-1,519
Prepaid income taxes	512	3,479
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,249	7,600
Net amounts due to/from governmental entities	-401	-432
Net cash provided by operating activities	23,796	28,070
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property, building and equipment	-3,419	-3,569
Cash paid for acquisitions, primarily goodwill and intangible assets	-65,103	-26,920
Net cash (used in) investing activities	-68,522	-30,489
Financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from line of credit	68,000	55,000
Payments on line of credit	-21,000	-49,500
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	391	392
Proceeds from debt issuance	'	567
Payments on debt	-91	'
Noncontrolling interest distributions	-3,122	-4,352
Payment of deferred financing fees	-799	'
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock	112	11
Redemption of treasury shares	-850	-755
Purchase of additional controlling interest	-95	-1,618
Sale of noncontrolling interest	193	'
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	42,739	-255
Change in cash	-1,987	-2,674
Cash at beginning of period	14,014	9,720
Cash at end of period	12,027	7,046
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information	'	'
Interest paid	1,177	1,125
Income taxes paid	$6,064	$14,376

Organization

Organization	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 community based service agencies, hospice services and facility-based services, primarily through long-term acute care hospitals (“LTACHs”). As of June 30, 2014, the Company, through its wholly- and majority-owned subsidiaries, equity joint ventures and controlled affiliates, operated 338 service providers in 25 states within the continental United States.
	Unaudited Interim Financial Information
	The condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended June 30, 2014, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 and related notes (collectively, these financial statements and the related notes are referred to herein as the “interim financial information”) have been prepared by the Company. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) have been included. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted from the interim financial information presented. This report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 6, 2014, which includes information and disclosures not included herein.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2. Significant Accounting Policies
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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.
	Critical Accounting Policies
	The Company’s most critical accounting policies relate to the principles of consolidation, revenue recognition and accounts receivable and allowances for uncollectible accounts.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The interim financial information includes 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 interim financial information includes entities in which the Company receives a majority of the entities’ expected residual returns, absorbs a majority of the entities’ expected losses, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in the entity. Third party equity interests in the consolidated joint ventures are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the Company’s interim financial information.
	The following table summarizes the percentage of net service revenue earned by type of ownership or relationship the Company had with the operating entity:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries		54.5	%		49	%		52	%		47.9	%
	Equity joint ventures		42.9			48.3			45.3			49.3
	License leasing arrangements		1.8			1.9			1.9			1.9
	Management services		0.8			0.8			0.8			0.9
			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
	All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the Company’s accompanying interim financial information. Business combinations accounted for under the acquisition method have been included in the interim financial information from the respective dates of acquisition.
	The following describes the Company’s consolidation policy with respect to its various ventures excluding wholly-owned subsidiaries:
	Equity Joint Ventures
	The members of the Company’s equity joint ventures participate in profits and losses in proportion to their equity interests. The Company consolidates these entities as the Company has voting control over the entities. The Company owns a majority equity interest ranging from 51% to 91% in these joint ventures.
	License Leasing Arrangements
	The Company, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, leases home health licenses necessary to operate certain of its home nursing agencies. As with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Company owns 100% of the equity of these entities and consolidates them based on such ownership.
	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 because the Company does not have an ownership interest in, and does not have an obligation to absorb losses of, the entities that own the agencies and facilities or the right to receive the benefits from those entities.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company reports net service revenue at the estimated net realizable amount due from Medicare, Medicaid and others for services rendered. All such payors contribute to the net service revenue of the Company’s home-based services, hospice services and facility-based services.
	The following table sets forth the percentage of net service revenue earned by category of payor for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Payor:
	Medicare		75.3	%		79.7	%		76.9	%		79.5	%
	Medicaid		1.4			1.5			1.3			1.5
	Other		23.3			18.8			21.8			19
			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
	The percentage of net service revenue contributed from each reporting segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Home-based services		81.7	%		79.8	%		80.3	%		79.7	%
	Hospice services		9			8.3			9.1			8.2
	Facility-based services		9.3			11.9			10.6			12.1
			100	%		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 the patient’s 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. In calculating net service revenue, management estimates the impact of these payment adjustments based on historical experience and records this estimate as the services are rendered using the expected level of services that will be provided and the schedule of those services or a historical average of prior 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. The 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 providers receiving reimbursements in excess of a “cap amount,” calculated by multiplying the number of beneficiaries during the period by a statutory amount that is indexed for inflation. The determination for each cap is made annually based on the 12-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
	The Company is reimbursed by Medicare for services provided under the LTACH prospective payment system. 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 based upon a predetermined fee schedule or an episodic basis, depending on the terms of the applicable contract. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue from managed care and other payors in the same manner as the Company recognizes revenue from Medicare or Medicaid.
	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. The credit risk for other concentrations of receivables is limited due to the significance of Medicare as the primary payor. The Company believes the credit risk associated with its Medicare accounts, which have historically exceeded 58% of its patient accounts receivable, 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 concentrations of receivables from any particular payor that would subject it to any significant credit risk in the collection of accounts receivable.
	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 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 RAP 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 services to the Medicare population are paid at prospectively set amounts 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 it provides. The Company’s managed care contracts and contracts with other payors provide for payments based upon a predetermined fee schedule or an episodic basis, depending on the terms of the applicable contract. 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.
	Other Significant Accounting Policies
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic per share information is computed by dividing the relevant amounts from the condensed consolidated statements of income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period, under the treasury stock method. Diluted per share information is also computed using the treasury stock method, by dividing the relevant amounts from the condensed consolidated statements of income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive shares.
	The following table sets forth shares used in the computation of basic and diluted per share information:
	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation		17,233,264			17,055,619			17,190,070			17,011,306
Effect of dilutive potential shares:
Options		3,750			4,032			4,031			3,937
Nonvested stock		40,210			67,366			74,455			73,220
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation		17,277,224			17,127,017			17,268,556			17,088,463
Anti-dilutive shares		187,179			39,756			210,570			180,966
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-08 Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU”) in April 2014. The ASU changed the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on a Company’s operations and financial results. The ASU also requires additional disclosures for discontinued operations. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and for interim periods within those years; early adoption is permitted but only for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company adopted this guidance during the three months ended June 30, 2014.
On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

Acquisitions_and_Disposals

Acquisitions and Disposals	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions and Disposals	'
	3. Acquisitions and Disposals
	Pursuant to the Company’s strategy for becoming the leading provider of post-acute health care services in the United States, the Company acquired 32 home-based agencies and five hospice agencies during the six months ended June 30, 2014. The Company maintains an ownership interest in the acquired businesses as set forth below:
	Acquired Businesses	Ownership			State of Operations		Acquisition
		Percentage					Date
	EAMC — Lanier Home Health		75	%		Alabama		2/1/14
	Lifeline Home Health		100	%		Kentucky		2/1/14
	Louisiana Hospice & Palliative Care of New Orleans		100	%		Louisiana		3/1/14
	West Virginia Home Health		100	%		West Virginia		4/1/14
	St. Joseph’s Hospice		100	%		West Virginia		4/1/14
	Northwestern Illinois Home Health		100	%		Illinois		4/1/14
	Deaconess-Lifeline Home Health		100	%		Kentucky		4/1/14
	Deaconess HomeCare		100	%		Mississippi		4/1/14
	Deaconess HomeCare		100	%		Tennessee		4/1/14
	Deaconess Hospice		100	%		Mississippi		4/1/14
	Elk Valley Health Services, LLC		100	%		Tennessee		4/1/14
	North Carolina Home Health		100	%		North Carolina		5/1/14
	Professional Nursing Services		100	%		North Carolina		5/1/14
	Each of the acquisitions was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and, accordingly, the accompanying interim financial information includes the results of operations of each acquired entity from the date of acquisition.
	The total aggregate purchase price for the Company’s acquisitions was $65.2 million, of which $65.1 million was paid in cash. The purchase prices are determined based on the Company’s analysis of comparable acquisitions and the target market’s potential future cash flows. The Company paid $0.7 million in acquisition-related costs, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses.
	The Company’s home-based services segment recognized aggregate goodwill of $31.2 million for the acquisitions and hospice services segment recognized aggregate goodwill of $3.4 million. 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 (all amounts are in thousands):
	Consideration
	Cash	$	65,103
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	65,103
	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
	Trade name	$	19,680
	Certificates of need/license		2,822
	Other identifiable intangible assets		337
	Accounts receivable		10,821
	Fixed assets		379
	Accounts payable		(1,170	)
	Other assets and (liabilities), net		(2,287	)
	Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	$	30,582
	Noncontrolling interest	$	98
	Goodwill, including noncontrolling interest of $38	$	34,619
	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 valuation of those assets.
	The net service revenue of the Deaconess and Elk Valley acquisition from the acquisition date through June 30, 2014 was $17.9 million and contributed a net income of $0.1 million. The following pro forma information presents the combined results of operations of the Company and Deaconess and Elk Valley for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 as if the acquisition occurred on January 1, 2013 (amounts in thousands, except earnings per share):
		Six months ended June 30,
		2014			2013
	Net service revenue	$	370,089		$	364,393
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		10,104			12,574
	Earnings per share — basic and diluted	$	0.59		$	0.74
	The pro forma information presented above includes adjustments for (i) depreciation expense, (ii) amortization of identifiable intangible assets, (iii) income tax provision using the Company’s effective tax rate and (iv) estimate of additional costs to provide administrative costs for these locations. 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.
	Sale of Membership Interest in Company’s Subsidiary
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company sold membership interests in one equity joint venture. The total sale price was $0.2 million.
	Purchase of Membership Interest in Company’s Subsidiary
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company purchased additional membership interests in one equity joint venture. The total purchase price for the additional membership interests was $95,000, which resulted in the Company reducing additional paid in capital by the full purchase price.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles

Goodwill and Intangibles	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangibles	'
	4. Goodwill and Intangibles
	The changes in recorded goodwill by reporting unit for the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
		Home-Based				Community-				Hospice				Facility-Based		Total
		Reporting unit				Based				Reporting Unit				Reporting Unit
						Reporting Unit
	Balances as of December 31, 2013	$	173,574			$	265			$	9,463			$	11,591	$	194,893
	Goodwill from acquisitions		14,314				16,874				3,393				—		34,581
	Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests		38				—				—				—		38
	Goodwill related to disposal		(50	)			—				—				—		(50	)
	Balances as of June 30, 2014	$	187,876			$	17,139			$	12,856			$	11,591	$	229,462
	Intangible assets consisted of the following as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands):
		June 30, 2014
		Estimated useful life		Gross				Accumulated				Net
				carrying				amortization				carrying
				amount								amount
	Indefinite-lived assets:
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	64,372				—			$	64,372
	Certificates of need/licenses	Indefinite			13,343				—				13,343
	Indefinite-lived balance at end of period			$	77,715				—			$	77,715
	Definite-lived assets:
	Trade names	3 months — 5 years		$	7,537			$	(1,852	)		$	5,685
	Non-compete agreements	3 months — 2 years			4,158				(3,609	)			549
	Favorable leases	1 year — 3 years			24				—				24
	Definite-lived balance at end of period			$	11,719			$	(5,461	)		$	6,258
	Balance at June 30, 2014			$	89,434			$	(5,461	)		$	83,973
		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
	Intangible assets of $77.3 million, net of accumulated amortization, were related to the home-based services segment, $5.6 were related to the hospice segment and $1.0 million were related to the facility-based services segment as of June 30, 2014.

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	5. Debt
	Credit Facility
	On June 18, 2014, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Capital One, National Association, which provides a senior, secured revolving line of credit commitment with a maximum principal borrowing limit of $225.0 million and a letter of credit sub-limit equal to $15.0 million. The Credit Agreement replaces the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Capital One, National Association, dated August 31, 2012. The expiration date of the Credit Agreement is June 18, 2019. Revolving loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest at either a Base Rate, which is defined as a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 0.5% (b) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (c) the Eurodollar Rate for a one month interest period on such day plus 1.0%, plus a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.5% per annum or Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.5% per annum. Swing line loans bear interest at the Base Rate. The Company is limited to 15 Eurodollar borrowings outstanding at the same time. The Company is required to pay a commitment fee for the unused commitments at rates ranging from 0.225% to 0.375% per annum depending upon the Company’s consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Base Rate at June 30, 2014 was 4.25% and the Eurodollar rate was 2.15%.
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, the Company had $69.0 million and $22.0 million drawn and letters of credit totaling $6.7 million outstanding under its credit facilities with Capital One, National Association.
	As of June 30, 2014, the Company had $149.3 million available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement with Capital One, National Association.
	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 $20,000 are due monthly over a period of 60 months. The interest rate on the promissory note is a fixed rate of 4.50%.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	6. Income Taxes
	As of June 30, 2014, an unrecognized tax benefit of $3.4 million was recorded in income tax payable, which, if recognized, would decrease the Company’s effective tax rate. All of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefit is due to the settlement with the United States of America, which was announced September 30, 2011. On July 30, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued a notice of proposed adjustment that a portion of the original tax deduction claimed by the Company associated with the settlement with the United States of America would be disallowed by the IRS. The Company intends to fully cooperate with the IRS in its review of this matter and to vigorously defend its original position of the deductibility of the full settlement amount on its 2011 tax return.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholder's Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholder's Equity	'
	7. Stockholder’s Equity
	Equity Based Awards
	The 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2010 Incentive Plan”) is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. 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 of the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee determines the exercise price for non-statutory stock options. The exercise price for any option cannot be less than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock as of the date of grant.
	Share Based Compensation
	Nonvested Stock
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company’s independent directors were granted 23,400 nonvested shares of common stock under the 2005 Director Compensation Plan. The shares were drawn from the 1,500,000 shares of common stock reserved and available for issuance under the 2010 Incentive Plan. The shares vest 100% on the one year anniversary date. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, employees were granted 172,545 nonvested shares of common stock pursuant to the 2010 Incentive Plan. The shares vest over a five year period, conditioned on continued employment for the full incentive period. The fair value of nonvested shares of common stock is determined based on the closing trading price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The weighted average grant date fair value of nonvested shares of common stock granted during the six months ended June 30, 2014 was $23.56.
	The following table represents the nonvested stock activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			average grant
					date fair value
	Nonvested shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013		506,467		$	22.08
	Granted		195,945		$	23.56
	Vested		(165,349	)	$	21.92
	Forfeited		(2,175	)	$	24.88
	Nonvested shares outstanding as of June 30, 2014		534,888		$	22.56
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, an independent director of the Company received a share based award, which will be settled in cash at March 1, 2015. The amount of such cash payment will equal the fair market value of 2,600 shares on the settlement date.
	As of June 30, 2014, there was $9.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares of common stock granted. That cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 3.42 years. The total fair value of shares of common stock vested during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $3.6 million for each period. The Company records compensation expense related to nonvested stock awards at the grant date for shares of common stock that are awarded fully vested, and over the vesting term on a straight line basis for shares of common stock that vest over time. The Company recorded $2.1 million and $1.9 million of compensation expense related to nonvested stock grants in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	In 2006, the Company adopted the Employee Stock Purchase Plan whereby eligible employees may purchase the Company’s common stock at 95% of the market price on the last day of the calendar quarter. There were 250,000 shares of common stock initially reserved for the plan. In 2013, the Company adopted the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which issued an additional 250,000 shares of common stock to the plan.
	The table below details the shares of common stock issued during 2014:
		Number of			Per share
		Shares			price
	Shares available as of December 31, 2013		272,788
	Shares issued during three months ended March 31, 2014		8,025		$	22.84
	Shares issued during three months ended June 30, 2014		9,887		$	20.96
	Shares available as of June 30, 2014		254,876
	Stock Options
	As of June 30, 2014, 15,000 options were issued and exercisable. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, no options were exercised or forfeited and no options were granted.
	Treasury Stock
	In conjunction with the vesting of the nonvested shares of common stock, recipients incur personal income tax obligations. The Company allows the recipients to turn in shares of common stock to satisfy minimum tax obligations. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company redeemed 36,864 shares of common stock valued at $0.9 million, related to these tax obligations.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	8. 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 interim financial information.
	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 requested documents related to the Company’s agencies in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The Company produced the requested documents and cooperated fully with the OIG’s review. The Company later learned that the OIG review resulted from a qui tam action filed by a relator under the whistleblower provisions of the federal False Claims Act. On March 7, 2014, the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington granted the government’s motion to decline intervention in the relator’s action, the relator’s complaint was unsealed, and the relator voluntarily dismissed the complaint. This matter is now closed.
	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, as 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. 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. On June 16, 2014, following mediation, the parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement. On June 17, 2014, Lead Plaintiff filed an Unopposed Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement, which is presently pending. If approved, as part of the settlement, the Company’s insurance carrier will fund the entire $7.9 million settlement amount. The Company’s balance sheet reflects the entire settlement in current assets as a receivable due from insurance carrier and correspondingly reflects the entire settlement in current liabilities as a legal settlement payable.
	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.
	On December 30, 2013, a related 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.
	On March 25, 2014, the McCormack derivative action was consolidated with the related Plummer derivative action described above and stayed pending the conclusion of expert discovery in the related City of Omaha shareholder securities class action described above. The parties are presently discussing future case scheduling. The Company believes these claims are without merit and intends to defend this consolidated lawsuit vigorously. The Company cannot predict the outcome or effect of this consolidated 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 above described lawsuits could result in substantial financial penalties or awards against the Company. At this time, the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these matters or the potential range of damages, if any.
	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.

Noncontrolling_interest

Noncontrolling interest	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Noncontrolling interest	'
	9. Noncontrolling interest
	Noncontrolling Interest-Redeemable
	A majority of the Company’s equity joint venture agreements include a provision that requires the Company to purchase the noncontrolling partner’s interest upon the occurrence of certain triggering events, such as death or bankruptcy of the partner or the partner’s exclusion from the Medicare or Medicaid programs. These triggering events and the related repurchase provisions are specific to each individual equity joint venture; if the repurchase provision is triggered in any one equity joint venture, the remaining equity joint ventures would not be impacted. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, the Company would be required to purchase the noncontrolling partner’s interest at either the fair value or the book value at the time of purchase, as stated in the applicable joint venture agreement. Historically, no triggering event has occurred, and the Company believes the likelihood of a triggering event occurring is remote. The Company has never been required to purchase the noncontrolling interest of any of its equity joint venture partners. According to authoritative guidance, redeemable noncontrolling interests must be reported outside of permanent equity on the consolidated balance sheet in instances where there is a repurchase provision with a triggering event that is outside the control of the Company.
	The following table summarizes the activity of noncontrolling interest-redeemable for the six months ended June 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands):
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	11,258
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable		2,484
	Noncontrolling interest-redeemable distributions		(2,611	)
	Sale of noncontrolling interest		32
	Purchase of noncontrolling interest		100
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	11,263

Allowance_for_Uncollectible_Ac

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	'
	10. Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts
	The following table summarizes the activity and ending balances in the allowance for uncollectible accounts (amounts in thousands):
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	14,334
	Additions		7,725
	Deductions		(5,883	)
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	16,176

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	11. 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 acquired was calculated using level 3 inputs based on the present value of anticipated future benefits. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value as the interest rates approximates current rates.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	12. Segment Information
	During the first quarter of 2014, the Company had a change in the composition of segments due to the hospice services meeting the criteria of quantitative thresholds established by ASC 280, Segment Reporting. Prior-period segment data has been restated to reflect the newly reportable segment in which hospice services were previously included in home-based services.
	The Company’s reportable segments consist of home-based services, hospice services and facility-based services. Home-based services include home nursing services and community based 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.
	The following tables summarize the Company’s segment information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Home-			Hospice-			Facility-			Total
		Based			Services			Based
		Services						Services
	Net service revenue	$	154,260		$	17,068		$	17,539		$	188,867
	Cost of service revenue		90,223			10,151			11,153			111,527
	Provision for bad debts		4,068			93			202			4,363
	General and administrative expenses		49,612			4,791			5,211			59,614
	Operating income		10,357			2,033			973			13,363
	Interest expense		(664	)		(83	)		(83	)		(830	)
	Non-operating income		(114	)		2			3			(109	)
	Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest		9,579			1,952			893			12,424
	Income tax expense		3,436			530			386			4,352
	Net income		6,143			1,422			507			8,072
	Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		1,537			335			139			2,011
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	4,606		$	1,087		$	368		$	6,061
	Total assets	$	425,254		$	35,530		$	36,841		$	497,625
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Home-			Hospice-			Facility-			Total
		Based			Services			Based
		Services						Services
	Net service revenue	$	132,638		$	13,906		$	19,758		$	166,302
	Cost of service revenue		77,624			8,628			10,757			97,009
	Provision for bad debts		2,657			211			340			3,208
	General and administrative expenses		44,624			4,143			5,390			54,157
	Operating income		7,733			924			3,271			11,928
	Interest expense		(567	)		(63	)		(70	)		(700	)
	Non-operating income		35			3			27			65
	Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest		7,201			864			3,228			11,293
	Income tax expense		3,140			413			365			3,918
	Net income		4,061			451			2,863			7,375
	Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		973			243			369			1,585
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	3,088		$	208		$	2,494		$	5,790
	Total assets	$	351,657		$	27,030		$	36,701		$	415,388
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Home-			Hospice-			Facility-			Total
		Based			Services			Based
		Services						Services
	Net service revenue	$	282,940		$	32,290		$	37,318		$	352,548
	Cost of service revenue		166,667			19,048			23,146			208,861
	Provision for bad debts		6,722			198			805			7,725
	General and administrative expenses		94,156			9,238			10,832			114,226
	Operating income		15,395			3,806			2,535			21,736
	Interest expense		(974	)		(122	)		(122	)		(1,218	)
	Non-operating income		(87	)		5			6			(76	)
	Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest		14,334			3,689			2,419			20,442
	Income tax expense		5,729			876			670			7,275
	Net income		8,605			2,813			1,749			13,167
	Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		2,144			536			358			3,038
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	6,461		$	2,277		$	1,391		$	10,129
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Home-			Hospice-			Facility-			Total
		Based			Services			Based
		Services						Services
	Net service revenue	$	261,714		$	26,817		$	39,724		$	328,255
	Cost of service revenue		151,159			16,683			22,415			190,257
	Provision for bad debts		5,676			469			980			7,125
	General and administrative expenses		87,046			7,893			10,841			105,780
	Operating income		17,833			1,772			5,488			25,093
Interest expense		(920	)		(97	)		(108	)		(1,125	)
Non-operating income		61			18			51			130
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest		16,974			1,693			5,431			24,098
Income tax expense		6,965			675			814			8,454
Net income		10,009			1,018			4,617			15,644
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		2,340			475			753			3,568
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	7,669		$	543		$	3,864		$	12,076

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	13. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, $1.5 million of licenses associated with the Company’s Point of Care technology were capitalized as additions to property, building and equipment. These licenses were purchased during the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 and previously recorded in other assets on the balance sheet.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	14. Subsequent Event
	On July 14, 2014, the Company entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement with Life Care Home Health, Inc. and its operating subsidiaries, to purchase 14 home health agencies across seven states for $10.0 million is cash. The transaction is expected to close on September 1, 2014, subject to customary closing conditions.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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.
Critical Accounting Policies	'
	Critical Accounting Policies
	The Company’s most critical accounting policies relate to the principles of consolidation, revenue recognition and accounts receivable and allowances for uncollectible accounts.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The interim financial information includes 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 interim financial information includes entities in which the Company receives a majority of the entities’ expected residual returns, absorbs a majority of the entities’ expected losses, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in the entity. Third party equity interests in the consolidated joint ventures are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the Company’s interim financial information.
	The following table summarizes the percentage of net service revenue earned by type of ownership or relationship the Company had with the operating entity:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries		54.5	%		49	%		52	%		47.9	%
	Equity joint ventures		42.9			48.3			45.3			49.3
	License leasing arrangements		1.8			1.9			1.9			1.9
	Management services		0.8			0.8			0.8			0.9
			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
	All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the Company’s accompanying interim financial information. Business combinations accounted for under the acquisition method have been included in the interim financial information from the respective dates of acquisition.
	The following describes the Company’s consolidation policy with respect to its various ventures excluding wholly-owned subsidiaries:
	Equity Joint Ventures
	The members of the Company’s equity joint ventures participate in profits and losses in proportion to their equity interests. The Company consolidates these entities as the Company has voting control over the entities. The Company owns a majority equity interest ranging from 51% to 91% in these joint ventures.
	License Leasing Arrangements
	The Company, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, leases home health licenses necessary to operate certain of its home nursing agencies. As with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Company owns 100% of the equity of these entities and consolidates them based on such ownership.
	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 because the Company does not have an ownership interest in, and does not have an obligation to absorb losses of, the entities that own the agencies and facilities or the right to receive the benefits from those entities.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company reports net service revenue at the estimated net realizable amount due from Medicare, Medicaid and others for services rendered. All such payors contribute to the net service revenue of the Company’s home-based services, hospice services and facility-based services.
	The following table sets forth the percentage of net service revenue earned by category of payor for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Payor:
	Medicare		75.3	%		79.7	%		76.9	%		79.5	%
	Medicaid		1.4			1.5			1.3			1.5
	Other		23.3			18.8			21.8			19
			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
	The percentage of net service revenue contributed from each reporting segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Home-based services		81.7	%		79.8	%		80.3	%		79.7	%
	Hospice services		9			8.3			9.1			8.2
	Facility-based services		9.3			11.9			10.6			12.1
			100	%		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 the patient’s 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. In calculating net service revenue, management estimates the impact of these payment adjustments based on historical experience and records this estimate as the services are rendered using the expected level of services that will be provided and the schedule of those services or a historical average of prior 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. The 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 providers receiving reimbursements in excess of a “cap amount,” calculated by multiplying the number of beneficiaries during the period by a statutory amount that is indexed for inflation. The determination for each cap is made annually based on the 12-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
	The Company is reimbursed by Medicare for services provided under the LTACH prospective payment system. 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 based upon a predetermined fee schedule or an episodic basis, depending on the terms of the applicable contract. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue from managed care and other payors in the same manner as the Company recognizes revenue from Medicare or Medicaid.
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. The credit risk for other concentrations of receivables is limited due to the significance of Medicare as the primary payor. The Company believes the credit risk associated with its Medicare accounts, which have historically exceeded 58% of its patient accounts receivable, 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 concentrations of receivables from any particular payor that would subject it to any significant credit risk in the collection of accounts receivable.
	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 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 RAP 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 services to the Medicare population are paid at prospectively set amounts 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 it provides. The Company’s managed care contracts and contracts with other payors provide for payments based upon a predetermined fee schedule or an episodic basis, depending on the terms of the applicable contract. 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.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic per share information is computed by dividing the relevant amounts from the condensed consolidated statements of income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period, under the treasury stock method. Diluted per share information is also computed using the treasury stock method, by dividing the relevant amounts from the condensed consolidated statements of income by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive shares.
	The following table sets forth shares used in the computation of basic and diluted per share information:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation		17,233,264			17,055,619			17,190,070			17,011,306
	Effect of dilutive potential shares:
	Options		3,750			4,032			4,031			3,937
	Nonvested stock		40,210			67,366			74,455			73,220
	Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation		17,277,224			17,127,017			17,268,556			17,088,463
	Anti-dilutive shares		187,179			39,756			210,570			180,966
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-08 Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (“ASU”) in April 2014. The ASU changed the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on a Company’s operations and financial results. The ASU also requires additional disclosures for discontinued operations. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and for interim periods within those years; early adoption is permitted but only for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company adopted this guidance during the three months ended June 30, 2014.
	On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Wholly-owned subsidiaries		54.5	%		49	%		52	%		47.9	%
	Equity joint ventures		42.9			48.3			45.3			49.3
	License leasing arrangements		1.8			1.9			1.9			1.9
	Management services		0.8			0.8			0.8			0.9
			100	%		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 three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Payor:
	Medicare		75.3	%		79.7	%		76.9	%		79.5	%
	Medicaid		1.4			1.5			1.3			1.5
	Other		23.3			18.8			21.8			19
			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
Percentage of Net Service Revenue Contributed from Each Reporting Segment	'
	The percentage of net service revenue contributed from each reporting segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Home-based services		81.7	%		79.8	%		80.3	%		79.7	%
	Hospice services		9			8.3			9.1			8.2
	Facility-based services		9.3			11.9			10.6			12.1
			100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
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:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation		17,233,264			17,055,619			17,190,070			17,011,306
	Effect of dilutive potential shares:
	Options		3,750			4,032			4,031			3,937
	Nonvested stock		40,210			67,366			74,455			73,220
	Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation		17,277,224			17,127,017			17,268,556			17,088,463
	Anti-dilutive shares		187,179			39,756			210,570			180,966

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Tab

Acquisitions and Disposals (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Acquired Entities	'
	The Company maintains an ownership interest in the acquired businesses as set forth below:
	Acquired Businesses	Ownership			State of Operations		Acquisition
		Percentage					Date
	EAMC — Lanier Home Health		75	%		Alabama		2/1/14
	Lifeline Home Health		100	%		Kentucky		2/1/14
	Louisiana Hospice & Palliative Care of New Orleans		100	%		Louisiana		3/1/14
	West Virginia Home Health		100	%		West Virginia		4/1/14
	St. Joseph’s Hospice		100	%		West Virginia		4/1/14
	Northwestern Illinois Home Health		100	%		Illinois		4/1/14
	Deaconess-Lifeline Home Health		100	%		Kentucky		4/1/14
	Deaconess HomeCare		100	%		Mississippi		4/1/14
	Deaconess HomeCare		100	%		Tennessee		4/1/14
	Deaconess Hospice		100	%		Mississippi		4/1/14
	Elk Valley Health Services, LLC		100	%		Tennessee		4/1/14
	North Carolina Home Health		100	%		North Carolina		5/1/14
	Professional Nursing Services		100	%		North Carolina		5/1/14
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 (all amounts are in thousands):
	Consideration
	Cash	$	65,103
	Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	65,103
	Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
	Trade name	$	19,680
	Certificates of need/license		2,822
	Other identifiable intangible assets		337
	Accounts receivable		10,821
	Fixed assets		379
	Accounts payable		(1,170	)
	Other assets and (liabilities), net		(2,287	)
	Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	$	30,582
	Noncontrolling interest	$	98
	Goodwill, including noncontrolling interest of $38	$	34,619
Summary of Unaudited Pro Forma Information in Combined Results of Operations	'
	The following unaudited pro forma information presents the combined results of operations of the Company and Deaconess for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 as if the acquisition occurred on January 1, 2013 (amounts in thousands, except earnings per share):
		Six months ended June 30,
		2014			2013
	Net service revenue	$	370,089		$	364,393
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders		10,104			12,574
	Earnings per share — basic and diluted	$	0.59		$	0.74

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Table

Goodwill and Intangibles (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Changes in Recorded Goodwill by Reporting Unit	'
	The changes in recorded goodwill by reporting unit for the six months ended June 30, 2014 were as follows (amounts in thousands):
		Home-Based				Community-				Hospice				Facility-Based		Total
		Reporting unit				Based				Reporting Unit				Reporting Unit
						Reporting Unit
	Balances as of December 31, 2013	$	173,574			$	265			$	9,463			$	11,591	$	194,893
	Goodwill from acquisitions		14,314				16,874				3,393				—		34,581
	Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests		38				—				—				—		38
	Goodwill related to disposal		(50	)			—				—				—		(50	)
	Balances as of June 30, 2014	$	187,876			$	17,139			$	12,856			$	11,591	$	229,462
Summary of Changes in Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets consisted of the following as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands):
		June 30, 2014
		Estimated useful life		Gross				Accumulated				Net
				carrying				amortization				carrying
				amount								amount
	Indefinite-lived assets:
	Trade names	Indefinite		$	64,372				—			$	64,372
	Certificates of need/licenses	Indefinite			13,343				—				13,343
	Indefinite-lived balance at end of period			$	77,715				—			$	77,715
	Definite-lived assets:
	Trade names	3 months — 5 years		$	7,537			$	(1,852	)		$	5,685
	Non-compete agreements	3 months — 2 years			4,158				(3,609	)			549
	Favorable leases	1 year — 3 years			24				—				24
	Definite-lived balance at end of period			$	11,719			$	(5,461	)		$	6,258
	Balance at June 30, 2014			$	89,434			$	(5,461	)		$	83,973
		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

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholder's Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Nonvested Stock Activity	'
	The following table represents the nonvested stock activity for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			average grant
					date fair value
	Nonvested shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013		506,467		$	22.08
	Granted		195,945		$	23.56
	Vested		(165,349	)	$	21.92
	Forfeited		(2,175	)	$	24.88
	Nonvested shares outstanding as of June 30, 2014		534,888		$	22.56
Shares of Common Stock Issued During 2014 Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	'
	The table below details the shares of common stock issued during 2014:
		Number of			Per share
		Shares			price
	Shares available as of December 31, 2013		272,788
	Shares issued during three months ended March 31, 2014		8,025		$	22.84
	Shares issued during three months ended June 30, 2014		9,887		$	20.96
	Shares available as of June 30, 2014		254,876

Noncontrolling_interest_Tables

Noncontrolling interest (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Summary of Activity of Noncontrolling Interest-Redeemable	'
	The following table summarizes the activity of noncontrolling interest-redeemable for the six months ended June 30, 2014 (amounts in thousands):
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	11,258
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable		2,484
	Noncontrolling interest-redeemable distributions		(2,611	)
	Sale of noncontrolling interest		32
	Purchase of noncontrolling interest		100
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	11,263

Allowance_for_Uncollectible_Ac1

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]	'
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	'
	The following table summarizes the activity and ending balances in the allowance for uncollectible accounts (amounts in thousands):
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	14,334
	Additions		7,725
	Deductions		(5,883	)
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	16,176

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	The following tables summarize the Company’s segment information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Home-			Hospice-			Facility-			Total
		Based			Services			Based
		Services						Services
	Net service revenue	$	154,260		$	17,068		$	17,539		$	188,867
	Cost of service revenue		90,223			10,151			11,153			111,527
	Provision for bad debts		4,068			93			202			4,363
	General and administrative expenses		49,612			4,791			5,211			59,614
	Operating income		10,357			2,033			973			13,363
	Interest expense		(664	)		(83	)		(83	)		(830	)
	Non-operating income		(114	)		2			3			(109	)
	Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest		9,579			1,952			893			12,424
	Income tax expense		3,436			530			386			4,352
	Net income		6,143			1,422			507			8,072
	Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		1,537			335			139			2,011
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	4,606		$	1,087		$	368		$	6,061
	Total assets	$	425,254		$	35,530		$	36,841		$	497,625
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Home-			Hospice-			Facility-			Total
		Based			Services			Based
		Services						Services
	Net service revenue	$	132,638		$	13,906		$	19,758		$	166,302
	Cost of service revenue		77,624			8,628			10,757			97,009
	Provision for bad debts		2,657			211			340			3,208
	General and administrative expenses		44,624			4,143			5,390			54,157
	Operating income		7,733			924			3,271			11,928
	Interest expense		(567	)		(63	)		(70	)		(700	)
	Non-operating income		35			3			27			65
	Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest		7,201			864			3,228			11,293
	Income tax expense		3,140			413			365			3,918
	Net income		4,061			451			2,863			7,375
	Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		973			243			369			1,585
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	3,088		$	208		$	2,494		$	5,790
	Total assets	$	351,657		$	27,030		$	36,701		$	415,388
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Home-			Hospice-			Facility-			Total
		Based			Services			Based
		Services						Services
	Net service revenue	$	282,940		$	32,290		$	37,318		$	352,548
	Cost of service revenue		166,667			19,048			23,146			208,861
	Provision for bad debts		6,722			198			805			7,725
	General and administrative expenses		94,156			9,238			10,832			114,226
	Operating income		15,395			3,806			2,535			21,736
	Interest expense		(974	)		(122	)		(122	)		(1,218	)
	Non-operating income		(87	)		5			6			(76	)
	Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest		14,334			3,689			2,419			20,442
	Income tax expense		5,729			876			670			7,275
	Net income		8,605			2,813			1,749			13,167
	Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		2,144			536			358			3,038
	Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	6,461		$	2,277		$	1,391		$	10,129
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Home-			Hospice-			Facility-			Total
		Based			Services			Based
		Services						Services
	Net service revenue	$	261,714		$	26,817		$	39,724		$	328,255
	Cost of service revenue		151,159			16,683			22,415			190,257
	Provision for bad debts		5,676			469			980			7,125
	General and administrative expenses		87,046			7,893			10,841			105,780
	Operating income		17,833			1,772			5,488			25,093
	Interest expense		(920	)		(97	)		(108	)		(1,125	)
	Non-operating income		61			18			51			130
	Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest		16,974			1,693			5,431			24,098
Income tax expense		6,965			675			814			8,454
Net income		10,009			1,018			4,617			15,644
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		2,340			475			753			3,568
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$	7,669		$	543		$	3,864		$	12,076

Organization_Additional_Inform

Organization - Additional Information (Detail)	Jun. 30, 2014
	State
	ServiceProvider
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Number of service providers operated	338
Number of states in which Company operates	25

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Earned by Type of Ownership or Relationship with Operating Entity (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Wholly-owned subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	54.50%	49.00%	52.00%	47.90%
Equity joint ventures [Member]	'	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	42.90%	48.30%	45.30%	49.30%
License leasing arrangements [Member]	'	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	1.80%	1.90%	1.90%	1.90%
Management services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	0.80%	0.80%	0.80%	0.90%

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
	Times
	Group
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
Medicare credit risk for accounts receivable	58.00%
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%
Minimum [Member]	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Equity joint ventures, ownership	51.00%
Maximum [Member]	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Equity joint ventures, ownership	91.00%

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Earned by Category of Payor (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Medicare [Member]	'	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	75.30%	79.70%	76.90%	79.50%
Medicaid [Member]	'	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	1.40%	1.50%	1.30%	1.50%
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	23.30%	18.80%	21.80%	19.00%

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Contributed from Each Reporting Segment (Detail) (Sales Revenue, Segment [Member])	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Home-based services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	81.70%	79.80%	80.30%	79.70%
Hospice-based services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	9.00%	8.30%	9.10%	8.20%
Facility-based services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of net service revenue	9.30%	11.90%	10.60%	12.10%

Significant_Accounting_Policie7

Significant Accounting Policies - Shares Used in Computation of Basic and Diluted Per Share Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation	17,233,264	17,055,619	17,190,070	17,011,306
Effect of dilutive potential shares:	'	'	'	'
Options	3,750	4,032	4,031	3,937
Nonvested stock	40,210	67,366	74,455	73,220
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation	17,277,224	17,127,017	17,268,556	17,088,463
Anti-dilutive shares	187,179	39,756	210,570	180,966

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Add

Acquisitions and Disposals - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
	JointVenture
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Total purchase price for acquisitions	$65,200,000	'
Cash paid for acquisitions, primarily goodwill and intangible assets	65,103,000	26,920,000
Proceeds from sale of additional ownership interests in joint ventures	200,000	'
Purchase price to acquire additional ownership interests in joint ventures	95,000	'
Number of joint ventures in which additional ownership interests were acquired	1	'
Home-based services [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Number of entities acquired	32	'
Goodwill Recognized	31,200,000	'
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Acquisition-related costs	700,000	'
Hospice-based services [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Number of entities acquired	5	'
Goodwill Recognized	3,400,000	'
Deaconess HomeCare, LLC [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Business acquisition, net revenues	17,900,000	'
Business acquisition, net income	$100,000	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'2 years	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'5 years	'

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Sch

Acquisitions and Disposals - Schedule of Acquired Entities (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
EAMC - Lanier Home Health [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	75.00%
State of Operations	'Alabama
Acquisition Date	1-Feb-14
Lifeline Home Health [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Kentucky
Acquisition Date	1-Feb-14
Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care of New Orleans [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Louisiana
Acquisition Date	1-Mar-14
West Virginia Home Health [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'West Virginia
Acquisition Date	1-Apr-14
St. Joseph's Hospice [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'West Virginia
Acquisition Date	1-Apr-14
North Western Illinois Home Health [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Illinois
Acquisition Date	1-Apr-14
Deaconess Lifeline Home Health [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Kentucky
Acquisition Date	1-Apr-14
Deaconess Home Care [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Mississippi
Acquisition Date	1-Apr-14
Deaconess Home Care 1 [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Tennessee
Acquisition Date	1-Apr-14
Deaconess Hospice [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Mississippi
Acquisition Date	1-Apr-14
Elk Valley Health Services LLC [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'Tennessee
Acquisition Date	1-Apr-14
North Carolina Home Health [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'North Carolina
Acquisition Date	1-May-14
Professional Nursing Services [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Ownership Percentage	100.00%
State of Operations	'North Carolina
Acquisition Date	1-May-14

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Sch1

Acquisitions and Disposals - Schedule of Aggregate Consideration Paid and Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Consideration	'	'
Cash paid for acquisitions, primarily goodwill and intangible assets	$65,103	$26,920
Fair value of total consideration transferred	65,103	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'	'
Accounts receivable	10,821	'
Fixed assets	379	'
Accounts payable	-1,170	'
Other assets and (liabilities), net	-2,287	'
Total identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	30,582	'
Noncontrolling interest	98	'
Goodwill, including noncontrolling interest of $38	34,619	'
Certificate of Need/Licenses [Member]	'	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'	'
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, Intangible Assets	2,822	'
Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'	'
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, Intangible Assets	19,680	'
Other identifiable intangible assets [Member]	'	'
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed	'	'
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, Intangible Assets	$337	'

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Sch2

Acquisitions and Disposals - Schedule of Aggregate Consideration Paid and Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Noncontrolling interest	$98
Home health entity [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Noncontrolling interest	$38

Acquisitions_and_Disposals_Sum

Acquisitions and Disposals - Summary of Unaudited Pro Forma Information in Combined Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Abstract]	'	'
Net service revenue	$370,089	$364,393
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$10,104	$12,574
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$0.59	$0.74

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Sched

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Changes in Recorded Goodwill by Reporting Unit (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
		Home-Based Reporting unit [Member]	Community-Based Reporting Unit [Member]	Hospice Reporting Unit [Member]	Facility-Based Reporting Unit [Member]	Facility-Based Reporting Unit [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$194,893	$173,574	$265	$9,463	$11,591	$11,591
Goodwill from acquisitions	34,619	14,314	16,874	3,393	'	'
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	38	38	'	'	'	'
Goodwill related to disposal	-50	-50	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of period	$229,462	$187,876	$17,139	$12,856	$11,591	$11,591

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Summa

Goodwill and Intangibles- Summary of Changes in Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	$77,715	$57,247
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	11,719	9,455
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	89,434	66,702
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	5,461	4,518
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization ending balance	-5,461	-4,518
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	6,258	4,937
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	83,973	62,184
Certificate of Need/Licenses [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	13,343	10,540
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'2 years	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'5 years	'
Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	64,372	46,707
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	7,537	5,625
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	1,852	1,055
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	5,685	4,570
Trade Names [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'3 months	'3 months
Trade Names [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'5 years	'5 years
Non-compete Agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	4,158	3,830
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	3,609	3,463
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	549	367
Non-compete Agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'3 months	'3 months
Non-compete Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'2 years	'2 years
Favorable Leases [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	24	'
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	$24	'
Favorable Leases [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'1 year	'
Favorable Leases [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'3 years	'

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Addit

Goodwill and Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	$83,973	$62,184
Home-based services [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	77,300	'
Hospice-based services [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	5,600	'
Facility-based services [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	$1,000	'

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 18, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 07, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 18, 2014

Jun. 18, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 18, 2014

Jun. 18, 2014

Jun. 18, 2014

Jun. 18, 2014

Jun. 18, 2014

Jun. 18, 2014

Promissory Note [Member]

Promissory Note [Member]

Federal Funds Rate [Member]

Eurodollar [Member]

Eurodollar [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Instruments

Eurodollar [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Eurodollar [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum principal borrowing amount

'

$225,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letter of credit, sub-limit amount

'

15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility scheduled to expire

18-Jun-19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

1.00%

2.15%

4.25%

'

1.75%

0.75%

'

2.50%

1.50%

Line of credit facility, borrowing outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, description

'(a) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 0.5% (b) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (c) the Eurodollar Rate for a one month interest period on such day plus 1.0%, plus a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.5% per annum or Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.5% per annum. Swing line loans bear interest at the Base Rate.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment fee rates for unused commitments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.23%

'

'

0.38%

'

'

Line of credit facility drawn

69,000,000

'

22,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letter of credit outstanding

6,700,000

'

6,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available credit under agreement

149,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory note aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory note maturity date

'

'

'

'

6-Jan-19

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory note principal payment

'

'

'

$20,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory note frequency of periodic payment

'

'

'

'

'60 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory note interest rate percentage

'

'

'

4.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Tax payable as an unrecognized tax benefit	$3.40

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholder's Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock reserved and available for issuance	1,500,000	'
Percentage of directors' stock grant vested on one year anniversary date	100.00%	'
Period of Vested Shares	'5 years	'
Granted, Weighted average grant date fair value	$23.56	'
Share based award, settled in cash	2,600	'
Share based payment description	'The amount of such cash payment will equal the fair market value of 2,600 shares on the settlement date.	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares of common stock granted	$9,900,000	'
Weighted average period of cost recognized	'3 years 5 months 1 day	'
Total fair value of shares of common stock vested	3,600,000	3,600,000
Compensation expense related to nonvested stock grants	2,100,000	1,900,000
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	'
Stock options issued and exercisable	15,000	'
Options exercised	0	'
Options forfeited	0	'
Options granted	0	'
Shares redeemed to satisfy personal tax obligations	36,864	'
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax	$850,000	'
Director [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'
Non vested stock grants to Independent director	23,400	'
Director Period of Vested Shares	'1 year	'
Employee [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'
Nonvested stock grants to employees	172,545	'

Shareholders_Equity_Nonvested_

Shareholders' Equity - Nonvested Stock Activity (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Nonvested shares outstanding, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	506,467
Granted, Number of Shares	195,945
Vested, Number of Shares	-165,349
Forfeited, Number of Shares	-2,175
Nonvested shares outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	534,888
Nonvested shares outstanding, Weighted average grant date fair value, Beginning Balance	$22.08
Granted, Weighted average grant date fair value	$23.56
Vested, Weighted average grant date fair value	$21.92
Forfeited, Weighted average grant date fair value	$24.88
Nonvested shares outstanding, Weighted average grant date fair value, Ending Balance	$22.56

Stockholders_Equity_Shares_of_

Stockholder's Equity - Shares of Common Stock Issued During 2014 Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Shares available, Beginning balance	'	272,788
Shares issued during period	9,887	8,025
Shares available, Ending Balance	254,876	'
Shares issued during period, Per share price	$20.96	$22.84

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Settlement amount	$7.90
Period of joint venture buy/sell option	'30 days

Noncontrolling_interest_Summar

Noncontrolling interest - Summary of Activity of Noncontrolling Interest-Redeemable (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable, Beginning balance	$11,258
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable	2,484
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable distributions	-2,611
Sale of noncontrolling interest	32
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	100
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable, Ending balance	$11,263

Allowance_for_Uncollectible_Ac2

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts - Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Activity and Ending Balances (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Allowance For Uncollectible Accounts [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	$14,334	'
Additions	4,363	3,208	7,725	7,125
Deductions	'	'	-5,883	'
Ending balance	$16,176	'	$16,176	'

Segment_Information_Segment_In

Segment Information - Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net service revenue	$188,867	$166,302	$352,548	$328,255	'
Cost of service revenue	111,527	97,009	208,861	190,257	'
Provision for bad debts	4,363	3,208	7,725	7,125	'
General and administrative expenses	59,614	54,157	114,226	105,780	'
Operating income	13,363	11,928	21,736	25,093	'
Interest expense	-830	-700	-1,218	-1,125	'
Non-operating income	-109	65	-76	130	'
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	12,424	11,293	20,442	24,098	'
Income tax expense	4,352	3,918	7,275	8,454	'
Net income	8,072	7,375	13,167	15,644	'
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,011	1,585	3,038	3,568	'
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	6,061	5,790	10,129	12,076	'
Total assets	497,625	415,388	497,625	415,388	422,226
Home-based services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net service revenue	154,260	132,638	282,940	261,714	'
Cost of service revenue	90,223	77,624	166,667	151,159	'
Provision for bad debts	4,068	2,657	6,722	5,676	'
General and administrative expenses	49,612	44,624	94,156	87,046	'
Operating income	10,357	7,733	15,395	17,833	'
Interest expense	-664	-567	-974	-920	'
Non-operating income	-114	35	-87	61	'
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	9,579	7,201	14,334	16,974	'
Income tax expense	3,436	3,140	5,729	6,965	'
Net income	6,143	4,061	8,605	10,009	'
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,537	973	2,144	2,340	'
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	4,606	3,088	6,461	7,669	'
Total assets	425,254	351,657	425,254	351,657	'
Hospice-based services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net service revenue	17,068	13,906	32,290	26,817	'
Cost of service revenue	10,151	8,628	19,048	16,683	'
Provision for bad debts	93	211	198	469	'
General and administrative expenses	4,791	4,143	9,238	7,893	'
Operating income	2,033	924	3,806	1,772	'
Interest expense	-83	-63	-122	-97	'
Non-operating income	2	3	5	18	'
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	1,952	864	3,689	1,693	'
Income tax expense	530	413	876	675	'
Net income	1,422	451	2,813	1,018	'
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	335	243	536	475	'
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	1,087	208	2,277	543	'
Total assets	35,530	27,030	35,530	27,030	'
Facility-based services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net service revenue	17,539	19,758	37,318	39,724	'
Cost of service revenue	11,153	10,757	23,146	22,415	'
Provision for bad debts	202	340	805	980	'
General and administrative expenses	5,211	5,390	10,832	10,841	'
Operating income	973	3,271	2,535	5,488	'
Interest expense	-83	-70	-122	-108	'
Non-operating income	3	27	6	51	'
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	893	3,228	2,419	5,431	'
Income tax expense	386	365	670	814	'
Net income	507	2,863	1,749	4,617	'
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	139	369	358	753	'
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	368	2,494	1,391	3,864	'
Total assets	$36,841	$36,701	$36,841	$36,701	'

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Licenses capitalized pay for purchases of property, building and equipment	$1.50

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 14, 2014	Jul. 14, 2014
			Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
			States	Home Health Agencies [Member]
				Location
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Acquisition price paid in cash	$65,103	$26,920	$10,000	'
Number of locations in which the company will add following the close of the acquisition	'	'	'	14
Number of states in which the company will add following the close of the acquisition	'	'	7	'
Expected closing date of acquisition	'	'	1-Sep-14	'