LHC (LHCG) 10-Q 5 Nov 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Nov. 02, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	LHCG
Entity Registrant Name	LHC Group, Inc
Entity Central Index Key	1,303,313
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,970,294

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash	$ 61,733	$ 531
Receivables:
Patient accounts receivable. less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $25,931 and $18,582, respectively	107,139	97,498
Other receivables	1,245	1,334
Amounts due from governmental entities	961	1,164
Total receivables, net	109,345	99,996
Deferred income taxes	15,833	11,381
Prepaid income taxes	2,314	3,093
Prepaid expenses	10,038	8,724
Other current assets	6,119	3,777
Receivable due from insurance carrier	550	7,850
Total current assets	205,932	135,352
Property, building and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $43,642 and $44,683, respectively	38,255	34,787
Goodwill	242,062	240,019
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $7,964 and $6,560, respectively	80,731	79,685
Other assets	1,907	1,896
Total assets	568,887	491,739
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	22,269	19,278
Salaries, wages, and benefits payable	35,447	22,466
Self-insurance reserve	9,692	6,559
Current portion of long-term debt	238	230
Amounts due to governmental entities	4,051	4,459
Legal settlement payable	550	7,850
Total current liabilities	72,247	60,842
Deferred income taxes	39,169	33,592
Income tax payable	3,415	3,415
Revolving credit facility	92,000	60,000
Long-term debt, less current portion	608	778
Total liabilities	207,439	158,627
Noncontrolling interest — redeemable	11,890	11,517
LHC Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Common stock — $0.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 22,221,755 and 22,015,211 shares issued in 2015 and 2014, respectively	222	220
Treasury stock — 4,775,913 and 4,734,363 shares at cost, respectively	(37,109)	(35,660)
Additional paid-in capital	113,192	108,708
Retained earnings	269,971	245,371
Total LHC Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity	346,276	318,639
Noncontrolling interest — non-redeemable	3,282	2,956
Total equity	349,558	321,595
Total liabilities and equity	$ 568,887	$ 491,739

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Patient accounts receivable, allowance for uncollectible accounts	$ 25,931	$ 18,582
Property, building and equipment, accumulated depreciation	43,642	44,683
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 7,964	$ 6,560
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, issued	22,221,755	22,015,211
Treasury stock at cost, shares	4,775,913	4,734,363

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 204,122	$ 187,713	$ 597,373	$ 540,261
Cost of service revenue	120,873	113,122	351,938	321,983
Gross margin	83,249	74,591	245,435	218,278
Provision for bad debts	4,809	3,974	14,873	11,699
General and administrative expenses	60,748	58,197	180,416	172,499
Operating income	17,692	12,420	50,146	34,080
Interest expense	(434)	(643)	(1,533)	(1,861)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	17,258	11,777	48,613	32,219
Income tax expense	6,148	3,924	17,097	11,199
Net income	11,110	7,853	31,516	21,020
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,265	1,679	6,916	4,717
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$ 8,845	$ 6,174	$ 24,600	$ 16,303
Earnings per share — basic:
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$ 0.51	$ 0.36	$ 1.41	$ 0.95
Earnings per share — diluted:
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$ 0.50	$ 0.36	$ 1.40	$ 0.94
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	17,436,731	17,260,078	17,389,934	17,213,648
Diluted	17,610,953	17,356,916	17,526,687	17,289,554

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total		Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest Non Redeemable
Beginning balance, Amount at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 321,595		$ 220	$ (35,660)	$ 108,708	$ 245,371	$ 2,956
Beginning balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014			22,015,211
Beginning balance, Treasury Shares at Dec. 31, 2014	(4,734,363)			(4,734,363)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	$ 25,950	[1]				24,600	1,350
Noncontrolling interest	155						155
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(275)				(275)
Noncontrolling interest distributions	$ (1,179)						(1,179)
Stock options exercised, Shares	9,500		9,500
Stock options exercised	$ 145				145
Nonvested stock compensation	3,150				3,150
Issuance of vested stock			179,321
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax	$ (1,449)			$ (1,449)
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax, Shares	(41,550)			(41,550)
Excess tax benefits — vesting nonvested stock	$ 897				897
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	569		$ 2		567
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Shares			17,723
Ending balance, Amount at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 349,558		$ 222	$ (37,109)	$ 113,192	$ 269,971	$ 3,282
Ending balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2015			22,221,755
Ending balance, Treasury Shares at Sep. 30, 2015	(4,775,913)			(4,775,913)
[1]	Net income excludes net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable of $5.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. 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 STATEME6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable	$ 5.6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME7

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 31,516	$ 21,020
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	8,685	6,874
Provision for bad debts	14,873	11,699
Stock-based compensation expense	3,150	3,086
Deferred income taxes	1,125	522
Impairment of intangibles	248	0
Loss on disposal of assets	680	21
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	(24,643)	(12,868)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(3,660)	280
Prepaid income taxes	779	4,005
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	19,071	(1,283)
Net amounts due to/from governmental entities	(205)	95
Net cash provided by operating activities	51,619	33,451
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, building and equipment	(11,401)	(4,872)
Cash paid for acquisitions. primarily goodwill and intangible assets	(4,359)	(73,194)
Net cash (used in) investing activities	(15,760)	(78,066)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	64,000	72,000
Payments on line of credit	(32,000)	(30,000)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	569	575
Payments on debt	(172)	(147)
Noncontrolling interest distributions	(6,372)	(5,086)
Payment of deferred financing fees	0	(900)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of stock awards	897	124
Redemption of treasury shares	(1,449)	(923)
Purchase of additional controlling interest	(275)	(359)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	145	0
Sale of noncontrolling interest	0	193
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	25,343	35,477
Change in cash	61,202	(9,138)
Cash at beginning of period	531	14,014
Cash at end of period	61,733	4,876
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	1,227	1,827
Income taxes paid	$ 14,242	$ 6,946

Organization

Organization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	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 health services, hospice services, community-based services, and facility-based services, the latter primarily through long-term acute care hospitals (“LTACHs”). As of September 30, 2015 , the Company, through its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, equity joint ventures and controlled affiliates, operated 342 service providers in 28 states within the continental United States. Unaudited Interim Financial Information The condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. 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, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 11, 2015, which includes information and disclosures not included herein.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	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 and absorbs a majority of the entities’ expected losses. 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 Nine Months Ended Type of ownership 2015 2014 2015 2014 Wholly-owned subsidiaries 54.5 % 54.5 % 54.5 % 52.9 % Equity joint ventures 43.6 42.9 43.5 44.5 License leasing arrangements 1.0 1.8 1.1 1.8 Management services 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.8 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 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. License Leasing Arrangements The Company, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, leases home health licenses necessary to operate certain of its home nursing and hospice agencies. 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 other commercial or managed care insurance programs for services rendered. The Company assesses the patient's ability to pay for their healthcare services at the time of patient admission based on the Company's verification of the patient's insurance coverage under the Medicare, Medicaid, and other commercial or managed care insurance program. All such payors contribute to the net service revenue of the Company’s home health services, hospice services, community-based 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Payor 2015 2014 2015 2014 Medicare 74.0 % 75.2 % 74.2 % 76.3 % Medicaid 1.5 1.7 1.5 1.4 Other 24.5 23.1 24.3 22.3 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % The following table sets forth the percentage of net service revenue contributed from each reporting segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Reporting segment 2015 2014 2015 2014 Home health services 76.0 % 76.5 % 76.2 % 77.2 % Hospice services 9.4 9.1 9.1 9.1 Community-based services 5.2 4.8 5.1 3.4 Facility-based services 9.4 9.6 9.6 10.3 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Medicare Home Health 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 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. 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 subject to an inpatient cap and an overall Medicare payment cap. The inpatient cap relates to an individual program 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. Beginning with the cap year October 1, 2014, CMS implemented a new process requiring hospice providers to self-report their cap liabilities and remit applicable payment by March 31 of the following year. 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 55% 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 Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation 17,436,731 17,260,078 17,389,934 17,213,648 Effect of dilutive potential shares: Options 2,227 4,367 4,070 4,151 Nonvested stock 171,995 92,471 132,683 71,755 Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation 17,610,953 17,356,916 17,526,687 17,289,554 Anti-dilutive shares 8,000 3,500 182,185 173,360 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, ("ASU 2014-9") 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. ASU 2014-9 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, 2018. Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date of January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-9 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Disposals	Acquisitions and Disposals The Company acquired the majority-ownership of four home health agencies, one hospice agency, and one community-based services agency during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The total aggregate purchase prices for the Company’s acquisitions were $4.2 million , of which $3.9 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. Acquired intangible assets consist of a Certificate of Need, Medicare licenses, Medicaid licenses, non-compete agreements, and trade names. The fair value of the acquired intangible assets was $2.0 million , which are preliminary pending the final valuation of those assets. The Company's home health services segment, hospice services segment, and community-based services segment recognized goodwill of $0.6 million , $1.4 million , and $0.2 million , respectively. Goodwill generated from the acquisitions was recognized based on the expected contribution of the acquisitions to the overall corporate strategy. The Company expects its portion of goodwill to be fully tax deductible. The acquisitions were accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and, accordingly, the accompanying interim financial information includes the results of operations of the acquired entities from the dates of acquisition.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill and Intangibles	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangibles	Goodwill and Intangibles The changes in recorded goodwill by reporting unit for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were as follows (amounts in thousands): Home health reporting unit Hospice Community-based reporting unit Facility-based reporting unit Total Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 196,296 $ 14,793 $ 17,339 $ 11,591 $ 240,019 Goodwill from acquisitions 560 1,426 204 — 2,190 Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests 14 — 22 — 36 Goodwill related to disposal (156 ) — (27 ) — (183 ) Balance as of September 30, 2015 $ 196,714 $ 16,219 $ 17,538 $ 11,591 $ 242,062 Intangible assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands): September 30, 2015 Remaining useful life Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Indefinite-lived assets : Trade names Indefinite $ 55,243 $ — $ 55,243 Certificates of need/licenses Indefinite 20,349 — 20,349 Indefinite-lived balance at end of period $ 75,592 $ — $ 75,592 Definite-lived assets: Trade names 2 years — 5 years $ 8,645 $ (4,002 ) $ 4,643 Non-compete agreements 7 months — 3 years 4,458 (3,962 ) 496 Definite-lived balance at end of period $ 13,103 $ (7,964 ) $ 5,139 Balance as of September 30, 2015 $ 88,695 $ (7,964 ) $ 80,731 December 31, 2014 Remaining useful life Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Indefinite-lived assets : Trade names Indefinite $ 54,732 $ — $ 54,732 Certificates of need/licenses Indefinite 19,058 — 19,058 Indefinite-lived balance at end of period $ 73,790 $ — $ 73,790 Definite-lived assets: Trade names 2 months — 5 years $ 8,230 $ (2,797 ) $ 5,433 Non-compete agreements 3 months — 2 years 4,225 (3,763 ) 462 Definite-lived balance at end of period $ 12,455 $ (6,560 ) $ 5,895 Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 86,245 $ (6,560 ) $ 79,685 Intangible assets of $66.9 million , net of accumulated amortization, were related to the home health services segment, $5.6 million were related to the hospice services segment, $7.3 million were related to the community-based services segment and $0.9 million were related to the facility-based services segment as of September 30, 2015 .

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	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 (1) 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 (2) 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 September 30, 2015 was 4.00% and the Eurodollar rate was 1.95% . As of September 30, 2015 , the interest rate on outstanding borrowings was 3.40% . As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, the Company had $92.0 million and $60.0 million drawn and letters of credit totaling $7.1 million outstanding under its credit facilities with Capital One, National Association. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company had $125.9 million available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement with Capital One, National Association.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes As of September 30, 2015 , 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 asserting that a portion of the original tax deduction claimed by the Company associated with the settlement with the United States of America should be disallowed. The Company is currently appealing this proposed adjustment with IRS Appeals. The Company intends to vigorously defend its original position of the deductibility of the full settlement amount on its 2011 tax return.

Stockholder's Equity

Stockholder's Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholder's Equity	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 491,037 shares are currently 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company’s independent directors were granted 16,200 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 for issuance under the 2010 Incentive Plan. The shares vest 100% on the one year anniversary date. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , employees were granted 182,865 nonvested shares of common stock pursuant to the 2010 Incentive Plan. The shares vest over a five year period, conditioned on continued employment. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $34.06 . The following table represents the nonvested stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value Nonvested shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014 524,287 $ 22.56 Granted 199,065 $ 34.06 Vested (176,195 ) $ 23.23 Forfeited (15,880 ) $ 22.44 Nonvested shares outstanding as of September 30, 2015 531,277 $ 26.65 During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , an independent director of the Company received a share based award, which will be settled in cash at March 1, 2016. The amount of such cash payment will equal the fair market value of 1,800 shares on the settlement date. As of September 30, 2015 , there was $10.5 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 3.12 years . The total fair value of shares of common stock vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $4.1 million and $3.9 million , respectively. 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 $3.2 million and $ 3.1 million of compensation expense related to nonvested stock grants in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, 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 reserved an additional 250,000 shares of common stock to the plan. The table below details the shares of common stock issued during 2015: Number of shares Per share price Shares available as of December 31, 2014 236,483 Shares issued during three months ended March 31, 2015 7,068 $ 29.62 Shares issued during three months ended June 30, 2015 5,702 $ 31.38 Shares issued during three months ended September 30, 2015 4,953 $ 36.34 Shares available as of September 30, 2015 218,760 Stock Options During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , 9,500 options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $15.21 . No options were granted or forfeited. As of September 30, 2015, 5,500 options are outstanding with an exercise price of $19.75 . These options expire on June 14, 2016. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company redeemed 41,550 shares of common stock valued at $1.4 million , related to these tax obligations.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	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 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-1609-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, alleging violations of Sections 10(b), 20(a) and 20A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. On June 16, 2014, following mediation, the parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement. On August 5, 2014, the District Court entered an Order Preliminarily Approving Settlement and Providing for Notice. On March 3, 2015, the District Court entered its Judgments adopting the Report and Recommendation previously issued and dismissing the action with prejudice. The time for appeal has passed and no appeals were filed. This matter is now concluded. The Company's insurance carrier has funded the entire $7.9 million settlement amount. 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-2899-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-3301-JTT-CMH. The action was brought derivatively on the Company’s behalf and the Company was also named as a nominal defendant. Plaintiff generally alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties owed to the Company and wasted corporate assets. Plaintiff also alleges that the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer caused false and misleading statements to be issued in violation of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and that the Company’s Directors are control persons under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The complaint also alleges claims for insider selling, misappropriation of information and unjust enrichment against the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s former President and Chief Operating Officer. The Company believes the claims made in the Plummer and McCormack cases are without merit. On March 25, 2014, the McCormack derivative action was consolidated with the Plummer derivative action described above and stayed. On October 7, 2015, the parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement. On October 19, 2015, Plaintiffs filed an Unopposed Motion for Preliminary Approval of Proposed Derivative Settlement. On October 26, 2015, the District Court entered an Order Preliminarily Approving Settlement in the amount of $0.6 million , and set a final fairness hearing for January 20, 2016. If the settlement is approved by the District Court, the Company' s insurance carrier will fund the 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. 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling interest	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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 (amounts in thousands): Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 11,517 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable 5,566 Noncontrolling interest-redeemable distributions (5,193 ) Balance as of September 30, 2015 $ 11,890

Allowance for Uncollectible Acc

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for uncollectible accounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (amounts in thousands): Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 18,582 Additions 14,873 Deductions (7,524 ) Balance as of September 30, 2015 $ 25,931

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value as the interest rates approximates current rates.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company’s reportable segments consist of home health services, hospice services, community-based services, and facility-based services. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company had a change in the composition of segments due to the community-based services meeting the criteria of qualitative thresholds established by ASC 280, Segment Reporting . Prior-period segment data has been restated to reflect the newly reportable segment. Community-based services were previously included in home-based services. The following tables summarize the Company’s segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility- based services Total Net service revenue $ 155,047 $ 19,205 $ 10,628 $ 19,242 $ 204,122 Cost of service revenue 90,013 11,691 7,276 11,893 120,873 Provision for bad debts 3,988 51 560 210 4,809 General and administrative expenses 47,666 5,398 2,091 5,593 60,748 Operating income 13,380 2,065 701 1,546 17,692 Interest expense (343 ) (47 ) (5 ) (39 ) (434 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 13,037 2,018 696 1,507 17,258 Income tax expense 4,602 713 297 536 6,148 Net income 8,435 1,305 399 971 11,110 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,812 279 (29 ) 203 2,265 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 6,623 $ 1,026 $ 428 $ 768 $ 8,845 Total assets $ 449,038 $ 41,694 $ 33,070 $ 45,085 $ 568,887 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility- based services Total Net service revenue $ 143,675 $ 17,071 $ 8,973 $ 17,994 $ 187,713 Cost of service revenue 85,305 10,431 6,201 11,185 113,122 Provision for bad debts 3,644 269 109 (48 ) 3,974 General and administrative expenses 46,501 4,721 1,900 5,075 58,197 Operating income 8,225 1,650 763 1,782 12,420 Interest expense (510 ) (64 ) (5 ) (64 ) (643 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 7,715 1,586 758 1,718 11,777 Income tax expense 3,005 521 29 369 3,924 Net income 4,710 1,065 729 1,349 7,853 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,193 292 (8 ) 202 1,679 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 3,517 $ 773 $ 737 $ 1,147 $ 6,174 Total assets $ 390,536 $ 34,622 $ 34,244 $ 36,229 $ 495,631 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility- based services Total Net service revenue $ 454,911 $ 54,688 $ 30,713 $ 57,061 $ 597,373 Cost of service revenue 262,604 32,634 21,632 35,068 351,938 Provision for bad debts 12,109 697 1,431 636 14,873 General and administrative expenses 141,696 15,397 6,376 16,947 180,416 Operating income 38,502 5,960 1,274 4,410 50,146 Interest expense (1,211 ) (168 ) (17 ) (137 ) (1,533 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 37,291 5,792 1,257 4,273 48,613 Income tax expense 12,999 2,056 557 1,485 17,097 Net income 24,292 3,736 700 2,788 31,516 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 5,584 778 (101 ) 655 6,916 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 18,708 $ 2,958 $ 801 $ 2,133 $ 24,600 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility- based services Total Net service revenue $ 417,329 $ 49,361 $ 18,259 $ 55,312 $ 540,261 Cost of service revenue 245,383 29,479 12,790 34,331 321,983 Provision for bad debts 9,968 467 507 757 11,699 General and administrative expenses 138,356 13,954 4,288 15,901 172,499 Operating income 23,622 5,461 674 4,323 34,080 Interest expense (1,474 ) (186 ) (15 ) (186 ) (1,861 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 22,148 5,275 659 4,137 32,219 Income tax expense 8,680 1,397 83 1,039 11,199 Net income 13,468 3,878 576 3,098 21,020 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 3,341 828 (12 ) 560 4,717 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 10,127 $ 3,050 $ 588 $ 2,538 $ 16,303 During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company's internal allocation methodology for recording income tax expense was changed to record each segment's respective tax expense on pretax net income at the Company's effective tax rate of 41.0% . Prior to this year, income tax expense was allocated to each segment based on their respective percentage of equity. There is no impact on the Company's consolidated income tax expense.

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Subsequent Event [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	13. Subsequent Event On October 1, 2015, the Company closed on the acquisition of Halcyon Hospice, LLC and its operating subsidiaries, resulting in the purchase of 16 hospice agencies across three states for $58.5 million .

Significant Accounting Polici21

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
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 and absorbs a majority of the entities’ expected losses. 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 Nine Months Ended Type of ownership 2015 2014 2015 2014 Wholly-owned subsidiaries 54.5 % 54.5 % 54.5 % 52.9 % Equity joint ventures 43.6 42.9 43.5 44.5 License leasing arrangements 1.0 1.8 1.1 1.8 Management services 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.8 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 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. License Leasing Arrangements The Company, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, leases home health licenses necessary to operate certain of its home nursing and hospice agencies. 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 other commercial or managed care insurance programs for services rendered. The Company assesses the patient's ability to pay for their healthcare services at the time of patient admission based on the Company's verification of the patient's insurance coverage under the Medicare, Medicaid, and other commercial or managed care insurance program. All such payors contribute to the net service revenue of the Company’s home health services, hospice services, community-based 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Payor 2015 2014 2015 2014 Medicare 74.0 % 75.2 % 74.2 % 76.3 % Medicaid 1.5 1.7 1.5 1.4 Other 24.5 23.1 24.3 22.3 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % The following table sets forth the percentage of net service revenue contributed from each reporting segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Reporting segment 2015 2014 2015 2014 Home health services 76.0 % 76.5 % 76.2 % 77.2 % Hospice services 9.4 9.1 9.1 9.1 Community-based services 5.2 4.8 5.1 3.4 Facility-based services 9.4 9.6 9.6 10.3 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Medicare Home Health 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 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. 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 subject to an inpatient cap and an overall Medicare payment cap. The inpatient cap relates to an individual program 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. Beginning with the cap year October 1, 2014, CMS implemented a new process requiring hospice providers to self-report their cap liabilities and remit applicable payment by March 31 of the following year. 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 55% 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 Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation 17,436,731 17,260,078 17,389,934 17,213,648 Effect of dilutive potential shares: Options 2,227 4,367 4,070 4,151 Nonvested stock 171,995 92,471 132,683 71,755 Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation 17,610,953 17,356,916 17,526,687 17,289,554 Anti-dilutive shares 8,000 3,500 182,185 173,360
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, ("ASU 2014-9") 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. ASU 2014-9 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, 2018. Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date of January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-9 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 Polici22

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
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 Nine Months Ended Type of ownership 2015 2014 2015 2014 Wholly-owned subsidiaries 54.5 % 54.5 % 54.5 % 52.9 % Equity joint ventures 43.6 42.9 43.5 44.5 License leasing arrangements 1.0 1.8 1.1 1.8 Management services 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.8 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Payor 2015 2014 2015 2014 Medicare 74.0 % 75.2 % 74.2 % 76.3 % Medicaid 1.5 1.7 1.5 1.4 Other 24.5 23.1 24.3 22.3 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Percentage of Net Service Revenue Contributed from Each Reporting Segment	The following table sets forth the percentage of net service revenue contributed from each reporting segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Reporting segment 2015 2014 2015 2014 Home health services 76.0 % 76.5 % 76.2 % 77.2 % Hospice services 9.4 9.1 9.1 9.1 Community-based services 5.2 4.8 5.1 3.4 Facility-based services 9.4 9.6 9.6 10.3 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
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 Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation 17,436,731 17,260,078 17,389,934 17,213,648 Effect of dilutive potential shares: Options 2,227 4,367 4,070 4,151 Nonvested stock 171,995 92,471 132,683 71,755 Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation 17,610,953 17,356,916 17,526,687 17,289,554 Anti-dilutive shares 8,000 3,500 182,185 173,360

Goodwill and Intangibles (Table

Goodwill and Intangibles (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 were as follows (amounts in thousands): Home health reporting unit Hospice Community-based reporting unit Facility-based reporting unit Total Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 196,296 $ 14,793 $ 17,339 $ 11,591 $ 240,019 Goodwill from acquisitions 560 1,426 204 — 2,190 Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests 14 — 22 — 36 Goodwill related to disposal (156 ) — (27 ) — (183 ) Balance as of September 30, 2015 $ 196,714 $ 16,219 $ 17,538 $ 11,591 $ 242,062
Summary of Changes in Intangible Assets	Intangible assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands): September 30, 2015 Remaining useful life Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Indefinite-lived assets : Trade names Indefinite $ 55,243 $ — $ 55,243 Certificates of need/licenses Indefinite 20,349 — 20,349 Indefinite-lived balance at end of period $ 75,592 $ — $ 75,592 Definite-lived assets: Trade names 2 years — 5 years $ 8,645 $ (4,002 ) $ 4,643 Non-compete agreements 7 months — 3 years 4,458 (3,962 ) 496 Definite-lived balance at end of period $ 13,103 $ (7,964 ) $ 5,139 Balance as of September 30, 2015 $ 88,695 $ (7,964 ) $ 80,731 December 31, 2014 Remaining useful life Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Indefinite-lived assets : Trade names Indefinite $ 54,732 $ — $ 54,732 Certificates of need/licenses Indefinite 19,058 — 19,058 Indefinite-lived balance at end of period $ 73,790 $ — $ 73,790 Definite-lived assets: Trade names 2 months — 5 years $ 8,230 $ (2,797 ) $ 5,433 Non-compete agreements 3 months — 2 years 4,225 (3,763 ) 462 Definite-lived balance at end of period $ 12,455 $ (6,560 ) $ 5,895 Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 86,245 $ (6,560 ) $ 79,685

Stockholder's Equity (Tables)

Stockholder's Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Nonvested Stock Activity	The following table represents the nonvested stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value Nonvested shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014 524,287 $ 22.56 Granted 199,065 $ 34.06 Vested (176,195 ) $ 23.23 Forfeited (15,880 ) $ 22.44 Nonvested shares outstanding as of September 30, 2015 531,277 $ 26.65
Shares of Common Stock Issued During 2014 Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	The table below details the shares of common stock issued during 2015: Number of shares Per share price Shares available as of December 31, 2014 236,483 Shares issued during three months ended March 31, 2015 7,068 $ 29.62 Shares issued during three months ended June 30, 2015 5,702 $ 31.38 Shares issued during three months ended September 30, 2015 4,953 $ 36.34 Shares available as of September 30, 2015 218,760

Noncontrolling interest (Tables

Noncontrolling interest (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Summary of Activity of Noncontrolling Interest-Redeemable	The following table summarizes the activity of noncontrolling interest-redeemable for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (amounts in thousands): Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 11,517 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable 5,566 Noncontrolling interest-redeemable distributions (5,193 ) Balance as of September 30, 2015 $ 11,890

Allowance for Uncollectible A26

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for uncollectible accounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (amounts in thousands): Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 18,582 Additions 14,873 Deductions (7,524 ) Balance as of September 30, 2015 $ 25,931

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	The following tables summarize the Company’s segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility- based services Total Net service revenue $ 155,047 $ 19,205 $ 10,628 $ 19,242 $ 204,122 Cost of service revenue 90,013 11,691 7,276 11,893 120,873 Provision for bad debts 3,988 51 560 210 4,809 General and administrative expenses 47,666 5,398 2,091 5,593 60,748 Operating income 13,380 2,065 701 1,546 17,692 Interest expense (343 ) (47 ) (5 ) (39 ) (434 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 13,037 2,018 696 1,507 17,258 Income tax expense 4,602 713 297 536 6,148 Net income 8,435 1,305 399 971 11,110 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,812 279 (29 ) 203 2,265 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 6,623 $ 1,026 $ 428 $ 768 $ 8,845 Total assets $ 449,038 $ 41,694 $ 33,070 $ 45,085 $ 568,887 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility- based services Total Net service revenue $ 143,675 $ 17,071 $ 8,973 $ 17,994 $ 187,713 Cost of service revenue 85,305 10,431 6,201 11,185 113,122 Provision for bad debts 3,644 269 109 (48 ) 3,974 General and administrative expenses 46,501 4,721 1,900 5,075 58,197 Operating income 8,225 1,650 763 1,782 12,420 Interest expense (510 ) (64 ) (5 ) (64 ) (643 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 7,715 1,586 758 1,718 11,777 Income tax expense 3,005 521 29 369 3,924 Net income 4,710 1,065 729 1,349 7,853 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,193 292 (8 ) 202 1,679 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 3,517 $ 773 $ 737 $ 1,147 $ 6,174 Total assets $ 390,536 $ 34,622 $ 34,244 $ 36,229 $ 495,631 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility- based services Total Net service revenue $ 454,911 $ 54,688 $ 30,713 $ 57,061 $ 597,373 Cost of service revenue 262,604 32,634 21,632 35,068 351,938 Provision for bad debts 12,109 697 1,431 636 14,873 General and administrative expenses 141,696 15,397 6,376 16,947 180,416 Operating income 38,502 5,960 1,274 4,410 50,146 Interest expense (1,211 ) (168 ) (17 ) (137 ) (1,533 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 37,291 5,792 1,257 4,273 48,613 Income tax expense 12,999 2,056 557 1,485 17,097 Net income 24,292 3,736 700 2,788 31,516 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 5,584 778 (101 ) 655 6,916 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 18,708 $ 2,958 $ 801 $ 2,133 $ 24,600 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility- based services Total Net service revenue $ 417,329 $ 49,361 $ 18,259 $ 55,312 $ 540,261 Cost of service revenue 245,383 29,479 12,790 34,331 321,983 Provision for bad debts 9,968 467 507 757 11,699 General and administrative expenses 138,356 13,954 4,288 15,901 172,499 Operating income 23,622 5,461 674 4,323 34,080 Interest expense (1,474 ) (186 ) (15 ) (186 ) (1,861 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 22,148 5,275 659 4,137 32,219 Income tax expense 8,680 1,397 83 1,039 11,199 Net income 13,468 3,878 576 3,098 21,020 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 3,341 828 (12 ) 560 4,717 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 10,127 $ 3,050 $ 588 $ 2,538 $ 16,303

Organization - Additional Infor

Organization - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2015ServiceProviderState
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of service providers operated | ServiceProvider	342
Number of states in which Company operates	28

Significant Accounting Polici29

Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Earned by Type of Ownership or Relationship with Operating Entity (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Wholly-owned subsidiaries
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	54.50%	54.50%	54.50%	52.90%
Equity joint ventures
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	43.60%	42.90%	43.50%	44.50%
License leasing arrangements
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	1.00%	1.80%	1.10%	1.80%
Management services
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	0.90%	0.80%	0.90%	0.80%

Significant Accounting Polici30

Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Earned by Category of Payor (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of net service revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Medicare revenue
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of net service revenue	74.00%	75.20%	74.20%	76.30%
Medicaid revenue
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of net service revenue	1.50%	1.70%	1.50%	1.40%
Other revenue
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of net service revenue	24.50%	23.10%	24.30%	22.30%

Significant Accounting Polici31

Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Contributed from Each Reporting Segment (Detail) - Sales Revenue, Segment	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Home health services
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	76.00%	76.50%	76.20%	77.20%
Hospice services
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	9.40%	9.10%	9.10%	9.10%
Community-based services
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	5.20%	4.80%	5.10%	3.40%
Facility- based services
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	9.40%	9.60%	9.60%	10.30%

Significant Accounting Polici32

Significant Accounting Policies - Shares Used in Computation of Basic and Diluted Per Share Information (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	17,436,731	17,260,078	17,389,934	17,213,648
Effect of dilutive potential shares:
Options	2,227	4,367	4,070	4,151
Nonvested stock	171,995	92,471	132,683	71,755
Diluted	17,610,953	17,356,916	17,526,687	17,289,554
Anti-dilutive shares	8,000	3,500	182,185	173,360

Significant Accounting Polici33

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015GrouptimePeriodicRate
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
License leasing arrangements	100.00%
Number of Medicare home health resource groups | Group	153
Number of days from date RAP paid to submit final Medicare bill	60 days
Low utilization adjustment visits | time	5
Selected hospice, periodic rate used to calculate revenue	1
Number of hospice, periodic rates used to calculate revenue	4
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	55.00%
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%

Acquisitions and Disposals - Ad

Acquisitions and Disposals - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Agency
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition Costs Of Acquired Entity Purchase Price	$ 4.2
Cash paid for acquisitions, primarily goodwill and intangible assets	3.9
Fair Value of the acquired intangible assets	$ 2
Home health services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of entities acquired | Agency	4
Goodwill	$ 0.6
Hospice services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of entities acquired | Agency	1
Goodwill	$ 1.4
Community-based services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of entities acquired | Agency	1
Goodwill	$ 0.2

Goodwill and Intangibles - Sche

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Changes in Recorded Goodwill by Reporting Unit (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 240,019
Goodwill from acquisitions	2,190
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	36
Goodwill related to disposal	(183)
Balance at end of period	242,062
Home health reporting unit
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	196,296
Goodwill from acquisitions	560
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	14
Goodwill related to disposal	(156)
Balance at end of period	196,714
Community-based reporting unit
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	14,793
Goodwill from acquisitions	1,426
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	0
Goodwill related to disposal	0
Balance at end of period	16,219
Community-based reporting unit
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	17,339
Goodwill from acquisitions	204
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	22
Goodwill related to disposal	(27)
Balance at end of period	17,538
Facility-based reporting unit
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	11,591
Goodwill from acquisitions	0
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	0
Goodwill related to disposal	0
Balance at end of period	$ 11,591

Goodwill and Intangibles- Summa

Goodwill and Intangibles- Summary of Changes in Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	$ 75,592	$ 73,790
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	13,103	12,455
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	88,695	86,245
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	(7,964)	(6,560)
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization ending balance	(7,964)	(6,560)
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	5,139	5,895
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	80,731	79,685
Certificates of need/licenses
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	20,349	19,058
Trade names
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	55,243	54,732
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	8,645	8,230
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	(4,002)	(2,797)
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	$ 4,643	$ 5,433
Trade names | Minimum
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Remaining useful life	2 years	3 months
Trade names | Maximum
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Remaining useful life	5 years	5 years
Non-compete agreements
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	$ 4,458	$ 4,225
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	(3,962)	(3,763)
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	$ 496	$ 462
Non-compete agreements | Minimum
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Remaining useful life	7 months	3 months
Non-compete agreements | Maximum
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Remaining useful life	3 years	2 years

Goodwill and Intangibles - Addi

Goodwill and Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	$ 80,731	$ 79,685
Home health services
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	66,900
Hospice services
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	5,600
Community-based services
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	7,300
Facility- based services
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets net of accumulated amortization	$ 900

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Jun. 18, 2014USD ($)Instruments	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum principal borrowing amount	$ 225,000
Letter of credit, sub-limit amount	$ 15,000
Credit facility scheduled to expire		Jun. 18, 2019
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.
Line of credit facility, interest rate at period end			3.40%
Line of credit facility drawn		$ 92,000		$ 60,000
Letter of credit outstanding		7,100
Available credit under agreement		$ 125,900
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee rates for unused commitments	0.225%
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee rates for unused commitments	0.375%
Federal funds rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility interest rate	0.50%
Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility interest rate	1.00%		1.95%
Line of credit facility, borrowing outstanding | Instruments	15
Eurodollar | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility interest rate	1.75%
Eurodollar | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility interest rate	2.50%
Base rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility interest rate			4.00%
Base rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility interest rate	0.75%
Base rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility interest rate	1.50%

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax payable as an unrecognized tax benefit	$ 3.4

Shareholders' Equity - Nonveste

Shareholders' Equity - Nonvested Stock Activity (Detail) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	524,287
Granted, Number of Shares	199,065
Vested, Number of Shares	(176,195)
Forfeited, Number of Shares	(15,880)
Nonvested shares outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	531,277
Nonvested shares outstanding, Weighted average grant date fair value, Beginning Balance	$ 22.56
Granted, Weighted average grant date fair value	34.06	$ 34.06
Vested, Weighted average grant date fair value	23.23
Forfeited, Weighted average grant date fair value	22.44
Nonvested shares outstanding, Weighted average grant date fair value, Ending Balance	$ 26.65

Stockholder's Equity - Shares o

Stockholder's Equity - Shares of Common Stock Issued During 2015 Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares available, Beginning balance			236,483	236,483
Shares issued during period (shares)	4,953	5,702	7,068
Shares available, Ending Balance	218,760			218,760
Shares issued during period (per share price)	$ 36.34	$ 31.38	$ 29.62

Stockholder's Equity - Addition

Stockholder's Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Common stock available for issuance	1,500,000
Common stock shares available for grant	491,037
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	$ 34.06	$ 34.06
Share based award, settled in cash	1,800
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares of common stock granted	$ 10,500
Weighted average period of cost recognized	3 years 1 month 12 days
Total fair value of shares of common stock vested	$ 4,100	$ 3,900
Compensation expense related to nonvested stock grants	$ 3,200	$ 3,100
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 exercised, Shares	9,500
Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 15.21
Options granted	0
Options outstanding	5,500
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 19.75
Shares redeemed to satisfy personal tax obligations	41,550
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax	$ 1,449
Options forfeited	0
Director
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Non vested stock grants to Independent director	16,200
Director Period of Vested Shares	1 year
Employee
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Nonvested stock grants to employees	182,865

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Settlement amount	$ 550	$ 7,850
Period of joint venture buy/sell option	30 days

Noncontrolling interest - Summa

Noncontrolling interest - Summary of Activity of Noncontrolling Interest-Redeemable (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable, Beginning balance	$ 11,517
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable	5,566
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable distributions	(5,193)
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable, Ending balance	$ 11,890

Allowance for Uncollectible A45

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts - Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Activity and Ending Balances (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 18,582
Additions	$ 4,809	$ 3,974	14,873	$ 11,699
Deductions			(7,524)
Ending balance	$ 25,931		$ 25,931

Segment Information - Segment I

Segment Information - Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 204,122	$ 187,713	$ 597,373	$ 540,261
Cost of service revenue	120,873	113,122	351,938	321,983
Provision for bad debts	4,809	3,974	14,873	11,699
General and administrative expenses	60,748	58,197	180,416	172,499
Operating income	17,692	12,420	50,146	34,080
Interest expense	(434)	(643)	(1,533)	(1,861)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	17,258	11,777	48,613	32,219
Income tax expense	6,148	3,924	17,097	11,199
Net income	11,110	7,853	31,516	21,020
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,265	1,679	6,916	4,717
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	8,845	6,174	24,600	16,303
Total assets	568,887	495,631	568,887	495,631	$ 491,739
Home health services
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	155,047	143,675	454,911	417,329
Cost of service revenue	90,013	85,305	262,604	245,383
Provision for bad debts	3,988	3,644	12,109	9,968
General and administrative expenses	47,666	46,501	141,696	138,356
Operating income	13,380	8,225	38,502	23,622
Interest expense	(343)	(510)	(1,211)	(1,474)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	13,037	7,715	37,291	22,148
Income tax expense	4,602	3,005	12,999	8,680
Net income	8,435	4,710	24,292	13,468
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,812	1,193	5,584	3,341
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	6,623	3,517	18,708	10,127
Total assets	449,038	390,536	449,038	390,536
Hospice services
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	19,205	17,071	54,688	49,361
Cost of service revenue	11,691	10,431	32,634	29,479
Provision for bad debts	51	269	697	467
General and administrative expenses	5,398	4,721	15,397	13,954
Operating income	2,065	1,650	5,960	5,461
Interest expense	(47)	(64)	(168)	(186)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	2,018	1,586	5,792	5,275
Income tax expense	713	521	2,056	1,397
Net income	1,305	1,065	3,736	3,878
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	279	292	778	828
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	1,026	773	2,958	3,050
Total assets	41,694	34,622	41,694	34,622
Community-based services
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	10,628	8,973	30,713	18,259
Cost of service revenue	7,276	6,201	21,632	12,790
Provision for bad debts	560	109	1,431	507
General and administrative expenses	2,091	1,900	6,376	4,288
Operating income	701	763	1,274	674
Interest expense	(5)	(5)	(17)	(15)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	696	758	1,257	659
Income tax expense	297	29	557	83
Net income	399	729	700	576
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(29)	(8)	(101)	(12)
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	428	737	801	588
Total assets	33,070	34,244	33,070	34,244
Facility- based services
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	19,242	17,994	57,061	55,312
Cost of service revenue	11,893	11,185	35,068	34,331
Provision for bad debts	210	(48)	636	757
General and administrative expenses	5,593	5,075	16,947	15,901
Operating income	1,546	1,782	4,410	4,323
Interest expense	(39)	(64)	(137)	(186)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	1,507	1,718	4,273	4,137
Income tax expense	536	369	1,485	1,039
Net income	971	1,349	2,788	3,098
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	203	202	655	560
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	768	1,147	2,133	2,538
Total assets	$ 45,085	$ 36,229	$ 45,085	$ 36,229

Segment Information- Additional

Segment Information- Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Information [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	41.00%

Subsequent Event- Additional In

Subsequent Event- Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Oct. 01, 2015USD ($)AgencyStates	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Hospice agency [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross		$ 3.9
Subsequent Event [Member] | Hospice Agency [Member]
Hospice agency [Line Items]
Number of locations in which the company will add following the close of the acquisition | Agency	16
Number of states in which the company will add following the close of the acquisition | States	3
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 58.5