LHC (LHCG) 10-Q 3 Nov 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
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		18,176,864

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash	$ 16,518	$ 6,139
Receivables:
Patient accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $29,258 and $26,712, respectively	119,491	110,350
Other receivables	2,261	2,093
Amounts due from governmental entities	964	1,081
Total receivables, net	122,716	113,524
Prepaid income taxes	4,124	1,949
Prepaid expenses	9,767	10,833
Other current assets	6,421	5,835
Receivable due from insurance carrier		550
Total current assets	159,546	138,830
Property, building and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $40,972 and $38,907, respectively	44,130	38,096
Goodwill	305,739	290,694
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $10,342 and $8,496, respectively	101,680	96,405
Other assets	2,358	2,029
Total assets	613,453	566,054
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	28,511	24,586
Salaries, wages, and benefits payable	41,904	28,098
Self-insurance reserve	11,473	9,636
Current portion of long-term debt	249	241
Amounts due to governmental entities	4,895	7,055
Legal settlement payable		550
Total current liabilities	87,032	70,166
Deferred income taxes	30,601	23,729
Income tax payable	1,678	3,415
Revolving credit facility	92,000	98,000
Long-term debt, less current portion	379	543
Total liabilities	211,690	195,853
Noncontrolling interest — redeemable	12,668	12,408
LHC Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Common stock --- $0.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 22,419,523 and 22,224,423 shares issued in 2016 and 2015, respectively	224	222
Treasury stock --- 4,826,872 and 4,776,560 shares at cost, respectively	(39,070)	(37,139)
Additional paid-in capital	118,689	113,793
Retained earnings	304,472	277,706
Total LHC Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity	384,315	354,582
Noncontrolling interest — non-redeemable	4,780	3,211
Total equity	389,095	357,793
Total liabilities and equity	$ 613,453	$ 566,054

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Patient accounts receivable, allowance for uncollectible accounts	$ 29,258	$ 26,712
Property, building and equipment, accumulated depreciation	40,972	38,907
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 10,342	$ 8,496
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, issued	22,419,523	22,224,423
Treasury stock at cost, shares	4,826,872	4,776,560

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 230,797	$ 204,122	$ 679,380	$ 597,373
Cost of service revenue	140,832	120,873	413,561	351,938
Gross margin	89,965	83,249	265,819	245,435
Provision for bad debts	3,275	4,809	11,658	14,873
General and administrative expenses	66,999	60,472	201,296	179,736
Loss on disposal of assets	142	276	1,389	680
Operating income	19,549	17,692	51,476	50,146
Interest expense	(816)	(434)	(2,167)	(1,533)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	18,733	17,258	49,309	48,613
Income tax expense	6,562	6,148	15,500	17,097
Net income	12,171	11,110	33,809	31,516
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,555	2,265	7,043	6,916
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	$ 9,616	$ 8,845	$ 26,766	$ 24,600
Earnings per share - basic:
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$ 0.55	$ 0.51	$ 1.53	$ 1.41
Earnings per share - diluted:
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.'s common stockholders	$ 0.54	$ 0.50	$ 1.52	$ 1.40
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	17,588,163	17,436,731	17,546,773	17,389,934
Diluted	17,719,473	17,610,953	17,664,284	17,526,687

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total		Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest Non Redeemable
Beginning balance, Amount at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 357,793		$ 222	$ (37,139)	$ 113,793	$ 277,706	$ 3,211
Beginning balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015			22,224,423
Beginning balance, Treasury Shares at Dec. 31, 2015	(4,776,560)			(4,776,560)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Acquired noncontrolling interest	$ 970						970
Noncontrolling Interest Distributions	$ (1,127)						(1,127)
Stock options exercised, Shares	5,500		5,500
Stock options exercised	$ 109				109
Sale of noncontrolling interest	165				(374)		539
Net income	27,817	[1]				26,766	1,051
Noncontrolling Interest, Other Increase (Decrease)	136						136
Nonvested stock compensation	3,518				3,518
Issuance of vested stock			$ 2		(2)
Issuance of vested stock, Shares			172,586
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax	$ (1,931)			$ (1,931)
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax, Shares	(50,312)			(50,312)
Excess tax benefits — vesting nonvested stock	$ 982				982
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	663				663
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Shares			17,014
Ending balance, Amount at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 389,095		$ 224	$ (39,070)	$ 118,689	$ 304,472	$ 4,780
Ending balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2016			22,419,523
Ending balance, Treasury Shares at Sep. 30, 2016	(4,826,872)			(4,826,872)
[1]	Net income excludes net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable of $6.0 million during the nine months ending September 30, 2016. 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 Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable	$ 5,992

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME7

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 33,809	$ 31,516
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	9,024	8,685
Provision for bad debts	11,658	14,873
Stock-based compensation expense	3,518	3,150
Deferred income taxes	6,062	1,125
Impairment of intangibles and other		248
Loss on disposal of assets	1,389	680
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	(21,175)	(24,643)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	450	(3,660)
Prepaid income taxes	(2,482)	779
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	17,633	19,071
Net amounts due to/from governmental entities	(2,043)	(205)
Net cash provided by operating activities	57,843	51,619
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, building and equipment	(14,576)	(11,401)
Cash paid for acquisitions, primarily goodwill and intangible assets	(20,332)	(4,359)
Other	273
Net cash used in investing activities	(34,635)	(15,760)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	38,000	64,000
Payments on line of credit	(44,000)	(32,000)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	663	569
Payments on debt	(156)	(172)
Noncontrolling interest distributions	(6,859)	(6,372)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of stock awards	1,293	897
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation	(1,931)	(1,449)
Purchase of additional controlling interest		(275)
Sale of noncontrolling interest	52
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	109	145
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(12,829)	25,343
Change in cash	10,379	61,202
Cash at beginning of period	6,139	531
Cash at end of period	16,518	61,733
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	2,329	1,227
Income taxes paid	$ 11,390	$ 14,242

Organization

Organization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2016 , the Company, through its wholly- and majority-owned subsidiaries, equity joint ventures and controlled affiliates, operated 375 service providers in 25 states within the continental United States. Unaudited Interim Financial Information The condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 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, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016 . 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, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 3, 2016, which includes information and disclosures not included herein.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 Ownership type 2016 2015 2016 2015 Wholly-owned subsidiaries 57.6 % 54.5 % 57.3 % 54.5 % Equity joint ventures 40.7 43.6 41.0 43.5 License leasing arrangements 0.9 1.0 0.9 1.1 Management services 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.9 100.0 % 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 Company consolidates equity joint venture entities as the Company has voting control over these entities. The members of the Company's equity joint ventures participate in profits and losses in proportion to their equity interests. The Company also consolidates entities which have license leasing arrangements as the Company owns 100% of the equity of these subsidiaries. The Company has various management services agreements under which the Company manages certain operations of agencies. The Company does not consolidate these agencies 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 or the right to receive the benefits from those entities. Revenue Recognition The Company reports net service revenue at the estimated net realizable amount due from Medicare, Medicaid and others for services rendered. 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, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Payor: 2016 2015 2016 2015 Medicare 74.3 % 74.0 % 74.7 % 74.2 % Medicaid 1.9 1.5 1.8 1.5 Other 23.8 24.5 23.5 24.3 100.0 % 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, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Reporting segment: 2016 2015 2016 2015 Home health services 72.6 % 76.0 % 72.5 % 76.2 % Hospice services 15.3 9.4 14.7 9.1 Community-based services 5.1 5.2 4.8 5.1 Facility-based services 7.0 9.4 8.0 9.6 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Medicare Home Health 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 rates based upon the level of care the Company furnished. The Company records net service revenue from hospice services based on the daily 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 individual programs receiving more than 20% of its total Medicare reimbursement from inpatient care services and the overall Medicare payment cap relates to individual providers receiving reimbursements in excess of a “cap amount,” calculated by multiplying the number of beneficiaries during the period by a statutory amount that is indexed for inflation. The determination for each cap is made annually based on the 12 -month period ending on October 31 of each year. The Company monitors its limits on a provider-by-provider basis and records an estimate of its liability for reimbursements received in excess of the cap amount. 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 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. 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 2016 2015 2016 2015 Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation 17,588,163 17,436,731 17,546,773 17,389,934 Effect of dilutive potential shares: Options — 2,227 1,146 4,070 Nonvested stock 131,310 171,995 116,365 132,683 Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation 17,719,473 17,610,953 17,664,284 17,526,687 Anti-dilutive shares 20,001 8,000 214,856 182,185 Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-3, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, ("ASU 2015-3") which requires an entity to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from that liability. The Company adopted this standard during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of Interest , which stated ASU No. 2015-3 does not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements; therefore, ASU No. 2015-3 will not have an effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 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 reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. 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. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-2, Leases , ("ASU 2016-2") which requires lessees to recognize qualifying leases on the statement of financial position. Qualifying leases will be classified as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The new standard is effective on January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2016-2 mandates a modified retrospective transition method for all entities. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-2 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, as part of its Simplification Initiative, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-9, Compensation - Stock Compensation (ASU 2016-09) , which finalizes Proposed ASU No. 2015-270 of the same name, and seeks to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The areas for simplification in ASU 2016-09 involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transaction, including (1) accounting for income taxes, (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, (3) forfeitures, (4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements, (5) classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax withholding purposes, (6) the practical expedient for estimating the expected term, and (7) intrinsic value. The new standard is effective on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions and Disposals

Acquisitions and Disposals	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Disposals	Acquisitions and Disposals The Company acquired the majority-ownership of 11 home health agencies, nine hospice agencies and one community-based agency during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . The total aggregate purchase prices for the Company’s acquisitions were $20.8 million , of which $20.3 million was paid in cash. The purchase prices are determined based on the Company’s analysis of comparable acquisitions and the target market’s potential future cash flows. The Company's home health services segment, hospice services segment, and community-based services segment recognized goodwill of $6.2 million , $7.8 million , and $0.8 million , respectively. Goodwill generated from the acquisitions was recognized based on the expected contribution of each acquisition 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 date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the aggregate consideration paid for the acquisitions and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates, as well as their fair value at the acquisition dates and the noncontrolling interest acquired (amounts in thousands): Consideration Cash $ 20,259 Fair value of total consideration transferred Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: Trade name 3,311 Certificates of need/licenses 3,372 Other identifiable intangible assets 258 Other assets and (liabilities), net (538 ) Total identifiable assets 6,403 Noncontrolling interest 970 Goodwill, including noncontrolling interest of $710 $ 14,826 Trade names, certificates of need and licenses are indefinite-lived assets and, therefore, not subject to amortization. Acquired trade names that are not being used actively are amortized over the estimated useful life on the straight line basis. Trade names are valued using the relief from royalty method, a form of the income approach. Certificates of need are valued using the replacement cost approach based on registration fees and opportunity costs. Licenses are valued based on the estimated direct costs associated with recreating the asset, including opportunity costs based on an income approach. In the case of states with a moratorium in place, the licenses are valued using the multi-period excess earnings method. The other identifiable assets include non-compete agreements that are amortized over the life of the agreements. Noncontrolling interest is valued at fair value by applying a discount to the value of the acquired entity for lack of control. The Company conducted a preliminary assessment of deferred income tax accounting and the calculation of the final net working capital adjustment and has recognized provisional amounts in its initial accounting for prior year acquisitions for all identified liabilities in accordance with the requirements of ASC Topic 805. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , a net working capital adjustment of $0.6 million and deferred tax liabilities of $0.8 million were recorded in goodwill. The Company is continuing its review of these matters during the measurement period.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill and Intangibles	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2016 were as follows (amounts in thousands): Home health reporting unit Hospice reporting unit Community - based reporting unit Facility-based reporting unit Total Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 202,995 $ 58,136 $ 17,972 $ 11,591 $ 290,694 Goodwill from acquisitions 5,809 7,459 848 — 14,116 Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests 354 356 — — 710 Goodwill related to prior period net working capital adjustments............................................ 504 (285 ) — — 219 Balance as of September 30, 2016 $ 209,662 $ 65,666 $ 18,820 $ 11,591 $ 305,739 Intangible assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands): September 30, 2016 Remaining useful life Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Indefinite-lived assets : Trade names Indefinite $ 63,870 $ — $ 63,870 Certificates of need/licenses Indefinite 33,179 — 33,179 Total $ 97,049 $ — $ 97,049 Definite-lived assets: Trade names 1 year — 10 years $ 9,296 $ (5,588 ) $ 3,708 Non-compete agreements 5 months — 3 years 5,677 (4,754 ) 923 Total $ 14,973 $ (10,342 ) $ 4,631 Balance as of September 30, 2016 $ 112,022 $ (10,342 ) $ 101,680 December 31, 2015 Remaining useful life Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Indefinite-lived assets : Trade names Indefinite $ 60,762 $ — $ 60,762 Certificates of need/licenses Indefinite 29,807 — $ 29,807 Total $ 90,569 $ — $ 90,569 Definite-lived assets: Trade names 2 months — 5 years $ 8,985 $ (4,385 ) $ 4,600 Non-compete agreements 3 months — 2 years 5,347 (4,111 ) 1,236 Total $ 14,332 $ (8,496 ) $ 5,836 Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 104,901 $ (8,496 ) $ 96,405 Intangible assets of $69.5 million , net of accumulated amortization, were related to the home health services segment, $24.0 million were related to the hospice services segment, $7.4 million were related to the community-based services segment, and $0.8 million were related to the facility-based services segment as of September 30, 2016 . The Company recorded $1.8 million and $1.4 million of amortization expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. This was recorded in general and administrative expenses.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 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, 2016 was 4.75% and the Eurodollar rate was 2.78% . As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, the Company had $92.0 million and $98.0 million drawn and letters of credit totaling $9.8 million outstanding under its credit facilities with Capital One, National Association. As of September 30, 2016 , the Company had $123.2 million available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement with Capital One, National Association.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes As of September 30, 2016 , an unrecognized tax benefit of $1.6 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 at which point, the Company recorded an uncertain tax position of $3.2 million . 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. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company reduced the unrecognized tax benefit, and reduced the income tax expense for such period, by $1.6 million in response to new information that has changed the expectations of the potential outcome.

Stockholder's Equity

Stockholder's Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 were reserved and 259,937 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, 2016 , employees were granted 215,800 nonvested shares of common stock pursuant to the 2010 Incentive Plan. The shares vest over a period of five years , conditioned on continued employment. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company’s independent directors were granted 15,300 nonvested shares of common stock under the Second Amended and Restated 2005 Non-Employee Directors 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. 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, 2016 was $38.01 . The following table represents the nonvested stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 : Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value Nonvested shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015 527,091 $ 26.64 Granted 231,100 $ 38.01 Vested (172,586 ) $ 25.77 Forfeited (13,511 ) $ 25.27 Nonvested shares outstanding as of September 30, 2016 572,094 $ 31.53 During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , an independent director of the Company received a share based award, which will be settled in cash at March 1, 2017. The amount of such cash payment will equal the fair market value of 1,700 shares on the settlement date. As of September 30, 2016 , there was $13.0 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 3.27 years . The total fair value of shares of common stock vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $4.5 million . 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 $3.5 million and $3.2 million of compensation expense related to nonvested stock grants in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , 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 2016 : Number of shares Per share price Shares available as of December 31, 2015 213,760 Shares issued during the three months ended March 31, 2016 5,341 $ 43.03 Shares issued during the three months ended June 30, 2016 6,434 $ 33.78 Shares issued during the three months ended September 30, 2016 5,239 $ 41.12 Shares available as of September 30, 2016 196,746 Stock Options During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , 5,500 options were exercised with an exercise price of $19.75 . No options were granted or forfeited during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . There were no options issued or exercisable as of September 30, 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, 2016 , the Company redeemed 50,312 shares of common stock valued at $1.9 million , related to these tax obligations.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 October 7, 2015, the parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement in the consolidated case styled In re LHC Group, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Case No. 6:13-cv-02899-JTT-CBW. 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 . On January 11, 2016, the District Court entered its Order and Final Judgment approving the settlement and dismissing the consolidated action with prejudice. The Company's insurance carrier has funded the entire settlement amount, which was immediately releasable to Plaintiffs' counsel on January 11, 2016. The time for appeal has passed and no appeals were filed. This matter is now concluded. At December 31, 2015, the Company's balance sheet reflected the entire settlement in current assets as a receivable due from insurance carrier and correspondingly reflected the entire settlement in current liabilities as a legal settlement payable. 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, 2016
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. The Company has never been required to purchase the noncontrolling interest of any of its equity joint venture partners, and the Company believes the likelihood of a triggering event occurring is remote. 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, 2016 (amounts in thousands): Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 12,408 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable 5,992 Noncontrolling interest-redeemable distributions (5,732 ) Balance as of September 30, 2016 $ 12,668

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, 2016 (amounts in thousands): Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 26,712 Additions 11,658 Deductions (9,112 ) Balance as of September 30, 2016 $ 29,258

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 because of their short maturity. The estimated fair value of intangible assets acquired was calculated using level 3 inputs based on the present value of anticipated future benefits. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value as the interest rates approximate 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, as described in Note 2 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The following tables summarize the Company’s segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility-based services Total Net service revenue $ 167,529 $ 35,322 11,793 $ 16,153 $ 230,797 Cost of service revenue 100,057 21,243 9,100 10,432 140,832 Provision for bad debts 2,049 797 190 239 3,275 General and administrative expenses 50,293 9,491 2,263 4,952 66,999 Loss on disposal of assets 20 5 — 117 142 Operating income 15,110 3,786 240 413 19,549 Interest expense (612 ) (90 ) (41 ) (73 ) (816 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 14,498 3,696 199 340 18,733 Income tax expense 5,133 1,275 83 71 6,562 Net income 9,365 2,421 116 269 12,171 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,853 553 — 149 2,555 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 7,512 $ 1,868 $ 116 $ 120 $ 9,616 Total assets $ 425,923 $ 119,906 $ 33,549 $ 34,075 $ 613,453 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 47,451 5,364 2,084 5,573 60,472 Loss on disposal of assets 215 34 7 20 276 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 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility-based services Total Net service revenue $ 492,090 $ 100,051 $ 32,823 $ 54,416 $ 679,380 Cost of service revenue 294,359 61,836 24,656 32,710 413,561 Provision for bad debts 8,122 2,364 488 684 11,658 General and administrative expenses 150,948 27,787 6,557 16,004 201,296 Loss on disposal of assets 811 329 46 203 1,389 Operating income 37,850 7,735 1,076 4,815 51,476 Interest expense (1,640 ) (232 ) (106 ) (189 ) (2,167 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 36,210 7,503 970 4,626 49,309 Income tax expense 11,026 2,484 413 1,577 15,500 Net income 25,184 5,019 557 3,049 33,809 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 5,002 1,368 (57 ) 730 7,043 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 20,182 $ 3,651 $ 614 $ 2,319 $ 26,766 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 141,178 15,325 6,331 16,902 179,736 Loss on disposal of assets 518 72 45 45 680 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 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

Significant Accounting Polici20

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Percentage Equity Ownership, License Leasing Arrangements	100.00%
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 Ownership type 2016 2015 2016 2015 Wholly-owned subsidiaries 57.6 % 54.5 % 57.3 % 54.5 % Equity joint ventures 40.7 43.6 41.0 43.5 License leasing arrangements 0.9 1.0 0.9 1.1 Management services 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.9 100.0 % 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 Company consolidates equity joint venture entities as the Company has voting control over these entities. The members of the Company's equity joint ventures participate in profits and losses in proportion to their equity interests. The Company also consolidates entities which have license leasing arrangements as the Company owns 100% of the equity of these subsidiaries. The Company has various management services agreements under which the Company manages certain operations of agencies. The Company does not consolidate these agencies 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 or the right to receive the benefits from those entities.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company reports net service revenue at the estimated net realizable amount due from Medicare, Medicaid and others for services rendered. 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, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Payor: 2016 2015 2016 2015 Medicare 74.3 % 74.0 % 74.7 % 74.2 % Medicaid 1.9 1.5 1.8 1.5 Other 23.8 24.5 23.5 24.3 100.0 % 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, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Reporting segment: 2016 2015 2016 2015 Home health services 72.6 % 76.0 % 72.5 % 76.2 % Hospice services 15.3 9.4 14.7 9.1 Community-based services 5.1 5.2 4.8 5.1 Facility-based services 7.0 9.4 8.0 9.6 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Medicare Home Health 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 rates based upon the level of care the Company furnished. The Company records net service revenue from hospice services based on the daily 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 individual programs receiving more than 20% of its total Medicare reimbursement from inpatient care services and the overall Medicare payment cap relates to individual providers receiving reimbursements in excess of a “cap amount,” calculated by multiplying the number of beneficiaries during the period by a statutory amount that is indexed for inflation. The determination for each cap is made annually based on the 12 -month period ending on October 31 of each year. The Company monitors its limits on a provider-by-provider basis and records an estimate of its liability for reimbursements received in excess of the cap amount. 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 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. 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 2016 2015 2016 2015 Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation 17,588,163 17,436,731 17,546,773 17,389,934 Effect of dilutive potential shares: Options — 2,227 1,146 4,070 Nonvested stock 131,310 171,995 116,365 132,683 Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation 17,719,473 17,610,953 17,664,284 17,526,687 Anti-dilutive shares 20,001 8,000 214,856 182,185
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-3, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, ("ASU 2015-3") which requires an entity to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from that liability. The Company adopted this standard during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of Interest , which stated ASU No. 2015-3 does not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements; therefore, ASU No. 2015-3 will not have an effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
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 reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. 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. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-2, Leases , ("ASU 2016-2") which requires lessees to recognize qualifying leases on the statement of financial position. Qualifying leases will be classified as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The new standard is effective on January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2016-2 mandates a modified retrospective transition method for all entities. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-2 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, as part of its Simplification Initiative, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-9, Compensation - Stock Compensation (ASU 2016-09) , which finalizes Proposed ASU No. 2015-270 of the same name, and seeks to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The areas for simplification in ASU 2016-09 involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transaction, including (1) accounting for income taxes, (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, (3) forfeitures, (4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements, (5) classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax withholding purposes, (6) the practical expedient for estimating the expected term, and (7) intrinsic value. The new standard is effective on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Polici21

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 Ownership type 2016 2015 2016 2015 Wholly-owned subsidiaries 57.6 % 54.5 % 57.3 % 54.5 % Equity joint ventures 40.7 43.6 41.0 43.5 License leasing arrangements 0.9 1.0 0.9 1.1 Management services 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.9 100.0 % 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, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Payor: 2016 2015 2016 2015 Medicare 74.3 % 74.0 % 74.7 % 74.2 % Medicaid 1.9 1.5 1.8 1.5 Other 23.8 24.5 23.5 24.3 100.0 % 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, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Reporting segment: 2016 2015 2016 2015 Home health services 72.6 % 76.0 % 72.5 % 76.2 % Hospice services 15.3 9.4 14.7 9.1 Community-based services 5.1 5.2 4.8 5.1 Facility-based services 7.0 9.4 8.0 9.6 100.0 % 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 2016 2015 2016 2015 Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation 17,588,163 17,436,731 17,546,773 17,389,934 Effect of dilutive potential shares: Options — 2,227 1,146 4,070 Nonvested stock 131,310 171,995 116,365 132,683 Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation 17,719,473 17,610,953 17,664,284 17,526,687 Anti-dilutive shares 20,001 8,000 214,856 182,185

Acquisitions and Disposals (Ta

Acquisitions and Disposals (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the aggregate consideration paid for the acquisitions and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates, as well as their fair value at the acquisition dates and the noncontrolling interest acquired (amounts in thousands): Consideration Cash $ 20,259 Fair value of total consideration transferred Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: Trade name 3,311 Certificates of need/licenses 3,372 Other identifiable intangible assets 258 Other assets and (liabilities), net (538 ) Total identifiable assets 6,403 Noncontrolling interest 970 Goodwill, including noncontrolling interest of $710 $ 14,826

Goodwill and Intangibles (Table

Goodwill and Intangibles (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2016 were as follows (amounts in thousands): Home health reporting unit Hospice reporting unit Community - based reporting unit Facility-based reporting unit Total Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 202,995 $ 58,136 $ 17,972 $ 11,591 $ 290,694 Goodwill from acquisitions 5,809 7,459 848 — 14,116 Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests 354 356 — — 710 Goodwill related to prior period net working capital adjustments............................................ 504 (285 ) — — 219 Balance as of September 30, 2016 $ 209,662 $ 65,666 $ 18,820 $ 11,591 $ 305,739
Summary of Changes in Intangible Assets	Intangible assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (amounts in thousands): September 30, 2016 Remaining useful life Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Indefinite-lived assets : Trade names Indefinite $ 63,870 $ — $ 63,870 Certificates of need/licenses Indefinite 33,179 — 33,179 Total $ 97,049 $ — $ 97,049 Definite-lived assets: Trade names 1 year — 10 years $ 9,296 $ (5,588 ) $ 3,708 Non-compete agreements 5 months — 3 years 5,677 (4,754 ) 923 Total $ 14,973 $ (10,342 ) $ 4,631 Balance as of September 30, 2016 $ 112,022 $ (10,342 ) $ 101,680 December 31, 2015 Remaining useful life Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Indefinite-lived assets : Trade names Indefinite $ 60,762 $ — $ 60,762 Certificates of need/licenses Indefinite 29,807 — $ 29,807 Total $ 90,569 $ — $ 90,569 Definite-lived assets: Trade names 2 months — 5 years $ 8,985 $ (4,385 ) $ 4,600 Non-compete agreements 3 months — 2 years 5,347 (4,111 ) 1,236 Total $ 14,332 $ (8,496 ) $ 5,836 Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 104,901 $ (8,496 ) $ 96,405

Stockholder's Equity (Tables)

Stockholder's Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Nonvested Stock Activity	The following table represents the nonvested stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 : Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value Nonvested shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015 527,091 $ 26.64 Granted 231,100 $ 38.01 Vested (172,586 ) $ 25.77 Forfeited (13,511 ) $ 25.27 Nonvested shares outstanding as of September 30, 2016 572,094 $ 31.53
Shares of Common Stock Issued During 2016 Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	The table below details the shares of common stock issued during 2016 : Number of shares Per share price Shares available as of December 31, 2015 213,760 Shares issued during the three months ended March 31, 2016 5,341 $ 43.03 Shares issued during the three months ended June 30, 2016 6,434 $ 33.78 Shares issued during the three months ended September 30, 2016 5,239 $ 41.12 Shares available as of September 30, 2016 196,746

Noncontrolling interest (Tables

Noncontrolling interest (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2016 (amounts in thousands): Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 12,408 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable 5,992 Noncontrolling interest-redeemable distributions (5,732 ) Balance as of September 30, 2016 $ 12,668

Allowance for Uncollectible A26

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2016 (amounts in thousands): Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 26,712 Additions 11,658 Deductions (9,112 ) Balance as of September 30, 2016 $ 29,258

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, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility-based services Total Net service revenue $ 167,529 $ 35,322 11,793 $ 16,153 $ 230,797 Cost of service revenue 100,057 21,243 9,100 10,432 140,832 Provision for bad debts 2,049 797 190 239 3,275 General and administrative expenses 50,293 9,491 2,263 4,952 66,999 Loss on disposal of assets 20 5 — 117 142 Operating income 15,110 3,786 240 413 19,549 Interest expense (612 ) (90 ) (41 ) (73 ) (816 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 14,498 3,696 199 340 18,733 Income tax expense 5,133 1,275 83 71 6,562 Net income 9,365 2,421 116 269 12,171 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,853 553 — 149 2,555 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 7,512 $ 1,868 $ 116 $ 120 $ 9,616 Total assets $ 425,923 $ 119,906 $ 33,549 $ 34,075 $ 613,453 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 47,451 5,364 2,084 5,573 60,472 Loss on disposal of assets 215 34 7 20 276 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 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility-based services Total Net service revenue $ 492,090 $ 100,051 $ 32,823 $ 54,416 $ 679,380 Cost of service revenue 294,359 61,836 24,656 32,710 413,561 Provision for bad debts 8,122 2,364 488 684 11,658 General and administrative expenses 150,948 27,787 6,557 16,004 201,296 Loss on disposal of assets 811 329 46 203 1,389 Operating income 37,850 7,735 1,076 4,815 51,476 Interest expense (1,640 ) (232 ) (106 ) (189 ) (2,167 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 36,210 7,503 970 4,626 49,309 Income tax expense 11,026 2,484 413 1,577 15,500 Net income 25,184 5,019 557 3,049 33,809 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 5,002 1,368 (57 ) 730 7,043 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 20,182 $ 3,651 $ 614 $ 2,319 $ 26,766 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 141,178 15,325 6,331 16,902 179,736 Loss on disposal of assets 518 72 45 45 680 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 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

Organization - Additional Infor

Organization - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2016ServiceProviderState
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of service providers operated | ServiceProvider	375
Number of states in which Company operates | State	25

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
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	57.60%	54.50%	57.30%	54.50%
Equity joint ventures
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	40.70%	43.60%	41.00%	43.50%
License leasing arrangements
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	0.90%	1.00%	0.90%	1.10%
Management services
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	0.80%	0.90%	0.80%	0.90%

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
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	74.30%	74.00%	74.70%	74.20%
Medicaid revenue
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of net service revenue	1.90%	1.50%	1.80%	1.50%
Other revenue
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of net service revenue	23.80%	24.50%	23.50%	24.30%

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
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	72.60%	76.00%	72.50%	76.20%
Hospice Services
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	15.30%	9.40%	14.70%	9.10%
Community-based services
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	5.10%	5.20%	4.80%	5.10%
Facility-based services
Health Care Organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of net service revenue	7.00%	9.40%	8.00%	9.60%

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation	17,588,163	17,436,731	17,546,773	17,389,934
Effect of dilutive potential shares:
Options	0	2,227	1,146	4,070
Nonvested stock	131,310	171,995	116,365	132,683
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation	17,719,473	17,610,953	17,664,284	17,526,687
Anti-dilutive shares	20,001	8,000	214,856	182,185

Significant Accounting Polici33

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016GrouptimePeriodicRate
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage Equity Ownership, 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 Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)Agency
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 20,800
Cash paid for acquisitions, primarily goodwill and intangible assets	20,259
Other	273
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Goodwill	$ 800
Home health services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of entities acquired | Agency	11
Halcyon Hospice
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other	$ 600
Home health reporting unit [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 6,200
Hospice reporting unit
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of entities acquired | Agency	9
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 7,800
Community-based services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of entities acquired | Agency	1
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 800

Acquisitions and Disposals - S

Acquisitions and Disposals - Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 20,259
Trade Name Acquired	3,311
Certificate of Need/Licenses Acquired	3,372
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	258
Other Assets and (Liabilities), Net; Acquired (Assumed)	(538)
Fair Value of Assets Acquired	6,403
Acquired noncontrolling interest	970
Goodwill, Acquired During Period, Including Noncontrolling Interest of $710	14,826
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	$ 710

Goodwill and Intangibles - Sche

Goodwill and Intangibles - Schedule of Changes in Recorded Goodwill by Reporting Unit (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 290,694
Goodwill from acquisitions	14,116
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	710
Other	219
Balance at end of period	305,739
Home health reporting unit [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	202,995
Goodwill from acquisitions	5,809
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	354
Other	504
Balance at end of period	209,662
Hospice reporting unit
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	58,136
Goodwill from acquisitions	7,459
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	356
Other	(285)
Balance at end of period	65,666
Community-based reporting unit
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	17,972
Goodwill from acquisitions	848
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	0
Balance at end of period	18,820
Facility-based reporting unit
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	11,591
Goodwill from acquisitions	0
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	$ 97,049	$ 90,569
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	14,973	14,332
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	112,022	104,901
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	(10,342)	(8,496)
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	4,631	5,836
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	101,680	96,405
Certificates of need/licenses
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	33,179	29,807
Trade names
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	63,870	60,762
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	9,296	8,985
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	(5,588)	(4,385)
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	$ 3,708	$ 4,600
Trade names | Minimum
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	1 year	2 months
Trade names | Maximum
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	10 years	5 years
Non-compete agreements
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	$ 5,677	$ 5,347
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	(4,754)	(4,111)
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	$ 923	$ 1,236
Non-compete agreements | Minimum
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	5 months	3 months
Non-compete agreements | Maximum
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years	2 years

Goodwill and Intangibles - Addi

Goodwill and Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	$ 101,680		$ 96,405
Amortization of Intangible Assets	1,800	$ 1,400
Home health services
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	69,500
Hospice Services
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	24,000
Community-based services
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	7,400
Facility-based services
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	$ 800

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Jun. 18, 2014USD ($)Instruments	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
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 drawn			$ 92,000	$ 98,000
Letter of credit outstanding			9,800
Available credit under agreement			$ 123,200
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%	2.78%
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		4.75%
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) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax payable as an unrecognized tax benefit		$ 3.2	$ 1.6
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefit	$ 1.6

Stockholders' Equity - Nonveste

Stockholders' Equity - Nonvested Stock Activity (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares outstanding, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance | shares	527,091
Granted, Number of Shares | shares	231,100
Vested, Number of Shares | shares	(172,586)
Forfeited, Number of Shares | shares	13,511
Nonvested shares outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balance | shares	572,094
Nonvested shares outstanding, Weighted average grant date fair value, Beginning Balance | $ / shares	$ 26.64
Granted, Weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	38.01
Vested, Weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	25.77
Forfeited, Weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	25.27
Nonvested shares outstanding, Weighted average grant date fair value, Ending Balance | $ / shares	$ 31.53

Stockholder's Equity - Shares o

Stockholder's Equity - Shares of Common Stock Issued During 2016 Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares available, Beginning balance			213,760	213,760
Shares issued during period (shares)	5,239	6,434	5,341
Shares available, Ending Balance	196,746			196,746
Shares issued during period (per share price)	$ 41.12	$ 33.78	$ 43.03

Stockholder's Equity - Addition

Stockholder's Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Common stock reserved and available for issuance	1,500,000
Common stock shares available for grant	259,937
Percentage of directors' stock grant vested on one year anniversary date	100.00%
Granted, Weighted average grant date fair value	$ 38.01
Share based award, settled in cash	1,700
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares of common stock granted	$ 13,000
Weighted average period of cost recognized	3 years 3 months 7 days
Total fair value of shares of common stock vested	$ 4,500
Compensation expense related to nonvested stock grants	$ 3,500	$ 3,200
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	5,500
Options, weighed average exercise price	$ 19.75
Options granted	0
Options forfeited	0
Options outstanding	0
Shares redeemed to satisfy personal tax obligations	50,312
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax	$ 1,931
Employee
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Nonvested stock grants to employees	215,800
Employee Period of Vested Shares	5 years
Director
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Nonvested stock grants to Independent directors	15,300
Director Period of Vested Shares	1 year

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Settlement amount	$ 0.6
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, 2016USD ($)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable, Beginning balance	$ 12,408
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest-redeemable	5,992
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable distributions	(5,732)
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable, Ending balance	$ 12,668

Allowance for Uncollectible A46

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts - Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Activity and Ending Balances (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 26,712
Additions	$ 3,275	$ 4,809	11,658	$ 14,873
Deductions			(9,112)
Ending balance	$ 29,258		$ 29,258

Segment Information - Segment I

Segment Information - Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 230,797	$ 204,122	$ 679,380	$ 597,373
Cost of service revenue	140,832	120,873	413,561	351,938
Provision for bad debts	3,275	4,809	11,658	14,873
General and administrative expenses	66,999	60,472	201,296	179,736
Loss on disposal of assets	142	276	1,389	680
Operating income	19,549	17,692	51,476	50,146
Interest expense	(816)	(434)	(2,167)	(1,533)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	18,733	17,258	49,309	48,613
Income tax expense	6,562	6,148	15,500	17,097
Net income	12,171	11,110	33,809	31,516
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,555	2,265	7,043	6,916
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	9,616	8,845	26,766	24,600
Total assets	613,453	568,887	613,453	568,887	$ 566,054
Home health services
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	167,529	155,047	492,090	454,911
Cost of service revenue	100,057	90,013	294,359	262,604
Provision for bad debts	2,049	3,988	8,122	12,109
General and administrative expenses	50,293	47,451	150,948	141,178
Loss on disposal of assets	20	215	811	518
Operating income	15,110	13,380	37,850	38,502
Interest expense	(612)	(343)	(1,640)	(1,211)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	14,498	13,037	36,210	37,291
Income tax expense	5,133	4,602	11,026	12,999
Net income	9,365	8,435	25,184	24,292
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,853	1,812	5,002	5,584
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	7,512	6,623	20,182	18,708
Total assets	425,923	449,038	425,923	449,038
Community-based services
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	11,793	10,628	32,823	30,713
Cost of service revenue	9,100	7,276	24,656	21,632
Provision for bad debts	190	560	488	1,431
General and administrative expenses	2,263	2,084	6,557	6,331
Loss on disposal of assets	0	7	46	45
Operating income	240	701	1,076	1,274
Interest expense	(41)	(5)	(106)	(17)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	199	696	970	1,257
Income tax expense	83	297	413	557
Net income	116	399	557	700
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(29)	(57)	(101)
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	116	428	614	801
Total assets	33,549	33,070	33,549	33,070
Hospice Services
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	35,322	19,205	100,051	54,688
Cost of service revenue	21,243	11,691	61,836	32,634
Provision for bad debts	797	51	2,364	697
General and administrative expenses	9,491	5,364	27,787	15,325
Loss on disposal of assets	5	34	329	72
Operating income	3,786	2,065	7,735	5,960
Interest expense	(90)	(47)	(232)	(168)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	3,696	2,018	7,503	5,792
Income tax expense	1,275	713	2,484	2,056
Net income	2,421	1,305	5,019	3,736
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	553	279	1,368	778
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	1,868	1,026	3,651	2,958
Total assets	119,906	41,694	119,906	41,694
Facility-based services
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	16,153	19,242	54,416	57,061
Cost of service revenue	10,432	11,893	32,710	35,068
Provision for bad debts	239	210	684	636
General and administrative expenses	4,952	5,573	16,004	16,902
Loss on disposal of assets	117	20	203	45
Operating income	413	1,546	4,815	4,410
Interest expense	(73)	(39)	(189)	(137)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	340	1,507	4,626	4,273
Income tax expense	71	536	1,577	1,485
Net income	269	971	3,049	2,788
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	149	203	730	655
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders	120	768	2,319	2,133
Total assets	$ 34,075	$ 45,085	$ 34,075	$ 45,085