LHC (LHCG) 10-K 9 Mar 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 06, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	LHCG
Entity Registrant Name	LHC Group, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,303,313
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,153,486
Entity Public Float			$ 655.2

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash	$ 3,264	$ 6,139
Receivables:
Patient accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $29,036 and $26,712, respectively	124,803	110,350
Other receivables	5,115	2,093
Amounts due from governmental entities	942	1,081
Total receivables, net	130,860	113,524
Prepaid income taxes		1,949
Prepaid expenses	9,821	10,833
Other current assets	5,796	5,835
Receivable from Insurance Carrier		550
Total current assets	149,741	138,830
Property, building and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $35,226 and $38,907, respectively	43,251	38,096
Goodwill	307,317	290,694
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $10,968 and $8,496, respectively	102,006	96,405
Other assets	11,756	2,029
Total assets	614,071	566,054
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	26,805	24,586
Salaries, wages and benefits payable	34,265	28,098
Self insurance reserve	10,691	9,636
Current portion of long-term debt	252	241
Amounts due to governmental entities	4,955	7,055
Income tax payable	3,499
Legal settlement payable		550
Total current liabilities	80,467	70,166
Deferred income taxes	31,941	23,729
Income tax payable		3,415
Revolving credit facility	87,000	98,000
Long-term debt, less current portion	544	543
Total liabilities	199,952	195,853
Noncontrolling interest-redeemable	12,567	12,408
LHC Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock - $0.01 par value: 40,000,000 shares authorized; 22,429,041 and 22,224,423 shares issued in 2016 and 2015, respectively	224	222
Treasury stock - 4,828,679 and 4,776,560 shares at cost, respectively	(39,135)	(37,139)
Additional paid-in capital	119,748	113,793
Retained earnings	314,289	277,706
Total LHC Group, Inc. stockholders' equity	395,126	354,582
Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	6,426	3,211
Total stockholders' equity	401,552	357,793
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 614,071	$ 566,054

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Patient accounts receivable, allowance for uncollectible accounts	$ 29,036	$ 26,712
Property, building and equipment, accumulated depreciation	35,226	38,907
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 10,968	$ 8,496
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	22,429,041	22,224,423
Treasury stock at cost, shares	4,828,679	4,776,560

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 914,823	$ 816,366	$ 733,632
Cost of service revenue	557,650	480,878	434,775
Gross margin	357,173	335,488	298,857
Provision for bad debts	14,790	19,243	15,780
General and administrative expenses	270,622	247,919	233,898
Impairment of intangibles and other		1,273	3,646
Loss on disposal of assets	1,199	710	47
Operating income	70,562	66,343	45,486
Interest expense	(2,936)	(2,302)	(2,486)
Non-operating income	492	457	265
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	68,118	64,498	43,265
Income tax expense	22,176	22,848	14,513
Income from continuing operations	45,942	41,650	28,752
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,359	9,315	6,915
Net Income Attributable to LHC Group Inc.'s Common Stockholders	$ 36,583	$ 32,335	$ 21,837
Earnings Per Share - Basic:
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.' common stockholders	$ 2.08	$ 1.86	$ 1.27
Earnings Per Share - Diluted:
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.' common stockholders	$ 2.07	$ 1.84	$ 1.26
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	17,559,477	17,405,379	17,229,026
Diluted	17,682,820	17,547,531	17,315,333

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Non-controlling Interest Non Redeemable [Member]	Total Equity [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest - Redeemable [Member]	Net Income (Loss) [Member]
Balances, Amount at Dec. 31, 2013		$ 218	$ (34,715)	$ 103,972	$ 223,534	$ 2,875	$ 295,884	$ 11,258
Balances, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013		21,801,634	4,693,647
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income					21,837	1,214	23,051	5,701
Income from continuing operations	$ 28,752								$ 28,752
Noncontrolling interest acquired						138	138	130
Noncontrolling interest distributions						(1,271)	(1,271)	(5,572)
Purchase of additional controlling interest				(359)			(359)
Sale of noncontrolling interest				161			161
Nonvested Stock Compensation				4,094			4,094
Issuance of vested stock, shares		177,272
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax			$ (945)				(945)
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax, shares	(40,716)		(40,716)
Excess tax benefits-vesting nonvested stock				60			60
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan		$ 2		780			782
Shares Issued during Period (Shares)	36,305	36,305
Balances, Amount at Dec. 31, 2014		$ 220	$ (35,660)	108,708	245,371	2,956	321,595	11,517
Balances, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014		22,015,211	4,734,363
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income					32,335	1,737	34,072	7,578
Income from continuing operations	$ 41,650								41,650
Noncontrolling interest acquired						155	155
Noncontrolling interest distributions						(1,637)	(1,637)	(6,687)
Stock options exercised, Shares		9,500
Stock options exercised				144			144
Purchase of additional controlling interest				(275)			(275)
Nonvested Stock Compensation				4,225			4,225
Issuance of vested stock, shares		176,989
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax			$ (1,479)				(1,479)
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax, shares	(42,197)		(42,197)
Excess tax benefits-vesting nonvested stock				211			211
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan		$ 2		780			782
Shares Issued during Period (Shares)	22,723	22,723
Balances, Amount at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 357,793	$ 222	$ (37,139)	113,793	277,706	3,211	357,793	12,408
Balances, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015		22,224,423	4,776,560
Ending Balance, Treasury Shares at Dec. 31, 2015	(4,776,560)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income					36,583	1,373	37,956	7,986
Income from continuing operations	$ 45,942								$ 45,942
Noncontrolling interest acquired						1,783	1,783
Noncontrolling interest distributions						(1,341)	(1,341)	(7,827)
Stock options exercised, Shares	(5,500)	5,500
Stock options exercised				109			109
Sale of noncontrolling interest				(931)		1,400	469
Nonvested Stock Compensation				4,872			4,872
Issuance of vested stock		$ 2		(2)
Issuance of vested stock, shares		174,969
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax			$ (1,996)				(1,996)
Treasury shares redeemed to pay income tax, shares	(52,119)		(52,119)
Excess tax benefits-vesting nonvested stock				995			995
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan				912			912
Shares Issued during Period (Shares)	24,149	24,149
Balances, Amount at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 401,552	$ 224	$ (39,135)	$ 119,748	$ 314,289	$ 6,426	$ 401,552	$ 12,567
Balances, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016		22,429,041	4,828,679
Ending Balance, Treasury Shares at Dec. 31, 2016	(4,828,679)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating activities
Income from continuing operations	$ 45,942	$ 41,650	$ 28,752
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and Amortization Expense	12,160	11,955	9,571
Provision for bad debts	14,790	19,243	15,780
Stock-based compensation expense	4,872	4,225	4,094
Deferred income taxes	7,402	1,518	2,402
Loss on disposal of assets	1,199	710	47
Impairment of intangibles and other		1,280	3,603
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	(28,873)	(27,951)	(16,372)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,034	(3,793)	191
Prepaid income taxes	1,641	441	911
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	9,182	10,526	(10,460)
Income tax payable	84
Net amounts due to/from governmental entities	(1,961)	130	138
Net cash provided by operating activities	67,472	59,934	38,657
Investing activities
Cash paid for acquisitions, primarily goodwill and intangible assets	(23,156)	(70,572)	(73,933)
Purchases of property, building and equipment	(16,009)	(13,283)	(8,105)
Advanced payments on acquisitions	(11,488)
Other	273
Net cash (used in) investing activities	(50,380)	(83,855)	(82,038)
Financing activities
Proceeds from line of credit	38,000	83,000	75,000
Payments on line of credit	(49,000)	(45,000)	(37,000)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of stock awards	1,303	914	124
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan	912	782	782
Payments on debt	(238)	(233)	(202)
Noncontrolling interest distributions	(9,413)	(8,324)	(6,843)
Payments of deferred financing fees			(852)
Purchase of additional controlling interest		(275)	(359)
Sale of noncontrolling interest	356		193
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation	(1,996)	(1,479)	(945)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	109	144
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(19,967)	29,529	29,898
Change in cash	(2,875)	5,608	(13,483)
Cash at beginning of period	6,139	531	14,014
Cash at end of period	3,264	6,139	531
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Interest paid	3,123	1,870	2,461
Income taxes paid	$ 11,533	$ 20,361	$ 11,781

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAS7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Licenses capitalized pay for purchases of property, building and equipment	$ 2,700

Organization

Organization	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	1. Organization LHC Group, Inc. (the “Company”) is a health care provider specializing in the post-acute continuum of care primarily for Medicare beneficiaries. The Company provides home health services, hospice services, community-based services, and facility-based services, the latter primarily through long-term acute care hospitals ("LTACHs"). As of December 31, 2016 , the Company, through its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries, equity joint ventures and controlled affiliates, operated 372 service providers in 26 states within the continental United States.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the Company's accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates relate to revenue recognition, collectability of accounts receivable and impairment tests of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. A description of the significant accounting policies and a discussion of the significant estimates and judgments associated with such policies are described below. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries and entities controlled by the Company through direct ownership of majority interest or controlling member ownership of such entities. Third party equity interests in the consolidated joint ventures are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The following table summarizes the percentage of net service revenue earned by type of ownership or relationship the Company had with the operating entity for the periods presented for the years ending December 31: Ownership type 2016 2015 2014 Wholly owned subsidiaries 57.2 % 55.2 % 53.5 % Equity joint ventures 41.2 42.9 43.9 Other 1.6 1.9 2.6 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. All business combinations accounted for as purchases have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the respective dates of acquisition. Equity Joint Ventures A majority of the Company’s equity joint ventures are structured as limited liability companies in which the Company typically owns a majority equity interest ranging from 51% to 91% . Each member of all but one of the Company’s equity joint ventures participates in profits and losses in proportion to their equity interests. The Company has one equity joint venture partner whose participation in losses is limited. The Company consolidates these entities as the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the entities and the right to receive benefits from the entities and generally has voting control over the entities. Other (License Leasing Arrangements and Management Services) The Company, through wholly owned subsidiaries, leases home health licenses necessary to operate certain of its home nursing and hospice agencies. As with wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company owns 100% of the equity of these entities and consolidates them based on such ownership. The Company has various management services agreements under which the Company manages operations of certain agencies and facilities. The Company does not consolidate these agencies or facilities, as the Company does not have an ownership interest and does not have an obligation to absorb losses of the entities or the right to receive the benefits from the entities other than management fees. 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 programs. All such payors contribute to the net service revenue of the Company's home health services, hospice services and facility-based services. The following table sets forth the percentage of net service revenue earned by category of payor for the years ending December 31: Payor 2016 2015 2014 Medicare 74.5 % 74.5 % 75.9 % Medicaid 1.8 1.5 1.4 Other 23.7 24.0 22.7 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Medicare Home Health Services The Company’s home nursing Medicare patients are classified into one of 153 home health resource groups prior to receiving services. Based on this home health resource group, the Company is entitled to receive a standard prospective Medicare payment for delivering care over a 60 -day period referred to as an episode. The Company recognizes revenue based on the number of days elapsed during an episode of care within the reporting period. Final payments from Medicare may reflect 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 or transferred from another provider before completing the episode; (d) a payment adjustment based upon the level of therapy services required; (e) base payment adjustments for case-mix and geographic wage differences; and (f) 2% sequestration reduction for episodes beginning after March 31, 2013. Management estimates the adjustments outlined above based on historical experience and as changes become known, and records these adjustments during the period in which the services are provided to the patient. Net service revenue and related patient accounts receivable are recorded at amounts estimated to be realized from Medicare for services rendered. Hospice Services The Company is paid by Medicare under a per diem payment system. The Company receives one of four predetermined daily or hourly rates based upon the level of care the Company furnished. The Company records net service revenue from hospice services based on the daily or hourly rate and recognizes revenue as hospice services are provided. Hospice payments are subject to an inpatient cap and an overall Medicare payment cap. The inpatient cap relates to individual programs receiving more than 20% of its total Medicare reimbursement from inpatient care services and the overall Medicare payment cap relates to individual programs receiving reimbursements in excess of a “cap amount,” calculated by multiplying the number of beneficiaries during the period by a statutory amount that is indexed for inflation. The determination for each cap is made annually based on the 12 -month period ending on October 31 of each year. The Company monitors its limits on a provider-by-provider basis and records an estimate of its liability for reimbursements received in excess of the cap amount. Annually, the Company receives notification of whether any of its hospice providers have exceeded either cap. Beginning with cap year ended 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 Long-Term Acute Care Services. The Company is reimbursed by Medicare for services provided under the long-term acute care hospital (“LTACH”) prospective payment system. 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. Managed care and other payors reimburse the Company in a manner similar to either Medicare or Medicaid. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue from managed care and other payors in the same manner as the Company recognizes revenue from Medicare or Medicaid. Management Services The Company records management services revenue as services are provided in accordance with the various management services agreements to which the Company is a party. As described in the management services agreements, the Company provides billing, management and other consulting services suited to and designed for the efficient operation of the applicable home nursing agency. The Company is responsible for the costs associated with the locations and personnel required for the provision of services. The Company is compensated based on a percentage of cash collections for one management service agreement and reimbursed for operating expenses plus a percentage of operating net income for two management service agreements. Accounts Receivable and Allowances for Uncollectible Accounts The Company reports accounts receivable net of estimated allowances for uncollectible accounts and adjustments. Accounts receivable are uncollateralized and primarily consist of amounts due from Medicare, Medicaid, other third-party payors, and patients. To provide for accounts receivable that could become uncollectible in the future, the Company establishes an allowance for uncollectible accounts to reduce the carrying amount of such receivables to their estimated net realizable value. Because Medicare is the Company’s primary payor, the credit risk associated with receivables from other payors is limited. The Company believes the credit risk associated with its Medicare accounts, which have historically exceeded 60.0% 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 significant concentrations of receivables from any particular payor that would subject it to any significant credit risk in the collection of accounts receivable. The amount of the provision for bad debts is based upon the Company’s assessment of historical and expected net collections, business and economic conditions, and trends in government reimbursement. Uncollectible accounts are written off when the Company has determined that the account will not be collected. A portion of the estimated Medicare prospective payment system reimbursement from each submitted home nursing episode is received in the form of a request for anticipated payment (“RAP”). The Company submits a RAP for 60% of the estimated reimbursement for the initial episode at the start of care. The full amount of the episode is billed after the episode has been completed. The RAP received for that particular episode is deducted from the final payment. If a final bill is not submitted within the greater of 120 days from the start of the episode, or 60 days from the date the RAP was paid, any RAPs received for that episode will be recouped by Medicare from any other Medicare claims in process for that particular provider. The RAP and final claim must then be resubmitted. For subsequent episodes of care contiguous with the first episode for a particular patient, the Company submits a RAP for 50% instead of 60% of the estimated reimbursement. The Company’s Medicare population is paid at a prospectively set amount that can be determined at the time services are rendered. The Company’s Medicaid reimbursement is based on a predetermined fee schedule applied to each individual service we provide. The Company’s managed care contracts are structured similar to either the Medicare or Medicaid payment methodologies. Because of its payor mix, the Company is able to calculate its actual amount due at the patient level and adjust the gross charges down to the actual amount at the time of billing. This negates the need to record an estimated contractual allowance when reporting net service revenue for each reporting period. Business Combination The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method. The assets typically acquired consist primarily of Medicare licenses, trade names, certificates of need and/or a non-compete agreement. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed, if any, are measured at fair value on the acquisition date using the appropriate valuation method. The noncontrolling interest associated with joint venture acquisitions is also measured and recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. The residual purchase price is recorded as goodwill. The operations of the acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. Goodwill and Intangible Assets The Company performs its annual impairment review of goodwill at November 30, and when a triggering event occurs between annual impairment tests. For 2016 , the Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill and determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units are less than the carrying amounts. The Company has not recognized any goodwill impairment charges in 2016 , 2015 or 2014 related to the annual impairment testing. Included in intangible assets are definite-lived assets subject to amortization such as non-compete agreements and defensive assets, which are defined as trade names that are not actively used. Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, ranging from two to five years. The Company also has indefinite-lived assets that are not subject to amortization expense such as trade names, certificates of need and licenses to conduct specific operations within geographic markets. The Company has concluded that trade names, certificates of need and licenses have indefinite lives, because there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic or other factors that would limit the useful life of these intangible assets and the Company intends to renew and operate the certificates of need and licenses and use the trade names indefinitely. These indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. To determine whether an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, the Company performs a qualitative assessment to support the conclusion that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired. Based on the results of that qualitative assessment, the Company may perform a quantitative test. The Company utilizes a relief-from-royalty method in its quantitative impairment test of trade names. Under this method, the fair value of the trade name is determined by calculating the present value of the after-tax cost savings associated with owning the trade names and, therefore, not having to pay royalties for use over its estimated useful life. The Company utilizes the replacement cost approach in its quantitative impairment test for certificates of need and licenses. Under this method, assumptions are made about the cost to replace the certificates of need and licenses. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 , the Company did not record an impairment charge related to indefinite-lived intangible assets. During the twelve months ended December 31 2015 and 2014 , the Company recorded impairment charges related to indefinite-lived intangible assets of $0.6 million and $2.0 million , respectively. Due to/from Governmental Entities The Company’s LTACHs are reimbursed for certain activities based on tentative rates. The amounts recorded in due to/from governmental entities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets relate to settled and open cost reports that are subject to the completion of audits and the issuance of final assessments. Final reimbursement is determined based on submission of annual cost reports and audits by the fiscal intermediary. Adjustments are accrued on an estimated basis in the period the related services were rendered and further adjusted as final settlements are determined. These adjustments are accounted for as changes in estimates. Additionally, reimbursements received in excess of hospice cap amounts are recorded in this account. Property, Building and Equipment Property, building and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets. The estimated useful life of buildings is 39 years , while the estimated useful lives of transportation equipment and furniture and other equipment range from 3 to 10 years . The useful life for leasehold improvements is the shorter of the lease term or the expected life of the leasehold improvement. Expenditures that increase capacities or extend useful lives are capitalized to the appropriate property, building and equipment accounts. Costs and related accumulated depreciation associated with assets that are sold or retired are written off and any gain or losses are recorded in operating income. Routine repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Property, building and equipment are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate possible impairment. There were no impairments recognized during the periods ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 . The following table describes the Company’s components of property, building and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 Land $ 2,033 $ 2,033 Building and improvements 11,363 10,026 Transportation equipment 11,220 6,912 Fixed equipment 1,090 3,373 Office furniture and medical equipment 52,771 54,659 78,477 77,003 Less accumulated depreciation 35,226 38,907 $ 43,251 $ 38,096 Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $12.2 million , $12.0 million and $9.6 million , respectively, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses. Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets is included in depreciation expense. Self Insurance Reserves The Company maintains insurance programs, which include employee health insurance and workers' compensation. The Company's employee health insurance program is self-funded, with stop-loss coverage on claims that exceed $ 0.2 million for any individually covered employee or employee family member. The Company is responsible for workers' compensation claims up to $ 0.5 million per individual incident. The self insurance reserve payable reflects the current estimate of incurred but not reported losses, historical claims experience, and expected costs to settle unpaid claims. The Company records amounts due from insurance policies in other current assets while recording the estimated liability in self insurance reserves. Noncontrolling Interest The nonredeemable interest held by third parties in subsidiaries owned or controlled by the Company is reported on the consolidated balance sheets as noncontrolling interest as a component of stockholders’ equity. Redeemable interest held by third parties in subsidiaries owned or controlled by the Company is reported on the consolidated balance sheets outside of permanent equity. All noncontrolling interest reported in the consolidated statements of income reflects the respective interests in the income or loss after income taxes of the subsidiaries attributable to the other parties, the effect of which is removed from the net income attributable to the Company. Stock-Based Compensation The Company grants restricted stock or restricted stock units to employees and members of its Board of Directors as a form of compensation. The expense for such awards is based on the grant date fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. See Note 7 to these consolidated financial statements. Earnings Per Share The following table sets forth shares used in the computation of basic and diluted per share information for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 : 2016 2015 2014 Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation 17,559,477 17,405,379 17,229,026 Effect of dilutive potential shares: Options 863 3,663 4,284 Nonvested restricted stock 122,480 138,489 82,023 Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation 17,682,820 17,547,531 17,315,333 Antidilutive shares 219,855 200,525 173,360 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 year ended December 31, 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. As the Company progresses with evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-9 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, the Company does not expect a material impact on its consolidated financial statements upon implementation on January 1, 2018. The Company has not yet selected a transition method. 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 anticipates that the adoption of ASU 2016-2 will result in a material increase in total assets and total liabilities. The Company continues to evaluate the effect that ASU 2016-2 will have on its 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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Disposals	3. Acquisitions and Disposals 2016 Acquisitions The total aggregate purchase price for the acquired 23 locations that occurred in 2016 was $ 24.1 million, of which $ 23.1 million was paid in cash. These providers conduct home health operations in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Oklahoma; hospice operations in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, and Missouri; and physical therapy clinics in Arkansas. The fair values assigned to certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed in relation to the Company’s acquisition that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2016 have been prepared on a preliminary basis with information currently available and are subject to change. Specifically, the Company is further assessing the valuation of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and obligations assumed pending the final appraisals. The Company expects to finalize its analysis during 2017. Goodwill generated from the acquisitions was recognized based on the expected contributions of each acquisition to the overall corporate strategy. The Company expects its portion of goodwill to be fully tax deductible. The acquisitions were accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, and, accordingly, the accompanying financial information includes the results of operations of the acquired entities from the dates 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 $ 23,082 Fair value of total consideration transferred 23,082 Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed Trade name 4,113 Certificates of needs/licenses 3,520 Other identifiable intangible assets 262 Other assets and (liabilities), net (865 ) Total identifiable assets 7,030 Noncontrolling interest 1,784 Goodwill, including noncontrolling interest of $1,275 $ 17,836 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 needs 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, ranging from one to three years . Noncontrolling interest is valued at fair value by applying a discount to the value of the acquired entity for lack of control. The Company has conducted an assessment of deferred income tax accounting and the calculation of the final net working capital adjustment and has recognized provision amounts in it is accounting for the acquisition of Halcyon for all identified liabilities in accordance with the requirements of ASC Topic 805. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, a decrease to net working capital adjustment of $ 2.0 million and an increase to deferred tax liabilities of $ 0.8 million were recorded in goodwill. The following table contains unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement information assuming the 2016 acquisitions closed January 1, 2015 (amount in thousands, except earnings per share): 2016 2015 Net service revenue $ 936,621 $ 907,941 Operating income 71,977 64,547 Net income 37,521 31,217 Basic earnings per share 2.14 1.79 Diluted earnings per share 2.12 1.78 The pro forma information presented above includes adjustments for (i) depreciation expense, (ii) amortization of identifiable intangible assets, (iii) income tax provision using the Company’s effective tax rate and (iv) estimate of additional costs to provide administrative costs for these locations. This pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be indicative of the results of operations that would have actually occurred. In addition, future results may vary significantly from the results reflected in the pro forma information. 2015 Acquisitions The total aggregate purchase price for the Company’s acquisitions, which closed in the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, was $71.4 million , of which $70.1 million was paid in cash. The purchase prices are determined based on an analysis of comparable acquisitions and the target market’s potential future cash flows. The Company expects its portion of goodwill to be fully tax deductible. The company paid $0.4 million in acquisition-related costs, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles,

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net	The following table summarizes changes in goodwill by reporting unit during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands): Home health reporting unit Hospice reporting unit Community- based reporting unit Facility-based reporting unit Total Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 196,296 $ 14,793 $ 17,339 $ 11,591 $ 240,019 Goodwill from acquisitions 7,069 43,343 638 — 51,050 Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests 14 — 22 — 36 Goodwill related to disposal (384 ) — (27 ) — (411 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 202,995 $ 58,136 $ 17,972 $ 11,591 $ 290,694 Goodwill from acquisitions 6,760 7,460 848 1,493 16,561 Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests 580 355 — 340 1,275 Goodwill related to prior period net working capital adjustments 504 (1,717 ) — — (1,213 ) Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 210,839 $ 64,234 $ 18,820 $ 13,424 $ 307,317 The Company determined that there was no impairment for the goodwill of any reporting units as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 based on the Company's annual impairment testing; however, the Company did record $0.4 million and $0.2 million of disposal of goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, due to the closure of underperforming locations. This was recorded in impairment of intangibles and other. The Company performed an impairment analysis on its indefinite-lived intangible assets related to the Company's trade names, licenses and certificates of need and determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of the indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than its carrying amount as of November 30, 2016. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, an impairment charge of $0.6 million and $2.0 million , respectively, was recorded in impairment of intangibles and other. The following tables summarize the changes in intangible assets during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands): December 31, 2016 Remaining useful life Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Indefinite-lived assets : Trade names Indefinite $ 64,672 $ — $ 64,672 Certificates of need/licenses Indefinite 33,327 — 33,327 Total 97,999 — 97,999 Amortizing assets: Trade names 8 months – 9 years 9,294 (5,991 ) 3,303 Non-compete agreements 2 months – 3 years 5,681 (4,977 ) 704 Total 14,975 (10,968 ) 4,007 Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 112,974 $ (10,968 ) $ 102,006 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 Amortizing 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 at December 31, 2015 $ 104,901 $ (8,496 ) $ 96,405 Intangible assets of $69.4 million , net of accumulated amortization, related to the home health services segment, $23.7 million related to the hospice segment, $7.4 million related to the community-based services segment and $1.5 million related to the facility-based services segment as of December 31, 2016. Amortization for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $2.5 million , $1.9 million and $2.1 million , respectively, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses. The estimated intangible asset amortization expense for each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2016 is as follows (amounts in thousands): Year Amortization amount 2017 $ 2,037 2018 1,366 2019 353 2020 153 2021 22 Total $ 3,931

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax	5. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Allowance for uncollectible accounts $ 9,735 $ 9,048 Accrued employee benefits 5,532 5,260 Stock compensation 1,004 1,068 Accrued self-insurance 2,762 2,517 Acquisition costs 1,781 1,651 Net operating loss carry forward 1,880 983 Intangible asset impairment 38 43 Uncertain tax position—state tax portion 63 215 Uncertain tax position - interest expense 90 254 Other 155 93 Capital loss carryforward 154 — Valuation allowance (44 ) (44 ) Deferred tax assets $ 23,150 $ 21,088 Deferred tax liabilities: Amortization of intangible assets (45,622 ) (35,355 ) Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation (8,397 ) (8,201 ) Prepaid expenses (817 ) (655 ) Non-accrual experience accounting method (255 ) (606 ) Deferred tax liabilities (55,091 ) (44,817 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (31,941 ) $ (23,729 ) Based on the Company’s historical pattern of taxable income, the Company believes it will produce sufficient income in the future to realize its deferred income tax assets. Management provides a valuation allowance for any net deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion of such net deferred tax assets will not be recovered. The components of the Company’s income tax expense from continuing operations, less noncontrolling interest, were as follows (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 2014 Current: Federal $ 12,563 $ 18,094 $ 10,195 State 2,371 3,232 1,916 14,934 21,326 12,111 Deferred: Federal 6,223 1,389 2,187 State 1,019 133 215 7,242 1,522 2,402 Total income tax expense $ 22,176 $ 22,848 $ 14,513 A reconciliation of the difference between the federal statutory tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate for income taxes for each period is as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Federal statutory tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 3.8 3.9 3.5 Nondeductible expenses 2.6 2.5 2.3 Uncertain tax position (3.3 ) — — Credits and other (0.4 ) — (0.9 ) Effective tax rate 37.7 % 41.4 % 39.9 % The Company is subject to both federal tax and state income tax for jurisdictions within which it operates. Within these jurisdictions, the Company is open to examination for tax years ended after December 31, 2012. Tax year ending December 31, 2011 is still open due to being under current examination. As of December 31, 2016 , $1.3 million was recorded in income tax payable as an unrecognized tax benefit which, if recognized, would decrease the Company’s effective tax rate. All of the Company's unrecognized tax benefit is due to the settlement with the United States of America, which was announced September 30, 2011. On July 31, 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 of the United States of America should be disallowed. In December 2016, the Company signed a final settlement offer from the IRS that reduced the unrecognized tax benefit from $ 3.4 million to $ 1.3 million. The Company received approval from Joint Committee Review in February 2017 to finalize the settlement. Due to the approval being received subsequent to year-end, the Company will continue to show the amount as an uncertain tax position as of December 31, 2016. A reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits follows (amounts in thousands): Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2015 $ 3,415 Increases (decreases) in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of: Tax positions taken during the current period (2,100 ) Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016 $ 1,315 The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense and general and administrative expenses, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized a decrease of $ 0.4 million in interest expense and associated liability due to the decrease in the overall uncertain tax position. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized $0.2 million each year in interest expense, and recorded an accrued liability of interest payments related to uncertain tax positions.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	6. 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. Borrowings under a Base Rate or Eurodollar Rate may be outstanding at any time; however, there shall not be more than 15 Eurodollar borrowings outstanding at any given 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 December 31, 2016 was 4.75% and the Eurodollar rate was 3.02% . As of December 31, 2016 , the interest rate on outstanding borrowings was 3.02% . As of December 31, 2016 the Company had $87.0 million drawn and letters of credit in the amount of $11.0 million outstanding under the credit facility. At December 31, 2015 , the Company had $98.0 million drawn and letters of credit in the amount of $9.8 million outstanding under the credit facility. The scheduled principal payments on long-term debt for each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2016 is as follows (amounts in thousands): Year Principal payment amount 2017 $ 252 2018 267 2019 87,277 2020 — 2021 — Total $ 87,796

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	7. Stockholders’ Equity Equity Based Awards At the Company’s 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders of the Company approved the Company’s 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2010 Incentive Plan”). The 2010 Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”). A total of 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are reserved and 477,129 shares are available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the 2010 Incentive Plan. A variety of discretionary awards for employees, officers, directors and consultants are authorized under the 2010 Incentive Plan, including incentive or non-qualified statutory stock options and nonvested stock. All awards must be evidenced by a written award certificate which will include the provisions specified by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will determine the exercise price for non-statutory stock options, which cannot be less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock as of the date of grant. In the event of a change of control as defined in the 2010 Incentive Plan, all restricted periods and restrictions imposed on non-performance based restricted stock awards will lapse and outstanding options will become immediately exercisable in full. Share Based Compensation Stock Options During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 , 5,500 options were exercised with an exercise price of $ 19.75 . There were no options granted or forfeited during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 , and no options were issued or exercisable as of December 31, 2016 . No compensation expense related to stock options grants was recorded in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 . Nonvested Stock The Company issues stock-based compensation to employees in the form of nonvested stock, which is an award of common stock subject to certain restrictions. The awards, which the Company calls nonvested shares, generally vest over a five year period, conditioned on continued employment for the full incentive period. Compensation expense for the nonvested stock is recognized for the awards that are expected to vest. The expense is based on the fair value of the awards on the date of grant recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which generally relates to the vesting period. During 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, 220,800 , 182,865 and 172,545 nonvested shares were granted to employees pursuant to the 2010 Incentive Plan. The Company also issues nonvested stock to its independent directors of the Company’s Board of Directors. During 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, 15,300 , 16,200 and 26,900 nonvested shares of stock were granted to the independent directors under the 2005 Director Compensation Plan. The shares issued under the 2005 Director Compensation Plan were drawn from the 1,500,000 shares reserved for issuance under the 2010 Incentive Plan. The shares fully vest one year from the date of the grant, except for grants provided to new directors, which one-third on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. The fair value of nonvested shares is determined based on the closing trading price of the Company’s shares on the grant date. The weighted average grant date fair values of nonvested shares granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $37.99 , $34.06 and $23.59 , respectively. The following table represents the nonvested stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2016 : Number of Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested shares outstanding at January 1, 2016 527,091 $ 26.64 Granted 236,100 37.99 Vested (174,969 ) 25.72 Forfeited (13,511 ) 25.27 Nonvested shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 574,711 $ 31.61 As of December 31, 2016 , there was $11.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested shares granted. That cost is expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of 3.16 years . The total fair value of shares vested in the year ended December 31, 2016 was $4.5 million and the total fair value of shares vested in the years December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $4.1 million and $3.9 million , respectively. The Company records compensation expense related to non-vested share awards at the grant date for shares that are awarded fully vested and over the vesting term on a straight line basis for shares that vest over time. The Company has recorded $4.9 million , $4.2 million and $4.1 million in compensation expense related to non-vested stock grants in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Employee Stock Purchase Plan In 2006, the Company adopted the Employee Stock Purchase Plan allowing eligible employees to purchase the Company’s common stock at 95% of the market price on the last day of each calendar quarter. There were 250,000 shares reserved for the plan. On June 20, 2013, the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders. As a result of the amendment, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan was modified as follows: • An additional 250,000 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance over the term of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. • The term of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan was extended from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2023. The following table represents the shares issued during 2016 , 2015 and 2014 under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Number of Shares Weighted Average Per Share Price Shares available as of December 31, 2013 272,788 Shares issued in 2014 36,305 $ 21.49 Shares issued in 2015 22,723 $ 34.37 Shares issued in 2016 24,149 $ 37.79 Shares available as of December 31, 2016 189,611 Treasury Stock In conjunction with the vesting of the non-vested shares of stock, recipients incur personal income tax obligations. The Company allows the recipients to turn in shares of common stock to satisfy those personal tax obligations. The Company redeemed 52,119 , 42,197 and 40,716 shares of common stock related to these tax obligations during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	8. Leases In certain instances, state laws may prohibit the sale of a home nursing agency or hospitals may be reluctant to sell their home health agencies. In these instances, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, enters into a lease agreement for a Medicare and Medicaid license, as well as the associated provider number to provide home health or hospice services. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company had three license lease arrangements to operate four home nursing agencies and three hospice agencies. One of the leases was entered into in 2007 and expires in 2017 . Expense related to this lease was $0.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 , and 2014 , respectively. Payment due under this lease is $0.2 million in 2017 . Two of the leases were amended during 2010 to extend the lease terms to one year with an automatic renewal clause for additional consecutive one year terms. Expense related to these leases was $0.4 million , $0.5 million , and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The lease payments associated with these leases are based on a percentage of quarterly net profits; therefore, the future payments will vary with the future profits. The Company leases office space and equipment at its various locations. Many of the leases contain renewal options with varying terms and conditions. Management expects that in the normal course of business, expiring leases will be renewed or, upon making a decision to relocate, replaced by leases for new locations. Operating lease terms range from three to ten years . Rent expense includes insurance, maintenance, and other costs as required by the lease. Total rental expense was $20.8 million , $20.7 million and $21.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Company began participating in a fleet program during 2014. The program allows employees that drive over 12,000 miles on an annual basis to qualify for a vehicle; all participation is voluntary. The individual operating leases are for a minimum of 12 months . Fleet expense was $5.3 million , $7.2 million and $3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows (amounts in thousands): Year Total 2017 $ 17,785 2018 11,439 2019 7,617 2020 5,064 2021 3,744 Thereafter 5,627 $ 51,276

Employee Benefit Plan

Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Text Block [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Text Block]	9. Employee Benefit Plan Defined Contribution Plan The Company sponsors a 401(k) plan for all eligible employees. The plan allows participants to contribute up to $18,000 in 2016 , tax deferred (subject to IRS guidelines). The plan also allows discretionary Company contributions as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company implemented a discretionary match of up to two percent of participating employee contributions. The employer contribution will vest 20% after two years and 20% each additional year until it is fully vested in year six . Contribution expense to the Company was $6.3 million , $5.4 million and $4.7 million in the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	10. Commitments and Contingencies Contingencies The Company provides services in a highly regulated industry and is a party to various proceedings and regulatory and other governmental and internal audits and investigations in the ordinary course of business (including audits by Zone Program Integrity Contractors ("ZPICs") and Recovery Audit Contractors ("RACs") and investigations resulting from the Company's obligation to self-report suspected violations of law). Management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of any regulatory and other governmental and internal audits and investigations. The DOJ, CMS, or other federal and state enforcement and regulatory agencies may conduct additional investigations related to the Company's businesses in the future. These matters could potentially subject the Company to sanctions, damages, recoupments, fines, and other penalties (some of which may not be covered by insurance), which may, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial condition. 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.

Segment Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	11. Segment Information The Company’s 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. The following tables summarize the Company’s segment information for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility-based services Total Net service revenue $ 665,896 $ 134,948 $ 43,891 $ 70,088 $ 914,823 Cost of service revenue 398,450 83,359 32,603 43,238 557,650 Provision for bad debts 9,609 3,401 797 983 14,790 General and administrative expenses 203,418 37,207 8,785 21,212 270,622 Loss (gain) on disposal of assets 857 338 49 (45 ) 1,199 Operating income 53,562 10,643 1,657 4,700 70,562 Interest expense (2,216 ) (317 ) (144 ) (259 ) (2,936 ) Non-operating income 422 25 14 31 492 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests 51,768 10,351 1,527 4,472 68,118 Income tax expense 16,505 3,485 651 1,535 22,176 Income from continuing operations 35,263 6,866 876 2,937 45,942 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 6,876 1,867 (58 ) 674 9,359 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 28,387 $ 4,999 $ 934 $ 2,263 $ 36,583 Total assets $ 427,782 $ 116,090 $ 33,520 $ 36,679 $ 614,071 Year Ended December 31, 2015 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility-based services Total Net service revenue $ 613,188 $ 85,854 $ 41,202 $ 76,122 $ 816,366 Cost of service revenue 354,750 50,906 29,076 46,146 480,878 Provision for bad debts 15,736 1,002 1,816 689 19,243 General and administrative expenses 190,591 26,437 8,465 22,426 247,919 Impairment of intangibles and other 1,245 — 28 — 1,273 Loss on disposal of assets 544 80 41 45 710 Operating income 50,322 7,429 1,776 6,816 66,343 Interest expense (1,819 ) (253 ) (23 ) (207 ) (2,302 ) Non-operating income 397 38 3 19 457 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests 48,900 7,214 1,756 6,628 64,498 Income tax expense 17,173 2,541 787 2,347 22,848 Income from continuing operations 31,727 4,673 969 4,281 41,650 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 7,424 1,077 (144 ) 958 9,315 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 24,303 $ 3,596 $ 1,113 $ 3,323 $ 32,335 Total assets $ 394,392 $ 101,641 $ 31,235 $ 38,786 $ 566,054 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility-based services Total Net service revenue $ 564,966 $ 67,621 $ 27,698 $ 73,347 $ 733,632 Cost of service revenue 329,856 39,804 19,611 45,504 434,775 Provision for bad debts 13,072 909 873 926 15,780 General and administrative expenses 187,280 18,875 6,551 21,192 233,898 Impairment of intangibles and other 3,269 202 — 175 3,646 Loss on disposal of assets 1 7 — 39 47 Operating income 31,488 7,824 663 5,511 45,486 Interest expense (1,969 ) (249 ) (19 ) (249 ) (2,486 ) Non-operating income 201 43 2 19 265 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests 29,720 7,618 646 5,281 43,265 Income tax expense 10,999 1,955 105 1,454 14,513 Income from continuing operations 18,721 5,663 541 3,827 28,752 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 5,121 1,122 (36 ) 708 6,915 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 13,600 $ 4,541 $ 577 $ 3,119 $ 21,837 Total assets $ 386,511 $ 34,847 $ 34,027 $ 36,354 $ 491,739

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values. The estimated fair value of intangible assets was calculated using level 3 inputs based on the present value of anticipated future benefits. For the year ended December 31, 2016 , the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value as the interest rates approximates current rates.

Allowance for Uncollectible Acc

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	13. Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts The following table summarizes the activity and ending balances in the allowance for uncollectible accounts for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands): Year Beginning of Year Balance Additions Deductions End of Year Balance 2016 $ 26,712 $ 14,790 $ 12,466 $ 29,036 2015 18,582 19,243 11,113 26,712 2014 14,334 15,780 11,532 18,582

Concentration of Risk

Concentration of Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration of Risk	14. Concentration of Risk The Company’s Louisiana facilities accounted for approximately 18.5% , 21.0% and 22.7% of net service revenue during the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Any material change in the current economic or competitive conditions in Louisiana could have a disproportionate effect on the Company’s overall business results.

Unaudited Summarized Quarterly

Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information	15. Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information The following table represents the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations (amounts in thousands, except share data): First Quarter 2016 Second Quarter 2016 Third Quarter 2016 Fourth Quarter 2016 Net service revenue $ 222,552 $ 226,031 $ 230,797 $ 235,443 Gross margin 86,951 88,903 89,965 91,354 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders 7,686 9,464 9,616 9,817 Net income attributable to LHC Group' Inc.'s common stockholders Basic earnings per share: $ 0.44 $ 0.54 $ 0.55 $ 0.56 Diluted earnings per share: $ 0.44 $ 0.54 $ 0.54 $ 0.55 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 17,485,766 17,566,097 17,588,163 17,597,190 Diluted 17,633,549 17,685,147 17,719,473 17,764,066 First Quarter 2015 Second Quarter 2015 Third Quarter 2015 Fourth Quarter 2015 Net service revenue $ 193,079 $ 200,172 $ 204,122 $ 218,993 Gross margin 78,653 83,533 83,249 90,053 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders 6,805 8,950 8,845 7,735 Net income attributable to LHC Group' Inc.'s common stockholders Basic earnings per share: $ 0.39 $ 0.51 $ 0.51 $ 0.44 Diluted earnings per share: $ 0.39 $ 0.51 $ 0.50 $ 0.44 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 17,322,791 17,410,971 17,436,731 17,447,691 Diluted 17,489,483 17,529,100 17,610,953 17,647,483 Because of the method used to calculate per share amounts, quarterly per share amounts may not necessarily total to the per share amounts for the entire year.

Subsequent Event Disclosure

Subsequent Event Disclosure	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Event [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	16. Subsequent Event On November 1, 2016, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to form a joint venture with LifePoint Health, Inc. ("LifePoint"). LifePoint will contribute all of its existing home health and hospice agencies to the joint venture and the Company will contribute certain existing home health agencies to the joint venture in areas serviced by LifePoint hospitals. The first phase of the contributions occurred on January 1, 2017 and the remaining phases will occur over 2017 and 2018. When the contributions are complete, the joint venture will operate 39 home health agencies and 12 hospice agencies. On December 30, 2016, the Company contributed $ 11.5 million to the joint venture in relation to the first phase. This was recorded in Other Assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Summary of Significant Accoun24

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the Company's accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include all subsidiaries and entities controlled by the Company through direct ownership of majority interest or controlling member ownership of such entities. Third party equity interests in the consolidated joint ventures are reflected as noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The following table summarizes the percentage of net service revenue earned by type of ownership or relationship the Company had with the operating entity for the periods presented for the years ending December 31: Ownership type 2016 2015 2014 Wholly owned subsidiaries 57.2 % 55.2 % 53.5 % Equity joint ventures 41.2 42.9 43.9 Other 1.6 1.9 2.6 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. All business combinations accounted for as purchases have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the respective dates of acquisition. Equity Joint Ventures A majority of the Company’s equity joint ventures are structured as limited liability companies in which the Company typically owns a majority equity interest ranging from 51% to 91% . Each member of all but one of the Company’s equity joint ventures participates in profits and losses in proportion to their equity interests. The Company has one equity joint venture partner whose participation in losses is limited. The Company consolidates these entities as the Company has the obligation to absorb losses of the entities and the right to receive benefits from the entities and generally has voting control over the entities. Other (License Leasing Arrangements and Management Services) The Company, through wholly owned subsidiaries, leases home health licenses necessary to operate certain of its home nursing and hospice agencies. As with wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company owns 100% of the equity of these entities and consolidates them based on such ownership. The Company has various management services agreements under which the Company manages operations of certain agencies and facilities. The Company does not consolidate these agencies or facilities, as the Company does not have an ownership interest and does not have an obligation to absorb losses of the entities or the right to receive the benefits from the entities other than management fees.
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 programs. All such payors contribute to the net service revenue of the Company's home health services, hospice services and facility-based services. The following table sets forth the percentage of net service revenue earned by category of payor for the years ending December 31: Payor 2016 2015 2014 Medicare 74.5 % 74.5 % 75.9 % Medicaid 1.8 1.5 1.4 Other 23.7 24.0 22.7 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Medicare Home Health Services The Company’s home nursing Medicare patients are classified into one of 153 home health resource groups prior to receiving services. Based on this home health resource group, the Company is entitled to receive a standard prospective Medicare payment for delivering care over a 60 -day period referred to as an episode. The Company recognizes revenue based on the number of days elapsed during an episode of care within the reporting period. Final payments from Medicare may reflect 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 or transferred from another provider before completing the episode; (d) a payment adjustment based upon the level of therapy services required; (e) base payment adjustments for case-mix and geographic wage differences; and (f) 2% sequestration reduction for episodes beginning after March 31, 2013. Management estimates the adjustments outlined above based on historical experience and as changes become known, and records these adjustments during the period in which the services are provided to the patient. Net service revenue and related patient accounts receivable are recorded at amounts estimated to be realized from Medicare for services rendered. Hospice Services The Company is paid by Medicare under a per diem payment system. The Company receives one of four predetermined daily or hourly rates based upon the level of care the Company furnished. The Company records net service revenue from hospice services based on the daily or hourly rate and recognizes revenue as hospice services are provided. Hospice payments are subject to an inpatient cap and an overall Medicare payment cap. The inpatient cap relates to individual programs receiving more than 20% of its total Medicare reimbursement from inpatient care services and the overall Medicare payment cap relates to individual programs receiving reimbursements in excess of a “cap amount,” calculated by multiplying the number of beneficiaries during the period by a statutory amount that is indexed for inflation. The determination for each cap is made annually based on the 12 -month period ending on October 31 of each year. The Company monitors its limits on a provider-by-provider basis and records an estimate of its liability for reimbursements received in excess of the cap amount. Annually, the Company receives notification of whether any of its hospice providers have exceeded either cap. Beginning with cap year ended 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 Long-Term Acute Care Services. The Company is reimbursed by Medicare for services provided under the long-term acute care hospital (“LTACH”) prospective payment system. 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. Managed care and other payors reimburse the Company in a manner similar to either Medicare or Medicaid. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue from managed care and other payors in the same manner as the Company recognizes revenue from Medicare or Medicaid. Management Services The Company records management services revenue as services are provided in accordance with the various management services agreements to which the Company is a party. As described in the management services agreements, the Company provides billing, management and other consulting services suited to and designed for the efficient operation of the applicable home nursing agency. The Company is responsible for the costs associated with the locations and personnel required for the provision of services. The Company is compensated based on a percentage of cash collections for one management service agreement and reimbursed for operating expenses plus a percentage of operating net income for two management service agreements.
Account Receivable and Allowances for Uncollectible Accounts	Accounts Receivable and Allowances for Uncollectible Accounts The Company reports accounts receivable net of estimated allowances for uncollectible accounts and adjustments. Accounts receivable are uncollateralized and primarily consist of amounts due from Medicare, Medicaid, other third-party payors, and patients. To provide for accounts receivable that could become uncollectible in the future, the Company establishes an allowance for uncollectible accounts to reduce the carrying amount of such receivables to their estimated net realizable value. Because Medicare is the Company’s primary payor, the credit risk associated with receivables from other payors is limited. The Company believes the credit risk associated with its Medicare accounts, which have historically exceeded 60.0% 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 significant concentrations of receivables from any particular payor that would subject it to any significant credit risk in the collection of accounts receivable. The amount of the provision for bad debts is based upon the Company’s assessment of historical and expected net collections, business and economic conditions, and trends in government reimbursement. Uncollectible accounts are written off when the Company has determined that the account will not be collected. A portion of the estimated Medicare prospective payment system reimbursement from each submitted home nursing episode is received in the form of a request for anticipated payment (“RAP”). The Company submits a RAP for 60% of the estimated reimbursement for the initial episode at the start of care. The full amount of the episode is billed after the episode has been completed. The RAP received for that particular episode is deducted from the final payment. If a final bill is not submitted within the greater of 120 days from the start of the episode, or 60 days from the date the RAP was paid, any RAPs received for that episode will be recouped by Medicare from any other Medicare claims in process for that particular provider. The RAP and final claim must then be resubmitted. For subsequent episodes of care contiguous with the first episode for a particular patient, the Company submits a RAP for 50% instead of 60% of the estimated reimbursement. The Company’s Medicare population is paid at a prospectively set amount that can be determined at the time services are rendered. The Company’s Medicaid reimbursement is based on a predetermined fee schedule applied to each individual service we provide. The Company’s managed care contracts are structured similar to either the Medicare or Medicaid payment methodologies. Because of its payor mix, the Company is able to calculate its actual amount due at the patient level and adjust the gross charges down to the actual amount at the time of billing. This negates the need to record an estimated contractual allowance when reporting net service revenue for each reporting period.
Business Combinations Policy	Business Combination The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method. The assets typically acquired consist primarily of Medicare licenses, trade names, certificates of need and/or a non-compete agreement. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed, if any, are measured at fair value on the acquisition date using the appropriate valuation method. The noncontrolling interest associated with joint venture acquisitions is also measured and recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. The residual purchase price is recorded as goodwill. The operations of the acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets The Company performs its annual impairment review of goodwill at November 30, and when a triggering event occurs between annual impairment tests. For 2016 , the Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill and determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units are less than the carrying amounts. The Company has not recognized any goodwill impairment charges in 2016 , 2015 or 2014 related to the annual impairment testing. Included in intangible assets are definite-lived assets subject to amortization such as non-compete agreements and defensive assets, which are defined as trade names that are not actively used. Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, ranging from two to five years. The Company also has indefinite-lived assets that are not subject to amortization expense such as trade names, certificates of need and licenses to conduct specific operations within geographic markets. The Company has concluded that trade names, certificates of need and licenses have indefinite lives, because there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic or other factors that would limit the useful life of these intangible assets and the Company intends to renew and operate the certificates of need and licenses and use the trade names indefinitely. These indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. To determine whether an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, the Company performs a qualitative assessment to support the conclusion that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired. Based on the results of that qualitative assessment, the Company may perform a quantitative test. The Company utilizes a relief-from-royalty method in its quantitative impairment test of trade names. Under this method, the fair value of the trade name is determined by calculating the present value of the after-tax cost savings associated with owning the trade names and, therefore, not having to pay royalties for use over its estimated useful life. The Company utilizes the replacement cost approach in its quantitative impairment test for certificates of need and licenses. Under this method, assumptions are made about the cost to replace the certificates of need and licenses. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 , the Company did not record an impairment charge related to indefinite-lived intangible assets. During the twelve months ended December 31 2015 and 2014 , the Company recorded impairment charges related to indefinite-lived intangible assets of $0.6 million and $2.0 million , respectively.
Due To And Due From Governmental Entities	Due to/from Governmental Entities The Company’s LTACHs are reimbursed for certain activities based on tentative rates. The amounts recorded in due to/from governmental entities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets relate to settled and open cost reports that are subject to the completion of audits and the issuance of final assessments. Final reimbursement is determined based on submission of annual cost reports and audits by the fiscal intermediary. Adjustments are accrued on an estimated basis in the period the related services were rendered and further adjusted as final settlements are determined. These adjustments are accounted for as changes in estimates. Additionally, reimbursements received in excess of hospice cap amounts are recorded in this account.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Building and Equipment Property, building and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets. The estimated useful life of buildings is 39 years , while the estimated useful lives of transportation equipment and furniture and other equipment range from 3 to 10 years . The useful life for leasehold improvements is the shorter of the lease term or the expected life of the leasehold improvement. Expenditures that increase capacities or extend useful lives are capitalized to the appropriate property, building and equipment accounts. Costs and related accumulated depreciation associated with assets that are sold or retired are written off and any gain or losses are recorded in operating income. Routine repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Property, building and equipment are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate possible impairment. There were no impairments recognized during the periods ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 . The following table describes the Company’s components of property, building and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 Land $ 2,033 $ 2,033 Building and improvements 11,363 10,026 Transportation equipment 11,220 6,912 Fixed equipment 1,090 3,373 Office furniture and medical equipment 52,771 54,659 78,477 77,003 Less accumulated depreciation 35,226 38,907 $ 43,251 $ 38,096 Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $12.2 million , $12.0 million and $9.6 million , respectively, which was recorded in general and administrative expenses. Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets is included in depreciation expense.
Self Insurance Reserves	Self Insurance Reserves The Company maintains insurance programs, which include employee health insurance and workers' compensation. The Company's employee health insurance program is self-funded, with stop-loss coverage on claims that exceed $ 0.2 million for any individually covered employee or employee family member. The Company is responsible for workers' compensation claims up to $ 0.5 million per individual incident. The self insurance reserve payable reflects the current estimate of incurred but not reported losses, historical claims experience, and expected costs to settle unpaid claims. The Company records amounts due from insurance policies in other current assets while recording the estimated liability in self insurance reserves.
Noncontrolling Interest	Noncontrolling Interest The nonredeemable interest held by third parties in subsidiaries owned or controlled by the Company is reported on the consolidated balance sheets as noncontrolling interest as a component of stockholders’ equity. Redeemable interest held by third parties in subsidiaries owned or controlled by the Company is reported on the consolidated balance sheets outside of permanent equity. All noncontrolling interest reported in the consolidated statements of income reflects the respective interests in the income or loss after income taxes of the subsidiaries attributable to the other parties, the effect of which is removed from the net income attributable to the Company.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans	Stock-Based Compensation The Company grants restricted stock or restricted stock units to employees and members of its Board of Directors as a form of compensation. The expense for such awards is based on the grant date fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. See Note 7 to these consolidated financial statements.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The following table sets forth shares used in the computation of basic and diluted per share information for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 : 2016 2015 2014 Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation 17,559,477 17,405,379 17,229,026 Effect of dilutive potential shares: Options 863 3,663 4,284 Nonvested restricted stock 122,480 138,489 82,023 Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation 17,682,820 17,547,531 17,315,333 Antidilutive shares 219,855 200,525 173,360
Recently Adopted and Issued 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 year ended December 31, 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. As the Company progresses with evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-9 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, the Company does not expect a material impact on its consolidated financial statements upon implementation on January 1, 2018. The Company has not yet selected a transition method. 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 anticipates that the adoption of ASU 2016-2 will result in a material increase in total assets and total liabilities. The Company continues to evaluate the effect that ASU 2016-2 will have on its 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.

Summary of Significant Accoun25

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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 for the periods presented for the years ending December 31: Ownership type 2016 2015 2014 Wholly owned subsidiaries 57.2 % 55.2 % 53.5 % Equity joint ventures 41.2 42.9 43.9 Other 1.6 1.9 2.6 100.0 % 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 years ending December 31: Payor 2016 2015 2014 Medicare 74.5 % 74.5 % 75.9 % Medicaid 1.8 1.5 1.4 Other 23.7 24.0 22.7 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Property, Plant and Equipment	The following table describes the Company’s components of property, building and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 Land $ 2,033 $ 2,033 Building and improvements 11,363 10,026 Transportation equipment 11,220 6,912 Fixed equipment 1,090 3,373 Office furniture and medical equipment 52,771 54,659 78,477 77,003 Less accumulated depreciation 35,226 38,907 $ 43,251 $ 38,096
Shares Used in Computation of Basic and Diluted per Share Information	The following table sets forth shares used in the computation of basic and diluted per share information for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 : 2016 2015 2014 Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation 17,559,477 17,405,379 17,229,026 Effect of dilutive potential shares: Options 863 3,663 4,284 Nonvested restricted stock 122,480 138,489 82,023 Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted per share calculation 17,682,820 17,547,531 17,315,333 Antidilutive shares 219,855 200,525 173,360

Acquisitions and Disposals (Tab

Acquisitions and Disposals (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule Of Purchase Price Allocations Table	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 $ 23,082 Fair value of total consideration transferred 23,082 Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed Trade name 4,113 Certificates of needs/licenses 3,520 Other identifiable intangible assets 262 Other assets and (liabilities), net (865 ) Total identifiable assets 7,030 Noncontrolling interest 1,784 Goodwill, including noncontrolling interest of $1,275 $ 17,836
Pro Forma Consolidated Income Statement Information	The following table contains unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement information assuming the 2016 acquisitions closed January 1, 2015 (amount in thousands, except earnings per share): 2016 2015 Net service revenue $ 936,621 $ 907,941 Operating income 71,977 64,547 Net income 37,521 31,217 Basic earnings per share 2.14 1.79 Diluted earnings per share 2.12 1.78

Goodwill and Other Intangible27

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The following table summarizes changes in goodwill by reporting unit during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands): Home health reporting unit Hospice reporting unit Community- based reporting unit Facility-based reporting unit Total Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 196,296 $ 14,793 $ 17,339 $ 11,591 $ 240,019 Goodwill from acquisitions 7,069 43,343 638 — 51,050 Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests 14 — 22 — 36 Goodwill related to disposal (384 ) — (27 ) — (411 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 202,995 $ 58,136 $ 17,972 $ 11,591 $ 290,694 Goodwill from acquisitions 6,760 7,460 848 1,493 16,561 Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests 580 355 — 340 1,275 Goodwill related to prior period net working capital adjustments 504 (1,717 ) — — (1,213 ) Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 210,839 $ 64,234 $ 18,820 $ 13,424 $ 307,317
Schedule Of Acquired Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets By Major Class Table	The following tables summarize the changes in intangible assets during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands): December 31, 2016 Remaining useful life Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Indefinite-lived assets : Trade names Indefinite $ 64,672 $ — $ 64,672 Certificates of need/licenses Indefinite 33,327 — 33,327 Total 97,999 — 97,999 Amortizing assets: Trade names 8 months – 9 years 9,294 (5,991 ) 3,303 Non-compete agreements 2 months – 3 years 5,681 (4,977 ) 704 Total 14,975 (10,968 ) 4,007 Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 112,974 $ (10,968 ) $ 102,006 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 Amortizing 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 at December 31, 2015 $ 104,901 $ (8,496 ) $ 96,405
Schedule of Intangible Asset Future Amortization Expense	The estimated intangible asset amortization expense for each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2016 is as follows (amounts in thousands): Year Amortization amount 2017 $ 2,037 2018 1,366 2019 353 2020 153 2021 22 Total $ 3,931

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Allowance for uncollectible accounts $ 9,735 $ 9,048 Accrued employee benefits 5,532 5,260 Stock compensation 1,004 1,068 Accrued self-insurance 2,762 2,517 Acquisition costs 1,781 1,651 Net operating loss carry forward 1,880 983 Intangible asset impairment 38 43 Uncertain tax position—state tax portion 63 215 Uncertain tax position - interest expense 90 254 Other 155 93 Capital loss carryforward 154 — Valuation allowance (44 ) (44 ) Deferred tax assets $ 23,150 $ 21,088 Deferred tax liabilities: Amortization of intangible assets (45,622 ) (35,355 ) Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation (8,397 ) (8,201 ) Prepaid expenses (817 ) (655 ) Non-accrual experience accounting method (255 ) (606 ) Deferred tax liabilities (55,091 ) (44,817 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (31,941 ) $ (23,729 )
Income Tax Expense (benefit) from Continuing operations, Less Noncontrolling Interest	The components of the Company’s income tax expense from continuing operations, less noncontrolling interest, were as follows (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015 2014 Current: Federal $ 12,563 $ 18,094 $ 10,195 State 2,371 3,232 1,916 14,934 21,326 12,111 Deferred: Federal 6,223 1,389 2,187 State 1,019 133 215 7,242 1,522 2,402 Total income tax expense $ 22,176 $ 22,848 $ 14,513
Statutory Rate and Provisions for Income Taxes	A reconciliation of the difference between the federal statutory tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate for income taxes for each period is as follows: 2016 2015 2014 Federal statutory tax rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 3.8 3.9 3.5 Nondeductible expenses 2.6 2.5 2.3 Uncertain tax position (3.3 ) — — Credits and other (0.4 ) — (0.9 ) Effective tax rate 37.7 % 41.4 % 39.9 %
Total amounts of Unrecognized Tax	A reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits follows (amounts in thousands): Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2015 $ 3,415 Increases (decreases) in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of: Tax positions taken during the current period (2,100 ) Total unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016 $ 1,315

Debt Schedule of Long-Term Debt

Debt Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	The scheduled principal payments on long-term debt for each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2016 is as follows (amounts in thousands): Year Principal payment amount 2017 $ 252 2018 267 2019 87,277 2020 — 2021 — Total $ 87,796

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Nonvested Stock Activity	The following table represents the nonvested stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2016 : Number of Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested shares outstanding at January 1, 2016 527,091 $ 26.64 Granted 236,100 37.99 Vested (174,969 ) 25.72 Forfeited (13,511 ) 25.27 Nonvested shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 574,711 $ 31.61
Summary of Shares Issued Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	The following table represents the shares issued during 2016 , 2015 and 2014 under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Number of Shares Weighted Average Per Share Price Shares available as of December 31, 2013 272,788 Shares issued in 2014 36,305 $ 21.49 Shares issued in 2015 22,723 $ 34.37 Shares issued in 2016 24,149 $ 37.79 Shares available as of December 31, 2016 189,611

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows (amounts in thousands): Year Total 2017 $ 17,785 2018 11,439 2019 7,617 2020 5,064 2021 3,744 Thereafter 5,627 $ 51,276

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	The following tables summarize the Company’s segment information for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2016 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility-based services Total Net service revenue $ 665,896 $ 134,948 $ 43,891 $ 70,088 $ 914,823 Cost of service revenue 398,450 83,359 32,603 43,238 557,650 Provision for bad debts 9,609 3,401 797 983 14,790 General and administrative expenses 203,418 37,207 8,785 21,212 270,622 Loss (gain) on disposal of assets 857 338 49 (45 ) 1,199 Operating income 53,562 10,643 1,657 4,700 70,562 Interest expense (2,216 ) (317 ) (144 ) (259 ) (2,936 ) Non-operating income 422 25 14 31 492 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests 51,768 10,351 1,527 4,472 68,118 Income tax expense 16,505 3,485 651 1,535 22,176 Income from continuing operations 35,263 6,866 876 2,937 45,942 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 6,876 1,867 (58 ) 674 9,359 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 28,387 $ 4,999 $ 934 $ 2,263 $ 36,583 Total assets $ 427,782 $ 116,090 $ 33,520 $ 36,679 $ 614,071 Year Ended December 31, 2015 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility-based services Total Net service revenue $ 613,188 $ 85,854 $ 41,202 $ 76,122 $ 816,366 Cost of service revenue 354,750 50,906 29,076 46,146 480,878 Provision for bad debts 15,736 1,002 1,816 689 19,243 General and administrative expenses 190,591 26,437 8,465 22,426 247,919 Impairment of intangibles and other 1,245 — 28 — 1,273 Loss on disposal of assets 544 80 41 45 710 Operating income 50,322 7,429 1,776 6,816 66,343 Interest expense (1,819 ) (253 ) (23 ) (207 ) (2,302 ) Non-operating income 397 38 3 19 457 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests 48,900 7,214 1,756 6,628 64,498 Income tax expense 17,173 2,541 787 2,347 22,848 Income from continuing operations 31,727 4,673 969 4,281 41,650 Less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 7,424 1,077 (144 ) 958 9,315 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 24,303 $ 3,596 $ 1,113 $ 3,323 $ 32,335 Total assets $ 394,392 $ 101,641 $ 31,235 $ 38,786 $ 566,054 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Home health services Hospice services Community-based services Facility-based services Total Net service revenue $ 564,966 $ 67,621 $ 27,698 $ 73,347 $ 733,632 Cost of service revenue 329,856 39,804 19,611 45,504 434,775 Provision for bad debts 13,072 909 873 926 15,780 General and administrative expenses 187,280 18,875 6,551 21,192 233,898 Impairment of intangibles and other 3,269 202 — 175 3,646 Loss on disposal of assets 1 7 — 39 47 Operating income 31,488 7,824 663 5,511 45,486 Interest expense (1,969 ) (249 ) (19 ) (249 ) (2,486 ) Non-operating income 201 43 2 19 265 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests 29,720 7,618 646 5,281 43,265 Income tax expense 10,999 1,955 105 1,454 14,513 Income from continuing operations 18,721 5,663 541 3,827 28,752 Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 5,121 1,122 (36 ) 708 6,915 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders $ 13,600 $ 4,541 $ 577 $ 3,119 $ 21,837 Total assets $ 386,511 $ 34,847 $ 34,027 $ 36,354 $ 491,739

Allowance for Uncollectible A33

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Activity and Ending Balances (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables	The following table summarizes the activity and ending balances in the allowance for uncollectible accounts for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands): Year Beginning of Year Balance Additions Deductions End of Year Balance 2016 $ 26,712 $ 14,790 $ 12,466 $ 29,036 2015 18,582 19,243 11,113 26,712 2014 14,334 15,780 11,532 18,582

Unaudited Summarized Quarterl34

Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations	The following table represents the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations (amounts in thousands, except share data): First Quarter 2016 Second Quarter 2016 Third Quarter 2016 Fourth Quarter 2016 Net service revenue $ 222,552 $ 226,031 $ 230,797 $ 235,443 Gross margin 86,951 88,903 89,965 91,354 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders 7,686 9,464 9,616 9,817 Net income attributable to LHC Group' Inc.'s common stockholders Basic earnings per share: $ 0.44 $ 0.54 $ 0.55 $ 0.56 Diluted earnings per share: $ 0.44 $ 0.54 $ 0.54 $ 0.55 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 17,485,766 17,566,097 17,588,163 17,597,190 Diluted 17,633,549 17,685,147 17,719,473 17,764,066 First Quarter 2015 Second Quarter 2015 Third Quarter 2015 Fourth Quarter 2015 Net service revenue $ 193,079 $ 200,172 $ 204,122 $ 218,993 Gross margin 78,653 83,533 83,249 90,053 Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.’s common stockholders 6,805 8,950 8,845 7,735 Net income attributable to LHC Group' Inc.'s common stockholders Basic earnings per share: $ 0.39 $ 0.51 $ 0.51 $ 0.44 Diluted earnings per share: $ 0.39 $ 0.51 $ 0.50 $ 0.44 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 17,322,791 17,410,971 17,436,731 17,447,691 Diluted 17,489,483 17,529,100 17,610,953 17,647,483

Organization (Details)

Organization (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016ServiceProviderState
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number Of Service Providers | ServiceProvider	372
Number of States in which Entity Operates | State	26

Summary of Significant Accoun36

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Earned by Type of Ownership or relationship with Operating Entity (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Health Care organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of Net Service Revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Wholly-owned Subsidiaries [Member]
Health Care organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of Net Service Revenue	57.20%	55.20%	53.50%
Equity Joint Ventures [Member]
Health Care organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of Net Service Revenue	41.20%	42.90%	43.90%
Other Arrangements [Member]
Health Care organization, Revenue [Abstract]
Percentage of Net Service Revenue	1.60%	1.90%	2.60%

Summary of Significant Accoun37

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Percentage of Net Service Revenue Earned by Category of Payor (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of net service revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Medicare [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of net service revenue	74.50%	74.50%	75.90%
Medicaid [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of net service revenue	1.80%	1.50%	1.40%
Other [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of net service revenue	23.70%	24.00%	22.70%

Summary of Significant Accoun38

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Property, Building and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]
Property, building and equipment, gross	$ 78,477	$ 77,003
Less accumulated depreciation	35,226	38,907
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	43,251	38,096
Land [Member]
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]
Property, building and equipment, gross	2,033	2,033
Building and improvements [Member]
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]
Property, building and equipment, gross	11,363	10,026
Transportation equipment [Member]
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]
Property, building and equipment, gross	11,220	6,912
Fixed equipment [Member]
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]
Property, building and equipment, gross	1,090	3,373
Office furniture and medical equipment [Member]
Other Long Term Assets [Line Items]
Property, building and equipment, gross	$ 52,771	$ 54,659

Summary of Significant Accoun39

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Shares Used in Computation of Basic and Diluted Per Share Information (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic per share calculation	17,597,190	17,588,163	17,566,097	17,485,766	17,447,691	17,436,731	17,410,971	17,322,791	17,559,477	17,405,379	17,229,026
Effect of dilutive potential shares:
Options									863	3,663	4,284
Nonvested Stock Awards									122,480	138,489	82,023
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted (shares)	17,764,066	17,719,473	17,685,147	17,633,549	17,647,483	17,610,953	17,529,100	17,489,483	17,682,820	17,547,531	17,315,333
Antidilutive shares									219,855	200,525	173,360

Summary of Significant Accoun40

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)GrouptimePeriodicRate	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
License Leasing Arrangements	100.00%
Selected Medicare home health resource group | Group	1
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
Medicare sequestration reduction for episodes beginning after March 31, 2013	2.00%
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	60.00%
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%
Loss on impairment of intangible assets		$ 0.6	$ 2
Depreciation expense	$ 12.2	$ 12	$ 9.6
Self-Funded Health Insurance Stop-Loss Coverage Threshold	0.2
Workers' Compensation Loss Threshold	$ 0.5
Selected Hospice, Periodic Rate Used to Calculate Revenue | PeriodicRate	1
Number of Hospice, Periodic Rates Used to Calculate Revenue | PeriodicRate	4
Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity Joint Ventures, Ownership	51.00%
Intangible asset estimated useful life	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity Joint Ventures, Ownership	91.00%
Intangible asset estimated useful life	5 years
Building [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	39 years
Transportation, Furniture And Other Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Transportation, Furniture And Other Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years

Acquisitions and Disposals - Sc

Acquisitions and Disposals - Schedule of Aggregate Consideration Paid and Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Consideration	$ 23,156	$ 70,572	$ 73,933
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	1,275	36
2016 Acquisitions [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Consideration	23,082	$ 70,100
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Other Assets and (Liabilities), Net	(865)
Total Identifiable Assets	7,030
Noncontrolling Interest	1,784
Goodwill Including Noncontrolling Interest of $1,275	17,836
2016 Acquisitions [Member] | Licensing Agreements [Member]
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Business Combination recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed Indefinite and Finite Live Intangibles	3,520
2016 Acquisitions [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, Intangible Assets	4,113
2016 Acquisitions [Member] | Other Identifiable Intangible Assets [Member]
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, Intangible Assets	$ 262

Acquisitions and Disposals - Pr

Acquisitions and Disposals - Proforma Consolidated Income Statement Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Net Service Revenue	$ 936,621	$ 907,941
Operating income	71,977	64,547
Net income	$ 37,521	$ 31,217
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 2.12	$ 1.78
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 2.14	$ 1.79

Acquisitions and Disposals - Ad

Acquisitions and Disposals - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Location	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 102,006	$ 96,405
Number of entities acquired | Location	23
Goodwill Current Year Acquisition	$ 307,317	290,694	$ 240,019
Total purchase price for acquisitions	24,100	71,400
Cash paid for acquisitions	23,156	70,572	73,933
Acquisition related costs		400
Other	(2,000)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Goodwill	$ 800
Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncompete agreement estimated useful life	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Noncompete agreement estimated useful life	3 years
Community-Based Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 7,400
Home Health Reporting Unit [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill Current Year Acquisition	210,839	202,995	196,296
Community Based Reporting Unit [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill Current Year Acquisition	18,820	17,972	17,339
Hospice Reporting Unit [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill Current Year Acquisition	64,234	58,136	$ 14,793
2016 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisitions	$ 23,082	$ 70,100

Goodwill and Other Intangible44

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net - Schedule of Changes in Goodwill by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 290,694	$ 240,019
Goodwill from acquisitions	16,561	51,050
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	1,275	36
Goodwill related to disposal		(411)
Goodwill related to prior period net working capital adjustments	1,213
Balance at end of period	307,317	290,694
Home Health Reporting Unit [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	202,995	196,296
Goodwill from acquisitions	6,760	7,069
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	580	14
Goodwill related to disposal		(384)
Goodwill related to prior period net working capital adjustments	(504)
Balance at end of period	210,839	202,995
Hospice Reporting Unit [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	58,136	14,793
Goodwill from acquisitions	7,460	43,343
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	355
Goodwill related to prior period net working capital adjustments	1,717
Balance at end of period	64,234	58,136
Community Based Reporting Unit [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	17,972	17,339
Goodwill from acquisitions	848	638
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests		22
Goodwill related to disposal		(27)
Balance at end of period	18,820	17,972
Facility Based Reporting Unit [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	11,591	11,591
Goodwill from acquisitions	1,493
Goodwill related to noncontrolling interests	340
Balance at end of period	$ 13,424	$ 11,591

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles Net - Summary of Changes in Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	$ 97,999	$ 90,569
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	14,975	14,332
Intangible assets, gross carrying amount	112,974	104,901
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	(10,968)	(8,496)
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization ending balance	(10,968)	(8,496)
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	4,007	5,836
Intangible assets, net carrying amount	$ 102,006	96,405
Minimum [Member]
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset estimated useful life	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset estimated useful life	5 years
Trade Names [Member]
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	$ 64,672	60,762
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	9,294	8,985
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	(5,991)	(4,385)
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	$ 3,303	$ 4,600
Trade Names [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset estimated useful life	2 months	8 months
Trade Names [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset estimated useful life	5 years	9 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived assets, gross carrying amount	$ 5,681	$ 5,347
Definite-lived assets, accumulated amortization	(4,977)	(4,111)
Definite-lived assets, net carrying amount	$ 704	$ 1,236
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset estimated useful life	3 months	2 months
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset estimated useful life	2 years	3 years
Licensing Agreements [Member]
Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived assets, carrying amount	$ 33,327	$ 29,807

Goodwill and Other Intangible46

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net - Schedule of Intangible Asset Future Amortization Expense (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Schedule of Future Estimated Intangible Asset Amortization Expense [Line Items]
2,017	$ 2,037
2,018	1,366
2,019	353
2,020	153
2,021	22
Five Year Intangible Asset Amortization Expense Total	$ 3,931

Goodwill and Other Intangible47

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Goodwill		$ 400	$ 200
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 102,006	96,405
Amortization	2,500	1,900	2,100
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)		$ 600	$ 2,000
Home-based services [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	69,400
Hospice Entity [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	23,700
Community-Based Services [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	7,400
Facility-based services [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 1,500

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Ass

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$ 9,735	$ 9,048
Accrued employee benefits	5,532	5,260
Stock compensation	1,004	1,068
Accrued self-insurance	2,762	2,517
Acquisition costs	1,781	1,651
Net operating loss carry forward	1,880	983
Intangible asset impairment	38	43
Uncertain tax position-state tax portion	63	215
Uncertain tax position-interest expense	90	254
Other	155	93
Capital loss carryforward	154
Valuation allowance	(44)	(44)
Deferred tax assets	23,150	21,088
Deferred tax liabilities:
Amortization of intangible assets	(45,622)	(35,355)
Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation	(8,397)	(8,201)
Prepaid expenses	(817)	(655)
Non-accrual experience accounting method	(255)	(606)
Deferred tax liabilities	(55,091)	(44,817)
Net deferred tax liability	$ (31,941)	$ (23,729)

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expen

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations, Less Noncontrolling Interest (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current:
Federal	$ 12,563	$ 18,094	$ 10,195
State	2,371	3,232	1,916
Total Current	14,934	21,326	12,111
Deferred:
Federal	6,223	1,389	2,187
State	1,019	133	215
Total Deferred	7,242	1,522	2,402
Total Income Tax Expense	$ 22,176	$ 22,848	$ 14,513

Income Taxes - Statutory Rate a

Income Taxes - Statutory Rate and Provisions for Income Taxes Percent (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]
Federal Statutory Tax Rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State Income Taxes, net of federal benefit	3.80%	3.90%	3.50%
Nondeductible Expense	2.60%	2.50%	2.30%
Uncertain tax position	(3.30%)
Credits and other	(0.40%)		(0.90%)
Effective Tax Rate	37.70%	41.40%	39.90%

Income Taxes - Total Amounts of

Income Taxes - Total Amounts of Unrecognized Tax (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 1.3	$ 3.4
Increases (decreases) in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of:
Tax positions taken during the current period	$ (2.1)

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Tax payable as an unrecognized tax benefit	$ 1.3
Interest Expense For Unrecognized Tax Position	(0.4)	$ 0.2
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 1.3	$ 3.4

Debt - Schedule of Principal Pa

Debt - Schedule of Principal Payments on Long-Term Debt (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2,017	$ 252
2,018	267
2,019	87,277
2,020	0
2,021	0
Total	$ 87,796

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Jun. 18, 2014USD ($)Instruments	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 225,000
Letters Of Credit Sublimit	$ 15,000
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date		Jun. 18, 2019
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage			3.02%
Line of credit facility drawn			$ 87,000	$ 98,000
Letter of credit outstanding			$ 11,000	$ 9,800
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of credit fee on unused amount	0.225%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of credit fee on unused amount	0.375%
Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Eurodollar [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%		3.02%
Number Of Outstanding Debt Instrument | Instruments	15
Eurodollar [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
Eurodollar [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.50%
Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			4.75%
Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.75%
Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%

Shareholders' Equity- Stock Opt

Shareholders' Equity- Stock Options Activity (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Stock options exercised, Shares	5,500
Options Granted, Number of Shares	0
Options Forfeited or Expired, Number of Shares	0
Options Outstanding, Ending Balance	0
Option Exercisable, Number of Shares	0
Options Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 19.75
Compensation expense related to stock options	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Shareholders' Equity- Nonvested

Shareholders' Equity- Nonvested Stock Activity (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	527,091
Granted, Number of Shares	236,100
Vested, Number of Shares	(174,969)
Forfeited, Number of Shares	(13,511)
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	574,711	527,091
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$ 26.64
Grants, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	37.99	$ 34.06	$ 23.59
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	25.72
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	25.27
Nonvested Shares Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$ 31.61	$ 26.64

Stockholders' Equity- Shares of

Stockholders' Equity- Shares of Common Stock Issued During 2016 under Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares Available, Beginning Balance	189,611			272,788
Shares Issued during Period (Shares)	24,149	22,723	36,305
Shares Available, Ending Balance	189,611			272,788
Shares Issued during Period (per Share Price)	$ 37.79	$ 34.37	$ 21.49

Stockholders' Equity - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Par value of common stock repurchased	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock reserved for issuance	1,500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	477,129
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares of common stock granted	$ 11.9
Weighted average period of cost recognized	3 years 1 month 29 days
Total fair value of shares of common stock vested	$ 4.5	$ 4.1	$ 3.9
Compensation expense related to nonvested stock grants	$ 4.9	$ 4.2	$ 4.1
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
Shares authorized for issuance under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	250,000
Shares redeemed to satisfy personal tax obligations	52,119	42,197	40,716
Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of non-vested shares	5 years
Nonvested stock grants to employees	220,800	182,865	172,545
Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of non-vested shares	1 year
Non vested stock grants to Independent director	15,300	16,200	26,900
New Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of non-vested shares	3 years

Leases - Future Minimum Rental

Leases - Future Minimum Rental Commitments Under Non-cancelable Operating Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,017	$ 17,785
2,018	11,439
2,019	7,617
2,020	5,064
2,021	3,744
Thereafter	5,627
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	$ 51,276

Leases - Additional information

Leases - Additional information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Number Of License Lease Arrangements	3
Home nursing agencies	4
Hospice agencies	3
Operating Leases Start Period	2,007
Operating Leases Expiration Period	2,017
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 20,800	$ 20,700	$ 21,100
Operating Lease Period Minimum	3 years
Operating Lease Period Maximum	10 years
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$ 17,785
Minimum Miles Required per Year for the Fleet Lease	12,000
Minimum Period of the Fleet Lease	12 months
Fleet Lease's Expense	$ 5,300	7,200	3,600
Lease Agreement For License	$ 400	$ 500	$ 400
Minimum [Member]
Operating Lease Period	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Operating Lease Period	1 year
Lease 1 [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	$ 200
Lease Agreement For License	$ 200

Employee Benefit Plan - Additio

Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Participants contribution	$ 18,000
Employer contribution	2.00%
Employer contribution	20.00%
Initial vesting period of employer contribution	2 years
Full vesting period of employer contribution	6 years
Contribution expenses	$ 6,300,000	$ 5,400,000	$ 4,700,000

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$ 550
Joint Venture Buy Sell Option Period	30 days

Segment Information- Segment In

Segment Information- Segment Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 235,443	$ 230,797	$ 226,031	$ 222,552	$ 218,993	$ 204,122	$ 200,172	$ 193,079	$ 914,823	$ 816,366	$ 733,632
Cost of service revenue									557,650	480,878	434,775
Provision for bad debts									14,790	19,243	15,780
General and administrative expenses									270,622	247,919	233,898
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets									1,199	710	47
Impairment of intangibles and other										1,273	3,646
Operating income									70,562	66,343	45,486
Interest expense									(2,936)	(2,302)	(2,486)
Non-operating income									492	457	265
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests									68,118	64,498	43,265
Income tax expense									22,176	22,848	14,513
Income from continuing operations									45,942	41,650	28,752
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									9,359	9,315	6,915
Net Income Attributable to LHC Group Inc.'s Common Stockholders	9,817	$ 9,616	$ 9,464	$ 7,686	7,735	$ 8,845	$ 8,950	$ 6,805	36,583	32,335	21,837
Total assets	614,071				566,054				614,071	566,054	491,739
Home-based services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue									665,896	613,188	564,966
Cost of service revenue									398,450	354,750	329,856
Provision for bad debts									9,609	15,736	13,072
General and administrative expenses									203,418	190,591	187,280
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets									857	544	1
Impairment of intangibles and other										1,245	3,269
Operating income									53,562	50,322	31,488
Interest expense									(2,216)	(1,819)	(1,969)
Non-operating income									422	397	201
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests									51,768	48,900	29,720
Income tax expense									16,505	17,173	10,999
Income from continuing operations									35,263	31,727	18,721
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									6,876	7,424	5,121
Net Income Attributable to LHC Group Inc.'s Common Stockholders									28,387	24,303	13,600
Total assets	427,782				394,392				427,782	394,392	386,511
Facility-based services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue									70,088	76,122	73,347
Cost of service revenue									43,238	46,146	45,504
Provision for bad debts									983	689	926
General and administrative expenses									21,212	22,426	21,192
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets									(45)	45	39
Impairment of intangibles and other											175
Operating income									4,700	6,816	5,511
Interest expense									(259)	(207)	(249)
Non-operating income									31	19	19
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests									4,472	6,628	5,281
Income tax expense									1,535	2,347	1,454
Income from continuing operations									2,937	4,281	3,827
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									674	958	708
Net Income Attributable to LHC Group Inc.'s Common Stockholders									2,263	3,323	3,119
Total assets	36,679				38,786				36,679	38,786	36,354
Hospice Entity [Member]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue									134,948	85,854	67,621
Cost of service revenue									83,359	50,906	39,804
Provision for bad debts									3,401	1,002	909
General and administrative expenses									37,207	26,437	18,875
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets									338	80	7
Impairment of intangibles and other											202
Operating income									10,643	7,429	7,824
Interest expense									(317)	(253)	(249)
Non-operating income									25	38	43
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests									10,351	7,214	7,618
Income tax expense									3,485	2,541	1,955
Income from continuing operations									6,866	4,673	5,663
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,867	1,077	1,122
Net Income Attributable to LHC Group Inc.'s Common Stockholders									4,999	3,596	4,541
Total assets	116,090				101,641				116,090	101,641	34,847
Community-Based Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Net service revenue									43,891	41,202	27,698
Cost of service revenue									32,603	29,076	19,611
Provision for bad debts									797	1,816	873
General and administrative expenses									8,785	8,465	6,551
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets									49	41	0
Impairment of intangibles and other										28	0
Operating income									1,657	1,776	663
Interest expense									(144)	(23)	(19)
Non-operating income									14	3	2
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests									1,527	1,756	646
Income tax expense									651	787	105
Income from continuing operations									876	969	541
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(58)	(144)	(36)
Net Income Attributable to LHC Group Inc.'s Common Stockholders									934	1,113	577
Total assets	$ 33,520				$ 31,235				$ 33,520	$ 31,235	$ 34,027

Allowance for Uncollectible A64

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts - Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Activity and Ending Balances (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 26,712	$ 18,582	$ 14,334
Additions	(14,790)	(19,243)	(15,780)
Deductions	12,466	11,113	11,532
Ending balance	$ 29,036	$ 26,712	$ 18,582

Concentration of Risk - Additio

Concentration of Risk - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Percentage Of Net Service Revenue Accounted By Facility	18.50%	21.00%	22.70%

Unaudited Summarized Quarterl66

Unaudited Summarized Quarterly Financial Information - Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net service revenue	$ 235,443	$ 230,797	$ 226,031	$ 222,552	$ 218,993	$ 204,122	$ 200,172	$ 193,079	$ 914,823	$ 816,366	$ 733,632
Gross margin	91,354	89,965	88,903	86,951	90,053	83,249	83,533	78,653	357,173	335,488	298,857
Net Income Attributable to LHC Group Inc.'s Common Stockholders	$ 9,817	$ 9,616	$ 9,464	$ 7,686	$ 7,735	$ 8,845	$ 8,950	$ 6,805	$ 36,583	$ 32,335	$ 21,837
Earnings Per Share - Basic:
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.' common stockholders	$ 0.56	$ 0.55	$ 0.54	$ 0.44	$ 0.44	$ 0.51	$ 0.51	$ 0.39	$ 2.08	$ 1.86	$ 1.27
Earnings Per Share - Diluted:
Net income attributable to LHC Group, Inc.' common stockholders	$ 0.55	$ 0.54	$ 0.54	$ 0.44	$ 0.44	$ 0.50	$ 0.51	$ 0.39	$ 2.07	$ 1.84	$ 1.26
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	17,597,190	17,588,163	17,566,097	17,485,766	17,447,691	17,436,731	17,410,971	17,322,791	17,559,477	17,405,379	17,229,026
Diluted	17,764,066	17,719,473	17,685,147	17,633,549	17,647,483	17,610,953	17,529,100	17,489,483	17,682,820	17,547,531	17,315,333

Subsequent Event - Additional

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Agency	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisitions | $	$ 23,156	$ 70,572	$ 73,933
LifePoint [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisitions | $	$ 11,500
Home Health Reporting Unit [Member] | LifePoint [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of Agencies Operated | Agency	39
Hospice Reporting Unit [Member] | LifePoint [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of Agencies Operated | Agency	12