Amedisys (AMED) 10-Q 29 Apr 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 24, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	AMED
Entity Registrant Name	AMEDISYS INC
Entity Central Index Key	896262
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		33,668,231
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$3,132	$8,032
Patient accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $14,845, and $14,317	110,651	99,325
Prepaid expenses	8,504	8,493
Other current assets	23,556	19,708
Total current assets	145,843	135,558
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $151,311 and $146,438	57,088	137,455
Goodwill	205,587	205,587
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $25,374	33,193	33,193
Deferred income taxes	146,565	124,788
Other assets, net	35,051	33,161
Total assets	623,327	669,742
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	23,651	16,056
Payroll and employee benefits	69,791	75,553
Accrued expenses	56,763	56,329
Current portion of long-term obligations	12,000	12,000
Current portion of deferred income taxes	2,029	2,385
Total current liabilities	164,234	162,323
Long-term obligations, less current portion	86,444	104,372
Other long-term obligations	5,214	5,285
Total liabilities	255,892	271,980
Commitments and Contingencies - Note 5	0	0
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized; 34,618,817, and 34,569,526 shares issued; and 33,643,863 and 323,594,572 shares outstanding	35	35
Additional paid-in capital	486,267	481,762
Treasury Stock at cost 974,954 shares of common stock	-19,860	-19,860
Accumulated other comprehensive income	15	15
Retained earnings	-99,794	-64,785
Total Amedisys, Inc. stockholders' equity	366,663	397,167
Noncontrolling interests	772	595
Total equity	367,435	397,762
Total liabilities and equity	$623,327	$669,742

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Patient accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$14,845	$14,317
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	151,311	146,438
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$25,374	$25,374
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, issued	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common Stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	34,618,817	34,569,526
Common Stock, shares outstanding	33,643,863	33,594,572
Treasury Stock at cost, shares	974,954	974,954

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net service revenue	$301,572	$298,739
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	170,961	177,008
General and administrative expenses:
Salaries and benefits	68,555	83,171
Non-cash compensation	2,384	431
Other	33,070	42,698
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,976	4,894
Depreciation and amortization	6,537	7,902
Asset impairment charge	75,193	2,208
Operating expenses	359,676	318,312
Operating loss	-58,104	-19,573
Other income (expense):
Interest income	22	6
Interest expense	-2,426	-1,261
Equity in earnings from equity investments	1,951	787
Miscellaneous, net	2,134	190
Total other income (expense), net	1,681	-278
Loss before income taxes	-56,423	-19,851
Income tax benefit	21,591	7,618
Loss from continuing operations	-34,832	-12,233
Discontinued operations, net of tax	0	-277
Net loss	-34,832	-12,510
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	-177	93
Net loss attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	-35,009	-12,417
Basic earnings per common share:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	($1.07)	($0.38)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$0	($0.01)
Net loss attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	($1.07)	($0.39)
Weighted average shares outstanding	32,739	31,864
Diluted earnings per common share:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	($1.07)	($0.38)
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$0	($0.01)
Net loss attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders	($1.07)	($0.39)
Weighted average shares outstanding	32,739	31,864
Amounts attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders:
Loss from continuing operations	-35,009	-12,140
Discontinued operations, net of tax	0	-277
Net loss attributable to Amedisys, Inc.	($35,009)	($12,417)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	($34,832)	($12,510)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	6,537	7,936
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,976	4,968
Non-cash compensation	2,384	431
401(k) employer match	1,813	1,392
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	196	332
Gain on sale of care centers	0	-645
Deferred income taxes	-22,165	-7,799
Equity in earnings of equity investments	-1,951	-787
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs	276	141
Return on equity investment	645	400
Asset impairment charge	75,193	2,208
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Patient accounts receivable	-14,302	-9,185
Other current assets	-3,677	-6,337
Other assets	-1,014	-1,219
Accounts payable	8,156	3,491
Accrued expenses	-5,681	9,591
Other long-term obligations	-71	1,250
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	14,483	-6,342
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sale of deferred compensation plan assets	64	0
Purchases of deferred compensation plan assets	-19	-33
Purchases of property and equipment	-2,113	-5,532
Proceeds from dispositions of care centers	0	645
Net cash used in investing activities	-2,068	-4,920
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options and warrants	181	89
Proceeds from issuance of stock to employee stock purchase plan	504	657
Tax benefit from stock option exercises	0	5
Proceeds from revolving line of credit	40,800	54,000
Repayments of revolving line of credit	-55,800	-54,000
Principal payments of long-term obligations	-3,000	-3,952
Net cash used in financing activities	-17,315	-3,201
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-4,900	-14,463
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	8,032	17,303
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3,132	2,840
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest	1,827	425
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received	($89)	$0

NATURE_OF_OPERATIONS_CONSOLIDA

NATURE OF OPERATIONS, CONSOLIDATION AND PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
NATURE OF OPERATIONS, CONSOLIDATION AND PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS, CONSOLIDATION AND PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	Amedisys, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Amedisys,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a multi-state provider of home health and hospice services with approximately 81% and 83% of our revenue derived from Medicare for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, we owned and operated 316 Medicare-certified home health care centers and 79 Medicare-certified hospice care centers in 34 states within the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
	Basis of Presentation
	In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our financial position, our results of operations and our cash flows in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Our results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results of our operations for the entire year and have not been audited by our independent auditors.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted from the interim financial information presented. This report should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 4, 2015 (the “Form 10-K”), which includes information and disclosures not included herein.
	Use of Estimates
	Our accounting and reporting policies conform with U.S. GAAP. In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that impact the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
	Reclassifications and Comparability
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods' financial statements in order to conform to the current period's presentation.
	Principles of Consolidation
	These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amedisys, Inc., and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, and business combinations accounted for as purchases have been included in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. In addition to our wholly owned subsidiaries, we also have certain equity investments that are accounted for as set forth below.
	Investments
	We consolidate investments when the entity is a variable interest entity and we are the primary beneficiary or if we have controlling interests in the entity, which is generally ownership in excess of 50%. Third party equity interests in our consolidated joint ventures are reflected as noncontrolling interests in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	We account for investments in entities in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence under the equity method if we hold 50% or less of the voting stock and the entity is not a variable interest entity in which we are the primary beneficiary. The book value of investments that we accounted for under the equity method of accounting was $19.9 million as of March 31, 2015 and $18.8 million as of December 31, 2014. We account for investments in entities in which we have less than a 20% ownership interest under the cost method of accounting if we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee. The aggregate carrying amount of our cost method investment was $5.0 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Revenue Recognition
	We earn net service revenue through our home health and hospice care centers by providing a variety of services almost exclusively in the homes of our patients. This net service revenue is earned and billed either on an episode of care basis, on a per visit basis or on a daily basis depending upon the payment terms and conditions established with each payor for services provided. We refer to home health revenue earned and billed on a 60-day episode of care as episodic-based revenue.
	When we record our service revenue, we record it net of estimated revenue adjustments and contractual adjustments to reflect amounts we estimate to be realizable for services provided, as discussed below. We believe, based on information currently available to us and based on our judgment, that changes to one or more factors that impact the accounting estimates (such as our estimates related to revenue adjustments, contractual adjustments and episodes in progress) we make in determining net service revenue, which changes are likely to occur from period to period, will not materially impact our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or our future financial results.
	Home Health Revenue Recognition
	Medicare Revenue
	Net service revenue is recorded under the Medicare prospective payment system (“PPS”) based on a 60-day episode payment rate that is subject to adjustment based on certain variables including, but not limited to: (a) an outlier payment if our patient's care was unusually costly (capped at 10% of total reimbursement per provider number); (b) a low utilization payment adjustment (“LUPA”) if the number of visits was fewer than five; (c) a partial payment if our patient transferred to another provider or we received a patient from another provider before completing the episode; (d) a payment adjustment based upon the level of therapy services required (with various incremental adjustments made for additional visits, with larger payment increases associated with the sixth, fourteenth and twentieth visit thresholds); (e) adjustments to payments if we are unable to perform periodic therapy assessments; (f) the number of episodes of care provided to a patient, regardless of whether the same home health provider provided care for the entire series of episodes; (g) changes in the base episode payments established by the Medicare Program; (h) adjustments to the base episode payments for case mix and geographic wages; and (i) recoveries of overpayments. In addition, we make adjustments to Medicare revenue if we find that we are unable to produce appropriate documentation of a face to face encounter between the patient and physician.
	We make adjustments to Medicare revenue to reflect differences between estimated and actual payment amounts, our discovered inability to obtain appropriate billing documentation or authorizations and other reasons unrelated to credit risk. We estimate the impact of such adjustments based on our historical experience, which primarily includes a historical collection rate of over 99% on Medicare claims, and record this estimate during the period in which services are rendered as an estimated revenue adjustment and a corresponding reduction to patient accounts receivable. Therefore, we believe that our reported net service revenue and patient accounts receivable will be the net amounts to be realized from Medicare for services rendered.
	In addition to revenue recognized on completed episodes, we also recognize a portion of revenue associated with episodes in progress. Episodes in progress are 60-day episodes of care that begin during the reporting period, but were not completed as of the end of the period. We estimate this revenue on a monthly basis based upon historical trends. The primary factors underlying this estimate are the number of episodes in progress at the end of the reporting period, expected Medicare revenue per episode and our estimate of the average percentage complete based on visits performed. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the difference between the cash received from Medicare for a request for anticipated payment (“RAP”) on episodes in progress and the associated estimated revenue was immaterial and, therefore, the resulting credits were recorded as a reduction to our outstanding patient accounts receivable in our condensed consolidated balance sheets for such periods.
	Non-Medicare Revenue
	Episodic-based Revenue. We recognize revenue in a similar manner as we recognize Medicare revenue for episodic-based rates that are paid by other insurance carriers, including Medicare Advantage programs; however, these rates can vary based upon the negotiated terms.
	Non-episodic based Revenue. Gross revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to our established or estimated per-visit rates, as applicable. Contractual adjustments are recorded for the difference between our standard rates and the contracted rates to be realized from patients, third parties and others for services provided and are deducted from gross revenue to determine net service revenue and are also recorded as a reduction to our outstanding patient accounts receivable. In addition, we receive a minimal amount of our net service revenue from patients who are either self-insured or are obligated for an insurance co-payment.
	Hospice Revenue Recognition
	Hospice Medicare Revenue
	Gross revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to the estimated payment rates. The estimated payment rates are daily or hourly rates for each of the four levels of care we deliver. The four levels of care are routine care, general inpatient care, continuous home care and respite care. Routine care accounts for 98% and 99% of our total net Medicare hospice service revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, respectively. We make adjustments to Medicare revenue for an inability to obtain appropriate billing documentation or acceptable authorizations and other reasons unrelated to credit risk. We estimate the impact of these adjustments based on our historical experience, which primarily includes our historical collection rate on Medicare claims, and record it during the period services are rendered as an estimated revenue adjustment and as a reduction to our outstanding patient accounts receivable.
	Additionally, as Medicare hospice revenue is subject to an inpatient cap limit and an overall payment cap for each provider number, we monitor these caps and estimate amounts due back to Medicare if we estimate a cap has been exceeded. We record these adjustments as a reduction to revenue and an increase in other accrued liabilities. We have settled our Medicare hospice reimbursements for all fiscal years through October 31, 2012 as of December 31, 2014. Beginning for the cap year ending October 31, 2014, providers are required to self-report and pay their estimated cap liability by March 31st. As such, we have paid $0.2 million as our estimated liability for the cap year ended October 31, 2014 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we have recorded $2.7 and $2.8 million for estimated amounts due back to Medicare in other accrued liabilities for the Federal cap years ended October 31, 2013 through October 31, 2015.
	Hospice Non-Medicare Revenue
	We record gross revenue on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to our established rates or estimated per day rates, as applicable. Contractual adjustments are recorded for the difference between our established rates and the amounts estimated to be realizable from patients, third parties and others for services provided and are deducted from gross revenue to determine our net service revenue and patient accounts receivable.
	Patient Accounts Receivable
	Our patient accounts receivable are uncollateralized and consist of amounts due from Medicare, Medicaid, other third-party payors and patients. There is no single payor, other than Medicare, that accounts for more than 10% of our total outstanding patient receivables, and thus we believe there are no other significant concentrations of receivables that would subject us to any significant credit risk in the collection of our patient accounts receivable. We fully reserve for accounts which are aged at 365 days or greater. We write off accounts on a monthly basis once we have exhausted our collection efforts and deem an account to be uncollectible.
	We believe the credit risk associated with our Medicare accounts, which represent 70% and 69% of our net patient accounts receivable at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, is limited due to our historical collection rate of over 99% from Medicare and the fact that Medicare is a U.S. government payor. Accordingly, we do not record an allowance for doubtful accounts for our Medicare patient accounts receivable, which are recorded at their net realizable value after recording estimated revenue adjustments as discussed above. During the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, in estimated revenue adjustments to Medicare revenue.
	We believe there is a certain level of credit risk associated with non-Medicare payors. To provide for our non-Medicare patient accounts receivable that could become uncollectible in the future, we establish an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated net realizable value.
	Medicare Home Health
	For our home health patients, our pre-billing process includes verifying that we are eligible for payment from Medicare for the services that we provide to our patients. Our Medicare billing begins with a process to ensure that our billings are accurate through the utilization of an electronic Medicare claim review. We submit a RAP for 60% of our estimated payment for the initial episode at the start of care or 50% of the estimated payment for any subsequent episodes of care contiguous with the first episode for a particular patient. The full amount of the episode is billed after the episode has been completed (“final billed”). The RAP received for that particular episode is then deducted from our 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 claims in process for that particular provider number. The RAP and final claim must then be re-submitted.
	Medicare Hospice
	For our hospice patients, our pre-billing process includes verifying that we are eligible for payment from Medicare for the services that we provide to our patients. Our Medicare billing begins with a process to ensure that our billings are accurate through the utilization of an electronic Medicare claim review. Once each patient has been confirmed for eligibility, we will bill Medicare on a monthly basis for the services provided to the patient.
	Non-Medicare Home Health and Hospice
	For our non-Medicare patients, our pre-billing process primarily begins with verifying a patient's eligibility for services with the applicable payor. Once the patient has been confirmed for eligibility, we will provide services to the patient and bill the applicable payor. Our review and evaluation of non-Medicare accounts receivable includes a detailed review of outstanding balances and special consideration to concentrations of receivables from particular payors or groups of payors with similar characteristics that would subject us to any significant credit risk. We estimate an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon our assessment of historical and expected net collections, business and economic conditions, trends in payment and an evaluation of collectability based upon the date that the service was provided. Based upon our best judgment, we believe the allowance for doubtful accounts adequately provides for accounts that will not be collected due to credit risk.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at cost and we depreciate it on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Additionally, we have internally developed computer software for our own use; such software development costs are capitalized. As of December 31, 2014, we had $74.7 million of internally developed software costs related to the development of AMS3 Home Health. Additionally, we had $1.1 million of internally developed software costs related to the development of AMS3 Hospice. Additions and improvements (including interest costs for construction of qualifying long-lived assets) are capitalized. Maintenance and repair expenses are charged to expense as incurred. The cost of property and equipment sold or disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the property and related accumulated depreciation accounts, and any gain or loss is credited or charged to other general and administrative expenses.
	During the three month period ended March 31, 2015, we recorded a non-cash charge to write-off the software costs incurred related to the development of AMS3 Home Health and Hospice.
	The following table summarizes the balances related to our property and equipment for the periods indicated (amounts in millions):
			31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Land		$	3.2	$	3.2
	Building and leasehold improvements			25.3		25.3
	Equipment and furniture			97.2		97.2
	Computer software			82.7		158.2
				208.4		283.9
	Less: accumulated depreciation			-151.3		-146.4
			$	57.1	$	137.5
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The following details our financial instruments where the carrying value and the fair value differ (amounts in millions):
			Fair Value at Reporting Date Using
	Financial Instrument		Carrying Value as of March 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Long-term obligations		$	98.4	$	0	$	103.8	$	0
	The estimates of the fair value of our long-term debt are based upon a discounted present value analysis of future cash flows. Due to the existing uncertainty in the capital and credit markets the actual rates that would be obtained to borrow under similar conditions could materially differ from the estimates we have used.
	The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs are as follows:
	Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
	Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	For our other financial instruments, including our cash and cash equivalents, patient accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, we estimate the carrying amounts' approximate fair value. Our deferred compensation plan assets are recorded at fair value.
	Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding
	Net loss per share attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, calculated on the treasury stock method, is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, shares used in our computation of the weighted-average shares outstanding, which are used to calculate our basic and diluted net loss attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (amounts in thousands):
				For the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31
				2015	2014
		Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic		32,739	31,864
		Effect of dilutive securities:
			Stock options	0	0
			Non-vested stock and stock units	0	0
		Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted		32,739	31,864
		Anti-dilutive securities		875	772
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue for which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective on January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. In April 2015, the FASB proposed a one-year delay in the effective date of the standard to January 1, 2018, with an option that would permit companies to adopt the standard as early as the original effective date. Early application prior to the original effective date is not permitted. A final decision on the effective date is expected in 2015. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendments in this ASU require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, we have $2.6 million of unamortized debt issuance costs that would be reclassified from a long-term asset to a reduction in the carrying amount of our debt.

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS_AND_AS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
	As part of our ongoing management of our portfolio of care centers, we review each care center's current financial performance, market penetration, forecasted market growth and the impact of proposed CMS payment revisions. The care centers which were closed, sold or classified as held for sale in 2013 (32 home health care centers and one hospice care center) and closed in 2012 (three home health care centers) as a result of our review are presented as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated financial statements. The care centers consolidated with care centers servicing the same markets are presented in continuing operations as we expect continuing cash flows from these markets.
	Net revenues and operating results for the periods presented for those care centers classified as discontinued operations are as follows (dollars in millions):
			For the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
		Net revenues	$	0	$	-0.3
		(Loss) before income taxes		0		-0.5
		Income tax benefit		0		0.2
		Discontinued operations, net of tax	$	0	$	-0.3

LONGTERM_OBLIGATIONS

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS	4. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
	Long-term debt consisted of the following for the periods indicated (amounts in millions):
			31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	$60.0 million Term Loan; $3.0 million principal payments plus accrued interest payable quarterly; interest rate at ABR Rate plus applicable percentage or Eurodollar Rate plus the applicable percentage (2.68% at March 31, 2015); due October 26, 2017		$	30	$	33
	$120.0 million Revolving Credit Facility; interest only quarterly payments; interest rate at ABR Rate plus applicable percentage or Eurodollar Rate plus the applicable percentage (2.68% at March 31, 2015); due October 26, 2017			0		15
	$70.0 million Second Lien Loan; interest only quarterly payments; interest rate at ABR Rate plus applicable percentage or Eurodollar Rate plus the applicable percentage (8.50% at March 31, 2015); due July 28, 2020			70		70
	Discount on Second Lien Loan			-1.6		-1.6
				98.4		116.4
	Current portion of long-term obligations			-12		-12
		Total	$	86.4	$	104.4
	Our weighted average interest rate for our five year $60.0 million Term Loan, under our existing senior secured Credit Agreement, was 3.2% and 3.4% for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our weighted average interest rate for our $120.0 million Revolving Credit Facility, as amended by the fourth amendment to our Credit Agreement, was 3.6% for the three month period ended March 31, 2015. Our weighted average interest rate for our Second Lien Loan under the Second Lien Credit Agreement was 8.5% for the three month period ended March 31, 2015.
	As of March 31, 2015, our total leverage ratio was 1.1, our senior secured leverage ratio was 0.4 and our fixed charge coverage ratio was 3.0 and we are in compliance with the existing senior secured Credit Agreement. In the event we are not in compliance with our debt covenants in the future, we would pursue various alternatives in an attempt to successfully resolve the non-compliance, which might include, among other things, seeking debt covenant waivers or amendments.
	As of March 31, 2015, our availability under our $120.0 million Revolving Credit Facility as amended by the fourth amendment to our existing senior secured Credit Agreement, was $99.0 million as we had $21.0 million outstanding in letters of credit.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Legal Proceedings
	We are involved in the following legal actions:
	Securities Class Action Lawsuits
	On June 10, 2010, a putative securities class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana (the “District Court”) against the Company and certain of our current and former senior executives. Additional putative securities class actions were filed in the Court on July 14, July 16, and July 28, 2010.
	On October 22, 2010, the District Court issued an order consolidating the putative securities class action lawsuits and the Federal Derivative Actions (described immediately below) for pre-trial purposes. In the same order, the District Court appointed the Public Employees Retirement System of Mississippi and the Puerto Rico Teachers' Retirement System as co-lead plaintiffs (together, the “Co-Lead Plaintiffs”) for the putative class. On December 10, 2010, the District Court also consolidated the ERISA class action lawsuit (described below) with the putative securities class actions and Federal Derivative Actions for pre-trial purposes.
	On January 18, 2011, the Co-Lead Plaintiffs filed an amended, consolidated class action complaint (the “Securities Complaint”) which supersedes the earlier-filed securities class action complaints. The Securities Complaint alleges that the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and failed to disclose material facts about our business, financial condition, operations and prospects, particularly relating to our policies and practices regarding home therapy visits under the Medicare home health prospective payment system and the related alleged impact on our business, financial condition, operations and prospects. The Securities Complaint seeks a determination that the action may be maintained as a class action on behalf of all persons who purchased the Company's securities between August 2, 2005 and September 28, 2010 and an unspecified amount of damages.
	All defendants moved to dismiss the Securities Complaint. On June 28, 2012, the District Court granted the defendants' motion to dismiss the Securities Complaint. On July 26, 2012, the Co-Lead Plaintiffs filed a motion for reconsideration, which the District Court denied on April 9, 2013.
	On May 3, 2013, the Co-Lead Plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of the Securities Complaint to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (the “Fifth Circuit”). On October 2, 2014, a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit issued a decision reversing the District Court's dismissal of the Securities Complaint. On October 16, 2014, all defendants filed a petition with the Fifth Circuit to review the three-judge panel's decision en banc, or as a whole court. On December 29, 2014, the Fifth Circuit denied the defendants' motion for en banc review of the Fifth Circuit panel's decision reversing the District Court's dismissal of the Securities Complaint.  The case then returned to the District Court for further proceedings, including consideration of a motion filed on April 3, 2015, by the Co-Lead Plaintiffs for leave to amend the Securities Complaint.  The defendants anticipate filing a brief in opposition to the Plaintiffs' motion for leave to amend the Securities Complaint. All discovery in the case is currently stayed pursuant to federal law.  In addition, on March 30, 2015, the defendants filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the United States Supreme Court (the “Petition”).  The Petition asks the Supreme Court to consider whether the Fifth Circuit erred in reversing the District Court's dismissal of the Securities Complaint.  The filing of the Petition, standing alone, does not affect the ongoing proceedings before the District Court.  The Petition remains pending before the Supreme Court.  No assurances can be given about the timing or outcome of this matter.
	Corporate Integrity Agreement
	On April 23, 2014, with no admissions of liability on our part, we entered into a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice relating to certain of our clinical and business operations. Concurrently with our entry into this agreement, we entered into a corporate integrity agreement (“CIA”) with the Office of Inspector General-HHS. The CIA formalizes various aspects of our already existing ethics and compliance programs and contains other requirements designed to help ensure our ongoing compliance with federal health care program requirements. Among other things, the CIA requires us to maintain our existing compliance program and management compliance committee and compliance committee of the Board of Directors; provide certain compliance training; continue screening new and current employees against certain lists to ensure they are not ineligible to participate in federal health care programs; engage an independent review organization to perform certain auditing and reviews and prepare certain reports regarding our compliance with federal health care programs, our billing submissions to federal health care programs and our compliance and risk mitigation programs; and provide certain reports and management certifications to Office of Inspector General-HHS. Among other things, the CIA requires that we report substantial overpayments that we discover we have received from federal health care programs, as well as probable violations of federal health care laws. Upon breach of the CIA, we could become liable for payment of certain stipulated penalties, or could be excluded from participation in federal health care programs. The corporate integrity agreement has a term of five years.
	Wage and Hour Litigation
	On July 25, 2012, a putative collective and class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut against us in which three former employees allege wage and hour law violations.  The former employees claim that they were not paid overtime for all hours worked over forty hours in violation of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), as well as the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act. More specifically, they allege they were paid on both a per-visit and an hourly basis, and that such a pay scheme resulted in their misclassification as exempt employees, thereby denying them overtime pay. Moreover, in response to a Company motion arguing that plaintiffs' complaint was deficient in that it was ambiguous and failed to provide fair notice of the claims asserted and plaintiffs' opposition thereto, the Court, on April 8, 2013, held that the complaint adequately raises general allegations that the plaintiffs were not paid overtime for all hours worked in a week over forty, which may include claims for unpaid overtime under other theories of liability, such as alleged off-the-clock work, in addition to plaintiffs' more clearly stated allegations based on misclassification. On behalf of themselves and a class of current and former employees they allege are similarly situated, plaintiffs seek attorneys' fees, back wages and liquidated damages going back three years under the FLSA and three years under the Pennsylvania statute. On October 8, 2013, the Court granted plaintiffs' motion for equitable tolling requesting that the statute of limitations for claims under the FLSA for plaintiffs who opt-in to the lawsuit be tolled from September 24, 2012, the date upon which plaintiffs filed their original motion for conditional certification, until 90 days after any notice of this lawsuit is issued following conditional certification. Following a motion for reconsideration filed by the Company, on December 3, 2013, the Court modified this order, holding that putative class members' FLSA claims are tolled from October 29, 2012 through the date of the Court's order on plaintiffs' motion for conditional certification. On January 13, 2014, the Court granted plaintiffs' July 10, 2013 motion for conditional certification of their FLSA claims and authorized issuance of notice to putative class members to provide them an opportunity to opt in to the action. On April 17, 2014, that notice was mailed to putative class members. The period within which putative class members were permitted to opt in to the action expired on July 16, 2014.
	On September 10, 2014, the plaintiffs in the Connecticut case filed a motion for leave to amend their complaint to add a new claim under the Kentucky Wage and Hour Act (“KWHA”) alleging that the Company did not pay certain home health clinicians working in the Commonwealth of Kentucky all of the overtime wages they were owed, either because the Company misclassified them as exempt from overtime or, while treating them as overtime eligible, did not properly pay them overtime for all hours worked over 40 in a week. On behalf of themselves and a class of current and former employees they allege are similarly situated, plaintiffs seek attorneys' fees, back wages and liquidated damages going back five years before the filing of their original complaint under the KWHA. On October 1, 2014, the Company filed an opposition to the plaintiffs' motion to amend. On October 15, 2014, plaintiffs filed a reply brief in support of their motion. On December 12, 2014, the Court granted the plaintiffs' motion to amend the complaint to add the claims under the KWHA. The Company and the plaintiffs have agreed to explore the possibility of a mediated settlement of the Connecticut case, and on February 23, 2015 filed a joint motion to stay proceedings for six months while they pursue this process, which was granted by the Court on February 24, 2015. Each of the Company and the plaintiffs are in the preliminary stages of reviewing information voluntarily provided by the other party in anticipation of mediation. There can be no assurance that mediation will lead to resolution of this matter.
	On September 13, 2012, a putative collective and class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against us in which a former employee alleges wage and hour law violations.  The former employee claims she was paid on both a per-visit and an hourly basis, thereby misclassifying her as an exempt employee and entitling her to overtime pay. The plaintiff alleges violations of Federal and state law and seeks damages under the FLSA and the Illinois Minimum Wage Law.  Plaintiff seeks class certification of similar employees who were or are employed in Illinois and seeks attorneys' fees, back wages and liquidated damages going back three years under the FLSA and three years under the Illinois statute. On May 28, 2013, the Court granted the Company's motion to stay the case pending resolution of class certification issues and dispositive motions in the earlier-filed Connecticut case referenced above.
	We are unable to assess the probable outcome or reasonably estimate the potential liability, if any, arising from the securities and wage and hour litigation described above.  The Company intends to continue to vigorously defend itself in the securities and wage and hour litigation matters.  No assurances can be given as to the timing or outcome of the securities and wage and hour matters described above or the impact of any of the inquiry or litigation matters on the Company, its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, which could be material, individually or in the aggregate.
	Frontier Litigation
	On April 2, 2015, Frontier Home Health and Hospice, L.L.C. (“Frontier”) filed a complaint against us in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut alleging breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and unfair and deceptive trade practices under Conn. Gen. Stat. §42-110b.  Frontier acquired our interest in five home health and four hospice care centers in Wyoming and Idaho in April 2014.  The complaint alleges that certain of the hospice patients on service at the time of the acquisition did not meet Medicare eligibility requirements and that we breached certain of the representations and warranties under the purchase agreement.  Under the complaint, Frontier seeks declaratory judgment from the District Court that, under the terms of the purchase agreement with Frontier, we are obligated to determine the amount of the alleged Medicare overpayments and reimburse the government for the same in a timely manner, as well as unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys' fees and pre- and post-judgment interest.
	We are unable to assess the probable outcome or reasonably estimate the potential liability, if any, arising from the Frontier litigation described above.  The Company has engaged an independent auditing firm to perform a clinical audit of the hospice locations in question and intends to defend itself in the Frontier litigation matter.  No assurances can be given as to the timing or outcome of the audit, the Frontier litigation matter described above or the impact of any of the audit or litigation matters on the Company, its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, which could be material, individually or in the aggregate.
	Computer Inventory and Data Security Reporting
	On March 1 and March 2, 2015, we provided official notice under Federal and state data privacy laws concerning the outcome of an extensive risk management process to locate and verify our large computer inventory. The process identified approximately 142 encrypted computers and laptops for which reports were required under federal and state data privacy laws. We have no indication of external hacking into our network, and no evidence that any patients or former patients have suffered any actual harm. Depending on the device, the patient information included any or all of the following: name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, insurance ID numbers, medical records and other personally identifiable data. The devices at issue were originally assigned to Company clinicians and other team members who left the Company between 2011 and 2014, and represent approximately 0.3% of the total number of devices that were used at the Company during that time period. We reported these devices to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, state agencies, and approximately 6,909 individuals whose information may be involved, as required under applicable law and in an abundance of caution because we could not rule out unauthorized access to patient data on the devices. We understand that the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“OCR”), will review our compliance with applicable laws, as is typical for any data breach involving more than 500 individuals. Once such a review, or any other regulatory review, is formally commenced, we intend to cooperate with OCR and any other applicable regulatory authorities.
	We recognize that additional putative securities class action complaints and other litigation could be filed, and that other investigations and actions could be commenced.
	In addition to the matters referenced in this note, we are involved in legal actions in the normal course of business, some of which seek monetary damages, including claims for punitive damages. We do not believe that these normal course actions, when finally concluded and determined, will have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	Third Party Audits
	From time to time, in the ordinary course of business, we are subject to audits under various governmental programs in which third party firms engaged by CMS conduct extensive review of claims data to identify potential improper payments under the Medicare program.
	In January 2010, our subsidiary that provides home health services in Dayton, Ohio received from a Medicare Program Safeguard Contractor (“PSC”) a request for records regarding 137 claims submitted by the subsidiary paid from January 2, 2008 through November 10, 2009 (the “Claim Period”) to determine whether the underlying services met pertinent Medicare payment requirements. Based on the PSC's findings for 114 of the claims, which were extrapolated to all claims for home health services provided by the Dayton subsidiary paid during the Claim Period, on March 9, 2011, the Medicare Administrative Contractor (“MAC”) for the subsidiary issued a notice of overpayment seeking recovery from our subsidiary of an alleged overpayment of approximately $5.6 million. We dispute these findings, and our Dayton subsidiary has filed appeals through the Original Medicare Standard Appeals Process, in which we are seeking to have those findings overturned. Most recently, a consolidated administrative law judge (“ALJ”) hearing was held in late March 2013. In January 2014, the ALJ found fully in favor of our Dayton subsidiary on 74 appeals and partially in favor of our Dayton subsidiary on eight appeals. Taking into account the ALJ's decision, certain determinations that our Dayton subsidiary decided not to appeal as well as certain determinations made by the MAC, of the 114 claims that were originally extrapolated by the MAC, 76 claims have now been decided in favor of our Dayton subsidiary in full, 10 claims have been decided in favor of our Dayton subsidiary in part, and 28 claims have been decided against or not appealed by our Dayton subsidiary. The ALJ has ordered the MAC to recalculate the extrapolation amount based on the ALJ's decision. The Medicare Appeals Council can decide on its own motion to review the ALJ's decisions. As of March 31, 2015, we have recorded no liability with respect to the pending appeals as we do not believe that an estimate of a reasonably possible loss or range of loss can be made at this time.
	In July 2010, our subsidiary that provides hospice services in Florence, South Carolina received from a Zone Program Integrity Contractor (“ZPIC”) a request for records regarding a sample of 30 beneficiaries who received services from the subsidiary during the period of January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2010 (the “Review Period”) to determine whether the underlying services met pertinent Medicare payment requirements.  We acquired the hospice operations subject to this review on August 1, 2009; the Review Period covers time periods both before and after our ownership of these hospice operations.  Based on the ZPIC's findings for 16 beneficiaries, which were extrapolated to all claims for hospice services provided by the Florence subsidiary billed during the Review Period, on June 6, 2011, the MAC for the subsidiary issued a notice of overpayment seeking recovery from our subsidiary of an alleged overpayment. We dispute these findings, and our Florence subsidiary has filed appeals through the Original Medicare Standard Appeals Process, in which we are seeking to have those findings overturned. Most recently, an ALJ hearing was held in early January 2015. No assurances can be given as to the timing or outcome of the ALJ's decision. The current alleged extrapolated overpayment is $6.1 million. In the event we pay any amount of this alleged overpayment, we are indemnified by the prior owners of the hospice operations for amounts relating to the period prior to August 1, 2009. As of March 31, 2015, we have recorded no liability for this claim as we do not believe that an estimate of a reasonably possible loss or range of loss can be made at this time.
	Insurance
	We are obligated for certain costs associated with our insurance programs, including employee health, workers' compensation and professional liability. While we maintain various insurance programs to cover these risks, we are self-insured for a substantial portion of our potential claims. We recognize our obligations associated with these costs, up to specified deductible limits in the period in which a claim is incurred, including with respect to both reported claims and claims incurred but not reported. These costs have generally been estimated based on historical data of our claims experience. Such estimates, and the resulting reserves, are reviewed and updated by us on a quarterly basis.
	Our health insurance has a retention limit of $0.9 million, our workers' compensation insurance has a retention limit of $0.5 million and our professional liability insurance has a retention limit of $0.3 million.

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	6. Segment Information
	Our operations involve servicing patients through our two reportable business segments: home health and hospice. Our home health segment delivers a wide range of services in the homes of individuals who may be recovering from surgery, have a chronic disability or terminal illness or need assistance with the essential activities of daily living. Our hospice segment provides palliative care and comfort to terminally ill patients and their families. The “other” column in the following tables consists of costs relating to corporate support functions that are not directly attributable to a specific segment.
	Management evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the operating income of the reportable segments, which includes an allocation of corporate expenses directly attributable to the specific segment and includes revenues and all other costs directly attributable to the specific segment. Segment assets are not reviewed by the company's chief operating decision maker and therefore are not disclosed below (amounts in millions).
			For the Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2015
					Home Health		Hospice		Other		Total
		Net service revenue		$	241.4	$	60.2	$	0	$	301.6
		Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization			138.7		32.3		0		171
		General and administrative expenses			62.8		14.4		26.8		104
		Provision for doubtful accounts			2.6		0.4		0		3
		Depreciation and amortization			1.5		0.4		4.6		6.5
		Asset impairment charge			0		0		75.2		75.2
		Operating expenses			205.6		47.5		106.6		359.7
		Operating income (loss)		$	35.8	$	12.7	$	-106.6	$	-58.1
			For the Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2014
					Home Health		Hospice		Other		Total
		Net service revenue		$	236.7	$	62	$	0	$	298.7
		Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization			144		33		0		177
		General and administrative expenses			76		16.3		34		126.3
		Provision for doubtful accounts			4.1		0.8		0		4.9
		Depreciation and amortization			2.5		0.5		4.9		7.9
		Asset impairment charge			1.2		1		0		2.2
		Operating expenses			227.8		51.6		38.9		318.3
		Operating income (loss)		$	8.9	$	10.4	$	-38.9	$	-19.6

NATURE_OF_OPERATIONS_CONSOLIDA1

NATURE OF OPERATIONS, CONSOLIDATION AND PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our financial position, our results of operations and our cash flows in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Our results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results of our operations for the entire year and have not been audited by our independent auditors.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted from the interim financial information presented. This report should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 4, 2015 (the “Form 10-K”), which includes information and disclosures not included herein.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	Our accounting and reporting policies conform with U.S. GAAP. In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that impact the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications and Comparability	Reclassifications and Comparability
	Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods' financial statements in order to conform to the current period's presentation.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amedisys, Inc., and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, and business combinations accounted for as purchases have been included in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. In addition to our wholly owned subsidiaries, we also have certain equity investments that are accounted for as set forth below.
Equity Investments	Investments
	We consolidate investments when the entity is a variable interest entity and we are the primary beneficiary or if we have controlling interests in the entity, which is generally ownership in excess of 50%. Third party equity interests in our consolidated joint ventures are reflected as noncontrolling interests in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	We account for investments in entities in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence under the equity method if we hold 50% or less of the voting stock and the entity is not a variable interest entity in which we are the primary beneficiary. The book value of investments that we accounted for under the equity method of accounting was $19.9 million as of March 31, 2015 and $18.8 million as of December 31, 2014. We account for investments in entities in which we have less than a 20% ownership interest under the cost method of accounting if we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee. The aggregate carrying amount of our cost method investment was $5.0 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	We earn net service revenue through our home health and hospice care centers by providing a variety of services almost exclusively in the homes of our patients. This net service revenue is earned and billed either on an episode of care basis, on a per visit basis or on a daily basis depending upon the payment terms and conditions established with each payor for services provided. We refer to home health revenue earned and billed on a 60-day episode of care as episodic-based revenue.
	When we record our service revenue, we record it net of estimated revenue adjustments and contractual adjustments to reflect amounts we estimate to be realizable for services provided, as discussed below. We believe, based on information currently available to us and based on our judgment, that changes to one or more factors that impact the accounting estimates (such as our estimates related to revenue adjustments, contractual adjustments and episodes in progress) we make in determining net service revenue, which changes are likely to occur from period to period, will not materially impact our reported consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or our future financial results.
	Home Health Revenue Recognition
	Medicare Revenue
	Net service revenue is recorded under the Medicare prospective payment system (“PPS”) based on a 60-day episode payment rate that is subject to adjustment based on certain variables including, but not limited to: (a) an outlier payment if our patient's care was unusually costly (capped at 10% of total reimbursement per provider number); (b) a low utilization payment adjustment (“LUPA”) if the number of visits was fewer than five; (c) a partial payment if our patient transferred to another provider or we received a patient from another provider before completing the episode; (d) a payment adjustment based upon the level of therapy services required (with various incremental adjustments made for additional visits, with larger payment increases associated with the sixth, fourteenth and twentieth visit thresholds); (e) adjustments to payments if we are unable to perform periodic therapy assessments; (f) the number of episodes of care provided to a patient, regardless of whether the same home health provider provided care for the entire series of episodes; (g) changes in the base episode payments established by the Medicare Program; (h) adjustments to the base episode payments for case mix and geographic wages; and (i) recoveries of overpayments. In addition, we make adjustments to Medicare revenue if we find that we are unable to produce appropriate documentation of a face to face encounter between the patient and physician.
	We make adjustments to Medicare revenue to reflect differences between estimated and actual payment amounts, our discovered inability to obtain appropriate billing documentation or authorizations and other reasons unrelated to credit risk. We estimate the impact of such adjustments based on our historical experience, which primarily includes a historical collection rate of over 99% on Medicare claims, and record this estimate during the period in which services are rendered as an estimated revenue adjustment and a corresponding reduction to patient accounts receivable. Therefore, we believe that our reported net service revenue and patient accounts receivable will be the net amounts to be realized from Medicare for services rendered.
	In addition to revenue recognized on completed episodes, we also recognize a portion of revenue associated with episodes in progress. Episodes in progress are 60-day episodes of care that begin during the reporting period, but were not completed as of the end of the period. We estimate this revenue on a monthly basis based upon historical trends. The primary factors underlying this estimate are the number of episodes in progress at the end of the reporting period, expected Medicare revenue per episode and our estimate of the average percentage complete based on visits performed. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the difference between the cash received from Medicare for a request for anticipated payment (“RAP”) on episodes in progress and the associated estimated revenue was immaterial and, therefore, the resulting credits were recorded as a reduction to our outstanding patient accounts receivable in our condensed consolidated balance sheets for such periods.
	Non-Medicare Revenue
	Episodic-based Revenue. We recognize revenue in a similar manner as we recognize Medicare revenue for episodic-based rates that are paid by other insurance carriers, including Medicare Advantage programs; however, these rates can vary based upon the negotiated terms.
	Non-episodic based Revenue. Gross revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to our established or estimated per-visit rates, as applicable. Contractual adjustments are recorded for the difference between our standard rates and the contracted rates to be realized from patients, third parties and others for services provided and are deducted from gross revenue to determine net service revenue and are also recorded as a reduction to our outstanding patient accounts receivable. In addition, we receive a minimal amount of our net service revenue from patients who are either self-insured or are obligated for an insurance co-payment.
	Hospice Revenue Recognition
	Hospice Medicare Revenue
	Gross revenue is recorded on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to the estimated payment rates. The estimated payment rates are daily or hourly rates for each of the four levels of care we deliver. The four levels of care are routine care, general inpatient care, continuous home care and respite care. Routine care accounts for 98% and 99% of our total net Medicare hospice service revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, respectively. We make adjustments to Medicare revenue for an inability to obtain appropriate billing documentation or acceptable authorizations and other reasons unrelated to credit risk. We estimate the impact of these adjustments based on our historical experience, which primarily includes our historical collection rate on Medicare claims, and record it during the period services are rendered as an estimated revenue adjustment and as a reduction to our outstanding patient accounts receivable.
	Additionally, as Medicare hospice revenue is subject to an inpatient cap limit and an overall payment cap for each provider number, we monitor these caps and estimate amounts due back to Medicare if we estimate a cap has been exceeded. We record these adjustments as a reduction to revenue and an increase in other accrued liabilities. We have settled our Medicare hospice reimbursements for all fiscal years through October 31, 2012 as of December 31, 2014. Beginning for the cap year ending October 31, 2014, providers are required to self-report and pay their estimated cap liability by March 31st. As such, we have paid $0.2 million as our estimated liability for the cap year ended October 31, 2014 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we have recorded $2.7 and $2.8 million for estimated amounts due back to Medicare in other accrued liabilities for the Federal cap years ended October 31, 2013 through October 31, 2015.
	Hospice Non-Medicare Revenue
	We record gross revenue on an accrual basis based upon the date of service at amounts equal to our established rates or estimated per day rates, as applicable. Contractual adjustments are recorded for the difference between our established rates and the amounts estimated to be realizable from patients, third parties and others for services provided and are deducted from gross revenue to determine our net service revenue and patient accounts receivable.
Patient Accounts Receivable	Patient Accounts Receivable
	Our patient accounts receivable are uncollateralized and consist of amounts due from Medicare, Medicaid, other third-party payors and patients. There is no single payor, other than Medicare, that accounts for more than 10% of our total outstanding patient receivables, and thus we believe there are no other significant concentrations of receivables that would subject us to any significant credit risk in the collection of our patient accounts receivable. We fully reserve for accounts which are aged at 365 days or greater. We write off accounts on a monthly basis once we have exhausted our collection efforts and deem an account to be uncollectible.
	We believe the credit risk associated with our Medicare accounts, which represent 70% and 69% of our net patient accounts receivable at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, is limited due to our historical collection rate of over 99% from Medicare and the fact that Medicare is a U.S. government payor. Accordingly, we do not record an allowance for doubtful accounts for our Medicare patient accounts receivable, which are recorded at their net realizable value after recording estimated revenue adjustments as discussed above. During the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, in estimated revenue adjustments to Medicare revenue.
	We believe there is a certain level of credit risk associated with non-Medicare payors. To provide for our non-Medicare patient accounts receivable that could become uncollectible in the future, we establish an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated net realizable value.
	Medicare Home Health
	For our home health patients, our pre-billing process includes verifying that we are eligible for payment from Medicare for the services that we provide to our patients. Our Medicare billing begins with a process to ensure that our billings are accurate through the utilization of an electronic Medicare claim review. We submit a RAP for 60% of our estimated payment for the initial episode at the start of care or 50% of the estimated payment for any subsequent episodes of care contiguous with the first episode for a particular patient. The full amount of the episode is billed after the episode has been completed (“final billed”). The RAP received for that particular episode is then deducted from our 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 claims in process for that particular provider number. The RAP and final claim must then be re-submitted.
	Medicare Hospice
	For our hospice patients, our pre-billing process includes verifying that we are eligible for payment from Medicare for the services that we provide to our patients. Our Medicare billing begins with a process to ensure that our billings are accurate through the utilization of an electronic Medicare claim review. Once each patient has been confirmed for eligibility, we will bill Medicare on a monthly basis for the services provided to the patient.
	Non-Medicare Home Health and Hospice
	For our non-Medicare patients, our pre-billing process primarily begins with verifying a patient's eligibility for services with the applicable payor. Once the patient has been confirmed for eligibility, we will provide services to the patient and bill the applicable payor. Our review and evaluation of non-Medicare accounts receivable includes a detailed review of outstanding balances and special consideration to concentrations of receivables from particular payors or groups of payors with similar characteristics that would subject us to any significant credit risk. We estimate an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon our assessment of historical and expected net collections, business and economic conditions, trends in payment and an evaluation of collectability based upon the date that the service was provided. Based upon our best judgment, we believe the allowance for doubtful accounts adequately provides for accounts that will not be collected due to credit risk.
Property Plant And Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at cost and we depreciate it on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Additionally, we have internally developed computer software for our own use; such software development costs are capitalized. As of December 31, 2014, we had $74.7 million of internally developed software costs related to the development of AMS3 Home Health. Additionally, we had $1.1 million of internally developed software costs related to the development of AMS3 Hospice. Additions and improvements (including interest costs for construction of qualifying long-lived assets) are capitalized. Maintenance and repair expenses are charged to expense as incurred. The cost of property and equipment sold or disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the property and related accumulated depreciation accounts, and any gain or loss is credited or charged to other general and administrative expenses.
	During the three month period ended March 31, 2015, we recorded a non-cash charge to write-off the software costs incurred related to the development of AMS3 Home Health and Hospice.
	The following table summarizes the balances related to our property and equipment for the periods indicated (amounts in millions):
			31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Land		$	3.2	$	3.2
	Building and leasehold improvements			25.3		25.3
	Equipment and furniture			97.2		97.2
	Computer software			82.7		158.2
				208.4		283.9
	Less: accumulated depreciation			-151.3		-146.4
			$	57.1	$	137.5
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The following details our financial instruments where the carrying value and the fair value differ (amounts in millions):
			Fair Value at Reporting Date Using
	Financial Instrument		Carrying Value as of March 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Long-term obligations		$	98.4	$	0	$	103.8	$	0
	The estimates of the fair value of our long-term debt are based upon a discounted present value analysis of future cash flows. Due to the existing uncertainty in the capital and credit markets the actual rates that would be obtained to borrow under similar conditions could materially differ from the estimates we have used.
	The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs are as follows:
	Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
	Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	For our other financial instruments, including our cash and cash equivalents, patient accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, we estimate the carrying amounts' approximate fair value. Our deferred compensation plan assets are recorded at fair value.
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding	Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding
	Net loss per share attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders, calculated on the treasury stock method, is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, shares used in our computation of the weighted-average shares outstanding, which are used to calculate our basic and diluted net loss attributable to Amedisys, Inc. common stockholders (amounts in thousands):
				For the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31
				2015	2014
		Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic		32,739	31,864
		Effect of dilutive securities:
			Stock options	0	0
			Non-vested stock and stock units	0	0
		Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted		32,739	31,864
		Anti-dilutive securities		875	772
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue for which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective on January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. In April 2015, the FASB proposed a one-year delay in the effective date of the standard to January 1, 2018, with an option that would permit companies to adopt the standard as early as the original effective date. Early application prior to the original effective date is not permitted. A final decision on the effective date is expected in 2015. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendments in this ASU require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, we have $2.6 million of unamortized debt issuance costs that would be reclassified from a long-term asset to a reduction in the carrying amount of our debt.

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Property Plant and Equipment	The following table summarizes the balances related to our property and equipment for the periods indicated (amounts in millions):
			31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Land		$	3.2	$	3.2
	Building and leasehold improvements			25.3		25.3
	Equipment and furniture			97.2		97.2
	Computer software			82.7		158.2
				208.4		283.9
	Less: accumulated depreciation			-151.3		-146.4
			$	57.1	$	137.5
Financial Instruments Where Carrying Value and Fair Value Differ
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The following details our financial instruments where the carrying value and the fair value differ (amounts in millions):
			Fair Value at Reporting Date Using
	Financial Instrument		Carrying Value as of March 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Long-term obligations		$	98.4	$	0	$	103.8	$	0
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding				For the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31
				2015	2014
		Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic		32,739	31,864
		Effect of dilutive securities:
			Stock options	0	0
			Non-vested stock and stock units	0	0
		Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted		32,739	31,864
		Anti-dilutive securities		875	772

DISONTINUED_OPERATIONS_AND_ASS

DISONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Net Revenues and Operating Results
	Net revenues and operating results for the periods presented for those care centers classified as discontinued operations are as follows (dollars in millions):
			For the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31,
			2015		2014
		Net revenues	$	0	$	-0.3
		(Loss) before income taxes		0		-0.5
		Income tax benefit		0		0.2
		Discontinued operations, net of tax	$	0	$	-0.3

LONGTERM_OBLIGATIONS_Tables

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	4. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
	Long-term debt consisted of the following for the periods indicated (amounts in millions):
			31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	$60.0 million Term Loan; $3.0 million principal payments plus accrued interest payable quarterly; interest rate at ABR Rate plus applicable percentage or Eurodollar Rate plus the applicable percentage (2.68% at March 31, 2015); due October 26, 2017		$	30	$	33
	$120.0 million Revolving Credit Facility; interest only quarterly payments; interest rate at ABR Rate plus applicable percentage or Eurodollar Rate plus the applicable percentage (2.68% at March 31, 2015); due October 26, 2017			0		15
	$70.0 million Second Lien Loan; interest only quarterly payments; interest rate at ABR Rate plus applicable percentage or Eurodollar Rate plus the applicable percentage (8.50% at March 31, 2015); due July 28, 2020			70		70
	Discount on Second Lien Loan			-1.6		-1.6
				98.4		116.4
	Current portion of long-term obligations			-12		-12
		Total	$	86.4	$	104.4

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Income of Reportable Segments			For the Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2015
					Home Health		Hospice		Other		Total
		Net service revenue		$	241.4	$	60.2	$	0	$	301.6
		Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization			138.7		32.3		0		171
		General and administrative expenses			62.8		14.4		26.8		104
		Provision for doubtful accounts			2.6		0.4		0		3
		Depreciation and amortization			1.5		0.4		4.6		6.5
		Asset impairment charge			0		0		75.2		75.2
		Operating expenses			205.6		47.5		106.6		359.7
		Operating income (loss)		$	35.8	$	12.7	$	-106.6	$	-58.1
			For the Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2014
					Home Health		Hospice		Other		Total
		Net service revenue		$	236.7	$	62	$	0	$	298.7
		Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization			144		33		0		177
		General and administrative expenses			76		16.3		34		126.3
		Provision for doubtful accounts			4.1		0.8		0		4.9
		Depreciation and amortization			2.5		0.5		4.9		7.9
		Asset impairment charge			1.2		1		0		2.2
		Operating expenses			227.8		51.6		38.9		318.3
		Operating income (loss)		$	8.9	$	10.4	$	-38.9	$	-19.6

Recovered_Sheet1

Nature of Operations Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	States
Organization And Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Percent Of Net Services Revenue Provided By Medicare	81.00%	83.00%
Number Of States With Facilities	34
Minimum percent ownership for controlling interest percent	50.00%
Equity Method Investment Aggregate Cost	$19.90		$18.80
Cost Method Investments	$5		$5
Maximum Percent Ownership For Equity Method Percent	50.00%
Maximum Percent Ownership For Cost Method Percent	20.00%
Home Health [Member]
Organization And Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Operating Care Centers	316
Hospice [Member]
Organization And Nature Of Operations [Line Items]
Operating Care Centers	79

Recovered_Sheet2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	Number_of_Visits
	D
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Episode of care as episodic-based revenue, days	60
Percentage of total reimbursement of outlier payment	10.00%
Low utilization payment adjustment, maximum number of visits	5
First threshold of therapy services required, visits	6
Second threshold of services required, visits	14
Third threshold of therapy services required, visits	20
Historical collection rate from Medicare	99.00%
Episodes in progress that begin during reporting period, days	60
Hospice Medicare revenue rate accounted for routine care	98.00%	99.00%
Percentage of patient receivables outstanding	10.00%
Minimum days for accounts receivable outstanding to be fully reserved	365
Portion of accounts receivable derived from Medicare	70.00%		69.00%
Revenue adjustment to Medicare revenue	$1.50	$1.20
Rate of request for anticipated payment submitted for the initial episode of care	60.00%
Rate of request for anticipated payment submitted for subsequent episodes of care	50.00%
Maximum days to submit final bill from the start of episode	120
Maximum days to submit final bill from the date the request for anticipated payment was paid	60
Debt Issuance Costs [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	2.6
Home Health [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Internally developed computer software	74.7
Hospice [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Internally developed computer software	1.1
Cap Year Two Thousand Thirteen Through Two Thousand Fifteen [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Estimated amounts due back to Medicare	2.7		2.8
Cap Year Ended Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Settlement of the Estimated Federal Cap	$0.20

Schedule_of_Balances_Related_t

Schedule of Balances Related to Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Land	$3,200,000	$3,200,000
Building and leasehold improvements	25,300,000	25,300,000
Equipment and furniture	97,200,000	97,200,000
Computer software	82,700,000	158,200,000
Property and Equipment, Gross	208,400,000	283,900,000
Less accumulated depreciation	-151,311,000	-146,438,000
Property and equipment, net	$57,088,000	$137,455,000

Schedule_of_Financial_Instrume

Schedule of Financial Instruments Where Carrying Value and Fair Value Differ (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term obligations, excluding capital leases	$98.40
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term obligations, excluding capital leases	$103.80

Schedule_of_Weighted_Average_S

Schedule of Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic	32,739	31,864
Stock options	0	0
Non-vested stock and stock units	0	0
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted	32,739	31,864
Anti-dilutive securities	875	772

Recovered_Sheet3

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held For Sale - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Agencies	Agencies
Home Health [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of care centers included in discontinued operations	32	3
Hospice [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of care centers included in discontinued operations	1

Schedule_of_Net_Revenues_and_O

Schedule of Net Revenues and Operating Results (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operation, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Net revenues	$0	($300,000)
(Loss) before income taxes	0	-500,000
Income tax benefit	0	200,000
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$0	($277,000)

Long_Term_Debt_Detail

Long Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt including current portion	$98,400,000	$116,400,000
Current portion of long-term obligations	-12,000,000	-12,000,000
Total	86,400,000	104,400,000
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt including current portion	30,000,000	33,000,000
Revolving Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt including current portion	0	15,000,000
Second Lien Credit Agreement Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt including current portion	70,000,000	70,000,000
Discount on long-term debt	($1,600,000)	($1,600,000)

Long_Term_Debt_Additional_Info

Long Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total leverage ratio	1.1
Fixed charge coverage ratio	3
Long-term debt including current portion	$98.40		$116.40
Senior secured leverage ratio	0.4
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted-average interest rate for five year Term Loan	3.20%	3.40%
Principal amount	60
Maturity date	26-Oct-17
Debt Instrument Periodic Payment Principal	3
Long-term debt including current portion	30		33
Revolving Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	120
Availability under the revolving credit facility	99
Outstanding letters of credit	21
Maturity date	26-Oct-17
Long-term debt including current portion	0		15
Debt Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.60%
Second Lien Credit Agreement Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	70
Maturity date	28-Jul-20
Long-term debt including current portion	$70		$70
Debt Weighted Average Interest Rate	8.50%

Long_Term_Debt_Parenthetical_D

Long Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$60
Eurodollar Rate plus the applicable percentage	2.68%
Maturity date	26-Oct-17
Debt Instrument Periodic Payment Principal	3
Revolving Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	120
Eurodollar Rate plus the applicable percentage	2.68%
Maturity date	26-Oct-17
Second Lien Credit Agreement Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$70
Eurodollar Rate plus the applicable percentage	8.50%
Maturity date	28-Jul-20

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	7 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	22 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		27 Months Ended	5 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 13, 2012	Jul. 25, 2012	Mar. 02, 2015	Nov. 10, 2009	Mar. 09, 2011	Jan. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2010	Jun. 06, 2011
	States	Employee	Employee	Computers	Claims	Claims	Claims	Agencies	Beneficiary	Beneficiary
				Residents
				Patients
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Health insurance retention limit	$900,000
Workers' compensation insurance retention limit	500,000
Professional liability insurance retention limit	300,000
Corporate Integrity Agreement Term	5 years
Number Of States With Facilities	34
Wage and Hour Litigation [Member] | Illinois [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of former employees who filled a putative collective and class action complaint		1
Wage and Hour Litigation [Member] | Connecticut [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of former employees who filled a putative collective and class action complaint			3
Computer Inventory And Data Security Reporting [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of Individuals With Information on Missing Devices				6,909
Number of Missing Computers and Laptops				142
Threshold of Individuals in Data Breach				500
Percentage Of Company Devices Used				0.30%
Computer Inventory And Data Security Reporting [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Year of Departure				2011
Computer Inventory And Data Security Reporting [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Year of Departure				2014
Home Health [Member] | Ohio [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of claims submitted by subsidiary					137
Home Health [Member] | Extrapolated [Member] | Ohio [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of claims submitted by subsidiary						114
Recovery amount of the overpayment made to the subsidiary						5,600,000
Home Health [Member] | Unfavorable [Member] | Ohio [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of claims submitted by subsidiary							28
Home Health [Member] | Favorable In Full [Member] | Ohio [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of claims submitted by subsidiary							76
Number of claims appealed							74
Home Health [Member] | Favorable In Part [Member] | Ohio [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of claims submitted by subsidiary							10
Number of claims appealed							8
Home Health [Member] | Frontier Litigation [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number Of Care Centers Sold								5
Hospice [Member] | South Carolina [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of beneficiaries									30
Hospice [Member] | Extrapolated [Member] | South Carolina [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Recovery amount of the overpayment made to the subsidiary										$6,100,000
Number of beneficiaries										16
Hospice [Member] | Frontier Litigation [Member]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number Of Care Centers Sold								4

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Segments
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable business segments	2

Operating_Income_of_Reportable

Operating Income of Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	$301,572,000	$298,739,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	170,961,000	177,008,000
General and administrative expenses	104,000,000	126,300,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,976,000	4,894,000
Depreciation and amortization	6,537,000	7,902,000
Asset impairment charge	75,193,000	2,208,000
Operating expenses	359,676,000	318,312,000
Operating income (loss)	-58,104,000	-19,573,000
Home Health [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	241,400,000	236,700,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	138,700,000	144,000,000
General and administrative expenses	62,800,000	76,000,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	2,600,000	4,100,000
Depreciation and amortization	1,500,000	2,500,000
Asset impairment charge	0	1,200,000
Operating expenses	205,600,000	227,800,000
Operating income (loss)	35,800,000	8,900,000
Hospice [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	60,200,000	62,000,000
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	32,300,000	33,000,000
General and administrative expenses	14,400,000	16,300,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	400,000	800,000
Depreciation and amortization	400,000	500,000
Asset impairment charge	0	1,000,000
Operating expenses	47,500,000	51,600,000
Operating income (loss)	12,700,000	10,400,000
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net service revenue	0	0
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization	0	0
General and administrative expenses	26,800,000	34,000,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	4,600,000	4,900,000
Asset impairment charge	75,200,000	0
Operating expenses	106,600,000	38,900,000
Operating income (loss)	($106,600,000)	($38,900,000)