Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Mar. 04, 2016
Jun. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2015    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Trading Symbol AMED    
Entity Registrant Name AMEDISYS INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0000896262    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   33,329,102  
Entity Public Float     $ 679,670,884
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes