Operating Income of Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net service revenue $ 338,400 $ 326,400 $ 314,100 $ 301,600 $ 300,500 $ 300,300 $ 305,000 $ 298,700 $ 1,280,541 $ 1,204,554 $ 1,249,344
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization                 725,915 691,061 717,996
General and administrative expenses                 452,400 441,700 474,000
Provision for doubtful accounts                 14,053 16,294 15,882
Depreciation and amortization                 20,036 28,307 36,871
U.S. Department of Justice settlement                 0 0 150,000
Asset impairment charge                 77,268 3,107 9,492
Operating expenses                 1,289,707 1,180,507 1,404,315
Operating (loss) income                 (9,166) 24,047 (154,971)
Home Health [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net service revenue                 1,005,100 956,900 987,700
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization                 584,200 559,400 578,900
General and administrative expenses                 263,200 269,000 304,800
Provision for doubtful accounts                 12,200 14,800 10,200
Depreciation and amortization                 5,200 9,000 10,300
U.S. Department of Justice settlement                     0
Asset impairment charge                 0 1,600 8,500
Operating expenses                 864,800 853,800 912,700
Operating (loss) income                 140,300 103,100 75,000
Hospice [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net service revenue                 275,400 247,600 261,600
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization                 141,700 131,700 139,100
General and administrative expenses                 62,700 58,300 64,700
Provision for doubtful accounts                 1,900 1,500 5,700
Depreciation and amortization                 1,400 2,100 2,100
U.S. Department of Justice settlement                     0
Asset impairment charge                 0 1,500 1,000
Operating expenses                 207,700 195,100 212,600
Operating (loss) income                 67,700 52,500 49,000
All Other Segments [Member]                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Net service revenue                 0 0 0
Cost of service, excluding depreciation and amortization                 0 0 0
General and administrative expenses                 126,500 114,400 104,500
Provision for doubtful accounts                 0 0 0
Depreciation and amortization                 13,400 17,200 24,500
U.S. Department of Justice settlement                     150,000
Asset impairment charge                 77,300 0 0
Operating expenses                 217,200 131,600 279,000
Operating (loss) income                 $ (217,200) $ (131,600) $ (279,000)