Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                          ---------------------------

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                                 DARYL J. DOISE

                                      AND

                                LHC GROUP, INC.

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                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

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<S>  <C>                                                                       <C>

1.   Effective Date.............................................................1

2.   Employment.................................................................1

3.   Employment Period..........................................................1

4.   Extent of Service..........................................................1

5.   Compensation and Benefits..................................................2

        (a)      Base Salary....................................................2

        (b)      Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans........................2

        (c)      Welfare Benefit Plans..........................................2

        (d)      Expenses.......................................................2

        (e)      Fringe Benefits................................................3

        (f)      Vacation.......................................................3

        (g)      Office and Support Staff.......................................3

6.   Change of Control..........................................................3

7.   Termination of Employment..................................................4

        (a)      Death or Retirement............................................4

        (b)      Disability.....................................................4

        (c)      Termination by the Company.....................................5

        (d)      Termination by Executive.......................................5

        (e)      Notice of Termination..........................................5

        (f)      Date of Termination............................................6

8.   Obligations of the Company upon Termination................................6

        (a)      Termination by Executive for Good Reason;
                 Termination by the Company Other Than for Cause
                 or Disability..................................................6

        (b)      Death, Disability or Retirement................................8

        (c)      Cause or Voluntary Termination without Good
                 Reason.........................................................8

        (d)      Expiration of Employment Period................................8

        (e)      Resignations...................................................8

9.   Non-exclusivity of Rights..................................................8

10.  Full Settlement; No Obligation to Mitigate.................................8

11.  Certain Additional Payments by the Company.................................9
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>

<S>  <C>                                                                       <C>
12.  Costs of Enforcement......................................................11

13.  Representations and Warranties............................................11

14.  Restrictions on Conduct of Executive......................................11

        (a)      General.......................................................11

        (b)      Definitions...................................................11

        (c)      Restrictive Covenants.........................................13

        (d)      Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants..........................15

15.  Arbitration...............................................................16

16.  Assignment and Successors.................................................16

17.  Miscellaneous.............................................................16
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-
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                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into this
____ day of January, 2005 by and between LHC Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and Daryl J. Doise ("Executive"), to be effective as of the
Effective Date, as defined in Section 1.

                                   BACKGROUND

     Executive currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of Facility-Based Services of the Company. The Company desires to
continue to engage Executive in such capacity from and after the Effective Date,
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Executive is willing to serve as
such in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
 covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable
 consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
 the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.   Effective Date. The effective date of this Agreement (the "Effective
Date") shall be the effective date of a registration statement on Form S-l for
the initial public offering of the common stock of the Company.

     2.   Employment. Executive is hereby employed on the Effective Date as
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Facility-Based Services of
the Company. In his capacity as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of Facility-Based Services of the Company, Executive shall have the
duties, responsibilities and authority commensurate with such position as shall
be assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer and/or the Board of Directors
of the Company. In his capacity as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of Facility-Based Services of the Company, Executive will report
directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

     3.   Employment Period. Unless earlier terminated herein in accordance with
Section 7 hereof, Executive's employment shall be for a three year term,
beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of the
Effective Date (the "Employment Period"). Beginning on the third anniversary of
the Effective Date and on each subsequent anniversary of the Effective Date, the
Employment Period shall, without further action by Executive or the Company, be
extended by an additional one-year period; provided, however, that either the
Company or the Executive may, by notice to the other given at least sixty (60)
days prior to the scheduled expiration of the Employment Period, cause the
Employment Period to cease to extend automatically. Upon such notice, the
Employment Period shall terminate upon the expiration of the then-current term,
including any prior extensions.

     4.   Extent of Service. During the Employment Period, and excluding any
periods of vacation, holiday, sick leave and Company-approved leave of absence
to which Executive is entitled in accordance with Company policies, Executive
agrees to devote substantially all of his business time, attention, skill and
efforts exclusively to the faithful performance of his duties hereunder. It
shall not be a violation of this Agreement for Executive to (i) devote
reasonable time to charitable or community activities, (ii) serve on corporate,
civic, educational or charitable boards or committees, subject to the Company's
standards of business conduct or other code of ethics, (iii) deliver lectures or
fulfill speaking engagements from time to time on an infrequent

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basis, and/or (iv) manage personal business interests and investments, subject
to the Company's standards of business conduct or other code of ethics, and so
long as such activities do not interfere in a material manner or on a routine
basis with the performance of Executive's responsibilities under this Agreement.

     5.   Compensation and Benefits.

          (a)  Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company will pay
to Executive base salary at the rate of U.S. $200,000 per year ("Base Salary"),
less normal withholdings, payable in approximately equal bi-weekly or other
installments as are or become customary under the Company's payroll practices
for its employees from time to time. The compensation committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company (or the full Board, if there is no compensation
committee) shall review Executive's Base Salary annually and may increase (but
not decrease) Executive's Base Salary from year to year. Such adjusted salary
then shall become Executive's Base Salary for purposes of this Agreement. The
annual review of Executive's salary by the Board will consider, among other
things, Executive's own performance, and the Company's performance.

          (b)  Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment
Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and
retirement plans, practices, policies and programs available to senior executive
officers of the Company ("Peer Executives"), and on the same basis as such Peer
Executives. Without limiting the foregoing, the following shall apply:

               (i)   during the Employment Period, Executive will be entitled to
participate in the Company's executive bonus plan, pursuant to which he will
have an opportunity to receive an annual cash bonus based upon the achievement
of performance goals established from year to year by the compensation
committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (such bonus earned at the
stated "goal" level of achievement being referred to herein as the "Target
Bonus"); and

               (ii)  during the Employment Period, Executive will be eligible
for grants, under the Company's long-term incentive plan or plans, of stock
options and/or restricted stock awards (or such other stock-based awards as the
Company makes to Peer Executives), having terms and determined in the same
manner as awards to other Peer Executives, unless the Executive consents to a
different type of award or different terms of such award than are applicable to
other Peer Executives. Nothing herein requires the Board of Directors to make
grants of options or other awards in any year.

          (c)  Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, Executive
and Executive's eligible dependents shall be eligible for participation in, and
shall receive all benefits under, the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies
and programs provided by the Company (including, without limitation, medical,
prescription drug, dental, disability, employee life, dependent life, accidental
death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) ("Welfare Plans") to the
extent available to other Peer Executives.

          (d) Expenses. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
Executive in the course of performing his duties and responsibilities under this
Agreement, in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the
Company to the extent available to other Peer Executives with respect to travel,
entertainment and other business expenses.

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          (e)  Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be
entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the plans, practices, programs
and policies of the Company available to other Peer Executives.

          (f)  Vacation. During the Employment Period, Executive will be
entitled to such paid vacation time as may be provided from time to time under
any plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company available to other
Peer Executives.

          (g)  Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, Executive
will be entitled to office, furnishings and equipment of similar type and
quality made available to other Peer Executives. During the Employment Period,
Executive will be entitled to secretarial and other assistance reasonably
necessary for the performance of his duties and responsibilities.

     6.   Change of Control. For the purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

          (a)  individuals who, on the Effective Date, constitute the Board of
          Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any
          reason to constitute at least a majority of such Board, provided that
          any person becoming a director after the Effective Date and whose
          election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least
          a majority of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board shall be an
          Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual initially
          elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an
          actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or
          removal of directors ("Election Contest") or other actual or
          threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any
          "person" (such term for purposes of this Section 6 being as defined in
          Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
          Act") and as used in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange
          Act) other than the Board ("Proxy Contest"), including by reason of
          any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or
          Proxy Contest, shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; or

          (b)  any person is or becomes a "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule
          13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of either (i)
          35% or more of the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the
          Company ("Company Common Stock") or (ii) securities of the Company
          representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's
          then outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of
          directors (the "Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that
          for purposes of this paragraph (b), the following acquisitions of
          Company Common Stock or Company Voting Securities shall not constitute
          a Change of Control: (A) an acquisition directly from the Company, (B)
          an acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, (C) an
          acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored
          or maintained by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or (D)
          an acquisition pursuant to a Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined in
          paragraph (c) below); or

          (c)  the consummation of a recapitalization, reorganization, merger,
          consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of transaction
          involving the Company or a subsidiary of the Company (a
          "Reorganization"), or the sale or other disposition of all or
          substantially all of the Company's assets (a "Sale") or the
          acquisition of assets or stock of another entity (an "Acquisition"),
          unless immediately following such Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition:
          (A) all or substantially all of the individuals

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          and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
          outstanding Company Common Stock and outstanding Company Voting
          Securities immediately prior to such Reorganization, Sale or
          Acquisition beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50%
          of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the
          combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
          entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case
          may be, of the entity resulting from or surviving such Reorganization,
          Sale or Acquisition (including, without limitation, an entity which as
          a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially
          all of the Company's assets or stock either directly or through one or
          more subsidiary entities, the "Surviving Entity") in substantially the
          same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such
          Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition, of the outstanding Company Common
          Stock and the outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may
          be, and (B) no person (other than (x) the Company or any subsidiary of
          the Company, (y) the Surviving Entity or its ultimate parent entity,
          or (z) any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
          maintained by any of the foregoing) is the beneficial owner, directly
          or indirectly, of 35% or more of the total common stock or 35% or more
          of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities
          eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Entity, and (C) at least
          a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving
          Entity were Incumbent Directors at the time of the Board's approval of
          the execution of the initial agreement providing for such
          Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition (any Reorganization, Sale or
          Acquisition which satisfies all of the criteria specified in (A), (B)
          and (C) above shall be deemed to be a "Non-Qualifying Transaction");
          or

          (d)  approval by the members or stockholders of the Company, as the
          case may be, of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

     7.   Termination of Employment.

          (a)  Death or Retirement. Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon Executive's death or Retirement during the Employment Period.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Retirement" shall mean normal retirement as
defined in the Company's then-current retirement plan, or if there is no such
retirement plan, "Retirement" shall mean voluntary termination after age 65 with
at least ten years of service.

          (b)  Disability. If the Company determines in good faith that the
Disability (as defined below) of Executive has occurred during the Employment
Period, it may give to Executive written notice of its intention to terminate
Executive's employment. In such event, Executive's employment with the Company
shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such written notice
by Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30
days after such receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability"
shall have the same meaning as provided in the long-term disability plan or
policy maintained by the Company and covering Executive. If no such long-term
disability plan or policy is maintained, "Disability" shall mean the inability
of Executive, as determined by the Board, to perform the essential functions of
his regular duties and responsibilities, with or without reasonable
accommodation, due to a medically determinable physical or mental illness which
has lasted (or can reasonably be expected to last) for a period of six
consecutive months.

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          (c)  Termination by the Company. The Company may terminate Executive's
employment during the Employment Period with or without Cause. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:

               (i)   the continued failure of Executive to perform substantially
Executive's duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from
incapacity due to physical or mental illness, or following Executive's delivery
of notice of termination for Good Reason, and specifically excluding any failure
by Executive, after reasonable efforts, to meet performance expectations), after
a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by the
Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that
Executive has not substantially performed Executive's duties, or

               (ii)  the engaging by Executive in illegal conduct or gross
misconduct which is injurious to the Company, or

               (iii) the conviction of Executive, or a plea of guilty or nolo
 contendere by Executive, to a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude.

          (d)  Termination by Executive. Executive's employment may be
terminated by Executive for Good Reason or no reason. For purposes of this
Agreement, unless written consent of Executive is obtained, "Good Reason" shall
mean:

               (i)   the assignment to Executive of duties inconsistent in
material respect with Executive's position (including status, offices, titles
and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as in effect
on the Effective Date, or a material diminution in such position, authority,
duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by
Executive;

               (ii)  a reduction by the Company in Executive's Base Salary or
 Target Bonus as in effect on the Effective Date or, with respect to Executive's
 Base Salary, as the same may be increased from time to time;

               (iii) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy 16(c)
of this Agreement; or

               (v)   the material breach by the Company of any other provision
of this Agreement.

     Any claim of "Good Reason" under this Agreement shall be communicated by
Executive to the Company in writing, which writing shall specifically identify
the factual details concerning the event(s) giving rise to Executive's claim of
Good Reason under this Section 7(d). The Company shall have an opportunity to
cure any claimed event of Good Reason within 30 days of such notice from
Executive.

          (e)  Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause,
or by Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination
to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 17(f) of this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a
written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of

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Executive's employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) specifies the
termination date. The failure by Executive or the Company to set forth in the
Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of
Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company,
respectively, hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company, respectively, from
asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive's or the Company's
rights hereunder.

          (f)  Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by Executive
for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or a date
within 30 days after receipt of the Notice of Termination, as specified in such
notice, (ii) if Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than
for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of receipt of
the Notice of Termination or a date within 90 days after receipt of the Notice
of Termination, as specified in such notice, (iii) if Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date of death of Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may
be, and (iv) if Executive's employment is terminated by Executive without Good
Reason, the Date of Termination shall be 60 days following the Company's receipt
of the Notice of Termination, unless the Company specifies an earlier Date of
Termination.

     8.   Obligations of the Company upon Termination.

          (a)  Termination by Executive for Good Reason: Termination by the
Company Other Than for Cause or Disability. If, during the Employment Period,
the Company shall terminate Executive's employment other than for Cause or
Disability, or Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason within a
period of 90 days after the occurrence of the event giving rise to Good Reason,
then and, with respect to the payments and benefits described in clauses (i)(B)
and (ii) below, only if Executive executes a Release in substantially the form
of Exhibit A hereto (the "Release"):

               (i)   the Company shall provide to Executive in a single lump sum
cash payment within 30 days after the Date of Termination, or if later, within
five days after the Release becomes effective and nonrevocable, the aggregate of
the following amounts:

                     A.   the sum of the following amounts, to the extent not
     previously paid to Executive (the "Accrued Obligations"): (1) Executive's
     Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (2) a pro-rata bonus for the
     year in which the Date of Termination occurs, computed as the product of
     (x) Executive's Target Bonus for such year and (y) a fraction, the
     numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year
     through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, (3)
     any accrued pay in lieu of unused vacation (in accordance with the
     Company's vacation policy), and (4) unless Executive has a later payout
     date that is required in connection with the terms of a deferral plan or
     agreement, any vested compensation previously deferred by Executive
     (together with any amount equivalent to accrued interest or earnings
     thereon); and

                     B.   a severance payment as determined pursuant to clause
     (x) or (y) below, as applicable:

                          (x)  if the Date of Termination occurs before, or more
     than two years after, the occurrence of a Change of Control, the severance
     payment shall be the product of 24 (the "Regular Severance Factor") times
     one twelfth of the sum of

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     (1) Executive's Base Salary in effect as of the Date of Termination
     (ignoring any decrease in Executive's Base Salary unless consented to by
     Executive), and (2) the greater of the average of the annual bonuses
     earned by Executive for the two fiscal years in which annual bonuses were
     paid immediately preceding the year in which the Date of Termination
     occurs, or Executive's Target Bonus for the year in which the Date of
     Termination occurs; or

                          (y)  if the Date of Termination occurs within two
     years after the occurrence of a Change of Control, the severance payment
     shall be the product of 30 (the "Change of Control Severance Factor") times
     one twelfth of the sum of (1) Executive's Base Salary in effect as of the
     Date of Termination, and (2) the greater of the average of the annual
     bonuses earned by Executive for the two fiscal years in which annual
     bonuses were paid immediately preceding the year in which the Date of
     Termination occurs, or Executive's Target Bonus for the year in which the
     Date of Termination occurs; and

               (ii)   the Company shall continue to provide, for a number of
months equal to the Regular Severance Factor or the Change of Control Severance
Factor (determined in Section 8(a)(i)(B)(x) or (y) above, as applicable) after
Executive's Date of Termination (the "Welfare Benefits Continuation Period"), or
such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan,
program, practice or policy, any group health benefits to which Executive and/or
Executive's eligible dependents would otherwise be entitled to continue under
COBRA, or benefits substantially equivalent to those group health benefits which
would have been provided to them in accordance with the Welfare Plans described
in Section 5(c) of this Agreement if Executive's employment had not been
terminated, provided, however, that if Executive becomes employed with another
employer (including self-employment) and receives group health benefits under
another employer provided plan, the Company's obligation to provide group health
benefits described herein shall cease, except as otherwise provided by law and
provided, further, that the Welfare Benefits Continuation Period shall run
concurrently with any period for which Executive is eligible to elect health
coverage under COBRA; and

               (iii)  all grants of stock options and other equity awards
granted by the Company and held by Executive as of the Date of Termination will
become immediately vested and exercisable as of the Date of Termination and, to
the extent necessary, this Agreement is hereby deemed an amendment of any such
outstanding stock option or other equity award; and

               (iv)   to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the
Company shall timely pay or provide to Executive any other amounts or benefits
required to be paid or provided or which Executive is eligible to receive under
any plan, program, policy or practice of the Company to the extent provided to
Peer Executives prior to the Date of Termination (such other amounts and
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").

          If Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause
prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control and if it can reasonably be shown
that Executive's termination (i) was at the direction or request of a third
party that had taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control
after such termination, or (ii) otherwise occurred in anticipation of a Change
in Control, and in either case a Change in Control as defined hereunder does, in
fact, occur, then Executive shall have the rights described in this Section 8(a)
as if the Change in Control had occurred on the date immediately preceding the
Date of Termination.

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          Executive acknowledges and agrees that the receipt of severance
benefits provided in this Section 8(a) constitutes consideration for the
restrictions on the conduct of Executive contained in Section 14 of this
Agreement.

          (b)  Death, Disability or Retirement. If Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of his death, Disability or Retirement during the
Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to
Executive or his estate, beneficiaries or legal representatives, other than for
payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other
Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to Executive or his estate,
beneficiary or legal representative, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within
30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other
Benefits, the term Other Benefits as used in this Section 8(b) shall include,
without limitation, and Executive or his estate, beneficiaries or legal
representatives, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive, benefits under
such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death, disability or
retirement benefits, if any, as are applicable to Executive or his family on the
Date of Termination.

          (c)  Cause or Voluntary Termination without Good Reason. If
Executive's employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment
Period, or if Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment
Period without Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations
(excluding the pro-rata bonus described in clause 2 of Section 8(a)(i)(A)) and
the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.

          (d)  Expiration of Employment Period. If Executive's employment shall
be terminated due to the normal expiration of the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to Executive, other than
for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other
Benefits.

          (e)  Resignations. Termination of Executive's employment for any
reason whatsoever shall constitute Executive's resignation as an officer of the
Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

     9.   Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit Executive's continuing or future participation in any employee benefit
plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company and for which
Executive may qualify, except as specifically provided herein. Amounts which are
vested benefits or which Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any
employee benefit plan, policy, practice or program of the Company, its
subsidiaries or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of
Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or
program except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

     10.  Full Settlement: No Obligation to Mitigate. The Company's obligation
to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have
against Executive or others. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek
other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except
as explicitly provided herein, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not
Executive obtains other employment.

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     11.  Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

          (a)  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and
except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any payment
or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive (whether paid
or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments
required under this Section 11) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code") or any interest or penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties,
are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then Executive
shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an
amount such that after payment by Executive of all taxes (including any interest
or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation,
any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto)
and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of
the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1l(a), if it shall be
determined that Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that Executive,
after taking into account the Payments and the Gross-Up Payment, would not
receive a net after-tax benefit of at least $50,000 (taking into account both
income taxes and any Excise Tax) as compared to the net after-tax proceeds to
Executive resulting from an elimination of the Gross-Up Payment and a reduction
of the Payments, in the aggregate, to an amount (the "Reduced Amount") such that
the receipt of Payments would not give rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up
Payment shall be made to Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be
reduced to the Reduced Amount. Executive may select the Payments to be limited
or reduced.

          (b)  Subject to the provisions of Section 1l(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 11, including whether and when a Gross-Up
Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions
to be used in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a certified
public accounting firm selected by Executive (other than the Company's regular
accounting firm) and reasonably acceptable to the Company (the "Accounting
Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company
and Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from Executive
that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is reasonably requested
by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne
solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this
Section 11, shall be paid by the Company to Executive within five days of the
receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive. As a result of
the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of
the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been
made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to
Section 1l(c) and Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment
that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of Executive.

          (c)  Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the
Company of a Gross-Up Payment (or an additional Gross-Up Payment). Such
notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten
business days after Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall
apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such

                                       9
<PAGE>

claim is requested to be paid. Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the
expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which he gives such notice
to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of
taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies Executive in
writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such
claim, Executive shall:

               (i)    give the Company any information reasonably requested by
the Company relating to such claim,

               (ii)   take such action in connection with contesting such claim
as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including,
without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by
an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

               (iii)  cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and

               (iv)   permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of
this Section 11(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest (to the extent applicable to the Excise Tax and the
Gross-Up Payment) and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct
Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in
any permissible manner, and Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a
determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Executive to pay such
claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment
to Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold Executive
harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including
interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance
or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further
provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of
taxes for the taxable year of Executive with respect to which such contested
amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.
Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues
with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and
Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other
issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

          (d)  If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 11(c), Executive becomes entitled to receive any
refund with respect to such claim, Executive shall (subject to the Company's
complying with the requirements of Section 11(c)) promptly pay to the Company
the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon
after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 11(c), a determination is made that
Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the
Company does not notify

                                       10

<PAGE>

Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the
expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be
forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance
shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to
be paid.

     12.  Costs of Enforcement. In any action taken in good faith relating to
the enforcement of this Agreement or any provision herein, Executive shall be
entitled to reimbursement for any and all costs and expenses incurred by him in
enforcing or establishing his rights thereunder, including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees, whether suit be brought or not, and whether or not
incurred in arbitration, trial, bankruptcy or appellate proceedings, but only if
and to the extent Executive is successful in asserting such rights. Executive
shall also be entitled to be paid all reasonable legal fees and expenses, if
any, incurred in connection with any tax audit or proceeding to the extent
attributable to the application of Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code to
any payment or benefit hereunder.

     13.  Representations and Warranties. Executive hereby represents and
warrants to the Company that Executive is not a party to, or otherwise subject
to, any covenant not to compete with any person or entity, and Executive's
execution of this Agreement and performance of his obligations hereunder will
not violate the terms or conditions of any contract or obligation, written or
oral, between Executive and any other person or entity.

     14.  Restrictions on Conduct of Executive.

          (a)  General. Executive and the Company understand and agree that the
purpose of the provisions of this Section 14 is to protect legitimate business
interests of the Company, as more fully described below, and is not intended to
impair or infringe upon Executive's right to work, earn a living, or acquire and
possess property from the fruits of his labor. Executive hereby acknowledges
that Executive has received good and valuable consideration for the post-
employment restrictions set forth in this Section 14 in the form of the
compensation and benefits provided for herein. Executive hereby further
acknowledges that the post-employment restrictions set forth in this Section 14
are reasonable and that they do not, and will not, unduly impair his ability to
earn a living after the termination of this Agreement.

          In addition, the parties acknowledge: (A) that Executive's services
under this Agreement require unique expertise and talent in the provision of
Competitive Services and that Executive will have substantial contacts with
customers, suppliers, advertisers and vendors of the Company; (B) that pursuant
to this Agreement, Executive will be placed in a position of trust and
responsibility and he will have access to a substantial amount of Confidential
Information and Trade Secrets and that the Company is placing him in such
position and giving him access to such information in reliance upon his
agreement not to solicit customers during the Restricted Period; (C) that due to
Executive's unique experience and talent, the loss of Executive's services to
the Company under this Agreement cannot reasonably or adequately be compensated
solely by damages in an action at law; (D) that Executive is capable of
competing with the Company; and (E) that Executive is capable of obtaining
gainful, lucrative and desirable employment that does not violate the
restrictions contained in this Agreement.

          Therefore, Executive shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in
this Section 14.

          (b)  Definitions. The following capitalized terms used in this Section
14 shall have the meanings assigned to them below, which definitions shall apply
to both the singular and the plural forms of such terms:

                                       11

<PAGE>

               "Competitive Services" means the business of providing post-acute
 healthcare services, including home-based services through home nursing
 agencies and hospices and facility-based services through long-term acute care
 hospitals and outpatient rehabilitation clinics.

               "Confidential Information " means all information regarding the
 Company, its activities, business or clients that is the subject of reasonable
 efforts by the Company to maintain its confidentiality and that is not
 generally disclosed by practice or authority to persons not employed by the
 Company, but that does not rise to the level of a Trade Secret. "Confidential
 Information" shall include, but is not limited to, financial plans and data
 concerning the Company; management planning information; business plans;
 operational methods; market studies; marketing plans or strategies; product
 development techniques or plans; customer lists; customer files, data and
 financial information, details of customer contracts; current and anticipated
 customer requirements; identifying and other information pertaining to business
 referral sources; past, current and planned research and development; business
 acquisition plans; and new personnel acquisition plans. "Confidential
 Information" shall not include information that has become generally available
 to the public by the act of one who has the right to disclose such information
 without violating any right or privilege of the Company. This definition shall
 not limit any definition of "confidential information" or any equivalent term
 under state or federal law.

               "Determination Date" means the date of termination of Executive's
 employment with the Company for any reason whatsoever or any earlier date
 (during the Employment Period) of an alleged breach of the Restrictive
 Covenants by Executive.

               "Person " means any individual or any corporation, partnership,
 joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity or
 enterprise.

               "Principal or Representative" means a principal, owner, partner,
stockholder, joint venturer, investor, member, trustee, director, officer,
manager, employee, agent, representative or consultant.

               "Protected Customers" means any Person to whom the Company has
 sold its products or services or solicited to sell its products or services,
 other than through general advertising targeted at consumers, during the 12
 months prior to the Determination Date.

               "Protected Employees" means employees of the Company who were
 employed by the Company or its affiliates at any time within six months prior
 to the Determination Date, other than those who were discharged by the Company
 or such affiliated employer without cause.

               "Restricted Period" means the Employment Period plus 24 months
 (or the Employment Period plus 6 months if Executive's termination occurs
 within two years after the occurrence of a Change in Control); provided,
 however, that the Restricted Period shall end with respect to the covenants in
 clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 14(c) on the 60th day after the Date of
 Termination in the event the Company breaches its obligation, if any, to make
 any payment required under Section 8(a)(i).

               "Restricted Territory" means the geographical territory
described on Exhibit B hereto.

                                       12

<PAGE>

               "Restrictive Covenants" means the restrictive covenants
contained in Section 14(c) hereof.

               "Third Party Information" means confidential or proprietary
information subject to a duty on the Company's and its affiliates' part to
maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain
limited purposes.

               "Trade Secret" means all information, without regard to form,
including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data, a formula, a
pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a
process, financial data, financial plans, product plans, distribution lists or a
list of actual or potential customers, advertisers or suppliers which is not
commonly known by or available to the public and which information: (A) derives
economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not
being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain
economic value from its disclosure or use; and (B) is the subject of efforts
that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy. Without
limiting the foregoing, Trade Secret means any item of confidential information
that constitutes a "trade secret(s)" under the common law or statutory law of
the State of Delaware.

               "Work Product" means all inventions, innovations, improvements,
developments, methods, processes, programs, designs, analyses, drawings,
reports, and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) that
relate to the Company's or its affiliates' actual or anticipated business,
research and development, or existing or future products or services and that
are conceived, developed, contributed to, made, or reduced to practice by
Executive (either solely or jointly with others) while employed by the Company
or its affiliates.

          (c)  Restrictive Covenants.

               (i)  Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Confidential
Information and Trade Secrets. Executive understands and agrees that the
Confidential Information and Trade Secrets constitute valuable assets of the
Company and its affiliated entities, and may not be converted to Executive's own
use. Accordingly, Executive hereby agrees that Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, at any time during the Restricted Period reveal, divulge, or
disclose to any Person not expressly authorized by the Company any Confidential
Information, and Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, at any time during
the Restricted Period use or make use of any Confidential Information in
connection with any business activity other than that of the Company. Throughout
the term of this Agreement and at all times after the date that this Agreement
terminates for any reason, Executive shall not directly or indirectly transmit
or disclose any Trade Secret of the Company to any Person, and shall not make
use of any such Trade Secret, directly or indirectly, for himself or for others,
without the prior written consent of the Company. The parties acknowledge and
agree that this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, alter either the
Company's rights or Executive's obligations under any state or federal statutory
or common law regarding trade secrets and unfair trade practices.

               Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Executive shall
not be restricted from disclosing or using Confidential Information or any Trade
Secret that is required to be disclosed by law, court order or other legal
process; provided, however, that in the event disclosure is required by law,
Executive shall provide the Company with prompt notice of such requirement so
that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order prior to any such
required disclosure by Executive.

                                       13

<PAGE>

               Executive acknowledges that any and all Confidential Information
is the exclusive property of the Company and agrees to deliver to the Company on
the Date of Termination, or at any other time the Company may request in
writing, any and all Confidential Information which he may then possess or have
under his control in whatever form same may exist, including, but not by way of
limitation, hard copy files, soft copy files, computer disks, and all copies
thereof.

               (ii)   Nonsolicitation of Protected Employees. Executive
understands and agrees that the relationship between the Company and each of its
Protected Employees constitutes a valuable asset of the Company and may not be
converted to Executive's own use. Accordingly, Executive hereby agrees that
during the Restricted Period, Executive shall not directly or indirectly on
Executive's own behalf or as a Principal or Representative of any Person or
otherwise solicit or induce any Protected Employee to terminate his employment
relationship with the Company or to enter into employment with any other Person.

               (iii)  Restriction on Relationships with Protected Customers.
Executive understands and agrees that the relationship between the Company and
each of its Protected Customers constitutes a valuable asset of the Company and
may not be converted to Executive's own use. Accordingly, Executive hereby
agrees that, during the Restricted Period and in the Restricted Territory,
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly
or indirectly, on Executive's own behalf or as a Principal or Representative of
any Person, solicit, divert, take away or attempt to solicit, divert or take
away a Protected Customer for the purpose of providing or selling Competitive
Services; provided, however, that the prohibition of this covenant shall apply
only to Protected Customers with whom Executive had Material Contact on the
Company's behalf during the 12 months immediately preceding the Date of
Termination; and, provided further, that the prohibition of this covenant shall
not apply to the conduct of general advertising activities. For purposes of this
Agreement, Executive had "Material Contact" with a Protected Customer if (a) he
had business dealings with the Protected Customer on the Company's behalf; (b)
he was responsible for supervising or coordinating the dealings between the
Company and the Protected Customer; or (c) he obtained Trade Secrets or
Confidential Information about the customer as a result of his association with
the Company.

               (iv)   Ownership of Work Product. Executive acknowledges that the
Work Product belongs to the Company or its affiliates and Executive hereby
assigns, and agrees to assign, all of the Work Product to the Company or its
affiliates. Any copyrightable work prepared in whole or in part by Executive in
the course of his work for any of the foregoing entities shall be deemed a "work
made for hire" under the copyright laws, and the Company or such affiliate shall
own all rights therein. To the extent that any such copyrightable work is not a
"work made for hire," Executive hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the
Company or such affiliate all right, title, and interest, including without
limitation, copyright in and to such copyrightable work. Executive shall
promptly disclose such Work Product and copyrightable work to the Board and
perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board (whether during or after
the Employment Period) to establish and confirm the Company's or such
affiliate's ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents,
powers of attorney, and other instruments).

               (v)    Third Party Information. Executive understands that the
Company and its affiliates will receive Third Party Information. During the
Employment Period and thereafter, and without in any way limiting the provisions
of Section 14(c)(i) above, Executive will hold Third Party Information in the
strictest confidence and will not disclose to anyone (other than personnel of
the Company or its affiliates who need to know such information in connection
with

                                       14

<PAGE>

their work for the Company or its affiliates) or use, except in connection with
his work for the Company or its affiliates, Third Party Information unless
expressly authorized by a member of the Board (other than Executive) in writing.

               (vi)   Use of Information of Prior Employers. During the
Employment Period, Executive will not improperly use or disclose any
confidential information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employers or
any other person to whom Executive has an obligation of confidentiality, and
will not bring onto the premises of the Company or any of its affiliates any
unpublished documents or any property belonging to any former employer or any
other person to whom Executive has an obligation of confidentiality unless
consented to by in writing the former employer or person. Executive will use in
the performance of his duties only information which is (i) generally known and
used by persons with training and experience comparable to Executive's and which
is (x) common knowledge in the industry or (y) is otherwise legally in the
public domain, (ii) is otherwise provided or developed by the Company or its
affiliates or (iii) in the case of materials, property or information belonging
to any former employer or other person to whom Executive has an obligation of
confidentiality, approved for such use in writing by such former employer or
person.

          (d)  Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants.

               (i)   Rights and Remedies Upon Breach. In the event Executive
breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the provisions of the
Restrictive Covenants, the Company shall have the right and remedy to enjoin,
preliminarily and permanently, Executive from violating or threatening to
violate the Restrictive Covenants and to have the Restrictive Covenants
specifically enforced by any court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction, it
being agreed that any breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants
would cause irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages would not
provide an adequate remedy to the Company. Such right and remedy shall be
independent of any others and severally enforceable, and shall be in addition
to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company
at law or in equity.

               (ii)  Severability of Covenants. Executive acknowledges and
agrees that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable and valid in time and scope
and in all other respects. The covenants set forth in this Agreement shall be
considered and construed as separate and independent covenants. Should any part
or provision of any covenant be held invalid, void or unenforceable, such
invalidity, voidness or unenforceability shall not render invalid, void or
unenforceable any other part or provision of this Agreement. If any portion of
the foregoing provisions is found to be invalid or unenforceable because its
duration, the territory, the definition of activities or the definition of
information covered is considered to be invalid or unreasonable in scope, the
invalid or unreasonable term shall be redefined, or a new enforceable term
provided, such that the intent of the Company and Executive in agreeing to the
provisions of this Agreement will not be impaired and the provision in question
shall be enforceable to the fullest extent of the applicable laws.

               (iii) Reformation. The parties hereunder agree that it is their
intention that the Restrictive Covenants be enforced in accordance with their
terms to the maximum extent possible under applicable law. The parties further
agree that, in the event any tribunal of competent jurisdiction shall find that
any provision hereof is not enforceable in accordance with its terms, the
tribunal shall reform the Restrictive Covenants such that they shall be
enforceable to the maximum extent permissible at law.

                                       15

<PAGE>

     15.  Arbitration. Any claim or dispute arising under or relating to this
Agreement or the breach, termination, or validity of any term of this Agreement,
including, but not by way of limitation, the legality and enforceability of the
Restrictive Covenants, shall be subject to arbitration, and prior to commencing
any court action, the parties agree that they shall arbitrate all controversies;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 15 shall prohibit the Company
from exercising its right under Section 14(d)(i) to pursue injunctive remedies
with respect to a breach or threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants. The
arbitration shall be conducted in Lafayette, Louisiana, in accordance with the
Employment Dispute Rules of the American Arbitration Association and the Federal
Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Section 1, et. seq. The arbitrator(s) shall be
authorized to award both liquidated and actual damages, in addition to
injunctive relief, but no punitive damages. The arbitrator(s) may also award
attorney's fees and costs, without regard to any restriction on the amount of
such award under Delaware or other applicable law. Such an award shall be
binding and conclusive upon the parties hereto, subject to 9 U.S.C. Section 10.
Each party shall have the right to have the award made the judgment of a court
of competent jurisdiction.

     16.  Assignment and Successors.

          (a)  This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior
written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive's legal representatives.

          (b)  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns.

          (c)  The Company will require any Surviving Entity resulting from a
Reorganization, Sale or Acquisition (if other than the Company) to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no Reorganization,
Sale or Acquisition had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall
mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business
and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by
operation of law, or otherwise.

     17.  Miscellaneous.

          (a)  Waiver. Failure of either party to insist, in one or more
instances, on performance by the other in strict accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of
any right granted in this Agreement or of the future performance of any such
term or condition or of any other term or condition of this Agreement, unless
such waiver is contained in a writing signed by the party making the waiver.

          (b)  Severability. If any provision or covenant, or any part thereof,
of this Agreement should be held by any tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, either in whole or in part, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect the validity, legality or
enforceability of the remaining provisions or covenants, or any part thereof, of
this Agreement, all of which shall remain in full force and effect.

          (c)  Other Agents. Nothing in this Agreement is to be interpreted as
limiting the Company from employing other personnel on such terms and conditions
as may be satisfactory to it, except that this Section 17(c) shall not override
the provision of Section 7(d)(i).

                                       16

<PAGE>

          (d)  Entire Agreement. Except as provided herein, this Agreement
contains the entire agreement between the Company and Executive with respect to
the subject matter hereof and, from and after the Effective Date, this Agreement
shall supersede any other agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof, including without limitation, the Prior Agreement.

          (e)  Governing Law. Except to the extent preempted by federal law, and
without regard to conflict of laws principles, the laws of the State of Delaware
shall govern this Agreement in all respects, whether as to its validity,
construction, capacity, performance or otherwise.

          (f)  Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if delivered or three days after mailing if mailed, first class,
certified mail, postage prepaid:

          To the Company:   LHC Group, Inc.
                            Suite A
                            420 W. Pinhook Road
                            Lafayette, LA 70503
                            Attention: General Counsel

          To Executive:     Daryl J. Doise

                            ------------------------

                            ------------------------

Any party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands and other
communications shall be delivered or mailed by giving notice thereof to the
other party in the same manner provided herein.

          (g)  Amendments and Modifications. This Agreement may be amended or
modified only by a writing signed by both parties hereto, which makes specific
reference to this Agreement.

          (h)  Construction. Each party and his or its counsel have reviewed
this Agreement and have been provided the opportunity to revise this Agreement
and accordingly, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any
ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed
in the interpretation of this Agreement. Instead, the language of all parts of
this Agreement shall be construed as a whole, and according to its fair meaning,
and not strictly for or against either party.

          (i)  Withholding. The Company or its subsidiaries, if applicable,
shall be entitled to deduct or withhold from any amounts owing from the Company
or any such affiliate to Executive any federal, state, local or foreign
withholding taxes, excise taxes, or employment taxes ("Taxes") imposed with
respect to Executive's compensation or other payments from the Company or any of
its affiliates. In the event the Company or its affiliates do not make such
deductions or withholdings, Executive shall indemnify the Company and its
affiliates for any amounts paid with respect to any such Taxes.

                                       17

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered
this Employment Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                  LHC GROUP, INC.

                                  By: /s/
                                     -------------------------------------------

                                  Title:  President/CEO
                                        ----------------------------------------

                                  EXECUTIVE:

                                  /s/ DARYL J. DOISE
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Daryl J. Doise

                                       18

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A
                                Form of Release

     THIS RELEASE ("Release") is granted effective as of the______day of ______,
20__, by_______("Executive") in favor of LHC Group, Inc. (the "Company"). This
is the Release referred to that certain Employment Agreement effective
as of _______, 200_ by and between the Company and Executive (the "Employment
Agreement"), with respect to which this Release is an integral part.

     FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION of the payments and benefits provided by Section 8
of the Employment Agreement and the Company's other promises and covenants as
recited in the Employment Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, Executive, for himself, his successors and assigns, now and
forever hereby releases and discharges the Company and all its past and present
officers, directors, stockholders, employees, agents, parent corporations,
predecessors, subsidiaries, affiliates, estates, successors, assigns, benefit
plans, consultants, administrators, and attorneys (hereinafter collectively
referred to as "Releasees") from any and all claims, charges, actions, causes of
action, sums of money due, suits, debts, covenants, contracts, agreements,
promises, demands or liabilities (hereinafter collectively referred to as
"Claims") whatsoever, in law or in equity, whether known or unknown, which
Executive ever had or now has from the beginning of time up to the date this
Release ("Release") is executed, including, but not limited to, claims under the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit
Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and all of its
amendments), the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, or any other
federal or state statutes, all tort claims, all claims for wrongful employment
termination or breach of contract, and any other claims which Executive has,
had, or may have against the Releasees on account of or arising out of
Executive's employment with or termination from the Company; provided, however,
that nothing contained in this Release shall in any way diminish or impair (i)
any rights of Executive to the benefits conferred or referenced in the
Employment Agreement or Executive's Retention Bonus Agreement with the Company,
(ii) any rights to indemnification that may exist from time to time under the
Company's bylaws, certificate of incorporation, Delaware law or otherwise, or
(iii) Executive's ability to raise an affirmative defense in connection with any
lawsuit or other legal claim or charge instituted or asserted by the Company
against Executive.

     Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Executive hereby
acknowledges and covenants that in consideration for the sums being paid to him
he has knowingly waived any right or opportunity to assert any claim that is in
any way connected with any employment relationship or the termination of any
employment relationship which existed between the Company and Executive.
Executive further understands and agrees that he has knowingly relinquished,
waived and forever released any and all remedies arising out of the aforesaid
employment relationship or the termination thereof, including, without
limitation, claims for backpay, front pay, liquidated damages, compensatory
damages, general damages, special damages, punitive damages, exemplary damages,
costs, expenses and attorneys' fees.

     Executive specifically acknowledges and agrees that he has knowingly and
voluntarily released the Company and all other Releasees from any and all claims
arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA"), 29 U.S.C.
Section 621, et seq., which Executive ever had or now has from the beginning of
time up to the date this Release is executed, including but not limited to those
claims which are in any way connected with any employment relationship or

                                        1

<PAGE>

the termination of any employment relationship which existed between the Company
and Executive. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that he has been
advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release and that he
has been given twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release prior to its
execution. Executive also understands that he may revoke this Release at any
time within seven (7) days following its execution. Executive understands,
however, that this Release shall not become effective and that none of the
consideration described above shall be paid to him until the expiration of the
seven-day revocation period.

     Executive agrees never to seek reemployment or future employment with the
Company or any of the other Releasees.

     Executive acknowledges that the terms of this Release must be kept
confidential. Accordingly, Executive agrees not to disclose or publish to any
person or entity, except as required by law or as necessary to prepare tax
returns, the terms and conditions or sums being paid in connection with this
Release.

     It is understood and agreed by Executive that the payment made to him is
not to be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever on the part of
the Company or any of the other Releasees, by whom liability is expressly
denied.

     This Release is executed by Executive voluntarily and is not based upon any
representations or statements of any kind made by the Company or any of the
other Releasees as to the merits, legal liabilities or value of his claims.
Executive further acknowledges that he has had a full and reasonable opportunity
to consider this Release and that he has not been pressured or in any way
coerced into executing this Release.

     Executive acknowledges and agrees that this Release may not be revoked at
any time after the expiration of the seven-day revocation period and that he
will not institute any suit, action, or proceeding, whether at law or equity,
challenging the enforceability of this Release. Executive further acknowledges
and agrees that, with the exception of an action to challenge his waiver of
claims under the ADEA, he shall not ever attempt to challenge the terms of this
Release, attempt to obtain an order declaring this Release to be null and void,
or institute litigation against the Company or any other Releasee based upon a
claim which is covered by the terms of the release contained herein, without
first repaying all monies paid to him under Section 8 of the Employment
Agreement. Furthermore, with the exception of an action to challenge his waiver
of claims under the ADEA, if Executive does not prevail in an action to
challenge this Release, to obtain an order declaring this Release to be null and
void, or in any action against the Company or any other Releasee based upon a
claim which is covered by the release set forth herein, Executive shall pay to
the Company and/or the appropriate Releasee all their costs and attorneys' fees
incurred in their defense of Executive's action.

     This Release and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be
governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. If
any provision hereof is unenforceable or is held to be unenforceable, such
provision shall be fully severable, and this document and its terms shall be
construed and enforced as if such unenforceable provision had never comprised a
part hereof, the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and
effect, and the court construing the provisions shall add as a part hereof a
provision as similar in terms and effect to such unenforceable provision as may
be enforceable, in lieu of the unenforceable provision.

                                       2

<PAGE>

     This document contains all terms of the Release and supersedes and
invalidates any previous agreements or contracts. No representations,
inducements, promises or agreements, oral or otherwise, which are not embodied
herein shall be of any force or effect.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned acknowledges that he has read these
three pages and he sets his hand and seal this________day of ________, 20 __ .

                                        --------------------------------

Sworn to and subscribed
before me this__day of
_____________,20 ____ .

Notary Public

My Commission Expires:

----------------------------

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B
                              Restricted Territory

                                       1<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10

                       DIRECTOR INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

         This Director Indemnification Agreement, dated as of ___________ ___,
2005 (this "AGREEMENT"), is made by and between LHC Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), and _____________________ ("INDEMNITEE").

                                    RECITALS:

         A.       Section 141 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides
that the business and affairs of a corporation shall be managed by or under the
direction of its board of directors.

         B.       By virtue of the managerial prerogatives vested in the
directors of a Delaware corporation, directors act as fiduciaries of the
corporation and its stockholders.

         C.       Thus, it is critically important to the Company and its
stockholders that the Company be able to attract and retain the most capable
persons reasonably available to serve as directors of the Company.

         D.       In recognition of the need for corporations to be able to
induce capable and responsible persons to accept positions in corporate
management, Delaware law authorizes (and in some instances requires)
corporations to indemnify their directors and officers, and further authorizes
corporations to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of their
directors and officers.

         E.       The Delaware courts have recognized that indemnification by a
corporation serves the dual policies of (1) allowing corporate officials to
resist unjustified lawsuits, secure in the knowledge that, if vindicated, the
corporation will bear the expense of litigation, and (2) encouraging capable
women and men to serve as corporate directors and officers, secure in the
knowledge that the corporation will absorb the costs of defending their honesty
and integrity.

         F.       The number of lawsuits challenging the judgment and actions of
directors of Delaware corporations, the costs of defending those lawsuits and
the threat to directors' personal assets have all materially increased over the
past several years, chilling the willingness of capable women and men to
undertake the responsibilities imposed on corporate directors.

         G.       Recent federal legislation and rules adopted by the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the national securities exchanges have exposed such
directors to new and substantially broadened civil liabilities.

         H.       Under Delaware law, a director's right to be reimbursed for
the costs of defense of criminal actions, whether such claims are asserted under
state or federal law, does not depend upon the merits of the claims asserted
against the director and is separate and distinct from any right to
indemnification the director may be able to establish.

         I.       Indemnitee is, or will be, a director of the Company and his
willingness to serve in such capacity is predicated, in substantial part, upon
the Company's willingness to indemnify him in accordance with the principles
reflected above, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of
Delaware, and upon the other undertakings set forth in this Agreement.

<PAGE>

         J.       Therefore, in recognition of the need to provide Indemnitee
with substantial protection against personal liability, in order to procure
Indemnitee's continued service as a director of the Company and to enhance
Indemnitee's ability to serve the Company in an effective manner, and in order
to provide such protection pursuant to express contract rights (intended to be
enforceable irrespective of, among other things, any amendment to the Company's
certificate of incorporation or bylaws (collectively, the "CONSTITUENT
DOCUMENTS"), any change in the composition of the Company's Board of Directors
(the "BOARD") or any change-in-control or business combination transaction
relating to the Company), the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for
the indemnification of and the advancement of Expenses to Indemnitee as set
forth in this Agreement and for the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the
Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance policies.

         K.       In light of the considerations referred to in the preceding
recitals, it is the Company's intention and desire that the provisions of this
Agreement be construed liberally, subject to their express terms, to maximize
the protections to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder.

                                   AGREEMENT:

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

         1.       CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. In addition to terms defined elsewhere
herein, the following terms have the following meanings when used in this
Agreement with initial capital letters:

                  (a) "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall have occurred at such time, if
any, as Incumbent Directors cease for any reason to constitute a majority of
Directors. For purpose of this Section 1(a), "INCUMBENT DIRECTORS" means the
individuals who, as of the date hereof, are Directors of the Company and any
individual becoming a Director subsequent to the date hereof whose election,
nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, or appointment, was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the then Incumbent Directors
(either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company
in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to
such nomination); provided, however, that an individual shall not be an
Incumbent Director if such individual's election or appointment to the Board
occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (as described in
Rule 14a-12(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) with respect
to the election or removal of Directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the
Board.

                  (b) "CLAIM" means (i) any threatened, asserted, pending or
completed claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, arbitrative, investigative or other, and whether made pursuant
to federal, state or other law; and (ii) any inquiry or investigation, whether
made, instituted or conducted, by the Company or any other Person, including
without limitation any federal, state or other governmental entity, that
Indemnitee determines might lead to the institution of any such claim, demand,
action, suit or proceeding. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company intends
indemnity to be provided hereunder in respect of acts or failure to act prior
to, on or after the date hereof.

                  (c) "CONTROLLED AFFILIATE" means any corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or
enterprise, whether or not for profit, that is

                                       2
<PAGE>

directly or indirectly controlled by the Company. For purposes of this
definition, "control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power
to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of an entity or
enterprise, whether through the ownership of voting securities, through other
voting rights, by contract or otherwise; provided that direct or indirect
Beneficial Ownership of capital stock or other interests in an entity or
enterprise entitling the holder to cast 15% or more of the total number of votes
generally entitled to be cast in the election of directors (or persons
performing comparable functions) of such entity or enterprise shall be deemed to
constitute control for purposes of this definition.

                  (d) "DISINTERESTED DIRECTOR" means a director of the Company
who is not and was not a party to the Claim in respect of which indemnification
is sought by Indemnitee.

                  (e) "EXPENSES" means attorneys' and experts' fees and expenses
and all other costs and expenses paid or payable in connection with
investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in (including on
appeal), or preparing to investigate, defend, be a witness in or participate in
(including on appeal), any Claim.

                  (f) "INDEMNIFIABLE CLAIM" means any Claim based upon, arising
out of or resulting from (i) any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to
act by Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Company or as a director, officer, employee, member, manager,
trustee or agent of any other corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity or enterprise, whether or not
for profit, as to which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the
Company, (ii) any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by
Indemnitee in respect of any business, transaction, communication, filing,
disclosure or other activity of the Company or any other entity or enterprise
referred to in clause (i) of this sentence, or (iii) Indemnitee's status as a
current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a
current or former director, officer, employee, member, manager, trustee or agent
of the Company or any other entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of
this sentence or any actual, alleged or suspected act or failure to act by
Indemnitee in connection with any obligation or restriction imposed upon
Indemnitee by reason of such status. In addition to any service at the actual
request of the Company, for purposes of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be
deemed to be serving or to have served at the request of the Company as a
director, officer, employee, member, manager, agent, trustee or other fiduciary
of another entity or enterprise if Indemnitee is or was serving as a director,
officer, employee, member, manager, agent, trustee or other fiduciary of such
entity or enterprise and (A) such entity or enterprise is or at the time of such
service was a Controlled Affiliate, (B) such entity or enterprise is or at the
time of such service was an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored
or maintained by the Company or a Controlled Affiliate, or (C) the Company or a
Controlled Affiliate (by action of the Board, any committee thereof or the
Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") (other than as the CEO him or
herself)) caused or authorized Indemnitee to be nominated, elected, appointed,
designated, employed, engaged or selected to serve in such capacity.

                  (g) "INDEMNIFIABLE LOSSES" means any and all Losses relating
to, arising out of or resulting from any Indemnifiable Claim; provided, however,
that Indemnifiable Losses shall not include Losses incurred by Indemnitee in
respect of any Indemnifiable Claim (or any matter or issue therein) as to which
Indemnitee shall have been adjudged liable to the Company, unless and only to
the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such

                                       3
<PAGE>

Indemnifiable Claim was brought shall determine upon application that, despite
the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such
Expenses as the court shall deem proper.

                  (h) "INDEPENDENT COUNSEL" means a law firm, or a member of a
law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither
presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i)
the Company (or any Subsidiary) or Indemnitee in any matter material to either
such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under
this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification
agreements) or (ii) any other named (or, as to a threatened matter, reasonably
likely to be named) party to the Indemnifiable Claim giving rise to a claim for
indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "Independent
Counsel" shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of
professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in
representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine
Indemnitee's rights under this Agreement.

                  (i) "LOSSES" means any and all Expenses, damages, losses,
liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties (whether civil, criminal or other) and
amounts paid or payable in settlement, including without limitation all
interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in
respect of any of the foregoing.

                  (j) "PERSON" means any individual, entity, or group, within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

                  (k) "STANDARD OF CONDUCT" means the standard for conduct by
Indemnitee that is a condition precedent to indemnification of Indemnitee
hereunder against Indemnifiable Losses relating to, arising out of or resulting
from an Indemnifiable Claim. The Standard of Conduct is (i) good faith and
reasonable belief by Indemnitee that his action was in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, that Indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct
was unlawful, or (ii) any other applicable standard of conduct that may
hereafter be substituted under Section 145(a) or (b) of the Delaware General
Corporation Law or any successor to such provision(s).

         2.       INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATION. Subject only to Section 7 and to
the proviso in this Section, the Company shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted or required by the laws of
the State of Delaware in effect on the date hereof or as such laws may from time
to time hereafter be amended to increase the scope of such permitted
indemnification, against any and all Indemnifiable Claims and Indemnifiable
Losses; provided, however, that, except as provided in Sections 4 and 20,
Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement
in connection with any Claim initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or any
director or officer of the Company unless the Company has joined in or consented
to the initiation of such Claim. The Company acknowledges that the foregoing
obligation is substantially broader than that now provided by applicable law and
the Company's Constituent Documents and intends that it be interpreted
consistently with this Section and the recitals to this Agreement.

         3.       ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. Indemnitee shall have the right to
advancement by the Company prior to the final disposition of any Indemnifiable
Claim of any and all Expenses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any
Indemnifiable Claim paid or incurred by

                                       4
<PAGE>

Indemnitee or which Indemnitee determines in good faith are reasonably likely to
be paid or incurred by Indemnitee and as to which Indemnitee's counsel provides
supporting documentation. Without limiting the generality or effect of any other
provision hereof, Indemnitee's right to such advancement is not subject to the
satisfaction of any Standard of Conduct. Without limiting the generality or
effect of the foregoing, within five business days after any request by
Indemnitee that is accompanied by supporting documentation for specific Expenses
to be reimbursed or advanced, the Company shall, in accordance with such request
(but without duplication), (a) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (b)
advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (c)
reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses; provided that Indemnitee shall repay,
without interest any amounts actually advanced to Indemnitee that, at the final
disposition of the Indemnifiable Claim to which the advance related, were in
excess of amounts paid or payable by Indemnitee in respect of Expenses relating
to, arising out of or resulting from such Indemnifiable Claim. In connection
with any such payment, advancement or reimbursement, at the request of the
Company, Indemnitee shall execute and deliver to the Company an undertaking,
which need not be secured and shall be accepted without reference to
Indemnitee's ability to repay the Expenses, by or on behalf of the Indemnitee,
to repay any amounts paid, advanced or reimbursed by the Company in respect of
Expenses relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Indemnifiable Claim
in respect of which it shall have been determined, following the final
disposition of such Indemnifiable Claim and in accordance with Section 7, that
Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder.

         4.       INDEMNIFICATION FOR ADDITIONAL EXPENSES. Without limiting the
generality or effect of the foregoing, the Company shall indemnify and hold
harmless Indemnitee against and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall reimburse
Indemnitee for, or advance to Indemnitee, within five business days of such
request accompanied by supporting documentation for specific Expenses to be
reimbursed or advanced, any and all Expenses paid or incurred by Indemnitee or
which Indemnitee determines in good faith are reasonably likely to be paid or
incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Claim made, instituted or
conducted by Indemnitee for (a) indemnification or reimbursement or advance
payment of Expenses by the Company under any provision of this Agreement, or
under any other agreement or provision of the Constituent Documents now or
hereafter in effect relating to Indemnifiable Claims, and/or (b) recovery under
any directors' and officers' liability insurance policies maintained by the
Company, regardless in each case of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined
to be entitled to such indemnification, reimbursement, advance or insurance
recovery, as the case may be; provided, however, that Indemnitee shall return,
without interest, any such advance of Expenses (or portion thereof) which
remains unspent at the final disposition of the Claim to which the advance
related.

         5.       PARTIAL INDEMNITY. If Indemnitee is entitled under any
provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a
portion of any Indemnifiable Loss but not for all of the total amount thereof,
the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to
which Indemnitee is entitled.

         6.       PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION. To obtain indemnification under
this Agreement in respect of an Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss,
Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor, including a
brief description (based upon information then available to Indemnitee) of such
Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss. If, at the time of the receipt of
such request, the Company has directors' and officers' liability insurance in
effect under which coverage for such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss
is potentially

                                       5
<PAGE>

available, the Company shall give prompt written notice of such Indemnifiable
Claim or Indemnifiable Loss to the applicable insurers in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the applicable policies. The Company shall provide to
Indemnitee a copy of such notice delivered to the applicable insurers and, upon
Indemnitee's request, copies of all subsequent correspondence between the
Company and such insurers regarding the Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable
Loss, in each case substantially concurrently with the delivery thereof by the
Company. The failure by Indemnitee to timely notify the Company of any
Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss shall not relieve the Company from any
liability hereunder unless, and only to the extent that, the Company did not
otherwise learn of such Indemnifiable Claim or Indemnifiable Loss and such
failure results in forfeiture by the Company of substantial defenses, rights or
insurance coverage.

         7.       DETERMINATION OF RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION.

                  (a) To the extent that Indemnitee shall have been successful
on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Indemnifiable Claim or any portion
thereof or in defense of any issue or matter therein, including without
limitation dismissal without prejudice, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against
all Indemnifiable Losses relating to, arising out of or resulting from such
Indemnifiable Claim in accordance with Section 2 and no Standard of Conduct
Determination (as defined in Section 7(b)) shall be required.

                  (b) To the extent that the provisions of Section 7(a) are
inapplicable to an Indemnifiable Claim that shall have been finally disposed of,
any determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable Standard of
Conduct (a "STANDARD OF CONDUCT DETERMINATION") shall be made as follows: (i) if
a Change in Control shall not have occurred, or if a Change in Control shall
have occurred but Indemnitee shall have requested that the Standard of Conduct
Determination be made pursuant to this clause (i), (A) by a majority vote of the
Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum of the Board, (B) if such
Disinterested Directors so direct, by a majority vote of a committee of
Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of all Disinterested
Directors, or (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, or if a majority
of the Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written
opinion addressed to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to
Indemnitee; and (ii) if a Change in Control shall have occurred and Indemnitee
shall not have requested that the Standard of Conduct Determination be made
pursuant to clause (i), by Independent Counsel in a written opinion addressed to
the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall
cooperate with reasonable requests of the individual or firm making such
Standard of Conduct Determination, including providing to such Person
documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from
disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably
necessary to such determination without incurring any unreimbursed cost in
connection therewith. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee
against and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall reimburse Indemnitee for, or
advance to Indemnitee, within five business days of such request accompanied by
supporting documentation for specific costs and expenses to be reimbursed or
advanced, any and all costs and expenses (including attorneys' and experts' fees
and expenses) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the Person making
such Standard of Conduct Determination.

                  (c) The Company shall use its reasonable efforts to cause any
Standard of Conduct Determination required under Section 7(b) to be made as
promptly as practicable. If

                                       6
<PAGE>

(i) the Person empowered or selected under Section 7 to make the Standard of
Conduct Determination shall not have made a determination within 30 calendar
days after the later of (A) receipt by the Company of written notice from
Indemnitee advising the Company of the final disposition of the applicable
Indemnifiable Claim (the date of such receipt being the "NOTIFICATION DATE") and
(B) the selection of an Independent Counsel, if such determination is to be made
by Independent Counsel, that is permitted under the provisions of Section 7(e)
to make such determination, and (ii) Indemnitee shall have fulfilled his/her
obligations set forth in the second sentence of Section 7(b), then Indemnitee
shall be deemed to have satisfied the applicable Standard of Conduct; provided
that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an
additional 30 calendar days, if the Person making such determination in good
faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluation or
documentation and/or information relating thereto.

                  (d) If (i) Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification
hereunder against any Indemnifiable Losses pursuant to Section 7(a), (ii) no
determination of whether Indemnitee has satisfied any applicable standard of
conduct under Delaware law is a legally required condition precedent to
indemnification of Indemnitee hereunder against any Indemnifiable Losses, or
(iii) Indemnitee has been determined or deemed pursuant to Section 7(b) or (c)
to have satisfied the applicable Standard of Conduct, then the Company shall pay
to Indemnitee, within five business days after the later of (x) the Notification
Date in respect of the Indemnifiable Claim or portion thereof to which such
Indemnifiable Losses are related, out of which such Indemnifiable Losses arose
or from which such Indemnifiable Losses resulted and (y) the earliest date on
which the applicable criterion specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above
shall have been satisfied, an amount equal to the amount of such Indemnifiable
Losses. Nothing herein is intended to mean or imply that the Company is
intending to use Section 145(f) of the Delaware General Corporation Law to
dispense with a requirement that Indemnitee meet the applicable Standard of
Conduct where it is otherwise required by such statute.

                  (e) If a Standard of Conduct Determination is required to be,
but has not been, made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 7(b)(i), the
Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board or a Board Committee, and the
Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the
identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Standard of Conduct
Determination is required to be, or to have been, made by Independent Counsel
pursuant to Section 7(b)(ii), the Independent Counsel shall be selected by
Indemnitee, and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it
of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either case,
Indemnitee or the Company, as applicable, may, within five business days after
receiving written notice of selection from the other, deliver to the other a
written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may
be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not
satisfy the criteria set forth in the definition of "Independent Counsel" in
Section 1(h), and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual
basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the Person so
selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is properly
and timely made and substantiated, (i) the Independent Counsel so selected may
not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or
a court has determined that such objection is without merit and (ii) the
non-objecting party may, at its option, select an alternative Independent
Counsel and give written notice to the other party advising such other party of
the identity of the alternative Independent Counsel so selected, in which case
the provisions of the two immediately preceding sentences and clause (i) of this
sentence shall apply

                                       7
<PAGE>

to such subsequent selection and notice. If applicable, the provisions of clause
(ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to successive alternative
selections. If no Independent Counsel that is permitted under the foregoing
provisions of this Section 7(e) to make the Standard of Conduct Determination
shall have been selected within 30 calendar days after the Company gives its
initial notice pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 7(e) or Indemnitee
gives its initial notice pursuant to the second sentence of this Section 7(e),
as the case may be, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware for resolution of any objection which shall
have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other's selection of
Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a
person or firm selected by the Court or by such other person as the Court shall
designate, and the person or firm with respect to whom all objections are so
resolved or the person or firm so appointed will act as Independent Counsel. In
all events, the Company shall pay all of the actual and reasonable fees and
expenses of the Independent Counsel incurred in connection with the Independent
Counsel's determination pursuant to Section 7(b).

         8.       PRESUMPTION OF ENTITLEMENT. Notwithstanding any other
provision hereof, in making any Standard of Conduct Determination, the Person
making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee has satisfied the
applicable Standard of Conduct, and the Company may overcome such presumption
only by its adducing clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. Any Standard
of Conduct Determination that is adverse to Indemnitee may be challenged by the
Indemnitee in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. No determination
by the Company (including by its directors or any Independent Counsel) that
Indemnitee has not satisfied any applicable Standard of Conduct shall be a
defense to any Claim by Indemnitee for indemnification or reimbursement or
advance payment of Expenses by the Company hereunder or create a presumption
that Indemnitee has not met any applicable Standard of Conduct.

         9.       NO OTHER PRESUMPTION. For purposes of this Agreement, the
termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without
court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, will not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any
applicable Standard of Conduct or that indemnification hereunder is otherwise
not permitted.

         10.      NON-EXCLUSIVITY. The rights of Indemnitee hereunder will be in
addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Constituent
Documents, or the substantive laws of the Company's jurisdiction of
incorporation, any other contract or otherwise (collectively, "OTHER INDEMNITY
PROVISIONS"); provided, however, that (a) to the extent that Indemnitee
otherwise would have any greater right to indemnification under any Other
Indemnity Provision, Indemnitee will without further action be deemed to have
such greater right hereunder, and (b) to the extent that any change is made to
any Other Indemnity Provision which permits any greater right to indemnification
than that provided under this Agreement as of the date hereof, Indemnitee will
be deemed to have such greater right hereunder. The Company may not, without the
consent of Indemnitee, adopt any amendment to any of the Constituent Documents
the effect of which would be to deny, diminish or encumber Indemnitee's right to
indemnification under this Agreement or any Other Indemnity Provision.

         11.      LIABILITY INSURANCE AND FUNDING. For the duration of
Indemnitee's service as a director and/or officer of the Company and for not
less than five years thereafter, the Company shall use commercially reasonable
efforts (taking into account the scope and amount of coverage

                                       8
<PAGE>

available relative to the cost thereof) to cause to be maintained in effect
policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance providing coverage for
Indemnitee that is at least as favorable in scope and amount to that provided by
the Company's current policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance.
Upon request, the Company shall provide Indemnitee or his or her counsel with a
copy of all directors' and officers' liability insurance applications, binders,
policies, declarations, endorsements and other related materials. In all
policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance obtained by the
Company, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide
Indemnitee the same rights and benefits, subject to the same limitations, as are
accorded to the Company's directors and officers most favorably insured by such
policy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company may, but shall not be
required to, create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means,
including without limitation a letter of credit, to ensure the payment of such
amounts as may be necessary to satisfy its obligations to indemnify and advance
expenses pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) in renewing or seeking to renew any
insurance hereunder, the Company will not be required to expend more than 3.0
times the premium amount of the immediately preceding policy period (equitably
adjusted if necessary to reflect differences in policy periods).

         12.      SUBROGATION. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the
Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the related
rights of recovery of Indemnitee against other Persons (other than Indemnitee's
successors), including any entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of the
definition of "Indemnifiable Claim" in Section 1(f). Indemnitee shall execute
all papers reasonably required to evidence such rights (all of Indemnitee's
reasonable Expenses, including attorneys' fees and charges, related thereto to
be reimbursed by or, at the option of Indemnitee, advanced by the Company).

         13.      NO DUPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. The Company shall not be liable
under this Agreement to make any payment to Indemnitee in respect of any
Indemnifiable Losses to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise already actually
received payment (net of Expenses incurred in connection therewith) under any
insurance policy, the Constituent Documents and Other Indemnity Provisions or
otherwise (including from any entity or enterprise referred to in clause (i) of
the definition of "Indemnifiable Claim" in Section 1(f)) in respect of such
Indemnifiable Losses otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.

         14.      DEFENSE OF CLAIMS. Subject to the provisions of applicable
policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance, the Company shall be
entitled to participate in the defense of any Indemnifiable Claim or to assume
or lead the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnitee; provided that if Indemnitee determines, after consultation with
counsel selected by Indemnitee, that (a) the use of counsel chosen by the
Company to represent Indemnitee would present such counsel with an actual or
potential conflict, (b) the named parties in any such Indemnifiable Claim
(including any impleaded parties) include both the Company and Indemnitee and
Indemnitee shall conclude that there may be one or more legal defenses available
to him or her that are different from or in addition to those available to the
Company, (c) any such representation by such counsel would be precluded under
the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, or (d)
Indemnitee has interests in the claim or underlying subject matter that are
different from or in addition to those of other Persons against whom the Claim
has been made or might reasonably be expected to be made, then Indemnitee shall
be entitled to retain separate counsel (but not more than one law firm plus, if
applicable, local counsel in respect of any particular Indemnifiable Claim for
all indemnitees in Indemnitee's

                                       9
<PAGE>

circumstances) at the Company's expense. The Company shall not be liable to
Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any
threatened or pending Indemnifiable Claim effected without the Company's prior
written consent. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnitee, effect any settlement of any threatened or pending Indemnifiable
Claim which the Indemnitee is or could have been a party unless such settlement
solely involves the payment of money and includes a complete and unconditional
release of the Indemnitee from all liability on any claims that are the subject
matter of such Indemnifiable Claim. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall
unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided that
Indemnitee may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a
complete and unconditional release of Indemnitee.

         15.      SUCCESSORS AND BINDING AGREEMENT.

                  (a) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken
place. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Company and any successor to the Company, including without limitation any
Person acquiring directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the business
or assets of the Company whether by purchase, merger, consolidation,
reorganization or otherwise (and such successor will thereafter be deemed the
"COMPANY" for purposes of this Agreement), but shall not otherwise be assignable
or delegable by the Company.

                  (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Indemnitee's personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, heirs, distributees, legatees and other successors.

                  (c) This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the
parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or delegate this
Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in
Sections 15(a) and 15(b). Without limiting the generality or effect of the
foregoing, Indemnitee's right to receive payments hereunder shall not be
assignable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise,
other than by a transfer by the Indemnitee's will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, and, in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer contrary
to this Section 15(c), the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so
attempted to be assigned or transferred.

         16.      NOTICES. For all purposes of this Agreement, all
communications, including without limitation notices, consents, requests or
approvals, required or permitted to be given hereunder must be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when hand delivered or dispatched by
electronic facsimile transmission (with receipt thereof orally confirmed), or
one business day after having been sent for next-day delivery by a nationally
recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company (to the attention
of the Secretary of the Company) and to Indemnitee at the applicable address
shown on the signature page hereto, or to such other address as any party may
have furnished to the other in writing and in accordance herewith, except that
notices of changes of address will be effective only upon receipt.

         17.      GOVERNING LAW. The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the substantive laws of the

                                       10
<PAGE>

State of Delaware, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws
of such State. The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the
jurisdiction of the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware for all purposes in
connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or relates to this
Agreement, waive all procedural objections to suit in that jurisdiction,
including without limitation objections as to venue or inconvenience, agree that
service in any such action may be made by notice given in accordance with
Section 16 and also agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall
be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware.

         18.      VALIDITY. If any provision of this Agreement or the
application of any provision hereof to any Person or circumstance is held
invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal, the remainder of this Agreement and
the application of such provision to any other Person or circumstance shall not
be affected, and the provision so held to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise
illegal shall be reformed to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to
make it enforceable, valid or legal. In the event that any court or other
adjudicative body shall decline to reform any provision of this Agreement held
to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal as contemplated by the
immediately preceding sentence, the parties thereto shall take all such action
as may be necessary or appropriate to replace the provision so held to be
invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal with one or more alternative
provisions that effectuate the purpose and intent of the original provisions of
this Agreement as fully as possible without being invalid, unenforceable or
otherwise illegal.

         19.      MISCELLANEOUS. No provision of this Agreement may be waived,
modified or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed
to in writing signed by Indemnitee and the Company. No waiver by either party
hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto or compliance with
any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party
shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at
the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations,
oral or otherwise, expressed or implied with respect to the subject matter
hereof have been made by either party that are not set forth expressly in this
Agreement.

         20.      LEGAL FEES AND EXPENSES. It is the intent of the Company that
Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees and or other Expenses associated
with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee's rights under
this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof
would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to
Indemnitee hereunder. Accordingly, without limiting the generality or effect of
any other provision hereof, if it should reasonably appear to Indemnitee that
the Company has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this
Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other Person takes or
threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or
institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to improperly
deny, or to improperly recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or
intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, the Company irrevocably
authorizes the Indemnitee from time to time to retain counsel of Indemnitee's
choice, at the expense of the Company as hereafter provided, to advise and
represent Indemnitee in connection with any such interpretation, enforcement or
defense, including without limitation the initiation or defense of any
litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Company or any
director, officer, stockholder or other Person affiliated with the Company, in
any jurisdiction. Without limiting the generality or effect of any other
provision hereof or respect to whether Indemnitee prevails, in whole or in part,
in

                                       11
<PAGE>

connection with any of the foregoing, the Company will pay and be solely
financially responsible for any and all attorneys' and related fees and expenses
actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any of the
foregoing.

         21.      CERTAIN INTERPRETIVE MATTERS. Unless the context of this
Agreement otherwise requires, (1) "it" or "its" or words of any gender include
each other gender, (2) words using the singular or plural number also include
the plural or singular number, respectively, (3) the terms "hereof," "herein,"
"hereby" and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, (4) the
terms "Article," "Section," "Annex" or "Exhibit" refer to the specified Article,
Section, Annex or Exhibit of or to this Agreement, (5) the terms "include,"
"includes" and "including" will be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation" (whether or not so expressed), and (6) the word "or" is disjunctive
but not exclusive. Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such
number will refer to calendar days unless business days are specified and
whenever action must be taken (including the giving of notice or the delivery of
documents) under this Agreement during a certain period of time or by a
particular date that ends or occurs on a non-business day, then such period or
date will be extended until the immediately following business day. As used
herein, "business day" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or a United
States federal holiday.

         22.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the Constituent Documents
constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties hereto with respect
to the subject matter of this Agreement. Any prior agreements or understandings
between the parties hereto with respect to indemnification are hereby terminated
and of no further force or effect.

         23.      COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

                           [ SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS ]

                                       12
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Indemnitee has executed and the Company has caused
its duly authorized representative to execute this Agreement as of the date
first above written.

                                                 LHC GROUP, INC.

                                                 By:
                                                          ----------------------
                                                 Name:
                                                          ----------------------
                                                 Title:
                                                          ----------------------

                                                 INDEMNITEE

                                                 -------------------------------

                                                 Name:
                                                       -------------------------

                                       13

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