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Document and Entity Information Document - shares shares in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 27, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	LABORATORY CORP OF AMERICA HOLDINGS
Entity Central Index Key	0000920148
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		101.2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 713.0	$ 580.0
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $198.4 and $191.5 at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,235.2	815.7
Unbilled Contracts Receivable	161.8	0.0
Supplies inventories	181.6	139.5
Prepaid expenses and other	378.3	157.5
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current	37.2	0.0
Total current assets	2,707.1	1,692.7
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,806.8	786.5
Goodwill, net	6,068.6	3,099.4
Intangible assets, net	3,561.0	1,475.8
Joint venture partnerships and equity method investments	61.8	92.6
Other assets, net	217.0	154.8
Total assets	14,422.3	7,301.8
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	445.0	282.3
Accrued expenses and other	583.0	341.4
Deferred Revenue, Current	141.7	0.0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current	0.0	5.5
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	674.7	347.1
Liabilities, Current	1,844.4	976.3
Long-term debt, less current portion	6,006.5	2,682.7
Deferred income taxes and other tax liabilities	1,291.3	530.4
Other liabilities	351.1	274.2
Total liabilities	9,493.3	4,463.6
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Noncontrolling interest	15.5	17.7
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, 92.8 and 93.5 shares outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	12.0	10.4
Additional paid-in capital	1,937.6	0.0
Retained earnings	4,108.7	3,786.1
Less common stock held in treasury	(976.3)	(965.5)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	168.5	10.5
Total shareholders' equity	4,913.5	2,820.5
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 14,422.3	$ 7,301.8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 234.1	$ 211.6
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	101.2	84.6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	$ 2.3
Net sales	2,269.9	$ 1,551.8	$ 6,260.9	$ 4,498.9
Reimbursement Revenue	47.4	0.0	118.7	0.0
Revenues	2,317.3	1,551.8	6,379.6	4,498.9
Cost of sales	1,507.0	980.6	4,098.2	2,842.3
Cost of Reimbursable Expense	47.4	0.0	118.7	0.0
Cost of Revenue	1,554.4	980.6	4,216.9	2,842.3
Gross profit	762.9	571.2	2,162.7	1,656.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses	382.5	305.7	1,217.1	888.5
Amortization of intangibles and other assets	47.1	18.3	126.2	61.3
Restructuring and other special charges	26.4	5.8	59.9	15.4
Operating income	306.9	241.4	759.5	691.4
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(55.8)	(25.9)	(218.1)	(77.4)
Equity method income, net	2.1	3.7	7.6	10.4
Investment income	0.4	0.3	1.4	0.9
Other, net	(3.2)	(0.5)	(4.4)	13.9
Earnings before income taxes	250.4	219.0	546.0	639.2
Provision for income taxes	97.3	81.5	222.5	246.5
Net earnings	153.1	137.5	323.5	392.7
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(0.3)	(0.3)	(0.9)	(1.1)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 152.8	$ 137.2	$ 322.6	$ 391.6
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.51	$ 1.62	$ 3.29	$ 4.61
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.59	$ 3.24	$ 4.53
Covance [Member]
Revenues	$ 647.0		$ 1,535.0
Other income (expenses):
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 27.8		$ 7.4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (Unaudited) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Net earnings

$ 153.1

$ 137.5

$ 323.5

$ 392.7

Other Comprehensive Earnings, Net of Tax

Foreign currency translation adjustments

(102.8)

(48.6)

(233.4)

(49.1)

Net benefit plan adjustments

^[1]

(0.8)

Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax

0.0

20.7

1.4

25.2

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax

0.0

(2.0)

0.0

(18.4)

Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before tax

(102.8)

(29.9)

(232.0)

(42.3)

Provision for income tax related to items of comprehensive earnings

(34.0)

(11.7)

(74.0)

(16.4)

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax

(68.8)

(18.2)

(158.0)

(25.9)

Comprehensive earnings

84.3

119.3

165.5

366.8

Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest

(0.3)

(0.9)

(1.1)

Comprehensive earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings

$ 84.0

$ 119.0

$ 164.6

$ 365.7

[1]	The amortization of prior service cost is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 10 (Pension and Post-retirement Plans) below for additional information regarding the Company's net periodic benefit cost.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 2,491.3	$ 10.5	$ 0.0	$ 3,373.5	$ (958.9)	$ 66.2
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	391.6			391.6
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	(25.9)					(25.9)
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given	0.0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	106.2	0.0	106.2
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	(6.6)				(6.6)
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	3.5	0.0	3.5
Stock compensation	35.1		35.1
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised	5.5		5.5
Purchase of common stock	(229.9)	(0.1)	(150.3)	(79.5)
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2014	2,770.8	10.4	0.0	3,685.6	(965.5)	40.3
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2014	2,820.5	10.4	0.0	3,786.1	(965.5)	(10.5)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	322.6			322.6
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	(158.0)					(158.0)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	1.5
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Other	1,761.0
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given	1,762.5
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	88.9	0.1	88.8
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	(10.8)				(10.8)
Stock compensation	77.7		77.7
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised	10.1		10.1
Purchase of common stock	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 4,913.5	$ 12.0	$ 1,937.6	$ 4,108.7	$ (976.3)	$ (168.5)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	$ 60.0	$ 0.0
Payments on zero-coupon subordinated notes	0.0	(16.8)
Payments on long-term debt	(285.0)	0.0
Proceeds from senior note offerings	2,900.0	0.0
Noncontrolling interest distributions	0.0	(0.9)
Deferred payments on acquisitions	(0.1)	(5.2)
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations	(3.3)	(0.6)
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	10.1	5.5
Net proceeds from issuance of stock to employees	89.2	106.2
Purchase of common stock	0.0	(229.9)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	3,424.2	(141.8)
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	(36.7)	(0.1)
Payments on revolving credit facilities	(60.0)	0.0
Payments on bridge loan	(400.0)	0.0
Repayments of Senior Debt	(250.0)	0.0
Proceeds from bridge loan	400.0	0.0
Proceeds from Issuance of Other Long-term Debt	1,000.0	0.0
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings	323.5	392.7
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	344.5	182.0
Stock compensation	77.7	35.1
Loss on sale of assets	2.9	(16.0)
Accrued interest on zero-coupon subordinated notes	1.5	1.5
Cumulative earnings in excess of distributions from equity method investments	(1.8)	(3.3)
Asset Impairment Charges	14.8	0.0
Deferred income taxes	(16.0)	(3.5)
Change in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):
Increase in accounts receivable (net)	(89.9)	(59.7)
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables	(23.0)	0.0
Increase in inventories	9.6	(1.3)
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other	23.5	1.7
Decrease in accounts payable	(24.3)	(16.2)
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue	1.7	0.0
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other	(46.9)	12.3
Net cash provided by operating activities	597.8	525.3
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(170.7)	(157.2)
Proceeds from sale of assets	0.5	0.9
Payments for (Proceeds from) Investments	8.0	31.7
Investments in equity affiliates	(11.4)	(12.9)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(3,692.7)	(65.3)
Net cash used for investing activities	(3,866.3)	(202.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(22.7)	(9.0)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	133.0	171.7
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	580.0	$ 404.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 713.0

BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation	BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (the “Company”) and its majority-owned subsidiaries over which it exercises control. Long-term investments in affiliated companies in which the Company exercises significant influence, but which it does not control, are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which the Company does not exercise significant influence (generally, when the Company has an investment of less than 20% and no representation on the investee’s board of directors) are accounted for using the cost method. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The Company does not have any variable interest entities or special purpose entities whose financial results are not included in the condensed consolidated financial statements. The financial statements of the Company’s operating foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates prevailing during the period. Resulting translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of results of operations, cash flows and financial position have been made. Except as otherwise disclosed, all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. Effective as of the first quarter of 2015, the Company changed its operating segments due to a change in its underlying organizational model designed to support the business following the acquisition (“the Acquisition”) of Covance Inc. (“Covance”) (see Note 14 - Business Segment Information). The LabCorp Diagnostics (“LCD”) segment includes operations that offer a broad range of clinical diagnostic laboratory tests and procedures. The Covance Drug Development (“CDD”) segment includes early drug development, central laboratory and clinical trial services. Through CDD, the Company offers its biopharmaceutical clients a full range of drug development services, including the ability to conduct a broad range of preclinical and clinical safety and efficacy studies, and the associated laboratory testing, required by regulatory bodies as part of the development and approval of new medicines. The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not contain certain information included in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Therefore, the interim statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The following information summarizes the significant accounting policies of the Company's CDD segment. The significant accounting policies of the LCD segment, which are largely comprised of the historic operations of the Company prior to the Acquisition, have not changed since 2014 and are described in the Company's 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Revenue Recognition CDD recognizes revenue either as services are performed or products are delivered, depending on the nature of the work contracted. Historically, a majority of CDD’s net revenues have been earned under contracts that range in duration from a few months to two years, but can extend in duration up to five years or longer. CDD also has committed minimum volume arrangements with certain clients. Underlying these arrangements are individual project contracts for the specific services to be provided. These arrangements enable CDD's clients to secure its services in exchange for which they commit to purchase an annual minimum dollar value of services. Under these types of arrangements, if the annual minimum dollar value of service commitment is not reached, the client is required to pay CDD for the shortfall. Progress towards the achievement of annual minimum dollar value of service commitments is monitored throughout the year. Annual minimum commitment shortfalls are not included in net revenues until the amount has been determined and agreed to by the client. Service contracts generally take the form of fee-for-service or fixed-price arrangements subject to pricing adjustments based on changes in scope. In cases where performance spans multiple accounting periods, revenue is recognized as services are performed, measured on a proportional-performance basis, generally using output measures that are specific to the service provided. Examples of output measures in early development services, include among others, the number of slides read, or specimens prepared for preclinical laboratory services, or number of dosings or number of volunteers enrolled for clinical pharmacology. Examples of output measures in the clinical trials services, include among others, number of investigators enrolled, number of sites initiated, number of patients enrolled and number of monitoring visits completed. Revenue is determined by dividing the actual units of work completed by the total units of work required under the contract and multiplying that percentage by the total contract value. The total contract value, or total contractual payments, represents the aggregate contracted price for each of the agreed upon services to be provided. CDD does not have any contractual arrangements spanning multiple accounting periods where revenue is recognized on a proportional-performance basis under which the Company has earned more than an immaterial amount of performance-based revenue (i.e., potential additional revenue tied to specific deliverables or performance). Changes in the scope of work are common, especially under long-term contracts, and generally result in a change in contract value. Once the client has agreed to the changes in scope and renegotiated pricing terms, the contract value is amended with revenue recognized as described above. Estimates of costs to complete are made to provide, where appropriate, for losses expected on contracts. Costs are not deferred in anticipation of contracts being awarded, but instead are expensed as incurred. Billing schedules and payment terms are generally negotiated on a contract-by-contract basis. In some cases, CDD bills the client for the total contract value in progress-based installments as certain non-contingent billing milestones are reached over the contract duration, such as, but not limited to, contract signing, initial dosing, investigator site initiation, patient enrollment or database lock. The term “billing milestone” relates only to a billing trigger in a contract whereby amounts become billable and payable in accordance with a negotiated predetermined billing schedule throughout the term of a project. These billing milestones are not performance-based (i.e., there is no potential additional consideration tied to specific deliverables or performance). In other cases, billing and payment terms are tied to the passage of time (e.g., monthly billings). In either case, the total contract value and aggregate amounts billed to the client would be the same at the end of the project. While CDD attempts to negotiate terms that provide for billing and payment of services prior or within close proximity to the provision of services, this is not always possible, and there are fluctuations in the levels of unbilled services and unearned revenue from period to period. While a project is ongoing, cash payments are not necessarily representative of aggregate revenue earned at any particular point in time, as revenues are recognized when services are provided, while amounts billed and paid are in accordance with the negotiated billing and payment terms. In some cases, payments received are in excess of revenue recognized. For example, a contract invoicing schedule may provide for an upfront payment of 10% of the full contract value upon contract signing, but at the time of signing performance of services has not yet begun. Payments received in advance of services being provided are deferred as unearned revenue on the balance sheet. As the contracted services are subsequently performed and the associated revenue is recognized, the unearned revenue balance is reduced by the amount of revenue recognized during the period. In other cases, services may be provided and revenue recognized before the client is invoiced. In these cases, revenue recognized will exceed amounts billed, and the difference, representing an unbilled receivable, is recorded for the amount that is currently unbillable to the customer pursuant to contractual terms. Once the client is invoiced, the unbilled services are reduced for the amount billed, and a corresponding account receivable is recorded. All unbilled services are billable to customers within one year from the respective balance sheet date. Most contracts are terminable with or without cause by the client, either immediately or upon notice. These contracts often require payment to CDD of expenses to wind down the study or project, fees earned to date and, in some cases, a termination fee or a payment to CDD of some portion of the fees or profits that could have been earned by CDD under the contract if it had not been terminated early. Termination fees are included in net revenues when services are performed and realization is assured. In connection with the management of multi-site clinical trials, CDD pays on behalf of its customers fees to investigators, volunteers and certain out-of-pocket costs, for which it is reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Investigator fees are not reflected in net revenues or expenses where CDD acts in the capacity of an agent on behalf of the pharmaceutical company sponsor, passing through these costs without risk or reward to CDD. All other out-of-pocket costs are included in total revenues and expenses. Foreign Currencies For subsidiaries outside of the United States that operate in a local currency environment, income and expense items are translated to United States dollars at the monthly average rates of exchange prevailing during the period, assets and liabilities are translated at period-end exchange rates and equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates. Translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets and are included in the determination of comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive earnings and consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in the determination of net income in the consolidated statements of operations. Prepaid Expenses and Other In connection with the management of multi-site clinical trials, CDD pays on behalf of its customers certain out-of-pocket costs, for which the Company is reimbursed at cost, without markup or profit. Amounts receivable from customers in connection with such out-of-pocket pass-through costs are included in prepaid expenses and other in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and totaled $90.9 at September 30, 2015. Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses CDD pays on behalf of its customers certain out-of-pocket costs for which the Company is reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Out-of-pocket costs paid by CDD are reflected in operating expenses, while the reimbursements received are reflected in revenues in the consolidated statements of operations. CDD excludes from revenue and expense in the consolidated statements of operations fees paid to investigators and the associated reimbursement because CDD acts as an agent on behalf of the pharmaceutical company sponsors with regard to investigator payments. Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue includes direct labor and related benefit charges, other direct costs, shipping and handling fees, and an allocation of facility charges and information technology costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of administrative payroll and related benefit charges, advertising and promotional expenses, administrative travel and an allocation of facility charges and information technology costs. Cost of advertising is expensed as incurred. New Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on discontinued operations that significantly changed criteria for discontinued operations and disclosures for disposals. Under this new standard, to be a discontinued operation, a component or group of components must represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. Expanded disclosures for discontinued operations include more details about earnings and balance sheet accounts, total operating and investing cash flows, and cash flows resulting from continuing involvement. The Company has adopted the guidance of this new standard and will apply it prospectively to all new disposals of components and new classifications as held for sale. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued the converged standard on revenue recognition with the objective of providing a single, comprehensive model for all contracts with customers to improve comparability in the financial statements of companies reporting using International Financial Reporting Standards and U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The standard contains principles that an entity must apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The underlying principle is that an entity must recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. An entity can apply the revenue standard retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application in retained earnings. As originally issued, the new revenue recognition standard would be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017. On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved the proposal to defer the effective date of this standard by one year. The standard will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted for annual periods beginning after December 16, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of the standard. In August 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that explicitly requires management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern, and to provide related financial statement footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. Under this standard, in connection with each annual and interim period, management must assess whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued when applicable). Management shall consider relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at such issuance date. Substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern exists if it is probable that the entity will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after issuance date. Disclosures will be required if conditions or events give rise to substantial doubt. This standard is effective for the Company for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued an update which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This standard is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In May 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard allowing entities to exclude investments measured at new asset value per share under the existing practical expedient from the fair value hierarchy. In addition, when the net asset value practical expedient is not applied to eligible investments, certain other disclosures are no longer required. The standard will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that requires an entity to measure inventory, except inventory that is measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method, at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The standard will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In September 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that eliminates the requirement to restate prior period financial statements for measurement period adjustments. The standard requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment, including the impact on prior periods, be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. The standard will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016 and will be applied prospectively to measurement period adjustments that occur after the effective date.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings including the impact of dilutive adjustments by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive shares, as if they had been issued at the earlier of the date of issuance or the beginning of the period presented. Potentially dilutive common shares result primarily from the Company’s outstanding stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance share awards, and shares issuable upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes.

The following represents a reconciliation of basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share:



	Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015					2014					2015					2014
	Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount		Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$	152.8	101.1	$	1.51	$	137.2	84.9	$	1.62	$	322.6	97.9	$	3.29	$	391.6	84.9	$	4.61
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards	—		1.2			—		1.1			—		1.2			—		1.1
Effect of convertible debt	—		0.6			—		0.5			—		0.6			—		0.5
Diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings including impact of dilutive adjustments	$	152.8	102.9	$	1.49	$	137.2	86.5	$	1.59	$	322.6	99.7	$	3.24	$	391.6	86.5	$	4.53

The following table summarizes the potential common shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their impact would have been antidilutive:



	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015	2014	2015	2014
Stock options	—	—	—	—

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring and Other Special Charges

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES

During the first nine months of 2015, the Company recorded net restructuring and other special charges of $59.9. The charges were comprised of $33.8 related to severance and other personnel costs along with $27.1 in costs associated with facility closures and impairment of certain information technology assets. These charges were offset by the reversal of previously established reserves of $1.0 in unused facility-related costs. The Company is evaluating any additional financial impacts for the proposed wind-down of operations related to the expiration of a CDD committed minimum volume contract. Additional costs which are currently under negotiation, are expected to include other employee and facility related charges, and are not yet determinable.

In addition, during the first nine months of 2015, the Company recorded $17.0 in consulting expenses (recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses) relating to fees incurred as part of Project LaunchPad as well as Covance integration costs. The Company also recorded $166.0 of deal costs related to the Acquisition, of which $113.4 is included in selling, general and administrative expenses and $52.6 is included in interest expense. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company also recorded a non-cash loss of $2.3, upon the dissolution of one of its equity investments, which is included in other, net expenses.

During the first nine months of 2014, the Company recorded net restructuring and other special charges of $15.4. The charges were comprised of $9.8 related to severance and other personnel costs along with $6.7 in costs associated with facility closures and general integration initiatives. These charges were offset by the reversal of previously established reserves of $0.4 in unused severance and $0.7 in unused facility-related costs.

In addition, during the third quarter of 2014, the Company recorded $10.1 in consulting expenses (recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses) relating to fees incurred as part of Project LaunchPad, as well as one-time CFO transition costs.

The following represents the Company’s restructuring reserve activities for the period indicated:



	Severance and Other Employee Costs			Lease and Other Facility Costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	0.4		$	21.7		$	22.1
Restructuring charges	33.8			27.1			60.9
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	—			(1.0		)	(1.0		)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(9.7		)	(20.0		)	(29.7		)
Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	24.5		$	27.8		$	52.3
Current							$	32.5
Non-current							19.8
							$	52.3



	Severance and Other Employee Costs			Lease and Other Facility Costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	0.4		$	21.7		$	22.1
Restructuring charges	33.8			27.1			60.9
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	—			(1.0		)	(1.0		)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(9.7		)	(20.0		)	(29.7		)
Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	24.5		$	27.8		$	52.3
Current							$	32.5
Non-current							19.8
							$	52.3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As of September 30, 2015, the Company has recorded goodwill of $6,068.6, which includes a preliminary goodwill balance of $2,907.8 related to the Acquisition. Effective in the first quarter of 2015, the Company changed its operating segments due to a change in its underlying organizational model designed to support the business following the Acquisition (see Note 14 - Business Segment Information). The Company did not operate under the realigned operating segment structure prior to the first quarter of 2015. This change in segments resulted in a reassignment of goodwill of approximately $110.5 among the Company’s reportable segments (and reporting units) based on relative fair value. Prior period information has been retrospectively adjusted to reflect this reassignment.

The following is a summary of the Company’s goodwill by reportable segment, reflecting the retrospective reassignment as of December 31, 2014:



LCD	$	2,988.9
CDD	110.5
	$	3,099.4

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine month period ended September 30, 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:



	LCD						CDD				Total
	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014			September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014		September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Balance as of January 1	$	2,988.9		$	2,912.3		$	110.5	$	110.5	$	3,099.4		$	3,022.8
Goodwill acquired during the period	72.2			81.8			2,907.8		—		2,980.0			81.8
Foreign currency impact and other adjustments to goodwill	(10.9		)	(5.2		)	0.1		—		(10.8		)	(5.2		)
Balance at end of period	$	3,050.2		$	2,988.9		$	3,018.4	$	110.5	$	6,068.6		$	3,099.4

The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows:



	September 30, 2015							December 31, 2014
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Customer relationships	$	3,290.8	$	(699.4	)	$	2,591.4	$	1,361.6	$	(606.8	)	$	754.8
Patents, licenses and technology	184.5		(107.3		)	77.2		125.9		(95.9		)	30.0
Non-compete agreements	49.2		(36.0		)	13.2		45.6		(31.7		)	13.9
Trade names	428.7		(109.9		)	318.8		133.3		(91.6		)	41.7
Land use right	5.5		(0.4		)	5.1		—		—			—
Canadian licenses	555.3		—			555.3		635.4		—			635.4
	$	4,514.0	$	(953.0	)	$	3,561.0	$	2,301.8	$	(826.0	)	$	1,475.8

Amortization of intangible assets for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 was $47.1 and $126.2, respectively; and $18.3 and $61.3 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Amortization expense for the net carrying amount of intangible assets is estimated to be $47.9 for the remainder of fiscal 2015, $183.3 in fiscal 2016, $176.1 in fiscal 2017, $165.4 in fiscal 2018, $158.7 in fiscal 2019 and $2,259.9 thereafter.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

DEBT

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

DEBT

Short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes	$	95.4	$	93.9
5.625% senior notes due 2015	250.0		250.0
3.125% senior notes due 2016	325.0		—
Current portion of capital leases	4.3		3.2
Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	$	674.7	$	347.1

Long-term debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
3.125% senior notes due 2016	$	—	$	325.0
2.20% senior notes due 2017	500.0		500.0
2.50% senior notes due 2018	400.0		400.0
4.625% senior notes due 2020	638.6		618.5
2.625% senior notes due 2020	500.0		—
3.75% senior notes due 2022	500.0		500.0
3.20% senior notes due 2022	500.0		—
4.00% senior notes due 2023	300.0		300.0
3.60% senior notes due 2025	1,000.0		—
4.70% senior notes due 2045	900.0		—
Revolving credit facility	—		—
Term loan	715.0		—
Capital leases	52.9		39.2
Total long-term debt	$	6,006.5	$	2,682.7

Senior Notes

As a result of the Acquisition, the Company assumed privately placed senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 issued pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement dated October 2, 2013. On March 5, 2015, due to certain restrictive covenants and unfavorable interest rates, the Company caused Covance to prepay all of the outstanding senior notes at 100 percent of the principal amount plus accrued interest, and a total make-whole amount of $37.4 which was expensed. The Note Purchase Agreement terminated effective March 5, 2015 in connection with the prepayment of the senior notes.

Zero-Coupon Subordinated Notes

On September 11, 2015, the Company announced that for the period from September 12, 2015 to March 11, 2016, the zero-coupon subordinated notes will accrue contingent cash interest at a rate of no less than 0.125% of the average market price of a zero-coupon subordinated note for the five trading days ended September 9, 2015, in addition to the continued accrual of the original issue discount.

On October 1, 2015, the Company announced that its zero-coupon subordinated notes may be converted into cash and common stock at the conversion rate of 13.4108 per $1,000.0. principal amount at maturity of the notes, subject to the terms of the zero-coupon subordinated notes and the Indenture, dated as of October 24, 2006, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee and the conversion agent. In order to exercise the option to convert all or a portion of the zero-coupon subordinated notes, holders are required to validly surrender their zero-coupon subordinated notes at any time during the calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2015, through the close of business on the last business day of the calendar quarter, which is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, December 31, 2015. If notices of conversion are received, the Company plans to settle the cash portion of the conversion obligation (i.e. the accreted principal amount of the securities to be converted) with cash on hand and/or borrowings under its revolving credit facility. The remaining amount, if any, will be settled with shares of common stock.

Credit Facilities

As part of its financing of the Acquisition, the Company entered into a $1,000.0 term loan and $2,900.0 in debt securities consisting of $500.0 aggregate principal amount of 2.625% Senior Notes due 2020, $500.0 aggregate principal amount of 3.20% Senior Notes due 2022, $1,000.0 aggregate principal amount of 3.60% Senior Notes due 2025 and $900.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.70% Senior Notes due 2045. The term loan credit facility will mature five years after the closing date of the Acquisition and may be prepaid without penalty. The term loan balance at September 30, 2015 was $715.0.

On December 19, 2014, the Company also entered into an amendment and restatement of its existing senior revolving credit facility, which was originally entered into on December 21, 2011. The senior revolving credit facility consists of a five-year revolving facility in the principal amount of up to $1,000.0, with the option of increasing the facility by up to an additional $250.0, subject to the agreement of one or more new or existing lenders to provide such additional amounts and certain other customary conditions. The new revolving credit facility also provides for a subfacility of up to $100.0 for swing line borrowings and a subfacility of up to $125.0 for issuances of letters of credit. The new revolving credit facility is permitted to be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, funding of share repurchases and certain other payments, and acquisitions and other investments. There was $0.0 and $0.0 outstanding on the Company's revolving credit facility at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

On February 13, 2015, the Company entered into a 60-day cash bridge term loan credit facility in the principal amount of $400.0 for the purpose of financing a portion of the cash consideration and the fees and expenses in connection with the Acquisition. The 60-day cash bridge term loan credit facility was entered into under the terms set forth in the bridge facility commitment letter for the $400.0 60-day cash bridge tranche. The 60-day cash bridge term loan credit facility was advanced in full on February 19, 2015, the date of the Company’s completion of the Acquisition. On March 16, 2015, the Company elected to prepay the bridge facility without penalty.

Under the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility, the Company is subject to negative covenants limiting subsidiary indebtedness and certain other covenants typical for investment grade-rated borrowers, and the Company is required to maintain a leverage ratio that declines over time. Prior to the Acquisition closing date, the leverage ratio was required to have been no greater than 3.75 to 1.0 calculated by excluding the $2,900.0 in Acquisition Notes. From and after the Acquisition closing date, the leverage ratio must be no greater than 4.75 to 1.0 with respect to the last day of each of the first four fiscal quarters ending on or after the closing date, 4.25 to 1.0 with respect to the last day of each of the fifth through eighth fiscal quarters ending after the closing date, and 3.75 to 1.0 with respect to the last day of each fiscal quarter ending thereafter. The Company was in compliance with all covenants in the term loan facility and the new revolving credit facility at September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the ratio of total debt to consolidated last twelve months EBITDA was 3.8 to 1.0.

The term loan credit facility accrues interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s election, either a LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 1.125% to 2.00%, or a base rate determined according to a prime rate or federal funds rate plus a margin ranging from 0.125% to 1.00%. Advances under the revolving credit facility will accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s election, either a LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.60%, or a base rate determined according to a prime rate or federal funds rate plus a margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.60%. Fees are payable on outstanding letters of credit under the new revolving credit facility at a per annum rate equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR loans, and the Company is required to pay a facility fee on the aggregate commitments under the new revolving credit facility, at a per annum rate ranging from 0.125% to 0.40%. The interest margin applicable to the credit facilities, and the facility fee and letter of credit fees payable under the new revolving credit facility, are based on the Company’s senior credit ratings as determined by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, which are currently BBB and Baa2, respectively.

As of September 30, 2015, the effective interest rate on the revolving credit facility was 1.29% and the effective interest rate on the term loan was 1.44%.

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Preferred Stock and Common Shareholders' Equity

. PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The Company is authorized to issue up to 265.0 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share. The Company’s treasury shares are recorded at aggregate cost. The Company is authorized to issue up to 30.0 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share. There were no preferred shares outstanding as of September 30, 2015.

The changes in common shares issued and held in treasury are summarized below:



	Issued	Held in Treasury		Outstanding
Common shares at December 31, 2014	107.1	(22.5	)	84.6
Common stock issued in conjunction with the Acquisition	15.3	—		15.3
Common stock issued under employee stock plans	1.3	—		1.3
Common shares at September 30, 2015	123.7	(22.5	)	101.2

Share Repurchase Program

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase up to $789.5 of Company common stock based on settled trades as of these respective dates. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date. Following the announcement of the Acquisition, the Company suspended its share repurchases. The Company does not anticipate resuming its share repurchase activity until it approaches its targeted ratio of total debt to consolidated EBITDA of 2.5 to 1.0.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings

The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings are as follows:



	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Net Benefit Plan Adjustments			Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available for Sale Securities			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	68.0		$	(78.6	)	$	0.1		$	(10.5	)
Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications	(233.3		)	2.2			(0.1		)	(231.2		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (a)	—			(0.8		)	—			(0.8		)
Tax effect of adjustments	74.5			(0.5		)	—			74.0
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	(90.8	)	$	(77.7	)	$	—		$	(168.5	)

(a) The amortization of prior service cost is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 10 (Pension and Post-retirement Plans) below for additional information regarding the Company's net periodic benefit cost.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d),(e))
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Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
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-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section C

+ Details

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES The Company does not recognize a tax benefit unless the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that the Company believes is greater than 50% likely to be realized. The gross unrecognized income tax benefits were $27.9 and $16.7 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Substantially all of the increase relates to matters associated with the Acquisition. It is anticipated that the amount of the unrecognized income tax benefits will change within the next twelve months; however, these changes are not expected to have a significant impact on the results of operations, cash flows or the financial position of the Company. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $27.9 and $16.7, respectively, are the approximate amounts of gross unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. Substantially all of the increase relates to matters associated with the Acquisition. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions totaled $9.5 and $8.2 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The transfer of Covance's beginning balances accounted for substantially all of the increase. The valuation allowance provided as a reserve against certain deferred tax assets is $15.4 and $17.1 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2011. Substantially all material state and local, and foreign income tax matters have been concluded through 2007 and 2004, respectively. The Company has various state and international income tax examinations ongoing throughout the year. Management believes adequate provisions have been recorded related to all open tax years.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company is involved from time to time in various claims and legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation (including those described in more detail below), arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these actions involve claims that are substantial in amount. These matters include, but are not limited to, intellectual property disputes, professional liability, employee-related matters, and inquiries, including subpoenas and other civil investigative demands, from governmental agencies and Medicare or Medicaid payers and managed care payers reviewing billing practices or requesting comment on allegations of billing irregularities that are brought to their attention through billing audits or third parties. The Company receives civil investigative demands or other inquiries from various governmental bodies in the ordinary course of its business. Such inquiries can relate to the Company or other health care providers. The Company works cooperatively to respond to appropriate requests for information. The Company is also named from time to time in suits brought under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act and comparable state laws. These suits typically allege that the Company has made false statements and/or certifications in connection with claims for payment from federal or state health care programs. The suits may remain under seal (hence, unknown to the Company) for some time while the government decides whether to intervene on behalf of the qui tam plaintiff. Such claims are an inevitable part of doing business in the health care field today. The Company believes that it is in compliance in all material respects with all statutes, regulations and other requirements applicable to its clinical laboratory operations and drug development support services. The health care diagnostics and drug development industries are, however, subject to extensive regulation, and the courts have not interpreted many of the applicable statutes and regulations. There can be no assurance, therefore, that the applicable statutes and regulations will not be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that would adversely affect the Company. Potential sanctions for violation of these statutes and regulations include significant fines, the loss of various licenses, certificates and authorizations, and/or exclusion from participation in government programs. Many of the current claims and legal actions against the Company are in preliminary stages, and many of these cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages. The Company records an aggregate legal reserve, which is determined using actuarial calculations based on historical loss rates and assessment of trends experienced in settlements and defense costs. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450, “Contingencies”, the Company establishes reserves for judicial, regulatory, and arbitration matters outside the aggregate legal reserve if and when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable and would exceed the aggregate legal reserve. When loss contingencies are not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish separate reserves. The Company is unable to estimate a range of reasonably probable loss for the proceedings described in more detail below in which damages either have not been specified or, in the Company's judgment, are unsupported and/or exaggerated and (i) the proceedings are in early stages; (ii) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions; (iii) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (iv) there are novel legal issues to be presented. For these proceedings, however, the Company does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, though the outcomes could be material to the Company's operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period. As reported, the Company reached a settlement in the previously disclosed lawsuit, California ex rel. Hunter Laboratories, LLC et al. v. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, et al. (“Hunter Labs Settlement Agreement”), to avoid the uncertainty and costs associated with prolonged litigation. Pursuant to the executed Hunter Labs Settlement Agreement, the Company recorded a litigation settlement expense of $34.5 in the second quarter of 2011 (net of a previously recorded reserve of $15.0) and paid the settlement amount of $49.5 in the third quarter of 2011. The Company also agreed to certain reporting obligations regarding its pricing for a limited time period and, at the option of the Company in lieu of such reporting obligations, to provide Medi-Cal with a discount from Medi-Cal's otherwise applicable maximum reimbursement rate from November 1, 2011, through October 31, 2012. In June of 2012, the California legislature enacted Assembly Bill No. 1494, Section 9 of which directed the Department of Health Care Services ("DHCS") to establish new reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal clinical laboratory services that will be based on payments made to California clinical laboratories for similar services by other third-party payers. With stakeholder input, DHCS established data elements and a format for laboratories to report payment data from comparable third-party payers. Laboratories reported payment data to DHCS in the summer of 2013. On March 28, 2014, Assembly Bill No. 1124 extended the implementation deadline of new regulations until June 30, 2016. Assembly Bill No. 1494 provides that until the new rates are set through this process, Medi-Cal payments for clinical laboratory services will be reduced (in addition to a 10.0% payment reduction imposed by Assembly Bill No. 97 in 2011) by “up to 10 percent” for tests with dates of service on or after July 1, 2012, with a cap on payments set at 80.0% of the lowest maximum allowance established under the federal Medicare program. In April 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a 10.0% payment reduction under Assembly Bill No. 1494. This cut, which will apply retroactively to the period of July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015, is being implemented through recoupments from weekly reimbursements at a rate of 5% of the amount owed until paid in full. Under the terms of the Hunter Labs Settlement Agreement, the enactment of this California legislation terminates the Company's reporting obligations (or obligation to provide a discount in lieu of reporting) under that agreement. In December 2014, DHCS announced at a stakeholder meeting the results of its analysis of payment data reported by laboratories in 2013 and its proposed rate methodology, on which it solicited stakeholder comments. The Company objected to the proposal by DHCS to exclude from the new rate calculations data on payments from comparable third-party payers exceeding 80.0% of Medicare reimbursement amounts and its proposal to impose the 10.0% payment reduction enacted in Assembly Bill No. 97 after calculation of the new rates. In January 2015, after receiving stakeholder comments, DHCS instructed laboratories to submit 2014 payment data by March 27, 2015, which DHCS used (except for data on payment amounts exceeding 80.0% of Medicare reimbursement) to establish new rates. DHCS obtained CMS approval of a state plan amendment adopting the new rate methodology and rates effective July 1, 2015, and posted the new rates on the DHCS website. DHCS intends to apply the 10.0% payment reduction referenced in Assembly Bill No. 97 to the new rates. Due to an implementation delay, the new rates will be implemented prospectively beginning November 1, 2015. A recoupment to account for differences between the new rates and the rates paid for the period of July 1, 2015 through October 31, 2015 will be implemented through recoupments applied to each weekly reimbursement. Therefore, until the recoupment is paid in full, the Company will not receive a weekly reimbursement. All retroactive recoupments are expected to be completed by February 2016. Taken together, these changes are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated revenues or results of operations. As previously reported, the Company responded to an October 2007 subpoena from the United States Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General's regional office in New York. On August 17, 2011, the Southern District of New York unsealed a False Claims Act lawsuit, United States of America ex rel. NPT Associates v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, which alleges that the Company offered UnitedHealthcare kickbacks in the form of discounts in return for Medicare business. The Plaintiff's third amended complaint further alleges that the Company's billing practices violated the false claims acts of fourteen states and the District of Columbia. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney's fees, and legal expenses. Neither the United States government nor any state government has intervened in the lawsuit. The Company's Motion to Dismiss was granted in October 2014. The Company intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit should it proceed further. In addition, the Company has received various other subpoenas since 2007 related to Medicaid billing. In October 2009, the Company received a subpoena from the State of Michigan Department of Attorney General seeking documents related to its billing to Michigan Medicaid. In June 2010, the Company received a subpoena from the State of Florida Office of the Attorney General requesting documents related to its billing to Florida Medicaid. In October 2013, the Company received a civil investigative demand from the State of Texas Office of the Attorney General requesting documents related to its billing to Texas Medicaid. The Company is cooperating with these requests. On November 4, 2013, the State of Florida through the Office of the Attorney General filed an Intervention Complaint in a False Claims Act lawsuit, State of Florida ex rel. Hunter Laboratories, LLC and Chris Riedel v. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, et al. in the Circuit Court for the Second Judicial Circuit for Leon County. The complaint, originally filed by a competitor laboratory, alleges that the Company overcharged Florida’s Medicaid program. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney’s fees, and legal expenses. The Company's Motion to Dismiss was denied in February 2015. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. On May 2, 2013, the Company was served with a False Claims Act lawsuit, State of Georgia ex rel. Hunter Laboratories, LLC and Chris Riedel v. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, et al., filed in the State Court of Fulton County, Georgia. The lawsuit, filed by a competitor laboratory, alleges that the Company overcharged Georgia's Medicaid program. The State of Georgia filed a notice of declination on August 13, 2012, before the Company was served with a complaint. The case was removed to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney's fees, and legal expenses. On March 14, 2014, the Company's Motion to Dismiss was granted. The Plaintiffs repled their complaint and the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint. In May 2015, the Court dismissed the Plaintiffs’ anti-kickback claim and remanded the remaining state law claims to the State Court of Fulton County. In July 2015, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss these remaining claims. The Plaintiffs filed an opposition to the Company’s Motion to Dismiss in August 2015. Also, the State of Georgia filed a brief as amicus curiae. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. On November 18, 2011, the Company received a letter from United States Senators Baucus and Grassley requesting information regarding the Company's relationships with its largest managed care customers. The letter requested information about the Company's contracts and financial data regarding its managed care customers. Company representatives met with Senate Finance Committee staff after receiving the request and subsequently produced documents in response. On February 27, 2012, the Company was served with a False Claims Act lawsuit, United States ex rel. Margaret Brown v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and Tri-State Clinical Laboratory Services, LLC, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division. The Company owned 50% of Tri-State Clinical Laboratory Services, LLC, which was dissolved in June of 2011 pursuant to a voluntary petition under Chapter 7 of Title 11 of the United States Code. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants submitted false claims for payment for laboratory testing services performed as a result of financial relationships that violated the federal Stark and Anti-Kickback laws. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney's fees, and legal expenses. The United States government has not intervened in the lawsuit. The parties have reached a settlement in principle, but the Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit if the settlement is not finalized. On June 7, 2012, the Company was served with a putative class action lawsuit, Yvonne Jansky v. Laboratory Corporation of America, et al., filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Francisco. The complaint alleges that the Defendants committed unlawful and unfair business practices, and violated various other state laws by changing screening codes to diagnostic codes on laboratory test orders, thereby resulting in customers being responsible for co-payments and other debts. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, actual and punitive damages, as well as recovery of attorney's fees, and legal expenses. In June 2015, Plaintiff’s Motion for class certification was denied. Plaintiff has appealed the denial of class certification, and the trial court has stayed the case pending resolution of the appeal. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. On August 24, 2012, the Company was served with a putative class action lawsuit, Sandusky Wellness Center, LLC, et al. v. MEDTOX Scientific, Inc., et al., filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The lawsuit alleges that on or about February 21, 2012, the defendants violated the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA") by sending unsolicited facsimiles to Plaintiff and more than 39 other recipients without the recipients' prior express permission or invitation. The lawsuit seeks the greater of actual damages or the sum of $0.0005 for each violation, subject to trebling under the TCPA, and injunctive relief. In September 2014, Plaintiff's Motion for class certification was denied. In January of 2015, the Company’s Motion for Summary Judgment on the remaining individual claim was granted. Plaintiff has filed a notice of appeal. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. The Company was a defendant in two separate putative class action lawsuits, Christine Bohlander v. Laboratory Corporation of America, et al., and Jemuel Andres, et al. v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, et al., related to overtime pay. After the filing of the two lawsuits on July 8, 2013, the Bohlander lawsuit was consolidated into the Andres lawsuit and removed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. In the consolidated lawsuit, the Plaintiffs allege on behalf of similarly situated phlebotomists and couriers that the Company failed to pay overtime, failed to provide meal and rest breaks, and committed other violations of the California Labor Code. On May 28, 2015, the District Court issued a preliminary approval of the class action settlement and notice of the settlement has been sent to putative class members. The Company was also a defendant in two additional putative class action lawsuits alleging similar claims to the Bohlander/Andres consolidated lawsuit. The lawsuit of Rachel Rabanes v. California Laboratory Sciences, LLC, et al., was filed in April 2014 in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, and the lawsuit Rita Varsam v. Laboratory Corporation of America DBA LabCorp, was filed in June 2014 in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Diego. As a result of the Andres settlement, the Plaintiff in the Rabanes case dismissed her case. The Plaintiff in the Varsam case alleges on behalf of similarly situated employees that the Company failed to pay overtime, failed to provide meal and rest breaks, and committed other violations of the California Labor Code. The complaint seeks monetary damages, civil penalties, costs, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees. The parties in the Varsam case have reached a settlement in principle, but the Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit if the settlement is not finalized. On December 17, 2010, the Company was served with a lawsuit, Oliver Wuth, et al. v. Laboratory Corporation of America, et al., filed in the State Superior Court of King County, Washington. The lawsuit alleges that the Company was negligent in the handling of a prenatal genetic test order that allegedly resulted in the parents being given incorrect information. The matter was tried to a jury beginning on October 21, 2013. On December 10, 2013, the jury returned a verdict in in Plaintiffs’ favor in the amount of $50.0, with 50.0% of liability apportioned to the Company and 50.0% of liability apportioned to co-Defendant Valley Medical Center. The Company filed post-judgment motions for a new trial, which were denied, and then appealed to the Court of Appeals of the State of Washington. The Appeals Court heard oral argument in June 2015. In August 2015, the Appeals Court affirmed the trial court’s judgment. In September, the Company filed a Petition for Review with the Supreme Court of the State of Washington. The Company carries self-insurance reserves and excess liability insurance sufficient to cover the potential liability in this case. On July 3, 2012, the Company was served with a lawsuit, John Wisekal, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Darien Wisekal v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and Glenda C. Mixon, filed in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. The lawsuit alleges that the Company misread a Pap test. The case was removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The matter was tried to a jury beginning on April 1, 2014. On April 17, 2014, the jury returned a verdict in Plaintiff’s favor in the amount of $20.8, with non-economic damages reduced by 25% to account for the Plaintiff's negligence, for a final verdict of $15.8. The Company filed post-trial motions. On July 28, 2014, the Court granted the Company’s motion for remittitur and reduced the jury’s non-economic damages award to $5.0, reduced by 25.0% for the Plaintiff’s negligence. Accordingly, the total judgment is $4.4. In December 2014, the Court granted Plaintiff's Motion to Certify the remittitur order for interlocutory appeal. On June 3, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied Petitioner Wisekal's petition for permission to appeal the remittitur order. The case is set for re-trial on the issue of damages on the January 2016 trial calendar. The Company will vigorously defend this lawsuit. On July 9, 2014, the Company was served with a putative class action lawsuit, Christopher W. Legg, et al. v. Laboratory Corporation of America, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint alleges that the Company willfully violated the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act by allegedly providing credit card expiration date information on an electronically printed credit card receipt. The lawsuit seeks damages of not less than $0.0001 but not more than $0.01 per violation, and punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorney’s fees. The parties have reached a settlement in principle that is subject to court approval, but the Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit if the settlement is not finalized. On August 31, 2015, the Company was served with a putative class action lawsuit, Patty Davis v. Laboratory Corporation of America, et al., filed in the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit for Hillsborough County, Florida. The complaint alleges that the Company violated the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act by billing patients who were collecting benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Statutes. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and actual and statutory damages, as well as recovery of attorney's fees and legal expenses. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. Prior to the consummation of the Company’s acquisition of LipoScience, Inc. on November 20, 2014, purported stockholders of LipoScience filed four putative class action lawsuits against LipoScience, members of the LipoScience board of directors, the Company and Bear Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, in the Delaware Court of Chancery and, with respect to one of the lawsuits, in the Superior Court of Wake County, North Carolina. The lawsuits alleged breach of fiduciary duty and/or other violations of state law arising out of the proposed acquisition. Each suit sought, among other things, injunctive relief enjoining the merger. On October 23, 2014, the case in North Carolina was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice by the Plaintiff. On October 29, 2014, the Delaware Court of Chancery consolidated the remaining three actions under the caption In re LipoScience, Inc. Stockholder Litigation, Consolidated C.A. No. 10252-VCP (the “Consolidated Action”). On November 7, 2014, the Consolidated Action plaintiffs entered into a memorandum of understanding with the defendants regarding a settlement of the Consolidated Action. In connection with the memorandum of understanding, the parties agreed that LipoScience would make certain additional disclosures to its stockholders. On November 19, 2014, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Covance for $6,150.7 in cash and Company common stock. The transaction closed on February 19, 2015. Prior to the closing of the transaction, purported stockholders of Covance filed two putative class action lawsuits. One of the lawsuits, captioned Berk v. Covance Inc., et al., C.A. No. 10440-VCL, was filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery on December 9, 2014. The other lawsuit, captioned Ojeda v. Herring et al., No. MER-C-92-14, was filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Mercer County, New Jersey, on November 12, 2014. Both suits named as defendants Covance, members of the Covance board of directors, the Company and Neon Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that was merged out of existence in connection with the Acquisition. The lawsuits alleged breach of fiduciary duty and/or other violations of state law arising out of the proposed acquisition. Each suit sought, among other things, injunctive relief enjoining the merger. On January 21, 2015, the case in New Jersey was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice by the Plaintiff. On February 9, 2015, the Plaintiffs in the Delaware case entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Defendants regarding a settlement. In connection with the memorandum of understanding, the parties agreed that Covance would make additional disclosures to its stockholders. In December 2014, the Company received a Civil Investigative Demand issued pursuant to the federal False Claims Act from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for South Carolina, which requests information regarding remuneration and services provided by the Company to physicians who also received draw and processing/handling fees from competitor laboratories Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. and Singulex, Inc. The Company is cooperating with the request. In March 2015, the Company received a subpoena from the Attorney General of the State of New York, which requests information regarding the Company’s relationship with Direct Laboratories LLC. The Company is cooperating with the request. The Company holds an investment in a joint venture partnership located in Alberta, Canada. The Canadian partnership has a license to conduct diagnostic testing services in the province of Alberta. Substantially all of its revenue is received as reimbursement from the Alberta government's health care programs. In December 2013, Alberta Health Services (“AHS”), the Alberta government's health care program, issued a request for proposals for laboratory services that included the scope of services performed by the Canadian partnership. In October 2014, AHS informed the Canadian partnership that it had not been selected as the preferred proponent. In November 2014, the Canadian partnership submitted a vendor bid appeal upon the belief that there were significant flaws and failures in the conduct of the request for proposal process, which drove to a biased conclusion. AHS established a Vendor Bid Appeal Panel to hear the appeal, and the hearing was conducted in February 2015. In August 2015, AHS was directed to cancel the request for proposal process. Subsequently, the Canadian partnership entered into a one-year extension through March 31, 2017 of its existing contract with AHS. If the contract is not renewed after March 2017, then the Canadian partnership's revenues would decrease substantially and the carrying value of the Company's investment could potentially be impaired. Under the Company's present insurance programs, coverage is obtained for catastrophic exposure as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. The Company is responsible for the uninsured portion of losses related primarily to general, professional and vehicle liability, certain medical costs and workers' compensation. The self-insured retentions are on a per occurrence basis without any aggregate annual limit. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based upon the Company's estimates of the aggregated liability of claims incurred. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had provided letters of credit aggregating approximately $45.4, primarily in connection with certain insurance programs. The Company's availability under its revolving credit facility is reduced by the amount of these letters of credit.

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]

Pension And Postretirement Plans

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

The Company’s defined contribution retirement plan (the “401K Plan”) covers substantially all pre-Acquisition employees. All employees eligible for the 401K Plan receive a minimum 3% non-elective contribution concurrent with each payroll period. The 401K Plan also permits discretionary contributions by the Company of up to 1% and up to 3% of pay for eligible employees based on years of service with the Company. The cost of this plan was $13.2 and $12.6 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $39.4 and $38.8 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As a result of the Acquisition, the Company also incurred expense of $11.4 and $27.1 for the Covance 401K Plan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

The Company also maintains a frozen defined benefit retirement plan (the “Company Plan”), that as of December 31, 2009, covered substantially all employees. The benefits to be paid under the Company Plan are based on years of credited service through December 31, 2009 and ongoing interest credits. Effective January 1, 2010, the Company Plan was closed to new participants. The Company’s policy is to fund the Company Plan with at least the minimum amount required by applicable regulations.

The Company maintains a second unfunded, non-contributory, non-qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the “PEP”), that as of December 31, 2009, covered substantially all of its senior management group. The PEP supplements the Company Plan and was closed to new participants effective January 1, 2010.

The effect on operations for the Company Plan and the PEP is summarized as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	1.0		$	0.8		$	2.9		$	2.5
Interest cost on benefit obligation	3.8			4.2			11.4			12.3
Expected return on plan assets	(4.5		)	(4.6		)	(13.7		)	(13.6		)
Net amortization and deferral	2.9			1.6			8.3			5.0
Defined benefit plan costs	$	3.2		$	2.0		$	8.9		$	6.2

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company contributed $7.1 to the Company Plan.

The Company has assumed obligations under a subsidiary’s post-retirement medical plan. Coverage under this plan is restricted to a limited number of existing employees of the subsidiary. This plan is unfunded and the Company’s policy is to fund benefits as claims are incurred. The effect on operations of the post-retirement medical plan is shown in the following table:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost for benefits earned	$	—		$	0.1		$	0.1		$	0.2
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.2			0.4			0.7			1.3
Net amortization and deferral	(2.9		)	(2.0		)	(7.5		)	(5.9		)
Post-retirement medical plan benefits	$	(2.7	)	$	(1.5	)	$	(6.7	)	$	(4.4	)

In addition to the PEP, as a result of the Acquisition, the Company also has a frozen non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). The SERP, which is not funded, is intended to provide retirement benefits for certain executive officers of Covance. Benefit amounts are based upon years of service and compensation of the participating employees. The pension benefit obligation as of the Acquisition date was $32.8. The components of the net periodic pension cost are as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Service cost	$	0.1		$	0.1
Interest cost	0.2			0.6
Net amortization and deferral	—			—
Curtailment gain	(0.7		)	(0.7		)
Net periodic pension cost	$	(0.4	)	$	—

The SERP was frozen effective August 1, 2015, which resulted in a curtailment gain of $0.7.

Also as a result of the Acquisition, the Company sponsors a post-employment retiree health and welfare plan for the benefit of eligible employees at certain U.S. subsidiaries who retire after satisfying service and age requirements. This plan is funded on a pay-as-you-go basis and the cost of providing these benefit is shared with the retirees. The net periodic post-retirement benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $0.1 and $0.2, respectively, and the pension benefit obligation as of the Acquisition date was $6.3.

As a result of the Acquisition, the Company sponsors two defined benefit pension plans for the benefit of its employees at two United Kingdom subsidiaries and one defined benefit pension plan for the benefit of its employees at a German subsidiary, all of which are legacy plans of previously acquired companies. Benefit amounts for all three plans are based upon years of service and compensation. The German plan is unfunded while the United Kingdom pension plans are funded. The Company’s funding policy has been to contribute annually a fixed percentage of the eligible employee’s salary at least equal to the local statutory funding requirements.



	United Kingdom Plans						German Plan
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015			Three Months Ended September 30, 2015			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	0.9		$	1.9		$	0.4		$	0.8
Interest cost on benefit obligation	2.3			5.4			0.1			0.3
Expected return on plan assets	(3.3		)	(7.6		)	—			—
Net amortization and deferral	—			—			—			—
Defined benefit plan costs	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.3	)	$	0.5		$	1.1

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	3.6		%	3.6		%	1.5		%	1.5		%
Expected return on assets	5.4		%	5.4		%	N/A			N/A
Salary increases	3.5		%	3.5		%	2.0		%	2.0		%

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company’s population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements as of
	Fair Value as of		September 30, 2015
	Fair Value as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	September 30, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put	$	15.5	$	—	$	15.5	$	—
Interest rate swap	38.6		—		38.6		—
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	43.8		—		43.8		—
Deferred compensation liability	44.2		—		44.2		—



			Fair Value Measurements as of
	Fair Value as of		December 31, 2014
	Fair Value as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	December 31, 2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put	$	17.7	$	—	$	17.7	$	—
Interest rate swap	18.5		—		18.5		—
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	41.9		—		41.9		—
Deferred compensation liability	43.4		—		43.4		—

The Company has a noncontrolling interest put related to its Ontario subsidiary that has been classified as mezzanine equity in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. The noncontrolling interest put is valued at its contractually determined value, which approximates fair value.

The Company offers certain employees the opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation plan (“DCP”). A participant's deferrals are allocated by the participant to one or more of 16 measurement funds, which are indexed to externally managed funds. From time to time, to offset the cost of the growth in the participant's investment accounts, the Company purchases life insurance policies, with the Company named as beneficiary of the policies. Changes in the cash surrender value of these policies are based upon earnings and changes in the value of the underlying investments, which are typically invested in a manner similar to the participants' allocations. Changes in the fair value of the DCP obligation are derived using quoted prices in active markets based on the market price per unit multiplied by the number of units. The cash surrender value and the DCP obligations are classified within Level 2 because their inputs are derived principally from observable market data by correlation to the hypothetical investments.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, income taxes receivable, and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair market value of the zero-coupon subordinated notes, based on market pricing, was approximately $163.1 and $155.6 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair market value of all of the senior notes, based on market pricing, was approximately $6,358.1 and $2,949.8 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The Company's note and debt instruments are classified as Level 2 instruments, as the fair market values of these instruments are determined using other observable inputs.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company addresses its exposure to market risks, principally the market risk associated with changes in interest rates, through a controlled program of risk management that includes, from time to time, the use of derivative financial instruments such as foreign currency contracts and interest rate swap agreements (see Interest Rate Swap section below). Although the Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments (see Embedded Derivatives Related to the Zero-Coupon Subordinated Notes section below), the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company does not believe that its exposure to market risk is material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Interest Rate Swap

During the third quarter of 2013, the Company entered into two fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreements for its 4.625% senior notes due 2020 with an aggregate notional amount of $600.0 and variable interest rates based on one-month LIBOR plus 2.298% to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of the Company's long term debt. These derivative financial instruments are accounted for as fair value hedges of the senior notes due 2020. These interest rate swaps are included in other long term assets and added to the value of the senior notes, with an aggregate fair value of $38.6 and $18.5 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. As the specific terms and notional amounts of the derivative financial instruments match those of the fixed-rate debt being hedged, the derivative instruments are assumed to be perfectly effective hedges and accordingly, there is no net impact to the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

Embedded Derivatives Related to the Zero-Coupon Subordinated Notes

The Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain the following two features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments under authoritative guidance in connection with accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities:


1)	The Company will pay contingent cash interest on the zero-coupon subordinated notes after September 11, 2006, if the average market price of the notes equals 120% or more of the sum of the issue price, accrued original issue discount and contingent additional principal, if any, for a specified measurement period.


2)	Holders may surrender zero-coupon subordinated notes for conversion during any period in which the rating assigned to the zero-coupon subordinated notes by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services is BB- or lower.

The Company believes these embedded derivatives had no fair value at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. These embedded derivatives also had no impact on the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Derivatives Instruments

The Company periodically enters into foreign currency forward contracts, which are recognized as assets or liabilities at their fair value. These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and the changes in fair value are recorded directly to earnings. The contracts are short-term in nature and the fair value of these contracts is based on market prices for comparable contracts. The fair value of these contracts is not significant as of September 30, 2015.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$	126.5		$	74.7
Income taxes, net of refunds	176.0			211.1
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance awards	$	10.8		$	6.6
Non-cash stock consideration for the Acquisition	1,762.5			—
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	—			8.6
Assets acquired under capital leases	18.1			13.1
Decrease in accrued property, plant and equipment	(2.2		)	(3.3		)

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION Business Segment information (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following table is a summary of segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The “management approach” has been used to present the following segment information. This approach is based upon the way the management of the Company organizes segments within an enterprise for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Financial information is reported on the basis that it is used internally by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to segments. The Company’s chief executive officer has been identified as the CODM.

Prior to the first quarter of 2015, the CODM managed the operating results of the Company as two segments: clinical laboratory diagnostics and other. In connection with the Acquisition, the Company changed its operating segments to align with how the CODM evaluates financial information used to allocate resources and assess performance of the Company following the Acquisition. The segment information presented in these financial statements has been conformed to present segments on this revised basis for all prior periods. Under the new organizational structure, the CODM manages the Company under two segments: LCD and CDD. LCD includes the Company's legacy LabCorp business, and the Company's nutritional chemistry and food safety business, which were previously part of Covance, but excludes LabCorp’s legacy clinical trials testing business, which is now part of CDD. CDD includes Covance's legacy business, and LabCorp’s legacy clinical trials testing business, but excludes Covance's nutritional chemistry and food safety business, which are now part of LCD.

Segment asset information is not presented because it is not used by the CODM at the segment level. Operating earnings (loss) of each segment represents net revenues less directly identifiable expenses to arrive at operating income for the segment. General management and administrative corporate expenses are included in general corporate expenses below. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those as set forth in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Note 1 (Basis of Financial Statement Presentation) above to the interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

The table below represents information about the Company’s reporting segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:



	Three Months Ended						Nine Month Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Total revenues:
LCD - net revenue	$	1,600.9		$	1,507.3		$	4,647.9		$	4,373.9
CDD - net revenue	669.0			44.5			1,613.0			125.0
CDD - reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses	47.4			—			118.7			—
Total revenues	2,317.3			1,551.8			6,379.6			4,498.9

Operating earnings:
LCD	303.9			270.7			841.7			780.0
CDD	44.8			7.0			43.8			16.7
Unallocated corporate expenses	(41.8		)	(36.3		)	(126.0		)	(105.3		)
Total operating income	306.9			241.4			759.5			691.4
Other income (expense), net	(56.5		)	(22.4		)	(213.5		)	(52.2		)
Earnings before income taxes	250.4			219.0			546.0			639.2
Provision for income taxes	97.3			81.5			222.5			246.5
Net earnings	153.1			137.5			323.5			392.7
Less income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.3		)	(0.3		)	(0.9		)	(1.1		)
Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$	152.8		$	137.2		$	322.6		$	391.6

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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+ Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Basic earnings per Share to Diluted Earnings per Share

The following represents a reconciliation of basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share:



	Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015					2014					2015					2014
	Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount		Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$	152.8	101.1	$	1.51	$	137.2	84.9	$	1.62	$	322.6	97.9	$	3.29	$	391.6	84.9	$	4.61
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards	—		1.2			—		1.1			—		1.2			—		1.1
Effect of convertible debt	—		0.6			—		0.5			—		0.6			—		0.5
Diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings including impact of dilutive adjustments	$	152.8	102.9	$	1.49	$	137.2	86.5	$	1.59	$	322.6	99.7	$	3.24	$	391.6	86.5	$	4.53

Potential common shares not included in computation of diluted earnings per share

The following table summarizes the potential common shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their impact would have been antidilutive:



	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015	2014	2015	2014
Stock options	—	—	—	—

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES Restructuring and Other Special Charges Detail (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES

The following represents the Company’s restructuring reserve activities for the period indicated:



	Severance and Other Employee Costs			Lease and Other Facility Costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	0.4		$	21.7		$	22.1
Restructuring charges	33.8			27.1			60.9
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	—			(1.0		)	(1.0		)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(9.7		)	(20.0		)	(29.7		)
Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	24.5		$	27.8		$	52.3
Current							$	32.5
Non-current							19.8
							$	52.3



	Severance and Other Employee Costs			Lease and Other Facility Costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	0.4		$	21.7		$	22.1
Restructuring charges	33.8			27.1			60.9
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	—			(1.0		)	(1.0		)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(9.7		)	(20.0		)	(29.7		)
Balance as of September 30, 2015	$	24.5		$	27.8		$	52.3
Current							$	32.5
Non-current							19.8
							$	52.3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill

changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine month period ended September 30, 2015 and for the year ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:



	LCD						CDD				Total
	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014			September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014		September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Balance as of January 1	$	2,988.9		$	2,912.3		$	110.5	$	110.5	$	3,099.4		$	3,022.8
Goodwill acquired during the period	72.2			81.8			2,907.8		—		2,980.0			81.8
Foreign currency impact and other adjustments to goodwill	(10.9		)	(5.2		)	0.1		—		(10.8		)	(5.2		)
Balance at end of period	$	3,050.2		$	2,988.9		$	3,018.4	$	110.5	$	6,068.6		$	3,099.4

Components of identifiable intangible assets

omponents of identifiable intangible assets are as follows:



	September 30, 2015							December 31, 2014
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Customer relationships	$	3,290.8	$	(699.4	)	$	2,591.4	$	1,361.6	$	(606.8	)	$	754.8
Patents, licenses and technology	184.5		(107.3		)	77.2		125.9		(95.9		)	30.0
Non-compete agreements	49.2		(36.0		)	13.2		45.6		(31.7		)	13.9
Trade names	428.7		(109.9		)	318.8		133.3		(91.6		)	41.7
Land use right	5.5		(0.4		)	5.1		—		—			—
Canadian licenses	555.3		—			555.3		635.4		—			635.4
	$	4,514.0	$	(953.0	)	$	3,561.0	$	2,301.8	$	(826.0	)	$	1,475.8

Amo

DEBT (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

Short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes	$	95.4	$	93.9
5.625% senior notes due 2015	250.0		250.0
3.125% senior notes due 2016	325.0		—
Current portion of capital leases	4.3		3.2
Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	$	674.7	$	347.1

Long-term debt

Long-term debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
3.125% senior notes due 2016	$	—	$	325.0
2.20% senior notes due 2017	500.0		500.0
2.50% senior notes due 2018	400.0		400.0
4.625% senior notes due 2020	638.6		618.5
2.625% senior notes due 2020	500.0		—
3.75% senior notes due 2022	500.0		500.0
3.20% senior notes due 2022	500.0		—
4.00% senior notes due 2023	300.0		300.0
3.60% senior notes due 2025	1,000.0		—
4.70% senior notes due 2045	900.0		—
Revolving credit facility	—		—
Term loan	715.0		—
Capital leases	52.9		39.2
Total long-term debt	$	6,006.5	$	2,682.7

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]

The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings are as follows:



	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Net Benefit Plan Adjustments			Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available for Sale Securities			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	68.0		$	(78.6	)	$	0.1		$	(10.5	)
Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications	(233.3		)	2.2			(0.1		)	(231.2		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (a)	—			(0.8		)	—			(0.8		)
Tax effect of adjustments	74.5			(0.5		)	—			74.0
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	(90.8	)	$	(77.7	)	$	—		$	(168.5	)

Changes in common shares issued and held in treasury

The changes in common shares issued and held in treasury are summarized below:



	Issued	Held in Treasury		Outstanding
Common shares at December 31, 2014	107.1	(22.5	)	84.6
Common stock issued in conjunction with the Acquisition	15.3	—		15.3
Common stock issued under employee stock plans	1.3	—		1.3
Common shares at September 30, 2015	123.7	(22.5	)	101.2

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]

Schedule of Pensions and Postretirement Plans

The effect on operations of the post-retirement medical plan is shown in the following table:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost for benefits earned	$	—		$	0.1		$	0.1		$	0.2
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.2			0.4			0.7			1.3
Net amortization and deferral	(2.9		)	(2.0		)	(7.5		)	(5.9		)
Post-retirement medical plan benefits	$	(2.7	)	$	(1.5	)	$	(6.7	)	$	(4.4	)



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Service cost	$	0.1		$	0.1
Interest cost	0.2			0.6
Net amortization and deferral	—			—
Curtailment gain	(0.7		)	(0.7		)
Net periodic pension cost	$	(0.4	)	$	—

The SERP was frozen effective August 1, 2015, which resulted in a curtailment gain of $0.7.



	United Kingdom Plans						German Plan
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015			Three Months Ended September 30, 2015			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	0.9		$	1.9		$	0.4		$	0.8
Interest cost on benefit obligation	2.3			5.4			0.1			0.3
Expected return on plan assets	(3.3		)	(7.6		)	—			—
Net amortization and deferral	—			—			—			—
Defined benefit plan costs	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.3	)	$	0.5		$	1.1

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	3.6		%	3.6		%	1.5		%	1.5		%
Expected return on assets	5.4		%	5.4		%	N/A			N/A
Salary increases	3.5		%	3.5		%	2.0		%	2.0		%

The effect on operations for the Company Plan and the PEP is summarized as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	1.0		$	0.8		$	2.9		$	2.5
Interest cost on benefit obligation	3.8			4.2			11.4			12.3
Expected return on plan assets	(4.5		)	(4.6		)	(13.7		)	(13.6		)
Net amortization and deferral	2.9			1.6			8.3			5.0
Defined benefit plan costs	$	3.2		$	2.0		$	8.9		$	6.2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Company's population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements

The Company’s population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements as of
	Fair Value as of		September 30, 2015
	Fair Value as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	September 30, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put	$	15.5	$	—	$	15.5	$	—
Interest rate swap	38.6		—		38.6		—
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	43.8		—		43.8		—
Deferred compensation liability	44.2		—		44.2		—



			Fair Value Measurements as of
	Fair Value as of		December 31, 2014
	Fair Value as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	December 31, 2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put	$	17.7	$	—	$	17.7	$	—
Interest rate swap	18.5		—		18.5		—
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	41.9		—		41.9		—
Deferred compensation liability	43.4		—		43.4		—

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$	126.5		$	74.7
Income taxes, net of refunds	176.0			211.1
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance awards	$	10.8		$	6.6
Non-cash stock consideration for the Acquisition	1,762.5			—
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	—			8.6
Assets acquired under capital leases	18.1			13.1
Decrease in accrued property, plant and equipment	(2.2		)	(3.3		)

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]

Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]



	Three Months Ended						Nine Month Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Total revenues:
LCD - net revenue	$	1,600.9		$	1,507.3		$	4,647.9		$	4,373.9
CDD - net revenue	669.0			44.5			1,613.0			125.0
CDD - reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses	47.4			—			118.7			—
Total revenues	2,317.3			1,551.8			6,379.6			4,498.9

Operating earnings:
LCD	303.9			270.7			841.7			780.0
CDD	44.8			7.0			43.8			16.7
Unallocated corporate expenses	(41.8		)	(36.3		)	(126.0		)	(105.3		)
Total operating income	306.9			241.4			759.5			691.4
Other income (expense), net	(56.5		)	(22.4		)	(213.5		)	(52.2		)
Earnings before income taxes	250.4			219.0			546.0			639.2
Provision for income taxes	97.3			81.5			222.5			246.5
Net earnings	153.1			137.5			323.5			392.7
Less income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.3		)	(0.3		)	(0.9		)	(1.1		)
Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$	152.8		$	137.2		$	322.6		$	391.6

BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Unbilled Receivables, Current	$ 90.9
Ownership percentage below which investments are generally accounted for on the cost method (in thousandths)	20.00%

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Reconciliation of Basic Earnings Per Share to Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income [Abstract]
Net earnings, basic	$ 152.8	$ 137.2	$ 322.6	$ 391.6
Net earnings including impact of dilutive adjustments	$ 152.8	$ 137.2	$ 322.6	$ 391.6
Shares [Abstract]
Net earnings, basic (in shares)	101.1	84.9	97.9	84.9
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards, (in shares)	1.2	1.1	1.2	1.1
Effect of convertible debt, net of tax, (in shares)	0.6		0.6	0.5
Net earnings including impact of dilutive adjustments, (in shares)	102.9	86.5	99.7	86.5
Per Share Amount [Abstract]
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.51	$ 1.62	$ 3.29	$ 4.61
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.49	$ 1.59	$ 3.24	$ 4.53

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Potential common shares not included in computation of diluted earnings per share) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Stock options (in shares)	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	$ 52.3		$ 22.1
Restructuring Charges	60.9
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment	(29.7)
Net restructuring charges	59.9	$ 15.4
Reduction in prior employee severance benefits related restructuring accruals		0.4
Other Special Charges	17.0	10.1
Restructuring charges related to severance and other employee costs	33.8	9.8
Restructuring charges related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs	27.1	6.7
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals	1.0	$ (0.7)
Restructuring Reserve, Current	32.5
Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent	19.8
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	24.5		0.4
Restructuring Charges	33.8
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment	(9.7)
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals	0.0
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	27.8		$ 21.7
Restructuring Charges	27.1
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment	(20.0)
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals	$ 1.0

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	$ 166.0
Balance, beginning of period	22.1
Restructuring charges	60.9
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	(1.0)	$ 0.7
Cash payments and other adjustments	(29.7)
Balance, end of period	52.3
Current			$ 32.5
Non-current			19.8
Total Restructuring Reserve	22.1		52.3
Severance and Other Employee Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	0.4
Restructuring charges	33.8
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	0.0
Cash payments and other adjustments	(9.7)
Balance, end of period	24.5
Total Restructuring Reserve	0.4		24.5
Lease and Other Facility Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	21.7
Restructuring charges	27.1
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	(1.0)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(20.0)
Balance, end of period	27.8
Total Restructuring Reserve	21.7		$ 27.8
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	$ 113.4

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	$ 3,099.4	$ 3,022.8
Goodwill acquired during the period	2,980.0	81.8
Adjustments to goodwill	(10.8)	(5.2)
Balance at end of period	6,068.6
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	2,988.9
Goodwill acquired during the period	72.2
Adjustments to goodwill	(10.9)
Balance at end of period	3,050.2
Clinical diagnostics laboratory [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	2,988.9	2,912.3
Goodwill acquired during the period		81.8
Adjustments to goodwill		(5.2)
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	110.5	110.5
Goodwill acquired during the period	2,907.8	0.0
Adjustments to goodwill	0.1	$ 0.0
Balance at end of period	3,018.4
Other Segments [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	$ 110.5

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Components of identifiable intangible assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 4,514.0	$ 2,301.8
Accumulated Amortization	(953.0)	(826.0)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	3,561.0	1,475.8
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	3,290.8	1,361.6
Accumulated Amortization	(699.4)	(606.8)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	2,591.4	754.8
Patents, Licenses And Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	184.5	125.9
Accumulated Amortization	(107.3)	(95.9)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	77.2	30.0
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	49.2	45.6
Accumulated Amortization	(36.0)	(31.7)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	13.2	13.9
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	428.7	133.3
Accumulated Amortization	(109.9)	(91.6)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	318.8	41.7
Use Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	5.5	0.0
Accumulated Amortization	(0.4)	0.0
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	5.1	0.0
Canadian licenses [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	555.3	635.4
Accumulated Amortization	0.0	0.0
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 555.3	$ 635.4

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 19, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent						$ 2,900.0
Goodwill	$ 6,068.6		$ 6,068.6				$ 3,099.4	$ 3,022.8
Amortization of intangible assets	47.1	$ 18.3	126.2	$ 61.3
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Estimated amortization expense, 2012		47.9		47.9
Estimated amortization expense, 2013		183.3		183.3
Estimated amortization expense, 2014		176.1		176.1
Estimated amortization expense, 2015		165.4		165.4
Estimated amortization expense, 2016		158.7		158.7
Estimated amortization expense, Thereafter		$ 2,259.9		$ 2,259.9
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 3,050.2		$ 3,050.2				2,988.9
Other Segments [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill							$ 110.5
Covance [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill					$ 2,907.8
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent						$ 900.0

DEBT (Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt) (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Nov. 02, 2014	Nov. 19, 2010
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 2,900.0
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	$ 3.2	$ 4.3
Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	347.1	674.7
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	93.9	95.4
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	0.0	$ 500.0	$ 500.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.625%	2.625%		4.625%
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	0.0	$ 500.0	$ 500.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.75%	3.20%
Senior notes due 2016 [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.625%
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 250.0	$ 250.0
Senior notes due 2025 [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 1,000.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			3.60%
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 900.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			4.70%
60-Day Debt Bridge Traunche [Domain]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Short-term Debt, Terms	P60D
Bridge Term Credit Facility Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Amount				$ 400.0

DEBT (Long-term debt) (Table) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
DEBT (Long-term debt) (Table) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Quarters	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 19, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 18, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 19, 2014 USD ($)	Nov. 02, 2014 USD ($)	Nov. 19, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (Leverage) Ratio		3.8
Total long-term debt	$ 2,682.7	$ 6,006.5	$ 2,682.7
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	0.0	0.0	0.0
Other Long-term Debt	0.0	715.0	0.0
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		600.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent									$ 2,900.0
Capital Lease Obligations	39.2	$ 52.9	39.2
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayment Terms		P5Y
Debt Covenant Requirement for Number of Consecutive Fiscal Quarters \| Quarters
Revolving Credit Facility covenant terms ceiling		0.0
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity										$ 1,000.0
Credit Facility Option to Increase										250.0
Credit Facility, Maximum Swing Line Borrowings										100.0
Capital lease obligation	3.2	$ 4.3	3.2
Senior notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage		5.625%
Senior notes due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	325.0	$ 0.0	325.0
Stated interest rate percentage		3.125%
Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	500.0	$ 500.0	500.0
Stated interest rate percentage		2.20%
Senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	400.0	$ 400.0	400.0
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		638.6
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	618.5		618.5
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	0.0	$ 500.0	0.0						$ 500.0
Stated interest rate percentage		4.625%							2.625%			4.625%
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	500.0	$ 500.0	500.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	0.0	$ 500.0	0.0						$ 500.0
Stated interest rate percentage		3.75%							3.20%
Senior notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent									$ 1,000.0
Stated interest rate percentage									3.60%
Senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	300.0	$ 300.0	300.0
Senior notes due 2025 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	0.0	1,000.0	0.0
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	$ 0.0	$ 900.0	$ 0.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent									$ 900.0
Stated interest rate percentage									4.70%
Long-term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		1.44%
Covance [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other Long-term Debt							$ 1,000,000.0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	Dec. 19, 2014
Credit Facility, Maximum Letters of Credit										$ 125.0
60-Day Debt Bridge Traunche [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bridge Term Credit Facility Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Amount											$ 400.0
Short-term Debt, Terms			P60D
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (Leverage) Ratio								3.75
Prime Rate [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			0.00% to 0.60%
Prime Rate [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			0.125% to 1.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Description			0.125% to 0.40%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			1.00% to 1.60%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			1.125% to 2.00%
Scenario, Forecast [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (Leverage) Ratio				3.75	4.25	4.75

DEBT (Senior Notes) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
DEBT (Senior Notes) (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 19, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 19, 2014 USD ($)	Nov. 19, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity					$ 1,000.0
Credit Facility Option to Increase					250.0
Credit Facility, Maximum Swing Line Borrowings					$ 100.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 2,900.0
Debt to EBITDA (Leverage) Ratio	3.8
Fair Value Hedges, Net	$ 38.6			$ 18.5
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 600.0
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.298%
Senior notes due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	$ 325.0			0.0
Stated interest rate percentage	3.125%
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 900.0
Stated interest rate percentage			4.70%
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 500.0		$ 500.0	0.0
Stated interest rate percentage	3.75%		3.20%
Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage	2.20%
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 500.0		$ 500.0	0.0
Stated interest rate percentage	4.625%		2.625%			4.625%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 618.5
Covance [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt		$ 250.0
Make-whole payment	$ 37.4

DEBT (Convertible Subordinated Notes) (Details)	9 Months Ended
DEBT (Convertible Subordinated Notes) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes [Line Items]
Payments on zero-coupon subordinated notes	$ 0	$ (16,800,000)
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes [Member]
Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes [Line Items]
Minimum contingent cash interest rate on zero-coupon subordinated notes (in hundredths)	0.125%
Number of trading days used to establish contingent cash interest rate on zero-coupon subordinated notes (in days)	5
Stock conversion rate for zero-coupon subordinated notes (per thousand) \| shares	13.4108
Principal amount of zero-coupon subordinated notes	$ 1,000
Date of the terms for the zero-coupon subordinated notes and indenture	Oct. 24, 2006

DEBT (Credit Facilities) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
DEBT (Credit Facilities) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 18, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayment Terms		P5Y
Debt Instrument, Payment Terms		P5Y
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Revolving Credit Facility, maximum borrowing capacity							$ 1,000.0
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio		3.8
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, interest rate at period end		1.29%
Target Ratio to Resume Share Repurchase [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio		2.5
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	Dec. 19, 2014
Credit Facility, Maximum Letters of Credit							$ 125.0
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio						3.75
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio			3.75	4.25	4.75

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	15.3
Common stock, shares authorized	265.0
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized	30.0
Preferred stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0.0
Rollforward of common shares issued
Common shares issued, beginning balance (in shares)	107.1
Common stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)	1.3
Common shares issued, ending balance (in shares)	123.7
Rollforward of common shares held in treasury
Common shares held in Treasury, beginning balance (in shares)	(22.5)
Common shares held in Treasury, ending balance (in shares)	(22.5)
Rollforward of common shares outstanding
Common shares outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)	84.6
Common stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)	1.3
Common shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	101.2
Rollforward of Share Repurchase Program
Outstanding common stock repurchase authorization, beginning balance	$ 789.5
Purchase of common stock	$ 0.0	$ (229.9)

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings are as follows:



	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Net Benefit Plan Adjustments			Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available for Sale Securities			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	68.0		$	(78.6	)	$	0.1		$	(10.5	)
Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications	(233.3		)	2.2			(0.1		)	(231.2		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (a)	—			(0.8		)	—			(0.8		)
Tax effect of adjustments	74.5			(0.5		)	—			74.0
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	(90.8	)	$	(77.7	)	$	—		$	(168.5	)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, before Tax

$ 0.0

Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax

2.2

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax

(0.1)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, before Tax

0.0

Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax

^[1]

0.8

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax

(231.2)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax

$ 0.0

0.0

$ 0.1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings [Roll Forward]

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Beginning balance

68.0

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

(233.3)

Tax effect of adjustments

74.5

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Ending balance

(90.8)

Net Benefit Plan Adjustments, Beginning balance

(78.6)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

^[1]

(0.8)

Tax effect of adjustments

(0.5)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax

0.0

Net Benefit Plan Adjustments, Ending balance

(77.7)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings, Beginning balance

(10.5)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

(233.3)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

^[1]

(0.8)

Tax effect of adjustments

34.0

$ 11.7

74.0

$ 16.4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings, Ending balance

$ (168.5)

[1]	The amortization of prior service cost is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 10 (Pension and Post-retirement Plans) below for additional information regarding the Company's net periodic benefit cost.

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Minimum threshold percentage required to recognize income tax benefit (in hundredths)	50.00%
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits	$ 27.9	$ 16.7
Unrecognized income tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	27.9	16.7
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits	9.5	8.2
Valuation allowance provided for deferred tax assets	$ 15.4	$ 17.1

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) $ / Violation	Aug. 24, 2012 Recipients $ / Violation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement expense in connection with the California False Claims Act lawsuit		$ 34,500,000
Previously recorded litigation reserve in connection with the California False Claims Act lawsuit		$ 15,000,000
Litigation Settlement, Gross	$ 49.5
Payment reduction by Assembly Bill No. 97			10.00%
Percent of lowest maximum (cap on payments)			80.00%
Payment reduction by Assembly Bill No. 1494			10.00%
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value			$ 50,000,000
Loss Contingency Damages Awarded Gross			20,800,000
Number of Recipients \| Recipients				39
Proposed damages per violation \| $ / Violation				0.0005
Loss Contingency Damages Awarded Net			$ 15,800,000
Reduction for Plaintiff Negligence			25.00%
Company's apportioned responsibility			50.00%
Co-defendant's apportioned responsibility			50.00%
Loss contingency reduced damages awarded gross			$ 5,000,000
Loss contingency reduced damages awarded net			4,400,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount			$ 45,400,000
Tri-State Clinical Laboratory Services, LLC [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Ownership interest percentage, parent		50.00%
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Proposed damages per violation \| $ / Violation			0.000001
Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Proposed damages per violation \| $ / Violation			0.0001

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Pension Contributions			$ 0.0
Minimum non-elective contribution (NEC) % for the 401(K) plan (in hundredths)			3.00%
Discretionary contribution % for the 401(K) plan, range mininum			1.00%
Discretionary contribution % for the 401(K) plan, range maximum			3.00%
Defined contribution retirement plan cost	$ 13.2	$ 12.6	$ 39.4	$ 38.8
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Service cost for benefits earned	1.0	0.8	2.9	2.5
Interest cost on benefit obligation	3.8	4.2	11.4	12.3
Expected return on plan assets	(4.5)	(4.6)	(13.7)	(13.6)
Net amortization and deferral	2.9	1.6	8.3	5.0
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	3.2	2.0	8.9	6.2
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	6.3		6.3
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	0.1		0.2
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Service cost for benefits earned	0.9		1.9
Interest cost on benefit obligation	2.3		5.4
Expected return on plan assets	(3.3)		(7.6)
Net amortization and deferral	0.0		0.0
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	$ (0.1)		$ (0.3)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	3.60%		3.60%
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Rate Of Return On Assets Other Assets	5.40%		5.40%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	3.50%		3.50%
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Service cost for benefits earned	$ 0.4		$ 0.8
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.1		0.3
Expected return on plan assets	0.0		0.0
Net amortization and deferral	0.0		0.0
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	$ 0.5		$ 1.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	1.50%		1.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	2.00%		2.00%
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	$ 32.8		$ 32.8
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Service cost for benefits earned	0.1		0.1
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.2		0.6
Net amortization and deferral	0.0		0.0
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	(0.7)		(0.7)
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	(0.4)		0.0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Service cost for benefits earned	0.0	0.1	0.1	0.2
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.2	0.4	0.7	1.3
Net amortization and deferral	(2.9)	(2.0)	(7.5)	(5.9)
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	(2.7)	$ (1.5)	(6.7)	$ (4.4)
Covance [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined contribution retirement plan cost	$ 11.4		$ 27.1

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS Defined Contribution Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Non Elective Contribution			3.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 13.2	$ 12.6	$ 39.4	$ 38.8
Covance [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	11.4		27.1
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$ 0.1		$ 0.2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	$ 15.5	$ 17.7
Fair market value of zero-coupon subordinated notes	163.1	155.6
Fair market value of senior notes	6,358.1	2,949.8
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	43.8	41.9
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	44.2	43.4
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	0.0	0.0
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Asset at Fair Value	0.0	0.0
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	0.0	0.0
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	0.0	0.0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	15.5	17.7
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	38.6	18.5
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	43.8	41.9
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	44.2	43.4
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	0.0	0.0
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	0.0	0.0
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	0.0	0.0
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	$ 0.0	$ 0.0

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details)	9 Months Ended
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Embedded_Derivative_Instruments	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Nov. 19, 2010
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 600,000,000
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.298%
Fair Value Hedges, Net	$ 38,600,000			$ 18,500,000
Number of features considered to be embedded derivative instruments \| Embedded_Derivative_Instruments	2
Minimum percentage of market price to calculated value of zero-coupon subordinated debt at which the entity is subject to contingent cash interest	120.00%
Embedded derivative, fair value	$ 0
Embedded derivative, impact on condensed consolidated statements of operations	$ 0	$ 0
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%		2.625%		4.625%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 618,500,000

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Noncash conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	$ 0.0	$ 8.6
Fair Value of Assets Acquired	$ 18.1	$ 13.1
Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities	(2.2)	(3.3)
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$ 126.5	$ 74.7
Income taxes, net of refunds	176.0	211.1
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Restricted Stock Awards And Performance Shares Surrendered	10.8	6.6
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given	$ 1,762.5	$ 0.0

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 19, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 19, 2010
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given				$ 1,762.5	$ 0.0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 152.8		$ 137.2	$ 322.6	391.6
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions				15,300,000
Senior Notes, Noncurrent							$ 2,900.0
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs				$ 166.0
Goodwill	6,068.6			6,068.6				$ 3,099.4	$ 3,022.8
Cash payments for laboratory-related assets				170.7	157.2
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired				3,692.7	$ 65.3
Interest Expense [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs				52.6
Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	27.8			7.4
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)						$ 6,150.7
Business Acquisition, Share Price						$ 75.76
Goodwill						$ 2,907.8
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Value Assigned						0.2686
Covance, Inc. [Member] \| General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items		1.1
Covance, Inc. [Member] \| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items		1.9
Excluding Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired				85.3
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				$ 19.6
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life				10 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life				28 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets						$ 306.9
Use Rights [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life				8 years
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent							$ 900.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							4.70%
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 500.0			$ 500.0			$ 500.0	$ 0.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%			4.625%			2.625%			4.625%

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS Business Acquisitions in the Aggregate (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 19, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration					$ 780.8
Other Long-term Debt	$ 715.0		$ 715.0			$ 0.0
Revenues	2,317.3	$ 1,551.8	6,379.6	$ 4,498.9
Revenues		2,222.8
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent		172.7
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			3,692.7	65.3
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			2,980.0	$ 81.8
Accounts receivable					334.8
Unbilled Receivables, Current	90.9		90.9
Inventories					51.9
Deferred income taxes					34.4
Goodwill	6,068.6		6,068.6			$ 3,099.4	$ 3,022.8
Operating income		$ 298.7
Basic		$ 1,720
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted		$ 1,690
Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs			207.6
Post combination acceleration of stock compensation expense			43.2
Employer taxes on accelerated equity			9.4
Make-whole payment			37.4
Cash paid for acquisition					4,388.2
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given					1,762.5
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)					6,150.7
Cash consideration					780.8
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent					771.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt					250.0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable					190.8
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities					280.8
Deferred Revenue					168.0
Other Long-term Debt					1,000,000.0
Revenues	647.0		1,535.0
Revenues		$ 6,523.3	6,732.8
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent		274.8	432.5
Cash on Hand Used for Acquisition					488.2
Acquisition Financing					3,900,000.0
Other long term debt acquistion financing					400.0
Accounts receivable					334.8
Unbilled Receivables, Current					138.7
Inventories					51.9
Deferred income taxes					34.4
Goodwill					2,907.8
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Assets					15.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets					7,905.0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other					93.5
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities					1,754.3
Operating income		$ 622.2	$ 878.8
Basic		$ 2,730	$ 4,270
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted		$ 2,690	$ 4,210
Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Change in control and severance payments			$ 26.8
Legal Fees			75.6
Write off of bridge and other deferred financing costs			15.2
Excluding Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			85.3
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired			19.6
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			$ 63.3
Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life			28 years
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other					306.9
Property, plant and equipment					1,060.9
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					1,912.2
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles	(5.0)
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life			15 years
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles	4.3
Trade Names [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					293.7
Use Rights [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life			8 years
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					0.0
Use Rights [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles	(4.9)
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life			10 years
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					62.2
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles	62.2
Off-Market Favorable Lease [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					5.5
Off-Market Favorable Lease [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles	$ 5.5
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items	45.5
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items	216.7
Goodwill [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					2,907.8
Goodwill [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items	-268.3
Other Assets [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items	0
Assets, Total [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items	56
Accounts Payable [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items	0
Accrued Liabilities [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items	0
Deferred tax liability [Domain] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items	41
Other Liabilities [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items	15
Liabilities, Total [Member] \| Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items	56
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent					730.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets					7,849.0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other					78.5
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities					1,698.3
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment					844.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					1,917.2
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Trade Names [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					289.4
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Use Rights [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					4.9
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Software and Software Development Costs [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					0.0
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Off-Market Favorable Lease [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					0.0
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other					261.4
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Goodwill [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					3,176.1
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Other Assets [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other					15.2
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Accounts Payable [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other					190.8
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] \| Accrued Liabilities [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other					$ 280.8

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net revenues	$ 2,269.9	$ 1,551.8	$ 6,260.9	$ 4,498.9
Reimbursement Revenue	47.4	0.0	118.7	0.0
Revenues	2,317.3	1,551.8	6,379.6	4,498.9
Total operating income	306.9	241.4	759.5	691.4
Non-operating expenses, net	(56.5)	(22.4)	(213.5)	(52.2)
Earnings before income taxes	250.4	219.0	546.0	639.2
Provision for income taxes	97.3	81.5	222.5	246.5
Net earnings	153.1	137.5	323.5	392.7
Less income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.3)	(0.3)	(0.9)	(1.1)
Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	(152.8)	(137.2)	(322.6)	(391.6)
Clinical diagnostics laboratory [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net revenues	1,600.9	1,507.3
Total operating income	303.9	270.7
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net revenues			4,647.9	4,373.9
Total operating income			841.7	780.0
General corporate expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income	(41.8)	(36.3)	(126.0)	(105.3)
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net revenues	669.0	44.5
Total operating income	44.8	7.0
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net revenues			1,613.0	125.0
Reimbursement Revenue	$ 47.4	$ 0.0	118.7	0.0
Total operating income			$ 43.8	$ 16.7