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Document and Entity Information Document - shares shares in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 26, 2016
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, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		103.0
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 567.6	$ 716.4
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $198.4 and $191.5 at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,346.6	1,217.9
Unbilled Contracts Receivable	216.3	156.6
Supplies inventories	198.8	191.0
Prepaid expenses and other	325.6	339.3
Total current assets	2,654.9	2,621.2
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,730.6	1,747.4
Goodwill, net	6,389.0	6,166.3
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	3,457.2	3,332.4
Joint venture partnerships and equity method investments	60.4	58.2
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Assets, Current	1.9	2.3
Other assets, net	189.0	150.0
Total assets	14,483.0	14,077.8
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	454.8	497.4
Deferred Revenue, Current	589.7	633.1
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current	169.5	146.1
Debt, Current	698.2	423.9
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,912.2	1,700.5
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	5,473.2	5,940.3
Commitments and contingent liabilities	330.7	323.1
Noncontrolling interest	8,944.0	9,198.9
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, 92.8 and 93.5 shares outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	15.6	14.9
Additional paid-in capital	2,130.3	1,974.5
Retained earnings	12.1	12.0
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(4,770.7)	(4,223.0)
Total shareholders' equity	(1,011.7)	(978.1)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	(378.0)	(367.4)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	5,523.4	4,864.0
Deferred income taxes and other tax liabilities	1,227.9	1,235.0
Liabilities and Equity	$ 14,483.0	$ 14,077.8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$ 250.8	$ 217.0
Shareholders' Equity:
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	102.8	101.3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Revenue, Net	$ 2,372.7	$ 2,269.9	$ 7,049.9	$ 6,260.9
Reimbursement Revenue	42.0	47.4	163.5	118.7
Revenues	2,414.7	2,317.3	7,213.4	6,379.6
Cost of sales	1,584.3	1,505.0	4,657.4	4,098.2
Cost of Reimbursable Expense	42.0	47.4	163.5	118.7
Cost of Revenue	1,626.3	1,552.4	4,820.9	4,216.9
Gross profit	788.4	764.9	2,392.5	2,162.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses	400.5	385.6	1,224.2	1,221.9
Amortization of intangibles and other assets	41.1	44.9	130.7	120.6
Net restructuring and other special charges	22.8	26.3	48.6	59.9
Operating Income (Loss)	324.0	308.1	989.0	760.3
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(58.2)	(55.9)	(166.2)	(218.1)
Equity method income, net	2.6	2.0	5.9	7.6
Investment income	0.6	0.5	1.5	1.4
Other, net	(5.6)	(3.2)	(1.3)	(4.4)
Earnings before income taxes	263.4	251.5	828.9	546.8
Provision for income taxes	83.6	96.5	280.3	218.3
Net earnings	179.8	155.0	548.6	328.5
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(0.3)	(0.3)	(0.9)	(0.9)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 179.5	$ 154.7	$ 547.7	$ 327.6
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.74	$ 1.53	$ 5.36	$ 3.35
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.71	$ 1.50	$ 5.25	$ 3.29

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Revenue, Net	$ 2,372.7	$ 2,269.9	$ 7,049.9	$ 6,260.9
Net restructuring and other special charges	22.8	26.3	48.6	59.9
Provision for income taxes	83.6	96.5	280.3	218.3
Net earnings	179.8	155.0	548.6	328.5
Other Comprehensive Earnings, Net of Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(27.4)	(207.5)	11.7	(344.7)
Net benefit plan adjustments			(11.5)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	(1.6)	0.0	(0.5)	1.4
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) before tax	(29.0)	(207.5)	11.2	(343.3)
Tax effect of adjustments	8.3	34.0	(21.8)	74.0
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax	(20.7)	(173.5)	(10.6)	(269.3)
Comprehensive earnings	159.1	(18.5)	538.0	59.2
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(0.3)	(0.3)	(0.9)	(0.9)
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 158.8	$ (18.8)	$ 537.1	$ 58.3

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, 2014	$ 2,820.5	$ 10.4	$ 0.0	$ 3,786.1	$ (965.5)	$ (10.5)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	327.6			327.6
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	(269.3)					(269.3)
Issuance of common stock for acquisition consideration	1,762.5	1.5	1,761.0
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given	88.9
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	(10.8)	(0.1)	(88.8)
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards					(10.8)
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	77.7
Stock compensation	10.1		77.7
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised			10.1
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2015	4,807.2	12.0	1,937.6	4,113.7	(976.3)	(279.8)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2015	4,864.0	12.0	1,974.5	4,223.0	(978.1)	(367.4)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	547.7			547.7
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	(10.6)			0.0		(10.6)
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given	67.4
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	(33.6)	(0.1)	(67.3)
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards					(33.6)
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	6.6
Stock compensation			81.9
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 5,523.4	$ 12.1	$ 2,130.3	$ 4,770.7	$ (1,011.7)	$ (378.0)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	$ 0.0	$ 60.0
Noncontrolling interest distributions	(1.7)	0.0
Deferred payments on acquisitions	4.9	0.1
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations	(6.0)	(3.3)
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	0.0	10.1
Net proceeds from issuance of stock to employees	67.4	89.2
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(301.7)	3,424.2
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	0.0	(36.7)
Payments On Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes	31.5	0.0
Repayments of Long-term Lines of Credit	0.0	(60.0)
Net earnings	548.6	328.5
Earnings before income taxes	828.9	546.8
Payments on bridge loan	0.0	(400.0)
Repayments of Senior Debt	(325.0)	(250.0)
Proceeds from bridge loan	0.0	400.0
Proceeds from Issuance of Other Long-term Debt	0.0	1,000.0
Accreted interest on zero-coupon subordinated notes	1.3	1.5
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments	13.5	8.0
Payments On Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes	31.5	0.0
Line of Credit Facility Payment	0.0	(285.0)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	368.9	339.5
Stock compensation	81.9	77.7
Loss on sale of assets	(2.3)	2.9
Cumulative earnings in excess of distributions from equity method investments	0.4	(1.8)
Asset Impairment Charges	0.0	14.8
Deferred income taxes	5.2	(16.0)
Change in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):
Increase in accounts receivable (net)	(109.2)	(89.9)
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables	(59.7)	(23.0)
Increase in inventories	(4.8)	9.6
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other	(19.5)	23.5
Decrease in accounts payable	(56.3)	(24.3)
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue	23.4	1.7
Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities and Other Operating Liabilities	(50.9)	(46.9)
Net cash provided by operating activities	727.0	597.8
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(204.6)	(170.7)
Proceeds from sale of assets	23.9	0.5
Investments in equity affiliates	(12.1)	(11.4)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(396.8)	(3,692.7)
Net cash used for investing activities	(576.1)	(3,866.3)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	0.0	2,900.0
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2.0	(22.7)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(148.8)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	716.4	580.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 567.6	$ 713.0

BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation	BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings together with its subsidiaries (the Company) is the world’s leading healthcare diagnostics company, providing comprehensive clinical laboratory services and end-to-end drug development support. The Company’s strategic vision is to improve health and improve lives by delivering world class diagnostic solutions, bringing innovative medicines to patients faster, and changing the way care is provided through the deployment of technology-enabled solutions. The Company serves managed care organizations (MCOs), biopharmaceutical companies, governmental agencies, physicians, hospitals and health systems, employers, patients and consumers, food and nutritional companies and independent clinical laboratories. The Company believes that it generated more revenue from laboratory testing than any other company in the world in 2015. The Company reports its business in two segments, LabCorp Diagnostics (LCD) and Covance Drug Development (CDD). For further financial information about these segments, see Note 14 (Business Segment Information). During the three months ended September 30, 2016, LCD and CDD contributed 70.5% and 29.5%, respectively, of net revenues to the Company. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, LCD and CDD contributed 69.8% and 30.2%, respectively, of net revenues to the Company. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries for 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 (GAAP). 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 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended. Therefore, the interim statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report. New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (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 GAAP. 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 plans to adopt using the full retrospective method and 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 interim periods within annual periods 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 November 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be classified as noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company early adopted this standard on a full-retrospective basis as of March 31, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. A financial instrument is defined as cash, evidence of ownership interest in a company or other entity, or a contract that both: (i) imposes on one entity a contractual obligation either to deliver cash or another financial instrument to a second entity or to exchange other financial instruments on potentially unfavorable terms with the second entity and (ii) conveys to that second entity a contractual right either to receive cash or another financial instrument from the first entity or to exchange other financial instruments on potentially favorable terms with the first entity. The standard will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on the consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for based on guidance similar to current guidance for operating leases. The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. The standard is effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on the consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard intended to simplify aspects of share-based payment accounting. The standard changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as the classification of related matters in the statement of cash flows. The update is effective on January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted this standard in the quarter ended September 30, 2016. As a result of the adoption, a tax benefit of $13.4 was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, $3.6 of which related to the three months ended September 30, 2016. In addition, excess income tax benefits from share-based payment awards are classified as an operating activity under this standard. Excess tax benefits related to the settlement of share-based payments of $10.5 have been reclassified from financing activities to operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Weighted average diluted shares for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016 increased by 0.2 and 0.3, respectively, due to the adoption of this standard. In March 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard intended to simplify aspects of the equity method of accounting. The standard eliminates the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method of accounting as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The standard requires that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Therefore, upon qualifying for the equity method of accounting, no retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. The update is effective on January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about expected credit losses and other commitments to extend credit held by the reporting entity. The standard replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with one that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The update is effective on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this new standard and the impact it will have on the consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that will make eight targeted changes to how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This update is effective on January 1, 2018, and will require adoption on a retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the application of this new standard will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Reclassifications The Company has reclassified debt issuance costs from prepaid expenses and other assets, net to direct deductions from the associated debt liability in the December 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet in accordance with the implementation of an FASB standard update that the company adopted as of January 1, 2016. In addition, the Company has reclassified short-term deferred tax assets and short-term deferred tax liabilities to net long-term deferred tax assets and net long-term deferred tax liabilities by jurisdiction, respectively, in the December 31, 2015 consolidated balance sheet in accordance with the implementation of an FASB standard update that the Company adopted as of January 1, 2016. During the quarter, the Company changed its financial statement classification for certain gross receipts taxes, removing these taxes from its provision for income taxes and moving this expense into selling, general and administrative expenses. This change in presentation has been made for all periods presented. As a result of the early adoption of the accounting standard update associated with simplifying several aspects of share-based compensation, certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform with the current period presentation. For further details regarding the impact of the new standard, see New Accounting Pronouncements.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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,
	2016					2015					2016					2015
	Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount		Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount		Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount		Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$	179.5	102.9	$	1.74	$	154.7	101.1	$	1.53	$	547.7	102.3	$	5.36	$	327.6	97.9	$	3.35
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards	—		1.5			—		1.2			—		1.4					1.2
Effect of convertible debt	—		0.5			—		0.6			—		0.5					0.6
Diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings including impact of dilutive adjustments	$	179.5	104.9	$	1.71	$	154.7	102.9	$	1.50	$	547.7	104.2	$	5.25	$	327.6	99.7	$	3.29

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,
	2016	2015	2016	2015
Stock options	—	0.1	—	0.1

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES

During the first nine months of 2016, the Company recorded net restructuring and other special charges of $48.6; $9.7 within LCD and $38.9 within CDD. The charges were comprised of $23.1 related to severance and other personnel costs along with $30.7 in costs associated with facility closures. A substantial portion of these costs relate to the planned closure of duplicative data center operations and other facilities. The Company reversed previously established reserves of $2.4 in unused severance reserves primarily as the result of selling one of its minimum volume service contract facilities to a third party and $2.8 for costs related to unused facilities. The Company incurred additional legal and other costs of $4.0 relating to the wind down of its minimum volume service contract operations and incurred $7.4 in acquisition fees and expenses. The Company also recorded $5.5 in consulting expenses relating to fees incurred as part of its Acquisition integration costs and compensation analysis, along with $2.3 in short-term equity retention arrangements relating to the Acquisition and $7.4 of accelerated equity compensation and other final compensation relating to executive transition (all recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses). In addition, the Company incurred $8.1 of non-capitalized costs associated with the implementation of a major system as part of its LaunchPad business process improvement initiative. In conjunction with certain international legal entity tax structuring, the Company recorded a one-time tax liability of $1.1. The Company also incurred $5.6 of interest expense relating to the early retirement of subsidiary indebtedness assumed as part of its recent acquisition of Sequenom.

On September 23, 2016, the Company entered into agreements to sell a site and certain moveable assets associated with the wind down of its minimum volume service contract operations subject to certain conditions. The sale is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter. The assets involved had previously been fully written down upon the closure of the site and the anticipated gain is not significant.

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 technology assets. These charges were partially offset by the reversal of previously established reserves of $1.0 in unused facility-related costs.

In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded $17.0 in consulting expenses (recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses) relating to fees incurred as part of LaunchPad. 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. The Company also recorded $15.1 in consulting expenses relating to fees as part of its LaunchPad business process improvement initiative as well as Covance integration costs, along with $4.3 in short-term equity retention arrangements relating to the Acquisition (all recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses).

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



	LCD						CDD
	Severance and Other Employee Costs			Lease and Other Facility Costs			Severance and Other Employee Costs			Lease and Other Facility Costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	0.1		$	26.5		$	51.5		$	1.1		$	79.2
Restructuring charges	11.4			0.7			11.7			30.0			53.8
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	—			(2.3		)	(2.4		)	(0.5		)	(5.2		)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(5.7		)	(9.5		)	(20.7		)	3.7			(32.2		)
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	5.8		$	15.4		$	40.1		$	34.3		$	95.6
Current													$	59.9
Non-current													35.7
													$	95.6

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2015 are as follows:



	LCD					CDD						Total
	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015			September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015			September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Balance as of January 1	$	3,201.7	$	2,988.9		$	2,964.6		$	110.5		$	6,166.3		$	3,099.4
Goodwill acquired during the period	292.8		225.6			—			2,969.0			292.8			3,194.6
Adjustments to goodwill	47.4		(12.8		)	(117.5		)	(114.9		)	(70.1		)	(127.7		)
Balance at end of period	$	3,541.9	$	3,201.7		$	2,847.1		$	2,964.6		$	6,389.0		$	6,166.3

The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows:



	September 30, 2016							December 31, 2015
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Customer relationships	$	3,257.9	$	(824.3	)	$	2,433.6	$	3,137.8	$	(725.6	)	$	2,412.2
Patents, licenses and technology	412.9		(158.8		)	254.1		309.6		(144.7		)	164.9
Non-compete agreements	51.9		(40.8		)	11.1		51.2		(37.2		)	14.0
Trade names	409.6		(135.3		)	274.3		400.9		(115.5		)	285.4
Land use right	10.0		(1.1		)	8.9		5.5		(0.6		)	4.9
Canadian licenses	475.2		—			475.2		451.0		—			451.0
	$	4,617.5	$	(1,160.3	)	$	3,457.2	$	4,356.0	$	(1,023.6	)	$	3,332.4

Amortization of intangible assets for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 was $41.1 and $130.7, respectively; and $44.9 and $120.6 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively. Amortization expense for the net carrying amount of intangible assets is estimated to be $39.2 for the remainder of fiscal 2016, $172.3 in fiscal 2017, $159.4 in fiscal 2018, $151.9 in fiscal 2019, $145.4 in fiscal 2020 and $2,053.8 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, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

DEBT

Short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term debt at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes	$	64.3		$	94.5
3.125% senior notes due 2016	—			325.0
2.20% senior notes due 2017	500.0			—
5.00% senior notes due 2017 and 2018	130.0			—
Debt issuance costs	(3.4		)	(1.0		)
Current portion of capital leases	7.3			5.4
Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	$	698.2		$	423.9

Long-term debt at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
2.20% senior notes due 2017	$	—		$	500.0
2.50% senior notes due 2018	400.0			400.0
4.625% senior notes due 2020	640.5			621.6
2.625% senior notes due 2020	500.0			500.0
3.75% senior notes due 2022	500.0			500.0
3.20% senior notes due 2022	500.0			500.0
4.00% senior notes due 2023	300.0			300.0
3.60% senior notes due 2025	1,000.0			1,000.0
4.70% senior notes due 2045	900.0			900.0
Term loan	715.0			715.0
Debt issuance costs	(44.8		)	(51.8		)
Capital leases	62.5			55.5
Total long-term debt	$	5,473.2		$	5,940.3

Senior Notes

As a result of the Acquisition, the Company assumed privately placed senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 issued by Covance pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement dated October 2, 2013. On March 5, 2015, the Company caused Covance to prepay all of the outstanding Senior Notes at 100% 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.

On September 30, 2016, the Company announced the successful completion of the consent solicitations for the 5.00% convertible senior notes due 2017 and 2018, totaling $130.0, assumed as part of the recent acquisition of Sequenom. On October 20, 2016, the Company retired $129.9 of these outstanding notes, and paid an additional $5.6 relating to the early retirement of the subsidiary indebtedness (recorded as interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations).

Zero-Coupon Subordinated Notes

On September 12, 2016, the Company announced that for the period from September 12, 2016 to March 10, 2017, 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, 2016, in addition to the continued accrual of the original issue discount.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company settled notices to convert $34.9 aggregate principal amount at maturity of its zero-coupon subordinated notes with a conversion value of $62.9. The total cash used for these settlements was $31.5 and the Company also issued 0.2 in additional shares of common stock. As a result of these conversions, the Company also reversed deferred tax liabilities of $6.6.

On October 3, 2016, 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, 2016 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 Friday, December 30, 2016. If notices of conversion are received, the Company plans to settle the cash portion of the conversion obligation with cash on hand and/or borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

Credit Facilities

As part of its financing of the Acquisition, the Company entered into a $1,000.0 term loan. The term loan credit facility, amended on July 13, 2016, will mature five years after the closing date of the Acquisition and may be prepaid without penalty. The term loan balance at September 30, 2016 was $715.0 and at December 31, 2015 was $715.0.

On December 19, 2014, the Company 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 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 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 no outstanding balance on the Company's revolving credit facility at September 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

On January 30, 2015, the Company issued $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 (together, the Acquisition Notes). Net proceeds from the offering of the Acquisition Notes were $2,870.2 after deducting underwriting discounts and other expenses of the offering. Net proceeds were used to pay a portion of the cash consideration and the fees and expenses in connection with the Acquisition.

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 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. From and after the Acquisition Date, the leverage ratio must not have been 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, must be no greater than 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 must be no greater than 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 revolving credit facility at September 30, 2016. As of September 30, 2016, the ratio of total debt to consolidated trailing 12-month EBITDA was 3.3 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 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 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 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, 2016, the effective interest rate on the revolving credit facility was 1.63% and the effective interest rate on the term loan was 1.77%.

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

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



	Issued	Held in Treasury		Outstanding
Common shares at December 31, 2015	123.9	(22.6	)	101.3
Common stock issued under employee stock plans	1.6	—		1.6
Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes	0.2	—		0.2
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	—	(0.3	)	(0.3	)
Common shares at September 30, 2016	125.7	(22.9	)	102.8

Share Repurchase Program

As of September 30, 2016, 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 trailing 12-month EBITDA of 2.5 to 1.0. However, the Company will continue to evaluate all opportunities for strategic deployment of capital in light of market conditions.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings

The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings are as follows:



	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Net Benefit Plan Adjustments			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2015 (a)	$	(293.0	)	$	(74.4	)	$	(367.4	)
Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications	11.7			11.0			22.7
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (b)	—			(11.5		)	(11.5		)
Tax effect of adjustments	(29.2		)	7.4			(21.8		)
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	(310.5	)	$	(67.5	)	$	(378.0	)

(a) The December 31, 2015 foreign currency translation adjustment reflects the changes recorded due to the cumulative translation adjustment of allocating the intangible assets associated with the Acquisition

(b) 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

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+ Details

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES	Sep. 30, 2016
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 $17.8 and $24.2 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. It is anticipated that the amount of the unrecognized income tax benefits will change within the next 12 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015, $17.8 and $24.2, respectively, were the approximate amount of gross unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. 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 $10.1 and $12.7 as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The valuation allowance provided as a reserve against certain deferred tax assets is $15.1 as of September 30, 2016 and was $15.1 as of December 31, 2015. The IRS concluded the examination of the Company's 2014 federal consolidated income tax return in the third quarter. The Company's 2014 return did not include Covance Inc. In the third quarter the IRS notified the Company that Covance Inc.'s 2013 federal consolidated income tax return was under examination. The Canada Revenue Agency is currently examining the Company's 2013 and 2014 tax returns. The Company has various state and international income tax examinations ongoing throughout the year. Management believes that adequate provisions have been recorded related to all open tax years. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2012. Substantially all material state and local and foreign income tax matters have been concluded through 2011 and 2005, respectively. As a result of the early adoption of the accounting standard update associated with simplifying several aspects of share-based compensation, a tax benefit of $13.4 was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, $3.6 of which related to the three months ended September 30, 2016. In addition, during the quarter, the Company changed its financial statement classification for certain gross receipts taxes, removing these taxes from its provision for income taxes and moving this expense into selling, general and administrative expenses. This change in presentation has been made for all periods presented.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	Sep. 30, 2016
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, commercial and contract disputes, professional liability, employee-related matters and inquiries, including subpoenas and other civil investigative demands, from governmental agencies and Medicare or Medicaid payers and MCOs 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 healthcare providers. The Company works cooperatively to respond to appropriate requests for information. The Company also is 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 U.S. or state healthcare 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 healthcare 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 healthcare 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 losses 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 2011, the California legislature enacted Assembly Bill No. 97, which imposed a 10.0% Medi-Cal payment cut on most providers, including clinical laboratories. This 10.0% cut is currently being applied to the rates that would otherwise be applicable. In 2012, the California legislature enacted Assembly Bill No. 1494, which directed the Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) to establish new reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal clinical laboratory services based on payments made to California clinical laboratories for similar services by other third-party payers, and provided 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 Medicare program. 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 April 2015, CMS approved a 10.0% payment reduction under Assembly Bill No. 1494. The new rate methodology established new rates that were effective July 1, 2015, but these new rates were not entered into the state computer system until February 2016. Based on reported 2015 payment data, new rates were established to be effective July 1, 2016, but due to computer system delays, these rates will not be implemented before November 2016. DHCS has indicated that recoupments associated with these changes will not begin until after November 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 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General's regional office in New York. On August 17, 2011, the United States District Court for 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 14 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 U.S. government nor any state government has intervened in the lawsuit. The Company's Motion to Dismiss was granted in October 2014 and Plaintiff was granted the right to replead. On January 11, 2016, Plaintiff filed a motion requesting leave to file an amended complaint under seal and to vacate the briefing schedule for the Company's motion to dismiss, while the government reviews the amended complaint. The Court granted the motion and vacated the briefing dates. Plaintiff then filed an amended complaint under seal. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. 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 lawsuit, 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. On September 19, 2016, the Company filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. 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 the 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 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 lawsuit 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. The 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 U.S. Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by sending unsolicited facsimiles to Plaintiff and more than 39 other recipients without the recipients' prior express invitation or permission. 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 of 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 filed a notice of appeal. On May 3, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued its decision and order reversing the District Court's decision which denied class certification. The Eighth Circuit remanded the matter for further proceedings. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. 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. In December 2014, the Company received a Civil Investigative Demand issued pursuant to the U.S. 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. On August 3, 2016, the Company was served with a putative class action lawsuit, Daniel L. Bloomquist v. Covance Inc., et al., filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego. The complaint alleges that the Company violated the California Labor Code and California Business & Professions Code by failing to provide overtime wages, failing to provide meal and rest periods, failing to pay for all hours worked, failing to pay for all wages owed upon termination, and failing to provide accurate itemized wage statements. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, civil penalties, injunctive relief, as well as recovery of attorney's fees and costs. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. 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 healthcare programs. In December 2013, Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Alberta government's healthcare 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. In August 2016, AHS and the Canadian partnership reached an agreement to extend the contract through March 2022, with the intent to have the services provided pursuant to the contract transferred to AHS at the end of the five-year period. In August 2016, AHS and the Canadian partnership reached an agreement to extend the contract through March 2022, with the intent to have the services provided pursuant to the contract transferred to AHS at the end of the five-year period. In consideration of AHS acquiring the assets and assuming liabilities in accordance with the parties’ agreement, AHS will pay C$50.0 when the transfer is effective, subject to a working capital adjustment. On June 23, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule implementing the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA), which required establishment of a new Medicare reimbursement system for clinical lab tests paid under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS), based on private payer rates, as reported to CMS. Although the new payment system was supposed to go into effect for tests furnished after January 1, 2017, the CMS rulemaking process was delayed, and the new rates will not be effective until January 1, 2018 pursuant to the final rule. Under the new system, the Company must collect data on private payer rates and report the data to CMS every three years for most types of tests. The Company does not expect that the new reporting requirements will have a material impact on its business or results of operations. CMS will use the data reported by all applicable labs to calculate a weighted median of private payer rates for each test performed, and that weighted median will be the new Medicare rate. Rate reductions for existing tests under the new system will be phased in over six years. The full impact of the final rule will not be known until CMS releases rates for 2018. Medicare reimbursement under the CLFS represents less than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenue. Prior to the Company’s acquisition of Sequenom, between August 15, 2016, and August 24, 2016, six putative class-action lawsuits were filed on behalf of purported Sequenom stockholders (captioned Malkoff v. Sequenom, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-02054-JAH-BLM, Gupta v. Sequenom, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-02084-JAH-KSC, Fruchter v. Sequenom, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-02101-WQH-KSC, Asiatrade Development Ltd. v. Sequenom, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-02113-AJB-JMA, Nunes v. Sequenom, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-02128-AJB-MDD, and Cusumano v. Sequenom, Inc., et al., No. 16-cv-02134-LAB-JMA) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California challenging the acquisition transaction. The complaints asserted claims against Sequenom and members of its Board of Directors (the Individual Defendants). The Nunes action also named the Company and Savoy Acquisition Corp. (Savoy), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as defendants. The complaints alleged that the defendants violated Sections 14(e), 14(d)(4) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by failing to disclose certain allegedly material information. In addition, the complaints in the Malkoff action, Asiatrade action, and Cusumano action alleged that the Individual Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to Sequenom shareholders. The actions sought, among other things, injunctive relief enjoining the merger. On August 30, 2016, the parties entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in each of the above-referenced actions. In connection with the settlement, Sequenom agreed to make certain additional disclosures to its stockholders. The settlement is subject to the entry by the parties into a stipulation of settlement and customary conditions, including court approval. On September 6, 2016, the Court entered an order consolidating for all pre-trial purposes the six individual actions described above under the caption In re Sequenom, Inc. Shareholder Litig., Lead Case No. 16-cv-02054-JAH-BLM, and designating the complaint from the Malkoff action as the operative complaint for the consolidated action. 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, 2016, the Company had provided letters of credit aggregating approximately $54.7, 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, 2016

Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company’s defined contribution retirement plan (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 $13.0 and $13.2 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and was $40.2 and $39.4 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company also incurred expense of $12.6 and $11.4 for the Covance 401K plan assumed as a result of the Acquisition during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $39.1 and $27.1 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. All of the Covance U.S. employees are eligible to participate in the discretionary Covance 401K plan, which features a maximum 4.5% Company match, based upon a percentage of the employee’s contributions.

The Company also maintains a frozen defined benefit retirement plan (Company Plan), which 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 (PEP), which as of December 31, 2009, covered substantially all of its senior management group. The PEP supplements the Company Plan and was also 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,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	1.2		$	1.0		$	3.6		$	2.9
Interest cost on benefit obligation	3.8			3.8			11.6			11.4
Expected return on plan assets	(4.1		)	(4.5		)	(12.5		)	(13.7		)
Net amortization and deferral	2.8			2.9			8.4			8.3
Defined benefit plan costs	$	3.7		$	3.2		$	11.1		$	8.9

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company contributed $3.9 and $8.6, respectively, to the Company Plan.

The Company has assumed the 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. The Company funds the plan through monthly contributions to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement, which can be used by eligible participants to purchase health care insurance through insurance exchanges. Effective January 1, 2017, Health Reimbursement Arrangement contributions for Medicare eligible participants will cease. 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,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for benefits earned	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	0.1
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.1			0.2			0.3			0.7
Net amortization and deferral	(4.0		)	(2.9		)	(12.0		)	(7.5		)
Post-retirement medical plan benefits	$	(3.9	)	$	(2.7	)	$	(11.7	)	$	(6.7	)

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 the Company. 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 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015			2016		2015
Service cost	$	—	$	0.1		$	—	$	0.1
Interest cost	0.2		0.2			0.6		0.6
Curtailment gain	—		(0.7		)	—		(0.7		)
Net periodic pension cost	$	0.2	$	(0.4	)	$	0.6	$	—

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. Effective January 1, 2017, this Plan will cease directly providing medical, prescription drug and dental coverage options currently available to eligible participants. Instead, the Company will fund the plan through monthly contributions to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement, which can be used by non-Medicare eligible participants to purchase health care insurance through insurance exchanges. The net periodic post-retirement benefit cost for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $0.4 and $0.1, respectively, and was $1.2 and $0.2 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 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 each eligible employee's salary at least equal to the local statutory funding requirements.



	United Kingdom Plans
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	0.7		$	0.9		$	2.3		$	1.9
Interest cost on benefit obligation	2.0			2.3			6.5			5.4
Expected return on plan assets	(2.8		)	(3.3		)	(9.0		)	(7.6		)
Defined benefit plan costs	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.2	)	$	(0.3	)

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	3.8		%	3.6		%	3.8		%	3.6		%
Expected return on assets	5.6		%	5.4		%	5.6		%	5.4		%
Salary increases	3.6		%	3.5		%	3.6		%	3.5		%



	German Plan
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	0.2		$	0.4		$	0.7		$	0.8
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.2			0.1			0.5			0.3
Net (gain) from earlier periods	(0.1		)	—			(0.2		)	—
Defined benefit plan costs	$	0.3		$	0.5		$	1.0		$	1.1

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	2.5		%	1.5		%	2.5		%	1.5		%
Expected return on assets	N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A
Salary increases	2.0		%	2.0		%	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,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	1.2		$	1.0		$	3.6		$	2.9
Interest cost on benefit obligation	3.8			3.8			11.6			11.4
Expected return on plan assets	(4.1		)	(4.5		)	(12.5		)	(13.7		)
Net amortization and deferral	2.8			2.9			8.4			8.3
Defined benefit plan costs	$	3.7		$	3.2		$	11.1		$	8.9

Pension And Postretirement Plans



	United Kingdom Plans
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	0.7		$	0.9		$	2.3		$	1.9
Interest cost on benefit obligation	2.0			2.3			6.5			5.4
Expected return on plan assets	(2.8		)	(3.3		)	(9.0		)	(7.6		)
Defined benefit plan costs	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.2	)	$	(0.3	)

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	3.8		%	3.6		%	3.8		%	3.6		%
Expected return on assets	5.6		%	5.4		%	5.6		%	5.4		%
Salary increases	3.6		%	3.5		%	3.6		%	3.5		%



	German Plan
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	0.2		$	0.4		$	0.7		$	0.8
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.2			0.1			0.5			0.3
Net (gain) from earlier periods	(0.1		)	—			(0.2		)	—
Defined benefit plan costs	$	0.3		$	0.5		$	1.0		$	1.1

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	2.5		%	1.5		%	2.5		%	1.5		%
Expected return on assets	N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A
Salary increases	2.0		%	2.0		%	2.0		%	2.0		%

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements as of
	Fair Value as of		September 30, 2016
	Fair Value as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	September 30, 2016		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put	$	15.6	$	—	$	15.6	$	—
Interest rate swap	40.5		—		40.5		—
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	52.8		—		52.8		—
Deferred compensation liability	53.0		—		53.0		—



			Fair Value Measurements as of
	Fair Value as of		December 31, 2015
	Fair Value as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	December 31, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put	$	14.9	$	—	$	14.9	$	—
Interest rate swap	21.6		—		21.6		—
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	45.5		—		45.5		—
Deferred compensation liability	46.4		—		46.4		—

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 $128.7 and $177.1 as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The fair market value of all of the senior notes, based on market pricing, was approximately $6,153.2 and $6,070.5 as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 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, 2016

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 and foreign exchange rates, through a controlled program of risk management that includes, from time to time, the use of derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements (see Interest Rate Swap section below) and forward contracts. 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 $40.5 and $21.6 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 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 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015. These embedded derivatives also had no impact on the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, 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, 2016 and December 31, 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
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6441202&loc=d3e80720-113993

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
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+ Details

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$	179.5	$	126.5
Income taxes, net of refunds	260.9		237.6
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance awards	$	—	$	10.8
Non-cash stock consideration for the Acquisition	—		1,762.5
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	6.6		—
Assets acquired under capital leases	12.1		18.1
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities for the purchase of property, plant and equipment	1.6		(2.2		)

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$	179.5	$	126.5
Income taxes, net of refunds	260.9		237.6
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance awards	$	—	$	10.8
Non-cash stock consideration for the Acquisition	—		1,762.5
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	6.6		—
Assets acquired under capital leases	12.1		18.1
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities for the purchase of property, plant and equipment	1.6		(2.2		)

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]


	BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

The Company completed the acquisition of Sequenom, Inc., a market leader in non-invasive prenatal testing, women's health and reproductive genetics on September 7, 2016 through a cash tender offer for $2.40 per share, or a transaction price of $249.1, net of cash received, and acquired $130.0 of debt. The allocation of purchase price for Sequenom, Inc. is preliminary and subject to change. The primary areas of the purchase price that are not yet finalized are related to certain income tax items, intangible assets, working capital adjustments, amortization lives and residual goodwill. This acquisition is not considered material for purposes of the disclosure of proforma information. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company acquired various other laboratories and related assets for approximately $147.7 in cash (net of cash acquired).

The purchase consideration for these acquisitions has been allocated to the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired, including approximately $212.4 in identifiable intangible assets (primarily customer relationships, technology and trade names) and a residual amount of goodwill of approximately $292.2. These acquisitions extend the Company's geographic reach in important market areas and/or enhance the Company's scientific differentiation and testing capabilities.

On October 6, 2016, the Company also completed the acquisition of Center for Disease Detection for total consideration of $115.0.

The Company completed the acquisition of Covance Inc. (Acquisition) for $6,150.7 on February 19, 2015 (Acquisition Date). The Company finalized its purchase price allocation during the measurement period. The facts and circumstances that existed at the date of the Acquisition, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized at that date. In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, measurement period adjustments are not included in current earnings, but recognized as of the date of the acquisition with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill resulting from the change in preliminary amounts. As a result, the Company adjusted the preliminary allocation of the purchase price initially recorded at the Acquisition Date to reflect these measurement period adjustments.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2016, the Company revised the final purchase price allocation for Covance Inc. as disclosed in the first quarter. As a result, an out of period adjustment of $25.6 was recorded to reduce goodwill and increase a deferred tax asset, which is included in the deferred taxes and other tax liabilities line item. The Company concluded that the impact was not material to the current or prior periods.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

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+ Details

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION Business Segment information (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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 months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. 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.

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 post-Acquisition. As a result, 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 all of the legacy LabCorp business and the nutritional chemistry and food safety business, which was previously part of Covance but excludes LabCorp's legacy clinical trials testing business, which is now part of CDD. CDD includes all of Covance's legacy business and LabCorp's legacy clinical trials testing business, but excludes the nutritional chemistry and food safety business, which is 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 table below represents information about the Company’s reporting segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:



	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Total revenues:
LCD - net revenue	$	1,671.8		$	1,600.9		$	4,922.1		$	4,647.9
CDD - net revenue	701.1			669.0			2,128.3			1,613.0
Intercompany eliminations	(0.2		)	—			(0.5		)	—
Total net revenues	2,372.7			2,269.9			7,049.9			6,260.9

Operating earnings:
LCD	305.6			290.4			910.0			801.8
CDD	51.9			49.0			190.3			53.4
Unallocated corporate expenses	(33.5		)	(31.3		)	(111.3		)	(94.9		)
Total operating income	324.0			308.1			989.0			760.3
Other expense, net	(60.6		)	(56.6		)	(160.1		)	(213.5		)
Earnings before income taxes	263.4			251.5			828.9			546.8
Provision for income taxes	83.6			96.5			280.3			218.3
Net earnings	179.8			155.0			548.6			328.5
Less income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.3		)	(0.3		)	(0.9		)	(0.9		)
Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$	179.5		$	154.7		$	547.7		$	327.6

- 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.

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+ Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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,
	2016					2015					2016					2015
	Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount		Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount		Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount		Earnings		Shares	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$	179.5	102.9	$	1.74	$	154.7	101.1	$	1.53	$	547.7	102.3	$	5.36	$	327.6	97.9	$	3.35
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards	—		1.5			—		1.2			—		1.4					1.2
Effect of convertible debt	—		0.5			—		0.6			—		0.5					0.6
Diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings including impact of dilutive adjustments	$	179.5	104.9	$	1.71	$	154.7	102.9	$	1.50	$	547.7	104.2	$	5.25	$	327.6	99.7	$	3.29

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,
	2016	2015	2016	2015
Stock options	—	0.1	—	0.1

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

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]

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



	LCD						CDD
	Severance and Other Employee Costs			Lease and Other Facility Costs			Severance and Other Employee Costs			Lease and Other Facility Costs			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	0.1		$	26.5		$	51.5		$	1.1		$	79.2
Restructuring charges	11.4			0.7			11.7			30.0			53.8
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	—			(2.3		)	(2.4		)	(0.5		)	(5.2		)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(5.7		)	(9.5		)	(20.7		)	3.7			(32.2		)
Balance as of September 30, 2016	$	5.8		$	15.4		$	40.1		$	34.3		$	95.6
Current													$	59.9
Non-current													35.7
													$	95.6

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]

The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows:



	September 30, 2016							December 31, 2015
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Customer relationships	$	3,257.9	$	(824.3	)	$	2,433.6	$	3,137.8	$	(725.6	)	$	2,412.2
Patents, licenses and technology	412.9		(158.8		)	254.1		309.6		(144.7		)	164.9
Non-compete agreements	51.9		(40.8		)	11.1		51.2		(37.2		)	14.0
Trade names	409.6		(135.3		)	274.3		400.9		(115.5		)	285.4
Land use right	10.0		(1.1		)	8.9		5.5		(0.6		)	4.9
Canadian licenses	475.2		—			475.2		451.0		—			451.0
	$	4,617.5	$	(1,160.3	)	$	3,457.2	$	4,356.0	$	(1,023.6	)	$	3,332.4

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2015 are as follows:



	LCD					CDD						Total
	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015			September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015			September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Balance as of January 1	$	3,201.7	$	2,988.9		$	2,964.6		$	110.5		$	6,166.3		$	3,099.4
Goodwill acquired during the period	292.8		225.6			—			2,969.0			292.8			3,194.6
Adjustments to goodwill	47.4		(12.8		)	(117.5		)	(114.9		)	(70.1		)	(127.7		)
Balance at end of period	$	3,541.9	$	3,201.7		$	2,847.1		$	2,964.6		$	6,389.0		$	6,166.3

DEBT (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes	$	64.3		$	94.5
3.125% senior notes due 2016	—			325.0
2.20% senior notes due 2017	500.0			—
5.00% senior notes due 2017 and 2018	130.0			—
Debt issuance costs	(3.4		)	(1.0		)
Current portion of capital leases	7.3			5.4
Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	$	698.2		$	423.9

DEBT (Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt) (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 2,900.0
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	$ 7.3	$ 5.4
Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	698.2	423.9
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 500.0	500.0	$ 500.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%		2.625%
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 500.0	$ 500.0	$ 500.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			3.20%
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]
Bridge Term Credit Facility Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Amount				$ 400.0

DEBT (Long-term debt) (Table) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Jan. 30, 2015

Dec. 19, 2014

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities

$ 5,473.2

$ 5,940.3

Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding

715.0

Other Long-term Debt

715.0

Senior Notes, Noncurrent

$ 2,900.0

Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent

$ 62.5

55.5

Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayment Terms

P5Y

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

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

Long-term debt at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
2.20% senior notes due 2017	$	—		$	500.0
2.50% senior notes due 2018	400.0			400.0
4.625% senior notes due 2020	640.5			621.6
2.625% senior notes due 2020	500.0			500.0
3.75% senior notes due 2022	500.0			500.0
3.20% senior notes due 2022	500.0			500.0
4.00% senior notes due 2023	300.0			300.0
3.60% senior notes due 2025	1,000.0			1,000.0
4.70% senior notes due 2045	900.0			900.0
Term loan	715.0			715.0
Debt issuance costs	(44.8		)	(51.8		)
Capital leases	62.5			55.5
Total long-term debt	$	5,473.2		$	5,940.3

Capital lease obligation

$ 7.3

5.4

Senior notes due 2017 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities

0.0

500.0

Senior notes due 2018 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities

400.0

Senior notes due 2020 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities

640.5

621.6

Senior Notes, Noncurrent

$ 500.0

500.0

$ 500.0

Stated interest rate percentage

4.625%

2.625%

Senior notes due 2022 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities

$ 500.0

500.0

Senior Notes, Noncurrent

500.0

$ 500.0

Stated interest rate percentage

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]

Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities

300.0

Senior notes due 2025 [Member] [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities

1,000.0

Senior notes due 2045 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities

$ 900.0

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

1.77%

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Description

0.125% to 0.40%

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

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, 2015	123.9	(22.6	)	101.3
Common stock issued under employee stock plans	1.6	—		1.6
Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes	0.2	—		0.2
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	—	(0.3	)	(0.3	)
Common shares at September 30, 2016	125.7	(22.9	)	102.8

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			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2015 (a)	$	(293.0	)	$	(74.4	)	$	(367.4	)
Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications	11.7			11.0			22.7
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (b)	—			(11.5		)	(11.5		)
Tax effect of adjustments	(29.2		)	7.4			(21.8		)
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	(310.5	)	$	(67.5	)	$	(378.0	)

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]

Defined Contribution Plan Disclosures [Table Text Block]

The components of the net periodic pension cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015			2016		2015
Service cost	$	—	$	0.1		$	—	$	0.1
Interest cost	0.2		0.2			0.6		0.6
Curtailment gain	—		(0.7		)	—		(0.7		)
Net periodic pension cost	$	0.2	$	(0.4	)	$	0.6	$	—

Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans [Table Text Block]

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,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for benefits earned	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	0.1
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.1			0.2			0.3			0.7
Net amortization and deferral	(4.0		)	(2.9		)	(12.0		)	(7.5		)
Post-retirement medical plan benefits	$	(3.9	)	$	(2.7	)	$	(11.7	)	$	(6.7	)

Pension And Postretirement Plans



	United Kingdom Plans
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	0.7		$	0.9		$	2.3		$	1.9
Interest cost on benefit obligation	2.0			2.3			6.5			5.4
Expected return on plan assets	(2.8		)	(3.3		)	(9.0		)	(7.6		)
Defined benefit plan costs	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.2	)	$	(0.3	)

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	3.8		%	3.6		%	3.8		%	3.6		%
Expected return on assets	5.6		%	5.4		%	5.6		%	5.4		%
Salary increases	3.6		%	3.5		%	3.6		%	3.5		%



	German Plan
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	0.2		$	0.4		$	0.7		$	0.8
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.2			0.1			0.5			0.3
Net (gain) from earlier periods	(0.1		)	—			(0.2		)	—
Defined benefit plan costs	$	0.3		$	0.5		$	1.0		$	1.1

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	2.5		%	1.5		%	2.5		%	1.5		%
Expected return on assets	N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A
Salary increases	2.0		%	2.0		%	2.0		%	2.0		%

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT PLANS

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,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	1.2		$	1.0		$	3.6		$	2.9
Interest cost on benefit obligation	3.8			3.8			11.6			11.4
Expected return on plan assets	(4.1		)	(4.5		)	(12.5		)	(13.7		)
Net amortization and deferral	2.8			2.9			8.4			8.3
Defined benefit plan costs	$	3.7		$	3.2		$	11.1		$	8.9

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company contributed $3.9 and $8.6, respectively, to the Company Plan.



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for benefits earned	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	0.1
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.1			0.2			0.3			0.7
Net amortization and deferral	(4.0		)	(2.9		)	(12.0		)	(7.5		)
Post-retirement medical plan benefits	$	(3.9	)	$	(2.7	)	$	(11.7	)	$	(6.7	)



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015			2016		2015
Service cost	$	—	$	0.1		$	—	$	0.1
Interest cost	0.2		0.2			0.6		0.6
Curtailment gain	—		(0.7		)	—		(0.7		)
Net periodic pension cost	$	0.2	$	(0.4	)	$	0.6	$	—

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



	United Kingdom Plans
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	0.7		$	0.9		$	2.3		$	1.9
Interest cost on benefit obligation	2.0			2.3			6.5			5.4
Expected return on plan assets	(2.8		)	(3.3		)	(9.0		)	(7.6		)
Defined benefit plan costs	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.1	)	$	(0.2	)	$	(0.3	)

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	3.8		%	3.6		%	3.8		%	3.6		%
Expected return on assets	5.6		%	5.4		%	5.6		%	5.4		%
Salary increases	3.6		%	3.5		%	3.6		%	3.5		%



	German Plan
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	0.2		$	0.4		$	0.7		$	0.8
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.2			0.1			0.5			0.3
Net (gain) from earlier periods	(0.1		)	—			(0.2		)	—
Defined benefit plan costs	$	0.3		$	0.5		$	1.0		$	1.1

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	2.5		%	1.5		%	2.5		%	1.5		%
Expected return on assets	N/A			N/A			N/A			N/A
Salary increases	2.0		%	2.0		%	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,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Service cost for administrative expenses	$	1.2		$	1.0		$	3.6		$	2.9
Interest cost on benefit obligation	3.8			3.8			11.6			11.4
Expected return on plan assets	(4.1		)	(4.5		)	(12.5		)	(13.7		)
Net amortization and deferral	2.8			2.9			8.4			8.3
Defined benefit plan costs	$	3.7		$	3.2		$	11.1		$	8.9

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements as of
	Fair Value as of		September 30, 2016
	Fair Value as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	September 30, 2016		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put	$	15.6	$	—	$	15.6	$	—
Interest rate swap	40.5		—		40.5		—
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	52.8		—		52.8		—
Deferred compensation liability	53.0		—		53.0		—



			Fair Value Measurements as of
	Fair Value as of		December 31, 2015
	Fair Value as of		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	December 31, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put	$	14.9	$	—	$	14.9	$	—
Interest rate swap	21.6		—		21.6		—
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	45.5		—		45.5		—
Deferred compensation liability	46.4		—		46.4		—

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$	179.5	$	126.5
Income taxes, net of refunds	260.9		237.6
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance awards	$	—	$	10.8
Non-cash stock consideration for the Acquisition	—		1,762.5
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	6.6		—
Assets acquired under capital leases	12.1		18.1
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities for the purchase of property, plant and equipment	1.6		(2.2		)

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$	179.5	$	126.5
Income taxes, net of refunds	260.9		237.6
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance awards	$	—	$	10.8
Non-cash stock consideration for the Acquisition	—		1,762.5
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	6.6		—
Assets acquired under capital leases	12.1		18.1
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities for the purchase of property, plant and equipment	1.6		(2.2		)

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION Business Segment information Segment Reconciliation of Operating Income to Consolidated (Tables) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Intercompany revenue elimination

$ (0.2)

$ 0.0

$ (0.5)

$ 0.0

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

The table below represents information about the Company’s reporting segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:



	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Total revenues:
LCD - net revenue	$	1,671.8		$	1,600.9		$	4,922.1		$	4,647.9
CDD - net revenue	701.1			669.0			2,128.3			1,613.0
Intercompany eliminations	(0.2		)	—			(0.5		)	—
Total net revenues	2,372.7			2,269.9			7,049.9			6,260.9

Operating earnings:
LCD	305.6			290.4			910.0			801.8
CDD	51.9			49.0			190.3			53.4
Unallocated corporate expenses	(33.5		)	(31.3		)	(111.3		)	(94.9		)
Total operating income	324.0			308.1			989.0			760.3
Other expense, net	(60.6		)	(56.6		)	(160.1		)	(213.5		)
Earnings before income taxes	263.4			251.5			828.9			546.8
Provision for income taxes	83.6			96.5			280.3			218.3
Net earnings	179.8			155.0			548.6			328.5
Less income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(0.3		)	(0.3		)	(0.9		)	(0.9		)
Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$	179.5		$	154.7		$	547.7		$	327.6

BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 5,473.2				$ 5,473.2		$ 5,940.3
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment						$ 25.6
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 3.6				$ 13.4
Proceeds and Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation				$ 10.5
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Other Increases (Decreases) in Period		0.3	0.2
Ownership percentage below which investments are generally accounted for on the cost method (in thousandths)	20.00%
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percent of Revenue Contributed	70.50%				69.80%
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Percent of Revenue Contributed	29.50%					30.20%
Senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 130.0				$ 130.0		$ 0.0

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income [Abstract]
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 179.5	$ 154.7	$ 547.7	$ 327.6
Net earnings including impact of dilutive adjustments	$ 179.5	$ 154.7	$ 547.7	$ 327.6
Shares [Abstract]
Net earnings, basic (in shares)		101.1	102.3	97.9
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and awards, (in shares)	1.5	1.2	1.4	1.2
Effect of convertible debt, net of tax, (in shares)	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.6
Net earnings including impact of dilutive adjustments, (in shares)	104.9	102.9	104.2	99.7
Per Share Amount [Abstract]
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.74	$ 1.53	$ 5.36	$ 3.35
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.71	$ 1.50	$ 5.25	$ 3.29

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Stock options (in shares)	0.0	0.1	0.0	0.1

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$ 292.8		$ 3,194.6
Restructuring Reserve	95.6		79.2
Restructuring Charges	53.8
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment	(32.2)
Net restructuring charges	48.6	$ 59.9
Special charge - one-time tax liability	1.1
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	5.6
Restructuring charges related to severance and other employee costs	23.1	33.8
Restructuring charges related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs	30.7	27.1
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals	(5.2)	(1.0)
Restructuring Reserve, Current	59.9
Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent	35.7
Facility Related Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment	2.4
Unused facility restructuring reserves	2.8
Special charge, wind-down of min volume contract	4.0
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	7.4
Special charge, accelerated equity compensation	2.3
Special charge, accelerated equity compensation	7.4	4.3
non-cash loss on dissolution of equity investment		2.3
special charge - consulting expense		15.1
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0.0		2,969.0
Net restructuring charges	38.9
Covance Drug Development [Member] \| Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	40.1		51.5
Restructuring Charges	11.7
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment	(20.7)
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals	2.4
Covance Drug Development [Member] \| Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	34.3		1.1
Restructuring Charges	30.0
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment	(3.7)
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals	0.5
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	292.8		225.6
Net restructuring charges	9.7
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member] \| Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	5.8		0.1
Restructuring Charges	11.4
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment	(5.7)
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals	0.0
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member] \| Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	15.4		26.5
Restructuring Charges	0.7
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment	(9.5)
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals	(2.3)
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other Special Charges	8.1	$ 17.0
Covance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	$ 5.5		166.0
Covance [Member] \| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs			113.4
Covance [Member] \| Interest Expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs			$ 52.6

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 79.2
Restructuring charges	53.8
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	(5.2)	$ (1.0)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(32.2)
Balance, end of period	95.6
Current			$ 59.9
Non-current			35.7
Total Restructuring Reserve	79.2		95.6
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member] \| Severance and Other Employee Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	0.1
Restructuring charges	11.4
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	0.0
Cash payments and other adjustments	(5.7)
Balance, end of period	5.8
Total Restructuring Reserve	0.1		5.8
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member] \| Lease and Other Facility Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	26.5
Restructuring charges	0.7
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	(2.3)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(9.5)
Balance, end of period	15.4
Total Restructuring Reserve	26.5		15.4
Covance Drug Development [Member] \| Severance and Other Employee Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	51.5
Restructuring charges	11.7
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	2.4
Cash payments and other adjustments	(20.7)
Balance, end of period	40.1
Total Restructuring Reserve	51.5		40.1
Covance Drug Development [Member] \| Lease and Other Facility Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	1.1
Restructuring charges	30.0
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	0.5
Cash payments and other adjustments	(3.7)
Balance, end of period	34.3
Total Restructuring Reserve	$ 1.1		$ 34.3

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Severance Costs	$ 23.1	$ 33.8
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	4,617.5		$ 4,356.0
Balance as of January 1	6,166.3	3,099.4	3,099.4
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	292.8		3,194.6
Adjustments to goodwill	(70.1)		(127.7)
Balance at end of period	6,389.0		6,166.3
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,160.3		1,023.6
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	3,457.2		3,332.4
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	3,201.7	2,988.9	2,988.9
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	292.8		225.6
Adjustments to goodwill	47.4		(12.8)
Balance at end of period	3,541.9		3,201.7
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	2,964.6	$ 110.5	110.5
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0.0		2,969.0
Adjustments to goodwill	(117.5)		(114.9)
Balance at end of period	2,847.1		2,964.6
Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	3,257.9		3,137.8
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	824.3		725.6
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	2,433.6		2,412.2
Patents, Licenses And Technology [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	412.9		309.6
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	158.8		144.7
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	254.1		164.9
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	51.9		51.2
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	40.8		37.2
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	11.1		14.0
Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	409.6		400.9
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	135.3		115.5
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	274.3		285.4
Use Rights [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	10.0		5.5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	1.1		0.6
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	8.9		4.9
Canadian licenses [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	475.2		451.0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	0.0		0.0
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 475.2		$ 451.0

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Components of identifiable intangible assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 4,617.5	$ 4,356.0
Accumulated Amortization	(1,160.3)	(1,023.6)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	3,457.2	3,332.4
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	3,257.9	3,137.8
Accumulated Amortization	(824.3)	(725.6)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	2,433.6	2,412.2
Patents, Licenses And Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	412.9	309.6
Accumulated Amortization	(158.8)	(144.7)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	254.1	164.9
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	51.9	51.2
Accumulated Amortization	(40.8)	(37.2)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	11.1	14.0
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	409.6	400.9
Accumulated Amortization	(135.3)	(115.5)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	274.3	285.4
Use Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	10.0	5.5
Accumulated Amortization	(1.1)	(0.6)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	8.9	4.9
Canadian licenses [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	475.2	451.0
Accumulated Amortization	0.0	0.0
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 475.2	$ 451.0

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent						$ 2,900.0
Goodwill	$ 6,389.0		$ 6,389.0		$ 6,166.3		$ 3,099.4
Amortization of intangible assets	41.1	$ 44.9	130.7	$ 120.6
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Estimated amortization expense, 2012	39.2		39.2
Estimated amortization expense, 2013	172.3		172.3
Estimated amortization expense, 2014	159.4		159.4
Estimated amortization expense, 2015	151.9		151.9
Estimated amortization expense, 2016	145.4		145.4
Estimated amortization expense, Thereafter	2,053.8		2,053.8
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	3,541.9		3,541.9		3,201.7		2,988.9
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 2,847.1		$ 2,847.1		$ 2,964.6		$ 110.5
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent						$ 900.0

DEBT (Senior Notes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
DEBT (Senior Notes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 19, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit, Current	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Convertible Subordinated Debt, Current	64.3	64.3		$ 94.5
Senior Notes current 2015	0.0	0.0		325.0
Short term debt issuance costs	3.4	3.4		1.0
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 5,473.2	5,473.2		5,940.3
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)		5.6
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 Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.298%
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	$ 715.0	715.0		715.0
Long term debt issuance costs	44.8	44.8		51.8
Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent	62.5	62.5		55.5
Other Long-term Debt	715.0	715.0		715.0
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	7.3	7.3		5.4
Debt, Current	698.2	698.2		423.9
Senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	400.0	400.0		400.0
Senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	300.0	300.0		300.0
Senior notes due 2025 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	1,000.0	1,000.0		1,000.0
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	900.0	900.0		900.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent						$ 900.0
Stated interest rate percentage						4.70%
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	500.0	500.0		500.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	500.0	500.0		500.0		$ 500.0
Stated interest rate percentage						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 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	0.0	0.0		500.0
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	640.5	640.5		621.6
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 500.0	$ 500.0		500.0		$ 500.0
Stated interest rate percentage	4.625%	4.625%				2.625%
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
Senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 130.0	$ 130.0		0.0
Sequenom notes retired		129.9
Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 500.0	$ 500.0		$ 0.0

DEBT (Convertible Subordinated Notes) (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
DEBT (Convertible Subordinated Notes) (Details)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes [Line Items]
Number of trading days used to establish contingent cash interest rate on zero-coupon subordinated notes (in days)	five
Stock conversion rate for zero-coupon subordinated notes (per thousand) \| shares	200,000	200,000
tax benefit realized upon conversion of zero coupon convertible debt		$ 6,600,000
Principal amount of zero-coupon subordinated notes	$ 34,900,000	34,900,000
Noncash conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt		62,900,000
Payments On Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes		$ 31,500,000	$ 0
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%
Stock conversion rate for zero-coupon subordinated notes (per thousand) \| shares	13.4108	13.4108
Principal amount of zero-coupon subordinated notes	$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (Leverage) Ratio	0	0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (Leverage) Ratio						4.75
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (Leverage) Ratio				3.75	4.25

DEBT (Credit Facilities) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
DEBT (Credit Facilities) (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jan. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 19, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Previously Recorded Litigation Reserve In Connection With False Claims Act Lawsuit							$ 15.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					$ 2,900.0
Convertible Subordinated Debt, Current	$ 64.3			$ 94.5
Senior Notes current 2015	$ 0.0			325.0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayment Terms	P5Y
Line of Credit, Current	$ 0.0
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	715.0			715.0
Revolving Credit Facility, maximum borrowing capacity						$ 1,000.0
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	7.3			5.4
Debt, Current	698.2			423.9
Other Long-term Debt	$ 715.0			715.0
Credit Facility Option to Increase						250.0
Credit Facility, Maximum Swing Line Borrowings						100.0
Long-term Debt [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, interest rate at period end	1.77%
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 500.0			500.0	$ 500.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%				2.625%
Senior notes due 2025 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					$ 1,000.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					3.60%
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					$ 900.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					4.70%
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 500.0			$ 500.0	$ 500.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					3.20%
60-Day Debt Bridge Traunche [Domain]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Bridge Term Credit Facility Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Amount						400.0
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]
Credit Facility, Maximum Letters of Credit						$ 125.0
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	0
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	1.63%
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio				4.75
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio		3.75	4.25
Prime Rate [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	0.125% to 1.00%
Prime Rate [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	0.00% to 0.60%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Description	0.125% to 0.40%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	1.125% to 2.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	1.00% to 1.60%
Excluding Underwriting Discounts & Other Fees [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					$ 2,870.2

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock conversion rate for zero-coupon subordinated notes (per thousand)	0.2	0.2
Restricted Stock Awards And Performance Shares Surrendered \| $		$ 0.0	$ 10.8
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	265.0	265.0
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share \| $ / shares	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	30.0	30.0
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share \| $ / shares	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Rollforward of common shares issued
Common shares issued, beginning balance (in shares)		123.9
Common stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)	1.6	1.6
Common shares issued, ending balance (in shares)	125.7	125.7
Rollforward of common shares held in treasury
Common shares held in Treasury, beginning balance (in shares)		(22.6)
Common shares held in Treasury, ending balance (in shares)	(22.9)	(22.9)
Rollforward of common shares outstanding
Common shares outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)		101.3
Common stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)	1.6	1.6
Common shares outstanding, ending balance (in shares)	102.8	102.8
Rollforward of Share Repurchase Program
Outstanding common stock repurchase authorization, ending balance \| $	$ 789.5	$ 789.5
Target Ratio to Resume Share Repurchase [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (Leverage) Ratio	2.5	2.5
Treasury Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited		(0.3)
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeited		(0.3)

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, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

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			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2015 (a)	$	(293.0	)	$	(74.4	)	$	(367.4	)
Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications	11.7			11.0			22.7
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (b)	—			(11.5		)	(11.5		)
Tax effect of adjustments	(29.2		)	7.4			(21.8		)
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	(310.5	)	$	(67.5	)	$	(378.0	)

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

11.0

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

(11.5)

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

22.7

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings [Roll Forward]

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Beginning balance

(293.0)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

11.7

Tax effect of adjustments

(29.2)

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Ending balance

$ (310.5)

(310.5)

Net Benefit Plan Adjustments, Beginning balance

(74.4)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

(11.5)

Tax effect of adjustments

7.4

Net Benefit Plan Adjustments, Ending balance

(67.5)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings, Beginning balance

(367.4)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

11.7

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

(11.5)

Tax effect of adjustments

8.3

$ 34.0

(21.8)

$ 74.0

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings, Ending balance

$ (378.0)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits	$ 17.8	$ 17.8	$ 24.2
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits	10.1	10.1	$ 12.7
Valuation allowance provided for deferred tax assets	15.1	15.1
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$ 3.6	$ 13.4

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) $ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016 CAD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 27, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 19, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 24, 2012 Recipients $ / Violation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement expense in connection with the California False Claims Act lawsuit		$ 34.5
Previously Recorded Litigation Reserve In Connection With False Claims Act Lawsuit		$ 15.0
Litigation Settlement, Gross	$ 49.5
Payment reduction by Assembly Bill No. 97			10.00%
Percent of lowest maximum (cap on payments)			80.00%
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)						$ 249.1
Number of Recipients \| Recipients								39
Proposed damages per violation \| $ / Violation								0.0005
AHS transfer to Canadian JV				$ 50.0
Amount Outstanding Letters Of Credit					$ 54.7
Covance [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)							$ 6,150.7

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Feb. 19, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Pension Contributions	$ 0.0		$ 0.0
Minimum non-elective contribution (NEC) % for the 401(K) plan (in hundredths)	3.00%
Discretionary Contribution Percentage Mininum	1.00%
Discretionary Contribution Percentage Maximum	3.00%
Defined contribution retirement plan cost	$ 13.0	$ 13.2	40.2	$ 39.4
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	0.0	0.7	0.0	0.7
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Service cost for benefits earned	3.6	2.9	1.2	1.0
Interest cost on benefit obligation	11.6	11.4	3.8	3.8
Expected return on plan assets	(12.5)	(13.7)	(4.1)	(4.5)
Net amortization and deferral	8.4	8.3	2.8	2.9
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	11.1	8.9	3.7	3.2
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation					$ 6.3
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	0.4	0.1	1.2	0.2
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Service cost for benefits earned	0.7	0.9	2.3	1.9
Interest cost on benefit obligation	2.0	2.3	6.5	5.4
Expected return on plan assets	(2.8)	(3.3)	(9.0)	(7.6)
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	$ (0.1)	$ (0.1)	$ (0.2)	$ (0.3)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	3.80%	3.60%	3.80%	3.60%
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Rate Of Return On Assets Other Assets	5.60%	5.40%	5.60%	5.40%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	3.60%	3.50%	3.60%	3.50%
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Service cost for benefits earned	$ 0.2	$ 0.4	$ 0.7	$ 0.8
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.2	0.1	0.5	0.3
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	0.3	0.5	1.0	1.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Other Changes	$ (0.1)	$ 0.0	$ (0.2)	$ 0.0
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	2.50%	1.50%	2.50%	1.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation					$ 32.8
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Service cost for benefits earned	$ 0.0	$ 0.1	$ 0.0	$ 0.1
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.2	0.2	0.6	0.6
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	(0.2)	0.4	(0.6)	0.0
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan and Postretirement Plan Disclosure
Service cost for benefits earned	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.7
Net amortization and deferral	(4.0)	(2.9)	(12.0)	(7.5)
Defined benefit/postretirement plan costs	(3.9)	(2.7)	(11.7)	(6.7)
Covance [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined contribution retirement plan cost	$ 12.6	$ 11.4	$ 39.1	$ 27.1

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS Defined Contribution Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Non Elective Contribution	3.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 13.0	$ 13.2	$ 40.2	$ 39.4
Discretionary Contribution Percentage Mininum	1.00%
Discretionary Contribution Percentage Maximum	3.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match			5.00%
Covance [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 12.6	11.4	$ 39.1	27.1
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$ 0.4	$ 0.1	$ 1.2	$ 0.2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	$ 15.6	$ 14.9
Fair market value of zero-coupon subordinated notes	128.7	177.1
Fair market value of senior notes	6,153.2	6,070.5
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	52.8	45.5
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	53.0	46.4
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	0.0	0.0
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	0.0	0.0
Fair Value Hedges, Net	0.0	0.0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	15.6	14.9
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	52.8	45.5
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	0.0	0.0
Fair Value Hedges, Net	40.5	21.6
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	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
Fair Value Hedges, Net	$ 0.0	$ 0.0

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 5,473,200,000	$ 5,473,200,000	$ 5,940,300,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.298%
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	0
Embedded derivative, impact on condensed consolidated statements of operations		$ 0
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.625%	4.625%		2.625%
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 640,500,000	$ 640,500,000	$ 621,600,000
Senior Long Term Notes Due2020 Member
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 600,000,000	$ 600,000,000

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Conversion [Line Items]
Noncash conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt			$ 0.0	$ 1,762.5
Fair Value of Assets Acquired	$ 6.6	$ 0.0	12.1	18.1
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid			(1.6)	(2.2)
Cash paid during period for:
Interest			179.5	126.5
Income taxes, net of refunds			260.9	237.6
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Restricted Stock Awards And Performance Shares Surrendered			0.0	10.8
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given			$ 67.4	$ 88.9

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Oct. 06, 2016	Jul. 27, 2016	Feb. 19, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combination Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,414.7	$ 2,317.3	$ 7,213.4	$ 6,379.6
Operating Income (Loss)	324.0	308.1	989.0	760.3
Other Long-term Debt	715.0		715.0		$ 715.0
Other Significant Noncash Transaction, Value of Consideration Given			67.4	88.9
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	179.5	$ 154.7	547.7	327.6
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)							$ 249.1
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			292.8		3,194.6
Senior Notes, Noncurrent									$ 2,900.0
Goodwill	$ 6,389.0		6,389.0		$ 6,166.3					$ 3,099.4
Cash payments for laboratory-related assets			204.6	170.7
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			$ 396.8	$ 3,692.7
Business Acquisition, Share Price							$ 2.40
Covance [Member]
Business Combination Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt								$ 250.0
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)								$ 6,150.7
Subsequent Event [Member]
Business Combination Purchase Price Allocation [Line Items]
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)						$ 115.0

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS Business Acquisitions in the Aggregate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Jul. 27, 2016	Feb. 19, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)						$ 249.1
Other Long-term Debt	$ 715.0		$ 715.0		$ 715.0
Revenues	2,414.7	$ 2,317.3	7,213.4	$ 6,379.6
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			396.8	3,692.7
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			292.8		3,194.6
Goodwill	$ 6,389.0		6,389.0		$ 6,166.3			$ 3,099.4
Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Make-whole payment				$ 37.4
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)							$ 6,150.7
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt							$ 250.0
Excluding Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired			147.7
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired			212.4
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			$ 292.2

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION Business Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net revenues	$ 2,372.7	$ 2,269.9	$ 7,049.9	$ 6,260.9
Intercompany revenue elimination	(0.2)	0.0	(0.5)	0.0
Reimbursement Revenue	42.0	47.4	163.5	118.7
Revenues	2,414.7	2,317.3	7,213.4	6,379.6
Operating Income (Loss)	324.0	308.1	989.0	760.3
Earnings before income taxes	263.4	251.5	828.9	546.8
Provision for income taxes	263.4	251.5	828.9	546.8
Provision for income taxes	83.6	96.5	280.3	218.3
Net earnings	179.8	155.0	548.6	328.5
Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	(0.3)	(0.3)	(0.9)	(0.9)
Income Loss from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest	(60.6)	(56.6)	(160.1)	(213.5)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	179.5	154.7	547.7	327.6
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (Loss)	$ (33.5)	(31.3)	$ (111.3)	(94.9)
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percent of Revenue Contributed	70.50%		69.80%
Total net revenues	$ 1,671.8	1,600.9	$ 4,922.1	4,647.9
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 305.6	290.4	910.0	$ 801.8
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percent of Revenue Contributed	29.50%			30.20%
Total net revenues	$ 701.1	669.0	2,128.3	$ 1,613.0
Operating Income (Loss)	$ 51.9	$ 49.0	$ 190.3	$ 53.4

Label	Element	Value
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)	us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	$ 133,000,000