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Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 22, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,387.3	$ 2,372.7	$ 2,382.0	$ 2,295.2	$ 2,244.8	$ 2,269.9	$ 2,218.7	$ 1,772.3	$ 6,011.6	$ 9,437.2	$ 8,505.7
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-K
Document Period End Date										Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus										2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus										FY
Amendment Flag										false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding													102.3
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer										Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers										No
Entity Current Reporting Status										Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 12,700.0
Genomic and Esoteric Testing [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Net sales											$ 2,306.4	$ 173.6

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 433.6	$ 716.4
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $235.6 and $217.0 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	1,328.7	1,217.9
Unbilled Contracts Receivable	190.0	156.6
Supplies inventories	205.2	191.0
Prepaid expenses and other	321.2	339.3
Total current assets	2,478.7	2,621.2
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,718.6	1,747.4
Goodwill, net	6,424.4	6,202.1
Intangible assets, net	3,400.5	3,323.5
Joint venture partnerships and equity method investments	57.6	58.2
Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net	2.1	2.3
Other assets, net	165.1	150.0
Total assets	14,247.0	14,104.7
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	508.4	497.4
Accrued expenses and other	593.7	633.1
Deferred Revenue, Current	176.0	146.1
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	549.5	423.9
Total current liabilities	1,827.6	1,700.5
Long-term debt, less current portion	5,300.0	5,940.3
Deferred income taxes and other tax liabilities	1,206.4	1,180.8
Other liabilities	392.0	323.1
Total liabilities	8,726.0	9,144.7
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Noncontrolling interest	15.2	14.9
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, 102.7 and 101.3 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	12.1	12.0
Additional paid-in capital	2,131.7	1,974.5
Retained earnings	4,955.8	4,223.7
Less common stock held in treasury	(1,012.7)	(978.1)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(581.1)	(287.0)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,505.8	4,945.1
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 14,247.0	$ 14,104.7

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parentheticals) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$ 235.6	$ 217.0
Shareholders’ equity
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding (in shares)	102.7	101.3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Interest expense	$ (109.5)	$ (219.1)	$ (274.9)
Operating income	904.3	1,312.4	996.8
Net sales	6,011.6	9,437.2	8,505.7
Reimbursement Revenue	0.0	204.6	174.4
Revenues	6,011.6	9,641.8	8,680.1
Cost of sales	3,808.5	6,256.7	5,602.4
Cost of Reimbursable Expense	0.0	204.6	174.4
Cost of Revenue	3,808.5	6,461.3	5,776.8
Gross profit	2,203.1	3,180.5	2,903.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,204.3	1,630.2	1,628.1
Amortization of intangibles and other assets	76.7	179.5	164.5
Restructuring and other special charges	17.8	58.4	113.9
Equity method income, net	14.3	7.9	10.0
Investment income	1.1	1.7	1.9
Other, net	10.4	2.6	(7.8)
Earnings before income taxes	820.6	1,105.5	726.0
Provision for income taxes	308.0	372.3	287.3
Net earnings	512.6	733.2	438.7
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1.4	1.1	1.1
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 511.2	$ 732.1	$ 437.6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net earnings	$ 512.6	$ 733.2	$ 438.7
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(89.5)	(250.0)	(370.7)
Net benefit plan adjustments	(18.6)	(40.3)	7.7
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax	(16.3)	0.0	(0.1)
Other comprehensive loss before tax	(124.4)	(290.3)	(363.1)
Provision for income tax related to items of comprehensive earnings	47.7	(3.8)	86.6
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(76.7)	(294.1)	(276.5)
Comprehensive earnings	435.9	439.1	162.2
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(1.4)	(1.1)	(1.1)
Net comprehensive earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 434.5	$ 438.0	$ 161.1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding		$ 10.4
Additional Paid in Capital			$ 0.0
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)				$ 3,786.1
Treasury Stock, Value					$ (965.5)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax						$ (10.5)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 2,820.5
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	437.6	0.0	0.0	437.6	0.0	0.0
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	(276.5)	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	(276.5)
Issuance of common stock for acquisition consideration	1,762.5	1.5	1,761.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	98.9	0.1	98.8	0.0	0.0	0.0
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	(12.6)	0.0	0.0	0.0	(12.6)	0.0
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	0.4	0.0	0.4	0.0	0.0	0.0
Stock compensation	102.1	0.0	102.1	0.0	0.0	0.0
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised	12.2	0.0	12.2	0.0	0.0	0.0
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2015	4,945.1
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	12.0	12.0
Additional Paid in Capital	1,974.5		1,974.5
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	4,223.7			4,223.7
Treasury Stock, Value	(978.1)				(978.1)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(287.0)					(287.0)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	732.1	0.0	0.0	732.1	0.0	0.0
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	(294.1)	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	(294.1)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	70.6	0.1	70.5	0.0	0.0	0.0
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	(34.6)	0.0	0.0	0.0	(34.6)	0.0
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	21.0	0.0	21.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Stock compensation	109.6	0.0	109.6	0.0	0.0	0.0
Purchase of common stock	(43.9)	0.0	(43.9)	0.0	0.0	0.0
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2016	5,505.8
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	12.1	$ 12.1
Additional Paid in Capital	2,131.7		$ 2,131.7
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	4,955.8			$ 4,955.8
Treasury Stock, Value	(1,012.7)				$ (1,012.7)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ (581.1)					$ (581.1)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Proceeds from bridge loan	$ 0.0	$ 0.0	$ 400.0
Repayments of Senior Debt	0.0	(454.7)	(500.0)
Payments on bridge loan	0.0	0.0	(400.0)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings	512.6	733.2	438.7
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	245.5	499.2	457.8
Stock compensation	45.7	109.6	102.1
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(12.5)	(9.2)	4.6
Accrued interest on zero-coupon subordinated notes	2.0	1.6	2.0
Cumulative earnings less than (in excess of) distributions from equity method investments	(5.8)	1.2	0.1
Asset Impairment Charges	0.0	0.0	39.7
Deferred income taxes	27.7	54.7	(34.1)
Change in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):
Increase in accounts receivable, net	(31.1)	(85.5)	(71.8)
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables	0.0	(33.4)	(16.9)
Increase in inventories	(0.3)	(9.6)	(0.2)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other	(12.9)	(20.5)	62.3
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable	(21.2)	(8.7)	30.7
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue	0.0	29.9	5.4
Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities and Other Operating Liabilities	(10.7)	(86.6)	(38.0)
Net cash provided by operating activities	739.0	1,175.9	982.4
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(203.5)	(278.9)	(255.8)
Proceeds from sale of assets	1.4	30.8	0.6
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments	31.6	13.5	8.0
Investments in equity affiliates	(20.2)	(12.5)	(11.7)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(159.4)	(548.6)	(3,736.0)
Net cash used for investing activities	(350.1)	(795.7)	(3,994.9)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from Senior Notes offerings	0.0	0.0	2,900.0
Proceeds from Issuance of Other Long-term Debt	0.0	0.0	1,000.0
Line of Credit Facility Payment	0.0	(150.0)	(285.0)
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	0.0	139.5	60.0
Payments on revolving credit facilities	0.0	(139.5)	(60.0)
Payments on zero-coupon subordinated notes	(18.9)	(53.7)	(1.3)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(24.1)	0.0	(36.7)
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations	(1.4)	(8.4)	(4.3)
Noncontrolling interest distributions	(1.2)	(2.1)	0.0
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	5.9	0.0	13.1
Net proceeds from issuance of stock to employees	114.8	70.6	98.9
Purchase of common stock	(269.0)	(43.9)	0.0
Net cash used for financing activities	(200.6)	(649.8)	3,184.6
Deferred payments on acquisitions	(6.7)	(7.6)	(0.1)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(12.3)	(13.2)	(35.7)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	$ 176.0	(282.8)	136.4
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		716.4	580.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$ 433.6	$ 716.4

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company acquired various laboratories and related assets for approximately $548.6 in cash (net of cash acquired).

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 Sequenom purchase consideration has been allocated to the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired, including approximately $146.6 in identifiable intangible assets (primarily customer relationships, technology, and trade names) with weighted-average useful lives of approximately 14.6 years; $45.1 in deferred tax liabilities (relating to identifiable intangible assets); and a residual amount of non-tax deductible goodwill of approximately $206.0. While the purchase price allocation is substantially complete, it is still preliminary and subject to change. The areas of the purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate primarily to the impact of finalizing deferred taxes and goodwill. Accordingly, adjustments may be made as additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the valuation date. The Company expects the purchase price allocation to be finalized during the second half of 2017. Any adjustments will be recorded in the period in which they were identified.

The Company also acquired various other laboratories and related assets for approximately $299.5 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 $126.2 in identifiable intangible assets (primarily customer relationships) and a residual amount of goodwill of approximately $192.3. These acquisitions were made primarily to extend the Company's geographic reach in important market areas and/or enhance the Company's scientific differentiation and esoteric testing capabilities. While the purchase price allocation for one of the fourth quarter acquisitions is substantially complete, it is still preliminary and subject to change. The areas of the purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate primarily to the intangible assets, goodwill and the impact of finalizing deferred taxes. Accordingly, adjustments may be made as additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the valuation date. The Company expects the purchase price allocation to be finalized during the first half of 2017. Any adjustments will be recorded in the period in which they were identified.

On January 9, 2017, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase select operating assets of the outreach laboratory operations of a healthcare system in the Northeast. In addition, on February 23, 2017, the Company announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase a premier medical reference laboratory and healthcare solutions company.

On February 19, 2015 (Acquisition Date), the Company completed its acquisition (Acquisition) of Covance Inc. (Covance), a leading drug development services company and a leader in nutritional analysis, for $6,150.7. The Company issued debt and common stock to fund the Acquisition. Covance stockholders received $75.76 in cash and 0.2686 shares of the Company's common stock for each share of Covance common stock they owned. The Company financed the Acquisition with $3,900.0 of debt, 15.3 shares of its common stock and $488.2 of available cash, $400.0 of which was derived from a bridge term loan credit facility. 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). The Company also entered into a $1,000.0 term loan facility which was advanced in full on the Acquisition Date. The term loan credit facility will mature five years after the closing date of the Acquisition and may be prepaid without penalty.

The valuation of acquired assets and assumed liabilities at the Acquisition Date include the following:



Consideration Transferred
Stock consideration						$	1,762.5
Cash consideration						4,388.2
						$	6,150.7

	Preliminary		Measurement Period Adjustments			Final
Net Assets Acquired
Cash and cash equivalents	$	780.8	$	—		$	780.8
Accounts receivable	334.8		—			334.8
Unbilled services	138.7		—			138.7
Inventories	51.9		—			51.9
Prepaid expenses and other	261.4		86.5			347.9
Deferred income taxes	34.4		87.1			121.5
Property, plant and equipment	844.2		174.0			1,018.2
Goodwill	3,176.1		(108.0		)	3,068.1
Customer relationships	1,917.2		(86.9		)	1,830.3
Trade names and trademarks	289.4		(18.9		)	270.5
Land use right	4.9		(4.9		)	—
Technology	—		74.5			74.5
Favorable leases	—		5.5			5.5
Other assets	15.2		(3.2		)	12.0
Total assets acquired	7,849.0		205.7			8,054.7
Accounts payable	190.8		—			190.8
Accrued expenses and other	280.8		26.1			306.9
Unearned revenue	168.0		—			168.0
Deferred income taxes	730.2		149.1			879.3
Senior notes	250.0		—			250.0
Other liabilities	78.5		30.5			109.0
Total liabilities acquired	1,698.3		205.7			1,904.0
Net assets acquired	$	6,150.7	$	—		$	6,150.7

The amortization periods for intangible assets acquired are 28 years for customer relationships, 15 years for trade names and trademarks, 10 years for technology, and 8 years for favorable leases. The Company recorded certain measurement period adjustments and certain classifications of expenses, including items associated with the allocation of stock compensation, from cost of revenue to selling, general and administrative expenses.

The Acquisition contributed $2,209.7 and $167.2 of revenue and operating income, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2015.

Unaudited Pro Forma Information

The Company completed the Acquisition on February 19, 2015. Had the Acquisition been completed as of the beginning of 2014, the Company's pro forma results for 2015 would have been as follows:



	Year Ended December 31, 2015
Total revenues	$	9,033.3
Operating income	1,117.2
Net income	547.5
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	5.05
Diluted	$	5.03

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company also acquired various other laboratories and related assets for approximately $128.4 in cash (net of cash acquired). These acquisitions were made primarily to extend the Company's geographic reach in important market areas and/or enhance the Company's scientific differentiation and esoteric testing capabilities. The purchase consideration for these acquisitions has been allocated to the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired, including approximately $17.4 in identifiable intangible assets (primarily customer relationships and non-compete agreements) and a residual amount of goodwill of approximately $68.4.

On November 20, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of LipoScience, Inc. (LipoScience), a provider of specialized cardiovascular diagnostic laboratory tests based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, for a purchase price of $5.25 per share or a transaction value of $67.9 (net of cash acquired).

The LipoScience purchase consideration was allocated to the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired, including approximately $27.2 in identifiable intangible assets (primarily non-tax deductible customer relationships, technology and trade names and trademarks) with weighted-average useful lives of approximately 19.5 years; $9.4 in deferred tax liabilities (relating to identifiable intangible assets); and a residual amount of non-tax deductible goodwill of approximately $17.4.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company also acquired various other laboratories and related assets for approximately $91.5 in cash (net of cash acquired). These acquisitions were made primarily to extend the Company's geographic reach in important market areas and/or enhance the Company's scientific differentiation and esoteric testing capabilities.

Contingent consideration liabilities associated with the Company's business acquisitions are recorded at fair value based upon the estimated probability assessment of the earn-out criteria. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities are recognized in earnings until the arrangement is settled.

- 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).

+ References

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+ Details

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings^® together with its subsidiaries (the Company) is a world leading life sciences company that is deeply integrated in guiding patient care, providing comprehensive clinical laboratory and end-to-end drug development services. The Company’s mission is to improve health and improve lives by delivering world-class diagnostic solutions, bringing innovative medicines to patients faster and using technology to provide better care. The Company serves a broad range of customers, including managed care organizations (MCOs), biopharmaceutical companies, governmental agencies, physicians and other healthcare providers (e.g. physician assistants and nurse practitioners, generally referred to herein as physicians), hospitals and health systems, employers, patients and consumers, contract research organizations, 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 2016.

The Company reports its business in two segments, LabCorp Diagnostics (LCD) and Covance Drug Development (CDD). For further financial information about these segments, including information for each of the last three fiscal years regarding revenue, operating income, and other important information, see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In 2016, LCD and CDD contributed 69.9% and 30.1%, respectively, of net revenues to the Company, and in 2015 contributed 72.9% and 27.1%, respectively. Each of the segments' net revenues in 2015 includes the results of the Company's acquisition of Covance Inc. on February 19, 2015.

The 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 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 year. Resulting translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income.”

Revenue Recognition

LCD recognizes revenue on the accrual basis at the time test results are reported, which approximates when services are provided. Services are provided to certain patients covered by various third-party payer programs including various MCOs, as well as the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Billings for services under third-party payer programs are included in sales net of allowances for contractual discounts and allowances for differences between the amounts billed and estimated program payment amounts. Adjustments to the estimated payment amounts based on final settlement with the programs are recorded upon settlement as an adjustment to revenue. In 2016, 2015 and 2014, approximately 15.5%, 16.0% and 15.0%, respectively, of LCD's revenues were derived directly from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. LCD has capitated agreements with certain MCO customers and recognizes related revenue based on a predetermined monthly contractual rate for each member of the managed care plan regardless of the number of tests performed. In 2016, 2015 and 2014, approximately 3.4%, 3.5% and 3.5%, respectively, of LCD's revenues were derived from such capitated agreements.

CDD recognizes revenue either as services are performed or products are delivered, depending on the nature of the work contracted. Historically, a majority of CDD’s net revenues have been earned under contracts that range in duration from a few months to a few years, but can extend in duration up to five years or longer. Occasionally, CDD also has committed minimum volume arrangements with certain customers. Underlying these arrangements are individual project contracts for the specific services to be provided. These arrangements enable CDD's customers to secure its services in exchange for which they commit to purchase an annual minimum dollar value of services. Under these types of arrangements, if the annual minimum dollar value of service commitment is not reached, the customer is required to pay CDD for the shortfall. Progress towards the achievement of annual minimum dollar value of service commitments is monitored throughout the year. Annual minimum commitment shortfalls are not included in net revenues until the amount has been determined and agreed to by the customer.

Service contracts generally take the form of fee-for-service or fixed-price arrangements subject to pricing adjustments based on changes in scope. In cases where performance spans multiple accounting periods, revenue is recognized as services are performed, measured on a proportional-performance basis, generally using output measures that are specific to the service provided. Examples of output measures in preclinical services, include among others, the number of slides read, or specimens prepared. Examples of output measures in the clinical trials services, include among others, number of investigators enrolled, number of sites initiated, number of trial subjects enrolled and number of monitoring visits completed, or number of dosings for clinical pharmacology. Revenue is determined by dividing the actual units of work completed by the total units of work required under the contract and multiplying that percentage by the total contract value. The total contract value, or total contractual payments, represents the aggregate contracted price for each of the agreed upon services to be provided. CDD does not have any contractual arrangements spanning multiple accounting periods where revenue is recognized on a proportional-performance basis under which the Company has earned more than an immaterial amount of performance-based revenue (i.e., potential additional revenue tied to specific deliverables or performance). Changes in the scope of work are common, especially under long-term contracts, and generally result in a change in contract value. Once the customer has agreed to the changes in scope and renegotiated pricing terms, the contract value is amended with revenue recognized as described above. Estimates of costs to complete are made to provide, where appropriate, for losses expected on contracts. Costs are not deferred in anticipation of contracts being awarded, but instead are expensed as incurred.

Billing schedules and payment terms are generally negotiated on a contract-by-contract basis. In some cases, CDD bills the customer for the total contract value in progress-based installments as certain non-contingent billing milestones are reached over the contract duration, such as, but not limited to, contract signing, initial dosing, investigator site initiation, patient enrollment or database lock. The term “billing milestone” relates only to a billing trigger in a contract whereby amounts become billable and payable in accordance with a negotiated predetermined billing schedule throughout the term of a project. These billing milestones are generally not performance-based (i.e., there is no potential additional consideration tied to specific deliverables or performance). In other cases, billing and payment terms are tied to the passage of time (e.g., monthly billings). In either case, the total contract value and aggregate amounts billed to the customer would be the same at the end of the project. While CDD attempts to negotiate terms that provide for billing and payment of services prior or within close proximity to the provision of services, this is not always possible, and there are fluctuations in the levels of unbilled services and unearned revenue from period to period. While a project is ongoing, cash payments are not necessarily representative of aggregate revenue earned at any particular point in time, as revenues are recognized when services are provided, while amounts billed and paid are in accordance with the negotiated billing and payment terms.

In some cases, payments received are in excess of revenue recognized. For example, a contract invoicing schedule may provide for an upfront payment of 10% of the full contract value upon contract signing, but at the time of signing performance of services has not yet begun. Payments received in advance of services being provided are deferred as unearned revenue on the balance sheet. As the contracted services are subsequently performed and the associated revenue is recognized, the unearned revenue balance is reduced by the amount of revenue recognized during the period.

In other cases, services may be provided and revenue recognized before the customer is invoiced. In these cases, revenue recognized will exceed amounts billed, and the difference, representing an unbilled receivable, is recorded for the amount that is currently unbillable to the customer pursuant to contractual terms. Once the customer is invoiced, the unbilled services are reduced for the amount billed, and a corresponding account receivable is recorded. All unbilled services are billable to customers within one year from the respective balance sheet date.

Most contracts are terminable with or without cause by the customer, either immediately or upon notice. These contracts often require payment to CDD of expenses to wind down the study or project, fees earned to date and, in some cases, a termination fee or a payment to CDD of some portion of the fees or profits that could have been earned by CDD under the contract if it had not been terminated early. Termination fees are included in net revenues when services are performed and realization is assured. In connection with the management of multi-site clinical trials, CDD pays on behalf of its customers fees to investigators, clinical trial subjects and certain out-of-pocket costs, for which it is reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Investigator fees are not reflected in net revenues or expenses where CDD acts in the capacity of an agent on behalf of the biopharmaceutical company sponsor, passing through these costs without markup or profit. All other out-of-pocket costs are included in total revenues and expenses.

The Company's net revenues are comprised of the following:



	Years Ended December 31,
Total revenues	2016			2015		2014
LCD - net revenue	$	6,593.9		$	6,199.3	$	5,838.0
CDD - net revenue	2,844.1			2,306.4		173.6
CDD - reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses	204.6			174.4		—
Intercompany eliminations	(0.8		)	—		—
Total revenues	$	9,641.8		$	8,680.1	$	6,011.6

Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses

CDD pays on behalf of its customers certain out-of-pocket costs for which the Company is reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Out-of-pocket costs paid by CDD are reflected in operating expenses, while the reimbursements received are reflected in revenues in the consolidated statements of operations. CDD excludes from revenue and expense in the consolidated statements of operations fees paid to investigators and the associated reimbursement because CDD acts as an agent on behalf of the biopharmaceutical company sponsors with regard to investigator payments.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue includes direct labor and related benefit charges, other direct costs, shipping and handling fees, and an allocation of facility charges and information technology costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of administrative payroll and related benefit charges, advertising and promotional expenses, administrative travel and an allocation of facility charges and information technology costs. Cost of advertising is expensed as incurred.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Significant estimates include the allowances for doubtful accounts, deferred tax assets, fair values and amortization lives for intangible assets, and accruals for self-insurance reserves and pensions. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on historical collections trends, the aging of accounts, current economic conditions and regulatory changes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.

The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various major financial institutions. The total cash balances on deposit that exceeded the balances insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission, were approximately $28.4 at December 31, 2016. Cash equivalents at December 31, 2016, totaled $268.8, which includes amounts invested in money market funds, time deposits, municipal, treasury and government funds.

Substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable are with companies in the healthcare or biopharmaceutical industry and individuals. However, concentrations of credit risk are limited due to the number of the Company’s customers as well as their dispersion across many different geographic regions.

Although LCD has receivables due from U.S. and state governmental agencies, the Company does not believe that such receivables represent a credit risk since the related healthcare programs are funded by U.S. and state governments, and payment is primarily dependent upon submitting appropriate documentation. Accounts receivable balances (gross) from Medicare and Medicaid were $113.0 and $112.0 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

For the Company's operations in Ontario, Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ministry) determines who can establish a licensed community medical laboratory and caps the amount that each of these licensed laboratories can bill the government sponsored healthcare plan. The Ontario government-sponsored healthcare plan covers the cost of commercial laboratory testing performed by the licensed laboratories. The provincial government discounts the annual testing volumes based on certain utilization discounts and establishes an annual maximum it will pay for all community laboratory tests. The agreed-upon reimbursement rates are subject to Ministry review at the end of year and can be adjusted (at the government's discretion) based upon the actual volume and mix of test work performed by the licensed healthcare providers in the province during the year. The accounts receivable balances from the Ontario government sponsored healthcare plan were CAD $15.8 and CAD $21.3 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The portion of the Company's accounts receivable due from patients comprises the largest portion of credit risk. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, receivables due from patients represented approximately 20.0% and 18.8% of the Company's consolidated gross accounts receivable. The Company applies assumptions and judgments including historical collection experience for assessing collectability and determining allowances for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable from patients.

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, 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:



	2016					2015					2014
	Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Income		Shares	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share	$	732.1	102.5	$	7.14	$	437.6	98.8	$	4.43	$	511.2	84.8	$	6.03
Stock options	—		1.5			—		1.2			—		1.1
Restricted stock awards and other	—		—			—		—			—		—
Effect of convertible debt, net of tax	—		0.3			—		0.6			—		0.5
Diluted earnings per share	$	732.1	104.3	$	7.02	$	437.6	100.6	$	4.35	$	511.2	86.4	$	5.91

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:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016	2015	2014
Stock options	—	—	—

Stock Compensation Plans

The Company measures stock compensation cost for all equity awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of restricted stock units and performance share awards is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The estimation of equity awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment and the Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class, and historical experience. The cumulative effect on current and prior periods of a change in the estimated forfeiture rate is recognized as compensation expense in earnings in the period of the revision. Actual results and future estimates may differ substantially from the Company’s current estimates.

See Note 14 for assumptions used in calculating compensation expense for the Company’s stock compensation plans.

Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments, such as commercial paper, time deposits, and other money market instruments, substantially all of which have maturities when purchased of three months or less.

Inventories

Inventories, consisting primarily of purchased laboratory and customer supplies and finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Supplies accounted for $171.7 and $157.7 and finished goods accounted for $33.5 and $33.3 of total inventory at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Prepaid Expenses and Other

In connection with the management of multi-site clinical trials, CDD pays on behalf of its customers certain out-of-pocket costs, for which the Company is reimbursed at cost, without markup or profit. Amounts receivable from customers in connection with such out-of-pocket pass-through costs are included in prepaid expenses and other in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and totaled $97.1 at December 31, 2016 and $92.5 at December 31, 2015.

Also included in prepaid expenses and other current assets are assets held for sale. The Company records long-lived assets as held for sale when a plan to sell the asset has been initiated and all other held for sale criteria have been satisfied. Assets classified as held for sale of $51.2 as of December 31, 2016 are recorded in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. The Company also recorded a $3.6 gain on the sale of these assets held for sale. There were $72.4 assets held for sale as of December 31, 2015.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. The cost of properties held under capital leases is equal to the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased property at the inception of the lease. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed on all classes of assets based on their estimated useful lives, as indicated below, using the straight-line method.



	Years
Buildings and building improvements	10	-	40
Machinery and equipment	3	-	10
Furniture and fixtures	5	-	10
Software	3	-	10

Leasehold improvements and assets held under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the related leases. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. Retirements, sales and other disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the related accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

Capitalized Software Costs

The Company capitalizes purchased software which is ready for service and capitalizes software development costs incurred on significant projects starting from the time that the preliminary project stage is completed and the Company commits to funding a project until the project is substantially complete and the software is ready for its intended use. Capitalized costs include direct material and service costs and payroll and payroll-related costs. Research and development (R&D) costs and other computer software maintenance costs related to software development are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the underlying system, generally five years.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. In 2015, the Company changed the timing of its annual impairment testing from the end of the year to the beginning of the fourth quarter. In accordance with the FASB updates to their authoritative guidance regarding goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing, an entity is allowed to first assess qualitative factors as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform quantitative impairment testing. If an entity determines that it is not more likely than not that the estimated fair value of an asset is less than its carrying value, then no further testing is required. Otherwise, impairment testing must be performed in accordance with the original accounting standards. The updated FASB guidance also allows an entity to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in its goodwill assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step assessment. Similarly, a company can proceed directly to a quantitative assessment in the case of impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets as well.

Step One of the goodwill impairment test includes the estimation of the fair value of each reporting unit as compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit. Reporting units are businesses with discrete financial information that is available and reviewed by management. The Company estimates the fair value of a reporting unit using both income-based and market-based valuation methods. The income-based approach is based on the reporting unit's forecasted future cash flows that are discounted to the present value using the reporting unit's weighted average cost of capital. For the market-based approach, the Company utilizes a number of factors such as publicly available information regarding the market capitalization of the Company as well as operating results, business plans, market multiples, and present value techniques. Based upon the range of estimated values developed from the income and market-based methods, the Company determines the estimated fair value for the reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, the goodwill is not impaired and no further review is required. However, if the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, the Company performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of the impairment, if any. The second step involves a hypothetical allocation of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its tangible and intangible assets (excluding goodwill) and liabilities as if the reporting unit were newly acquired, which results in an implied fair value of the goodwill. The amount of the impairment charge is the excess of the recorded goodwill, if any, over the implied fair value of the goodwill.

Management concluded that no triggering events occurred during 2016 related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. As such, management performed its annual goodwill and intangible asset impairment testing as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2016. The Company elected to perform the qualitative assessment for goodwill and intangible assets for all reporting units except two of the CDD reporting units and the indefinite-lived Canadian licenses for which the quantitative assessment was used.

In this qualitative assessment, the Company considered relevant events and circumstances for each reporting unit, including (i) current year results, (ii) financial performance versus management’s annual and five-year strategic plans, iii) changes in the reporting unit carrying value since prior year, (iv) industry and market conditions in which the reporting unit operates, (v) macroeconomic conditions, including discount rate changes, and (vi) changes in products or services offered by the reporting unit. If applicable, performance in recent years was compared to forecasts included in prior valuations. Based on the results of the qualitative assessment, the Company concluded that it was not more likely than not that the carrying values of the goodwill and intangible assets were greater than their fair values, and that further quantitative testing was not necessary.

In 2016, the Company utilized an income approach to determine the fair value of two of the CDD reporting units, with $460.7 and $223.9 of goodwill as of September 30, 2016. Based upon the results of the quantitative assessment, the Company concluded that the fair value of these reporting units was greater than the carrying value.

In 2016, the Company also utilized an income approach to determine the fair value of its Canadian reporting unit and its indefinite-lived assets consisting of acquired Canadian licenses. Based upon the results of the quantitative assessment, the Company concluded that the fair value of the indefinite-lived Canadian licenses was greater than the carrying value.

It is possible that the Company's conclusions regarding impairment or recoverability of goodwill or intangible assets in any reporting unit could change in future periods. There can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions used in the Company's goodwill and intangible asset impairment testing performed as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2016 will prove to be accurate predictions of the future, if, for example, (i) the businesses do not perform as projected, (ii) overall economic conditions in 2017 or future years vary from current assumptions (including changes in discount rates), (iii) business conditions or strategies for a specific reporting unit change from current assumptions, including loss of major customers, (iv) investors require higher rates of return on equity investments in the marketplace or (v) enterprise values of comparable publicly traded companies, or actual sales transactions of comparable companies, were to decline, resulting in lower multiples of revenues and EBITDA. The Company will particularly monitor the financial performance of and assumptions for the two of the CDD reporting units for which an income approach was performed in 2016. A future impairment charge for goodwill or intangible assets could have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is determined by the Company at the level for which there are identifiable cash flows by comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows before interest expense and income taxes expected to be generated by the assets. Impairment, if any, is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets (based on market prices in an active market or on discounted cash flows). Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value. The Company impaired long-lived assets of $39.7, for the year ended 2015.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected periods to be benefited, as set forth in the table below, such as legal life for patents and technology and contractual lives for non-compete agreements.



	Years
Customer relationships	10	-	36
Patents, licenses and technology	3	-	15
Non-compete agreements	5	-	10
Trade names	5	-	15

Debt Issuance Costs

The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized, netted against the related debt for presentation purposes and amortized to interest expense over the terms of the related debt.

Professional Liability

The Company is self-insured (up to certain limits) for professional liability claims arising in the normal course of business, generally related to the testing and reporting of laboratory test results. The Company estimates a liability that represents the ultimate exposure for aggregate losses below those limits. The liability is based on assumptions and factors for known and incurred but not reported claims, including the frequency and payment trends of historical claims.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes utilizing the asset and liability method. Under this method deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for tax loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. 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 Company records interest and penalties in income tax expense.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Interest rate swap agreements, which have been used by the Company from time to time in the management of interest rate exposure, are accounted for at fair value. The Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain two features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments under authoritative guidance in connection with accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company believes these embedded derivatives had no fair value at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

See Note 18 for the Company’s objectives in using derivative instruments and the effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items on the Company’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities are determined based on the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tiered fair value hierarchy draws distinctions between market participant assumptions based on (i) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets (Level 1), (ii) inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2) and (iii) unobservable inputs that require the Company to use present value and other valuation techniques in the determination of fair value (Level 3).

Research and Development

The Company expenses R&D costs as incurred.

Foreign Currencies

For subsidiaries outside of the U.S. that operate in a local currency environment, income and expense items are translated to U.S. dollars at the monthly average rates of exchange prevailing during the period, assets and liabilities are translated at period-end exchange rates and equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates. Translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets and are included in the determination of comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive earnings and consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in the determination of net income in the consolidated statements of operations.

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 U.S. 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 the full retrospective method effective January 1, 2018, and is continuing to evaluate the expected impact of the standard. Currently, the Company has completed the initial adoption analysis for LCD and expects this standard to impact LCD margins due to the recording of LCD bad debt expense against net revenues (versus selling, general and administrative expense) as an implicit price concession. The Company has also completed the initial adoption analysis for each of the major revenue streams within CDD and expects this standard to also impact CDD margins due to the elimination of gross-to-net reporting of reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses and the elimination of accounting for fees paid to investigators as an agent. In addition, the Company expects the timing of revenue recognition in the clinical business to accelerate, as revenue from study-related change orders and fixed price gains is recognized ratably over the service period (versus lump-sum recognition due to a change order or when studies are near completion). The detailed contract review must be completed before the Company can quantify the expected impact of the standard. The Company also anticipates an increase in the level of required financial statement disclosures.

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 $14.0 was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2016.

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.

In January 2017, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. This update is effective on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the application of this new standard will have on the 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 a 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 a FASB standard update that the Company adopted as of January 1, 2016.

The Company changed its financial statement classification for certain gross receipts taxes in 2016, removing these taxes from its provision for income taxes and moving this expense into selling, general and administrative expenses. Certain gross receipts taxes of $6.1 were reclassified in both 2015 and 2014.

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, above.

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES	12 Months Ended
RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES	RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES During 2016, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $58.4; $15.8 within LCD and $42.6 within CDD. The charges were comprised of $30.9 in severance and other personnel costs and $33.8 in facility-related costs primarily associated with general integration activities. A substantial portion of these costs relate to the planned closure of duplicative data center operations and other facilities. The charges were offset by the reversal of previously established reserves of $2.8 in unused severance and $3.5 in unused facility-related costs. The Company incurred additional legal and other costs of $4.6 relating to the wind down of its minimum volume service contract operations and incurred $8.0 in acquisition fees and expenses. The Company also recorded $6.9 in consulting expenses relating to fees incurred as part of its Acquisition integration costs and compensation analysis, along with $2.5 in short-term equity retention arrangements relating to the Acquisition and $8.9 of accelerated equity compensation and other final compensation relating to executive transition, along with $9.0 of non-capitalized costs associated with the implementation of a major system as part of LaunchPad, LCD's comprehensive, enterprise-wide business process improvement initiative (all recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses). The Company also recorded a $3.6 gain on sale for certain assets held for sale. The Company incurred $5.6 of interest expense relating to the early retirement of subsidiary indebtedness assumed as part of its recent acquisition of Sequenom. During 2015, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $113.9; $39.2 within LCD and $74.7 within CDD. The charges were comprised of $59.2 in severance and other personnel costs and $55.8 in facility-related costs primarily associated with general integration activities. A substantial portion of these costs relate to the planned closure of two CDD operations that serviced a minimum volume contract that expired on October 31, 2015. These charges were offset by the reversal of previously established reserves of $1.1 in unused facility related costs. Included within the facility-related charges noted above is a $26.7 asset impairment charge relating to CDD lab and customer service applications that will no longer be used. In addition, during 2015, the Company recorded $25.6 in consulting expenses (recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses) relating to fees incurred as part of LaunchPad as well as Covance integration costs and employee compensation studies, along with $5.4 in short-term equity retention arrangements relating to the acquisition of Covance and $0.3 of accelerated equity compensation relating to the retirement of a Company executive (all recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses). The Company also incurred $5.7 relating to the wind down of the minimum volume contract operations referred to in the previous paragraph. Additionally, the Company 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 2015, the Company also recorded a non-cash loss of $2.3, upon the dissolution of one of its equity investments, which is included in other, net expenses. During the fourth quarter, the Company paid $12.2 in settlement costs and litigation expenses related to the resolution of a U.S. court putative class action lawsuit. In addition, the Company incurred $3.0 of non-capitalized costs associated with the implementation of a major system as part of LaunchPad. During 2014, the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $17.8. The charges were comprised of $10.5 in severance and other personnel costs and $8.4 in facility-related costs primarily associated with the ongoing integration of Orchid Cellmark, Inc. and the Integrated Genetics business (formerly Genzyme Genetics) and costs associated with the previously announced termination of an executive vice president. These charges were offset by the reversal of previously established reserves of $0.4 in unused severance and $0.7 in unused facility-related costs.

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Restructuring Reserve [Abstract]

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES

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



	LCD						CDD						Total
	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	17.3			1.5			13.6			32.3			64.7
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	—			(2.8		)	(2.8		)	(0.7		)	(6.3		)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(9.9		)	(1.3		)	(34.1		)	(10.0		)	(55.3		)
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	7.5		$	23.9		$	28.2		$	22.7		$	82.3
Current													$	47.7
Non-current													34.6
													$	82.3

The non-current portion of the restructuring liabilities is expected to be paid out over 8.5 years. Cash payments and other adjustments include the reclassification of profit sharing, pension, and holiday accrual.

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

At December 31, 2016, the Company had investments in the following unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investments:



Locations	Net Investment		Interest Owned
Joint Venture Partnerships:
Alberta, Canada (2)	$	44.9	43.37	%
Florence, South Carolina	10.3		49.00	%
Equity Method Investments:
Various	3.3		various

The joint venture agreements that govern the conduct of business of these partnerships mandate unanimous agreement between partners on all major business decisions as well as providing other participating rights to each partner. The equity method investments represent the Company’s purchase of shares in clinical diagnostic companies. The investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting as the Company does not have control of these investments. The Company has no material obligations or guarantees to, or in support of, these unconsolidated investments and their operations.

Effective June 30, 2015, the Company dissolved a joint venture partnership that had been located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Condensed unconsolidated financial information for joint venture partnerships and equity method investments is shown in the following table.



As of December 31:	2016		2015
Current assets	$	24.3	$	22.6
Other assets	16.9		19.2
Total assets	$	41.2	$	41.8
Current liabilities	$	15.5	$	17.3
Other liabilities	0.3		1.3
Total liabilities	15.8		18.6
Partners' equity	25.4		23.2
Total liabilities and partners’ equity	$	41.2	$	41.8



For the period January 1 - December 31:	2016		2015		2014
Net revenues	$	156.7	$	213.7	$	283.8
Gross profit	45.7		54.3		81.3
Net earnings	20.3		20.1		31.0

The Company’s recorded investment in one of its Alberta joint venture partnerships at December 31, 2016 includes $34.9 of value assigned to that partnership’s Canadian license to conduct diagnostic testing services in the province. Substantially all of the joint venture's revenue is received as reimbursement from the Alberta government's healthcare programs. While the Canadian license provides the joint venture the ability to conduct diagnostic testing in Alberta, it does not guarantee that the provincial government will continue to reimburse diagnostic laboratory testing in future years at current levels. A decision by the provincial government to limit or reduce its reimbursement of laboratory diagnostic services would have a negative impact on the profits and cash flows the Company derives from the joint venture. 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 occurred 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 for five additional years 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 CAD $50.0 to the partnership when the transfer is effective, subject to a working capital adjustment. The Company will amortize the value of the partnership's Canadian license to its residual over the remaining term of the agreement.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET



	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Gross accounts receivable	$	1,564.3		$	1,434.9
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(235.6		)	(217.0		)
	$	1,328.7		$	1,217.9

The provision for doubtful accounts was $287.3, $265.4 and $276.5 in 2016, 2015 and 2014 respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References + Details

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET



	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Land	$	78.4		$	96.4
Buildings and building improvements	692.8			681.6
Machinery and equipment	1,060.1			944.2
Software	626.2			561.9
Leasehold improvements	302.0			271.6
Furniture and fixtures	76.9			70.1
Construction in progress	193.0			180.4
Equipment and real estate under capital leases	81.3			65.1
	3,110.7			2,871.3
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization of capital lease assets	(1,392.1		)	(1,123.9		)
	$	1,718.6		$	1,747.4

Depreciation expense and amortization of property, plant and equipment was $311.1, $269.9 and $157.6 for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, including software depreciation of $79.2, $66.1, and $38.5 for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (net of accumulated amortization) for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:



	LCD					CDD					Total
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015			December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015		December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Balance as of January 1	$	3,137.7	$	2,988.9		$	3,064.4		$	110.5	$	6,202.1		$	3,099.4
Goodwill acquired during the year	398.3		161.6			—			2,953.9		398.3			3,115.5
Foreign currency impact and other adjustments to goodwill	108.8		(12.8		)	(284.8		)	—		(176.0		)	(12.8		)
Balance at end of year	$	3,644.8	$	3,137.7		$	2,779.6		$	3,064.4	$	6,424.4		$	6,202.1

The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows:



	December 31, 2016							December 31, 2015
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Customer relationships	$	3,275.3	$	(855.2	)	$	2,420.1	$	3,132.4	$	(724.7	)	$	2,407.7
Patents, licenses and technology	395.3		(163.3		)	232.0		308.0		(146.3		)	161.7
Non-compete agreements	53.0		(42.1		)	10.9		51.0		(37.2		)	13.8
Trade names	406.3		(141.6		)	264.7		399.8		(115.4		)	284.4
Land use rights	10.0		(1.4		)	8.6		5.5		(0.6		)	4.9
Canadian licenses	464.2		—			464.2		451.0		—			451.0
	$	4,604.1	$	(1,203.6	)	$	3,400.5	$	4,347.7	$	(1,024.2	)	$	3,323.5

A summary of amortizable intangible assets acquired during 2016, and their respective weighted average amortization periods are as follows:



	Amount		Weighted Average Amortization Period
Customer relationships	$	168.2	16.1
Patents, licenses and technology	82.4		14.0
Non-compete agreements	8.1		12.8
Trade names	9.6		13.6
Land use rights	4.5		9.0
	$	272.8	15.2

Amortization of intangible assets was $179.5, $164.5 and $76.7 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company recorded earn-out and purchase accounting adjustments through amortization expense of $4.9, $1.7, and $10.4 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Amortization expense of intangible assets is estimated to be $185.5 in fiscal 2017, $172.3 in fiscal 2018, $164.7 in fiscal 2019, $158.2 in fiscal 2020, $154.9 in fiscal 2021, and $2,016.1 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

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER



	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
Employee compensation and benefits	$	288.2	$	283.0
Self-insurance reserves	48.2		80.6
Accrued taxes payable	61.2		83.8
Royalty and license fees payable	9.5		7.2
Restructuring reserves	47.7		58.6
Acquisition related reserves	10.3		12.1
Interest payable	58.6		63.8
Rebates	19.5		14.7
Other	50.5		29.3
	$	593.7	$	633.1

OTHER LIABILITIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

OTHER LIABILITIES



	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
Post-retirement benefit obligation	$	5.8	$	19.6
Defined benefit plan obligation	195.4		165.8
Restructuring reserves	34.6		20.6
Self-insurance reserves	17.1		10.0
Acquisition related reserves	15.7		—
Deferred compensation plan obligation	54.2		46.4
Worker's compensation and auto	33.1		28.6
Other	36.1		32.1
	$	392.0	$	323.1

DEBT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

DEBT

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



	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes	$	42.4		$	94.5
3.125% Senior Notes due 2016	—			325.0
2.20% Senior Notes due 2017	500.0			—
Debt issuance costs	(1.3		)	(1.0		)
Capital lease obligation	8.4			5.4
Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	$	549.5		$	423.9

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



	December 31, 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	614.6			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	565.0			715.0
Debt issuance costs	(43.0		)	(51.8		)
Capital leases	63.4			55.5
Total long-term debt	$	5,300.0		$	5,940.3

Credit Facilities

On November 2, 2014, in connection with entering into the definitive merger agreement to acquire Covance (Merger Agreement), the Company entered into a bridge facility commitment letter. Under the bridge facility commitment letter, the lenders agreed to provide a $4,250.0 senior unsecured bridge term loan credit facility consisting of a $3,850.0 364-day unsecured debt bridge tranche and a $400.0 60-day unsecured cash bridge tranche for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the cash consideration and the fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The bridge facility was permitted to be drawn only in a single drawing on the Acquisition date.

On December 19, 2014, the Company entered into a five-year term loan credit facility in the principal amount of $1,000.0 for the purpose of financing a portion of the cash consideration and the fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the bridge facility commitment letter, upon the Company’s entry into the term loan credit facility, the $4,250.0 bridge facility was reduced to a $3,250.0 commitment, comprising a $2,850.0 364-day unsecured debt bridge tranche and a $400.0 60-day cash bridge tranche. The $1,000.0 of term loan commitments made under the term loan credit facility reduced the debt bridge tranche under the bridge facility dollar for dollar. The term loan credit facility was advanced in full on the Acquisition Date. The term loan credit facility will mature five years after the Acquisition date and may be prepaid without penalty. The term loan balance at December 31, 2016 was $565.0.

On December 19, 2014, the Company also entered into an amendment and restatement of its existing senior revolving credit facility, which was originally entered into on December 21, 2011. The senior revolving credit facility consists of a five-year revolving facility in the principal amount of up to $1,000.0, with the option of increasing the facility by up to an additional $250.0, subject to the agreement of one or more new or existing lenders to provide such additional amounts and certain other customary conditions. The 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 were no balances outstanding on the Company's current revolving credit facility at December 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

On January 30, 2015, the Company issued the Acquisition Notes, which represent $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. Net proceeds from the offering of the Acquisition Notes were $2,870.2 after deducting underwriting discounts and other estimated 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. Pursuant to the bridge facility commitment letter, upon the Company’s issuance of the Acquisition Notes the remaining $2,850.0 364-day unsecured debt bridge tranche under the senior unsecured bridge term loan credit facility was terminated.

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 transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The 60-day cash bridge term loan credit facility was entered into on the terms set forth in the bridge facility commitment letter for the $400.0 60-day cash bridge tranche. The 60-day cash bridge term loan credit facility was advanced in full on the Acquisition Date. On March 16, 2015, the Company elected to prepay the bridge facility without penalty.

Under the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility, which have affirmative and negative covenants that are substantially identical, 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 varies. Prior to the Acquisition Date, the leverage ratio was required to have been no greater than 3.75 to 1.0 calculated by excluding the $2,900.0 in total aggregate principal amount of the Acquisition Notes. From and after the acquisition closing date, the leverage ratio was required to have been no greater than 4.75 to 1.0 with respect to the last day of each of the first four fiscal quarters ending on or after the closing date, 4.25 to 1.0 with respect to the last day of each of the fifth through eighth fiscal quarters ending after the closing date, and 3.75 to 1.0 with respect to the last day of each fiscal quarter ending thereafter. The Company was in compliance with all covenants in the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2016 and 2015. As of December 31, 2016, the ratio of total debt to consolidated EBITDA was 3.1 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 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 S&P and Moody’s, which are currently BBB and Baa2, respectively.

As of December 31, 2016, the effective interest rate on the revolving credit facility was 1.9%, and the effective interest rate on the term loan was 2.0%.

Zero-Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes

The Company had $46.0 and $105.4 aggregate principal amount at maturity of zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes (the Notes) due 2021 outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Notes, which are subordinate to the Company’s bank debt, were sold at an issue price of $671.65 per $1,000.0 principal amount at maturity (representing a yield to maturity of 2.0% per year). Each one thousand dollar principal amount at maturity of the Notes is convertible into 13.4108 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, if one of the following conditions occurs:

The sales price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding quarter reaches specified thresholds (beginning at 120% and declining 0.1282% per quarter until it reaches approximately 110% for the quarter beginning July 1, 2021 of the accreted conversion price per share of common stock on the last day of the preceding quarter). The accreted conversion price per share will equal the issue price of a note plus the accrued original issue discount and any accrued contingent additional principal, divided by the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of a note on that day. The conversion trigger price for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $76.27.


2)	The credit rating assigned to the notes by S&P Ratings Services is at or below BB-.


3)	The Notes are called for redemption.


4)	Specified corporate transactions have occurred (such as if the Company is party to a consolidation, merger or binding share exchange or a transfer of all or substantially all of its assets).

The Company may redeem for cash all or a portion of the Notes at any time at specified redemption prices per one thousand dollar principal amount at maturity of the Notes.

The Company has registered the notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

During 2016 and 2015, the Company settled notices to convert $59.4 and $1.5 aggregate principal amount at maturity of its zero-coupon subordinated notes with a conversion value of $53.7 and $1.3, respectively. The total cash used for these settlements was $53.7 and $1.3 and the Company also issued 0.4 and 0.0 additional shares of common stock, respectively. As a result of these conversions, in 2016 and 2015 the Company also reversed approximately $4.9 and $0.4, respectively, of deferred tax liability to reflect the tax benefit realized upon issuance of the shares.

On September 12, 2016, the Company announced that for the period of 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.

On January 3, 2017, 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 January 1, 2017, 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, March 31, 2017. 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 its revolving credit facility.

Senior Notes

On September 30, 2016, the Company announced the successful completion of consent solicitations for the 5.00% convertible Senior Notes due 2017 and 2018, totaling $130.0, assumed as part of the 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 Consolidated Statement of Operations).

On January 30, 2015, the Company issued the Acquisition Notes, which represent $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. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on August 1, 2015. Net proceeds from the offering of the Acquisition Notes were $2,870.2 after deducting underwriting discounts and other estimated 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 Covance acquisition.

On November 1, 2013, the Company issued $700.0 in new senior notes pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration on Form S-3. The senior notes consisted of $400.0 aggregate principal amount of 2.50% Senior Notes due 2018 and $300.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.00% Senior Notes due 2023. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually on November 1 and May 1 of each year, commencing on May 1, 2014. The net proceeds were used to repay all of the outstanding borrowings under the Company’s former revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes.

The Senior Notes due 2017 and Senior Notes due 2022 bear interest at the rate of 2.20% per annum and 3.75% per annum, respectively, payable semi-annually on February 23 and August 23 of each year, commencing February 23, 2013.

The Senior Notes due 2016 bore interest at the rate of 3.125% per annum from November 19, 2010, which was payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15.

The scheduled payments of long term debt and future minimum lease payments for capital leases at the end of 2016 are summarized as follows:



	Notes and Other			Capital Leases			Total
2017	$	541.1		$	14.9		$	556.0
2018	400.0			14.4			414.4
2019	—			13.3			13.3
2020	1,679.6			12.5			1,692.1
2021	—			11.2			11.2
Thereafter	3,157.0			45.5			3,202.5
	5,777.7			111.8			5,889.5
Less amounts representing interest	—			(40.0		)	(40.0		)
Total long-term debt	5,777.7			71.8			5,849.5
Less current portion	(541.1		)	(8.4		)	(549.5		)
Long-term debt, due beyond one year	$	5,236.6		$	63.4		$	5,300.0

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 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. Common shares issued and outstanding are summarized in the following table:



	2016		2015
Issued	125.6		123.9
In treasury	(22.9	)	(22.6	)
Outstanding	102.7		101.3

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 December 31, 2016 and 2015.

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



Common Shares Issued
	2016		2015	2014
Common stock issued at January 1	123.9		107.1	108.1
Common stock issued under employee stock plans	1.6		1.5	1.6
Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes	0.4		—	0.1
Common stock issued in conjunction with the Acquisition	—		15.3	—
Retirement of common stock	(0.3	)	—	(2.7	)
Common stock issued at December 31	125.6		123.9	107.1



Common Shares Held in Treasury
	2016	2015	2014
Common shares held in treasury at January 1	22.6	22.5	22.4
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	0.3	0.1	0.1
Common shares held in treasury at December 31	22.9	22.6	22.5

Share Repurchase Program

During 2016, the Company purchased 0.3 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $43.9. The Company also initiated purchases of $6.0 which settled directly after December 31, 2016. At the end of 2016, including purchase commitments that had not yet settled, the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase $739.5 of Company common stock. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings

The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings are as follows:



	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Net Benefit Plan Adjustments			Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available for Sale Securities			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	123.2		$	(67.1	)	$	10.1		$	66.2
Current year adjustments	(89.5		)	(12.0		)	2.0			(99.5		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a)	—			(6.6		)	(18.3		)	(24.9		)
Tax effect of adjustments	34.3			7.1			6.3			47.7
Balance at December 31, 2014	68.0			(78.6		)	0.1			(10.5		)
Current year adjustments	(370.7		)	19.0			(0.1		)	(351.8		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) (b)	—			(11.3		)	—			(11.3		)
Tax effect of adjustments	90.1			(3.5		)	—			86.6
Balance at December 31, 2015	(212.6		)	(74.4		)	—			(287.0		)
Current year adjustments	(250.0		)	(3.3		)	—			(253.3		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a)	—			(37.0		)	—			(37.0		)
Tax effect of adjustments	(8.1		)	4.3			—			(3.8		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(470.7	)	$	(110.4	)	$	—		$	(581.1	)

(a) The amortization of prior service cost is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. Refer to Note 16 Pension and Postretirement Plans for additional information regarding the Company's net periodic benefit cost.

(b) The realized gain from the sale of an available for sale investment and the other-than-temporary impairment on an available for sale investment are included in Other, net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

- 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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

The sources of income before taxes, classified between domestic and foreign entities are as follows:



Pre-tax income	2016		2015		2014
Domestic	$	914.0	$	593.5	$	752.5
Foreign	191.5		132.5		68.1
Total pre-tax income	$	1,105.5	$	726.0	$	820.6

The provisions (benefits) for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations consist of the following:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	235.1		$	218.3		$	233.6
State	38.6			33.7			24.0
Foreign	43.9			69.4			22.7
	$	317.6		$	321.4		$	280.3
Deferred:
Federal	$	64.4		$	(14.1	)	$	29.1
State	6.0			(4.2		)	3.7
Foreign	(15.7		)	(15.8		)	(5.1		)
	54.7			(34.1		)	27.7
	$	372.3		$	287.3		$	308.0

In 2016, as a result of the early adoption of the accounting standard associated with simplifying several aspects of share-based compensation, a benefit of $14.0 in excess stock-based compensation was recorded directly to income tax expense. For 2015 and 2014, a portion of the tax benefit associated with option exercises from stock plans, which reduce taxes payable, were recorded through additional paid-in capital. The benefits recorded through additional paid-in capital were approximately $13.1 and $5.9 in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The effective tax rates on earnings before income taxes are reconciled to statutory U.S. income tax rates as follows:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Statutory U.S. rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State and local income taxes, net of U.S. Federal income tax effect	2.6		3.2		2.7
Foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the statutory U.S. rate	(3.1	)	(1.8	)	—
Restructuring and acquisition items	—		2.7		—
Share-based compensation	(1.2	)	—		—
Other	0.4		1.1		0.3
Effective rate	33.7	%	40.2	%	38.0	%

The effective rate for 2016 was favorably impacted by foreign earnings taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate and the early adoption of the share-based compensation standard.

The effective rate for 2015 was unfavorably impacted by restructuring and acquisition items, the recording of additional uncertain tax reserves, and a decrease in the benefit recorded from releasing uncertain tax reserves. The 2015 rate was favorably impacted by foreign earnings taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate.

The effective rate for 2014 was unfavorably impacted by the recording of a full valuation allowance for the write down of two of the Company's investments.

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:



	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable	$	13.5		$	13.4
Employee compensation and benefits	160.8			140.6
Self insurance reserves	7.4			36.9
Postretirement benefit obligation	1.9			7.5
Acquisition and restructuring reserves	38.5			24.5
Tax loss carryforwards	167.7			123.9
Other	7.6			4.3
	397.4			351.1
Less: valuation allowance	(31.3		)	(15.1		)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$	366.1		$	336.0

Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred earnings	$	(193.2	)	$	(189.5	)
Intangible assets	(1,047.4		)	(978.1		)
Property, plant and equipment	(208.8		)	(177.0		)
Zero-coupon subordinated notes	(48.5		)	(87.4		)
Currency translation adjustment	(47.0		)	(47.3		)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(1,544.9		)	(1,479.3		)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(1,178.8	)	$	(1,143.3	)

The Company has U.S. federal tax loss carryforwards of approximately $390.7, which expire periodically through 2035. The increase in the U.S. federal tax loss carryforwards results from the acquisition of Sequenom, Inc. The utilization of tax loss carryforwards is limited due to change of ownership rules, however, at this time, the Company expects to fully utilize substantially all U.S. federal tax loss carryforwards with the exception of approximately $3.9 for which a full valuation allowance has been provided. The Company has U.S. state tax loss carryforwards of $392.4, which also expire periodically through 2035, and on which a valuation allowance of $336.3 has been provided. The Company's U.S. state loss carryforwards increased as a result of the finalization of the Covance Inc. purchase price accounting. The Company has foreign tax loss carryforwards of $41.6 of which $29.3 has a full valuation allowance. Most of the foreign losses have an indefinite carryover. In addition to the foreign net operating losses, the Company has a foreign capital loss carryforward of $6.9. The capital loss has an indefinite life and has a full valuation allowance.

The valuation allowance increased from $15.1 in 2015 to $31.3 in 2016 primarily due to the finalization of the Covance Inc. purchase price accounting and the recording of state tax loss carryforwards with a full valuation allowance.

Unrecognized income tax benefits were $18.4 and $24.2 at December 31, 2016 and 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.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions totaled $9.9 and $12.7 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized $1.2, $1.8 and $2.2, respectively, in interest and penalties expense, which was offset by a benefit from reversing previous accruals for interest and penalties of $4.0, $2.2 and $3.3, respectively.

The following table shows a reconciliation of the unrecognized income tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, from uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:



	2016			2015			2014
Balance as of January 1	$	24.2		$	16.7		$	25.6
Increase in reserve for tax positions taken in the current year	2.3			4.1			—
Increase in reserve as a result of acquisition	—			8.5			—
Decrease in reserve as a result of lapses in the statute of limitations	(8.1		)	(5.1		)	(8.9		)
Balance as of December 31	$	18.4		$	24.2		$	16.7

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, $18.4 and $24.2, respectively, are the approximate amounts of unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in any future periods.

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 2004, respectively.

The Internal Revenue Service concluded the examination of the Company's 2014 federal consolidated income tax return, which did not include Covance Inc., in the third quarter of 2016. In the third quarter, the Company was notified 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 Canadian subsidiaries' tax returns. The Company has various state and foreign income tax examinations ongoing throughout the year. The Company believes adequate provisions have been recorded related to all open tax years.

The Company changed its method for accounting for foreign earnings at the beginning of 2015 as a result of the Acquisition. Prior to the Acquisition, the Company provided tax for substantially all of its foreign earnings. Other than certain amounts associated with the Acquisition, the Company considers its foreign earnings are now permanently invested outside of the U.S. as it intends to leave its future generated unremitted foreign earnings invested indefinitely outside the U.S. given its expanded global profile. It is not practical to estimate the amount of additional tax that could be payable if accumulated earnings were remitted. Total unremitted foreign earnings for which income tax has not been provided are approximately $3,144.3 as of December 31, 2016.

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to calculate the fair value of the employee’s purchase right. The fair value of the employee’s purchase right and the assumptions used in its calculation are as follows:



	2016			2015			2014
Fair value of the employee’s purchase right	$	23.32		$	21.95		$	19.48
Valuation assumptions
Risk free interest rate	0.5		%	0.3		%	0.1		%
Expected volatility	0.2			0.2			0.2
Expected dividend yield	—			—			—

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

Stock Incentive Plans

There are currently 11.2 shares authorized for issuance under the Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the Plan) and at December 31, 2016 there were 9.6 additional shares available for grant under the Plan. The Plan was approved by shareholders at the 2016 annual meeting.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes grants of non-qualified options made by the Company to officers, key employees, and non-employee directors under all plans. Stock options are generally granted at an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market price per share on the date of grant. Also, for each grant, options vest ratably over a period of three years on the anniversaries of the grant date, subject to their earlier expiration or termination.

Changes in options outstanding under the plans for the period indicated were as follows:



	Number of Options		Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Option		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	2.3		$	81.40
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(0.7	)	78.12
Cancelled	—		—
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	1.6		$	82.43	4.1	$	72.7
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2016	1.6		$	82.43	4.1	$	72.7
Exercisable at December 31, 2016	1.6		$	82.43	4.1	$	72.7

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of 2016 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2016. The amount of intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock.

Cash received by the Company from option exercises, the actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions and the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 were as follows:



	2016		2015		2014
Cash received by the Company	$	52.6	$	82.6	$	98.5
Tax benefits realized	$	13.6	$	16.2	$	12.3
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	35.5	$	42.2	$	32.1

The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding and exercisable options.



Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding	Weighted Average		Number Exercisable	Weighted Average Exercise Price
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding	Remaining Contractual Life	Average Exercise Price	Number Exercisable	Weighted Average Exercise Price
$59.38 - 67.60	0.1	2.1	$60.46	0.1	$60.46
$67.61 - 75.63	0.3	2.6	$72.40	0.3	$72.40
$75.64 - 80.37	0.1	2.0	$73.60	0.1	$73.60
$80.38 - 98.49	1.1	4.8	$87.46	1.1	$87.46
	1.6	4.1	$82.43	1.6	$82.43

The Black Scholes model incorporates assumptions to value stock-based awards. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on a zero-coupon U.S. government instrument over the contractual term of the equity instrument. Expected volatility of the Company’s stock is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company uses historical data to calculate the expected life of the option. Groups of employees and non-employee directors that have similar exercise behavior with regard to option exercise timing and forfeiture rates are considered separately for valuation purposes. For 2016, 2015 and 2014, expense related to the Company’s stock option plan totaled $0.0, $2.2 and $6.9, respectively. The Company did not grant any options to employees during 2016, 2015, or 2014.

Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares

The Company grants restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares (non-vested shares) to officers and key employees and grants restricted stock and restricted stock units to non-employee directors. Restricted stock and units typically vest annually in equal one third increments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant. A performance share grant in 2014 represents a three-year award opportunity for the period 2014-2016, and if earned, vests fully (to the extent earned) in the first quarter of 2017. A performance share grant in 2015 represents a three-year award opportunity for the period of 2015-2017 and, if earned, vests fully (to the extent earned) in the first quarter of 2018. A performance share grant in 2016 represents a three-year award opportunity for the period of 2016-2018 and, if earned, vests fully (to the extent earned) in the first quarter of 2019. Performance share awards are subject to certain earnings per share, revenue, operating income, earnings before income taxes and total shareholder return targets, the achievement of which may increase or decrease the number of shares which the grantee earns and therefore receives upon vesting. Unearned restricted stock and performance share compensation is amortized to expense over the applicable vesting periods. For 2016, 2015 and 2014, total restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance share compensation expense was $104.1, $83.8 and $34.8, respectively.

The following table shows a summary of non-vested shares for the year ended December 31, 2016:



	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2016	1.5		$	109.00
Granted	1.0		103.59
Vested	(0.8	)	100.70
Canceled	(0.1	)	110.62
Non-vested at December 31, 2016	1.6		$	108.23

As of December 31, 2016, there was $58.2 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company's stock incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the 2016 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Company is authorized to issue 2.5 shares of common stock. The plan permits substantially all employees to purchase a limited number of shares of Company stock at 85% of market value. The Company issues shares to participating employees semi-annually in January and July of each year. Approximately 0.2 shares were purchased by eligible employees in each of 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, under either the 2016 Employee Stock Purchase Plan or the prior plan, which began in 1997 and was amended in 1999, 2004, 2008 and 2012. For 2016, 2015 and 2014, expense related to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan was $5.5, $4.1 and $4.0, respectively.



	2016			2015			2014
Fair value of the employee’s purchase right	$	23.32		$	21.95		$	19.48
Valuation assumptions
Risk free interest rate	0.5		%	0.3		%	0.1		%
Expected volatility	0.2			0.2			0.2
Expected dividend yield	—			—			—

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References + Details

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

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 parties, including physicians and other healthcare providers (e.g. physician assistants and nurse practitioners). 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., federal 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 commercial 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 calculations based on historical loss rates and assessment of trends experienced in settlements and defense costs. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450 “Contingencies”, the Company establishes reserves for judicial, regulatory, and arbitration matters outside the aggregate legal reserve if and when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable and would exceed the aggregate legal reserve. When loss contingencies are not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish separate reserves.

The Company is unable to estimate a range of reasonably probable loss for the proceedings described in more detail below in which damages either have not been specified or, in the Company's judgment, are unsupported and/or exaggerated and (i) the proceedings are in early stages; (ii) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions; (iii) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (iv) there are novel legal issues to be presented. For these proceedings, however, the Company does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, though the outcomes could be material to the Company's operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

As previously 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 of healthcare services, including clinical laboratories. This 10% 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 commercial 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 commercial 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 have not been fully implemented yet and recoupments associated with these changes are anticipated, but have not begun. 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 fourteen states and the District of Columbia. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney's fees, and legal expenses. Neither the 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. In December 2016, the Court granted the Company's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. The Company will vigorously defend the remaining claims in 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 appealed the denial of Class Certification, and the Court of Appeal affirmed the denial of the Motion for Class Certification on January 20, 2017. 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 denial of class certification. The Eighth Circuit remanded the matter for further proceedings. On December 7, 2016, the District Court granted the Plaintiff’s renewed Motion for Class Certification. 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. On December 28, 2016, the Company filed a Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. 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 Covance Inc. 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 to Clinical Research Associates and Senior Clinical Research Associates employed by Covance Inc. in California. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, civil penalties, injunctive relief and recovery of attorney's fees and costs. On October 13, 2016, the case was removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit.

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 (MOU) in each of the above-referenced actions. In connection with the settlement, Sequenom agreed to make certain additional disclosures to its stockholders. In 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. On November 11, 2016, two competing motions were filed by two separate stockholders (James Reilly and Shikha Gupta) seeking appointment as lead plaintiff under the terms of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. On January 12, 2017 the Court entered an order declaring Mr. Reilly the presumptive lead plaintiff, but denying Mr. Reilly's request for immediate approval as lead plaintiff. The Company is awaiting the Court’s appointment of a permanent lead plaintiff. The parties agree that the MOU has been terminated and are awaiting further direction from the Court as to how the litigation will proceed.

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. At December 31, 2016, the Company had provided letters of credit aggregating approximately $54.5, 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.

The Company leases various facilities and equipment under non-cancelable lease arrangements. Future minimum rental commitments for leases with non-cancelable terms of one year or more at December 31, 2016 are as follows:



	Operating
2017	$	189.5
2018	140.5
2019	96.0
2020	55.3
2021	85.0
Thereafter	115.3
Total minimum lease payments	681.6
Less:
Amounts included in restructuring and acquisition related accruals	(41.6		)
Non-cancelable sub-lease income	(0.4		)
Total minimum operating lease payments	$	639.6

Rental expense, which includes rent for real estate, equipment and automobiles under operating leases, amounted to $291.2, $287.1 and $235.7 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company’s population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2016
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2016		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2016		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put	$	15.2	$	—	$	15.2	$	—
Interest rate swap	14.6		—		14.6		—
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	53.6		—		53.6		—
Deferred compensation liability	54.2		—		54.2		—
Contingent consideration	16.8		—		—		16.8



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2015
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2015		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	Fair Value as of 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	46.8		—		46.8		—

The noncontrolling interest put is valued at its contractually determined value, which approximates fair value. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest put increased by $0.4 consisting of a $0.1 increase in the contractually determined value and a $0.3 increase for foreign currency translation.

The Company offers certain employees the opportunity to participate in a 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 the life insurance policies are based upon earnings and changes in the value of the underlying investments, which are typically invested in a similar manner 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.

Contingent accrued earn-out business acquisition consideration liabilities for which fair values are measured as Level 3 instruments. These contingent consideration liabilities were recorded at fair value on the acquisition date and are remeasured quarterly based on the then assessed fair value and adjusted if necessary. The increases or decreases in the fair value of contingent consideration payable can result from changes in anticipated revenue levels and changes in assumed discount periods and rates. As the fair value measure is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, they are categorized as Level 3.

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 $79.3 and $177.1 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The fair market value of the senior notes, based on market pricing, was approximately $5,254.5 and $5,457.4 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company's note and debt instruments are considered 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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company addresses its exposure to market risks, principally the market risk associated with changes in interest rates, through a controlled program of risk management that includes, from time to time, the use of derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements (see Interest Rate Swap section below). Although the Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments (see Embedded Derivative 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 the 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 or liabilities, as applicable, and added to the value of the senior notes, with an aggregate fair value of $14.6 at December 31, 2016. 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. Cash flows from the interest rate swaps are including in operating activities.

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 S&P’s Ratings Services is BB- or lower.

The Company believes these embedded derivatives had no fair value at December 31, 2016 and 2015. These embedded derivatives also had no impact on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

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 December 31, 2016.

- 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

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Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$	210.7	$	166.1	$	117.8
Income taxes, net of refunds	345.7		237.6		284.1
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance shares	34.6		12.6		6.6
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	39.1		1.1		9.9
Assets acquired under capital leases	16.0		22.6		29
Accrued property, plant and equipment	4.4		4.3		6.2

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly data:



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		Full Year
Net revenues	$	2,295.2	$	2,382.0	$	2,372.7	$	2,387.3	$	9,437.2
Gross profit	777.3		826.8		788.4		788.0		3,180.5
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	164.1		204.1		179.5		184.4		732.1
Basic earnings per common share	1.62		2.00		1.74		1.79		7.14
Diluted earnings per common share	1.58		1.96		1.71		1.75		7.02



	Year Ended December 31, 2015
	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		Full Year
Net revenues	$	1,772.3	$	2,218.7	$	2,269.9	$	2,244.8	$	8,505.7
Gross profit	625.1		772.6		764.9		740.7		2,903.3
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	3.0		169.9		154.7		110.0		437.6
Basic earnings per common share	0.04		1.69		1.53		1.09		4.43
Diluted earnings per common share	0.04		1.66		1.51		1.07		4.35

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company finalized measurement periods adjustments and incorrectly recorded them retrospectively to the interim periods in 2015. The final measurement period adjustment consisted of foreign cumulative translation adjustments related to the final allocation of goodwill and intangibles to the applicable international geographies which was completed in the first quarter of 2016. As a result, the amounts of Other comprehensive income before tax for the first, second and third quarters of 2015 were inappropriately recast for the foreign currency translation adjustments of $122.2, $(115.6), and $104.7, respectively. The cumulative foreign currency adjustment should have been recorded in the first quarter of 2016 which would have reduced the foreign currency translation adjustment amount by $80.4.

The reported amounts of Other comprehensive loss before tax were $(289.9), $149.0, $(207.5), and $138.3 and should have been $(167.7), $33.4, $(102.8), and $57.9 for the first, second and third quarters of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 respectively. The Company concluded that these errors were not material individually or in the aggregate to any of the periods impacted. However, the Company will correct the foreign currency errors in the interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings for each of the affected periods when presented again.

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts And Reserves

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Schedule to Financial Statments [Abstract]

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Schedule II

LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

(Dollars in millions)



	Balance at beginning of year		Additions Charged to Costs and Expense		(1) Other (Deductions)Additions			Balance at end of year
Year ended December 31, 2016:
Applied against asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	217.0	$	287.3	$	(268.7	)	$	235.6
Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets	$	15.1	$	16.2	$	—		$	31.3
Year ended December 31, 2015:
Applied against asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	211.6	$	265.4	$	(260.0	)	$	217.0
Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets	$	17.1	$	—	$	(2.0	)	$	15.1
Year ended December 31, 2014:
Applied against asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	198.3	$	276.5	$	(263.2	)	$	211.6
Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets	$	16.5	$	0.6				$	17.1

(1) Other (Deductions) Additions consists primarily of write-offs of accounts receivable amounts.

Business Segments (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

20. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following table is a summary of segment information for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014. The “management approach” has been used to present the following segment information. This approach is based upon the way the management of the Company organizes segments within an enterprise for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Financial information is reported on the basis that it is used internally by the chief operating decision maker (CODM) for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to segments. The Company’s chief executive officer has been identified as the CODM.

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

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company refined its methodology for how it allocates corporate expenses between the segments, which impacted segment results and has been applied to prior periods for comparative purposes.



	2016			2015			2014
Net revenues:
LCD	$	6,593.9		$	6,199.3		$	5,838.0
CDD	2,844.1			2,306.4			173.6
Intercompany eliminations	(0.8		)	—			—
Total net revenues	$	9,437.2		$	8,505.7		$	6,011.6

Operating earnings (loss):
LCD	$	1,187.6		$	1,053.7		$	976.2
CDD	272.7			73.5			40.7
General corporate expenses	(147.9		)	(130.4		)	(112.6		)
Total operating income	1,312.4			996.8			904.3
Non-operating expenses, net	(206.9		)	(270.8		)	(83.7		)
Earnings before income taxes	1,105.5			726.0			820.6
Provision for income taxes	372.3			287.3			308.0
Net earnings	733.2			438.7			512.6
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1.1		)	(1.1		)	(1.4		)
Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$	732.1		$	437.6		$	511.2



	2016		2015		2014
Depreciation and amortization
LCD	$	270.9	$	245.8	$	184.8
CDD	219.5		184.4		5.3
General corporate	0.1		4.1		44.2
Total depreciation and amortization	$	490.5	$	434.3	$	234.3



	LCD		CDD		Intercompany Eliminations			Total
Geographic distribution of net revenues
US	$	6,246.1	$	1,395.2	$	(0.8	)	$	7,640.5
Canada	295.8		—		—			295.8
United Kingdom	41.8		234.1		—			275.9
Switzerland	—		450.5		—			450.5
Other	10.2		764.3		—			774.5
Total net revenues	$	6,593.9	$	2,844.1	$	(0.8	)	$	9,437.2



	LCD		CDD		Total
Geographic distribution of property, plant and equipment, net
U.S.	$	778.5	$	639.3	$	1,417.8
Canada	50.1		—		50.1
U.K.	2.4		105.5		107.9
Switzerland	—		81.4		81.4
Other	0.9		60.5		61.4
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	831.9	$	886.7	$	1,718.6

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 33
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8971-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8595-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8380-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 26
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8844-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 35
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8984-108599

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e9031-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e9054-108599

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8538-108599

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 29
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8864-108599

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68060357&loc=d3e8906-108599

+ Details

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Reimbursable Out of Pocket Expenses Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cost of Revenue

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

Revenue Recognition

The Company's net revenues are comprised of the following:



	Years Ended December 31,
Total revenues	2016			2015		2014
LCD - net revenue	$	6,593.9		$	6,199.3	$	5,838.0
CDD - net revenue	2,844.1			2,306.4		173.6
CDD - reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses	204.6			174.4		—
Intercompany eliminations	(0.8		)	—		—
Total revenues	$	9,641.8		$	8,680.1	$	6,011.6

Use of Estimates

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per Share

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



	2016					2015					2014
	Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Income		Shares	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share	$	732.1	102.5	$	7.14	$	437.6	98.8	$	4.43	$	511.2	84.8	$	6.03
Stock options	—		1.5			—		1.2			—		1.1
Restricted stock awards and other	—		—			—		—			—		—
Effect of convertible debt, net of tax	—		0.3			—		0.6			—		0.5
Diluted earnings per share	$	732.1	104.3	$	7.02	$	437.6	100.6	$	4.35	$	511.2	86.4	$	5.91

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:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016	2015	2014
Stock options	—	—	—

Stock Compensation Plans

See Note 14 for assumptions used in calculating compensation expense for the Company’s stock compensation plans.

Cash Equivalents

Inventories

Property, Plant and Equipment



	Years
Buildings and building improvements	10	-	40
Machinery and equipment	3	-	10
Furniture and fixtures	5	-	10
Software	3	-	10

Capitalized Software Costs

Long-Lived Assets

Intangible Assets



	Years
Customer relationships	10	-	36
Patents, licenses and technology	3	-	15
Non-compete agreements	5	-	10
Trade names	5	-	15

Debt Issuance Costs

The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized, netted against the related debt for presentation purposes and amortized to interest expense over the terms of the related debt.

Professional Liability

Income Taxes

Derivative Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Research and Development

The Company expenses R&D costs as incurred.

Foreign Currency Disclosure [Text Block]

Foreign Currencies

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS Business Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

The Company completed the Acquisition on February 19, 2015. Had the Acquisition been completed as of the beginning of 2014, the Company's pro forma results for 2015 would have been as follows:



	Year Ended December 31, 2015
Total revenues	$	9,033.3
Operating income	1,117.2
Net income	547.5
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	5.05
Diluted	$	5.03

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]

The

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Sales

The Company's net revenues are comprised of the following:



	Years Ended December 31,
Total revenues	2016			2015		2014
LCD - net revenue	$	6,593.9		$	6,199.3	$	5,838.0
CDD - net revenue	2,844.1			2,306.4		173.6
CDD - reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses	204.6			174.4		—
Intercompany eliminations	(0.8		)	—		—
Total revenues	$	9,641.8		$	8,680.1	$	6,011.6

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:



	2016					2015					2014
	Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Income		Shares	Per Share Amount
Basic earnings per share	$	732.1	102.5	$	7.14	$	437.6	98.8	$	4.43	$	511.2	84.8	$	6.03
Stock options	—		1.5			—		1.2			—		1.1
Restricted stock awards and other	—		—			—		—			—		—
Effect of convertible debt, net of tax	—		0.3			—		0.6			—		0.5
Diluted earnings per share	$	732.1	104.3	$	7.02	$	437.6	100.6	$	4.35	$	511.2	86.4	$	5.91

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



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016	2015	2014
Stock options	—	—	—

Property, Plant and Equipment

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets



	Years
Customer relationships	10	-	36
Patents, licenses and technology	3	-	15
Non-compete agreements	5	-	10
Trade names	5	-	15

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Restructuring Reserve [Abstract]

Schedule of Restructuring Reserves

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES

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



	LCD						CDD						Total
	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	17.3			1.5			13.6			32.3			64.7
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	—			(2.8		)	(2.8		)	(0.7		)	(6.3		)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(9.9		)	(1.3		)	(34.1		)	(10.0		)	(55.3		)
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	7.5		$	23.9		$	28.2		$	22.7		$	82.3
Current													$	47.7
Non-current													34.6
													$	82.3

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments in unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investment

At December 31, 2016, the Company had investments in the following unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investments:



Locations	Net Investment		Interest Owned
Joint Venture Partnerships:
Alberta, Canada (2)	$	44.9	43.37	%
Florence, South Carolina	10.3		49.00	%
Equity Method Investments:
Various	3.3		various

Condensed unconsolidated financial information for joint venture partnerships and equity method investments is shown in the following table.



As of December 31:	2016		2015
Current assets	$	24.3	$	22.6
Other assets	16.9		19.2
Total assets	$	41.2	$	41.8
Current liabilities	$	15.5	$	17.3
Other liabilities	0.3		1.3
Total liabilities	15.8		18.6
Partners' equity	25.4		23.2
Total liabilities and partners’ equity	$	41.2	$	41.8



For the period January 1 - December 31:	2016		2015		2014
Net revenues	$	156.7	$	213.7	$	283.8
Gross profit	45.7		54.3		81.3
Net earnings	20.3		20.1		31.0

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Accounts receivable



	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Gross accounts receivable	$	1,564.3		$	1,434.9
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(235.6		)	(217.0		)
	$	1,328.7		$	1,217.9

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, plant and equipment, net



	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Land	$	78.4		$	96.4
Buildings and building improvements	692.8			681.6
Machinery and equipment	1,060.1			944.2
Software	626.2			561.9
Leasehold improvements	302.0			271.6
Furniture and fixtures	76.9			70.1
Construction in progress	193.0			180.4
Equipment and real estate under capital leases	81.3			65.1
	3,110.7			2,871.3
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization of capital lease assets	(1,392.1		)	(1,123.9		)
	$	1,718.6		$	1,747.4

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (net of accumulated amortization) for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:



	LCD					CDD					Total
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015			December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015		December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Balance as of January 1	$	3,137.7	$	2,988.9		$	3,064.4		$	110.5	$	6,202.1		$	3,099.4
Goodwill acquired during the year	398.3		161.6			—			2,953.9		398.3			3,115.5
Foreign currency impact and other adjustments to goodwill	108.8		(12.8		)	(284.8		)	—		(176.0		)	(12.8		)
Balance at end of year	$	3,644.8	$	3,137.7		$	2,779.6		$	3,064.4	$	6,424.4		$	6,202.1

Components of identifiable intangible assets

The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows:



	December 31, 2016							December 31, 2015
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Customer relationships	$	3,275.3	$	(855.2	)	$	2,420.1	$	3,132.4	$	(724.7	)	$	2,407.7
Patents, licenses and technology	395.3		(163.3		)	232.0		308.0		(146.3		)	161.7
Non-compete agreements	53.0		(42.1		)	10.9		51.0		(37.2		)	13.8
Trade names	406.3		(141.6		)	264.7		399.8		(115.4		)	284.4
Land use rights	10.0		(1.4		)	8.6		5.5		(0.6		)	4.9
Canadian licenses	464.2		—			464.2		451.0		—			451.0
	$	4,604.1	$	(1,203.6	)	$	3,400.5	$	4,347.7	$	(1,024.2	)	$	3,323.5

Acquired amortizable intangible assets and their respective weighted average amortization periods

A summary of amortizable intangible assets acquired during 2016, and their respective weighted average amortization periods are as follows:



	Amount		Weighted Average Amortization Period
Customer relationships	$	168.2	16.1
Patents, licenses and technology	82.4		14.0
Non-compete agreements	8.1		12.8
Trade names	9.6		13.6
Land use rights	4.5		9.0
	$	272.8	15.2

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accrued expenses and other



	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
Employee compensation and benefits	$	288.2	$	283.0
Self-insurance reserves	48.2		80.6
Accrued taxes payable	61.2		83.8
Royalty and license fees payable	9.5		7.2
Restructuring reserves	47.7		58.6
Acquisition related reserves	10.3		12.1
Interest payable	58.6		63.8
Rebates	19.5		14.7
Other	50.5		29.3
	$	593.7	$	633.1

OTHER LIABILITIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Other liabilities



	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
Post-retirement benefit obligation	$	5.8	$	19.6
Defined benefit plan obligation	195.4		165.8
Restructuring reserves	34.6		20.6
Self-insurance reserves	17.1		10.0
Acquisition related reserves	15.7		—
Deferred compensation plan obligation	54.2		46.4
Worker's compensation and auto	33.1		28.6
Other	36.1		32.1
	$	392.0	$	323.1

DEBT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

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

The scheduled payments of long term debt and future minimum lease payments for capital leases at the end of 2016 are summarized as follows:



	Notes and Other			Capital Leases			Total
2017	$	541.1		$	14.9		$	556.0
2018	400.0			14.4			414.4
2019	—			13.3			13.3
2020	1,679.6			12.5			1,692.1
2021	—			11.2			11.2
Thereafter	3,157.0			45.5			3,202.5
	5,777.7			111.8			5,889.5
Less amounts representing interest	—			(40.0		)	(40.0		)
Total long-term debt	5,777.7			71.8			5,849.5
Less current portion	(541.1		)	(8.4		)	(549.5		)
Long-term debt, due beyond one year	$	5,236.6		$	63.4		$	5,300.0

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

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



	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes	$	42.4		$	94.5
3.125% Senior Notes due 2016	—			325.0
2.20% Senior Notes due 2017	500.0			—
Debt issuance costs	(1.3		)	(1.0		)
Capital lease obligation	8.4			5.4
Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	$	549.5		$	423.9

Long-term debt

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



	December 31, 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	614.6			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	565.0			715.0
Debt issuance costs	(43.0		)	(51.8		)
Capital leases	63.4			55.5
Total long-term debt	$	5,300.0		$	5,940.3

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Common shares issued and outstanding [Text Block]



	2016		2015
Issued	125.6		123.9
In treasury	(22.9	)	(22.6	)
Outstanding	102.7		101.3

Changes in common shares issued and held in treasury [Text Block]

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



Common Shares Issued
	2016		2015	2014
Common stock issued at January 1	123.9		107.1	108.1
Common stock issued under employee stock plans	1.6		1.5	1.6
Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes	0.4		—	0.1
Common stock issued in conjunction with the Acquisition	—		15.3	—
Retirement of common stock	(0.3	)	—	(2.7	)
Common stock issued at December 31	125.6		123.9	107.1



Common Shares Held in Treasury
	2016	2015	2014
Common shares held in treasury at January 1	22.6	22.5	22.4
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	0.3	0.1	0.1
Common shares held in treasury at December 31	22.9	22.6	22.5

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings Components [Text Block]

The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings are as follows:



	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Net Benefit Plan Adjustments			Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available for Sale Securities			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	123.2		$	(67.1	)	$	10.1		$	66.2
Current year adjustments	(89.5		)	(12.0		)	2.0			(99.5		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a)	—			(6.6		)	(18.3		)	(24.9		)
Tax effect of adjustments	34.3			7.1			6.3			47.7
Balance at December 31, 2014	68.0			(78.6		)	0.1			(10.5		)
Current year adjustments	(370.7		)	19.0			(0.1		)	(351.8		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) (b)	—			(11.3		)	—			(11.3		)
Tax effect of adjustments	90.1			(3.5		)	—			86.6
Balance at December 31, 2015	(212.6		)	(74.4		)	—			(287.0		)
Current year adjustments	(250.0		)	(3.3		)	—			(253.3		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a)	—			(37.0		)	—			(37.0		)
Tax effect of adjustments	(8.1		)	4.3			—			(3.8		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(470.7	)	$	(110.4	)	$	—		$	(581.1	)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Reclassification Adjustments
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522872

+ Details

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of an entity's stock, including par or stated value per share, number and dollar amount of share subscriptions, shares authorized, shares issued, shares outstanding, number and dollar amount of shares held in an employee trust, dividend per share, total dividends, share conversion features, par value plus additional paid in capital, the value of treasury stock and other information necessary to a fair presentation, and EPS information. Stock by class includes common, convertible, and preferred stocks which are not redeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer. Includes preferred stock with redemption features that are solely within the control of the issuer and mandatorily redeemable stock if redemption is required to occur only upon liquidation or termination of the reporting entity. If more than one issue is outstanding, state the title of each issue and the corresponding dollar amount; dollar amount of any shares subscribed but unissued and the deduction of subscriptions receivable there from; number of shares authorized, issued, and outstanding.

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+ Details

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign

The sources of income before taxes, classified between domestic and foreign entities are as follows:



Pre-tax income	2016		2015		2014
Domestic	$	914.0	$	593.5	$	752.5
Foreign	191.5		132.5		68.1
Total pre-tax income	$	1,105.5	$	726.0	$	820.6

Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

The provisions (benefits) for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations consist of the following:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	235.1		$	218.3		$	233.6
State	38.6			33.7			24.0
Foreign	43.9			69.4			22.7
	$	317.6		$	321.4		$	280.3
Deferred:
Federal	$	64.4		$	(14.1	)	$	29.1
State	6.0			(4.2		)	3.7
Foreign	(15.7		)	(15.8		)	(5.1		)
	54.7			(34.1		)	27.7
	$	372.3		$	287.3		$	308.0

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation

The effective tax rates on earnings before income taxes are reconciled to statutory U.S. income tax rates as follows:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Statutory U.S. rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State and local income taxes, net of U.S. Federal income tax effect	2.6		3.2		2.7
Foreign earnings taxed at lower rates than the statutory U.S. rate	(3.1	)	(1.8	)	—
Restructuring and acquisition items	—		2.7		—
Share-based compensation	(1.2	)	—		—
Other	0.4		1.1		0.3
Effective rate	33.7	%	40.2	%	38.0	%

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:



	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable	$	13.5		$	13.4
Employee compensation and benefits	160.8			140.6
Self insurance reserves	7.4			36.9
Postretirement benefit obligation	1.9			7.5
Acquisition and restructuring reserves	38.5			24.5
Tax loss carryforwards	167.7			123.9
Other	7.6			4.3
	397.4			351.1
Less: valuation allowance	(31.3		)	(15.1		)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$	366.1		$	336.0

Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred earnings	$	(193.2	)	$	(189.5	)
Intangible assets	(1,047.4		)	(978.1		)
Property, plant and equipment	(208.8		)	(177.0		)
Zero-coupon subordinated notes	(48.5		)	(87.4		)
Currency translation adjustment	(47.0		)	(47.3		)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(1,544.9		)	(1,479.3		)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(1,178.8	)	$	(1,143.3	)

Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits from Uncertain Tax Positions



	2016			2015			2014
Balance as of January 1	$	24.2		$	16.7		$	25.6
Increase in reserve for tax positions taken in the current year	2.3			4.1			—
Increase in reserve as a result of acquisition	—			8.5			—
Decrease in reserve as a result of lapses in the statute of limitations	(8.1		)	(5.1		)	(8.9		)
Balance as of December 31	$	18.4		$	24.2		$	16.7

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Disclosure of Share Based Compensation Arrangements by Share Based Payment Awards

Changes in options outstanding under the plans for the period indicated were as follows:



	Number of Options		Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Option		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	2.3		$	81.40
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(0.7	)	78.12
Cancelled	—		—
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	1.6		$	82.43	4.1	$	72.7
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2016	1.6		$	82.43	4.1	$	72.7
Exercisable at December 31, 2016	1.6		$	82.43	4.1	$	72.7

Disclosure of the Impact of Stock Options Exercised



	2016		2015		2014
Cash received by the Company	$	52.6	$	82.6	$	98.5
Tax benefits realized	$	13.6	$	16.2	$	12.3
Aggregate intrinsic value	$	35.5	$	42.2	$	32.1

Schedule of Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices

The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding and exercisable options.



Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding	Weighted Average		Number Exercisable	Weighted Average Exercise Price
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding	Remaining Contractual Life	Average Exercise Price	Number Exercisable	Weighted Average Exercise Price
$59.38 - 67.60	0.1	2.1	$60.46	0.1	$60.46
$67.61 - 75.63	0.3	2.6	$72.40	0.3	$72.40
$75.64 - 80.37	0.1	2.0	$73.60	0.1	$73.60
$80.38 - 98.49	1.1	4.8	$87.46	1.1	$87.46
	1.6	4.1	$82.43	1.6	$82.43

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]



	2016			2015			2014
Fair value of the employee’s purchase right	$	23.32		$	21.95		$	19.48
Valuation assumptions
Risk free interest rate	0.5		%	0.3		%	0.1		%
Expected volatility	0.2			0.2			0.2
Expected dividend yield	—			—			—

Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity

The following table shows a summary of non-vested shares for the year ended December 31, 2016:



	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2016	1.5		$	109.00
Granted	1.0		103.59
Vested	(0.8	)	100.70
Canceled	(0.1	)	110.62
Non-vested at December 31, 2016	1.6		$	108.23

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Future minimum rental commitments



	Operating
2017	$	189.5
2018	140.5
2019	96.0
2020	55.3
2021	85.0
Thereafter	115.3
Total minimum lease payments	681.6
Less:
Amounts included in restructuring and acquisition related accruals	(41.6		)
Non-cancelable sub-lease income	(0.4		)
Total minimum operating lease payments	$	639.6

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of a lessee's leasing arrangements including: (1) the basis on which contingent rental payments are determined, (2) the existence and terms of renewal or purchase options and escalation clauses, (3) restrictions imposed by lease arrangements, such as those concerning dividends, additional debt, and further leasing, (4) rent holidays, rent concessions, or leasehold improvement incentives and unusual provisions or conditions. Disclosure may also include the specific period used to amortize material leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease or during the lease term. Additionally, for operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year: (a) future minimum rental payments required as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, in the aggregate and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) the total of minimum rentals to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, and (c) for all operating leases, rental expense for each period for which an income statement is presented, with separate amounts for minimum rentals, contingent rentals, and sublease rentals. Rental payments under leases with terms of a month or less that were not renewed need not be included.

+ References + Details

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS Pension and Postretirement Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]

Assumed Benefit Payments By Year [Text Block]

The following assumed benefit payments under the Company's post-retirement benefit plan, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, and were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows:



2017	$	1.0
2018	0.9
2019	0.8
2020	0.7
2021	0.6
Years 2022 and thereafter	2.2

Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets By Category [Table Text Block]

The weighted average expected long-term rate of return for the Company Plan’s assets is as follows:



	Target Allocation		Weighted Average Expected Long-Term Rate of Return
Equity securities	50.0	%	5.15	%
Fixed income securities	43.0	%	1.3	%
Other assets	7.0	%	0.3	%

The fair values of the Company Plan’s assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015, by asset category are as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2016
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2016		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
Asset Category	Fair Value as of December 31, 2016		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash	$	6.8	$	6.8	$	—	$	—
Equity securities:
U.S. large cap - blend (a)	55.3		—		55.3		—
U.S. mid cap - blend (b)	21.2		—		21.2		—
U.S. small cap - blend (c)	7.4		—		7.4		—
International equity - blend (d)	36.1		—		36.1		—
Commodities index (e)	12.9		—		12.9		—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. fixed income (f)	101.8		—		101.8		—
U.S inflation protection income (g)	6.0		—		6.0		—
Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets	$	247.5	$	6.8	$	240.7	$	—



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2015
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2015		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
Asset Category	Fair Value as of December 31, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash	$	6.1	$	6.1	$	—	$	—
Equity securities:
U.S. large cap - blend (a)	55.1		—		55.1		—
U.S. mid cap - blend (b)	21.0		—		21.0		—
U.S. small cap - blend (c)	7.1		—		7.1		—
International equity - blend (d)	35.7		—		35.7		—
Commodities index (e)	11.8		—		11.8		—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. fixed income (f)	102.8		—		102.8		—
U.S inflation protection income (g)	6.2		—		6.2		—
Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets	$	245.8	$	6.1	$	239.7	$	—


a)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P 500 Index.


b)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P mid-cap 400 Index.


c)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the Russell 2000 Index.


d)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index.


e)	This category represents a commodities index fund not actively managed that tracks the Dow Jones - UBS Commodity Index.


f)	This category primarily represents bond index funds not actively managed that track the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index as well as an actively managed strategy which utilizes the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index as its primary prospectus benchmark.


g)	This category primarily represents a bond index fund not actively managed that tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. TIPS Index.

Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

A summary of the changes in the fair value of plan assets follows:



	2016			2015
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	250.6		$	269.1
Actual return on plan assets	13.6			(0.3		)
Employer contributions	12.4			10.9
Benefits and administrative expenses paid	(29.1		)	(29.1		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	247.5		$	250.6

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

A summary of the changes in the projected benefit obligations of the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows:



	2016			2015
Balance at January 1	$	363.1		$	388.6
Service cost	4.9			3.9
Interest cost	15.5			15.1
Actuarial loss (gain)	12.1			(15.4		)
Benefits and administrative expenses paid	(29.1		)	(29.1		)
Balance at December 31	$	366.5		$	363.1

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



	Year ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Service cost for benefits earned	$	4.9		$	3.9		$	3.4
Interest cost on benefit obligation	15.5			15.1			16.4
Expected return on plan assets	(16.7		)	(18.3		)	(18.3		)
Net amortization and deferral	11.2			11.3			6.6
Defined benefit plan costs	$	14.9		$	12.0		$	8.1



	Year ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Service cost for benefits earned	$	—		$	0.1		$	0.2
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.3			1.0			1.8
Net amortization and deferral	(15.9		)	(10.4		)	(7.9		)
Post-retirement medical plan costs	$	(15.6	)	$	(9.3	)	$	(5.9	)

A summary of the changes in the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation follows:



	2016			2015
Balance at January 1	$	21.4		$	28.9
Service cost for benefits earned	—			0.1
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.3			1.0
Actuarial loss	(0.2		)	(3.5		)
Benefits paid	(1.3		)	(1.8		)
Plan amendment	(13.4		)	(3.3		)
Balance at December 31	$	6.8		$	21.4

Recorded as:
Accrued expenses and other	$	1.0		$	1.8
Other liabilities	5.8			19.6
	$	6.8		$	21.4

Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]

he net funded status of the Company Plan and the PEP at December 31:



	2016		2015
Funded status	$	119.0	$	112.5

Recorded as:
Accrued expenses and other	$	2.0	$	1.9
Other liabilities	117.0		110.6
	$	119.0	$	112.5

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

Weighted average assumptions used in the accounting for the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows:



	2016		2015		2014
Discount rate	4.2	%	4.0	%	4.8	%
Expected long term rate of return	6.75	%	7.0	%	7.0	%

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]



	U.K. Plans		German Plan
2017	$	4.1	$	0.2
2018	4.1		0.2
2019	4.8		0.3
2020	5.1		0.5
2021	5.4		0.5
Years 2021-2026	37.5		3.0

The following assumed benefit payments under the Company Plan and PEP, which were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows:



2017	$	26.4
2018	25.6
2019	25.4
2020	24.8
2021	24.6
Years 2022 and thereafter	122.8



2017	$	0.1
2018	0.1
2019	0.1
2020	0.1
2021	0.1
2022 and thereafter	0.2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

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 December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2016
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2016		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2016		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Noncontrolling interest put	$	15.2	$	—	$	15.2	$	—
Interest rate swap	14.6		—		14.6		—
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	53.6		—		53.6		—
Deferred compensation liability	54.2		—		54.2		—
Contingent consideration	16.8		—		—		16.8



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2015
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2015		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	Fair Value as of 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	46.8		—		46.8		—

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information



	Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$	210.7	$	166.1	$	117.8
Income taxes, net of refunds	345.7		237.6		284.1
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities:
Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance shares	34.6		12.6		6.6
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	39.1		1.1		9.9
Assets acquired under capital leases	16.0		22.6		29
Accrued property, plant and equipment	4.4		4.3		6.2

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly data summary:

The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly data:



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		Full Year
Net revenues	$	2,295.2	$	2,382.0	$	2,372.7	$	2,387.3	$	9,437.2
Gross profit	777.3		826.8		788.4		788.0		3,180.5
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	164.1		204.1		179.5		184.4		732.1
Basic earnings per common share	1.62		2.00		1.74		1.79		7.14
Diluted earnings per common share	1.58		1.96		1.71		1.75		7.02



	Year Ended December 31, 2015
	1st Quarter		2nd Quarter		3rd Quarter		4th Quarter		Full Year
Net revenues	$	1,772.3	$	2,218.7	$	2,269.9	$	2,244.8	$	8,505.7
Gross profit	625.1		772.6		764.9		740.7		2,903.3
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	3.0		169.9		154.7		110.0		437.6
Basic earnings per common share	0.04		1.69		1.53		1.09		4.43
Diluted earnings per common share	0.04		1.66		1.51		1.07		4.35

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts And Reserves (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Schedule to Financial Statments [Abstract]

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts



	Balance at beginning of year		Additions Charged to Costs and Expense		(1) Other (Deductions)Additions			Balance at end of year
Year ended December 31, 2016:
Applied against asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	217.0	$	287.3	$	(268.7	)	$	235.6
Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets	$	15.1	$	16.2	$	—		$	31.3
Year ended December 31, 2015:
Applied against asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	211.6	$	265.4	$	(260.0	)	$	217.0
Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets	$	17.1	$	—	$	(2.0	)	$	15.1
Year ended December 31, 2014:
Applied against asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	198.3	$	276.5	$	(263.2	)	$	211.6
Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets	$	16.5	$	0.6				$	17.1

(1) Other (Deductions) Additions consists primarily of write-offs of accounts receivable amounts.

Business Segments Business Segments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]



	2016			2015			2014
Net revenues:
LCD	$	6,593.9		$	6,199.3		$	5,838.0
CDD	2,844.1			2,306.4			173.6
Intercompany eliminations	(0.8		)	—			—
Total net revenues	$	9,437.2		$	8,505.7		$	6,011.6

Operating earnings (loss):
LCD	$	1,187.6		$	1,053.7		$	976.2
CDD	272.7			73.5			40.7
General corporate expenses	(147.9		)	(130.4		)	(112.6		)
Total operating income	1,312.4			996.8			904.3
Non-operating expenses, net	(206.9		)	(270.8		)	(83.7		)
Earnings before income taxes	1,105.5			726.0			820.6
Provision for income taxes	372.3			287.3			308.0
Net earnings	733.2			438.7			512.6
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1.1		)	(1.1		)	(1.4		)
Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$	732.1		$	437.6		$	511.2



	2016		2015		2014
Depreciation and amortization
LCD	$	270.9	$	245.8	$	184.8
CDD	219.5		184.4		5.3
General corporate	0.1		4.1		44.2
Total depreciation and amortization	$	490.5	$	434.3	$	234.3



	LCD		CDD		Intercompany Eliminations			Total
Geographic distribution of net revenues
US	$	6,246.1	$	1,395.2	$	(0.8	)	$	7,640.5
Canada	295.8		—		—			295.8
United Kingdom	41.8		234.1		—			275.9
Switzerland	—		450.5		—			450.5
Other	10.2		764.3		—			774.5
Total net revenues	$	6,593.9	$	2,844.1	$	(0.8	)	$	9,437.2



	LCD		CDD		Total
Geographic distribution of property, plant and equipment, net
U.S.	$	778.5	$	639.3	$	1,417.8
Canada	50.1		—		50.1
U.K.	2.4		105.5		107.9
Switzerland	—		81.4		81.4
Other	0.9		60.5		61.4
Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	831.9	$	886.7	$	1,718.6

Debt - Convertible Subordinated Notes (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 18, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months			$ 541.1
Convertible Subordinated Debt, Current	$ 94.5		42.4
Senior Notes current 2015	325.0		0.0
Short term debt issuance costs	(1.0)		(1.3)
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	5.4		8.4
Debt, Current	423.9		549.5
Senior notes current 2016	$ 0.0		$ 500.0
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Contingent cash interest accrual rate	0.125%
Number of days used to establish average market price of zero coupon subordinated notes	5
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	3,100,000
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	4.75		4.25	3.75
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio		3.75

Note 11 - Debt Debt - Credit Facilities(Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Quarters	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 18, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion		$ 5,300.0	$ 5,940.3
Long term debt issuance costs		43.0	$ 51.8
Debt covenant, requirement for number of consecutive fiscal quarters \| Quarters			4
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)		$ 5.6
Debt Covenant Requirement [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio			3.0
Debt Covenant Actual [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio			2.5
Senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 130.0
Sequenom notes retired	$ 129.9
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		1.90%
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio			3,100,000
Term Loan [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		2.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio		4.25	4.75		3.75
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio				3.75

Note 14 - Stock Comp Plan (Details)	12 Months Ended
Note 14 - Stock Comp Plan (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016 $ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period (in years)	3 years
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range01 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit	$ 60.04
Exercise price range, upper range limit	64.42
Exercise Price Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit	64.43
Exercise price range, upper range limit	75.63
Exercise Price Range 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit	75.64
Exercise price range, upper range limit	80.37
Exercise Price Range 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit	80.38
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$ 98.49

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 27, 2016	Feb. 19, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014	Nov. 20, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid for acquisition															$ 1,762.5
Non-cash consideration															4,388.2
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions										15.3
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)					$ 0.0						$ 0.0			$ 249.1	6,150.7
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 5,300.0				5,940.3					$ 5,300.0	5,940.3
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability									$ 10.4	4.9	1.7
Employee Severance Benefits Related Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment										2.8			$ 0.4
Facility Related Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment										3.5	1.1		$ 0.7
Business Acquisition, Share Price														$ 2.40
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Goodwill, net	6,424.4				6,202.1					6,424.4	6,202.1	$ 3,099.4
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired									159.4	548.6	3,736.0	91.5
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired										272.8
Goodwill, Acquired During Period										$ 398.3	3,115.5
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity																	$ 1,000.0
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets										15 years 2 months
Cash payments to acquire laboratory-related assets									203.5	$ 278.9	255.8
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	2,900.0									2,900.0						$ 2,900.0			$ 700.0
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Net sales	2,387.3	$ 2,372.7	$ 2,382.0	$ 2,295.2	2,244.8	$ 2,269.9	$ 2,218.7	$ 1,772.3	6,011.6	9,437.2	8,505.7
Proforma consolidated net revenue											2,209.7
Proforma consolidated net income											167.2
Unbilled Receivables, Current	97.1				92.5					97.1	92.5
Revenues									6,011.6	9,641.8	8,680.1	$ 6,011.6
Operating Income (Loss)									904.3	1,312.4	996.8
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	184.4	179.5	$ 204.1	$ 164.1	110.0	$ 154.7	$ 169.9	$ 3.0	$ 511.2	732.1	437.6
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents					0.0						0.0				780.8
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables					0.0						0.0				334.8
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset, Current					0.0						0.0				138.7
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory					0.0						0.0				51.9
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets					86.5						86.5				347.9
Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets					87.1						87.1				121.5
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment					174.0						174.0				1,018.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net					(108.0)						(108.0)				(3,068.1)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets					(3.2)						(3.2)				(12.0)
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Assets Recognized					205.7						205.7				8,054.7
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable					0.0						0.0				190.8
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities					26.1						26.1				306.9
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue					0.0						0.0				168.0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current					149.1						149.1				879.3
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt					0.0						0.0				250.0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other					30.5						30.5				109.0
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Liabilities Recognized					205.7						205.7				1,904.0
Senior notes due 2025 [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage																3.60%
Senior Notes, Noncurrent																$ 1,000.0
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	600.0									600.0
Sequenom acquisition [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Business combination, recognized identifiable deferred tax liabilities assumed	45.1									45.1
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired										146.6
Goodwill, Acquired During Period										$ 206.0
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets										14 years 7 months
Excluding Covance [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired											$ 299.5
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired										$ 126.2
Goodwill, Acquired During Period										192.3
LipoScience [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Share Price																		$ 5.25
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Business combination, recognized identifiable intangible assets acquired																		$ 27.2
Business combination, recognized identifiable deferred tax liabilities assumed																		9.4
Goodwill, net																		$ 17.4
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired					67.9
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets											19 years 6 months
Acquisitions excluding LipoScience [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired											$ 128.4
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired											17.4
Goodwill, Acquired During Period											68.4
Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash on Hand Used for Acquisition															488.2
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)															$ 6,150.7
Business Acquisition, Share Price															$ 75.76
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial or Equity Instrument Consideration, Rate				26.86%
Acquisition Financing															$ 3,900,000.0
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	$ 6.9				166.0					6.9	166.0
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Net Proceeds from Debt																$ 2,870.2
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Proforma consolidated net revenue											$ 9,033.3
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Per Share, Basic											$ 1,117,200,000
Proforma consolidated net income											$ 547.5
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic											$ 5,050,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents															780.8
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables															334.8
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset, Current															138.7
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory															51.9
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets															261.4
Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets															34.4
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment															844.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net															(3,176.1)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets															(15.2)
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Assets Recognized															7,849.0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable															190.8
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities															280.8
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue															168.0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current															730.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt															250.0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other															78.5
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Liabilities Recognized															1,698.3
Proforma consolidated diluted earnings per share											$ 5,030,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other Special Charges										$ 9.0	$ 25.6
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs					113.4						113.4
Interest Expense [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs					52.6						$ 52.6
60-Day Debt Bridge Traunche [Domain]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Bridge Term Credit Facility Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Amount																	$ 400.0
Short-term Debt, Terms											P60D
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets										10 years
Use Rights [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired										$ 4.5
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					(4.9)						$ (4.9)				0.0
Use Rights [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets										8 years
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill															(4.9)
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					(74.5)						(74.5)				(74.5)
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill															0.0
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					(18.9)						(18.9)				(270.5)
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets										15 years
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill															(289.4)
Trade Names [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired										$ 9.6
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets										13 years 7 months
Customer Relationships [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired										$ 168.2
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life										28 years
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets										16 years 1 month
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					(86.9)						(86.9)				(1,830.3)
Customer Relationships [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill															(1,917.2)
Off-Market Favorable Lease [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill					$ (5.5)						$ (5.5)				(5.5)
Off-Market Favorable Lease [Member] \| Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill															$ 0.0
Senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion		$ 130.0

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) yr	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification		$ 14.0
Goodwill		6,424.4	$ 6,202.1			$ 3,099.4
Derivative, Fair Value, Net		0.0
Other Inventory, Supplies, Gross		171.7	157.7
Impaired Assets to be Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, Carrying Value of Asset			39.7
Inventory, Finished Goods, Gross		33.5	33.3
Unbilled Receivables, Current		97.1	$ 92.5
Ownership percentage below which investments are generally accounted for on the cost method (in hundredths)			20.00%
Revenue from Medicare and Medicaid programs, percentage (in hundredths)	16.00%		15.50%	15.00%
Revenue from capitated agreements with certain managed care customers, percentage (in hundredths)	3.50%		3.40%	3.50%
Cash balances on deposit that exceed the balances insured by the F.D.I.C.		28.4
Cash equivalents		268.8
Accounts receivable balances (gross) from Medicare and Medicaid		$ 113.0	$ 112.0
Estimated useful life of capitalized software costs (in years) \| yr		5
Minimum threshold percentage required to recognize income tax benefit (in hundredths)		50.00%
Accounts receivable from Ontario government sponsored healthcare plan		$ 15.8	$ 21.3
Percent of gross accounts receivable due from patients		20.00%	18.80%
Assets Held-for-sale, Not Part of Disposal Group, Current, Other		$ 51.2	$ 72.4
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets		$ 3.6
Operating Segments [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill					$ 460.7
Other Segments [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill					$ 223.9
Minimum [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		10 years
Minimum [Member] \| Patents, Licenses And Technology [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Non-compete agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		5 years
Minimum [Member] \| Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		5 years
Maximum [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		36 years
Maximum [Member] \| Patents, Licenses And Technology [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		15 years
Maximum [Member] \| Non-compete agreements [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Trade Names [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		15 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - NET SALES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net sales	$ 2,387.3	$ 2,372.7	$ 2,382.0	$ 2,295.2	$ 2,244.8	$ 2,269.9	$ 2,218.7	$ 1,772.3	$ 6,011.6	$ 9,437.2	$ 8,505.7
Intercompany revenue elimination									0.0	(0.8)	0.0
Revenues									6,011.6	9,641.8	8,680.1	$ 6,011.6
Reimbursement Revenue									0.0	$ 204.6	$ 174.4	0.0
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Percent of Revenue Contributed										69.90%	72.90%
Net sales									5,838.0	$ 6,593.9	$ 6,199.3
Clinical diagnostics laboratory [Member]
Net sales										$ 6,593.9
Routine Testing [Member]
Net sales											6,199.3	5,838.0
Genomic and Esoteric Testing [Member]
Net sales											$ 2,306.4	173.6
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Percent of Revenue Contributed										30.10%	27.10%
Net sales									$ 173.6	$ 2,844.1	$ 2,306.4
Intercompany revenue elimination										(0.8)	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Other Segments [Member]
Net sales										$ 2,844.1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income [Abstract]
Net earnings, basic	$ 184.4	$ 179.5	$ 204.1	$ 164.1	$ 110.0	$ 154.7	$ 169.9	$ 3.0	$ 511.2	$ 732.1	$ 437.6
Net earnings, diluted									$ 511.2	$ 732.1	$ 437.6
Shares [Abstract]
Outstanding shares, basic (in shares)									84.8	102.5	98.8
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)									1.1	1.5	1.2
Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards and other (in shares)									0.0	0.0	0.0
Dilutive effect of convertible debt, net of tax (in shares)									0.5	0.3	0.6
Outstanding shares, diluted (in shares)									86.4	104.3	100.6
Per Share Amount [Abstract]
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.79	$ 1.74	$ 2.00	$ 1.62	$ 1.09	$ 1.53	$ 1.69	$ 0.04	$ 6.03	$ 7.14	$ 4.43
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.75	$ 1.71	$ 1.96	$ 1.58	$ 1.07	$ 1.51	$ 1.66	$ 0.04	$ 5.91	$ 7.02	$ 4.35

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - ANTIDILUTIVE SECURITIES EXCLUDED FROM EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Stock Options (in shares)	0.0	0.0	0.0

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Minimum [Member] \| Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Buildings and building improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	10 years
Minimum [Member] \| Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	5 years
Maximum [Member] \| Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Buildings and building improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	40 years
Maximum [Member] \| Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	10 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 6,424.4		$ 6,202.1	$ 3,099.4
Minimum [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	10 years
Minimum [Member] \| Patents, Licenses And Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	3 years
Minimum [Member] \| Non-compete agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	5 years
Minimum [Member] \| Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	5 years
Maximum [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	36 years
Maximum [Member] \| Patents, Licenses And Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	15 years
Maximum [Member] \| Non-compete agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	15 years
Operating Segments [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 460.7
Other Segments [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 223.9

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Net restructuring charges		$ 113.9	$ 58.4		$ 17.8
Restructuring charges related to severance and other employee costs		59.2		$ 30.9	10.5
Restructuring charges related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs		55.8		33.8	8.4
Reduction in prior employee severance benefits related restructuring accruals			2.8		0.4
Reduction in prior facility related restructuring accruals			3.5	1.1	$ 0.7
Asset Impairment Charges		$ 0.0	0.0	39.7
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals			6.3
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets			3.6
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)			5.6
Special charge, ST equity retention arrangement			2.5	5.4
Special charge, accelerated equity compensation			8.9	0.3
Special charge, wind-down of min volume contract			4.6	5.7
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs			8.0
Other special charge, dissolution of equity investment			2.3
Payment of legal settlement	$ 49.5		12.2
Other special charges, non-capitalized costs			3.0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charge related to write-off of certain assets and liabilities related to an investment			9.0	25.6
Covance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs			6.9	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
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Net restructuring charges			42.6	74.7
Asset Impairment Charges			26.7
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Net restructuring charges			$ 15.8	$ 39.2

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee Severance Benefits Related Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment		$ 2.8		$ 0.4
Number of years restructuring liabilities expected to be paid out over		8 years 6 months
Balance, beginning of period			$ 79.2
Restructuring charges		$ 64.7
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals		(6.3)
Cash payments and other adjustments		(55.3)
Balance, end of period		82.3
Current		47.7	58.6
Non-current		34.6	20.6
Facility Related Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment		3.5	1.1	$ 0.7
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 0.0	0.0	39.7
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member] \| Severance and Other Employee Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		0.1
Restructuring charges		17.3
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals		0.0
Cash payments and other adjustments		(9.9)
Balance, end of period		7.5	0.1
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member] \| Lease and Other Facility Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		26.5
Restructuring charges		1.5
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals		(2.8)
Cash payments and other adjustments		(1.3)
Balance, end of period		23.9	26.5
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges		26.7
Covance Drug Development [Member] \| Severance and Other Employee Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		51.5
Restructuring charges		13.6
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals		2.8
Cash payments and other adjustments		(34.1)
Balance, end of period		28.2	51.5
Covance Drug Development [Member] \| Lease and Other Facility Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		1.1
Restructuring charges		32.3
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals		0.7
Cash payments and other adjustments		10.0
Balance, end of period		$ 22.7	$ 1.1

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS (Details) $ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 CAD ($)
Joint venture partnerships and equity method investments, condensed unconsolidated financial information
Current assets		$ 24.3	$ 22.6
Other assets		16.9	19.2
Total assets		41.2	41.8
Current liabilities		15.5	17.3
Other liabilities		0.3	1.3
Total liabilities		15.8	18.6
Partners' equity		25.4	23.2
Total liabilities and partners’ equity		41.2	41.8
Joint venture partnerships and equity method investments, condensed unconsolidated financial information, Income Statement
Net revenues	$ 283.8	156.7	213.7
Gross profit	81.3	45.7	54.3
Net earnings	$ 31.0	20.3	$ 20.1
The value of the Company's recorded investment in the Alberta partnership assigned to Canadian licenses		34.9
AHS transfer to Canadian JV				$ 50.0
Alberta, Canada [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investments Financial Statement, Reported Amounts
Net Investment		$ 44.9
Interest Owned		43.37%		43.37%
Charlotte, North Carolina [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investments Financial Statement, Reported Amounts
Net Investment		$ 3.3
Florence, South Carolina [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investments Financial Statement, Reported Amounts
Net Investment		$ 10.3
Interest Owned		49.00%		49.00%

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounts receivable, net [Abstract]
Gross accounts receivable		$ 1,564.3	$ 1,434.9
Less allowance for doubtful accounts		(235.6)	(217.0)
Accounts receivable, net		1,328.7	1,217.9
Provision for doubtful accounts	$ 276.5	$ 287.3	$ 265.4

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment		$ 3,110.7	$ 2,871.3
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization of capital lease assets		(1,392.1)	(1,123.9)
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,718.6	1,747.4
Depreciation expense and amortization of capital lease assets	$ 157.6	311.1	269.9
Software depreciation	$ 38.5	79.2	66.1
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment		78.4	96.4
Buildings and building improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment		692.8	681.6
Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment		1,060.1	944.2
Software and Software Development Costs [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment		626.2	561.9
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment		302.0	271.6
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment		76.9	70.1
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment		193.0	180.4
Equipment under capital leases [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment		$ 81.3	$ 65.1

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 76.7	$ 179.5	$ 164.5
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Estimated amortization expense, 2013		185.5
Estimated amortization expense, 2014		172.3
Estimated amortization expense, 2015		164.7
Estimated amortization expense, 2016		158.2
Estimated amortization expense, 2017		154.9
Estimated amortization expense, Thereafter		$ 2,016.1

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - SCHEDULE OF GOODWILL (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 6,202.1	$ 3,099.4
Adjustments to goodwill	(176.0)	(12.8)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	398.3	3,115.5
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1	6,202.1	3,099.4
Adjustments to goodwill	(176.0)	(12.8)
Goodwill, net	6,424.4	6,202.1
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	3,137.7	2,988.9
Adjustments to goodwill	108.8	(12.8)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	398.3	161.6
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1	3,137.7	2,988.9
Adjustments to goodwill	108.8	(12.8)
Goodwill, net	3,644.8	3,137.7
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	3,064.4	110.5
Adjustments to goodwill	(284.8)	0.0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0.0	2,953.9
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1	3,064.4	110.5
Adjustments to goodwill	(284.8)	0.0
Goodwill, net	$ 2,779.6	$ 3,064.4
Other Segments [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill			$ 223.9

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - COMPONENTS OF IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 4,604.1	$ 4,347.7
Accumulated Amortization	(1,203.6)	(1,024.2)
Net Carrying Amount	3,400.5	3,323.5
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount		3,132.4
Accumulated Amortization		(724.7)
Net Carrying Amount		2,407.7
Patents, licenses and technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount		308.0
Accumulated Amortization		(146.3)
Net Carrying Amount		161.7
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount		51.0
Accumulated Amortization		(37.2)
Net Carrying Amount		13.8
Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount		399.8
Accumulated Amortization		(115.4)
Net Carrying Amount		284.4
Canadian licenses [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount		451.0
Accumulated Amortization		0.0
Net Carrying Amount		451.0
Patents, licenses and technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	395.3
Accumulated Amortization	(163.3)
Net Carrying Amount	232.0
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	3,275.3
Accumulated Amortization	(855.2)
Net Carrying Amount	2,420.1
Use Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	10.0	5.5
Accumulated Amortization	(1.4)	(0.6)
Net Carrying Amount	8.6	$ 4.9
Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	406.3
Accumulated Amortization	(141.6)
Net Carrying Amount	264.7
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	53.0
Accumulated Amortization	(42.1)
Net Carrying Amount	10.9
Canadian licenses [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	464.2
Accumulated Amortization	0.0
Net Carrying Amount	$ 464.2

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - SUMMARY OF ACQUIRED AMORTIZABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 272.8
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	15 years 2 months
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 168.2
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	16 years 1 month
Patents, licenses and technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 82.4
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	14 years
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 8.1
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	12 years 9 months
Trade names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 9.6
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	13 years 7 months
Use Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 4.5

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accrued expenses and other [Abstract]
Employee compensation and benefits	$ 288.2	$ 283.0
Self-insurance reserves	48.2	80.6
Accrued taxes payable	61.2	83.8
Royalty and license fees payable	9.5	7.2
Restructuring reserves	47.7	58.6
Acquisition related reserves	10.3	12.1
Interest payable	58.6	63.8
Accrued rebates	19.5	14.7
Other	50.5	29.3
Total accrued expenses and other	$ 593.7	$ 633.1

OTHER LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Post-retirement benefit obligation	$ 5.8	$ 19.6
Defined benefit plan obligation	195.4	165.8
Restructuring reserves	34.6	20.6
Self-insurance reserves	17.1	10.0
Acquisition related reserves	15.7	0.0
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent	54.2	46.4
Workers' Compensation Liability, Noncurrent	33.1	28.6
Other	36.1	32.1
Total other liabilities	$ 392.0	$ 323.1

DEBT - SCHEDULE OF SHORT-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Debt, Current	$ 549.5	$ 423.9
Convertible Subordinated Debt, Current	42.4	94.5
Short term debt issuance costs	(1.3)	(1.0)
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	8.4	5.4
Senior notes current 2016	500.0	0.0
Senior Notes current 2015	$ 0.0	$ 325.0

DEBT - SCHEDULE OF LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current	$ 556.0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	541.1
Credit Facility Option to Increase				$ 250.0
Long-term debt, less current portion	5,300.0	$ 5,940.3
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	565.0	715.0
Long term debt issuance costs	(43.0)	(51.8)
Other Long-term Debt	565.0	55.5
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	2,900.0		$ 2,900.0		$ 700.0
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	(541.1)
Capital lease obligations, net of interest, current	(8.4)
Long term and capital lease obligations, net of interest, current	(549.5)
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	14.9
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	400.0
Total long-term debt	5,236.6
Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent	63.4
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	14.4
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	414.4
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	0.0
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	13.3
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	13.3
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	1,679.6
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	12.5
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	1,692.1
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	0.0
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	11.2
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	11.2
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	3,157.0
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	45.5
Long-term Debt	5,777.7
Capital lease obligations, net of interest	71.8
Long term and capital lease obligations, net of interest	5,850.0
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	3,202.5
Capital Lease Obligations	111.8
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	5,889.5
Long term debt, future minimum payments, interest included in payments	0.0
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Interest Included in Payments	(40.0)
Long term and capital lease future minimum payments, interest included in payments	(40.0)
Long term and capital lease obligations, net of interest, noncurrent	$ 5,300.0
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.298%
Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 0.0	500.0
Senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	400.0	400.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					400.0
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	614.6	621.6
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	500.0	500.0	500.0
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	500.0	500.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	500.0	500.0	500.0
Senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	300.0	300.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					$ 300.0
Senior notes due 2025 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,000.0	1,000.0
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 900.0	$ 900.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 900.0

DEBT - CREDIT FACILITIES (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Quarters	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 18, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014 USD ($)	Nov. 02, 2014 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Bridge Loan						$ 4,250.0
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 5,940.3	$ 5,300.0	$ 5,940.3
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						1,000.0
Debt covenant, requirement for number of consecutive fiscal quarters \| Quarters			4
Credit Facility Option to Increase						250.0
Credit Facility, Maximum Swing Line Borrowings						100.0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayment Terms		P5Y
Debt Covenant Requirement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	3.0		3.0
Debt Covenant Actual [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	2.5		2.5
60-Day Debt Bridge Traunche [Domain]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Bridge Term Credit Facility Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Amount						400.0
Short-term Debt, Terms			P60D
Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		2.00%
364-Day Debt Bridge Traunche [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Bridge Term Credit Facility Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Amount						2,850.0	$ 3,850.0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Letters of Credit						125.0
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	Dec. 19, 2014
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	3,100,000		3,100,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		1.90%
Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	4.75	4.25	4.75		3.75
Subsequent Event [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio				3.75
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 Term Loan Commitment [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Bridge Loan						$ 3,250.0
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes Conversion Trigger Price \| $ / shares		$ 76.27

DEBT - COVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
DEBT - COVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES (Details)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Current		$ 549,500,000	$ 423,900,000
Payments On Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes	$ 18,900,000	$ 53,700,000	$ 1,300,000
Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes (in shares) \| shares	100,000	400,000	0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio			3,100,000
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount at maturity of zero-coupon subordinated notes outstanding		$ 46,000,000	$ 105,400,000
Issued price per principal amount at maturity		$ 671.65
Principal amount of zero-coupon subordinated notes			$ 1,000.0
Annual yield to maturity			2.00%
Stock conversion rate for zero-coupon subordinated notes (per thousand) \| shares			13.4108
Minimum number of trading days in a period the common stock sale price must meet a specified threshold to trigger conversion price (in days)			20
Number of consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding quarter for the common stock sale price to reach a specified threshold to trigger conversion price (in days)			30
Common stock sales price threshold, beginning			120.00%
Common stock sales price threshold, declining per quarter			0.1282%
Common stock sales price threshold, ending			110.00%
Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes Conversion Trigger Price \| $ / shares		$ 76.27
Principal Amount At Maturity Of Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes Converted		$ 59,400,000	$ 1,500,000
Value Of Cash And Common Stock In Connection With Conversions Of Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes Settled In Current Period		53,700,000	1,300,000
Payments On Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes		$ 53,700,000	$ 1,300,000
Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes (in shares) \| shares		400,000	0
Tax Benefit Realized Upon Conversion Of Zero Coupon Convertible Debt		$ 4,900,000	$ 400,000
Contingent cash interest accrual rate period		September 12, 2016 to March 10, 2017
Contingent cash interest accrual rate description			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
Contingent cash interest accrual rate			0.125%
Number of days used to establish average market price of zero coupon subordinated notes			5
Debt Conversion Date Of Subordinated Notes And Indenture		Oct. 24, 2006

DEBT - SENIOR NOTES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
DEBT - SENIOR NOTES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013	Aug. 23, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Swing Line Borrowings				$ 100.0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 2,900.0		$ 2,900.0		$ 700.0
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 5,300.0	$ 5,940.3
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.298%
Fair Value Hedges, Net	$ 21.6
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 900.0
Interest rate (in hundredths)			4.70%
Long-term debt, less current portion	900.0	900.0
Senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					$ 400.0
Interest rate (in hundredths)					2.50%
Long-term debt, less current portion	400.0	400.0
Senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					$ 300.0
Interest rate (in hundredths)					4.00%
Long-term debt, less current portion	300.0	300.0
Covance senior notes due 2020 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (in hundredths)			2.625%
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 500.0	500.0	$ 500.0
Interest rate (in hundredths)	4.625%		2.625%
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 614.6	621.6
Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (in hundredths)						2.20%
Long-term debt, less current portion	0.0	500.0
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	500.0	500.0	$ 500.0
Interest rate (in hundredths)			3.20%			3.75%
Long-term debt, less current portion	500.0	$ 500.0
Senior notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 1,000.0
Interest rate (in hundredths)			3.60%
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	600.0
Senior notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (in hundredths)		3.125%
Periodic payments, frequency		semi-annually
Excluding Underwriting Discounts & Other Fees [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 2,870.2
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair Value Hedges, Net	$ 14.6

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares		0.3
Treasury Stock, Carrying Basis					$ 43.9
share repurchases initiated but not settled					6.0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax					$ 0.0	$ 0.0	$ 0.1	$ 10.1
Common shares issued and outstanding [Abstract]
Common shares issued		123.9	107.1	107.1	125.6	123.9	107.1		108.1
In treasury		(22.6)	(22.5)	(22.5)	(22.9)	(22.6)	(22.5)		(22.4)
Outstanding					102.7	101.3
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)					265.0
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)					$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)					30.0
Preferred stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)					$ 0.10
Rollforward of common shares issued [Abstract]
Common shares issued, beginning balance (in shares)		123.9	107.1
Common stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)	1.6	1.6	1.5
Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes (in shares)	0.1	0.4	0.0
Common stock shares issued for Acquisition	0.0	0.0	15.3
Common shares repurchased (in shares)	(2.7)	(0.3)	0.0
Common shares issued, ending balance (in shares)		125.6	123.9	107.1
Rollforward of common shares held in treasury [Abstract]
Common shares held in treasury, beginning balance		22.6	22.5
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	0.1	0.3	0.1
Common shares held in treasury, ending balance		22.9	22.6	22.5
Share repurchase program [Abstract]
Purchase of common stock	$ (269.0)	$ (43.9)
Outstanding common stock repurchase authorization					$ 739.5
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, balance	123.2	(212.6)	$ 68.0	$ 123.2
Current year adjustments, Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	(89.5)	(250.0)	(370.7)
Tax effect of adjustments, Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	34.3	(8.1)	90.1
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, balance		(470.7)	(212.6)	68.0
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax	(12.0)	(3.3)	19.0
Net Benefit Plan Adjustments
Net Benefit Plan Adjustments, balance	(67.1)	(74.4)	(78.6)	(67.1)
Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments	7.1	4.3	(3.5)
Net Benefit Plan Adjustments, balance		(110.4)	(74.4)	(78.6)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax	6.3	0.0	0.0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax	(16.3)	0.0	(0.1)	$ 2.0
Interest Rate Swap Adjustments
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	(99.5)	(253.3)	(351.8)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings, balance					581.1	$ 287.0			$ (66.2)
Tax effect of adjustments, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings	47.7	(3.8)	86.6
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, before Tax	0.0	0.0	0.0
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax	(6.6)	(37.0)	(11.3)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax	(18.3)	0.0	0.0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	(24.9)	(37.0)	(11.3)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax		0.0	$ (0.1)
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Share repurchase program [Abstract]
Purchase of common stock	$ 0.0	$ 0.0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings, balance					$ 581.1	$ 287.0	$ 10.5

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification		$ 14.0
Pre-tax income [Abstract]
Domestic	$ 752.5	914.0	$ 593.5
Foreign	68.1	191.5	132.5
Total pre-tax income	820.6	1,105.5	726.0
Current:
Federal	233.6	235.1	218.3
State	24.0	38.6	33.7
Foreign	22.7	43.9	69.4
Total current income taxes	280.3	317.6	321.4
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	29.1	64.4	(14.1)
Deferred:
Federal		3.9
State	3.7	6.0	(4.2)
Foreign	(5.1)	(15.7)	(15.8)
Total deferred income taxes	27.7	54.7	(34.1)
Total income tax provision	308.0	$ 372.3	287.3
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, State and Local				$ 392.4
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance				336.3
Tax benefit associated with option exercises from stock plans	$ 5.9		$ 13.1
Federal statutory tax rate reconciliation [Abstract]
Statutory U.S. rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local income taxes, net of U.S. income tax effect	2.70%	2.60%	3.20%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Percent	0.00%	(3.10%)	(1.80%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Restructuring Charges, Percent	0.00%	0.00%	2.70%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Percent	(0.00%)	(1.20%)	(0.00%)
Other	0.30%	0.40%	1.10%
Effective rate	38.00%	33.70%	40.20%
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable				13.5	$ 13.4
Employee compensation and benefits				160.8	140.6
Self insurance reserves				7.4	36.9
Postretirement benefit obligation				1.9	7.5
Acquisition and restructuring reserves				38.5	24.5
Tax loss carryforwards				167.7	123.9
Other				7.6	4.3
Total deferred tax assets				397.4	351.1
Less: valuation allowance				(31.3)	(15.1)
Net deferred tax assets				366.1	336.0
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred earnings				(193.2)	(189.5)
Intangible assets				(1,047.4)	(978.1)
Property, plant and equipment				(208.8)	(177.0)
Zero-coupon subordinated notes				(48.5)	(87.4)
Currency translation adjustment				(47.0)	(47.3)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities				(1,178.8)	(1,143.3)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross				1,544.9	1,479.3
Foreign tax loss carryovers				41.6
Foreign Tax Loss Carryover with Valuation Allowance		$ 29.3
Federal tax loss carryovers				390.7
Federal tax loss carryovers, expiration dates		Dec. 31, 2035
Capital loss carryover				6.9
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits		$ 24.2	$ 16.7	18.4	24.2	$ 25.6
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits				9.9	12.7
Interest and penalties expense related to unrecognized income tax benefits	$ 2.2	1.2	1.8
Interest and penalties benefit related to unrecognized income tax benefits	3.3	4.0	2.2
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1		24.2	16.7
Increase in reserve for tax positions taken in the current year	0.0	2.3	4.1
Increase in reserve as a result of acquisition	0.0	0.0	8.5
Decrease in reserve as a result of lapses in the statute of limitations	$ (8.9)	(8.1)	(5.1)
Balance as of December 31		$ 18.4	$ 24.2
Unrecognized income tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate				18.4	$ 24.2
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries				$ 3,144.3

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Changes in Options Outstanding Under the Stock Incentive Plans [Rollforward]
Shares authorized for issuance under the 2008 and 2000 Stock Incentive Plans		11.2
Shares available for grant under the Company's stock option plans		9.6
Award vesting period (in years)		3 years
Stock Options Vested and Expected to Vest at December 31, 2011
Aggregate intrinsic value, vested and expected to vest options		$ 72.7
Stock Options Exercised, Impact Disclosures
Cash received by the Company	$ 98.5	52.6	$ 82.6
Tax benefits realized	12.3	13.6	16.2
Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 32.1	$ 35.5	$ 42.2
Assumptions the Company Used to Develop Fair Value Estimates
Fair value of the employee's purchase right	$ 19.48	$ 23.32	$ 21.95
Fair Values of Options Granted and the Employee's Purchase Right in the Stock Purchase Plan
Stock option plan expense	$ 6.9	$ 0.0	$ 2.2
Restricted Stock and Performance Shares
Restricted stock, vesting increment		one third increments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant
Performance share awards, vesting conditions		Performance share awards are subject to certain earnings per share, revenue, operating income, earnings before income taxes and total shareholder return targets
Restricted stock and performance share compensation expense	34.8	$ 104.1	83.8
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock and performance share-based compensation arrangements		$ 58.2
Unrecognized compensation cost weighted average expected future recognition period (in years)		1 year 9 months 25 days
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Disclosure
Shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the employee stock purchase plan		2.5
The employee stock purchase plan permits employees to purchase shares of common stock at a certain percentage of the market price (in hundredths)		85.00%
Number of shares purchased by eligible employees		0.2
Expense related to the Company's employee stock purchase plan	$ 4.0	$ 5.5	$ 4.1
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Assumptions the Company Used to Develop Fair Value Estimates
Risk free interest rate	0.10%	0.50%	0.30%
Expected volatility	20.00%	20.00%	20.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Restricted Stock and Performance Shares [Member]
Summary of Nonvested Shares
Nonvested, beginning of period		1.5
Number of options granted		1.0
Number of options vested		(0.8)
Nonvested, end of period		1.6	1.5
Weighted-average grant date fair value, nonvested, beginning of period		$ 109.00
Weighted-average grant date fair value, granted		103.59
Weighted-average grant date fair value, vested		$ 100.70
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period		0.1
Weighted-average grant date fair value, nonvested, end of period		$ 108.23	$ 109.00
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Disclosure
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 110.62
Stock Options [Member]
Changes in Options Outstanding Under the Stock Incentive Plans, Additional Disclosures
Number of options outstanding, beginning balance		2.3
Number of options granted		0.0
Number of options exercised		(0.7)
Number of options cancelled		0.0
Number of options outstanding, ending balance		1.6	2.3
Weighted-average exercise price per option, outstanding, beginning balance		$ 81.40
Weighted-average exercise price per option granted		0.00
Weighted-average exercise price per option exercised		78.12
Weighted-average exercise price per option cancelled		0.00
Weighted-average exercise price per option, outstanding, ending balance		$ 82.43	$ 81.40
Weighted-average remaining contractual term of options outstanding (in years)		4 years 1 month
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding		$ 72.7
Stock Options Vested and Expected to Vest at December 31, 2011
Number of options vested and expected to vest		1.6
Weighted-average exercise price per option, vested and expected to vest options		$ 82.43
Weighted-average exercise price per exercisable option		$ 82.43
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, vested and expected to vest options (in years)		4 years 1 month
Number of options exercisable		1.6
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, exercisable options (in years)		4 years 1 month
Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable options		$ 72.7

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Schedule of Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices) (Details) shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 $ / shares shares
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Number Outstanding \| shares	1.6
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	4 years 1 month
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 82.43
Options exercisable \| shares	1.6
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 82.43
Exercise Price Range 2 [Member]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Exercise price range, lower range limit	64.43
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$ 75.63
Number Outstanding \| shares	0.1
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	2 years 1 month
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 60.46
Options exercisable \| shares	0.1
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 60.46
Exercise Price Range 3 [Member]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Exercise price range, lower range limit	75.64
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$ 80.37
Number Outstanding \| shares	0.3
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	2 years 7 months
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 72.40
Options exercisable \| shares	0.3
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 72.40
Exercise Price Range 4 [Member]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Exercise price range, lower range limit	80.38
Exercise price range, upper range limit	$ 98.49
Number Outstanding \| shares	0.1
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	1 year 11 months 15 days
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 73.60
Options exercisable \| shares	0.1
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 73.60
Exercise Price Range 5 [Member]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Number Outstanding \| shares	1.1
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	4 years 9 months
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 87.46
Options exercisable \| shares	1.1
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 87.46

(Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
(Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss related to litigation settlement		$ 34.5		$ 34.5
Previously recorded litigation reserve in connection with false claims act lawsuit		$ 15.0		$ 15.0
Payment of legal settlement	$ 49.5		$ 12.2

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) $ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 CAD ($)	Jul. 27, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 19, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 24, 2012 Recipients $ / Violation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percent of lowest maximum (cap on payments)					80.00%
Payment reduction by Assembly Bill No. 97					10.00%
Other Inventory, Supplies, Gross					$ 171.7	$ 157.7
Loss related to litigation settlement				$ 34.5		34.5
Previously recorded litigation reserve in connection with false claims act lawsuit				$ 15.0		15.0
Payment of legal settlement	$ 49.5				12.2
AHS transfer to Canadian JV							$ 50.0
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)						0.0		$ 249.1	$ 6,150.7
Number of recipients \| Recipients										39
Proposed damages per violation \| $ / Violation										0.0005
Letters of credit					54.5
Future minimum rental commitments [Abstract]
2013					189.5
2014					140.5
2015					96.0
2016					55.3
2017					85.0
Thereafter					115.3
Total minimum lease payments					681.6
Less: amounts included in restructuring and acquisition related accruals					(41.6)
Less: non-cancelable sub-lease income					(0.4)
Total minimum operating lease payments					639.6
Rental expense		$ 235.7			$ 291.2	$ 287.1
Litigation Settlement, Amount			$ 49.5

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

10 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2012

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Special Termination Benefits

$ 1.6

$ 0.0

Defined Benefit Plan, Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate

6.70%

7.00%

Maximum deferral percentage of annual base salary

50.00%

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

$ 112.5

$ 119.0

$ 112.5

Minimum non-elective contribution (NEC) % for the 401(K) plan (in hundredths)

3.00%

Discretionary contribution % for the 401(K) plan, range minimum (in hundredths)

1.00%

Discretionary contribution % for the 401(K) plan, range maximum (in hundredths)

3.00%

Defined contribution retirement plan cost

$ 51.6

$ 56.0

43.3

Postemployment Benefits, Period Expense

$ 37.8

Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match

4.50%

Company contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan

12.4

$ 10.8

9.5

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

245.8

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

245.8

247.5

245.8

Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]

Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments

7.1

4.3

(3.5)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

(287.0)

$ (581.1)

(287.0)

$ 66.2

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

Pension Plans

The Company has a defined benefit retirement plan (Company Plan) and a nonqualified supplemental retirement plan (PEP). Both plans have been closed to new participants since December 31, 2009. Employees participating in the Company Plan and the PEP no longer earn service-based credits, but continue to earn interest credits. In addition, effective January 1, 2010, all employees eligible for the defined contribution retirement plan (401K Plan) receive a minimum 3% non-elective contribution (NEC) concurrent with each payroll period. Employees are not required to make a contribution to the 401K Plan to receive the NEC. The NEC is non-forfeitable and vests immediately. 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 service.

The Company’s 401K Plan covers substantially all pre-Acquisition employees. Prior to 2010, Company contributions to the plan were based on a percentage of employee contributions. From 2011, the Company made non-elective and discretionary contributions to the plan. In 2016, 2015, and 2014, non-elective and discretionary contributions were $56.0, $43.3 and $51.6, respectively. As a result of the Acquisition, the Company also incurred expense of $37.8 for the Covance 401K Plan during the year ended December 31, 2015. Under the Covance 401K Plan, which is available on a voluntary basis to substantially all U.S. Covance employees, the Company matches employee contributions up to a maximum Company contribution of 4.5%.

In addition, the Company Plan covers substantially all employees employed prior to December 31, 2009. The benefits to be paid under the Company Plan are based on years of credited service through December 31, 2009, interest credits and average compensation. The Company’s policy is to fund the Company Plan with at least the minimum amount required by applicable regulations. The Company made contributions to the Company Plan of $10.8, $9.5 and $12.4 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The PEP covers the Company’s senior management group. Prior to 2010, the PEP provided for the payment of the difference, if any, between the amount of any maximum limitation on annual benefit payments under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the annual benefit that would be payable under the Company Plan but for such limitation. Effective January 1, 2010, employees participating in the PEP no longer earn service-based credits. The PEP is an unfunded plan.

Projected pension expense for the Company Plan and the PEP is expected to increase to $15.3 in 2017. This amount excludes any accelerated recognition of pension cost due to the total lump-sum payouts exceeding certain components of net periodic pension cost in a fiscal year. If such levels were to be met in 2017, the Company projects that it would result in additional pension expense of several million dollars. The actual amount would be determined in the fiscal quarter when the lump-sum payments cross the threshold and would be based upon the plan's funded status and actuarial assumptions in effect at that time.

The Company plans to make contributions of $17.4 to the Company Plan and the PEP during 2017.

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



	Year ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Service cost for benefits earned	$	4.9		$	3.9		$	3.4
Interest cost on benefit obligation	15.5			15.1			16.4
Expected return on plan assets	(16.7		)	(18.3		)	(18.3		)
Net amortization and deferral	11.2			11.3			6.6
Defined benefit plan costs	$	14.9		$	12.0		$	8.1

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings consist of unamortized net loss of $139.1. The accumulated other comprehensive earnings that are expected to be recognized as components of the defined benefit plan costs during 2017 are $11.2 related to amortization of the net loss.

A summary of the changes in the projected benefit obligations of the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows:



	2016			2015
Balance at January 1	$	363.1		$	388.6
Service cost	4.9			3.9
Interest cost	15.5			15.1
Actuarial loss (gain)	12.1			(15.4		)
Benefits and administrative expenses paid	(29.1		)	(29.1		)
Balance at December 31	$	366.5		$	363.1

The Accumulated Benefit Obligation was $366.5 and $363.1 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

A summary of the changes in the fair value of plan assets follows:



	2016			2015
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	250.6		$	269.1
Actual return on plan assets	13.6			(0.3		)
Employer contributions	12.4			10.9
Benefits and administrative expenses paid	(29.1		)	(29.1		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	247.5		$	250.6

The net funded status of the Company Plan and the PEP at December 31:



	2016		2015
Funded status	$	119.0	$	112.5

Recorded as:
Accrued expenses and other	$	2.0	$	1.9
Other liabilities	117.0		110.6
	$	119.0	$	112.5

Weighted average assumptions used in the accounting for the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows:



	2016		2015		2014
Discount rate	4.2	%	4.0	%	4.8	%
Expected long term rate of return	6.75	%	7.0	%	7.0	%

The Company also updated the mortality assumption to the RP-2014 Mortality Tables in 2016 which decreased the Company's total projected obligation.

The Company maintains an investment policy for the management of the Company Plan’s assets. The objective of this policy is to build a portfolio designed to achieve a balance between investment return and asset protection by investing in indexed funds that are comprised of equities of high quality companies and in high quality fixed income securities which are broadly balanced and represent all market sectors. The target allocations for plan assets are 50% equity securities, 43% fixed income securities and 7% in other assets. Equity securities primarily include investments in large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap companies located in the U.S. and to a lesser extent international equities in developed and emerging countries. Fixed income securities primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, mortgage-backed bonds and corporate bonds of companies from diversified industries. Other assets include investments in commodities. The weighted average expected long-term rate of return for the Company Plan’s assets is as follows:



	Target Allocation		Weighted Average Expected Long-Term Rate of Return
Equity securities	50.0	%	5.15	%
Fixed income securities	43.0	%	1.3	%
Other assets	7.0	%	0.3	%

The fair values of the Company Plan’s assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015, by asset category are as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2016
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2016		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
Asset Category	Fair Value as of December 31, 2016		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash	$	6.8	$	6.8	$	—	$	—
Equity securities:
U.S. large cap - blend (a)	55.3		—		55.3		—
U.S. mid cap - blend (b)	21.2		—		21.2		—
U.S. small cap - blend (c)	7.4		—		7.4		—
International equity - blend (d)	36.1		—		36.1		—
Commodities index (e)	12.9		—		12.9		—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. fixed income (f)	101.8		—		101.8		—
U.S inflation protection income (g)	6.0		—		6.0		—
Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets	$	247.5	$	6.8	$	240.7	$	—



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2015
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2015		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
Asset Category	Fair Value as of December 31, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash	$	6.1	$	6.1	$	—	$	—
Equity securities:
U.S. large cap - blend (a)	55.1		—		55.1		—
U.S. mid cap - blend (b)	21.0		—		21.0		—
U.S. small cap - blend (c)	7.1		—		7.1		—
International equity - blend (d)	35.7		—		35.7		—
Commodities index (e)	11.8		—		11.8		—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. fixed income (f)	102.8		—		102.8		—
U.S inflation protection income (g)	6.2		—		6.2		—
Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets	$	245.8	$	6.1	$	239.7	$	—


a)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P 500 Index.


b)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P mid-cap 400 Index.


c)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the Russell 2000 Index.


d)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index.


e)	This category represents a commodities index fund not actively managed that tracks the Dow Jones - UBS Commodity Index.


f)	This category primarily represents bond index funds not actively managed that track the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index as well as an actively managed strategy which utilizes the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index as its primary prospectus benchmark.


g)	This category primarily represents a bond index fund not actively managed that tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. TIPS Index.

The following assumed benefit payments under the Company Plan and PEP, which were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows:



2017	$	26.4
2018	25.6
2019	25.4
2020	24.8
2021	24.6
Years 2022 and thereafter	122.8

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 employees who were executive officers of Covance prior to the Acquisition. 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. For the 2015 period, the beginning of the year is February 19, 2015. The components of the net periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the ten months ended December 31, 2015, are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31, 2016			Ten Months Ended December 31, 2015
Service cost	$	—		$	0.2
Interest cost	0.8			0.9
Curtailment gain	—			(0.7		)
Net periodic pension cost	$	0.8		$	0.4

Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost
Discount rate	3.8		%	3.3		%
Expected return on assets	N/A			N/A

The change in the projected benefit obligation, the funded status of the plan and a reconciliation of such funded status to the amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows:



	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of year	$	30.9		$	32.8
Service cost	—			0.2
Interest cost	0.8			0.9
Actuarial loss	(0.8		)	—
Gross benefits paid	(25.0		)	(2.3		)
Termination benefits	1.6			—
Curtailments	—			(0.7		)
Balance at end of year	$	7.5		$	30.9



	2016		2015
Funded status	$	7.5	$	30.9

Recorded as:
Accrued expenses and other	$	3.7	$	20.1
Other liabilities	3.8		10.8
	$	7.5	$	30.9

The accumulated benefit obligation was $7.5 and $30.9 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

The following assumed benefit payments under the SERP, which were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows:



2017	$	3.7
2018	0.9
2019	0.1
2020	0.1
2021	0.1
Year 2022 and thereafter	0.8

As a result of the Acquisition, the Company sponsors two defined benefit pension plans for the benefit of its employees at two U.K. subsidiaries (U.K. Plans) and one defined benefit pension plan for the benefit of its employees at a German subsidiary (German Plan), 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 U.K. Plans are funded. The Company’s funding policy has been to contribute annually amounts at least equal to the local statutory funding requirements.



	U.K. Plans
	Year Ended December 31, 2016			Ten Months Ended December 31, 2015
Service cost	$	4.4		$	4.1
Interest cost	8.4			7.6
Expected return on plan assets	(11.6		)	(10.7		)
Expected participant contributions	(1.5		)	(1.4		)
Defined benefit plan costs	$	(0.3	)	$	(0.4	)

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



	German Plan
	Year Ended December 31, 2016			Ten Months Ended December 31, 2015
Service cost	$	0.9		$	1.0
Interest cost	0.6			0.4
Net amortization and deferral	(0.2		)	—
Defined benefit plan costs	$	1.3		$	1.4

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

The weighted average expected long-term rate of return on assets of the U.K Plans is based on the target asset allocation and the average rate of growth expected for the asset classes invested. The rate of expected growth is derived from a combination of historic returns, current market indicators, the expected risk premium for each asset class over the risk-free rate and the opinion of professional advisors.

The change in the projected benefit obligation and plan assets, the funded status of the plan and a reconciliation of such funded status to the amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows:



Change in projected benefit obligation:	U.K. Plans
	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of year	$	246.5		$	256.0
Service cost	4.4			4.1
Interest cost	8.4			7.6
Actuarial (gain) loss	72.6			(8.4		)
Benefits paid	(4.2		)	(4.5		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(49.6		)	(8.3		)
Balance at end of year	$	278.1		$	246.5



Change in projected benefit obligation:	German Plan
	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of year	$	23.6		$	29.4
Service cost	0.9			1.0
Interest cost	0.6			0.4
Actuarial (gain) loss	5.3			(5.8		)
Benefits paid	(0.2		)	(0.2		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(1.2		)	(1.2		)
Balance at end of year	$	29.0		$	23.6



Change in fair value of assets:	U.K. Plans
	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of year	$	226.2		$	232.6
Company contributions	6.8			6.6
Participant contributions	1.5			1.4
Actual return on assets	46.2			(2.3		)
Benefits paid	(4.2		)	(4.5		)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(43.3		)	(7.6		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	233.2		$	226.2



	U.K. Plans
	2016		2015
Funded status	$	44.9	$	20.3
Recorded as:
Other liabilities	44.9		20.3
	$	44.9	$	20.3



	German Plan
	2016		2015
Funded status	$	29.0	$	23.6
Recorded as:
Accrued expenses and other	$	0.2	$	0.2
Other liabilities	28.8		23.4
	$	29.0	$	23.6

The Company contributed $6.8 in 2016 to the U.K. Plans and expects to contribute $6.1 in 2017. No contributions were made to the German plan during 2016, nor are any contributions expected to be made in 2017, as the plan is unfunded.

The accumulated benefit obligation for the U.K. Plans and the German Plan was $235.8 and $25.4 at December 31, 2016, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation for the U.K. Plans and the German Plan was $215.1 and $20.6 at December 31, 2015, respectively.

The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows:



	U.K. Plans
	2016			2015
Net actuarial loss	$	39.2		$	4.8
Less: Tax benefit (deferred tax asset)	(6.7		)	(0.9		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income impact	$	32.5		$	3.9

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	2.7		%	3.8		%
Salary increases	3.8		%	3.6		%



	German Plan
	2016			2015
Net actuarial gain	$	(0.4	)	$	(5.7	)
Less: Tax expense (deferred tax liability)	0.1			1.8
Accumulated other comprehensive income impact	$	(0.3	)	$	(3.9	)

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	1.7		%	2.5		%
Salary increases	2.0		%	2.0		%

There is $0.7 and $0.0 net actuarial loss for the U.K. Plans and German Plan, respectively required to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost in 2017.

The investment policies for the U.K. Plans are set by the plan trustees, based upon the guidance of professional advisors and after consultation with the Company, taking into consideration the plans’ liabilities and future funding levels. The trustees have set the long-term investment policy largely in accordance with the asset allocation of a broadly diversified investment portfolio. Assets are generally invested within the target ranges as follows:



Equity securities	60.0%	to	70.0%
Debt securities	10.0%	to	15.0%
Annuities	10.0%	to	20.0%
Real estate	—%	to	10.0%
Other	—%	to	5.0%

The weighted average asset allocation of the U.K. Plans as of December 31, 2016 by asset category is as follows:



		December 31, 2016
Equity securities		70.0%
Debt securities		13.0%
Annuities		13.0%
Real estate		4.0%

Investments are made in pooled investment funds. Pooled investment fund managers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the U.K. and operate under terms which contain restrictions on the way in which the portfolios are managed and require the managers to ensure that suitable internal operating procedures are in place. The trustees have set performance objectives for each fund manager and routinely monitor and assess the managers’ performance against such objectives. Annuities represent annuity buy-in insurance policies purchased by the plan trustees from large, financially sound insurers. The cash flows from the annuities are intended to match the plan’s obligations to specific groups of participants, typically those participants currently receiving benefits.

The fair value of the Company’s U.K. Plans' assets as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, by asset category, are as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2016
	December 31, 2016		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
Asset Category	December 31, 2016		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash	$	0.9	$	0.9	$	—	$	—
Mutual funds (a)	202.5		—		202.5		—
Annuities (b)	29.8		—		—		29.8
Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets	$	233.2	$	0.9	$	202.5	$	29.8



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2015
	December 31, 2015		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
Asset Category	December 31, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash	$	0.9	$	0.9	$	—	$	—
Mutual funds (a)	193.3		—		193.3		—
Annuities (b)	32.0		—		—		32.0
Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets	$	226.2	$	0.9	$	193.3	$	32.0

Mutual funds represent pooled investment vehicles offered by investment managers, which are generally comprised of investments in equities, bonds, property and cash. The plans’ trustees hold units in these funds, the value of which is determined by the number of units held multiplied by the unit price calculated by the investment managers. That unit price is derived based on the market value of the securities that comprise the fund, which are determined by quoted prices in active markets. No element of the valuation is based on inputs made by the plans’ trustees.

Annuities represent annuity buy-in insurance policies, whereby the insurer pays the pension payments for the lifetime of the members covered. The annuities are assets of the plan and payments from the insurer are made to the plans’ trustees, who then use those proceeds to pay the pensioners. The cash flows from the annuities are intended to effectively match the payments to the pensioners covered by the policy. As such, these assets are valued actuarially based upon the value of the liabilities with which they are associated. As the valuation of these assets is judgmental, and there are no observable inputs associated with the valuation, these assets are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Expected future benefit payments are as follows:



	U.K. Plans		German Plan
2017	$	4.1	$	0.2
2018	4.1		0.2
2019	4.8		0.3
2020	5.1		0.5
2021	5.4		0.5
Years 2021-2026	37.5		3.0

Post-employment retiree health and welfare plan

As a result of the Acquisition, the Company sponsors a post-employment retiree health and welfare plan for the benefit of eligible employees at certain U.S. subsidiaries who retire after satisfying service and age requirements. This plan is funded on a pay-as-you-go basis and the cost of providing these benefits is shared with the retirees. The net periodic post-retirement benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $(2.0) and $0.2, respectively, and the pension benefit obligation as of the Acquisition date was $6.3.

The components of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost for 2016 are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31, 2016			Year Ended December 31, 2015
Interest cost	$	—		$	0.2
Actuarial gain	(0.1		)	—
Prior service credit	(1.9		)	—
Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost	$	(2.0	)	$	0.2

Assumptions used to determine net periodic post-retirement benefit cost:
Discount rate	4.2		%	3.8		%
Healthcare cost trend rate	7.0		%	6.5		%

The change in the projected post-retirement benefit obligation, the funded status of the plan and the reconciliation of such funded status to the amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows:



	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of year	$	5.2		$	6.3
Interest cost	—			0.2
Participant contributions	0.7			0.8
Actuarial gain	0.1			(0.7		)
Benefits paid	(1.3		)	(1.4		)
Plan amendments	(3.9		)	—
Balance at end of year	$	0.8		$	5.2



	2016		2015
Funded status	$	0.8	$	5.2
Recorded as:
Accrued expenses and other	$	0.1	$	0.6
Other liabilities	0.7		4.6
	$	0.8	$	5.2

The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31, 2016			Year Ended December 31, 2015
Net actuarial gain	$	(2.6	)	$	(0.7	)
Less: Deferred tax benefit	0.9			0.3
Accumulated other comprehensive income impact	$	(1.7	)	$	(0.4	)



Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation:
Discount rate	4.1	%	4.2	%
Healthcare cost trend rate	6.7	%	7.0	%

A one percentage point (1%) increase or decrease in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would not impact the net service and interest cost components of the net periodic post-retirement benefit cost or the post-retirement benefit obligation since future increases in plan costs are paid by participant contributions. The Company expects to contribute $0.1 to the post-employment retiree health and welfare plan in 2017.

Expected future gross benefit payments are as follows:



2017	$	0.1
2018	0.1
2019	0.1
2020	0.1
2021	0.1
2022 and thereafter	0.2

Post-retirement Medical Plan

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



	Year ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Service cost for benefits earned	$	—		$	0.1		$	0.2
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.3			1.0			1.8
Net amortization and deferral	(15.9		)	(10.4		)	(7.9		)
Post-retirement medical plan costs	$	(15.6	)	$	(9.3	)	$	(5.9	)

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings consist of unamortized net loss of $6.9. The accumulated other comprehensive earnings that are expected to be recognized as components of the post-retirement medical plan costs during 2017 are $6.9 related to amortization of the net gain resulting from the shift of Medicare-eligible participants to private exchanges.

A summary of the changes in the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation follows:



	2016			2015
Balance at January 1	$	21.4		$	28.9
Service cost for benefits earned	—			0.1
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.3			1.0
Actuarial loss	(0.2		)	(3.5		)
Benefits paid	(1.3		)	(1.8		)
Plan amendment	(13.4		)	(3.3		)
Balance at December 31	$	6.8		$	21.4

Recorded as:
Accrued expenses and other	$	1.0		$	1.8
Other liabilities	5.8			19.6
	$	6.8		$	21.4

The weighted-average discount rates used in the calculation of the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation were 3.8% and 4.4% as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The healthcare cost trend rate was removed due to the expectation of future funding to be at the same level as the previous year's funding.



2017	$	1.0
2018	0.9
2019	0.8
2020	0.7
2021	0.6
Years 2022 and thereafter	2.2

Deferred Compensation Plan

In 2001, the Board approved the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) under which certain of the Company's executives, may elect to defer up to 100.0% of their annual cash incentive pay and/or up to 50.0% of their annual base salary and/or eligible commissions subject to annual limits established by the U.S. government. The DCP provides executives a tax efficient strategy for retirement savings and capital accumulation without significant cost to the Company. The Company makes no contributions to the DCP. Amounts deferred by a participant are credited to a bookkeeping account maintained on behalf of each participant, which is used for measurement and determination of amounts to be paid to a participant, or his or her designated beneficiary, pursuant to the terms of the DCP. The amounts accrued under this plan were $54.2 and $46.4 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Deferred amounts are the Company's general unsecured obligations and are subject to claims by the Company's creditors. The Company's general assets may be used to fund obligations and pay DCP benefits.

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

A summary of the changes in the projected benefit obligations of the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows:



	2016			2015
Balance at January 1	$	363.1		$	388.6
Service cost	4.9			3.9
Interest cost	15.5			15.1
Actuarial loss (gain)	12.1			(15.4		)
Benefits and administrative expenses paid	(29.1		)	(29.1		)
Balance at December 31	$	366.5		$	363.1

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



	Year ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Service cost for benefits earned	$	4.9		$	3.9		$	3.4
Interest cost on benefit obligation	15.5			15.1			16.4
Expected return on plan assets	(16.7		)	(18.3		)	(18.3		)
Net amortization and deferral	11.2			11.3			6.6
Defined benefit plan costs	$	14.9		$	12.0		$	8.1



	Year ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Service cost for benefits earned	$	—		$	0.1		$	0.2
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.3			1.0			1.8
Net amortization and deferral	(15.9		)	(10.4		)	(7.9		)
Post-retirement medical plan costs	$	(15.6	)	$	(9.3	)	$	(5.9	)

A summary of the changes in the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation follows:



	2016			2015
Balance at January 1	$	21.4		$	28.9
Service cost for benefits earned	—			0.1
Interest cost on benefit obligation	0.3			1.0
Actuarial loss	(0.2		)	(3.5		)
Benefits paid	(1.3		)	(1.8		)
Plan amendment	(13.4		)	(3.3		)
Balance at December 31	$	6.8		$	21.4

Recorded as:
Accrued expenses and other	$	1.0		$	1.8
Other liabilities	5.8			19.6
	$	6.8		$	21.4

Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]

A summary of the changes in the fair value of plan assets follows:



	2016			2015
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	250.6		$	269.1
Actual return on plan assets	13.6			(0.3		)
Employer contributions	12.4			10.9
Benefits and administrative expenses paid	(29.1		)	(29.1		)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	247.5		$	250.6

Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]

he net funded status of the Company Plan and the PEP at December 31:



	2016		2015
Funded status	$	119.0	$	112.5

Recorded as:
Accrued expenses and other	$	2.0	$	1.9
Other liabilities	117.0		110.6
	$	119.0	$	112.5

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

Weighted average assumptions used in the accounting for the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows:



	2016		2015		2014
Discount rate	4.2	%	4.0	%	4.8	%
Expected long term rate of return	6.75	%	7.0	%	7.0	%

Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets By Category [Table Text Block]

The weighted average expected long-term rate of return for the Company Plan’s assets is as follows:



	Target Allocation		Weighted Average Expected Long-Term Rate of Return
Equity securities	50.0	%	5.15	%
Fixed income securities	43.0	%	1.3	%
Other assets	7.0	%	0.3	%

The fair values of the Company Plan’s assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015, by asset category are as follows:



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2016
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2016		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
Asset Category	Fair Value as of December 31, 2016		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash	$	6.8	$	6.8	$	—	$	—
Equity securities:
U.S. large cap - blend (a)	55.3		—		55.3		—
U.S. mid cap - blend (b)	21.2		—		21.2		—
U.S. small cap - blend (c)	7.4		—		7.4		—
International equity - blend (d)	36.1		—		36.1		—
Commodities index (e)	12.9		—		12.9		—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. fixed income (f)	101.8		—		101.8		—
U.S inflation protection income (g)	6.0		—		6.0		—
Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets	$	247.5	$	6.8	$	240.7	$	—



			Fair Value Measurements as of
			December 31, 2015
	Fair Value as of December 31, 2015		Using Fair Value Hierarchy
Asset Category	Fair Value as of December 31, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash	$	6.1	$	6.1	$	—	$	—
Equity securities:
U.S. large cap - blend (a)	55.1		—		55.1		—
U.S. mid cap - blend (b)	21.0		—		21.0		—
U.S. small cap - blend (c)	7.1		—		7.1		—
International equity - blend (d)	35.7		—		35.7		—
Commodities index (e)	11.8		—		11.8		—
Fixed income securities:
U.S. fixed income (f)	102.8		—		102.8		—
U.S inflation protection income (g)	6.2		—		6.2		—
Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets	$	245.8	$	6.1	$	239.7	$	—


a)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P 500 Index.


b)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P mid-cap 400 Index.


c)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the Russell 2000 Index.


d)	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index.


e)	This category represents a commodities index fund not actively managed that tracks the Dow Jones - UBS Commodity Index.


f)	This category primarily represents bond index funds not actively managed that track the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index as well as an actively managed strategy which utilizes the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index as its primary prospectus benchmark.


g)	This category primarily represents a bond index fund not actively managed that tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. TIPS Index.

Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]



	U.K. Plans		German Plan
2017	$	4.1	$	0.2
2018	4.1		0.2
2019	4.8		0.3
2020	5.1		0.5
2021	5.4		0.5
Years 2021-2026	37.5		3.0

The following assumed benefit payments under the Company Plan and PEP, which were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows:



2017	$	26.4
2018	25.6
2019	25.4
2020	24.8
2021	24.6
Years 2022 and thereafter	122.8



2017	$	0.1
2018	0.1
2019	0.1
2020	0.1
2021	0.1
2022 and thereafter	0.2

Assumed Benefit Payments By Year [Text Block]



2017	$	1.0
2018	0.9
2019	0.8
2020	0.7
2021	0.6
Years 2022 and thereafter	2.2

Maximum deferral percentage of annual cash incentive pay

100.00%

Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent

46.4

$ 54.2

46.4

Equity Securities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

50.00%

Fixed Income Securities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

43.00%

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

^[1]

$ 6.2

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

^[1]

6.2

6.0

6.2

Other Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(110.6)

Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

1.9

Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three

0.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter

0.8

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months

3.7

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two

0.9

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(30.9)

(7.5)

(30.9)

Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]

Service cost

0.2

0.0

0.2

Interest cost

(0.9)

(0.8)

(0.9)

Defined benefit plan costs

0.8

0.4

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]

Beginning balance

32.8

30.9

Service cost

0.2

0.0

0.2

Interest cost

(0.9)

(0.8)

(0.9)

Actuarial loss (gain)

0.0

(0.8)

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

(2.3)

(25.0)

Ending balance

30.9

7.5

$ 30.9

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

$ (2.3)

$ (25.0)

Defined Benefit Plans, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligations [Abstract]

Discount rate

3.30%

3.80%

3.30%

Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four

$ 0.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five

0.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Curtailments

$ (0.7)

0.0

$ 0.7

Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(10.8)

(3.8)

(10.8)

Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(20.1)

$ (3.7)

$ (20.1)

Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data

0.041

0.042

Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of Plan Amendment on Accumulated Benefit Obligation

0.0

$ (3.9)

$ 0.0

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three

0.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter

$ 0.2

Defined Benefit Plan, Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate

7.00%

6.50%

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months

$ 0.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two

0.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(5.2)

(0.8)

$ (5.2)

Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year

0.1

Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]

Interest cost

(0.2)

0.0

$ (0.2)

Defined benefit plan costs

0.2

$ (2.0)

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate

4.20%

3.80%

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]

Beginning balance

6.3

$ 5.2

Interest cost

(0.2)

0.0

$ (0.2)

Participants contributions

0.7

0.8

Actuarial loss (gain)

0.0

0.1

(0.7)

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

(1.3)

(1.4)

Ending balance

5.2

0.8

5.2

Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax

(2.6)

(0.7)

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

(1.3)

(1.4)

Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four

0.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five

0.1

Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments

0.9

0.3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

(0.4)

(1.7)

(0.4)

Postretirement Health Coverage [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(4.6)

(0.7)

(4.6)

Postretirement Health Coverage [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(0.6)

(0.1)

(0.6)

Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three

0.8

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter

2.2

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months

1.0

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two

0.9

Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments

(13.4)

(3.3)

Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]

Service cost

0.2

0.0

0.1

Interest cost

(1.8)

(0.3)

(1.0)

Net amortization and deferral

(7.9)

(15.9)

(10.4)

Unamortized net gain included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings

6.9

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]

Beginning balance

21.4

28.9

Service cost

0.2

0.0

0.1

Interest cost

(1.8)

(0.3)

(1.0)

Actuarial loss (gain)

(0.2)

(3.5)

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

(1.3)

(1.8)

Ending balance

$ 21.4

6.8

21.4

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

$ (1.3)

$ (1.8)

Defined Benefit Plans, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligations [Abstract]

Discount rate

4.40%

3.80%

4.40%

Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four

$ 0.7

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five

0.6

Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]

Beginning balance

19.6

Ending balance

$ 19.6

5.8

$ 19.6

Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]

Beginning balance

1.8

Ending balance

1.8

$ 1.0

$ 1.8

Foreign Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data

0.0265

0.0375

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three

$ 4.8

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter

37.5

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months

4.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two

4.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

20.3

44.9

$ 20.3

Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year

6.1

Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]

Service cost

4.1

4.4

4.1

Interest cost

(7.6)

(8.4)

(7.6)

Expected return on plan assets

(11.6)

(10.7)

Defined benefit plan costs

$ (0.3)

$ (0.4)

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate

3.80%

3.50%

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]

Beginning balance

256.0

$ 246.5

Service cost

4.1

4.4

$ 4.1

Interest cost

(7.6)

(8.4)

(7.6)

Participants contributions

1.4

1.5

1.4

Actuarial loss (gain)

(8.4)

72.6

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

(4.5)

(4.2)

Ending balance

246.5

278.1

246.5

Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation

215.1

235.8

215.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax

39.2

4.8

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

232.6

226.2

Actual return on plan assets

(2.3)

46.2

Employer contributions

6.6

6.8

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

(4.5)

(4.2)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

226.2

$ 233.2

$ 226.2

Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]

Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for other assets (in hundredths)

5.60%

5.40%

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four

$ 5.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five

$ 5.4

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase

3.60%

3.50%

Defined Benefit Plan Expected Salary Increase

3.80%

3.60%

Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments

$ (6.7)

$ (0.9)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

3.9

32.5

3.9

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

32.0

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

32.0

29.8

32.0

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

20.3

$ 44.9

$ 20.3

Other Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data

0.017

0.025

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three

$ 0.3

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter

3.0

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months

0.2

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two

0.2

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(23.6)

(29.0)

$ (23.6)

Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]

Service cost

1.0

0.9

1.0

Interest cost

(0.4)

(0.6)

(0.4)

Defined benefit plan costs

$ 1.3

$ 1.4

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate

2.50%

1.50%

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]

Beginning balance

29.4

$ 23.6

Service cost

1.0

0.9

$ 1.0

Interest cost

(0.4)

(0.6)

(0.4)

Actuarial loss (gain)

5.3

(5.8)

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

(0.2)

Ending balance

23.6

29.0

23.6

Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation

20.6

25.4

20.6

Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax

(0.4)

$ (5.7)

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]

Employer contributions

0.0

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

(0.2)

Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four

0.5

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five

$ 0.5

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase

2.00%

Defined Benefit Plan Expected Salary Increase

2.00%

Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments

$ 0.1

$ 1.8

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

(3.9)

(0.3)

(3.9)

Other Pension Plan [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(23.4)

(28.8)

(23.4)

Other Pension Plan [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(0.2)

Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three

25.4

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter

122.8

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months

26.4

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two

25.6

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

$ 119.0

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

7.00%

Projected defined benefit plan costs in fiscal 2012

$ 15.3

Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year

17.4

Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]

Service cost

3.4

4.9

3.9

Interest cost

(16.4)

(15.5)

(15.1)

Expected return on plan assets

(18.3)

(16.7)

(18.3)

Net amortization and deferral

6.6

11.2

11.3

Defined benefit plan costs

8.1

14.9

12.0

Unamortized net gain included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings

139.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Future Amortization of Gain (Loss)

11.2

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]

Beginning balance

363.1

388.6

Service cost

3.4

4.9

3.9

Interest cost

$ (16.4)

(15.5)

(15.1)

Actuarial loss (gain)

12.1

(15.4)

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

(29.1)

Ending balance

363.1

366.5

363.1

Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation

363.1

366.5

363.1

Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

250.6

269.1

Actual return on plan assets

13.6

(0.3)

Employer contributions

12.4

10.9

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

(29.1)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

$ 250.6

$ 247.5

$ 250.6

Defined Benefit Plans, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligations [Abstract]

Discount rate

4.00%

4.20%

4.00%

4.80%

Expected long term rate of return

7.00%

6.80%

7.00%

Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]

Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for equity securities (in hundredths)

5.20%

Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for fixed income securities (in hundredths)

1.30%

Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for other assets (in hundredths)

0.30%

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four

$ 24.8

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five

24.6

Pension Plan [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

(117.0)

Pension Plan [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan

$ 2.0

Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

5.00%

Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

70.00%

Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

15.00%

Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

20.00%

Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

10.00%

Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

0.00%

Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

60.00%

Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

10.00%

Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

10.00%

Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations

0.00%

[1]	This category primarily represents bond index funds not actively managed that track the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index a

DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS, FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS (Details) - USD ($)

3 Months Ended

10 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Feb. 19, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

$ 245,800,000

$ 247,500,000

$ 245,800,000

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

6,100,000

6,800,000

6,100,000

U.S. large cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[1]

55,100,000

55,300,000

55,100,000

U.S. mid cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[2]

21,000,000

21,200,000

21,000,000

U.S. small cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[3]

7,100,000

7,400,000

7,100,000

International - developed [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

35,700,000

^[4]

36,100,000

35,700,000

^[4]

Commodities index [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[5]

11,800,000

12,900,000

11,800,000

U.S. fixed income [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[6]

102,800,000

101,800,000

102,800,000

Fixed Income Securities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[6]

6,200,000

6,000,000

6,200,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

6,100,000

6,800,000

6,100,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

6,100,000

6,800,000

6,100,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. large cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[1]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. mid cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[2]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. small cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[3]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | International - developed [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[4]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Commodities index [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[5]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. fixed income [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[6]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[6]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

239,700,000

240,700,000

239,700,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. large cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[1]

55,100,000

55,300,000

55,100,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. mid cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[2]

21,000,000

21,200,000

21,000,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. small cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[3]

7,100,000

7,400,000

7,100,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | International - developed [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

35,700,000

^[4]

36,100,000

35,700,000

^[4]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commodities index [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[5]

11,800,000

12,900,000

11,800,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. fixed income [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[6]

102,800,000

101,800,000

102,800,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[6]

6,200,000

6,000,000

6,200,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. large cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[1]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. mid cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[2]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. small cap - blend [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[3]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | International - developed [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[4]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commodities index [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[5]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. fixed income [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[6]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

^[6]

Foreign Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Service cost

4,100,000

4,400,000

4,100,000

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

226,200,000

233,200,000

226,200,000

$ 232,600,000

Employer contributions

6,600,000

6,800,000

Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost

7,600,000

8,400,000

7,600,000

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets

(11,600,000)

$ (10,700,000)

Actual return on plan assets

(2,300,000)

46,200,000

Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets

(7,600,000)

$ (43,300,000)

Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate

3.80%

3.50%

Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for other assets (in hundredths)

5.60%

5.40%

Participants contributions

(1,400,000)

$ (1,500,000)

$ (1,400,000)

Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost

300,000

400,000

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

900,000

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

193,300,000

202,500,000

193,300,000

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

32,000,000

29,800,000

32,000,000

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

900,000

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

900,000

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

193,300,000

202,500,000

193,300,000

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

193,300,000.0

202,500,000.0

193,300,000.0

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

32,000,000

29,800,000

32,000,000

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

32,000,000

29,800,000

32,000,000

Pension Plan [Member]

Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]

Service cost

$ 3,400,000

4,900,000

3,900,000

Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets

$ 250,600,000

247,500,000

250,600,000

$ 269,100,000

Employer contributions

12,400,000

10,900,000

Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost

16,400,000

15,500,000

15,100,000

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets

(18,300,000)

(16,700,000)

(18,300,000)

Actual return on plan assets

$ 13,600,000

(300,000)

Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for other assets (in hundredths)

0.30%

Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost

$ (8,100,000)

$ (14,900,000)

$ (12,000,000)

[1]	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P 500 Index.
[2]	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P mid-cap 400 Index.
[3]	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the Russell 2000 Index.
[4]	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index.
[5]	This category represents a commodities index fund not actively managed that tracks the Dow Jones - UBS Commodity Index.
[6]	This category primarily represents bond index funds not actively managed that track the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index a

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS, OTHER DISCLOSURES (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 19, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 245,800,000	$ 247,500,000	$ 245,800,000
Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments	$ 7,100,000		4,300,000	(3,500,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax		(287,000,000)	$ (581,100,000)	$ (287,000,000)			$ 66,200,000
Ultimate health care cost trend rate			6.70%	7.00%
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase			2.00%	2.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost			$ 1,300,000	$ 1,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax			(5,300,000)	5,800,000
Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments			100,000	1,800,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax		(3,900,000)	$ (300,000)	$ (3,900,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data			0.017	0.025
Employer contributions		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		23,600,000	$ 29,000,000	$ 23,600,000	$ 29,400,000
Service cost		1,000,000	900,000	1,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months			200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two			200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three			300,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four			500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five			500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter			3,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		400,000	600,000	400,000
Net Defined Benefit Plan Amortization And Deferral			(200,000)	$ 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		(200,000)	$ (200,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate			2.50%	1.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation		20,600,000	$ 25,400,000	$ 20,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Gain (Loss)		(1,200,000)	(1,200,000)
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax			139,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan Amortization And Deferral	6,600,000		11,200,000	11,300,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	8,100,000		$ 14,900,000	12,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			7.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Future Amortization of Gain (Loss)			$ 11,200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		250,600,000	247,500,000	250,600,000		$ 269,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax			(12,100,000)	15,400,000
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year			17,400,000
Employer contributions			12,400,000	10,900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		$ 363,100,000	366,500,000	363,100,000		$ 388,600,000
Service cost	3,400,000		4,900,000	3,900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	(18,300,000)		(16,700,000)	$ (18,300,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months			26,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two			25,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three			25,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four			24,800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five			24,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter			$ 122,800,000
Discount rate		4.00%	4.20%	4.00%		4.80%
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	16,400,000		$ 15,500,000	$ 15,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid			$ (29,100,000)	$ (29,100,000)
Expected long term rate of return		7.00%	6.80%	7.00%		7.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation		$ 363,100,000	$ 366,500,000	$ 363,100,000
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost		200,000	(2,000,000)
Participants contributions			(700,000)	(800,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax		0	(100,000)	700,000
Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments			900,000	300,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax		(400,000)	$ (1,700,000)	$ (400,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data			0.041	0.042
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year			$ 100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		5,200,000	800,000	$ 5,200,000	6,300,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months			100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two			100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three			100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four			100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five			100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter			$ 200,000
Ultimate health care cost trend rate			7.00%	6.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		200,000	$ 0	$ 200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)		0	(1,900,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid			(1,300,000)	(1,400,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of Plan Amendment on Accumulated Benefit Obligation		0	$ (3,900,000)	$ 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate			4.20%	3.80%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Future Amortization of Gain (Loss)			$ 6,900,000
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax			6,900,000
Defined Benefit Plan Amortization And Deferral	(7,900,000)		(15,900,000)	$ (10,400,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax			200,000	3,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		$ 21,400,000	6,800,000	21,400,000		$ 28,900,000
Service cost	200,000		0	$ 100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months			1,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two			900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three			800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four			700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five			600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter			$ 2,200,000
Discount rate		4.40%	3.80%	4.40%
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	$ 1,800,000		$ 300,000	$ 1,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid			(1,300,000)	(1,800,000)
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member] \| Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		$ 1,800,000	1,000,000	1,800,000
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member] \| Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		19,600,000	5,800,000	19,600,000
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost			800,000	400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax		0	800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		30,900,000	7,500,000	30,900,000	32,800,000
Service cost		$ 200,000	0	$ 200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months			3,700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two			900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three			100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four			100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five			100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter			$ 800,000
Discount rate		3.30%	3.80%	3.30%
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		$ 900,000	$ 800,000	$ 900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		(2,300,000)	(25,000,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Curtailments		700,000	$ 0	$ (700,000)
Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase			3.60%	3.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost			$ (300,000)	$ (400,000)
Participants contributions		(1,400,000)	(1,500,000)	(1,400,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		226,200,000	233,200,000	226,200,000	232,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax		8,400,000	(72,600,000)
Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments			(6,700,000)	(900,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax		3,900,000	$ 32,500,000	$ 3,900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data			0.0265	0.0375
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year			$ 6,100,000
Employer contributions		6,600,000	6,800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation		246,500,000	278,100,000	$ 246,500,000	$ 256,000,000
Service cost		4,100,000	4,400,000	4,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets			(11,600,000)	(10,700,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months			4,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two			4,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three			4,800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four			5,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five			5,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter			37,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		7,600,000	8,400,000	$ 7,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		(4,500,000)	(4,200,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets		(7,600,000)	$ (43,300,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate			3.80%	3.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation		215,100,000	$ 235,800,000	$ 215,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Gain (Loss)		(8,300,000)	$ (49,600,000)
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			50.00%
Equity Securities [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Asset Allocation			70.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		6,100,000	$ 6,800,000	6,100,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		900,000	$ 900,000	900,000
Debt Securities [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Asset Allocation			13.00%
Mutual Funds [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		193,300,000	$ 202,500,000	193,300,000
Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		32,000,000	$ 29,800,000	32,000,000
Variable Annuity [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Asset Allocation			13.00%
Real Estate Properties [Domain] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Asset Allocation			4.00%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		6,100,000	$ 6,800,000	6,100,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		900,000	900,000	900,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		6,100,000	6,800,000	6,100,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		900,000	900,000	900,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Mutual Funds [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		239,700,000	240,700,000	239,700,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		193,300,000	202,500,000	193,300,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Mutual Funds [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		193,300,000.0	202,500,000.0	193,300,000.0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		32,000,000	29,800,000	32,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Mutual Funds [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 32,000,000	$ 29,800,000	$ 32,000,000
Minimum [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			0.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			60.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Debt Securities [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			10.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			10.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Real Estate Funds [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			0.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			5.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			70.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Debt Securities [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			15.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			20.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Real Estate Funds [Member] \| Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			10.00%

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS, FUNDED STATUS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 19, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan	$ 119.0	$ 112.5
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	7.5	30.9	$ 32.8
Funded status of plan	(7.5)	(30.9)
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	0.8	5.2	6.3
Funded status of plan	(0.8)	(5.2)
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	29.0	23.6	$ 29.4
Funded status of plan	(29.0)	(23.6)
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	6.8	21.4		$ 28.9
Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan		(110.6)
Other Liabilities [Member] \| Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan	(3.8)	(10.8)
Other Liabilities [Member] \| Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan	(0.7)	(4.6)
Other Liabilities [Member] \| Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan	(28.8)	(23.4)
Other Liabilities [Member] \| Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	5.8	19.6
Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan		1.9
Accrued Liabilities [Member] \| Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan	(3.7)	(20.1)
Accrued Liabilities [Member] \| Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan	(0.1)	(0.6)
Accrued Liabilities [Member] \| Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan	(0.2)	(0.2)
Accrued Liabilities [Member] \| Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	$ 1.0	$ 1.8

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 5,300.0	$ 5,940.3
Increase (Decrease) in Noncontrolling Interest Put	0.4
Noncontrolling interest puts	15.2	14.9
Fair market value of zero-coupon subordinated notes	79.3	177.1
Fair market value of senior notes	5,254.5	5,457.4
Fair Value Hedges, Net	21.6
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	53.6	45.5
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	54.2	46.8
Contingent Consideration Classified as Equity, Fair Value Disclosure	16.8
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	0.0	0.0
Fair Value Hedges, Net	0.0
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Asset at Fair Value	0.0
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	0.0	0.0
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	0.0
Contingent Consideration Classified as Equity, Fair Value Disclosure	0.0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	15.2	14.9
Fair Value Hedges, Net	14.6
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net		21.6
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	53.6	45.5
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability		0.0
Contingent Consideration Classified as Equity, Fair Value Disclosure	0.0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	0.0	0.0
Fair Value Hedges, Net	0.0
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	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
Contingent Consideration Classified as Equity, Fair Value Disclosure	16.8
Contractually Determined Value [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Noncontrolling Interest Put	0.1
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Noncontrolling Interest Put	$ 0.3

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position at Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 5,300.0	$ 5,940.3
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.298%
Fair Value Hedges, Net	$ 21.6
Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position at Fair Value
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%
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	(4.625%)		(2.625%)
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 614.6	$ 621.6
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 600.0

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$ 117.8	$ 210.7	$ 166.1
Income taxes, net of refunds	284.1	345.7	237.6
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities
Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance shares	6.6	34.6	12.6
Noncash conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	9.9	39.1	1.1
Fair Value of Assets Acquired	29.0	16.0	22.6
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	$ 6.2	$ 4.4	$ 4.3

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	$ 57.9	$ (102.8)	$ 33.4	$ (167.7)	$ 138.3	$ (207.5)	$ 149.0	$ (289.9)
Summary of unaudited quarterly data
Net sales	2,387.3	2,372.7	2,382.0	2,295.2	2,244.8	2,269.9	2,218.7	1,772.3	$ 6,011.6	$ 9,437.2	$ 8,505.7
Cost of Goods and Services Sold									3,808.5	6,256.7	5,602.4
Gross profit	788.0	788.4	826.8	777.3	740.7	764.9	772.6	625.1	2,203.1	3,180.5	2,903.3
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 184.4	$ 179.5	$ 204.1	$ 164.1	$ 110.0	$ 154.7	$ 169.9	$ 3.0	$ 511.2	$ 732.1	$ 437.6
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.79	$ 1.74	$ 2.00	$ 1.62	$ 1.09	$ 1.53	$ 1.69	$ 0.04	$ 6.03	$ 7.14	$ 4.43
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.75	$ 1.71	$ 1.96	$ 1.58	$ 1.07	$ 1.51	$ 1.66	$ 0.04	$ 5.91	$ 7.02	$ 4.35
Covance, Inc. [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax								$ 122.2

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts And Reserves (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Allowance for doubtful accounts [Member]

Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]

Balance at beginning of year

$ 217.0

$ 211.6

$ 198.3

Additions Charged to Costs and Expense

287.3

265.4

276.5

Other (Deductions) Additions

^[1]

(268.7)

(260.0)

(263.2)

Balance at end of year

235.6

217.0

211.6

Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets [Member]

Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]

Balance at beginning of year

15.1

17.1

16.5

Additions Charged to Costs and Expense

16.2

0.0

0.6

Other (Deductions) Additions

^[1]

0.0

(2.0)

Balance at end of year

$ 31.3

$ 15.1

$ 17.1

[1]	Other (Deductions) Additions consists primarily of write-offs of accounts receivable amounts.

Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 1,718.6				$ 1,747.4					$ 1,718.6	$ 1,747.4
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									$ 245.5	499.2	457.8
Depreciation and Amortization of Intangible Assets									234.3	490.5	434.3
Net revenues:
Net sales	2,387.3	$ 2,372.7	$ 2,382.0	$ 2,295.2	2,244.8	$ 2,269.9	$ 2,218.7	$ 1,772.3	6,011.6	9,437.2	8,505.7
Intercompany revenue elimination									0.0	(0.8)	0.0
Reimbursement Revenue									0.0	204.6	174.4	$ 0.0
Revenues									6,011.6	9,641.8	8,680.1	6,011.6
Operating Income (Loss)									904.3	1,312.4	996.8
Nonoperating Income (Expense)									(83.7)	(206.9)	(270.8)
Total pre-tax income									820.6	1,105.5	726.0
Provision for income taxes									308.0	372.3	287.3
Net earnings									512.6	733.2	438.7
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									(1.4)	(1.1)	(1.1)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	184.4	$ 179.5	$ 204.1	$ 164.1	$ 110.0	$ 154.7	$ 169.9	$ 3.0	511.2	732.1	437.6
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	831.9									831.9
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									184.8	270.9	245.8
Net revenues:
Net sales									5,838.0	6,593.9	6,199.3
Operating Income (Loss)									976.2	1,187.6	1,053.7
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	886.7									886.7
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									5.3	219.5	184.4
Net revenues:
Net sales									173.6	2,844.1	2,306.4
Intercompany revenue elimination										(0.8)	0.0	$ 0.0
Operating Income (Loss)									40.7	272.7	73.5
Corporate Segment [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									44.2	0.1	4.1
Net revenues:
Operating Income (Loss)									$ (112.6)	(147.9)	$ (130.4)
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,417.8									1,417.8
Net revenues:
Net sales										7,640.5
UNITED STATES \| LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	778.5									778.5
Net revenues:
Net sales										6,246.1
UNITED STATES \| Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	639.3									639.3
Net revenues:
Net sales										1,395.2
Intercompany revenue elimination										(0.8)
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	50.1									50.1
Net revenues:
Net sales										295.8
CANADA \| LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	50.1									50.1
Net revenues:
Net sales										295.8
CANADA \| Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	0.0									0.0
Net revenues:
Net sales										0.0
Intercompany revenue elimination										0.0
UNITED KINGDOM
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	107.9									107.9
Net revenues:
Net sales										275.9
UNITED KINGDOM \| LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	2.4									2.4
Net revenues:
Net sales										41.8
UNITED KINGDOM \| Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	105.5									105.5
Net revenues:
Net sales										234.1
Intercompany revenue elimination										0.0
SWITZERLAND
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	81.4									81.4
Net revenues:
Net sales										450.5
SWITZERLAND \| LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	0.0									0.0
Net revenues:
Net sales										0.0
SWITZERLAND \| Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	81.4									81.4
Net revenues:
Net sales										450.5
Intercompany revenue elimination										0.0
Other countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	61.4									61.4
Net revenues:
Net sales										774.5
Other countries [Member] \| LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	0.9									0.9
Net revenues:
Net sales										10.2
Other countries [Member] \| Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 60.5									60.5
Net revenues:
Net sales										764.3
Intercompany revenue elimination										$ 0.0

Business Segments Operating Earnings (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,387.3	$ 2,372.7	$ 2,382.0	$ 2,295.2	$ 2,244.8	$ 2,269.9	$ 2,218.7	$ 1,772.3	$ 6,011.6	$ 9,437.2	$ 8,505.7
Intercompany revenue elimination									0.0	(0.8)	0.0
Nonoperating Income (Expense)									$ (83.7)	$ (206.9)	$ (270.8)

Label	Element	Value
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures	$ 6,600,000
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	lh_ConversionOfZeroCouponConvertibleDebt	3,900,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	45,700,000
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	lh_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderEmployeeStockPlans	114,800,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation	5,900,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures	0
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	lh_ConversionOfZeroCouponConvertibleDebt	3,900,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	45,700,000
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	lh_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderEmployeeStockPlans	114,600,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation	5,900,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	170,100,000
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	(76,700,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures	0
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	lh_ConversionOfZeroCouponConvertibleDebt	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	lh_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderEmployeeStockPlans	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation	0
Common Stock [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures	0
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	lh_ConversionOfZeroCouponConvertibleDebt	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	lh_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderEmployeeStockPlans	200,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	300,000
Retained Earnings [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures	0
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	lh_ConversionOfZeroCouponConvertibleDebt	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	lh_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderEmployeeStockPlans	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	511,200,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	98,600,000
Treasury Stock [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Restricted Stock Award, Forfeitures	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures	6,600,000
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	lh_ConversionOfZeroCouponConvertibleDebt	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue	0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	lh_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderEmployeeStockPlans	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation	0
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue	$ 0