Alere 10-K 8 Aug 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 04, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	ALR
Entity Registrant Name	ALERE INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1,145,460
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		86,734,565
Entity Public Float			$ 4,486,967,750

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net product sales	$ 1,954,031	$ 2,022,240	$ 2,048,789
Services revenue	492,308	531,988	532,618
Net product sales and services revenue	2,446,339	2,554,228	2,581,407
License and royalty revenue	16,977	21,050	27,229
Net revenue	2,463,316	2,575,278	2,608,636
Cost of net product sales	1,042,603	1,062,499	1,014,531
Cost of services revenue	304,388	294,949	274,229
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	1,346,991	1,357,448	1,288,760
Cost of license and royalty revenue	3,781	5,592	7,763
Cost of net revenue	1,350,772	1,363,040	1,296,523
Gross profit	1,112,544	1,212,238	1,312,113
Operating expenses:
Research and development	119,453	144,828	159,053
Sales and marketing	435,131	512,961	566,137
General and administrative	369,570	453,628	435,199
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	50,540	7,742	5,124
Operating income (loss)	137,850	93,079	146,600
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	(216,997)	(209,191)	(255,346)
Other income (expense), net	(1,843)	(2,221)	(11,260)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(80,990)	(118,333)	(120,006)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(52,704)	70,930	(44,707)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	(28,286)	(189,263)	(75,299)
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	15,530	17,509	17,443
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(12,756)	(171,754)	(57,856)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	219,513	138,318	(16,126)
Net income (loss)	206,757	(33,436)	(73,982)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	381	30	976
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	206,376	(33,466)	(74,958)
Preferred stock dividends	(21,293)	(21,293)	(21,293)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 185,083	$ (54,759)	$ (96,251)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.40)	$ (2.33)	$ (0.98)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	2.57	1.67	(0.20)
Net income (loss) per common share	$ 2.17	$ (0.66)	$ (1.18)
Weighted-average shares -basic and diluted	85,420	82,938	81,542

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 206,757	$ (33,436)	$ (73,982)
Other comprehensive loss, before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	(146,438)	(166,448)	(50,166)
Unrealized losses on available for sale securities	0	(17)	0
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments	0	38	39
Minimum pension liability adjustment	(1,173)	(169)	(415)
Other comprehensive loss, before tax	(147,611)	(166,596)	(50,542)
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive loss	56	(173)	(106)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(147,667)	(166,423)	(50,436)
Comprehensive income (loss)	59,090	(199,859)	(124,418)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	381	30	976
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$ 58,709	$ (199,889)	$ (125,394)

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 502,200	$ 378,461
Restricted cash	5,694	37,571
Marketable securities	164	259
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $89,701 and $76,163 at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	445,833	461,096
Inventories, net	347,001	377,349
Deferred tax assets	0	127,920
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	152,233	132,413
Assets held for sale - current	4,165	315,515
Total current assets	1,457,290	1,830,584
Property, plant and equipment, net	446,039	454,223
Goodwill	2,836,915	2,926,666
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	28,110	43,651
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	997,281	1,276,444
Restricted cash	43,228	0
Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets	52,128	67,832
Investments in unconsolidated entities	65,333	91,693
Deferred tax assets	13,993	6,318
Non-current income tax receivable	3,517	2,468
Assets held for sale - non-current	13,337	0
Total assets	5,957,171	6,699,879
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	199,992	88,875
Current portion of capital lease obligations	3,962	4,241
Accounts payable	195,752	213,592
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	324,465	385,927
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - current	363	78,843
Total current liabilities	724,534	771,478
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	2,865,216	3,621,385
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	7,181	11,593
Deferred tax liabilities	147,618	231,963
Other long-term liabilities	154,193	146,920
Total long-term liabilities	3,174,208	4,011,861
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Series B preferred stock, $0.001 par value (liquidation preference: $709,763 at December 31, 2015 and 2014); Authorized: 2,300 shares; Issued: 2,065 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014; Outstanding: 1,774 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014	606,468	606,468
Common stock, $0.001 par value; Authorized: 200,000 shares; Issued: 94,043 shares and 91,532 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively; Outstanding: 86,364 shares and 83,853 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively	94	92
Additional paid-in capital	3,438,732	3,355,672
Accumulated deficit	(1,466,381)	(1,672,757)
Treasury stock, at cost, 7,679 shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014	(184,971)	(184,971)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(339,777)	(192,110)
Total stockholders' equity	2,054,165	1,912,394
Non-controlling interests	4,264	4,146
Total equity	2,058,429	1,916,540
Total liabilities and equity	$ 5,957,171	$ 6,699,879

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 89,701	$ 76,163
Series B preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Series B preferred stock, liquidation preference	$ 709,763	$ 709,763
Series B preferred stock, shares authorized	2,300,000	2,300,000
Series B preferred stock, shares issued	2,065,000	2,065,000
Series B preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,774,000	1,774,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	94,043,000	91,532,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	86,364,000	83,853,000
Treasury stock, shares	7,679,000	7,679,000

Consolidated Statements of Equi

Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Treasury Stock, at Cost [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 2,184,219	$ 606,468	$ 89	$ 3,299,935	$ (1,564,333)	$ (184,971)	$ 24,749	$ 2,181,937	$ 2,282
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012		1,774	88,576			7,679
Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans	20,715		$ 1	20,714				20,715
Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans, Shares			1,090
Preferred stock dividends	(21,293)			(21,293)				(21,293)
Stock-based compensation expense	21,210			21,210				21,210
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	(1,398)			(1,398)				(1,398)
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax	(309)						(309)	(309)
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax	(50,166)						(50,166)	(50,166)
Unrealized gain on hedging instruments, net of tax	39						39	39
Non-controlling interest capital contribution	1,788								1,788
Non-controlling interest dividend	(164)								(164)
Net income (loss)	(73,982)				(74,958)			(74,958)	976
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	2,080,659	$ 606,468	$ 90	3,319,168	(1,639,291)	$ (184,971)	(25,687)	2,075,777	4,882
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013		1,774	89,666			7,679
Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans	51,555		$ 2	51,553				51,555
Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans, Shares			1,866
Preferred stock dividends	(21,293)			(21,293)				(21,293)
Stock-based compensation expense	12,452			12,452				12,452
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	(6,208)			(6,208)				(6,208)
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax	4						4	4
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax	(166,448)						(166,448)	(166,448)
Unrealized gain on hedging instruments and marketable securities, net of tax	21						21	21
Non-controlling interest capital contribution	(766)								(766)
Net income (loss)	(33,436)				(33,466)			(33,466)	30
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,916,540	$ 606,468	$ 92	3,355,672	(1,672,757)	$ (184,971)	(192,110)	1,912,394	4,146
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014		1,774	91,532			7,679
Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans	79,185		$ 2	79,183				79,185
Issuance of common stock under employee compensation plans, Shares			2,600
Net issuance of common stock to settle taxes on restricted stock units, value	(4,168)			(4,168)				(4,168)
Net issuance of common stock to settle taxes on restricted stock units, Shares			(89)
Preferred stock dividends	(21,293)			(21,293)				(21,293)
Stock-based compensation expense	26,391			26,391				26,391
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	2,947			2,947				2,947
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax	(1,229)						(1,229)	(1,229)
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax	(146,438)						(146,438)	(146,438)
Non-controlling interest capital contribution	50								50
Non-controlling interest dividend	(313)								(313)
Net income (loss)	206,757				206,376			206,376	381
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 2,058,429	$ 606,468	$ 94	$ 3,438,732	$ (1,466,381)	$ (184,971)	$ (339,777)	$ 2,054,165	$ 4,264
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015		1,774	94,043			7,679

Consolidated Statements of Equ7

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 206,757	$ (33,436)	$ (73,982)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	219,513	138,318	(16,126)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(12,756)	(171,754)	(57,856)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	12,831	16,233	17,839
Depreciation and amortization	309,264	336,029	374,657
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition	0	0	2,504
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	26,391	12,452	21,210
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations retained by Alere Inc.	0	9,845	7,882
Impairment of inventory	15,597	3,124	337
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets	3,708	7,019	6,504
Loss on sale of fixed assets	3,925	6,545	1,471
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	(15,530)	(17,509)	(17,443)
Deferred income taxes	(99,389)	12,254	(122,495)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	19,886	0	35,603
Loss related to impairment and net loss on disposition	50,540	7,742	5,124
Bargain purchase gain	0	0	(8,023)
Other non-cash items	28,782	4,965	10,450
Non-cash change in fair value of contingent purchase price consideration	(59,871)	7,677	19,250
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	(14,380)	(3,262)	(41,309)
Inventories, net	(60,478)	(68,033)	(85,680)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(43,014)	(51,998)	(11,310)
Accounts payable	(10,783)	47,851	17,750
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	24,194	37,698	22,737
Other non-current liabilities	34,362	13,254	(12,874)
Cash paid for contingent consideration	(6,315)	(22,077)	(11,660)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	206,964	188,055	174,668
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	318	43,468	69,232
Net cash provided by operating activities	207,282	231,523	243,900
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(13,715)	(5,446)	(31,164)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(90,778)	(100,562)	(99,908)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2,099	1,486	3,618
Cash received from (used in) dispositions, net of cash divested	675,823	45,076	29,000
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(60,135)	(75)	(176,131)
Cash received from investments	0	198	0
Proceeds from sale of equity investment	0	8,546	0
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	92	580	41
Cash received from equity method investments	26,136	980	29,338
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(1,794)	986	14,723
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	537,728	(48,231)	(230,483)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(209)	(8,972)	(26,963)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	537,519	(57,203)	(257,446)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	(16,188)	(1,528)	(9,845)
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	(14,223)	(32,902)	(40,079)
Cash paid for dividends	(21,293)	(21,293)	(21,293)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	79,185	51,555	20,863
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt	1,511	806	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,162,162	58	458,962
Payments on short-term debt	(25,584)	0	0
Payments on long-term debt	(2,656,386)	(65,122)	(470,557)
Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities	(127,536)	(42,522)	138,963
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	0	972	461
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(5,618)	(6,085)	(6,533)
Purchase of non-controlling interest	0	(623)	(165)
Other	(8,937)	0	(18,953)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	(632,907)	(116,684)	51,824
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(76)	(1,471)	(2,833)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(632,983)	(118,155)	48,991
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	(11,379)	(16,312)	(1,871)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	100,439	39,853	33,574
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	378,461	355,431	316,479
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	23,300	6,477	11,855
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	502,200	401,761	361,908
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period	0	23,300	6,477
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	$ 502,200	$ 378,461	$ 355,431

Description of Business and Bas

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation of Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation of Financial Information	(1) Description of Business and Basis of Presentation of Financial Information Alere Inc. delivers reliable and actionable health information through rapid diagnostic tests, resulting in better clinical and economic healthcare outcomes globally. Our high-performance diagnostics for infectious disease, cardiometabolic disease and toxicology are designed to meet the growing global demand for accurate, easy-to-use and cost-effective near-patient tests. Our business is organized into three operating segments: (i) professional diagnostics, (ii) consumer diagnostics and (iii) corporate and other. The professional diagnostics segment includes an array of innovative rapid diagnostic test products and other in vitro diagnostic tests marketed to medical professionals and laboratories for the detection of diseases and conditions within our areas of focus identified above. The consumer diagnostics segment consists primarily of manufacturing operations related to our role as the exclusive manufacturer of products for SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics, or SPD, our 50/50 joint venture with The Procter & Gamble Company, or P&G. SPD has significant operations in the worldwide over-the-counter pregnancy and fertility/ovulation test market. As a result of the sale in January 2015 of our health management business, which was the largest component of our former patient self-testing reporting segment, we no longer report separate financial information for that segment, which now forms part of our professional diagnostics segment. Financial information by segment for 2014 has been retroactively adjusted to reflect this change in reporting segments. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alere Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated and net earnings are reduced by the portion of the net earnings of subsidiaries applicable to non-controlling interests. Equity investments in which we exercise significant influence but do not control and are not the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which we are not able to exercise significant influence over the investee and which do not have readily determinable fair values are accounted for under the cost method. Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made in order to retrospectively present discontinued operations and non-cash changes in fair value of contingent purchase price consideration. These reclassifications have no effect on net income or equity. Certain amounts presented may not recalculate directly, due to rounding.

Revision of Previously Reported

Revision of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Revision of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements	(2) Revision of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, we determined that, in fiscal years 2013 and 2014, each of the interim periods of 2014 and the first three quarters of fiscal year 2015, we had incorrectly reported the timing of recognition of certain revenue transactions for such periods. As a result, we are revising our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and each of the interim periods of 2014 and the first three quarters of fiscal year 2015. Specifically, the errors in the application of generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S., or U.S. GAAP, rules regarding the timing of revenue recognition primarily relate to: (i) transactions, principally in Africa, in which we recognized revenue when the product shipped to the distributor, but we contractually retained title in the products until the distributor paid for the products in full or the distributor was not obligated to pay us until the products were sold through to the end-user; (ii) “bill and hold” transactions, principally in China, which did not meet the criteria for revenue recognition under U.S. GAAP; and (iii) other transactions, in which we recognized revenue prior to full satisfaction of all contractual criteria for title and risk of loss passing to the customer. The errors did not impact the total amount of revenue recorded related to any transaction, other than in connection with establishing a returns allowance for our Indian subsidiary that is not material in amount. However, these misstatements would require adjustments to the period in which certain revenues were recognized so that such revenues are recognized in the period in which: physical delivery occurred as defined by the contractual relationship; title and risk of loss had transferred to the buyer; or the buyer had the contractual obligation to pay the amounts invoiced, as required by U.S. GAAP revenue recognition rules and our accounting policy relating to revenue recognition. We evaluated the cumulative impact of these items on our previously-issued annual financial statements for 2013 and 2014, the interim financial statements for 2014 and 2015 under the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 250 Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (ASC 250) relating to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 99, Materiality We also evaluated the impact of revising these items through an adjustment to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and concluded, based on the guidance within ASC 250 relating to SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements Additionally, we have reflected several out-of-period adjustments in the periods in which such adjustments originated. These adjustments were identified during the financial closing process in 2015. The adjustments identified in the periods ended June 30 and September 30, 2015 were previously recorded in the financial statements in the periods identified and we had previously concluded that the correction of these errors was not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our previously issued financial statements. The financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been adjusted to include the adjustments in the period in which they originated. Because these out-of-period adjustments are treated as corrections to our prior period financial results, the revised financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been identified as such. These adjustments were related to (i) a correction to a specific bonus accrual recorded in sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses; (ii) errors in the measurement of a royalty obligation recorded in other income (expense), net; and (iii) $6.7 million and $1 million net tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, that is primarily related to $9.7 million of tax benefit associated with an adjustment to U.S. foreign earnings offset by a $1.5 million tax expense associated with an adjustment to the section 199 deduction. The revisions had the impact of increasing accumulated deficit on the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2012 by $4.8 million. The revisions to the consolidated statements of cash flows did not impact previously reported net cash flows from operating activities, investing activities, or financing activities and as a result, there was no net impact to net change in cash and cash equivalents for any previously reported periods. As a result of the foregoing review, in our future quarterly reports, there will also be revisions to the comparative interim quarterly financial statements within the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. We have concluded that none of the revisions to our consolidated financial statements for the interim periods in 2014 and 2015 was material, individually or in the aggregate, to any of our previously issued financial statements for such individual interim periods. The following schedules reconcile the amounts as previously reported in the applicable financial statement to the corresponding revised amounts: Year Ended December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidated Statement of Operations (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Net product sales $ 2,035,666 $ (13,426 ) $ 2,022,240 Net product sales and services revenue $ 2,567,654 $ (13,426 ) $ 2,554,228 Net revenue $ 2,588,704 $ (13,426 ) $ 2,575,278 Cost of net product sales $ 1,069,422 $ (6,923 ) $ 1,062,499 Cost of services revenue $ 294,753 $ 196 $ 294,949 Cost of net product sales and services revenue $ 1,364,175 $ (6,727 ) $ 1,357,448 Cost of net revenue $ 1,369,767 $ (6,727 ) $ 1,363,040 Gross profit $ 1,218,937 $ (6,699 ) $ 1,212,238 Sales and marketing $ 513,801 $ (840 ) $ 512,961 General and administrative $ 453,988 $ (360 ) $ 453,628 Operating income (loss) $ 98,578 $ (5,499 ) $ 93,079 Other income (expense), net $ (731 ) $ (1,490 ) $ (2,221 ) Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ (111,344 ) $ (6,989 ) $ (118,333 ) Benefit (provision) for income taxes $ 82,193 $ (11,263 ) $ 70,930 Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax $ (193,537 ) $ 4,274 $ (189,263 ) Loss from continuing operations $ (176,028 ) $ 4,274 $ (171,754 ) Net loss $ (37,710 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,436 ) Net loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (37,740 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,466 ) Net loss available to common stockholders $ (59,033 ) $ 4,274 $ (54,759 ) Basic and diluted net loss per common share: Loss from continuing operations $ (2.38 ) $ 0.05 $ (2.33 ) Basic and diluted net loss per common share: Net loss per common share $ (0.71 ) $ 0.05 $ (0.66 ) Year Ended December 31, 2013 Revised Consolidated Statement of Operations (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Net product sales $ 2,056,519 $ (7,730 ) $ 2,048,789 Services revenue $ 532,616 $ 2 $ 532,618 Net product sales and services revenue $ 2,589,135 $ (7,728 ) $ 2,581,407 Net revenue $ 2,616,364 $ (7,728 ) $ 2,608,636 Cost of net product sales $ 1,017,501 $ (2,970 ) $ 1,014,531 Cost of service revenue $ 274,045 $ 184 $ 274,229 Cost of net product sales and services revenue $ 1,291,546 $ (2,786 ) $ 1,288,760 Cost of net revenue $ 1,299,309 $ (2,786 ) $ 1,296,523 Gross profit $ 1,317,055 $ (4,942 ) $ 1,312,113 Operating income $ 151,542 $ (4,942 ) $ 146,600 Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ (115,064 ) $ (4,942 ) $ (120,006 ) Benefit for income taxes $ (42,014 ) $ (2,693 ) $ (44,707 ) Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax $ (73,050 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (75,299 ) Loss from continuing operations $ (55,607 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (57,856 ) Net loss $ (71,733 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (73,982 ) Net loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (72,709 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (74,958 ) Net loss available to common stockholders $ (94,002 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (96,251 ) Basic and diluted loss per common share: Loss from continuing operations $ (0.95 ) $ (0.03 ) $ (0.98 ) Basic and diluted loss per common share: Net loss per common share $ (1.15 ) $ (0.03 ) $ (1.18 ) Year Ended December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Net loss $ (37,710 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,436 ) Comprehensive loss $ (204,133 ) $ 4,274 $ (199,859 ) Comprehensive loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (204,163 ) $ 4,274 $ (199,889 ) Year Ended December 31, 2013 Revised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) As Revision As Revised Net loss $ (71,733 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (73,982 ) Comprehensive loss $ (122,169 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (124,418 ) Comprehensive loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (123,145 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (125,394 ) As of December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidated Balance Sheet (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Accounts receivable, net of allowances $ 466,106 $ (5,010 ) $ 461,096 Inventories, net $ 365,165 $ 12,184 $ 377,349 Deferred tax assets — current $ 112,573 $ 15,347 $ 127,920 Total current assets $ 1,808,063 $ 22,521 $ 1,830,584 Property, plant and equipment $ 453,570 $ 653 $ 454,223 Deferred tax assets $ 8,569 $ (2,251 ) $ 6,318 Total assets $ 6,678,956 $ 20,923 $ 6,699,879 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 375,494 $ 10,433 $ 385,927 Total current liabilities $ 761,045 $ 10,433 $ 771,478 Capital lease obligations, net of current portion $ 10,560 $ 1,033 $ 11,593 Deferred tax liabilities $ 214,639 $ 17,324 $ 231,963 Other long-term liabilities $ 161,582 $ (14,662 ) $ 146,920 Total long-term liabilities $ 4,008,166 $ 3,695 $ 4,011,861 Accumulated deficit $ (1,679,552 ) $ 6,795 $ (1,672,757 ) Total stockholders’ equity $ 1,905,599 $ 6,795 $ 1,912,394 Total equity $ 1,909,745 $ 6,795 $ 1,916,540 Total liabilities and equity $ 6,678,956 $ 20,923 $ 6,699,879 Revised Consolidated Statement of Equity (in thousands) As Previously Revision Adjustment As Revised Accumulated deficit, Balance at December 31, 2012 $ (1,569,103 ) $ 4,770 $ (1,564,333 ) Net loss $ (72,709 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (74,958 ) Accumulated deficit, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ (1,641,812 ) $ 2,521 $ (1,639,291 ) Total stockholders’ equity, Balance at December 31, 2012 $ 2,177,167 $ 4,770 $ 2,181,937 Net loss $ (72,709 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (74,958 ) Total stockholders’ equity, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 2,073,256 $ 2,521 $ 2,075,777 Total equity, Balance at December 31, 2012 $ 2,179,449 $ 4,770 $ 2,184,219 Net loss $ (71,733 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (73,982 ) Total equity, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 2,078,138 $ 2,521 $ 2,080,659 Revised Consolidated Statement of Equity (in thousands) As Previously Revision Adjustment As Revised Accumulated deficit, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ (1,641,812 ) $ 2,521 $ (1,639,291 ) Net loss $ (37,740 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,466 ) Accumulated deficit, Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (1,679,552 ) $ 6,795 $ (1,672,757 ) Total stockholders’ equity, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 2,073,256 $ 2,521 $ 2,075,777 Net loss $ (37,740 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,466 ) Total stockholders’ equity, Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 1,905,599 $ 6,795 $ 1,912,394 Total equity, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 2,078,138 $ 2,521 $ 2,080,659 Net loss $ (37,710 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,436 ) Total equity, Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 1,909,745 $ 6,795 $ 1,916,540 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Net loss $ (37,710 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,436 ) Loss from continuing operations $ (176,028 ) $ 4,274 $ (171,754 ) Depreciation and amortization $ 335,833 $ 196 $ 336,029 Deferred income taxes $ (6,982 ) $ 19,236 $ 12,254 Accounts receivable, net $ (689 ) $ (2,573 ) $ (3,262 ) Inventories, net $ (61,110 ) $ (6,923 ) $ (68,033 ) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 36,155 $ 1,543 $ 37,698 Other non-current liabilities $ 29,007 $ (15,753 ) $ 13,254 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Net loss $ (71,733 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (73,982 ) Loss from continuing operations $ (55,607 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (57,856 ) Depreciation and amortization $ 374,473 $ 184 $ 374,657 Deferred income taxes $ (129,687 ) $ 7,192 $ (122,495 ) Accounts receivable, net $ (46,672 ) $ 5,363 $ (41,309 ) Inventories, net $ (82,710 ) $ (2,970 ) $ (85,680 ) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 12,027 $ 10,710 $ 22,737 Other non-current liabilities $ 5,356 $ (18,230 ) $ (12,874 ) We have also reflected these corrections as applicable in our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, and also in the consolidating financial statements presented in Note 27 Guarantor Financial Information

Assets Held for Sale

Assets Held for Sale	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets Held for Sale	(25) Impairment and (Gain) Loss on Dispositions, Net In November 2015, we completed the sale of the BBI business. The BBI business was a component of our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment. We received cash consideration of approximately $106.4 million, net of a final working capital adjustment, and we are eligible to receive contingent consideration payments of up to $46.6 million upon the achievement of certain milestones. The net assets disposed of in connection with the disposition of the BBI business were valued at an aggregate of $66.5 million and the value of the allocated goodwill was $49.2 million. Because the aggregate value of the net assets and goodwill disposed of in the transaction exceeded the closing cash consideration, we recorded a $9.3 million loss in 2015 on the disposition of the BBI business. In July 2015, we sold certain assets of our Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd business, which was part of our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment, for AUD 0.2 million (approximately $0.1 million as of the date of disposition) in cash proceeds and, as a result of this transaction, we recorded a loss of $1.2 million during 2015. In May 2015, we sold our Alere Analytics business, which was part of our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment. Under the terms of the sale we received nominal consideration and agreed to contribute working capital of $2.7 million to Alere Analytics, of which $2.4 million was contributed in cash immediately prior to the closing of the sale and the remaining $0.3 million of which was deposited in escrow pending the performance by the buyers under certain contracts. As a result of this transaction we recorded a loss of $3.6 million during 2015. During 2015, before identifying a buyer for Alere Analytics, our management decided to close the business, and in connection with this decision we recorded an impairment charge of $26.7 million during 2015, including the write-off of $26.2 million of acquisition-related intangible assets and $0.5 million of fixed assets. In March 2015, we sold certain assets of our AdnaGen GmbH business, which was part of our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment, for approximately $4.6 million in cash proceeds and, as a result of this transaction, we recorded a loss of $0.3 million during 2015. In March 2015, we sold our Gesellschaft fur Patientenhilfe DGP GmbH subsidiary, which was part of our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment, for € We recorded additional charges of approximately $0.8 million in connection with certain other business closures or divestitures during 2015. In December 2014, our management decided to close our Alere Connect, LLC subsidiary located in Scottsdale, Arizona. In connection with this decision, we recorded an impairment charge of $10.8 million. During 2015, in connection with this decision, we recorded impairment charges of $1.1 million, consisting primarily of severance costs, inventory write-offs and other closure-related expenses. In November 2014, we sold BioNote to the former owner of that company who was also its Chief Executive Officer while it was owned by us. We received cash consideration of KRW 48.0 billion (approximately $43.2 million at the date of disposition), resulting in a gain on disposition of $6.5 million. In October 2014, we sold our subsidiary Mologic Ltd., located in the United Kingdom, to former owners of the company who were also members of management while it was owned by us. The consideration received was nominal, resulting in a loss on disposition of $2.8 million. The financial results for the above businesses are immaterial to our consolidated financial results.
Assets Held-for-sale [Member]
Assets Held for Sale	(24) Assets Held for Sale (a) Sale of Alere E-Santé In December 2015, we entered into an agreement with Air Liquide Santé International to sell 100% of the shares and voting rights of Alere E-Santé SAS, or Alere E-Santé, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alere Inc. for a total purchase price of $9.0 million, including up to $1.5 million of contingent cash consideration. The final purchase price was subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment. The E-Santé business is a component of our professional diagnostics reporting unit. We have segregated and classified $4.2 million of various assets associated with our E-Santé business, including $3.2 million of allocated goodwill, as assets held for sale—current and $0.4 million of various liabilities as liabilities related to assets held for sale—current, on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. In January 2016, we completed the sale of Alere E-Santé. We received cash consideration of approximately $8.1 million, net of the final working capital adjustment. As a result of this transaction, we recorded a $3.8 million gain in 2016 on the disposition of the Alere E-Santé business. (b) Sale of TechLab Equity Method Investment As of December 31, 2015, we continued to meet the held for sale criteria with respect to our 49% investment in TechLab. We intend to use all or a portion of the proceeds from any sale of this investment to fund our working capital, operations, research and development or repay a portion of our outstanding indebtedness. Accordingly, we have classified our investment in TechLab, with a value of approximately $13.3 million, in assets held for sale – non-current in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. See Note 23(b).
Alere Accountable Care Solutions, LLC ("ACS") [Member]
Assets Held for Sale	(3) Discontinued Operations On January 9, 2015, we completed the sale of our health management business to OptumHealth Care Solutions for a purchase price of $599.9 million. We used the net cash proceeds of the sale to repay $575.0 million in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness under our prior credit facility. We accounted for our divestiture of the health management business in accordance with Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-08. The following assets and liabilities associated with the health management business have been segregated and classified as assets held for sale and liabilities related to assets held for sale, as appropriate, in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands): December 31, 2014 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,300 Restricted cash 361 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $5,882 at December 31, 2014 50,902 Inventories, net 1,656 Deferred tax assets – current 6,939 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,857 Property, plant and equipment, net 57,595 Goodwill 82,665 Finite-lived intangible assets, net 82,428 Deferred tax assets – non-current 3,347 Other non-current assets 2,465 Total assets held for sale $ 315,515 Liabilities Current portion of capital lease obligations $ 799 Accounts payable 5,654 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 32,822 Capital lease obligations, net of current portion 365 Deferred tax liabilities – non-current 27,453 Other long-term liabilities 11,750 Total liabilities related to assets held for sale $ 78,843 On October 10, 2014, we completed the sale of our ACS subsidiary, or ACS, to ACS Acquisition, LLC (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to the terms of a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with the Purchaser and Sumit Nagpal. In connection with the sale of ACS, we also agreed to sell our subsidiary Wellogic ME FZ – LLC (“Wellogic,” together with ACS, the “ACS Companies”) to the Purchaser, which we completed in June 2015. The ACS Companies were included in our former patient self-testing segment prior to the sale. The purchase price for the ACS Companies consisted of cash proceeds of $2.00 at closing and contingent consideration of up to an aggregate of $7.0 million, consisting of (i) payments based on the gross revenues of the ACS Companies, (ii) payments to be made in connection with financing transactions by the Purchaser or the ACS Companies and (iii) payments to be made in connection with a sale by the Purchaser of the ACS Companies. In connection with the sale, we agreed to reimburse the Purchaser for up to $750,000 of the Purchaser’s and the ACS Companies’ transitional expenses. We accounted for our divestiture of the ACS Companies in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 205, Presentation of Financial Statements. The following summarized financial information related to the businesses of the ACS Companies and the health management business has been segregated from continuing operations and has been reported as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations. The results of the health management business are included in all the periods presented, given our January 9, 2015 divestiture of this business. The results of the ACS Companies, other than Wellogic, are included in 2014 and 2013, given our October 31, 2014 divestiture of this business. The results are as follows (in thousands): For The Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Net revenue $ 7,373 $ 359,496 $ 409,579 Cost of net revenue (4,413 ) (203,115 ) (229,310 ) Research and development — — (1,750 ) Sales and marketing (996 ) (56,808 ) (73,700 ) General and administrative (5,001 ) (99,383 ) (129,565 ) Interest expense (9 ) (506 ) (310 ) Other income (expense), net 160 (1,799 ) (1,860 ) Gain on disposal 364,850 — — Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes 361,964 (2,115 ) (26,916 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes 142,451 (140,433 ) (10,790 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax $ 219,513 $ 138,318 $ (16,126 )

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	4) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (a) Use of Estimates To prepare our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, our management must make estimates, judgments and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from such estimates under different assumptions or conditions. (b) Foreign Currencies In general, the functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries are the local currencies. For the purpose of consolidating the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries, all assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date, while the stockholders’ equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates. Translation gains and losses that result from the conversion of the balance sheets of the foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars are recorded to cumulative translation adjustment, which is a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 16) within stockholders’ equity. The revenue and expenses of our foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average of the rates of exchange in effect during each fiscal month. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange transaction losses of $4.8 million, $2.2 million and $4.0 million during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are included as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. (c) Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly-liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consisted of money market funds at December 31, 2015 and 2014. (d) Restricted Cash We had restricted cash of $48.9 million and $37.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Of the $48.9 million restricted cash as of December 31, 2015, $43.2 million was classified as non-current on our consolidated balance sheet, as it secures a foreign bank loan arrangement that we entered into during the third quarter of 2015 and, under the terms of the loan agreement, is required to remain on deposit for two years unless the loan is terminated prior to maturity. (e) Marketable Securities Securities classified as available-for-sale or trading are carried at fair value, as determined by quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. Realized gains and losses on securities are included in other income (expense), net, on a specific identification basis. Unrealized holding gains and losses (except for other than temporary impairments) on securities classified as available-for-sale, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of related tax effects. (f) Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and are made up of raw material, work-in-process and finished goods. The cost elements of work-in-process and finished goods inventory consist of raw material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. Where finished goods inventory is purchased from third-party manufacturers, the costs of finished goods inventory recorded in the financial statements represent the costs to acquire such inventory. (g) Property, Plant and Equipment We record property, plant and equipment at historical cost or, in the case of a business combination, at fair value on the date of the business combination. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives of the related assets: machinery, laboratory equipment and tooling, 1-15 years; buildings, 7- 61 years; leasehold improvements, lesser of the remaining term of the lease or estimated useful life of the asset; computer software and equipment, 1-10 years and furniture and fixtures, 2-16 years. Land is not depreciated. Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment amounted to $98.7 million, $97.6 million and $94.3 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Fully-depreciated property, plant and equipment that are still in use remain on the books until disposal or retirement. When property, plant and equipment are retired or disposed of, the cost and respective accumulated depreciation are removed from the books. Any gain or loss on disposal is recorded in the income statement. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. (h) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives Goodwill relates to amounts that arose in connection with our various business combinations and represents the difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets when accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to periodic review for impairment. We test goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives at the reporting unit level for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests, if events and circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Events that would indicate impairment and trigger an interim impairment assessment include, but are not limited to, current economic and market conditions, including a decline in market capitalization, a significant adverse change in legal factors, business climate or operational performance of the business and an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. In performing the annual goodwill impairment test, we utilize the two-step approach. The first step, or Step 1, requires a comparison of the carrying value of each reporting unit to its estimated fair value. To estimate the fair value of our reporting units for Step 1, we use a combination of the income approach, the market comparable approach and the market transaction approach. The income approach is based on a discounted cash flow analysis, or DCF approach, and calculates the fair value by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to a reporting unit and then discounting the after-tax cash flows to a present value, using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Assumptions used in the DCF approach require the exercise of significant judgment, including judgment about appropriate discount rates and terminal values, growth rates and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The forecasted cash flows are based on our most recent budget and for years beyond the budget, our estimates are based on assumed growth rates. We believe our assumptions are consistent with the plans and estimates used to manage the underlying businesses. The discount rates, which are intended to reflect the risks inherent in future cash flow projections, used in the DCF approach are based on estimates of the weighted-average cost of capital, or WACC, of market participants relative to each respective reporting unit. The market approaches consider comparable and transactional market data based on multiples of revenue or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, based on trading multiples of selected guidelines companies and deal multiples of selected target companies. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we are required to perform the second step, or Step 2, of the annual goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying value. The implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the estimated fair value of its assets and liabilities. To the extent this amount is below the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded to write down the carrying value to its implied value. Impairment charges related to goodwill have no impact on our cash balances or on compliance with financial covenants under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. As a result of the sale of our health management business in January 2015, which was the largest component of our former patient self-testing reporting segment, we ceased to report our financial information in four operating segments. Beginning in 2015, our reporting units are professional diagnostics and consumer diagnostics. 2015 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test We conducted our 2015 annual impairment test for our reporting units during the fourth quarter of 2015. Key assumptions (which vary by reporting unit) used in determining fair value under the DCF approach included discount rates ranging from 9.0% to 14.0%, projected compound average revenue growth rates of 3.4% to 5.6%, and terminal value growth rates of 3.0% to 4.0%. In determining the appropriate discount rate, we considered the WACC for each reporting unit, which among other factors considers the cost of common equity capital and the marginal cost of debt of market participants. Key assumptions (which again vary by reporting unit) used in determining fair value under the market approaches were based on observed market multiples of enterprise value to revenue and EBITDA for both comparable publicly-traded companies and recent merger and acquisition transactions involving similar companies to estimate appropriate controlling basis multiples to apply to each of the reporting units. Based on the multiples implied by this market data, we selected multiples of revenue of 0.7 to 2.9 times and multiples of EBITDA of 7.3 to 11.8 times. In assessing the reasonableness of our estimated fair values of the reporting units, management compared the results of the valuation analyses against our then-current market capitalization to imply a control premium. Based on this analysis, the implied control premium was within the range of comparable industry transactions. The Step 1 impairment test indicated the estimated fair value of the professional diagnostics and consumer diagnostics reporting units exceeded the carrying value of their reporting unit’s net assets as follows: by $3.1 billion and $44.9 million, respectively, or 58.1% and 18.2%, respectively. The estimate of fair value requires significant judgment. We based our fair value estimates on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain, including estimates of future growth rates and operating margins and assumptions about the overall economic climate and the competitive environment for our business units. There can be no assurance that our estimates and assumptions made for purposes of our goodwill and identifiable intangible asset testing as of the time of testing will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. If our assumptions regarding business plans, competitive environments or anticipated growth rates are not correct, we may be required to record goodwill and/or intangible asset impairment charges in future periods, whether in connection with our next annual impairment testing or earlier, if an indicator of an impairment is present before our next annual evaluation. 2014 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test We conducted our 2014 annual goodwill impairment test for our reporting units during the fourth quarter of 2014. For our patient self-testing reporting unit, we utilized the purchase price for the sale of our health management business as the estimated fair value of the health management business and combined that with the estimated fair value of the remaining patient self-testing reporting unit which was determined using a combination of the income approach, the market comparable approach and the market transaction approach to arrive at the total estimated fair value of the patient self-testing business. Key assumptions (which vary by reporting unit) used in determining fair value under the DCF approach included discount rates ranging from 10.5% to 15.5%, projected compound average revenue growth rates of 3.0% to 11.0% and terminal value growth rates of 3.0% to 4.0%. In determining the appropriate discount rate, we considered the WACC for each reporting unit, which among other factors considers the cost of common equity capital and the marginal cost of debt of market participants. Key assumptions (which again vary by reporting unit) used in determining fair value under the market approaches were based on observed market multiples of enterprise value to revenue and EBITDA for both comparable publicly-traded companies and recent merger and acquisition transactions involving similar companies to estimate appropriate controlling basis multiples to apply to each of the reporting units. Based on the multiples implied by this market data, we selected multiples of revenue of 1.2 to 2.9 times and multiples of EBITDA of 7.1 to 11.8 times. In assessing the reasonableness of our estimated fair values of the reporting units, management compared the results of the valuation analyses against our then-current market capitalization to imply a control premium. Based on this analysis, the implied control premium was within the range of comparable industry transactions. The Step 1 impairment test indicated the estimated fair value of the professional diagnostics, patient self-testing and consumer diagnostics reporting units exceeded the carrying value of their reporting unit’s net assets as follows: by $2.2 billion, $515.6 million and $86.8 million, respectively, or 42.4%, 162.1% and 38.0%, respectively. As discussed in Note 3, our health management business met the criteria for assets held for sale as of December 31, 2014 and the sale was subsequently completed on January 9, 2015. Accordingly, we performed a Step 1 impairment test on the goodwill remaining in the patient self-testing reporting unit at December 31, 2014. The Step 1 impairment test indicated that the estimated fair value of the remaining patient self-testing reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets by 67%. 2013 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test We conducted our 2013 annual goodwill impairment test for our reporting units during the fourth quarter of 2013. Key assumptions (which vary by reporting unit) used in determining fair value under the DCF approach included discount rates ranging from 11.0% to 14.0%, projected compound average revenue growth rates of 4.0% to 11.4% and terminal value growth rates of 3.0% to 4.0%. The factors considered in determining the appropriate discount rate and the key assumptions were the same as those in the 2014 annual goodwill impairment test described above. Based on the multiples implied by this market data, we selected multiples of revenue of 0.8 to 2.9 times and multiples of EBITDA of 6.4 to 10.6 times. In assessing the reasonableness of our estimated fair values of the reporting units, management compared the results of the valuation analyses against our then-current market capitalization to imply a control premium. Based on this analysis, the implied control premium was within the range of comparable industry transactions. The Step 1 impairment test indicated the estimated fair value of the professional diagnostics, patient self-testing and consumer diagnostics reporting units exceeded the carrying value of their reporting unit’s net assets as follows: by $1.6 billion, $34.7 million and $92.7 million, respectively, or 30.3%, 8.5% and 45.5%, respectively. (i) Impairment of Other Long-lived Tangible and Intangible Assets Our intangible assets consist primarily of core technology, in-process research and development, patents, trademarks, trade names, customer relationships, distribution rights and non-competition agreements. The majority of our intangible assets were recorded in connection with our various business combinations. Our intangible assets are recorded at fair value at the time of their acquisition. We amortize intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives of the individual categories of intangible assets were based on the nature of the applicable intangible asset and the expected future cash flows to be derived from the intangible asset. Amortization of intangible assets with finite lives is recognized over the shorter of the respective lives of the agreement or the period of time the intangible assets are expected to contribute to future cash flows. We amortize our finite-lived intangible assets based on patterns on which the respective economic benefits are expected to be realized. We amortize the majority of our intangible assets on a straight-line basis, as this methodology most closely approximates the pattern of economic benefits for these assets. We evaluate long-lived tangible and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment are present with respect to long-lived tangible and intangible assets used in operations and undiscounted future cash flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover the assets’ carrying amount, additional analysis is performed as appropriate and the carrying value of the long-lived assets is reduced to the estimated fair value, if this is lower, and an impairment loss is charged to expense in the period the impairment is identified. (j) Acquired In-process Research and Development (IPR&D) Acquired IPR&D represents the fair value assigned to research and development assets that we acquire as part of business combinations, and which have not been completed at the date of acquisition. The acquired IPR&D is capitalized as an intangible asset and tested for impairment at least annually until commercialization, after which time the IPR&D is amortized over its estimated useful life. We utilize a discounted probable future cash flow model on a project-by-project basis to value acquired IPR&D. Significant assumptions used in the model include the period in which material net cash inflows from significant projects are expected to commence, anticipated material changes from historical pricing, margins and expense levels and an appropriate risk adjusted discount rate applied to the project’s cash flows. (k) Business Acquisitions Our business acquisitions have historically been made at prices above the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, resulting in goodwill, based on our expectations of synergies and other benefits of combining the businesses. These synergies and benefits include elimination of redundant facilities, functions and staffing; use of our existing commercial infrastructure to expand sales of the products of the acquired businesses; and use of the commercial infrastructure of the acquired businesses to expand product sales in a cost-efficient manner. Significant judgment is required in estimating the fair value of intangible assets and in assigning their respective useful lives. The fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on future expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by management, but are inherently uncertain. We generally employ the income method to estimate the fair value of intangible assets, which is based on forecasts of the expected future cash flows attributable to the respective assets. Significant estimates and assumptions inherent in the valuations reflect a consideration of other marketplace participants, and include the amount and timing of future cash flows (including expected growth rates and profitability), the underlying product life cycles, economic barriers to entry, a brand’s relative market position and the discount rate applied to the cash flows. Unanticipated market or macroeconomic events and circumstances may occur, which could affect the accuracy or validity of the estimates and assumptions. Net assets acquired are recorded at their fair value and are subject to adjustment upon finalization of the fair value analysis. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we expensed acquisition-related costs of $0.5 million, $0.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, in general and administrative expense. (l) Income Taxes 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. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year 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. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are more likely than not to be realized in the future. We account for uncertain tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for recognizing and resolving uncertain tax positions. We evaluate uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis and consider various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position. During November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (m) Revenue Recognition We primarily recognize revenue when the following four basic criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the fee is fixed or determinable and (4) collection is reasonably assured. The majority of our revenue is derived from product sales. We recognize revenue upon transfer of the title and risk of loss of the products to third-party customers, less a reserve for estimated product returns and allowances. Determination of the reserve for estimated product returns and allowances is based on our management’s analyses and judgments regarding certain conditions. Should future changes in conditions prove management’s conclusions and judgments on previous analyses to be incorrect, revenue recognized for any reporting period could be adversely affected. For products that include installation, and if the installation meets the criteria to be considered a separate element, product revenue is recognized upon delivery, and installation revenue is recognized when the installation is complete. For sales that include customer-specified acceptance criteria, revenue is recognized after the acceptance criteria have been met. Certain of our products require specialized installation. Revenue for these products is deferred until installation is completed. Revenue from services is deferred and recognized over the contractual period, or as services are rendered and accepted by the customer. When arrangements include multiple elements, we use objective evidence of fair value to allocate revenue to the elements, and recognize revenue when the criteria for revenue recognition have been met for each element, in accordance with authoritative guidance on multiple-element arrangements. Additionally, with respect to our health management business which is included in discontinued operations, we generated services revenue in connection with contracts with health plans (both commercial and governmental) and self-insured employers, whereby we provided clinical expertise through fee-based arrangements. Revenue for fee-based arrangements was recognized over the period in which the services were provided. Some contracts provided that a portion of our fees were at risk if our customers did not achieve certain financial cost savings or we did not achieve certain other clinical and operational metrics, over a period of time, typically one year. Revenue subject to refund was not recognized if (i) sufficient information was not available to calculate performance measurements or (ii) interim performance measurements indicate that we were not meeting performance targets. If either of these two conditions existed, we recorded the amounts as other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, deferring recognition of the revenue until we established that we were meeting the performance criteria. However, revenue recognized for fees subject to refund before the end of the contract period was realizable under the termination provisions or other provisions of the contract. If we did not meet the performance targets at the end of the contractual period we were obligated under the contract to refund some or all of the at-risk fees. We also receive license and royalty revenue from agreements with third-party licensees. Revenue from license and royalty agreements is recognized on a straight-line basis over the obligation period of the related license agreements, or at the time when we have no further obligations. License and royalty fees that the licensees calculate based on their sales, which we have the right to audit under most of our agreements, are generally recognized upon receipt of the license or royalty payments unless we are able to reasonably estimate the fees as they are earned. License and royalty fees that are determinable prior to the receipt thereof are recognized in the period they are earned. In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, we determined that, in 2013 and 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015, we had incorrectly recognized revenue transactions for such periods. As a result of these errors related to the timing of certain revenue transactions, as well as certain other out-of-period adjustments, we are revising our consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2014 and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the interim periods of 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015. For more information on the revisions related to recognition of certain revenue transactions, see Note 2. (n) Employee Stock-based Compensation Arrangements We account for share-based payments in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation Our stock option plans provide for grants of options to employees to purchase common stock at or above the fair market value of such shares on the grant date of the award. The options generally vest over a four-year period, beginning on the date of grant, with a graded vesting schedule of 25% at the end of each of the four years. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant primarily using a Black-Scholes option-pricing method. We use historical data to estimate the expected price volatility and the expected forfeiture rate. The contractual term of our stock option awards is ten years. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the option. We have not made any dividend payments to common shareholders nor do we have plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. (o) Net Income (Loss) per Common Share Net income (loss) per common share is based upon the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares and the dilutive effect of common share equivalents, such as options and warrants to purchase common stock, convertible preferred stock and convertible notes, if applicable, that are outstanding each year (Note 13). (p) Other Operating Expenses We expense advertising costs, other than for direct response advertising, as incurred. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, advertising costs amounted to $9.0 million, $8.0 million and $10.6 million, respectively, and are included in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of net revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. When we charge our customers for shipping and handling costs, these costs are recorded along with product revenues. Legal fees incurred by us are included in general and administrative expenses and are expensed in the period such costs are incurred. Payments to third parties in connection with the resolution of legal disputes, investigations or other contingencies are included in general and administrative expenses and are expensed when an unfavourable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies. (q) Direct-response Advertising In connection with our mail order diabetes business, we incurred direct-response advertising and associated costs in connection with the placement of advertisements. Direct-response advertising and associated costs payable to third parties for the period presented are capitalized and amortized to selling, general and administrative expenses on an accelerated basis in the month following the broadcast month. Management assesses the realizability of the amounts of direct-response advertising costs reported as assets at each balance sheet date by comparing the net carrying value of capitalized advertising to the net present value of estimated future orders expected to result directly from such advertising. Advertising that does not meet the capitalization requirements is expensed in the current period. Any change in existing accounting rules or a business change that impacts expected future orders or that shortens the period over which such net future benefits are estimated to be realized could result in accelerated charges against our earnings. In addition, new or different marketing initiatives that may not qualify for direct-response advertising could result in accelerated charges against our earnings. Whether there is an impairment loss or not is determined by comparing the net carrying value of direct-response advertising costs capitalized as assets at each balance sheet date to the probable remaining future orders expected to result directly from such advertising. If the net carrying value of the assets exceeds the probable remaining future orders expected to result directly from such assets, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Future benefits are determined by calculating the net present value of estimated future orders per cost pool. Net present value is calculated based upon the value of an order multiplied by the estimated future orders. Estimate of future orders is determined based on historical customer reorder rates. We perform the impairment test of our direct-response advertising asset in the quarter following the advertising broadcast quarter. (r) Concentration of Credit Risk, Off-Balance Sheet Risks and Other Risks and Uncertainties Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We invest our excess cash primarily in high quality securities and limit the amount of our credit exposure to any one financial institution. We do not require collateral or other securities to support customer receivables; however, we perform on-going credit evaluations of our customers and maintain allowances for potential credit losses. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, no individual customer’s accounts receivable balance was more than 10% of our aggregate accounts receivable. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, no one customer represented more than 10% of our net revenue. (s) Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our primary financial instruments at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of cash equivalents, restricted cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. We apply fair value measurement accounting to value our financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Described below are the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Other Balance Sheet Information

Other Balance Sheet Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Other Balance Sheet Information	(5) Other Balance Sheet Information Components of selected captions in the consolidated balance sheets consist of (in thousands): December 31, 2015 2014 Inventories, net: Raw materials $ 130,171 $ 122,886 Work-in-process 69,178 82,724 Finished goods 147,652 171,739 $ 347,001 $ 377,349 Prepaid expenses and other current assets: Prepaid expenses $ 28,041 $ 49,065 Prepaid income tax 50,201 11,309 Income taxes receivable 199 2,273 Royalty receivable 7,757 8,143 Other taxes receivable 15,333 20,695 Cash advances 3,902 6,221 Pension receivable 1,373 1,430 Grant receivable 651 1,534 Employee loans 123 62 Security deposits 7,014 5,411 Other receivable 15,938 — Other 21,701 26,270 $ 152,233 $ 132,413 Property, plant and equipment, net: Machinery, laboratory equipment and tooling $ 469,413 $ 431,255 Land and buildings 169,226 172,773 Leasehold improvements 55,999 56,709 Computer software and equipment 161,192 154,566 Furniture and fixtures 27,325 35,656 883,155 850,959 Less: Accumulated depreciation (437,116 ) (396,736 ) $ 446,039 $ 454,223 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities: Compensation and compensation-related $ 80,468 $ 88,546 Royalty obligations 18,912 23,072 Deferred revenue 40,998 45,577 Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities 15,245 25,478 Other taxes payable 28,320 31,491 Acquisition-related obligations 5,705 69,779 Other 134,817 101,984 $ 324,465 $ 385,927

Business Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	(6) Business Combinations Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method and the acquired companies’ results have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded acquisition-related costs of $0.5 million, $0.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, in general and administrative expense. Net assets acquired are recorded at their fair value and are subject to adjustment upon finalization of the fair value analysis. The estimated useful lives of the individual categories of intangible assets were based on the nature of the applicable intangible asset and the expected future cash flows to be derived from the intangible asset. Amortization of intangible assets with finite lives is recognized over the shorter of the respective lives of the agreement or the period of time the intangible assets are expected to contribute to future cash flows. We amortize our finite-lived intangible assets based on patterns on which the respective economic benefits are expected to be realized. We amortize the majority of our intangible assets on a straight-line basis, as this methodology most closely approximates the pattern of economic benefits for these assets. (a) Acquisitions in 2015 USD On July 10, 2015, we acquired substantially all of the assets of US Diagnostics, Inc., or USD, located in Huntsville, Alabama, a provider of instant on-site drug testing products designed for quick and accurate drug test results. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $60.1 million and was paid in cash. The operating results of USD are included in our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment. Our consolidated statements of operations for 2015 included revenue totaling approximately $10.7 million related to this business. Goodwill has been recognized in the acquisition and amounted to approximately $29.4 million, which is deductible for tax purposes. A summary of the preliminary fair values of the net assets acquired from USD is as follows (in thousands): Total Current assets $ 4,698 Property, plant and equipment 182 Goodwill 29,365 Intangible assets 27,100 Total assets acquired $ 61,345 Current liabilities $ 1,210 Total liabilities assumed $ 1,210 Net assets acquired $ 60,135 Cash paid $ 60,135 The following are the intangible assets acquired in connection with the USD acquisition and their respective preliminary fair values and weighted-average useful lives (dollars in thousands): Total Weighted- Trademarks $ 1,600 10.0 years Customer relationships 24,800 13.0 years Non-compete agreements 700 2.0 years Total intangible assets $ 27,100 (b) Acquisitions in 2013 (i) Epocal On February 1, 2013, we acquired Epocal, Inc., or Epocal, located in Ottawa, Canada, a provider of technologies that support blood gas and electrolyte testing at the point of care. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $248.5 million, which consisted of $151.4 million in cash, a $22.1 million settlement of a pre-existing arrangement and a contingent consideration obligation with an aggregate acquisition date fair value of $75.0 million. The operating results of Epocal are included in our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment. The amount allocated to goodwill from this acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes. (ii) Other acquisitions in 2013 During the year ended December 31, 2013, we acquired the following businesses for an aggregate purchase price of $57.6 million, which included cash payments totaling $28.2 million, a $17.5 million settlement of a pre-existing arrangement, contingent consideration obligations with an aggregate acquisition date fair value of $1.3 million, deferred purchase price consideration with an acquisition date fair value of $0.8 million and an $8.0 million bargain purchase gain. • certain assets of PT Mega Medika Mandiri, or Mega Medika, located in South Jakarta, Indonesia, a distributor of infectious disease products to the Indonesian marketplace as well as materials for vaccines to a pharmaceutical customer (Acquired January 2013) • Discount Diabetic, LLC, or Discount Diabetic, located in Phoenix, Arizona, a provider of blood glucose monitoring products, including diabetes testing systems and test strips and other products (Acquired April 2013) • the Medicare fee-for-service assets of Liberty Medical, or the Liberty business, located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, a leading mail order provider of diabetes testing supplies serving the needs of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients (Acquired April 2013) • 51% share in Cardio Selfcare B.V., subsequently renamed Alere Health Services B.V., or Alere Health Services, located in Ede, the Netherlands, a developer of innovative software for the healthcare industry that develops and licenses software and sells medical devices to enable patients to perform medical self-care, including thrombosis self-care (Acquired May 2013) • 74.9% interest in Pantech Proprietary Limited, or Pantech, located in Durban, South Africa, a supplier of rapid diagnostic test kits, including HIV, malaria, syphilis, drugs of abuse, 10 parameter urine sticks, glucometers and glucose sticks (Acquired July 2013) • certain assets of Simplex Healthcare, Inc. and its subsidiaries, or Simplex, located in Tennessee, a provider of home delivery of diabetes-related medical supplies and products (Acquired November 2013) The operating results of Mega Medika, Discount Diabetic, the Liberty business, Alere Health Services, Pantech, and Simplex are included in our professional diagnostics reporting unit and business segment. Our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 included revenue totaling approximately $83.0 million related to these businesses. Goodwill has been recognized in the Mega Medika, Alere Health Services, Pantech, and Simplex acquisitions and amounted to approximately $2.4 million. The goodwill related to the Mega Medika and Simplex acquisitions is deductible for tax purposes, but the goodwill related to the Pantech and Alere Health Services acquisitions is not. With respect to our acquisition of the Liberty business, the purchase price of the acquisition has been allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired, with the excess of the fair value of assets acquired over the purchase price recorded as a bargain purchase gain. The $8.0 million bargain purchase gain has been recorded in other income (expense), net in our consolidated statement of operations and is not recognized for tax purposes. The bargain purchase gain resulted from our operating cost structure which we believe will allow us to operate this business more cost effectively than the sellers. A summary of the fair values of the net assets acquired for the acquisitions consummated in 2013 is as follows (in thousands): Epocal Other Total Current assets(1) $ 12,535 $ 13,623 $ 26,158 Property, plant and equipment 1,267 1,731 2,998 Goodwill 100,419 2,447 102,866 Intangible assets 164,400 51,180 215,580 Other non-current assets 18,158 29 18,187 Total assets acquired 296,779 69,010 365,789 Current liabilities 2,701 5,398 8,099 Non-current liabilities 45,542 6,062 51,604 Total liabilities assumed 48,243 11,460 59,703 Net assets acquired 248,536 57,550 306,086 Less: Contingent consideration 75,000 1,264 76,264 Settlement of pre-existing arrangements 22,088 17,500 39,588 Non-controlling interest — 1,774 1,774 Bargain purchase gain — 8,023 8,023 Deferred purchase price consideration — 768 768 Cash paid $ 151,448 $ 28,221 $ 179,669 (1) Includes approximately $3.3 million of acquired cash. The following are the intangible assets acquired in 2013 and their respective fair values and weighted-average useful lives (dollars in thousands): Epocal Other Total Weighted- Core technology and patents $ 119,700 $ — $ 119,700 20.0 years Software — 2,154 2,154 5.7 years Trademarks and trade names 20,500 80 20,580 19.1 years License agreements — 620 620 1.5 years Customer relationships — 42,510 42,510 11.5 years Other — 5,816 5,816 3.0 years In-process research and development 24,200 — 24,200 N/A Total intangible assets $ 164,400 $ 51,180 $ 215,580

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	(7) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The following is a summary of goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands): Gross Accumulated Net Weighted- Amortized intangible assets: Core technology and patents $ 907,629 $ 468,497 $ 439,132 15.1 years Other intangible assets: Supplier relationships 17,599 16,218 1,381 9.2 years Trademarks and trade names 242,473 176,325 66,148 10.7 years License agreements 10,963 10,944 19 7.0 years Customer relationships 1,441,386 985,844 455,542 16.6 years Manufacturing know-how 19,181 16,744 2,437 7.7 years Other 108,217 75,595 32,622 7.7 years Total other intangible assets 1,839,819 1,281,670 558,149 Total intangible assets with finite lives $ 2,747,448 $ 1,750,167 $ 997,281 Intangible assets with indefinite lives: Goodwill $ 2,836,915 Other intangible assets(1) 28,110 Total intangible assets with indefinite lives $ 2,865,025 (1) Primarily includes in-process research and development assets recorded in connection with certain acquisitions. The following is a summary of goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands): Gross Accumulated Net Weighted- Amortized intangible assets: Core technology and patents $ 969,993 $ 417,119 $ 552,874 15.2 years Other intangible assets: Supplier relationships 17,975 16,188 1,787 9.2 years Trademarks and trade names 256,014 161,945 94,069 11.0 years License agreements 11,670 11,511 159 6.8 years Customer relationships 1,504,078 930,533 573,545 16.6 years Manufacturing know-how 21,540 11,595 9,945 8.9 years Other 108,792 64,727 44,065 8.7 years Total other intangible assets 1,920,069 1,196,499 723,570 Total intangible assets with finite lives $ 2,890,062 $ 1,613,618 $ 1,276,444 Intangible assets with indefinite lives: Goodwill $ 2,926,666 Other intangible assets(1) 43,651 Total intangible assets with indefinite lives $ 2,970,317 (1) Primarily includes in-process research and development assets recorded in connection with certain acquisitions. During 2015 and 2014, we performed our annual impairment test of our in-process research and development assets, and in certain cases found them to be impaired, due to a combination of suspending certain projects to allow for resource allocation to other projects considered by our management to be more strategically valuable and delays in completing other projects, which resulted in a decrease in estimated future revenues expected to be achieved upon completion. During 2015 and 2014, we recorded impairment charges totaling $7.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, to reduce the carrying values of these assets to zero, which was the estimated fair value of each such asset. The estimated useful lives of the individual categories of intangible assets were based on the nature of the applicable intangible assets and the expected future cash flows to be derived from those intangible assets. Amortization of intangible assets with finite lives is recognized over the shorter of the respective lives of the underlying license agreements, if applicable, or the period of time the assets are expected to contribute to future cash flows. We amortize our finite-lived intangible assets on patterns in which the economic benefits are expected to be realized. We amortize the majority of our intangible assets on a straight-line basis, as this methodology most closely approximates the pattern of economic benefits for these assets. Amortization expense of intangible assets, which in the aggregate amounted to $210.5 million, $237.2 million and $280.0 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, is included in cost of net revenue, research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The allocation of amortization expense to the expense categories is based on the intended usage and the expected benefits of the intangible assets in relation to the expense categories. The following is a summary of estimated aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands): 2016 $ 203,556 2017 $ 136,600 2018 $ 133,464 2019 $ 99,552 2020 $ 97,345 During the fourth quarter, we perform our annual impairment tests of the carrying value of our goodwill by reporting unit. For further discussion see Note 4(h). Goodwill amounts for our professional diagnostics and consumer diagnostics reporting units, along with our former patient self-testing reporting unit, which rolled into our professional diagnostics reporting unit on January 1, 2015, are summarized as follows (in thousands): Professional Patient Consumer Total Goodwill at December 31, 2013 $ 2,915,417 $ 33,545 $ 58,035 $ 3,006,997 Acquisitions(1) (546 ) (25 ) — (571 ) Dispositions(2) (16,517 ) — — (16,517 ) Other(3) (59,549 ) (650 ) (3,044 ) (63,243 ) Goodwill at December 31, 2014 $ 2,838,805 $ 32,870 $ 54,991 $ 2,926,666 Balance transfer at January 1, 2015(4) 32,870 (32,870 ) — — Acquisitions(1) 32,970 — — 32,970 Dispositions(2) (58,611 ) — — (58,611 ) Other(3) (53,081 ) — (11,029 ) (64,110 ) Goodwill at December 31, 2015 $ 2,792,953 $ — $ 43,962 $ 2,836,915 (1) Includes initial purchase price allocation, purchase accounting adjustments recorded to the acquired entities’ opening balance sheet and additional payments made for earn-outs and milestones achieved. (2) Reflects write-off related to the dispositions of BioNote in 2014 and the BBI business and Alere Analytics in 2015. (3) These amounts relate primarily to adjustments resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. (4) As a result of the sale of our health management business in January 2015, which was the largest component of our former patient self-testing reporting segment, we ceased to report our financial information in four operating segments and, beginning on January 1, 2015 our reporting units included professional diagnostics and consumer diagnostics. We generally expense costs incurred for the internal development of intangible assets, except for costs that are incurred to establish patents and trademarks, such as legal fees for initiating, filing and obtaining the patents and trademarks. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had approximately $8.9 million and $9.5 million, respectively, of costs capitalized, net of amortization, in connection with establishing patents and trademarks which are included in other intangible assets, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Upon the initial filing of the patents and trademarks, we commence amortization of such intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. Costs incurred to maintain the patents and trademarks are expensed as incurred.

Long-term Debt

Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	(8) Long-term Debt We had the following long-term debt balances outstanding (in thousands) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 A term loans(1) $ 587,671 $ — B term loans(1) 971,180 — Prior credit facility—A term loans(2) — 785,938 Prior credit facility—B term loans(3) — 1,330,810 Prior credit facility—Revolving loans — 127,000 7.25% Senior notes 450,000 450,000 6.5% Senior subordinated notes 425,000 425,000 6.375% Senior subordinated notes 425,000 — 8.625% Senior subordinated notes — 400,000 3% Convertible senior subordinated notes(4) 150,000 150,000 Other lines of credit 136 684 Other 56,221 40,828 3,065,208 3,710,260 Less: Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt (199,992 ) (88,875 ) Long-term debt $ 2,865,216 $ 3,621,385 (1) Incurred under our secured credit facility entered into on June 18, 2015. (2) Included “A” term loans and “Delayed Draw” term loans under our prior credit facility. (3) Included term loans previously referred to as “Incremental B-1” term loans and “Incremental B-2” term loans under our prior credit facility, which term loans had been converted into and consolidated with the “B” term loans under our prior credit facility. (4) The principal amount of the 3% convertible senior subordinated notes is included in the short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015, as these notes matured on May 15, 2016. In connection with our significant long-term debt issuances, we recorded interest expense, including amortization and write-offs of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts, in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Secured credit facility(1) $ 38,335 $ — $ — Prior credit facility(2) 49,437 99,399 104,159 7.25% Senior notes 34,103 34,098 33,906 6.375% Senior subordinated notes 14,549 — — 7.875% Senior notes — — 137 (4) 6.5% Senior subordinated notes 28,987 29,057 17,384 8.625% Senior subordinated notes(3) 44,219 37,092 37,093 9% Senior subordinated notes — — 54,043 (5) 3% Convertible senior subordinated notes 4,984 4,984 4,984 Other 2,383 4,561 3,640 $ 216,997 $ 209,191 $ 255,346 (1) Includes “A” term loans, “B” term loans, and revolving line of credit loans. (2) Includes the following loans under our prior credit facility: “A” term loans, including the “Delayed-Draw” term loans; “B” term loans, including the term loans previously referred to as “Incremental B-1” term loans and “Incremental B-2” term loans and later converted into and consolidated into the “B” term loans; and revolving line of credit loans. For 2015, 2014 and 2013, the amounts include $1.1 million, $1.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively, related to the amortization of fees paid for certain debt modifications. (3) Includes a $19.9 million loss on extinguishment of debt associated with the redemption of our 8.625% senior subordinated notes during 2015. Included in the $19.9 million is $8.6 million related to a call premium which has been classified within cash flow from financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. (4) Amount includes an approximate $0.2 million loss recorded in connection with the repurchase of our 7.875% senior notes. (5) Amount includes an approximate $35.6 million loss recorded in connection with the repurchase of our 9% senior subordinated notes. Included in the $35.6 million is $19.0 million related to tender offer consideration and call premium which has been classified within cash flow from financing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The following describes each of the debt instruments listed above: (a) Secured Credit Facility On June 18, 2015, we entered into a Credit Agreement, or secured credit facility, with certain lenders, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as B term loan administrative agent, General Electric Capital Corporation as pro rata administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain other agents and arrangers, and, along with certain of our subsidiaries, a related guaranty and security agreement. The secured credit facility provides for (i) term loans in the aggregate initial principal amount of $1.7 billion (consisting of “A” term loans in the aggregate initial principal amount of $650.0 million and “B” term loans in the aggregate initial principal amount of $1.05 billion), all of which were drawn at closing, and (ii) subject to our continued compliance with the terms of the secured credit facility, a $250.0 million revolving line of credit (which revolving line of credit includes a $50.0 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit); no amount was drawn under the revolving credit facility at closing. We used approximately $1.68 billion of the proceeds of the term loans drawn at closing to repay in full all indebtedness outstanding under our prior credit facility, whereupon such agreement was terminated (as described below), and to pay various fees and expenses associated with the transactions contemplated by the secured credit facility. Subject to certain limits and restrictions, we may use the remaining proceeds of the term loans, the proceeds of any revolving credit loans and the proceeds of any incremental term loans (described below) or incremental revolving credit commitments (described below) to finance permitted acquisitions, to finance capital expenditures, to provide working capital and for other general corporate purposes. In November 2015 we used the net cash proceeds from the initial closing of our sale of BBI Diagnostic Group Ltd., or the BBI business, to repay outstanding “A” term loans and “B” term loans under the secured credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of $115.0 million. We must repay the “A” term loans in nineteen consecutive quarterly installments, which began on September 30, 2015 and continue through March 31, 2020, followed by a final installment on June 18, 2020; the principal amount of the installment we paid on September 30, 2015 was $8,125,000, and, giving effect to the prepayment of a portion of the “A” term loans in connection with our sale of the BBI business, the principal amount of each subsequent installment through March 31, 2020 is approximately $7,572,000, and the principal amount of the final installment is approximately $461,882,000. We must repay the “B” term loans in twenty-seven consecutive quarterly installments, which began on September 30, 2015 and continue through March 31, 2022, followed by a final installment on June 18, 2022; the principal amount of the installment we paid on September 30, 2015 was $2,625,000, and, giving effect to the prepayment of a portion of the “B” term loans in connection with our sale of the BBI business, the principal amount of each subsequent installment through March 31, 2022 is approximately $2,446,000, and the principal amount of the final installment is approximately $912,471,000. We may repay any borrowings under the secured credit facility revolving line of credit at any time (without premium or penalty, other than customary LIBOR breakage costs, if applicable), but in no event later than June 18, 2020. We are required to make mandatory prepayments of the term loans and mandatory prepayments of any revolving credit loans in various amounts if we have Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement, and commencing in respect of our fiscal year ending December 31, 2016), if we issue certain types of debt, if we make certain sales of assets outside the ordinary course of business above certain thresholds, or if we suffer certain property loss events above certain thresholds. We may make optional prepayments of the term loans or the revolving credit loan from time to time without any premium or penalty (subject to payment of customary LIBOR breakage costs, if applicable). The “A” term loans and any borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum per annum per annum Subject to our pro forma We must comply with various financial and non-financial covenants under the terms of the secured credit facility, which are set forth in the Credit Agreement. The primary financial covenant under the security credit facility is a maximum consolidated secured net leverage ratio applicable only to the “A” term loans and the revolving credit loans. The non-financial covenants are subject to certain important exceptions and qualifications. The lenders under the secured credit facility are entitled to accelerate repayment of the loans and terminate the revolving credit commitments thereunder upon the occurrence of any of various events of default as described in the Credit Agreement. The merger under the Merger Agreement described in Note 28 will, if consummated, constitute an event of default under the Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the secured credit facility are guaranteed by substantially all of our domestic subsidiaries (other than unrestricted subsidiaries and domestic subsidiaries of certain of our foreign subsidiaries) and are secured by the stock of substantially all of our domestic subsidiaries (other than unrestricted subsidiaries and domestic subsidiaries of certain of our foreign subsidiaries), portions of the stock of certain of our foreign subsidiaries, and substantially all of our and our guarantor subsidiaries’ other property and assets, in each case subject to various exceptions. As of December 31, 2015, aggregate borrowings under the secured credit facility amounted to $1.6 billion, consisting of “A” term loans in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of $587.7 million (giving effect to the installment repayment that was due on such date) and “B” term loans in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of $971.2 million (giving effect to the installment repayment that was due on such date). As of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the maximum consolidated secured net leverage ratio under the secured credit facility. As of December 31, 2015, accrued interest related to the secured credit facility amounted to $0.5 million. See Note 28 for discussion of certain amendments and waivers entered into in April 2016 regarding our senior credit facility. (b) Prior Credit Facility In connection with our entry into the secured credit facility on June 18, 2015, we repaid in full all outstanding indebtedness under and terminated our prior senior credit agreement, or prior credit facility, dated as of June 30, 2011, as amended from time to time, with certain lenders, General Electric Capital Corporation as administrative agent and collateral agent, and certain other agents and arrangers, and certain related guaranty and security agreements. The aggregate outstanding principal amount of the loans repaid under our prior credit facility in connection with the termination thereof was approximately $1.65 billion. We assessed this repayment on a lender-by-lender basis in order to differentiate the portion constituting an extinguishment and the portion constituting a modification. Unamortized deferred financing fees relating to the extinguished portion of the prior credit facility debt were expensed, and the portion relating to modifications of the prior credit facility debt were carried forward to be amortized over the contractual life of the new secured credit facility. (c) 6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes On June 24, 2015, we sold a total of $425.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior subordinated notes due 2023, or the 6.375% senior subordinated notes, in a private placement to initial purchasers, who agreed to resell the notes only to qualified institutional buyers and to persons outside the United States; we sold the 6.375% senior subordinated notes at an initial offering price of 100%. Net proceeds from this offering amounted to $417.3 million, which were net of the initial purchasers’ discount and offering expenses totaling approximately $7.7 million. The 6.375% senior subordinated notes were issued under a supplemental indenture dated June 24, 2015, or the 6.375% Indenture. The 6.375% senior subordinated notes accrue interest at the rate of 6.375% per annum We may, at our option, redeem the 6.375% senior subordinated notes, in whole or part, at any time (which may be more than once) on or after July 1, 2018 by paying the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus a declining premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date. The premium declines from 4.781% during the twelve months on and after July 1, 2018, to 3.188% during the twelve months on and after July 1, 2019, to 1.594% during the twelve months on and after July 1, 2020, to zero on and after July 1, 2021. In addition, at any time (which may be more than once) prior to July 1, 2018, we may, at our option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.375% senior subordinated notes with money that we raise in certain qualifying equity offerings, so long as (i) we pay 106.375% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date; (ii) we redeem the 6.375% senior subordinated notes within 90 days of completing such equity offering; and (iii) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.375% senior subordinated notes remains outstanding afterwards. In addition, at any time (which may be more than once) prior to July 1, 2018, we may, at our option, redeem some or all of the 6.375% senior subordinated notes by paying the principal amount of the 6.375% senior subordinated notes being redeemed plus a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date. If a change of control occurs, subject to specified conditions, we must give holders of the 6.375% senior subordinated notes an opportunity to sell their notes to us at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the date of the purchase. The merger under the Merger Agreement described in Note 28 will, if consummated, constitute a change of control under the 6.375% Indenture. If we or our restricted subsidiaries engage in asset sales, we or they generally must either invest the net cash proceeds from such sales in our or their businesses within a specified period of time, repay senior indebtedness or make an offer to purchase a principal amount of the 6.375% senior subordinated notes (on a pro rata basis with respect to the 6.375% senior subordinated notes and our 6.5% senior subordinated notes) equal to the excess net cash proceeds, subject to certain exceptions. The purchase price of the 6.375% senior subordinated notes would be 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 6.375% Indenture provides that we and our restricted subsidiaries must comply with various covenants, which are subject to certain important exceptions and qualifications, which are set forth in the 6.375% Indenture. At any time the 6.375% senior subordinated notes are rated investment grade, certain covenants will be suspended with respect to them. The 6.375% Indenture contains events of default entitling the trustee or the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the 6.375% senior subordinated notes to declare all amounts owed pursuant to the 6.375% senior subordinated notes immediately payable if any such event of default occurs. The 6.375% senior subordinated notes are our senior subordinated unsecured obligations, are subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior debt, including our borrowings under our secured credit facility and our 7.25% senior notes, and are equal in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior subordinated debt, including our 6.5% senior subordinated notes. Our obligations under the 6.375% senior subordinated notes and the 6.375% Indenture are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior subordinated unsecured basis by certain of our domestic subsidiaries, and the obligations of such domestic subsidiaries under their guarantees are subordinated in right of payment to all of their existing and future senior debt and equal in right of payment to all of their existing and future senior subordinated debt. See Note 27 for guarantor financial information. As of December 31, 2015, accrued interest related to the 6.375% senior subordinated notes amounted to $14.1 million. See Note 28 for discussion of certain consents and waivers that we obtained in May 2016 from holders of the 6.375% senior subordinated notes. (d) 7.25% Senior Notes On December 11, 2012, we sold a total of $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior notes due 2018, or the 7.25% senior notes, in a private placement to initial purchasers, who agreed to resell the notes only to qualified institutional buyers and to persons outside the United States; we sold the 7.25% senior notes at an initial offering price of 100%. Net proceeds from this offering amounted to $443.2 million, which was net of the underwriters’ commissions and offering expenses totaling $6.8 million. These notes were subsequently exchanged for new notes having substantially the same terms in an exchange offer registered under the Securities Act. We used $267.4 million of the net proceeds to purchase $248.2 million outstanding principal amount of our former 7.875% senior notes due 2016, or the 7.875% senior notes, and $170.0 million to pay down a portion of the outstanding balance under the revolving line of credit under our prior credit facility. The 7.25% senior notes were issued under a supplemental indenture dated as of August 11, 2009, as amended or supplemented, or the 7.25% Indenture. The 7.25% senior notes accrue interest at the rate of 7.25% per annum. Interest on the 7.25% senior notes is payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, beginning on June 15, 2013. The 7.25% senior notes mature on July 1, 2018, unless earlier redeemed. We may redeem the 7.25% senior notes, in whole or part, at any time by paying the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus a declining premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. The premium declines from 3.625% during the twelve months on and after December 15, 2015 to 1.813% during the six months on and after December 15, 2016 to zero on and after June 15, 2017. If a change of control occurs, subject to specified conditions, we must give holders of the 7.25% senior notes an opportunity to sell their notes to us at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the date of the purchase. The merger under the Merger Agreement described in Note 28 will, if consummated, constitute a change of control under the 7.25% Indenture. If we, or our subsidiaries, engage in asset sales, we, or they, generally must either invest the net cash proceeds from such sales in our or their businesses within a specified period of time, prepay certain indebtedness or make an offer to purchase a principal amount of the 7.25% senior notes equal to the excess net cash proceeds, subject to certain exceptions. The purchase price of the notes would be 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 7.25% Indenture provides that we and our subsidiaries must comply with various customary covenants, which are subject to certain important exceptions and qualifications, which are set forth in the 7.25% Indenture. At any time the 7.25% senior notes are rated investment grade, certain covenants will be suspended with respect to them. The 7.25% Indenture contains customary events of default entitling the trustee or the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the 7.25% senior notes to declare all amounts owed pursuant to the 7.25% senior notes immediately payable if any such event of default occurs. The 7.25% senior notes are our senior unsecured obligations, are senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future subordinated debt, including our 6.375% senior subordinated notes and our 6.5% senior subordinated notes, and are equal in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior debt, including our borrowings under our secured credit facility. Our obligations under the 7.25% senior notes and the 7.25% Indenture are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured senior basis by certain of our domestic subsidiaries, and the obligations of such domestic subsidiaries under their guarantees are equal in right of payment to all of their existing and future senior debt and senior in right of payment to all of their existing and future subordinated debt. See Note 27 for guarantor financial information. As of December 31, 2015, accrued interest related to the 7.25% senior notes amounted to $1.4 million. See Note 28 for discussion of certain consents and waivers that we obtained in May 2016 from holders of the 7.25% senior notes. (e) 7.875% Senior Notes In February 2013, we redeemed the remaining $1.8 million outstanding principal amount of the 7.875% senior notes, and we subsequently terminated the related indenture. (f) 6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes In May 2013, we sold a total of $425.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.5% senior subordinated notes due 2020, or the 6.5% senior subordinated notes, in a private placement to initial purchasers, who agreed to resell the notes only to qualified institutional buyers and to persons outside the United States. We sold the 6.5% senior subordinated notes at an initial offering price of 100%. Net proceeds from this offering amounted to $417.7 million, which were net of the underwriters’ commissions and offering expenses totaling approximately $7.3 million. These notes were subsequently exchanged for new notes having substantially the same terms in an exchange offer registered under the Securities Act. In May 2013, we used $200.6 million of the net proceeds of our sale of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes to purchase $190.6 million outstanding principal amount of our former 9% senior subordinated notes, or the 9% senior subordinated notes. In June 2013, we redeemed the remaining $209.4 million outstanding principal amount of the 9% senior subordinated notes. The 6.5% senior subordinated notes were issued under a supplemental indenture dated as of May 24, 2013, or the 6.5% Indenture. The 6.5% senior subordinated notes accrue interest at the rate of 6.5% per annum. Interest on the 6.5% senior subordinated notes is payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, beginning on December 15, 2013. The 6.5% senior subordinated notes mature on June 15, 2020, unless earlier redeemed. We may, at our option, redeem the 6.5% senior subordinated notes, in whole or part, at any time (which may be more than once) on or after June 15, 2016, by paying the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus a declining premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date. The premium declines from 3.250% during the twelve months on and after June 15, 2016 to 1.625% during the twelve months on and after June 15, 2017 to zero on and after June 15, 2018. In addition, at any time (which may be more than once) prior to June 15, 2016, we may, at our option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes with money that we raise in certain equity offerings, so long as (i) we pay 106.5% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date; (ii) we redeem the 6.5% senior subordinated notes within 90 days of completing such equity offering; and (iii) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes remains outstanding afterwards. In addition, at any time (which may be more than once) prior to June 15, 2016, we may, at our option, redeem some or all of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes by paying the principal amount of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes being redeemed plus a make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the redemption date. If a change of control occurs, subject to specified conditions, we must give holders of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes an opportunity to sell their notes to us at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the date of the purchase. The merger under the Merger Agreement described in Note 28 will, if consummated, constitute a change of control under the 6.5% Indenture. If we or our subsidiaries engage in asset sales, we or they generally must either invest the net cash proceeds from such sales in our or their businesses within a specified period of time, repay senior indebtedness or make an offer to purchase a principal amount of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes (on a pro rata basis with respect to the 6.5% senior subordinated notes and our 6.375% senior subordinated notes) equal to the excess net cash proceeds, subject to certain exceptions. The purchase price of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes would be 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 6.5% Indenture provides that we and our subsidiaries must comply with various customary covenants, which are subject to certain important exceptions and qualifications, which are set forth in the 6.5% Indenture. At any time the 6.5% senior subordinated notes are rated investment grade, certain covenants will be suspended with respect to them. The 6.5% Indenture contains customary events of default entitling the trustee or the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes to declare all amounts owed pursuant to the 6.5% senior subordinated notes immediately payable if any such event of default occurs. The 6.5% senior subordinated notes are our senior subordinated unsecured obligations, are subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior debt, including our borrowings under our secured credit facility and our 7.25% senior notes, and are equal in right of payment with our 6.375% senior subordinated notes. Our obligations under the 6.5% senior subordinated notes and the 6.5% Indenture are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior subordinated unsecured basis by certain of our domestic subsidiaries, and the obligations of such domestic subsidiaries under their guarantees are subordinated in right of payment to all of their existing and future senior debt and equal in right of payment to all of their existing and future senior subordinated debt. See Note 27 for guarantor financial information. As of December 31, 2015, accrued interest related to the 6.5% senior subordinated notes amounted to $1.3 million. See note 28 for discussion of certain consents and waivers that we obtained in May 2016 from holders of the 6.5% senior subordinated notes. (g) 8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes On June 24, 2015, we issued a notice of optional redemption to the holders of our 8.625% senior subordinated notes due 2018, or the 8.625% senior subordinated notes, that, on October 1, 2015 (the redemption date), we would redeem the entire principal amount of the 8.625% senior subordinated notes then outstanding at a redemption price equal to 102.156% of the principal amount of the 8.625% senior subordinated notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest from April 1, 2015 to (but excluding) the redemption date, upon the terms set forth in the notice of optional redemption. We transferred an amount equal to the net proceeds received from the 6.375% notes of $417.3 million plus additional cash of $8.6 million, or a total of $425.9 million, into an irrevocable trust, which was used to fund the redemption of the 8.625% senior subordinated notes on October 1, 2015. We redeemed the entire $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 8.625% senior subordinated notes on October 1, 2015 and, upon settlement of the redemption on that date, we satisfied and discharged all of our obligations with respect to the 8.625% senior subordinated notes. In connection with the redemption of these notes, we incurred extinguishment costs in the amount of $19.9 million. Included in the $19.9 million is $8.6 million related to the call premium. (i) 3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes On May 14, 2007, we sold a total of $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2016, or the 3% convertible senior subordinated notes. The 3% convertible senior subordinated notes matured on May 15, 2016, and we paid $152.0 million in cash (consisting of $125.0 million in cash drawn under our revolving credit facility plus $27.0 million of available cash) to pay all outstanding principal and accrued interest owing under these notes, and we thereupon satisfied and discharged all of our obligations with respect to these notes. Before their repayment at maturity, interest accrued at 3% per annum on the outstanding principal amount of the 3% convertible senior subordinated notes and was payable in arrears on May 15th and November 15th of each year. Before their repayment at maturity, the 3% convertible senior subordinated notes were unsecured and were subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior debt, including borrowings under our secured credit facility and our 7.25% senior notes, and equal in right of payment to our 6.5% senior subordinated notes and our 6.375% senior subordinated notes. As of December 31, 2015, accrued interest related to the 3% convertible senior subordinated notes amounted to $0.6 million. (j) Lines of Credit Some of our subsidiaries maintain local lines of credit for short-term advances. Total available credit under the local lines of credit as of December 31, 2015 is approximately $14.1 million, of which $0.1 million was borrowed and outstanding as of that date. (k) Other Debt In September 2015, Alere Switzerland GmbH entered into a secured credit facility with The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Singapore Branch, or HSBC, in a principal amount of $40.0 million. The facility is fully drawn and has a maturity of 2 years. The facility is ultimately secured by local currency cash deposited by our subsidiary Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co., Ltd. with an affiliate of HSBC in China and has an interest rate equal to the applicable LIBOR rate plus a margin of 0.8%. Included in other debt as of December 31, 2015 are borrowings by certain of our subsidiaries from various financial institutions. The borrowed funds are primarily used to fund capital expenditures and working capital requirements. Interest expense on these borrowings was $1.8 million for 2015. (l) Maturities of Long-term Debt The following is a summary of the maturities of long-term debt, including the current portions thereof, outstanding on December 31, 2015 (in thousands): 2016 $ 199,992 2017 81,369 2018 491,358 2019 41,329 2020 905,417 Thereafter 1,351,123 3,070,588 Less: Original issue discounts (5,380 ) $ 3,065,208

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	(9) Fair Value Measurements We apply fair value measurement accounting to value our financial assets and liabilities. Fair value measurement accounting provides a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair value (in thousands): Description December 31, Quoted Prices in Significant Other Unobservable Assets: Marketable securities $ 164 $ 164 $ — $ — Total assets $ 164 $ 164 $ — $ — Liabilities: Contingent consideration obligations(1) $ 57,744 $ — $ — $ 57,744 Total liabilities $ 57,744 $ — $ — $ 57,744 Description December 31, Quoted Prices in Significant Other Unobservable Assets: Marketable securities $ 259 $ 259 $ — $ — Total assets $ 259 $ 259 $ — $ — Liabilities: Contingent consideration obligations(1) $ 139,671 $ — $ — $ 139,671 Total liabilities $ 139,671 $ — $ — $ 139,671 (1) We determine the fair value of the contingent consideration obligations based on a probability-weighted approach derived from earn-out criteria estimates and a probability assessment with respect to the likelihood of achieving the various earn-out criteria. The measurement is based upon significant inputs not observable in the market. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Changes in the fair value of these contingent consideration obligations are recorded as income or expense within operating income in our consolidated statements of operations. See Note 12 for additional information on the valuation of our contingent consideration obligations. Changes in the fair value of our Level 3 contingent consideration obligations during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands): Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, December 31, 2013 $ 218,569 Payments (60,019 ) Fair value adjustments 7,677 Reversal of Method Factory Inc., now known as ACS obligation(1) (26,321 ) Foreign currency adjustments (235 ) Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, December 31, 2014 $ 139,671 Payments (22,073 ) Fair value adjustments (59,871 ) Foreign currency adjustments 17 Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, December 31, 2015 $ 57,744 1) ACS was divested in October 2014 and, in connection with this transaction, the contingent consideration obligation was terminated. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximated their estimated fair values. The carrying amount and estimated fair value of our long-term debt were $3.1 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2015. The carrying amount and estimated fair value of our long-term debt were both $3.7 billion at December 31, 2014. The estimated fair value of our long-term debt was determined using information derived from available market sources (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy) and may not be representative of actual values that could have been or will be realized in the future.

Capital Leases

Capital Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Capital Leases	(10) Capital Leases The following is a schedule of the future minimum lease payments under capital leases, together with the present value of such payments as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands): 2016 $ 3,962 2017 2,050 2018 1,491 2019 2,289 2020 712 Thereafter 639 Total future minimum lease payments 11,143 Less: Imputed interest — Present value of future minimum lease payments 11,143 Less: Current portion (3,962 ) $ 7,181 At December 31, 2015, the capitalized amounts of the building, machinery and equipment and computer equipment under capital leases were as follows (in thousands): Machinery, laboratory equipment and tooling $ 24,258 Computer equipment 888 Furniture and fixtures 606 Vehicles 197 Leasehold improvements 927 26,876 Less: Accumulated amortization (9,214 ) $ 17,662 The amortization expense of assets recorded under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense of property, plant and equipment.

Postretirement Benefit Plans

Postretirement Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Postretirement Benefit Plans	(11) Postretirement Benefit Plans (a) Employee Savings Plans Our company and several of our U.S.-based subsidiaries sponsor various 401(k) savings plans, to which eligible domestic employees may voluntarily contribute a portion of their income, subject to statutory limitations. In addition to the participants’ own contributions to these 401(k) savings plans, we match such contributions up to a designated level. Total matching contributions related to employee savings plans were $5.8 million, $9.2 million and $9.4 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. (b) U.K. Pension Plans Our subsidiary in England, Unipath Ltd., or Unipath, has a defined benefit pension plan established for certain of its employees. Changes in benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status and amounts recognized on the accompanying balance sheet as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, for our Defined Benefit Plan were as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Change in projected benefit obligation Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 22,560 $ 21,572 Interest cost 784 938 Actuarial (gain) loss (638 ) 1,830 Benefits paid (179 ) (300 ) Foreign exchange impact (1,028 ) (1,480 ) Benefit obligation at end of year $ 21,499 $ 22,560 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 18,120 $ 17,226 Actual return on plan assets 491 1,429 Employer contribution 917 953 Benefits paid (179 ) (300 ) Foreign exchange impact (864 ) (1,188 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 18,485 $ 18,120 Funded status $ (3,014 ) $ (4,440 ) Accumulated benefit obligation $ 21,499 $ 22,560 The net amounts recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are shown in long-term liabilities and were $3.0 million and $4.4 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015 and 2014. The following represents the amounts recognized in other comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): 2015 2014 Amortization of net loss $ (332 ) $ (267 ) Amortization of prior service cost (310 ) (438 ) New actuarial loss (55 ) (1,423 ) Foreign exchange impact (1,134 ) 2,230 Total $ (1,831 ) $ 102 As of December 31, 2015, the amortization of prior service cost is expected to be approximately $0.3 million in 2016. Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ending December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: 2015 2014 Net actuarial loss $ 5,109 $ 5,635 Prior service cost 2,412 3,718 Net amount recognized $ 7,521 $ 9,353 The measurement dates used to determine plan assets and benefit obligations for the Defined Benefit Plan were December 31, 2015 and 2014. The following table provides the weighted-average actuarial assumptions: 2015 2014 Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations(1): Discount rate 3.70 % 3.55 % Rate of compensation increase 3.95 % 3.85 % Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost(2): Discount rate 3.55 % 4.40 % Expected long-term return on plan assets 6.50 % 5.95 % Rate of compensation increase 3.85 % 4.15 % (1) The actuarial assumptions used to compute the unfunded status for the plan are based upon information available as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. (2) The actuarial assumptions used to compute the net periodic pension benefit cost are based upon the information available as of the beginning of the presented year. The actuarial assumptions are reviewed on an annual basis. The overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption was determined based on historical investment return rates on portfolios with a high proportion of equity securities, and was calculated using a weighted-average of the expected returns for each asset class held by the Plan. The long-term expected return on assets is net of investment expenses. The annual net periodic benefit costs of the Defined Benefit Plan are as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Service cost $ — $ — $ — Interest cost 784 938 754 Expected return on plan assets (1,183 ) (1,022 ) (713 ) Amortization of net loss 332 267 199 Amortization of prior service cost 310 438 416 Net periodic benefit cost $ 243 $ 621 $ 656 The plan assets of the Defined Benefit Plan comprise a mix of stocks and fixed income securities and other investments. At December 31, 2015, these stocks and fixed income securities represented 73% and 27%, respectively, of the market value of the pension assets. We expect to contribute approximately £0.6 million (or $0.9 million at December 31, 2015) to the Defined Benefit Plan in 2016. We expect that the benefits to be paid to plan participants will range between approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million per year for each of the next five years and that benefits totaling $0.5 million will be paid annually for the five years thereafter. Our overall investment strategy is to ensure the investments are spread across a range of investments varying by both investment class and geographical location which is achieved by investing largely in equity and fixed income funds. Spreading the investments in this manner reduces the risk of a decline in a particular market having a substantial impact on the whole fund. The target allocation for the plan assets is a 70% holding in equities (both in the U.K. and overseas), with the remaining assets invested in investment grade corporate bonds. The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 by asset category are presented in the following table (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy). Plan Assets at Asset Category 2015 2014 Equity securities: U.K. equities $ 6,096 $ 6,136 Overseas equities 3,119 3,105 U.S. equities 3,781 3,631 Debt securities — corporate bonds 4,984 5,048 Other — cash 505 200 Total plan assets $ 18,485 $ 18,120 The table above presents the fair value of our plan’s assets in accordance with the fair value hierarchy. The pension plan assets are measured using net asset value per share (or its equivalent) and are reported as a Level 2 investment above due to our ability to redeem the investment either at the balance sheet date or within limited time restrictions. Unipath contributed $0.3 million in 2015, $0.4 million in 2014 and $0.3 million in 2013 to the Defined Contribution Plan, which was recognized as an expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	(12) Commitments and Contingencies (a) Operating Leases We have operating lease commitments for certain of our facilities and equipment that expire on various dates through 2028. The following schedule outlines future minimum annual rental payments under these leases at December 31, 2015 (in thousands): 2016 $ 33,436 2017 28,590 2018 22,008 2019 15,978 2020 11,573 Thereafter 20,134 $ 131,719 Rent expense relating to operating leases was approximately $41.8 million, $48.4 million and $46.0 million during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The $2.4 million increase in rent expense from 2013 to 2014 was the result of new leases entered into during the year. The primary drivers of the $6.6 million decrease in rent expense from 2014 to 2015 was the impact of currency exchange rates and divestitures. (b) Acquisition-related Contingent Consideration Obligations We have contractual contingent purchase price consideration obligations related to certain of our acquisitions. We determine the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration obligations based on a probability-weighted approach derived from the overall likelihood of achieving certain performance targets, including product development milestones or financial metrics. The fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement, as defined in fair value measurement accounting. The resultant probability-weighted earn-out payments are discounted using a discount rate based upon the weighted-average cost of capital. At each reporting date, we revalue the contingent consideration obligations to the reporting date fair values and record increases and decreases in the fair values as income or expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Increases or decreases in the fair values of the contingent consideration obligations may result from changes in discount periods and rates, changes in the timing and amount of earn-out criteria and changes in probability assumptions with respect to the likelihood of achieving the various earn-out criteria. During 2015, we revised the fair value estimates for the milestones related to the TwistDx, Inc. contingent consideration obligation to reflect increased probabilities of success as a result of positive technological developments and regulatory approvals of certain related platforms. Accordingly, we recorded a charge associated with the resulting change in fair value of $12.1 million, which is included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statement of operations. During 2015, we revised the fair value estimates for certain of the milestones related to the Epocal contingent consideration obligation to reflect decreased probabilities of success and delayed cash inflows and clinical development timelines due to a strategic shift and re-allocation of research and development resources. As a result, we recorded a net reduction to expense during 2015 of $32.5 million, which is included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statement of operations. Additionally, one milestone was achieved during 2015, resulting in a cash payment of $10.0 million during the year. Furthermore, during 2015, we recorded a reduction to expense of $24.5 million associated with a change in the fair value of our Ionian contingent consideration obligation to zero, which is included in general and administrative expense in our accompanying consolidated statement of operations. The remaining product development milestones under the agreement were not achieved by the July 2015 deadline and, as such, the probability of making the related milestone payments was reduced to zero. The following table summarizes our contractual contingent purchase price consideration obligations related to certain of our acquisitions, as follows (in thousands): Acquisition Acquisition Date Acquisition Maximum Remaining Estimated Estimated Payments TwistDx, Inc.(1) March 11, 2010 $ 35,600 $ 103,247 2016 – 2025 (5) $ 47,800 $ 41,100 $ 5,377 Ionian Technologies, Inc.(2) July 12, 2010 $ 24,500 $ — — — 24,500 — DiagnosisOne, Inc.(3) July 31, 2012 $ 22,300 $ — — — 21,000 6,000 Epocal(4) February 1, 2013 $ 75,000 $ 47,950 2016 – 2018 4,700 47,200 10,000 Other Various $ 30,373 $ — (6) 2016 5,244 5,871 696 $ 57,744 $ 139,671 $ 22,073 (1) The terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay an earn-out upon successfully meeting certain revenue and product development targets through 2025. (2) The earn-out period under the terms of the acquisition agreement expired on July 12, 2015. In December 2015, we entered into an amended agreement with the former shareholders of Ionian Technologies, Inc., whereby we could be required to make milestone payments to them of up to approximately $43.8 million. Because this amendment was entered into after the earn-out period of the acquisition agreement had lapsed, it will be accounted for under ASC 450, Contingencies (3) On March 25, 2015, the remaining earn-out was settled for $6.0 million, of which $4.5 million was paid on March 27, 2015 and $1.5 million was paid on April 3, 2015. (4) The terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay earn-outs and management incentive payments upon successfully meeting certain product development and United States Food and Drug Administration regulatory approval milestones from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2018. (5) The maximum earn-out period ends on the fifteenth anniversary of the acquisition date. (6) The maximum remaining earn-out potential for the other acquisitions is not determinable due to the nature of one of the earn-outs, which is tied to an unlimited revenue metric. (c) Legal Proceedings U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Subpoena On August 28, 2015, we received a subpoena from the SEC which indicated that it is conducting a formal investigation of Alere. The SEC’s subpoena relates to, among other things, (i) our previously filed restatement and revision to our financial statements, including the accounting for deferred taxes for discontinued operations, as well as our tax strategies and policies and (ii) our sales practices and dealings with third parties (including distributors and foreign government officials) in Africa relating to sales to government entities. On January 14, 2016, we received a second subpoena from the SEC in connection with this formal investigation seeking, among other things, additional information related to sales of products and services to end-users in Africa, as well as revenue recognition relating to sales of products and services to end-users in Africa. We have also received, from time to time, requests in connection with the investigation to voluntarily produce additional information to the SEC, including information pertaining to certain other countries in Asia and Latin America. We are cooperating with the SEC and have provided documents in response to the subpoenas and voluntary requests. We are unable to predict when this matter will be resolved or what further action, if any, the SEC may take in connection with it. Department of Justice Grand Jury Subpoena On March 11, 2016, we received a grand jury subpoena from the United States Department of Justice requiring the production of documents relating to, among other things, sales, sales practices and dealings with third parties (including distributors and foreign governmental officials) in Africa, Asia and Latin America and other matters related to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. We are cooperating with the Department of Justice and have provided information in response to the subpoena. We are unable to predict when this matter will be resolved or what further action, if any, the Department of Justice may take in connection with it. Securities Class Actions On April 21, 2016, a class action lawsuit captioned Godinez Alere Inc. Breton Alere Inc. We are unable at this time to determine the outcome of this class action lawsuit or our potential liability, if any. Matters Relating to our San Diego Facility On October 9, 2012, we received a warning letter from the FDA referencing inspectional observations set forth in a Form FDA 483 received in June 2012. The observations were the result of an inspection of our San Diego facility conducted earlier during 2012 relating to our Alere Triage products, which resulted in two recalls of certain Alere Triage products and revised release specifications for our Alere Triage meter-based products. In September 2014, as follow up to a further inspection of our San Diego facility, the FDA notified us that this inspection was classified “voluntary action indicated,” meaning that the objectionable conditions or practices found in the inspection did not meet the threshold of significance requiring regulatory action, but that formal close-out of the October 2012 Warning Letter could not occur until after a future inspection. In May 2012, we also received a subpoena from the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, or the OIG, seeking documents relating primarily to the quality control testing and performance characteristics of Alere Triage products. We are cooperating with the OIG and are responding to the investigation, which is ongoing. We are unable to predict when these matters will be resolved or what further action, if any, the government will take in connection with them. INRatio Class Actions On May 26, 2016, a class action lawsuit captioned Dina Andren and Sidney Bludman v. Alere Inc et al. J.E, J.D., and all others similarly situated v. Alere Inc., Alere San Diego, Inc. and Alere Home Monitoring, Inc., Dina Andren and Sidney Bludman J.E, J.D., and all others similarly situated Audren We are unable, at this time, to determine the outcome of these class action lawsuits or our potential liability, if any. Claims in the Ordinary Course and Other Matters We are also party to certain other legal proceedings and other governmental investigations, or are requested to provide information in connection with such proceedings or investigations. For example, in December 2014, we and our subsidiary, Avee Laboratories Inc., or Avee, received subpoenas from the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey seeking marketing materials and other documents relating primarily to billing and marketing practices related to toxicology testing. In addition, we received a U.S. Department of Justice criminal subpoena addressed to Alere Toxicology Services, Inc. on July 1, 2016 which seeks records related to Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare billings dating back to 2010 for specific patient samples tested at our Austin, Texas pain management laboratory and payments made to physicians. We are cooperating with these investigations and are providing documents in response to both subpoenas. We and our subsidiary, Arriva Medical, LLC, are also in the process of responding to Civil Investigative Demands, or CIDs, the most recent CID which was received in July 2016, from the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee in connection with an investigation of possible improper claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid. The CIDs request patient and billing records and records related to interactions with third parties. We are cooperating with the investigation of the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee and are providing documents responsive to the CIDs. We cannot predict what effect, if any, these investigations, or any resulting claims, could have on Alere or its subsidiaries. We have received, from time to time, additional subpoenas and requests for information from the United States Department of Justice, other federal government agencies and state attorneys general, and we have, in each of these cases, cooperated with the applicable governmental entity in responding to the applicable subpoena or request for information. For example, in May 2016, we received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, which seeks various documents related to the accuracy, reliability and performance of the INRatio System, including documents relating to prior interactions with the FDA and others regarding the system. Our diabetes, toxicology and patient self-testing businesses are subject to audit and claims for reimbursement brought in the ordinary course by private third-party payers, including health insurers, Zone Program Integrity Contractors, or ZPICs, and Medicare Administrative Contractors, or MACs, to monitor compliance with coverage and reimbursement rules and guidelines. These types of audits and claims can include, but are not limited to, claims relating to proper documentation and support or claims relating to the medical necessity of certain testing and can lead to assertions or determinations that certain claims should not have been, or will no longer be, paid by the private third-party payer or by Medicare or Medicaid. In such cases, the payer or program may seek to recoup or offset amounts they assert have been paid in error. Our businesses may also be subject at any time to other commercial disputes, product liability claims, personal injury claims, including claims arising from or relating to product recalls, negligence claims, third-party subpoenas or various other lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including infringement, employment or investor matters, and we expect that this will continue to be the case in the future. For example, several individuals have filed suits against us alleging personal injury claims in connection with the use of our INRatio products (which are in addition to the class action suits described above). Such lawsuits or claims generally seek damages or reimbursement, sometimes in substantial amounts. There are possible unfavorable outcomes related to litigation or governmental investigations that could adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Sh

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	(13) Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts): 2015 2014 2013 Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share: Numerator: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (12,756) $ (171,754 ) $ (57,856 ) Preferred stock dividends (21,293 ) (21,293 ) (21,293 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shares (34,049 ) (193,047 ) (79,149 ) Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest 381 30 976 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries (34,430 ) (193,077 ) (80,125 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations 219,513 138,318 (16,126 ) Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 185,083 $ (54,759 ) $ (96,251 ) Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding — basic and diluted 85,420 82,938 81,542 Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share: Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (0.40 ) $ (2.33 ) $ (0.98 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations 2.57 1.67 (0.20 ) Basic net income (loss) per common share attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ 2.17 $ (0.66 ) $ (1.18 ) The following potential dilutive securities were not included in the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per common share for our continuing operations because the inclusion thereof would be antidilutive (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Denominator: Options to purchase shares of common stock 6,793 7,140 10,879 Warrants 4 4 4 Conversion shares related to 3% convertible senior subordinated notes 3,411 3,411 3,411 Conversion shares related to subordinated convertible promissory notes — 27 27 Conversion shares related to Series B convertible preferred stock 10,239 10,239 10,239 Common stock equivalents related to the settlement of a contingent consideration obligation 14 — 451 Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding 20,461 20,821 25,011

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	(14) Stockholders’ Equity (a) Common Stock As of December 31, 2015, we had 200.0 million shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized, of which 7.7 million shares were held in treasury and 86.3 million shares were outstanding, 14.1 million shares were reserved for issuance upon grant and exercise of equity awards under current equity compensation plans, 1.8 million shares were reserved for issuance under our employee stock purchase plan and 4,000 shares were reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants. We also had shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon conversion of the following securities outstanding on December 31, 2015: $150.0 million in the aggregate principal amount of 3% convertible senior subordinated notes, convertible at $43.98 per share into 3.4 million shares of our common stock, and 1.8 million shares of our Series B convertible preferred stock, with an aggregate liquidation preference of approximately $709.8 million, convertible under certain circumstances at $69.32 per share into 10.2 million shares of our common stock. (b) Preferred Stock As of December 31, 2015, we had 5.0 million shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value, authorized, of which 2.3 million shares were designated as Series B Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, or Series B preferred stock. In connection with our acquisition of Matria, we issued shares of the Series B preferred stock and through June 30, 2011 paid all dividends on outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock in additional shares of Series B preferred stock. Subsequent to June 30, 2011 all dividends on outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock were paid in cash. At December 31, 2015, there were 1.8 million shares of Series B preferred stock outstanding with a fair value of approximately $498.9 million. Each share of Series B preferred stock, which has a liquidation preference of $400.00 per share, is convertible, at the option of the holder and only upon certain circumstances, into 5.7703 shares of our common stock, plus cash in lieu of fractional shares. The initial conversion price is $69.32 per share, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, but will not be adjusted for accumulated and unpaid dividends. Upon a conversion of shares of the Series B preferred stock, we may, at our option, satisfy the entire conversion obligation in cash or through a combination of cash and common stock. Series B preferred stock outstanding at December 31, 2015 would convert into 10.2 million shares of our common stock, which are reserved. There were no conversions as of December 31, 2015. Generally, the shares of Series B preferred stock are convertible, at the option of the holder, if during any calendar quarter beginning with the second calendar quarter after the issuance date of the Series B preferred stock, the closing sale price of our common stock for each of 20 or more trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter exceeds 130% of the conversion price per share of common stock in effect on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter. In addition, the shares of Series B preferred stock are convertible, at the option of the holder, in certain other circumstances, including those relating to the trading price of the Series B preferred stock and upon the occurrence of certain fundamental changes or major corporate transactions. We also have the right, under certain circumstances relating to the trading price of our common stock, to force conversion of the Series B preferred stock. Depending on the timing of any such forced conversion, we may have to make certain payments relating to foregone dividends, which payments we can make, at our option, in the form of cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. Each share of Series B preferred stock accrues dividends at $12.00, or 3%, per annum, payable quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing following the first full calendar quarter after the issuance date. Dividends on the Series B preferred stock are cumulative from the date of issuance. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, Series B preferred stock dividends amounted to $21.3 million, $21.3 million and $21.3 million respectively, which reduced earnings available to common stockholders for purposes of calculating net loss per common share in each of 2015, 2014 and 2013 (Note 13). Accrued dividends are payable only if declared by our board of directors and, upon conversion by the Series B preferred stockholder, holders will not receive any cash payment representing accumulated dividends. If our board of directors declares a dividend payable, we have the right to pay the dividends in cash, shares of common stock, additional shares of Series B preferred stock or a similar convertible preferred stock or any combination thereof. The holders of Series B preferred stock have liquidation preferences over the holders of our common stock and other classes of stock, if any, outstanding at the time of liquidation. Upon liquidation, the holders of outstanding Series B preferred stock would receive an amount equal to $400.00 per share of Series B preferred stock, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends. As of December 31, 2015, the liquidation preference of the outstanding Series B preferred stock was $709.8 million. The holders of the Series B preferred stock have no voting rights, except with respect to matters affecting the Series B preferred stock (including the creation of a senior preferred stock). We evaluated the terms and provisions of our Series B preferred stock to determine if it qualified for derivative accounting treatment. Based on our evaluation, these securities do not qualify for derivative accounting. (c) Stock Options and Awards In 2010, we adopted the Alere Inc. 2010 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, or the 2010 Plan, which replaced our 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, or the 2001 Plan. The 2010 Plan currently allows for the issuance of up to 16.1 million shares of common stock and other awards. The 2010 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which selects the individuals eligible to receive awards, determines or modifies the terms and conditions of the awards granted, accelerates the vesting schedule of any award and generally administers and interprets the 2010 Plan. The 2010 Plan permits the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options with terms of up to ten years and the granting of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock awards, performance share awards and dividend equivalent rights. For awards granted before April 23, 2015, the 2010 Plan generally provides for automatic vesting acceleration of all options, and automatic removal of conditions and restrictions on all restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance share awards upon a change in control, as defined in the 2010 Plan. For awards granted on or after April 23, 2015, the 2010 Plan generally provides for such acceleration if either (i) no provision is made for the assumption, continuation or substitution of awards upon such a change of control or (ii) provision is made for the assumption, continuation or substitution of such awards upon such a change of control and, within one year of such change of control, we terminate the award recipient’s employment without cause, as defined in the 2010 Plan, or the award recipient terminates his or her employment for good reason, as defined in the 2010 Plan (or, in the case of a director, his or her service as a director is terminated for any reason). As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were 7.9 million and 2.8 million shares, respectively, available for future grant under the 2010 Plan. In 2001, we adopted our 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or our ESPP, under which eligible employees are allowed to purchase shares of our common stock at a discount through periodic payroll deductions. Purchases may occur at the end of every six-month offering period at a purchase price equal to 85% of the market value of our common stock at either the beginning or end of the offering period, whichever is lower. We may issue up to 5.0 million shares of common stock under this plan. At December 31, 2015, 3.2 million shares had been issued under this plan. The following summarizes all stock option activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands, except exercise price): Stock Weighted- Outstanding at January 1, 2015 7,364 $ 34.68 Granted 2,399 $ 46.47 Exercised (2,168 ) $ 34.26 Canceled/expired/forfeited (1,454 ) $ 38.91 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 6,141 $ 38.43 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 2,829 $ 34.65 The aggregate intrinsic value of the options outstanding at December 31, 2015 was $29.5 million and the weighted-average remaining contractual term is 6.70 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of the options exercisable at December 31, 2015 was $20.9 million and the weighted-average remaining contractual term is 4.47 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $31.4 million, $14.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, there was $55.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options. Such costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.53 years. The following summarizes all restricted stock unit activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands, except grant date fair value): Restricted Stock Units Weighted- average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at January 1, 2015 539 $ 32.72 Granted 403 $ 28.04 Vested (248 ) $ 28.89 Forfeited (44 ) $ 36.95 Nonvested at December 31, 2015 650 $ 31.00 The fair values of our restricted stock units, or RSUs, are based on the market value of our stock on the date of grant. The weighted-average grant date fair value of RSUs granted during 2015 and 2014 was $28.04 and $35.99 respectively. There were no RSUs granted in 2013. The aggregate intrinsic value of the RSUs as of December 31, 2015 was $25.4 million and the weighted-average remaining contractual term is 1.34 years. The aggregate intrinsic value of the RSUs expected to vest as of December 31, 2015 was $23.1 million and the weighted-average remaining contractual term is 1.32 years. As of December 31, 2015, there was $19.9 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.34 years. The following summarizes all stock appreciation rights, or SARs, activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Stock Appreciation Rights Nonvested at January 1, 2015 246 Granted 56 Exercised (67 ) Forfeited. (47 ) Nonvested at December 31, 2015 188 The total cash paid in settlement of SARs exercised in 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $0.0 million, respectively, which was recorded under liability accounting. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the accrual related to SARs was $2.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	(15) Stock-based Compensation We recorded stock-based compensation expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Cost of net revenue $ 1,198 $ 1,180 $ 1,126 Research and development 1,195 (41 ) 4,053 Sales and marketing 4,794 3,940 3,698 General and administrative 19,204 7,373 12,333 26,391 12,452 21,210 Benefit for income taxes (8,815 ) (2,891 ) (4,190 ) Stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 17,576 $ 9,561 $ 17,020 In connection with the departure of three of our senior executives in June 2014, we recorded a reversal of stock-based compensation expense in the amount of $5.6 million during the second quarter of 2014 relating to the termination of their stock option awards following their resignations. Of the $5.6 million reversal, $2.2 million was recorded through research and development and $3.4 million through general and administrative. The excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options are reported as financing cash flows in our consolidated statements of cash flows. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, excess tax benefits generated from option exercises amounted to $0.0 million, $1.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model: 2015 2014 2013 Risk-free interest rate 1.62 % 1.77 % 1.47 % Expected dividend yield — — — Expected life 5.59 years 5.78 years 5.74 years Expected volatility 33 % 36 % 42 % The weighted-average fair value under a Black-Scholes option pricing model of options granted to employees during 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $18.51, $19.55 and $15.22 per share, respectively. All options granted during these periods were granted at or above the fair market value on the date of grant. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded compensation expense of $1.9 million related to our ESPP, which is included in the table above. The fair value of the option component of the ESPP shares was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and assumed an expected volatility of 30% and 29%, a risk-free interest rate of 0.11% and 0.13% and an expected life of 181 days and 184 days, for each of the two respective offering periods. The 2015 charge is included in the employee’s respective cost classification in the table above. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded compensation expense of $2.6 million related to our ESPP, which is included in the table above. The fair value of the option component of the ESPP shares was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and assumed an expected volatility of 35% and 32%, a risk-free interest rate of 0.09% and 0.06% and an expected life of 181 days and 184 days, for each of the two respective offering periods. The 2014 charge is included in the employee’s respective cost classification in the table above. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded compensation expense of $2.6 million related to our ESPP, which is included in the table above. The fair value of the option component of the ESPP shares was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and assumed an expected volatility of 41% and 40%, a risk-free interest rate of 0.12% and 0.09% and an expected life of 181 days and 184 days, for each of the two respective offering periods. The 2013 charge is included in the employee’s respective cost classification in the table above.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(16) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following (in thousands): Cumulative Pension Other(1) Accumulated Balance at December 31, 2012 $ 31,517 $ (6,708 ) $ (60 ) $ 24,749 Period change (50,166 ) (309 ) 39 (50,436 ) Balance at December 31, 2013 (18,649 ) (7,017 ) (21 ) (25,687 ) Period change (166,448 ) 4 21 (166,423 ) Balance at December 31, 2014 (185,097 ) (7,013 ) — (192,110 ) Period change (146,438 ) (1,229 ) — (147,667 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (331,535 ) $ (8,242 ) $ — $ (339,777 ) (1) Other represents unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and hedging instruments.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(17) Income Taxes Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands): Continuing Operations: 2015 2014 2013 United States $ (226,051 ) $ (184,936 ) $ (195,244 ) Foreign 145,061 66,603 75,238 $ (80,990 ) $ (118,333 ) $ (120,006 ) During November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” Our primary temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are net operating losses, capital loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, nondeductible reserves and accruals, outside basis differences, and differences in basis of the tangible and intangible assets. The income tax effects of these temporary differences, are as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: NOL and capital loss carryforwards $ 221,728 $ 119,142 Outside basis differences — 211,880 Tax credit carryforwards 107,750 93,057 Nondeductible reserves 45,053 43,393 Nondeductible accruals 26,490 34,284 Difference between book and tax bases of tangible assets 1,735 881 Difference between book and tax bases of intangible assets 19,678 31,010 Deferred revenue 7,426 6,483 All other 16,477 18,950 Gross deferred tax assets 446,337 559,080 Less: Valuation allowance (262,223 ) (228,633 ) Total deferred tax assets 184,114 330,447 Deferred tax liabilities: Difference between book and tax bases of tangible assets 20,990 30,919 Difference between book and tax bases of intangible assets 277,871 364,815 Debt 2,344 12,895 Other 16,534 19,560 Total deferred tax liabilities 317,739 428,189 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (133,625 ) $ (97,742 ) Reported as: Deferred tax assets, current portion $ — $ 127,920 Net non-current deferred tax assets 13,993 6,318 Deferred tax liabilities, current portion — (17 ) Net non-current deferred tax liabilities (147,618 ) (231,963 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (133,625 ) $ (97,742 ) As of December 31, 2014, we recorded a deferred tax asset for tax over book outside basis differences related to our health management business due to the anticipated realization of this deferred tax asset in the foreseeable future. A portion of this deferred tax asset was expected to be capital in nature and, therefore, a valuation allowance was recorded against this portion of the deferred tax asset as it was not more likely than not that these deferred tax assets would be realized. The recognition of this deferred tax asset resulted in recording tax benefit of $144.8 million that has been reflected in income from discontinued operations, net of tax in 2014. On January 9, 2015 we divested our health management business which resulted in the reversal of this deferred tax asset. As of December 31, 2015, our federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes were approximately $30.6 million, $876.5 million, and $234.6 million, respectively. If not utilized, a portion of the federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2020, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Certain foreign net operating loss carryforwards can be carried forward indefinitely. As of December 31, 2015, our federal and foreign capital loss carryforwards for income tax purposes were approximately $256.1 million and $62.1 million, respectively. If not utilized, a portion of the federal capital loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2016. The foreign capital loss carryforwards can be carried forward indefinitely. As of December 31, 2015, we had $22.9 million of U.S. federal and state research and development credit carryforwards, $4.4 million of U.S. federal Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards, $79.2 million of U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards and $1.2 million of other foreign tax credit carryforwards. If not utilized, a portion of the research and development credit and foreign tax credit will begin to expire in 2026 and 2018, respectively. The AMT credit can be carried forward indefinitely. All U.S. federal loss carryforwards and credits are subject to the limitations imposed by Section 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code, and may be limited in the event of certain cumulative changes in ownership interests of significant shareholders over a three-year period in excess of 50%. Sections 382 and 383 impose an annual limitation on the use of these loss carryforwards or credits to an amount equal to the value of the company at the time of certain ownership changes multiplied by the long-term tax exempt rate. Additionally, certain state and foreign losses and credits may be subject to similar limitations based on local provisions. These loss and tax credit carryforwards may be available to reduce future U.S. federal, state and foreign taxable income and taxes, if any, and are subject to review and possible adjustment by the appropriate tax authorities when utilized. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the provision for income taxes of $70.9 million primarily related to the establishment of a valuation allowance of $44.4 million against deferred tax assets associated with our U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards. This valuation allowance was established as it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized. This decision was based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence that existed at December 31, 2014. We recorded a valuation allowance of $262.2 million as of December 31, 2015 due to uncertainties related to the future benefits and realization of our deferred tax assets related primarily to U.S. foreign tax credits and certain state and foreign attribute carryforwards. This is an increase of $33.6 million from the valuation allowance of $228.6 million as of December 31, 2014. The increase is primarily related to our assessment of realizability related to U.S. foreign tax credits as well as certain state and foreign net operating losses and capital loss generated during the current period. The valuation allowance is based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence, including our estimates of future income by the jurisdictions in which we operate and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates, or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to establish an additional valuation allowance or reduce our current valuation allowance, which could materially impact our tax provision. The estimated amount of undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries is $320.2 million at December 31, 2015. We have provided $2.8 million of foreign withholding taxes on certain undistributed earnings. No amount for U.S. income tax has been provided on undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries because we consider such earnings to be indefinitely reinvested. In the event of distribution of those earnings we would be subject to both U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes, which potentially would be offset by U.S. foreign tax credits. Determination of the amount of tax liability that would be incurred is not practicable because of the complexities associated with this hypothetical calculation. The following table presents the components of our provision (benefit) for income taxes (in thousands) for continuing operations: 2015 2014 2013 Current: Federal $ (10,569 ) $ 6,857 $ 19,948 State 2,331 487 (12 ) Foreign 54,921 51,332 57,852 46,683 58,676 77,788 Deferred: Federal (71,748 ) 25,629 (86,254 ) State (8,572 ) (4,142 ) (6,513 ) Foreign (19,067 ) (9,233 ) (29,728 ) (99,387 ) 12,254 (122,495 ) Total provision (benefit) for income taxes $ (52,704 ) $ 70,930 $ (44,707 ) The following table presents a reconciliation from the U.S. statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate: 2015 2014 2013 Statutory rate 35 % 35 % 35 % Stock-based compensation (1 ) (1 ) (3 ) Rate differential on foreign earnings 20 3 4 Impact of foreign inclusion — (2 ) (3 ) U.S. federal research and development credit 3 1 3 State income taxes, net of federal benefit 7 3 (2 ) Contingent consideration 27 (3 ) (3 ) Rate changes 1 (3 ) 7 Return to provision 4 19 (3 ) Other permanent items (1 ) 3 1 Section 199 deduction — — 2 Bargain purchase — — 3 Change in valuation allowance (8 ) (72 ) 6 Foreign dividends, net (13 ) (19 ) (9 ) Uncertain tax positions (6 ) (18 ) (1 ) Withholding Taxes (2 ) (6 ) — Effective tax rate 66 % (60 )% 37 % The impact on the rate in 2013 through 2015 relating to contingent consideration is due to fair value accounting used for contingent consideration on stock acquisitions with no corresponding basis for tax purposes. Change in valuation allowances primarily relates to an increase in the valuation allowance attributable to U.S. foreign tax credits, as well as state and foreign losses where it is not more likely than not that these will be realized. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we increased the gross liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions by $70.8 million to a total of $120.7 million at December 31, 2015. The primary reason for the increase relates to the valuation of certain assets. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions excluding interest and penalties is as follows (in thousands): Amount Balance as of January 1, 2013 $ 23,640 Additions for tax positions related to prior years — Additions for tax positions related to current year 7,654 Reductions for tax positions related to prior years (900 ) Balance as of December 31, 2013 30,394 Additions for tax positions related to prior years 20,797 Additions for tax positions related to current year 3,217 Reductions for tax positions related to prior years (4,477 ) Balance as of December 31, 2014 49,931 Additions for tax positions related to prior years 823 Additions for tax positions related to current year 71,505 Reductions for tax positions and of lapse of statute of limitations related to prior years (1,552 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 120,707 Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2015 is $86.2 million of tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. We do not anticipate material increases or decreases to our unrecognized tax benefits during 2016. Interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities are included in income tax expense. The total net amount of interest and penalties recorded in 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $1.4 million, $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively. The total net amount of accrued interest and penalties recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $3.7 million, $2.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively. We are subject to U.S. federal, state and foreign income tax audits by tax authorities for our open years which include 2010 through present. We are currently under income tax examination by the IRS and a number of state and foreign tax authorities. We cannot currently estimate the impact of these audits due to the uncertainties associated with the tax examinations. Management does not expect material changes in tax position as a result of these ongoing audits. In December 2015, Congress signed into law the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act which retroactively extended the U.S. federal research and development credit from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 and permanently extended the credit going forward. As a result, we recognized the retroactive benefit of the 2015 U.S. federal research and development credit of approximately $2.1 million as a discrete item in the fourth quarter of 2015, the period in which the legislation was enacted.

Financial Information by Segmen

Financial Information by Segment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Financial Information by Segment	(18) Financial Information by Segment Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision-making group is composed of the chief executive officer and members of senior management. As a result of the sale of our health management business in January 2015, which was the largest component of our patient self-testing reporting segment, we no longer report our financial information in four operating segments. Our current reportable operating segments are professional diagnostics, consumer diagnostics, and corporate and other. The information below for 2015, 2014 and 2013 has been retroactively adjusted to reflect this change in reporting segments. Our operating results include license and royalty revenue which are allocated to professional diagnostics and consumer diagnostics on the basis of the original license or royalty agreement. We evaluate performance of our operating segments based on revenue and operating income (loss). Segment information for 2015, 2014 and 2013 and as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): 2015 Professional Consumer Corporate Total Net revenue $ 2,378,188 $ 85,128 $ — $ 2,463,316 Operating income (loss) $ 348,527 $ 2,871 $ (213,548 ) $ 137,850 Depreciation and amortization $ 299,323 $ 2,836 $ 7,105 $ 309,264 Restructuring charge $ 14,281 $ — $ 1,362 $ 15,643 Stock-based compensation $ — $ — $ 26,391 $ 26,391 Assets $ 5,620,085 $ 172,551 $ 164,535 $ 5,957,171 Expenditures for property, plant and equipment $ 76,665 $ 1,403 $ 12,710 $ 90,778 2014 Professional Consumer Corporate Total Net revenue $ 2,486,190 $ 89,088 $ — $ 2,575,278 Operating income (loss) $ 174,082 $ 11,922 $ (92,925 ) $ 93,079 Depreciation and amortization $ 331,882 $ 692 $ 3,455 $ 336,029 Restructuring charge $ 44,461 $ — $ 14,235 $ 58,696 Stock-based compensation $ — $ — $ 12,452 $ 12,452 Assets $ 6,344,867 $ 216,451 $ 138,561 $ 6,699,879 Expenditures for property, plant and equipment $ 79,134 $ 3,360 $ 18,068 $ 100,562 2013 Professional Consumer Corporate Total Net revenue $ 2,523,186 $ 85,450 $ — $ 2,608,636 Operating income (loss) $ 233,481 $ 4,464 $ (91,345 ) $ 146,600 Depreciation and amortization $ 369,193 $ 4,330 $ 1,134 $ 374,657 Restructuring charge $ 14,443 $ — $ — $ 14,443 Stock-based compensation $ — $ — $ 21,210 $ 21,210 Assets $ 6,244,124 $ 197,458 $ 616,933 $ 7,058,515 Expenditures for property, plant and equipment $ 88,357 $ 1,645 $ 9,906 $ 99,908 The following tables summarize our net revenue from the professional diagnostics reporting segment by groups of similar products and services for 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Cardiometabolic $ 832,402 $ 841,905 $ 858,781 Infectious disease 717,812 721,803 729,836 Toxicology 618,360 644,620 644,527 Other 192,637 256,812 262,814 Professional diagnostics net product sales and services revenue 2,361,211 2,465,140 2,495,958 License and royalty revenue 16,977 21,050 27,229 Professional diagnostics net revenue $ 2,378,188 $ 2,486,190 $ 2,523,187 The following tables summarize our net revenue for all segments by geographic area for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and our long-lived tangible assets by geographic area as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Revenue by Geographic Area: United States $ 1,372,039 $ 1,366,739 $ 1,446,411 Europe 437,653 533,116 506,760 Elsewhere(1) 653,624 675,423 655,465 $ 2,463,316 $ 2,575,278 $ 2,608,636 (1) Includes, among many others, the following countries: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Canada, Uganda and Nigeria. December 31, 2015 2014 Long-lived Tangible Assets by Geographic Area: United States $ 261,385 $ 251,731 United Kingdom 26,512 28,745 China 28,705 29,505 Elsewhere(1) 129,437 144,242 $ 446,039 $ 454,223 (1) Includes, among many others, the following countries: South Korea, Germany, Norway, Canada and Brazil.

Other Arrangements

Other Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Other Arrangements	(19) Other Arrangements In September 2014, we entered into a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, to develop diagnostic countermeasures for pandemic influenza. Under the terms of the 3.5 year contract, BARDA will provide up to $12.9 million to us to support the development of a rapid, molecular, low-cost influenza diagnostic device with PCR-like performance at the point of care. The project is designed to help support future preparedness and medical response to an influenza pandemic. Funding from BARDA is subject to successful completion of various interim feasibility and development milestones as defined in the agreement. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had incurred $3.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of qualified expenditures under the contract, for which we had received cash reimbursement from BARDA in the amount of $2.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and $0.7 million and $0.3 million was recorded as a receivable as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. Reimbursements of qualified expenditures under this contract are recorded as a reduction of our related qualified research and development expenditures. In February 2013, we entered into an agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, or the Gates Foundation, whereby we were awarded a grant by the Gates Foundation in the amount of $21.6 million to support the development and commercialization of validated, low-cost, nucleic-acid assays and cartridges for clinical tuberculosis (TB) detection and drug-resistance testing, and adaptation of an analyzer platform capable of operation in rudimentary laboratories in low-resource settings. In connection with this agreement, we also entered into a loan agreement with the Gates Foundation, or the Gates Loan Agreement, which provided for the making of subordinated term loans by the Gates Foundation to us from time to time, subject to the achievement of certain milestones, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $20.6 million. In April 2016, we and the Gates Foundation agreed to mutually terminate this grant and loan agreement and, therefore, there will be no additional grants and no advances will be available under the loan agreement. As of December 31, 2015 and through the mutual termination in April 2016, we had borrowed no amounts under the Gates Loan Agreement. As of December 31, 2015, we had received approximately $19.7 million in grant-related funding from the Gates Foundation. Grant funds were recorded upon receipt as restricted cash and deferred grant funding, with the deferred grant funding classified within accrued expenses and other current liabilities on our accompanying consolidated balance sheet. As qualified expenditures were incurred under the terms of the grant, we used the deferred funding to recognize a reduction of our related qualified research and development expenditures. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we incurred approximately $3.9 million, $9.5 million and $6.6 million, respectively, of qualified expenditures, for which we reduced our deferred grant funding balance and recorded an offset to our research and development expenses. There were no amounts remaining as restricted cash or deferred grant funding as of December 31, 2015. In addition to the February 2013 grant discussed above, we were awarded a grant in November 2014 by the Gates Foundation in the amount of approximately $0.4 million to support the elimination of malaria. During 2015, we incurred approximately $0.3 million of qualifying expenses in connection with this grant, and returned the remaining $0.1 million of excess funds to the Gates Foundation. In further support of the goal to eliminate malaria, we were awarded a grant in June 2015 in the amount of approximately $0.9 million and a grant in November 2015 in the amount of approximately $1.1 million by the Gates Foundation. In connection with the June 2015 grant, we received total funding of $0.5 million during 2015 and incurred qualifying expenses totaling approximately $0.1 million. In connection with the November 2015 grant, we received total funding of approximately $0.8 million during 2015. No qualifying expenditures were incurred during 2015 related to the November 2015 grant. As of December 31, 2015, we had received a total of approximately $1.7 million, net of the $0.1 million of returned funds, in grant-related funding from the Gates Foundation in connection with these malaria-related grants. We expect that, as qualified expenditures are incurred under the terms of the grants, we will use the deferred grant funding to recognize a reduction of our related qualified research and development expenditures. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we incurred approximately $0.5 million of qualified expenditures under these grants for which we reduced our deferred grant funding balance and recorded an offset to our research and development expenses. As of December 31, 2015, $1.2 million was recorded as restricted cash and deferred grant funding on our accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	(20) Related Party Transactions (a) Divestiture of ACS Companies On October 10, 2014, we completed the sale of ACS to ACS Acquisition, LLC (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to the terms of a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with the Purchaser and Sumit Nagpal. In connection with the sale of ACS, in June 2015 we also sold our subsidiary Wellogic ME FZ – LLC (“Wellogic,” together with ACS, the “ACS Companies”) to the Purchaser. See Note 3. Mr. Nagpal was a director of Wellogic and served as the chief executive officer and a director of ACS until his resignation on September 2, 2014. Mr. Nagpal was also the owner of Method Factory, Inc., the company that sold the business and assets of ACS to Alere in 2011 and that sold Wellogic to us in 2012. (b) SPD Joint Venture In May 2007, we completed the formation of SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, or SPD, our 50/50 joint venture with Procter & Gamble, or P&G, for the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of existing and to-be-developed consumer diagnostic products, outside the cardiometabolic, diabetes and oral care fields. Upon completion of the arrangement to form the joint venture, we ceased to consolidate the operating results of our consumer diagnostic products business related to the joint venture and instead account for our 50% interest in the results of the joint venture under the equity method of accounting. We had a net payable to SPD of $1.2 million and $4.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Included in the $1.2 million net payable balance as of December 31, 2015 is a receivable of approximately $1.5 million for costs incurred in connection with our 2008 SPD-related restructuring plans. Included in the $4.0 million net payable balance as of December 31, 2014 is approximately $1.6 million of costs incurred in connection with our 2008 SPD-related restructuring plans. We have also recorded a long-term receivable totaling approximately $8.9 million and $10.9 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to the 2008 SPD-related restructuring plans. Additionally, customer receivables associated with revenue earned after the formation of the joint venture was completed have been classified as other receivables within prepaid and other current assets on our consolidated balance sheets in the amount of $7.8 million and $9.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In connection with the joint venture arrangement, the joint venture bears the collection risk associated with these receivables. Sales to the joint venture under our manufacturing agreement totaled $77.1 million, $83.2 million and $78.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Additionally, services revenue generated pursuant to the long-term services agreement with the joint venture totaled $1.1 million, $1.3 million and $1.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Sales under our manufacturing agreement and long-term services agreement are included in net product sales and services revenue, respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations. Under the terms of our product supply agreement, SPD purchases products from our manufacturing facilities in China. SPD in turn sells a portion of those tests back to us for final assembly and packaging. Once packaged, a portion of the tests are sold to P&G for distribution to third-party customers in North America. We defer our profit on the products sold to SPD until the products are sold through to the customer. As a result of these related transactions, we have recorded $9.9 million and $10.5 million of trade receivables which are included in accounts receivable on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $23.6 million and $30.8 million of trade accounts payable which are included in accounts payable on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During 2015 and 2013, we received $23.4 million and $28.0 million, respectively, in cash from SPD as a distribution of earnings, which are included in cash flows from investing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. The following table summarizes our related party balances with SPD within our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): Balance Sheet Caption As of December 31, 2015 2014 Accounts receivable, net of allowances $ 9,873 $ 10,465 Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 6,602 $ 9,635 Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets $ 8,895 $ 10,875 Accounts payable $ 24,887 $ 34,816 As previously disclosed, SPD is currently involved in civil litigation brought by a competitor in the United States with respect to the advertising of one of SPD’s products in the United States. During 2015, SPD appealed the district court’s injunction with respect to sales and advertising of such product, which was based on a finding that SPD violated certain laws with respect to the advertising of such product. The appellate court has issued a stay of the injunction, pending the outcome of the appeal. A ruling on the appeal is expected in the near future. In addition, a class action lawsuit has been initiated against SPD in United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging violations of certain laws in connection with the sales and advertising of one of SPD’s products which claims are based on similar grounds as those at issue in the litigation described above in this paragraph. SPD has moved to dismiss the class action lawsuit on the ground, among others, that the claims pleaded are preempted by federal law. A decision on the motion is expected shortly. In addition, there may be additional lawsuits against SPD or us relating to this matter in the future. The ultimate resolution of these matters is not known at this time, nor is the potential impact they may have on SPD or us, including whether any such resolution or any damages imposed by either court would have a material adverse impact on SPD and, ultimately, by virtue of our 50% interest in SPD, on our financial position or results of operations. (c) Entrustment Loan Arrangement with SPD Shanghai Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co., Ltd., or Alere Shanghai, and SPD Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., or SPD Shanghai, entered into an entrustment loan arrangement for a maximum of CNY 23 million (approximately $3.5 million at December 31, 2015), in order to finance the latter’s short-term working capital needs, with the Royal Bank of Scotland (China) Co., Ltd. Shanghai Branch, or RBS. The agreement governs the setting up of an Entrustment Loan Account with RBS, into which Alere Shanghai deposits certain monies. This restricted cash account provides a guarantee to RBS of amounts borrowed from RBS by SPD Shanghai. The Alere Shanghai RBS account is recorded as restricted cash on Alere Shanghai’s balance sheet and amounted to $3.5 million at December 31, 2015. (d) TechLab We have an equity method investment in TechLab, Inc., or TechLab, a company that provides diagnostic testing products used by physicians and other health care customers to diagnose, treat, and monitor intestinal diseases and other medical conditions. We own approximately 49% of Techlab. We have also entered into an exclusive distributor agreement with Techlab. This agreement grants us the global distribution rights to Techlab’s products with certain exceptions. We had trade payables owed to Techlab of $3.2 million and $2.2 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We made product purchases from Techlab of $27.1 million, $24.8 million and $25.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Valuation and Qualifying Accoun

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	(21) Valuation and Qualifying Accounts We have established reserves against accounts receivable for doubtful accounts, product returns, discounts and other allowances. The activity in the table below includes all accounts receivable reserves. Provisions for doubtful accounts are recorded as a component of general and administrative expenses. Provisions for returns, discounts and other allowances are charged against net product sales. The following table sets forth activities in our accounts receivable reserve accounts (in thousands): Balance at Provision Amounts Balance at Year ended December 31, 2013 $ 30,073 $ 65,643 $ (26,570 ) $ 69,146 Year ended December 31, 2014 $ 69,146 $ 42,477 $ (35,460 ) $ 76,163 Year ended December 31, 2015 $ 76,163 $ 45,279 $ (31,741 ) $ 89,701 We have established reserves against obsolete and slow-moving inventories. The activity in the table below includes all inventory reserves. Provisions for obsolete and slow-moving inventories are recorded as a component of cost of net product sales. The following table sets forth activities in our inventory reserve accounts (in thousands): Balance at Provision Amounts Balance at Year ended December 31, 2013 $ 21,822 $ 3,286 $ (3,671 ) $ 21,437 Year ended December 31, 2014 $ 21,437 $ 12,818 $ (6,907 ) $ 27,348 Year ended December 31, 2015 $ 27,348 $ 21,592 $ (11,165 ) $ 37,775 We have established a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets based on the weight of available positive and negative evidence, including our estimates of future income by the jurisdictions in which we operate and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable. The following table sets forth activities in our deferred tax accounts (in thousands): Balance at Additions Amounts Balance at Year ended December 31, 2013 $ 75,455 $ 5,598 $ 3,262 $ 84,315 Year ended December 31, 2014 $ 84,315 $ 143,454 $ 864 $ 228,633 Year ended December 31, 2015 $ 228,633 $ 33,590 $ — $ 262,223

Restructuring Activities

Restructuring Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Activities	(22) Restructuring Activities The following table sets forth aggregate restructuring charges recorded in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands): Statement of Operations Caption 2015 2014 2013 Cost of net revenue $ 3,816 $ 11,760 $ 6,145 Research and development 2,752 9,800 1,795 Sales and marketing 3,004 11,350 1,550 General and administrative 6,071 25,786 4,953 Total operating expenses 15,643 58,696 14,443 Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs 24 42 58 Total charges $ 15,667 $ 58,738 $ 14,501 (a) 2014 Restructuring Plans In 2014, management developed world-wide cost reduction plans to reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies within our professional diagnostics and corporate and other business segments, primarily impacting our global sales and marketing, information technology, and research and development groups, as well as closing certain business locations in Europe and Asia. The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our 2014 restructuring plans for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and since inception of these restructuring plans (in thousands): Professional Diagnostics 2015 2014 Since Severance-related costs $ 7,143 $ 27,806 $ 34,949 Facility and transition costs 3,452 3,460 6,912 Cash charges 10,595 31,266 41,861 Fixed asset and inventory impairments 678 10,952 11,630 Other non-cash charges 1,918 — 1,918 Total charges $ 13,191 $ 42,218 $ 55,409 Corporate and Other 2015 2014 Since Severance-related costs $ 1,376 $ 2,901 $ 4,277 Facility and transition costs (14 ) 11,334 11,322 Total cash charges $ 1,362 $ 14,235 $ 15,599 We anticipate incurring approximately $4.4 million in additional costs under our 2014 restructuring plans related to our professional diagnostics business segment, primarily related to the closure of our manufacturing facility in Israel. We do not anticipate incurring significant additional costs under our existing 2014 restructuring plans relating to our corporate and other business segment. As of December 31, 2015, $2.8 million in severance and transition costs arising under our 2014 restructuring plans remain unpaid. (b) Restructuring Plans Prior to 2014 In 2013, management developed cost reduction plans impacting businesses in our United States, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. In 2012, management developed cost reduction plans to integrate our businesses in Brazil, Europe and the United States. In 2011, management developed plans to consolidate operating activities among certain of our United States, European and Asia Pacific subsidiaries, including transferring the manufacturing of our Panbio products from Australia to our Standard Diagnostics facility in South Korea and eliminating redundant costs among our Axis-Shield subsidiaries. Additionally, in 2008, management developed and initiated plans to transition the Cholestech business to our San Diego, California facility. All of these plans impacted our professional diagnostics business segment. The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our active restructuring plans for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 and since inception of these restructuring plans (in thousands): Professional Diagnostics 2015 2014 2013(1) Since Severance-related costs $ — $ 1,265 $ 7,668 $ 32,626 Facility and transition costs 1,089 938 4,238 12,011 Other exit costs 24 42 58 822 Cash charges 1,113 2,245 11,964 45,459 Fixed asset and inventory impairments — 39 1,851 7,880 Intangible asset impairments — — 686 686 Other non-cash charges — — — 64 Total charges $ 1,113 $ 2,284 $ 14,501 $ 54,089 (1) Includes amounts related to our former patient self-testing segment. We do not anticipate incurring significant additional costs under these plans related to our professional diagnostics business segments. As of December 31, 2015, $1.1 million in cash charges remain unpaid, primarily related to facility lease obligations, which are anticipated to continue through 2017. (d) Restructuring Reserves The following table summarizes our restructuring reserves related to the plans described above, of which $3.2 million is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.6 million is included in other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): Severance- Facility and Other Exit Total Balance, December 31, 2012 $ 2,011 $ 256 $ 415 $ 2,682 Cash charges 7,668 4,238 58 11,964 Payments (8,573 ) (2,725 ) (106 ) (11,404 ) Currency adjustments (114 ) 12 — (102 ) Balance, December 31, 2013 992 1,781 367 3,140 Cash charges 31,972 15,733 42 47,747 Payments (27,394 ) (7,345 ) (119 ) (34,858 ) Currency adjustments (980 ) (301 ) — (1,281 ) Balance, December 31, 2014 4,590 9,868 290 14,748 Cash charges 8,519 4,528 24 13,071 Payments (11,145 ) (12,222 ) (134 ) (23,501 ) Currency adjustments (331 ) (208 ) — (539 ) Balance, December 31, 2015 $ 1,633 $ 1,966 $ 180 $ 3,779

Equity Investments

Equity Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Investments	(23) Equity Investments We account for the results from our equity investments under the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures, (a) SPD We recorded earnings of $14.3 million, $16.2 million and $15.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax, in our consolidated statements of operations, which represented our 50% share of SPD’s net income for the respective periods and elimination of intercompany profit in inventory related to sales from Alere to SPD which is reflected in SPD’s net income. (b) TechLab We recorded earnings of $1.5 million, $1.6 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax, in our consolidated statements of operations, which represented our minority share of TechLab’s net income for the respective periods. As of December 31, 2015, we continued to meet the held for sale criteria with respect to our 49% investment in TechLab. We intend to use all or a portion of the proceeds from any sale of this investment to fund our working capital, operations, research and development or repay a portion of our outstanding indebtedness. Accordingly, we have classified our investment in TechLab in assets held for sale – non-current in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. Summarized financial information for SPD and TechLab on a combined basis is as follows (in thousands): Combined Condensed Results of Operations: For The Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Net revenue $ 202,611 $ 211,370 $ 203,115 Gross profit $ 147,386 $ 160,192 $ 152,698 Net income after taxes $ 32,457 $ 35,646 $ 34,079 Combined Condensed Balance Sheets: As of December 31, 2015 2014 Current assets $ 71,542 $ 90,546 Non-current assets 30,802 33,697 Total assets $ 102,344 $ 124,243 Current liabilities $ 37,609 $ 35,954 Non-current liabilities 5,157 5,884 Total liabilities $ 42,766 $ 41,838 The dividends we received in cash as a return of capital from our equity investments have been included in our consolidated statements of cash flows for all the periods presented.

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	(26) Supplemental Cash Flow Information Cash Paid for Interest and Income Taxes: During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we made cash payments for interest totaling $167.6 million, $192.1 million and $206.3 million, respectively. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, total net cash paid for income taxes was $36.5 million, $58.8 million and $49.1 million, respectively.

Guarantor Financial Information

Guarantor Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Guarantor Financial Information	(27) Guarantor Financial Information Our 7.25% senior notes due 2018, our 6.5% senior subordinated notes due 2020 and our 6.375% senior subordinated notes due 2023 are guaranteed, and before their redemption on October 1, 2015, our 8.625% senior subordinated notes due 2018 were guaranteed, by certain of our consolidated 100% owned subsidiaries, or the Guarantor Subsidiaries. The guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The following supplemental financial information sets forth, on a consolidating basis, audited balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the related statements of operations, statements of comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, respectively, for Alere Inc., the Guarantor Subsidiaries and our other subsidiaries, or the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. The supplemental financial information reflects the investments of Alere Inc. and the Guarantor Subsidiaries in the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting. We have extensive transactions and relationships between various members of the consolidated group. These transactions and relationships include intercompany pricing agreements, intellectual property royalty agreements and general and administrative and research and development cost-sharing agreements. Because of these relationships, it is possible that the terms of these transactions are not the same as those that would result from transactions among wholly unrelated parties. For comparative purposes, certain amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period classification. Prior periods have been presented on a basis that is consistent with the current period, giving retrospective effect to the impact of discontinued operations. As discussed in Note 2, in connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for 2015, we determined that, in 2013 and 2014, each of the interim periods in 2014, and the first three quarters of fiscal 2015, we had incorrectly recorded the revenue for such periods. In addition, we made several out-of-period adjustments related the correction of a specific bonus accrual, the measurement of a certain royalty obligation and adjustments related to the accounting for income taxes. As a result, we are revising our consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the interim periods in 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015. The revisions to the Guarantor consolidating statements of cash flows did not impact previously reported net cash flows from operating activities, investing activities, or financing activities and as a result, there was no net impact to net change in cash and cash equivalents for any previously reported periods. The following schedules reconcile the amounts as previously reported in guarantor financial information, consolidating financial statements to the corresponding revised amounts: Year Ended December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidating Statement of Operations- Guarantor Subsidiaries (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Net revenue $ 1,330,816 $ 2,379 $ 1,333,195 Cost of net revenue $ 761,054 $ 509 $ 761,563 General and administrative $ 155,794 $ 1 $ 155,795 Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ 110,945 $ 379 $ 111,324 Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 66,790 $ 379 $ 67,169 As of December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidating Balance Sheet- Guarantor Subsidiaries (In thousands) As Previously Revision As Total current assets $ 1,702,939 $ (139 ) $ 1,702,800 Total assets $ 5,318,120 $ (138 ) $ 5,317,982 Total current liabilities $ 1,022,546 $ (1,521 ) $ 1,021,025 Total long term-liabilities $ 1,580,151 $ 1 $ 1,580,152 Total equity $ 2,715,423 $ 1,382 $ 2,716,805 Total liabilities and equity $ 5,318,120 $ (138 ) $ 5,317,982 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Revised Consolidating Statement of Operations- Guarantor Subsidiaries(in As Previously Revision As Net revenue $ 1,356,313 $ (2,322 ) $ 1,353,991 Cost of net revenue $ 733,098 $ (487 ) $ 732,611 Sales and Marketing $ 255,949 $ 1 $ 255,950 Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ 158,126 $ (1,836 ) $ 156,290 Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 73,991 $ (1,836 ) $ 72,155 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidating Statement of Operations- Non-Guarantor (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Net revenue $ 1,507,227 $ (15,805 ) $ 1,491,422 Cost of net revenue $ 855,221 $ (7,237 ) $ 847,984 Sales and Marketing $ 273,797 $ (840 ) $ 272,957 General and administrative $ 204,242 $ (361 ) $ 203,881 Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ 101,876 $ (7,367 ) $ 94,509 Provision (benefit) for income taxes $ 49,347 $ (2,729 ) $ 46,618 Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 68,457 $ (4,638 ) $ 63,819 As of December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidating Balance Sheet- Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (In thousands) As Previously Revision As Total current assets $ 1,014,322 $ 7,312 $ 1,021,634 Total assets $ 3,095,976 $ 7,965 $ 3,103,941 Total current liabilities $ 637,659 $ 18,933 $ 656,592 Total long term-liabilities $ 1,186,410 $ 1,033 $ 1,187,443 Total equity $ 1,271,907 $ (12,001 ) $ 1,259,906 Total liabilities and equity $ 3,095,976 $ 7,965 $ 3,103,941 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Revised Consolidating Statement of Operations- Non-Guarantor (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Net revenue $ 1,460,137 $ (5,406 ) $ 1,454,731 Cost of net revenue $ 759,911 $ (2,299 ) $ 757,612 Sales and Marketing $ 303,848 $ (1 ) $ 303,847 General and administrative $ 217,246 $ 1 $ 217,247 Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ 101,133 $ (3,107 ) $ 98,026 Provision (benefit) for income taxes $ 42,038 $ (237 ) $ 41,801 Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 74,565 $ (2,870 ) $ 71,695 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net product sales. $ — $ 892,086 $ 1,326,454 $ (264,509 ) $ 1,954,031 Services revenue — 440,709 51,599 — 492,308 Net product sales and services revenue. — 1,332,795 1,378,053 (264,509 ) 2,446,339 License and royalty revenue. — 12,968 19,594 (15,585 ) 16,977 Net revenue — 1,345,763 1,397,647 (280,094 ) 2,463,316 Cost of net product sales. 3,114 510,918 759,411 (230,840 ) 1,042,603 Cost of services revenue 205 305,813 30,319 (31,949 ) 304,388 Cost of net product sales and services revenue. 3,319 816,731 789,730 (262,789 ) 1,346,991 Cost of license and royalty revenue. (40 ) 230 19,175 (15,584 ) 3,781 Cost of net revenue 3,279 816,961 808,905 (278,373 ) 1,350,772 Gross profit (loss). (3,279 ) 528,802 588,742 (1,721 ) 1,112,544 Operating expenses: Research and development. 16,461 60,787 42,205 — 119,453 Sales and marketing. 5,901 219,566 209,664 — 435,131 General and administrative. 119,520 147,539 102,511 — 369,570 Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net 79,951 (8,747 ) (20,664 ) — 50,540 Operating income (loss). (225,112 ) 109,657 255,026 (1,721 ) 137,850 Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs. (215,070 ) (11,517 ) (18,227 ) 27,817 (216,997 ) Other income (expense), net 10,008 14,276 4,890 (31,017 ) (1,843 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes. (430,174 ) 112,416 241,689 (4,921 ) (80,990 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes. (151,406 ) 33,447 64,947 308 (52,704 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax (278,768 ) 78,969 176,742 (5,229 ) (28,286 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax. 262,616 — — (262,616 ) — Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax. 1,484 — 14,065 (19 ) 15,530 Income from continuing operations. (14,668 ) 78,969 190,807 (267,864 ) (12,756 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. 221,425 (1,912 ) — — 219,513 Net income. 206,757 77,057 190,807 (267,864 ) 206,757 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests. — — 381 — 381 Net income attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries. 206,757 77,057 190,426 (267,864 ) 206,376 Preferred stock dividends. (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Net income available to common stockholders. $ 185,464 $ 77,057 $ 190,426 $ (267,864 ) $ 185,083 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net product sales $ — $ 855,435 $ 1,403,871 $ (237,066 ) $ 2,022,240 Services revenue — 464,283 67,705 — 531,988 Net product sales and services revenue — 1,319,718 1,471,576 (237,066 ) 2,554,228 License and royalty revenue — 13,477 19,846 (12,273 ) 21,050 Net revenue — 1,333,195 1,491,422 (249,339 ) 2,575,278 Cost of net product sales 5,329 473,076 796,775 (212,681 ) 1,062,499 Cost of services revenue 261 288,288 33,584 (27,184 ) 294,949 Cost of net product sales and services revenue 5,590 761,364 830,359 (239,865 ) 1,357,448 Cost of license and royalty revenue 40 199 17,625 (12,272 ) 5,592 Cost of net revenue 5,630 761,563 847,984 (252,137 ) 1,363,040 Gross profit (loss) (5,630 ) 571,632 643,438 2,798 1,212,238 Operating expenses: Research and development 23,190 61,862 59,776 — 144,828 Sales and marketing 7,598 232,406 272,957 — 512,961 General and administrative 93,952 155,795 203,881 — 453,628 Impairment and gain (loss) on dispositions, net 4,236 11,393 (7,887 ) — 7,742 Operating income (loss) (134,606 ) 110,176 114,711 2,798 93,079 Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs (205,919 ) (18,995 ) (18,629 ) 34,352 (209,191 ) Other income (expense), net 13,626 20,143 (1,573 ) (34,417 ) (2,221 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes (326,899 ) 111,324 94,509 2,733 (118,333 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (20,865 ) 44,155 46,618 1,022 70,930 Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax (306,034 ) 67,169 47,891 1,711 (189,263 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax 125,130 — — (125,130 ) — Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax 1,717 — 15,928 (136 ) 17,509 Income (loss) from continuing operations (179,187 ) 67,169 63,819 (123,555 ) (171,754 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 145,751 (27,839 ) 20,400 6 138,318 Net income (loss) (33,436 ) 39,330 84,219 (123,549 ) (33,436 ) Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests — — 30 — 30 Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries (33,436 ) 39,330 84,189 (123,549 ) (33,466 ) Preferred stock dividends (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (54,729 ) $ 39,330 $ 84,189 $ (123,549 ) $ (54,759 ) CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net product sales $ — $ 878,391 $ 1,357,445 $ (187,047 ) $ 2,048,789 Services revenue — 454,989 77,629 — 532,618 Net product sales and services revenue — 1,333,380 1,435,074 (187,047 ) 2,581,407 License and royalty revenue — 20,611 19,657 (13,039 ) 27,229 Net revenue — 1,353,991 1,454,731 (200,086 ) 2,608,636 Cost of net product sales 4,458 474,955 701,282 (166,164 ) 1,014,531 Cost of services revenue 47 257,587 35,598 (19,003 ) 274,229 Cost of net product sales and services revenue 4,505 732,542 736,880 (185,167 ) 1,288,760 Cost of license and royalty revenue — 69 20,732 (13,038 ) 7,763 Cost of net revenue 4,505 732,611 757,612 (198,205 ) 1,296,523 Gross profit (loss) (4,505 ) 621,380 697,119 (1,881 ) 1,312,113 Operating expenses: Research and development 21,971 65,752 71,330 — 159,053 Sales and marketing 6,340 255,950 303,847 — 566,137 General and administrative 76,075 141,877 217,247 — 435,199 Loss on disposition — — 5,124 — 5,124 Operating income (loss) (108,891 ) 157,801 99,571 (1,881 ) 146,600 Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs (252,791 ) (25,582 ) (11,192 ) 34,219 (255,346 ) Other income (expense), net (10,759 ) 24,071 9,647 (34,219 ) (11,260 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes (372,441 ) 156,290 98,026 (1,881 ) (120,006 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (167,073 ) 81,187 41,801 (622 ) (44,707 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax (205,368 ) 75,103 56,225 (1,259 ) (75,299 ) Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax 129,298 (2,948 ) — (126,350 ) — Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax 1,890 — 15,470 83 17,443 Income (loss) from continuing operations (74,180 ) 72,155 71,695 (127,526 ) (57,856 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 198 (14,370 ) (1,954 ) — (16,126 ) Net income (loss) (73,982 ) 57,785 69,741 (127,526 ) (73,982 ) Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests — — 976 — 976 Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries (73,982 ) 57,785 68,765 (127,526 ) (74,958 ) Preferred stock dividends (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (95,275 ) $ 57,785 $ 68,765 $ (127,526 ) $ (96,251 ) CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net income $ 206,757 $ 77,057 $ 190,807 $ (267,864 ) $ 206,757 Other comprehensive loss, before tax: Changes in cumulative translation adjustment (1,175 ) (816 ) (144,267 ) (180 ) (146,438 ) Minimum pension liability adjustment — — (1,173 ) — (1,173 ) Other comprehensive loss, before tax (1,175 ) (816 ) (145,440 ) (180 ) (147,611 ) Income tax provision related to items of other comprehensive loss — — 56 — 56 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (1,175 ) (816 ) (145,496 ) (180 ) (147,667 ) Comprehensive income 205,582 76,241 45,311 (268,044 ) 59,090 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests — — 381 — 381 Comprehensive income attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ 205,582 $ 76,241 $ 44,930 $ (268,044 ) $ 58,709 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ (33,436 ) $ 39,330 $ 84,219 $ (123,549 ) $ (33,436 ) Other comprehensive loss, before tax: Changes in cumulative translation adjustment (489 ) (516 ) (165,443 ) — (166,448 ) Unrealized losses on available for sale securities — (17 ) — — (17 ) Unrealized gains on hedging instruments — — 38 — 38 Minimum pension liability adjustment — — (169 ) — (169 ) Other comprehensive loss, before tax (489 ) (533 ) (165,574 ) — (166,596 ) Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss — — (173 ) — (173 ) Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (489 ) (533 ) (165,401 ) — (166,423 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (33,925 ) $ 38,797 $ (81,182 ) (123,549 ) (199,859 ) Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests — — 30 — 30 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (33,925 ) $ 38,797 $ (81,212 ) $ (123,549 ) $ (199,889 ) CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ (73,982 ) $ 57,785 $ 69,741 $ (127,526 ) $ (73,982 ) Other comprehensive loss, before tax: Changes in cumulative translation adjustment (550 ) (619 ) (48,998 ) 1 (50,166 ) Unrealized gains on hedging instruments — — 39 — 39 Minimum pension liability adjustment — — (415 ) — (415 ) Other comprehensive loss, before tax (550 ) (619 ) (49,374 ) 1 (50,542 ) Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss — — (106 ) — (106 ) Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (550 ) (619 ) (49,268 ) 1 (50,436 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (74,532 ) 57,166 20,473 (127,525 ) (124,418 ) Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests — — 976 — 976 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (74,532 ) $ 57,166 $ 19,497 $ (127,525 ) $ (125,394 ) CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 139,153 $ 21,150 $ 341,897 $ — $ 502,200 Restricted cash 1,250 — 4,444 — 5,694 Marketable securities — 164 — — 164 Accounts receivable, net of allowances — 192,591 253,242 — 445,833 Inventories, net — 173,383 194,192 (20,574 ) 347,001 Deferred tax assets (52,410 ) 31,285 23,244 (2,119 ) — Prepaid expenses and other current assets 7,575 27,095 110,961 6,602 152,233 Assets held for sale — current — — 4,165 — 4,165 Intercompany receivables 620,838 812,957 50,691 (1,484,486 ) — Total current assets 716,406 1,258,625 982,836 (1,500,577 ) 1,457,290 Property, plant and equipment, net 31,384 228,065 188,084 (1,494 ) 446,039 Goodwill — 1,823,919 1,012,996 — 2,836,915 Other intangible assets with indefinite lives — 7,638 20,531 (59 ) 28,110 Finite-lived intangible assets, net 2,951 627,269 370,261 (3,200 ) 997,281 Restricted cash — — 43,228 — 43,228 Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets 34,670 2,340 15,564 (446 ) 52,128 Investments in subsidiaries 3,294,857 158,195 57,650 (3,510,702 ) — Investments in unconsolidated entities 502 14,764 37,947 12,120 65,333 Deferred tax assets (14,078 ) (14 ) 28,085 — 13,993 Non-current income tax receivable 3,517 — — — 3,517 Assets held for sale — non-current 13,337 — — — 13,337 Intercompany notes receivables 1,905,188 672,032 6,900 (2,584,120 ) — Total assets $ 5,988,734 $ 4,792,833 $ 2,764,082 $ (7,588,478 ) $ 5,957,171 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt $ 197,084 $ — $ 2,908 $ — $ 199,992 Current portion of capital lease obligations — 2,018 1,944 — 3,962 Accounts payable 15,981 76,890 102,881 — 195,752 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (554,350 ) 650,632 225,944 2,239 324,465 Liabilities related to assets held for sale — current — — 363 — 363 Intercompany payables 1,122,042 249,553 112,891 (1,484,486 ) — Total current liabilities 780,757 979,093 446,931 (1,482,247 ) 724,534 Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt, net of current portion 2,818,779 — 46,437 — 2,865,216 Capital lease obligations, net of current portion — 840 6,341 — 7,181 Deferred tax liabilities (157,708 ) 250,495 54,749 82 147,618 Other long-term liabilities 14,962 59,309 80,369 (447 ) 154,193 Intercompany notes payables 477,779 1,181,168 925,173 (2,584,120 ) — Total long-term liabilities 3,153,812 1,491,812 1,113,069 (2,584,485 ) 3,174,208 Total stockholders’ equity 2,054,165 2,321,928 1,199,818 (3,521,746 ) 2,054,165 Non-controlling interests — — 4,264 — 4,264 Total equity 2,054,165 2,321,928 1,204,082 (3,521,746 ) 2,058,429 Total liabilities and equity $ 5,988,734 $ 4,792,833 $ 2,764,082 $ (7,588,478 ) $ 5,957,171 CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,149 $ 69,154 $ 307,158 $ — $ 378,461 Restricted cash 5,012 — 32,559 — 37,571 Marketable securities — 259 — — 259 Accounts receivable, net of allowances — 192,579 268,517 — 461,096 Inventories, net — 191,381 207,732 (21,764 ) 377,349 Deferred tax assets 51,695 44,961 31,264 — 127,920 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 9,800 31,410 88,696 2,507 132,413 Assets held for sale — current 1,361 284,369 29,785 — 315,515 Intercompany receivables 404,991 888,687 55,923 (1,349,601 ) — Total current assets 475,008 1,702,800 1,021,634 (1,368,858 ) 1,830,584 Property, plant and equipment, net 30,547 218,613 204,841 222 454,223 Goodwill — 1,795,663 1,131,003 — 2,926,666 Other intangible assets with indefinite lives — 9,287 34,422 (58 ) 43,651 Finite-lived intangible assets, net 6,104 742,760 527,580 — 1,276,444 Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets 40,992 5,334 21,541 (35 ) 67,832 Investments in subsidiaries 3,729,385 179,315 58,067 (3,966,767 ) — Investments in unconsolidated entities 13,987 14,765 49,609 13,332 91,693 Deferred tax assets (2,251 ) — 8,569 — 6,318 Non-current income tax receivable 2,468 — — — 2,468 Intercompany notes receivables 2,028,702 649,445 46,675 (2,724,822 ) — Total assets $ 6,324,942 $ 5,317,982 $ 3,103,941 $ (8,046,986 ) $ 6,699,879 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt $ 61,700 $ 2 $ 27,173 $ — $ 88,875 Current portion of capital lease obligations — 1,045 3,196 — 4,241 Accounts payable 21,402 81,741 110,449 — 213,592 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (543,264 ) 661,701 267,536 (46 ) 385,927 Liabilities related to assets held for sale — current 1,094 77,749 — — 78,843 Intercompany payables 902,576 198,787 248,238 (1,349,601 ) — Total current liabilities 443,508 1,021,025 656,592 (1,349,647 ) 771,478 Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt, net of current portion 3,615,759 — 5,626 — 3,621,385 Capital lease obligations, net of current portion — 4,097 7,496 — 11,593 Deferred tax liabilities (90,520 ) 252,944 69,457 82 231,963 Other long-term liabilities 28,101 46,866 71,987 (34 ) 146,920 Intercompany notes payables 415,700 1,276,245 1,032,877 (2,724,822 ) — Total long-term liabilities 3,969,040 1,580,152 1,187,443 (2,724,774 ) 4,011,861 Total stockholders’ equity 1,912,394 2,716,805 1,255,760 (3,972,565 ) 1,912,394 Non-controlling interests — — 4,146 — 4,146 Total equity 1,912,394 2,716,805 1,259,906 (3,972,565 ) 1,916,540 Total liabilities and equity $ 6,324,942 $ 5,317,982 $ 3,103,941 $ (8,046,986 ) $ 6,699,879 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income. $ 206,757 $ 77,057 $ 190,807 $ (267,864 ) $ 206,757 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. 221,425 (1,912 ) — — 219,513 Income from continuing operations. (14,668 ) 78,969 190,807 (267,864 ) (12,756 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax (262,616 ) — — 262,616 — Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs 12,697 25 109 — 12,831 Depreciation and amortization 10,105 175,415 123,921 (177 ) 309,264 Non-cash stock-based compensation expense 14,400 5,869 6,122 — 26,391 Impairment of inventory — 133 15,464 — 15,597 Impairment of long-lived assets — 3,391 317 — 3,708 Loss on sale of fixed assets 121 2,757 1,047 — 3,925 Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax (1,484 ) — (14,065 ) 19 (15,530 ) Deferred income taxes (83,208 ) (112 ) (16,508 ) 439 (99,389 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt. 19,886 — — — 19,886 Loss related to impairment and net (gain) loss on dispositions 79,951 (8,747 ) (20,664 ) — 50,540 Other non-cash items 4,809 996 19,777 3,200 28,782 Non-cash change in fair value of contingent purchase price consideration (32,975 ) 11,577 (38,473 ) — (59,871 ) Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable, net — 1,529 (15,909 ) — (14,380 ) Inventories, net — (22,881 ) (39,494 ) 1,897 (60,478 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,177 (26,268 ) (15,828 ) (4,095 ) (43,014 ) Accounts payable (5,467 ) (7,741 ) 2,425 — (10,783 ) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (29,379 ) 64,588 (13,300 ) 2,285 24,194 Other non-current liabilities (4,089 ) 3,034 33,703 1,714 34,362 Cash paid for contingent consideration (6,302 ) — (13 ) — (6,315 ) Intercompany payable (receivable) 549,850 (313,983 ) (235,867 ) — — Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations 254,808 (31,449 ) (16,429 ) 34 206,964 Net cash provided by discontinued operations — 318 — — 318 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 254,808 (31,131 ) (16,429 ) 34 207,282 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: (Increase) decrease in restricted cash 3,763 — (17,478 ) — (13,715 ) Purchases of property, plant and equipment (12,710 ) (29,748 ) (49,375 ) 1,055 (90,778 ) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment — 993 2,161 (1,055 ) 2,099 Cash received from (used in) dispositions, net of cash divested 591,844 (8,723 ) 92,702 — 675,823 Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (60,135 ) — — — (60,135 ) Cash received from sales of marketable securities. — 92 — — 92 Cash received from equity method investments 2,695 — 23,441 — 26,136 (Increase) decrease in other assets. 301 485 (2,546 ) (34 ) (1,794 ) Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations 525,758 (36,901 ) 48,905 (34 ) 537,728 Net cash used in discontinued operations — (209 ) — — (209 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 525,758 (37,110 ) 48,905 (34 ) 537,519 Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Cash paid for financing costs (15,973 ) — (215 ) — (16,188 ) Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration (13,640 ) — (583 ) — (14,223 ) Cash paid for dividends (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs. 79,185 — — — 79,185 Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt — — 1,511 — 1,511 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 2,119,125 — 43,037 — 2,162,162 Payments on short-term debt — — (25,584 ) — (25,584 ) Payments on long-term debt (2,655,343 ) — (1,043 ) — (2,656,386 ) Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities (127,000 ) — (536 ) — (127,536 ) Principal payments on capital lease obligations — (2,565 ) (3,053 ) — (5,618 ) Other (8,623 ) — (314 ) — (8,937 ) Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations (643,562 ) (2,565 ) 13,220 — (632,907 ) Net cash used in discontinued operations — (76 ) — — (76 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (643,562 ) (2,641 ) 13,220 — (632,983 ) Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents — (422 ) (10,957 ) — (11,379 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 137,004 (71,304 ) 34,739 — 100,439 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period — continuing operations 2,149 69,154 307,158 — 378,461 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period — discontinued operations — 23,300 — — 23,300 Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period $ 139,153 $ 21,150 $ 341,897 $ — $ 502,200 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ (33,436 ) $ 39,330 $ 84,219 $ (123,549 ) $ (33,436 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 145,751 (27,839 ) 20,400 6 138,318 Income (loss) from continuing operations (179,187 ) 67,169 63,819 (123,555 ) (171,754 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax (125,130 ) — — 125,130 — Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs 15,780 42 411 — 16,233 Depreciation and amortization 8,783 177,347 149,884 15 336,029 Non-cash stock-based compensation expense 3,446 4,957 4,049 — 12,452 Tax benefit related to discontinued operations retained by Alere Inc — 12,977 (3,132 ) — 9,845 Impairment of inventory — — 3,124 — 3,124 Impairment of long-lived assets 1,019 (712 ) 6,712 — 7,019 Loss on disposition of fixed assets 1 4,807 1,737 — 6,545 Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax (1,717 ) — (15,928 ) 136 (17,509 ) Deferred income taxes 59,929 (32,750 ) (15,945 ) 1,020 12,254 (Gain) loss related to impairment and net gain on dispositions 4,236 11,393 (7,887 ) — 7,742 Other non-cash items 1,418 3,726 (179 ) — 4,965 Non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration (3,414 ) 11,256 (165 ) — 7,677 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable, net — (16,345 ) 13,083 — (3,262 ) Inventories, net — (52,670 ) (13,218 ) (2,145 ) (68,033 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 501,023 (474,115 ) (78,161 ) (745 ) (51,998 ) Accounts payable 8,818 24,776 14,257 — 47,851 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (583,144 ) 537,209 85,445 (1,812 ) 37,698 Other non-current liabilities (594 ) 1,380 9,897 2,571 13,254 Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration (21,867 ) — (210 ) — (22,077 ) Intercompany payable (receivable) 428,340 (266,833 ) (161,507 ) — — Net cash provided by continuing operations 117,740 13,614 56,086 615 188,055 Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations (671 ) 44,060 79 — 43,468 Net cash provided by operating activities 117,069 57,674 56,165 615 231,523 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Increase in restricted cash (2,791 ) — (2,655 ) — (5,446 ) Purchases of property, plant and equipment (21,680 ) (40,737 ) (41,862 ) 3,717 (100,562 ) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 726 845 4,165 (4,250 ) 1,486 Cash received from disposition, net of cash divested — 1,081 43,995 — 45,076 Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (75 ) — — — (75 ) Cash received (paid) for investments 477 (279 ) — 198 Proceeds from sale of equity investment — — 8,546 — 8,546 Cash received from sales of marketable securities — 576 4 — 580 Cash received from equity method investments — — 980 — 980 Decrease in other assets 96 714 130 46 986 Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations (23,247 ) (37,800 ) 13,303 (487 ) (48,231 ) Net cash used in discontinued operations — (8,972 ) — — (8,972 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (23,247 ) (46,772 ) 13,303 (487 ) (57,203 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Cash paid for financing costs (1,528 ) — — — (1,528 ) Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration (32,467 ) — (435 ) — (32,902 ) Cash paid for dividends (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs 51,555 — — — 51,555 Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt — — 806 — 806 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt — — 58 — 58 Payments on long-term debt (60,000 ) (271 ) (4,851 ) — (65,122 ) Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities (43,000 ) — 478 — (42,522 ) Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options 460 422 90 — 972 Principal payments on capital lease obligations — (2,885 ) (3,200 ) — (6,085 ) Purchase of non-controlling interest — — (623 ) — (623 ) Net cash used in continuing operations (106,273 ) (2,734 ) (7,677 ) — (116,684 ) Net cash used in discontinued operations — (893 ) (578 ) — (1,471 ) Net cash used in financing activities (106,273 ) (3,627 ) (8,255 ) — (118,155 ) Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents (201 ) (273 ) (15,710 ) (128 ) (16,312 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (12,652 ) 7,002 45,503 — 39,853 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations 14,801 78,976 261,654 — 355,431 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations — 6,476 1 — 6,477 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 2,149 92,454 307,158 — 401,761 Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period — 23,300 — — 23,300 Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period $ 2,149 $ 69,154 $ 307,158 $ — $ 378,461 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ (73,982 ) $ 57,785 $ 69,741 $ (127,526 ) $ (73,982 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 198 (14,370 ) (1,954 ) — (16,126 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations (74,180 ) 72,155 71,695 (127,526 ) (57,856 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax (129,298 ) 2,948 — 126,350 — Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs 17,704 59 76 — 17,839 Depreciation and amortization 5,864 189,325 179,587 (119 ) 374,657 Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition — — 2,504 — 2,504 Non-cash stock-based compensation expense 8,792 5,158 7,260 — 21,210 Tax benefit related to discontinued operations retained by Alere Inc — 6,567 1,315 — 7,882 Impairment of inventory — 26 311 — 337 Impairment of intangi

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	(28) Subsequent Events Merger Agreement with Abbott Laboratories On January 30, 2016, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, or the Merger Agreement, with Abbott Laboratories, or Abbott. The Merger Agreement provides for the merger of a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott with and into Alere, or the merger, with Alere surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott, or the surviving corporation. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, holders of shares of our common stock will receive $56.00 in cash, without interest, in exchange for each share of common stock. Each share of our Series B Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, or Series B Preferred Stock, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will remain issued and outstanding immediately following the consummation of the merger as one share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the surviving corporation. The Merger Agreement was approved by our board of directors. Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including (1) the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of all outstanding shares of our common stock, (2) there being no judgment or law enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the merger and (3) the expiration of the waiting period applicable to the merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, or the HSR Act, and receipt of other required antitrust approvals. The obligation of each of the parties to consummate the merger is also conditioned on the other party’s representations and warranties being true and correct (subject to certain materiality exceptions) and the other party having performed in all material respects its obligations under the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights and provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances, Alere would be required to pay Abbott a termination fee equal to $177.0 million. The Company currently expects that the transaction will close by the end of 2016. On May 2, 2016, Abbott and Alere received a request for additional information, or a “second request,” from the United States Federal Trade Commission, or the FTC, relating to Abbott’s potential acquisition of Alere. The second request was issued under the HSR Act. In addition, Abbott has agreed voluntarily to provide the FTC at least 60 days advance notice before certifying substantial compliance with the second request and to extend the waiting period imposed by the HSR Act until 60 days after Abbott and Alere have substantially complied with the second request, unless the period is further extended voluntarily by the parties or terminated sooner by the FTC. On June 23, 2016, Abbott and Alere received a request for additional information, or a “supplemental information request,” from the Canadian Competition Bureau, or the Bureau, relating to Abbott’s potential acquisition of Alere. The supplemental information request was issued under the Competition Act of Canada, or the Competition Act. The effect of the supplemental information request is to extend the waiting period imposed by the Competition Act until 30 days after Abbott and Alere have each complied with the supplemental information request, unless the period is extended voluntarily by the parties or terminated sooner by the Bureau. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Abbott has agreed to make certain divestitures if necessary to obtain the consent of the antitrust authorities to the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, subject to certain materiality exceptions provided for in the Merger Agreement. In addition, after entering into the Merger Agreement, Abbott informed Alere that it had serious concerns about, among other things, the accuracy of various representations, warranties and covenants made by us in the Merger Agreement. Abbott indicated that these concerns relate to the delay in filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 as well as governmental investigations previously announced by Alere. Abbott has since requested information from Alere about these and other matters, citing contractual rights to receive information under the Merger Agreement. In the initial meeting in which Abbott expressed its concerns to Alere, as part of a discussion about potential paths forward, Abbott requested that Alere agree to terminate the merger agreement in return for a payment by Abbott to Alere in the range of between $30 and $50 million in respect of Alere’s transaction expenses. Alere’s Board of Directors promptly rejected that request. In these discussions, Abbott affirmed its commitment to abide by its obligations under the Merger Agreement. Amendments to Credit Facilities and Indenture We were delayed in filing our Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-Q Form 10-K Form 10-Q On April 22, 2016, we and the requisite lenders under the Credit Agreement entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which they agreed to (i) waive certain Defaults and Events of Defaults (each as defined in the Credit Agreement) that may have occurred, are occurring or will occur, resulting from, among other things, (x) our failure to deliver to the Administrative Agents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) the financial statements and certain related deliverables for the year ended December 31, 2015 by the applicable deadline under the Credit Agreement, (y) any restatement of certain financial statements as a result of our incorrect application of revenue recognition principles for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, or (z) any breach of any representation or affirmative covenant as a result of certain deliverables being incorrect when delivered, which breach is discovered as part of the audit of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, to the extent that such breach is due to our incorrect application of revenue recognition principles for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, and (ii) extend the deadlines for delivery of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, the financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and certain related deliverables. Under the terms of this amendment, we are required to deliver our unaudited financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and certain related deliverables on or before August 18, 2016, and our failure to do so could give rise to an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement and may result in the acceleration of the amounts due there under. In connection with this amendment, we paid, among other fees and expenses, to each consenting lender aggregate consent fees of 0.250% of the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of such lender’s Term Loans outstanding on the effective date of the amendment and (ii) such lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment (each as defined in the Credit Agreement) outstanding on the effective date of the amendment, or approximately $4.5 million in the aggregate for all consenting lenders. The amendment also increases the applicable interest rate margins for all loans outstanding under our secured credit facility by 0.25% per annum for the period from July 1, 2016 to the date of delivery of such financial reports and related deliverables under our secured credit facility. In addition, on April 29, 2016, we commenced consent solicitations relating to our 6.5% senior subordinated notes, our 6.375% senior subordinated notes and our 7.25% senior notes, which we refer to collectively as the Notes. The consent solicitations were made to holders of record of the Notes as of April 28, 2016, and such solicitations were completed on May 9, 2016. Pursuant to the consent solicitations, the requisite holders of each series of Notes agreed to extend the deadline for delivery of certain financial information and to waive, through and until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 31, 2016, any default or event of default that occurred, is continuing or may occur under the indentures under which the Notes were issued (and its consequences) in connection with any failure to timely file with the SEC or to timely furnish to the relevant trustees pursuant to the indentures, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, or the Failures to File. In connection with the Failures to File, we paid, in May and July 2016, to each holder of Notes who validly delivered a consent aggregate cash payments equal to $15.00 for each $1,000 aggregate principal amount of such holder’s Notes, or an aggregate of $19.2 million. Maturity of our 3.0% convertible senior subordinated notes Our 3% convertible senior subordinated notes matured on May 15, 2016. Based on the price of our common stock on the date of maturity, we paid all outstanding principal and accrued interest owing under such notes in cash. The aggregate amount paid to the noteholders at maturity was approximately $152.0 million, consisting of $125.0 million in cash drawn under our revolving credit facility plus $27.0 million of cash available on such date. INRatio ® Following a collaborative process with the FDA, in July 2016 we announced that we will be initiating a voluntary withdrawal of the Alere INRatio and INRatio2 PT/INR Monitoring System. We are currently working with the FDA on implementing the product withdrawal and eventual product discontinuation. In December 2014, we initiated a voluntary correction to inform users of the Alere INRatio and INRatio2 PT/INR Monitoring Systems that patients with certain medical conditions should not be tested with the systems. We proactively reported these device concerns to the FDA and began conducting a thorough investigation into these events. Over the course of the past two years, Alere invested in the research and development of software Enhancements intended to address the potential, in certain cases, of the system to deliver a result that differs from that of another measurement method. We submitted the software enhancements to the FDA at the end of 2015. The FDA notified us that it believes the company’s studies do not adequately demonstrate the effectiveness of the software modification and advised us to submit a proposed plan to voluntarily remove the INRatio ® In light of this input from the FDA and our business considerations, in July 2016 we determined to voluntarily remove the INRatio systems from the market. Due to the fact that the circumstances giving rise to the voluntary withdrawal in the United States and related action outside the U.S. existed as of December 31, 2015, certain charges incurred in connection with the recall were recorded in 2015. Specifically, we recorded a charge of approximately $38 million in the year ending December 31, 2015, of which, approximately $18 million is attributable to the impairment of certain inventory of our INRatio and INRatio2 products; approximately $3 million is related to the impairment of production equipment; and, approximately $16 million related to the estimated costs of removing our INRatio and INRatio2 from the market, including: notifications to users, return and disposals costs and other related amounts. Additionally, our decision to withdraw the INRatio and INRatio2 PT/INR Monitoring Systems impacted the useful life assumptions of certain tangible and intangible assets. As a result of this change in estimate, we recorded approximately $4 million of accelerated amortization of intangible assets and approximately $1 million of accelerated depreciation of tangible assets in the year ending December 31, 2015. Finally, during fiscal year 2016 we expect to incur approximately $16 million of accelerated amortization, approximately $3 million of accelerated depreciation, and $2 million of other one-time cash expenditures.

Summary of Significant Accoun35

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	(a) Use of Estimates To prepare our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, our management must make estimates, judgments and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from such estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Foreign Currencies	(b) Foreign Currencies In general, the functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries are the local currencies. For the purpose of consolidating the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries, all assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date, while the stockholders’ equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates. Translation gains and losses that result from the conversion of the balance sheets of the foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars are recorded to cumulative translation adjustment, which is a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 16) within stockholders’ equity. The revenue and expenses of our foreign subsidiaries are translated using the average of the rates of exchange in effect during each fiscal month. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange transaction losses of $4.8 million, $2.2 million and $4.0 million during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are included as a component of other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	(c) Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly-liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consisted of money market funds at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Restricted Cash	(d) Restricted Cash We had restricted cash of $48.9 million and $37.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Of the $48.9 million restricted cash as of December 31, 2015, $43.2 million was classified as non-current on our consolidated balance sheet, as it secures a foreign bank loan arrangement that we entered into during the third quarter of 2015 and, under the terms of the loan agreement, is required to remain on deposit for two years unless the loan is terminated prior to maturity.
Marketable Securities	(e) Marketable Securities Securities classified as available-for-sale or trading are carried at fair value, as determined by quoted market prices at the balance sheet date. Realized gains and losses on securities are included in other income (expense), net, on a specific identification basis. Unrealized holding gains and losses (except for other than temporary impairments) on securities classified as available-for-sale, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of related tax effects.
Inventories	(f) Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and are made up of raw material, work-in-process and finished goods. The cost elements of work-in-process and finished goods inventory consist of raw material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. Where finished goods inventory is purchased from third-party manufacturers, the costs of finished goods inventory recorded in the financial statements represent the costs to acquire such inventory.
Property, Plant and Equipment	(g) Property, Plant and Equipment We record property, plant and equipment at historical cost or, in the case of a business combination, at fair value on the date of the business combination. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives of the related assets: machinery, laboratory equipment and tooling, 1-15 years; buildings, 7- 61 years; leasehold improvements, lesser of the remaining term of the lease or estimated useful life of the asset; computer software and equipment, 1-10 years and furniture and fixtures, 2-16 years. Land is not depreciated. Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment amounted to $98.7 million, $97.6 million and $94.3 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Fully-depreciated property, plant and equipment that are still in use remain on the books until disposal or retirement. When property, plant and equipment are retired or disposed of, the cost and respective accumulated depreciation are removed from the books. Any gain or loss on disposal is recorded in the income statement. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives	(h) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives Goodwill relates to amounts that arose in connection with our various business combinations and represents the difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets when accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to periodic review for impairment. We test goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives at the reporting unit level for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests, if events and circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Events that would indicate impairment and trigger an interim impairment assessment include, but are not limited to, current economic and market conditions, including a decline in market capitalization, a significant adverse change in legal factors, business climate or operational performance of the business and an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. In performing the annual goodwill impairment test, we utilize the two-step approach. The first step, or Step 1, requires a comparison of the carrying value of each reporting unit to its estimated fair value. To estimate the fair value of our reporting units for Step 1, we use a combination of the income approach, the market comparable approach and the market transaction approach. The income approach is based on a discounted cash flow analysis, or DCF approach, and calculates the fair value by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to a reporting unit and then discounting the after-tax cash flows to a present value, using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Assumptions used in the DCF approach require the exercise of significant judgment, including judgment about appropriate discount rates and terminal values, growth rates and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The forecasted cash flows are based on our most recent budget and for years beyond the budget, our estimates are based on assumed growth rates. We believe our assumptions are consistent with the plans and estimates used to manage the underlying businesses. The discount rates, which are intended to reflect the risks inherent in future cash flow projections, used in the DCF approach are based on estimates of the weighted-average cost of capital, or WACC, of market participants relative to each respective reporting unit. The market approaches consider comparable and transactional market data based on multiples of revenue or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, based on trading multiples of selected guidelines companies and deal multiples of selected target companies. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we are required to perform the second step, or Step 2, of the annual goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying value. The implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the estimated fair value of its assets and liabilities. To the extent this amount is below the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded to write down the carrying value to its implied value. Impairment charges related to goodwill have no impact on our cash balances or on compliance with financial covenants under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. As a result of the sale of our health management business in January 2015, which was the largest component of our former patient self-testing reporting segment, we ceased to report our financial information in four operating segments. Beginning in 2015, our reporting units are professional diagnostics and consumer diagnostics. 2015 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test We conducted our 2015 annual impairment test for our reporting units during the fourth quarter of 2015. Key assumptions (which vary by reporting unit) used in determining fair value under the DCF approach included discount rates ranging from 9.0% to 14.0%, projected compound average revenue growth rates of 3.4% to 5.6%, and terminal value growth rates of 3.0% to 4.0%. In determining the appropriate discount rate, we considered the WACC for each reporting unit, which among other factors considers the cost of common equity capital and the marginal cost of debt of market participants. Key assumptions (which again vary by reporting unit) used in determining fair value under the market approaches were based on observed market multiples of enterprise value to revenue and EBITDA for both comparable publicly-traded companies and recent merger and acquisition transactions involving similar companies to estimate appropriate controlling basis multiples to apply to each of the reporting units. Based on the multiples implied by this market data, we selected multiples of revenue of 0.7 to 2.9 times and multiples of EBITDA of 7.3 to 11.8 times. In assessing the reasonableness of our estimated fair values of the reporting units, management compared the results of the valuation analyses against our then-current market capitalization to imply a control premium. Based on this analysis, the implied control premium was within the range of comparable industry transactions. The Step 1 impairment test indicated the estimated fair value of the professional diagnostics and consumer diagnostics reporting units exceeded the carrying value of their reporting unit’s net assets as follows: by $3.1 billion and $44.9 million, respectively, or 58.1% and 18.2%, respectively. The estimate of fair value requires significant judgment. We based our fair value estimates on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain, including estimates of future growth rates and operating margins and assumptions about the overall economic climate and the competitive environment for our business units. There can be no assurance that our estimates and assumptions made for purposes of our goodwill and identifiable intangible asset testing as of the time of testing will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. If our assumptions regarding business plans, competitive environments or anticipated growth rates are not correct, we may be required to record goodwill and/or intangible asset impairment charges in future periods, whether in connection with our next annual impairment testing or earlier, if an indicator of an impairment is present before our next annual evaluation. 2014 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test We conducted our 2014 annual goodwill impairment test for our reporting units during the fourth quarter of 2014. For our patient self-testing reporting unit, we utilized the purchase price for the sale of our health management business as the estimated fair value of the health management business and combined that with the estimated fair value of the remaining patient self-testing reporting unit which was determined using a combination of the income approach, the market comparable approach and the market transaction approach to arrive at the total estimated fair value of the patient self-testing business. Key assumptions (which vary by reporting unit) used in determining fair value under the DCF approach included discount rates ranging from 10.5% to 15.5%, projected compound average revenue growth rates of 3.0% to 11.0% and terminal value growth rates of 3.0% to 4.0%. In determining the appropriate discount rate, we considered the WACC for each reporting unit, which among other factors considers the cost of common equity capital and the marginal cost of debt of market participants. Key assumptions (which again vary by reporting unit) used in determining fair value under the market approaches were based on observed market multiples of enterprise value to revenue and EBITDA for both comparable publicly-traded companies and recent merger and acquisition transactions involving similar companies to estimate appropriate controlling basis multiples to apply to each of the reporting units. Based on the multiples implied by this market data, we selected multiples of revenue of 1.2 to 2.9 times and multiples of EBITDA of 7.1 to 11.8 times. In assessing the reasonableness of our estimated fair values of the reporting units, management compared the results of the valuation analyses against our then-current market capitalization to imply a control premium. Based on this analysis, the implied control premium was within the range of comparable industry transactions. The Step 1 impairment test indicated the estimated fair value of the professional diagnostics, patient self-testing and consumer diagnostics reporting units exceeded the carrying value of their reporting unit’s net assets as follows: by $2.2 billion, $515.6 million and $86.8 million, respectively, or 42.4%, 162.1% and 38.0%, respectively. As discussed in Note 3, our health management business met the criteria for assets held for sale as of December 31, 2014 and the sale was subsequently completed on January 9, 2015. Accordingly, we performed a Step 1 impairment test on the goodwill remaining in the patient self-testing reporting unit at December 31, 2014. The Step 1 impairment test indicated that the estimated fair value of the remaining patient self-testing reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets by 67%. 2013 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test We conducted our 2013 annual goodwill impairment test for our reporting units during the fourth quarter of 2013. Key assumptions (which vary by reporting unit) used in determining fair value under the DCF approach included discount rates ranging from 11.0% to 14.0%, projected compound average revenue growth rates of 4.0% to 11.4% and terminal value growth rates of 3.0% to 4.0%. The factors considered in determining the appropriate discount rate and the key assumptions were the same as those in the 2014 annual goodwill impairment test described above. Based on the multiples implied by this market data, we selected multiples of revenue of 0.8 to 2.9 times and multiples of EBITDA of 6.4 to 10.6 times. In assessing the reasonableness of our estimated fair values of the reporting units, management compared the results of the valuation analyses against our then-current market capitalization to imply a control premium. Based on this analysis, the implied control premium was within the range of comparable industry transactions. The Step 1 impairment test indicated the estimated fair value of the professional diagnostics, patient self-testing and consumer diagnostics reporting units exceeded the carrying value of their reporting unit’s net assets as follows: by $1.6 billion, $34.7 million and $92.7 million, respectively, or 30.3%, 8.5% and 45.5%, respectively.
Impairment of Other Long-lived Tangible and Intangible Assets	(i) Impairment of Other Long-lived Tangible and Intangible Assets Our intangible assets consist primarily of core technology, in-process research and development, patents, trademarks, trade names, customer relationships, distribution rights and non-competition agreements. The majority of our intangible assets were recorded in connection with our various business combinations. Our intangible assets are recorded at fair value at the time of their acquisition. We amortize intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives of the individual categories of intangible assets were based on the nature of the applicable intangible asset and the expected future cash flows to be derived from the intangible asset. Amortization of intangible assets with finite lives is recognized over the shorter of the respective lives of the agreement or the period of time the intangible assets are expected to contribute to future cash flows. We amortize our finite-lived intangible assets based on patterns on which the respective economic benefits are expected to be realized. We amortize the majority of our intangible assets on a straight-line basis, as this methodology most closely approximates the pattern of economic benefits for these assets. We evaluate long-lived tangible and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If indicators of impairment are present with respect to long-lived tangible and intangible assets used in operations and undiscounted future cash flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover the assets’ carrying amount, additional analysis is performed as appropriate and the carrying value of the long-lived assets is reduced to the estimated fair value, if this is lower, and an impairment loss is charged to expense in the period the impairment is identified.
Acquired In-process Research and Development (IPR&D)	(j) Acquired In-process Research and Development (IPR&D) Acquired IPR&D represents the fair value assigned to research and development assets that we acquire as part of business combinations, and which have not been completed at the date of acquisition. The acquired IPR&D is capitalized as an intangible asset and tested for impairment at least annually until commercialization, after which time the IPR&D is amortized over its estimated useful life. We utilize a discounted probable future cash flow model on a project-by-project basis to value acquired IPR&D. Significant assumptions used in the model include the period in which material net cash inflows from significant projects are expected to commence, anticipated material changes from historical pricing, margins and expense levels and an appropriate risk adjusted discount rate applied to the project’s cash flows.
Business Acquisitions	(k) Business Acquisitions Our business acquisitions have historically been made at prices above the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, resulting in goodwill, based on our expectations of synergies and other benefits of combining the businesses. These synergies and benefits include elimination of redundant facilities, functions and staffing; use of our existing commercial infrastructure to expand sales of the products of the acquired businesses; and use of the commercial infrastructure of the acquired businesses to expand product sales in a cost-efficient manner. Significant judgment is required in estimating the fair value of intangible assets and in assigning their respective useful lives. The fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on future expectations and assumptions deemed reasonable by management, but are inherently uncertain. We generally employ the income method to estimate the fair value of intangible assets, which is based on forecasts of the expected future cash flows attributable to the respective assets. Significant estimates and assumptions inherent in the valuations reflect a consideration of other marketplace participants, and include the amount and timing of future cash flows (including expected growth rates and profitability), the underlying product life cycles, economic barriers to entry, a brand’s relative market position and the discount rate applied to the cash flows. Unanticipated market or macroeconomic events and circumstances may occur, which could affect the accuracy or validity of the estimates and assumptions. Net assets acquired are recorded at their fair value and are subject to adjustment upon finalization of the fair value analysis. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we expensed acquisition-related costs of $0.5 million, $0.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, in general and administrative expense
Income Taxes	(l) Income Taxes 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. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year 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. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are more likely than not to be realized in the future. We account for uncertain tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for recognizing and resolving uncertain tax positions. We evaluate uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis and consider various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position. During November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes
Revenue Recognition	(m) Revenue Recognition We primarily recognize revenue when the following four basic criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the fee is fixed or determinable and (4) collection is reasonably assured. The majority of our revenue is derived from product sales. We recognize revenue upon transfer of the title and risk of loss of the products to third-party customers, less a reserve for estimated product returns and allowances. Determination of the reserve for estimated product returns and allowances is based on our management’s analyses and judgments regarding certain conditions. Should future changes in conditions prove management’s conclusions and judgments on previous analyses to be incorrect, revenue recognized for any reporting period could be adversely affected. For products that include installation, and if the installation meets the criteria to be considered a separate element, product revenue is recognized upon delivery, and installation revenue is recognized when the installation is complete. For sales that include customer-specified acceptance criteria, revenue is recognized after the acceptance criteria have been met. Certain of our products require specialized installation. Revenue for these products is deferred until installation is completed. Revenue from services is deferred and recognized over the contractual period, or as services are rendered and accepted by the customer. When arrangements include multiple elements, we use objective evidence of fair value to allocate revenue to the elements, and recognize revenue when the criteria for revenue recognition have been met for each element, in accordance with authoritative guidance on multiple-element arrangements. Additionally, with respect to our health management business which is included in discontinued operations, we generated services revenue in connection with contracts with health plans (both commercial and governmental) and self-insured employers, whereby we provided clinical expertise through fee-based arrangements. Revenue for fee-based arrangements was recognized over the period in which the services were provided. Some contracts provided that a portion of our fees were at risk if our customers did not achieve certain financial cost savings or we did not achieve certain other clinical and operational metrics, over a period of time, typically one year. Revenue subject to refund was not recognized if (i) sufficient information was not available to calculate performance measurements or (ii) interim performance measurements indicate that we were not meeting performance targets. If either of these two conditions existed, we recorded the amounts as other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, deferring recognition of the revenue until we established that we were meeting the performance criteria. However, revenue recognized for fees subject to refund before the end of the contract period was realizable under the termination provisions or other provisions of the contract. If we did not meet the performance targets at the end of the contractual period we were obligated under the contract to refund some or all of the at-risk fees. We also receive license and royalty revenue from agreements with third-party licensees. Revenue from license and royalty agreements is recognized on a straight-line basis over the obligation period of the related license agreements, or at the time when we have no further obligations. License and royalty fees that the licensees calculate based on their sales, which we have the right to audit under most of our agreements, are generally recognized upon receipt of the license or royalty payments unless we are able to reasonably estimate the fees as they are earned. License and royalty fees that are determinable prior to the receipt thereof are recognized in the period they are earned. In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, we determined that, in 2013 and 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015, we had incorrectly recognized revenue transactions for such periods. As a result of these errors related to the timing of certain revenue transactions, as well as certain other out-of-period adjustments, we are revising our consolidated financial information as of December 31, 2014 and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the interim periods of 2014 and the first three quarters of 2015. For more information on the revisions related to recognition of certain revenue transactions, see Note 2.
Employee Stock-based Compensation Arrangements	(n) Employee Stock-based Compensation Arrangements We account for share-based payments in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation Our stock option plans provide for grants of options to employees to purchase common stock at or above the fair market value of such shares on the grant date of the award. The options generally vest over a four-year period, beginning on the date of grant, with a graded vesting schedule of 25% at the end of each of the four years. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant primarily using a Black-Scholes option-pricing method. We use historical data to estimate the expected price volatility and the expected forfeiture rate. The contractual term of our stock option awards is ten years. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the option. We have not made any dividend payments to common shareholders nor do we have plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share	(o) Net Income (Loss) per Common Share Net income (loss) per common share is based upon the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares and the dilutive effect of common share equivalents, such as options and warrants to purchase common stock, convertible preferred stock and convertible notes, if applicable, that are outstanding each year (Note 13).
Other Operating Expenses	(p) Other Operating Expenses We expense advertising costs, other than for direct response advertising, as incurred. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, advertising costs amounted to $9.0 million, $8.0 million and $10.6 million, respectively, and are included in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of net revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. When we charge our customers for shipping and handling costs, these costs are recorded along with product revenues. Legal fees incurred by us are included in general and administrative expenses and are expensed in the period such costs are incurred. Payments to third parties in connection with the resolution of legal disputes, investigations or other contingencies are included in general and administrative expenses and are expensed when an unfavourable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.
Direct-response Advertising	(q) Direct-response Advertising In connection with our mail order diabetes business, we incurred direct-response advertising and associated costs in connection with the placement of advertisements. Direct-response advertising and associated costs payable to third parties for the period presented are capitalized and amortized to selling, general and administrative expenses on an accelerated basis in the month following the broadcast month. Management assesses the realizability of the amounts of direct-response advertising costs reported as assets at each balance sheet date by comparing the net carrying value of capitalized advertising to the net present value of estimated future orders expected to result directly from such advertising. Advertising that does not meet the capitalization requirements is expensed in the current period. Any change in existing accounting rules or a business change that impacts expected future orders or that shortens the period over which such net future benefits are estimated to be realized could result in accelerated charges against our earnings. In addition, new or different marketing initiatives that may not qualify for direct-response advertising could result in accelerated charges against our earnings. Whether there is an impairment loss or not is determined by comparing the net carrying value of direct-response advertising costs capitalized as assets at each balance sheet date to the probable remaining future orders expected to result directly from such advertising. If the net carrying value of the assets exceeds the probable remaining future orders expected to result directly from such assets, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Future benefits are determined by calculating the net present value of estimated future orders per cost pool. Net present value is calculated based upon the value of an order multiplied by the estimated future orders. Estimate of future orders is determined based on historical customer reorder rates. We perform the impairment test of our direct-response advertising asset in the quarter following the advertising broadcast quarter.
Concentration of Credit Risk, Off-Balance Sheet Risks and Other Risks and Uncertainties	(r) Concentration of Credit Risk, Off-Balance Sheet Risks and Other Risks and Uncertainties Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We invest our excess cash primarily in high quality securities and limit the amount of our credit exposure to any one financial institution. We do not require collateral or other securities to support customer receivables; however, we perform on-going credit evaluations of our customers and maintain allowances for potential credit losses. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, no individual customer’s accounts receivable balance was more than 10% of our aggregate accounts receivable. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, no one customer represented more than 10% of our net revenue.
Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments	(s) Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our primary financial instruments at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of cash equivalents, restricted cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. We apply fair value measurement accounting to value our financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Described below are the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Software for Internal Use and for Resale	(t) Software for Internal Use and for Resale We may capitalize certain costs associated with the development of internal-use software, including direct materials and services. Capitalized software is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life and is included in computer software and equipment within property, plant and equipment. We also develop software for resale or lease to external parties and expense the costs of developing software for resale or lease incurred before establishment of technological feasibility of the underlying software. The costs incurred from establishment of technological feasibility until general release of the software are capitalized, and the capitalized software is amortized over its estimated useful life. Capitalized software for resale or lease is included in computer software and equipment within property, plant and equipment.
Research and Development	(u) Research and Development Our research and development programs focus on the development of cardiometabolic, infectious disease and toxicology products. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Payments received from external parties to fund our research and development activities reduce the recorded research and development expenses.
Leases	(v) Leases We lease certain facilities and equipment from external parties under operating leases. Rent expense related to operating leases is recorded in the income statement as incurred or on a straight-line basis if there are material escalation clauses. We also lease machinery, laboratory equipment, tooling and other equipment under capital leases. In determining whether a lease is a capital or an operating lease, we estimate the expected term of the lease, which includes certain renewable options as required by lease accounting guidance. Rent deferrals, landlord incentives and rent escalations are included in calculation of minimum lease payments when performing the capital lease tests and when calculating the rent expense for operating leases. Leased property, plant and equipment that meet the capital lease criteria are capitalized at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the underlying asset at the inception date of the lease. Assets under capital leases are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remainder of the expected term of the lease.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	(w) Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Issued Standards In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) — Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements (Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting), In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718) — Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers We believe that there were no other accounting standards recently issued that had or are expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Recently Adopted Standards During November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) — Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity

Revision of Previously Report36

Revision of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Restated and Revised Consolidated Statement of Operations	The following schedules reconcile the amounts as previously reported in the applicable financial statement to the corresponding revised amounts: Year Ended December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidated Statement of Operations (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Net product sales $ 2,035,666 $ (13,426 ) $ 2,022,240 Net product sales and services revenue $ 2,567,654 $ (13,426 ) $ 2,554,228 Net revenue $ 2,588,704 $ (13,426 ) $ 2,575,278 Cost of net product sales $ 1,069,422 $ (6,923 ) $ 1,062,499 Cost of services revenue $ 294,753 $ 196 $ 294,949 Cost of net product sales and services revenue $ 1,364,175 $ (6,727 ) $ 1,357,448 Cost of net revenue $ 1,369,767 $ (6,727 ) $ 1,363,040 Gross profit $ 1,218,937 $ (6,699 ) $ 1,212,238 Sales and marketing $ 513,801 $ (840 ) $ 512,961 General and administrative $ 453,988 $ (360 ) $ 453,628 Operating income (loss) $ 98,578 $ (5,499 ) $ 93,079 Other income (expense), net $ (731 ) $ (1,490 ) $ (2,221 ) Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ (111,344 ) $ (6,989 ) $ (118,333 ) Benefit (provision) for income taxes $ 82,193 $ (11,263 ) $ 70,930 Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax $ (193,537 ) $ 4,274 $ (189,263 ) Loss from continuing operations $ (176,028 ) $ 4,274 $ (171,754 ) Net loss $ (37,710 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,436 ) Net loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (37,740 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,466 ) Net loss available to common stockholders $ (59,033 ) $ 4,274 $ (54,759 ) Basic and diluted net loss per common share: Loss from continuing operations $ (2.38 ) $ 0.05 $ (2.33 ) Basic and diluted net loss per common share: Net loss per common share $ (0.71 ) $ 0.05 $ (0.66 ) Year Ended December 31, 2013 Revised Consolidated Statement of Operations (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Net product sales $ 2,056,519 $ (7,730 ) $ 2,048,789 Services revenue $ 532,616 $ 2 $ 532,618 Net product sales and services revenue $ 2,589,135 $ (7,728 ) $ 2,581,407 Net revenue $ 2,616,364 $ (7,728 ) $ 2,608,636 Cost of net product sales $ 1,017,501 $ (2,970 ) $ 1,014,531 Cost of service revenue $ 274,045 $ 184 $ 274,229 Cost of net product sales and services revenue $ 1,291,546 $ (2,786 ) $ 1,288,760 Cost of net revenue $ 1,299,309 $ (2,786 ) $ 1,296,523 Gross profit $ 1,317,055 $ (4,942 ) $ 1,312,113 Operating income $ 151,542 $ (4,942 ) $ 146,600 Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ (115,064 ) $ (4,942 ) $ (120,006 ) Benefit for income taxes $ (42,014 ) $ (2,693 ) $ (44,707 ) Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax $ (73,050 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (75,299 ) Loss from continuing operations $ (55,607 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (57,856 ) Net loss $ (71,733 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (73,982 ) Net loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (72,709 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (74,958 ) Net loss available to common stockholders $ (94,002 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (96,251 ) Basic and diluted loss per common share: Loss from continuing operations $ (0.95 ) $ (0.03 ) $ (0.98 ) Basic and diluted loss per common share: Net loss per common share $ (1.15 ) $ (0.03 ) $ (1.18 )
Restated and Revised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss	Year Ended December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Net loss $ (37,710 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,436 ) Comprehensive loss $ (204,133 ) $ 4,274 $ (199,859 ) Comprehensive loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (204,163 ) $ 4,274 $ (199,889 ) Year Ended December 31, 2013 Revised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) As Revision As Revised Net loss $ (71,733 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (73,982 ) Comprehensive loss $ (122,169 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (124,418 ) Comprehensive loss attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (123,145 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (125,394 )
Restated and Revised Consolidated Balance Sheet	As of December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidated Balance Sheet (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Accounts receivable, net of allowances $ 466,106 $ (5,010 ) $ 461,096 Inventories, net $ 365,165 $ 12,184 $ 377,349 Deferred tax assets — current $ 112,573 $ 15,347 $ 127,920 Total current assets $ 1,808,063 $ 22,521 $ 1,830,584 Property, plant and equipment $ 453,570 $ 653 $ 454,223 Deferred tax assets $ 8,569 $ (2,251 ) $ 6,318 Total assets $ 6,678,956 $ 20,923 $ 6,699,879 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 375,494 $ 10,433 $ 385,927 Total current liabilities $ 761,045 $ 10,433 $ 771,478 Capital lease obligations, net of current portion $ 10,560 $ 1,033 $ 11,593 Deferred tax liabilities $ 214,639 $ 17,324 $ 231,963 Other long-term liabilities $ 161,582 $ (14,662 ) $ 146,920 Total long-term liabilities $ 4,008,166 $ 3,695 $ 4,011,861 Accumulated deficit $ (1,679,552 ) $ 6,795 $ (1,672,757 ) Total stockholders’ equity $ 1,905,599 $ 6,795 $ 1,912,394 Total equity $ 1,909,745 $ 6,795 $ 1,916,540 Total liabilities and equity $ 6,678,956 $ 20,923 $ 6,699,879
Revised and Restated Consolidated Statement of Equity	Revised Consolidated Statement of Equity (in thousands) As Previously Revision Adjustment As Revised Accumulated deficit, Balance at December 31, 2012 $ (1,569,103 ) $ 4,770 $ (1,564,333 ) Net loss $ (72,709 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (74,958 ) Accumulated deficit, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ (1,641,812 ) $ 2,521 $ (1,639,291 ) Total stockholders’ equity, Balance at December 31, 2012 $ 2,177,167 $ 4,770 $ 2,181,937 Net loss $ (72,709 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (74,958 ) Total stockholders’ equity, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 2,073,256 $ 2,521 $ 2,075,777 Total equity, Balance at December 31, 2012 $ 2,179,449 $ 4,770 $ 2,184,219 Net loss $ (71,733 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (73,982 ) Total equity, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 2,078,138 $ 2,521 $ 2,080,659 Revised Consolidated Statement of Equity (in thousands) As Previously Revision Adjustment As Revised Accumulated deficit, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ (1,641,812 ) $ 2,521 $ (1,639,291 ) Net loss $ (37,740 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,466 ) Accumulated deficit, Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (1,679,552 ) $ 6,795 $ (1,672,757 ) Total stockholders’ equity, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 2,073,256 $ 2,521 $ 2,075,777 Net loss $ (37,740 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,466 ) Total stockholders’ equity, Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 1,905,599 $ 6,795 $ 1,912,394 Total equity, Balance at December 31, 2013 $ 2,078,138 $ 2,521 $ 2,080,659 Net loss $ (37,710 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,436 ) Total equity, Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 1,909,745 $ 6,795 $ 1,916,540
Restated and Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Net loss $ (37,710 ) $ 4,274 $ (33,436 ) Loss from continuing operations $ (176,028 ) $ 4,274 $ (171,754 ) Depreciation and amortization $ 335,833 $ 196 $ 336,029 Deferred income taxes $ (6,982 ) $ 19,236 $ 12,254 Accounts receivable, net $ (689 ) $ (2,573 ) $ (3,262 ) Inventories, net $ (61,110 ) $ (6,923 ) $ (68,033 ) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 36,155 $ 1,543 $ 37,698 Other non-current liabilities $ 29,007 $ (15,753 ) $ 13,254 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Revised Net loss $ (71,733 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (73,982 ) Loss from continuing operations $ (55,607 ) $ (2,249 ) $ (57,856 ) Depreciation and amortization $ 374,473 $ 184 $ 374,657 Deferred income taxes $ (129,687 ) $ 7,192 $ (122,495 ) Accounts receivable, net $ (46,672 ) $ 5,363 $ (41,309 ) Inventories, net $ (82,710 ) $ (2,970 ) $ (85,680 ) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 12,027 $ 10,710 $ 22,737 Other non-current liabilities $ 5,356 $ (18,230 ) $ (12,874 )

Assets Held for Sale (Tables)

Assets Held for Sale (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summarized Financial Information Related to ACS Companies and Health Management Business	The following summarized financial information related to the businesses of the ACS Companies and the health management business has been segregated from continuing operations and has been reported as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations. The results of the health management business are included in all the periods presented, given our January 9, 2015 divestiture of this business. The results of the ACS Companies, other than Wellogic, are included in 2014 and 2013, given our October 31, 2014 divestiture of this business. The results are as follows (in thousands): For The Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Net revenue $ 7,373 $ 359,496 $ 409,579 Cost of net revenue (4,413 ) (203,115 ) (229,310 ) Research and development — — (1,750 ) Sales and marketing (996 ) (56,808 ) (73,700 ) General and administrative (5,001 ) (99,383 ) (129,565 ) Interest expense (9 ) (506 ) (310 ) Other income (expense), net 160 (1,799 ) (1,860 ) Gain on disposal 364,850 — — Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes 361,964 (2,115 ) (26,916 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes 142,451 (140,433 ) (10,790 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax $ 219,513 $ 138,318 $ (16,126 )
Health Management Business [Member]
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Business Segregated and Classified as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities	We accounted for our divestiture of the health management business in accordance with Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-08. The following assets and liabilities associated with the health management business have been segregated and classified as assets held for sale and liabilities related to assets held for sale, as appropriate, in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands): December 31, 2014 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,300 Restricted cash 361 Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $5,882 at December 31, 2014 50,902 Inventories, net 1,656 Deferred tax assets – current 6,939 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,857 Property, plant and equipment, net 57,595 Goodwill 82,665 Finite-lived intangible assets, net 82,428 Deferred tax assets – non-current 3,347 Other non-current assets 2,465 Total assets held for sale $ 315,515 Liabilities Current portion of capital lease obligations $ 799 Accounts payable 5,654 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 32,822 Capital lease obligations, net of current portion 365 Deferred tax liabilities – non-current 27,453 Other long-term liabilities 11,750 Total liabilities related to assets held for sale $ 78,843

Other Balance Sheet Informati38

Other Balance Sheet Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Components of Selected Captions in Consolidated Balance Sheets	Components of selected captions in the consolidated balance sheets consist of (in thousands): December 31, 2015 2014 Inventories, net: Raw materials $ 130,171 $ 122,886 Work-in-process 69,178 82,724 Finished goods 147,652 171,739 $ 347,001 $ 377,349 Prepaid expenses and other current assets: Prepaid expenses $ 28,041 $ 49,065 Prepaid income tax 50,201 11,309 Income taxes receivable 199 2,273 Royalty receivable 7,757 8,143 Other taxes receivable 15,333 20,695 Cash advances 3,902 6,221 Pension receivable 1,373 1,430 Grant receivable 651 1,534 Employee loans 123 62 Security deposits 7,014 5,411 Other receivable 15,938 — Other 21,701 26,270 $ 152,233 $ 132,413 Property, plant and equipment, net: Machinery, laboratory equipment and tooling $ 469,413 $ 431,255 Land and buildings 169,226 172,773 Leasehold improvements 55,999 56,709 Computer software and equipment 161,192 154,566 Furniture and fixtures 27,325 35,656 883,155 850,959 Less: Accumulated depreciation (437,116 ) (396,736 ) $ 446,039 $ 454,223 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities: Compensation and compensation-related $ 80,468 $ 88,546 Royalty obligations 18,912 23,072 Deferred revenue 40,998 45,577 Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities 15,245 25,478 Other taxes payable 28,320 31,491 Acquisition-related obligations 5,705 69,779 Other 134,817 101,984 $ 324,465 $ 385,927

Business Combinations (Tables)

Business Combinations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of Aggregate Purchase Price Allocation	A summary of the preliminary fair values of the net assets acquired from USD is as follows (in thousands): Total Current assets $ 4,698 Property, plant and equipment 182 Goodwill 29,365 Intangible assets 27,100 Total assets acquired $ 61,345 Current liabilities $ 1,210 Total liabilities assumed $ 1,210 Net assets acquired $ 60,135 Cash paid $ 60,135 A summary of the fair values of the net assets acquired for the acquisitions consummated in 2013 is as follows (in thousands): Epocal Other Total Current assets(1) $ 12,535 $ 13,623 $ 26,158 Property, plant and equipment 1,267 1,731 2,998 Goodwill 100,419 2,447 102,866 Intangible assets 164,400 51,180 215,580 Other non-current assets 18,158 29 18,187 Total assets acquired 296,779 69,010 365,789 Current liabilities 2,701 5,398 8,099 Non-current liabilities 45,542 6,062 51,604 Total liabilities assumed 48,243 11,460 59,703 Net assets acquired 248,536 57,550 306,086 Less: Contingent consideration 75,000 1,264 76,264 Settlement of pre-existing arrangements 22,088 17,500 39,588 Non-controlling interest — 1,774 1,774 Bargain purchase gain — 8,023 8,023 Deferred purchase price consideration — 768 768 Cash paid $ 151,448 $ 28,221 $ 179,669 (1) Includes approximately $3.3 million of acquired cash.
Intangible Assets Acquired and their Respective Fair Values and Weighted-Average Useful Lives	The following are the intangible assets acquired in connection with the USD acquisition and their respective preliminary fair values and weighted-average useful lives (dollars in thousands): Total Weighted- Trademarks $ 1,600 10.0 years Customer relationships 24,800 13.0 years Non-compete agreements 700 2.0 years Total intangible assets $ 27,100 The following are the intangible assets acquired in 2013 and their respective fair values and weighted-average useful lives (dollars in thousands): Epocal Other Total Weighted- Core technology and patents $ 119,700 $ — $ 119,700 20.0 years Software — 2,154 2,154 5.7 years Trademarks and trade names 20,500 80 20,580 19.1 years License agreements — 620 620 1.5 years Customer relationships — 42,510 42,510 11.5 years Other — 5,816 5,816 3.0 years In-process research and development 24,200 — 24,200 N/A Total intangible assets $ 164,400 $ 51,180 $ 215,580

Goodwill and Other Intangible40

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	The following is a summary of goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands): Gross Accumulated Net Weighted- Amortized intangible assets: Core technology and patents $ 907,629 $ 468,497 $ 439,132 15.1 years Other intangible assets: Supplier relationships 17,599 16,218 1,381 9.2 years Trademarks and trade names 242,473 176,325 66,148 10.7 years License agreements 10,963 10,944 19 7.0 years Customer relationships 1,441,386 985,844 455,542 16.6 years Manufacturing know-how 19,181 16,744 2,437 7.7 years Other 108,217 75,595 32,622 7.7 years Total other intangible assets 1,839,819 1,281,670 558,149 Total intangible assets with finite lives $ 2,747,448 $ 1,750,167 $ 997,281 Intangible assets with indefinite lives: Goodwill $ 2,836,915 Other intangible assets(1) 28,110 Total intangible assets with indefinite lives $ 2,865,025 (1) Primarily includes in-process research and development assets recorded in connection with certain acquisitions. The following is a summary of goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands): Gross Accumulated Net Weighted- Amortized intangible assets: Core technology and patents $ 969,993 $ 417,119 $ 552,874 15.2 years Other intangible assets: Supplier relationships 17,975 16,188 1,787 9.2 years Trademarks and trade names 256,014 161,945 94,069 11.0 years License agreements 11,670 11,511 159 6.8 years Customer relationships 1,504,078 930,533 573,545 16.6 years Manufacturing know-how 21,540 11,595 9,945 8.9 years Other 108,792 64,727 44,065 8.7 years Total other intangible assets 1,920,069 1,196,499 723,570 Total intangible assets with finite lives $ 2,890,062 $ 1,613,618 $ 1,276,444 Intangible assets with indefinite lives: Goodwill $ 2,926,666 Other intangible assets(1) 43,651 Total intangible assets with indefinite lives $ 2,970,317 (1) Primarily includes in-process research and development assets recorded in connection with certain acquisitions.
Summary of Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets	The following is a summary of estimated aggregate amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands): 2016 $ 203,556 2017 $ 136,600 2018 $ 133,464 2019 $ 99,552 2020 $ 97,345
Summary of Goodwill Amounts Allocated to Reporting Units	Goodwill amounts for our professional diagnostics and consumer diagnostics reporting units, along with our former patient self-testing reporting unit, which rolled into our professional diagnostics reporting unit on January 1, 2015, are summarized as follows (in thousands): Professional Patient Consumer Total Goodwill at December 31, 2013 $ 2,915,417 $ 33,545 $ 58,035 $ 3,006,997 Acquisitions(1) (546 ) (25 ) — (571 ) Dispositions(2) (16,517 ) — — (16,517 ) Other(3) (59,549 ) (650 ) (3,044 ) (63,243 ) Goodwill at December 31, 2014 $ 2,838,805 $ 32,870 $ 54,991 $ 2,926,666 Balance transfer at January 1, 2015(4) 32,870 (32,870 ) — — Acquisitions(1) 32,970 — — 32,970 Dispositions(2) (58,611 ) — — (58,611 ) Other(3) (53,081 ) — (11,029 ) (64,110 ) Goodwill at December 31, 2015 $ 2,792,953 $ — $ 43,962 $ 2,836,915 (1) Includes initial purchase price allocation, purchase accounting adjustments recorded to the acquired entities’ opening balance sheet and additional payments made for earn-outs and milestones achieved. (2) Reflects write-off related to the dispositions of BioNote in 2014 and the BBI business and Alere Analytics in 2015. (3) These amounts relate primarily to adjustments resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. (4) As a result of the sale of our health management business in January 2015, which was the largest component of our former patient self-testing reporting segment, we ceased to report our financial information in four operating segments and, beginning on January 1, 2015 our reporting units included professional diagnostics and consumer diagnostics.

Long-term Debt (Tables)

Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt Balances Outstanding	We had the following long-term debt balances outstanding (in thousands) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 A term loans(1) $ 587,671 $ — B term loans(1) 971,180 — Prior credit facility—A term loans(2) — 785,938 Prior credit facility—B term loans(3) — 1,330,810 Prior credit facility—Revolving loans — 127,000 7.25% Senior notes 450,000 450,000 6.5% Senior subordinated notes 425,000 425,000 6.375% Senior subordinated notes 425,000 — 8.625% Senior subordinated notes — 400,000 3% Convertible senior subordinated notes(4) 150,000 150,000 Other lines of credit 136 684 Other 56,221 40,828 3,065,208 3,710,260 Less: Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt (199,992 ) (88,875 ) Long-term debt $ 2,865,216 $ 3,621,385 (1) Incurred under our secured credit facility entered into on June 18, 2015. (2) Included “A” term loans and “Delayed Draw” term loans under our prior credit facility. (3) Included term loans previously referred to as “Incremental B-1” term loans and “Incremental B-2” term loans under our prior credit facility, which term loans had been converted into and consolidated with the “B” term loans under our prior credit facility. (4) The principal amount of the 3% convertible senior subordinated notes is included in the short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015, as these notes matured on May 15, 2016.
Long-Term Debt Interest Expense	In connection with our significant long-term debt issuances, we recorded interest expense, including amortization and write-offs of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts, in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Secured credit facility(1) $ 38,335 $ — $ — Prior credit facility(2) 49,437 99,399 104,159 7.25% Senior notes 34,103 34,098 33,906 6.375% Senior subordinated notes 14,549 — — 7.875% Senior notes — — 137 (4) 6.5% Senior subordinated notes 28,987 29,057 17,384 8.625% Senior subordinated notes(3) 44,219 37,092 37,093 9% Senior subordinated notes — — 54,043 (5) 3% Convertible senior subordinated notes 4,984 4,984 4,984 Other 2,383 4,561 3,640 $ 216,997 $ 209,191 $ 255,346 (1) Includes “A” term loans, “B” term loans, and revolving line of credit loans. (2) Includes the following loans under our prior credit facility: “A” term loans, including the “Delayed-Draw” term loans; “B” term loans, including the term loans previously referred to as “Incremental B-1” term loans and “Incremental B-2” term loans and later converted into and consolidated into the “B” term loans; and revolving line of credit loans. For 2015, 2014 and 2013, the amounts include $1.1 million, $1.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively, related to the amortization of fees paid for certain debt modifications. (3) Includes a $19.9 million loss on extinguishment of debt associated with the redemption of our 8.625% senior subordinated notes during 2015. Included in the $19.9 million is $8.6 million related to a call premium which has been classified within cash flow from financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. (4) Amount includes an approximate $0.2 million loss recorded in connection with the repurchase of our 7.875% senior notes. (5) Amount includes an approximate $35.6 million loss recorded in connection with the repurchase of our 9% senior subordinated notes. Included in the $35.6 million is $19.0 million related to tender offer consideration and call premium which has been classified within cash flow from financing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.
Summary of Maturities of Long-Term Debt Outstanding Including Current Portion	The following is a summary of the maturities of long-term debt, including the current portions thereof, outstanding on December 31, 2015 (in thousands): 2016 $ 199,992 2017 81,369 2018 491,358 2019 41,329 2020 905,417 Thereafter 1,351,123 3,070,588 Less: Original issue discounts (5,380 ) $ 3,065,208

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Valuation Techniques	The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair value (in thousands): Description December 31, Quoted Prices in Significant Other Unobservable Assets: Marketable securities $ 164 $ 164 $ — $ — Total assets $ 164 $ 164 $ — $ — Liabilities: Contingent consideration obligations(1) $ 57,744 $ — $ — $ 57,744 Total liabilities $ 57,744 $ — $ — $ 57,744 Description December 31, Quoted Prices in Significant Other Unobservable Assets: Marketable securities $ 259 $ 259 $ — $ — Total assets $ 259 $ 259 $ — $ — Liabilities: Contingent consideration obligations(1) $ 139,671 $ — $ — $ 139,671 Total liabilities $ 139,671 $ — $ — $ 139,671 (1) We determine the fair value of the contingent consideration obligations based on a probability-weighted approach derived from earn-out criteria estimates and a probability assessment with respect to the likelihood of achieving the various earn-out criteria. The measurement is based upon significant inputs not observable in the market. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Changes in the fair value of these contingent consideration obligations are recorded as income or expense within operating income in our consolidated statements of operations. See Note 12 for additional information on the valuation of our contingent consideration obligations.
Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Obligations	Changes in the fair value of our Level 3 contingent consideration obligations during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands): Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, December 31, 2013 $ 218,569 Payments (60,019 ) Fair value adjustments 7,677 Reversal of Method Factory Inc., now known as ACS obligation(1) (26,321 ) Foreign currency adjustments (235 ) Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, December 31, 2014 $ 139,671 Payments (22,073 ) Fair value adjustments (59,871 ) Foreign currency adjustments 17 Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, December 31, 2015 $ 57,744 1) ACS was divested in October 2014 and, in connection with this transaction, the contingent consideration obligation was terminated.

Capital Leases (Tables)

Capital Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments with Present Value	The following is a schedule of the future minimum lease payments under capital leases, together with the present value of such payments as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands): 2016 $ 3,962 2017 2,050 2018 1,491 2019 2,289 2020 712 Thereafter 639 Total future minimum lease payments 11,143 Less: Imputed interest — Present value of future minimum lease payments 11,143 Less: Current portion (3,962 ) $ 7,181
Capitalized Amounts of Building, Machinery and Equipment and Computer Equipment	At December 31, 2015, the capitalized amounts of the building, machinery and equipment and computer equipment under capital leases were as follows (in thousands): Machinery, laboratory equipment and tooling $ 24,258 Computer equipment 888 Furniture and fixtures 606 Vehicles 197 Leasehold improvements 927 26,876 Less: Accumulated amortization (9,214 ) $ 17,662

Postretirement Benefit Plans (T

Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status and Amounts Recognized	Changes in benefit obligations, plan assets, funded status and amounts recognized on the accompanying balance sheet as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, for our Defined Benefit Plan were as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Change in projected benefit obligation Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 22,560 $ 21,572 Interest cost 784 938 Actuarial (gain) loss (638 ) 1,830 Benefits paid (179 ) (300 ) Foreign exchange impact (1,028 ) (1,480 ) Benefit obligation at end of year $ 21,499 $ 22,560 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 18,120 $ 17,226 Actual return on plan assets 491 1,429 Employer contribution 917 953 Benefits paid (179 ) (300 ) Foreign exchange impact (864 ) (1,188 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 18,485 $ 18,120 Funded status $ (3,014 ) $ (4,440 ) Accumulated benefit obligation $ 21,499 $ 22,560
Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss	The following represents the amounts recognized in other comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): 2015 2014 Amortization of net loss $ (332 ) $ (267 ) Amortization of prior service cost (310 ) (438 ) New actuarial loss (55 ) (1,423 ) Foreign exchange impact (1,134 ) 2,230 Total $ (1,831 ) $ 102
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ending December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: 2015 2014 Net actuarial loss $ 5,109 $ 5,635 Prior service cost 2,412 3,718 Net amount recognized $ 7,521 $ 9,353
Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions	The following table provides the weighted-average actuarial assumptions: 2015 2014 Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations(1): Discount rate 3.70 % 3.55 % Rate of compensation increase 3.95 % 3.85 % Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost(2): Discount rate 3.55 % 4.40 % Expected long-term return on plan assets 6.50 % 5.95 % Rate of compensation increase 3.85 % 4.15 % (1) The actuarial assumptions used to compute the unfunded status for the plan are based upon information available as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. (2) The actuarial assumptions used to compute the net periodic pension benefit cost are based upon the information available as of the beginning of the presented year.
Net Periodic Benefit Costs	The annual net periodic benefit costs of the Defined Benefit Plan are as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Service cost $ — $ — $ — Interest cost 784 938 754 Expected return on plan assets (1,183 ) (1,022 ) (713 ) Amortization of net loss 332 267 199 Amortization of prior service cost 310 438 416 Net periodic benefit cost $ 243 $ 621 $ 656
Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets	The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 by asset category are presented in the following table (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy). Plan Assets at Asset Category 2015 2014 Equity securities: U.K. equities $ 6,096 $ 6,136 Overseas equities 3,119 3,105 U.S. equities 3,781 3,631 Debt securities — corporate bonds 4,984 5,048 Other — cash 505 200 Total plan assets $ 18,485 $ 18,120

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Annual Rental Payments Under Operating Leases	We have operating lease commitments for certain of our facilities and equipment that expire on various dates through 2028. The following schedule outlines future minimum annual rental payments under these leases at December 31, 2015 (in thousands): 2016 $ 33,436 2017 28,590 2018 22,008 2019 15,978 2020 11,573 Thereafter 20,134 $ 131,719
Contractual Contingent Purchase Price Consideration Obligations Related to Certain Acquisitions	The following table summarizes our contractual contingent purchase price consideration obligations related to certain of our acquisitions, as follows (in thousands): Acquisition Acquisition Date Acquisition Maximum Remaining Estimated Estimated Payments TwistDx, Inc.(1) March 11, 2010 $ 35,600 $ 103,247 2016 – 2025 (5) $ 47,800 $ 41,100 $ 5,377 Ionian Technologies, Inc.(2) July 12, 2010 $ 24,500 $ — — — 24,500 — DiagnosisOne, Inc.(3) July 31, 2012 $ 22,300 $ — — — 21,000 6,000 Epocal(4) February 1, 2013 $ 75,000 $ 47,950 2016 – 2018 4,700 47,200 10,000 Other Various $ 30,373 $ — (6) 2016 5,244 5,871 696 $ 57,744 $ 139,671 $ 22,073 (1) The terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay an earn-out upon successfully meeting certain revenue and product development targets through 2025. (2) The earn-out period under the terms of the acquisition agreement expired on July 12, 2015. In December 2015, we entered into an amended agreement with the former shareholders of Ionian Technologies, Inc., whereby we could be required to make milestone payments to them of up to approximately $43.8 million. Because this amendment was entered into after the earn-out period of the acquisition agreement had lapsed, it will be accounted for under ASC 450, Contingencies (3) On March 25, 2015, the remaining earn-out was settled for $6.0 million, of which $4.5 million was paid on March 27, 2015 and $1.5 million was paid on April 3, 2015. (4) The terms of the acquisition agreement require us to pay earn-outs and management incentive payments upon successfully meeting certain product development and United States Food and Drug Administration regulatory approval milestones from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2018. (5) The maximum earn-out period ends on the fifteenth anniversary of the acquisition date. (6) The maximum remaining earn-out potential for the other acquisitions is not determinable due to the nature of one of the earn-outs, which is tied to an unlimited revenue metric.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common 46

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts): 2015 2014 2013 Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share: Numerator: Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (12,756) $ (171,754 ) $ (57,856 ) Preferred stock dividends (21,293 ) (21,293 ) (21,293 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shares (34,049 ) (193,047 ) (79,149 ) Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest 381 30 976 Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries (34,430 ) (193,077 ) (80,125 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations 219,513 138,318 (16,126 ) Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ 185,083 $ (54,759 ) $ (96,251 ) Denominator: Weighted-average common shares outstanding — basic and diluted 85,420 82,938 81,542 Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share: Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (0.40 ) $ (2.33 ) $ (0.98 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations 2.57 1.67 (0.20 ) Basic net income (loss) per common share attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ 2.17 $ (0.66 ) $ (1.18 )
Potential Dilutive Securities Not Included in Calculation of Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	The following potential dilutive securities were not included in the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per common share for our continuing operations because the inclusion thereof would be antidilutive (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Denominator: Options to purchase shares of common stock 6,793 7,140 10,879 Warrants 4 4 4 Conversion shares related to 3% convertible senior subordinated notes 3,411 3,411 3,411 Conversion shares related to subordinated convertible promissory notes — 27 27 Conversion shares related to Series B convertible preferred stock 10,239 10,239 10,239 Common stock equivalents related to the settlement of a contingent consideration obligation 14 — 451 Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding 20,461 20,821 25,011

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Stock Option Activity	The following summarizes all stock option activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands, except exercise price): Stock Weighted- Outstanding at January 1, 2015 7,364 $ 34.68 Granted 2,399 $ 46.47 Exercised (2,168 ) $ 34.26 Canceled/expired/forfeited (1,454 ) $ 38.91 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 6,141 $ 38.43 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 2,829 $ 34.65
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity	The following summarizes all restricted stock unit activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands, except grant date fair value): Restricted Stock Units Weighted- average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at January 1, 2015 539 $ 32.72 Granted 403 $ 28.04 Vested (248 ) $ 28.89 Forfeited (44 ) $ 36.95 Nonvested at December 31, 2015 650 $ 31.00
Summary of Stock Appreciation Rights	The following summarizes all stock appreciation rights, or SARs, activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands): Stock Appreciation Rights Nonvested at January 1, 2015 246 Granted 56 Exercised (67 ) Forfeited. (47 ) Nonvested at December 31, 2015 188

Stock-based Compensation (Table

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation Expense	We recorded stock-based compensation expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Cost of net revenue $ 1,198 $ 1,180 $ 1,126 Research and development 1,195 (41 ) 4,053 Sales and marketing 4,794 3,940 3,698 General and administrative 19,204 7,373 12,333 26,391 12,452 21,210 Benefit for income taxes (8,815 ) (2,891 ) (4,190 ) Stock-based compensation, net of tax $ 17,576 $ 9,561 $ 17,020
Fair Value Assumptions for Stock Options on the Date of Grant	The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model: 2015 2014 2013 Risk-free interest rate 1.62 % 1.77 % 1.47 % Expected dividend yield — — — Expected life 5.59 years 5.78 years 5.74 years Expected volatility 33 % 36 % 42 %

Accumulated Other Comprehensi49

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following (in thousands): Cumulative Pension Other(1) Accumulated Balance at December 31, 2012 $ 31,517 $ (6,708 ) $ (60 ) $ 24,749 Period change (50,166 ) (309 ) 39 (50,436 ) Balance at December 31, 2013 (18,649 ) (7,017 ) (21 ) (25,687 ) Period change (166,448 ) 4 21 (166,423 ) Balance at December 31, 2014 (185,097 ) (7,013 ) — (192,110 ) Period change (146,438 ) (1,229 ) — (147,667 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (331,535 ) $ (8,242 ) $ — $ (339,777 ) (1) Other represents unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and hedging instruments.

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Income (Loss) Before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes	Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands): Continuing Operations: 2015 2014 2013 United States $ (226,051 ) $ (184,936 ) $ (195,244 ) Foreign 145,061 66,603 75,238 $ (80,990 ) $ (118,333 ) $ (120,006 )
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The income tax effects of these temporary differences, are as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: NOL and capital loss carryforwards $ 221,728 $ 119,142 Outside basis differences — 211,880 Tax credit carryforwards 107,750 93,057 Nondeductible reserves 45,053 43,393 Nondeductible accruals 26,490 34,284 Difference between book and tax bases of tangible assets 1,735 881 Difference between book and tax bases of intangible assets 19,678 31,010 Deferred revenue 7,426 6,483 All other 16,477 18,950 Gross deferred tax assets 446,337 559,080 Less: Valuation allowance (262,223 ) (228,633 ) Total deferred tax assets 184,114 330,447 Deferred tax liabilities: Difference between book and tax bases of tangible assets 20,990 30,919 Difference between book and tax bases of intangible assets 277,871 364,815 Debt 2,344 12,895 Other 16,534 19,560 Total deferred tax liabilities 317,739 428,189 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (133,625 ) $ (97,742 ) Reported as: Deferred tax assets, current portion $ — $ 127,920 Net non-current deferred tax assets 13,993 6,318 Deferred tax liabilities, current portion — (17 ) Net non-current deferred tax liabilities (147,618 ) (231,963 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (133,625 ) $ (97,742 )
Components of Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes	The following table presents the components of our provision (benefit) for income taxes (in thousands) for continuing operations: 2015 2014 2013 Current: Federal $ (10,569 ) $ 6,857 $ 19,948 State 2,331 487 (12 ) Foreign 54,921 51,332 57,852 46,683 58,676 77,788 Deferred: Federal (71,748 ) 25,629 (86,254 ) State (8,572 ) (4,142 ) (6,513 ) Foreign (19,067 ) (9,233 ) (29,728 ) (99,387 ) 12,254 (122,495 ) Total provision (benefit) for income taxes $ (52,704 ) $ 70,930 $ (44,707 )
Reconciliation from U.S. Statutory Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rate	The following table presents a reconciliation from the U.S. statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate: 2015 2014 2013 Statutory rate 35 % 35 % 35 % Stock-based compensation (1 ) (1 ) (3 ) Rate differential on foreign earnings 20 3 4 Impact of foreign inclusion — (2 ) (3 ) U.S. federal research and development credit 3 1 3 State income taxes, net of federal benefit 7 3 (2 ) Contingent consideration 27 (3 ) (3 ) Rate changes 1 (3 ) 7 Return to provision 4 19 (3 ) Other permanent items (1 ) 3 1 Section 199 deduction — — 2 Bargain purchase — — 3 Change in valuation allowance (8 ) (72 ) 6 Foreign dividends, net (13 ) (19 ) (9 ) Uncertain tax positions (6 ) (18 ) (1 ) Withholding Taxes (2 ) (6 ) — Effective tax rate 66 % (60 )% 37 %
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions excluding interest and penalties is as follows (in thousands): Amount Balance as of January 1, 2013 $ 23,640 Additions for tax positions related to prior years — Additions for tax positions related to current year 7,654 Reductions for tax positions related to prior years (900 ) Balance as of December 31, 2013 30,394 Additions for tax positions related to prior years 20,797 Additions for tax positions related to current year 3,217 Reductions for tax positions related to prior years (4,477 ) Balance as of December 31, 2014 49,931 Additions for tax positions related to prior years 823 Additions for tax positions related to current year 71,505 Reductions for tax positions and of lapse of statute of limitations related to prior years (1,552 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 120,707

Financial Information by Segm51

Financial Information by Segment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Performance of Our Operating Segments Based on Revenue and Operating Income (Loss)	Segment information for 2015, 2014 and 2013 and as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands): 2015 Professional Consumer Corporate Total Net revenue $ 2,378,188 $ 85,128 $ — $ 2,463,316 Operating income (loss) $ 348,527 $ 2,871 $ (213,548 ) $ 137,850 Depreciation and amortization $ 299,323 $ 2,836 $ 7,105 $ 309,264 Restructuring charge $ 14,281 $ — $ 1,362 $ 15,643 Stock-based compensation $ — $ — $ 26,391 $ 26,391 Assets $ 5,620,085 $ 172,551 $ 164,535 $ 5,957,171 Expenditures for property, plant and equipment $ 76,665 $ 1,403 $ 12,710 $ 90,778 2014 Professional Consumer Corporate Total Net revenue $ 2,486,190 $ 89,088 $ — $ 2,575,278 Operating income (loss) $ 174,082 $ 11,922 $ (92,925 ) $ 93,079 Depreciation and amortization $ 331,882 $ 692 $ 3,455 $ 336,029 Restructuring charge $ 44,461 $ — $ 14,235 $ 58,696 Stock-based compensation $ — $ — $ 12,452 $ 12,452 Assets $ 6,344,867 $ 216,451 $ 138,561 $ 6,699,879 Expenditures for property, plant and equipment $ 79,134 $ 3,360 $ 18,068 $ 100,562 2013 Professional Consumer Corporate Total Net revenue $ 2,523,186 $ 85,450 $ — $ 2,608,636 Operating income (loss) $ 233,481 $ 4,464 $ (91,345 ) $ 146,600 Depreciation and amortization $ 369,193 $ 4,330 $ 1,134 $ 374,657 Restructuring charge $ 14,443 $ — $ — $ 14,443 Stock-based compensation $ — $ — $ 21,210 $ 21,210 Assets $ 6,244,124 $ 197,458 $ 616,933 $ 7,058,515 Expenditures for property, plant and equipment $ 88,357 $ 1,645 $ 9,906 $ 99,908
Summary of Company's Net Revenue from Professional Diagnostics Reporting Segments by Groups of Similar Products and Services	The following tables summarize our net revenue from the professional diagnostics reporting segment by groups of similar products and services for 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Cardiometabolic $ 832,402 $ 841,905 $ 858,781 Infectious disease 717,812 721,803 729,836 Toxicology 618,360 644,620 644,527 Other 192,637 256,812 262,814 Professional diagnostics net product sales and services revenue 2,361,211 2,465,140 2,495,958 License and royalty revenue 16,977 21,050 27,229 Professional diagnostics net revenue $ 2,378,188 $ 2,486,190 $ 2,523,187
Summary of Revenue and Long-lived Tangible Assets for Segments by Geographic Area	The following tables summarize our net revenue for all segments by geographic area for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and our long-lived tangible assets by geographic area as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Revenue by Geographic Area: United States $ 1,372,039 $ 1,366,739 $ 1,446,411 Europe 437,653 533,116 506,760 Elsewhere(1) 653,624 675,423 655,465 $ 2,463,316 $ 2,575,278 $ 2,608,636 (1) Includes, among many others, the following countries: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Canada, Uganda and Nigeria. December 31, 2015 2014 Long-lived Tangible Assets by Geographic Area: United States $ 261,385 $ 251,731 United Kingdom 26,512 28,745 China 28,705 29,505 Elsewhere(1) 129,437 144,242 $ 446,039 $ 454,223 (1) Includes, among many others, the following countries: South Korea, Germany, Norway, Canada and Brazil.

Related Party Transactions (Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Balances with SPD within Consolidated Balance Sheets	The following table summarizes our related party balances with SPD within our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): Balance Sheet Caption As of December 31, 2015 2014 Accounts receivable, net of allowances $ 9,873 $ 10,465 Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 6,602 $ 9,635 Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets $ 8,895 $ 10,875 Accounts payable $ 24,887 $ 34,816

Valuation and Qualifying Acco53

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Sets Forth Activities in Accounts Receivable Reserve Accounts	The following table sets forth activities in our accounts receivable reserve accounts (in thousands): Balance at Provision Amounts Balance at Year ended December 31, 2013 $ 30,073 $ 65,643 $ (26,570 ) $ 69,146 Year ended December 31, 2014 $ 69,146 $ 42,477 $ (35,460 ) $ 76,163 Year ended December 31, 2015 $ 76,163 $ 45,279 $ (31,741 ) $ 89,701
Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]
Sets Forth Activities in Accounts Receivable Reserve Accounts	The following table sets forth activities in our inventory reserve accounts (in thousands): Balance at Provision Amounts Balance at Year ended December 31, 2013 $ 21,822 $ 3,286 $ (3,671 ) $ 21,437 Year ended December 31, 2014 $ 21,437 $ 12,818 $ (6,907 ) $ 27,348 Year ended December 31, 2015 $ 27,348 $ 21,592 $ (11,165 ) $ 37,775
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Sets Forth Activities in Accounts Receivable Reserve Accounts	The following table sets forth activities in our deferred tax accounts (in thousands): Balance at Additions Amounts Balance at Year ended December 31, 2013 $ 75,455 $ 5,598 $ 3,262 $ 84,315 Year ended December 31, 2014 $ 84,315 $ 143,454 $ 864 $ 228,633 Year ended December 31, 2015 $ 228,633 $ 33,590 $ — $ 262,223

Restructuring Activities (Table

Restructuring Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Aggregate Charges Associated with Restructuring Plans Recorded in Operating Income	The following table sets forth aggregate restructuring charges recorded in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands): Statement of Operations Caption 2015 2014 2013 Cost of net revenue $ 3,816 $ 11,760 $ 6,145 Research and development 2,752 9,800 1,795 Sales and marketing 3,004 11,350 1,550 General and administrative 6,071 25,786 4,953 Total operating expenses 15,643 58,696 14,443 Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs 24 42 58 Total charges $ 15,667 $ 58,738 $ 14,501
Restructuring Activities Related to Restructuring Plans	The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our 2014 restructuring plans for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and since inception of these restructuring plans (in thousands): Professional Diagnostics 2015 2014 Since Severance-related costs $ 7,143 $ 27,806 $ 34,949 Facility and transition costs 3,452 3,460 6,912 Cash charges 10,595 31,266 41,861 Fixed asset and inventory impairments 678 10,952 11,630 Other non-cash charges 1,918 — 1,918 Total charges $ 13,191 $ 42,218 $ 55,409 Corporate and Other 2015 2014 Since Severance-related costs $ 1,376 $ 2,901 $ 4,277 Facility and transition costs (14 ) 11,334 11,322 Total cash charges $ 1,362 $ 14,235 $ 15,599 The following table summarizes the restructuring activities related to our active restructuring plans for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 and since inception of these restructuring plans (in thousands): Professional Diagnostics 2015 2014 2013(1) Since Severance-related costs $ — $ 1,265 $ 7,668 $ 32,626 Facility and transition costs 1,089 938 4,238 12,011 Other exit costs 24 42 58 822 Cash charges 1,113 2,245 11,964 45,459 Fixed asset and inventory impairments — 39 1,851 7,880 Intangible asset impairments — — 686 686 Other non-cash charges — — — 64 Total charges $ 1,113 $ 2,284 $ 14,501 $ 54,089 (1) Includes amounts related to our former patient self-testing segment.
Cash Activity for Restructuring Reserves	The following table summarizes our restructuring reserves related to the plans described above, of which $3.2 million is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.6 million is included in other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands): Severance- Facility and Other Exit Total Balance, December 31, 2012 $ 2,011 $ 256 $ 415 $ 2,682 Cash charges 7,668 4,238 58 11,964 Payments (8,573 ) (2,725 ) (106 ) (11,404 ) Currency adjustments (114 ) 12 — (102 ) Balance, December 31, 2013 992 1,781 367 3,140 Cash charges 31,972 15,733 42 47,747 Payments (27,394 ) (7,345 ) (119 ) (34,858 ) Currency adjustments (980 ) (301 ) — (1,281 ) Balance, December 31, 2014 4,590 9,868 290 14,748 Cash charges 8,519 4,528 24 13,071 Payments (11,145 ) (12,222 ) (134 ) (23,501 ) Currency adjustments (331 ) (208 ) — (539 ) Balance, December 31, 2015 $ 1,633 $ 1,966 $ 180 $ 3,779

Guarantor Financial Informati55

Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Financial Information Combined Condensed Results of Operations	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net product sales. $ — $ 892,086 $ 1,326,454 $ (264,509 ) $ 1,954,031 Services revenue — 440,709 51,599 — 492,308 Net product sales and services revenue. — 1,332,795 1,378,053 (264,509 ) 2,446,339 License and royalty revenue. — 12,968 19,594 (15,585 ) 16,977 Net revenue — 1,345,763 1,397,647 (280,094 ) 2,463,316 Cost of net product sales. 3,114 510,918 759,411 (230,840 ) 1,042,603 Cost of services revenue 205 305,813 30,319 (31,949 ) 304,388 Cost of net product sales and services revenue. 3,319 816,731 789,730 (262,789 ) 1,346,991 Cost of license and royalty revenue. (40 ) 230 19,175 (15,584 ) 3,781 Cost of net revenue 3,279 816,961 808,905 (278,373 ) 1,350,772 Gross profit (loss). (3,279 ) 528,802 588,742 (1,721 ) 1,112,544 Operating expenses: Research and development. 16,461 60,787 42,205 — 119,453 Sales and marketing. 5,901 219,566 209,664 — 435,131 General and administrative. 119,520 147,539 102,511 — 369,570 Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net 79,951 (8,747 ) (20,664 ) — 50,540 Operating income (loss). (225,112 ) 109,657 255,026 (1,721 ) 137,850 Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs. (215,070 ) (11,517 ) (18,227 ) 27,817 (216,997 ) Other income (expense), net 10,008 14,276 4,890 (31,017 ) (1,843 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes. (430,174 ) 112,416 241,689 (4,921 ) (80,990 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes. (151,406 ) 33,447 64,947 308 (52,704 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax (278,768 ) 78,969 176,742 (5,229 ) (28,286 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax. 262,616 — — (262,616 ) — Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax. 1,484 — 14,065 (19 ) 15,530 Income from continuing operations. (14,668 ) 78,969 190,807 (267,864 ) (12,756 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. 221,425 (1,912 ) — — 219,513 Net income. 206,757 77,057 190,807 (267,864 ) 206,757 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests. — — 381 — 381 Net income attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries. 206,757 77,057 190,426 (267,864 ) 206,376 Preferred stock dividends. (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Net income available to common stockholders. $ 185,464 $ 77,057 $ 190,426 $ (267,864 ) $ 185,083 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net product sales $ — $ 855,435 $ 1,403,871 $ (237,066 ) $ 2,022,240 Services revenue — 464,283 67,705 — 531,988 Net product sales and services revenue — 1,319,718 1,471,576 (237,066 ) 2,554,228 License and royalty revenue — 13,477 19,846 (12,273 ) 21,050 Net revenue — 1,333,195 1,491,422 (249,339 ) 2,575,278 Cost of net product sales 5,329 473,076 796,775 (212,681 ) 1,062,499 Cost of services revenue 261 288,288 33,584 (27,184 ) 294,949 Cost of net product sales and services revenue 5,590 761,364 830,359 (239,865 ) 1,357,448 Cost of license and royalty revenue 40 199 17,625 (12,272 ) 5,592 Cost of net revenue 5,630 761,563 847,984 (252,137 ) 1,363,040 Gross profit (loss) (5,630 ) 571,632 643,438 2,798 1,212,238 Operating expenses: Research and development 23,190 61,862 59,776 — 144,828 Sales and marketing 7,598 232,406 272,957 — 512,961 General and administrative 93,952 155,795 203,881 — 453,628 Impairment and gain (loss) on dispositions, net 4,236 11,393 (7,887 ) — 7,742 Operating income (loss) (134,606 ) 110,176 114,711 2,798 93,079 Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs (205,919 ) (18,995 ) (18,629 ) 34,352 (209,191 ) Other income (expense), net 13,626 20,143 (1,573 ) (34,417 ) (2,221 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes (326,899 ) 111,324 94,509 2,733 (118,333 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (20,865 ) 44,155 46,618 1,022 70,930 Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax (306,034 ) 67,169 47,891 1,711 (189,263 ) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax 125,130 — — (125,130 ) — Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax 1,717 — 15,928 (136 ) 17,509 Income (loss) from continuing operations (179,187 ) 67,169 63,819 (123,555 ) (171,754 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 145,751 (27,839 ) 20,400 6 138,318 Net income (loss) (33,436 ) 39,330 84,219 (123,549 ) (33,436 ) Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests — — 30 — 30 Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries (33,436 ) 39,330 84,189 (123,549 ) (33,466 ) Preferred stock dividends (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (54,729 ) $ 39,330 $ 84,189 $ (123,549 ) $ (54,759 ) CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net product sales $ — $ 878,391 $ 1,357,445 $ (187,047 ) $ 2,048,789 Services revenue — 454,989 77,629 — 532,618 Net product sales and services revenue — 1,333,380 1,435,074 (187,047 ) 2,581,407 License and royalty revenue — 20,611 19,657 (13,039 ) 27,229 Net revenue — 1,353,991 1,454,731 (200,086 ) 2,608,636 Cost of net product sales 4,458 474,955 701,282 (166,164 ) 1,014,531 Cost of services revenue 47 257,587 35,598 (19,003 ) 274,229 Cost of net product sales and services revenue 4,505 732,542 736,880 (185,167 ) 1,288,760 Cost of license and royalty revenue — 69 20,732 (13,038 ) 7,763 Cost of net revenue 4,505 732,611 757,612 (198,205 ) 1,296,523 Gross profit (loss) (4,505 ) 621,380 697,119 (1,881 ) 1,312,113 Operating expenses: Research and development 21,971 65,752 71,330 — 159,053 Sales and marketing 6,340 255,950 303,847 — 566,137 General and administrative 76,075 141,877 217,247 — 435,199 Loss on disposition — — 5,124 — 5,124 Operating income (loss) (108,891 ) 157,801 99,571 (1,881 ) 146,600 Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs (252,791 ) (25,582 ) (11,192 ) 34,219 (255,346 ) Other income (expense), net (10,759 ) 24,071 9,647 (34,219 ) (11,260 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes (372,441 ) 156,290 98,026 (1,881 ) (120,006 ) Provision (benefit) for income taxes (167,073 ) 81,187 41,801 (622 ) (44,707 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax (205,368 ) 75,103 56,225 (1,259 ) (75,299 ) Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax 129,298 (2,948 ) — (126,350 ) — Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax 1,890 — 15,470 83 17,443 Income (loss) from continuing operations (74,180 ) 72,155 71,695 (127,526 ) (57,856 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 198 (14,370 ) (1,954 ) — (16,126 ) Net income (loss) (73,982 ) 57,785 69,741 (127,526 ) (73,982 ) Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests — — 976 — 976 Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries (73,982 ) 57,785 68,765 (127,526 ) (74,958 ) Preferred stock dividends (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (95,275 ) $ 57,785 $ 68,765 $ (127,526 ) $ (96,251 )
Financial Information Combined Condensed Balance Sheet	CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 139,153 $ 21,150 $ 341,897 $ — $ 502,200 Restricted cash 1,250 — 4,444 — 5,694 Marketable securities — 164 — — 164 Accounts receivable, net of allowances — 192,591 253,242 — 445,833 Inventories, net — 173,383 194,192 (20,574 ) 347,001 Deferred tax assets (52,410 ) 31,285 23,244 (2,119 ) — Prepaid expenses and other current assets 7,575 27,095 110,961 6,602 152,233 Assets held for sale — current — — 4,165 — 4,165 Intercompany receivables 620,838 812,957 50,691 (1,484,486 ) — Total current assets 716,406 1,258,625 982,836 (1,500,577 ) 1,457,290 Property, plant and equipment, net 31,384 228,065 188,084 (1,494 ) 446,039 Goodwill — 1,823,919 1,012,996 — 2,836,915 Other intangible assets with indefinite lives — 7,638 20,531 (59 ) 28,110 Finite-lived intangible assets, net 2,951 627,269 370,261 (3,200 ) 997,281 Restricted cash — — 43,228 — 43,228 Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets 34,670 2,340 15,564 (446 ) 52,128 Investments in subsidiaries 3,294,857 158,195 57,650 (3,510,702 ) — Investments in unconsolidated entities 502 14,764 37,947 12,120 65,333 Deferred tax assets (14,078 ) (14 ) 28,085 — 13,993 Non-current income tax receivable 3,517 — — — 3,517 Assets held for sale — non-current 13,337 — — — 13,337 Intercompany notes receivables 1,905,188 672,032 6,900 (2,584,120 ) — Total assets $ 5,988,734 $ 4,792,833 $ 2,764,082 $ (7,588,478 ) $ 5,957,171 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt $ 197,084 $ — $ 2,908 $ — $ 199,992 Current portion of capital lease obligations — 2,018 1,944 — 3,962 Accounts payable 15,981 76,890 102,881 — 195,752 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (554,350 ) 650,632 225,944 2,239 324,465 Liabilities related to assets held for sale — current — — 363 — 363 Intercompany payables 1,122,042 249,553 112,891 (1,484,486 ) — Total current liabilities 780,757 979,093 446,931 (1,482,247 ) 724,534 Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt, net of current portion 2,818,779 — 46,437 — 2,865,216 Capital lease obligations, net of current portion — 840 6,341 — 7,181 Deferred tax liabilities (157,708 ) 250,495 54,749 82 147,618 Other long-term liabilities 14,962 59,309 80,369 (447 ) 154,193 Intercompany notes payables 477,779 1,181,168 925,173 (2,584,120 ) — Total long-term liabilities 3,153,812 1,491,812 1,113,069 (2,584,485 ) 3,174,208 Total stockholders’ equity 2,054,165 2,321,928 1,199,818 (3,521,746 ) 2,054,165 Non-controlling interests — — 4,264 — 4,264 Total equity 2,054,165 2,321,928 1,204,082 (3,521,746 ) 2,058,429 Total liabilities and equity $ 5,988,734 $ 4,792,833 $ 2,764,082 $ (7,588,478 ) $ 5,957,171 CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,149 $ 69,154 $ 307,158 $ — $ 378,461 Restricted cash 5,012 — 32,559 — 37,571 Marketable securities — 259 — — 259 Accounts receivable, net of allowances — 192,579 268,517 — 461,096 Inventories, net — 191,381 207,732 (21,764 ) 377,349 Deferred tax assets 51,695 44,961 31,264 — 127,920 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 9,800 31,410 88,696 2,507 132,413 Assets held for sale — current 1,361 284,369 29,785 — 315,515 Intercompany receivables 404,991 888,687 55,923 (1,349,601 ) — Total current assets 475,008 1,702,800 1,021,634 (1,368,858 ) 1,830,584 Property, plant and equipment, net 30,547 218,613 204,841 222 454,223 Goodwill — 1,795,663 1,131,003 — 2,926,666 Other intangible assets with indefinite lives — 9,287 34,422 (58 ) 43,651 Finite-lived intangible assets, net 6,104 742,760 527,580 — 1,276,444 Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets 40,992 5,334 21,541 (35 ) 67,832 Investments in subsidiaries 3,729,385 179,315 58,067 (3,966,767 ) — Investments in unconsolidated entities 13,987 14,765 49,609 13,332 91,693 Deferred tax assets (2,251 ) — 8,569 — 6,318 Non-current income tax receivable 2,468 — — — 2,468 Intercompany notes receivables 2,028,702 649,445 46,675 (2,724,822 ) — Total assets $ 6,324,942 $ 5,317,982 $ 3,103,941 $ (8,046,986 ) $ 6,699,879 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt $ 61,700 $ 2 $ 27,173 $ — $ 88,875 Current portion of capital lease obligations — 1,045 3,196 — 4,241 Accounts payable 21,402 81,741 110,449 — 213,592 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (543,264 ) 661,701 267,536 (46 ) 385,927 Liabilities related to assets held for sale — current 1,094 77,749 — — 78,843 Intercompany payables 902,576 198,787 248,238 (1,349,601 ) — Total current liabilities 443,508 1,021,025 656,592 (1,349,647 ) 771,478 Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt, net of current portion 3,615,759 — 5,626 — 3,621,385 Capital lease obligations, net of current portion — 4,097 7,496 — 11,593 Deferred tax liabilities (90,520 ) 252,944 69,457 82 231,963 Other long-term liabilities 28,101 46,866 71,987 (34 ) 146,920 Intercompany notes payables 415,700 1,276,245 1,032,877 (2,724,822 ) — Total long-term liabilities 3,969,040 1,580,152 1,187,443 (2,724,774 ) 4,011,861 Total stockholders’ equity 1,912,394 2,716,805 1,255,760 (3,972,565 ) 1,912,394 Non-controlling interests — — 4,146 — 4,146 Total equity 1,912,394 2,716,805 1,259,906 (3,972,565 ) 1,916,540 Total liabilities and equity $ 6,324,942 $ 5,317,982 $ 3,103,941 $ (8,046,986 ) $ 6,699,879
Schedule of Reconciliation of Previously Reported and Revised Consolidating Financial Statements	The following schedules reconcile the amounts as previously reported in guarantor financial information, consolidating financial statements to the corresponding revised amounts: Year Ended December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidating Statement of Operations- Guarantor Subsidiaries (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Net revenue $ 1,330,816 $ 2,379 $ 1,333,195 Cost of net revenue $ 761,054 $ 509 $ 761,563 General and administrative $ 155,794 $ 1 $ 155,795 Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ 110,945 $ 379 $ 111,324 Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 66,790 $ 379 $ 67,169 As of December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidating Balance Sheet- Guarantor Subsidiaries (In thousands) As Previously Revision As Total current assets $ 1,702,939 $ (139 ) $ 1,702,800 Total assets $ 5,318,120 $ (138 ) $ 5,317,982 Total current liabilities $ 1,022,546 $ (1,521 ) $ 1,021,025 Total long term-liabilities $ 1,580,151 $ 1 $ 1,580,152 Total equity $ 2,715,423 $ 1,382 $ 2,716,805 Total liabilities and equity $ 5,318,120 $ (138 ) $ 5,317,982 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Revised Consolidating Statement of Operations- Guarantor Subsidiaries(in As Previously Revision As Net revenue $ 1,356,313 $ (2,322 ) $ 1,353,991 Cost of net revenue $ 733,098 $ (487 ) $ 732,611 Sales and Marketing $ 255,949 $ 1 $ 255,950 Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ 158,126 $ (1,836 ) $ 156,290 Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 73,991 $ (1,836 ) $ 72,155 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidating Statement of Operations- Non-Guarantor (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Net revenue $ 1,507,227 $ (15,805 ) $ 1,491,422 Cost of net revenue $ 855,221 $ (7,237 ) $ 847,984 Sales and Marketing $ 273,797 $ (840 ) $ 272,957 General and administrative $ 204,242 $ (361 ) $ 203,881 Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ 101,876 $ (7,367 ) $ 94,509 Provision (benefit) for income taxes $ 49,347 $ (2,729 ) $ 46,618 Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 68,457 $ (4,638 ) $ 63,819 As of December 31, 2014 Revised Consolidating Balance Sheet- Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (In thousands) As Previously Revision As Total current assets $ 1,014,322 $ 7,312 $ 1,021,634 Total assets $ 3,095,976 $ 7,965 $ 3,103,941 Total current liabilities $ 637,659 $ 18,933 $ 656,592 Total long term-liabilities $ 1,186,410 $ 1,033 $ 1,187,443 Total equity $ 1,271,907 $ (12,001 ) $ 1,259,906 Total liabilities and equity $ 3,095,976 $ 7,965 $ 3,103,941 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Revised Consolidating Statement of Operations- Non-Guarantor (in thousands) As Previously Revision As Net revenue $ 1,460,137 $ (5,406 ) $ 1,454,731 Cost of net revenue $ 759,911 $ (2,299 ) $ 757,612 Sales and Marketing $ 303,848 $ (1 ) $ 303,847 General and administrative $ 217,246 $ 1 $ 217,247 Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes $ 101,133 $ (3,107 ) $ 98,026 Provision (benefit) for income taxes $ 42,038 $ (237 ) $ 41,801 Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 74,565 $ (2,870 ) $ 71,695
Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net income $ 206,757 $ 77,057 $ 190,807 $ (267,864 ) $ 206,757 Other comprehensive loss, before tax: Changes in cumulative translation adjustment (1,175 ) (816 ) (144,267 ) (180 ) (146,438 ) Minimum pension liability adjustment — — (1,173 ) — (1,173 ) Other comprehensive loss, before tax (1,175 ) (816 ) (145,440 ) (180 ) (147,611 ) Income tax provision related to items of other comprehensive loss — — 56 — 56 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (1,175 ) (816 ) (145,496 ) (180 ) (147,667 ) Comprehensive income 205,582 76,241 45,311 (268,044 ) 59,090 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests — — 381 — 381 Comprehensive income attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ 205,582 $ 76,241 $ 44,930 $ (268,044 ) $ 58,709 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ (33,436 ) $ 39,330 $ 84,219 $ (123,549 ) $ (33,436 ) Other comprehensive loss, before tax: Changes in cumulative translation adjustment (489 ) (516 ) (165,443 ) — (166,448 ) Unrealized losses on available for sale securities — (17 ) — — (17 ) Unrealized gains on hedging instruments — — 38 — 38 Minimum pension liability adjustment — — (169 ) — (169 ) Other comprehensive loss, before tax (489 ) (533 ) (165,574 ) — (166,596 ) Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss — — (173 ) — (173 ) Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (489 ) (533 ) (165,401 ) — (166,423 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (33,925 ) $ 38,797 $ (81,182 ) (123,549 ) (199,859 ) Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests — — 30 — 30 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (33,925 ) $ 38,797 $ (81,212 ) $ (123,549 ) $ (199,889 ) CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ (73,982 ) $ 57,785 $ 69,741 $ (127,526 ) $ (73,982 ) Other comprehensive loss, before tax: Changes in cumulative translation adjustment (550 ) (619 ) (48,998 ) 1 (50,166 ) Unrealized gains on hedging instruments — — 39 — 39 Minimum pension liability adjustment — — (415 ) — (415 ) Other comprehensive loss, before tax (550 ) (619 ) (49,374 ) 1 (50,542 ) Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss — — (106 ) — (106 ) Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (550 ) (619 ) (49,268 ) 1 (50,436 ) Comprehensive income (loss) (74,532 ) 57,166 20,473 (127,525 ) (124,418 ) Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests — — 976 — 976 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries $ (74,532 ) $ 57,166 $ 19,497 $ (127,525 ) $ (125,394 )
Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income. $ 206,757 $ 77,057 $ 190,807 $ (267,864 ) $ 206,757 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax. 221,425 (1,912 ) — — 219,513 Income from continuing operations. (14,668 ) 78,969 190,807 (267,864 ) (12,756 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax (262,616 ) — — 262,616 — Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs 12,697 25 109 — 12,831 Depreciation and amortization 10,105 175,415 123,921 (177 ) 309,264 Non-cash stock-based compensation expense 14,400 5,869 6,122 — 26,391 Impairment of inventory — 133 15,464 — 15,597 Impairment of long-lived assets — 3,391 317 — 3,708 Loss on sale of fixed assets 121 2,757 1,047 — 3,925 Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax (1,484 ) — (14,065 ) 19 (15,530 ) Deferred income taxes (83,208 ) (112 ) (16,508 ) 439 (99,389 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt. 19,886 — — — 19,886 Loss related to impairment and net (gain) loss on dispositions 79,951 (8,747 ) (20,664 ) — 50,540 Other non-cash items 4,809 996 19,777 3,200 28,782 Non-cash change in fair value of contingent purchase price consideration (32,975 ) 11,577 (38,473 ) — (59,871 ) Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable, net — 1,529 (15,909 ) — (14,380 ) Inventories, net — (22,881 ) (39,494 ) 1,897 (60,478 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,177 (26,268 ) (15,828 ) (4,095 ) (43,014 ) Accounts payable (5,467 ) (7,741 ) 2,425 — (10,783 ) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (29,379 ) 64,588 (13,300 ) 2,285 24,194 Other non-current liabilities (4,089 ) 3,034 33,703 1,714 34,362 Cash paid for contingent consideration (6,302 ) — (13 ) — (6,315 ) Intercompany payable (receivable) 549,850 (313,983 ) (235,867 ) — — Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations 254,808 (31,449 ) (16,429 ) 34 206,964 Net cash provided by discontinued operations — 318 — — 318 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 254,808 (31,131 ) (16,429 ) 34 207,282 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: (Increase) decrease in restricted cash 3,763 — (17,478 ) — (13,715 ) Purchases of property, plant and equipment (12,710 ) (29,748 ) (49,375 ) 1,055 (90,778 ) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment — 993 2,161 (1,055 ) 2,099 Cash received from (used in) dispositions, net of cash divested 591,844 (8,723 ) 92,702 — 675,823 Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (60,135 ) — — — (60,135 ) Cash received from sales of marketable securities. — 92 — — 92 Cash received from equity method investments 2,695 — 23,441 — 26,136 (Increase) decrease in other assets. 301 485 (2,546 ) (34 ) (1,794 ) Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations 525,758 (36,901 ) 48,905 (34 ) 537,728 Net cash used in discontinued operations — (209 ) — — (209 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 525,758 (37,110 ) 48,905 (34 ) 537,519 Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Cash paid for financing costs (15,973 ) — (215 ) — (16,188 ) Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration (13,640 ) — (583 ) — (14,223 ) Cash paid for dividends (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs. 79,185 — — — 79,185 Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt — — 1,511 — 1,511 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 2,119,125 — 43,037 — 2,162,162 Payments on short-term debt — — (25,584 ) — (25,584 ) Payments on long-term debt (2,655,343 ) — (1,043 ) — (2,656,386 ) Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities (127,000 ) — (536 ) — (127,536 ) Principal payments on capital lease obligations — (2,565 ) (3,053 ) — (5,618 ) Other (8,623 ) — (314 ) — (8,937 ) Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations (643,562 ) (2,565 ) 13,220 — (632,907 ) Net cash used in discontinued operations — (76 ) — — (76 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (643,562 ) (2,641 ) 13,220 — (632,983 ) Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents — (422 ) (10,957 ) — (11,379 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 137,004 (71,304 ) 34,739 — 100,439 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period — continuing operations 2,149 69,154 307,158 — 378,461 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period — discontinued operations — 23,300 — — 23,300 Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period $ 139,153 $ 21,150 $ 341,897 $ — $ 502,200 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ (33,436 ) $ 39,330 $ 84,219 $ (123,549 ) $ (33,436 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 145,751 (27,839 ) 20,400 6 138,318 Income (loss) from continuing operations (179,187 ) 67,169 63,819 (123,555 ) (171,754 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax (125,130 ) — — 125,130 — Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs 15,780 42 411 — 16,233 Depreciation and amortization 8,783 177,347 149,884 15 336,029 Non-cash stock-based compensation expense 3,446 4,957 4,049 — 12,452 Tax benefit related to discontinued operations retained by Alere Inc — 12,977 (3,132 ) — 9,845 Impairment of inventory — — 3,124 — 3,124 Impairment of long-lived assets 1,019 (712 ) 6,712 — 7,019 Loss on disposition of fixed assets 1 4,807 1,737 — 6,545 Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax (1,717 ) — (15,928 ) 136 (17,509 ) Deferred income taxes 59,929 (32,750 ) (15,945 ) 1,020 12,254 (Gain) loss related to impairment and net gain on dispositions 4,236 11,393 (7,887 ) — 7,742 Other non-cash items 1,418 3,726 (179 ) — 4,965 Non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration (3,414 ) 11,256 (165 ) — 7,677 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable, net — (16,345 ) 13,083 — (3,262 ) Inventories, net — (52,670 ) (13,218 ) (2,145 ) (68,033 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 501,023 (474,115 ) (78,161 ) (745 ) (51,998 ) Accounts payable 8,818 24,776 14,257 — 47,851 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (583,144 ) 537,209 85,445 (1,812 ) 37,698 Other non-current liabilities (594 ) 1,380 9,897 2,571 13,254 Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration (21,867 ) — (210 ) — (22,077 ) Intercompany payable (receivable) 428,340 (266,833 ) (161,507 ) — — Net cash provided by continuing operations 117,740 13,614 56,086 615 188,055 Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations (671 ) 44,060 79 — 43,468 Net cash provided by operating activities 117,069 57,674 56,165 615 231,523 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Increase in restricted cash (2,791 ) — (2,655 ) — (5,446 ) Purchases of property, plant and equipment (21,680 ) (40,737 ) (41,862 ) 3,717 (100,562 ) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 726 845 4,165 (4,250 ) 1,486 Cash received from disposition, net of cash divested — 1,081 43,995 — 45,076 Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (75 ) — — — (75 ) Cash received (paid) for investments 477 (279 ) — 198 Proceeds from sale of equity investment — — 8,546 — 8,546 Cash received from sales of marketable securities — 576 4 — 580 Cash received from equity method investments — — 980 — 980 Decrease in other assets 96 714 130 46 986 Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations (23,247 ) (37,800 ) 13,303 (487 ) (48,231 ) Net cash used in discontinued operations — (8,972 ) — — (8,972 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (23,247 ) (46,772 ) 13,303 (487 ) (57,203 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Cash paid for financing costs (1,528 ) — — — (1,528 ) Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration (32,467 ) — (435 ) — (32,902 ) Cash paid for dividends (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs 51,555 — — — 51,555 Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt — — 806 — 806 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt — — 58 — 58 Payments on long-term debt (60,000 ) (271 ) (4,851 ) — (65,122 ) Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities (43,000 ) — 478 — (42,522 ) Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options 460 422 90 — 972 Principal payments on capital lease obligations — (2,885 ) (3,200 ) — (6,085 ) Purchase of non-controlling interest — — (623 ) — (623 ) Net cash used in continuing operations (106,273 ) (2,734 ) (7,677 ) — (116,684 ) Net cash used in discontinued operations — (893 ) (578 ) — (1,471 ) Net cash used in financing activities (106,273 ) (3,627 ) (8,255 ) — (118,155 ) Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents (201 ) (273 ) (15,710 ) (128 ) (16,312 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (12,652 ) 7,002 45,503 — 39,853 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations 14,801 78,976 261,654 — 355,431 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations — 6,476 1 — 6,477 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 2,149 92,454 307,158 — 401,761 Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period — 23,300 — — 23,300 Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period $ 2,149 $ 69,154 $ 307,158 $ — $ 378,461 CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands) Issuer Guarantor Non-Guarantor Eliminations Consolidated Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ (73,982 ) $ 57,785 $ 69,741 $ (127,526 ) $ (73,982 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 198 (14,370 ) (1,954 ) — (16,126 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations (74,180 ) 72,155 71,695 (127,526 ) (57,856 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax (129,298 ) 2,948 — 126,350 — Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs 17,704 59 76 — 17,839 Depreciation and amortization 5,864 189,325 179,587 (119 ) 374,657 Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition — — 2,504 — 2,504 Non-cash stock-based compensation expense 8,792 5,158 7,260 — 21,210 Tax benefit related to discontinued operations retained by Alere Inc — 6,567 1,315 — 7,882 Impairment of inventory — 26 311 — 337 Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets — 4,581 1,923 — 6,504 Loss on disposition of fixed assets — 326 1,145 — 1,471 Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax (1,890 ) — (15,470 ) (83 ) (17,443 ) Deferred income taxes (34,615 ) (26,116 ) (61,144 ) (620 ) (122,495 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt 35,603 — — — 35,603 Loss related to impairment and net gain on dispositions — — 5,124 — 5,124 Bargain purchase gain — — (8,023 ) — (8,023 ) Other non-cash items 5,202 1,617 3,631 — 10,450 Non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration (2,295 ) 6,928 14,617 — 19,250 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable, net — (6,275 ) (35,034 ) — (41,309 ) Inventories, net — (56,270 ) (31,464 ) 2,054 (85,680 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (577,892 ) 515,020 54,469 (2,907 ) (11,310 ) Accounts payable 4,591 (4,541 ) 17,700 — 17,750 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 497,897 (447,697 ) (30,369 ) 2,906 22,737 Other non-current liabilities (19,442 ) (4,824 ) 11,368 24 (12,874 ) Cash paid for contingent consideration (10,236 ) — (1,424 ) — (11,660 ) Intercompany payable (receivable) 410,392 (251,389 ) (159,037 ) 34 — Net cash provided by continuing operations 136,197 7,598 30,760 113 174,668 Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations (2,103 ) 71,184 182 (31 ) 69,232 Net cash provided by operating activities 134,094 78,782 30,942 82 243,900 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Increase in restricted cash (2,221 ) — (28,943 ) — (31,164 ) Purchases of property, plant and equipment (11,400 ) (33,483 ) (69,920 ) 14,895 (99,908 ) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment — 5,183 12,876 (14,441 ) 3,618 Cash received from disposition, net of cash divested — — 29,000 — 29,000 Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (166,772 ) — (9,359 ) — (176,131 ) Cash received from sales of marketable securities — (66 ) 107 — 41 Cash received from equity method investments 1,960 — 27,384 (6 ) 29,338 (Increase) decrease in other assets 15,269 (1,428 ) 905 (23 ) 14,723 Net cash used in continuing operations (163,164 ) (29,794 ) (37,950 ) 425 (230,483 ) Net cash used in discontinued operations — (26,936 ) (27 ) — (26,963 ) Net cash used in investing activities (163,164 ) (56,730 ) (37,977 ) 425 (257,446 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Cash paid for financing costs (9,845 ) — — — (9,845 ) Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration (39,073 ) — (1,006 ) — (40,079 ) Cash paid for dividends (21,293 ) — — — (21,293 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs 20,863 — — — 20,863 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 425,000 — 33,962 — 458,962 Payments on long-term debt (461,845 ) (299 ) (8,413 ) — (470,557 ) Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities 147,500 — (8,537 ) — 138,963 Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options 193 200 68 — 461 Principal payments on capital lease obligations — (3,278 ) (3,255 ) — (6,533 ) Purchase of non-controlling interest — — (165 ) — (165 ) Other (18,953 ) — — — (18,953 ) Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations 42,547 (3,377 ) 12,654 — 51,824 Net cash used in discontinued operations (2,299 ) (534 ) — — (2,833 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 40,248 (3,911 ) 12,654 — 48,991 Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents — (618 ) (746 ) (507 ) (1,871 ) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 11,178 17,523 4,873 — 33,574 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations 3,623 56,074 256,782 — 316,479 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations — 11,855 — — 11,855 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 14,801 85,452 261,655 — 361,908 Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period — 6,476 1 — 6,477 Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period $ 14,801 $ 78,976 $ 261,654 $ — $ 355,431
Swiss Precision Diagnostics And Techlab [Member]
Financial Information Combined Condensed Results of Operations	Summarized financial information for SPD and TechLab on a combined basis is as follows (in thousands): Combined Condensed Results of Operations: For The Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Net revenue $ 202,611 $ 211,370 $ 203,115 Gross profit $ 147,386 $ 160,192 $ 152,698 Net income after taxes $ 32,457 $ 35,646 $ 34,079
Financial Information Combined Condensed Balance Sheet	Combined Condensed Balance Sheets: As of December 31, 2015 2014 Current assets $ 71,542 $ 90,546 Non-current assets 30,802 33,697 Total assets $ 102,344 $ 124,243 Current liabilities $ 37,609 $ 35,954 Non-current liabilities 5,157 5,884 Total liabilities $ 42,766 $ 41,838

Description of Business and B56

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation of Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail) - Segments	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2007
Schedule Of Description Of Business [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	4	3
Joint venture ownership percentage		100.00%
SPD Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule Of Description Of Business [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage		50.00%	50.00%

Revision of Previously Report57

Revision of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ (52,704)	$ 70,930	$ (44,707)
Prior Period [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		6,700	1,000
Domestic income tax benefit on foreign earnings		9,700	9,700
Uncertain tax expense		1,500	1,500
Revision Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		$ (11,263)	$ (2,693)
Decrease in accumulated deficit				$ 4,800

Revision of Previously Report58

Revision of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements - Restated and Revised Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Net product sales	$ 1,954,031	$ 2,022,240	$ 2,048,789
Services revenue	492,308	531,988	532,618
Net product sales and services revenue	2,446,339	2,554,228	2,581,407
Net revenue	2,463,316	2,575,278	2,608,636
Cost of net product sales	1,042,603	1,062,499	1,014,531
Cost of service revenue	304,388	294,949	274,229
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	1,346,991	1,357,448	1,288,760
Cost of net revenue	1,350,772	1,363,040	1,296,523
Gross profit	1,112,544	1,212,238	1,312,113
Sales and marketing	435,131	512,961	566,137
General and administrative	369,570	453,628	435,199
Operating income (loss)	137,850	93,079	146,600
Other income (expense), net	(1,843)	(2,221)	(11,260)
Loss from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(80,990)	(118,333)	(120,006)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(52,704)	70,930	(44,707)
Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	(28,286)	(189,263)	(75,299)
Loss from continuing operations	(12,756)	(171,754)	(57,856)
Net income (loss)	206,757	(33,436)	(73,982)
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	206,376	(33,466)	(74,958)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 185,083	$ (54,759)	$ (96,251)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.40)	$ (2.33)	$ (0.98)
Net income (loss) per common share	$ 2.17	$ (0.66)	$ (1.18)
As Previously Reported [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Net product sales		$ 2,035,666	$ 2,056,519
Services revenue			532,616
Net product sales and services revenue		2,567,654	2,589,135
Net revenue		2,588,704	2,616,364
Cost of net product sales		1,069,422	1,017,501
Cost of service revenue		294,753	274,045
Cost of net product sales and services revenue		1,364,175	1,291,546
Cost of net revenue		1,369,767	1,299,309
Gross profit		1,218,937	1,317,055
Sales and marketing		513,801
General and administrative		453,988
Operating income (loss)		98,578	151,542
Other income (expense), net		(731)
Loss from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(111,344)	(115,064)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		82,193	(42,014)
Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		(193,537)	(73,050)
Loss from continuing operations		(176,028)	(55,607)
Net income (loss)		(37,710)	(71,733)
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(37,740)	(72,709)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders		$ (59,033)	$ (94,002)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries:
Loss from continuing operations		$ (2.38)	$ (0.95)
Net income (loss) per common share		$ (0.71)	$ (1.15)
Revision Adjustment [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements [Line Items]
Net product sales		$ (13,426)	$ (7,730)
Services revenue			2
Net product sales and services revenue		(13,426)	(7,728)
Net revenue		(13,426)	(7,728)
Cost of net product sales		(6,923)	(2,970)
Cost of service revenue		196	184
Cost of net product sales and services revenue		(6,727)	(2,786)
Cost of net revenue		(6,727)	(2,786)
Gross profit		(6,699)	(4,942)
Sales and marketing		(840)
General and administrative		(360)
Operating income (loss)		(5,499)	(4,942)
Other income (expense), net		(1,490)
Loss from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(6,989)	(4,942)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		(11,263)	(2,693)
Loss from continuing operations before equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax		4,274	(2,249)
Loss from continuing operations		4,274	(2,249)
Net income (loss)		4,274	(2,249)
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		4,274	(2,249)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders		$ 4,274	$ (2,249)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries:
Loss from continuing operations		$ 0.05	$ (0.03)
Net income (loss) per common share		$ 0.05	$ (0.03)

Revision of Previously Report59

Revision of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements - Restated and Revised Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 206,757	$ (33,436)	$ (73,982)
Comprehensive income (loss)	59,090	(199,859)	(124,418)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$ 58,709	(199,889)	(125,394)
As Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		(37,710)	(71,733)
Comprehensive income (loss)		(204,133)	(122,169)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		(204,163)	(123,145)
Revision Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		4,274	(2,249)
Comprehensive income (loss)		4,274	(2,249)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries		$ 4,274	$ (2,249)

Revision of Previously Report60

Revision of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements - Restated and Revised Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	$ 445,833	$ 461,096
Inventories, net	347,001	377,349
Deferred tax assets - current	0	127,920
Total current assets	1,457,290	1,830,584
Property, plant and equipment	446,039	454,223
Deferred tax assets	13,993	6,318
Total assets	5,957,171	6,699,879	$ 7,058,515
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	324,465	385,927
Total current liabilities	724,534	771,478
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	7,181	11,593
Deferred tax liabilities	147,618	231,963
Other long-term liabilities	154,193	146,920
Total long-term liabilities	3,174,208	4,011,861
Accumulated deficit	(1,466,381)	(1,672,757)
Total stockholders' equity	2,054,165	1,912,394
Total equity	2,058,429	1,916,540	2,080,659	$ 2,184,219
Total liabilities and equity	$ 5,957,171	6,699,879
As Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances		466,106
Inventories, net		365,165
Deferred tax assets - current		112,573
Total current assets		1,808,063
Property, plant and equipment		453,570
Deferred tax assets		8,569
Total assets		6,678,956
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		375,494
Total current liabilities		761,045
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		10,560
Deferred tax liabilities		214,639
Other long-term liabilities		161,582
Total long-term liabilities		4,008,166
Accumulated deficit		(1,679,552)
Total stockholders' equity		1,905,599
Total equity		1,909,745	2,078,138	2,179,449
Total liabilities and equity		6,678,956
Revision Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances		(5,010)
Inventories, net		12,184
Deferred tax assets - current		15,347
Total current assets		22,521
Property, plant and equipment		653
Deferred tax assets		(2,251)
Total assets		20,923
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		10,433
Total current liabilities		10,433
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		1,033
Deferred tax liabilities		17,324
Other long-term liabilities		(14,662)
Total long-term liabilities		3,695
Accumulated deficit		6,795
Total stockholders' equity		6,795
Total equity		6,795	$ 2,521	$ 4,770
Total liabilities and equity		$ 20,923

Revision of Previously Report61

Revision of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements - Revised and Restated Consolidated Statement of Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit, Beginning Balance	$ (1,672,757)
Total stockholders' equity, Beginning Balance	1,912,394
Beginning Balance	1,916,540	$ 2,080,659	$ 2,184,219
Net income (loss)	206,757	(33,436)	(73,982)
Accumulated deficit, Ending Balance	(1,466,381)	(1,672,757)
Total stockholders' equity, Ending Balance	2,054,165	1,912,394
Ending Balance	2,058,429	1,916,540	2,080,659
Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit, Beginning Balance	(1,672,757)	(1,639,291)	(1,564,333)
Beginning Balance	(1,672,757)	(1,639,291)	(1,564,333)
Net income (loss)	206,376	(33,466)	(74,958)
Accumulated deficit, Ending Balance		(1,672,757)	(1,639,291)
Ending Balance	(1,466,381)	(1,672,757)	(1,639,291)
Total Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity, Beginning Balance	1,912,394	2,075,777	2,181,937
Beginning Balance	1,912,394	2,075,777	2,181,937
Net income (loss)	206,376	(33,466)	(74,958)
Total stockholders' equity, Ending Balance		1,912,394	2,075,777
Ending Balance	2,054,165	1,912,394	2,075,777
As Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit, Beginning Balance	(1,679,552)
Total stockholders' equity, Beginning Balance	1,905,599
Beginning Balance	1,909,745	2,078,138	2,179,449
Net income (loss)		(37,710)	(71,733)
Accumulated deficit, Ending Balance		(1,679,552)
Total stockholders' equity, Ending Balance		1,905,599
Ending Balance		1,909,745	2,078,138
As Previously Reported [Member] | Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit, Beginning Balance	(1,679,552)	(1,641,812)	(1,569,103)
Net income (loss)		(37,740)	(72,709)
Accumulated deficit, Ending Balance		(1,679,552)	(1,641,812)
As Previously Reported [Member] | Total Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity, Beginning Balance	1,905,599	2,073,256	2,177,167
Net income (loss)		(37,740)	(72,709)
Total stockholders' equity, Ending Balance		1,905,599	2,073,256
Revision Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit, Beginning Balance	6,795
Total stockholders' equity, Beginning Balance	6,795
Beginning Balance	6,795	2,521	4,770
Net income (loss)		4,274	(2,249)
Accumulated deficit, Ending Balance		6,795
Total stockholders' equity, Ending Balance		6,795
Ending Balance		6,795	2,521
Revision Adjustment [Member] | Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit, Beginning Balance	6,795	2,521	4,770
Net income (loss)		4,274	(2,249)
Accumulated deficit, Ending Balance		6,795	2,521
Revision Adjustment [Member] | Total Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity, Beginning Balance	$ 6,795	2,521	4,770
Net income (loss)		4,274	(2,249)
Total stockholders' equity, Ending Balance		$ 6,795	$ 2,521

Revision of Previously Report62

Revision of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements - Restated and Revised Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 206,757	$ (33,436)	$ (73,982)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(12,756)	(171,754)	(57,856)
Depreciation and amortization	309,264	336,029	374,657
Deferred income taxes	(99,389)	12,254	(122,495)
Accounts receivable, net	(14,380)	(3,262)	(41,309)
Inventories, net	(60,478)	(68,033)	(85,680)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	24,194	37,698	22,737
Other non-current liabilities	$ 34,362	13,254	(12,874)
As Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		(37,710)	(71,733)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(176,028)	(55,607)
Depreciation and amortization		335,833	374,473
Deferred income taxes		(6,982)	(129,687)
Accounts receivable, net		(689)	(46,672)
Inventories, net		(61,110)	(82,710)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		36,155	12,027
Other non-current liabilities		29,007	5,356
Revision Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net income (loss)		4,274	(2,249)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		4,274	(2,249)
Depreciation and amortization		196	184
Deferred income taxes		19,236	7,192
Accounts receivable, net		(2,573)	5,363
Inventories, net		(6,923)	(2,970)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		1,543	10,710
Other non-current liabilities		$ (15,753)	$ (18,230)

Discontinued Operations - Addit

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jan. 09, 2015	Oct. 10, 2014
Alere Accountable Care Solutions, LLC ("ACS") [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds on sale of discontinued operations		$ 2
Contingent consideration receivable on sale of discontinued operations		7,000,000
Alere Accountable Care Solutions, LLC ("ACS") [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Reimbursable expenses payable to purchaser		$ 750,000
Health Management Business [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds on sale of discontinued operations	$ 599,900,000
Health Management Business [Member] | Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Repayment of senior secured credit facility	$ 575,000,000

Discontinued Operations - Sched

Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Health Management Business Segregated and Classified as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 0	$ 23,300	$ 6,477	$ 11,855
Restricted cash	5,694	37,571
Goodwill	2,836,915	2,926,666	$ 3,006,997
Liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities - non-current	$ 147,618	231,963
Health Management Business [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		23,300
Restricted cash		361
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $5,882 at December 31, 2014		50,902
Inventories, net		1,656
Deferred tax assets - current		6,939
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,857
Property, plant and equipment, net		57,595
Goodwill		82,665
Finite-lived intangible assets, net		82,428
Deferred tax assets - non-current		3,347
Other non-current assets		2,465
Total assets held for sale		315,515
Liabilities
Current portion of capital lease obligations		799
Accounts payable		5,654
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		32,822
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion		365
Deferred tax liabilities - non-current		27,453
Other long-term liabilities		11,750
Total liabilities related to assets held for sale		$ 78,843

Discontinued Operations - Sch65

Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Associated with Health Management Business Segregated and Classified as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Health Management Business [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 5,882

Discontinued Operations - Summa

Discontinued Operations - Summarized Financial Information Related to ACS Companies and Health Management Business (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 219,513	$ 138,318	$ (16,126)
Alere Accountable Care Solutions, LLC ("ACS") and Health Management Business Segment [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net revenue	7,373	359,496	409,579
Cost of net revenue	(4,413)	(203,115)	(229,310)
Research and development	0	0	(1,750)
Sales and marketing	(996)	(56,808)	(73,700)
General and administrative	(5,001)	(99,383)	(129,565)
Interest expense	(9)	(506)	(310)
Other income (expense), net	160	(1,799)	(1,860)
Gain on disposal	364,850	0	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	361,964	(2,115)	(26,916)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	142,451	(140,433)	(10,790)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 219,513	$ 138,318	$ (16,126)

Summary of Significant Accoun67

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)InvestmentCustomer	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)InvestmentCustomer	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)InvestmentCustomer
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange transaction losses	$ 4,800	$ 2,200	$ 4,000
Restricted cash	48,900	37,600
Securities for loan agreement of restricted cash	$ 43,228	0
Securities for loan agreement deposit period	2 years
Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment	$ 98,700	$ 97,600	$ 94,300
Discount rates, Minimum	9.00%	10.50%	11.00%
Discount rates, Maximum	14.00%	15.50%	14.00%
Projected compound average revenue growth rates, Minimum	3.40%	3.00%	4.00%
Projected compound average revenue growth rates, Maximum	5.60%	11.00%	11.40%
Multiples of revenue, Minimum | Investment	0.7	1.2	0.8
Multiples of revenue, Maximum | Investment	2.9	2.9	2.9
Multiples of EBITDA, Minimum | Investment	7.3	7.1	6.4
Multiples of EBITDA, Maximum | Investment	11.8	11.8	10.6
Acquisition-related costs in general and administrative expense	$ 500	$ 900	$ 3,100
Vesting period	4 years
Granted vesting schedule	25.00%
Contractual term of stock option awards	10 years
Advertising costs	$ 9,000	$ 8,000	$ 10,600
Individual customer's accounts receivable balance in excess of ten percentage | Customer	0	0	0
Individual customer's accounts receivable balance in excess of ten percentage | Customer	0	0
Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Terminal value growth rates	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Concentration of credit risk	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Concentration of credit risk	10.00%	10.00%
Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Terminal value growth rates	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Machinery, Laboratory Equipment and Tooling [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	1 year
Machinery, Laboratory Equipment and Tooling [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	7 years
Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	61 years
Computer Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	1 year
Computer Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	2 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	16 years
Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets	58.10%	42.40%	30.30%
Professional Diagnostics [Member] | 2015 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets	$ 3,100,000
Professional Diagnostics [Member] | 2014 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets		$ 2,200,000
Professional Diagnostics [Member] | 2013 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets			$ 1,600,000
Patient Self-Testing Segment [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets		162.10%	8.50%
Patient Self-Testing Segment [Member] | 2014 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets		$ 515,600
Patient Self-Testing Segment [Member] | 2013 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets			$ 34,700
Patient Self-Testing Segment [Member] | Assets Held-for-sale [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets		67.00%
Consumer Diagnostics [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets	18.20%	38.00%	45.50%
Consumer Diagnostics [Member] | 2015 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets	$ 44,900
Consumer Diagnostics [Member] | 2014 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets		$ 86,800
Consumer Diagnostics [Member] | 2013 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated fair value exceeding carrying value of net assets			$ 92,700

Other Balance Sheet Informati68

Other Balance Sheet Information - Components of Selected Captions in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories, net:
Raw materials	$ 130,171	$ 122,886
Work-in-process	69,178	82,724
Finished goods	147,652	171,739
Inventories, net	347,001	377,349
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Prepaid expenses	28,041	49,065
Prepaid income tax	50,201	11,309
Income taxes receivable	199	2,273
Royalty receivable	7,757	8,143
Other taxes receivable	15,333	20,695
Cash advances	3,902	6,221
Pension receivable	1,373	1,430
Grant receivable	651	1,534
Employee loans	123	62
Security deposits	7,014	5,411
Other receivable	15,938
Other	21,701	26,270
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	152,233	132,413
Property, plant and equipment, net:
Machinery, laboratory equipment and tooling	469,413	431,255
Land and buildings	169,226	172,773
Leasehold improvements	55,999	56,709
Computer software and equipment	161,192	154,566
Furniture and fixtures	27,325	35,656
Property, plant and equipment, gross, Total	883,155	850,959
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(437,116)	(396,736)
Property, plant and equipment, net, Total	446,039	454,223
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Compensation and compensation-related	80,468	88,546
Royalty obligations	18,912	23,072
Deferred revenue	40,998	45,577
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities	15,245	25,478
Other taxes payable	28,320	31,491
Acquisition-related obligations	5,705	69,779
Other	134,817	101,984
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, Total	$ 324,465	$ 385,927

Business Combinations - Additio

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 01, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 10, 2015	Jul. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
General and administrative expense related to acquisition		$ 500	$ 900	$ 3,100
Preliminary aggregate purchase price	$ 248,500
Total revenue related to acquisition				83,000
Goodwill		2,836,915	2,926,666	3,006,997
Total cash payments	151,400	60,135		179,669
Acquisition date fair value investment	75,000			76,264
Settlement of pre-existing arrangements	$ 22,100			39,588
Deferred purchase price consideration				768
Bargain purchase gain		0	0	8,023
Other [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Preliminary aggregate purchase price				57,600
Total cash payments				28,221
Acquisition date fair value investment				1,264
Settlement of pre-existing arrangements				17,500
Deferred purchase price consideration				768
Bargain purchase gain				8,023
Mega Medika, Alere Health Services, Pantech and Simplex [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill				$ 2,400
Liberty Business [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Bargain purchase gain			$ 8,000
Cardio Selfcare [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of incremental ownership interest							51.00%
Pantech Proprietary [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage						74.90%
USD [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Preliminary aggregate purchase price					$ 60,100
Total revenue related to acquisition		10,700
Goodwill		$ 29,400

Business Combinations - Summary

Business Combinations - Summary of Aggregate Purchase Price Allocation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 01, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets		$ 4,698		$ 26,158
Property, plant and equipment		182		2,998
Goodwill		29,365		102,866
Intangible assets		27,100		215,580
Other non-current assets				18,187
Total assets acquired		61,345		365,789
Current liabilities		1,210		8,099
Non-current liabilities				51,604
Total liabilities assumed		1,210		59,703
Net assets acquired		60,135		306,086
Contingent consideration	$ 75,000			76,264
Settlement of pre-existing arrangements	22,100			39,588
Non-controlling interest				1,774
Bargain purchase gain		0	$ 0	8,023
Deferred purchase price consideration				768
Cash paid	$ 151,400	$ 60,135		179,669
Epocal [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets				12,535
Property, plant and equipment				1,267
Goodwill				100,419
Intangible assets				164,400
Other non-current assets				18,158
Total assets acquired				296,779
Current liabilities				2,701
Non-current liabilities				45,542
Total liabilities assumed				48,243
Net assets acquired				248,536
Contingent consideration				75,000
Settlement of pre-existing arrangements				22,088
Non-controlling interest				0
Bargain purchase gain				0
Deferred purchase price consideration				0
Cash paid				151,448
Other [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets				13,623
Property, plant and equipment				1,731
Goodwill				2,447
Intangible assets				51,180
Other non-current assets				29
Total assets acquired				69,010
Current liabilities				5,398
Non-current liabilities				6,062
Total liabilities assumed				11,460
Net assets acquired				57,550
Contingent consideration				1,264
Settlement of pre-existing arrangements				17,500
Non-controlling interest				1,774
Bargain purchase gain				8,023
Deferred purchase price consideration				768
Cash paid				$ 28,221

Business Combinations - Intangi

Business Combinations - Intangible Assets Acquired and their Respective Fair Values and Weighted-Average Useful Lives (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$ 27,100	$ 215,580
Epocal [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets		164,400
Other [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total intangible assets		51,180
Trademarks [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	$ 1,600
Weighted-average Useful Life	10 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	$ 24,800	$ 42,510
Weighted-average Useful Life	13 years	11 years 6 months
Customer Relationships [Member] | Epocal [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 0
Customer Relationships [Member] | Other [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		42,510
Non-Competition Agreements [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	$ 700
Weighted-average Useful Life	2 years
Core Technology and Patents [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 119,700
Weighted-average Useful Life		20 years
Core Technology and Patents [Member] | Epocal [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 119,700
Core Technology and Patents [Member] | Other [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		0
Software [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 2,154
Weighted-average Useful Life		5 years 8 months 12 days
Software [Member] | Epocal [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 0
Software [Member] | Other [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		2,154
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 20,580
Weighted-average Useful Life		19 years 1 month 6 days
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] | Epocal [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 20,500
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] | Other [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		80
License Agreements [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 620
Weighted-average Useful Life		1 year 6 months
License Agreements [Member] | Epocal [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 0
License Agreements [Member] | Other [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		620
Other [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 5,816
Weighted-average Useful Life		3 years
Other [Member] | Epocal [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 0
Other [Member] | Other [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount		5,816
In-Process Research and Development [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible asset, amount		24,200
In-Process Research and Development [Member] | Epocal [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible asset, amount		24,200
In-Process Research and Development [Member] | Other [Member]
Finite And Infinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible asset, amount		$ 0

Business Combinations - Summa72

Business Combinations - Summary of Aggregate Purchase Price Allocation (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Cash acquired	$ 3.3

Goodwill and Other Intangible73

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 2,747,448	$ 2,890,062
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment Losses	1,750,167	1,613,618
Net Carrying Value	997,281	1,276,444
Goodwill, Gross Carrying Amount	2,836,915	2,926,666
Other intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	28,110	43,651
Total intangible assets with indefinite lives, Gross Carrying Value	2,865,025	2,970,317
Core Technology and Patents [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	907,629	969,993
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment Losses	468,497	417,119
Net Carrying Value	$ 439,132	$ 552,874
Weighted-average Useful Life	15 years 1 month 6 days	15 years 2 months 12 days
Supplier Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 17,599	$ 17,975
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment Losses	16,218	16,188
Net Carrying Value	$ 1,381	$ 1,787
Weighted-average Useful Life	9 years 2 months 12 days	9 years 2 months 12 days
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 242,473	$ 256,014
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment Losses	176,325	161,945
Net Carrying Value	$ 66,148	$ 94,069
Weighted-average Useful Life	10 years 8 months 12 days	11 years
License Agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 10,963	$ 11,670
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment Losses	10,944	11,511
Net Carrying Value	$ 19	$ 159
Weighted-average Useful Life	7 years	6 years 9 months 18 days
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 1,441,386	$ 1,504,078
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment Losses	985,844	930,533
Net Carrying Value	$ 455,542	$ 573,545
Weighted-average Useful Life	16 years 7 months 6 days	16 years 7 months 6 days
Manufacturing Know-How [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 19,181	$ 21,540
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment Losses	16,744	11,595
Net Carrying Value	$ 2,437	$ 9,945
Weighted-average Useful Life	7 years 8 months 12 days	8 years 10 months 24 days
Other [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 108,217	$ 108,792
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment Losses	75,595	64,727
Net Carrying Value	$ 32,622	$ 44,065
Weighted-average Useful Life	7 years 8 months 12 days	8 years 8 months 12 days
Intangible Assets Other than Core Technology and Patents [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 1,839,819	$ 1,920,069
Accumulated Amortization and Impairment Losses	1,281,670	1,196,499
Net Carrying Value	$ 558,149	$ 723,570

Goodwill and Other Intangible74

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense of intangible assets	$ 210,500,000	$ 237,200,000	$ 280,000,000
Cost capitalized, net of amortization	8,900,000	9,500,000
In-Process Research and Development [Member]
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charges	7,400,000	1,600,000
Estimated fair value	$ 0	$ 0

Goodwill and Other Intangible75

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 203,556
2,017	136,600
2,018	133,464
2,019	99,552
2,020	$ 97,345

Goodwill and Other Intangible76

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill Amounts Allocated to Reporting Units (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	$ 2,926,666	$ 3,006,997
Balance transfer at January 1, 2015	0
Acquisitions	32,970	(571)
Dispositions	(58,611)	(16,517)
Other	(64,110)	(63,243)
Goodwill ending balance	2,836,915	2,926,666
Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	2,838,805	2,915,417
Balance transfer at January 1, 2015	32,870
Acquisitions	32,970	(546)
Dispositions	(58,611)	(16,517)
Other	(53,081)	(59,549)
Goodwill ending balance	2,792,953	2,838,805
Patient Self-Testing Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	32,870	33,545
Balance transfer at January 1, 2015	(32,870)
Acquisitions	0	(25)
Dispositions	0	0
Other	0	(650)
Goodwill ending balance	0	32,870
Consumer Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	54,991	58,035
Balance transfer at January 1, 2015	0
Acquisitions	0	0
Dispositions	0	0
Other	(11,029)	(3,044)
Goodwill ending balance	$ 43,962	$ 54,991

Goodwill and Other Intangible77

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill Amounts Allocated to Reporting Units (Parenthetical) (Detail) - Segments	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	4	3

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Balances Outstanding (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Oct. 01, 2015	Jun. 24, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May 31, 2013	Dec. 11, 2012	May 14, 2007
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	$ 3,065,208			$ 3,710,260
Less: Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	(199,992)			(88,875)
Long-term debt	2,865,216			3,621,385
A Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	587,671			0
B Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	971,180			0
Prior Credit Facility - A Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	0			785,938
Prior Credit Facility - B Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	0			1,330,810
Prior Credit Facility Revolving Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	0			127,000
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	450,000			450,000		$ 450,000
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	425,000			425,000	$ 425,000
6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	425,000		$ 425,000	0
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	0	$ 400,000		400,000
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	150,000			150,000			$ 150,000
Other Lines of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	136			684
Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	$ 56,221			$ 40,828

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term De79

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Balances Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 24, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Oct. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Dec. 11, 2012	May 14, 2007
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date		Oct. 1, 2015	May 15, 2016
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	7.25%		7.25%		7.25%	7.25%		7.25%
Maturity date			Jul. 1, 2018
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	6.50%		6.50%		6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
Maturity date			Jun. 15, 2020
6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	6.375%	6.375%	6.375%		6.375%	6.375%
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	8.625%		8.625%	8.625%	8.625%	8.625%
Maturity date			Oct. 1, 2015
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	3.00%		3.00%		3.00%	3.00%			3.00%
Maturity date	May 15, 2016		May 15, 2016

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term De80

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Interest Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	$ 216,997	$ 209,191	$ 255,346
Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	38,335	0	0
Prior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	49,437	99,399	104,159
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	34,103	34,098	33,906
6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	14,549	0	0
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	0	0	137
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	28,987	29,057	17,384
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	44,219	37,092	37,093
9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	0	0	54,043
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	4,984	4,984	4,984
Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt issuance cost	$ 2,383	$ 4,561	$ 3,640

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term De81

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Interest Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 24, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 01, 2015	May 31, 2013	Dec. 11, 2012	May 14, 2007
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization fee		$ 1,100	$ 1,500	$ 2,600
Loss on extinguishment of debt		$ 19,886	$ 0	$ 35,603
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate		7.25%	7.25%	7.25%			7.25%
6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate	6.375%	6.375%	6.375%	6.375%
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate		7.875%	7.875%	7.875%
Loss in repurchase of senior notes				$ 200
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate		6.50%	6.50%	6.50%		6.50%
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate		8.625%	8.625%	8.625%	8.625%
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ 19,900	$ 19,900
Tender offer consideration and call premium amount	$ 8,600	$ 8,600
9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate		9.00%	9.00%	9.00%		9.00%
Tender offer consideration and call premium amount				$ 19,000
Loss in repurchase of senior notes				$ 35,600
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate		3.00%	3.00%	3.00%				3.00%

Long-Term Debt - Secured Credit

Long-Term Debt - Secured Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jun. 18, 2015	Nov. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit	$ 250,000,000
Proceeds of term loans under secured credit facility			$ 2,162,162,000	$ 58,000	$ 458,962,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit	50,000,000
Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate initial principal term loans amount under secured credit facility	1,700,000,000		1,600,000,000
Proceeds of term loans under secured credit facility	1,680,000,000
Accrued interest			500,000
A Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate initial principal term loans amount under secured credit facility	650,000,000		$ 587,700,000
Number of installments for repayments of term loans			Nineteen consecutive quarterly installments
Term loan annual payment			$ 8,125,000
Term loan installment			7,572,000
Term loan final installment			$ 461,882,000
Consolidated secured leverage ratio Base Rate			2.00%
Consolidated secured leverage ratio Eurodollar Rate			3.00%
Lines of credit interest rate percentage			3.43%
B Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate initial principal term loans amount under secured credit facility	$ 1,050,000,000		$ 971,200,000
Number of installments for repayments of term loans			Twenty-seven consecutive quarterly installments
Term loan annual payment			$ 2,625,000
Term loan installment			2,446,000
Term loan final installment			$ 912,471,000
Floor rate applicable to term loans based on Eurodollar rate			1.00%
Percentage of fee on the unused portion of revolving credit facility			0.50%
Lines of credit interest rate percentage			4.25%
B Term Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated secured leverage ratio Base Rate			2.00%
Consolidated secured leverage ratio Eurodollar Rate			3.00%
B Term Loans [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated secured leverage ratio Base Rate			2.25%
Consolidated secured leverage ratio Eurodollar Rate			3.25%
Term Loans And B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate outstanding principal amount		$ 115,000,000

Long-Term Debt - Prior Credit F

Long-Term Debt - Prior Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Prior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate outstanding principal amount	$ 1,650

Long-Term Debt - 6.375% Senior

Long-Term Debt - 6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 24, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total		$ 3,065,208	$ 3,710,260
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed		35.00%
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed paid		106.375%
6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	$ 425,000	$ 425,000	$ 0
Long-term debt, Interest rate	6.375%	6.375%	6.375%	6.375%
Initial offering price		100.00%
Net proceeds from senior notes offering	$ 417,300	$ 417,300
Net purchasers discount		$ 7,700
Percentage of redemption premium for period one		4.781%
Percentage of redemption premium for period two		3.188%
Percentage of redemption premium for period three		1.594%
Percentage of redemption premium for period four		0.00%
Period of redemption of notes		90 days
Percentage of aggregate principal amount outstanding		65.00%
Percentage of aggregate principal amount to be sold		101.00%
Percentage of purchase price of aggregate principal amount		100.00%
Accrued interest		$ 14,100

Long-Term Debt - 7.25% Senior N

Long-Term Debt - 7.25% Senior Notes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 24, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Dec. 11, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate borrowings under term loans		$ 3,065,208	$ 3,710,260
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 1, 2015	May 15, 2016
Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line-Of-Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of revolving line of credit		$ 170,000
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate borrowings under term loans		$ 450,000	$ 450,000			$ 450,000
Interest rate of debt instrument		7.25%	7.25%	7.25%		7.25%
Initial offering price		100.00%
Net proceeds from senior notes offering		$ 443,200
Net underwriter's commissions		6,800
Net proceeds from sale of senior notes		$ 267,400
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jul. 1, 2018
Percentage of redemption premium for period one		3.625%
Percentage of redemption premium for period two		1.813%
Percentage of redemption premium for period three		0.00%
Percentage of aggregate principal amount to be sold		101.00%
Percentage of purchase price of aggregate principal amount		100.00%
Accrued interest		$ 1,400
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of debt instrument		7.875%	7.875%	7.875%
Redemption of remaining outstanding principal		$ 248,200			$ 1,800

Long-Term Debt - 7.875% Senior

Long-Term Debt - 7.875% Senior Notes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 28, 2013
7.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remaining outstanding principal amount	$ 248.2	$ 1.8

Long-Term Debt - 6.5% Senior Su

Long-Term Debt - 6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 24, 2015	May 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total			$ 3,065,208	$ 3,710,260
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 1, 2015		May 15, 2016
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed			35.00%
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed paid			106.375%
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total		$ 425,000	$ 425,000	$ 425,000
Long-term debt, Interest rate		6.50%	6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
Initial offering price		100.00%
Net proceeds from senior notes offering		$ 417,700
Net underwriters' commissions		7,300
Net proceeds from sale of senior subordinated notes		$ 200,600
Debt instrument, maturity date			Jun. 15, 2020
Percentage of redemption premium			3.25%
Percentage of redemption premium			1.625%
Percentage of redemption premium			0.00%
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed			35.00%
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed paid			106.50%
Percentage of aggregate principal amount outstanding			65.00%
Period of redemption of notes			90 days
Debt instrument redemption period start date			Jun. 15, 2016
Debt instrument redemption description			The premium declines from 3.250% during the twelve months on and after June 15, 2016 to 1.625% during the twelve months on and after June 15, 2017 to zero on and after June 15, 2018
Percentage of aggregate of principal amount to be sold			101.00%
Percentage of purchase price of aggregate principal amount			100.00%
Accrued interest			$ 1,300
9% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Interest rate		9.00%	9.00%	9.00%	9.00%
Redemption of remaining outstanding principal		$ 190,600				$ 209,400

Long-Term Debt - 8.625% Senior

Long-Term Debt - 8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 24, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 01, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total		$ 3,065,208	$ 3,710,260
Maturity date	Oct. 1, 2015	May 15, 2016
Loss on extinguishment of debt		$ 19,886	0	$ 35,603
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total		$ 0	$ 400,000		$ 400,000
Long-term debt, Interest rate		8.625%	8.625%	8.625%	8.625%
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage	102.156%
Maturity date		Oct. 1, 2015
Additional cash allocated to redemption fund	$ 8,600
Loss on extinguishment of debt	19,900	$ 19,900
Tender offer consideration and call premium amount	8,600	8,600
6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	$ 425,000	$ 425,000	$ 0
Long-term debt, Interest rate	6.375%	6.375%	6.375%	6.375%
Net proceeds from senior notes offering	$ 417,300	$ 417,300

Long-Term Debt - 3% Convertible

Long-Term Debt - 3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Jun. 24, 2015	May 14, 2007	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate borrowings under term loans	$ 3,065,208			$ 3,065,208	$ 3,710,260
3% Senior subordinated convertible notes, due				2,016
Maturity date		Oct. 1, 2015		May 15, 2016
Senior subordinated convertible notes paid in cash				$ 2,656,386	$ 65,122	$ 470,557
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of debt instrument	3.00%		3.00%	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Aggregate borrowings under term loans	$ 150,000		$ 150,000	$ 150,000	$ 150,000
Maturity date	May 15, 2016			May 15, 2016
Senior subordinated convertible notes paid in cash			152,000	$ 152,000
Accrued interest expense	$ 600			600
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member] | Cash [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior subordinated convertible notes paid in cash			27,000
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member] | Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line-Of-Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior subordinated convertible notes paid in cash			$ 125,000	$ 125,000

Long-Term Debt - Lines of Credi

Long-Term Debt - Lines of Credit - Additional Information (Detail) - Long-term Debt [Member] $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Lines of credit borrowed	$ 14.1
Aggregate outstanding principal amount	$ 0.1

Long-Term Debt - Other Debt - A

Long-Term Debt - Other Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense		$ 216,997	$ 209,191	$ 255,346
Other [Member] | HSBC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount under secured credit facility	$ 40,000
Maturity term	2 years
Interest expense		$ 1,800
Other [Member] | HSBC [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	0.80%

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Mat

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Maturities of Long-Term Debt Outstanding Including Current Portion (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 199,992
2,017	81,369
2,018	491,358
2,019	41,329
2,020	905,417
Thereafter	1,351,123
Long-term Debt, Total	3,070,588	$ 3,700,000
Less: Original issue discounts	(5,380)
Total debt after discount	$ 3,065,208	$ 3,710,260

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Valuation Techniques (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	$ 164	$ 259
Total assets	164	259
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration obligations	57,744	139,671
Total liabilities	57,744	139,671
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	164	259
Total assets	164	259
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration obligations	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration obligations	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration obligations	57,744	139,671	$ 218,569
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration obligations	57,744	139,671
Total liabilities	$ 57,744	$ 139,671

Fair Value Measurements - Chang

Fair Value Measurements - Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Obligations (Detail) - Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, Beginning balance	$ 139,671	$ 218,569
Payments	(22,073)	(60,019)
Fair value adjustments	(59,871)	7,677
Reversal of Method Factory Inc., now known as ACS obligation		(26,321)
Foreign currency adjustments	17	(235)
Fair value of contingent consideration obligations, Ending balance	$ 57,744	$ 139,671

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated fair value of long-term debt	$ 3,000,000	$ 3,700,000
Long-term debt, Total	$ 3,070,588	$ 3,700,000

Capital Leases - Schedule of Fu

Capital Leases - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments with Present Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
2,016	$ 3,962
2,017	2,050
2,018	1,491
2,019	2,289
2,020	712
Thereafter	639
Total future minimum lease payments	11,143
Less: Imputed interest	0
Present value of future minimum lease payments	11,143
Present value of future minimum lease payments	11,143
Less: Current portion	(3,962)	$ (4,241)
Net Present value of future minimum lease payments	$ 7,181	$ 11,593

Capital Leases - Capitalized Am

Capital Leases - Capitalized Amounts of Building, Machinery Equipment Computer Equipment (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital leased assets, Gross, Total	$ 26,876
Less: Accumulated amortization	(9,214)
Capital leased assets, Net, Total	17,662
Machinery, Laboratory Equipment and Tooling [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital leased assets, Gross, Total	24,258
Computer Equipment [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital leased assets, Gross, Total	888
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital leased assets, Gross, Total	606
Vehicles [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital leased assets, Gross, Total	197
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital leased assets, Gross, Total	$ 927

Postretirement Benefit Plans -

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands, £ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net amounts recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets	$ 3,000		$ 4,400
Amortization of prior service cost	310		438	$ 416
Contribution to defined benefit plan in current fiscal year	917		953
Expected benefits to be paid in next five years, Minimum	300
Expected benefits to be paid in next five years, Maximum	400
Thereafter	$ 500
Defined benefit plans aggregate payment period	5 years	5 years
Contribution of Unipath limited to defined contribution plan	$ 300		400	300
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution of fixed income securities to defined benefit plan	73.00%
Target allocation for the plan assets	70.00%	70.00%
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution of fixed income securities to defined benefit plan	27.00%
2016 [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service cost	$ 300
Estimated Contribution to defined benefit plan in next fiscal year | £		£ 0.6
Contribution to defined benefit plan in current fiscal year	900
Employee Savings Plans [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total matching contributions related to employee savings plans	$ 5,800		$ 9,200	$ 9,400

Postretirement Benefit Plans 99

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Changes in Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, Funded Status and Amounts Recognized (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Change in projected benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 22,560	$ 21,572
Interest cost	784	938	$ 754
Actuarial (gain) loss	(638)	1,830
Benefits paid	(179)	(300)
Foreign exchange impact	(1,028)	(1,480)
Benefit obligation at end of year	21,499	22,560	21,572
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	18,120	17,226
Actual return on plan assets	491	1,429
Employer contribution	917	953
Benefits paid	(179)	(300)
Foreign exchange impact	(864)	(1,188)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	18,485	18,120	$ 17,226
Funded status	(3,014)	(4,440)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 21,499	$ 22,560

Postretirement Benefit Plans100

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Amortization of net loss	$ (332)	$ (267)	$ (199)
Amortization of prior service cost	(310)	(438)	$ (416)
New actuarial loss	(55)	(1,423)
Foreign exchange impact	(1,134)	2,230
Plan Adjustment Before Tax	$ (1,831)	$ 102

Postretirement Benefit Plans101

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss	$ 5,109	$ 5,635
Prior service cost	2,412	3,718
Net amount recognized	$ 7,521	$ 9,353

Postretirement Benefit Plans102

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Weighted-Average Actuarial Assumptions (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Discount rate	3.70%	3.55%
Rate of compensation increase	3.95%	3.85%
Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate	3.55%	4.40%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	6.50%	5.95%
Rate of compensation increase	3.85%	4.15%

Postretirement Benefit Plans103

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Interest cost	784	938	754
Expected return on plan assets	(1,183)	(1,022)	(713)
Amortization of net loss	332	267	199
Amortization of prior service cost	310	438	416
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 243	$ 621	$ 656

Postretirement Benefit Plans104

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Fair Values of Pension Plan Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 18,485	$ 18,120	$ 17,226
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	18,485	18,120
U.K. equities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	6,096	6,136
Overseas Equities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3,119	3,105
U.S. Equities [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	3,781	3,631
Debt Securities - Corporate Bonds [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	4,984	5,048
Other - Cash [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets	$ 505	$ 200

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Annual Rental Payments Under Operating Leases (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 33,436
2,017	28,590
2,018	22,008
2,019	15,978
2,020	11,573
Thereafter	20,134
Future minimum annual rent, total	$ 131,719

Commitments and Contingencie106

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Milestone	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Rent expense relating to operating leases	$ 41.8	$ 48.4	$ 46
Increase (decrease) in operating lease rent expenses	6.6	$ 2.4
TwistDx, Inc. [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	12.1
Epocal [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	$ 32.5
Number of milestone achieved in relation with contingent consideration | Milestone	1
Cash payment	$ 10
Ionian Technologies, Inc. [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	$ 24.5

Commitments and Contingencie107

Commitments and Contingencies - Contractual Contingent Purchase Price Consideration Obligations Related to Certain Acquisitions (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 57,744,000			$ 139,671,000
Payments made during 2015	$ 22,073,000
Ionian Technologies, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Acquisition Date	Jul. 12, 2010
Acquisition Date Fair Value	$ 24,500,000
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	0
Estimated Fair Value	0			24,500,000
Payments made during 2015	$ 0
DiagnosisOne, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Acquisition Date	Jul. 31, 2012
Acquisition Date Fair Value	$ 22,300,000
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	0
Estimated Fair Value	0			21,000,000
Payments made during 2015	$ 6,000,000	$ 1,500,000	$ 4,500,000
TwistDx, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Acquisition Date	Mar. 11, 2010
Acquisition Date Fair Value	$ 35,600,000
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	103,247,000
Estimated Fair Value	47,800,000			41,100,000
Payments made during 2015	$ 5,377,000
Epocal [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Acquisition Date	Feb. 1, 2013
Acquisition Date Fair Value	$ 75,000,000
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	47,950,000
Estimated Fair Value	4,700,000			47,200,000
Payments made during 2015	$ 10,000,000
Other [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Acquisition Date	Various
Acquisition Date Fair Value	$ 30,373,000
Maximum Remaining Earn-out Potential	$ 0
Remaining Earn-out Period	2,016
Estimated Fair Value	$ 5,244,000			$ 5,871,000
Payments made during 2015	$ 696,000
Minimum [Member] | TwistDx, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Remaining Earn-out Period	2,016
Minimum [Member] | Epocal [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Remaining Earn-out Period	2,016
Maximum [Member] | TwistDx, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Remaining Earn-out Period	2,025
Maximum [Member] | Epocal [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Remaining Earn-out Period	2,018

Commitments and Contingencie108

Commitments and Contingencies - Contractual Contingent Purchase Price Consideration Obligations Related to Certain Acquisitions (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 03, 2015	Mar. 27, 2015	Mar. 25, 2015
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Payments made under acquisition related contingent obligations	$ 22,073,000
Earn-out period	15 years
Ionian Technologies, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Earn-out period under terms of acquisition agreement expiration date	Jul. 12, 2015
Maximum contingent milestones payments	$ 43,800,000
Payments made under acquisition related contingent obligations	0
DiagnosisOne, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Contingent consideration remaining earn-out settlement				$ 6,000,000
Payments made under acquisition related contingent obligations	$ 6,000,000	$ 1,500,000	$ 4,500,000

Net Income (Loss) Per Common109

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (12,756)	$ (171,754)	$ (57,856)
Preferred stock dividends	(21,293)	(21,293)	(21,293)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shares	(34,049)	(193,047)	(79,149)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	381	30	976
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	(34,430)	(193,077)	(80,125)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	219,513	138,318	(16,126)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 185,083	$ (54,759)	$ (96,251)
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	85,420	82,938	81,542
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$ (0.40)	$ (2.33)	$ (0.98)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	2.57	1.67	(0.20)
Basic net income (loss) per common share attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$ 2.17	$ (0.66)	$ (1.18)

Net Income (Loss) Per Common110

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Potential Dilutive Securities Not Included in Calculation of Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Denominator:
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	20,461	20,821	25,011
Options to Purchase Shares of Common Stock [Member]
Denominator:
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	6,793	7,140	10,879
Warrants [Member]
Denominator:
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	4	4	4
Conversion Shares Related to 3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Denominator:
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	3,411	3,411	3,411
Conversion Shares Related to Subordinated Convertible Promissory Notes [Member]
Denominator:
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	0	27	27
Conversion Shares Related to Series B Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Denominator:
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	10,239	10,239	10,239
Common Stock Equivalents Related to the Settlement of a Contingent Consideration Obligation [Member]
Denominator:
Total number of antidilutive potentially issuable shares of common stock excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	14	0	451

Net Income (Loss) Per Common111

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Potential Dilutive Securities Not Included in Calculation of Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Conversion Shares Related to 3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Interest rate of debt instrument	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%

Stockholders' Equity - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Treasury stock, shares	7,679,000	7,679,000	7,679,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	86,364,000	86,364,000	83,853,000
Common stock, shares reserved for future grant	14,100,000	14,100,000
Common stock, shares reserved for issuance under employee stock purchase plan	1,800,000	1,800,000
Common stock, shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants	4,000	4,000
Long-term debt, Total	$ 3,065,208	$ 3,065,208	$ 3,710,260
Aggregate liquidation preference	$ 709,763	$ 709,763	$ 709,763
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,300,000	2,300,000	2,300,000
Series B preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Series B preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,774,000	1,774,000	1,774,000
Percentage of conversion price of common stock		130.00%
Preferred stock dividends		$ 21,293	$ 21,293	$ 21,293
Common stock, shares available for future grant	16,100,000	16,100,000
Common stock, shares for future grant	7,900,000	7,900,000	2,800,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of the options outstanding	$ 29,500	$ 29,500
Aggregate intrinsic value of the options exercisable	20,900	20,900
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised		$ 31,400	$ 14,900	$ 4,500
Weighted-average remaining contractual term for options outstanding		6 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual term for options exercisable		4 years 5 months 19 days
Compensation cost not yet recognized, period		1 year 4 months 2 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Weighted-average grant date fair value of RSUs granted		$ 28.04	$ 35.99	$ 0
Aggregate intrinsic value of the RSUs	25,400	$ 25,400
Weighted-average remaining contractual term		1 year 4 months 2 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of the RSUs expected to vest	23,100	$ 23,100
Aggregate intrinsic value of the RSUs expected to vest, Weighted-average remaining contractual term		1 year 3 months 26 days
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Share based liabilities paid		$ 1,100	$ 900	$ 0
Accrual related to SARs	2,000	2,000	$ 2,400
3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Long-term debt, Total	$ 150,000	$ 150,000
Interest rate of debt instrument	3.00%	3.00%
Debt instrument conversion price	$ 43.98	$ 43.98
Senior subordinated convertible notes, convertible into common stock, shares		3,400,000
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock convertible into common stock, value		$ 1,800
Aggregate liquidation preference	$ 709,800	$ 709,800
Preferred stock conversion price	$ 69.32	$ 69.32
Common stock issuable on conversion of preferred stock	10,200,000	10,200,000
Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Stock Options [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Compensation cost not yet recognized	$ 55,000	$ 55,000
Compensation cost not yet recognized, period		1 year 6 months 11 days
Two Thousand One Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares available for future grant	5,000,000	5,000,000
Shares issued under ESPP	3,200,000
Purchase price as percentage of market value of common stock		85.00%
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Aggregate liquidation preference	$ 709,800	$ 709,800
Common stock issuable on conversion of preferred stock	10,200,000	10,200,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,300,000	2,300,000
Series B preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,800,000	1,800,000
Series B preferred stock outstanding with fair value	$ 498,900	$ 498,900
Liquidation preference per share	$ 400	$ 400
Initial conversion price	$ 69.32	$ 69.32
Senior subordinated convertible notes, convertible into common stock, shares	5.7703	5.7703
Stock conversion agreement terms and conditions		Closing sale price of our common stock for each of 20 or more trading days within any period of 30
Series B preferred stock accrues dividends	$ 12	$ 12
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage		3.00%
Preferred stock dividends		$ 21,300	$ 21,300	$ 21,300
Stock Options and Awards [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Compensation cost not yet recognized	$ 19,900	$ 19,900

Stockholders' Equity - Summary

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Equity [Abstract]
Beginning balance, shares | shares	7,364
Granted, Stock options | shares	2,399
Exercised, Stock options | shares	(2,168)
Canceled/expired/forfeited, Stock options | shares	(1,454)
Ending balance, Stock options | shares	6,141
Exercisable at December 31, Stock options | shares	2,829
Beginning balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 34.68
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	46.47
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	34.26
Canceled/expired/forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	38.91
Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	38.43
Exercisable at December 31, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares	$ 34.65

Stockholders' Equity - Summa114

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested, Stock Appreciation Rights, Beginning balance	539
Restricted Stock Units, Granted	403
Restricted Stock Units, Vested	(248)
Restricted Stock Units, Forfeited	(44)
Nonvested, Stock Appreciation Rights, Ending balance	650	539
Weighted- average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, beginning balance	$ 32.72
Weighted- average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	28.04	$ 35.99	$ 0
Weighted- average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	28.89
Weighted- average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	36.95
Weighted- average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, ending balance	$ 31	$ 32.72

Stockholders' Equity - Summa115

Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Stock Appreciation Rights (Detail) - Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested, Stock Appreciation Rights, Beginning balance	246
Granted, Stock Appreciation Rights	56
Exercised, Stock Appreciation Rights	(67)
Forfeited, Stock Appreciation Rights	(47)
Nonvested, Stock Appreciation Rights, Ending balance	188

Stock-based Compensation - Stoc

Stock-based Compensation - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 26,391	$ 12,452	$ 21,210
Benefit for income taxes	(8,815)	(2,891)	(4,190)
Stock-based compensation, net of tax	17,576	9,561	17,020
Cost of Net Revenue [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	1,198	1,180	1,126
Research and Development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	1,195	(41)	4,053
Sales and Marketing [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	4,794	3,940	3,698
General and Administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 19,204	$ 7,373	$ 12,333

Stock-based Compensation - Addi

Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Reversal of stock-based compensation expense	$ 5,600
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		$ 0	$ 972	$ 461
Weighted average fair value		$ 18.51	$ 19.55	$ 15.22
Compensation expense		$ 26,391	$ 12,452	$ 21,210
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense		$ 1,900	$ 2,600	$ 2,600
Maximum [Member] | Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility		30.00%	35.00%	41.00%
Risk-free interest rate		0.11%	0.09%	0.12%
Expected life		181 days	181 days	181 days
Minimum [Member] | Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility		29.00%	32.00%	40.00%
Risk-free interest rate		0.13%	0.06%	0.09%
Expected life		184 days	184 days	184 days
Research and Development [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Reversal of stock-based compensation expense	2,200
General and Administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Reversal of stock-based compensation expense	$ 3,400
Compensation expense		$ 19,204	$ 7,373	$ 12,333

Stock-based Compensation - Fair

Stock-based Compensation - Fair Value Assumptions for Stock Options on Date of Grant (Detail) - Stock Options [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate	1.62%	1.77%	1.47%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected life	5 years 7 months 2 days	5 years 9 months 11 days	5 years 8 months 27 days
Expected volatility	33.00%	36.00%	42.00%

Accumulated Other Comprehens119

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Summary of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Cumulative Translation Adjustment, beginning balance	$ (185,097)	$ (18,649)	$ 31,517
Period change, Cumulative Translation Adjustment	(146,438)	(166,448)	(50,166)
Cumulative Translation Adjustment, ending balance	(331,535)	(185,097)	(18,649)
Pension Liability Adjustment, Beginning balance	(7,013)	(7,017)	(6,708)
Period change, Pension Liability Adjustment	(1,229)	4	(309)
Pension Liability Adjustment, Ending balance	(8,242)	(7,013)	(7,017)
Other, Beginning balance	0	(21)	(60)
Period change, Other	0	21	39
Other, Ending balance	0	0	(21)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	(192,110)	(25,687)	24,749
Period change, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(147,667)	(166,423)	(50,436)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	$ (339,777)	$ (192,110)	$ (25,687)

Income Taxes - Summary of Incom

Income Taxes - Summary of Income (Loss) Before Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
United States	$ (226,051)	$ (184,936)	$ (195,244)
Foreign	145,061	66,603	75,238
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ (80,990)	$ (118,333)	$ (120,006)

Income Taxes - Components of De

Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred tax assets:
NOL and capital loss carryforwards	$ 221,728	$ 119,142
Outside basis differences	0	211,880
Tax credit carryforwards	107,750	93,057
Nondeductible reserves	45,053	43,393
Nondeductible accruals	26,490	34,284
Difference between book and tax bases of tangible assets	1,735	881
Difference between book and tax bases of intangible assets	19,678	31,010
Deferred revenue	7,426	6,483
All other	16,477	18,950
Gross deferred tax assets	446,337	559,080
Less: Valuation allowance	(262,223)	(228,633)
Total deferred tax assets	184,114	330,447
Difference between book and tax bases of tangible assets	20,990	30,919
Difference between book and tax bases of intangible assets	277,871	364,815
Debt	2,344	12,895
Other	16,534	19,560
Total deferred tax liabilities	317,739	428,189
Net deferred tax liabilities	(133,625)	(97,742)
Deferred tax assets, current portion	0	127,920
Net non-current deferred tax assets	13,993	6,318
Deferred tax liabilities, current portion	0	(17)
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	(147,618)	(231,963)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (133,625)	$ (97,742)

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred tax asset	$ 144,800,000
US Federal net operating loss carryforwards	30,600,000
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards	234,600,000
State net operating loss carryforwards	876,500,000
US Federal capital loss carryforwards	256,100,000
Foreign capital loss carryforwards	62,100,000
US Federal and state R&D, tax credit carryforwards	22,900,000
U.S. federal Alternative Minimum Tax ("AMT") credit carryforwards	$ 4,400,000
U.S. federal loss carryforwards and credits percentage of change in ownership period	3 years
U.S. federal loss carryforwards and credits percentage of cumulative changes in the ownership interest of significant shareholders	50.00%
Valuation allowance	$ 262,223,000	$ 228,633,000
Increase of valuation allowance		33,600,000
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	320,200,000
Liability for income tax	70,800,000
Tax, total	$ 120,700,000
Unrecognized income tax description	Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2015 is $86.2 million of tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.
Interest and penalties	$ 1,400,000	1,100,000	$ 1,300,000
Accrued interest and penalties	$ 3,700,000	2,300,000	$ 1,900,000
Income tax audit by tax authorities, period description	2010 through the present.
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, change in enacted tax rate, amount	$ 2,100,000
Research and Development Credit [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforwards expiration year	2,026
United States [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	$ 79,200,000
Foreign [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration year	2,017
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	$ 1,200,000
Tax credit carryforwards expiration year	2,018
Foreign [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Foreign withholding taxes on certain undistributed earnings	$ 2,800,000
Federal [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration year	2,020
Capital loss carryforwards expiration year	2,016
State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards expiration year	2,016
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Foreign tax credit carryforwards		44,400,000
Provision for valuation allowance associated with U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards		$ 70,900,000

Income Taxes - Components of Pr

Income Taxes - Components of Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes - continuing operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Components Of Income Tax Expense Benefit [Line Items]
Total deferred	$ (99,389)	$ 12,254	$ (122,495)
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes	(52,704)	70,930	(44,707)
Continuing Operations [Member]
Components Of Income Tax Expense Benefit [Line Items]
Federal	(10,569)	6,857	19,948
State	2,331	487	(12)
Foreign	54,921	51,332	57,852
Total current	46,683	58,676	77,788
Federal	(71,748)	25,629	(86,254)
State	(8,572)	(4,142)	(6,513)
Foreign	(19,067)	(9,233)	(29,728)
Total deferred	(99,387)	12,254	(122,495)
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ (52,704)	$ 70,930	$ (44,707)

Income Taxes - Reconciliation f

Income Taxes - Reconciliation from U.S. Statutory Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Stock-based compensation	(1.00%)	(1.00%)	(3.00%)
Rate differential on foreign earnings	20.00%	3.00%	4.00%
Impact of foreign inclusion		(2.00%)	(3.00%)
U.S. federal research and development credit	3.00%	1.00%	3.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	7.00%	3.00%	(2.00%)
Contingent consideration	27.00%	(3.00%)	(3.00%)
Rate changes	1.00%	(3.00%)	7.00%
Return to provision	4.00%	19.00%	(3.00%)
Other permanent items	(1.00%)	3.00%	1.00%
Section 199 deduction			2.00%
Bargain purchase			3.00%
Change in valuation allowance	(8.00%)	(72.00%)	6.00%
Foreign dividends, net	(13.00%)	(19.00%)	(9.00%)
Uncertain tax positions	(6.00%)	(18.00%)	(1.00%)
Withholding Taxes	(2.00%)	(6.00%)
Effective tax rate	66.00%	(60.00%)	37.00%

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 49,931	$ 30,394	$ 23,640
Additions for tax positions related to prior years	823	20,797
Additions for tax positions related to current year	71,505	3,217	7,654
Reductions for tax positions related to prior years		(4,477)	(900)
Reductions for tax positions and of lapse of statute of limitations related to prior years	(1,552)
Ending Balance	$ 120,707	$ 49,931	$ 30,394

Financial Information by Seg126

Financial Information by Segment - Performance of Our Operating Segments Based on Revenue and Operating Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 2,463,316	$ 2,575,278	$ 2,608,636
Operating income (loss)	137,850	93,079	146,600
Depreciation and amortization	309,264	336,029	374,657
Restructuring charge	15,643	58,696	14,443
Stock-based compensation	26,391	12,452	21,210
Assets	5,957,171	6,699,879	7,058,515
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	90,778	100,562	99,908
Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	2,378,188	2,486,190	2,523,186
Operating income (loss)	348,527	174,082	233,481
Depreciation and amortization	299,323	331,882	369,193
Restructuring charge	14,281	44,461	14,443
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Assets	5,620,085	6,344,867	6,244,124
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	76,665	79,134	88,357
Consumer Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	85,128	89,088	85,450
Operating income (loss)	2,871	11,922	4,464
Depreciation and amortization	2,836	692	4,330
Restructuring charge	0	0	0
Stock-based compensation	0	0	0
Assets	172,551	216,451	197,458
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	1,403	3,360	1,645
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(213,548)	(92,925)	(91,345)
Depreciation and amortization	7,105	3,455	1,134
Restructuring charge	1,362	14,235	0
Stock-based compensation	26,391	12,452	21,210
Assets	164,535	138,561	616,933
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	$ 12,710	$ 18,068	$ 9,906

Financial Information by Seg127

Financial Information by Segment - Summary of Company's Net Revenue from Professional Diagnostics Reporting Segments by Groups of Similar Products and Services (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue net	$ 2,446,339	$ 2,554,228	$ 2,581,407
Professional diagnostics net product sales and services revenue	492,308	531,988	532,618
License and royalty revenue	16,977	21,050	27,229
Net revenue	2,463,316	2,575,278	2,608,636
Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	2,378,188	2,486,190	2,523,186
Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Professional diagnostics net product sales and services revenue	2,361,211	2,465,140	2,495,958
License and royalty revenue	16,977	21,050	27,229
Net revenue	2,378,188	2,486,190	2,523,187
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Cardiometabolic [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue net	832,402	841,905	858,781
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Infectious Disease [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue net	717,812	721,803	729,836
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Toxicology [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue net	618,360	644,620	644,527
Reportable Subsegments [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue net	$ 192,637	$ 256,812	$ 262,814

Financial Information by Seg128

Financial Information by Segment - Summary of Revenue and Long-lived Tangible Assets for Segments by Geographic Area (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 2,463,316	$ 2,575,278	$ 2,608,636
Long-Lived Tangible Assets	446,039	454,223
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	1,372,039	1,366,739	1,446,411
Long-Lived Tangible Assets	261,385	251,731
United Kingdom [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Tangible Assets	26,512	28,745
China [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Tangible Assets	28,705	29,505
Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	437,653	533,116	506,760
Elsewhere [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	653,624	675,423	$ 655,465
Long-Lived Tangible Assets	$ 129,437	$ 144,242

Other Arrangements - Additional

Other Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Period of contract				3 years 6 months
The amount provided for development of diagnostic device by BARDA as defined in the agreement				$ 12,900,000
Net expenditure incurred under the contract						$ 3,400,000	$ 400,000
The amount of cash reimbursement received from BARDA						2,700,000	100,000
Amount of accounts receivable						700,000	300,000
Restricted cash						5,694,000	37,571,000
Gates Foundation [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Revenue from grant awarded					$ 21,600,000	500,000
Cash received from grant-related funding						19,700,000
Qualified expenditures						3,900,000	$ 9,500,000	$ 6,600,000
Deferred grant funding						0
Restricted cash						0
Excess funds returned						1,200,000
Gates Foundation [Member] | Malaria Program [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Revenue from grant awarded	$ 1,100,000	$ 900,000	$ 400,000
Qualified expenditures		$ 100,000				300,000
Gates Foundation [Member] | Malaria Program [Member] | June 2015 Grant [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Revenue from grant awarded						500,000
Excess funds returned						100,000
Gates Foundation [Member] | Malaria Program [Member] | November 2015 Grant [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Revenue from grant awarded						800,000
Qualified expenditures	$ 0
Gates Loan Agreement [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Revenue from grant awarded						1,700,000
Aggregate principal amount of subordinated term loan					$ 20,600,000
Excess funds returned						$ 100,000

Related Party Transactions - Ad

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015CNY (¥)	Mar. 31, 2007
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage	100.00%			100.00%
Restructuring charges	$ 15,643	$ 58,696	$ 14,443
Customer receivables associated with revenue earned after SPD was completed have been classified as other receivables	15,938
Restricted cash	48,900	37,600
SPD Shanghai [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Restricted cash	3,500
SPD Shanghai [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Alere Shanghai [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Loan arrangement from related party	3,500			¥ 23,000,000
TechLab [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Net payable to SPD	$ 3,200	2,200
Equity method investment ownership percentage	49.00%			49.00%
Purchases from related party	$ 27,100	24,800	25,200
SPD Joint Venture [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage	50.00%			50.00%	50.00%
Net payable to SPD	$ 1,200	4,000
Restructuring charges	1,500	1,600
Long-term receivable cost related to restructuring plan	8,900	10,900
Customer receivables associated with revenue earned after SPD was completed have been classified as other receivables	7,800	9,600
Trade receivables from SPD	9,900	10,500
Trade payable to SPD	23,600	30,800
Cash received from SPD as a distribution of earnings	23,400		28,000
SPD Joint Venture [Member] | Sales Revenue Goods [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from joint venture	77,100	83,200	78,000
SPD Joint Venture [Member] | Sales Revenue Services [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from joint venture	$ 1,100	$ 1,300	$ 1,300

Related Party Transactions - Re

Related Party Transactions - Related Party Balances with SPD within Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	$ 445,833	$ 461,096
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	152,233	132,413
Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets	52,128	67,832
Accounts payable	195,752	213,592
SPD Joint Venture [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	9,873	10,465
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,602	9,635
Deferred financing costs, net, and other non-current assets	8,895	10,875
Accounts payable	$ 24,887	$ 34,816

Valuation and Qualifying Acc132

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Sets Forth Activities in Accounts Receivable Reserve Accounts (Detail) - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 76,163	$ 69,146	$ 30,073
Provision	45,279	42,477	65,643
Amounts Charged Against Reserves	(31,741)	(35,460)	(26,570)
Ending balance	$ 89,701	$ 76,163	$ 69,146

Valuation and Qualifying Acc133

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Sets Forth Activities in Inventory Reserve Accounts (Detail) - Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 27,348	$ 21,437	$ 21,822
Provision	21,592	12,818	3,286
Amounts Charged Against Reserves	(11,165)	(6,907)	(3,671)
Ending balance	$ 37,775	$ 27,348	$ 21,437

Valuation and Qualifying Acc134

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Sets Forth Activities in Deferred Tax Accounts (Detail) - Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 228,633	$ 84,315	$ 75,455
Additions	33,590	143,454	5,598
Amounts Charged Against Other Accounts	0	864	3,262
Ending balance	$ 262,223	$ 228,633	$ 84,315

Restructuring Activities - Aggr

Restructuring Activities - Aggregate Charges Associated with Restructuring Plans Recorded in Operating Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 15,643	$ 58,696	$ 14,443
Restructuring charges	15,667	58,738	14,501
Interest Expense, Including Amortization of Original Issue Discounts and Deferred Financing Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	24	42	58
Cost of Net Revenue [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	3,816	11,760	6,145
Research and Development [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	2,752	9,800	1,795
Sales and Marketing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	3,004	11,350	1,550
General and Administrative [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	6,071	25,786	4,953
Total Operating Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 15,643	$ 58,696	$ 14,443

Restructuring Activities - Rest

Restructuring Activities - Restructuring Activities Related to Restructuring Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			96 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 15,643	$ 58,696	$ 14,443
Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	14,281	44,461	14,443
Corporate and Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,362	14,235	0
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other non-cash charges	1,918	0		$ 1,918
Restructuring charges	13,191	42,218		55,409
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	7,143	27,806		34,949
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	3,452	3,460		6,912
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Cash Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	10,595	31,266		41,861
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	678	10,952		11,630
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,362	14,235		15,599
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,376	2,901		4,277
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	(14)	11,334		11,322
Restructuring Plans Prior to 2014 [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other non-cash charges	0	0	0	64
Restructuring charges	1,113	2,284	14,501	54,089
Restructuring Plans Prior to 2014 [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Severance-Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		1,265	7,668	32,626
Restructuring Plans Prior to 2014 [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Facility and Transition Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,089	938	4,238	12,011
Restructuring Plans Prior to 2014 [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Cash Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	1,113	2,245	11,964	45,459
Restructuring Plans Prior to 2014 [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Fixed Asset and Inventory Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	0	39	1,851	7,880
Restructuring Plans Prior to 2014 [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	24	42	58	822
Restructuring Plans Prior to 2014 [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member] | Intangible Asset Impairments [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 0	$ 0	$ 686	$ 686

Restructuring Activities - Addi

Restructuring Activities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserves included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$ 3.2
Restructuring reserves included in other long-term liabilities	0.6
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cash charges remain unpaid	2.8
2014 Restructuring Plans [Member] | Professional Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Additional costs	4.4
Restructuring Plans Prior to 2014 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cash charges remain unpaid	$ 1.1

Restructuring Activities - Cash

Restructuring Activities - Cash Activity for Restructuring Reserves (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cash charges	$ 15,643	$ 58,696	$ 14,443
Restructuring Reserve [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	14,748	3,140	2,682
Cash charges	13,071	47,747	11,964
Payments	(23,501)	(34,858)	(11,404)
Currency adjustments	(539)	(1,281)	(102)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	3,779	14,748	3,140
Severance-Related Costs [Member] | Restructuring Reserve [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	4,590	992	2,011
Cash charges	8,519	31,972	7,668
Payments	(11,145)	(27,394)	(8,573)
Currency adjustments	(331)	(980)	(114)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	1,633	4,590	992
Facility and Transition Costs [Member] | Restructuring Reserve [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	9,868	1,781	256
Cash charges	4,528	15,733	4,238
Payments	(12,222)	(7,345)	(2,725)
Currency adjustments	(208)	(301)	12
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	1,966	9,868	1,781
Other Exit Costs [Member] | Restructuring Reserve [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	290	367	415
Cash charges	24	42	58
Payments	(134)	(119)	(106)
Currency adjustments	0	0	0
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	$ 180	$ 290	$ 367

Equity Investments - Additional

Equity Investments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2007
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	$ 15,530	$ 17,509	$ 17,443
Joint venture ownership percentage	100.00%
SPD Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage	50.00%			50.00%
SPD [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	$ 14,300	16,200	15,000
SPD [Member] | SPD Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage	50.00%
TechLab [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	$ 1,500	$ 1,600	$ 2,000
TechLab [Member] | SPD Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage	49.00%

Equity Investments - Financial

Equity Investments - Financial Information for SPD and TechLab on Combined Condensed Results of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 202,611	$ 211,370	$ 203,115
Gross profit	147,386	160,192	152,698
Net income after taxes	$ 32,457	$ 35,646	$ 34,079

Equity Investments - Financi141

Equity Investments - Financial Information for SPD and TechLab on Combined Condensed Balance Sheet (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Current assets	$ 71,542	$ 90,546
Non-current assets	30,802	33,697
Total assets	102,344	124,243
Current liabilities	37,609	35,954
Non-current liabilities	5,157	5,884
Total liabilities	$ 42,766	$ 41,838

Assets Held For Sale - Addition

Assets Held For Sale - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2007
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage		100.00%
Assets held for sale - current		$ 4,165	$ 315,515
Goodwill		2,836,915	2,926,666	$ 3,006,997
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - current		363	78,843
Sale of business, purchase price		9,000
Sale of business, contingent consideration		1,500
Assets held for sale - non-current		$ 13,337	$ 0
Subsequent Events [Member]
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Sale of business, cash received	$ 8,100
Gain (Loss) on sale of disposal of group	$ 3,800
SPD Joint Venture [Member]
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage		50.00%			50.00%
TechLab [Member]
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Assets held for sale - non-current		$ 13,300
TechLab [Member] | SPD Joint Venture [Member]
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage		49.00%
Air Liquide Sante International [Member]
Assets Held For Sale [Line Items]
Assets held for sale - current		$ 4,200
Goodwill		3,200
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - current		$ 400

Impairment and (Gain) Loss on D

Impairment and (Gain) Loss on Dispositions, Net - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions, AUD in Millions, $ in Millions, ₩ in Billions	1 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015EUR (€)	Nov. 30, 2014USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015AUD	May 31, 2015USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2014KRW (₩)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of business, contingent consideration						$ 1.5
Cash consideration received at date of disposition						9
AdnaGen GmbH [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (loss) from sale of assets						(0.3)
Proceeds from sale of assets		$ 4.6
BBI Business [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of business, cash received	$ 106.4
Sale of business, contingent consideration	$ 46.6
Net assets disposed						66.5
Sale of business, Goodwill						49.2
Gain (Loss) on sale of disposal group						9.3
Alere Analytics [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Impairment charges						26.7
Write-off of intangible assets						26.2
Write-off of fixed assets						0.5
Contribution to working capital										$ 2.7
Gain (loss) from sale of assets						(3.6)
Alere Analytics [Member] | Cash [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Contribution to working capital										2.4
Alere Analytics [Member] | Escrow [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Contribution to working capital										$ 0.3
Gesellschaft Fur Patientenhilfe DGP GmbH [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on sale of disposal group						(7.5)
Cash proceeds from sale of business		$ 8.2	€ 7.6
Alere Connect LLC [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Impairment charges						1.1	$ 10.8
Bio Note Inc [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on sale of disposal group				$ 6.5
Cash consideration received at date of disposition				$ 43.2							₩ 48
Mologic Ltd [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on sale of disposal group					$ (2.8)
Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd business [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on sale of disposal group						(1.2)
Cash consideration received at date of disposition								$ 0.1	AUD 0.2
Additional charges recorded in connection with certain other business closures or divestitures						$ 0.8

Supplemental Cash Flow Infor144

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest	$ 167.6	$ 192.1	$ 206.3
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 36.5	$ 58.8	$ 49.1

Guarantor Financial Informat145

Guarantor Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Jun. 24, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Oct. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Dec. 11, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date	Oct. 1, 2015	May 15, 2016
7.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of debt instrument		7.25%		7.25%	7.25%		7.25%
Maturity year of debt instrument		2,018
Maturity date		Jul. 1, 2018
8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of debt instrument		8.625%	8.625%	8.625%	8.625%
Maturity year of debt instrument		2,018
Maturity date		Oct. 1, 2015
6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of debt instrument		6.50%		6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
Maturity year of debt instrument		2,020
Maturity date		Jun. 15, 2020
6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of debt instrument	6.375%	6.375%		6.375%	6.375%
Maturity year of debt instrument		2,023

Guarantor Financial Informat146

Guarantor Financial Information - Revised Consolidating Statement of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 2,463,316	$ 2,575,278	$ 2,608,636
Cost of net revenue	1,350,772	1,363,040	1,296,523
Sales and marketing	435,131	512,961	566,137
General and administrative	369,570	453,628	435,199
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes	(80,990)	(118,333)	(120,006)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(52,704)	70,930	(44,707)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(12,756)	(171,754)	(57,856)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net revenue	1,345,763	1,333,195	1,353,991
Cost of net revenue	816,961	761,563	732,611
Sales and marketing	219,566	232,406	255,950
General and administrative	147,539	155,795	141,877
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes	112,416	111,324	156,290
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	33,447	44,155	81,187
Income (loss) from continuing operations	78,969	67,169	72,155
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net revenue	1,397,647	1,491,422	1,454,731
Cost of net revenue	808,905	847,984	757,612
Sales and marketing	209,664	272,957	303,847
General and administrative	102,511	203,881	217,247
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes	241,689	94,509	98,026
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	64,947	46,618	41,801
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 190,807	63,819	71,695
As Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net revenue		2,588,704	2,616,364
Cost of net revenue		1,369,767	1,299,309
Sales and marketing		513,801
General and administrative		453,988
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes		(111,344)	(115,064)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		82,193	(42,014)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		(176,028)	(55,607)
As Previously Reported [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net revenue		1,330,816	1,356,313
Cost of net revenue		761,054	733,098
Sales and marketing			255,949
General and administrative		155,794
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes		110,945	158,126
Income (loss) from continuing operations		66,790	73,991
As Previously Reported [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net revenue		1,507,227	1,460,137
Cost of net revenue		855,221	759,911
Sales and marketing		273,797	303,848
General and administrative		204,242	217,246
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes		101,876	101,133
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		49,347	42,038
Income (loss) from continuing operations		68,457	74,565
Revision Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net revenue		(13,426)	(7,728)
Cost of net revenue		(6,727)	(2,786)
Sales and marketing		(840)
General and administrative		(360)
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes		(6,989)	(4,942)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(11,263)	(2,693)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		4,274	(2,249)
Revision Adjustment [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net revenue		2,379	(2,322)
Cost of net revenue		509	(487)
Sales and marketing			1
General and administrative		1
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes		379	(1,836)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		379	(1,836)
Revision Adjustment [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net revenue		(15,805)	(5,406)
Cost of net revenue		(7,237)	(2,299)
Sales and marketing		(840)	(1)
General and administrative		(361)	1
Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes		(7,367)	(3,107)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(2,729)	(237)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$ (4,638)	$ (2,870)

Guarantor Financial Informat147

Guarantor Financial Information - Revised Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total current assets	$ 1,457,290	$ 1,830,584
Total assets	5,957,171	6,699,879	$ 7,058,515
Total current liabilities	724,534	771,478
Total long term-liabilities	3,174,208	4,011,861
Total equity	2,058,429	1,916,540	2,080,659	$ 2,184,219
Total liabilities and equity	5,957,171	6,699,879
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total current assets	1,258,625	1,702,800
Total assets	4,792,833	5,317,982
Total current liabilities	979,093	1,021,025
Total long term-liabilities	1,491,812	1,580,152
Total equity	2,321,928	2,716,805
Total liabilities and equity	4,792,833	5,317,982
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total current assets	982,836	1,021,634
Total assets	2,764,082	3,103,941
Total current liabilities	446,931	656,592
Total long term-liabilities	1,113,069	1,187,443
Total equity	1,204,082	1,259,906
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,764,082	3,103,941
As Previously Reported [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total current assets		1,808,063
Total assets		6,678,956
Total current liabilities		761,045
Total long term-liabilities		4,008,166
Total equity		1,909,745	2,078,138	2,179,449
Total liabilities and equity		6,678,956
As Previously Reported [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total current assets		1,702,939
Total assets		5,318,120
Total current liabilities		1,022,546
Total long term-liabilities		1,580,151
Total equity		2,715,423
Total liabilities and equity		5,318,120
As Previously Reported [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total current assets		1,014,322
Total assets		3,095,976
Total current liabilities		637,659
Total long term-liabilities		1,186,410
Total equity		1,271,907
Total liabilities and equity		3,095,976
Revision Adjustment [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total current assets		22,521
Total assets		20,923
Total current liabilities		10,433
Total long term-liabilities		3,695
Total equity		6,795	$ 2,521	$ 4,770
Total liabilities and equity		20,923
Revision Adjustment [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total current assets		(139)
Total assets		(138)
Total current liabilities		(1,521)
Total long term-liabilities		1
Total equity		1,382
Total liabilities and equity		(138)
Revision Adjustment [Member] | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Total current assets		7,312
Total assets		7,965
Total current liabilities		18,933
Total long term-liabilities		1,033
Total equity		(12,001)
Total liabilities and equity		$ 7,965

Guarantor Financial Informat148

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net product sales	$ 1,954,031	$ 2,022,240	$ 2,048,789
Services revenue	492,308	531,988	532,618
Net product sales and services revenue	2,446,339	2,554,228	2,581,407
License and royalty revenue	16,977	21,050	27,229
Net revenue	2,463,316	2,575,278	2,608,636
Cost of net product sales	1,042,603	1,062,499	1,014,531
Cost of services revenue	304,388	294,949	274,229
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	1,346,991	1,357,448	1,288,760
Cost of license and royalty revenue	3,781	5,592	7,763
Cost of net revenue	1,350,772	1,363,040	1,296,523
Gross profit (loss)	1,112,544	1,212,238	1,312,113
Operating expenses:
Research and development	119,453	144,828	159,053
Sales and marketing	435,131	512,961	566,137
General and administrative	369,570	453,628	435,199
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	50,540	7,742	5,124
Operating income (loss)	137,850	93,079	146,600
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	(216,997)	(209,191)	(255,346)
Other income (expense), net	(1,843)	(2,221)	(11,260)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(80,990)	(118,333)	(120,006)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(52,704)	70,930	(44,707)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	(28,286)	(189,263)	(75,299)
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0	0
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	15,530	17,509	17,443
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(12,756)	(171,754)	(57,856)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	219,513	138,318	(16,126)
Net income (loss)	206,757	(33,436)	(73,982)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	381	30	976
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	206,376	(33,466)	(74,958)
Preferred stock dividends	(21,293)	(21,293)	(21,293)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	185,083	(54,759)	(96,251)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net product sales	0	0	0
Services revenue	0	0	0
Net product sales and services revenue	0	0	0
License and royalty revenue	0	0	0
Net revenue	0	0	0
Cost of net product sales	3,114	5,329	4,458
Cost of services revenue	205	261	47
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	3,319	5,590	4,505
Cost of license and royalty revenue	(40)	40	0
Cost of net revenue	3,279	5,630	4,505
Gross profit (loss)	(3,279)	(5,630)	(4,505)
Operating expenses:
Research and development	16,461	23,190	21,971
Sales and marketing	5,901	7,598	6,340
General and administrative	119,520	93,952	76,075
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	79,951	4,236	0
Operating income (loss)	(225,112)	(134,606)	(108,891)
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	(215,070)	(205,919)	(252,791)
Other income (expense), net	10,008	13,626	(10,759)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(430,174)	(326,899)	(372,441)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(151,406)	(20,865)	(167,073)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	(278,768)	(306,034)	(205,368)
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax	262,616	125,130	129,298
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	1,484	1,717	1,890
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(14,668)	(179,187)	(74,180)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	221,425	145,751	198
Net income (loss)	206,757	(33,436)	(73,982)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	206,757	(33,436)	(73,982)
Preferred stock dividends	(21,293)	(21,293)	(21,293)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	185,464	(54,729)	(95,275)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net product sales	892,086	855,435	878,391
Services revenue	440,709	464,283	454,989
Net product sales and services revenue	1,332,795	1,319,718	1,333,380
License and royalty revenue	12,968	13,477	20,611
Net revenue	1,345,763	1,333,195	1,353,991
Cost of net product sales	510,918	473,076	474,955
Cost of services revenue	305,813	288,288	257,587
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	816,731	761,364	732,542
Cost of license and royalty revenue	230	199	69
Cost of net revenue	816,961	761,563	732,611
Gross profit (loss)	528,802	571,632	621,380
Operating expenses:
Research and development	60,787	61,862	65,752
Sales and marketing	219,566	232,406	255,950
General and administrative	147,539	155,795	141,877
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	(8,747)	11,393	0
Operating income (loss)	109,657	110,176	157,801
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	(11,517)	(18,995)	(25,582)
Other income (expense), net	14,276	20,143	24,071
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	112,416	111,324	156,290
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	33,447	44,155	81,187
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	78,969	67,169	75,103
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0	(2,948)
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	0	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	78,969	67,169	72,155
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,912)	(27,839)	(14,370)
Net income (loss)	77,057	39,330	57,785
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	77,057	39,330	57,785
Preferred stock dividends	0	0	0
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	77,057	39,330	57,785
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net product sales	1,326,454	1,403,871	1,357,445
Services revenue	51,599	67,705	77,629
Net product sales and services revenue	1,378,053	1,471,576	1,435,074
License and royalty revenue	19,594	19,846	19,657
Net revenue	1,397,647	1,491,422	1,454,731
Cost of net product sales	759,411	796,775	701,282
Cost of services revenue	30,319	33,584	35,598
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	789,730	830,359	736,880
Cost of license and royalty revenue	19,175	17,625	20,732
Cost of net revenue	808,905	847,984	757,612
Gross profit (loss)	588,742	643,438	697,119
Operating expenses:
Research and development	42,205	59,776	71,330
Sales and marketing	209,664	272,957	303,847
General and administrative	102,511	203,881	217,247
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	(20,664)	(7,887)	5,124
Operating income (loss)	255,026	114,711	99,571
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	(18,227)	(18,629)	(11,192)
Other income (expense), net	4,890	(1,573)	9,647
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	241,689	94,509	98,026
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	64,947	46,618	41,801
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	176,742	47,891	56,225
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0	0
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	14,065	15,928	15,470
Income (loss) from continuing operations	190,807	63,819	71,695
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	20,400	(1,954)
Net income (loss)	190,807	84,219	69,741
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	381	30	976
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	190,426	84,189	68,765
Preferred stock dividends	0	0	0
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	190,426	84,189	68,765
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net product sales	(264,509)	(237,066)	(187,047)
Services revenue	0	0	0
Net product sales and services revenue	(264,509)	(237,066)	(187,047)
License and royalty revenue	(15,585)	(12,273)	(13,039)
Net revenue	(280,094)	(249,339)	(200,086)
Cost of net product sales	(230,840)	(212,681)	(166,164)
Cost of services revenue	(31,949)	(27,184)	(19,003)
Cost of net product sales and services revenue	(262,789)	(239,865)	(185,167)
Cost of license and royalty revenue	(15,584)	(12,272)	(13,038)
Cost of net revenue	(278,373)	(252,137)	(198,205)
Gross profit (loss)	(1,721)	2,798	(1,881)
Operating expenses:
Research and development	0	0	0
Sales and marketing	0	0	0
General and administrative	0	0	0
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(1,721)	2,798	(1,881)
Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	27,817	34,352	34,219
Other income (expense), net	(31,017)	(34,417)	(34,219)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(4,921)	2,733	(1,881)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	308	1,022	(622)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated entities, net of tax	(5,229)	1,711	(1,259)
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net of tax	(262,616)	(125,130)	(126,350)
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	(19)	(136)	83
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(267,864)	(123,555)	(127,526)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	6	0
Net income (loss)	(267,864)	(123,549)	(127,526)
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	(267,864)	(123,549)	(127,526)
Preferred stock dividends	0	0	0
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ (267,864)	$ (123,549)	$ (127,526)

Guarantor Financial Informat149

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 206,757	$ (33,436)	$ (73,982)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	(146,438)	(166,448)	(50,166)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities	0	(17)	0
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments	0	38	39
Minimum pension liability adjustment	(1,173)	(169)	(415)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(147,611)	(166,596)	(50,542)
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	56	(173)	(106)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(147,667)	(166,423)	(50,436)
Comprehensive income (loss)	59,090	(199,859)	(124,418)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	381	30	976
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	58,709	(199,889)	(125,394)
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	206,757	(33,436)	(73,982)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	(1,175)	(489)	(550)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities		0
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		0	0
Minimum pension liability adjustment	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(1,175)	(489)	(550)
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(1,175)	(489)	(550)
Comprehensive income (loss)	205,582	(33,925)	(74,532)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	205,582	(33,925)	(74,532)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	77,057	39,330	57,785
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	(816)	(516)	(619)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities		(17)
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		0	0
Minimum pension liability adjustment	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(816)	(533)	(619)
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(816)	(533)	(619)
Comprehensive income (loss)	76,241	38,797	57,166
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	76,241	38,797	57,166
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	190,807	84,219	69,741
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	(144,267)	(165,443)	(48,998)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities		0
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		38	39
Minimum pension liability adjustment	(1,173)	(169)	(415)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(145,440)	(165,574)	(49,374)
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	56	(173)	(106)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(145,496)	(165,401)	(49,268)
Comprehensive income (loss)	45,311	(81,182)	20,473
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	381	30	976
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	44,930	(81,212)	19,497
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(267,864)	(123,549)	(127,526)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	(180)	0	1
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities		0
Unrealized gains on hedging instruments		0	0
Minimum pension liability adjustment	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(180)	0	1
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(180)	0	1
Comprehensive income (loss)	(268,044)	(123,549)	(127,525)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Alere Inc. and Subsidiaries	$ (268,044)	$ (123,549)	$ (127,525)

Guarantor Financial Informat150

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Balance Sheet (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 502,200	$ 378,461	$ 355,431	$ 316,479
Restricted cash	5,694	37,571
Marketable securities	164	259
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	445,833	461,096
Inventories, net	347,001	377,349
Deferred tax assets	0	127,920
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	152,233	132,413
Assets held for sale - current	4,165	315,515
Intercompany receivables	0	0
Total current assets	1,457,290	1,830,584
Property, plant and equipment, net	446,039	454,223
Goodwill	2,836,915	2,926,666	3,006,997
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	28,110	43,651
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	997,281	1,276,444
Restricted cash	43,228	0
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	52,128	67,832
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	65,333	91,693
Deferred tax assets	13,993	6,318
Non-current income tax receivable	3,517	2,468
Assets held for sale - non-current	13,337	0
Intercompany notes receivables	0	0
Total assets	5,957,171	6,699,879	7,058,515
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	199,992	88,875
Current portion of capital lease obligations	3,962	4,241
Accounts payable	195,752	213,592
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	324,465	385,927
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - current	363	78,843
Intercompany payables	0	0
Total current liabilities	724,534	771,478
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	2,865,216	3,621,385
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	7,181	11,593
Deferred tax liabilities	147,618	231,963
Other long-term liabilities	154,193	146,920
Intercompany notes payables	0	0
Total long-term liabilities	3,174,208	4,011,861
Total stockholders' equity	2,054,165	1,912,394
Non-controlling interests	4,264	4,146
Total equity	2,058,429	1,916,540	2,080,659	2,184,219
Total liabilities and equity	5,957,171	6,699,879
Issuer [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	139,153	2,149	14,801	3,623
Restricted cash	1,250	5,012
Marketable securities	0	0
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	0	0
Inventories, net	0	0
Deferred tax assets	(52,410)	51,695
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,575	9,800
Assets held for sale - current	0	1,361
Intercompany receivables	620,838	404,991
Total current assets	716,406	475,008
Property, plant and equipment, net	31,384	30,547
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	0	0
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	2,951	6,104
Restricted cash	0
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	34,670	40,992
Investments in subsidiaries	3,294,857	3,729,385
Investments in unconsolidated entities	502	13,987
Deferred tax assets	(14,078)	(2,251)
Non-current income tax receivable	3,517	2,468
Assets held for sale - non-current	13,337
Intercompany notes receivables	1,905,188	2,028,702
Total assets	5,988,734	6,324,942
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	197,084	61,700
Current portion of capital lease obligations	0	0
Accounts payable	15,981	21,402
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(554,350)	(543,264)
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - current	0	1,094
Intercompany payables	1,122,042	902,576
Total current liabilities	780,757	443,508
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	2,818,779	3,615,759
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	0	0
Deferred tax liabilities	(157,708)	(90,520)
Other long-term liabilities	14,962	28,101
Intercompany notes payables	477,779	415,700
Total long-term liabilities	3,153,812	3,969,040
Total stockholders' equity	2,054,165	1,912,394
Non-controlling interests	0	0
Total equity	2,054,165	1,912,394
Total liabilities and equity	5,988,734	6,324,942
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	21,150	69,154	78,976	56,074
Restricted cash	0	0
Marketable securities	164	259
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	192,591	192,579
Inventories, net	173,383	191,381
Deferred tax assets	31,285	44,961
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,095	31,410
Assets held for sale - current	0	284,369
Intercompany receivables	812,957	888,687
Total current assets	1,258,625	1,702,800
Property, plant and equipment, net	228,065	218,613
Goodwill	1,823,919	1,795,663
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	7,638	9,287
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	627,269	742,760
Restricted cash	0
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	2,340	5,334
Investments in subsidiaries	158,195	179,315
Investments in unconsolidated entities	14,764	14,765
Deferred tax assets	(14)	0
Non-current income tax receivable	0	0
Assets held for sale - non-current	0
Intercompany notes receivables	672,032	649,445
Total assets	4,792,833	5,317,982
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	0	2
Current portion of capital lease obligations	2,018	1,045
Accounts payable	76,890	81,741
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	650,632	661,701
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - current	0	77,749
Intercompany payables	249,553	198,787
Total current liabilities	979,093	1,021,025
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	0	0
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	840	4,097
Deferred tax liabilities	250,495	252,944
Other long-term liabilities	59,309	46,866
Intercompany notes payables	1,181,168	1,276,245
Total long-term liabilities	1,491,812	1,580,152
Total stockholders' equity	2,321,928	2,716,805
Non-controlling interests	0	0
Total equity	2,321,928	2,716,805
Total liabilities and equity	4,792,833	5,317,982
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	341,897	307,158	261,654	256,782
Restricted cash	4,444	32,559
Marketable securities	0	0
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	253,242	268,517
Inventories, net	194,192	207,732
Deferred tax assets	23,244	31,264
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	110,961	88,696
Assets held for sale - current	4,165	29,785
Intercompany receivables	50,691	55,923
Total current assets	982,836	1,021,634
Property, plant and equipment, net	188,084	204,841
Goodwill	1,012,996	1,131,003
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	20,531	34,422
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	370,261	527,580
Restricted cash	43,228
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	15,564	21,541
Investments in subsidiaries	57,650	58,067
Investments in unconsolidated entities	37,947	49,609
Deferred tax assets	28,085	8,569
Non-current income tax receivable	0	0
Assets held for sale - non-current	0
Intercompany notes receivables	6,900	46,675
Total assets	2,764,082	3,103,941
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	2,908	27,173
Current portion of capital lease obligations	1,944	3,196
Accounts payable	102,881	110,449
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	225,944	267,536
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - current	363	0
Intercompany payables	112,891	248,238
Total current liabilities	446,931	656,592
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	46,437	5,626
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	6,341	7,496
Deferred tax liabilities	54,749	69,457
Other long-term liabilities	80,369	71,987
Intercompany notes payables	925,173	1,032,877
Total long-term liabilities	1,113,069	1,187,443
Total stockholders' equity	1,199,818	1,255,760
Non-controlling interests	4,264	4,146
Total equity	1,204,082	1,259,906
Total liabilities and equity	2,764,082	3,103,941
Eliminations [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	$ 0	$ 0
Restricted cash	0	0
Marketable securities	0	0
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	0	0
Inventories, net	(20,574)	(21,764)
Deferred tax assets	(2,119)	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,602	2,507
Assets held for sale - current	0	0
Intercompany receivables	(1,484,486)	(1,349,601)
Total current assets	(1,500,577)	(1,368,858)
Property, plant and equipment, net	(1,494)	222
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets with indefinite lives	(59)	(58)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	(3,200)	0
Restricted cash	0
Deferred financing costs, net and other non-current assets	(446)	(35)
Investments in subsidiaries	(3,510,702)	(3,966,767)
Investments in unconsolidated entities	12,120	13,332
Deferred tax assets	0	0
Non-current income tax receivable	0	0
Assets held for sale - non-current	0
Intercompany notes receivables	(2,584,120)	(2,724,822)
Total assets	(7,588,478)	(8,046,986)
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt	0	0
Current portion of capital lease obligations	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,239	(46)
Liabilities related to assets held for sale - current	0	0
Intercompany payables	(1,484,486)	(1,349,601)
Total current liabilities	(1,482,247)	(1,349,647)
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current portion	0	0
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	0	0
Deferred tax liabilities	82	82
Other long-term liabilities	(447)	(34)
Intercompany notes payables	(2,584,120)	(2,724,822)
Total long-term liabilities	(2,584,485)	(2,724,774)
Total stockholders' equity	(3,521,746)	(3,972,565)
Non-controlling interests	0	0
Total equity	(3,521,746)	(3,972,565)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (7,588,478)	$ (8,046,986)

Guarantor Financial Informat151

Guarantor Financial Information - Guarantor Financial Information Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 206,757	$ (33,436)	$ (73,982)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	219,513	138,318	(16,126)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(12,756)	(171,754)	(57,856)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0	0
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	12,831	16,233	17,839
Depreciation and amortization	309,264	336,029	374,657
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition			2,504
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	26,391	12,452	21,210
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations retained by Alere Inc	0	9,845	7,882
Impairment of inventory	15,597	3,124	337
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets	3,708	7,019	6,504
Impairment of long-lived assets	3,708	7,019
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	3,925	6,545	1,471
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	(15,530)	(17,509)	(17,443)
Deferred income taxes	(99,389)	12,254	(122,495)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	19,886	0	35,603
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	50,540	7,742	5,124
Bargain purchase gain	0	0	(8,023)
Other non-cash items	28,782	4,965	10,450
Non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration	(59,871)	7,677	19,250
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	(14,380)	(3,262)	(41,309)
Inventories, net	(60,478)	(68,033)	(85,680)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(43,014)	(51,998)	(11,310)
Accounts payable	(10,783)	47,851	17,750
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	24,194	37,698	22,737
Other non-current liabilities	34,362	13,254	(12,874)
Cash paid for contingent consideration	(6,315)	(22,077)	(11,660)
Intercompany payable (receivable)	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	206,964	188,055	174,668
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	318	43,468	69,232
Net cash provided by operating activities	207,282	231,523	243,900
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(13,715)	(5,446)	(31,164)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(90,778)	(100,562)	(99,908)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2,099	1,486	3,618
Cash received from (used in) dispositions, net of cash divested	675,823	45,076	29,000
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(60,135)	(75)	(176,131)
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	92	580	41
Cash received (paid) for investments	26,136	198	29,338
Proceeds from sale of equity investment	0	8,546	0
Cash received from equity method investments	26,136	980	29,338
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(1,794)	986	14,723
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	537,728	(48,231)	(230,483)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(209)	(8,972)	(26,963)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	537,519	(57,203)	(257,446)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	(16,188)	(1,528)	(9,845)
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	(14,223)	(32,902)	(40,079)
Cash paid for dividends	(21,293)	(21,293)	(21,293)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	79,185	51,555	20,863
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt	1,511	806	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,162,162	58	458,962
Payments on short-term debt	(25,584)	0	0
Payments on long-term debt	(2,656,386)	(65,122)	(470,557)
Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities	(127,536)	(42,522)	138,963
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options	0	972	461
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(5,618)	(6,085)	(6,533)
Purchase of non-controlling interest	0	(623)	(165)
Other	(8,937)	0	(18,953)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	(632,907)	(116,684)	51,824
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(76)	(1,471)	(2,833)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(632,983)	(118,155)	48,991
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	(11,379)	(16,312)	(1,871)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	100,439	39,853	33,574
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	378,461	355,431	316,479
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	23,300	6,477	11,855
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	502,200	401,761	361,908
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period	0	23,300	6,477
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	502,200	378,461	355,431
Issuer [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	206,757	(33,436)	(73,982)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	221,425	145,751	198
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(14,668)	(179,187)	(74,180)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	(262,616)	(125,130)	(129,298)
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	12,697	15,780	17,704
Depreciation and amortization	10,105	8,783	5,864
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition			0
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	14,400	3,446	8,792
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations retained by Alere Inc		0	0
Impairment of inventory	0	0	0
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets			0
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	1,019
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	121	1	0
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	(1,484)	(1,717)	(1,890)
Deferred income taxes	(83,208)	59,929	(34,615)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	19,886		35,603
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	79,951	4,236	0
Bargain purchase gain			0
Other non-cash items	4,809	1,418	5,202
Non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration	(32,975)	(3,414)	(2,295)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	0
Inventories, net	0	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,177	501,023	(577,892)
Accounts payable	(5,467)	8,818	4,591
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(29,379)	(583,144)	497,897
Other non-current liabilities	(4,089)	(594)	(19,442)
Cash paid for contingent consideration	(6,302)	(21,867)	(10,236)
Intercompany payable (receivable)	549,850	428,340	410,392
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	254,808	117,740	136,197
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	(671)	(2,103)
Net cash provided by operating activities	254,808	117,069	134,094
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	3,763	(2,791)	(2,221)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(12,710)	(21,680)	(11,400)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	0	726	0
Cash received from (used in) dispositions, net of cash divested	591,844	0	0
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(60,135)	(75)	(166,772)
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	0	0	0
Cash received (paid) for investments	2,695	477	1,960
Proceeds from sale of equity investment		0
Cash received from equity method investments		0
(Increase) decrease in other assets	301	96	15,269
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	525,758	(23,247)	(163,164)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	525,758	(23,247)	(163,164)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	(15,973)	(1,528)	(9,845)
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	(13,640)	(32,467)	(39,073)
Cash paid for dividends	(21,293)	(21,293)	(21,293)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	79,185	51,555	20,863
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,119,125	0	425,000
Payments on short-term debt	0
Payments on long-term debt	(2,655,343)	(60,000)	(461,845)
Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities	(127,000)	(43,000)	147,500
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		460	193
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	0	0	0
Purchase of non-controlling interest		0	0
Other	(8,623)		(18,953)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	(643,562)	(106,273)	42,547
Net cash used in discontinued operations	0	0	(2,299)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(643,562)	(106,273)	40,248
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	0	(201)	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	137,004	(12,652)	11,178
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	2,149	14,801	3,623
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		2,149	14,801
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period		0	0
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	139,153	2,149	14,801
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	77,057	39,330	57,785
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1,912)	(27,839)	(14,370)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	78,969	67,169	72,155
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0	2,948
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	25	42	59
Depreciation and amortization	175,415	177,347	189,325
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition			0
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	5,869	4,957	5,158
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations retained by Alere Inc		12,977	6,567
Impairment of inventory	133	0	26
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets			4,581
Impairment of long-lived assets	3,391	(712)
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	2,757	4,807	326
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	0	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(112)	(32,750)	(26,116)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0		0
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	(8,747)	11,393	0
Bargain purchase gain			0
Other non-cash items	996	3,726	1,617
Non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration	11,577	11,256	6,928
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	1,529	(16,345)	(6,275)
Inventories, net	(22,881)	(52,670)	(56,270)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(26,268)	(474,115)	515,020
Accounts payable	(7,741)	24,776	(4,541)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	64,588	537,209	(447,697)
Other non-current liabilities	3,034	1,380	(4,824)
Cash paid for contingent consideration	0	0	0
Intercompany payable (receivable)	(313,983)	(266,833)	(251,389)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	(31,449)	13,614	7,598
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	318	44,060	71,184
Net cash provided by operating activities	(31,131)	57,674	78,782
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	0	0	0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(29,748)	(40,737)	(33,483)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	993	845	5,183
Cash received from (used in) dispositions, net of cash divested	(8,723)	1,081	0
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	92	576	(66)
Cash received (paid) for investments	0	(279)	0
Proceeds from sale of equity investment		0
Cash received from equity method investments		0
(Increase) decrease in other assets	485	714	(1,428)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	(36,901)	(37,800)	(29,794)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(209)	(8,972)	(26,936)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(37,110)	(46,772)	(56,730)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	0	0	0
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	0	0	0
Cash paid for dividends	0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	0	0
Payments on short-term debt	0
Payments on long-term debt	0	(271)	(299)
Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities	0	0	0
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		422	200
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(2,565)	(2,885)	(3,278)
Purchase of non-controlling interest		0	0
Other	0		0
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	(2,565)	(2,734)	(3,377)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	(76)	(893)	(534)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(2,641)	(3,627)	(3,911)
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	(422)	(273)	(618)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(71,304)	7,002	17,523
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	69,154	78,976	56,074
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	23,300	6,476	11,855
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		92,454	85,452
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period		23,300	6,476
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	21,150	69,154	78,976
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	190,807	84,219	69,741
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	20,400	(1,954)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	190,807	63,819	71,695
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	0	0	0
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	109	411	76
Depreciation and amortization	123,921	149,884	179,587
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition			2,504
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	6,122	4,049	7,260
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations retained by Alere Inc		(3,132)	1,315
Impairment of inventory	15,464	3,124	311
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets			1,923
Impairment of long-lived assets	317	6,712
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	1,047	1,737	1,145
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	(14,065)	(15,928)	(15,470)
Deferred income taxes	(16,508)	(15,945)	(61,144)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0		0
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	(20,664)	(7,887)	5,124
Bargain purchase gain			(8,023)
Other non-cash items	19,777	(179)	3,631
Non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration	(38,473)	(165)	14,617
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	(15,909)	13,083	(35,034)
Inventories, net	(39,494)	(13,218)	(31,464)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(15,828)	(78,161)	54,469
Accounts payable	2,425	14,257	17,700
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(13,300)	85,445	(30,369)
Other non-current liabilities	33,703	9,897	11,368
Cash paid for contingent consideration	(13)	(210)	(1,424)
Intercompany payable (receivable)	(235,867)	(161,507)	(159,037)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	(16,429)	56,086	30,760
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	79	182
Net cash provided by operating activities	(16,429)	56,165	30,942
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(17,478)	(2,655)	(28,943)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(49,375)	(41,862)	(69,920)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2,161	4,165	12,876
Cash received from (used in) dispositions, net of cash divested	92,702	43,995	29,000
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	(9,359)
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	0	4	107
Cash received (paid) for investments	23,441		27,384
Proceeds from sale of equity investment		8,546
Cash received from equity method investments		980
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(2,546)	130	905
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	48,905	13,303	(37,950)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	0	0	(27)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	48,905	13,303	(37,977)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	(215)	0	0
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	(583)	(435)	(1,006)
Cash paid for dividends	0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt	1,511	806
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	43,037	58	33,962
Payments on short-term debt	(25,584)
Payments on long-term debt	(1,043)	(4,851)	(8,413)
Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities	(536)	478	(8,537)
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		90	68
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(3,053)	(3,200)	(3,255)
Purchase of non-controlling interest		(623)	(165)
Other	(314)		0
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	13,220	(7,677)	12,654
Net cash used in discontinued operations	0	(578)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	13,220	(8,255)	12,654
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	(10,957)	(15,710)	(746)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	34,739	45,503	4,873
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	307,158	261,654	256,782
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	0	1	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		307,158	261,655
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period		0	1
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	341,897	307,158	261,654
Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	(267,864)	(123,549)	(127,526)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	6	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(267,864)	(123,555)	(127,526)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax	262,616	125,130	126,350
Non-cash interest expense, including amortization of original issue discounts and deferred financing costs	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	(177)	15	(119)
Non-cash charges for sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition			0
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	0	0	0
Tax benefit related to discontinued operations retained by Alere Inc		0	0
Impairment of inventory	0	0	0
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets			0
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	0
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	0	0	0
Equity earnings of unconsolidated entities, net of tax	19	136	(83)
Deferred income taxes	439	1,020	(620)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0		0
Impairment and (gain) loss on dispositions, net	0	0	0
Bargain purchase gain			0
Other non-cash items	3,200	0	0
Non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration	0	0	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	0
Inventories, net	1,897	(2,145)	2,054
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(4,095)	(745)	(2,907)
Accounts payable	0	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,285	(1,812)	2,906
Other non-current liabilities	1,714	2,571	24
Cash paid for contingent consideration	0	0	0
Intercompany payable (receivable)	0	0	34
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	34	615	113
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	0	0	(31)
Net cash provided by operating activities	34	615	82
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	0	0	0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	1,055	3,717	14,895
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	(1,055)	(4,250)	(14,441)
Cash received from (used in) dispositions, net of cash divested	0	0	0
Cash paid for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Cash received from sales of marketable securities	0	0	0
Cash received (paid) for investments	0	0	(6)
Proceeds from sale of equity investment		0
Cash received from equity method investments		0
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(34)	46	(23)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	(34)	(487)	425
Net cash used in discontinued operations	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(34)	(487)	425
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash paid for financing costs	0	0	0
Cash paid for contingent purchase price consideration	0	0	0
Cash paid for dividends	0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	0	0
Payments on short-term debt	0
Payments on long-term debt	0	0	0
Net (payments) proceeds under revolving credit facilities	0	0	0
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options		0	0
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	0	0	0
Purchase of non-controlling interest		0	0
Other	0		0
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	0	0	0
Net cash used in discontinued operations	0	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	0	0	0
Foreign exchange effect on cash and cash equivalents	0	(128)	(507)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - continuing operations	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period - discontinued operations	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		0	0
Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period		0	0
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Subsequent Events - Additional

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)

Jul. 01, 2016

May 02, 2016

Apr. 22, 2016

Jan. 30, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Jun. 24, 2015

May 14, 2007

Jul. 31, 2016

May 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

May 31, 2013

Dec. 11, 2012

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Common stock, par value

$ 0.001

$ 0.001

$ 0.001

Convertible Preferred Stock, par value

$ 0.001

$ 0.001

$ 0.001

Maturity date

Oct. 1, 2015

May 15, 2016

Senior subordinated convertible notes paid in cash

$ 2,656,386,000

$ 65,122,000

$ 470,557,000

Product voluntary withdrawal, related charges

38,000,000

Removing cost

$ 15,643,000

$ 58,696,000

$ 14,443,000

7.25% Senior Notes [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Interest rate of debt instrument

7.25%

7.25%

7.25%

7.25%

7.25%

Maturity date

Jul. 1, 2018

6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Interest rate of debt instrument

6.50%

6.50%

6.50%

6.50%

6.50%

Maturity date

Jun. 15, 2020

6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Interest rate of debt instrument

6.375%

6.375%

6.375%

6.375%

6.375%

3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Interest rate of debt instrument

3.00%

3.00%

3.00%

3.00%

3.00%

Maturity date

May 15, 2016

May 15, 2016

Senior subordinated convertible notes paid in cash

$ 152,000,000

$ 152,000,000

3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member] | Cash [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Senior subordinated convertible notes paid in cash

27,000,000

Subsequent Events [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Rate of aggregate consent fee

25.00%

Amount of aggregate consent fee

$ 4.5

Increase in applicable interest rate margin

0.25%

Cash payment upon valid delivery

$ 15

$ 15

Principal amount of Notes redeemed

1,000

1,000

Aggregate payments to note holders

$ 19,200,000

$ 19,200,000

Subsequent Events [Member] | 7.25% Senior Notes [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Interest rate of debt instrument

7.25%

Subsequent Events [Member] | 6.5% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Interest rate of debt instrument

6.50%

Subsequent Events [Member] | 6.375% Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Interest rate of debt instrument

6.375%

Subsequent Events [Member] | Merger Agreement [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Common stock, par value

$ 0.001

Right to receive cash by each common stockholder

56

Convertible Preferred Stock, par value

$ 0.001

Termination fee of agreement

$ 177,000,000

Subsequent Events [Member] | Merger Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Payment to be received upon termination of merger agreement

$ 30,000,000

Subsequent Events [Member] | Merger Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Payment to be received upon termination of merger agreement

$ 50,000,000

Secured Credit Facility Revolving Line-Of-Credit [Member] | 3% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Senior subordinated convertible notes paid in cash

$ 125,000,000

125,000,000

INRatio 2 PT/INR Monitoring System Voluntary Withdrawal [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Product voluntary withdrawal, related charges

18,000,000

Non-cash impairment charge

3,000,000

Removing cost

16,000,000

INRatio 2 PT/INR Monitoring System Voluntary Withdrawal [Member] | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Accelerated depreciation and Amortization

4,000,000

INRatio 2 PT/INR Monitoring System Voluntary Withdrawal [Member] | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Accelerated depreciation and Amortization

$ 1,000,000

Scenario, Forecast [Member] | INRatio 2 PT/INR Monitoring System Voluntary Withdrawal [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

One time cash expenditures

$ 2,000,000

Scenario, Forecast [Member] | INRatio 2 PT/INR Monitoring System Voluntary Withdrawal [Member] | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Accelerated depreciation and Amortization

16,000,000

Scenario, Forecast [Member] | INRatio 2 PT/INR Monitoring System Voluntary Withdrawal [Member] | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

Accelerated depreciation and Amortization

$ 3,000,000