Laboratory Corporation of America (LH) 10-K/A 1 Mar 16 2015 FY Annual report (amended) Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Sep. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 23, 2016

Entity Information [Line Items]

Net sales

$ 2,244.8

$ 2,269.9

$ 2,218.7

$ 1,772.3

$ 1,512.7

$ 1,551.8

$ 1,516.4

$ 1,430.7

$ 8,505.7

$ 6,011.6

$ 5,808.3

Entity Registrant Name

LABORATORY CORP OF AMERICA HOLDINGS

Entity Central Index Key

920,148

Current Fiscal Year End Date

--12-31

Entity Filer Category

Large Accelerated Filer

Document Type

10-K

Document Period End Date

Dec. 31, 2015

Document Fiscal Year Focus

2,015

Document Fiscal Period Focus

FY

Amendment Flag

false

Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding

101.7

Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer

Yes

Entity Voluntary Filers

No

Entity Current Reporting Status

Yes

Entity Public Float

$ 12,100

Genomic and Esoteric Testing [Member]

Entity Information [Line Items]

Net sales

$ 173.6

$ 138.9

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 716.4	$ 580
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $217.0 and $211.6 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively	1,217.9	815.7
Unbilled Contracts Receivable	156.6	0
Supplies inventories	191	139.5
Prepaid expenses and other	340.3	157.5
Deferred income taxes	40.8	0
Total current assets	2,663	1,692.7
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,747.4	786.5
Goodwill, net	6,227.7	3,099.4
Intangible assets, net	3,323.5	1,475.8
Joint venture partnerships and equity method investments	58.2	92.6
Other assets, net	201.9	154.8
Total assets	14,221.7	7,301.8
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	497.4	282.3
Accrued expenses and other	633.1	341.4
Deferred Revenue, Current	146.1	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current	0	5.5
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	424.9	347.1
Total current liabilities	1,701.5	976.3
Long-term debt, less current portion	5,992.1	2,682.7
Deferred income taxes and other tax liabilities	1,245.7	530.4
Other liabilities	323.1	274.2
Total liabilities	$ 9,262.4	$ 4,463.6
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Noncontrolling interest	$ 14.9	$ 17.7
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, 101.3 and 84.6 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively	12	10.4
Additional paid-in capital	1,974.5	0
Retained earnings	4,223	3,786.1
Less common stock held in treasury	(978.1)	(965.5)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(287)	(10.5)
Total shareholders’ equity	4,944.4	2,820.5
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 14,221.7	$ 7,301.8

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parentheticals) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$ 217	$ 211.6
Shareholders’ equity
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding (in shares)	101.3	84.6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest expense	$ (274.9)	$ (109.5)	$ (96.5)
Operating income	1,002.9	910.4	990.9
Net sales	8,505.7	6,011.6	5,808.3
Reimbursement Revenue	174.4	0	0
Revenues	8,680.1	6,011.6	5,808.3
Cost of sales	5,602.4	3,808.5	3,585.1
Cost of Reimbursable Expense	174.4	0	0
Cost of Revenue	5,776.8	3,808.5	3,585.1
Gross profit	2,903.3	2,203.1	2,223.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,622	1,198.2	1,128.8
Amortization of intangibles and other assets	164.5	76.7	81.7
Restructuring and other special charges	113.9	17.8	21.8
Equity method income, net	10	14.3	16.9
Investment income	1.9	1.1	2.2
Other, net	(7.8)	10.4	2.1
Earnings before income taxes	732.1	826.7	915.6
Provision for income taxes	294.1	314.1	340.2
Net earnings	438	512.6	575.4
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1.1	1.4	1.6
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 436.9	$ 511.2	$ 573.8

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net earnings	$ 438	$ 512.6	$ 575.4
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(370.7)	(89.5)	(63.2)
Net benefit plan adjustments	7.7	(18.6)	42.1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax	(0.1)	(16.3)	16.4
Other comprehensive loss before tax	(363.1)	(124.4)	(4.7)
Provision for income tax related to items of comprehensive earnings	86.6	47.7	1.5
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(276.5)	(76.7)	(3.2)
Comprehensive earnings	161.5	435.9	572.2
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(1.1)	(1.4)	(1.6)
Net comprehensive earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 160.4	$ 434.5	$ 570.6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	$ 11.3
Additional Paid in Capital	0
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	3,588.5
Treasury Stock, Value	(951.8)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	69.4
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2012	2,717.4
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	573.8	$ 0	$ 0	$ 573.8	$ 0	$ 0
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	(3.2)	0	0	0	0	(3.2)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	174	0.2	173.8	0	0	0
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	(7.1)	0	0	0	(7.1)	0
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	4.1	0	4.1	0	0	0
Stock compensation	37.3	0	37.3	0	0	0
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised	10.6	0	10.6	0	0	0
Purchase of common stock	(1,015.6)	(1)	(225.8)	(788.8)	0	0
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2013	2,491.3
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding		10.5
Additional Paid in Capital			0
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)				3,373.5
Treasury Stock, Value					(958.9)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	66.2					66.2
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	511.2	0	0	511.2	0	0
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	(76.7)	0	0	0	0	(76.7)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	114.8	0.2	114.6	0	0	0
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	(6.6)	0	0	0	(6.6)	0
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	3.9	0	3.9	0	0	0
Stock compensation	45.7	0	45.7	0	0	0
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised	5.9	0	5.9	0	0	0
Purchase of common stock	(269)	(0.3)	(170.1)	(98.6)	0	0
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2014	2,820.5
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	10.4	10.4
Additional Paid in Capital	0		0
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	3,786.1			3,786.1
Treasury Stock, Value	(965.5)				(965.5)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(10.5)					(10.5)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	436.9	0	0	436.9	0	0
Other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	(276.5)	0	0	0	0	(276.5)
Issuance of common stock for acquisition consideration	1,762.5	1.5	1,761	0	0	0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans	98.9	0.1	98.8	0	0	0
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	(12.6)	0	0	0	(12.6)	0
Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	0.4	0	0.4	0	0	0
Stock compensation	102.1	0	102.1	0	0	0
Income tax benefit from stock options exercised	12.2	0	12.2	0	0	0
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2015	4,944.4
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	12	$ 12
Additional Paid in Capital	1,974.5		$ 1,974.5
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	4,223			$ 4,223
Treasury Stock, Value	(978.1)				$ (978.1)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$ (287)					$ (287)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Proceeds from bridge loan	$ 400	$ 0	$ 0
Repayments of Senior Debt	(500)	0	0
Payments on bridge loan	(400)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings	438	512.6	575.4
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	457.8	245.5	230.1
Stock compensation	102.1	45.7	37.3
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	4.6	(12.5)	(3.9)
Accrued interest on zero-coupon subordinated notes	2	2	2.3
Cumulative earnings less than (in excess of) distributions from equity method investments	0.1	(5.8)	(4.2)
Asset Impairment Charges	39.7	0	0
Deferred income taxes	(33.4)	27.7	56.2
Change in assets and liabilities (net of effects of acquisitions):
Increase in accounts receivable (net)	(71.8)	(31.1)	(67.5)
Increase (Decrease) in Unbilled Receivables	(16.9)	0	0
Increase in inventories	(0.2)	(0.3)	(15.3)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other	62.3	(12.9)	(32.3)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	30.7	(21.2)	60.8
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue	5.4	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities and Other Operating Liabilities	(38)	(10.7)	(20.2)
Net cash provided by operating activities	982.4	739	818.7
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(255.8)	(203.5)	(202.2)
Proceeds from sale of assets	0.6	1.4	1.1
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments	8	31.6	7.5
Acquisition of licensing technology	0	0	0
Investments in equity affiliates	(11.7)	(20.2)	(6.5)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(3,736)	(159.4)	(159.5)
Net cash used for investing activities	(3,994.9)	(350.1)	(359.6)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from Senior Notes offerings	2,900	0	700
Proceeds from Issuance of Other Long-term Debt	1,000	0	0
Line of Credit Facility Payment	(285)	0	0
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	60	0	412
Payments on revolving credit facilities	(60)	0	(412)
Payments on zero-coupon subordinated notes	(1.3)	(18.9)	(21.5)
Payments on long-term debt	0	0	(350)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(36.7)	(24.1)	(9.3)
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations	(4.3)	(1.4)	(0.4)
Noncontrolling interest distributions	0	(1.2)	(0.9)
Excess tax benefits from stock based compensation	13.1	5.9	11
Net proceeds from issuance of stock to employees	98.9	114.8	174
Purchase of common stock	0	(269)	(1,015.6)
Net cash used for financing activities	3,184.6	(200.6)	(518.3)
Deferred payments on acquisitions	(0.1)	(6.7)	(5.6)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(35.7)	(12.3)	(3.6)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	136.4	176	(62.8)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	580	404	466.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 716.4	$ 580	$ 404

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS	BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS On February 19, 2015 (Acquisition Date), the Company completed its acquisition (Acquisition) of Covance Inc. (Covance), a leading drug development services company and a leader in nutritional analysis, for $6,150.7 . The Company issued debt and common stock to fund the Acquisition. Covance stockholders received $75.76 in cash and 0.2686 shares of the Company's common stock for each share of Covance common stock they owned. The Company financed the Acquisition with 3,900.0 of debt, 15.3 shares of its common stock and $488.2 of available cash, $400.0 of which was derived from a bridge term loan credit facility. On January 30, 2015, the Company issued $2,900.0 in debt securities, consisting of $500.0 aggregate principal amount of 2.625% Senior Notes due 2020, $500.0 aggregate principal amount of 3.20% Senior Notes due 2022, $1,000.0 aggregate principal amount of 3.60% Senior Notes due 2025 and $900.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.70% Senior Notes due 2045 (together, the Acquisition Notes). The Company also entered into a $1,000.0 term loan facility which was advanced in full on February 19, 2015. The term loan credit facility will mature five years after the closing date of the Acquisition and may be prepaid without penalty. The Company has continued to finalize its purchase price allocation during the measurement period and obtained new fair value information related to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Covance, including the related lives of acquired assets. The facts and circumstances that existed at the date of acquisition, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized at that date. In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations , measurement period adjustments are not included in current earnings, but recognized as of the date of the acquisition with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill resulting from the change in preliminary amounts. As a result, the Company adjusted the preliminary allocation of the purchase price initially recorded at the Acquisition Date to reflect these measurement period adjustments. While the purchase price allocation is substantially complete, it is still preliminary and subject to change. The areas of the purchase price that are not yet finalized relate primarily to the impact of finalizing deferred taxes and the final allocation of goodwill to the various foreign and domestic subsidiaries of Covance. Accordingly, adjustments may be made as additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed at the valuation date. The purchase price allocation and related push down to subsidiaries will be finalized in the first quarter of 2016. The impact of any such changes will be reflected in the opening balance sheet and the comparative periods will be revised to include the effect of the measurement period adjustments as if they had been completed on the Acquisition Date in accordance with ASC 805. Any adjustments impacting amounts allocable to international location as finalized will impact currency translation and therefore comprehensive income for the comparative periods as well. The valuation of acquired assets and assumed liabilities at the date of Acquisition include the following: Consideration Transferred Stock consideration $ 1,762.5 Cash consideration 4,388.2 $ 6,150.7 Preliminary February 19, 2015 Measurement Period Adjustments Adjusted February 19, 2015 Net Assets Acquired Cash and cash equivalents $ 780.8 $ — $ 780.8 Accounts receivable 334.8 — 334.8 Unbilled services 138.7 — 138.7 Inventories 51.9 — 51.9 Prepaid expenses and other 261.4 86.5 347.9 Deferred income taxes 34.4 61.1 95.5 Property, plant and equipment 844.2 174.0 1,018.2 Goodwill 3,176.1 (135.9 ) 3,040.2 Customer relationships 1,917.2 (86.9 ) 1,830.3 Trade names and trademarks 289.4 (18.9 ) 270.5 Land use right 4.9 (4.9 ) — Technology — 74.5 74.5 Favorable leases — 5.5 5.5 Other assets 15.2 (3.2 ) 12.0 Total assets acquired 7,849.0 151.8 8,000.8 Accounts payable 190.8 — 190.8 Accrued expenses and other 280.8 — 280.8 Unearned revenue 168.0 — 168.0 Deferred income taxes 730.2 122.3 852.5 Senior Notes 250.0 — 250.0 Other liabilities 78.5 29.5 108 Total liabilities acquired 1,698.3 151.8 1,850.1 Net assets acquired $ 6,150.7 $ — $ 6,150.7 The amortization periods for intangible assets acquired are 28 years for customer relationships, 15 years for trade names and trademarks, 10 years for technology, and 8 years for favorable leases. The Company recorded certain measurement period adjustments and certain classifications of expenses, including items associated with the allocation of stock compensation, from cost of revenue to selling, general and administrative expenses. The Acquisition contributed $2,209.7 and $167.2 of revenue and operating income, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2015 . Unaudited Pro Forma Information The Company completed the Acquisition on February 19, 2015. Had the Acquisition been completed as of the beginning of 2014, the Company's pro forma results for 2015 and 2014 would have been as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Total revenues $ 9,033.3 $ 8,711.2 Operating income 1,123.3 907.7 Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 546.8 423.0 Earnings per share: Basic $ 5.04 $ 4.22 Diluted $ 5.02 $ 4.16 The unaudited pro forma results reflect certain adjustments related to past operating performance, acquisition costs and acquisition accounting adjustments, such as increased amortization expense and decreased depreciation expense based on the estimated fair value of assets acquired, the impact of the Company’s new financing arrangements, and the related tax effects. The pro forma results include costs directly attributable to the Acquisition which are not expected to have a continuing impact on the combined company, such as transaction costs of $207.6 ; comprised of change in control, retention and severance arrangements of $26.8 ; acceleration of stock based compensation of $43.2 and related employer taxes of $9.4 ; legal, advisor and success fees of $75.6 ; write-off of bridge and other deferred financing fees of $15.2 ; and make-whole payments of $37.4 made in connection with the prepayment of Covance's existing private placement debt, all of which are included in the pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014 . The pro forma results do not include any anticipated synergies which may be achievable subsequent to the Acquisition. To produce the unaudited pro forma financial information, the Company adjusted Covance’s assets and liabilities to their estimated fair value based on a valuation as of the Acquisition Date. These pro forma results of operations have been prepared for comparative purposes only, and they do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the Acquisition occurred on the date indicated or that may result in the future. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company also acquired various laboratories and related assets for approximately $128.6 in cash (net of cash acquired). The purchase consideration for these acquisitions has been allocated to the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired, including approximately $17.4 in identifiable intangible assets (primarily customer relationships) and a residual amount of goodwill of approximately $68.4 . These acquisitions were made primarily to extend the Company's geographic reach in important market areas and/or enhance the Company's scientific differentiation and esoteric testing capabilities. The Company's results would not have been materially different from its pro forma results had the Company's other 2015 acquisitions occurred at the beginning of 2014. On November 20, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of LipoScience, Inc. (LipoScience), a provider of specialized cardiovascular diagnostic laboratory tests based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, for a purchase price of $5.25 per share or a transaction value of $67.9 (net of cash acquired). The LipoScience purchase consideration has been allocated to the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired, including approximately $27.2 in identifiable intangible assets (primarily non-tax deductible customer relationships, technology and trade names and trademarks) with weighted-average useful lives of approximately 19.5 years; $9.4 in deferred tax liabilities (relating to identifiable intangible assets); and a residual amount of non-tax deductible goodwill of approximately $17.4 . During the year ended December 31, 2014 , the Company also acquired various other laboratories and related assets for approximately $91.5 in cash (net of cash acquired). These acquisitions were made primarily to extend the Company's geographic reach in important market areas and/or enhance the Company's scientific differentiation and esoteric testing capabilities. The purchase consideration for these acquisitions has been allocated to the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired, including approximately $22.0 in identifiable intangible assets (primarily customer relationships and non-compete agreements) and a residual amount of goodwill of approximately $63.4 . During the year ended December 31, 2013 , the Company also acquired various other laboratories and related assets for approximately $159.5 in cash (net of cash acquired). These acquisitions were made primarily to extend the Company's geographic reach in important market areas and/or enhance the Company's scientific differentiation and esoteric testing capabilities. Contingent consideration liabilities associated with the Company's business acquisitions are recorded at fair value based upon the estimated probability assessment of the earn-out criteria. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities are recognized in earnings until the arrangement is settled.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Financial Statement Presentation Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and its subsidiaries (Company) is the world’s leading healthcare diagnostics company, providing comprehensive clinical laboratory services and end-to-end drug development support. The Company’s strategic vision is to improve health and improve lives by delivering world class diagnostic solutions, bringing innovative medicines to patients faster, and changing the way care is provided through the deployment of technology-enabled solutions. The Company serves managed care organizations (MCOs), biopharmaceutical companies, governmental agencies, physicians, hospitals and health systems, employers, patients and consumers, food and nutritional companies and independent clinical laboratories. The Company believes that it generated more revenue from laboratory testing than any other company in the world in 2015. The Company reports its business in two segments, LabCorp Diagnostics (LCD) and Covance Drug Development (CDD). For further financial information about these segments, including information for each of the last three fiscal years regarding revenue, operating income, and other important information, see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In 2015, LCD and CDD contributed 72.9% and 27.1% , respectively, of net revenues to the Company. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries for which it exercises control. Long-term investments in affiliated companies in which the Company exercises significant influence, but which it does not control, are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which the Company does not exercise significant influence (generally, when the Company has an investment of less than 20% and no representation on the investee's board of directors) are accounted for using the cost method. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The Company does not have any variable interest entities or special purpose entities whose financial results are not included in the consolidated financial statements. The financial statements of the Company's operating foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates prevailing during the year. Resulting translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Revenue Recognition LCD recognizes revenue on the accrual basis at the time test results are reported, which approximates when services are provided. Services are provided to certain patients covered by various third-party payer programs including various MCOs, as well as the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Billings for services under third-party payer programs are included in sales net of allowances for contractual discounts and allowances for differences between the amounts billed and estimated program payment amounts. Adjustments to the estimated payment amounts based on final settlement with the programs are recorded upon settlement as an adjustment to revenue. In 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , approximately 16.0% , 15.0% and 16.0% , respectively, of LCD's revenues were derived directly from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. LCD has capitated agreements with certain MCO customers and recognizes related revenue based on a predetermined monthly contractual rate for each member of the managed care plan regardless of the number or cost of services provided by the Company. In 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , approximately 3.5% , 3.5% and 3.2% , respectively, of LCD's revenues were derived from such capitated agreements. CDD recognizes revenue either as services are performed or products are delivered, depending on the nature of the work contracted. Historically, a majority of CDD’s net revenues have been earned under contracts that range in duration from a few months to a few years, but can extend in duration up to five years or longer. CDD also has committed minimum volume arrangements with certain clients. Underlying these arrangements are individual project contracts for the specific services to be provided. These arrangements enable CDD's clients to secure its services in exchange for which they commit to purchase an annual minimum dollar value of services. Under these types of arrangements, if the annual minimum dollar value of service commitment is not reached, the client is required to pay CDD for the shortfall. Progress towards the achievement of annual minimum dollar value of service commitments is monitored throughout the year. Annual minimum commitment shortfalls are not included in net revenues until the amount has been determined and agreed to by the client. Service contracts generally take the form of fee-for-service or fixed-price arrangements subject to pricing adjustments based on changes in scope. In cases where performance spans multiple accounting periods, revenue is recognized as services are performed, measured on a proportional-performance basis, generally using output measures that are specific to the service provided. Examples of output measures in early development services, include among others, the number of slides read, or specimens prepared for preclinical laboratory services, or number of dosings or number of volunteers enrolled for clinical pharmacology. Examples of output measures in the clinical trials services, include among others, number of investigators enrolled, number of sites initiated, number of patients enrolled and number of monitoring visits completed. Revenue is determined by dividing the actual units of work completed by the total units of work required under the contract and multiplying that percentage by the total contract value. The total contract value, or total contractual payments, represents the aggregate contracted price for each of the agreed upon services to be provided. CDD does not have any contractual arrangements spanning multiple accounting periods where revenue is recognized on a proportional-performance basis under which the Company has earned more than an immaterial amount of performance-based revenue (i.e., potential additional revenue tied to specific deliverables or performance). Changes in the scope of work are common, especially under long-term contracts, and generally result in a change in contract value. Once the client has agreed to the changes in scope and renegotiated pricing terms, the contract value is amended with revenue recognized as described above. Estimates of costs to complete are made to provide, where appropriate, for losses expected on contracts. Costs are not deferred in anticipation of contracts being awarded, but instead are expensed as incurred. Billing schedules and payment terms are generally negotiated on a contract-by-contract basis. In some cases, CDD bills the client for the total contract value in progress-based installments as certain non-contingent billing milestones are reached over the contract duration, such as, but not limited to, contract signing, initial dosing, investigator site initiation, patient enrollment or database lock. The term “billing milestone” relates only to a billing trigger in a contract whereby amounts become billable and payable in accordance with a negotiated predetermined billing schedule throughout the term of a project. These billing milestones are generally not performance-based (i.e., there is no potential additional consideration tied to specific deliverables or performance). In other cases, billing and payment terms are tied to the passage of time (e.g., monthly billings). In either case, the total contract value and aggregate amounts billed to the client would be the same at the end of the project. While CDD attempts to negotiate terms that provide for billing and payment of services prior or within close proximity to the provision of services, this is not always possible, and there are fluctuations in the levels of unbilled services and unearned revenue from period to period. While a project is ongoing, cash payments are not necessarily representative of aggregate revenue earned at any particular point in time, as revenues are recognized when services are provided, while amounts billed and paid are in accordance with the negotiated billing and payment terms. In some cases, payments received are in excess of revenue recognized. For example, a contract invoicing schedule may provide for an upfront payment of 10% of the full contract value upon contract signing, but at the time of signing performance of services has not yet begun. Payments received in advance of services being provided are deferred as unearned revenue on the balance sheet. As the contracted services are subsequently performed and the associated revenue is recognized, the unearned revenue balance is reduced by the amount of revenue recognized during the period. In other cases, services may be provided and revenue recognized before the client is invoiced. In these cases, revenue recognized will exceed amounts billed, and the difference, representing an unbilled receivable, is recorded for the amount that is currently unbillable to the customer pursuant to contractual terms. Once the client is invoiced, the unbilled services are reduced for the amount billed, and a corresponding account receivable is recorded. All unbilled services are billable to customers within one year from the respective balance sheet date. Most contracts are terminable with or without cause by the client, either immediately or upon notice. These contracts often require payment to CDD of expenses to wind down the study or project, fees earned to date and, in some cases, a termination fee or a payment to CDD of some portion of the fees or profits that could have been earned by CDD under the contract if it had not been terminated early. Termination fees are included in net revenues when services are performed and realization is assured. In connection with the management of multi-site clinical trials, CDD pays on behalf of its customers fees to investigators, volunteers and certain out-of-pocket costs, for which it is reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Investigator fees are not reflected in net revenues or expenses where CDD acts in the capacity of an agent on behalf of the pharmaceutical company sponsor, passing through these costs without risk or reward to CDD. All other out-of-pocket costs are included in total revenues and expenses. The Company's net revenues are comprised of the following: Years Ended December 31, Total revenues 2015 2014 2013 LCD - net revenue $ 6,199.3 $ 5,838.0 $ 5,669.4 CDD - net revenue 2,306.4 173.6 138.9 CDD - reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses 174.4 — — Total revenues $ 8,680.1 $ 6,011.6 $ 5,808.3 Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses CDD pays on behalf of its customers certain out-of-pocket costs for which the Company is reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Out-of-pocket costs paid by CDD are reflected in operating expenses, while the reimbursements received are reflected in revenues in the consolidated statements of operations. CDD excludes from revenue and expense in the consolidated statements of operations fees paid to investigators and the associated reimbursement because CDD acts as an agent on behalf of the pharmaceutical company sponsors with regard to investigator payments. Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue includes direct labor and related benefit charges, other direct costs, shipping and handling fees, and an allocation of facility charges and information technology costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of administrative payroll and related benefit charges, advertising and promotional expenses, administrative travel and an allocation of facility charges and information technology costs. Cost of advertising is expensed as incurred. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Significant estimates include the allowances for doubtful accounts, deferred tax assets, fair values and amortization lives for intangible assets, and accruals for self-insurance reserves and pensions. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on historical collections trends, the aging of accounts, current economic conditions and regulatory changes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various major financial institutions. The total cash balances on deposit that exceeded the balances insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission, were approximately $243.6 at December 31, 2015 . Cash equivalents at December 31, 2015 , totaled $491.3 , which includes amounts invested in money market funds, time deposits, municipal, treasury and government funds. Substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable are with companies in the healthcare industry and individuals. However, concentrations of credit risk are limited due to the number of the Company’s clients as well as their dispersion across many different geographic regions. While the Company has receivables due from U.S. and state governmental agencies, the Company does not believe that such receivables represent a credit risk since the related healthcare programs are funded by U.S. and state governments, and payment is primarily dependent upon submitting appropriate documentation. Accounts receivable balances (gross) from Medicare and Medicaid were $112.0 and $135.1 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. For the Company's operations in Ontario, Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ministry) determines who can establish a licensed community medical laboratory and caps the amount that each of these licensed laboratories can bill the government sponsored healthcare plan. The Ontario government-sponsored healthcare plan covers the cost of clinical laboratory testing performed by the licensed laboratories. The provincial government discounts the annual testing volumes based on certain utilization discounts and establishes an annual maximum it will pay for all community laboratory tests. The agreed-upon reimbursement rates are subject to Ministry review at the end of year and can be adjusted (at the government's discretion) based upon the actual volume and mix of test work performed by the licensed providers in the province during the year. The accounts receivable balances from the Ontario government sponsored healthcare plan were CN $21.3 and CN $22.4 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The portion of the Company's accounts receivable due from patients comprises the largest portion of credit risk. At December 31, 2015 and 2014 , receivables due from patients represent approximately 18.8% and 27.1% of the Company's consolidated gross accounts receivable. The Company applies assumptions and judgments including historical collection experience for assessing collectibility and determining allowances for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable from patients. Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings including the impact of dilutive adjustments by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive shares, as if they had been issued at the earlier of the date of issuance or the beginning of the period presented. Potentially dilutive common shares result primarily from the Company’s outstanding stock options, restricted stock awards, performance share awards, and shares issuable upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes. The following represents a reconciliation of basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share: 2015 2014 2013 Income Shares Per Share Amount Income Shares Per Share Amount Income Shares Per Share Amount Basic earnings per share $ 436.9 98.8 $ 4.42 $ 511.2 84.8 $ 6.03 $ 573.8 90.2 $ 6.36 Stock options — 1.2 — 1.1 — 1.1 Restricted stock awards and other — — — — — — Effect of convertible debt, net of tax — 0.6 — 0.5 — 0.5 Diluted earnings per share $ 436.9 100.6 $ 4.34 $ 511.2 86.4 $ 5.91 $ 573.8 91.8 $ 6.25 The following table summarizes the potential common shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their impact would have been antidilutive: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Stock options — — 0.1 Stock Compensation Plans The Company measures stock compensation cost for all equity awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of restricted stock units and performance share awards is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The estimation of equity awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment and the Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class, and historical experience. The cumulative effect on current and prior periods of a change in the estimated forfeiture rate is recognized as compensation expense in earnings in the period of the revision. Actual results and future estimates may differ substantially from the Company’s current estimates. See Note 14 for assumptions used in calculating compensation expense for the Company’s stock compensation plans. Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments, such as commercial paper, time deposits, and other money market instruments, substantially all of which have original maturities of three months or less. Inventories Inventories, consisting primarily of purchased laboratory and client supplies and finished goods for CDD, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Supplies accounted for $ 157.7 and $ 139.5 and finished goods accounted for $ 33.3 million and $ 0.0 million of total inventory at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Prepaid Expenses and Other In connection with the management of multi-site clinical trials, CDD pays on behalf of its customers certain out-of-pocket costs, for which the Company is reimbursed at cost, without markup or profit. Amounts receivable from customers in connection with such out-of-pocket pass-through costs are included in prepaid expenses and other in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and totaled $92.5 at December 31, 2015 . Also included in prepaid expenses and other current assets are assets held for sale. The Company records long-lived assets as held for sale when a plan to sell the asset has been initiated and all other held for sale criteria have been satisfied. Assets classified as held for sale of $72.4 as of December 31, 2015 are recorded in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. There were no assets held for sale as of December 31, 2014. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. The cost of properties held under capital leases is equal to the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased property at the inception of the lease. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed on all classes of assets based on their estimated useful lives, as indicated below, using the straight-line method. Years Buildings and building improvements 10 - 40 Machinery and equipment 3 - 10 Furniture and fixtures 5 - 10 Software 3 - 10 Leasehold improvements and assets held under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the related leases. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. Retirements, sales and other disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the related accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Capitalized Software Costs The Company capitalizes purchased software which is ready for service and capitalizes software development costs incurred on significant projects starting from the time that the preliminary project stage is completed and the Company commits to funding a project until the project is substantially complete and the software is ready for its intended use. Capitalized costs include direct material and service costs and payroll and payroll-related costs. Research and development (R&D) costs and other computer software maintenance costs related to software development are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the underlying system, generally five years. Long-Lived Assets The Company assesses goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. In 2015, the Company changed the timing of its annual impairment testing from the end of the year to the beginning of the fourth quarter. In accordance with the FASB updates to their authoritative guidance regarding goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing, an entity is allowed to first assess qualitative factors as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform quantitative impairment testing. If an entity determines that it is not more likely than not that the estimated fair value of an asset is less than its carrying value, then no further testing is required. Otherwise, impairment testing must be performed in accordance with the original accounting standards. The updated FASB guidance also allows an entity to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in its goodwill assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step assessment. Similarly, a company can proceed directly to a quantitative assessment in the case of impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets as well. Step One of the goodwill impairment test includes the estimation of the fair value of each reporting unit as compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit. Reporting units are businesses with discrete financial information that is available and reviewed by management. The Company estimates the fair value of a reporting unit using both income-based and market-based valuation methods. The income-based approach is based on the reporting unit's forecasted future cash flows that are discounted to the present value using the reporting unit's weighted average cost of capital. For the market-based approach, the Company utilizes a number of factors such as publicly available information regarding the market capitalization of the Company as well as operating results, business plans, market multiples, and present value techniques. Based upon the range of estimated values developed from the income and market-based methods, the Company determines the estimated fair value for the reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, the goodwill is not impaired and no further review is required. However, if the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, the Company performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of the impairment, if any. The second step involves a hypothetical allocation of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its tangible and intangible assets (excluding goodwill) and liabilities as if the reporting unit were newly acquired, which results in an implied fair value of the goodwill. The amount of the impairment charge is the excess of the recorded goodwill, if any, over the implied fair value of the goodwill. Management concluded that no triggering events occurred during 2015 related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. As such, management performed its annual goodwill and intangible asset impairment testing as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2015. The Company elected to perform the qualitative assessment for goodwill and intangible assets, with the exception of the indefinite-lived Canadian licenses, for all reporting units. In this qualitative assessment, the Company considered relevant events and circumstances for each reporting unit, including (i) current year results, ii) financial performance versus management’s annual and five-year strategic plans, iii) changes in the reporting unit carrying value since prior year, (iv) industry and market conditions in which the reporting unit operates, (v) macroeconomic conditions, including discount rate changes, and (vi) changes in products or services offered by the reporting unit. If applicable, performance in recent years was compared to forecasts included in prior valuations. Based on the results of the qualitative assessment, the Company concluded that it was not more likely than not that the carrying values of the goodwill and intangible assets were greater than their fair values, and that further quantitative testing was not necessary. In 2015, the Company utilized an income approach to determine the fair value of its Canadian reporting unit and its indefinite-lived assets consisting of acquired Canadian licenses. Based upon the results of the quantitative assessment, the Company concluded that the fair value of the indefinite-lived Canadian licenses was greater than the carrying value. There are inherent uncertainties related to the factors described above and judgment related to the Company's impairment assessments of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. The assumptions underlying the impairment analyses may change in such a manner that impairment in value may occur in the future. Any such impairment will be recognized in the period in which it becomes known. Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is determined by the Company at the level for which there are identifiable cash flows by comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows before interest expense and income taxes expected to be generated by the assets. Impairment, if any, is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets (based on market prices in an active market or on discounted cash flows). Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value. The Company impaired long-lived assets of $39.7 and $0.0 , for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Intangible Assets Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected periods to be benefited, as set forth in the table below, such as legal life for patents and technology and contractual lives for non-compete agreements. Years Customer relationships 10 - 36 Patents, licenses and technology 3 - 15 Non-compete agreements 5 - 10 Trade names 5 - 15 Debt Issuance Costs The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the terms of the related debt. Professional Liability The Company is self-insured (up to certain limits) for professional liability claims arising in the normal course of business, generally related to the testing and reporting of laboratory test results. The Company estimates a liability that represents the ultimate exposure for aggregate losses below those limits. The liability is discounted and is based on actuarial assumptions and factors for known and incurred but not reported claims, including the frequency and payment trends of historical claims. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes utilizing the asset and liability method. Under this method deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for tax loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company does not recognize a tax benefit unless the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that the Company believes is greater than 50% likely to be realized. The Company records interest and penalties in income tax expense. Derivative Financial Instruments Interest rate swap agreements, which have been used by the Company from time to time in the management of interest rate exposure, are accounted for at fair value. The Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain two features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments under authoritative guidance in connection with accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company believes these embedded derivatives had no fair value at December 31, 2015 and 2014 . See Note 18 for the Company’s objectives in using derivative instruments and the effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items on the Company’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities are determined based on the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tiered fair value hierarchy draws distinctions between market participant assumptions based on (i) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets (Level 1), (ii) inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2) and (iii) unobservable inputs that require the Company to use present value and other valuation techniques in the determination of fair value (Level 3). Research and Development The Company expenses R&D costs as incurred. Foreign Currencies For subsidiaries outside of the U.S. that operate in a local currency environment, income and expense items are translated to U.S. Dollars at the monthly average rates of exchange prevailing during the period, assets and liabilities are translated at period-end exchange rates and equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates. Translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets and are included in the determination of comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive earnings and consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in the determination of net income in the consolidated statements of operations. New Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on discontinued operations that significantly changed criteria for discontinued operations and disclosures for disposals. Under this new standard, to be a discontinued operation, a component or group of components must represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. Expanded disclosures for discontinued operations include more details about earnings

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES	RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES During 2015 , the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $113.9 ; $39.2 within LCD and $74.7 within CDD. The charges were comprised of $59.2 in severance and other personnel costs and $55.8 in facility-related costs primarily associated with general integration activities. A substantial portion of these costs relate to the planned closure of two CDD operations that serviced a minimum volume contract that expired on October 31, 2015. The charges were offset by the reversal of previously established reserves of $1.1 in unused facility-related costs. Included within the facility-related charges noted above is a $26.7 asset impairment charge relating to CDD lab and customer service applications that will no longer be used. In addition, during 2015, the Company recorded $25.6 in consulting expenses (recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses) relating to fees incurred as part of LCD's business process improvement initiative (Project LaunchPad) as well as one-time Covance integration costs and employee compensation studies, along with $5.4 in short-term equity retention arrangements relating to the acquisition of Covance and $0.3 of accelerated equity compensation relating to the previously disclosed retirement of a Company executive (all recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses). The Company also incurred $5.7 relating to the wind-down of the minimum volume contract operations referred to in the previous paragraph. On February 9, 2016, the Company reached an agreement for the sale of the assets and business of one of these sites. As required by U.K. law, substantially all of the employees were transferred with the business. Additionally, the Company recorded $166.0 of deal costs related to the Acquisition, of which $113.4 is included in selling, general and administrative expenses and $52.6 is included in interest expense. During 2015, the Company also recorded a non-cash loss of $2.3 , upon the dissolution of one of its equity investments, which is included in other, net expenses. During the fourth quarter, the Company paid $12.2 in settlement costs and litigation expenses related to the resolution of a U.S. court putative class action lawsuit. In addition, the Company incurred $3.0 of non-capitalized costs associated with the implementation of a major system as part of Project Launchpad. During 2014 , the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $17.8 . The charges were comprised of $10.5 in severance and other personnel costs and $8.4 in facility-related costs primarily associated with general integration activities. These charges were offset by the reversal of previously established reserves of $0.4 in unused severance and $0.7 in unused facility related costs. During 2013 , the Company recorded net restructuring charges of $21.8 . The charges were comprised of $15.4 in severance and other personnel costs and $9.5 in facility-related costs primarily associated with the ongoing integration of Orchid Cellmark, Inc. and the Integrated Genetics business (formerly Genzyme Genetics) and costs associated with the previously announced termination of an executive vice president. These charges were offset by the reversal of previously established reserves of $0.7 in unused severance and $2.4 in unused facility-related costs.

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Reserve [Abstract]
RESTRUCTURING RESERVES	The following represents the Company’s restructuring activities for the period indicated: LCD CDD Total Severance and Other Employee Costs Lease and Other Facility Costs Severance and Other Employee Costs Lease and Other Facility Costs Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 0.4 $ 21.7 $ — $ — $ 22.1 Restructuring charges 9.7 29.4 48.2 26.6 113.9 Reduction of prior restructuring accruals — (1.1 ) — — (1.1 ) Cash payments and other adjustments (10.0 ) (23.5 ) 3.3 (25.5 ) (55.7 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 0.1 $ 26.5 $ 51.5 $ 1.1 $ 79.2 Current $ 58.6 Non-current 20.6 $ 79.2 The non-current portion of the restructuring liabilities is expected to be paid out over 6 years. Cash payments and other adjustments includes the reclass of profit sharing, pension, and holiday accrual.

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AND

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS	JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS At December 31, 2015 the Company had investments in the following unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investments: Locations Net Investment Interest Owned Joint Venture Partnerships : Alberta, Canada (2) $ 44.0 43.37 % Florence, South Carolina 10.4 49.00 % Equity Method Investments : Various 3.8 various The joint venture agreements that govern the conduct of business of these partnerships mandates unanimous agreement between partners on all major business decisions as well as providing other participating rights to each partner. The equity method investments represent the Company’s purchase of shares in clinical diagnostic companies. The investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting as the Company does not have control of these investments. The Company has no material obligations or guarantees to, or in support of, these unconsolidated investments and their operations. Effective June 30, 2015, the Company dissolved a joint venture partnership that had been located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Condensed unconsolidated financial information for joint venture partnerships and equity method investments is shown in the following table. As of December 31: 2015 2014 Current assets $ 22.6 $ 66.0 Other assets 19.2 43.3 Total assets $ 41.8 $ 109.3 Current liabilities $ 17.3 $ 28.2 Other liabilities 1.3 1.4 Total liabilities 18.6 29.6 Partners' equity 23.2 79.7 Total liabilities and partners’ equity $ 41.8 $ 109.3 For the period January 1 - December 31: 2015 2014 2013 Net revenues $ 213.7 $ 283.8 $ 255.2 Gross profit 54.3 81.3 84.1 Net earnings 20.1 31.0 37.7 The Company’s recorded investment in one of its Alberta joint venture partnerships at December 31, 2015 includes $35.3 of value assigned to that partnership’s Canadian license (with an indefinite life and deductible for tax) to conduct diagnostic testing services in the province. This Canadian partnership has a license to conduct diagnostic testing services in the province of Alberta. Substantially all of its revenue is received as reimbursement from the Alberta government's healthcare programs. While the Canadian license provides the joint venture the ability to conduct diagnostic testing in Alberta, it does not guarantee that the provincial government will continue to reimburse diagnostic laboratory testing in future years at current levels. A decision by the provincial government to limit or reduce its reimbursement of laboratory diagnostic services would have a negative impact on the profits and cash flows the Company derives from this Canadian joint venture. In December 2013, Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Alberta government's healthcare program, issued a request for proposals for laboratory services that included the scope of services performed by the Canadian partnership. In October 2014, AHS informed the Canadian partnership that it had not been selected as the preferred proponent. In November 2014, the Canadian partnership submitted a vendor bid appeal. AHS established a Vendor Bid Appeal Panel to hear the appeal, and the hearing occurred in February 2015. In August 2015, AHS was directed to cancel the request for proposal process. Subsequently, the Canadian partnership entered into a one-year extension (through March 31, 2017) of its existing contract with AHS. If the contract is not renewed after March 2017, then the Canadian partnership's revenues would decrease substantially and the carrying value of the Company's investment could potentially be impaired.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET December 31, December 31, Gross accounts receivable $ 1,434.9 $ 1,027.3 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (217.0 ) (211.6 ) $ 1,217.9 $ 815.7 The provision for doubtful accounts was $265.4 , $276.5 and $254.8 in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 respectively.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT,

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Land $ 96.4 $ 29.3 Buildings and building improvements 681.6 201.8 Machinery and equipment 944.2 719.8 Software 561.9 434.7 Leasehold improvements 271.6 200.1 Furniture and fixtures 70.1 57.7 Construction in progress 180.4 126.7 Equipment and real estate under capital leases 65.1 42.9 2,871.3 1,813.0 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization of capital lease assets (1,123.9 ) (1,026.5 ) $ 1,747.4 $ 786.5 Depreciation expense and amortization of property, plant and equipment was $269.9 , $157.6 and $144.7 for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively, including software depreciation of $66.1 , $38.5 , and $39.3 for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively.

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (net of accumulated amortization) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: LCD CDD Total December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance as of January 1 $ 2,988.9 $ 2,912.3 $ 110.5 $ 110.5 $ 3,099.4 $ 3,022.8 Goodwill acquired during the year 161.6 81.8 2,979.5 — 3,141.1 81.8 Foreign currency impact and other adjustments to goodwill (12.8 ) (5.2 ) — — (12.8 ) (5.2 ) Balance at end of year $ 3,137.7 $ 2,988.9 $ 3,090.0 $ 110.5 $ 6,227.7 $ 3,099.4 As discussed in Footnote 2 (Business Acquisitions), the amount of the Acquisition goodwill has not yet been allocated to the underlying domestic and foreign subsidiaries of Covance. The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Customer relationships $ 3,132.4 $ (724.7 ) $ 2,407.7 $ 1,361.6 $ (606.8 ) $ 754.8 Patents, licenses and technology 308.0 (146.3 ) 161.7 125.9 (95.9 ) 30.0 Non-compete agreements 51.0 (37.2 ) 13.8 45.6 (31.7 ) 13.9 Trade names 399.8 (115.4 ) 284.4 133.3 (91.6 ) 41.7 Favorable leases 5.5 (0.6 ) 4.9 — — — Canadian licenses 451.0 — 451.0 635.4 — 635.4 $ 4,347.7 $ (1,024.2 ) $ 3,323.5 $ 2,301.8 $ (826.0 ) $ 1,475.8 A summary of amortizable intangible assets acquired during 2015 , and their respective weighted average amortization periods are as follows: Amount Weighted Average Amortization Period Customer relationships $ 1,855.0 29.2 Patents, licenses and technology 41.2 10.0 Non-compete agreements 4.3 4.9 Trade names 270.5 15.0 Favorable leases 5.5 8.0 2,176.5 27.0 Amortization of intangible assets was $164.5 , $76.7 and $81.7 in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. The Company recorded earn-out and purchase accounting adjustments through amortization expense of $1.7 , $10.4 , and $5.8 in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Amortization expense of intangible assets is estimated to be $174.4 in fiscal 2016 , $167.2 in fiscal 2017 , $156.0 in fiscal 2018 , $149.2 in fiscal 2019 , $142.4 in fiscal 2020 , and $2,017.3 thereafter.

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER	ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Employee compensation and benefits $ 283.0 $ 183.9 Self-insurance reserves 80.6 54.2 Accrued taxes payable 83.8 32.0 Royalty and license fees payable 7.2 8.2 Restructuring reserves 58.6 7.8 Acquisition related reserves 12.1 7.0 Interest payable 63.8 19.7 Other 44.0 28.6 $ 633.1 $ 341.4

OTHER LIABILITIES

OTHER LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
OTHER LIABILITIES	OTHER LIABILITIES December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Post-retirement benefit obligation $ 19.6 $ 26.7 Defined benefit plan obligation 165.8 117.9 Restructuring reserves 20.6 14.3 Self-insurance reserves 10.0 34.9 Acquisition related reserves — 2.2 Deferred revenue 2.5 3.4 Deferred compensation plan obligation 46.4 43.4 Worker's compensation and auto 28.6 23.1 Other 29.6 8.3 $ 323.1 $ 274.2

DEBT

DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
DEBT	DEBT Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes $ 94.5 $ 93.9 5.625% Senior Notes due 2015 — 250.0 3.125% Senior Notes due 2016 325.0 — Capital lease obligation 5.4 3.2 Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt $ 424.9 $ 347.1 Long-term debt at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 3.125% Senior Notes due 2016 — 325.0 2.20% Senior Notes due 2017 500.0 500.0 2.50% Senior Notes due 2018 400.0 400.0 4.625% Senior Notes due 2020 621.6 618.5 2.625% Senior Notes due 2020 500.0 — 3.75% Senior Notes due 2022 500.0 500.0 3.20% Senior Notes due 2022 500.0 — 4.00% Senior Notes due 2023 300.0 300.0 3.60% Senior Notes due 2025 1,000.0 — 4.70% Senior Notes due 2045 900.0 — Term loan 715.0 — Capital leases 55.5 39.2 Total long-term debt $ 5,992.1 $ 2,682.7 Credit Facilities As part of its financing of the Acquisition, the Company entered into a $1,000.0 term loan. The term loan credit facility will mature five years after the closing date of the Acquisition and may be prepaid without penalty. The term loan balance at December 31, 2015 was $715.0 . On November 2, 2014, in connection with entering into the definitive merger agreement to acquire Covance (Merger Agreement), the Company entered into a bridge facility commitment letter. Under the bridge facility commitment letter, the lenders agreed to provide a $ 4,250.0 senior unsecured bridge term loan credit facility consisting of a $3,850.0 364-day unsecured debt bridge tranche and a $400.0 60-day unsecured cash bridge tranche for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the cash consideration and the fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The bridge facility was permitted to be drawn only in a single drawing on the closing date of the Acquisition. On December 19, 2014, the Company entered into a five-year term loan credit facility in the principal amount of $1,000.0 for the purpose of financing a portion of the cash consideration and the fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the bridge facility commitment letter, upon the Company’s entry into the term loan credit facility, the $ 4,250.0 bridge facility was reduced to a $ 3,250.0 commitment, comprising a $ 2,850.0 364-day unsecured debt bridge tranche and a $ 400.0 60-day cash bridge tranche. The $1,000.0 of term loan commitments made under the term loan credit facility reduced the debt bridge tranche under the bridge facility dollar for dollar. The term loan credit facility was advanced in full on the Acquisition Date. On December 19, 2014 , the Company also entered into an amendment and restatement of its existing senior revolving credit facility, which was originally entered into on December 21, 2011. The senior revolving credit facility consists of a five-year revolving facility in the principal amount of up to $1,000.0 , with the option of increasing the facility by up to an additional $250.0 , subject to the agreement of one or more new or existing lenders to provide such additional amounts and certain other customary conditions. The new revolving credit facility also provides for a subfacility of up to $100.0 for swing line borrowings and a subfacility of up to $125.0 for issuances of letters of credit. The new revolving credit facility is permitted to be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, funding of share repurchases and certain other payments, and acquisitions and other investments. There were no balances outstanding on the Company's new Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2015 or on its former revolving credit facility at December 31, 2014 . On January 30, 2015, the Company issued the Acquisition Notes, which represent $ 2,900.0 in debt securities consisting of $500.0 aggregate principal amount of 2.625% Senior Notes due 2020, $500.0 aggregate principal amount of 3.20% Senior Notes due 2022, $1,000.0 aggregate principal amount of 3.60% Senior Notes due 2025 and $900.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.70% Senior Notes due 2045. Net proceeds from the offering of the Acquisition Notes were $ 2,870.2 after deducting underwriting discounts and other estimated expenses of the offering. Net proceeds were used to pay a portion of the cash consideration and the fees and expenses in connection with the Covance acquisition. Pursuant to the bridge facility commitment letter, upon the Company’s issuance of the Acquisition Notes the remaining $ 2,850.0 364-day unsecured debt bridge tranche under the senior unsecured bridge term loan credit facility was terminated. On February 13, 2015, the Company entered into a 60 -day cash bridge term loan credit facility in the principal amount of $400.0 for the purpose of financing a portion of the cash consideration and the fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The 60 -day cash bridge term loan credit facility was entered into on the terms set forth in the bridge facility commitment letter for the $400.0 60 -day cash bridge tranche. The 60 -day cash bridge term loan credit facility was advanced in full on the Acquisition Date. On March 16, 2015, the Company elected to prepay the bridge facility without penalty. Under the term loan facility and the new revolving credit facility, which have affirmative and negative covenants that are substantially identical, the Company is subject to negative covenants limiting subsidiary indebtedness and certain other covenants typical for investment grade-rated borrowers and the Company is required to maintain a leverage ratio that varies. Prior to the Acquisition Date, the leverage ratio was required to have been no greater than 3.75 to 1.0 calculated by excluding the $2,900.0 in total aggregate principal amount of the Company's senior notes issued for the purpose of funding the acquisition. From and after the acquisition closing date, the leverage ratio must be no greater than 4.75 to 1.0 with respect to the last day of each of the first four fiscal quarters ending on or after the closing date, 4.25 to 1.0 with respect to the last day of each of the fifth through eighth fiscal quarters ending after the closing date, and 3.75 to 1.0 with respect to the last day of each fiscal quarter ending thereafter. The Company was in compliance with all covenants in the term loan facility and the new revolving credit facility at December 31, 2015 . As of December 31, 2015 , the ratio of total debt to consolidated EBITDA was 3.6 to 1.0. The term loan credit facility accrues interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s election, either a LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 1.125% to 2.00% , or a base rate determined according to a prime rate or federal funds rate plus a margin ranging from 0.125% to 1.00% . Advances under the new revolving credit facility will accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s election, either a LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.60% , or a base rate determined according to a prime rate or federal funds rate plus a margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.60% . Fees are payable on outstanding letters of credit under the new revolving credit facility at a per annum rate equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR loans, and the Company is required to pay a facility fee on the aggregate commitments under the new revolving credit facility, at a per annum rate ranging from 0.125% to 0.40% . The interest margin applicable to the credit facilities, and the facility fee and letter of credit fees payable under the new revolving credit facility, are based on the Company’s senior credit ratings as determined by S&P’s and Moody’s, which are currently BBB and Baa2, respectively. As of December 31, 2015 , the effective interest rate on the new Revolving Credit Facility was 1.5% . Zero-Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes The Company had $105.4 and $106.9 aggregate principal amount at maturity of zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes (the Notes) due 2021 outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Notes, which are subordinate to the Company’s bank debt, were sold at an issue price of $671.65 per $1,000.0 principal amount at maturity (representing a yield to maturity of 2.0% per year). Each one thousand dollar principal amount at maturity of the Notes is convertible into 13.4108 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, if one of the following conditions occurs: 1) If the sales price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding quarter reaches specified thresholds (beginning at 120% and declining 0.1282% per quarter until it reaches approximately 110% for the quarter beginning July 1, 2021 of the accreted conversion price per share of common stock on the last day of the preceding quarter). The accreted conversion price per share will equal the issue price of a note plus the accrued original issue discount and any accrued contingent additional principal, divided by the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of a note on that day. The conversion trigger price for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $75.11 . 2) If the credit rating assigned to the notes by S&P’s Ratings Services is at or below BB-. 3) If the Notes are called for redemption. 4) If specified corporate transactions have occurred (such as if the Company is party to a consolidation, merger or binding share exchange or a transfer of all or substantially all of its assets). The Company may redeem for cash all or a portion of the Notes at any time at specified redemption prices per one thousand dollar principal amount at maturity of the Notes. The Company has registered the notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. During 2015 and 2014 , the Company settled notices to convert $ 1.5 and $ 21.9 aggregate principal amount at maturity of its zero-coupon subordinated notes with a conversion value of $ 1.3 and $ 28.7 , respectively. The total cash used for these settlements was $ 1.3 and $ 18.9 and the Company also issued 0.0 and 0.1 additional shares of common stock, respectively. As a result of these conversions, in 2015 and 2014 the Company also reversed approximately $ 0.4 and $ 3.8 , respectively, of deferred tax liability to reflect the tax benefit realized upon issuance of the shares. On September 11, 2015 , the Company announced that for the period of September 12, 2015 to March 11, 2016 , the zero-coupon subordinated notes will accrue contingent cash interest at a rate of no less than 0.125% of the average market price of a zero-coupon subordinated note for the five trading days ended September 9, 2015, in addition to the continued accrual of the original issue discount . On January 4, 2016 , the Company announced that its zero-coupon subordinated notes may be converted into cash and common stock at the conversion rate of 13.4108 per $1,000.0 principal amount at maturity of the notes, subject to the terms of the zero-coupon subordinated notes and the Indenture, dated as of October 24, 2006 between the Company, and The Bank of New York Mellon as trustee and the conversion agent. In order to exercise the option to convert all or a portion of the zero-coupon subordinated notes, holders are required to validly surrender their zero-coupon subordinated notes at any time during the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2016, through the close of business on the last business day of the calendar quarter, which is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, March 31, 2016. If notices of conversion are received, the Company plans to settle the cash portion of the conversion obligation with cash on hand and/or borrowings under the new revolving credit facility. Senior Notes On January 30, 2015, the Company issued the Acquisition Notes, which represent $2,900.0 in debt securities consisting of $500.0 aggregate principal amount of 2.625% Senior Notes due 2020, $500.0 aggregate principal amount of 3.20% Senior Notes due 2022, $1,000.0 aggregate principal amount of 3.60% Senior Notes due 2025 and $900.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.70% Senior Notes due 2045. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on August 1, 2015 . Net proceeds from the offering of the Acquisition Notes were $2,870.2 after deducting underwriting discounts and other estimated expenses of the offering. Net proceeds were used to pay a portion of the cash consideration and the fees and expenses in connection with the Covance acquisition. On November 1, 2013 , the Company issued $700.0 in new senior notes pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration on Form S-3. The senior notes consisted of $400.0 aggregate principal amount of 2.50% Senior Notes due 2018 and $300.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.00% Senior Notes due 2023. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually on November 1 and May 1 of each year, commencing on May 1, 2014 . The net proceeds were used to repay all of the outstanding borrowings under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes. During the third quarter of 2013, the Company entered into two fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreements for the 4.625% senior notes due 2020 with an aggregate notional amount of $600.0 and variable interest rates based on one-month LIBOR plus 2.298% to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of the Company's long term debt. These derivative financial instruments are accounted for as fair value hedges of the Senior Notes due 2020 outstanding at that time. These interest rate swaps are included in other long term assets or liabilities, as applicable, and added to the value of the senior notes, with an aggregate fair value of $21.6 at December 31, 2015 . The Senior Notes due 2017 and Senior Notes due 2022 bear interest at the rate of 2.20% per annum and 3.75% per annum, respectively, payable semi-annually on February 23 and August 23 of each year, commencing February 23, 2013 . The Senior Notes due 2015 bore interest at the rate of 5.625% per annum from December 14, 2005 , and was payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 . The scheduled payments of long term debt and future minimum lease payments for capital leases at the end of 2015 are summarized as follows: Notes and Other Capital Leases Total 2016 $ 419.5 $ 11.9 $ 431.4 2017 500.0 11.9 511.9 2018 443.8 11.7 455.5 2019 64.6 11.2 75.8 2020 1,728.2 10.6 1,738.8 Thereafter 3,200.0 47.2 3,247.2 6,356.1 104.5 6,460.6 Less amounts representing interest — (43.6 ) (43.6 ) Total long-term debt 6,356.1 60.9 6,417 Less current portion (419.5 ) (5.4 ) (424.9 ) Long-term debt, due beyond one year $ 5,936.6 $ 55.5 $ 5,992.1

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAR

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY The Company is authorized to issue up to 265.0 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share. The Company’s treasury shares are recorded at aggregate cost. Common shares issued and outstanding are summarized in the following table: 2015 2014 Issued 123.9 107.1 In treasury (22.6 ) (22.5 ) Outstanding 101.3 84.6 The Company is authorized to issue up to 30.0 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share. There were no preferred shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . The changes in common shares issued and held in treasury are summarized below: Common Shares Issued 2015 2014 2013 Common stock issued at January 1 107.1 108.1 115.8 Common stock issued under employee stock plans 1.5 1.6 2.6 Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes — 0.1 0.1 Common stock issued in conjunction with the Acquisition 15.3 — — Retirement of common stock — (2.7 ) (10.4 ) Common stock issued at December 31 123.9 107.1 108.1 Common Shares Held in Treasury 2015 2014 2013 Common shares held in treasury at January 1 22.5 22.4 22.3 Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards 0.1 0.1 0.1 Common shares held in treasury at December 31 22.6 22.5 22.4 Share Repurchase Program As of December 31, 2015 , the Company had outstanding authorization from the Board of Directors to purchase $789.5 of Company common stock based on settled trades as of these respective dates. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date. Following the announcement of the acquisition of Covance, the Company suspended its share repurchases. The Company does not anticipate resuming its share repurchase activity until it approaches its targeted leverage ratio of total debt to consolidated EBITDA of 2.5 to 1.0. However, the Company will continue to evaluate all opportunities for strategic deployment of capital in light of market conditions. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings are as follows: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Net Benefit Plan Adjustments Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available for Sale Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings Balance at December 31, 2012 $ 162.9 $ (93.5 ) — $ 69.4 Current year adjustments (63.2 ) 31.6 16.4 (15.2 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) — 10.5 — 10.5 Tax effect of adjustments 23.5 (15.7 ) (6.3 ) 1.5 Balance at December 31, 2013 123.2 (67.1 ) 10.1 66.2 Current year adjustments (89.5 ) (12.0 ) 2.0 (99.5 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) — (6.6 ) (18.3 ) (24.9 ) Tax effect of adjustments 34.3 7.1 6.3 47.7 Balance at December 31, 2014 68.0 (78.6 ) 0.1 (10.5 ) Current year adjustments (370.7 ) 19.0 (0.1 ) (351.8 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) (b) — (11.3 ) — (11.3 ) Tax effect of adjustments 90.1 (3.5 ) — 86.6 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (212.6 ) $ (74.4 ) $ — $ (287.0 ) (a) The amortization of prior service cost is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. Refer to Note 16 Pension and Postretirement Plans for additional information regarding the Company's net periodic benefit cost. (b) The realized gain from the sale of an available for sale investment and the other-than-temporary impairment on an available for sale investment are included in Other, net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES The sources of income before taxes, classified between domestic and foreign entities are as follows: Pre-tax income 2015 2014 2013 Domestic $ 599.6 $ 758.6 $ 844.2 Foreign 132.5 68.1 71.4 Total pre-tax income $ 732.1 $ 826.7 $ 915.6 The provisions (benefits) for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations consist of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current: Federal $ 218.3 $ 233.6 $ 231.6 State 39.8 30.1 29.9 Foreign 69.4 22.7 22.5 $ 327.5 $ 286.4 $ 284.0 Deferred: Federal $ (14.1 ) $ 29.1 $ 55.2 State (4.2 ) 3.7 6.1 Foreign (15.1 ) (5.1 ) (5.1 ) (33.4 ) 27.7 56.2 $ 294.1 $ 314.1 $ 340.2 A portion of the tax benefit associated with option exercises from stock plans reducing taxes currently payable is recorded through additional paid-in capital. The benefits recorded through additional paid-in capital are approximately $13.1 , $5.9 and $10.6 in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. The effective tax rates on earnings before income taxes are reconciled to statutory U.S. income tax rates as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Statutory U.S. rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State and local income taxes, net of U.S. income tax effect 3.2 2.7 2.6 Foreign earnings taxes at lower rates than the statutory U.S. rate (1.8 ) — — One-time restructuring and acquisition items 2.7 — — Other 1.1 0.3 (0.4 ) Effective rate 40.2 % 38.0 % 37.2 % The effective rate for 2015 was unfavorably impacted by one-time restructuring and acquisition items, recording of additional uncertain tax reserves, and a decrease in the benefit recorded from releasing uncertain tax reserves. The 2015 rate was favorably impacted by foreign earnings taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate. The effective rate for 2014 was unfavorably impacted by the recording of a full valuation allowance for the write down of two of the Company's investments. The effective rate for 2013 was favorably impacted by the release of the capital loss valuation allowance and recording two years of the R&D tax credit. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted in early 2013 and reinstated the R&D tax credit for 2012 and extended the credit for calendar year 2013. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Deferred tax assets: Accounts receivable $ 13.4 $ 12.9 Employee compensation and benefits 140.6 110.7 Self insurance reserves 36.9 27.6 Postretirement benefit obligation 7.5 10.2 Acquisition and restructuring reserves 24.5 20.1 Tax loss carryforwards 98.3 69.1 Other 4.3 2.4 325.5 253.0 Less: valuation allowance (15.1 ) (17.1 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 310.4 $ 235.9 Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred earnings $ (189.5 ) $ (15.8 ) Intangible assets (979.2 ) (496.3 ) Property, plant and equipment (211.9 ) (93.5 ) Zero-coupon subordinated notes (87.4 ) (92.8 ) Currency translation adjustment (47.3 ) (48.7 ) Total gross deferred tax liabilities (1,515.3 ) (747.1 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (1,204.9 ) $ (511.2 ) The valuation allowance decreased from $17.1 in 2014 to $15.1 in 2015 . The decrease in the valuation allowance is primarily due to releasing an allowance for capital loss carryover as the Company recorded capital gain income during 2015. The Company has foreign tax loss carryovers of $ 39.5 of which $27.4 has a full valuation allowance. Most of the foreign losses have an indefinite carryover. The Company has U.S. tax loss carryovers of approximately $245.0 expiring periodically through 2035 . The utilization of the tax loss carryovers is limited due to change of ownership rules. However, at this time the Company expects to fully utilize substantially all U.S. tax loss carryovers with the exception of approximately $ 3.9 for which a full valuation allowance has been provided. In addition to the net operating losses, the Company has a foreign capital loss carryover of $6.8 . The loss has an indefinite life and has a full valuation allowance. The unrecognized income tax benefits were $24.2 and $16.7 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The increase in the reserve is primarily due to the beginning balances carried over in the Acquisition. It is anticipated that the amount of the unrecognized income tax benefits will change within the next twelve months; however, these changes are not expected to have a significant impact on the results of operations, cash flows or the financial position of the Company. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions totaled $12.7 and $8.2 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , the Company recognized $1.8 , $2.2 and $2.4 , respectively, in interest and penalties expense, which was offset by a benefit of $2.2 , $3.3 and $2.9 , respectively. The following table shows a reconciliation of the unrecognized income tax benefits from uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 : 2015 2014 2013 Balance as of January 1 $ 16.7 $ 25.6 $ 36.4 Increase in reserve for tax positions taken in the current year 4.1 — 1.9 Increase in reserve as a result of acquisition 8.5 — — Decrease in reserve as a result of settlements reached with tax authorities — — (4.4 ) Decrease in reserve as a result of lapses in the statute of limitations (5.1 ) (8.9 ) (8.3 ) Balance as of December 31 $ 24.2 $ 16.7 $ 25.6 As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , $24.2 and $16.7 , respectively, is the approximate amount of unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in any future periods. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2011. Substantially all material state and local, and foreign income tax matters have been concluded through 2010 and 2004, respectively. The Internal Revenue Service concluded the examination of the Company's 2010 and 2011 income tax returns during 2013. The Company was notified during the first quarter of 2016 that the 2014 income tax return is under examination. Canada Revenue Agency concluded its examination of 2009 and 2010 Canadian income tax returns during 2015. The Company has various state income tax examinations ongoing throughout the year. The Company believes adequate provisions have been recorded related to all open tax years. The Company changed its method for accounting for foreign earnings at the beginning of 2015 as a result of the Acquisition. Prior to the Acquisition, the Company provided tax for substantially all of the foreign earnings. Other than certain amounts associated with the Acquisition, the Company considers its foreign earnings are now permanently invested outside of the U.S. The Company intends to leave its future generated unremitted foreign earnings invested indefinitely outside the U.S. given its expanded global profile. It is not practical to estimate the amount of additional tax that could be payable if accumulated earnings were remitted. Total unremitted foreign earnings for which income tax has not been provided is approximately $662.0 as of December 31, 2015 .

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	The following table shows the weighted average grant-date fair values of options issued during the respective year and the weighted average assumptions that the Company used to develop the fair value estimates: 2015 2014 2013 Fair value per option N/A N/A N/A Valuation assumptions Weighted average expected life (in years) N/A N/A N/A Risk free interest rate N/A N/A N/A Expected volatility N/A N/A N/A Expected dividend yield N/A N/A N/A The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to calculate the fair value of the employee’s purchase right. The fair value of the employee’s purchase right and the assumptions used in its calculation are as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Fair value of the employee’s purchase right $ 21.95 $ 19.48 $ 17.22 Valuation assumptions Risk free interest rate 0.3 % 0.1 % 0.1 % Expected volatility 0.2 0.2 0.2 Expected dividend yield — — —
STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS	STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS Stock Incentive Plans There are currently 10.2 shares authorized for issuance under the Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan and at December 31, 2015 there were 5.3 additional shares available for grant under the Plan. This Plan was approved by shareholders at the 2012 annual meeting. An additional 1.2 authorized shares were acquired with the Acquisition under the Covance 2014 Employee Equity Participation Plan and were utilized for the 2015 grant. Stock Options The following table summarizes grants of non-qualified options made by the Company to officers, key employees, and non-employee directors under all plans. Stock options are generally granted at an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market price per share on the date of grant. Also, for each grant, options vest ratably over a period of three years on the anniversaries of the grant date, subject to their earlier expiration or termination. Changes in options outstanding under the plans for the period indicated were as follows: Number of Options Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Option Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2014 3.3 $ 81.07 Granted — — Exercised (1.0 ) 80.88 Cancelled — — Outstanding at December 31, 2015 2.3 $ 81.14 5.0 $ 95.9 Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2015 2.3 $ 81.14 5.0 $ 95.9 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 2.3 $ 81.14 5.0 $ 95.9 The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of 2015 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2015 . The amount of intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock. Cash received by the Company from option exercises, the actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions and the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Cash received by the Company $ 82.6 $ 98.5 $ 158.0 Tax benefits realized $ 16.2 $ 12.3 $ 21.3 Aggregate intrinsic value $ 42.2 $ 32.1 $ 55.4 The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding and exercisable options. Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Range of Exercise Prices Number Outstanding Weighted Average Number Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price Remaining Contractual Life Average Exercise Price $ 6.80 - 59.37 0.0 0.3 $59.37 — $59.37 $59.38 - 67.60 0.2 3.1 $60.35 0.2 $60.35 $67.61 - 75.63 0.6 3.7 $71.63 0.6 $71.63 $75.64 - 80.37 0.1 2.2 $79.59 0.1 $79.59 $80.38 - 98.49 1.4 5.8 $87.48 1.4 $87.48 2.3 5.0 $81.14 2.3 $81.14 The following table shows the weighted average grant-date fair values of options issued during the respective year and the weighted average assumptions that the Company used to develop the fair value estimates: 2015 2014 2013 Fair value per option N/A N/A N/A Valuation assumptions Weighted average expected life (in years) N/A N/A N/A Risk free interest rate N/A N/A N/A Expected volatility N/A N/A N/A Expected dividend yield N/A N/A N/A The Black Scholes model incorporates assumptions to value stock-based awards. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on a zero-coupon U.S. government instrument over the contractual term of the equity instrument. Expected volatility of the Company’s stock is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company uses historical data to calculate the expected life of the option. Groups of employees and non-employee directors that have similar exercise behavior with regard to option exercise timing and forfeiture rates are considered separately for valuation purposes. For 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , expense related to the Company’s stock option plan totaled $2.2 , $6.9 and $14.5 , respectively. The Company did not grant any options to employees during 2015 or 2014 . Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares The Company grants restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares (non-vested shares) to officers and key employees and grants restricted stock and restricted stock units to non-employee directors. Restricted stock and restricted stock units typically vest annually in equal one third increments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant . A performance share grant in 2013 represents a three-year award opportunity for the period 2013-2015 , and if earned, vests fully (to the extent earned) in the first quarter of 2016 . A performance share grant in 2014 represents a three-year award opportunity for the period of 2014-2016 and, if earned, vests fully (to the extent earned) in the first quarter of 2017 . A performance share grant in 2015 represents a three-year award opportunity for the period of 2015-2017 and, if earned, vests fully (to the extent earned) in the first quarter of 2018 . Performance share awards are subject to certain earnings per share, revenue, operating income, earnings before income taxes and total shareholder return targets , the achievement of which may increase or decrease the number of shares which the grantee earns and therefore receives upon vesting. Unearned restricted stock and performance share compensation is amortized to expense over the applicable vesting periods. For 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , total restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance share compensation expense was $83.8 , $34.8 and $19.3 , respectively. The following table shows a summary of non-vested shares for the year ended December 31, 2015 : Number of Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 1, 2015 1.1 $ 91.30 Granted 0.8 123.61 Vested (0.3 ) 95.44 Canceled (0.1 ) 111.38 Non-vested at December 31, 2015 1.5 $ 109.00 As of December 31, 2015 , there was $95.6 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company's stock incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years. Employee Stock Purchase Plan The Company has an employee stock purchase plan, begun in 1997 and amended in 1999, 2004, 2008 and 2012, with 6.3 shares of common stock authorized for issuance. The plan permits substantially all employees to purchase a limited number of shares of Company stock at 85% of market value. The Company issues shares to participating employees semi-annually in January and July of each year. Approximately 0.2 shares were purchased by eligible employees in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. For 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , expense related to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan was $4.1 , $4.0 and $3.5 , respectively. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to calculate the fair value of the employee’s purchase right. The fair value of the employee’s purchase right and the assumptions used in its calculation are as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Fair value of the employee’s purchase right $ 21.95 $ 19.48 $ 17.22 Valuation assumptions Risk free interest rate 0.3 % 0.1 % 0.1 % Expected volatility 0.2 0.2 0.2 Expected dividend yield — — —

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIAB

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES The Company is involved from time to time in various claims and legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation (including those described in more detail below), arising in the ordinary course of business. Some of these actions involve claims that are substantial in amount. These matters include, but are not limited to, intellectual property disputes, professional liability, employee-related matters, and inquiries, including subpoenas and other civil investigative demands, from governmental agencies and Medicare or Medicaid payers and MCOs reviewing billing practices or requesting comment on allegations of billing irregularities that are brought to their attention through billing audits or third parties. The Company receives civil investigative demands or other inquiries from various governmental bodies in the ordinary course of its business. Such inquiries can relate to the Company or other healthcare providers. The Company works cooperatively to respond to appropriate requests for information. The Company also is named from time to time in suits brought under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act and comparable state laws. These suits typically allege that the Company has made false statements and/or certifications in connection with claims for payment from U.S. or state healthcare programs. The suits may remain under seal (hence, unknown to the Company) for some time while the government decides whether to intervene on behalf of the qui tam plaintiff. Such claims are an inevitable part of doing business in the healthcare field today. The Company believes that it is in compliance in all material respects with all statutes, regulations and other requirements applicable to its clinical laboratory operations and drug development support services. The healthcare diagnostics and drug development industries are, however, subject to extensive regulation, and the courts have not interpreted many of the applicable statutes and regulations. There can be no assurance, therefore, that the applicable statutes and regulations will not be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that would adversely affect the Company. Potential sanctions for violation of these statutes and regulations include significant fines, the loss of various licenses, certificates and authorizations, and/or exclusion from participation in government programs. Many of the current claims and legal actions against the Company are in preliminary stages, and many of these cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages. The Company records an aggregate legal reserve, which is determined using actuarial calculations based on historical loss rates and assessment of trends experienced in settlements and defense costs. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450 “Contingencies”, the Company establishes reserves for judicial, regulatory, and arbitration matters outside the aggregate legal reserve if and when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable and would exceed the aggregate legal reserve. When loss contingencies are not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish separate reserves. The Company is unable to estimate a range of reasonably probable loss for the proceedings described in more detail below in which damages either have not been specified or, in the Company's judgment, are unsupported and/or exaggerated and (i) the proceedings are in early stages; (ii) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions; (iii) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (iv) there are novel legal issues to be presented. For these proceedings, however, the Company does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, though the outcomes could be material to the Company's operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period. As reported, the Company reached a settlement in the previously disclosed lawsuit, California ex rel. Hunter Laboratories, LLC et al. v. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, et al. (Hunter Labs Settlement Agreement), to avoid the uncertainty and costs associated with prolonged litigation. Pursuant to the executed Hunter Labs Settlement Agreement, the Company recorded a litigation settlement expense of $34.5 in the second quarter of 2011 (net of a previously recorded reserve of $15.0 ) and paid the settlement amount of $49.5 in the third quarter of 2011. The Company also agreed to certain reporting obligations regarding its pricing for a limited time period and, at the option of the Company in lieu of such reporting obligations, to provide Medi-Cal with a discount from Medi-Cal's otherwise applicable maximum reimbursement rate from November 1, 2011, through October 31, 2012. In June of 2012, the California legislature enacted Assembly Bill No. 1494, Section 9 of which directed the Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) to establish new reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal clinical laboratory services that will be based on payments made to California clinical laboratories for similar services by other third-party payers. With stakeholder input, DHCS established data elements and a format for laboratories to report payment data from comparable third-party payers. Laboratories reported payment data to DHCS in the summer of 2013. On March 28, 2014, Assembly Bill No. 1124 extended the implementation deadline of new regulations until June 30, 2016. Assembly Bill No. 1494 provides that until the new rates are set through this process, Medi-Cal payments for clinical laboratory services will be reduced (in addition to a 10.0% payment reduction imposed by Assembly Bill No. 97 in 2011) by “up to 10 percent” for tests with dates of service on or after July 1, 2012, with a cap on payments set at 80.0% of the lowest maximum allowance established under the Medicare program. In April 2015, CMS approved a 10.0% payment reduction under Assembly Bill No. 1494. This cut, which applied retroactively to the period of July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015, is being implemented through recoupments from weekly reimbursements at a rate of 5% of the amount owed until paid in full. Under the terms of the Hunter Labs Settlement Agreement, the enactment of this California legislation terminates the Company's reporting obligations (or obligation to provide a discount in lieu of reporting) under that agreement. In December 2014, DHCS announced at a stakeholder meeting the results of its analysis of payment data reported by laboratories in 2013 and its proposed rate methodology, on which it solicited stakeholder comments. The Company objected to the proposal by DHCS to exclude from the new rate calculations data on payments from comparable third-party payers exceeding 80.0% of Medicare reimbursement amounts and its proposal to impose the 10.0% payment reduction enacted in Assembly Bill No. 97 after calculation of the new rates. In January 2015, after receiving stakeholder comments, DHCS instructed laboratories to submit 2014 payment data by March 27, 2015, which DHCS used (except for data on payment amounts exceeding 80.0% of Medicare reimbursement) to establish new rates. DHCS obtained CMS approval of a state plan amendment adopting the new rate methodology and rates effective July 1, 2015, and posted the new rates on the DHCS website. DHCS intends to apply the 10.0% payment reduction referenced in Assembly Bill No. 97 to the new rates. Due to an initial implementation delay, the new rates were to be implemented prospectively until November 1, 2015. A recoupment to account for differences between the new rates and the rates paid for the period of July 1, 2015 through October 31, 2015 was to be implemented through recoupments applied to each weekly reimbursement. Therefore, until the recoupment was paid in full, the Company was not to receive a weekly reimbursement. All retroactive recoupments were expected to be completed by February 2016. However, due to further implementation delays, the new rates have not yet been implemented, and no recoupment has yet occurred. DHCS has instructed laboratories to submit 2015 payment data by March 18, 2016, which will be used to establish new rates effective July 1, 2016. DHCS has not provided further direction regarding possible recoupments. Taken together, these changes are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated revenues or results of operations. As previously reported, the Company responded to an October 2007 subpoena from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General's regional office in New York. On August 17, 2011, the Southern District of New York unsealed a False Claims Act lawsuit, United States of America ex rel. NPT Associates v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings , which alleges that the Company offered UnitedHealthcare kickbacks in the form of discounts in return for Medicare business. The Plaintiff's third amended complaint further alleges that the Company's billing practices violated the False Claims Acts of fourteen states and the District of Columbia. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney's fees, and legal expenses. Neither the U.S. government nor any state government has intervened in the lawsuit. The Company's Motion to Dismiss was granted in October 2014 and Plaintiff was granted the right to replead. On January 11, 2016, Plaintiff filed a motion requesting leave to file an amended complaint under seal and to vacate the briefing schedule for the Company's motion to dismiss, while the government reviews the amended complaint. The Court granted the motion and vacated the briefing dates. Plaintiff then filed an amended complaint under seal. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. In addition, the Company has received various other subpoenas since 2007 related to Medicaid billing. In October 2009, the Company received a subpoena from the State of Michigan Department of Attorney General seeking documents related to its billing to Michigan Medicaid. In June 2010, the Company received a subpoena from the State of Florida Office of the Attorney General requesting documents related to its billing to Florida Medicaid. In October 2013, the Company received a civil investigative demand from the State of Texas Office of the Attorney General requesting documents related to its billing to Texas Medicaid. The Company is cooperating with these requests. On November 4, 2013, the State of Florida through the Office of the Attorney General filed an Intervention Complaint in a False Claims Act lawsuit, State of Florida ex rel. Hunter Laboratories, LLC and Chris Riedel v. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, et al. in the Circuit Court for the Second Judicial Circuit for Leon County. The complaint, originally filed by a competitor laboratory, alleges that the Company overcharged Florida’s Medicaid program. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney’s fees, and legal expenses. The Company's Motion to Dismiss was denied in February 2015. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. On May 2, 2013, the Company was served with a False Claims Act lawsuit, State of Georgia ex rel. Hunter Laboratories, LLC and Chris Riedel v. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, et al. , filed in the State Court of Fulton County, Georgia. The lawsuit, filed by a competitor laboratory, alleges that the Company overcharged Georgia's Medicaid program. The State of Georgia filed a notice of declination on August 13, 2012, before the Company was served with the Complaint. The case was removed to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney's fees, and legal expenses. On March 14, 2014, the Company's Motion to Dismiss was granted. The Plaintiffs repled their complaint and the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint. In May 2015, the Court dismissed the Plaintiffs' anti-kickback claim and remanded the remaining state law claims to the State Court of Fulton County. In July 2015, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss these remaining claims. The Plaintiffs filed an opposition to the Company's Motion to Dismiss in August 2015. Also, the State of Georgia filed a brief as amicus curiae. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. On February 27, 2012, the Company was served with a False Claims Act lawsuit, United States ex rel. Margaret Brown v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and Tri-State Clinical Laboratory Services, LLC , filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division. The Company owned 50% of Tri-State Clinical Laboratory Services, LLC, which was dissolved in June of 2011 pursuant to a voluntary petition filed under Chapter 7 of Title 11 of the United States Code. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants submitted false claims for payment for laboratory testing services performed as a result of financial relationships that violated the Stark and Anti-Kickback Statute. The lawsuit seeks actual and treble damages and civil penalties for each alleged false claim, as well as recovery of costs, attorney's fees, and legal expenses. The U.S. government has not intervened in the lawsuit. The parties have reached a settlement in principle, but the Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit if the settlement is not finalized. On June 7, 2012, the Company was served with a putative class action lawsuit, Yvonne Jansky v. Laboratory Corporation of America, et al. , filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Francisco. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants committed unlawful and unfair business practices, and violated various other state laws by changing screening codes to diagnostic codes on laboratory test orders, thereby resulting in customers being responsible for co-payments and other debts. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, actual and punitive damages, as well as recovery of attorney's fees, and legal expenses. In June 2015, Plaintiff's Motion for class certification was denied. The Plaintiff has appealed the denial of class certification, and the trial court has stayed the case pending resolution of the appeal. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. On August 24, 2012, the Company was served with a putative class action lawsuit, Sandusky Wellness Center, LLC, et al. v. MEDTOX Scientific, Inc., et al. , filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The lawsuit alleges that on or about February 21, 2012, the defendants violated the U.S. Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by sending unsolicited facsimiles to Plaintiff and more than 39 other recipients without the recipients' prior express invitation or permission. The lawsuit seeks the greater of actual damages or the sum of $0.0005 for each violation, subject to trebling under the TCPA, and injunctive relief. In September of 2014, Plaintiff’s Motion for Class Certification was denied. In January of 2015, the Company’s Motion for Summary Judgment on the remaining individual claim was granted. Plaintiff has filed a notice of appeal. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. The Company was a defendant in two separate putative class action lawsuits, Christine Bohlander v. Laboratory Corporation of America, et al., and Jemuel Andres, et al. v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, et. al., related to overtime pay. After the filing of the two lawsuits on July 8, 2013, the Bohlander lawsuit was consolidated into the Andres lawsuit and removed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. In the consolidated lawsuit, the Plaintiffs alleged on behalf of similarly situated phlebotomists and couriers that the Company failed to pay overtime, failed to provide meal and rest breaks, and committed other violations of the California Labor Code. On May 28, 2015, the District Court issued a preliminary approval of the class action settlement and notice of the settlement terms has been sent to putative class members. The Company is also a defendant in two additional putative class action lawsuits alleging similar claims to the Bohlander/Andres consolidated lawsuit. The lawsuit of Rachel Rabanes v. California Laboratory Sciences, LLC, et al., was filed in April 2014 in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles, and the lawsuit Rita Varsam v. Laboratory Corporation of America DBA LabCorp , was filed in June 2014 in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Diego. As a result of the Andres settlement, the Plaintiff in the Rabanes case dismissed her case in June 2015. The Varsam case was settled in November 2015. On December 17, 2010, the Company was served with a lawsuit, Oliver Wuth, et al. v. Laboratory Corporation of America, et al. , filed in the State Superior Court of King County, Washington. The lawsuit alleges that the Company was negligent in the handling of a prenatal genetic test order that allegedly resulted in the parents being given incorrect information. The matter was tried before a jury beginning on October 21, 2013. On December 10, 2013, the jury returned a verdict in in plaintiffs’ favor in the amount of $50.0 , with 50.0% of liability apportioned to the Company and 50.0% of liability apportioned to co-defendant Valley Medical Center. The Company filed post-judgment motions for a new trial, which were denied, and then appealed to the Court of Appeals of the State of Washington. The Appeals Court heard oral argument in June 2015. In August 2015, the Appeals Court affirmed the trial court's judgment. In September 2015, the Company filed a Petition for Review with the Supreme Court of the State of Washington. On March 1, 2016, the Supreme Court will decide whether it will review the merits of the case. The Company carries self-insurance reserves and excess liability insurance sufficient to cover the potential liability in this case. On July 3, 2012, the Company was served with a lawsuit, John Wisekal, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Darien Wisekal v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and Glenda C. Mixon , filed in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. The lawsuit alleges that the Company misread a Pap test. The case was removed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The matter was tried before a jury beginning on April 1, 2014. On April 17, 2014, the jury returned a verdict in Plaintiff’s favor in the amount of $20.8 , with non-economic damages reduced by 25.0% to account for the Plaintiff's negligence, for a final verdict of $15.8 . The Company filed post-trial motions. On July 28, 2014, the Court granted the Company’s motion for remittitur and reduced the jury’s non-economic damages award to $5.0 , reduced by 25.0% for the Plaintiff’s negligence. Accordingly, the total judgment is $4.4 . The Plaintiff opposed the remittitur and the Court ordered a new trial on the issue of damages only. The trial was scheduled for January 2016, but did not go forward at that time. Pending the outcome of pre-trial motions, the trial date may be reset. The Company will vigorously defend this lawsuit. On July 9, 2014, the Company was served with a putative class action lawsuit, Christopher W. Legg, et al. v. Laboratory Corporation of America , filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint alleges that the Company willfully violated the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act by allegedly providing credit card expiration date information on an electronically printed credit card receipt. The lawsuit sought damages of not less than $0.0001 but not more than $0.01 per violation, and punitive damages, injunctive relief, and attorney’s fees. On November 4, 2015, the District Court issued preliminary approval of the class action settlement and notice of the settlement was sent to putative class members. On February 18, 2016, the District Court entered a final order approving the settlement. On August 31, 2015, the Company was served with a putative class action lawsuit, Patty Davis v. Laboratory Corporation of America, et al., filed in the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit for Hillsborough County, Florida. The complaint alleges that the Company violated the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act by billing patients who were collecting benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Statutes. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and actual and statutory damages, as well as recovery of attorney's fees and legal expenses. The Company will vigorously defend the lawsuit. On September 4, 2014, LipoScience, Inc. (LipoScience) and the Company entered into a Merger Agreement pursuant to which the Company through its subsidiary, Bear Acquisition Corp (Merger Sub), would acquire all of the outstanding shares of LipoScience at a purchase price of $5.25 per share in cash for each outstanding share of LipoScience (Merger). Prior to the consummation of the Merger on November 20, 2014, purported stockholders of LipoScience filed four putative class action lawsuits against LipoScience, members of the LipoScience board of directors, the Company and Bear Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, in the Delaware Court of Chancery and, with respect to one of the lawsuits, in the Superior Court of Wake County, North Carolina. The lawsuits alleged breach of fiduciary duty and/or other violations of state law arising out of the Merger. Each suit sought, among other things, injunctive relief enjoining the merger. On October 23, 2014, the case in North Carolina was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice by the Plaintiff. On October 29, 2014, the Delaware Court of Chancery consolidated the remaining three actions under the caption In re LipoScience, Inc. Stockholder Litigation, Consolidated C.A. No. 10252-VCP . After limited discovery, the parties agreed on certain additional disclosures to the Company's definitive proxy statement filed on October 20, 2014, which were made in a supplement to the definitive proxy statement filed on November 10, 2014 (LipoScience Supplemental Disclosures). On November 30, 2015, the Court approved a stipulation under which Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the action without prejudice as to all Plaintiffs and any other putative class member. The Court retained jurisdiction solely for the purpose of adjudicating Plaintiffs' counsel's anticipated application for an award of attorneys' fees and reimbursement of expenses in connection with the LipoScience Supplemental Disclosures. The Company subsequently agreed to pay $0.2 to Plaintiffs' counsel for attorney’s fees and expenses in full satisfaction of their claim for attorney’s fees and expenses in the action. The Court has not been asked to review, and will pass no judgment on, the payment of the attorney’s fees and expenses or their reasonableness. Contact information for counsel is Brian D. Long (BDL rl-legal.com) for Plaintiffs and Raymond J. DiCamillo (dicamillo rlf.com) for the Company. On November 2, 2014, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Covance for $6,150.7 in cash and Company common stock. The transaction closed on February 19, 2015. Prior to the closing of the transaction, purported stockholders of Covance filed two putative class action lawsuits. One of the lawsuits, captioned Berk v Covance Inc., et al., C.A. No. 10440-VCL, was filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery on December 9, 2014. The other lawsuit, captioned Ojeda v. Herring et al., No. MER-C-92-14, was filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Mercer County, New Jersey, on November 12, 2014. Both suits named as defendants Covance, members of the Covance board of directors, the Company and Neon Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that was merged out of existence in connection with the Acquisition. The lawsuits alleged breach of fiduciary duty and/or other violations of state law arising out of the proposed acquisition. Each suit sought, among other things, injunctive relief enjoining the merger. On January 21, 2015, the case in New Jersey was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice by the Plaintiff. After limited discovery, the parties agreed on certain additional disclosures to the Company's definitive proxy statement filed on November 26, 2014, which were made in a supplement to the definitive proxy statement filed on February 9, 2015 (Covance Supplemental Disclosures). On December 1, 2015, the Court approved a stipulation under which Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the action, with prejudice as to the named Plaintiff only. The Court retained jurisdiction solely for the purpose of adjudicating Plaintiffs' counsel's anticipated application for an award of attorney’s fees and reimbursement of expenses in connection with the Covance Supplemental Disclosures. The Company subsequently agreed to pay $0.2 to Plaintiff’s counsel for attorney’s fees and expenses in full satisfaction of their claim for attorney’s fees and expenses in the action. The Court has not been asked to review, and will pass no judgment on, the payment of the attorneys' fees and expenses or their reasonableness. In December 2014, the Company received a Civil Investigative Demand issued pursuant to the U.S. False Claims Act from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for South Carolina, which requests information regarding remuneration and services provided by the Company to physicians who also received draw and processing/handling fees from competitor laboratories Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. and Singulex, Inc. The Company is cooperating with the request. In March 2015, the Company received a subpoena from the Attorney General of the State of New York, which requests information regarding the Company’s relationship with Direct Laboratories LLC. The Company cooperated with the request, and the matter was settled in December 2015. The Company holds an investment in a joint venture partnership located in Alberta, Canada. The Canadian partnership has a license to conduct diagnostic testing services in the province of Alberta. Substantially all of its revenue is received as reimbursement from the Alberta government's healthcare programs. In December 2013, Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Alberta government's healthcare program, issued a request for proposals for laboratory services that included the scope of services performed by the Canadian partnership. In October 2014, AHS informed the Canadian partnership that it had not been selected as the preferred proponent. In November 2014, the Canadian partnership submitted a vendor bid appeal upon the belief that there were significant flaws and failures in the conduct of the request for proposal process, which drove to a biased conclusion. AHS established a Vendor Bid Appeal Panel to hear the appeal, and the hearing was conducted in February 2015. In August 2015, AHS was directed to cancel the request for proposal process. Subsequently, the Canadian partnership entered into a one-year extension through March 31, 2017 of its existing contract with AHS. If the contract is not renewed after March 2017, then the Canadian partnership's revenues would decrease substantially and the carrying value of the Company's investment could potentially be impaired. Under the Company's present insurance programs, coverage is obtained for catastrophic exposure as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. The Company is responsible for the uninsured portion of losses related primarily to general, professional and vehicle liability, certain medical costs and workers' compensation. The self-insured retentions are on a per occurrence basis without any aggregate annual limit. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based upon the Company's estimates of the aggregated liability of claims incurred. At December 31, 2015 , the Company had provided letters of credit aggregating approximately $45.4 , primarily in connection with certain insurance programs. The Company’s availability under its Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by the amount of these letters of credit. The Company leases various facilities and equipment under non-cancelable lease arrangements. Future minimum rental commitments for leases with non-cancelable terms of one year or more at December 31, 2015 are as follows: Operating 2016 $ 73.4 2017 63.8 2018 44.2 2019 31.4 2020 28.2 Thereafter 105.0 Total minimum lease payments 346.0 Less: Amounts included in restructuring and acquisition related accruals (25.9 ) Non-cancelable sub-lease income — Total minimum operating lease payments $ 320.1 Rental expense, which includes rent for real estate, equipment and automobiles under operating leases, amounted to $287.1 , $235.7 and $226.0 for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS The Company’s population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2015 Fair Value as of December 31, 2015 Using Fair Value Hierarchy Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Noncontrolling interest put $ 14.9 $ — $ 14.9 $ — Interest rate swap 21.6 — 21.6 — Cash surrender value of life insurance policies 45.5 — 45.5 — Deferred compensation liability 46.4 — 46.4 — Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014 Fair Value as of December 31, 2014 Using Fair Value Hierarchy Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Noncontrolling interest put $ 17.7 $ — $ 17.7 $ — Interest rate swap 18.5 — 18.5 — Cash surrender value of life insurance policies 41.9 — 41.9 — Deferred compensation liability 43.4 — 43.4 — The noncontrolling interest put is valued at its contractually determined value, which approximate fair value. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest put decreased by $2.8 consisting of a $2.0 decrease in the contractually determined value and a $0.8 decrease for foreign currency translation. The Company offers certain employees the opportunity to participate in a DCP. A participant's deferrals are allocated by the participant to one or more of 16 measurement funds, which are indexed to externally managed funds. From time to time, to offset the cost of the growth in the participant's investment accounts, the Company purchases life insurance policies, with the Company named as beneficiary of the policies. Changes in the cash surrender value of the life insurance policies are based upon earnings and changes in the value of the underlying investments, which are typically invested in a similar manner to the participants' allocations. Changes in the fair value of the DCP obligation are derived using quoted prices in active markets based on the market price per unit multiplied by the number of units. The cash surrender value and the DCP obligations are classified within Level 2 because their inputs are derived principally from observable market data by correlation to the hypothetical investments. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, income taxes receivable, and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair market value of the zero-coupon subordinated notes, based on market pricing, was approximately $177.1 and $155.6 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The fair market value of the senior notes, based on market pricing, was approximately $6,070.5 and $2,949.8 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Company's note and debt instruments are considered level 2 instruments, as the fair market values of these instruments are determined using other observable inputs. The Company's investment in equity securities of $0.0 and $1.0 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, is considered a Level 1 instrument, as the fair market value of this instrument is determined using observable inputs.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDG

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES The Company addresses its exposure to market risks, principally the market risk associated with changes in interest rates, through a controlled program of risk management that includes, from time to time, the use of derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements (see Interest Rate Swap section below). Although the Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments (see Embedded Derivative section below), the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company does not believe that its exposure to market risk is material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations. Interest Rate Swap During the third quarter of 2013, the Company entered into two fixed-to-variable interest rate swap agreements for the 4.625% Senior Notes due 2020 with an aggregate notional amount of $600.0 and variable interest rates based on one-month LIBOR plus 2.298% to hedge against changes in the fair value of a portion of the Company's long term debt. These derivative financial instruments are accounted for as fair value hedges of the Senior Notes due 2020. These interest rate swaps are included in other long term assets or liabilities, as applicable, and added to the value of the senior notes, with an aggregate fair value of $21.6 at December 31, 2015 . As the specific terms and notional amounts of the derivative financial instruments match those of the fixed-rate debt being hedged, the derivative instruments are assumed to be perfectly effective hedges and accordingly, there is no impact to the Company's consolidated statements of operations. Cash flows from the interest rate swaps are including in operating activities. Embedded Derivatives Related to the Zero-Coupon Subordinated Notes The Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain the following two features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments under authoritative guidance in connection with accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities: 1) The Company will pay contingent cash interest on the zero-coupon subordinated notes after September 11, 2006, if the average market price of the notes equals 120% or more of the sum of the issue price, accrued original issue discount and contingent additional principal, if any, for a specified measurement period. 2) Holders may surrender zero-coupon subordinated notes for conversion during any period in which the rating assigned to the zero-coupon subordinated notes by S&P’s Ratings Services is BB- or lower. The Company believes these embedded derivatives had no fair value at December 31, 2015 and 2014 . These embedded derivatives also had no impact on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . Derivatives Instruments The Company periodically enters into foreign currency forward contracts, which are recognized as assets or liabilities at their fair value. These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and the changes in fair value are recorded directly to earnings. The contracts are short-term in nature and the fair value of these contracts is based on market prices for comparable contracts. The fair value of these contracts is not significant as of December 31, 2015 .

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMAT

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Supplemental schedule of cash flow information: Cash paid during period for: Interest $ 166.1 $ 117.8 $ 97.2 Income taxes, net of refunds 249.4 284.1 301.5 Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities: Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance shares 12.6 6.6 7.1 Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt 1.1 9.9 10.3 Assets acquired under capital leases 22.6 29.0 13.1 Accrued property, plant and equipment 4.3 6.2 9.1

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)	QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly data: Year ended December 31, 2015 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Full Year Net earnings $ 1,772.3 $ 2,218.7 $ 2,269.9 $ 2,244.8 $ 8,505.7 Gross profit 625.1 774.6 762.9 740.7 2,903.3 Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 1.5 168.4 152.8 114.2 436.9 Basic earnings per common share 0.02 1.67 1.51 1.13 4.42 Diluted earnings per common share 0.02 1.64 1.49 1.11 4.34 The quarterly data above reflects all measurement period adjustments as of the Acquisition Date. Year ended December 31, 2014 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Full Year Net earnings $ 1,430.7 $ 1,516.4 $ 1,551.8 $ 1,512.7 $ 6,011.6 Gross profit 516.8 568.6 571.2 546.5 2,203.1 Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 113.1 141.3 137.2 119.6 511.2 Basic earnings per common share 1.33 1.67 1.62 1.41 6.03 Diluted earnings per common share 1.31 1.64 1.59 1.37 5.91

Schedule II - Valuation And Qua

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts And Reserves	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule to Financial Statments [Abstract]
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Schedule II LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS AND SUBSIDIARIES VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES Years Ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 (Dollars in millions) Balance at beginning of year Additions Charged to Costs and Expense (1) Balance at end of year Year ended December 31, 2015: Applied against asset accounts: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 211.6 $ 265.4 $ (260.0 ) $ 217.0 Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets $ 17.1 $ — $ (2.0 ) $ 15.1 Year ended December 31, 2014: Applied against asset accounts: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 198.3 $ 276.5 $ (263.2 ) $ 211.6 Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets $ 16.5 $ 0.6 $ — $ 17.1 Year ended December 31, 2013: Applied against asset accounts: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 191.5 $ 254.8 $ (248.0 ) $ 198.3 Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets $ 18.4 $ 0.2 $ (2.1 ) $ 16.5 (1) Other (Deductions) Additions consists primarily of write-offs of accounts receivable amounts.

Business Segments (Notes)

Business Segments (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	20. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION The following table is a summary of segment information for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 . The “management approach” has been used to present the following segment information. This approach is based upon the way the management of the Company organizes segments within an enterprise for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Financial information is reported on the basis that it is used internally by the chief operating decision maker (CODM) for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to segments. The Company’s chief executive officer has been identified as the CODM. Prior to the first quarter of 2015, the CODM managed the operating results of the Company as two segments: clinical laboratory diagnostics and other. In connection with the Acquisition, the Company changed its operating segments to align with how the CODM evaluates financial information used to allocate resources and assess performance of the Company following the Acquisition. The segment information presented in these financial statements has been conformed to present segments on this revised basis for all prior periods. Under the new organizational structure, the CODM manages the Company under two segments: LCD and CDD. LCD includes the Company's legacy LabCorp business, and the Company's nutritional chemistry and food safety business, which were previously part of Covance, but excludes LabCorp’s legacy clinical trials testing business, which is now part of CDD. CDD includes Covance's legacy business, and LabCorp’s legacy clinical trials testing business, but excludes Covance's nutritional chemistry and food safety business, which are now part of LCD. Segment asset information is not presented because it is not used by the CODM at the segment level. Operating earnings (loss) of each segment represents net revenues less directly identifiable expenses to arrive at operating income for the segment. General management and administrative corporate expenses are included in general corporate expenses below. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company refined its methodology for how it allocates corporate expenses between the segments, which impacts segment results and has been applied to prior periods for comparative purposes. 2015 2014 2013 Net revenues: LCD $ 6,199.3 $ 5,838.0 $ 5,669.4 CDD 2,306.4 173.6 138.9 Total net revenues $ 8,505.7 $ 6,011.6 $ 5,808.3 Operating earnings (loss): LCD $ 1,061.4 $ 982.3 $ 1,061.8 CDD 71.9 40.7 37.9 General corporate expenses (130.4 ) (112.6 ) (108.8 ) Total operating income 1,002.9 910.4 990.9 Non-operating expenses, net (270.8 ) (83.7 ) (75.3 ) Earnings before income taxes 732.1 826.7 915.6 Provision for income taxes 294.1 314.1 340.2 Net earnings 438.0 512.6 575.4 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (1.1 ) (1.4 ) (1.6 ) Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings $ 436.9 $ 511.2 $ 573.8 2015 2014 2013 Depreciation and amortization LCD $ 245.8 $ 184.8 $ 176.3 CDD 184.4 5.3 4.1 General corporate 4.1 44.2 42.1 Total depreciation and amortization $ 434.3 $ 234.3 $ 222.5 LCD CDD Total Geographic distribution of net revenues US $ 5,847.3 $ 1,156.0 $ 7,003.3 Canada 290.4 — 290.4 United Kingdom 46.2 235.5 281.7 Switzerland — 359.7 359.7 Other 15.4 555.2 570.6 Total net revenues $ 6,199.3 $ 2,306.4 $ 8,505.7 LCD CDD Total Geographic distribution of property, plant and equipment, net U.S. $ 724.1 $ 687.8 $ 1,411.9 Canada 45.1 — 45.1 U.K. 3.2 133.0 136.2 Switzerland — 86.4 86.4 Other 3.3 64.5 67.8 Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 775.7 $ 971.7 $ 1,747.4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN29

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Reimbursable Out of Pocket Expenses Policy [Policy Text Block]	Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses CDD pays on behalf of its customers certain out-of-pocket costs for which the Company is reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Out-of-pocket costs paid by CDD are reflected in operating expenses, while the reimbursements received are reflected in revenues in the consolidated statements of operations. CDD excludes from revenue and expense in the consolidated statements of operations fees paid to investigators and the associated reimbursement because CDD acts as an agent on behalf of the pharmaceutical company sponsors with regard to investigator payments.
Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue includes direct labor and related benefit charges, other direct costs, shipping and handling fees, and an allocation of facility charges and information technology costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of administrative payroll and related benefit charges, advertising and promotional expenses, administrative travel and an allocation of facility charges and information technology costs. Cost of advertising is expensed as incurred.
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation	Basis of Financial Statement Presentation Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and its subsidiaries (Company) is the world’s leading healthcare diagnostics company, providing comprehensive clinical laboratory services and end-to-end drug development support. The Company’s strategic vision is to improve health and improve lives by delivering world class diagnostic solutions, bringing innovative medicines to patients faster, and changing the way care is provided through the deployment of technology-enabled solutions. The Company serves managed care organizations (MCOs), biopharmaceutical companies, governmental agencies, physicians, hospitals and health systems, employers, patients and consumers, food and nutritional companies and independent clinical laboratories. The Company believes that it generated more revenue from laboratory testing than any other company in the world in 2015. The Company reports its business in two segments, LabCorp Diagnostics (LCD) and Covance Drug Development (CDD). For further financial information about these segments, including information for each of the last three fiscal years regarding revenue, operating income, and other important information, see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In 2015, LCD and CDD contributed 72.9% and 27.1% , respectively, of net revenues to the Company. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries for which it exercises control. Long-term investments in affiliated companies in which the Company exercises significant influence, but which it does not control, are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which the Company does not exercise significant influence (generally, when the Company has an investment of less than 20% and no representation on the investee's board of directors) are accounted for using the cost method. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The Company does not have any variable interest entities or special purpose entities whose financial results are not included in the consolidated financial statements. The financial statements of the Company's operating foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates prevailing during the year. Resulting translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income.”
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition LCD recognizes revenue on the accrual basis at the time test results are reported, which approximates when services are provided. Services are provided to certain patients covered by various third-party payer programs including various MCOs, as well as the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Billings for services under third-party payer programs are included in sales net of allowances for contractual discounts and allowances for differences between the amounts billed and estimated program payment amounts. Adjustments to the estimated payment amounts based on final settlement with the programs are recorded upon settlement as an adjustment to revenue. In 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , approximately 16.0% , 15.0% and 16.0% , respectively, of LCD's revenues were derived directly from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. LCD has capitated agreements with certain MCO customers and recognizes related revenue based on a predetermined monthly contractual rate for each member of the managed care plan regardless of the number or cost of services provided by the Company. In 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , approximately 3.5% , 3.5% and 3.2% , respectively, of LCD's revenues were derived from such capitated agreements. CDD recognizes revenue either as services are performed or products are delivered, depending on the nature of the work contracted. Historically, a majority of CDD’s net revenues have been earned under contracts that range in duration from a few months to a few years, but can extend in duration up to five years or longer. CDD also has committed minimum volume arrangements with certain clients. Underlying these arrangements are individual project contracts for the specific services to be provided. These arrangements enable CDD's clients to secure its services in exchange for which they commit to purchase an annual minimum dollar value of services. Under these types of arrangements, if the annual minimum dollar value of service commitment is not reached, the client is required to pay CDD for the shortfall. Progress towards the achievement of annual minimum dollar value of service commitments is monitored throughout the year. Annual minimum commitment shortfalls are not included in net revenues until the amount has been determined and agreed to by the client. Service contracts generally take the form of fee-for-service or fixed-price arrangements subject to pricing adjustments based on changes in scope. In cases where performance spans multiple accounting periods, revenue is recognized as services are performed, measured on a proportional-performance basis, generally using output measures that are specific to the service provided. Examples of output measures in early development services, include among others, the number of slides read, or specimens prepared for preclinical laboratory services, or number of dosings or number of volunteers enrolled for clinical pharmacology. Examples of output measures in the clinical trials services, include among others, number of investigators enrolled, number of sites initiated, number of patients enrolled and number of monitoring visits completed. Revenue is determined by dividing the actual units of work completed by the total units of work required under the contract and multiplying that percentage by the total contract value. The total contract value, or total contractual payments, represents the aggregate contracted price for each of the agreed upon services to be provided. CDD does not have any contractual arrangements spanning multiple accounting periods where revenue is recognized on a proportional-performance basis under which the Company has earned more than an immaterial amount of performance-based revenue (i.e., potential additional revenue tied to specific deliverables or performance). Changes in the scope of work are common, especially under long-term contracts, and generally result in a change in contract value. Once the client has agreed to the changes in scope and renegotiated pricing terms, the contract value is amended with revenue recognized as described above. Estimates of costs to complete are made to provide, where appropriate, for losses expected on contracts. Costs are not deferred in anticipation of contracts being awarded, but instead are expensed as incurred. Billing schedules and payment terms are generally negotiated on a contract-by-contract basis. In some cases, CDD bills the client for the total contract value in progress-based installments as certain non-contingent billing milestones are reached over the contract duration, such as, but not limited to, contract signing, initial dosing, investigator site initiation, patient enrollment or database lock. The term “billing milestone” relates only to a billing trigger in a contract whereby amounts become billable and payable in accordance with a negotiated predetermined billing schedule throughout the term of a project. These billing milestones are generally not performance-based (i.e., there is no potential additional consideration tied to specific deliverables or performance). In other cases, billing and payment terms are tied to the passage of time (e.g., monthly billings). In either case, the total contract value and aggregate amounts billed to the client would be the same at the end of the project. While CDD attempts to negotiate terms that provide for billing and payment of services prior or within close proximity to the provision of services, this is not always possible, and there are fluctuations in the levels of unbilled services and unearned revenue from period to period. While a project is ongoing, cash payments are not necessarily representative of aggregate revenue earned at any particular point in time, as revenues are recognized when services are provided, while amounts billed and paid are in accordance with the negotiated billing and payment terms. In some cases, payments received are in excess of revenue recognized. For example, a contract invoicing schedule may provide for an upfront payment of 10% of the full contract value upon contract signing, but at the time of signing performance of services has not yet begun. Payments received in advance of services being provided are deferred as unearned revenue on the balance sheet. As the contracted services are subsequently performed and the associated revenue is recognized, the unearned revenue balance is reduced by the amount of revenue recognized during the period. In other cases, services may be provided and revenue recognized before the client is invoiced. In these cases, revenue recognized will exceed amounts billed, and the difference, representing an unbilled receivable, is recorded for the amount that is currently unbillable to the customer pursuant to contractual terms. Once the client is invoiced, the unbilled services are reduced for the amount billed, and a corresponding account receivable is recorded. All unbilled services are billable to customers within one year from the respective balance sheet date. Most contracts are terminable with or without cause by the client, either immediately or upon notice. These contracts often require payment to CDD of expenses to wind down the study or project, fees earned to date and, in some cases, a termination fee or a payment to CDD of some portion of the fees or profits that could have been earned by CDD under the contract if it had not been terminated early. Termination fees are included in net revenues when services are performed and realization is assured. In connection with the management of multi-site clinical trials, CDD pays on behalf of its customers fees to investigators, volunteers and certain out-of-pocket costs, for which it is reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Investigator fees are not reflected in net revenues or expenses where CDD acts in the capacity of an agent on behalf of the pharmaceutical company sponsor, passing through these costs without risk or reward to CDD. All other out-of-pocket costs are included in total revenues and expenses. The Company's net revenues are comprised of the following: Years Ended December 31, Total revenues 2015 2014 2013 LCD - net revenue $ 6,199.3 $ 5,838.0 $ 5,669.4 CDD - net revenue 2,306.4 173.6 138.9 CDD - reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses 174.4 — — Total revenues $ 8,680.1 $ 6,011.6 $ 5,808.3
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Significant estimates include the allowances for doubtful accounts, deferred tax assets, fair values and amortization lives for intangible assets, and accruals for self-insurance reserves and pensions. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on historical collections trends, the aging of accounts, current economic conditions and regulatory changes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various major financial institutions. The total cash balances on deposit that exceeded the balances insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission, were approximately $243.6 at December 31, 2015 . Cash equivalents at December 31, 2015 , totaled $491.3 , which includes amounts invested in money market funds, time deposits, municipal, treasury and government funds. Substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable are with companies in the healthcare industry and individuals. However, concentrations of credit risk are limited due to the number of the Company’s clients as well as their dispersion across many different geographic regions. While the Company has receivables due from U.S. and state governmental agencies, the Company does not believe that such receivables represent a credit risk since the related healthcare programs are funded by U.S. and state governments, and payment is primarily dependent upon submitting appropriate documentation. Accounts receivable balances (gross) from Medicare and Medicaid were $112.0 and $135.1 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. For the Company's operations in Ontario, Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ministry) determines who can establish a licensed community medical laboratory and caps the amount that each of these licensed laboratories can bill the government sponsored healthcare plan. The Ontario government-sponsored healthcare plan covers the cost of clinical laboratory testing performed by the licensed laboratories. The provincial government discounts the annual testing volumes based on certain utilization discounts and establishes an annual maximum it will pay for all community laboratory tests. The agreed-upon reimbursement rates are subject to Ministry review at the end of year and can be adjusted (at the government's discretion) based upon the actual volume and mix of test work performed by the licensed providers in the province during the year. The accounts receivable balances from the Ontario government sponsored healthcare plan were CN $21.3 and CN $22.4 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The portion of the Company's accounts receivable due from patients comprises the largest portion of credit risk. At December 31, 2015 and 2014 , receivables due from patients represent approximately 18.8% and 27.1% of the Company's consolidated gross accounts receivable. The Company applies assumptions and judgments including historical collection experience for assessing collectibility and determining allowances for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable from patients.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings including the impact of dilutive adjustments by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive shares, as if they had been issued at the earlier of the date of issuance or the beginning of the period presented. Potentially dilutive common shares result primarily from the Company’s outstanding stock options, restricted stock awards, performance share awards, and shares issuable upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes. The following represents a reconciliation of basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share: 2015 2014 2013 Income Shares Per Share Amount Income Shares Per Share Amount Income Shares Per Share Amount Basic earnings per share $ 436.9 98.8 $ 4.42 $ 511.2 84.8 $ 6.03 $ 573.8 90.2 $ 6.36 Stock options — 1.2 — 1.1 — 1.1 Restricted stock awards and other — — — — — — Effect of convertible debt, net of tax — 0.6 — 0.5 — 0.5 Diluted earnings per share $ 436.9 100.6 $ 4.34 $ 511.2 86.4 $ 5.91 $ 573.8 91.8 $ 6.25 The following table summarizes the potential common shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their impact would have been antidilutive: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Stock options — — 0.1
Stock Compensation Plans	Stock Compensation Plans The Company measures stock compensation cost for all equity awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of restricted stock units and performance share awards is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The estimation of equity awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment and the Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class, and historical experience. The cumulative effect on current and prior periods of a change in the estimated forfeiture rate is recognized as compensation expense in earnings in the period of the revision. Actual results and future estimates may differ substantially from the Company’s current estimates. See Note 14 for assumptions used in calculating compensation expense for the Company’s stock compensation plans.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments, such as commercial paper, time deposits, and other money market instruments, substantially all of which have original maturities of three months or less.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories, consisting primarily of purchased laboratory and client supplies and finished goods for CDD, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Supplies accounted for $ 157.7 and $ 139.5 and finished goods accounted for $ 33.3 million and $ 0.0 million of total inventory at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. The cost of properties held under capital leases is equal to the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased property at the inception of the lease. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed on all classes of assets based on their estimated useful lives, as indicated below, using the straight-line method. Years Buildings and building improvements 10 - 40 Machinery and equipment 3 - 10 Furniture and fixtures 5 - 10 Software 3 - 10 Leasehold improvements and assets held under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the related leases. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred. Retirements, sales and other disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the related accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
Capitalized Software Costs	Capitalized Software Costs The Company capitalizes purchased software which is ready for service and capitalizes software development costs incurred on significant projects starting from the time that the preliminary project stage is completed and the Company commits to funding a project until the project is substantially complete and the software is ready for its intended use. Capitalized costs include direct material and service costs and payroll and payroll-related costs. Research and development (R&D) costs and other computer software maintenance costs related to software development are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the underlying system, generally five years.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets The Company assesses goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. In 2015, the Company changed the timing of its annual impairment testing from the end of the year to the beginning of the fourth quarter. In accordance with the FASB updates to their authoritative guidance regarding goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing, an entity is allowed to first assess qualitative factors as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform quantitative impairment testing. If an entity determines that it is not more likely than not that the estimated fair value of an asset is less than its carrying value, then no further testing is required. Otherwise, impairment testing must be performed in accordance with the original accounting standards. The updated FASB guidance also allows an entity to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in its goodwill assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step assessment. Similarly, a company can proceed directly to a quantitative assessment in the case of impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets as well. Step One of the goodwill impairment test includes the estimation of the fair value of each reporting unit as compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit. Reporting units are businesses with discrete financial information that is available and reviewed by management. The Company estimates the fair value of a reporting unit using both income-based and market-based valuation methods. The income-based approach is based on the reporting unit's forecasted future cash flows that are discounted to the present value using the reporting unit's weighted average cost of capital. For the market-based approach, the Company utilizes a number of factors such as publicly available information regarding the market capitalization of the Company as well as operating results, business plans, market multiples, and present value techniques. Based upon the range of estimated values developed from the income and market-based methods, the Company determines the estimated fair value for the reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, the goodwill is not impaired and no further review is required. However, if the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, the Company performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of the impairment, if any. The second step involves a hypothetical allocation of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its tangible and intangible assets (excluding goodwill) and liabilities as if the reporting unit were newly acquired, which results in an implied fair value of the goodwill. The amount of the impairment charge is the excess of the recorded goodwill, if any, over the implied fair value of the goodwill. Management concluded that no triggering events occurred during 2015 related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. As such, management performed its annual goodwill and intangible asset impairment testing as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2015. The Company elected to perform the qualitative assessment for goodwill and intangible assets, with the exception of the indefinite-lived Canadian licenses, for all reporting units. In this qualitative assessment, the Company considered relevant events and circumstances for each reporting unit, including (i) current year results, ii) financial performance versus management’s annual and five-year strategic plans, iii) changes in the reporting unit carrying value since prior year, (iv) industry and market conditions in which the reporting unit operates, (v) macroeconomic conditions, including discount rate changes, and (vi) changes in products or services offered by the reporting unit. If applicable, performance in recent years was compared to forecasts included in prior valuations. Based on the results of the qualitative assessment, the Company concluded that it was not more likely than not that the carrying values of the goodwill and intangible assets were greater than their fair values, and that further quantitative testing was not necessary. In 2015, the Company utilized an income approach to determine the fair value of its Canadian reporting unit and its indefinite-lived assets consisting of acquired Canadian licenses. Based upon the results of the quantitative assessment, the Company concluded that the fair value of the indefinite-lived Canadian licenses was greater than the carrying value. There are inherent uncertainties related to the factors described above and judgment related to the Company's impairment assessments of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. The assumptions underlying the impairment analyses may change in such a manner that impairment in value may occur in the future. Any such impairment will be recognized in the period in which it becomes known. Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is determined by the Company at the level for which there are identifiable cash flows by comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows before interest expense and income taxes expected to be generated by the assets. Impairment, if any, is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets (based on market prices in an active market or on discounted cash flows). Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value. The Company impaired long-lived assets of $39.7 and $0.0 , for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected periods to be benefited, as set forth in the table below, such as legal life for patents and technology and contractual lives for non-compete agreements. Years Customer relationships 10 - 36 Patents, licenses and technology 3 - 15 Non-compete agreements 5 - 10 Trade names 5 - 15
Debt Issuance Costs	Debt Issuance Costs The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the terms of the related debt.
Professional Liability	Professional Liability The Company is self-insured (up to certain limits) for professional liability claims arising in the normal course of business, generally related to the testing and reporting of laboratory test results. The Company estimates a liability that represents the ultimate exposure for aggregate losses below those limits. The liability is discounted and is based on actuarial assumptions and factors for known and incurred but not reported claims, including the frequency and payment trends of historical claims.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes utilizing the asset and liability method. Under this method deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for tax loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company does not recognize a tax benefit unless the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that the Company believes is greater than 50% likely to be realized. The Company records interest and penalties in income tax expense.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments Interest rate swap agreements, which have been used by the Company from time to time in the management of interest rate exposure, are accounted for at fair value. The Company’s zero-coupon subordinated notes contain two features that are considered to be embedded derivative instruments under authoritative guidance in connection with accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company believes these embedded derivatives had no fair value at December 31, 2015 and 2014 . See Note 18 for the Company’s objectives in using derivative instruments and the effect of derivative instruments and related hedged items on the Company’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities are determined based on the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tiered fair value hierarchy draws distinctions between market participant assumptions based on (i) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets (Level 1), (ii) inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2) and (iii) unobservable inputs that require the Company to use present value and other valuation techniques in the determination of fair value (Level 3).
Research and Development	Research and Development The Company expenses R&D costs as incurred.
Foreign Currency Disclosure [Text Block]	Foreign Currencies For subsidiaries outside of the U.S. that operate in a local currency environment, income and expense items are translated to U.S. Dollars at the monthly average rates of exchange prevailing during the period, assets and liabilities are translated at period-end exchange rates and equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates. Translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets and are included in the determination of comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive earnings and consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses are included in the determination of net income in the consolidated statements of operations.

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS Business

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS Business Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Total revenues $ 9,033.3 $ 8,711.2 Operating income 1,123.3 907.7 Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 546.8 423.0 Earnings per share: Basic $ 5.04 $ 4.22 Diluted $ 5.02 $ 4.16
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	Consideration Transferred Stock consideration $ 1,762.5 Cash consideration 4,388.2 $ 6,150.7 Preliminary February 19, 2015 Measurement Period Adjustments Adjusted February 19, 2015 Net Assets Acquired Cash and cash equivalents $ 780.8 $ — $ 780.8 Accounts receivable 334.8 — 334.8 Unbilled services 138.7 — 138.7 Inventories 51.9 — 51.9 Prepaid expenses and other 261.4 86.5 347.9 Deferred income taxes 34.4 61.1 95.5 Property, plant and equipment 844.2 174.0 1,018.2 Goodwill 3,176.1 (135.9 ) 3,040.2 Customer relationships 1,917.2 (86.9 ) 1,830.3 Trade names and trademarks 289.4 (18.9 ) 270.5 Land use right 4.9 (4.9 ) — Technology — 74.5 74.5 Favorable leases — 5.5 5.5 Other assets 15.2 (3.2 ) 12.0 Total assets acquired 7,849.0 151.8 8,000.8 Accounts payable 190.8 — 190.8 Accrued expenses and other 280.8 — 280.8 Unearned revenue 168.0 — 168.0 Deferred income taxes 730.2 122.3 852.5 Senior Notes 250.0 — 250.0 Other liabilities 78.5 29.5 108 Total liabilities acquired 1,698.3 151.8 1,850.1 Net assets acquired $ 6,150.7 $ — $ 6,150.7

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN31

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Sales	The Company's net revenues are comprised of the following: Years Ended December 31, Total revenues 2015 2014 2013 LCD - net revenue $ 6,199.3 $ 5,838.0 $ 5,669.4 CDD - net revenue 2,306.4 173.6 138.9 CDD - reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses 174.4 — — Total revenues $ 8,680.1 $ 6,011.6 $ 5,808.3
Reconciliation of Basic earnings per Share to Diluted Earnings per Share	The following represents a reconciliation of basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share: 2015 2014 2013 Income Shares Per Share Amount Income Shares Per Share Amount Income Shares Per Share Amount Basic earnings per share $ 436.9 98.8 $ 4.42 $ 511.2 84.8 $ 6.03 $ 573.8 90.2 $ 6.36 Stock options — 1.2 — 1.1 — 1.1 Restricted stock awards and other — — — — — — Effect of convertible debt, net of tax — 0.6 — 0.5 — 0.5 Diluted earnings per share $ 436.9 100.6 $ 4.34 $ 511.2 86.4 $ 5.91 $ 573.8 91.8 $ 6.25
Potential common shares not included in computation of diluted earnings per share	Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Stock options — — 0.1
Property, Plant and Equipment	Years Buildings and building improvements 10 - 40 Machinery and equipment 3 - 10 Furniture and fixtures 5 - 10 Software 3 - 10
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected periods to be benefited, as set forth in the table below, such as legal life for patents and technology and contractual lives for non-compete agreements. Years Customer relationships 10 - 36 Patents, licenses and technology 3 - 15 Non-compete agreements 5 - 10 Trade names 5 - 15

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Tables)

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Reserve [Abstract]
Schedule of Restructuring Reserves	RESTRUCTURING RESERVES The following represents the Company’s restructuring activities for the period indicated: LCD CDD Total Severance and Other Employee Costs Lease and Other Facility Costs Severance and Other Employee Costs Lease and Other Facility Costs Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 0.4 $ 21.7 $ — $ — $ 22.1 Restructuring charges 9.7 29.4 48.2 26.6 113.9 Reduction of prior restructuring accruals — (1.1 ) — — (1.1 ) Cash payments and other adjustments (10.0 ) (23.5 ) 3.3 (25.5 ) (55.7 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 0.1 $ 26.5 $ 51.5 $ 1.1 $ 79.2 Current $ 58.6 Non-current 20.6 $ 79.2 The non-current portion of the restructuring liabilities is expected to be paid out over 6 years. Cash payments and other adjustments includes the reclass of profit sharing, pension, and holiday accrual.

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AN33

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments in unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investment	Condensed unconsolidated financial information for joint venture partnerships and equity method investments is shown in the following table. As of December 31: 2015 2014 Current assets $ 22.6 $ 66.0 Other assets 19.2 43.3 Total assets $ 41.8 $ 109.3 Current liabilities $ 17.3 $ 28.2 Other liabilities 1.3 1.4 Total liabilities 18.6 29.6 Partners' equity 23.2 79.7 Total liabilities and partners’ equity $ 41.8 $ 109.3 For the period January 1 - December 31: 2015 2014 2013 Net revenues $ 213.7 $ 283.8 $ 255.2 Gross profit 54.3 81.3 84.1 Net earnings 20.1 31.0 37.7 At December 31, 2015 the Company had investments in the following unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investments: Locations Net Investment Interest Owned Joint Venture Partnerships : Alberta, Canada (2) $ 44.0 43.37 % Florence, South Carolina 10.4 49.00 % Equity Method Investments : Various 3.8 various

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET (Table

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	December 31, December 31, Gross accounts receivable $ 1,434.9 $ 1,027.3 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (217.0 ) (211.6 ) $ 1,217.9 $ 815.7

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT35

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, net	December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Land $ 96.4 $ 29.3 Buildings and building improvements 681.6 201.8 Machinery and equipment 944.2 719.8 Software 561.9 434.7 Leasehold improvements 271.6 200.1 Furniture and fixtures 70.1 57.7 Construction in progress 180.4 126.7 Equipment and real estate under capital leases 65.1 42.9 2,871.3 1,813.0 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization of capital lease assets (1,123.9 ) (1,026.5 ) $ 1,747.4 $ 786.5

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill		The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (net of accumulated amortization) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: LCD CDD Total December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Balance as of January 1 $ 2,988.9 $ 2,912.3 $ 110.5 $ 110.5 $ 3,099.4 $ 3,022.8 Goodwill acquired during the year 161.6 81.8 2,979.5 — 3,141.1 81.8 Foreign currency impact and other adjustments to goodwill (12.8 ) (5.2 ) — — (12.8 ) (5.2 ) Balance at end of year $ 3,137.7 $ 2,988.9 $ 3,090.0 $ 110.5 $ 6,227.7 $ 3,099.4
Components of identifiable intangible assets	The components of identifiable intangible assets are as follows: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Customer relationships $ 3,132.4 $ (724.7 ) $ 2,407.7 $ 1,361.6 $ (606.8 ) $ 754.8 Patents, licenses and technology 308.0 (146.3 ) 161.7 125.9 (95.9 ) 30.0 Non-compete agreements 51.0 (37.2 ) 13.8 45.6 (31.7 ) 13.9 Trade names 399.8 (115.4 ) 284.4 133.3 (91.6 ) 41.7 Favorable leases 5.5 (0.6 ) 4.9 — — — Canadian licenses 451.0 — 451.0 635.4 — 635.4 $ 4,347.7 $ (1,024.2 ) $ 3,323.5 $ 2,301.8 $ (826.0 ) $ 1,475.8
Acquired amortizable intangible assets and their respective weighted average amortization periods	A summary of amortizable intangible assets acquired during 2015 , and their respective weighted average amortization periods are as follows: Amount Weighted Average Amortization Period Customer relationships $ 1,855.0 29.2 Patents, licenses and technology 41.2 10.0 Non-compete agreements 4.3 4.9 Trade names 270.5 15.0 Favorable leases 5.5 8.0 2,176.5 27.0

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER (Tab

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued expenses and other	December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Employee compensation and benefits $ 283.0 $ 183.9 Self-insurance reserves 80.6 54.2 Accrued taxes payable 83.8 32.0 Royalty and license fees payable 7.2 8.2 Restructuring reserves 58.6 7.8 Acquisition related reserves 12.1 7.0 Interest payable 63.8 19.7 Other 44.0 28.6 $ 633.1 $ 341.4

OTHER LIABILITIES (Tables)

OTHER LIABILITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other liabilities	December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Post-retirement benefit obligation $ 19.6 $ 26.7 Defined benefit plan obligation 165.8 117.9 Restructuring reserves 20.6 14.3 Self-insurance reserves 10.0 34.9 Acquisition related reserves — 2.2 Deferred revenue 2.5 3.4 Deferred compensation plan obligation 46.4 43.4 Worker's compensation and auto 28.6 23.1 Other 29.6 8.3 $ 323.1 $ 274.2

DEBT (Tables)

DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Notes and Other Capital Leases Total 2016 $ 419.5 $ 11.9 $ 431.4 2017 500.0 11.9 511.9 2018 443.8 11.7 455.5 2019 64.6 11.2 75.8 2020 1,728.2 10.6 1,738.8 Thereafter 3,200.0 47.2 3,247.2 6,356.1 104.5 6,460.6 Less amounts representing interest — (43.6 ) (43.6 ) Total long-term debt 6,356.1 60.9 6,417 Less current portion (419.5 ) (5.4 ) (424.9 ) Long-term debt, due beyond one year $ 5,936.6 $ 55.5 $ 5,992.1
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes $ 94.5 $ 93.9 5.625% Senior Notes due 2015 — 250.0 3.125% Senior Notes due 2016 325.0 — Capital lease obligation 5.4 3.2 Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt $ 424.9 $ 347.1
Long-term debt	Long-term debt at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 3.125% Senior Notes due 2016 — 325.0 2.20% Senior Notes due 2017 500.0 500.0 2.50% Senior Notes due 2018 400.0 400.0 4.625% Senior Notes due 2020 621.6 618.5 2.625% Senior Notes due 2020 500.0 — 3.75% Senior Notes due 2022 500.0 500.0 3.20% Senior Notes due 2022 500.0 — 4.00% Senior Notes due 2023 300.0 300.0 3.60% Senior Notes due 2025 1,000.0 — 4.70% Senior Notes due 2045 900.0 — Term loan 715.0 — Capital leases 55.5 39.2 Total long-term debt $ 5,992.1 $ 2,682.7

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SH40

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Common shares issued and outstanding [Text Block]	The Company is authorized to issue up to 265.0 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share. The Company’s treasury shares are recorded at aggregate cost. Common shares issued and outstanding are summarized in the following table: 2015 2014 Issued 123.9 107.1 In treasury (22.6 ) (22.5 ) Outstanding 101.3 84.6
Changes in common shares issued and held in treasury [Text Block]	The changes in common shares issued and held in treasury are summarized below: Common Shares Issued 2015 2014 2013 Common stock issued at January 1 107.1 108.1 115.8 Common stock issued under employee stock plans 1.5 1.6 2.6 Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes — 0.1 0.1 Common stock issued in conjunction with the Acquisition 15.3 — — Retirement of common stock — (2.7 ) (10.4 ) Common stock issued at December 31 123.9 107.1 108.1 Common Shares Held in Treasury 2015 2014 2013 Common shares held in treasury at January 1 22.5 22.4 22.3 Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards 0.1 0.1 0.1 Common shares held in treasury at December 31 22.6 22.5 22.4
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings Components [Text Block]	The components of accumulated other comprehensive earnings are as follows: Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Net Benefit Plan Adjustments Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available for Sale Securities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings Balance at December 31, 2012 $ 162.9 $ (93.5 ) — $ 69.4 Current year adjustments (63.2 ) 31.6 16.4 (15.2 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) — 10.5 — 10.5 Tax effect of adjustments 23.5 (15.7 ) (6.3 ) 1.5 Balance at December 31, 2013 123.2 (67.1 ) 10.1 66.2 Current year adjustments (89.5 ) (12.0 ) 2.0 (99.5 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) — (6.6 ) (18.3 ) (24.9 ) Tax effect of adjustments 34.3 7.1 6.3 47.7 Balance at December 31, 2014 68.0 (78.6 ) 0.1 (10.5 ) Current year adjustments (370.7 ) 19.0 (0.1 ) (351.8 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a) (b) — (11.3 ) — (11.3 ) Tax effect of adjustments 90.1 (3.5 ) — 86.6 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (212.6 ) $ (74.4 ) $ — $ (287.0 )

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign	The sources of income before taxes, classified between domestic and foreign entities are as follows: Pre-tax income 2015 2014 2013 Domestic $ 599.6 $ 758.6 $ 844.2 Foreign 132.5 68.1 71.4 Total pre-tax income $ 732.1 $ 826.7 $ 915.6
Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The provisions (benefits) for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations consist of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current: Federal $ 218.3 $ 233.6 $ 231.6 State 39.8 30.1 29.9 Foreign 69.4 22.7 22.5 $ 327.5 $ 286.4 $ 284.0 Deferred: Federal $ (14.1 ) $ 29.1 $ 55.2 State (4.2 ) 3.7 6.1 Foreign (15.1 ) (5.1 ) (5.1 ) (33.4 ) 27.7 56.2 $ 294.1 $ 314.1 $ 340.2
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The effective tax rates on earnings before income taxes are reconciled to statutory U.S. income tax rates as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Statutory U.S. rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State and local income taxes, net of U.S. income tax effect 3.2 2.7 2.6 Foreign earnings taxes at lower rates than the statutory U.S. rate (1.8 ) — — One-time restructuring and acquisition items 2.7 — — Other 1.1 0.3 (0.4 ) Effective rate 40.2 % 38.0 % 37.2 %
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Deferred tax assets: Accounts receivable $ 13.4 $ 12.9 Employee compensation and benefits 140.6 110.7 Self insurance reserves 36.9 27.6 Postretirement benefit obligation 7.5 10.2 Acquisition and restructuring reserves 24.5 20.1 Tax loss carryforwards 98.3 69.1 Other 4.3 2.4 325.5 253.0 Less: valuation allowance (15.1 ) (17.1 ) Net deferred tax assets $ 310.4 $ 235.9 Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred earnings $ (189.5 ) $ (15.8 ) Intangible assets (979.2 ) (496.3 ) Property, plant and equipment (211.9 ) (93.5 ) Zero-coupon subordinated notes (87.4 ) (92.8 ) Currency translation adjustment (47.3 ) (48.7 ) Total gross deferred tax liabilities (1,515.3 ) (747.1 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (1,204.9 ) $ (511.2 )
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits from Uncertain Tax Positions	The following table shows a reconciliation of the unrecognized income tax benefits from uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 : 2015 2014 2013 Balance as of January 1 $ 16.7 $ 25.6 $ 36.4 Increase in reserve for tax positions taken in the current year 4.1 — 1.9 Increase in reserve as a result of acquisition 8.5 — — Decrease in reserve as a result of settlements reached with tax authorities — — (4.4 ) Decrease in reserve as a result of lapses in the statute of limitations (5.1 ) (8.9 ) (8.3 ) Balance as of December 31 $ 24.2 $ 16.7 $ 25.6

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Table

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Share Based Compensation Arrangements by Share Based Payment Awards	Changes in options outstanding under the plans for the period indicated were as follows: Number of Options Weighted-Average Exercise Price per Option Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2014 3.3 $ 81.07 Granted — — Exercised (1.0 ) 80.88 Cancelled — — Outstanding at December 31, 2015 2.3 $ 81.14 5.0 $ 95.9 Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2015 2.3 $ 81.14 5.0 $ 95.9 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 2.3 $ 81.14 5.0 $ 95.9
Disclosure of the Impact of Stock Options Exercised	Cash received by the Company from option exercises, the actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions and the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Cash received by the Company $ 82.6 $ 98.5 $ 158.0 Tax benefits realized $ 16.2 $ 12.3 $ 21.3 Aggregate intrinsic value $ 42.2 $ 32.1 $ 55.4
Schedule of Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices	The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding and exercisable options. Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Range of Exercise Prices Number Outstanding Weighted Average Number Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price Remaining Contractual Life Average Exercise Price $ 6.80 - 59.37 0.0 0.3 $59.37 — $59.37 $59.38 - 67.60 0.2 3.1 $60.35 0.2 $60.35 $67.61 - 75.63 0.6 3.7 $71.63 0.6 $71.63 $75.64 - 80.37 0.1 2.2 $79.59 0.1 $79.59 $80.38 - 98.49 1.4 5.8 $87.48 1.4 $87.48 2.3 5.0 $81.14 2.3 $81.14
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	The following table shows the weighted average grant-date fair values of options issued during the respective year and the weighted average assumptions that the Company used to develop the fair value estimates: 2015 2014 2013 Fair value per option N/A N/A N/A Valuation assumptions Weighted average expected life (in years) N/A N/A N/A Risk free interest rate N/A N/A N/A Expected volatility N/A N/A N/A Expected dividend yield N/A N/A N/A The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to calculate the fair value of the employee’s purchase right. The fair value of the employee’s purchase right and the assumptions used in its calculation are as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Fair value of the employee’s purchase right $ 21.95 $ 19.48 $ 17.22 Valuation assumptions Risk free interest rate 0.3 % 0.1 % 0.1 % Expected volatility 0.2 0.2 0.2 Expected dividend yield — — —
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity	The following table shows a summary of non-vested shares for the year ended December 31, 2015 : Number of Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 1, 2015 1.1 $ 91.30 Granted 0.8 123.61 Vested (0.3 ) 95.44 Canceled (0.1 ) 111.38 Non-vested at December 31, 2015 1.5 $ 109.00

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI43

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Future minimum rental commitments	The Company leases various facilities and equipment under non-cancelable lease arrangements. Future minimum rental commitments for leases with non-cancelable terms of one year or more at December 31, 2015 are as follows: Operating 2016 $ 73.4 2017 63.8 2018 44.2 2019 31.4 2020 28.2 Thereafter 105.0 Total minimum lease payments 346.0 Less: Amounts included in restructuring and acquisition related accruals (25.9 ) Non-cancelable sub-lease income — Total minimum operating lease payments $ 320.1

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLAN

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS Pension and Postretirement Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Assumed Benefit Payments By Year [Text Block]	The following assumed benefit payments under the Company's post-retirement benefit plan, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, and were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows: 2016 $ 1.8 2017 1.7 2018 1.6 2019 1.6 2020 1.5 Years 2021-2025 7.1
Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets By Category [Table Text Block]	The weighted average expected long-term rate of return for the Company Plan’s assets is as follows: Target Weighted Average Expected Long-Term Rate of Return Equity securities 50.0 % 5.5 % Fixed income securities 45.0 % 1.2 % Other assets 5.0 % 0.3 % The fair values of the Company Plan’s assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , by asset category are as follows: Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2015 Fair Value as of December 31, 2015 Using Fair Value Hierarchy Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash $ 6.1 $ 6.1 $ — $ — Equity securities: U.S. large cap - blend (a) 55.1 — 55.1 — U.S. mid cap - blend (b) 21.0 — 21.0 — U.S. small cap - blend (c) 7.1 — 7.1 — International equity - blend (d) 35.7 — 35.7 — Commodities index (e) 11.8 — 11.8 — Fixed income securities: U.S. fixed income (f) 102.8 — 102.8 — U.S inflation protection income (g) 6.2 — 6.2 — Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets $ 245.8 $ 6.1 $ 239.7 $ — Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014 Fair Value as of December 31, 2014 Using Fair Value Hierarchy Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash $ 4.1 $ 4.1 $ — $ — Equity securities: U.S. large cap - blend (a) 64.1 — 64.1 — U.S. mid cap - blend (b) 25.3 — 25.3 — U.S. small cap - blend (c) 7.9 — 7.9 — International equity - blend (d) 36.0 — 36.0 — Commodities index (e) 10.3 — 10.3 — Fixed income securities: U.S. fixed income (f) 115.1 — 115.1 — U.S inflation protection income (g) 6.3 — 6.3 — Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets $ 269.1 $ 4.1 $ 265.0 $ — a) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P 500 Index. b) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P mid-cap 400 Index. c) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the Russell 2000 Index. d) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index. e) This category represents a commodities index fund not actively managed that tracks the Dow Jones - UBS Commodity Index. f) This category primarily represents bond index funds not actively managed that track the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index as well as an actively managed strategy which utilizes the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index as its primary prospectus benchmark. g) This category primarily represents a bond index fund not actively managed that tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. TIPS Index.
Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	A summary of the changes in the fair value of plan assets follows: 2015 2014 Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 269.1 $ 268.1 Actual return on plan assets (5.2 ) 15.2 Employer contributions 11.0 13.8 Benefits and administrative expenses paid (29.1 ) (28.0 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 245.8 $ 269.1
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]	A summary of the changes in the projected benefit obligations of the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows: 2015 2014 Balance at January 1 $ 388.6 $ 349.7 Service cost 3.9 3.4 Interest cost 15.1 16.4 Actuarial (gain)/loss (15.4 ) 47.1 Benefits and administrative expenses paid (29.1 ) (28.0 ) Balance at December 31 $ 363.1 $ 388.6 The effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows: Year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Service cost for benefits earned $ 3.9 $ 3.4 $ 3.1 Interest cost on benefit obligation 15.1 16.4 14.7 Expected return on plan assets (18.3 ) (18.3 ) (17.3 ) Net amortization and deferral 11.3 6.6 10.5 Defined benefit plan costs $ 12.0 $ 8.1 $ 11.0 A summary of the changes in the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation follows: 2015 2014 Balance at January 1 $ 28.9 $ 62.7 Service cost for benefits earned 0.1 0.2 Interest cost on benefit obligation 1.0 1.8 Participants contributions — 0.2 Actuarial loss (3.5 ) (7.2 ) Benefits paid (1.8 ) (2.5 ) Plan amendment (3.3 ) (26.3 ) Balance at December 31 $ 21.4 $ 28.9 Recorded as: Accrued expenses and other $ 1.8 $ 2.2 Other liabilities 19.6 26.7 $ 21.4 $ 28.9 Year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Service cost for benefits earned $ 0.1 $ 0.2 $ 0.4 Interest cost on benefit obligation 1.0 1.8 2.5 Net amortization and deferral (10.4 ) (7.9 ) 1.0 Post-retirement medical plan costs $ (9.3 ) $ (5.9 ) $ 3.9
Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]	he net funded status of the Company Plan and the PEP at December 31: Funded status $ 112.5 $ 119.6 Recorded as: Accrued expenses and other $ 1.9 $ 1.7 Other liabilities 110.6 117.9 $ 112.5 $ 119.6
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	Weighted average assumptions used in the accounting for the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 4.0 % 4.8 % 4.8 % Expected long term rate of return 7.0 % 7.0 % 7.0 %
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	The following assumed benefit payments under the Company Plan and PEP, which were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows: 2016 $ 26.1 2017 25.2 2018 24.7 2019 24.9 2020 24.7 Years 2021-2025 123.9 2016 $ 1.4 2017 1.6 2018 1.5 2019 1.5 2020 1.4 2021 and thereafter 6.6 U.K. Plans German Plan 2016 $ 3.7 $ 0.2 2017 3.5 0.2 2018 4.3 0.3 2019 4.1 0.3 2020 5.3 0.5 Years 2021-2025 34.1 3.0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Population of Financial Assets and Liabilities Subject to Fair Value Measurements	The Company’s population of financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2015 Fair Value as of December 31, 2015 Using Fair Value Hierarchy Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Noncontrolling interest put $ 14.9 $ — $ 14.9 $ — Interest rate swap 21.6 — 21.6 — Cash surrender value of life insurance policies 45.5 — 45.5 — Deferred compensation liability 46.4 — 46.4 — Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014 Fair Value as of December 31, 2014 Using Fair Value Hierarchy Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Noncontrolling interest put $ 17.7 $ — $ 17.7 $ — Interest rate swap 18.5 — 18.5 — Cash surrender value of life insurance policies 41.9 — 41.9 — Deferred compensation liability 43.4 — 43.4 —

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM46

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Supplemental schedule of cash flow information: Cash paid during period for: Interest $ 166.1 $ 117.8 $ 97.2 Income taxes, net of refunds 249.4 284.1 301.5 Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities: Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance shares 12.6 6.6 7.1 Conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt 1.1 9.9 10.3 Assets acquired under capital leases 22.6 29.0 13.1 Accrued property, plant and equipment 4.3 6.2 9.1

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tab

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly data summary:	The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly data: Year ended December 31, 2015 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Full Year Net earnings $ 1,772.3 $ 2,218.7 $ 2,269.9 $ 2,244.8 $ 8,505.7 Gross profit 625.1 774.6 762.9 740.7 2,903.3 Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 1.5 168.4 152.8 114.2 436.9 Basic earnings per common share 0.02 1.67 1.51 1.13 4.42 Diluted earnings per common share 0.02 1.64 1.49 1.11 4.34 The quarterly data above reflects all measurement period adjustments as of the Acquisition Date. Year ended December 31, 2014 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Full Year Net earnings $ 1,430.7 $ 1,516.4 $ 1,551.8 $ 1,512.7 $ 6,011.6 Gross profit 516.8 568.6 571.2 546.5 2,203.1 Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings 113.1 141.3 137.2 119.6 511.2 Basic earnings per common share 1.33 1.67 1.62 1.41 6.03 Diluted earnings per common share 1.31 1.64 1.59 1.37 5.91

Schedule II - Valuation And Q48

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts And Reserves (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule to Financial Statments [Abstract]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Balance at beginning of year Additions Charged to Costs and Expense (1) Balance at end of year Year ended December 31, 2015: Applied against asset accounts: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 211.6 $ 265.4 $ (260.0 ) $ 217.0 Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets $ 17.1 $ — $ (2.0 ) $ 15.1 Year ended December 31, 2014: Applied against asset accounts: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 198.3 $ 276.5 $ (263.2 ) $ 211.6 Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets $ 16.5 $ 0.6 $ — $ 17.1 Year ended December 31, 2013: Applied against asset accounts: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 191.5 $ 254.8 $ (248.0 ) $ 198.3 Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets $ 18.4 $ 0.2 $ (2.1 ) $ 16.5 (1) Other (Deductions) Additions consists primarily of write-offs of accounts receivable amounts.

Business Segments Business Segm

Business Segments Business Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 2013 Net revenues: LCD $ 6,199.3 $ 5,838.0 $ 5,669.4 CDD 2,306.4 173.6 138.9 Total net revenues $ 8,505.7 $ 6,011.6 $ 5,808.3 Operating earnings (loss): LCD $ 1,061.4 $ 982.3 $ 1,061.8 CDD 71.9 40.7 37.9 General corporate expenses (130.4 ) (112.6 ) (108.8 ) Total operating income 1,002.9 910.4 990.9 Non-operating expenses, net (270.8 ) (83.7 ) (75.3 ) Earnings before income taxes 732.1 826.7 915.6 Provision for income taxes 294.1 314.1 340.2 Net earnings 438.0 512.6 575.4 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (1.1 ) (1.4 ) (1.6 ) Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings $ 436.9 $ 511.2 $ 573.8 2015 2014 2013 Depreciation and amortization LCD $ 245.8 $ 184.8 $ 176.3 CDD 184.4 5.3 4.1 General corporate 4.1 44.2 42.1 Total depreciation and amortization $ 434.3 $ 234.3 $ 222.5 LCD CDD Total Geographic distribution of net revenues US $ 5,847.3 $ 1,156.0 $ 7,003.3 Canada 290.4 — 290.4 United Kingdom 46.2 235.5 281.7 Switzerland — 359.7 359.7 Other 15.4 555.2 570.6 Total net revenues $ 6,199.3 $ 2,306.4 $ 8,505.7 LCD CDD Total Geographic distribution of property, plant and equipment, net U.S. $ 724.1 $ 687.8 $ 1,411.9 Canada 45.1 — 45.1 U.K. 3.2 133.0 136.2 Switzerland — 86.4 86.4 Other 3.3 64.5 67.8 Total property, plant and equipment, net $ 775.7 $ 971.7 $ 1,747.4

Debt - Convertible Subordinated

Debt - Convertible Subordinated Notes (Details) - Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Contingent cash interest accrual rate	0.125%
Number of days used to establish average market price of zero coupon subordinated notes	5

Note 11 - Debt Debt - Credit Fa

Note 11 - Debt Debt - Credit Facilities(Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014Quarters
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt covenant, requirement for number of consecutive fiscal quarters	4
Debt Covenant Requirement [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	3
Debt Covenant Actual [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	2.5

Note 14 - Stock Comp Plan (Deta

Note 14 - Stock Comp Plan (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period (in years)	3 years	3 years
Exercise Price Range 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit		$ 6.80
Exercise price range, upper range limit		59.37
Exercise Price Range 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit		59.38
Exercise price range, upper range limit		67.60
Exercise Price Range 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit		67.61
Exercise price range, upper range limit		75.63
Exercise Price Range 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit		75.64
Exercise price range, upper range limit		80.37
Exercise Price Range 5 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower range limit		80.38
Exercise price range, upper range limit		$ 98.49

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (Details)

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 19, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014	Nov. 20, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions									15.3
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability									$ 1.7	$ 10.4	$ 5.8
Employee Severance Benefits Related Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment											0.4	$ 0.7
Facility Related Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment										1.1	0.7	$ 2.4
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Goodwill, net	$ 6,227.7				$ 3,099.4				6,227.7	3,099.4	3,022.8
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired									3,736	159.4	159.5
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired									2,176.5
Goodwill, Acquired During Period									3,141.1	81.8
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,000								$ 1,000						$ 1,000
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets									26 years 11 months 28 days
Cash payments to acquire laboratory-related assets									$ 255.8	203.5	202.2
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	2,900								2,900					$ 2,900			$ 700
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Net sales	2,244.8	$ 2,269.9	$ 2,218.7	$ 1,772.3	1,512.7	$ 1,551.8	$ 1,516.4	$ 1,430.7	8,505.7	6,011.6	5,808.3
Proforma consolidated net revenue										2,209.7
Proforma consolidated net income										167.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents	0								0				$ 780.8
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Fair Value	0								0				334.8
Unbilled Receivables, Current	92.5								92.5
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory	0								0				51.9
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets Noncurrent	61.1								61.1				95.5
Revenues									8,680.1	6,011.6	5,808.3
Operating Income (Loss)									1,002.9	910.4	990.9
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 114.2	$ 152.8	$ 168.4	$ 1.5	119.6	$ 137.2	$ 141.3	$ 113.1	$ 436.9	$ 511.2	$ 573.8
Basic Earnings Per Share, Pro Forma									$ 5,040,000	$ 4,220,000
Proforma consolidated diluted earnings per share									$ 5,020,000	$ 4,160,000
Senior notes due 2025 [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage														3.60%
Senior Notes, Noncurrent														$ 1,000
Laboratories and Related Assets [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Cash payments to acquire laboratory-related assets										$ 159.5
Excluding Covance [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired										$ 128.6
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired									$ 17.4
Goodwill, Acquired During Period									68.4
Covance, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Legal Fees									75.6
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Change in control and severance payments									26.8
Write off of bridge and other deferred financing costs									15.2
LipoScience [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Share Price																$ 5.25
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Business combination, recognized identifiable intangible assets acquired																$ 27.2
Business combination, recognized identifiable deferred tax liabilities assumed																9.4
Goodwill, net																$ 17.4
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired					67.9
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets										19 years 6 months
Acquisitions excluding LipoScience [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired										$ 91.5
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired										22
Goodwill, Acquired During Period										63.4
Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash on Hand Used for Acquisition													488.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue													168
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets													8,000.8
Cash paid for acquisition													1,762.5
Non-cash consideration													4,388.2
Total acquisition consideration (cash and non-cash)													$ 6,150.7
Business Acquisition, Share Price													$ 75.76
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Noncash Financial or Equity Instrument Consideration, Rate				26.86%
Acquisition Financing													$ 3,900,000
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs					166					166
Post combination acceleration of stock compensation expense									43.2
Employer taxes on accelerated equity									9.4
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Net Proceeds from Debt														$ 2,870.2
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents													780.8
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Fair Value													334.8
Unbilled Receivables, Current													138.7
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory													51.9
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities													280.8
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable													190.8
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Assets													12
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Assets Noncurrent													34.4
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent													852.5
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt													250
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other													108
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities													1,850.1
Revenues									9,033.3	8,711.2
Operating Income (Loss)									1,123.3	907.7
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings									546.8	423
Transaction costs									207.6
Make-whole payment									$ 37.4
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other Special Charges										25.6
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] | Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs					113.4					113.4
Interest Expense [Member] | Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs					$ 52.6					$ 52.6
60-Day Debt Bridge Traunche [Domain]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Bridge Term Credit Facility Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Amount															$ 400
Short-term Debt, Terms										P60D
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets													7,849
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent													730.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other													78.5
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities													1,698.3
Assets, Total [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items									151.8
Goodwill [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items									(135.9)
Goodwill [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													3,040.2
Goodwill [Member] | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													3,176.1
Other Assets [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items									(3.2)
Other Assets [Member] | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets													15.2
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items									174
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items									86.5
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets													261.4
Accounts Payable [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items									0
Accounts Payable [Member] | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets													190.8
Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items									0
Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets													280.8
Deferred tax liability [Domain] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items									122.3
Other Liabilities [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items									29.5
Liabilities, Total [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Items									151.8
Off-Market Favorable Lease [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles									$ 5.5
Off-Market Favorable Lease [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													5.5
Off-Market Favorable Lease [Member] | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													0
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles									$ 74.5
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] | Covance [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets									10 years
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													74.5
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													0
Use Rights [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired									$ 5.5
Use Rights [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles									$ (4.9)
Use Rights [Member] | Covance [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets									8 years
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													0
Use Rights [Member] | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													4.9
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles									$ (18.9)
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] | Covance [Member]
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets									15 years
Trade Names [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired									$ 270.5
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets									15 years
Trade Names [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													270.5
Trade Names [Member] | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													289.4
Customer Relationships [Member]
Cost of Acquired Entity [Abstract]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired									$ 1,855
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life									28 years
Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract]
Weighted-average useful lives of identifiable intangible assets									29 years 2 months 16 days
Customer Relationships [Member] | Covance, Inc. [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles									$ (86.9)
Customer Relationships [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets													347.9
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment													1,018.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													1,830.3
Customer Relationships [Member] | Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Covance [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest Put [Abstract]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment													844.2
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill													$ 1,917.2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN54

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)yr	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	$ 0
Other Inventory, Supplies, Gross	157.7	$ 139.5
Impaired Assets to be Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, Carrying Value of Asset	39.7	0
Inventory, Finished Goods, Gross	33.3	$ 0
Unbilled Receivables, Current	92.5
Ownership percentage below which investments are generally accounted for on the cost method (in hundredths)		20.00%
Revenue from Medicare and Medicaid programs, percentage (in hundredths)		16.00%	15.00%	16.00%
Revenue from capitated agreements with certain managed care customers, percentage (in hundredths)		3.50%	3.50%	3.20%
Cash balances on deposit that exceed the balances insured by the F.D.I.C.	243.6
Cash equivalents	491.3
Accounts receivable balances (gross) from Medicare and Medicaid	$ 112	$ 135.1
Estimated useful life of capitalized software costs (in years) | yr	5
Minimum threshold percentage required to recognize income tax benefit (in hundredths)	50.00%
Accounts receivable from Ontario government sponsored healthcare plan	$ 21.3	$ 22.4
Percent of gross accounts receivable due from patients	18.80%	27.10%
Assets Held-for-sale, Not Part of Disposal Group, Current, Other	$ 72.4	$ 0

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN55

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - NET SALES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net sales	$ 2,244.8	$ 2,269.9	$ 2,218.7	$ 1,772.3	$ 1,512.7	$ 1,551.8	$ 1,516.4	$ 1,430.7	$ 8,505.7	$ 6,011.6	$ 5,808.3
Revenues									8,680.1	6,011.6	5,808.3
Reimbursement Revenue									$ 174.4	0	0
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Percent of Revenue Contributed									72.90%
Net sales									$ 6,199.3	5,838	5,669.4
Clinical diagnostics laboratory [Member]
Net sales									$ 6,199.3
Routine Testing [Member]
Net sales										5,838	5,669.4
Genomic and Esoteric Testing [Member]
Net sales										173.6	138.9
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Percent of Revenue Contributed									27.10%
Net sales									$ 2,306.4	173.6	138.9
Reimbursement Revenue									174.4	$ 0	$ 0
Other Segments [Member]
Net sales									$ 2,306.4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN56

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income [Abstract]
Net earnings, basic	$ 114.2	$ 152.8	$ 168.4	$ 1.5	$ 119.6	$ 137.2	$ 141.3	$ 113.1	$ 436.9	$ 511.2	$ 573.8
Net earnings, diluted									$ 436.9	$ 511.2	$ 573.8
Shares [Abstract]
Outstanding shares, basic (in shares)									98.8	84.8	90.2
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)									1.2	1.1	1.1
Dilutive effect of restricted stock awards and other (in shares)									0	0	0
Dilutive effect of convertible debt, net of tax (in shares)									0.6	0.5	0.5
Outstanding shares, diluted (in shares)									100.6	86.4	91.8
Per Share Amount [Abstract]
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.13	$ 1.51	$ 1.67	$ 0.02	$ 1.41	$ 1.62	$ 1.67	$ 1.33	$ 4.42	$ 6.03	$ 6.36
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11	$ 1.49	$ 1.64	$ 0.02	$ 1.37	$ 1.59	$ 1.64	$ 1.31	$ 4.34	$ 5.91	$ 6.25

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN57

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - ANTIDILUTIVE SECURITIES EXCLUDED FROM EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Stock Options (in shares)	0	0	0.1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN58

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Buildings and building improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings and building improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	40 years
Maximum [Member] | Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, minimum (years)	10 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN59

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Minimum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Patents, Licenses And Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	36 years
Maximum [Member] | Patents, Licenses And Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	15 years
Maximum [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (years)	15 years

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECI60

RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Net restructuring charges		$ 113.9		$ 17.8	$ 21.8
Restructuring charges related to severance and other employee costs			$ 59.2	10.5	15.4
Restructuring charges related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs			55.8	8.4	9.5
Reduction in prior employee severance benefits related restructuring accruals				0.4	0.7
Reduction in prior facility related restructuring accruals			1.1	0.7	$ 2.4
Asset Impairment Charges		39.7	0	$ 0
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals		1.1
Special charge, ST equity retention arrangement		5.4
Special charge, accelerated equity compensation		0.3
Special charge, wind-down of min volume contract		5.7
Other special charge, dissolution of equity investment		2.3
Payment of legal settlement	$ 49.5	12.2
Other special charges, non-capitalized costs		3
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Special charge related to write-off of certain assets and liabilities related to an investment			25.6
Covance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs			166
Covance [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs			113.4
Covance [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs			$ 52.6
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Net restructuring charges		74.7
Asset Impairment Charges		26.7
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Net restructuring charges		$ 39.2

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Details

RESTRUCTURING RESERVES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee Severance Benefits Related Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment			$ 0.4	$ 0.7
Number of years restructuring liabilities expected to be paid out over	6 years
Balance, beginning of period		$ 22.1
Restructuring charges	$ 113.9
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	(1.1)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(55.7)
Balance, end of period	79.2		22.1
Current	58.6	7.8
Non-current	20.6	14.3
Facility Related Restructuring Reserve Accrual Adjustment		1.1	0.7	$ 2.4
Asset Impairment Charges	39.7	0	$ 0
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member] | Severance and Other Employee Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	0.4
Restructuring charges	9.7
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	0
Cash payments and other adjustments	(10)
Balance, end of period	0.1	0.4
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member] | Lease and Other Facility Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	21.7
Restructuring charges	29.4
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	(1.1)
Cash payments and other adjustments	(23.5)
Balance, end of period	26.5	21.7
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	26.7
Covance Drug Development [Member] | Severance and Other Employee Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	0
Restructuring charges	48.2
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	0
Cash payments and other adjustments	(3.3)
Balance, end of period	51.5	0
Covance Drug Development [Member] | Lease and Other Facility Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	0
Restructuring charges	26.6
Reduction of prior restructuring accruals	0
Cash payments and other adjustments	25.5
Balance, end of period	$ 1.1	$ 0

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AN62

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Joint venture partnerships and equity method investments, condensed unconsolidated financial information
Current assets	$ 22.6	$ 66
Other assets	19.2	43.3
Total assets	41.8	109.3
Current liabilities	17.3	28.2
Other liabilities	1.3	1.4
Total liabilities	18.6	29.6
Partners' equity	23.2	79.7
Total liabilities and partners’ equity	41.8	109.3
Joint venture partnerships and equity method investments, condensed unconsolidated financial information, Income Statement
Net revenues	213.7	283.8	$ 255.2
Gross profit	54.3	81.3	84.1
Net earnings	20.1	$ 31	$ 37.7
The value of the Company's recorded investment in the Alberta partnership assigned to Canadian licenses	35.3
Alberta, Canada [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investments Financial Statement, Reported Amounts
Net Investment	$ 44
Interest Owned	43.37%
Charlotte, North Carolina [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investments Financial Statement, Reported Amounts
Net Investment	$ 3.8
Florence, South Carolina [Member]
Investments in unconsolidated joint venture partnerships and equity method investments Financial Statement, Reported Amounts
Net Investment	$ 10.4
Interest Owned	49.00%

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET (Detai

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts receivable, net [Abstract]
Gross accounts receivable	$ 1,434.9	$ 1,027.3
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(217)	(211.6)
Accounts receivable, net	1,217.9	815.7
Provision for doubtful accounts	$ 265.4	$ 276.5	$ 254.8

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT64

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 2,871.3	$ 1,813
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization of capital lease assets	(1,123.9)	(1,026.5)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,747.4	786.5
Depreciation expense and amortization of capital lease assets	269.9	157.6	$ 144.7
Software depreciation	66.1	38.5	$ 39.3
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment	96.4	29.3
Buildings and building improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment	681.6	201.8
Machinery and equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment	944.2	719.8
Software and Software Development Costs [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment	561.9	434.7
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment	271.6	200.1
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment	70.1	57.7
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment	180.4	126.7
Equipment under capital leases [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Gross property, plant and equipment	$ 65.1	$ 42.9

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET65

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 164.5	$ 76.7	$ 81.7
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Estimated amortization expense, 2013	174.4
Estimated amortization expense, 2014	167.2
Estimated amortization expense, 2015	156
Estimated amortization expense, 2016	149.2
Estimated amortization expense, 2017	142.4
Estimated amortization expense, Thereafter	2,017.3
Amount paid for diagnostic testing technology licensing rights	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET66

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - SCHEDULE OF GOODWILL (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 3,099.4	$ 3,022.8
Adjustments to goodwill	(12.8)	(5.2)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	3,141.1	81.8
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1	3,099.4	3,022.8
Adjustments to goodwill	(12.8)	(5.2)
Goodwill, net	6,227.7	3,099.4
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	2,988.9	2,912.3
Adjustments to goodwill	(12.8)	(5.2)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	161.6	81.8
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1	2,988.9	2,912.3
Adjustments to goodwill	(12.8)	(5.2)
Goodwill, net	3,137.7	2,988.9
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	110.5	110.5
Adjustments to goodwill	0	0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	2,979.5	0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1	110.5	110.5
Adjustments to goodwill	0	0
Goodwill, net	$ 3,090	$ 110.5

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET67

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - COMPONENTS OF IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 4,347.7	$ 2,301.8
Accumulated Amortization	(1,024.2)	(826)
Net Carrying Amount	3,323.5	1,475.8
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount		1,361.6
Accumulated Amortization		(606.8)
Net Carrying Amount		754.8
Patents, licenses and technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount		125.9
Accumulated Amortization		(95.9)
Net Carrying Amount		30
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount		45.6
Accumulated Amortization		(31.7)
Net Carrying Amount		13.9
Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount		133.3
Accumulated Amortization		(91.6)
Net Carrying Amount		41.7
Canadian licenses [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount		635.4
Accumulated Amortization		0
Net Carrying Amount		635.4
Patents, licenses and technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	308
Accumulated Amortization	(146.3)
Net Carrying Amount	161.7
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	3,132.4
Accumulated Amortization	(724.7)
Net Carrying Amount	2,407.7
Use Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	5.5	0
Accumulated Amortization	(0.6)	0
Net Carrying Amount	4.9	$ 0
Trade names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	399.8
Accumulated Amortization	(115.4)
Net Carrying Amount	284.4
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	51
Accumulated Amortization	(37.2)
Net Carrying Amount	13.8
Canadian licenses [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	451
Accumulated Amortization	0
Net Carrying Amount	$ 451

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSET68

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - SUMMARY OF ACQUIRED AMORTIZABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 2,176.5
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	26 years 11 months 28 days
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 1,855
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	29 years 2 months 16 days
Patents, licenses and technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 41.2
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	10 years
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 4.3
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	4 years 10 months 21 days
Trade names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 270.5
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	15 years
Use Rights [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 5.5

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER (Det

ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued expenses and other [Abstract]
Employee compensation and benefits	$ 283	$ 183.9
Self-insurance reserves	80.6	54.2
Accrued taxes payable	83.8	32
Royalty and license fees payable	7.2	8.2
Restructuring reserves	58.6	7.8
Acquisition related reserves	12.1	7
Interest payable	63.8	19.7
Other	44	28.6
Total accrued expenses and other	$ 633.1	$ 341.4

OTHER LIABILITIES (Details)

OTHER LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Post-retirement benefit obligation	$ 19.6	$ 26.7
Defined benefit plan obligation	165.8	117.9
Restructuring reserves	20.6	14.3
Self-insurance reserves	10	34.9
Acquisition related reserves	0	2.2
Deferred revenue	2.5	3.4
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent	46.4	43.4
Workers' Compensation Liability, Noncurrent	28.6	23.1
Other	29.6	8.3
Total other liabilities	$ 323.1	$ 274.2

DEBT - SCHEDULE OF SHORT-TERM D

DEBT - SCHEDULE OF SHORT-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	$ 424.9	$ 347.1
Convertible Subordinated Debt, Current	94.5	93.9
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	419.5
Senior Notes Current 2014	0	250
Senior Notes current 2015	325	0
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	$ 5.4	$ 3.2

DEBT - SCHEDULE OF LONG-TERM DE

DEBT - SCHEDULE OF LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 19, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility Option to Increase				$ 250
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 5,992.1		$ 2,682.7
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	715		0
Other Long-term Debt	715		39.2
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	2,900	$ 2,900			$ 700
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	(419.5)
Capital lease obligations, net of interest, current	(5.4)
Long term and capital lease obligations, net of interest, current	(424.9)
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	11.9
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current	431.4
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	500
Total long-term debt	5,936.6
Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent	55.5
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	11.9
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	511.9
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	443.8
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	11.7
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	455.5
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	64.6
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	11.2
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	75.8
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	1,728.2
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	10.6
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	1,738.8
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	3,200
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	47.2
Long-term Debt	6,356.1
Capital lease obligations, net of interest	60.9
Long term and capital lease obligations, net of interest	6,417
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	3,247.2
Capital Lease Obligations	104.5
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	6,460.6
Long term debt, future minimum payments, interest included in payments	0
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Interest Included in Payments	(43.6)
Long term and capital lease future minimum payments, interest included in payments	(43.6)
Long term and capital lease obligations, net of interest, noncurrent	$ 5,992.1
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.298%
Senior notes due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 0		325
Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	500		500
Senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	400		400
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					400
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	621.6		618.5
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	500	500	0
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	500		500
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	500	500	0
Senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	300		300
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					$ 300
Senior notes due 2025 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	1,000		0
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	$ 900		$ 0
Senior Notes, Noncurrent		$ 900

DEBT - CREDIT FACILITIES (Detai

DEBT - CREDIT FACILITIES (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Quarters	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 18, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014USD ($)	Nov. 02, 2014USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Bridge Loan							$ 4,250
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 2,682.7	$ 5,992.1	$ 2,682.7
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 1,000					1,000
Debt covenant, requirement for number of consecutive fiscal quarters | Quarters			4
Credit Facility Option to Increase							250
Credit Facility, Maximum Swing Line Borrowings							100
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayment Terms		P5Y
Debt Covenant Requirement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	3		3
Debt Covenant Actual [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	2.5		2.5
60-Day Debt Bridge Traunche [Domain]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Bridge Term Credit Facility Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Amount							400
Short-term Debt, Terms			P60D
364-Day Debt Bridge Traunche [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Bridge Term Credit Facility Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Amount							2,850	$ 3,850
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Letters of Credit							125
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	Dec. 19, 2014
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio	3,600,000		3,600,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		1.50%
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio		4.75				3.75
Covance [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio				3.75	4.25
Prime Rate [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			0.125% to 1.00%
Prime Rate [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			0.00% to 0.60%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Description			0.125% to 0.40%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			1.125% to 2.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			1.00% to 1.60%
Excluding Term Loan Commitment [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Bridge Loan							$ 3,250
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes Conversion Trigger Price | $ / shares		$ 75.11

DEBT - COVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED

DEBT - COVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Current	$ 424,900,000	$ 347,100,000
Payments On Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes	$ 1,300,000	$ 18,900,000	$ 21,500,000
Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes (in shares) | shares	0	100,000	100,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to EBITDA (leverage) ratio		3,600,000
Zero-coupon convertible subordinated notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount at maturity of zero-coupon subordinated notes outstanding	$ 105,400,000	$ 106,900,000
Issued price per principal amount at maturity	$ 671.65
Principal amount of zero-coupon subordinated notes		$ 1,000
Annual yield to maturity		2.00%
Stock conversion rate for zero-coupon subordinated notes (per thousand) | shares		13.4108
Minimum number of trading days in a period the common stock sale price must meet a specified threshold to trigger conversion price (in days)		20
Number of consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding quarter for the common stock sale price to reach a specified threshold to trigger conversion price (in days)		30
Common stock sales price threshold, beginning		120.00%
Common stock sales price threshold, declining per quarter		0.1282%
Common stock sales price threshold, ending		110.00%
Zero Coupon Convertible Subordinated Notes Conversion Trigger Price | $ / shares	$ 75.11
Principal Amount At Maturity Of Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes Converted	$ 1,500,000	$ 21,900,000
Value Of Cash And Common Stock In Connection With Conversions Of Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes Settled In Current Period	1,300,000	28,700,000
Payments On Zero Coupon Subordinated Notes	$ 1,300,000	$ 18,900,000
Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes (in shares) | shares	0	100,000
Tax Benefit Realized Upon Conversion Of Zero Coupon Convertible Debt	$ 400,000	$ 3,800,000
Contingent cash interest accrual rate period	September 12, 2015 to March 11, 2016
Contingent cash interest accrual rate description		no less than 0.125% of the average market price of a zero-coupon subordinated note for the five trading days ended September 9, 2015, in addition to the continued accrual of the original issue discount
Contingent cash interest accrual rate		0.125%
Number of days used to establish average market price of zero coupon subordinated notes		5
Debt Conversion Date Of Subordinated Notes And Indenture	Oct. 24, 2006

DEBT - SENIOR NOTES (Details)

DEBT - SENIOR NOTES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 19, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013	Aug. 23, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility, Maximum Swing Line Borrowings				$ 100
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 2,900		$ 2,900		$ 700
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 5,992.1	$ 2,682.7
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.298%
Fair Value Hedges, Net	$ 18.5
Senior notes due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 900
Interest rate (in hundredths)			4.70%
Long-term debt, less current portion	900	0
Senior notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					$ 400
Interest rate (in hundredths)					2.50%
Long-term debt, less current portion	400	400
Senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent					$ 300
Interest rate (in hundredths)					4.00%
Long-term debt, less current portion	300	300
Covance senior notes due 2020 [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (in hundredths)			2.625%
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	$ 500	0	$ 500
Interest rate (in hundredths)	4.625%		2.625%
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 621.6	618.5
Senior notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (in hundredths)						2.20%
Long-term debt, less current portion	500	500
Senior notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent	500	0	$ 500
Interest rate (in hundredths)			3.20%			3.75%
Long-term debt, less current portion	500	$ 500
Senior notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 1,000
Interest rate (in hundredths)			3.60%
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	600
Senior notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (in hundredths)		5.625%
Periodic payments, frequency		semi-annually
Excluding Underwriting Discounts & Other Fees [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes, Noncurrent			$ 2,870.2
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair Value Hedges, Net	$ 21.6

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SH76

PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax				$ 0	$ 0.1	$ 10.1	$ 0
Common shares issued and outstanding [Abstract]
Common shares issued	107.1	108.1	115.8	123.9	107.1	108.1	115.8
In treasury	(22.5)	(22.4)	(22.3)	(22.6)	(22.5)	(22.4)	(22.3)
Outstanding				101.3	84.6
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)				265
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)				$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)				30
Preferred stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)				$ 0.10
Rollforward of common shares issued [Abstract]
Common shares issued, beginning balance (in shares)	107.1	108.1	115.8
Common stock issued under employee stock plans (in shares)	1.5	1.6	2.6
Common stock issued upon conversion of zero-coupon subordinated notes (in shares)	0	0.1	0.1
Common stock shares issued for Acquisition	15.3	0	0
Common shares repurchased (in shares)	0	(2.7)	(10.4)
Common shares issued, ending balance (in shares)	123.9	107.1	108.1
Rollforward of common shares held in treasury [Abstract]
Common shares held in treasury, beginning balance	22.5	22.4	22.3
Surrender of restricted stock and performance share awards	0.1	0.1	0.1
Common shares held in treasury, ending balance	22.6	22.5	22.4
Share repurchase program [Abstract]
Purchase of common stock		$ (269)	$ (1,015.6)
Outstanding common stock repurchase authorization				$ 789.5
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, balance	$ 68	123.2	162.9
Current year adjustments, Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	(370.7)	(89.5)	(63.2)
Tax effect of adjustments, Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	90.1	34.3	23.5
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, balance	(212.6)	68	123.2
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax	19	(12)	31.6
Net Benefit Plan Adjustments
Net Benefit Plan Adjustments, balance	(78.6)	(67.1)	(93.5)
Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments	(3.5)	7.1	(15.7)
Net Benefit Plan Adjustments, balance	(74.4)	(78.6)	(67.1)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax	0	6.3	(6.3)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax	(0.1)	(16.3)	16.4
Interest Rate Swap Adjustments
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	(351.8)	(99.5)	(15.2)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings, balance				$ 287	$ 10.5	$ (66.2)	$ (69.4)
Tax effect of adjustments, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings	86.6	47.7	1.5
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, before Tax	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax	(11.3)	(6.6)	10.5
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax	0	(18.3)	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	(11.3)	(24.9)	$ 10.5
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax	$ (0.1)	$ 2

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Pre-tax income [Abstract]
Domestic	$ 599.6	$ 758.6	$ 844.2
Foreign	132.5	68.1	71.4
Total pre-tax income	732.1	826.7	915.6
Current:
Federal	218.3	233.6	231.6
State	39.8	30.1	29.9
Foreign	69.4	22.7	22.5
Total current income taxes	327.5	286.4	284
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(14.1)	29.1	55.2
Deferred:
Federal	3.9
State	(4.2)	3.7	6.1
Foreign	(15.1)	(5.1)	(5.1)
Total deferred income taxes	(33.4)	27.7	56.2
Total income tax provision	294.1	314.1	340.2
Tax benefit associated with option exercises from stock plans	$ 13.1	$ 5.9	$ 10.6
Federal statutory tax rate reconciliation [Abstract]
Statutory federal rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect	3.20%	2.70%	2.60%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Percent	(1.80%)	0.00%	0.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Restructuring Charges, Percent	2.70%	0.00%	0.00%
Other	1.10%	0.30%	(0.40%)
Effective rate	40.20%	38.00%	37.20%
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable				$ 13.4	$ 12.9
Employee compensation and benefits				140.6	110.7
Self insurance reserves				36.9	27.6
Postretirement benefit obligation				7.5	10.2
Acquisition and restructuring reserves				24.5	20.1
Tax loss carryforwards				98.3	69.1
Other				4.3	2.4
Total deferred tax assets				325.5	253
Less: valuation allowance				(15.1)	(17.1)
Net deferred tax assets				310.4	235.9
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred earnings				(189.5)	(15.8)
Intangible assets				(979.2)	(496.3)
Property, plant and equipment				(211.9)	(93.5)
Zero-coupon subordinated notes				(87.4)	(92.8)
Currency translation adjustment				(47.3)	(48.7)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities				(1,204.9)	(511.2)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross				1,515.3	747.1
Foreign tax loss carryovers				39.5
Foreign Tax Loss Carryover with Valuation Allowance	$ 27.4
Federal tax loss carryovers				245
Federal tax loss carryovers, expiration dates	Dec. 31, 2035
Capital loss carryover				6.8
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits	$ 16.7	$ 25.6	$ 36.4	24.2	16.7
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits				12.7	8.2
Interest and penalties expense related to unrecognized income tax benefits	1.8	2.2	2.4
Interest and penalties benefit related to unrecognized income tax benefits	2.2	3.3	2.9
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1	16.7	25.6	36.4
Increase in reserve for tax positions taken in the current year	4.1	0	1.9
Increase in reserve as a result of acquisition	(8.5)	0	0
Decrease in reserve as a result of settlements reached with tax authorities	0	0	(4.4)
Decrease in reserve as a result of lapses in the statute of limitations	(5.1)	(8.9)	(8.3)
Balance as of December 31	$ 24.2	$ 16.7	$ 25.6
Unrecognized income tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate				24.2	$ 16.7
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries				$ 662

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Detai

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Changes in Options Outstanding Under the Stock Incentive Plans [Rollforward]
Shares authorized for issuance under the 2008 and 2000 Stock Incentive Plans	10.2
Shares available for grant under the Company's stock option plans	5.3
Additional Shares Authorized with Acquisition	1.2
Award vesting period (in years)	3 years	3 years
Stock Options Vested and Expected to Vest at December 31, 2011
Aggregate intrinsic value, vested and expected to vest options	$ 95.9
Stock Options Exercised, Impact Disclosures
Cash received by the Company	82.6	$ 98.5	$ 158
Tax benefits realized	16.2	12.3	21.3
Aggregate intrinsic value	$ 42.2	$ 32.1	$ 55.4
Assumptions the Company Used to Develop Fair Value Estimates
Fair value of the employee's purchase right	$ 21.95	$ 19.48	$ 17.22
Fair Values of Options Granted and the Employee's Purchase Right in the Stock Purchase Plan
Stock option plan expense	$ 2.2	$ 6.9	$ 14.5
Restricted Stock and Performance Shares
Restricted stock, vesting increment	one third increments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant
Performance share awards, vesting conditions	Performance share awards are subject to certain earnings per share, revenue, operating income, earnings before income taxes and total shareholder return targets
Restricted stock and performance share compensation expense	$ 83.8	34.8	19.3
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock and performance share-based compensation arrangements	$ 95.6
Unrecognized compensation cost weighted average expected future recognition period (in years)	1 year 10 months 25 days
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Disclosure
Shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the employee stock purchase plan	6.3
The employee stock purchase plan permits employees to purchase shares of common stock at a certain percentage of the market price (in hundredths)	85.00%
Number of shares purchased by eligible employees	0.2
Expense related to the Company's employee stock purchase plan	$ 4.1	$ 4	$ 3.5
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Assumptions the Company Used to Develop Fair Value Estimates
Risk free interest rate	0.30%	0.10%	0.10%
Expected volatility	20.00%	20.00%	20.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Restricted Stock and Performance Shares [Member]
Summary of Nonvested Shares
Nonvested, beginning of period	1.1
Number of options granted	0.8
Number of options vested	(0.3)
Nonvested, end of period	1.5	1.1
Weighted-average grant date fair value, nonvested, beginning of period	$ 91.30
Weighted-average grant date fair value, granted	123.61
Weighted-average grant date fair value, vested	$ 95.44
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	0.1
Weighted-average grant date fair value, nonvested, end of period	$ 109	$ 91.30
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Disclosure
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 111.38
Stock Options [Member]
Changes in Options Outstanding Under the Stock Incentive Plans, Additional Disclosures
Number of options outstanding, beginning balance	3.3
Number of options granted	0
Number of options exercised	(1)
Number of options cancelled	0
Number of options outstanding, ending balance	2.3	3.3
Weighted-average exercise price per option, outstanding, beginning balance	$ 81.07
Weighted-average exercise price per option granted	0
Weighted-average exercise price per option exercised	80.88
Weighted-average exercise price per option cancelled	0
Weighted-average exercise price per option, outstanding, ending balance	$ 81.14	$ 81.07
Weighted-average remaining contractual term of options outstanding (in years)	5 years
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding	$ 95.9
Stock Options Vested and Expected to Vest at December 31, 2011
Number of options vested and expected to vest	2.3
Weighted-average exercise price per option, vested and expected to vest options	$ 81.14
Weighted-average exercise price per exercisable option	$ 81.14
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, vested and expected to vest options (in years)	5 years
Number of options exercisable	2.3
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, exercisable options (in years)	5 years
Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable options	$ 95.9

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Sched

STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS (Schedule of Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices) (Details) - $ / shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Number Outstanding	2.3
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	5 years
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 81.14
Options exercisable	2.3
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 81.14
Exercise Price Range 1 [Member]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Exercise price range, lower range limit		$ 6.80
Exercise price range, upper range limit		59.37
Number Outstanding	0
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	3 months
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 59.37
Options exercisable	0
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 59.37
Exercise Price Range 2 [Member]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Exercise price range, lower range limit		59.38
Exercise price range, upper range limit		67.60
Number Outstanding	0.2
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	3 years 1 month
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 60.35
Options exercisable	0.2
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 60.35
Exercise Price Range 3 [Member]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Exercise price range, lower range limit		67.61
Exercise price range, upper range limit		75.63
Number Outstanding	0.6
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	3 years 8 months
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 71.63
Options exercisable	0.6
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 71.63
Exercise Price Range 4 [Member]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Exercise price range, lower range limit		75.64
Exercise price range, upper range limit		80.37
Number Outstanding	0.1
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	2 years 2 months
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 79.59
Options exercisable	0.1
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 79.59
Exercise Price Range 5 [Member]
Options Outstanding and Exercisable at December 31, 2013, by Range of Exercise Prices
Exercise price range, lower range limit		80.38
Exercise price range, upper range limit		$ 98.49
Number Outstanding	1.4
Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	5 years 10 months
Options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price	$ 87.48
Options exercisable	1.4
Options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price	$ 87.48

(Details)

(Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Reduction for Plaintiff Negligence			25.00%
Loss related to litigation settlement		$ 34.5			$ 34.5
Previously recorded litigation reserve in connection with false claims act lawsuit		$ 15			$ 15
Payment of legal settlement	$ 49.5			$ 12.2
Loss contingency reduced damages awarded net			$ 4.4

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI81

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Aug. 24, 2012Recipients$ / Violation
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Percent of lowest maximum (cap on payments)					80.00%
Payment reduction by Assembly Bill No. 1494					10.00%
Payment reduction by Assembly Bill No. 97					10.00%
Other Inventory, Supplies, Gross					$ 157.7	$ 139.5
Loss related to litigation settlement			$ 34.5			34.5
Previously recorded litigation reserve in connection with false claims act lawsuit			$ 15			$ 15
Payment of legal settlement	$ 49.5				12.2
Number of putative class actions						2
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value						$ 50
Company's apportioned responsibility						50.00%
Co-defendant's apportioned responsibility						50.00%
Loss Contingency Damages Awarded Gross				$ 20.8	0.2
Reduction for Plaintiff Negligence				25.00%
Loss Contingency Damages Awarded Net				$ 15.8
Loss contingency reduced damages awarded gross				5
Loss contingency reduced damages awarded net				$ 4.4
Number of recipients | Recipients								39
Proposed damages per violation | $ / Violation								0.0005
Letters of credit					45.4
Future minimum rental commitments [Abstract]
2,013					73.4
2,014					63.8
2,015					44.2
2,016					31.4
2,017					28.2
Thereafter					105
Total minimum lease payments					346
Less: amounts included in restructuring and acquisition related accruals					(25.9)
Less: non-cancelable sub-lease income					0
Total minimum operating lease payments					320.1
Rental expense					$ 287.1	$ 235.7	$ 226
Litigation Settlement, Amount		$ 49.5
Tri State Clinical Laboratory Services LLC [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Ownership interest percentage, parent			50.00%

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PL82

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate			7.00%
Maximum deferral percentage of annual base salary			50.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan				$ 119.6
Minimum non-elective contribution (NEC) % for the 401(K) plan (in hundredths)			3.00%
Discretionary contribution % for the 401(K) plan, range minimum (in hundredths)			1.00%
Discretionary contribution % for the 401(K) plan, range maximum (in hundredths)			3.00%
Defined contribution retirement plan cost			$ 43.3	51.6	$ 49.4
Postemployment Benefits, Period Expense			$ 37.8
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match			4.50%
Company contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan			$ 9.5	12.4	8.4
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax			0
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year			269.1
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$ 245.8	$ 245.8	269.1
Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]			PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS Pension Plans The Company has a defined benefit retirement plan (Company Plan) and a nonqualified supplemental retirement plan (PEP). Both plans have been closed to new participants since December 31, 2009. Employees participating in the Company Plan and the PEP no longer earn service-based credits, but continue to earn interest credits. In addition, effective January 1, 2010, all employees eligible for the defined contribution retirement plan (401K Plan) receive a minimum 3% non-elective contribution (NEC) concurrent with each payroll period. Employees are not required to make a contribution to the 401K Plan to receive the NEC. The NEC is non-forfeitable and vests immediately. The 401K Plan also permits discretionary contributions by the Company of up to 1% and up to 3% of pay for eligible employees based on service. The Company’s 401K Plan covers substantially all pre-Acquisition employees. Prior to 2010, Company contributions to the plan were based on a percentage of employee contributions. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company made non-elective and discretionary contributions to the plan. In 2015, 2014, and 2013, non-elective and discretionary contributions were $43.3 , $51.6 and $49.4 , respectively. As a result of the Acquisition, the Company also incurred expense of $37.8 for the Covance 401K Plan during the year ended December 31, 2015. Under the Covance 401K Plan, which is available on a voluntary basis to substantially all US employees, the Company matches employee contributions up to a maximum Company contribution of 4.5% . In addition, the Company Plan covers substantially all employees hired prior to December 31, 2009. The benefits to be paid under the Company Plan are based on years of credited service through December 31, 2009, interest credits and average compensation. The Company’s policy is to fund the Company Plan with at least the minimum amount required by applicable regulations. The Company made contributions to the Company Plan of $9.5 , $12.4 and $8.4 in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. The PEP covers the Company’s senior management group. Prior to 2010, the PEP provided for the payment of the difference, if any, between the amount of any maximum limitation on annual benefit payments under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the annual benefit that would be payable under the Company Plan but for such limitation. Effective January 1, 2010, employees participating in the PEP no longer earn service-based credits. The PEP is an unfunded plan. Projected pension expense for the Company Plan and the PEP is expected to increase to $12.9 in 2016 . This amount excludes any accelerated recognition of pension cost due to the total lump-sum payouts exceeding certain components of net periodic pension cost in a fiscal year. If such levels were to be met in 2016 , the Company projects that it would result in additional pension expense of several million dollars. The actual amount would be determined in the fiscal quarter when the lump-sum payments cross the threshold and would be based upon the plan's funded status and actuarial assumptions in effect at that time. The Company plans to make contributions of $ 12.7 to the Company Plan during 2016 . The effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows: Year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Service cost for benefits earned $ 3.9 $ 3.4 $ 3.1 Interest cost on benefit obligation 15.1 16.4 14.7 Expected return on plan assets (18.3 ) (18.3 ) (17.3 ) Net amortization and deferral 11.3 6.6 10.5 Defined benefit plan costs $ 12.0 $ 8.1 $ 11.0 Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings consist of unamortized net loss of $135.1 . The accumulated other comprehensive earnings that are expected to be recognized as components of the defined benefit plan costs during 2016 are $10.5 related to amortization of the net loss. A summary of the changes in the projected benefit obligations of the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows: 2015 2014 Balance at January 1 $ 388.6 $ 349.7 Service cost 3.9 3.4 Interest cost 15.1 16.4 Actuarial (gain)/loss (15.4 ) 47.1 Benefits and administrative expenses paid (29.1 ) (28.0 ) Balance at December 31 $ 363.1 $ 388.6 The Accumulated Benefit Obligation was $363.1 and $388.6 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. A summary of the changes in the fair value of plan assets follows: 2015 2014 Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 269.1 $ 268.1 Actual return on plan assets (5.2 ) 15.2 Employer contributions 11.0 13.8 Benefits and administrative expenses paid (29.1 ) (28.0 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 245.8 $ 269.1 The net funded status of the Company Plan and the PEP at December 31: Funded status $ 112.5 $ 119.6 Recorded as: Accrued expenses and other $ 1.9 $ 1.7 Other liabilities 110.6 117.9 $ 112.5 $ 119.6 Weighted average assumptions used in the accounting for the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 4.0 % 4.8 % 4.8 % Expected long term rate of return 7.0 % 7.0 % 7.0 % The Company also updated the mortality assumption to the RP-2014 Mortality Tables in 2015 which increased the Company's total projected obligation. The Company maintains an investment policy for the management of the Company Plan’s assets. The objective of this policy is to build a portfolio designed to achieve a balance between investment return and asset protection by investing in indexed funds that are comprised of equities of high quality companies and in high quality fixed income securities which are broadly balanced and represent all market sectors. The target allocations for plan assets are 50% equity securities, 45% fixed income securities and 5% in other assets. Equity securities primarily include investments in large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap companies located in the U.S. and to a lesser extent international equities in developed and emerging countries. Fixed income securities primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, mortgage-backed bonds and corporate bonds of companies from diversified industries. Other assets include investments in commodities. The weighted average expected long-term rate of return for the Company Plan’s assets is as follows: Target Weighted Average Expected Long-Term Rate of Return Equity securities 50.0 % 5.5 % Fixed income securities 45.0 % 1.2 % Other assets 5.0 % 0.3 % The fair values of the Company Plan’s assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , by asset category are as follows: Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2015 Fair Value as of December 31, 2015 Using Fair Value Hierarchy Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash $ 6.1 $ 6.1 $ — $ — Equity securities: U.S. large cap - blend (a) 55.1 — 55.1 — U.S. mid cap - blend (b) 21.0 — 21.0 — U.S. small cap - blend (c) 7.1 — 7.1 — International equity - blend (d) 35.7 — 35.7 — Commodities index (e) 11.8 — 11.8 — Fixed income securities: U.S. fixed income (f) 102.8 — 102.8 — U.S inflation protection income (g) 6.2 — 6.2 — Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets $ 245.8 $ 6.1 $ 239.7 $ — Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014 Fair Value as of December 31, 2014 Using Fair Value Hierarchy Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash $ 4.1 $ 4.1 $ — $ — Equity securities: U.S. large cap - blend (a) 64.1 — 64.1 — U.S. mid cap - blend (b) 25.3 — 25.3 — U.S. small cap - blend (c) 7.9 — 7.9 — International equity - blend (d) 36.0 — 36.0 — Commodities index (e) 10.3 — 10.3 — Fixed income securities: U.S. fixed income (f) 115.1 — 115.1 — U.S inflation protection income (g) 6.3 — 6.3 — Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets $ 269.1 $ 4.1 $ 265.0 $ — a) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P 500 Index. b) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P mid-cap 400 Index. c) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the Russell 2000 Index. d) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index. e) This category represents a commodities index fund not actively managed that tracks the Dow Jones - UBS Commodity Index. f) This category primarily represents bond index funds not actively managed that track the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index as well as an actively managed strategy which utilizes the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index as its primary prospectus benchmark. g) This category primarily represents a bond index fund not actively managed that tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. TIPS Index. The following assumed benefit payments under the Company Plan and PEP, which were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows: 2016 $ 26.1 2017 25.2 2018 24.7 2019 24.9 2020 24.7 Years 2021-2025 123.9 In addition to the PEP, as a result of the Acquisition, the Company also has a frozen non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP). The SERP, which is not funded, is intended to provide retirement benefits for certain employees who were executive officers of Covance prior to the Acquisition. Benefit amounts are based upon years of service and compensation of the participating employees. The pension benefit obligation as of the Acquisition date was $32.8 . For the 2015 period, the beginning of the year is February 19, 2015, and the net periodic pension cost is for the ten months ended December 31, 2015. The components of the net periodic pension cost are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 Service cost $ 0.2 Interest cost 0.9 Net amortization and deferral — Curtailment gain (0.7 ) Net periodic pension cost $ 0.4 Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost Discount rate 3.3 % Expected return on assets N/A The change in the projected benefit obligation, the funded status of the plan and a reconciliation of such funded status to the amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 is as follows: Balance at Acquisition Date $ 32.8 Service cost 0.2 Interest cost 0.9 Actuarial loss — Gross benefits paid (2.3 ) Curtailments (0.7 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 30.9 Funded status $ 30.9 Recorded as: Accrued expenses and other $ 20.1 Other liabilities 10.8 $ 30.9 The accumulated benefit obligation as of December 31, 2015 was $30.9 . The following assumed benefit payments under the SERP, which were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows: 2016 $ 20.2 2017 5.4 2018 0.9 2019 0.1 2020 0.1 Years 2021-2025 3.4 As a result of the Acquisition, the Company sponsors two defined benefit pension plans for the benefit of its employees at two U.K. subsidiaries (U.K. Plans) and one defined benefit pension plan for the benefit of its employees at a German subsidiary (German Plan), all of which are legacy plans of previously acquired companies. Benefit amounts for all three plans are based upon years of service and compensation. The German Plan is unfunded while the U.K. Plans are funded. The Company’s funding policy has been to contribute annually amounts at least equal to the local statutory funding requirements. U.K. Plans German Plan Year Ended December 31, 2015 Year Ended December 31, 2015 Service cost $ 4.1 $ 1.0 Interest cost 7.6 0.4 Expected return on plan assets (10.7 ) — Net amortization and deferral — — Expected participant contributions (1.4 ) — Defined benefit plan costs $ (0.4 ) $ 1.4 Assumptions used to determine defined benefit plan cost: Discount rate 3.5 % 1.5 % Expected return on assets 5.4 % N/A Salary increases 3.5 % 2.0 % The weighted average expected long-term rate of return on assets of the U.K Plans is based on the target asset allocation and the average rate of growth expected for the asset classes invested. The rate of expected growth is derived from a combination of historic returns, current market indicators, the expected risk premium for each asset class over the risk-free rate and the opinion of professional advisors. The change in the projected benefit obligation and plan assets, the funded status of the plan and a reconciliation of such funded status to the amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 is as follows: Change in projected benefit obligation: U.K. Plans German Plan Balance at Acquisition Date $ 256.0 $ 29.4 Service cost 4.1 1.0 Interest cost 7.6 0.4 Actuarial gain (8.4 ) (5.8 ) Benefits paid (4.5 ) (0.2 ) Foreign currency exchange rate changes (8.3 ) (1.2 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 246.5 $ 23.6 Change in fair value of assets: U.K. Plans German Plan Balance at Acquisition Date $ 232.6 $ — Company contributions 6.6 — Participant contributions 1.4 — Actual return on assets (2.3 ) — Benefits paid (4.5 ) — Foreign currency exchange rate changes (7.6 ) — Fair value of plan assets at December 31, 2015 $ 226.2 $ — U.K. Plans German Plan Funded status $ 20.3 $ 23.6 Recorded as: Accrued expenses and other $ — $ 0.2 Other liabilities 20.3 23.4 $ 20.3 $ 23.6 The Company contributed $6.6 in 2015 to the U.K. Plans and expected to contribute $17.1 in 2016 . No contributions were made to the German plan during 2015 , nor are any contributions expected to be made in 2016 since the plan is unfunded. The accumulated benefit obligation for the U.K. Plans and the German Plan was $215.1 and $20.6 at December 31, 2015, respectively. U.K. Plans German Plan Net actuarial loss (gain) $ 4.8 $ (5.7 ) Less: Tax benefit (expense) (deferred tax asset) (0.9 ) 1.8 Accumulated other comprehensive income impact $ 3.9 $ (3.9 ) Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations: Discount rate 3.8 % 2.5 % Salary increases 3.6 % 2.0 % There is no net actuarial loss for the U.K. Plans and German Plan required to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost in 2016 . The investment policies for the U.K. Plans are set by the plan trustees, based upon the guidance of professional advisors and after consultation with the Company, taking into consideration the plans’ liabilities and future funding levels. The trustees have set the long-term investment policy largely in accordance with the asset allocation of a broadly diversified investment portfolio. Assets are generally invested within the target ranges as follows: Equity securities 60.0% to 70.0% Debt securities 10.0% to 15.0% Annuities 10.0% to 20.0% Real estate —% to 10.0% Other —% to 5.0% The weighted average asset allocation of the U.K. Plans as of December 31, 2015 by asset category is as follows: December 31, 2015 Equity securities 68.0% Debt securities 13.0% Annuities 14.0% Real estate 5.0% Investments are made in pooled investment funds. Pooled investment fund managers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the U.K. and operate under terms which contain restrictions on the way in which the portfolios are managed and require the managers to ensure that suitable internal operating procedures are in place. The trustees have set performance objectives for each fund manager and routinely monitor and assess the managers’ performance against such objectives. Annuities represent annuity buy-in insurance policies purchased by the plan trustees from large, financially sound insurers. The cash flows from the annuities are intended to match the plan’s obligations to specific groups of participants, typically those participants currently receiving benefits. The fair value of the Company’s U.K. Plans' assets as of December 31, 2015 , by asset category, are as follows: Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2015 December 31, Using Fair Value Hierarchy Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash $0.9 $0.9 $0.0 $0.0 Mutual funds (a) 193.3 — 193.3 — Annuities (b) 32.0 — — 32.0 Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets $ 226.2 $ 0.9 $ 193.3 $ 32.0 a) Mutual funds represent pooled investment vehicles offered by investment managers, which are generally comprised of investments in equities, bonds, property and cash. The plans’ trustees hold units in these funds, the value of which is determined by the number of units held multiplied by the unit price calculated by the investment managers. That unit price is derived based on the market value of the securities that comprise the fund, which are determined by quoted prices in active markets. No element of the valuation is based on inputs made by the plans’ trustees. b) Annuities represent annuity buy-in insurance policies, whereby the insurer pays the pension payments for the lifetime of the members covered. The annuities are assets of the plan and payments from the insurer are made to the plans’ trustees, who then use those proceeds to pay the pensioners. The cash flows from the annuities are intended to effectively match the payments to the pensioners covered by the policy. As such, these assets are valued actuarially based upon the value of the liabilities with which they are associated. As the valuation of these assets is judgmental, and there are no observable inputs associated with the valuation, these assets are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Expected future benefit payments are as follows: U.K. Plans German Plan 2016 $ 3.7 $ 0.2 2017 3.5 0.2 2018 4.3 0.3 2019 4.1 0.3 2020 5.3 0.5 Years 2021-2025 34.1 3.0 Post-employment retiree health and welfare plan As a result of the Acquisition, the Company sponsors a post-employment retiree health and welfare plan for the benefit of eligible employees at certain U.S. subsidiaries who retire after satisfying service and age requirements. This plan is funded on a pay-as-you-go basis and the cost of providing these benefits is shared with the retirees. The net periodic post-retirement benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $0.2 , and the pension benefit obligation as of the Acquisition date was $6.3 . The components of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost for 2015 are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 Service cost $ — Interest cost 0.2 Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost $ 0.2 Assumptions used to determine net periodic post-retirement benefit cost: Discount rate 3.8 % Healthcare cost trend rate 6.5 % The change in the projected post-retirement benefit obligation, the funded status of the plan and the reconciliation of such funded status to the amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 is as follows: 2015 Balance at Acquisition Date $ 6.3 Service cost — Interest cost 0.2 Participant contributions 0.8 Actuarial gain (0.7 ) Benefits paid (1.4 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 5.2 2015 Funded status $ 5.2 Recorded as: Accrued expenses and other $ 0.6 Other liabilities 4.6 $ 5.2 The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2015 are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 Net actuarial loss $ 0.7 Less: Deferred tax benefit (0.3 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income impact $ 0.4 Assumptions used to determine benefit obligation: Discount rate 4.2 % Healthcare cost trend rate 7.0 % A one percentage point (1%) increase or decrease in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would not impact the net service and interest cost components of the net periodic post-retirement benefit cost or the post-retirement benefit obligation since future increases in plan costs are paid by participant contributions. The Company expects to contribute $0.6 to the post-employment retiree health and welfare plan in 2016 . Expected future gross benefit payments are as follows: 2016 $ 1.4 2017 1.6 2018 1.5 2019 1.5 2020 1.4 2021 and thereafter 6.6 Post-retirement Medical Plan The Company assumed obligations under a subsidiary's post-retirement medical plan. Coverage under this plan is restricted to a limited number of existing employees of the subsidiary. This plan is unfunded and the Company’s policy is to fund benefits as claims are incurred. The effect on operations of the post-retirement medical plan is shown in the following table: Year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Service cost for benefits earned $ 0.1 $ 0.2 $ 0.4 Interest cost on benefit obligation 1.0 1.8 2.5 Net amortization and deferral (10.4 ) (7.9 ) 1.0 Post-retirement medical plan costs $ (9.3 ) $ (5.9 ) $ 3.9 Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings consist of unamortized net loss of $9.3 . The accumulated other comprehensive earnings that are expected to be recognized as components of the post-retirement medical plan costs during 2016 are $10.4 related to amortization of the net gain resulting from the shift of Medicare-eligible participants to private exchanges. A summary of the changes in the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation follows: 2015 2014 Balance at January 1 $ 28.9 $ 62.7 Service cost for benefits earned 0.1 0.2 Interest cost on benefit obligation 1.0 1.8 Participants contributions — 0.2 Actuarial loss (3.5 ) (7.2 ) Benefits paid (1.8 ) (2.5 ) Plan amendment (3.3 ) (26.3 ) Balance at December 31 $ 21.4 $ 28.9 Recorded as: Accrued expenses and other $ 1.8 $ 2.2 Other liabilities 19.6 26.7 $ 21.4 $ 28.9 The weighted-average discount rates used in the calculation of the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation were 4.4% and 4.0% as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The healthcare cost trend rate was removed due to the expectation of future funding to be at the same level as the previous year's funding. The following assumed benefit payments under the Company's post-retirement benefit plan, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, and were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows: 2016 $ 1.8 2017 1.7 2018 1.6 2019 1.6 2020 1.5 Years 2021-2025 7.1 Deferred Compensation Plan In 2001, the Board approved the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) under which certain of the Company's executives, may elect to defer up to 100.0% of their annual cash incentive pay and/or up to 50.0% of their annual base salary and/or eligible commissions subject to annual limits established by the U.S. government. The DCP provides executives a tax efficient strategy for retirement savings and capital accumulation without significant cost to the Company. The Company makes no contributions to the DCP. Amounts deferred by a participant are credited to a bookkeeping account maintained on behalf of each participant, which is used for measurement and determination of amounts to be paid to a participant, or his or her designated beneficiary, pursuant to the terms of the DCP. The amounts accrued under this plan were $46.4 and $43.4 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Deferred amounts are the Company's general unsecured obligations and are subject to claims by the Company's creditors. The Company's general assets may be used to fund obligations and pay DCP benefits.
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]			A summary of the changes in the projected benefit obligations of the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows: 2015 2014 Balance at January 1 $ 388.6 $ 349.7 Service cost 3.9 3.4 Interest cost 15.1 16.4 Actuarial (gain)/loss (15.4 ) 47.1 Benefits and administrative expenses paid (29.1 ) (28.0 ) Balance at December 31 $ 363.1 $ 388.6 The effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows: Year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Service cost for benefits earned $ 3.9 $ 3.4 $ 3.1 Interest cost on benefit obligation 15.1 16.4 14.7 Expected return on plan assets (18.3 ) (18.3 ) (17.3 ) Net amortization and deferral 11.3 6.6 10.5 Defined benefit plan costs $ 12.0 $ 8.1 $ 11.0 A summary of the changes in the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation follows: 2015 2014 Balance at January 1 $ 28.9 $ 62.7 Service cost for benefits earned 0.1 0.2 Interest cost on benefit obligation 1.0 1.8 Participants contributions — 0.2 Actuarial loss (3.5 ) (7.2 ) Benefits paid (1.8 ) (2.5 ) Plan amendment (3.3 ) (26.3 ) Balance at December 31 $ 21.4 $ 28.9 Recorded as: Accrued expenses and other $ 1.8 $ 2.2 Other liabilities 19.6 26.7 $ 21.4 $ 28.9 Year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Service cost for benefits earned $ 0.1 $ 0.2 $ 0.4 Interest cost on benefit obligation 1.0 1.8 2.5 Net amortization and deferral (10.4 ) (7.9 ) 1.0 Post-retirement medical plan costs $ (9.3 ) $ (5.9 ) $ 3.9
Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]			A summary of the changes in the fair value of plan assets follows: 2015 2014 Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 269.1 $ 268.1 Actual return on plan assets (5.2 ) 15.2 Employer contributions 11.0 13.8 Benefits and administrative expenses paid (29.1 ) (28.0 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 245.8 $ 269.1
Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]			he net funded status of the Company Plan and the PEP at December 31: Funded status $ 112.5 $ 119.6 Recorded as: Accrued expenses and other $ 1.9 $ 1.7 Other liabilities 110.6 117.9 $ 112.5 $ 119.6
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]			Weighted average assumptions used in the accounting for the Company Plan and the PEP are summarized as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 4.0 % 4.8 % 4.8 % Expected long term rate of return 7.0 % 7.0 % 7.0 %
Defined Benefit Plan Fair Value Of Plan Assets By Category [Table Text Block]			The weighted average expected long-term rate of return for the Company Plan’s assets is as follows: Target Weighted Average Expected Long-Term Rate of Return Equity securities 50.0 % 5.5 % Fixed income securities 45.0 % 1.2 % Other assets 5.0 % 0.3 % The fair values of the Company Plan’s assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , by asset category are as follows: Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2015 Fair Value as of December 31, 2015 Using Fair Value Hierarchy Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash $ 6.1 $ 6.1 $ — $ — Equity securities: U.S. large cap - blend (a) 55.1 — 55.1 — U.S. mid cap - blend (b) 21.0 — 21.0 — U.S. small cap - blend (c) 7.1 — 7.1 — International equity - blend (d) 35.7 — 35.7 — Commodities index (e) 11.8 — 11.8 — Fixed income securities: U.S. fixed income (f) 102.8 — 102.8 — U.S inflation protection income (g) 6.2 — 6.2 — Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets $ 245.8 $ 6.1 $ 239.7 $ — Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2014 Fair Value as of December 31, 2014 Using Fair Value Hierarchy Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash $ 4.1 $ 4.1 $ — $ — Equity securities: U.S. large cap - blend (a) 64.1 — 64.1 — U.S. mid cap - blend (b) 25.3 — 25.3 — U.S. small cap - blend (c) 7.9 — 7.9 — International equity - blend (d) 36.0 — 36.0 — Commodities index (e) 10.3 — 10.3 — Fixed income securities: U.S. fixed income (f) 115.1 — 115.1 — U.S inflation protection income (g) 6.3 — 6.3 — Total fair value of the Company Plan’s assets $ 269.1 $ 4.1 $ 265.0 $ — a) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P 500 Index. b) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P mid-cap 400 Index. c) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the Russell 2000 Index. d) This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index. e) This category represents a commodities index fund not actively managed that tracks the Dow Jones - UBS Commodity Index. f) This category primarily represents bond index funds not actively managed that track the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index as well as an actively managed strategy which utilizes the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index as its primary prospectus benchmark. g) This category primarily represents a bond index fund not actively managed that tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. TIPS Index.
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]			The following assumed benefit payments under the Company Plan and PEP, which were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows: 2016 $ 26.1 2017 25.2 2018 24.7 2019 24.9 2020 24.7 Years 2021-2025 123.9 2016 $ 1.4 2017 1.6 2018 1.5 2019 1.5 2020 1.4 2021 and thereafter 6.6 U.K. Plans German Plan 2016 $ 3.7 $ 0.2 2017 3.5 0.2 2018 4.3 0.3 2019 4.1 0.3 2020 5.3 0.5 Years 2021-2025 34.1 3.0
Assumed Benefit Payments By Year [Text Block]			The following assumed benefit payments under the Company's post-retirement benefit plan, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, and were used in the calculation of projected benefit obligations, are expected to be paid as follows: 2016 $ 1.8 2017 1.7 2018 1.6 2019 1.6 2020 1.5 Years 2021-2025 7.1
Maximum deferral percentage of annual cash incentive pay			100.00%
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent		46.4	$ 46.4	43.4
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			50.00%
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			45.00%
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	[1]		$ 6.3
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	[1]	6.2	6.2	6.3
Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan				117.9
Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan				1.7
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three		0.9	0.9
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter		3.4	3.4
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months		20.2	20.2
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two		5.4	5.4
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		30.9	30.9
Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]
Service cost		0.2	0.2
Interest cost		(0.9)	(0.9)
Defined benefit plan costs			0.4
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		32.8
Service cost		0.2	0.2
Interest cost		(0.9)	(0.9)
Actuarial (gain)/loss		0
Benefits and administrative expenses paid		(2.3)
Ending balance		30.9	$ 30.9
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Benefits and administrative expenses paid		$ (2.3)
Defined Benefit Plans, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligations [Abstract]
Discount rate		3.30%	3.30%
Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four		$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five		0.1	0.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Curtailments		(0.7)	0.7
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		10.8	10.8
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		20.1	20.1
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three		1.5	1.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter		6.6	$ 6.6
Defined Benefit Plan, Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate			6.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months		1.4	$ 1.4
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two		1.6	1.6
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		5.2	5.2
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year			0.6
Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]
Service cost			0
Interest cost			(0.2)
Defined benefit plan costs			0.2
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		6.3
Service cost			0
Interest cost			(0.2)
Participants contributions			0.8
Actuarial (gain)/loss			(0.7)
Benefits and administrative expenses paid			(1.4)
Ending balance		5.2	5.2
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax			0.7
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Benefits and administrative expenses paid			(1.4)
Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four		1.5	1.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five		1.4	1.4
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		4.6	4.6
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		0.6	0.6
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three		1.6	1.6
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter		7.1	7.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months		1.8	1.8
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two		1.7	1.7
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments			(3.3)	(26.3)
Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]
Service cost			0.1	0.2	0.4
Interest cost			(1)	(1.8)	(2.5)
Net amortization and deferral			(10.4)	(7.9)	1
Defined benefit plan costs			(9.3)	(5.9)	3.9
Unamortized net gain included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings		9.3	9.3
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			28.9	62.7
Service cost			0.1	0.2	0.4
Interest cost			(1)	(1.8)	(2.5)
Participants contributions			0	0.2
Actuarial (gain)/loss			(3.5)	(7.2)
Benefits and administrative expenses paid			(1.8)	(2.5)
Ending balance		$ 21.4	21.4	28.9	62.7
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Benefits and administrative expenses paid			$ (1.8)	$ (2.5)
Defined Benefit Plans, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligations [Abstract]
Discount rate		4.40%	4.40%	4.00%
Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four		$ 1.6	$ 1.6
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five		1.5	1.5
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			26.7
Ending balance		19.6	19.6	$ 26.7
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			2.2
Ending balance		1.8	1.8	2.2
Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three		4.3	4.3
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter		34.1	34.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months		3.7	3.7
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two		3.5	3.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		20.3	20.3
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year			17.1
Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]
Service cost		4.1	4.1
Interest cost		(7.6)	(7.6)
Expected return on plan assets			(10.7)
Defined benefit plan costs			(0.4)
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		256
Service cost		4.1	4.1
Interest cost		(7.6)	(7.6)
Participants contributions		1.4	1.4
Actuarial (gain)/loss		(8.4)
Benefits and administrative expenses paid		(4.5)
Ending balance		246.5	246.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation		215.1	215.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax			4.8
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		232.6
Actual return on plan assets		(2.3)
Employer contributions		6.6
Benefits and administrative expenses paid		(4.5)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		226.2	$ 226.2
Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for other assets (in hundredths)			5.40%
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four		4.1	$ 4.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five		5.3	5.3
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		32	32
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		20.3	20.3
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		0	0
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three		0.3	0.3
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter		3	3
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months		0.2	0.2
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two		0.2	0.2
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		23.6	23.6
Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]
Service cost		1	1
Interest cost		(0.4)	(0.4)
Expected return on plan assets			0
Defined benefit plan costs				1.4
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		29.4
Service cost		1	1
Interest cost		(0.4)	(0.4)
Participants contributions		0
Actuarial (gain)/loss		(5.8)
Benefits and administrative expenses paid		(0.2)
Ending balance		23.6	23.6
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation		20.6	20.6
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax			(5.7)
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		0
Actual return on plan assets		0
Employer contributions		0
Benefits and administrative expenses paid		(0.2)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		0	0
Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four		0.3	0.3
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five		0.5	0.5
Other Pension Plan [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		23.4	23.4
Other Pension Plan [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		0.2	0.2
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three		24.7	24.7
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter		123.9	123.9
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months		26.1	26.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two		25.2	25.2
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		112.5	$ 112.5
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			5.00%
Projected defined benefit plan costs in fiscal 2012			$ 12.9
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year			12.7
Effect on operations for both the Company Plan and the PEP [Abstract]
Service cost			3.9	3.4	3.1
Interest cost			(15.1)	(16.4)	(14.7)
Expected return on plan assets			(18.3)	(18.3)	(17.3)
Net amortization and deferral			11.3	6.6	10.5
Defined benefit plan costs			12	8.1	11
Unamortized net gain included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings		135.1	135.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Future Amortization of Gain (Loss)			10.5
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Benefit Obligations [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			388.6	349.7
Service cost			3.9	3.4	3.1
Interest cost			(15.1)	(16.4)	(14.7)
Actuarial (gain)/loss			(15.4)	47.1
Benefits and administrative expenses paid			(29.1)	(28)
Ending balance		363.1	363.1	388.6	349.7
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation		363.1	363.1	388.6
Defined Benefit Plans, Changes in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year			269.1	268.1
Actual return on plan assets			(5.2)	15.2
Employer contributions			11	13.8
Benefits and administrative expenses paid			(29.1)	(28)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		$ 245.8	$ 245.8	$ 269.1	$ 268.1
Defined Benefit Plans, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligations [Abstract]
Discount rate		4.00%	4.00%	4.80%	4.80%
Expected long term rate of return		7.00%	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Defined Benefit Plans, Assets, Target Allocations [Abstract]
Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for equity securities (in hundredths)			5.50%
Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for fixed income securities (in hundredths)			1.20%
Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for other assets (in hundredths)			0.30%
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four		$ 24.9	$ 24.9
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five		24.7	24.7
Pension Plan [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		110.6	110.6
Pension Plan [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan		$ 1.9	$ 1.9
Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			5.00%
Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			70.00%
Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			15.00%
Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			20.00%
Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			10.00%
Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			0.00%
Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			60.00%
Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			10.00%
Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			10.00%
Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations			0.00%
[1]	This category primarily represents bond index funds not actively managed that track the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index a

DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS, FAIR VAL

DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS, FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS (Details) - USD ($)		10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 19, 2015
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 245,800,000	$ 245,800,000	$ 269,100,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		6,100,000	6,100,000	4,100,000
U.S. large cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[1]	55,100,000	55,100,000	64,100,000
U.S. mid cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[2]	21,000,000	21,000,000	25,300,000
U.S. small cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[3]	7,100,000	7,100,000	7,900,000
International - developed [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		35,700,000	35,700,000	36,000,000	[4]
Commodities index [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[5]	11,800,000	11,800,000	10,300,000
U.S. fixed income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[6]	102,800,000	102,800,000	115,100,000
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[6]	6,200,000	6,200,000	6,300,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		6,100,000	6,100,000	4,100,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		6,100,000	6,100,000	4,100,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. large cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[1]	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. mid cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[2]	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. small cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[3]	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | International - developed [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0	[4]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Commodities index [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[5]	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. fixed income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[6]	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[6]	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		239,700,000	239,700,000	265,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. large cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[1]	55,100,000	55,100,000	64,100,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. mid cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[2]	21,000,000	21,000,000	25,300,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. small cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[3]	7,100,000	7,100,000	7,900,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | International - developed [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		35,700,000	35,700,000	36,000,000	[4]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commodities index [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[5]	11,800,000	11,800,000	10,300,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. fixed income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[6]	102,800,000	102,800,000	115,100,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[6]	6,200,000	6,200,000	6,300,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. large cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[1]	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. mid cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[2]	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. small cap - blend [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[3]	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | International - developed [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0	0	[4]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commodities index [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[5]	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. fixed income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[6]	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	[6]	0	0
Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Service cost		4,100,000	4,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		226,200,000	226,200,000				$ 232,600,000
Employer contributions		6,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		7,600,000	7,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets			(10,700,000)
Net Defined Benefit Plan Amortization And Deferral			0
Expected Participant Contributions		(1,400,000)	(1,400,000)
Actual return on plan assets		(2,300,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		4,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets		(7,600,000)
Defined benefit plan costs			$ (400,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate			3.50%
Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for other assets (in hundredths)			5.40%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase			3.50%
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		900,000	$ 900,000
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		193,300,000	193,300,000
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		32,000,000	32,000,000
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		900,000	900,000
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		900,000	900,000
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		193,300,000	193,300,000
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		193,300,000	193,300,000
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		32,000,000	32,000,000
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0
Foreign Pension Plan [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		32,000,000	32,000,000
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Service cost		1,000,000	1,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		0	0				$ 0
Employer contributions		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		400,000	400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets			0
Net Defined Benefit Plan Amortization And Deferral			$ 0
Expected Participant Contributions		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Contributions in Current Fiscal Year				0
Actual return on plan assets		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets		0
Defined benefit plan costs				1,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate			1.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase			2.00%
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Category [Line Items]
Service cost			$ 3,900,000	3,400,000		$ 3,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 245,800,000	245,800,000	269,100,000		268,100,000
Employer contributions			11,000,000	13,800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost			15,100,000	16,400,000		14,700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets			(18,300,000)	(18,300,000)		(17,300,000)
Actual return on plan assets			(5,200,000)	15,200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid			29,100,000	28,000,000
Defined benefit plan costs			$ 12,000,000	$ 8,100,000		$ 11,000,000
Weighted average expected long-term rate of return for other assets (in hundredths)			0.30%
[1]	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P 500 Index.
[2]	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the S&P mid-cap 400 Index.
[3]	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the Russell 2000 Index.
[4]	This category represents an equity index fund not actively managed that tracks the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index.
[5]	This category represents a commodities index fund not actively managed that tracks the Dow Jones - UBS Commodity Index.
[6]	This category primarily represents bond index funds not actively managed that track the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index a

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PL84

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS, OTHER DISCLOSURES (Details) - USD ($)	10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 19, 2015	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 245,800,000	$ 245,800,000	$ 269,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax		0
Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments		(3,500,000)	7,100,000	$ (15,700,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(287,000,000)	$ (287,000,000)	(10,500,000)	66,200,000		$ 69,400,000
Ultimate health care cost trend rate		7.00%
Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Participants contributions	1,400,000	$ 1,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	226,200,000	226,200,000			$ 232,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax		4,800,000
Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments		(900,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	3,900,000	$ 3,900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data		0.0375
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets		3.60%
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year		$ 17,100,000
Employer contributions	6,600,000
Service cost	4,100,000	4,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	246,500,000	246,500,000			256,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	3,700,000	3,700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	3,500,000	3,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	4,300,000	4,300,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	4,100,000	4,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	5,300,000	5,300,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	34,100,000	34,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	7,600,000	7,600,000
Net Defined Benefit Plan Amortization And Deferral		0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(8,400,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	(4,500,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets	(7,600,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Gain (Loss)	(8,300,000)
Defined benefit plan costs		$ (400,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate		3.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	215,100,000	$ 215,100,000
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	135,100,000	135,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan Amortization And Deferral		$ 11,300,000	6,600,000	10,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		5.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Future Amortization of Gain (Loss)		$ 10,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	245,800,000	245,800,000	269,100,000	268,100,000
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year		12,700,000
Employer contributions		11,000,000	13,800,000
Service cost		3,900,000	3,400,000	3,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	363,100,000	363,100,000	$ 388,600,000	$ 349,700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	26,100,000	26,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	25,200,000	25,200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	24,700,000	24,700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	24,900,000	24,900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	24,700,000	24,700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	$ 123,900,000	$ 123,900,000
Discount rate	4.00%	4.00%	4.80%	4.80%
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		$ 15,100,000	$ 16,400,000	$ 14,700,000
Actuarial (gain)/loss		(15,400,000)	47,100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		(29,100,000)	(28,000,000)
Defined benefit plan costs		$ 12,000,000	$ 8,100,000	$ 11,000,000
Expected long term rate of return	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$ 363,100,000	$ 363,100,000	$ 388,600,000
Postretirement Health Coverage [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Participants contributions		800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax		700,000
Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments		(300,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	400,000	$ 400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data		0.042
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year		$ 600,000
Service cost		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	5,200,000	5,200,000			6,300,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	1,400,000	1,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	1,600,000	1,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	1,500,000	1,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	1,500,000	1,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	1,400,000	1,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	6,600,000	$ 6,600,000
Ultimate health care cost trend rate		6.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		$ 200,000
Actuarial (gain)/loss		(700,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		(1,400,000)
Defined benefit plan costs		$ 200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate		3.80%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Future Amortization of Gain (Loss)		$ 10,400,000
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	9,300,000	9,300,000
Defined Benefit Plan Amortization And Deferral		(10,400,000)	(7,900,000)	$ 1,000,000
Participants contributions		0	200,000
Service cost		100,000	200,000	400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	21,400,000	21,400,000	$ 28,900,000	62,700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	1,800,000	1,800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	1,700,000	1,700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	1,600,000	1,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	1,600,000	1,600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	1,500,000	1,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	$ 7,100,000	$ 7,100,000
Discount rate	4.40%	4.40%	4.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		$ 1,000,000	$ 1,800,000	2,500,000
Actuarial (gain)/loss		(3,500,000)	(7,200,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		(1,800,000)	(2,500,000)
Defined benefit plan costs		(9,300,000)	(5,900,000)	$ 3,900,000
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	$ 1,800,000	1,800,000	2,200,000
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	19,600,000	19,600,000	26,700,000
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Participants contributions	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0			0
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Actuarial Gain (Loss), before Tax		(5,700,000)
Tax effect of adjustments, Net Benefit Plan Adjustments		1,800,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(3,900,000)	$ (3,900,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate Support, Methodology and Source Data		0.025
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets		2.00%
Employer contributions	0
Service cost	1,000,000	$ 1,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	23,600,000	23,600,000			29,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	200,000	200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	200,000	200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	300,000	300,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	300,000	300,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	500,000	500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	3,000,000	3,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	400,000	400,000
Net Defined Benefit Plan Amortization And Deferral		$ 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Contributions in Current Fiscal Year			0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	(5,800,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	(200,000)
Benefits paid for an unfunded benefit plan	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Gain (Loss)	(1,200,000)
Defined benefit plan costs			1,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate		1.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	20,600,000	$ 20,600,000
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Service cost	200,000	200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	30,900,000	30,900,000			$ 32,800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	20,200,000	20,200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	5,400,000	5,400,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	900,000	900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	100,000	100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	100,000	100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	$ 3,400,000	$ 3,400,000
Discount rate	3.30%	3.30%
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	$ 900,000	$ 900,000
Net Defined Benefit Plan Amortization And Deferral		0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	(2,300,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Curtailments	$ 700,000	(700,000)
Defined benefit plan costs		$ 400,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		50.00%
Equity Securities [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Asset Allocation	68.00%	68.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 6,100,000	$ 6,100,000	4,100,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 900,000	$ 900,000
Debt Securities [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Asset Allocation	13.00%	13.00%
Mutual Funds [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 193,300,000	$ 193,300,000
Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 32,000,000	$ 32,000,000
Variable Annuity [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Asset Allocation	14.00%	14.00%
Real Estate Properties [Domain] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Asset Allocation	5.00%	5.00%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 6,100,000	$ 6,100,000	4,100,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	900,000	900,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	6,100,000	6,100,000	4,100,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	900,000	900,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	239,700,000	239,700,000	265,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	193,300,000	193,300,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	193,300,000	193,300,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	32,000,000	32,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	$ 0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$ 32,000,000	$ 32,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		0.00%
Minimum [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		60.00%
Minimum [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		10.00%
Minimum [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		10.00%
Minimum [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		0.00%
Maximum [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		5.00%
Maximum [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		70.00%
Maximum [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		15.00%
Maximum [Member] | Life and Annuity Insurance Product Line [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		20.00%
Maximum [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member] | Foreign Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Line items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		10.00%

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PL85

PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT PLANS, FUNDED STATUS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 19, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan			$ 119.6
Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	$ 23.6	$ 29.4
Funded status of plan	23.6
Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	21.4		28.9	$ 62.7
Other Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan			117.9
Other Liabilities [Member] | Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan	23.4
Other Liabilities [Member] | Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	19.6		26.7
Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan			1.7
Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Other Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Funded status of plan	0.2
Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Other Pension Plan, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	$ 1.8		$ 2.2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 5,992.1	$ 2,682.7
Increase (Decrease) in Noncontrolling Interest Put	2.8
Noncontrolling interest puts	14.9	17.7
Fair market value of zero-coupon subordinated notes	177.1	155.6
Fair market value of senior notes	6,070.5	2,949.8
Fair Value Hedges, Net	18.5
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	45.5	41.9
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	1
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	46.4	43.4
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	0	0
Fair Value Hedges, Net	0
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Asset at Fair Value	0
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	14.9	17.7
Fair Value Hedges, Net	21.6
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	18.5
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	45.5	41.9
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest puts	0	0
Fair Value Hedges, Net	0
Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Derivative at Fair Value, Net	0
Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Deferred Compensation Liability	0	$ 0
Contractually Determined Value [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Noncontrolling Interest Put	2
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Noncontrolling Interest Put	$ 0.8

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HE87

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position at Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 5,992.1		$ 2,682.7
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.298%
Fair Value Hedges, Net	$ 18.5
Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position at Fair Value
Minimum percentage of market price to calculated value of zero-coupon subordinated debt at which the entity is subject to contingent cash interest	120.00%
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	(4.625%)	(2.625%)
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 621.6		$ 618.5
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 600

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORM88

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash paid during period for:
Interest	$ 166.1	$ 117.8	$ 97.2
Income taxes, net of refunds	249.4	284.1	301.5
Disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activities
Surrender of restricted stock awards and performance shares	12.6	6.6	7.1
Noncash conversion of zero-coupon convertible debt	1.1	9.9	10.3
Fair Value of Assets Acquired	22.6	29	13.1
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	$ 4.3	$ 6.2	$ 9.1

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Det

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of unaudited quarterly data
Net sales	$ 2,244.8	$ 2,269.9	$ 2,218.7	$ 1,772.3	$ 1,512.7	$ 1,551.8	$ 1,516.4	$ 1,430.7	$ 8,505.7	$ 6,011.6	$ 5,808.3
Cost of Goods and Services Sold									5,602.4	3,808.5	3,585.1
Gross profit	740.7	762.9	774.6	625.1	546.5	571.2	568.6	516.8	2,903.3	2,203.1	2,223.2
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$ 114.2	$ 152.8	$ 168.4	$ 1.5	$ 119.6	$ 137.2	$ 141.3	$ 113.1	$ 436.9	$ 511.2	$ 573.8
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.13	$ 1.51	$ 1.67	$ 0.02	$ 1.41	$ 1.62	$ 1.67	$ 1.33	$ 4.42	$ 6.03	$ 6.36
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.11	$ 1.49	$ 1.64	$ 0.02	$ 1.37	$ 1.59	$ 1.64	$ 1.31	$ 4.34	$ 5.91	$ 6.25

Schedule II - Valuation And Q90

Schedule II - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts And Reserves (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year		$ 211.6	$ 198.3	$ 191.5
Additions Charged to Costs and Expense		265.4	276.5	254.8
Other (Deductions) Additions	[1]	(260)	(263.2)	(248)
Balance at end of year		217	211.6	198.3
Valuation allowance-deferred tax assets [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year		17.1	16.5	18.4
Additions Charged to Costs and Expense		0	0.6	0.2
Other (Deductions) Additions	[1]	(2)	0	(2.1)
Balance at end of year		$ 15.1	$ 17.1	$ 16.5
[1]	Other (Deductions) Additions consists primarily of write-offs of accounts receivable amounts.

Business Segments (Details)

Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 1,747.4				$ 786.5				$ 1,747.4	$ 786.5
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									457.8	245.5	$ 230.1
Depreciation and Amortization of Intangible Assets									434.3	234.3	222.5
Net revenues:
Net sales	2,244.8	$ 2,269.9	$ 2,218.7	$ 1,772.3	1,512.7	$ 1,551.8	$ 1,516.4	$ 1,430.7	8,505.7	6,011.6	5,808.3
Reimbursement Revenue									174.4	0	0
Revenues									8,680.1	6,011.6	5,808.3
Operating Income (Loss)									1,002.9	910.4	990.9
Nonoperating Income (Expense)									(270.8)	(83.7)	(75.3)
Total pre-tax income									732.1	826.7	915.6
Provision for income taxes									294.1	314.1	340.2
Net earnings									438	512.6	575.4
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									(1.1)	(1.4)	(1.6)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	114.2	$ 152.8	$ 168.4	$ 1.5	$ 119.6	$ 137.2	$ 141.3	$ 113.1	436.9	511.2	573.8
LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	775.7								775.7
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									245.8	184.8	176.3
Net revenues:
Net sales									6,199.3	5,838	5,669.4
Operating Income (Loss)									1,061.4	982.3	1,061.8
Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	971.7								971.7
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									184.4	5.3	4.1
Net revenues:
Net sales									2,306.4	173.6	138.9
Reimbursement Revenue									174.4	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)									71.9	40.7	37.9
Corporate Segment [Member]
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									4.1	44.2	42.1
Net revenues:
Operating Income (Loss)									(130.4)	$ (112.6)	$ (108.8)
UNITED STATES
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,411.9								1,411.9
Net revenues:
Net sales									7,003.3
UNITED STATES | LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	724.1								724.1
Net revenues:
Net sales									5,847.3
UNITED STATES | Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	687.8								687.8
Net revenues:
Net sales									1,156
CANADA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	45.1								45.1
Net revenues:
Net sales									290.4
CANADA | LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	45.1								45.1
Net revenues:
Net sales									290.4
CANADA | Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	0								0
Net revenues:
Net sales									0
UNITED KINGDOM
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	136.2								136.2
Net revenues:
Net sales									281.7
UNITED KINGDOM | LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	3.2								3.2
Net revenues:
Net sales									46.2
UNITED KINGDOM | Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	133								133
Net revenues:
Net sales									235.5
SWITZERLAND
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	86.4								86.4
Net revenues:
Net sales									359.7
SWITZERLAND | LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	0								0
Net revenues:
Net sales									0
SWITZERLAND | Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	86.4								86.4
Net revenues:
Net sales									359.7
Other countries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	67.8								67.8
Net revenues:
Net sales									570.6
Other countries [Member] | LabCorp Diagnostics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	3.3								3.3
Net revenues:
Net sales									15.4
Other countries [Member] | Covance Drug Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 64.5								64.5
Net revenues:
Net sales									$ 555.2