BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of Segment Reporting Information by Segment

The following table is a summary of segment information for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. Segment asset information is not presented since it is not used by the chief operating decision maker at the operating segment level. Operating earnings (loss) of each segment represents net revenues less directly identifiable expenses to arrive at operating income for the segment. Certain general operating expenses in 2011 have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation of the Company's DIS business. General management and administrative corporate expenses, including amortization of intangible assets and the Medi-Cal charge in the first quarter of 2011 of $236 million (see Note 17), are included in general corporate expenses below. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of the Company as set forth in Note 2.

	2012			2011			2010
Net revenues:
DIS business (a)	$	6,819,916		$	6,811,722		$	6,736,840
All other operating segments (a)	562,646			580,210			523,280
Total net revenues	$	7,382,562		$	7,391,932		$	7,260,120
Operating earnings (loss):
DIS business (a)	$	1,385,664		$	1,405,720		$	1,429,893
All other operating segments (a)	57,246			52,549			20,534
General corporate expenses	(242,113		)	(471,628		)	(166,844		)
Total operating income	1,200,797			986,641			1,283,583
Non-operating expenses, net	(132,402		)	(137,847		)	(108,599		)
Income from continuing operations before taxes	1,068,395			848,794			1,174,984
Income tax expense	401,897			354,702			430,127
Income from continuing operations	666,498			494,092			744,857
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(74,364		)	11,558			12,160
Net income	592,134			505,650			757,017
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	36,413			35,083			36,123
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics	$	555,721		$	470,567		$	720,894

Depreciation Amortization And Capital Expenditures by Segment

	2012		2011		2010
Depreciation and amortization:
DIS business (a)	$	183,698	$	189,796	$	194,509
All other operating segments (a)	17,284		18,433		16,049
General corporate	77,308		64,006		35,745
	278,290		272,235		246,303
Adjustments: Discontinued operations	8,306		8,867		7,661
Total depreciation and amortization	$	286,596	$	281,102	$	253,964
Capital expenditures:
DIS business (a)	$	145,165	$	132,021	$	166,329
All other operating segments (a)	24,458		20,276		27,236
General corporate	11,151		6,826		9,152
	180,774		159,123		202,717
Adjustments: Discontinued operations	1,460		2,433		2,683
Total capital expenditures	$	182,234	$	161,556	$	205,400