Interim Statement Presentation (Notes)	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Interim Statement Presentation	Interim Statement Presentation Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Cerner Corporation (Cerner, the Company, we, us or our) without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K. In management’s opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Our interim results as presented in this Form 10-Q are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year. The condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared using GAAP. These principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Fiscal Period End Our 2015 and 2014 first quarters ended on April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. All references to years in these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements represent the respective three months ended on such dates, unless otherwise noted. Factors Impacting Comparability of Interim Financial Statements On February 2, 2015, we acquired Siemens Health Services, as further described in Note (2). The addition of the Siemens Health Services business has a significant impact on the comparability of our condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended April 4, 2015, in relation to the comparative periods presented herein. Voluntary Separation Plan In the first quarter of 2015, the Company adopted a voluntary separation plan ("VSP") for eligible associates. Generally, the VSP is available to U.S. associates who meet a minimum level of combined age and tenure, excluding, among others, our executive officers. Associates who elect to participate in the VSP will receive financial benefits commensurate with their tenure and position, along with vacation payout and medical benefits. We account for voluntary separation benefits in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 712, Compensation-Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits. Voluntary separation benefits are recorded to expense when the associates irrevocably accept the offer and the amount of the termination liability is reasonably estimable. The irrevocable acceptance period for most associates electing to participate in the VSP ends in May 2015. We expect the resulting after-tax charge in the second quarter of 2015 to approximate $32 million. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. In April 2015, the FASB issued an exposure draft to propose a delay of the effective date for one year, which would make the effective date for the Company the first quarter of 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. At this time we have not selected a transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Debt Issuance Costs. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016, with early adoption permitted, and retrospective application required. The Company has chosen to adopt the standard early, effective in the first quarter of 2015. The adoption of ASU 2015-03 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note (9) for further information regarding debt issuance costs.

Interim Statement Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Cerner Corporation (Cerner, the Company, we, us or our) without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K.

In management’s opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Our interim results as presented in this Form 10-Q are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the entire year.

The condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared using GAAP. These principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fiscal Period End

Our 2015 and 2014 first quarters ended on April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. All references to years in these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements represent the respective three months ended on such dates, unless otherwise noted.

Factors Impacting Comparability of Interim Financial Statements

On February 2, 2015, we acquired Siemens Health Services, as further described in Note (2). The addition of the Siemens Health Services business has a significant impact on the comparability of our condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended April 4, 2015, in relation to the comparative periods presented herein.

Voluntary Separation Plan

In the first quarter of 2015, the Company adopted a voluntary separation plan ("VSP") for eligible associates. Generally, the VSP is available to U.S. associates who meet a minimum level of combined age and tenure, excluding, among others, our executive officers. Associates who elect to participate in the VSP will receive financial benefits commensurate with their tenure and position, along with vacation payout and medical benefits.

We account for voluntary separation benefits in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 712, Compensation-Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits. Voluntary separation benefits are recorded to expense when the associates irrevocably accept the offer and the amount of the termination liability is reasonably estimable. The irrevocable acceptance period for most associates electing to participate in the VSP ends in May 2015. We expect the resulting after-tax charge in the second quarter of 2015 to approximate $32 million.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. In April 2015, the FASB issued an exposure draft to propose a delay of the effective date for one year, which would make the effective date for the Company the first quarter of 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. At this time we have not selected a transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Debt Issuance Costs. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability. ASU 2015-03 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2016, with early adoption permitted, and retrospective application required. The Company has chosen to adopt the standard early, effective in the first quarter of 2015. The adoption of ASU 2015-03 did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note (9) for further information regarding debt issuance costs.