Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Note 2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies The significant accounting policies used in preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are consistent with those discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2015 Annual Report, except as noted below. New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted Deferred Income Taxes During the first quarter of 2016, the Company early adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amendments which require us to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent within our condensed consolidated balance sheet. In accordance with the FASB’s permitted transition guidance, we applied this guidance prospectively and did not revise our prior period balance sheet presentation for the effects of these amendments. These amendments did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Deferred Financing Costs Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted FASB amendments that require debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented within the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This reclassification of the presentation of deferred financing costs did not have a material impact on other long-term assets or long-term debt amounts reported in our September 30, 2016 condensed consolidated balance sheet and additionally would not have a material impact on such amounts reported in a prior period. As such, these amendments have been reflected prospectively in 2016; prior period amounts have not been revised for the effects of this amendment. The FASB confirmed in August 2015 that the aforementioned amendments did not address the presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. For line-of-credit arrangements, borrowers have the option of presenting debt issuance costs as an asset which is subsequently amortized ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any related outstanding borrowings. As such, we continue to present deferred financing costs associated with our unsecured revolving credit facility within other long-term assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Following recognition within the condensed consolidated balance sheets, all deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt agreement. These amendments did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Internal-Use Software Effective January 1, 2016, the Company prospectively adopted FASB amendments which provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance does not change the current treatment for accounting for software licenses or service contracts. We evaluate implementation costs related to cloud computing arrangements that do not include a software license and defer the costs that enhance or modify the functionality of the cloud computing software within other current and long-term assets and amortize those costs over the expected benefit period. These implementation costs would have previously been capitalized as software within property and equipment. These amendments did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Additional Pronouncements During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the adoption of other effective FASB amendments addressing measurement-period adjustments for business combinations and to the fair value hierarchy of investments measured at net asset value did not have a material impact on our financial statements. New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued an amendment which will replace most of the existing revenue recognition guidance within U.S. GAAP. The core principle of this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will be required to make certain judgments and estimates, including identifying contract performance obligations, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price among separate performance obligations. Additionally, the amendment requires disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, significant judgments reached in the application of the guidance and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of the amendment to apply to public business entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendment allows for two methods of adoption: a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application. We are in the process of determining the method of adoption and the impact of this amendment on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued an amendment that requires management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. The amendment in this update provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date that the financial statements are issued and to provide related footnote disclosures. In doing so, the amendment should reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. The amendment in this update applies to all entities and is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. This amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued amendments which change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities, placing more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. The amendments in this update apply to all entities and are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. These amendments are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued amendments which simplify the existing guidance which requires entities to subsequently measure inventory at the lower of cost or market value. Under the amendments, an entity should measure inventory valued using a first-in, first-out or average cost method at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. This update is effective for public business entities during fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. These amendments are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued amendments to increase transparency and comparability among organizations’ leasing arrangements. The principal difference from previous guidance is that effective upon adoption, the lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases will be recognized in the statement of financial position. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In transition, we are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach, including the option to utilize a number of practical expedients. The Company is in the process of evaluating our lessee and lessor arrangements to determine the impact of this amendment on the consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued amendments which simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, recognition of stock compensation award forfeitures, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, the calculation of diluted shares outstanding and classification on the statement of cash flows. The most significant change resulting from these amendments is recording all the tax effects related to share-based payments at settlement through the income statement. Under existing guidance, tax benefits in excess of compensation costs (“windfalls”) are recorded in equity. Similarly, tax deficiencies below compensation costs (“shortfalls”) are recorded in equity to the extent of previous windfalls, while shortfalls in excess of this are recorded to the income statement. Furthermore, the new guidance is expected to increase the dilutive effect of share-based payment awards as a result of no longer assuming that tax benefits are used to purchase our common stock under the treasury method. The amendments also provide an alternative to estimating stock award forfeitures and instead recording at the time of forfeiture. For public business entities, this update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. The Company plans to adopt the amendments on January 1, 2017. Based on activity in recent years, the Company estimates that tax benefits related to share-based payments will add approximately $0.08 to $0.12 in annual diluted earnings per share for 2017, primarily through a reduction in IDEXX’s effective tax rate, partially offset by an increase in diluted shares outstanding resulting from this accounting change. These impacts may vary significantly by quarter based on the timing of actual settlement activity. In June 2016, the FASB issued amendments that require financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected. The income statement reflects the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. The measurement of expected credit losses is based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a direct write-down to the security. Credit losses on available-for-sale securities will be required when the amortized cost is below the fair market value. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption for fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018 is permitted. The Company will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first effective reporting period. These amendments are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued amendments that provide guidance on the statement of cash flows presentation of certain transactions where diversity in practice exists on the classification of certain cash receipts and payment. The effective date will be the first quarter of an entity’s fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The amendment should be adopted using a retrospective transition approach, but may be applied prospectively if retrospective application would be impractible. We are in the process of determining the impact of these amendments on our consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued an amendment that requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs, even though the pre-tax effects of that transaction are eliminated in consolidation. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. These amendments should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings at the beginning of the period adopted. Early adoption is permitted in the first interim period of an annual reporting period for which financial statements have not been issued. We are in the process of determining the impact of these amendments on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies used in preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are consistent with those discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2015 Annual Report, except as noted below.

New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

Deferred Income Taxes

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company early adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amendments which require us to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent within our condensed consolidated balance sheet. In accordance with the FASB’s permitted transition guidance, we applied this guidance prospectively and did not revise our prior period balance sheet presentation for the effects of these amendments. These amendments did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Deferred Financing Costs

Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted FASB amendments that require debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented within the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This reclassification of the presentation of deferred financing costs did not have a material impact on other long-term assets or long-term debt amounts reported in our September 30, 2016 condensed consolidated balance sheet and additionally would not have a material impact on such amounts reported in a prior period. As such, these amendments have been reflected prospectively in 2016; prior period amounts have not been revised for the effects of this amendment.

The FASB confirmed in August 2015 that the aforementioned amendments did not address the presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. For line-of-credit arrangements, borrowers have the option of presenting debt issuance costs as an asset which is subsequently amortized ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any related outstanding borrowings. As such, we continue to present deferred financing costs associated with our unsecured revolving credit facility within other long-term assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Following recognition within the condensed consolidated balance sheets, all deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt agreement. These amendments did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Internal-Use Software

Effective January 1, 2016, the Company prospectively adopted FASB amendments which provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance does not change the current treatment for accounting for software licenses or service contracts. We evaluate implementation costs related to cloud computing arrangements that do not include a software license and defer the costs that enhance or modify the functionality of the cloud computing software within other current and long-term assets and amortize those costs over the expected benefit period. These implementation costs would have previously been capitalized as software within property and equipment. These amendments did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Additional Pronouncements

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the adoption of other effective FASB amendments addressing measurement-period adjustments for business combinations and to the fair value hierarchy of investments measured at net asset value did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued an amendment which will replace most of the existing revenue recognition guidance within U.S. GAAP. The core principle of this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will be required to make certain judgments and estimates, including identifying contract performance obligations, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price among separate performance obligations. Additionally, the amendment requires disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, significant judgments reached in the application of the guidance and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of the amendment to apply to public business entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendment allows for two methods of adoption: a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application. We are in the process of determining the method of adoption and the impact of this amendment on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued an amendment that requires management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. The amendment in this update provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date that the financial statements are issued and to provide related footnote disclosures. In doing so, the amendment should reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. The amendment in this update applies to all entities and is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. This amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued amendments which change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities, placing more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. The amendments in this update apply to all entities and are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. These amendments are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued amendments which simplify the existing guidance which requires entities to subsequently measure inventory at the lower of cost or market value. Under the amendments, an entity should measure inventory valued using a first-in, first-out or average cost method at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. This update is effective for public business entities during fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. These amendments are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued amendments to increase transparency and comparability among organizations’ leasing arrangements. The principal difference from previous guidance is that effective upon adoption, the lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases will be recognized in the statement of financial position. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In transition, we are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach, including the option to utilize a number of practical expedients. The Company is in the process of evaluating our lessee and lessor arrangements to determine the impact of this amendment on the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued amendments which simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, recognition of stock compensation award forfeitures, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, the calculation of diluted shares outstanding and classification on the statement of cash flows. The most significant change resulting from these amendments is recording all the tax effects related to share-based payments at settlement through the income statement. Under existing guidance, tax benefits in excess of compensation costs (“windfalls”) are recorded in equity. Similarly, tax deficiencies below compensation costs (“shortfalls”) are recorded in equity to the extent of previous windfalls, while shortfalls in excess of this are recorded to the income statement. Furthermore, the new guidance is expected to increase the dilutive effect of share-based payment awards as a result of no longer assuming that tax benefits are used to purchase our common stock under the treasury method. The amendments also provide an alternative to estimating stock award forfeitures and instead recording at the time of forfeiture. For public business entities, this update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. The Company plans to adopt the amendments on January 1, 2017. Based on activity in recent years, the Company estimates that tax benefits related to share-based payments will add approximately $0.08 to $0.12 in annual diluted earnings per share for 2017, primarily through a reduction in IDEXX’s effective tax rate, partially offset by an increase in diluted shares outstanding resulting from this accounting change. These impacts may vary significantly by quarter based on the timing of actual settlement activity.

In June 2016, the FASB issued amendments that require financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected. The income statement reflects the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. The measurement of expected credit losses is based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a direct write-down to the security. Credit losses on available-for-sale securities will be required when the amortized cost is below the fair market value. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption for fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018 is permitted. The Company will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first effective reporting period. These amendments are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued amendments that provide guidance on the statement of cash flows presentation of certain transactions where diversity in practice exists on the classification of certain cash receipts and payment. The effective date will be the first quarter of an entity’s fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The amendment should be adopted using a retrospective transition approach, but may be applied prospectively if retrospective application would be impractible. We are in the process of determining the impact of these amendments on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued an amendment that requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs, even though the pre-tax effects of that transaction are eliminated in consolidation. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. These amendments should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings at the beginning of the period adopted. Early adoption is permitted in the first interim period of an annual reporting period for which financial statements have not been issued. We are in the process of determining the impact of these amendments on our consolidated financial statements.