Name:	lh_AmountOutstandingLettersOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	lh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the simple interest percentage added to the amount of the complaint against the Company in connection with a California False Claims Act lawsuit.

No definition available.

Name:	lh_AnnualSimpleInterestResultingFromCaliforniaFalseClaimsActLawsuitInHundredth
Namespace Prefix:	lh_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The California False Claims lawsuit also includes an amount for civil penalties per each alleged false claim.

No definition available.

Name:	lh_CivilPenaltiesAmountPerEachAllegedFalseClaim
Namespace Prefix:	lh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the amount of the complaint as of the filing date of the complaint, against the Company in connection with a California False Claims Act lawsuit

No definition available.

Name:	lh_ComplaintAmountFalseClaimsActLawsuit
Namespace Prefix:	lh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The outstanding balance on joint venture equipment leases for which the Company is a guarantor.

No definition available.

Name:	lh_GuaranteeObligationsOnEquipmentLeasesForJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	lh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

This element represents the gross amount of the judgment against a subsidiary of the entity in connection with a wrongful termination lawsuit.

No definition available.

Name:	lh_LitigationJudgmentGrossWrongfulTermination
Namespace Prefix:	lh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Future contractually required payments on leases defined as operating, which are included in restructuring and acquisition related accruals.

No definition available.

Name:	lh_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueIncludedInRestructuringAndAcquisitionAccruals
Namespace Prefix:	lh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

No authoritative reference available.

No definition available.

Name:	lh_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueLessRestructuringAcquisitionAccrualsAndFutureMinimumSubleaseRentals
Namespace Prefix:	lh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of the litigation reserve previously recorded in connection with the California False Claims Act lawsuit.

No definition available.

Name:	lh_PreviouslyRecordedLitigationReserveInConnectionWithFalseClaimsActLawsuit
Namespace Prefix:	lh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The remaining term on the joint venture equipment leases for which the Company is a guarantor.

No definition available.

Name:	lh_RemainingTermOfEquipmentLeasesForJointVenture
Namespace Prefix:	lh_
Data Type:	xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The net proceeds or assets obtained in excess of (less than) the net carrying amount of assets recorded, or assets distributed and liabilities assumed less than (in excess of) estimated litigation liability extinguished, in settlement of a litigation matter. Represents (for other than an insurance entity in its normal claims settlement process), the amount of income (expense) recognized in the period to settle pending or threatened litigation and insurance claims.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Rental expense incurred for leased assets including furniture and equipment which has not been recognized in costs and expenses applicable to sales and revenues; for example, cost of goods sold or other operating costs and expenses.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The total of future contractually required payments on leases defined as operating.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 122

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph b(i)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 40

-Subparagraph (Note 3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584154&loc=d3e38371-112697

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within one year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Contractually required future rental payments receivable on noncancelable subleasing arrangements.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph b(ii)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 840

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6453985&loc=d3e41502-112717

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueFutureMinimumSubleaseRentals
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the fifth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the fourth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the third year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the second year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due after the fifth year from the balance sheet date on leases defined as operating.