GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	$ 2,901.7	$ 2,681.8
Goodwill acquired during the period	90.2	224.5
Adjustments to goodwill	(1.0)	(4.6)
Balance at end of period	2,990.9	2,901.7
Clinical diagnostics laboratory [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	2,857.1	2,643.5
Goodwill acquired during the period	78.8	219.1
Adjustments to goodwill	(1.2)	(5.5)
Balance at end of period	2,934.7	2,857.1
Other Segments [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance as of January 1	44.6	38.3
Goodwill acquired during the period	11.4	5.4
Adjustments to goodwill	0.2	0.9
Balance at end of period	$ 56.2	$ 44.6