Business Segments (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

20.  BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following table is a summary of segment information for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. Segment asset information is not presented because 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. General management and administrative corporate expenses are included in general corporate expenses below.

Laboratory tests and procedures are used generally by hospitals, physicians and other health care providers and commercial clients to assist in the diagnosis, evaluation, detection, therapy selection, monitoring and treatment of diseases and other medical conditions through the examination of substances in the blood, tissues and other specimens. Clinical diagnostics laboratory segment includes financial information related to the broad range of testing services that are reported primarily through the U.S. business operations. The other reportable segment includes the Company's non-U.S. clinical diagnostic laboratory operations in Ontario, Canada, which are reviewed separately by corporate management for the purposes of allocation of resources.

	2014			2013			2012
Net revenues:
Clinical laboratory diagnostics	$	5,682.2		$	5,465.2		$	5,336.4
Other	329.4			343.1			335
Total net revenues	$	6,011.6		$	5,808.3		$	5,671.4
Operating earnings (loss):
Clinical laboratory diagnostics	$	1,461.9		$	1,440.1		$	1,435.4
Other	82.4			93.9			96.8
General corporate expenses	(633.9		)	(543.1		)	(508.7		)
Total operating income	910.4			990.9			1,023.5
Non-operating expenses, net	(83.7		)	(75.3		)	(79.3		)
Earnings before income taxes	826.7			915.6			944.2
Provision for income taxes	314.1			340.2			359.4
Net earnings	512.6			575.4			584.8
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1.4		)	(1.6		)	(1.7		)
Net income attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	$	511.2		$	573.8		$	583.1

	2014		2013		2012
Depreciation and amortization:
Clinical laboratory diagnostics	$	180.3	$	171.2	$	169.1
Other	9.8		9.2		8.1
General corporate	44.2		42.1		40.3
Total depreciation and amortization	$	234.3	$	222.5	$	217.5