Depreciation and Amortization of Intangible Assets

No definition available.

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- Definition

Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

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- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

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-Glossary Income Tax Expense (or Benefit)

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- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

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- Definition

Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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- Definition

The aggregate amount of income or expense from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business).

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The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,512.7us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,551.8us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,516.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,430.7us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,437.0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,462.2us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,468.2us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 1,440.9us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 6,011.6us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 5,808.3us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 5,671.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Operating Income (Loss)									910.4us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	990.9us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	1,023.5us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Nonoperating Income (Expense)									(83.7)us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense	(75.3)us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense	(79.3)us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense
Total pre-tax income									826.7	915.6	944.2
Provision for income taxes									314.1us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	340.2us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	359.4us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Net earnings									512.6us-gaap_ProfitLoss	575.4us-gaap_ProfitLoss	584.8us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									(1.4)	(1.6)	(1.7)
Net earnings attributable to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings	119.6us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	137.2us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	141.3us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	113.1us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	126.4us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	148.3us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	151.9us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	147.2us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	511.2us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	573.8us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	583.1us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Depreciation and amortization									245.5	230.1	229.8
Depreciation and Amortization of Intangible Assets									234.3	222.5	217.5
Clinical diagnostics laboratory [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									5,682.2	5,465.2	5,336.4
Operating Income (Loss)									1,461.9	1,440.1	1,435.4
Depreciation and amortization									180.3	171.2	169.1
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									329.4	343.1	335.0
Operating Income (Loss)										93.9	96.8
Depreciation and amortization									9.8	9.2	8.1
Other Assets [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (Loss)									82.4
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (Loss)									(633.9)	(543.1)	(508.7)
Depreciation and amortization									$ 44.2	$ 42.1	$ 40.3