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RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER SPECIAL CHARGES (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring Reserve $ 21.5us-gaap_RestructuringReserve   $ 22.1us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Restructuring Charges 19.3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges    
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment (19.9)lh_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCashAndOtherAdjustment    
Net restructuring charges 19.3lh_NetRestructuringCharges 7.6lh_NetRestructuringCharges  
Reduction in prior employee severance benefits related restructuring accruals   0.1lh_EmployeeSeveranceBenefitsRelatedRestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment  
Other Special Charges 6.0lh_OtherSpecialCharges    
Restructuring charges related to severance and other employee costs 3.2us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1 2.8us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1  
Restructuring charges related to contractual obligations associated with leased facilities and other facility related costs 16.1us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1 4.9us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1  
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment    
Restructuring Reserve, Current 7.5us-gaap_RestructuringReserveCurrent    
Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent 14.0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveNoncurrent    
Employee Severance [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring Reserve 0.7us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
  0.4us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Restructuring Charges 3.2us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
   
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment (2.9)lh_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCashAndOtherAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
   
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
   
Facility Closing [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring Reserve 20.8us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_FacilityClosingMember
  21.7us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_FacilityClosingMember
Restructuring Charges 16.1us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_FacilityClosingMember
   
Restructuring Reserve Settled With Cash And Other Adjustment (17.0)lh_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCashAndOtherAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_FacilityClosingMember
   
Reduction in total prior restructuring accruals $ 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_FacilityClosingMember