CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Current assets:
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	$ 2,058,500,000	$ 2,058,500,000	$ 1,913,300,000
Unbilled Contracts Receivable	166,300,000	166,300,000	185,400,000
Supplies inventories	483,100,000	483,100,000	474,600,000
Prepaid expenses and other	684,700,000	684,700,000	655,300,000
Total current assets	4,909,900,000	4,909,900,000	3,765,400,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,050,000,000	3,050,000,000	2,911,800,000
Goodwill, net	6,482,400,000	6,482,400,000	6,142,500,000
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	3,540,700,000	3,540,700,000	3,342,000,000
Joint venture partnerships and equity method investments	16,900,000	16,900,000	26,900,000
Other assets, net	612,600,000	612,600,000	536,500,000
Total assets	18,612,500,000	18,612,500,000	16,725,100,000
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts Payable, Current	660,900,000	660,900,000	827,500,000
Accrued Liabilities, Current	757,500,000	757,500,000	804,000,000.0
Deferred Revenue, Current	403,100,000	403,100,000	421,700,000
Operating Lease, Liability, Current	184,300,000	184,300,000	165,800,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Current	6,300,000	6,300,000	6,400,000
Current debt excluding finance lease liability	1,399,900,000	1,399,900,000	999,800,000
Long-term debt, less current portion	3,412,000,000	3,412,000,000	3,225,200,000
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	5,352,100,000	5,352,100,000	4,054,700,000
Commitments and contingent liabilities	528,200,000	528,200,000	409,300,000
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	701,300,000	701,300,000	648,900,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	75,200,000	75,200,000	78,600,000
Deferred income taxes and other tax liabilities	358,300,000	358,300,000	417,900,000
Noncontrolling interest	10,427,100,000	10,427,100,000	8,834,600,000
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, 92.8 and 93.5 shares outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	15,200,000	15,200,000	15,500,000
Additional paid-in capital	0	0	38,400,000
Retained earnings	7,600,000	7,600,000	7,700,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(8,275,800,000)	(8,275,800,000)	(7,888,200,000)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	(113,200,000)	(113,200,000)	(59,300,000)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	8,170,200,000	8,170,200,000	7,875,000,000
Liabilities and Equity	18,612,500,000	18,612,500,000	16,725,100,000
Net earnings	169,600,000	603,500,000
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,517,300,000	$ 1,517,300,000	$ 536,800,000

Current debt excluding finance lease liability

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Represents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax, combined with the noncurrent portion of the amount recognized for uncertain tax positions as of the balance sheet date. A noncurrent taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of a noncurrent asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise shall separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets shall be classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, shall be classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference.

+ References

No definition available.