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Quarterly Operating Results (unaudited) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Restructuring and integration charges	$ 22	$ 29	$ 23	$ 31	$ 30	$ 40	$ 27	$ 24
Impairment charges									$ 16
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)									112	$ 23	$ 19
Income tax (benefit) expense					(44)				373	$ 262	$ 500
Subsidiaries [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)									$ (58)
Clinical Laboratory Testing Business [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Gain on contribution of business		334
Summit Health, Inc. [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Business acquisition, decrease of contingent consideration			13		9
Retirement of Debt [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Losses on extinguishment of debt			65	79
Cost of Services [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Restructuring and integration charges	12	20	11	20	13	14	11	12
Selling, general and administrative [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Restructuring and integration charges	10	$ 9	12	11	16	25	16	12
Selling, general and administrative [Member] | Legal Matters [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Legal costs	10		5	2	5	8	$ 7	$ 4
Other Operating (Income) Expense [Member]
Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Restructuring and integration charges					$ 1	$ 1
Impairment charges	$ 11		$ 5	$ 8

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