Additional Cash Payment Treasury Stock Acquired Accelerated Share Repurchase

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Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]

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The dollar value, (monetary amount), of share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors which remains available to the Company.

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Treasury stock acquired accelerated share repurchase

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Treasury stock acquired accelerated share repurchase, initial aggregate cost.

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Treasury stock acquired accelerated share repurchase, total cost

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Treasury stock acquired repurchase, per share

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Treasury Stock Acquired Repurchase Shares

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Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and are being held in treasury.

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Cost of common stock that was repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method.

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Value of shares repurchase program authorized by Quest Diagnostic's Board of Directors

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Final price paid per share for the purchase of the targeted number of shares, determined by an average market price over a fixed period of time.

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-Publisher FASB
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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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The price paid per share to immediately purchase the targeted number of shares on the date of executing the accelerated share repurchase agreement.

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e540-108580

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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 30
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Subparagraph c(3)
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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6508144

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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The per share amount of a dividend declared, but not paid, as of the financial reporting date.

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-Section 50
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Number of treasury shares (units) reissued during the period, excluding reissuance of shares (units) held in treasury used to satisfy equity-based compensation obligations exercised by the holders of such rights. Upon reissuance of shares (units) from treasury, either the common or preferred stock (unit) reissued is outstanding.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Publisher SEC
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-Article 3

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Total cost of shares repurchased divided by the total number of shares repurchased.

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010
Preferred Stock and Common Stockholders' equity narrative [Abstract]
Total comprehensive income		$ 165	$ 169
Dividend program		$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Treasury stock aquired repurchase program	750
Treasury stock shares acquired					15.4
Treasury stock acquired average cost per share					$ 54.30
Treasury stock value acquired cost method			175		835	426
Treasury stock acquired accelerated share repurchase				4.5
Treasury stock acquired accelerated share repurchase, initial price per share				$ 56.05
Treasury stock acquired accelerated share repurchase, initial aggregate cost				250
Additional cash payment, treasury stock acquired accelerated share repurchase				0.7
Treasury stock acquired accelerated share repurchase, final purchase price				251
Treasury stock acquired accelerated share repurchase, final purchase price, per share				$ 56.21
Share repurchase authorization remaining available	$ 1,000				$ 165
Treasury stock acquired repurchase shares			3.3			7.7
Treasury stock acquired repurchase per share			$ 53.36			$ 55.00
Reissuance of shares for employee benefit plan		1.1		0.6	2.4	1.6