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RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES (Narrative) (Details) (Invigorate Program [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring charges $ 15us-gaap_RestructuringCharges $ 9us-gaap_RestructuringCharges  
Cost of Services [Member]
     
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring charges 13us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= dgx_CostOfServicesMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= dgx_InvigorateProgramMember
8us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= dgx_CostOfServicesMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= dgx_InvigorateProgramMember
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
     
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring charges 2us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= dgx_InvigorateProgramMember
1us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= dgx_InvigorateProgramMember
 
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Minimum [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Employee separation costs     25us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= dgx_InvigorateProgramMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Facility-related costs and asset impairment charges     10us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= dgx_InvigorateProgramMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Maximum [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Employee separation costs     30us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= dgx_InvigorateProgramMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Facility-related costs and asset impairment charges     $ 15us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= dgx_InvigorateProgramMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember