DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Description of Business (Abstract)

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Background

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and its subsidiaries ("Quest Diagnostics" or the "Company") empower people to take action to improve health outcomes.  The Company uses its extensive database of clinical lab results to derive diagnostic insights that reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve healthcare management.  The Company's diagnostic information services business ("DIS") provides insights through clinical testing and related services to patients, physicians, hospitals, accountable care organizations ("ACOs"), integrated delivery networks ("IDNs"), health plans, employers and others. The Company offers the broadest access in the United States to diagnostic information services through its nationwide network of laboratories, Company-owned patient service centers and phlebotomists in physician offices. The Company is the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, which includes providing clinical testing services such as routine (including drugs-of-abuse) testing, advanced testing solutions (including gene-based and esoteric testing), and anatomic pathology services, as well as related services and insights. The Company provides interpretive consultation with one of the largest medical and scientific staffs in the industry and hundreds of M.D.s and Ph.D.s, many of whom are recognized leaders in their fields. The Company's Diagnostic Solutions ("DS") businesses offer a variety of solutions for life insurers, healthcare providers and others. The Company is the leading provider of risk assessment services for the life insurance industry. In addition, the Company offers healthcare organizations, clinicians and patients robust information technology solutions. Prior to the sale of the Focus Diagnostics products business on May 13, 2016 (see Note 6), the Company's diagnostics products business manufactured and marketed diagnostic products. Prior to the contribution of its clinical trials testing business to the Q² Solutions joint venture on July 1, 2015, the Company's clinical trials testing business was a leading provider of central laboratory testing for clinical trials.