NOTE C – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The gross carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization for intangible assets subject to amortization and accumulated write-offs of goodwill are as follows:



	As of September 30, 2018					As of December 31, 2017
(in millions)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization/ Write-offs			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization/ Write-offs
Amortizable intangible assets
Technology-related	$	9,989	$	(5,145	)	$	9,386	$	(4,880	)
Patents	517		(388		)	517		(379		)
Other intangible assets	1,645		(927		)	1,633		(838		)
	$	12,151	$	(6,460	)	$	11,536	$	(6,097	)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Goodwill	$	17,488	$	(9,900	)	$	16,898	$	(9,900	)
IPR&D	486		—			278		—
Technology-related	120		—			120		—
	$	18,094	$	(9,900	)	$	17,295	$	(9,900	)

Effective January 1, 2018, we reclassified our Neuromodulation operating segment and associated goodwill balance from our MedSurg reportable segment to our Rhythm and Neuro reportable segment as discussed in Note A – Basis of Presentation. This change did not trigger a goodwill impairment assessment or impact our total goodwill carrying value. The following represents our goodwill balance by global reportable segment:



(in millions)	MedSurg			Rhythm and Neuro			Cardiovascular			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	2,877		$	417		$	3,704		$	6,998
Impact of reportable segment revisions	(1,379		)	1,379			—			—
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other changes in carrying amount	(3		)	(22		)	(4		)	(29		)
Goodwill acquired	246			149			224			619
Balance as of September 30, 2018	$	1,742		$	1,922		$	3,923		$	7,588

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Impairment Testing

We test our goodwill balances in the second quarter of each year for impairment, or more frequently if impairment indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest an impairment may exist. In the second quarter of 2018, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test for all of our reporting units and concluded the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value.

In performing the goodwill impairment assessment, we utilized both the optional qualitative assessment and the quantitative approach prescribed under FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. In 2018, we performed a qualitative assessment for our Urology and Pelvic Health and Neuromodulation reporting units since their fair values have historically exceeded carrying value by greater than 100 percent. The remaining reporting units were quantitatively tested for impairment. For the reporting units subject to a qualitative assessment, if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the quantitative approach of the goodwill impairment test is necessary. In 2018, for all reporting units tested using the qualitative assessment, we concluded that it was unnecessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. For all reporting units tested using the quantitative approach, we concluded that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value.

In the third quarter of 2018, we performed our annual impairment test of all IPR&D projects and our indefinite-lived core technology assets using the optional qualitative assessment approach and determined that there were no impairment indicators. In addition, we verified that their classification as indefinite-lived assets continues to be appropriate.

Refer to Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates within Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of our annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing.