v2.4.0.8

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (U.S. Attorney Physician Relationship Investigation, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2013
U.S. Attorney Physician Relationship Investigation |
Legal Proceedings [Line Items] |
Contingency reserve | $ 397,000
settlement payment | $ 389,000

X
- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | dva_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of loss contingency liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant