v2.4.0.8

Summary of Segment Net Revenues, Segment Operating Income Loss and Reconciliation of Segment Income to Consolidated Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate support costs, Adjustment to reduce tax	$ 65,041	[1]	$ 52,457	[1]	$ 47,051	[1]
Tax Adjustments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate support costs, Adjustment to reduce tax	$ 7,721
[1] Corporate support costs also include $7,721 of an adjustment to reduce a tax asset associated with the HCP acquisition escrow provisions

X

- Definition

Amount of general and administrative support costs, such as labor, benefits and stock-based compensation costs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dva_SegmentReportingInformationCorporateExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	dva_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration