v2.4.0.8
Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Company matching contributions $ 4,900    
Minimum
     
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Multiple employer matching contributions rate 0.00%    
Maximum
     
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Multiple employer matching contributions rate 6.00%    
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan | Rabbi Trust
     
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Total fair value of assets held in trust 19,421 15,185  
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan | DaVita Voluntary Deferral Plan
     
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Voluntary compensation deferral plan description The Company also maintains a voluntary compensation deferral plan, the DaVita Voluntary Deferral Plan. This plan is non-qualified and permits certain employees whose annualized base salary equals or exceeds a minimum annual threshold amount as set by the Company to elect to defer all or a portion of their annual bonus payment and up to 50% of their base salary into a deferral account maintained by the Company    
Maximum percentage of employees' base salary to be maintained into deferral account 50.00%    
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan, contributions 4,089 3,935 2,416
Deferred compensation arrangement, timing of payments Deferred amounts are generally paid out in cash at the participant's election either in the first or second year following retirement or in a specified future period at least three to four years after the deferral election was effective.    
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan, distributions 4,158 1,324 955
Total fair value of assets held in trust 572    
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan | DaVita Voluntary Deferral Plan | Rabbi Trust
     
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Total fair value of assets held in trust 17,419 13,985  
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan | Executive Retirement Plan
     
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Executive Retirement Plan, distributions 0 226 194
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan | Executive Retirement Plan | Rabbi Trust
     
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Total fair value of assets held in trust 1,430 1,200  
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan | Key Employees
     
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan, contributions 4,658    
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies 56,300    
Deferred compensation liabilities owed to participants 62,000    
Control Protection Program
     
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Cash bonuses to employees in the event of a change of control $ 533,000