v2.4.0.8

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

X

- Details

Name:	dva_LegalProceedingsLineItems
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

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
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

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant