v2.4.1.9

Health Care Costs Payable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Health Care Organizations [Abstract] |  |
Increase (decrease) in prior year estimates of health care costs payable | $ 3,429dva_IncreaseDecreaseInPriorYearEstimatesOfHealthCareCostsPayable | $ (16,587)dva_IncreaseDecreaseInPriorYearEstimatesOfHealthCareCostsPayable

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- Definition The increase (decrease) in prior year estimates of health care costs payable during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | dva_IncreaseDecreaseInPriorYearEstimatesOfHealthCareCostsPayable
Namespace Prefix: | dva_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_HealthCareOrganizationsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration