v2.4.1.9

Equity Investments and Other Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Investment [Line Items] |  |  |
Equity investments in non-consolidated businesses | $ 65,637us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures | $ 40,686us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures |
Equity investment income | 23,234us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 34,558us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments | 16,377us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Cost-method Investments |  |  |
Investment [Line Items] |  |  |
Payment for purchase of preferred stock in a privately held company |  | 5,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInvestments / us-gaap_InformationByCategoryOfDebtSecurityAxis = us-gaap_CostmethodInvestmentsMember |
HealthCare Partners (HCP) |  |  |
Investment [Line Items] |  |  |
Equity investment income | $ 9,480us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember | $ 22,758us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember |

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- Definition This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 9 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755396&loc=d3e33749-111570 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 11 -Article 7 + Details
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- Definition Total investments in (A) an entity in which the entity has significant influence, but does not have control, (B) subsidiaries that are not required to be consolidated and are accounted for using the equity and or cost method, and (C) an entity in which the reporting entity shares control of the entity with another party or group. Includes long-term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow associated with the purchase of all investments (debt, security, other) during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
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