v2.4.1.9

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
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Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] |  |
Debt instrument, carrying amount | $ 8,519,642us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount | $ 8,433,603us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Senior Secured Credit Facilities |  |
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] |  |
Debt instrument, carrying amount | 4,441,292us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = dva_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilitiesMember |
Debt instrument, fair value | 4,420,238us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = dva_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilitiesMember |
Senior Notes |  |
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] |  |
Debt instrument, carrying amount | 3,775,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember |
Debt instrument, fair value | $ 3,924,715us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember |

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- Definition Amount of long-term debt before deduction of unamortized discount or premium. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, with initial maturities beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Fair value portion of debt instrument payable, including, but not limited to, notes payable and loans payable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13476-108611 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |