v2.4.1.9

Summary of Depreciation and Amortization Expense by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | $ 590,935us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization | $ 528,737us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization | $ 341,969us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
U.S. dialysis and related lab services |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 402,767us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember | 355,879us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember | 310,375us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember
HealthCare Partners (HCP) |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 169,485us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember | 158,356us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember | 24,544us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember
Other-Ancillary services and strategic initiatives |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | $ 18,683us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember | $ 14,502us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember | $ 7,050us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember

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- Definition The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229 Reference 2: 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 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dva_HealthcarePartnersMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |