Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

This element represents the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of assets that are expected to be realized or consumed within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssets
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of liabilities due within one year or within the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

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+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards that are expected to be realized or consumed after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

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+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of identifiable intangible assets recognized as of the acquisition date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 37

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744172&loc=d3e2207-128464

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount recognized as of the acquisition date for the identifiable assets acquired in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of other liabilities due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

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- Definition

Amount of other assets expected to be realized or consumed after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of property, plant, and equipment recognized as of the acquisition date.

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+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=dva_HealthcarePartnersMember
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Period Type:

Aggregate Purchase Cost Allocations for Acquisitions of HCP (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 01, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 9,415,295us-gaap_Goodwill	$ 9,212,974us-gaap_Goodwill	$ 8,952,750us-gaap_Goodwill
HealthCare Partners (HCP)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash acquired				321,235
Property and equipment				102,382
Intangible assets				1,882,818
Other long-term assets				100,143
Goodwill				3,496,713
Current liabilities assumed				(559,180)
Other long-term liabilities				(169,015)
Long-term deferred income taxes				(184,015)
Noncontrolling interests				(29,850)
Aggregate purchase cost				$ 4,961,231