v2.4.1.9

Summary of Assets by Segment (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	$ 65,637us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures	$ 40,686us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures
Property and equipment, net	2,469,099us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	2,189,411us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
U.S. dialysis and related lab services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	28,138us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember	27,009us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember
HealthCare Partners (HCP)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	15,393us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember	13,677us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember
Other-Ancillary services and strategic initiatives
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Equity investments	22,106us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember
Other-Ancillary services and strategic initiatives | Outside United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	$ 44,000us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember / us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis = dva_InternationalOperationsMember	$ 26,000us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember / us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis = dva_InternationalOperationsMember

X

- 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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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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X

- Definition

Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-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 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13)

-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 13

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 8

-Article 7

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- Details

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- Details

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X

- Details

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