v2.4.1.9

Intangibles - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense from amortizable intangible assets	$ 167,956us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	$ 160,960us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	$ 47,489us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Amortization of lease agreement intangible assets and liabilities	(1,798)dva_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet	(1,447)dva_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet	103dva_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
Amortization benefit recognized from the alliance and product supply agreement	$ 5,330dva_AmortizationExpenseBenefitFromAllianceAndProductSupplyAgreement	$ 5,330dva_AmortizationExpenseBenefitFromAllianceAndProductSupplyAgreement	$ 5,330dva_AmortizationExpenseBenefitFromAllianceAndProductSupplyAgreement

X

- Definition

Amortization Expense (Benefit) from Alliance and Product Supply Agreement

+ References

No definition available.

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X

- Definition

Amortization Of Intangible Assets And Liabilities Net

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dva_
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X

- Definition

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

+ 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 FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

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