v2.4.1.9

Health Care Costs Payable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Health Care Organizations [Abstract]
Increase (decrease) in prior year estimates of health care costs payable	$ 3,429dva_IncreaseDecreaseInPriorYearEstimatesOfHealthCareCostsPayable	$ (16,587)dva_IncreaseDecreaseInPriorYearEstimatesOfHealthCareCostsPayable

X

- Definition

The increase (decrease) in prior year estimates of health care costs payable during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dva_IncreaseDecreaseInPriorYearEstimatesOfHealthCareCostsPayable
Namespace Prefix:	dva_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_HealthCareOrganizationsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration