v2.4.1.9
Allocation of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
Continuing operations $ 446,343us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit $ 381,013us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit $ 359,845us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Discontinued operations   (84)us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriod (82)us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriod
Gain on discontinued operations   8,918us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfIncomeLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperation  
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations and Discontinued Operations, Total $ 446,343dva_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAndDiscontinuedOperations $ 389,847dva_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAndDiscontinuedOperations $ 359,763dva_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAndDiscontinuedOperations