v2.4.1.9

Long Term Debt (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	$ 3,775,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes	$ 2,800,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Acquisition obligations and other notes payable	69,045dva_AcquisitionObligationsAndOtherNotesPayable	67,352dva_AcquisitionObligationsAndOtherNotesPayable
Capital lease obligations	218,097us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations	152,751us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations
Total debt principal outstanding	8,519,642us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount	8,433,603us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Discount on long-term debt	(16,208)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount	(17,675)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
Carrying Amount of Long-Term Debt, Net of Unamortized Discount or Premium, Current and Noncurrent, Total	8,503,434us-gaap_LongTermDebt	8,415,928us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Less current portion	(120,154)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent	(274,697)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Long-term debt	8,383,280us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations	8,141,231us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Term Loan A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities	975,000us-gaap_SecuredDebt / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = dva_TermLoanAMember	800,000us-gaap_SecuredDebt / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = dva_TermLoanAMember
Term Loan A-3
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities		1,282,500us-gaap_SecuredDebt / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = dva_TermLoanAThreeFacilityMember
Term Loan B
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities	3,482,500us-gaap_SecuredDebt / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = dva_TermLoanBMember	1,697,500us-gaap_SecuredDebt / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = dva_TermLoanBMember
Term Loan B-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities		$ 1,633,500us-gaap_SecuredDebt / us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis = dva_SeniorSecuredTermLoanBTwoMember

X

- Definition

This represents deferred purchase price obligations associated with acquisitions as well as other notes payable.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date.

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Amount of long-term debt before deduction of unamortized discount or premium. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, with initial maturities beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligation due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount of long-term debt and capital leases due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

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Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

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