v2.4.1.9
Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Jul. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Senior notes   $ 3,775,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes $ 2,800,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes      
Facility, aggregate principal amount 5,500,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity          
Maximum additional borrowing capacity 1,500,000dva_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacity          
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2015   117,193us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo        
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2016   144,161us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree        
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2017   155,750us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour        
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2018   730,084us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive        
Thereafter   7,252,300us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive        
Proceeds from borrowings   60,038,508us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt 66,286,097us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt 43,248,175us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt    
Payment of total outstanding principal balances under existing Senior Secured Credit Facilities plus accrued interest   60,046,487us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations 66,723,385us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations 39,286,027us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations    
Debt refinancing charges   97,548dva_DebtRefinancingCharge   10,963dva_DebtRefinancingCharge    
Amount of gains (losses) recognized in OCI on interest rate swap and cap agreements 3,000us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet          
Debt expense   410,294us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense 429,943us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense 288,554us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense    
Debt refinancing charges   (97,548)dva_DebtRefinancingCharge   (10,963)dva_DebtRefinancingCharge    
Debt expense recognized   385,750us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt 401,140us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt 270,107us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt    
Unrealized (losses) gain on interest rate swap and cap agreements   (10,059)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax 169us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax (6,204)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax    
Overall weighted average effective interest rate on Senior Secured Credit Facilities     3.43%dva_LineOfCreditWeightedAverageInterestRate      
Weighted average effective interest rate   4.68%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod        
Overall weighted average effective interest rate   4.46%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate        
Amortization of deferred financing costs   24,544us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts 28,803us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts 18,447us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts    
HealthCare Partners (HCP)            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Outstanding letters of credit   1,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= dva_HealthcarePartnersMember
       
Letter of Credit            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Outstanding letters of credit   95,000us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
       
Revolving Credit Facility            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Facility, aggregate principal amount 1,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
         
Facility, term 5 years          
Interest rate cap agreements            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate agreements, notional amount   3,500,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
       
Derivative, expiration date   Jun. 30, 2018        
Fair value of assets   12,340us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
       
Unrealized (losses) gain on interest rate swap and cap agreements   (2,147)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
       
Interest Rate Swap            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Notional amount terminated 600,000invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
         
Debt refinancing charges 3,100dva_DebtRefinancingCharge
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
         
Debt expense   6,100us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
Debt refinancing charges (3,100)dva_DebtRefinancingCharge
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
         
Amortizing Swap            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Notional amount terminated 1,137,500invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= dva_AmortizingSwapMember
         
Maximum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Senior secured leverage ratio 3.50dva_RequiredSeniorSecuredLeverageRatio1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
         
Maximum | Interest rate cap agreements            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument Interest rate   3.50%dva_DebtInstrumentInterestLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
       
Minimum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Senior secured leverage ratio 1.00dva_RequiredSeniorSecuredLeverageRatio1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
         
Covenants factor leverage ratio 1.00dva_RequiredLeverageRatioCovenant1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
         
Term Loan A Term Loan B            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate description   At December 31, 2014, the overall weighted average interest rate for the Term Loan A was determined based upon the LIBOR interest rates in effect for all of the individual tranches plus the interest rate margin.        
Term Loan A Term Loan B | Maximum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Term Loan A and Term Loan B maturity date range   12 months        
Term Loan A Term Loan B | Minimum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Term Loan A and Term Loan B maturity date range   1 month        
Term Loan A            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, annual principal payment   37,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanAMember
100,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanAMember
     
Term Loan A-3            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, annual principal payment   16,875us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanAThreeFacilityMember
67,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanAThreeFacilityMember
     
Term Loan B            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, annual principal payment   4,375us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
17,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
     
Term Loan B | Interest rate cap agreements            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate agreements, notional amount   2,735,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
       
Term Loan B | Maximum | Interest rate cap agreements            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate   3.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
       
LIBOR interest rate for interest cap   3.50%dva_DebtInstrumentInterestRatePercentageAboveLiborRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
       
Term Loan B | Maximum | Interest rate cap agreements | Derivative Instrument 1            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument Interest rate   2.50%dva_DebtInstrumentInterestLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentOneMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
       
Interest rate agreements, notional amount   2,735,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentOneMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
       
Remaining outstanding debt   747,500us-gaap_DebtorInPossessionFinancingBorrowingsOutstanding
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentOneMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
       
Derivative, Floor Interest Rate   0.75%us-gaap_DerivativeFloorInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentOneMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
       
Term Loan B-2            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, annual principal payment   4,125us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorSecuredTermLoanBTwoMember
16,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorSecuredTermLoanBTwoMember
     
New Term Loan A            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, annual principal payment   25,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
      25,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
Facility, aggregate principal amount 1,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
         
Facility, term 5 years          
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2014 25,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalRemainderOfFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2015 50,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2016 62,500us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2017 87,500us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2018 100,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
         
Thereafter 675,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
         
New Term Loan A | Interest Rate Swap            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate   1.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
Interest rate agreements, notional amount   855,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
Fixed interest rate, lower limit   0.49%us-gaap_DerivativeLowerFixedInterestRateRange
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
Fixed interest rate, upper limit   0.52%us-gaap_DerivativeHigherFixedInterestRateRange
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
Weighted average effective interest rate   2.26%dva_WeightedAverageInterestRateOnHedgedPortionOfSeniorSecuredCreditFacility
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
Derivative, expiration date   Sep. 30, 2016        
Debt expense recognized   3,170us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
Fair value of assets   1,824us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
Unrealized pre-tax losses in other comprehensive income   1,457us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
New Term Loan A | Interest Rate Swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate   1.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
       
Interest rate agreements, notional amount   120,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
       
New Term Loan B            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate agreements, notional amount   2,735,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
       
LIBOR interest rate for interest cap   2.50%dva_DebtInstrumentInterestRatePercentageAboveLiborRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
       
Debt instrument, annual principal payment   17,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
      17,500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
Facility, aggregate principal amount 3,500,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
         
Facility, term 7 years          
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2014 17,500us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalRemainderOfFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2015 35,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2016 35,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2017 35,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2018 35,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2019 35,000dva_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearSix
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2020 35,000dva_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearSeven
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
         
Long term borrowing annual principal payment, 2021 3,272,500dva_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearEight
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
         
Derivative, expiration date   Sep. 30, 2016        
Debt expense recognized   2,439us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
       
Fair value of assets   1,594us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
       
Unrealized (losses) gain on interest rate swap and cap agreements   (5,972)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
       
New Term Loan B | Interest rate cap agreements | Derivative Instrument 2            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Interest rate agreements, notional amount   1,250,000us-gaap_DerivativeAssetNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentTwoMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
       
Derivative, expiration date   Sep. 30, 2014        
Debt expense recognized   2,691us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentTwoMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
       
New Term Loan B | Interest Rate Swap            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate   2.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
       
New Term Loan B | Maximum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Covenants factor leverage ratio 3.50dva_RequiredLeverageRatioCovenant1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
         
New Term Loan B | Maximum | Interest rate cap agreements | Derivative Instrument 2            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument Interest rate   4.00%dva_DebtInstrumentInterestLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentTwoMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
       
New Term Loan B | Minimum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument Interest rate 0.75%dva_DebtInstrumentInterestLondonInterbankOfferedRateRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
         
Senior Secured Credit Facilities            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Undrawn revolving credit facilities   1,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilitiesMember
       
Payment of total outstanding principal balances under existing Senior Secured Credit Facilities plus accrued interest   5,362,400us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilitiesMember
       
Senior Notes 5.125 Percent Due 2024            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Senior notes 1,750,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesFivePointOneTwoFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyFourMember
1,750,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesFivePointOneTwoFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyFourMember
       
Senior note, interest rate 5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesFivePointOneTwoFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyFourMember
5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesFivePointOneTwoFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyFourMember
       
Senior note, due date   2024        
Senior notes interest payment period   The 5 1/8% Senior Notes pay interest on January 15 and July 15 of each year beginning January 15, 2015        
Senior notes interest payment, first required payment date   Jan. 15, 2015        
Debt redemption end date   Jul. 15, 2019        
Proceeds from borrowings   1,750,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesFivePointOneTwoFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyFourMember
       
Senior Notes 5.125 Percent Due 2024 | Maximum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt redemption end date   Jul. 15, 2017        
Senior Notes 6.625 Percent Due 2020            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Senior notes   775,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointSixTwoFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyMember
       
Senior note, interest rate   6.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointSixTwoFivePercentDueTwentyTwentyMember
       
Senior note, due date   2020        
Senior Notes 5.75 Percent Due 2022            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Senior notes   1,250,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesFivePointSevenFivePercentageSeniorNotesMember
       
Senior note, interest rate   5.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesFivePointSevenFivePercentageSeniorNotesMember
       
Senior note, due date   2022        
New Term Loans and Senior Notes 5.125 Percent Due 2024            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Proceeds from borrowings   6,250,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoansAndSeniorNotesMember
       
New Term Loans and Senior Notes 5.125 Percent Due 2024 | Maximum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Percentage of redemption 35.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoansAndSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
         
New Term Loans            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Proceeds from borrowings   4,500,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoansMember
       
Senior Notes 6.375 Percent Due 2018            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Outstanding principal balances   483,100dva_DebtInstrumentFaceAmountCashTenderPurchase
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
       
Aggregate debt principal balances   775,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
       
Redemption of total amount of debt including principal and interest   512,400us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
       
Debt instrument, redemption price ratio   1,051.25dva_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPriceRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
       
Cash tender premium for redemption   24,800us-gaap_RedemptionPremium
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
       
Fees, discounts and other professional expenses   81,600us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
       
Senior Notes 6.375 Percent Due 2018 | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Aggregate debt principal balances         188us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis
= us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember
 
Redemption of total amount of debt including principal and interest         194us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis
= us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember
 
Debt instrument, redemption price ratio         1,021.25dva_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPriceRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis
= us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember
 
Cash tender premium for redemption         4us-gaap_RedemptionPremium
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis
= us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember
 
Senior Notes 6.375 Percent Due 2018 | Derivative Instrument 2            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Aggregate debt principal balances         291,719us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentTwoMember
 
Redemption of total amount of debt including principal and interest         309,954us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentTwoMember
 
Debt instrument, redemption price ratio         1,047.81dva_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPriceRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentTwoMember
 
Cash tender premium for redemption         $ 13,947us-gaap_RedemptionPremium
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_SeniorNotesSixPointThreeSevenFivePercentDueTwentyEighteenMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeByNatureAxis
= dva_DerivativeInstrumentTwoMember
 
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate 1.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
         
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Term Loan A            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate   1.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
       
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Term Loan B | Maximum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate   2.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
       
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Term Loan B | Minimum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate   2.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
       
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | New Term Loan A            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate     1.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
     
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | New Term Loan A | Maximum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate 2.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
         
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | New Term Loan A | Minimum            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate 1.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanAMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
         
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | New Term Loan B            
Debt Instrument [Line Items]            
Debt instrument, variable interest rate     2.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= dva_NewTermLoanBMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember