v2.4.1.9
Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Feb. 28, 2015
Legal Proceedings [Line Items]          
Loss contingency reserve $ 17,000us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod $ 17,000us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod $ 397,000us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod $ 85,837us-gaap_LossContingencyLossInPeriod  
Period of corporate integrity agreement   5 years      
Subsequent Event          
Legal Proceedings [Line Items]          
Number of Subpoenas         6dva_NumberOfSubpoenas
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Number of Medical Centers         6dva_NumberOfMedicalCenters
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
2010 U.S. Attorney Physician Relationship Investigation          
Legal Proceedings [Line Items]          
Settlement payment before accrued interest   350,000us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= dva_USAttorneyPhysicianRelationshipInvestigation2010Member		      
Settlement payment, civil forfeiture   39,000dva_PaymentsForLitigationSettlementCivilForfeiture
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= dva_USAttorneyPhysicianRelationshipInvestigation2010Member		      
Contingency reserve   414,000dva_LitigationReserveTotal
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= dva_USAttorneyPhysicianRelationshipInvestigation2010Member		 397,000dva_LitigationReserveTotal
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= dva_USAttorneyPhysicianRelationshipInvestigation2010Member		    
Medicaid          
Legal Proceedings [Line Items]          
Settlement payment before accrued interest   $ 11,500us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements
/ us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis
= dva_MedicaidMember