v2.4.1.9

Long-term Incentive Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |
Long-term incentive program (LTIP) expense | $ 33,451 dva_LongtermIncentiveProgramCompensationCost | $ 23,100 dva_LongtermIncentiveProgramCompensationCost
Stock-based compensation expense | 12,762 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense | 15,074 us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation | 4,458 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense | 5,580 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
Unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding LTIP awards | 115,104 dva_LongtermIncentiveProgramAwardsCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedNet |
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements under equity compensation and stock purchase plans | 69,224 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized |
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements under performance-based cash component of LTIP costs, weighted average remaining period (in years) | 1 year |
Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements under stock-based component of LTIP costs, weighted average remaining period (in years) | 1 year 2 months 12 days |
Tax benefits from stock award exercises | 9,366 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions | 22,978 us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
Stock Appreciation Rights |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |
Stock granted | 77 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember |
Stock appreciation, aggregate grant-date fair value | 1,304 dva_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardGrantDateFairValueOfOptionsGranted / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember |
Weighted-average expected life (in years) | 4 years 1 month 6 days |
Stock Unit |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |
Stock granted | 64 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = dva_StockUnitMember |
Weighted-average expected life (in years) | 2 years 4 months 24 days |
Stock units, aggregate grant-date fair value | $ 4,923 dva_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardGrantDateFairValueOfStockUnitsGranted / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = dva_StockUnitMember |

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- Definition Unrecognized cost of LTIP awards granted. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Long-term incentive program, awards compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of Long-term Incentive Program compensation cost. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, grant date fair value of options granted. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Unit Granted + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 14 -Section F + Details
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- Definition Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Disclosure of the aggregate tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options and the conversion of similar instruments during the annual period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (j) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Expected term of share-based compensation awards, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.D.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (f)(2)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 14 -Section D -Subsection 2 + Details
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- Definition Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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