v2.4.1.9

Summary of Expenditures for Property and Equipment by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Expenditures for property and equipment | $ 121,421 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets | $ 126,562 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
U.S. dialysis and related lab services |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Expenditures for property and equipment | 105,395 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember | 113,230 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember
HealthCare Partners (HCP) |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Expenditures for property and equipment | 5,034 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember | 4,502 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = dva_HealthcarePartnersMember
Other-Ancillary services and strategic initiatives |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Expenditures for property and equipment | $ 10,992 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember | $ 8,830 us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets / us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis = us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember

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- Definition The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=dva_USDialysisAndRelatedLabServicesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |