v2.4.1.9

Reconciliation of Changes in Contingent Earn-Out Obligations (Detail) (Dialysis businesses and other businesses, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015
Dialysis businesses and other businesses |
Disclosure - Reconciliation of Changes in Contingent Earn-Out Obligations (Detail) [Line Items] |
Beginning balance | $ 39,129 dva_BusinessAcquisitionContingentEarnOutFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = us-gaap_SeriesOfIndividuallyImmaterialBusinessAcquisitionsMember
Remeasurement of fair value for other contingent earn-outs | (704)dva_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationAcquisitionsFairValueRemeasurementGainLoss / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = us-gaap_SeriesOfIndividuallyImmaterialBusinessAcquisitionsMember
Ending balance | $ 38,425 dva_BusinessAcquisitionContingentEarnOutFairValueDisclosure / us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis = us-gaap_SeriesOfIndividuallyImmaterialBusinessAcquisitionsMember

X
- Definition Fair values as of the balance sheet date of contingent earn-out considerations if certain performance targets are met. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | dva_BusinessAcquisitionContingentEarnOutFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | dva_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Business combination contingent consideration acquisitions, fair value remeasurement (gain) loss. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | dva_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationAcquisitionsFairValueRemeasurementGainLoss
Namespace Prefix: | dva_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | dva_DisclosureReconciliationOfChangesInContingentEarnOutObligationsDetailLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | dva_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration