v2.4.1.9
Components of Changes in Health Care Costs Payable (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Medical Expense And Medical Claims Payable [Line Items]    
Health care costs payable, beginning of the period   $ 314,347dva_MedicalExpensePayable
Less: Claims paid    
Health care costs payable, end of the period 304,205dva_MedicalExpensePayable 314,347dva_MedicalExpensePayable
Healthcare Cost    
Medical Expense And Medical Claims Payable [Line Items]    
Health care costs payable, beginning of the period 214,405dva_MedicalExpensePayable
/ dva_TypeOfCostAxis
= dva_HealthcareCostMember		  
Add: Components of incurred health care costs    
Current year 388,041dva_MedicalExpensePayableIncurredRelatedToCurrentYear
/ dva_TypeOfCostAxis
= dva_HealthcareCostMember		  
Prior years (1,111)dva_NetMedicalExpensePayableIncurredInPriorYears
/ dva_TypeOfCostAxis
= dva_HealthcareCostMember		  
Total incurred health care costs 386,930dva_MedicalExpensePayableIncurred
/ dva_TypeOfCostAxis
= dva_HealthcareCostMember		  
Less: Claims paid    
Current year 244,136us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidCurrentYear1
/ dva_TypeOfCostAxis
= dva_HealthcareCostMember		  
Prior years 173,378us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidPriorYears1
/ dva_TypeOfCostAxis
= dva_HealthcareCostMember		  
Total claims paid 417,514us-gaap_PaymentsForLossesAndLossAdjustmentExpense
/ dva_TypeOfCostAxis
= dva_HealthcareCostMember		  
Health care costs payable, end of the period $ 183,821dva_MedicalExpensePayable
/ dva_TypeOfCostAxis
= dva_HealthcareCostMember