v2.4.1.9
Long Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior notes $ 3,775,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes $ 3,775,000us-gaap_SeniorNotes
Acquisition obligations and other notes payable 63,102dva_AcquisitionObligationsAndOtherNotesPayable 69,045dva_AcquisitionObligationsAndOtherNotesPayable
Capital lease obligations 239,439us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations 218,097us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations
Total debt principal outstanding 8,513,791us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount 8,519,642us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Discount on long-term debt (15,562)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount (16,208)us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
Carrying Amount of Long-Term Debt, Net of Unamortized Discount or Premium, Current and Noncurrent, Total 8,498,229us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations 8,503,434us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Less current portion (118,076)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent (120,154)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Long-term debt 8,380,153us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations 8,383,280us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Term Loan A    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Secured Credit Facilities 962,500us-gaap_SecuredDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= dva_TermLoanAMember
975,000us-gaap_SecuredDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= dva_TermLoanAMember
Term Loan B    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Senior Secured Credit Facilities $ 3,473,750us-gaap_SecuredDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember
$ 3,482,500us-gaap_SecuredDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= dva_TermLoanBMember